"I might have." Eisen said, taking a nick out of his broadsword. "About two years ago I woke up on a battlefield in Eisen, not knowing who I was or even what side I was on. All I knew was that I was a fighter. I still had the moves of Eisenfaust ingrained in me, and I still had my pin. I had no leads as to who I was, so I stopped caring. I just became 'That Eisen Fellow' so the name 'Eisen' stuck. I fought in Eisen, I fought for the Castillans during their war. I fought for the Montaguine in Ussura, which I'll be damned if I ever do that again. I'd rather have a hand lost than fight the Northmen again. The land itself is against you over there." Eisen shuddered. "I've fought in dozens of little petty wars and the one thing I know is that coin buys lives. I want enough to settle down and buy a small farm. Live a life not at the end of a blade, but one at the end of a plow. Farming's more honest work than being a sellsword anyway." Eisen sighed. "So we get to Avalon and one of two things happen. There's a bounty or a statue of me, or no one cares. Personally I'm hoping for the statue. I've never been immortalized in stone." Eisen said in a sardonic tone.

OOC: Okay, so no storms come up, and you don't get attacked by any sea monsters, nor any pirates for that matter. Unless there's something else you want to do on the way, the journey to Wandesborrow is pretty much uneventful, albeit a trifle boring.

I'll give it another day to respond to this before I post the arrival.


The details of the meeting have been passed around to the crew. The main reason they hadn't yet been told is that the Captain wasn't 100% certain that that's where they were going.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:31, Mon 05 Sept 2016.

After three days at sea, the ship rounds the headland of Avalon just past noon of the third day. It only takes about an hour to reach Wandesborrow, and the ship manages to pull into port on the low tide.

That puts the deck almost level with the dock.

There's no indication from the people in the town that there is anything unusual about the ship. Only one or two people pay any attention to it.

Eisen spent most of the trip throwing up over the side, his meals long forgotten. It was only with a little effort that he even managed to sleep at night. That however was forgotten as land was in sight. He perked up noticeably and sighed. "At last I can get off this damn thing." He said with a weak smile to one of the other sailors. He went off in search of the other Seekers, they should form a plan on how to go about searching, unless they hit the taverns en mass, not a bitter thought to the tired man.

As the ship slips up to the dock and the ropes are tossed over the side while a few crewmen jump the distance to the dock and tie the ropes.

Captain Marino joins the Seekers on deck as the ship is being secured.

"Have you Seekers chosen someone to speak for you yet? I only ask because I need to know what you will be doing so that I can position my crew accordingly. Most of them will be dealing with mundane things, such as selling cargo and buying supplies and more cargo... depending on where we will be sailing."

"As I understand the situation, we probably have four avenues of enquiry. Someone should contact our archaeological contact to see if there's anything else that he knows."

"One of us can visit the harbormaster and enquiry about ships that were here at the time, and if he knows where they might have been going."

"Someone else can visit the shop where the sailor tried to sell the pearl... to get a better description, and see if the shopkeeper has any more details on the man."

"Finally, we can always make the rounds of the dives to see anyone knows the sailor."

"Does that sound right to all of you? Anything else you can think of?"

Alicia had been waiting for this very moment. "Thank you Captain!

I renominate 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. whether fighting should become necessary... or not."

"I doubt anyone can organize you, Senora, but if you need a leash than better Jarrun than any other. I have little desire to lead or be lead. I had imagined that we would work in collaboration, but I am finding that some need more leadership than others. So, if Jarrun wants to lead those that need to be lead I will not stand in his way. But, I am not so naïve not to see your true motivation. You dislike those that lead like the Captain, and think that by having Jarrun in a position of leadership you can somehow circumvent the Captain and his officers authority. But, with that said I wish Jarrun the best of luck. I believe he will need it."

"So, Monsieur, what you are saying is that you will not be led nor will you cooperate.

The Captain has clarified his position. His concern is the ship. Since he leads with the ship in mind, and on the water, I don't have any problem.

So, your only concern is yourself. This is fine. You go your way and the rest of us will go ours."

"Senora, whether I go or stay was determined by the society we are sponsored by. I will do as I am required to do. I will leave my answer as that." Alain doubts the sincerity of her intent. Alain believes that she thinks that somehow she will be given leave because of her friendship with Jarrun. He has no doubt that her lack of tact will continue to be problems for the group, but that was Jarrun's problem. All that mattered was that his blade finds its mark along this journey.

"It sure sounds like you have a problem working with others, sir," Mathurin addresses Alain. "Either that or you define the term 'leader' much different than the rest of us."

"Perhaps the word 'spokesperson' would not cause you such ire? Anything less than that would surely be anarchy. Nothing would get done."

"As the captain has suggested four courses of action, which I had thought of myself, and certainly agree with him, how do you propose we decide who pursues each of those actions? Our 'leader' would assess everyone's abilities--to the best of his knowledge--and then suggest who should pursue each action. If you did not agree with those assignments or were not happy with your own, you are always free to suggest other options."

"So where is great concern about this function of a leader? Frankly, I do not see it."

Jarrun handled the short trip on the ship as if he had been born to the sea.  The fair weather encouraged him to remain on deck much more than below, so for the most part he remained out of the way of the crew going about their business.

