The captain can tolerate some delay when the ship sails, as the tide takes awhile to go out completely. Fortunately, everyone seemed to be on board, so the anchors were hoisted and the ropes cast off.

The tide begins to pull the ship away from the wharf. It isn't until the ship is pointed out to sea and about 100 yards offshore that the sails are hoisted.


It takes about a half hour to clear the tide, and full sail is deployed.

It's then that the captain requests the Seeker's presence in his cabin.

The tall blonde stands on the deck, feeling the wind as it catches on the sails.  A strong confidence reveals itself as he chants in a deep melodious voice,


"May you see the way
wherever the journey takes you,
sailing safely over rough water and weathering the waves’ dips and crests

May you find treasure in Earth’s infinite variety, beauty and surprise
May you hear the ocean’s music in every shell you hold to your ear

May your boat fill with insight, laughter, generosity and love
as you discover new landscapes and explore the wide expanse of memory.”

His voice fades, but not before ending with a quieter, "And thus the song begins."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:56, Fri 05 Aug 2016.

Gabriela heard the singing while on her way to the captain's cabin, and came over.

"That was very nice. An old Vesten song?"

He shakes his head slightly.  "I heard that blessing once from an Avalonian cook.  He loved his stout.  Told me that he heard it was an ancient blessing from way back during the time of Numa itself.  Don't know if he was telling the truth himself, but it sounded a good tale."

He glances and grins slightly.  "Most old Vestenmennavenjar songs are made to be remembered while drunk, or while going to battle.  But we do have our share of great sagas and blessings."

Alain below deck insures that his gear is properly stored. He changes his clothes to something more appropriate for sailing. When he emerges back on the deck; he is dressed in dark pantaloons with a white laced shirt with a cravat held in place by a blue sapphire pin. Around his wait a blue sash that matches the pin. He wears a simply, but functional pair of black cotton gloves.

As he passes, "Lovely music." With that said he makes his way to the chart room to meet with the captain.

Gabriela smiled.

"All the best songs are. Though in Castille we usually combine music with dance."

She part turned as the Vicomte of Gaspard passed.

"I regret, I must be going. The Captain has arranged a meeting."

Jarrun nods.  "Yes, he has. I am glad I had a chance to greet the sea with a song before our meeting begins."

He will once again look out beyond the bow.  "I look forward to the new adventure."

Marcelo had set the meeting for a time when the ship was expected to clear the tidewaters... that nebulous zone where the tide going in and out didn't affect the ship as much as the wind and the wave and the ocean's currents. It was always a guess because there were so many factors, but an experience sailor usually got a feel for it.

He left his door open so that the Seekers... it was as good a title as any for those who were seeking the Black Pearl under the aegis of the Explorer's Society... would know to come right in.

There were only seven of them, so that was a good thing or else there wouldn't have been room for them in his cabin.

He was expecting his XO to be the last to arrive as he'd be busy with the ship.

"Thank you for coming to this meeting," he began when they were all present, seated or standing as preferred.

"My instructions were to take you first to Wandesborrow in Avalon, as that was where the report of the Black Pearl seems to have started."

"If any of you have a different destination in mind, now is the time to tell me."

Alicia would wait to see what the others would say.

Jarrun will stand against a wall, letting others take chairs as they felt the desire.  As the captain begins to lay out the general plan, Jarrun will take a quick look at the map.

The big man speaks up.  "Captain Marcello.  On behalf of all the Seekers present, I would like to thank you, your crew, and your ship for agreeing to assist us on this great quest.  If we are successful, every person on this vessel will become part of an incredible tale that will spread to all the corners of this world."

He looks around at everyone present.  "There are faces here whom I recognize, but not everyone.  As such, I am Jarrun, a Warrior Skaald of the Vestenmennavenjar.  It is my hope to record our journeys and craft a tale worthy of our deeds."

He once again faces the captain.  "Before we consider our destination, should we each compare our knowledge of the Black Pearl so that we begin on the same page?"

"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."

"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?"

"Of course. Try not to bleed too much before I get there."

"Aye, dealing with the Harbourmaster is part of my job, so approaching him wouldn't be out of place or draw any attention beyond the fact that I'm me." Samira responded to the question having drawn her attention back to the meeting from watching the crew dock the ship. "If someone would like to accompany me, that is fine. If not, then I can certainly speak to the man on my own."

Jarrun listens as people speak their preferences.  "I would speak to the archaeologist as well."

He looks out over the city and thinks.

"How long should we plan to remain here at a minimum, Captain, so that the ship's needs are met?  If it is for at least the whole day, then perhaps we should secure temporary lodging and a place to meet up in the city?"

Edward suddenly landed on the deck, next to Mr. Christian.  He glanced from the first mate to their charges.

"What's that, a bar crawl?  A possible brawl or two?  A night in the company of people of ill repute?  All in an effort to shake out hidden knowledge?"

He reached up and wiped away an imaginary tear.

"I didn't know you cared, Sir!"

He turned to the port and sighed, breathing deep the air of his homeland.

[Avalon]"Oh, Avalon, returning to your bosom and the bosoms of your ladies always brings a spring to my step and glint to my eye."[/Avalon]


He turned back toward the First Mate.  [Avalon]"So, what manner of bar shall we seek out, Sir?  Respectable?  Or one more my style?"[/Avalon]

"Mister Port, I'll remind you that you'll be on duty while in these establishments. Drunkenness and disorderly conduct will not be an excuse for not accomplishing your mission to the fullest, am I clear?" Samira was sure he could read between the lines of that order, Edward was after all a veteran sailor.

With practiced skill, Edward straightened into a proper Avalonian salute.

"Aye Aye, Sir!"

"Drunkenness and disorderly conduct will not be the excuse!"

After all, they were reasons all on their own.

There are at least a dozen dives on the docks, though not all sailors frequent those establishments. The 'most famous' of Wandesborrow's dives is the Salty Dog. Rumor holds that there is always a nightly bar fight.

None of the current crew have ever been to Wandesborrow before, so know little about the place.

The only other place known to the crew is the Eclipse Club--a gambling establishment.

"Very well, we have someone going to each place," the captain says.

"If I understand what you all said, we have the following volunteers:"

"Eisen and Nicoli will venture into the various dives in town. Remember, you are trying to find out the identity of our sailor with the Black Pearl, what ship he may have been on and where he or it may have been going... all without revealing that he has the Black Pearl."

