The Sea Wyvern's Wake (Dungeon #141)
Chapter One: A Modest Proposal

A couple of weeks pass after Viktor's evil deeds until the party have their encounter with the 'House of Porphyry' - the event that leads to the death of Celene's mentor and to her becoming a wanted person in the city.

After that adventure, a further FOUR MONTHS pass.

The characters keep busy in their own affairs, and practice their skills, each becoming better in their own way.

OOC: LADIES AND GENTS, WELCOME TO LEVEL SIX!

Wow, you had to work hard to get here from level five. You killed a troop of street performers, slaughtered a whole tribe of bullywugs, went blind fighting a wantabe succubus and threw Sasserine's most famous sleuth off the roof.

I very much want to hear how each character uses these months. In particular: How Logan trains up in his homebrew class, how Angati reconciles with her father, how Celene handles her wanted status, how Kassius critter ranch expands and what Alohan does with his new boat - the sea Wyvern.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:08, Tue 10 Jan 2017.

Logan shows up at the Temple of Gwynharwyf and sighed.  As much as he owed the church, the sessions with Lady Silvermane had grown old.  He already knew it would be another day of failures for him in his, as she put it, "pathetic attempts to grasp the simplest principles of arcane magic."  But Logan pushed open the doors anyway.

Inside, he made his way to the training room, noticing, as he always did, the quiet temple so depleted by the battle he had led them all to.  A few barbarians had joined, but the Church still felt much smaller than it had, and Logan found himself missing the boisterous personalities that had filled the building.  Even though they had been loud, and even frightening when Logan had first found them (though to be fair, the rogue had been discovered breaking into their church!) they had rapidly accepted him as one of their own, thanks to his father's ties with the church.

Opening the door to the training room, Logan stopped in surprise.  Instead of the severe Eladrin, Vorsh was inside.  Logan cocked his head.

"Ah, she's busy today?"

Vorsh smiled in a patronizing way.  "Not today, Logan.  I think you knew this, but Lady Silvermane's decided you don't have any aptitude for the arcane.  You're never going to be a Champion of Gwynharwyf.  But, to be fair, not everyone can be.  Still, you can serve the goddess.  Let's start by working on that sword.  I know you can get in behind someone and stab them, but there's more to swordplay than that!  Let's start with your footwork, Logan.  I've heard that you've got a problem getting skewered when you're alone in a fight."

Logan grimaced at the memory of his guts falling out and the life fading his body, and nodded.  "True, not something I'd like to repeat.  But look at me!"  The half-elf gestured at his thin, wiry body, the product of years of living hand-to-mouth in Shadowshore.  "I'm never going to be able to hold my own against an opponent like you!"

Vorsh tossed Logan a blunted practice sword and grabbed one for himself, shaking his head.  "Look, I don't think you'll ever be the best duelist in the world.  But you've got your father's skill, and I can see it, despite all the mess you've been fed learning to swing that sword from some gutter-trash in Shadowshore."

Logan bristled, his anger rising.  "And those dirty tricks kept me alive this long!"

Vorsh smiled, glad to see Logan getting ready to fight.  "They did, boy.  But there's people out there who have seen all of your 'tricks.'  And there's worse things, devils and demons that you've barely glimpsed who couldn't give a fracking snowball in Hades for them.  So you've got to learn some other skills as well."

Vorsh advanced, and Logan brought up his blade instinctively.

---

After a few weeks of training with Vorsh, Logan had improved his skills, and was surprised to find Lady Silvermane in the training room.

He cocked his head to the side.  "I thought you had...given up on me?"

The Eladrin sighed.  "Vorsh has been extolling your virtues, and while I maintain that I am correct about your fundamental inability to learn arcane magics, despite your promising heritage, you can still offer a useful service to the the Whirling Furies.  You need more than the ability to wield a blade, however."

Lady Silvermane moved to the side, revealing a small birdcage holding a tiny winged creature, its thin body topped with ram horns.

"This is a demon.  A lowly one, a Quasit.  Evil arcanists sometimes use them as familiars."

Logan looked on, his confusion growing.

Lady Silvermane sighed, and continued.  "If you truly feel Gwynharwyf inside of you, she should be able to guide your blade against a wretched creature like this.  You should be able to feel it no matter where it hides, no matter what it does."

The Eladrin drew a circle around herself, and muttered a few words.  "I am protected against Evil now.  That Quasit cannot approach me, thanks to my magic, which you have so many times proven you are unable to master."  She cast another spell, and the door to the cage opened, the Quasit immediately taking flight and vanishing.

She continued.  "Quasits can turn themselves invisible at will.  I have promised this one its freedom if it slays you."

Logan yelped as the invisible attacker scratched a claw into his back.  "What the frack do you want me to do, then?"

Lady Silvermane shrugged.  "Learn or perish.  Use your connection with the Whirling Fury to sense the location of the Quasit, then kill it."

Logan pulled out his rapier, swinging wildly, then cursed as the Quasit hit him again.  Lady Silvermane closed her eyes, appearing to meditate.

Logan screamed: "What?!  You can't just sit there!  Teach me something!"

The rogue yelped again as another long slash appeared on his thigh.

He turned, his fury growing.  "Fine...channel the goddess!  What does that even mean?  What did Vorsh say last time..."

Logan closed his eyes, wincing as another hit from the Quasit landed, and then opened them, staring straight at his invisible attacker.  The rogue bared his teeth and lunged straight at the Quasit, who screamed and tried to evade.  The rogue's blade glowed with the same power as his eyes, and it hit the demon straight on, ripping through its defenses and ending its life in a single stroke.

Lady Silvermane opened her eyes, laughing.  "Vorsh said you wouldn't be ready for that, but I was pleased to prove him wrong."

The following weeks passed in a haze, it was hard for Angati to remember a time when she had felt happier than she had done during those weeks, it all started with her father's embrace...

..."Why don't you come back and stay with us ?"  asked Worrin as he still held Angati by her shoulders. Angati looked at her father for a long time. She knew that there was very little that the man did out of feeling, but she could tell, there was at least a little bit of that involved in the proposal he was making.... apart from that... he would probably feel safer for himself and Zelina...  as her thoughts strayed in that direction and her smile started to vanish her father added "As yourself... as Angati, my daughter...".

Angati couldn't help it, she embraced her father and started crying again, Zelina joined them and even Anansi joined the hug.

There was no need to answer. After a little while, when they were a bit more calm, after a few drinks... they were sitting together around the fire. It was one of the few times, that Angati remembered her father dedicating his full time and attention to her daughters and he was savouring it... but there was just one thing missing.

"Father, Zelina....  there is one more thing...  come with me... " she stood up, and took them to the back of the house, they passed the garden, and in there she cut a bunch of Dasy Flowers. She carefully cleaned them and arranged them as they advanced towards the back, close to the wall that marked the limits of the state, there was a lonely tomb next to the mausoleum where her mother's remains rested. While the mausoleum was in a pretty good state, the tomb, had not been cleaned in a while. Angati split the flowers in three, bent down to clean the tomb and put her flowers over her sister's remains.

