Pipre opens her mouth and then closes it in a smile. She moves into the doorframe and then turns around, leaning against the threshold. "Don't excuse my etiquette for weakness. If I offer to buy you a drink you'll full well know it, sir. Now, shall we continue with etiquette?"

18:22, Today: Pipre rolled 31 using 1d20+12.  diplomacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Tue 03 July 2018.

Coming in hot on Pipre's heels, Adoven hears the declaration. Pulling his scorpion whip out in a practiced motion that bespoke dueler's training, he says "unless you are declaring yourselves pirates, the jetty is still mine. I determine whether or not it is closed. Now, if you wish to negotiate exclusive use for a limited time, I am open to offers. If you're simply pirates, I've dealt with those before as well."


Intimidate 16 on d20+9.
Diplomacy 18 on d20+9.

From the crowd Silvius pipes up, his voice loud and clear.

"It is not wise to upset the lords of the town you are staying in. Especially when they have a legacy of slaying tyrants and bandit kings."

OOC: Aid another, not like she really needs it but....

19:53, Today: Silvius Cozma rolled 27 using 1d20+9.  aid another - pipre diplomacy.

Wyn grins at Pipre, "You asked how you could welcome us ..  We are going into a tavern after long journey.  Why wouldn't I assume that is an offer to buy us a drink?", Then he shrugs, and continues  "OK, we'll pay for the drinks -  but I certainly don't do hanging around on street corners chatting to young women in revealing clothing.  Well not anymore.  My wife would kill me."

With that he ducks through the door and into the building, so that any conversations happen inside.

At the jetty the two guards  stand firm - without saying a word.  However, the captain of the vessel steps ashore behind them and they part to allow him through to stand in front of Adoven.    He reaches into a pouch and then counts out a few coins, checking them over carefully before holding them out to Adoven.

Speaking quite gently he says "I am Bannar Yitis-Aldori, this is five gold pieces to cover this short stay - and it is more than enough for a week's stay in most ports.  Now, If I were you, I would put up your whip, before my men get twitchy."  He holds the coins out, but appears to smile at Adoven's words, then adds  "Then you are new to the River Kingdoms?  Most people would recognise a Mivonese ship when they see one, and would take particular care around one that carried an Aldori guard.  Any physical threat to this ship will lead to your death, as I have a contract to guard my employers possessions from bandits and pirates.  And you know what the River Freedoms say ....  You have what you hold .... "
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 12:24, Wed 04 July 2018.

Adoven accepts the gold with a smile. "As you say, you have what you hold. This is certainly a generous offer, and I accept. Know only that I too protect that which is mine, both with steel" he says as he recoils his whip, "and with magic, Master Yitis-Aldori." He looks askance at the two aldori swordsmen, then turns back to the ship's master. "Is there anything I can assist you in, sir? Unless some of these men are here to sign up as instructors at my new Sword school. I'm afraid it's still in the planning stages at this moment."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:44, Thu 05 July 2018.

Domitius followed the crowd to see the new arrivals, he stood near Silvius and watched the town elders interact with the newcomers.  As Adoven moved to confront the ships Captain Domitius moved through the crowd to join him should it come to a fight.  He stood five feet to his left giving each other room to fight then waited to see the outcome of discussions.

Andalon walked down to the jetty and made his way through the crowd to join Adoven at the front after introductions had been made.

"Well met, Master Yitis-Aldori. I am Andalon de Lebeda, cleric of Abadar and chancellor of this rapidly growing Tusk Town. Yours is the largest vessel to visit our port so far and the first up from Mivon. We have not explored the river that far south yet, ourselves, so I am doubly pleased to see that you are able to travel here safely. I hope that you will share some of your knowledge of that waterway with us while you are here."

Moving through a crowd of big folk was a practiced art for halflings. Fiddler wove in and out of onlookers until he found a few crates stacked near the dock. He clambered to the top and crouched, watching the exchange between the Chancellor and the newly arrived Captain.

Zirul keeps watch just in case there is trouble.  He hopes things will go smooth.  But is prepared if not.

Zelona hooks her cudgel in its loop on her belt and clambers up a small pile of barrels and netting to get a view of the action at the docks. Though new here, it seemed her place to aid in the defense of Tusk or those that live here, should they need it.

