Luthien took a moment to scan the 'Merchant Lords' as they showed up...just how dark were these guys, and did they require even further attention then they got?

Brie sat on the edge of the ship near the gang plank and where she would also have a good view of any one coming and going from the ship for shopping.  She steadied herself for any type of rouse or attempt at an attack.

"The guards seem trustworthy, for the most part. The torchbearers read straight up white to me. They have unusually pure souls. The merchant lords you sent away are as dark as advertised. That was well done. Black enough, those Merchant Lords, that I wonder if they've purchased more than goods."

To be THAT black, they've been doing SOMETHING very wrong...

Pause.

"Also, the Captain has it in for you. She was a dark shade of grey till she got to talking to you, then went black."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Sun 21 Jan 2018.

   Kree nods,.. I  do not  know alot of the SAndfolk, save i  would not want to fight them in the sands.... it the grasslands, or trees, or even ship to ship...but  they know, too many tricks  in the sands...

  ..Having  said that?.... There are some good  folk here, just like there are bad folk in the grasslands.... You noticed they came here to greet us  first?.... one should think they were wondering about  the slaves..

 ..As for the Captain, i seem to  rub many folks the wrong  way.. being an Elf  anf  an Arrow, may not  sit  well with the Sandfolk...

 Now, everyone  get rest... Bring up the GAng Plank.... No one boards  with out my  leave....

   Only Halfway up the trees of the Trace, the Sun was barely  warming they  cool morning air... at least, it was Cool on the River.

   Six  people came down the  docks.. Three of them  carried themselves  as  leader.. the other  Three   followed, talking among themselves,  and were well armed.

   Ivy is    sitting on the  railing, his legs  dangle over the side as he calls  down,.. You folks Lost?...  we are the only thin  down this far? I figure if they  could have forced us  further  up river..they would have!..

 He  grinned.

   The tallest of the  people, a Man with a pointed  beard   and Oily hair.. a pair of slim blades on  his  hips.. Puffy , used, but   very clean c Blue  garments made him look a  bit....'fancy'..well?  Hail to you!.. I Am Captain Van Veegerhouss. Of  The All Wind... he  points  to a  slim Blonde  with  chainmail, a  sabre  hangs  from her  hip,..This  is Captain Della.. her ship is The  Breaker.... She raises  an arm to Give a  brief Salut.. Kree  has Made  his  appearance behind  Ivy.

 ..and this short Grumpy Fellow is Capt  Gord  Bronzeblade.. his ship is the Swimming Stone...  The Dwarf  makes a fist and thumps his heavy leather chest piece.. an ax is on one hip, and HAmmer on the other.

  Ivy  jerks   his thumb over his  shoulder at Kree....This  Is  Kree... Captain of  ..what is out name now?

 Kree   smiles slightly,..This ship is a recent  Prize, taken from some...hapless slavers.. it  has been renamed, The Floating Arrow..now?.. How  can we help you?

 Van  pointed to the trees,..its  almost time for the trade day to start?....and?  we heard we were welcome to come for a Visit.. I think the visit will help us all...

 Aye... Come  Aboard then.... We will have a drink on the deck.. the  quarters are..... cramped, at best.

  two crewmen  begin to playout the gangplank...Kree  looks around and says , quietly but sternly.....we have no reason to fear these folk... but no reason to trust them... just yet... set up tables  and  drink.. bring  some biskets  and  Honey.... Luthien.. You can... watch them.. while the rest?  Gather round as a show of force...

 Returning to the  side, to await the Captains.. the First mates saty on the Dock, but  Krre tells the Captains to bring them as well... the three captains looked surprised,  but the   other  three men hurry up the  plank to Join them

  Once  they are there,  crates  and barrels are used for seating.. Kree waits for them all to be seated... once tea, rum or  wine is doled out  and the   folks have started on biskets.. Kree asks,..Now?.. what is the visit  about?

 The  woman looks at  Kree, she says,..You don't  strike me as a proper ship's captain....

  Broth speaks up,..he may not be. Cap'n Della.. what he's a right proper bastard.. an' we'll go with that.

 The  dwarf  chugs  down a mug of  rum, and  refills his cup,..that's good  'nough fer me...

 Veehrhouss smiles as he  sips some tea... adding a bit more honey to it...we are going to... if you allow it.... hold  our  auction here....for all of our ships....The Mok Merchant Lords have a Habit of turning ships against each other... when the  bidding is done.. the lesser merchants come in and have to buy what is left...mostly at larger prices...this is no good  for us..nor the lesser merchants..