She saw that both her father and Zelina were struggling to speak, Anansi, was overcome with joy... kissing Angati and her father and sister again and again.... "She is very happy...."... "We can see" said both her sister and father as they got a glimpse of Anansi's spirit pushing some flower's to her mother's mausoleum.

They now knew she wasn't crazy... and they had accepted her back she was floating. As they came back to the fire, ideas started to bubble in her head...

- "Well... now the fun begins...  father, I have decided I am going to kill Aunt Lidu... or rather, I think I am gonna blame it on Viktor... another death on his death toll. They will begin pulling on the remains of his house tomorrow, so I have just the time to find an old woman's corpse......  Oh!! and we need to make a good come back for Angati now hmm ? I get to decide on her story... don't worry I won't make up anything shameful... but it needs to be colourful oh !!! oh !!! and I need to change my dressing and my hair... hmm this cestus stay's though.. its the only thing that my dear old aunt has left for me... and the armour.. although will need to put them both in the corpse so I hope no one robs the corpse tonight... though I suppose everyone is quite drunk and with the carnival going on and all.... hmmm or maybe Vrinn would like to help me on this... ahh he has such a sweet tooth for mischief.."

- "So, I was thinking.... how about we say you had sent me to live with our mother's family, but I was taken by some slavers and you have finally managed to purchase me back ?  I need to settle on these things for they will affect how I dress and how bitchy I need to be"....

It was a fun night, and her father took it in a most sporting manner.

OOC: Kassius, Alohan and Celene, please feel free to write in you posts as you can - please don't feel obliged to make them as long as the other two if you don't want to.

One morning, each of the character receive a message from Lavinia, inviting them to meet her at her manor house for lunch.

When they arrive they find the atmosphere of Vanderboren Manor to be very different from the last time they were in the house. Lavinia's home now has a busy, vibrant feel with a full staff of servants to look after the place. They also note that all of the damage during the Bullywug attack, i.e. like the fire damage in the trophy room (Celene, I am looking at you) has been repaired. It seems that young Lady Vanderboren's fortunes are looking up a little.

They are shown into the main dinning room by a young maid - it makes them sad to remember that Kora Whistlegap will never again greet them at the door - and find Lavinia pawing over a number of nautical maps, sea charts and a large journal that they (and in particular Kassius who got a good look at it) recognise as the one they recovered from the family vault on the first day they meet Lavinia.

As they are shown in Lavinia smiles. "Hello, how have you all been?" she asks. She gives Angati and Celene both big hugs, and then makes a playful fencing manoeuvre against Logan - the rogue has been teaching her his two handed fighting style over the last couple of months. She smiles and gives Kassius a friendly nod, and is even bold enough to scratch Kibeti behind the ears. She moves in to give Alohan a hug, he sticks his hand out for a handshake, then she sticks her hand out, then he moves in for a hug and... well, she just giggles nervously and then gives him a little wave.

"Oh, ugh..." A shambolic mixture of beard, maps, dried tobacco leaves and cookie crumbs rises from one of the armchairs in a corner of the room. It is Urol Forol, alchemist, master navigator and, er, stoner. The old gnome looks terrible, red eyed and huge black shadows under his eye-rims. "Oh, high guys. Glad to see you made it."

OOC: Yay! It is our old PC. Now in NPC mode and suffering because of it.

"It is so good to have your all here again! You all remember Urol, right? Please sit down and... er, Susan is it? Please a big pot of tea for us all and a few cold cuts if you could."

Once the party are settled in and a little bit of catching up has been done, Lavinia launches right into things, obviously excited to tell them what is going on.

"So, do you recall this journal that we recovered from my family vault? <holds up the silver backed journal> Well, it turns out that it was my mother's. My parents, my the gods rest their souls, were brave - foolish and rash some would say, but I have never been one to criticize an adventurous spirit. On the contrary..." she cast a wry smile at them all. "You will learn that I very much admire it. In any event, it would seem that about four years ago my mother and father took a risky endeavour. They sailed the Blue Nixie, along with a ship of colonists, across the Sea of Dread all the way to a place the refer to as... the Isle of Dread."

"You may have heard of this place... (OOC: Kassius has, from the bedtime stories that his father; Kull the Konquer, read to him from 'The Little Barbarian's Big Book of Bedtime Tails'. Alohan has also heard of it - the place is infamous in the Pearl Islands as bad news.) ...if you haven't, it seems apparent from reading my mother's journal that the place is aptly named. A jungle-covered hell infested with immense reptilian monsters (OOC: Thunder lizards!), feral savages and peril at every turn!"

Urol scoffs. "Come now Lavinia! Don't believe everything you read! I was with your mother and father on that first voyage and although it is true that the fauna is a little... exotic, there is really some very lovely flora on the island...And some places are a little more civilised than others..."

Lavinia holds her hands up placating. "Be that as it may Urol, I want to make sure that our friends here are fully informed. But yes, it is true that the southern peninsula remains relatively sheltered from the menaces on the island's mainland, and it was here, among the villages of several friendly locals, that my parents founded the colony of Farshore."

"Anyway, the Isle of Dread represents an untapped trove of resources... exotic lumber, spices, animals, foods, minerals like silver and gold. Once Farshore was up and running, the influx of trade would have guaranteed my family a relatively uncontested flow of wealth. Yet before mother and father were able to return to Farshore with supplies and more colonists... my brother made his move and left me in the state you found me in a couple of months ago."

Lavinia looks sad at the mention of her brother, but then shakes her head and continues. She motions to her mother's journal. "Since we recovered this I have not been idle. I have been translating it from its original Elven, a language than my mother spoke like a native but I have been struggling with, and learning the secrets of my parents' adventures. They had high hopes for the colony, and if Farshore fails then so does my parents' last legacy... and I loose all the money already sunk into the venture."

"So I intend to carry on their work, and I am planning a journey to the northwest, across the Sea of Dread, to resupply and join the colonists and get the trade flowing back to Sasserine. I have the Blue Nixie readying in the harbour, taking on fresh supplies for the colony, but I seem to find myself a vessel short..."

Lavinia's face breaks into a glowing grin as she turns to Alohan and continues. "You wouldn't happen to know of anyone with stout hearts and an equally stout vessel that might happen to be interested in helping me mout this expedition, do you? I feel the journey itself might grow dangerous at times, and there's no way of knowing what state or condition Farshore is currently in, but I suspect that danger is not something that would scare the like of you away when there is adventure to be had!"

This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Fri 13 Jan 2017.