"Christian and Edward will be visiting the same places, perhaps, but mostly any of the shops and cafes and inns, looking for anyone else who might be on the trail of the Black Pearl."

"Alicia and Jarrun are going to visit the archaeologist. I doubt if he'll have anything to add, but you never know."

"Samira is going to see the Harbormaster, to see what ships were here on that day, and perhaps he'll know where they were sailing."

"That leaves Lydie to visit the merchant. Perhaps he knows the sailor, and can give you some information on him."

"We have no heard from Alain or Gabriela or Seraphine. Are any of you interested in helping out in this situation?"

He glances around at the others for a moment before turning to Jarrun to answer his questions.

"We only need about 3 hours to resupply the ship, which is what I will be doing while you make your enquiries. We are not currently on any schedule, but I prefer to sail when the tides goes out. Since we came in on the low tide, we can sail in 22 hours, or wait another day."

And so, Gaspard was quick to criticize but not to volunteer. No-one else offered support to Jarrun, or to anyone else, as leader of the Seekers.

The captain seemed willing to function as the leader for now, while all were in the vicinity of the ship. Alicia had had plenty of experience with political infighting at the university. Gaspard clearly had had little or no experience if he really believed leaders appeared generically, through beneficial self-interest! "I will visit the archeologist with Jarrun. I can accept direction from the Captain for now.

However, since no-one else, other than Jarrun, spoke to my concern as to leadership of the Seekers, I am going to assume that the other Seekers are more in accord with M. Gaspard than not, and do not believe that we need organization or direction... or trust.

I do not like this sentiment, particularly when the cost benefit of the Pearl is considered and factored into the possible success of this expedition. I, therefore, am going to distrust all of the other Seekers, until they prove me wrong. And, as I have reason to distrust these other Seekers, I will be more concerned with protecting my own back when they are around than in interviewing archaeologists... or anyone else."

Too bad. First impressions were... first impressions.

Yet again, Alicia had proven true to form. But, that was not his concern. "Of course, I will help with the endeavor. I had monopolize so much of the conversation, so I felt it wise to allow other to assert their opinions. I believe that I would stand out in many of the tasks outlined, but I could provide financial aide to the other parties since most likely it will take gifts and financial encouragement to gain some information. Second, I could go with the First Lieutenant as it is not strange for a patron to support a ship. My one concern is that we maybe making to big of a footprint. I see little in the way to avoid this, but we do need to be careful on what information is shared in the pursuit of our goals."

Alain turned to address Alicia's concerns, "Usually, silence is a sign of affirmation to a proposition. I believe that each of the assembled are dedicated to the quest ahead. I compliment the ship's crew in its willingness to step forward. Though you do not trust us. I will do the best to my limited ability to insure the safety of all assembled including you, and I believe the rest would hold my same sentiment. You spoke of vices that would challenge us. Let us put aside difference that are petty, and focus on strengthening the fellowship we have established. Greed will not destroy us, but a lack of trust at a crucial moment will be like an assassin's blade to the heart."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Fri 16 Sept 2016.

Christian was not certain if he should talk, but he was not certain the Captain had assigned him right. "Uh Captain, I am sure you know best, but if you want me to find some Sea Dogs, and tap into their ship gossip. I don't think going to the shops will have the people I will be looking for, I should go talk to the sailors. Dogs stick together."

"Ah, fear not lad.  I'm sure that we can find 'shops' that offer the type of 'goods and services' that other sailors would seek out."

At each quotation point, Edward made an exaggerated gesture with his hands.

"Just may take us off the beaten path.  As it were."

Edward gave Christian a slight wink.

"I don't know." Eisen said sardonically to Gaspard's words. "I trust any man who has my back in a fight. Plus we haven't really done anything to earn the trust of the crew, something I hope to rectify. I trust that the two of us can suss out any word of any sailor that might have passed through. We may not be locals, but I speak perfect Avalonian for some reason. I can pass for an Eisen looking to make a better life as a prospective Sea Dog recruit. My sailing friend can help me with the language of the sea and together we can pump the sailors for information. Mercenary work pays well, and I still have some coin to buy some of the more talkative sailors a few pints. Men love the man buying the ale. We can also talk to Jenny's Girls. They know more than they let on. I'm not the first Eisen looking to make a few shillings and a new life, as far as they know, in Avalon. With luck I can find a countryman. They might be more willing to talk to me." Eisen took a breath. That was the most he had spoken all journey. The prospect of ale must have really gotten him excited.

"Well, 22 hours will give us plenty of time to get into trouble."

The big Ussuran looks uncomfortable in the surroundings, especially speaking up near the Captain.

"It's also enough time that we don't need to send crew off by themselves.  If Samira or Lydie want some company, there's still plenty of time for drinks and talk."

Rich... and spoiled. Sewing the very discord that he pretends to wish to avoid.

She spoke to Jarrun, "We can go to speak with this archaeologist now."

"I'll accompany Lydie," Mathurin volunteers. "Maybe I can get in a bit sight-seeing while we're at it."

He was half-hoping that this merchant would be... uncooperative. It wasn't quite the errand that a swashbuckler would find entertaining, but perhaps he would find an opportunity.

The various groups made it back to the ship. Only Lydie and Mathurin, and somewhat by extension, Seraphine, had a problem. A sorcerer had suddenly appeared in the store and stole the wrong black pearl. He'd created horrific rents, and Lydie and Seraphine had set about repairing them. They had no chance to pursue the sorcerer, though.


Alain, Seraphine and Samira had gone to the harbormaster, and found out about the ships that had sailed on or about the day of the encounter.


Edward Port and Christian Neville had visited several shops to see if there were other avenues of inquiry. They'd spotted two men that were also watching the shops. They did get some information from the fate-teller.


Eisen and Nicoli made the rounds of the bars and pubs, managed to make some connections with other sailors.


After comparing notes, you know that the sailor's name was Lucky Prad, and he sailed for Vendel on the Iphigenia. He has black hair that he wears in a braid, a gold ring in his left ear, and a tattoo on his left arm of an anchor with a snake wrapped around it.

The captain sat in his quarters and read over the message that Seraphine had handed him. It must have been important to have been sent by porte, though it was only a letter. Not that any such effort should ever be taken lightly.

His eyes widened in surprise as he read.

"I cannot begin to imagine what Father Alemberto could be needed so desperately for that you would be requested to return him," Captain Marcelo commented to Seraphine as he finished reading.

It probably wasn't unprecedented, but it was in his experience--porting someone back to Crieux!