Each morning, Jarrun will wake at the first bell, performing what light calisthenics as possible in limited surroundings.  This consists mostly of push-ups, deadlifting coils of rope, and punching at a round ball suspended from a rope.

As we dock and the Captain speaks with the Seekers, Jarrun will join the party on deck.  After hearing Alicia, Alain, and Mathurin speak, he will clear his throat.

"We could spend another three days arguing, or we could let things resolve naturally.  The captain has summarized the 4 current avenues of investigation fairly well.  Seven seekers have been assigned to this ship, or eight counting the Captain.  We could send small groups to investigate all four threads, provided some of the crew are available to assist."

"I suspect sailors would do better to ask around with other sailors.  A honeyed tongue would be helpful to question the merchant, and someone who could pull some sort of authority, or at least coin, would be good in dealing with the harbormaster.  As for the archaeologist, I would volunteer to speak to him for various reasons."

"Also, I do not think it wise for people to travel alone, so having someone who can handle themselves would be preferable in each group."

"Finally, we would need a time to meet back here to compare stories and figure out how to proceed.  Does everyone have any issues with this breakdown of the plan?  If not, we could see if we have volunteers for each group."

He will catch each one's eye as he speaks, using his training to make sure his words were clear and precise.

Alain smiled softly less they think him an enemy. He still believed that there would be issues, but better to allow the issue to rest than to further alienate the situation. "No ire present here. Simply put, I believe that these things happen more organically. A group learns to work with one another, and leaders rise based on their talents and need. Seldom is a vote needed in such a small group. But, as I said this is fine. I would make one suggestion; we have met two sailors that both from Avalon. Perhaps, asking one of them to accompany the group to the harbor master and the other to go to the dives would be wise. Being foreigners, the locals may be less likely to talk to us, but with them there it may open up doors that are not normally available."

Jarrun nods at the end of Gaspard's words and then looks like he is thinking.  "Locals tend to know a great deal that cannot be taught in an afternoon."

He pauses only briefly but speaks slowly as if determining his words as he goes at this part.  As well, it might be a good idea if we keep an ear out to see who else may be following up on the same rumors we have.  It is only a matter of time before we run into competition, so if we are not alone on this battlefield I would like to know who our enemies are.  Some do not wear their colors openly, yes?"

"That sounds like a good idea, too," the captain responds to Jarrun.

"As you said, local talent would be best. How about if Christian tries his hand at that? Are you okay with that, Mr. Neville?"

"Who would like to accompany him?"


"Now, Samira is the only other sailor in your group, so she should have a good idea of how to approach the harbormaster. Is that satisfactory to you, Samira? And who would like to accompany her?"


"The next most likely one would be the archaeologist. Perhaps that is something you would be interested in, Alicia? Anyone else want to talk to the archaeologist?"


"That's about as far as I can suggest. Anyone want to try the other two avenues of investigation?"

"Captain, I would be willing to go perhaps Mr. Port being an old Sea Dog would join in. I most likely can find a few dogs in the port, and if any would know they would." Christian was excited to be going shore side. It had been a while since he was in country.

"I'll head to the dives. Another Eisen merch won't stand out too much and besides, I could use a drink after that hellish ship ride." Eisen grunted. He wanted off this ship as soon as possible. Maybe a barfight would lighten his sour mood. Certainly some ale would, maybe one of Jenny's Girls...

The voyage over, Nicolai said goodbye to the sea and turned his attention inland.  Seeing no place for himself among the captain's barked orders, he come sup beside the Eisein merc.

"In a fight, it's good to have someone to watch your back.  I will join you, as I could use some excitement now that the sea has stopped her song." He clapped the merc on the back in a probably friendly gesture.  "And if we are lucky, the black pearl is lying at the bottom of a mug of ale."

"Looks like I'm headed for the shop, if I'm allowed leave. Is anyone else?"

Eisen turned to Nicolai and gave a rare, non sardonic smile. "I'm sure you'll be handy in a barfight. I've seen your men fight. If you have a tenth of your countrymen's mettle in you, the Sea Dogs had best watch their step." He said as he returned the clasp. "Call me Eisen."

The Ussuran looked down at the Eissen with a grin.  "I'm best at looking scary enough to keep the fights from happening, but if it comes to that I can manage all right.  You people also are known to hold their own in any fight.  I'm sure it will be fine."

He paused seeing Lydie join the conversation, and called in her direction.  "Wouldn't hurt to swing by our dive after the shop, on the chance that I was wrong and we are in need of sewing up."

"I can't be everywhere at once, Nicoli. But I'll give it a shot. Where is this dive?"

The rocking of the big floaty thing was nice, but it was nicer to be back on the ground. They didn't usually let him go anywhere, but maybe this time they would. These were new people.

He climbs down the ropes and swings off of them to land softly at Lydie's feet. He chitters up at her. Can I go? Can I go? Take me with you!

The gold-furred monkey looked up at Lydie with pleading eyes.

When asked where the dive is, Nicolai shrugs his shoulders and looks to Eissen with a raised eyebrow.  In the worst part of town?

Lydie looked down at the golden-furred creature.

"Yes, Simbu? What do you want? I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Those oranges are for the crew!"

She pet him, and started looking through her possessions for something to offer him, but came up empty.

Eisen looked back at the Ussaran. Then at the Doctor. "Wherever a civilized lady would never go, that's where we'll be. Save you a seat and a pint?"