Kassius had spend much of the past four months sweaty, physically exhausted, and gloriously happy. Building an exotic animal raising, handling, and breeding complex from scratch was a difficult endeavor, and Kassius was quite proud to see how it was going. The least fun days were the ones spent in offices, signing paperwork and overseeing budgets. Far more fun were the days spent in the dirt and muck, helping the workers constructing stalls and habitats, teaching the animals tricks and tending to their needs, and harvesting scales, poison, and other odds and ends for use in spells, alchemy, and anti-venoms for sale.

While the organization had been doing limited amounts of business and trade for months now, the official grand opening of "Kassius' Exotic Beasts and Byproducts" had been just the day before. Kassius' grandfather had been rather peeved that it wasn't "Cadogan's Exotic Beasts and Byproducts", but Kassius had insisted, and somehow managed to convince the old man.

Behind the scenes, the opening had almost been a disaster. One of the Rhagodessa's had been sick, the griffon had gone into heat, and Kogoloxen had gotten loose again and this time had eaten most of the utensils for the celebratory dinner planned for the evening. Kassius felt like he had spent the day constantly running, putting out metaphorical fires. Still, in the end it had gone well, and none of the various important guests and invited merchants and lords (mostly Grandfather's friends) had even noticed the chaos.

Kassius was still thinking about that as he met with his friends for the first time in a week at Lavinia's place. A vacation from "Beasts and Byproducts" did sound nice. He was sure Penny could oversee the day to day matters now that things were set up nicely.

"I'm in if you all are." he says simply and directly.

Angati was feeling anxious about this, she felt in her gut that she would meet her death there, this was making anxious, and Anansi was feeling it no less... in fact, Anansi was standing right in front of her repeating "No you don't, no you don't" over and over.

"Yes I do" she said quite cryptically for those not aware of her conversation with Anansi. "I mean, I am in, I don't want to be left here alone, and if there is something waiting for me, I'd rather go looking for it than stay waiting for fate to catch up with me".

Celene spent a few weeks brooding. The life she had known had come crumbling down around her. For a while she resisted the notion that she would need to forge a new life for herself. She decided instead to focus on research and study. She called on Urol, to learn more about alchemy, and found him all too happy to oblige. She spent the next few weeks pouring all of herself in learning the process and more importantly how it could be applied to her magic.

Eventually she could no longer hide from ruined wreck of her life. She had been relying upon her allies to gather any materials she needed from the city as it was too difficult to be done on her own. She wasn’t adept at disguises and if she made frequent trips to
Sasserine she was bound to be caught and persecuted.

Celene began to writing letters and researching the strange tea that Eseriel had used to take her life. There was no doubt that she would be able to prove the woman had been killed with a lethal dose of the leaves; but she doubted she could prove the woman had taken that dose willingly. Celene often wondered why the church had seen to the truth themselves? Laziness perhaps on the part of their opulent and rotund high priestess?

Celene decided that he only way to clear her name was to have Eseriel speak on her behalf. She began to pen anonymous letters to the priestesses below Magus Annah Teranaki.  In the letters she spoke of the death of Eseriel and pleaded with them to attempt speaking with the deceased high priestess that it would be in their best interest and that it related to the fall of the opera house. She implied that the Temple and Sasserine could not be sure they weren’t still in danger until they knew the reasons for Eseriel’s death.

Each letter she penned was delivered through a third party within the city and she arranged each to be delivered on the same day so each of the priestesses received the information with a short time of one another. She hoped this would work. She had faith that Eseriel would set the record straight; that was the least she could do for Celene after all she had kept from her.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:08, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

As the party are considering Lavinia's 'Modest Proposal', Urol can't help but pull some charts onto the top of the pile on the table to show them what their journey entails.


32 hexes at 72 miles / hex = 2,300 miles

It will truly be an epic journey, not so much in distance but in terms of the treacherous waters that they must transverse. It will take them about five weeks of sailing against the prevailing wind along the northern coast of the continent to reach the peninsula that marks the end of the Thyatian conquests. Then they will strike out to the north-west until they make landfall on the southern coast of the Isle of Dread.

In their way lie pirates, shark invested waters, fierce storms and of course the legendary wandering gyre known as 'Journey's End'. This patch of becalmed waters filled with sargasso doesn't seem to lie in any particular one spot, but move around the Sea of Dread entrapping unwary sailors in its doldrums.

OOC: The journey will take you along the coast of proto-Africa (the continent of Davinia) into the ocean between it and proto-North America.



It is a little hard to compare with modern day land masses since everything has moved since the time this map was based on (155 million years ago). But Sasserine is in the instep of Libya and the Isle of Dread is out in the middle of the Atlantic although with far more tropical climate since it is not as far north.



Since Sasserine is 3°N and 10°W, and the Isle of Dread is 20°N and 45°W, it is a bit like travelling from the western coast of Malaysia to Pakistan. Sure, not a big journey for a modern day cruise liner, but not an insubstantial trip for a medieval sailing ship!

And one more map because I can tell that you are all really enjoying then. This one is from a Mystara world globe perspective.

Lavinia pulls out another map. This one is a wonderful and incredibly detailed pencil drawn map of an island.



"My mother, Larissa, made this one," says Lavinia, pausing for a second.

"I helped her a little!" chips in Urol. "She was a great geographer in her own right though. Shame we didn't get to explore much of the interior though - it was dangerous and tough going to get through the jungle too."

The little gnome points out the geographical highlights from his first trip to the 'Isle of Dread'.

"The south-eastern peninsula is actually civilised by the standards of the region with half a dozen villages on the coasts. The people consider themselves direct descendants of the Olmen Empire although if that is true there is little left of that great culture. Although there is a huge wall that guards it from the rest of the island, maybe the ancient Olmen's made that? Our village of 'Farshore' is on a small island to the south of the peninsula."

"There is a great central plateau - the natives say it is cursed - but we never made it that far inland to get a look at it."

"Um, let me see. A pair of active volvanoes in the south-west corner. Razor sharp reefs on most of the approaches. A gargantuan dragon turtle lives in the northern bay the natives say - Larissa drew him on the map just to be safe. Lots of 'Thunder Lizards'. Yeah, that's about that."

OOC: Um, any questions before you embark on this suicide mission? Or should I just get the show rolling?

OOC: Okay, someone has to post something in character here. Anything...

Angati whistled appreciatively "WoW !!!! there seem to be more monsters than there is territory !!! just look at all those drawings !! its really detailed, your mother had quite a hand for this it seems... incredible!".

"So... ok, going to revive the commerce of the village that was founded in the south seems safe enough.. but... what do you want us to do in the rest of the island ? exploring it seems quite pointless without having any more information.... also, do you think Vanthus is heading that way too for some reason ?"

Gorgeous maps by the way.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:39, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

Logan tried to keep his expression indifferent, but the reveal of each new danger that might meet them when they left Sasserine made his expression drop a little more.  Logan knew Sasserine, knew its streets and dangers.  He accepted them, and had learned to live with them.  But an ocean voyage into an unknown land...he shuddered thinking about the outcome of the last time he had set foot on a boat with Lavinia.