 ..Rumor says you have a Nice stock of Serpent  meat?... if that is  true,  you could have paid off  your  crew and bought supplies and still had  Coin left.. but you chased the Lords away....which.. is not a smart thing to do, by the way..

 Kree nods,... I have seen fisherman in Ironmound, make a months  pay with a 3 foot serpent.. i have also seen that serpent go to the rich..i have seen children catch  smaller serpents and sell then to the Inns on  the docks.. or take them home for thier own families.... I... do not like the fact that Coin can get you more then working does...

 ... do you know..the first thing the  Merchant lords  are going to do.. is   balk at buying anything from you....

 ...and? From what i understand..coin  is still coin, regardless of  who hands it to me...I will simply  sell more  to the  ...'lesser' Merchants.. i may  make a little less coin... but those merchants will make more coin...and then be able to use that coin  against the Lords, next time ships come in

 ... you know.. you will make enemies here.. do you not? it was a statement..not a threat.

 Kree waved to his   Unit,..we make  alot of enemies... they do not stay enemies long...

 ..oh?.. How so?

 Ivy   grins,..dead folk are not too much of a threat.

 the three captains looked at each other,well.... if there is truth in those words... this  could  be a turning point for the people of Mok....

 from the  walls    trumpets let out long...wailing blasts... three times....

 The  dwarf sips  from his  Mug,..they will be here.. is  some 20 Minutes....

 Kree raises his   mug of  wine,..then?... here is to the turning point...

"The merchant lords read black as night to my senses. Should they end up put to the sword, neither I nor the gods will mourn them."

Luthien is still keeping an eye on the people gathering here. It is entirely possible one of them is an informant. He'll notice. He always notices.

Diana rose just after sunrise.  She had something to drink.  She had some breakfast, and then chose her place to keep watch.

When the captains and their first mates came on board, she kept a weary eye.

Then the horns blared.  That put her on alert even more.

She took a position where she could clearly see both the docks and keep an eye on the six new arrivals.

  There was a crowd  walking  down  the   arm of thier wharf... some 20 people..   Mok Guards  Kept   bodyguards  and On Lookers  BAck.

   In Front of the   wall of people was a  Halforc who was dressed in  a good   Leather   with a Battle axe  on his  back.. the kid from the night before with him..

 He stopped at the gang Plank,..By yer Leave..Capin?

 Veerghuuss  says,..That's the Captain of the Wave Thrasher.. he is  far on the other side of the cdocks as you are on this side...seems.. they do not like him either...

 ..Aye?... Come  aboard.. bring your lad.. there is   a small breakfast here..  to get us ready for  that  angry  group behind you...

  The Halforc  grins  as he  salutes and steps on the   ship, the other  Captains greet him and he  helps himself to  rum and  biskets.. the kid.. the only kid.. dives into the honey biskets and tea.

 HAIL!... Floating  Arrow.... We needs Talk!

 Kree looks   back at the trees,  there is another good 5 Minutes  before the Sun Clears,..well..not business for at least  five more  Minutes?

  The lead  Merchant Lord  says....I am  Callit Seveth.. Leader of the Merchant Lords.... This woman to my  right is Alona Migg.. the   one who minds the coin of the  Merchant lord's Guild... and this  is Fafar Fate.. he deals in settling debts  for the  Guild.. all of them were dark skinned, oily black hair  and  much..much silver  on.. Fafar was a bit thinner, and   wore   many daggers on  crossbelts on his chest.

 ..Hail and Well met.. You know the other Captains  aboard My ship... you know me...now..what i want to know? What the 9 hells do I care  who you are?

 the three took a step back as  if struck.. the people behind the city guards had a Mix of  gasps, and laughter.

 ..We came here. to Tell all your  captains, that the merchant Lords wil not be buying..ANY..of your Goods...

 Fafer  Sneered at the Captains who  were drinks and  nibbling as they looked  down.

 ..Thank you for that.. now run along so we can deal with ...REAL..merchants, The  people  just looked at each other... the Lords  were dumbfounded.

   Kree  started to walk down the  Ramp.. Ivy Moved to the stern to make sure he had a field of fire...now?  I cannot speak for my new  found friends, behind me... Buy i have spend alot of time in Ironmound.... i have seen Mouri and   other   ports on the lakes....no where.. do people  buy goods   with out fair  trade for all merchants...now?.. if you do not like that.. that is fine...