"I also have a letter for Father Alemberto's replacement," Seraphine responded. "Fortunately, he is already here in Wandesborrow. His name is Father Carlo Eldersan. You should be able to find at the church."

"I will send for Father Alemberto, and also for this Father Carlo."

"The worst part about this trip?  Time."  The big man comments to Alicia as the Society members compare notes.  "Never seem to be enough time.  I could've spent a few days volunteering at the dig and learning those hidden stories, but time is always against us."  He sighs dramatically, but then turns to the rest.

"Captain.  Should we follow in this Iphigenia's wake on to Vendel?  Or do we have a better plan?  And what is this about a Father Carlo?"

He sits back in his chair, eyes wandering over the apparent charts and people, alert eyes always seeking knowledge.

"Ah. Not necessarily the person I was looking for, Jarrun," Marcelo replies to Jarrun, "but you'll do, if  you are so amenable."

"It seems as if a Father Carlo, currently at the church in town, is being reassigned to this ship and, presumably, our mission. Seraphine has just received a dispatch for him. Might you be persuaded to deliver the missive, and retrieve him?"

"I fear time is of the essence, though, for we most assuredly will follow the Iphigenia to Vesten."

He waits to see if Jarrun will accept this slight mission, before nodding to Seraphine to hand over her dispatch.

The big blonde shrugs and stands.  "Sure.  It'll give me a chance to maybe pick up a bit of fresh fruit on the way.  I've spent enough time on the sea to enjoy simple luxuries as I get them."

He'll tie his hair back with a leather thong and grab a small empty sack not even bothering to take the weapon he had packed away.

Etienne cursed loudly as he saw the stern of the Vague Bleue disappearing in the distance. It had departed without him ! Curse that vile-tongued bitch of a captain, Marie Pincée !
His anger flew away quickly though. In fact he had gotten well along with the red-haired and self-reliant woman with the ready and infectous smile. If she would have had any better manners, specifically holding that perty mouth of hers, he would even have contemplated taking her on as a companion on a social party in Charousse. She most certainly was beautiful enough to catch a stare or two from some hot-blooded courtiers.
Alas, the point was moot.
And indeed, Marie had warned him that she would not wait for him.
Etienne had learned quite a few facts from talking with the locals, but this sailor still eluded him. The harbour master had been reluctant, to say the least, to tell him the next destination harbour of the Iphigenia. And so he had been at a loss where Lucky Pratt was headed to next.
Until he had heard that the sailor had talked with the local priest.
"Farewell then my beautiful red-haired Marie.", he said to the wind and turned around back into town, making straight for the local church.
Naturally he had noticed the arrival of the Southern Wind and its rather unusual passengers and he had the nagging feeling that these men and women were also looking for the Black Pearl.
Etienne shook his head, this would take adressing at another time, now he had to talk to this Father Carlo.
The young swashbuckler frowned at the name, definitely one of Castille.
Before he could make a plan how to go about confronting the man he found himself right at the door of the church and entered.

Well, the Good Father, at least.

Jarrun and Alicia headed off to the church, reaching it about the same time that Etienne got there.

Father Carlo was tending to a few church things... souls, children's scrapes and bruises, baptisms, whatever. He was quite surprised at his sudden popularity.

Father Carlo looked up after finishing cleaning a scraped knee " well good day to you all" he said in a pleasant manner " how may I be of assistance ?" He asked . It was slightly off putting but though the father looked relaxed his eyes were studying all three intently

At 6'5" and a solid mass of wiry muscles, the big blonde created his own wake when traveling through the crowds at the harbor and further into the city.  Making good on his earlier words, he hit up a fruit vendor and acquired a few dozen fresh fruits on the way to the church.

To Alicia, he commmented on the city as he offered her some of the fruit. "Time was I could spend a few weeks in a place like this.  There's always coin to earn for entertainers."

Upon arriving at the church, Jarrun will notice the Montaigne arriving to also speak to the Father.  He'll let the other man speak to the Father first.  "Go ahead.  We have some time before we miss the tide."

Alicia was content to follow in Jarrun's wake, accepted his offer of fruit "Thanks!" and began to eat.

She chuckled at his comment about entertaining. "That's right! You can sing, chant sagas, and tell stories. And, I can dance!"

She tried several leaps, touching the toes of both feet. "Aha! Still in practice!"

Etienne looked at the couple, smiled and nodded in thanks.
"Ahh, but I would be boor of the worst kind if I were to walk through a door before a lady.", he bowed, opened the door and indicated in a large gesture that Alicai should enter first.

Jarrun laughed heartily and shook his head at talented woman next to him.  "That sort of flexibility and your knowledge of pressure points could really come in handy in a fight.  And yes.  Telling great epics hurts a lot less than fighting, even if the money isn't as good."

At the shorter Montaigne's elaborate bow, the large blonde stifled a grin.  Oh... this could be entertaining.

He will give Alicia the first chance to respond.

Never reluctant to respond in kind to anyone, Alicia gave the man a benevolent smile as she went through the door, "Well, merci Monsieur! Of course I would wish for you to be at your best... at all times!"

Discovering the Father to be performing mundane good works, she wondered if he might have a hidden wanderlust ... somewhere. "Good day, Father. Do you have some time to speak with us?"

Father Carlo looked up from what he was doing and smiled at the young lady before him. It had not slipped his notice that there were two men with her " yes my child I seem to have completed my tasks for this morning. Now sit a while" he indicated to a pew nearby.

" and please ask your two skulking friends to join us I am a mere priest and will cause them no harm." There was a humour in his voice but there seemed to be just a little cold edge to the way he had spokenu
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Sat 15 Apr 2017.

The big blond man eased himself into one of the pews at the Father's invitation with a mirthful grin, careful to place his weight evenly so as not to risk damaging things as if he was used to being aware of his huge size.

His voice is deep and resonant, and it contained a modulation that indicated some sort of vocal training.  If used at full volume, such a voice would be heard clearly in either the stage or a battlefield.  "And I was trying so very hard to not skulk about this time.  I guess I just don't have the knack yet."

He will grin and pull out the letter from a waist pouch, sealed with the mark of the Seekers.  "Good evening, Father.  I am Jarrun, a simple Skaald of my people, and this is Alicia de Larrocha, a talented doctor whom I have the pleasure of remaining still in this world due to her exacting medicines.  Unfortunately, I cannot introduce the third member of this impromptu meeting as we only met by happenstance just outside the church doors.  If he is a local member of your congression, perhaps you would do well to treat with him first before returning to our matter.  We come baring a letter from our ship's Captain for you that appeared quite urgent.  I do not know the contents of the letter but I suspect it will ask a substantial investment of time on your part."

