In his free time, Goran tries to keep in touch with his comrades whenever it's possible. Caswell is often busy with his new studies, but he still lives nearby, and the two of them meet often for lunch or dinner. During one meal, Goran asks his wizard friend what he ever did with the demon-transformation capsules he took from the Keep Of Dunmorrow (I know I've asked that before, but I don't remember Caswell's answer). Goran also tries his best to give the human a little bit of combat training, showing him how to use his staff and dagger more effectively when spells aren't an option.

Keenan makes himself more scarce, but Goran tries to catch up with the elf whenever he comes back to town to trade pelts and game. In particular, the dwarf has developed quite a taste for pheasants, ducks, and other waterfowl, which he did not eat while growing up underground.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:31, Sat 17 Sept 2016.

Caswell takes to Gorans combat training like a cat to water.  During his time at his cottage Caswell does spend sometime studying the capsule at Goran request. He references the book of demons along with the runes on its side. Caswell spouts lore using bag of books.

21:12, Today: Caswell Blackhart rolled 15 using 2d6+3 ((6,6)).

(Finally if we don't learn anything now this ball is ran out.)

Caswell, as before you discover it is a wooden capsule filled with various herbs and other magical components. There are small demonic runes inscribed on the outside that seem to offer the persons soul to Nergal in exchange for unnatural strength and fortitude.

You are each approached by a messenger from the council of elders. Rowin Vern has requested an audience with you to discus an urgent matter.

Upon arrival to the town hall, you are informed by the council that they have not heard back from a ship they had sent to the island village of Til to the north (check out the map). They have arranged passage with a fishing vessel to transport you, should you agree to aid in the endeavor.


Please ask any questions of the council now.
Please tell me how you prepare.

Goran strokes his beard slowly, trying his best to appear thoughtful. He asks what the ship's purpose was, when it was expected to return, and what the island of Til is like. He also asks who else will be making this journey with them, as he does not expect that the three heroes will be sailing on their own.
He'll make specific preparations based on Elder Vern's answers, but, in general, Goran is going to buy as many rations as he can (comfortably) carry, a ragged bow, and a bundle of arrows. He'll take these items in addition to his adventuring gear.
Goran knows that the heroes might be away from Tono for a while, so he makes arrangements for Inzo, Kef, Brokko, and Sly Sloe to work with Meryl and Rigby to ensure that Tono remains safe.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:38, Mon 19 Sept 2016.

The ship had been sent to Til to trade for needed supplies, like food. Due to Til's secluded nature, the elders had theorized it would have been spared from the plague.

The ship is a week over due.

Til is an island village to the north. It was founded decades ago when a splinter group from Tono left to form a more devout community that more closely observed the teachings and tenants of Ea, goddess of the sea.

Passage has been arranged with a local fisherman, Captain Tryke to sail you north to Til. The exact makeup of his crew is unknown to the elders.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:29, Mon 19 Sept 2016.

Keenan is content with Goran being the liaison between the group and the village elders. The bureaucracy of city politics is tedious, and often irratating.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:33, Mon 19 Sept 2016.

Caswell says, " We request that the village supply us with anything that can be spared to aid us in this endeavor."

This all sounds like a good deal, but Goran notices that his coffers are getting a little light. Before he firmly accepts Elder Vern's mission, he says, "The Hounds and I are happy to keep Tono safe, in exchange for food and our new homes. But getting on a boat and sailing into the bay on a recovery mission... I'd say that's going above and beyond. So before this all gets settled, the elders are gonna have to open up the town treasury, for me AND my boys... You know, expenses. I'd say 50 coins each would do it." (Parley)

11:45, Today: Goran rolled 9 using 2d6+1 ((3,5)).

Elder Vern's face drops. "I thought heroes did good deeds for the sake of it, not to fill their pockets with coin from a village in mourning." After careful thought, he adds "25 coins apiece."

To answer some other questions that came in:

The journey will take roughly 2 days by boat.
You will need at least 2 days worth of rations.
Food is tight right now in Tono. Keenan and his 2 hunters are working full time to help provide food for the town. Only a fraction of the fishing boats are still gathering food.

Caswell says to Vern, "We are not looking to take more than what is necessary. I only require 3 days of rations and 2 bandages. That is less than twenty gold worth of supply, on my part, to insure our success."  Tuning to Goran then to Kennan but still speaking to Elder Vern, "I implore my companions to follow suit."  Now addressing the entire, "When we return we will have to discuss setting up a food storage and a consistent trade route with a few of the nearest settlements to limit the impact of future disasters.  Also we must come up with a way to attract new settlers. But for now the pressing matter is food and we should be leaving with haste."