Still...if it was successful.  Logan's green overruled his sense of self preservation once again.  He'd risk it, because Lavinia would undoubtedly richly reward them if this colony thing paid off.  Wouldn't hurt to ask, though.

The rogue cleared his throat.  "I know we're all on retainer, and thank you for that.  My mother is quite happy with the room I managed to secure for her.  But this trip...well, as safe as it might be, there's still an element of risk.  I mean, we're going to a place called the Isle of Dread!  I get why you're doing it - preserving your parents' legacy.  I don't suppose you would be willing to give us a stake in it?  Some percentage of whatever profits you - we - manage to get out of the trade with Farshore?"

"Err... yes... um...," mutters Urol. "I told her to just leave the bits we hadn't surveyed blank but she said it looked ugly so hence all the monsters drawn all over the place. <sigh>"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

"The rest of the island. Hmm... well, no plans, as yet. Just get me, the colonists and the supplies we need to Farshore and then we'll take it from here. I would love to search out that central plateau though. It is pretty much cut off from the rest of the island, imagine what might be up there!"

"Vanthus?" her face falls at the mention of her disgraced sibling. "I have no reason to believe that my wretch of a brother is going that way. I don't think he even knew about my family's business venture there."




OOC: Thanks! I stole them all by myself!

Seriously, after lurking in Ron 'Buried Contempt' game I am almost too embarrassed to post a map in this game ever again. He just keeps raising the bar for presentation higher and higher.



"Hmm... well... I can't promise a straight share of the profits, you see, well, it is more complex than that..." the young noble woman screws up her face. "My family went into a partnership with the Meravanchi family, well, namely Zebula Meravanchi." Everyone in the party recognise the name. The Meravanchi's are the second family in the noble district and famous for their unscrupulous business tactics and decadence. Zebula's youngest son is also none other than Avner Meravanchi, the young nobleman who accosted Angati in the 'Mermaid's Secret' and how was blocking the street while the tavern burned in 'The Bullywug's Gambit'.

"But according to Urol's very skilful calculations... <The thickly bearded gnome beams and puts one arm around Lavinia waist in a gesture of affection. This brings his head directly level with her bosom. Lavinia clears her throat and deftly pulls herself free with a pat on his head> ...we won't need all of the cargo hold in the Sea Wyvern for vital supplies, so you can bring a bit extra and sell that for profit. And, well... well... you would all be grant an exception from any tariffs at all that there might be in the future. You could import and export totally free of charge, what do you think about that?! I can't offer any cash up front you understand, I, well... find myself a little cash strapped again..."

OOC: Assuming that your thirst for adventure remains unquenched:

Lavinia and the party work into the night hours on plans and preparations. First of all is the matter of the crew for the Sea Wyvern. Lavinia of course has her own crew prepared - Captain Rodrigo will continue as the leader of the Blue Nixie with Lavinia acting a navigator if necessary.

Alohan (acting in NPC mode) reveals that he has not be lax over the last couple of months and has been putting together a crew of his own. He had planned to use the vessel for his own business ventures, but a high risk / high reward trip to the Isle of Dread is just what he had in mind anyway! He says that if the party meet him down on the docks tomorrow morning he will introduce the 'able seamen' he has found to his friends. The ships roster shapes out like this:

1: Captain Alohan Nuari
2: Young Mistress Angati Lidu
3: Logan Merrion
4: Celene
5: Young Master Kassius Cadogan
6: Kibeti

7: First mate Amella Venkallie (of course he found a woman to be his first mate)
8: Navigator Urol Forol
9: Bosun Skald
10: Able Seaman Lirith Veldirose
11: Sailor #1
12: Sailor #2
13: Sailor #3
14: Sailor #4
15: Sailor #5
16: Sailor #6
17: Sailor #7
18: Sailor #8

19: Cleric & Surgeon Father Feres
20: Cabinboy Tavey Nesk
21: Cook Shefton Rask
22: One representative from the Meravanchi family

23-53: 30 colonists squeezed into the main bunkroom

OOC: Please study the Sea Wyvern in the other thread and decide how you want to allocate the bunks.

Then comes the matter of supplies and cargo. The Sea Syvern's holds can carry a total of about 120 tons of supplies. About 60 tons of critical supplies are desperately needed in Farshore, then 10 tons of equipment will be needed as 'repair supplies' for the ship itself. Then there will be able 10 tons of food and water needed for the crew and passengers. This leaves about 40 tons of supply space for the party to bring extra things to sell... if they want to.

Armaments: The Sea Wyvern is currently equipped with two ballista. They live down in the upper hold unless they are needed, and then they can be installed on the forecastle or poop deck.

OOC: Whew! More tomorrow.

"The ancient Olmen you say?" Kassius mutters, more to himself than anyone else.

Memories of a cat-inspired, drug-induced hallucination come back to him. He had remembered the life of Macutotnal, their greatest warrior. More than that, he had been Macutotnal. He could still remember the thrumming hum of the the Nimbus bow, the ozone smell as it launched lightning, the terror and horror of the deeps washing down upon him.

"What, you thought those visions were just so I could laugh at you acting stupid? Kibeti asked him. Kassius looked at the cat. He knew, consciously, that Kibeti had not spoken, at least not in the common tongue. The others were all acting as if the cat had simply purred lightly and given one of those weirdly knowing stares, but Kassius somehow knew exactly what the cat had been saying.
"Not that that wasn't a fun bonus!" The cat finished with a yowl that Kassius could tell was full of cheerful mockery.


He blinked in confusion, and completely missed the entire discussion about profit and pay. "I'm in." He repeated from earlier. Maybe this Isle of Dread would have the answers of what the FRAK was happening to him!

Agree, awesome maps.
All, FYI to everyone else, Kibeti gained the ability to speak with master this level. However, it's only with Kassius, so whenever he says something, it sound to you as yowls, purrs, or non-verbal cat communication. Feel free to decide for yourselves whether Kassius having seemingly one-sided conversation with his albino panther is indicative of his lack of sanity, or simply confirmation of an already known fact. :-)

This message was last edited by the player at 22:23, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

Logan nodded, and thought about Lavinia's offer.  "So we can scrape together some trade goods for the Farshore colonists to get these rare timbers and such that we can sell back in Sasserine?  Sounds like a good deal!"

Logan will spend 500 gp buying trade goods fro the ship

OOC: Angati puts in her remaining 438gp.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:04, Fri 20 Jan 2017.

Celene was intrigued by the prospects of reaching the island. Not just to see the wonders that might lay within its borders but also to test her new found abilities to their fullest. She had kept quiet through most of the presentation and afterwards as the others talked of investing in trade goods. The sorceress had little in the way of money to spend currently.