Jarrun takes a moment to glance around at the state of the church, nodding in approval at the worn but well-kept structure before returning his attention to Father Carlo and the Montaigne.

"Thank you, Father." Alicia sat.

Ha! Mere priest. Simple skald. The other skulker likely was "mere this" or "simple that" as well. The Seekers were in trouble if this was all that was available for this endeavor!

Well, at least she could try to patch them up if and when something were to go wrong- if they were still alive at the time, that is...

She waited for Monsieur this, or that, to come in and speak.

Father Carlo tooth letter off the large man and broke these. he read it first then again to make sure he understood its contents.

Turning to the young lady " My apologies I assumed all three of you were together" he said before looking up at the third member of the group.

"I understand that you are not with these two gentle people.... how may I be of service to you?" he asked

Naturally Etienne had registered the arrival of that other ship in port and naturally he had become aware of their investigations which were essentially to the same purpose as his own: to find that sailor Lucky Prad.
"Happenstance ? Unlikely, indeed quite wrong."
"Indeed, I have not arrived with these two in port but I am fairly sure that we pursue the same."
"My name is Etienne D'Emeraude and I serve Montaigne in various functions."
"In this particular case I am looking for a sailor named Lucky Prad who, I was told, has consulted with you some time ago, not long ago I might add. The man in question has black hair that he wears in a braid, a gold ring in his left ear, and a tattoo on his left arm of an anchor with a snake wrapped around it. He served on the Iphigenia and left for Vendel. The man was, or most likely still is, in possession of an item that quite a few people", he nodded to the other two, "are very interested in finding."
"Lucky Prad seemed to be quite distressed recently and where else to turn than but faith in such a case ? And the wise council of the clergy ? It is likely that Lucky Prad may not have been quite so lucky anymore and he may have shared some information about his turn of luck which would allow... us... to find him quickly. All to his best, I assure you."

The priest looked at the new comer without even a slight alteration to his features " My friend, I might or might not have come into contact with this young man but anything he might or might not have told me in the course of a confession is sacrosanct and is between himself and god"

Father Carlo looked at each of them in turn " as you are all aware words spoken to a priest in the confessional cannot be discussed  with another soul....I therefore am sorry but I am not able to help you in that respect"

"Father, I would never stoop so low as to impinge upon the most sacrosanct ritual of confession.", Etienne said sincerely and empathically.
"However, maybe he did tell you something that was not, you know, under the explicit mantle hereof ?", he said with a smile.

Alicia gave a knowing smile. "Ah, but Father. We are not asking for you to reveal details of the many sins that he may have confessed to you.

Surely you would not claim that everything that he may have said to you outside of the confessional was not to be spoken of as well!" She laughed.

Father Carlo chuckled slightly and sighed " to tell you the truth the young man did comet me but his mind was so troubled he gave little in the way of a confession and I have to admit I could only mouth the litany of the church and send him on his way" there was a sadness in his eyes because he had failed to help a troubled soul.

"as to this letter that you have kindly delivered.... It looks like your ships chaplain will not be continuing on with you on your voyage  duet personal troubles." he folded it and placed it in his pocket " It looks like your captain has asked the church for a replacement and that as I am here lending a hand to the church ..... I seem tone the expendable priest in the city " again he chuckled as if he'd just made a private joke " So I seem to be accompanying you on your adventures and to save your retched souls as well" he smiled at them

"Still, Father, that 'little' you mentioned there may be more important than you may realize. Even a casually dropped word might give us an important clue, see ?"
Etienne did not intend to let the priest off the hook just so easily.

" All I can say was it was more a moral dilemma than one of faith and he seemed very afraid.... I assure you I tried to calm him and get him to open up but he left without doing so.... He didn't even tell me where he was going.... I am sorry but I can add little else to what I have already said" there was now a slight edge to his voice that was out of place and more in keeping with a man not used to being questioned on his word

Ben, c'est un prêtre et il est sensible., Etienne thought with annoyance.
Thing is: he did not say anything, now did he ?
"Well then, you've been most forthcoming, father, thank you.", he said utterly contrary to his thoughts and even managed to summon up a pleasant smile on his face with the lie.

Jarrun chuckled at the priest's comment about saving our wretched souls and being expendible.  "I highly doubt the Church considers any of its priests or flock as truly expendible.  But as we sometimes say on the seas... we go as the wind and tide take us."

He then turns to Etienne.  "As for you, sir.  You seem quite adamant about following along the same path as our company.  It would be prudent for you to come speak to the rest of our company since the good priest here has been assigned to accompany us as well?"

He'll turn back to Father Carlo.  "How much time do you need?"

Etienne pondered the large man's suggestion.
He did not know whether it truly would be prudent. But it would be practical for sure. The ship he had travelled with had left port just ths morning and now opportunity was dangling right in front of his nose not only to leave this Harbour, but to leave it in the correct direction, too.
Etienne nodded graciously.
"An offer I will be delighted to pick up."
"Shall we go then ?"

Jarrun and Alicia return to the Southern Wind along with Father Carlo and Etienne. After conferring with the captain and crew, you now know where the person who might have the Pearl was heading. That is, you have a description of the man, you know his name, you know what ship he sailed on, and you know where that ship was heading.

Unfortunately, once a ship sails from port, it can go anywhere, and any number of things can happen to it. Still, there is a limit to any route it might take, and inquiries made along the way will ascertain if it did, indeed, go in that direction.

"Congratulations," the captain says to Jarrun and Alicia. "You have retrieved the priest that the Church wishes to accompany us."

"I would also like to introduce you to Vasily Pavlychenko. He is joining the Seekers. He comes highly recommended."

"Yes, the ship is getting quite crowded, but we've lost a few Seekers along the way now. There's no telling if or when Seraphine might return."

"Nicoli has decided not to pursue this venture, and Alain has claimed instinct says he should sail on another ship. I do not really know what that means, but I hope he can be trusted."

Vasily bows as he's introduced. "Here I am, hero of Ussura, to assist in your quest. I am at your service." He smiles and winks.

The big man steps back onto the ship with a grin as if returning home.  He'll see to the captain first with his charges and listens to the Captain speaking about those who have left.

