"A skald that would loosely translate in my culture as a poet and Minstrel with a touch of fighter. I believe. That explains why you are well spoken. You have said well any sentiments I would have." Alain remembers to look directly into the big man's eyes. The Vesten, he had found did not believe the words of someone who avoided eye contact.

"I am Alain, the Vicomte of Gaspard. I believe my primary function is that of a patron to this endeavor. I was told by the explorer's Society that some of the more learned members of our fellowship would tell me more of the Black Pearl and what we hope to find in Avalon."

"I may be captain and owner of this ship," Marcelo offered, "but I am also a member of the Society." He holds up his left hand to display the signet ring of the Explorer's Society in case anyone hadn't noticed.

"Hestor Babington is the person who reported sighting the Pearl, though details are scarce. He professes to be one of these newfangled archaeologists working at a site just outside of Wandesborrow. When he was buying supplies in town, a sailor was buying supplies, too, and was offering to trade this large black pearl for what he needed."

"The shop owner apparently knew nothing about the Black Pearl, and didn't trust the sailor enough to agree to the deal, thinking the Pearl was a fake."

"According to his own report, Babington was just amused at the failed transaction. It was only afterwards that he realized that if the pearl had been genuine, it must have been the Black Pearl itself. Could there be two such giant pearls in existence? Always possible, of course, but not likely now, is it?"

"He sent a letter to the Society about the matter. Somewhere along the way, word got out. Babington had no idea what a furor he'd unleash by mentioning it to his co-workers."

"He reported that he observed the sailor boarding a ship. He did not know the sailor's name or the name of the ship, nor did he know where the ship was heading."

"In theory, we should be the only ones that have the inside track on this information, which is why we are heading to Wandesborrow. We need more information in order to pursue this ship and the sailor."

"If any of you have heard further details, perhaps we can forego the trip to Avalon."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:17, Fri 19 Aug 2016.

"It seems we look for the proverbial needle in the haystack, but that is okay I am a patient man. With the information given; I see little that we can accomplish, but I believe if there is one piece of information available we might have hope. Do we have the date that the sailor left on the ship. I believe we can find out what the ship was by going to the harbor master to find out what ships put a sail that day." Alain knew that they were not the only ones on this route. A very specific person was also seeking the Pearl, and when Alain and their paths crossed one would surely die.

Eisen tapped the pommel of his sword. He was getting fidgety. This was just another job, but the repercussions were earth shattering. "I agree that searching the port for the sailor seems the logical start. We could search all known ports for some random sailor and find nothing. At least in Avalon, we have some sliver of hope finding some information. We may have a head start, but I'd like to keep it that way. I don't like the idea of hounds nipping at our heels."

Eisen looked at the Captain. He seemed the honorable sort. He hoped the he and the crew were good with a blade, he didn't fancy having to babysit a bunch of milk-sops in the hopes of getting to the goal. He hated boats to begin with. Adding playing nursemaid would just complicate matters. He was just a mercenary, a deadly one to be sure, but in the end coin was all that mattered to him. What he did with the coin...well that was his business wasn't it?

Jarrun frowns.  "We are looking for an unknown sailor who boarded an unknown ship for an unknown destination.  Hmph.  I sure hope this Hestor Babington is still in Wandesborrow and can at least provide us with a description of the sailor at least."

He shrugs and looks around the table.  "The repeated stories of ill fortune seeking out those in possession of the Black Pearl contain signs of truth, so if this sailor was attempting to trade the pearl for supplies, I wonder if the ship he had been on had suffered one of these unfortunate incidents."

He nods.  "The current destination sounds as reasonable place to start as any."

Alain agreed with Jarrun's assessment, but he could not allow that to be the prevailing thought. "Sailors are known to spread tales. When we arrive we can also canvas the taverns the Jennys, barkeeps or other sailors may have tales to share about this sailor's identity. Captain, your Mr. Neville is from Avalon I believe. Perhaps, he might be able to help liaison with the locals to give us a solid clue. With your permission and his consent of course."

As the ship breaks away from the coast; Christian absentmindedly sings the song he heard Jarrun sing. He had heard it many times when he was sailing with the Sea Dogs. Standing on the topmast he looks to out to the sea as he sings.

Christian has a strong high tenor voice. He is obviously not professionally trained, but he seems to have natural ability.

OOC
09:20, Today: Christian Neville rolled 21 using 6d10 with rolls of 2,4,1,2,10,2.  did not record dice.

09:19, Today: Christian Neville rolled 5 using 1d10.  1 die reroll. 2 raises 2 opportunities

"At that, Captain.  You state that you yourself are a member of the Society, but what of your crew?  Are we able to call upon members of the crew, by permission of the officers of course, to aid us in the course of our search when we must go ashore?"

Jarrun indicates the group inside and the subsequently the door.  "And similarly, should those of us here who have skills useful at sea be willing and able to aid make ourselves known to your officers in case a need arises on the seas?"