She was more concerned about the colony that had been started on Farshore. "Lavinia, what word do you have from the colony? Assuming you learned of it from the journal and from Urol. How do you know that anyone still lives there? Have you sent word to the colony? Have you received any missives from them? You seem sure that our arrival with supplies will reignite trade." Celene trailed off stopping short of implying the colony might be destroyed.

Lavinia chews her bottom lip. "Those are good questions Celene. <sigh> No, we haven't had any word, but then it has only been about six months. Besides my parents, only the Meravanchi family knew about the colony and... er... they didn't come and tell me about it. I think they may have hope to have it all to themselves. Actually, they say they sent their own ship three months ago but that hasn't returned."

"So... no word sent nor received from the colony... but then they wouldn't have had a ship to send in any case. You're right... things may have gone very poorly there... we will never know until we sail over there and check things out ourselves."

"As for igniting trade... well... they must have stocked up on a lot of precious materials that can be only be found in the island since they've had almost half a year. I mean, my mother's journal talks about pearls the size of a man's fist! And precious stones, exotic coral, gold collected by the natives from the interior, thunder lizards skins, Olman artifacts, rare woods, therapeutic plants <Urol's smile widens>, spices from the jungle..."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Fri 20 Jan 2017.

Urol offers his own comment. "Verik and Larissa, those are, well, um, were, Lavinia's parents, did a great job of setting up the colony. The villages was well stocked to last at least a year in terms of food, although they must be running short of building materials by now."

"The bad news is that 'Lord' <Urol spits that word out> Manthalay Meravanchi, that big hairy brute, was left in charge. He is the one who threw me out of the colony! I had to go live in one of the native villages - it was a miracle in a way that the Crimson Fleet pirates picked me up."

The party are reminded of how they met the swarthy gnome. He had been serving a chief alchemist for the Crimson Fleet base in Kraken's Cove after being kicked out of Farshore for dealing in the therapeutic herb 'Locoweed'.

"So in that respect it is important that we get back as soon as possible. Under his leadership the colony will not prosper."

Earlier she mentioned her parents left four years ago with colonists. Now she said they have been there 6 months.

Can we clarify the timeline?




This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Fri 20 Jan 2017.

OOC: Umm, they founded the colony four years ago and stayed 3½ years, then they returned about six months ago.

Who knows what Urol is on about. Timelines are not his strong suit.

Alright. That makes sense at least. 6 months ago there were still people alive there.

The party continue to plan with Lavinia and Urol into the night. Candles are lit and good meal are prepared to allow them to continue into the wee hours and discuss every aspect of the upcoming adventure.

Finally, they agree to meet the next morning down at the docks.

--------

The day breaks over the far end of dock eight where both the Blue Nixie and the Sea Wyvern are moored. Alohan is in a good mood as he welcomes the other on board - it appears that he has been sleeping on board the vessel since the party claimed ownership of it four months earlier.

A fair haired woman in her late twenties appears from the stairs leading down to the hold.

She stares at the newcomers with undisguised surprise, then turns to Alohan. "Go' morning skipper. I didn't think you'd be up so early. We have guests I see."

Alohan smiles broadly. "Dis be correct Amella!" The native puts a huge arm around the shoulder of the female sailor. "Dis be my friends. Dey be setting seil with us."
The woman raises an eyebrow in surprise. "I little joyride around the harbour skipper," she asks, without any apparent attempt at sarcasim.

"Oh no Kuuipo! We are going on a long journey. Come! Get the crew together and I will tell you all."

The woman shrugs and disappears below decks.

"She be a good woman, my Amella. She be first mate on the fair Sea Wyvern. She knows her way around a ship like I know my way around..." he just sort of tails off.

"Get up yeh bunch of lilly livered, scurvy ridden shipsrats! Get up and earn ya keep!" There is a loud commotion as the first mate uses something, probably a pot and spoon, to blast the rest of the crew into consciousness and harry them up on deck. They fill up the stairs with groans, blurry eyes, coughing, farting and scratching of many orifices. Amella chases up the rearguard until about a dozen sailors stand in front of the party.

They are a rough looking collection of misfits - apparently Alohan has a very relaxed hiring policy. The first mate starts introducing them to the party.

"Skald, step forward ya sorry elf wantabe!"


"This here be Skald, the fair Wyvern's bosun. <pokes the man in the side> Step forward I said! Introduce yourself!"

The very pasty half-elf takes a step forward, his eyes never leaving the deck. He mutters something under his breath. It might be 'pleased to make your acquaintance'. Or not. He didn't say it very loud. Despite the dawn having only just broken, he winces at the sun and covers his eyes with his hand. He mutters something else - another sentence that this time definitely ends with... 'hat'.

"What do ya mean you need to go below and get ya hat. Frac... Be excusing me ladies... but what the frac, it's only dawn man!"

Amella turns in disgust to her next victim. "Right. This is Father Feres. Cleric and ship's surgeon." A bald man with only a few whips of grey hair at his temples bows his chrome dome to them.



"Bless you my children. I will ensure that we have a healthy and prosperous journey under the guidance of Saint Cuthbert."

"Take it somewhere else god boy!" says Amella curtly, pushing the man back so hard he almost trips over.

"Who's next?" The first mate quickly introduces another eight sailors to the party before reaching the final couple of crewmembers on deck.

"Right that leaves us with... the ship's cook this is..."

A young man bounds forward, his thick dark hair greasy and unkept. "Mistress Celene, it's me! Shefton!"

Indeed, Shefton Rask, former Dragon Lotus guildsmember now stands before them. Apparently Alohan has given him a chance to turn a new page in his life... and continue his hero worship of Celene.

"And rounding out this useless bunch of ballest is the cabin boy. Tavey! Come and introduce yourself like I taught you!"



A young lad of not more than 15 steps up, a sly grin on his face. "Good morning to you ladies and gents," he says with no trace of shyness.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Fri 20 Jan 2017.

Alohan beams at his crew. "Right. Dis is the reason that I have ya all onboard deck this morning so early. We be having our first job."

There is the sound of running feet on the stairs leading below and a young woman - surely not more than about 20 - appears on deck.



"Gods damn it Lirith! I thought I was one short," booms the first mate. "Where were you?"

The girl shrugs. "Sorry ma'am. I was down in the lower hold."

"Well, what in the blazes were you doing down there."

"Err. Checking provisioning ma'am?"

"What? We aren't gone no further than the Azure district. What the frac do you mean 'checking provisions', you're meant to be an able seaman not some scury rat wasting time..."

Alohan holds his hand up for silence, a slightly crossed look passing over his face.

"Dis is no matter Amella. Lirith, fall in."

The barbarian pauses then continues.

"As I was saying, we be having our first job. The good lady Vanderboren wants us to take a load for colonists and supplies to her village. Dis be far away."

Amella nods. "Good to have some proper work to do Skipper. Where are we heading?"

Alohan smiles. "It be good that you be asking dis Amella because it is de best part. We be going to de fantastic island of de dread!"