"As long as we have the will, a strong ship and crew, and those seeking the adventure, we can continue in our quest.  Great songs don't write themselves."

He turns to the new Seeker.  "Mr. Pavlychenko.  All welcome to you.  I am Jarrun, a Skald of the Vestenmennavenjar and fellow Seeker.  I'm sure you have a few stories you could share over a meal later?"

"Certainly, I'm no storyteller, but I'm sure I can come up with something interesting.

And, please, call me Vasily!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Fri 09 June 2017.

The ship sets sail again from Wandesburrow, and the captain puts up maximum sail.

It takes a couple of hours before Avalon slips out of sight behind you.

"I don't expect to see the ship we are pursuing for a few days yet," the captain informs everyone.

"But we need to keep a close watch, particularly at night, so that it doesn't slip by us in the dark. We know where it was supposed to be going, but if it stopped at any port, it could change destination and direction."

"Anyone got any ideas?"

"Perhaps I can help." Vasily says, as he looks up into the sky. Spotting a sea bird, he calls it down by cawing at it.

OOC: Using Speak with birds to call the bird down and have it look for the ship that we're looking for; basically give it the info we have and let it fly around looking for the ship.

Alicia smiled, "I will take first watch."

She climbed to the crows nest and began her watch with a telescope.

Alicia de Larrocha rolled 5 using 1d10 with rolls of 5.  Reroll the "1 (2)" .
Alicia de Larrocha rolled 40 using 7d10 with rolls of 9,9,1,2,9,2,8.  Wits+Notice+Flair (w/university/reroll+1).

They become 10, 10, 6, 3, 10, 3, 9, or 4 raises.

Not being far from land, birds are reasonably common in the skies, though most of them would be classed as seabirds. The one that answers Vasily's call is, naturally, an albatross. After he gives it his instructions, it flies off. How much of those instructions it understood, or will remember, is problematical. Some birds are noted for how smart they are, of course, but the term 'birdbrain' was coined for a reason.

Time at sea sometimes can seemingly drag on forever, and so it goes now. Alicia's 4-hour watch is nearing the end when the albatross returns. Even as he's reporting to Vasily, Alicia spots a sail on the horizon. Even with a spyglass, not much detail can be made out at this distance, but it appears to be flying the silver-dragon-on-black flag of Eisen. It's not the ship you are looking for, but it is heading in your direction.


The albatross says it could not find the ship Vasily described, but found a pirate ship.

Vasily reports the bird's findings to the captain, given its relevance; "Apparently the bird found a pirate ship, but not the ship we're looking for; despite the flag the vessel miss de Larrocha just spotted is flying, I suspect they are, in fact engaging in piracy; most likely the albatross wouldn't recognize a pirate ship by its flag, but rather how it acts; where it goes, the gut feeling it gets from the people aboard, etc. I would suggest cation in dealing with this ship."

"A bird told you it's a pirate ship?" the captain asks with a cockeyed eyebrow.

"Whatever. Captain Trufeau had a dog that could smell a pirate ship miles away. It's possible that it reeks of blood that the pirates don't bother washing off, or at least not well enough."

"Not surprising, really. The ship we are pursuing has several days head start. We won't catch it in just one day. Since the sailor we are after won't be controlling the ship, it'll go where the captain says, which is probably to the next trade port."

"They'll only put in somewhere else if they need supplies."

"Unless you have some overwhelming desire to confront these pirates, I suggest we steer clear of them."

Today: Alicia de Larrocha rolled 31 using 8d10 ((2,5,2,5,2,1,5,9)). 3 Raises

Alicia did not fancy fighting pirates, but would if necessary. She stayed aloft for now.

As the two ships draw closer to each other, with the pirate ship staying closer to shore and the group's ship heading farther out to sea, Alicia can get a better view of the other ship.

It definitely has more sail, and will be faster if it has a full crew to man the sails.

It probably outguns the Southern Wind, perhaps significantly, but again, it depends on how well it is crewed.

She also spots a bit of damage to the ship. She can't really tell if the damage is recent or not, but if it is, it could explain why the pirate ship isn't changing course to come after them--too few crew left and probably heading to a safe port to spend their loot and get the ship repaired and re-crewed.

"I wonder if, perhaps, our quarry encountered this same ship?"

"That's possible," the Captain replied. "I don't think a polite request will get us an answer. We'd have to board the other ship and question the captain and crew... thoroughly. It might have got the worst of the encounter as well, or else sunk the other ship. Then where would we be?"

"I think we need to trust in Fate that our path still lies ahead of us."

Trusting in the captains definitely superior knowledge of the sea and the ships that ply it, Vasily  nods, then heads off to socialize with the sailors on the ship. Since he has little left to contribute, he figures it is time to spread the good word a little.

"Unlike us, the ship that we pursue had a destination," the captain states. "It is possible that it had cargo to trade."

"Any of you know of a good port that might have welcomed that ship? We can stop in there and make enquiries. As you can probably tell by the name of the ship, it has been up this way before."

Jarrun is quiet a while as he stares at the larger pirate ship in the distance.  His knuckles are white as he grips the bannister.  To nobody in particular, or whomever happens to be nearby, he speaks quietly.  "Death rides the waters with every passing of the great chariot above, announced by the black sail and the stench of spilled blood."

He'll keep his eye on the ship, looking as if seeking something important.  "I once served on a ship who had a commission to eliminate any pirate vessel it came upon.  Damned fine ship, and some fine sailors too.  They had to be, to do what they did so well.  But the captain was a man of absolutes.  His entire world was made of black and white.  You either served order or chaos, in his mind.  I wonder what happened to him?"

Jarrun will look for the captain eventually.  "Captain Marino.  Since we've seen one, do we have any intelligence on other pirate bands operating recently in this area?"

"As I said, we haven't been in these parts before, but I have heard of a few 'pirates' operating in these waters," Marcelo replies.

"There's the Black Rose captained by Esteban deZuniga. And the Sea Witch captained by Erik the Dark. I don't believe that ship was either of them, however."

Vasily, wandering around the ship, encounters an able seaman who's swabbing the deck. So he asks him about it; "Didn't I just see someone cleaning this deck not two hours ago? Why is it that you're cleaning it now?"

Alicia returned to the deck. She watched the conversation between Marino and the new crewmember, then went over to the rail to stare out to sea.

The ship sails on into the dusk as Captain Marino consults with the group.


"Unless we have any reason to stop in at a village along the way," he tells them, "I was expecting to stop at Dechaine, or possibly push on to Gottkitchen."