Bah! After being shushed aside like a child for no legitimate reason by these same officers, she would not follow any orders for skills useful at sea- but those of the captain, and then only if he were to ask her specifically.

And then, only if his order made sense to her.

"Yes, that is the consensus of the Society, too," the Captain replied. "I cannot find any fault with that logic."

"Also, Babington failed to describe the sailor in any more detail."

"What concerns me is the reward being offered now. If he shows off the pearl before he realizes what it is, he's as good as dead. The trail could grow very cold in that case."

"If he does understand the reward, well, he could run into the same problem--someone of unscrupulous morals would as apt kill him and take the pearl rather than escort him somewhere."

"But to answer your other questions, if you have skills useful at sea and we find ourselves in need of them, then, yes, you would be welcome."

"Likewise, the crew is here to help you in anyway possible and necessary. Being part of a ship's crew, you learn early on that any wealth that may be gained is shared equally among the crew. If, on the other hand, a crewman is visiting his sick mother in Ipswich and becomes fabulously wealthy all on his own, we'd be slightly resentful if he didn't share a bit of it with us, but he's under no obligation to do so as it had nothing to do with the ship."

"In other words, as far as I'm concerned, we're all in this together."

"Then we simply have to find him before he dies." Eisen said sardonically. "How I love being rushed." Eisen tapped his pommel again, rhythmically, almost without noticing he was doing it. "How long before we get to Avalon, Captain? I'll admit most of my travels have been on land. I could tell you how long it would take you by horse to get to Paix to San Cristobal, but sea travel? That's an entirely different story."

Eisen was already feeling ill aboard the ship and he lived off of rotten meat for a fortnight only a month ago. Such was the life. He hoped the ship's cook had prepared something light for the meal, anything heavy would come right back up.

"With a fair wind, we'll reach Wandesborrow in three days," the captain replies.

"Any other questions or suggestions?"

Alicia had been thinking that the Seekers needed unity. Someone needed to speak for all of them, even in the face of this captain and his power hubris.

"So, if the captain of this ship represents authority on board ship, the seekers need a representative to represent authority on land.

I nominate Jarrun to lead the Seekers, whether they be on sea or on land.

He is knowledgeable, is a leader, and is someone who can organize the Seekers if fighting should be or become necessary."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Fri 26 Aug 2016.

Seconded Eisen grunted. The man seemed to have enough wits about him and certainly Eisen didn't want the job. The tapping of his pommel became less pronounced. He was feeling more at ease knowing they were headed somewhere.

"Mademoiselle Larrocha, We are such a small group. It seems hardly needed, and a bit early considering that we hardly no one another or each other's abilities. You may consent to have Master Jarrun over you, but I do not. I want to clarify this is not a matter of pride or ego. Just a reality that unnecessary authority causes more problems than it solves." Being from Montaigne, I am well aware of the mistakes of Bureaucracy.  He was once part of it. He hoped he never had to return to it.

"Simply put, I trust each of you to make good decisions when the time comes to make them. Setting aside the idea of a leader would be the first test in trust. This trust is what will see us forward."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 03:18, Fri 26 Aug 2016.

Jarrun looks at Alicia when she nominates him to be leader, and then turns to look at Eisen when he quickly seconds the idea.

He is about to speak when Alain speaks.  Jarrun listens to the words of the Aristocrat.

"The Vicomte speaks well.  We are indeed a small group, and I agree that, for the great majority of the time, we will be able to work together fairly easily and informally to overcome obstacles by using common sense.  We do need to spend the next few days at least to get to know each other, our various strengths, and what not.  Dr. Larrocha has had some time to get to know me, and I am aware of only a few of the stories about the Vicomte.  The rest?"  he shrugs.

He raises his hand slightly to indicate he isn't done.  "On the other hand, I do not believe it wise to have an absence of any form of decision authority for long.  As my people have grown as a seafaring nation, we have learned the benefit of splitting authority depending on the situation.  We have the Carls, who govern in most day to day situations, such as when dealing with economic matters and such.  And we have our Jarls, who deal with police action, military responses, and act as arbiters in some personal disputes.  We have learned it is best to be prepared should a situation turn from friendly to not, and I do agree with Dr. Larrocha that we do need someone to take on that burden.  Am I the best to fit that role?  That remains to be seen.  But I do want to make sure we are ready for whatever gets thrown at us."

He glances at Alicia, giving her an eye.  "Leadership is a heavy burden.  And now I sound like my father."

Ha. The man was an idealist, or a fool, or both.

"I beg your pardon, Captain. There appear to be only six Seekers present: Vicomte Gaspard, Jarrun, the Eisen gentleman, Ms. Torres, Seraphine the Porte lady, and myself. Six."

She looked at Gaspard. "And, Vicomte, if this pearl really is worth much, you can be sure that greed, and all of the rest of the vices, are going to test everyone, ourselves included, before too much longer.

If you wish to hold yourself immune to vice, that is fine. However, you can be sure that others, not of our group, will test you, and all of us, repeatedly, perhaps to your discomfiture and/or death."