His crew freeze, not seeming to understand at first. Then chuckles break out, followed by solid laughter.

"Ahh, bless you my son!" laughs Father Feres. "You had us there. The Isle of Dread indeed. As though we could make that!"

"I not be joking Father. We be seiling there! As soon as we take on what we need!" says the Captain adamantly.

OOC: Been thinking about how to chime in... and I must say I have no idea... I am boss to this people or only alohan is ?. Are we passengers with regards to them ?. What was there to do with deciding bunks on the other ship if we are going on this one ?.
Angati would like to check that cargo that was being stowed...  and would also like to give these people a chance to get off the boat if they find this to be too dangerous... but I don't know if I'd be mining Alohan's authority.

Kassius approached Skald, the half-elf bosun. He seemed to be painfully shy, something Kassius could well understand. Perhaps both half-elf and half-orc felt untethered from society, neither one thing or the other. The best way to approach Kassius was to be short, direct, and talk about the thing he loved, the wild and the animals within. Perhaps a similar approach would work well here.

"I haven't spent much time on a boat. Could you tell me what a bosun does?"

I see it is a bit tricky. You guys are definitely more than just passengers - both because of your skills and also because you are good friends with the captain.



You guys were meant to organise the bunks on this vessel, the Sea Wyvern. Lavinia has her own boat with her own captain and another 30 colonists on it to organise.



We'll write that in somehow.



"Oh, um, the bosun is responsible for the equipment and crew on the ship," mutters Skald. He looks up at the half-orc. "Ugh. Sorry, bad night. Didn't get much sleep. Again. And it's so bright out here."

The crew break into a chorus of protests. It is too far. Too dangerous. Too crazy. If Angati is serious about allowing crewmembers who don't want to participate off the boat, then maybe there will be no-one left!

Alohan starts to look a little cross as shown by his ears getting redder and redder. "STOP!" he finally screams. "We be going, and dis is de end of it!"

"But skipper, how are we even going to find this island? We don't know the way!" says his first mate.

"We have a guide," answers Alohan without hesitation. "Der be dis man, err, gnome, who be knowing de way."

As if by magic, Urol steps un board, followed by the lovely form of Lavinia Vanderboren, dressed as they have never seen her before.



The young noble woman has discarded her usual long skirts and is clad in a tight pair of breeches and wears a simple white shirt on top of that. A blue vest is tied tight at her waist and she has a blade of each hip. She notices the party, especially Alohan, starting at her.

"What? Well, Logan said I had to wearing something free flowing if I am going to fight effectively. How is the planning going? Are the crew onboard with the trip. Err, 'onboard' in that they agree to go I mean..."

Angati shrugged "I am not sure these men are really worth their salt... Captain Alohan promised they were the finest... but so far they mostly seem like a bunch of hang-over whining ladies... still, I trust Alohan so, it might well be that they just have heard far too many stories...".

Pointing at Urol she said "That one there, has gone and come back, and quite a number of people went with him and even stayed there to start a colony... so... I don't know what the hell you have heard of the place, but coming and going is something that has been done several times before ! Pick up your balls wherever you left them and do your work... I am sure Alohan is paying each of you handsomely, earn your pay now".

Turning towards Lirith she said "I'd like to check out that provisioning you said you'r checking out down there... "

Celene turns towards the boy when he calls her name. Mistress didn't quite suit her. Maybe if she'd given in to Nylaria; that's how she have been addressed? Celene's hair, now tied back in a long tail, flipped over her shoulder as she turned "Please call me Celene." she said sounding half exasperated "Can I assume that you have turned to more legal pursuits since we last crossed paths?" she asked the boy.

"Ohhhh.... just 'Celene'? Yes miss!" the boy actually blushes a bit, while some of his fellow crew members begin to chuckle a little. It's strange, he isn't even that much younger than her, but she has packed a lifetime of experiences into the last six months and has matured a lot more than she probably wants to think about. She feels a generation older than this kid.




"Yes miss, er, Celene. Captain Nuari, um, that's the skipper, has helped me turn a new leaf, or surf a new wave as he puts it. He sent me on a course about..." the dark haired lad screws up his face in concentration "...high-genie-ants. It's about washing your hands, and not picking your nose, begging your ladyship's pardon, while making food. Now I am the cook!" The boy beams.



There is a lot of disgruntled muttering and some bashful feet shuffling at the end of Angati's shaming speech, with the bit about them 'picking up their balls' seeming to have the biggest effect. How could such a tongue lashing come out of the mouth of such a young lady?!

Alohah sidles alongside her. "Er, to be telling de truth Angati, I not be paying them yet. De business has not been so good yet, but I be doing it after our first job." he admits shamefacedly.

In any case, it looks like the oracle's words have had their desired effect. With slumping shoulders, the crew gradually allow themselves to be talked around by their skipper and they agree to go. None of them look very excited about it.



"Sure!" says the young lady cheerfully. She leads Angati down first one set of stairs, and then down another to the lower hold. It is pretty empty, just a few bits of over equipment and the dried provisions from the poor S.O.B.'s who'd had the misfortune to be moored in Kraken's Cove the night that Vanthus let all hell break loose.

"We don't have much," says Lirith. "And the only meat is that terrible salted fish. Yuck! It tastes almost as bad as this place smells. It's the bilges down there you know." The sailor steps over to a grill over the bilge that is popped up and kicks it closed. "The skipper was gunna get it all cleaned out at some point, but we never got round to it." The stench is pretty bad. Think rotting open sewer. But at least no one had to sleep down here since all the berths were on the floors above.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:10, Mon 23 Jan 2017.

Logan watches, mostly bemused, as the crew of their ship is introduced.  The rogue thinks back to the docks in Shadowshore.  It's possible a more unlikely band of sailors has been assembled, but I doubt it.  I hope we don't run into any major trouble out there...I'm not sure if this crew could find its way out of the harbor.

He walks over to Alohan and whispers his concerns to the islander: "Are you sure this crew is...ah, ready for this voyage?"I think that one is drunk, Logan says, discretely pointing to Skald.

But Logan's attention is forcefully diverted when Lavinia steps on board.  He wasn't used to seeing a member of the nobility dressed like...well, dressed like anything but a noble.  But the oddly jarring vision of the young mistress of the Vandorboren house dressed as a...well, not a common cutpurse, but perhaps one from means, was jarring.  Logan found it impossible to keep his mouth closed...or formulate a coherent response.

"Ah, yes....free flowing.  I'm glad you listened."

The next hour or two is spent sending our the crews of both the Sea Wyvern and the Blue Nixie on errands to gather the necessary supplies. Things are going well until they hear a commotion at the other end of the docks. Some dingbat is ridding a large horse down the middle of the pier at a trot, forcing the busy sailor and stevedores working on the various ships moored either side to throw themselves out of the way or risk being trampled. A growing caucus of insults and cussing builds behind the young nobleman astride the stallion makes his way towards them - strangely enough, there is also am old man shuffling along behind him, gasping for breath in his attempts to keep up.