The Swordlord watched the maneuvering in front of him and smiled softly, then waited for a moment before he answered Andalon's question

"I am not surprised that we are the first proper vessel up this way.  There is no reason to come up here, unless someone hires us.  Before I return, I'll have a look around if I may ... "  and then he pauses for a moment to  glance around the around the people gathered.  "You look like you are settling in for the long term.

Mr Roth has offered to buy drinks for the crew, once he has removed his luggage. Then, when I am free that duty,  I would be please to have you aboard for a couple of drinks." he says nodding to Andalon.

He doesn't bother to look behind him, almost as if he knows that his guards haven't moved from their post, and that the crew are standing ready as well.

Safiya finally manages to get through the crowd to see what all the fuss is about. "You'd think these people have never seen a boat before." Though she supposes arrival of the first trade vessel in a new port would be something of a novelty. She takes a bit of time sizing up the ship before wandering back to to barracks, lost in thought.

Adoven speaks up. "I understand that you have shipyards in Mivon, correct? I may have an order or two for shallops in the near future. Have you any recommendation for quality craftsmanship in ship-building?"

"Thank you, I shall look forward to that," Andalon tells the Swordlord. "We certainly do intend to make this a permanent settlement and I am sure many of us would welcome the opportunity to establish regular trade with Mivon in future. Adoven here, is one of our most proactive members in that regard. Would you welcome a few more of our leading citizens aboard to join in that discussion? Or perhaps I should invite you to meet with my fellow councillors in town for that type of discussion?"

The captain is about to reply to Adoven, but pauses to hear Andalon's comment.  "Which ever you would prefer.  Yourself, Adoven and ....  I can fit another couple into the cabin comfortably.  Any more than that, it would probably be better if you chose a venue ..."

Andalon nodded, obviously in complete agreement with the Swordlord.

"I will speak to the others and let you know what would be most suitable. I suspect that half the town would happily join us if we opened the invitation to all, but that would hardly be appropriate. I will return shortly or send word as soon as a decision is made. I will send word to you too, Adoven."

He excuses himself and heads off toward the keep to find Henry, Cass and Pipre.

It is over.  Zirul was glad that there was no trouble.  But one must always be ready just in case.  Not everything goes so smoothly.

Cass arrived at Andalon's request. Of course, wagging tongues had already brought him pieces of the earlier conversation. Much of it distorted and exaggerated. He would see for himself where these visitors stood.

"Good day, Captain. Welcome to Tusk Town, burgeoning capital of the new providence of Midmarch. They like to call me mayor around here, along with a few other things. I am Cass Mordane. Andalon mentioned that you were interested in a conversation."

Cass let his gaze slip past the captain's shoulder to the man's guardsmen. He didn't make a point of showing off his own Aldori sword. Any good duelist would have already recognized it along with the sort of loose, rolling swagger that Cass had when he walked. Much of dueling relied on keeping the hips flexible.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Sat 07 July 2018.

"Hello there." The captain says with a small smile, "I thought I had agreed with Andalon that we would either meet on my vessel or in town, AFTER I have completed the contract for which I have been paid.  I cannot leave the ship, I can't invite you aboard the ship and  I am certainly not going to hold any sort of talks in the street." The captain conclude, with a frown.

Cass gave a grown of his own. "My apologies for the miscommunication.  It was certainly not my intent to compromise your contract."

Cass gave a definitive nod. "When you are freed then. I am sure someone will find me. Until then, expeditious endeavors." Cass gave the captain a formal quarter bow before leaving.

Eventually the Roths return from the tavern, collect their belongings from the vessel, freeing the captain up to get on with any other arrangements and conversations.

After hiring some porters from the  people still hanging around by the jetty, the Roths head off into Tusk Central to stay, temporarily, in a newly built townhouse, one of a row that has not yet been rented out to customers.

The captain and his crew relax once their contract is over and the 'guard' is reduced to a single sailor standing at the entrance to the boat.

A little while later Andalon, Adoven, Pipre and Cass arrived at the jetty and approached the guard.

"Good afternoon. When we spoke to your Captain Yitis-Aldori this morning he extended an invitation for up to four of us from the town to visit him aboard the ship after the Roth family's possessions had been delivered into town. Would now be a convenient time for us to meet with him?" he asked.

Pipre stood nearby inspecting her black-lacquered fingernails.

In a low voice, Adoven says to Pipre "I heard a rumor that certain alchemical creations can modify spells. I'm curious to learn more, when you have time."