Goran accepts Elder Vern's offer with a hearty handshake. "Don't worry, Rowin... If we're properly supplied, then our success is practically guaranteed, and you know that we'll make it worth the village's investment." He then echoes Caswell's sentiments about strengthening the economic and cultural infrastructure of Tono via trade routes, making several mentions about halfling caravans, Felorian gypsies, dwarven smiths from Unduzur, and so on.

After the meeting, he buys some rations and bandages and prepares his adventuring gear.

"I never claimed to be a hero, your people gave me this title. My actions are dictated by what is necessary. If traveling to Til is necessary for Tono to survive, then I will do this. But that would also mean that weapons and supplies will be necessary, as is the need to eat. What point would there be to send us on this errand if we fail due to ill preparation?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:23, Tue 20 Sept 2016.

The council of elders thanks you for your help in these matters and you take your leave.

You purchase and/or gather your equipment and are set to meet Captain Tryke in the morning.

Any other comments or RP about preparation?

The following morning you meet with Captain Tryke in front of his modest vessel "The Odyssey." As you survey the ship from the docks, you see 4 crewman tending sails, gaff hooks, mooring lines and other nautical terms.

Captain Tryke is a man of average height and build with a short black beard. He is wearing a Tricorn hat and a worn and sun bleached long coat. He is a man of few word, greeting you simply with a nod of his head. "Pleasant to meet you good sirs. I have heard much of the good you have done for Tono. We leave for Til within the hour."

Anything left to say or do before we leave for Til?

Goran's good to go. Before The Odyssey departs, Goran introduces himself to Captain Tryke and finds a place to get comfortable; he's never been seasick before, so he doesn't know how he'll handle it. Once he's settled, he offers to show Caswell, Keenan, and anyone else who's interested how to play various dwarvish dice games.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Tue 20 Sept 2016.

Caswell shows up with some pep in his step and in a mood you rarely see him in.  When it becomes time to step off the deck on to the boat he freezes and begins to look worried. Caswell says mostly to himself, "Alright, you can do this. Just one more step and the fine captain will do the rest."  He swings his foot forward like he is going to take a step several times before the captain gives him a push forward.

Keenan spends 12 coins to purchase Dungeon Rations, Bandages, and a Bundle of Arrows.

The Odyssey leaves port with little ceremony. Captain Tryke stands at the helm shouting orders to his men who scurry around the deck to complete them. Once out into open water, everything seems to slow down. The sound of the waves lapping the hull of the ship and the salty sea breeze almost makes it relaxing... if it weren't for the conditions of the Odyssey, which is by no means a luxury ship. Conditions are cramped and uncomfortable with the crew area being little more then a 5 foot crawl space equipped with hammocks that barely miss touching the floor. Most of the space on the ship is reserved for the cargo hold, which reeks of fish.

The first day passes into night with no real excitement. What do you do to pass the time? What do you do to prepare for the night?


The quite of the night is broken by an alarm bell and one of the crew mates yelling "Ship! Dead Head!"

What do you do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:20, Wed 21 Sept 2016.

Goran sharpens his sword and makes conversation with anyone who will listen. After that, he drinks, hoping it will alleviate some of his discomfort and boredom. On a positive note, he takes to the water better than he had expected, and even with a belly full of whiskey, he doesn't experience much seasickness. He stays up fairly late, putting off his time in his "cabin" for as long as possible.
He finally manages to get some rest (well, pass out, anyway) until he's roused by the sound of the alarm. There's not enough time to put on his armor, but he still grabs his sword and shield and rushes to the deck to investigate the commotion.

Caswell does everything he can to avoid being below deck for too long for fear of being trap if the boat would sink. Also he won't go to close to the rail of the boat for fear of falling over board. He spends most of time near the helm talking to the captain about navigation weather systems, beast of the water, any other nautical knowledge he might be able to gain from him.

Spells for the day include fireball, magic missile, Invisiblity and cure light wounds.

Keenan offers to man the crows nest, and that's where he spends a majority of his day. That is his destination when the alarm sounds.

The crewmen repeats the alarm, shouting "Ship dead ahead!" Captain Tryke calmly exits his meager captain's quarters and meets the crewman on watch at the helm.

Goran, you come running up from below deck sword in hand to find Caswell trying to stay as close as he can to the main mast, but also get a good look at the ship ahead. Basically, you both can make out the large shape of the ship, but that's about it.

Keenan, you gracefully scale the mast up to the crows nest to investigate the situation. Roll Discern Realities and ask your questions.

Keenan gets a 9 to discern realities and asks "What is about to happen?"

Keenan, you can tell that the Odyssey is coming up on this ship too quickly. There doesn't seem to be enough time and mobility to avoid it. They are going to collide!!

WHAT DO YOU DO!!??

"Brace for Impact!"

Keenan alerts his allies to the impending danger as he jumps and uses the rigging to swing down to the main deck.