"Oh no!" gasps Lavinia. "He's here! I honestly didn't think he would actually come!" she says in horror.

Before the party can ask her about it, the rider has neatly barged the last dockworker aside and has reached the Sea Wyvern. He dismounts in a grandiose sweeping movement and springs up the gangplank, not asking the captain of the vessel for permission to board.

The party realises to their disgust, that they have met him before.

http://previously.tv/magnum-pi...agnum-pi-theme-song/

It is none other than Avner Meravanchi, the youngest son of Lord Meravanchi and the brat that they encountered in the 'Mermaid's Secret' - where he tried to molest the aged Angati. That encountered ended with Alohan almost breaking the man's jaw.

Kassius also bumped into 'Avner the Jackass' during Carnavalé night - the hunter had been forced to 'goose' the man's stead in order to clear a path for the other to flee the runaway Thunder Lizard 'Temauhti-tecuani'.

If Avner recognises any of the party, he certainly doesn't show it. He has eyes for only one person on board. "Ah-ha! There you are my beloved! My sweetheart!" sings out the man. He holds one hand out to Lavinia, palm face up.

"Oh. Young Master Meravanchi. You really shouldn't have," stumbles out Lavinia as she slowly moves her hand towards his.

She never gets to finish her sentence, as Avner scoops up her hand and pulls it towards his lips. What follows can only be described as 'hand molestation' has he plants a series of revolting slopping kisses onto the back of her hand - it is dripping wet when Lavinia manages to finally pull it back from his grip with a twist of her wrist.

"Ah! No need for formality my beloved. Betroved couples have no need for such modesty!" He looks her up and down, eating her up with his eyes. "And what is this? New attire for our sea adventure. <licks his lips> I like it. I like it very much. It'll be like unwrapping a present just for me..."

Alohan turns to Lavinia, as the dastardly nobleman is distracted by the arrives of the sweating and gasping man who had been following behind him at the top of the gangplank. The old man looks close to collapse since he had been carrying two bags on his back and one on his front. He falls to the deck in a heap.

"Betroved? To him? My makamae, please say it isn't true," he whispers to Lavinia.

"Oh Alohan! I had no choice. I was out of money and needed this chance to restore my family's fortune. And there was a condition to the loan from the Meravanchi family. <sigh> I had to grant Avner courting rights! <yeesh! almost gags> It will be alright, you will see. Once I am at Farshore and have everything settled and the trade flowing... I will call the whole fracing thing off! Please just keep him away from me until then."

Meanwhile, Avner is dressing down his servant. "Barnaby! Where the blazes have you been man?! AND GET THOSE BAGS OFF THE DECK! That's real thunder lizard hide you are scuffing."

The poor man struggles to answer through gasping breathes. "Just... catching... up... with... you... young... master..."

"Well damn it man. Keep up the pace next time!" Avner looks around, trying to find something. He spots Alohan.

"Ah! There we are." He flings the first of his bags at Alohan. "Stow this and the rest in my stateroom will you boy. Then help my useless sack of a valet here unpack."

Steam starts to buildup behind Alohan's eyes.

"Oh please, please, please," whispers Lavina. "Just keep him quiet and on board here until we get to the island. I will do anything! Please just keep him under control!"

Alohan's fist clench and unclench repeatedly. He breathes deeply. "I am Captain Nuari and I own this vessel. One of my crew will be happy to escort you to the bunkroom. <sighs slightly> Young master..."

OOC: Whew, taking a break here. Too many words. What am I doing? Writing a book here?

You are doing really well... don't know how to alleviate your charge more though....  by the way, I am going to break that man's teeth... when I see him. It is really a pity that Ron left now... He'd have enjoyed his role as captain and I'd have loved seeing him... now, I feel like stepping on Alohan's toes taking these people as if I was in command.

Angati was below the deck when Avner arrived and thus she heard nothing of the matter only that someone else had come, probably two people carrying a load of something. She stopped paying attention to the noises and turned back again to Lirith... looking around the place once more and wrinkling her nose.

Talking quite calmly and in a lower voice, she said "Hmmm... ok...  so... I don't think this pile of shit needed any stowing or any such work... so what were you really doing here ?. Looking at you I'd have said you were either with your lover or sleeping... and Lirith, I don't really care either way. I want to make the best journey we can make, we will have enough trouble on the way to be looking for more trouble among ourselves... so, whatever it is, come out with  it, and if there is anything you might need help with, don't hesitate to ask me".

She paused giving her time to reply, "Now... do you know your way about provisioning ?... because this sure looks like shit... so if you  know your way about these things, I'll be happy to take all this shit and throw it overboard, and go with you to do the provisioning required for the trip...  and I'll be sure to mention how good you are at these things."

OOC: Diplomacy... trying to start to win people to my side: Influence attitude http://www.d20pfsrd.com/skills/diplomacy
08:43, Today: Angati rolled 26 using 1d20+18.  Diplomacy Roll.

The young girl's eyes narrow as she sizes Angati up in the dim light of the hold. "You got a good sense for things for a noblewoman," she says finally. "Look, I got wind of the fact that we would be sailing soon and I thought it would be worth my while to find somewhere that I could stow some cargo that wouldn't be on the manifest, if you know what I mean..."

She reaches out quickly and grabs hold of Angati's tunic. "...and you'd be best to keep quiet about my future little enterprise if you know what's good for you." Her eyes gleam in the dark.



OOC: Well, you'd have probably said something else considering Lirith's response, but just for fun let's play it this way...

The girl blinks as Angati not only refuses to back down, but doesn't even blink at her threat.

"Err... Yeah, sure. I mean, all this stuff is left over garage. I agree this stuff is call crap and we should start from scratch. And take on good water too. Water is even more important on a ship you know, we won't survive more than about a day without it and clerics can't make that much with spells..."
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 18:01, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

Back up on deck, the conversation about where Young Master Avner should berth is continuing.

"Bunkroom? You mean with the peasant! Ye'gads man! Surely you jest. What about that room?" He points down towards the prow of the ship to the open door that leads to the captain's quarters. "It would be good to get a room with a door out to the deck, and then Thunderstrike could sleep in the room next door. Oh, don't worry about old Barnaby. He can sleep outside my door like usual."

Alohan is speechless for a second. "Dat is being de captain's quarters," he says very slowly and coolly, his anger starting to brew again like a dormant volcano awakening.

"Well, whatever..." Avner turns back to Lavinia, his face shifting into a leer. "Where are you sleeping my little turtledove? Maybe I should just bunk with you..."

Lavinia manages to avoid showing her disgust. "Alas my dear fiancé, that is impossible. You know that tongues would waggle if we spent such a long journey in proximity. I will be traveling on my own ship, the Blue Nixie," she points to where it is berthed over the other side of the pier.