 Pointing past the Lords to a line of   folks dressed like merchants.. though to  as fancy as the  Lords...You folks?.. we'll show you our Manifests .. you can  make a bid...a fair bid.. and  we  will sell to who wins.. should you be short on coin, I am sure  we can break lots up, so all may have a chance at new goods... and?..  all 5 ships will deal this way..Since the Lords have declared themselves out of the Bidding

 "...will be able to inspect the goods?.."

 ..aye..under watchfull eyes  for the ships  crews.... then.. once you have purchased what you will, your people may pick the goods up, when they are ready, so you can get them  there by , no later the  mid of day?

 The  people  cheered.. the  lowly merchanst   walked  Briskly to the ramp  where the other captains  with thie r   people  held out their Books..

  Luthien  had  The Arrow's  books..

   Callit looked at Kree...you have made a fool of us!

 Kree  sipped from his wine,.. you made fools of yourself... hoping all were as greedy as you.... i mererly showed  the others..that you did?

 The Lords    stomped off, once  again..  The merchants were  bidding like crazy for the serpent meat..  ore  from the  Halforc's ships.. lethers... fruit and tubers.. even  well crafted  spears  and  axes..

   Vanderhouss smiled as he  walked over to Kree, filling the Elf's Mug with   wine, then clinking  Mugs... I do not think we will make more then we normally do here... but.. we will make many people happy... and the sight of the Lords   tucking  and running..is worth , whatever short fall  we have....

 ..ahhh.. see , that's were you are  wrong... If you sell 10 crates of   potatoes for  1 gold each.. is that not  better then sellign  10 crates   for 9?... you deal fair with the lesser merchants.. you will find, that coin  flows  your way. a bit faster..when it is in smaller   drops..  he sips his  wine and adds,..I have never met a poor  merchant in Ironmound...

With Luthien on books, everything is done unusually fairly. This might probably make him a few friends among those who are relieved to see honest dealings for a change. Every measure he uses is perfectly fair. His impressive people skills will go a long way too.

Luthien's sense of honorable men...and those with none...makes sure nobody puts anything past him, either, even if the Knight is hardly all that savvy as a merchant. Indeed, he's the emblem of what happens when you send a Paladin to do a bookkeeper's job...books that actually balance properly.

  there are People  waving hads  with small booklets  as they    look over Manifests  and   give off thier  bids...

 some   of the buyers    take to Kree's  Ship to look at the goods the Crew ( and helpful unit members ) have laid out on the deck.

   others   send  runners to the other ships to have a look at the Goods.. though, truth be told, some of the buyer go for a look themselves ... seemingly thinking this is  'too good to be true'.

  as the  people hustle and Bustle  some  drinks   are Handed out  by  The Floating Arrow, for  parched   throats  and  'sealing bids'.

  Kree  watched  from a bit away.. keeping an eye on the gates to the town, while Ivy watched  from the  stern.

   3 buyers  approached, the  most outgoing one spoke up....I must say.. this  is a Novel way to do business... but i do not understand , why you do not bring your goods into the city?

  Kree smiled   at the HAlf Orc  and Dwarf, who were now  beside him, the other  CAptains   helping thier  pursers  take bids.

 well?... It is  simple minded of me... as far as the merchant mind goes? But we  take bids, as  any other  auction..but.. we are also thinking of the smallest  merchant..and not the  Largest bid.... if we unloaded out goods...carted them into the City..by days end , we would   have to ...all but ...give away some of our goods, or..cart them back down to the ship.... This way?.. if  folks do not want some of out goods..they are on the ship for the enxt port.. that saving of  both time..and loss of coin, is passed on to yoou....and..i hope..you pass that on to  the people who buy from you.... The Merchant Lords have sopught the highest  pirces...for the lowest bids... no one wins  in that.. but the Lords.... Here?.. you are all competeing against  others   who are more in your purse  range..and..when yoou take the goods to market, your customers  wil be the whole of the city, rather then just those who wear the finest silks...

  Gord  speaks up,..well..I like it.... The Lords  pile thier money together..buy what they want..and still  overcharge.. then we 'ave ta take back..or give away, what they dinna  think was worth it...... I'm doin' this  ever' time i come 'ere... and ifin  the Lords  dunna like it.. we'll move on down ta Vall...