"The ship we are pursuing is heading for Rurik, but might stop at Posen. Dechaine is the better port for trade rather than Gottkitchen, but Gottkitchen is about half way to Rurik. So, it's a toss up, as we don't really know what the captain of the Iphigenia was doing."

The blonde man sits back and places his scarred hands behind his head as he looks up toeard nothing.  "If you are taking suggestions, my own are to go ahead and stop at Dechaine.  More trade means more rumors, and possibly more up-to-date information on what's really on the waters here."

He'll look around.

"I know our mission is to track down the Black Pearl.  But we cannot allow our vision to narrow too much.  I believe it's called tunnel vision... if we focus too much, we'll miss potential dangers until it's too late."

He'll focus on Captain Marino.  "And to be honest, I'm still thinking about that wounded black flag we passed on the way here.  If they fought someone, there's a chance whoever they fought are at the port."

"Well, it's not much of a detour or delay, if we stop at Dechaine," the captain replied to Jarrun. "Good point about the black flag's damage."

"If it had engaged the Iphigenia and they both limped away with damage, it would make sense for the Iphigenia to make for Dechaine."

"HELM! Change course... seven degrees to starboard!"

"We should get there well before sunset."

As the captain had said, you reach Dechaine about two hours before sunset due to a strong following wind.

As with most ports, there are always two or three ships docked at any given time. Sometimes, a half dozen to a dozen might be docked. At Dechaine, there are two ships. None of them look like the Iphigenia, though. Doesn't mean it wasn't there, and sailed again already.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:12, Tue 24 Oct 2017.

"Perhaps you should go ashore and make a few enquiries," the Captain said to Alicia and Jarrun. "Together, you should be less suspicious than should either of you do so individually."

"I doubt if the Iphigenia would have sustained any hull damage, nor is a mast likely. Both would have taken too much time to repair. A bit of deck or sail damage, on the other hand, could have easily been dealt with."

"There hasn't been enough time for the ship to have dealt with the harbormaster, so maybe inquire at the chandler." He points to the building that has nautical paraphernalia on display on the outside... a ship's wheel, signal flags, etc.

"Some of the crew might also have managed to go ashore to do some drinking. Too much drink might have loosened their tongues. So check out one or two of the dockside pubs. I'd skip the Beckoning Mermaid... or whatever it's called--looks a bit too upscale... meant for officers, would be my guess."

"There. That one. What's that? The Harpooned Whale? Or that one--the Black Sail."

He indicates the taverns/pubs, one at either end of the long wharf.

Alicia was eavesdropping over by the ship's rail. She and Jarrun had worked well before, so Signor Marino's idea did made some sense.

She walked over to Jarrun. "So, Signor Marino believes that the two of us together might be less suspicious together than either of us individually!? What say you that we test his theory?"  She grinned as if she didn't believe this, but was willing to try anyway.

The big blond man knocked on the ship's railing as if to ward off bad luck, and he turned to his smaller companion.  "Sailors love to talk, that much is true.  I wonder, though, if anyone did run into that pirate ship if their people would visit a pub called the Black Sail.  Unless they were the boasting sort."

He shrugs.  "And on the off chance that nobody knows anything, it would be a good chance to stretch our legs.  So shall we?"  The blond bows slightly, offering his arm to escort the Castillian doctor.

Alicia chuckled. "I doubt that we will discover anyone that knows anything, it is true. But, I like the idea of getting off this ship and walking normally for a change."

She exaggerated a walk that lurched one way and then another. "I would like to take my bag of supplies along, however. There's no telling if they may be needed, after all." And, the bag would make for a good excuse in many possible situations.

The laughter could probably be heard deep in the bowels of the ship at Alicia's exaggerated walk.  "What? You don't have your sea legs?  I seem to remember a certain someone climbing the rigging like she was born to it not too long ago."

He paused and looked at her.  "Although, that staggered walk reminded me of a drinking friend of mine from a couple years ago.  I remember having to hold him up a few times after he got too drunk to walk straight... He walked that way when he was sober too, so I guess it's just some people."

He shrugged.  "Perhaps a quick stop by the chandler would be best before we hit the pub.  Business before pleasure, right?"

Alicia grinned. "I do have my sea legs! But, haven't you noticed that as soon as a person gets his/her sea legs, they go on land and show off their sea legs in quite another fashion."

She frowned. "If you should see me staggering, as opposed to lurching, you have my permission to pick me up and set me upon my feet again... each time.

And, I allow that we can offer information to our captain that we are leaving to further our mission. It still rankles that some of our fool crew still insist that the captain has any authority other than safely operating his ship." She still was steamed about that fool among the Seekers who seemed to enjoy being subservient.

Gaspard? One of those snooty Montaignes, wasn't he?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Sun 29 Oct 2017.

He laughs.  "The trick is to stand on the dock after departing and stare around you, looking tall and menacing the entire time, until the solid world stops swaying.  Trust me... works every time."

And Jarrun would nod at her next words.  "Roger.  You have just given me permission to sweep you off your feet at any time.  Gotcha.  I'll be sure to remember."  The big blond seems in a good mood as they were leaving the ship on their errands.

"I wonder what fresh fruits this town has?"  Jarrun idly voiced out loud his typical craving whenever he entered a new town.

Upon reaching the chandlery--not a candle-making business, but a ship's supply shop, Alicia and Jarrun find the usual merchandise for sell: nets, ropes, floats, buoys, lobster traps, gaffs, belaying pins, figureheads, barrels (ale, grog, salt pork, etc.), ship's wheel, soap, candles, perfume, anchors, varnish, tools, lanterns, etc.

Since there were only two other ships in port, there wasn't much business going on in the chandlery at the moment. A woman was buying soap, candles and perfume, while two fisherman were haggling over the price of nets.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:22, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

Since he had no duties on Ship, Vasily heads into town to try to make a little coin. As he feels they will not be in port too long, he figures he may be able to convince some old money to part ways with a sliver of their wealth. He attempts to do so by finding a likely target and wooing her to lend him some support in exchange for his attentions.

OOC: Using Tempt to earn wealth as a "profession."

Alicia didn't mind a little byplay from Jarrun. "Perhaps not at any time, please.

If I should lose credibility among the high sticklers, it will not improve our chances to get information from certain individuals." She softened her criticism with a rueful smile.