"Ugh! Blast, this trip is going to be trial! Damn it man, I will stay in there... 'captain's quarters' or not, or the whole deal is off!" His mouth turns upwards into a sneer. "Then you will be out without a penny dear Lavinia, how would you like that." He turns to Alohan. "So what do you say... Captain." The last word is a mocking salute.

He is facing away from Lavinia, and behind him she is mouthing out a silent please to Alohan for help. The native clenches his jaw and his eyes darken.

"Very well, you may be sleeping in der..."

"Capital! Come on now Barnaby, get me unpacked and then bring Thunderstrike on board. Make sure you brush him down properly mind you savage..." his voice trails off as he disappears into the cabin.

OOC: Let this be a lesson to you all. If you leave the game then your character will become a pussy.

Behind him, Alohan lets out a long painful breath as his face continues to turn crimson.

"Oh thank you Alohan, thank you. I will never forget this!" gushes Lavinia. "I'm going back to the Blue Nixie to get out of his way. Remember, just until we get to the island, then it is all over with him!" Lavinia retreats towards the safety of her own ship.

"...yes, you be sleeping in there... until we are out of de harbour and I kill you with de bare hands!" mutters Alohan darkly.

Character Investments
Kassius   1,000 gp
Logan       500 gp
Angati      438 gp
Alohan     1,000 gp

With Avner out of the way for a bit, the preparations continue. Kassius, Logan and Angati also manage to get to the markets to make their own investments.

Kassius is in the best position to understand what a developing colony would need in the way of supplies since he has just finished building his own mini version of this with the Dangerous Critters Ranch. He buys 1,000 gp of building materials and the sorts of tools needed for construction, e.g. hammers, saws, axes, etc.

Alohan organises the purchase of items that he thinks will be popular with the native race on the Isle. He spends 1,000 gp on good quality steel weapons such as swords and daggers, and also on farming tools such as machetes and spades.

Angati uses her remaining money (438 gp) to purchase fine fabrics that can be made into decent clothing from her favourite dressmaker, Bronson Bartokomous (remember him?).

And Logan... well, the rogue returns to the pier just after the stroke of noon driving a herd of fine pigs before him.

Later in the day a small crowd gathers around the vessels to say goodbye.

OOC: Let's get this done!

"Goodbye Logan! Please take good care of yourself!"

Any concerns the rogue has about leaving his mother alone by herself are quickly addressed....
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:25, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

"Don't worry about your Mom, Logan," says Vorsh, shoving his arm around Tessara. "I promise I'm going take real good care of her!" Tessara leans into Vorsh, and smiles, but Logan thinks that the arm around her is a little bit roughly placed for his liking.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

Worrin Lidu is also there...

...along with Zelina. Angati's older sister embraces her again and again, and even her father looks touched.

Karthach, her old friend, is also on the dock.

Kassius' grandfather and little brother (Brutus) are in attendance. The old man stays into one of his typical lectures to Kassius about responsibility and the importance of discipline.

OOC: Hmm, they never quite made full NPC status, did they?

No-one is there for Celene.

"Well dear cousin, I see you have left me to look after the place while you run around having adventures! Very well. I will try and hold things together until you get back, but you'd better return with a ship for of treasure or there will be trouble!"

By Amarilde's tone it seems that she is only have joking.

She catches Alohan's eye and gives him a friendly nod.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

When Angati went upstairs to find Avner she stopped dead cold, her hand caressing the thorn on her glove. The man's gaze passed over her without even recognising her. Angati had to draw breath several times not to throw the man out of the ship with a good kick on his balls... Alohan put a hand on her shoulder calming her down "As soon as we are far from port...... please find out with Lavinia what are the details of her arrangement with the Meravanchi's... I spot my father and sister there... and maybe we could get finance from another source and get rid of him all in one go"

OOC: And I suppose that business Angels and investors are also out of the pathfinder game right ?.... we are stuck with him no matter if investing in this business would make more sense for the Lidus to avoid the Meravanchi's getting the best of the deal....

Angati passed as much time as she could with her father and sister, when Karthach approached she said to her sister "Karthach has helped me and proven a solid support through all these difficult years... he has even risked his life for me, at least twice... he is solid, and a man one can lean on... please take care of him, and trust him with your life if it comes to that, he will not let you down". Turning then to her father and sister "Be careful father, I think the Meravanchi ar planning something, their moves and motives are not clean... I understand that it may not be the best move to invest in this enterprise now... but I hope this does not give them the head start... that man there.. Avner, he is a rapist among other things... and I think his whole family is on the same moral level.. be careful, I'll keep a watch on these... hmmm there is this place, that used to be a thief's hangout... it's a good place to hide or hide things, do feel free to use it as you please, these are the keys" she said handing them the keys and instructions on how to get there.

She was about to leave, but she felt a tugging on her sleeve, and smiled from ear to ear "Anansi say's till later... she hugs you both... Take lots of care". She hugged and kissed each of them repeatedly, and with tears in her eyes, she left, she decided not to say anything about her dreams and premonitions about what was waiting for her at the sea of sargassum...

OOC: Ok, so not to get into the detail as you want to leave, and I just hate all the minutious micro management... But we have proper food and water for the trip. I'd have wanted to check on whatever it was that Lirith was stowing, and would probably have no problem with whatever it was unless it was a danger for the rest of us.... As for the sleeping positions, I'd sleep with Celene I guess... and maybe also with the captain's second if the captain takes her bunk... or maybe that won't be necessary knowing Alohan... he is all about optimising space with girls.

Please let me know if there is anything else you'd need us to check on...or to address IC.

OOC: G'DAMN IT BENI!!!

Angati tries to figure out what Lirith was up to, but there isn't anything stashed down in the lower hold... yet.

Worrin and Zelina promise to look out for Karthach, and to take steps so that the former Lotus Dragon lair doesn't get misused.

Her father looks puzzled at Angati's words about her dead twin sister, but eventually just nods with tears in his eyes.

Angati ensures that ample water and food is packed for the journey.

The thirty colonists that will be making the trip also board. The party ends up split better two sleeping quarters - Logan, Kassius, Kibeti and Alohan (until he makes good on his threat to murder Avner) sleep in the six berth bunkroom under the forecastle. They have to share this with Father Feres and Skald, which would be crowded in the best of times, but is even worse since a whole bunch of gear has to be moved out a stowage locker so Thunderstrike can be brought on board.

Angati and Celene sleep in the smaller 4 person bunkroom next to the galley - they will be sharing with the first mate Amella and Lirith.

Shefton Rosk and the cabin boy Tavey sleep in the galley on mats.

The remaining eight sailors are forced to slump it in the main bunkroom with the 30 colonists.



Then, a few hours later, the two ships hoist their sails and head out of the harbour. As the characters look back on the beautiful spires and buildings or Sasserine, they wonder if they will ever be back.

OOC: Here we go!
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Wed 25 Jan 2017.