She turned to Jarrun. "Jarrun? I will withdraw my motion for now. All of us can learn all about one other, at the vicomte's suggestion... until we reach land."

Staring back at the vicomte. "Vicomte? At that time, when we reach land, I will again make my motion. You, or anyone, can put yourself forward at that time, and we can vote on a leader. A person will be elected, and thereafter be that leader.

If you choose not to vote, that is your prerogative. However, after that, you will have little legitimacy to offer or propose anything to the Seekers, in my way of thinking.

As our captain, here, says, there can be only one leader. At Sea, he is that leader."

She smiled at the captain. "Now, Captain? You may be the leader at sea, but you have no special status on land. Unless you also stand for election as leader of the Seekers, you will report to and follow the leader of the Seekers when you are on land. Do you agree? Or will you always stay on your ship?"

Lots of issues to discuss!

Alicia de Larrocha rolled 42 using 8d10 with rolls of 1,7,2,6,7,3,7,9.  Wits+Convince+Reputation+Flair. Only three raises.

BTW: Reputation is "Helpful".
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Sat 27 Aug 2016.

"Are you seeking to start an argument. I am confused by your aggression. You have offered impertinence to the crew, the Captain and myself. I take no offense because as I said this is not a matter of pride for me, but can you say the same for yourself. As to vices, I have many, but I assure you greed is not one of them. I would acquiesce to a vote if I believed that you would suddenly learn manners." Alain turns to the Captain. "I can not apologize for the Seekers, but I offer you and your fine crew my apologies. I do not believe her attitude represents the whole of the group. With your permission Captain; I will dismiss myself from the coming Castillian storm."

The Vicomte gives a bow of respect to the Captain, Eisen and Jarrun. As he is walking out, "Jarrun, she seems to show you respect. Perhaps, you can speak to her."

The big Ussuran stands by the railing looking out over the waves, enjoying the view and the moment before the ship sails.  Soon they would be free from shore, at the mercy of the wild sea, and free.  It was the first step of every journey and whatever new wonders awaited them.

His chores done, his ropes all tied, he hums along with sailors as the sing their songs in the rigging, preparing for the sea.

What lies beyond those waves this time?

"Great. We'll be finishing each other off before we even sight the pearl. I always wanted to die under a mountain of women." Eisen said with a sigh. He stood up. "I don't care what we do, as long as we all agree to do it. I'm just the sword, not the brains. Point me at what needs dead and I'll make sure it becomes dead. I've lead a mercenary band and fought for nobles that just wanted to make sure their men didn't bleed. A mercenary is the most telltale sign of victory though. No sellsword ever ran from a winning side." Eisen said with a grunt. "Not that I plan on abandoning any of you. After all, someone has to carry the loot home." He said with a wry grin.

Lydie was finishing up maintenance on the various items in her doctor's bag below deck as those who had hired the ship debated. She held a small knife over a candle while her other hand laid carefully folded bandages into the large leather case.

"Hired by the likes of my sister, and there's still not enough money for a loblolly boy for this sort of work..."

After she was finished, she stepped out onto the deck, waiting for the meeting to finish.

Once the ship clear the channel of the port; Christian quickly descended from the rigging. He made his way towards the chart room as he rushed in he snapped a quick salute. "Captain, we are clearing the port. What heading shall I tell the Master to take, Sir?"

"Mademoiselle de Larrocha, if there would come a time when I must join the rest of the Seekers ashore, then I would bow to the authority of whatever leader you choose," the Captain replies.

"I think that should go without saying."

He glances around at all eight of the Seekers, wondering which ones might be 'leaders'.

When Christian pops in to ask for a course setting, he instructs him: "Due north, Mr. Neville. We sail for Wandesborrow in Avalon."


"I do not think the Pearl had as much intrinsic value before it disappeared, and now that there is such a reward for it, I fear Mademoiselle is correct. It may well be that our biggest challenge is greed."

"Seraphine, Kalen, Mathurin... you've been silent, or perhaps polite and let me do all the talking. Do you not have anything to offer this scintillating conversation?"

Nicoli hears the call from the cabin.  "Aah, Avalon," he grunts.  He glances back at the deck seeing Lydie and Christian.  He looks back out to see but directs his words at them.  "Avalon is a place I have been, strange land there.  It is often not what it seems.  Not like Ussura, which doesn't hide its bite.  Pleasant enough place to travel, if you're careful."

"Ever been to Avalon?" he floats the question out over the deck.

"I am just a Seeker of knowledge, but have spent most of my life in a small Castillian village," Mathurin replies to the Captain's query.

"Avalon is as exotic to me as Ussura, and what little I know of it is mostly from wild tales... so, not to be trusted. That much, at least, I have learned."

"Alas, I also have no experience with sailing or sailing ships. I only hope I don't get seasick, and that I quickly gain my sea-legs."

"For the moment, I  am content to merely listen and learn."