In entering the Chandlery Shop, she looked around, then began some verbal nonsense with Jarrun to confuse the fishermen, the woman, and the clerk in charge. "I wonder if there is soap with an interesting fragrance for sale? I need something new for a change."

She looked to the woman. "What do you think of the soaps for sale here? I like lavender, but would like to try something new. What would you suggest, Ma'am?"

She gave the clerk a knowing look and smiled, "What do you recommend? I'd like something to tempt the men, of course; but I'd like to feel clean as well."

She tried not to look at Jarrun, both to keep her own composure, and not to trigger a laugh from him.

At this time of year, apples and pears are in season, as are raspberries and blackberries. It's a bit early for peaches and strawberries, and citrus fruits don't grow well in this climate, so they have to be imported. Jarrun might find some, but they will be expensive.


The shopkeeper at the chandlery replies to Alicia: "Ah, mademoiselle, if lavender is not to your liking, we have lavanilla, neroli portofino and peach blossom."

Although he doesn't actually say it, these are the fairly ordinary low-priced soaps. Alicia can clearly see half a dozen other ones. There's jasmine, oleander and something called flowerbomb. There's also gardenia and Lily-Rose.


Vasily tries to Tempt a few ladies of prominence with his Panache, and actually gets two that seem to be competing for his favors: Lady Rozanna and Lady Mirielle.

16:03, Today: Dread Pirate Robert, on behalf of Vasily Pavlychenko, rolled 39 using 6d10 ((9,6,7,8,5,4)). Generates 3 raises.

Vasily now has 6 Wealth points. Of course, they'll go away once he leaves DeChaine.

While Alicia is busy with the clerk, Jarrun will wander around looking a little bored.  He'll wander up and see what the two fishermen are going on about.  "I wonder if prices here are high all the time, or if something happened."

He voiced this to nobody in particular but close enough to the fishermen so that both would overhear as he looks at the things most likely lost in a brief ship-to-ship ranged engagement.  "Seems like someone else already got some of the good stuff."

He'll finally turn to address the fishermen directly.  "What's in season these days?  Anything good?  I need to find something entertaining because she'll likely take forever..."  He'll flick his head in the direction of Alicia.

"This late in the season," one of the fishermen replies to Jarrun, "perch is about all that's out there."

"Normally, yeah, that would be the catch of the day," replies the other one, "but if you head westward, you might still catch some cod."

"If you're just going to drop a line off the pier, pollock is your likely catch."

Alicia looked from the woman, to the shopkeeper, and back. Well.

She addressed the shopkeeper. "I'll try the oleander and the lily-rose. And, how can I pass up something called flowerbomb!?" She winked at Jarrun so that none other might see. She would try to decide whether to ask for information shortly.

The two ladies let Vasily escort them to the local chandlery, as they insist that he has exotic imported perfumes, and they want his opinion on which he likes the best.

Without too many ships in the harbor, the chandlery isn't all that busy, but there are a few people in there, including another woman that's buying perfume.

Suddenly, there's a tremendous crash from the back wall which explodes inward as a large beast smashes through the wall.

Not sure what this beast was or why it would be crashing through a wall uninvited, Vasily whips out his sword and uses his off hand to wave the ladies (that he came with) behind him.

He looks around to see if there is anyone else who is girding themselves, or if the others present are mere bystanders. If he spots someone who is an obvious swordsman, he'll "back them up". In other words, he'll watch them to see what he can learn. If not, then he'll have at the beast himself.

OOC:
10:17, Today: Vasily Pavlychenko rolled 40 using 6d10 with rolls of 4,8,10,2,10,6.  Wits + Weaponry: Studying combat.

4 raises exactly. I understand that actually trying to hit the thing will be "changing my approach", so I'll have to drop an extra raise to do it. I
m assuming, though, that it will become pretty obvious pretty quickly that the other two heroes are, indeed, heroic. ;) And, if it gets me in a bit of trouble sitting back to study them, rather than bashing at the thing, so much the better.

Other than the crash and the exploding splinters of wood that fly everywhere, you now have a moment to look at what has done the crashing!

It is a huge alligator-like creature. In fact, it looks like an alligator standing on its hind legs... only the legs (and arms) are longer than a regular alligator. It has a huge jaw lined with many sharp teeth. It also has a massive long tail that it lashes out with.

It's not completely through the wall yet, and it seems to be looking around for targets to attack. You can't really tell if there is any intelligence behind its eyes, or if it has any purpose.

Jarrun had always been quick on his feet to react to danger.  Such moves are part and parcel of being a successful pugilist.  When the creature burst through the wall of the chandlery, the big man's response was purely reactive.

He had left his sword on the ship, but he hadn't used that in a long time.  No... some things were best handled by the tools his trainig had given him.

Jarrun stepped up into the creature's face, narrowly avoiding the massive jaws and jumping over the thing's swinging tail as it tried to wreck the place.  The blonde wrapped his big arms around the scaly torso in a solid grip learned from his time outside the ring and manhandled the beast to the floor so that someone who knew better what how to deal with this could do so.

"I don't think this thing wants any soap!"  Jarrun shouted to nobody in particular.


5 raises rolled including rerolls.  1 raise to grapple.  2 raises to dodge the snapping jaw and to skip over the flailing tail (Consequences).  Spending 1 raise to provide an Opportunity to someone with a weapon by holding it down.  1 unused raise.

I think I wrote this correctly.  Still learning the rules.

Alicia had no intention of engaging this huge creature in combat, let alone get in Jarrun's way(!) Being quite knowledgeable about animals, even strange ones such as this, she determined to try to figure out how to assist Jarrun and Vasily.

Alicia de Larrocha rolled 7 using 1d10.  reroll (1).
Alicia de Larrocha rolled 26 using 7d10 with rolls of 7,1,2,1,5,8,2.  Wits+Notice+Flair (w/university/reroll+1).

Just three raises.

The creature being only half-way through the hole, she decided that it might make sense to go around to see what she could see from its rear, at the outside of the building. It might be vulnerable from the rear. This also might show that the creature was not alone(!) or that there might be a human along, behind it. "I'm going to go outside to see what I can see from there!"

One raise to decide to go outside, one to run outside to get a better look, three to see if there were something important that she should know.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Thu 16 Nov 2017.

Jarrun's grapple doesn't take it to the floor unless he spends a Raise. He doesn't need to spend a Raise, though, to avoid the tail, as the tail isn't fully inside the store yet. But, it thrashes around, back and forth, slamming into the outside wall, making the opening larger.