Brie stands guard near the entry onto the boat and near Kree in case any one planned to attack.  Her daggers were well in view as people boarded and she wasn't afraid to show them that she was willing to stand up and defend the boat and Kree or the others aboard if the time called for it.

She awaited for more orders if Kree or Ivy beckoned them her way.

  Once every one gets their 'pay' Kree tells  Broth,..Again?... we do not  know what will happen to us, or  if  we will be able to return. The   Ship is yours as First Mate. if you are able to get someone to pay you for transport..take it   and Go.. i would suggest  going between  Vall and the Cavren's Market... but if you feel the need,   take her to the coast.. There  should  be  at least one Group of Arrows in Vall.. you can  work with them, or  sail down the coast and up The Strom to Ironmound... There ..you would go to the 'Walk the Plank' Inn..that is our base in the City...which ever  path you choose.. Fare you well...

 Broth and the other  crew  smile and Nod,..thankee Cap'n. We'll stay for  three days.. let it known we are for hire... then cast off... I think we'll ply the waters   around here.. In case ya need us...

 They grips  wrists, and Kree looks at the Arrows,...let us see hat Mok has to offer...

  walking down the wharf , towards the town, they can see at elast one guardsman  running to the gates...

Brie watched diligently as the goods was priced and then hauled off the boat.  When the ship was clear, the arrows moved off the boat and towards Mok.  Brie was still a bit distant not being very familiar with this area or the types of people.  Malevolence was open to quite array of people, but none like these.

She kept close to the group watching as they moved along.

Diana watched as the last of the merchants loaded and hauled away their goods.  She took her pay, and then headed into town.

She went looking for a card game.

It was not only a way to relax, but also a great source of information.  Conversations often included what was going on in the sands, who was enemies with who in the city, and what everyone thought of the Arrows.

That and she also liked being on her own, away from the others.  While it was great having them have her back, there were times when she just needed to get away.

So, she took her pay, and went into Mok, looking for a game of cards.

 Diana left for MOK a bit  before  the rest of the Arrrows  headed in together.

 She  saw some of the 'lesser merchants'  gave her a polite nod... some folks dressed in finer silks, seem to discard her.

 it took her  a  while to find a  place to play... a few   outlander sailors  around  a crate.. they were being  watched  by sandfolk .........

In reply to Diana (msg # 312):

Diana played the game, half ignoring the Sandfolk.

From time to time she would glance their way, taking in their actions and movements.

She made sure her blade was easily reachable, should they try and pull something.

  They Game  broke up  about  an Hour later... Diana came away with  2 silvers  4  copper  more then when she went in.

 Many of the snad folk looked  coldly on her... a woman ..and Outlander... had taken thier money..

In reply to Diana (msg # 314):

With the game over, Diana stared back at the sandfolk, before leaving the game, and heading to see what she could see in the city.  She was hungry, and decided to get something to eat.

So, she went looking for an inn, or some place for a nice meal.

Myranda secured her helmet to the saddle allowing the sun to warm her face as they road. She enjoyed the fast pace they were travelling; as they galloped across the countryside.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:01, Sun 29 July 2018.

The morning ride was invigorating Justin appreciated the time these elves took to escort their team across the grasslands, allowing them to travel quickly through the area they knew so well. The hours passed along with the leaguse they traversed.

  The Horses moved  hard across the  grasses,   as they Move they can see  some movement  in the grasses  that  the  Elves   just tell them to keep Moving.

 In other  places  they would see  large creatures.

 the darkness  is moving in, they can see  a  tiny light off in the distance.

It looks like their destination is ahead. Justin asks about the process at the entry will there be a check at the gate is there anything they should be wary off?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

 Fren   shakes his head,and calls over his shoulder,..the  Docks  were set up by merchants.. the  elves   help guard them..however , they have been lax   the last few months,, thus, the CAptain layed  about  with bow  and sword... there are rumors, the slaves who  surrender  were given over to creatures of the night.. but none know for  sure....

 at the out crop , a fence  of sorts is  set up  to help protect nercahnts and such who do not wish to pay to enter the Caverns.... You may set your   camp anywhere there... your Pins  will give  you  passage, should you need it.

PM
This message was last edited by the player at 06:48, Mon 30 July 2018.

In reply to riding (msg # 320):

That was interesting yet not unexpected, states Justin, as they head into the City. Unless the guides have ongoing arrangements for a safe stay overnight he suggest the group stay with the guides.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Tue 31 July 2018.