Grappling it to the floor isn't as hard as it might look because the beast, though standing on two hind legs, is not all that steady on its feet, as it is clearly top-heavy, and it was either not designed for that or has not had a lot of practice. This upright posture is what allows it to smash through the wall. Even it had been on all fours, it wouldn't have been able to do that; it would have had to smash through with its tail, then turn around to run through on its four feet.

However, since the beast isn't wielding a weapon, its peculiar anatomy makes it nearly impossible to restrain its 'arms' or legs.


Vasily sees that Jarrun's 'style' is more about brute force... using it to overcome his enemy. You'd guess that he's better with his fists than with the weapon he carries, since he didn't even try to draw his weapon to attack. Big men like Jarrun are seldom able to master the finesse of swordsmanship and dueling. The finesse is for those that don't have the strength to do what Jarrun is doing.


Alicia, realizing that fighting such a beast is not really her idea of 'shopping', hurries outside to try and gather information that might help her allies.

She sort of knew it, but hadn't really paid attention to the detail, but the chandlery faces the dock and has an alley behind it, formed by the buildings on the first street that parallels the docks. Without common sense or building regulations, buildings tend to get built where, how, and when it's convenient. Such is the construction of buildings along the shore and harbor of DeChaine. Farther inland, they have the room to spread out a bit more.

The store behind the chandlery is a pottery shop, and a shed for the kiln was built off the back of it, making the alley even narrower at that point. Due to the irregular construction of the buildings, including additions and such, the alley is a bit twisty, lined with debris and such. Common practice is to construct a new building using the wall of an already existing building. Such was the case here: next to the pottery shop is a bookseller, then a jeweler, and then a haberdashery... all using the common wall of the previous building.

The dock is busy enough that Alicia is fairly positive that beast could not have come from the sea, would not have come from the cross street without being seen and an alarm sounded, so it must have come down the alley. She immediately spots signs of its passing--a shattered water barrel whose contents have spilled onto the ground, crates pushed over, boards knocked to the ground, etc.

Too many shadows farther down the alley for her to get a glimpse of anything further.

The creature is still thrashing around. Jarrun has taken it down, but that tail gives it incredible leverage. Alicia can tell that it has little to no voluntary control over its tail--it thrashes in reaction. The tail is still not fully inside the chandlery yet, but enlarging the opening as it still thrashes.

Suddenly Alicia spots a glow from in the shadows... a good hundred feet down the alley. She quickly discerns that it is a man-like figure in dark clothes... wearing a mask! She can see this because he is hold some sort of 'wand' with a glowing orb on the end of it. She realizes that he was hiding behind a corner, but had to step out to find out what was happening with the beast.


No sooner does Jarrun get the creature to the floor than it goes into a death roll--thrashing around and rolling over and over to shake Jarrun loose. Jarrun will take one Wound this first round unless you negate it with that unspent Raise. Unless you do something else, you'll continue to take one Wound per round until you let go.

Seeing that there is little to learn about swordplay from this giant wrestler, Vasily decides the time is ripe to attempt to enter the fray. He prepares his blade and takes a quick slash at the beast during one of the moments when it rolls over onto the top of Jarrun.

OOC: Spending 2 raises on a slash. Weaponry, and, therefore, damage is 3.

Also, a question; these ladies of means; would coming to this place count as acting outside their defined social status? If so can I have the Hero point for that quirk? And a similar question about my other quirk; have I put myself in sufficient danger (by holding back, rather than going straight to the offensive, and therefore prolonging the fight with this beast) to justify that quirk?

The ladies might use the products that can be bought here at the chandlery, but they wouldn't actually visit the store and shop there themselves, so, sure, Vasily gets a Hero Point.

On the other hand, standing there and doing nothing hardly puts him in any danger. The danger is all Jarrun's.

However, his three Wounds to the beast causes it to thrash about even harder, which breaks Jarrun's grapple on it. Jarrun also lets go to avoid taking any more damage. (He's taken one Wound so far.)

Its thrashing and rolling finally brings it all the way into the store, though, its tail flailing about wildly, smashing counters and walls.

Even as it rolls to its feet and attempts to stand when Jarrun lets go, so, too, does Jarrun roll to his feet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:33, Mon 04 Dec 2017.

It wasn't that Jarrun thought he was out of his league trying to brawl with this beast--he'd faced down and won brawls with large men before, but that was the problem: this thing wasn't a man. The usual tactics didn't seem to work.

Growing up, tales he'd heard had always ended with such a beast being killed, but Jarrun wasn't a killer. On the other hand, he didn't saw any sensible solution of what to do with the beast if he'd just render it unconscious.

First things first. Stop the beast. It was that tail that posed the major threat and biggest problem. Rope!

Lots of rope here in the chandlery! He could immobilize the tail and the legs at the same time!

Approach: Brawl (grapple its legs to take it off its feet again, then grab the tail and wrap legs and tail up in the rope): Brawn 4 + Brawl 3 + Large (1) + Quick Reflexes.

17:51, Today: Jarrun rolled 38 using 8d10 ((1,6,10,3,6,2,4,6)). 10, 4+6, 6+3+1... 6+2. 3 raises + 1 for Quick Reflexes.

Vasily, having recognized the fact that there was nothing to learn, changed his approach to one of more straight-forward swordplay. Given the power-differential, however, he decided to utilize what he hoped was his advantage of mobility; darting in and out, just staying within reach of the maw long enough to get a slash or pommel strike in with his sword before jumping to the side to try to give himself room to deflect any attempt by the beast to use its powerful jaws or upsettingly large tail to lay him low.


OOC:
Approach: standard weaponry + finesse, result (but for the first time!): 4 raises, 1 unused die
13:14, Today: Vasily Pavlychenko rolled 47 using 7d10 ((3,9,6,10,8,1,10)).

First action will be a bash maneuver (1 wound, plus the next time the croc/gator thing deals wounds (in this round), it deals 3 less)

That is, unless it goes before Vasily and hits him; in that case I'll parry to reduce the wounds.

Once the beast crashes through the wall, the two ladies with Vasily run screaming from the store, but just to where they think they are safe and can still watch to see what happens to Vasily.

Even as the grappling big man is forced to release his grip to avoid the thrashing, Vasily makes his move. Not trying to kill the creature yet, his tactic seems directed more at distracting the beast... or at least dividing its attention between the two of them.

It appears to work, as the wounds Vasily delivers draws its attention toward him.

That gives the other man an opportunity.


Jarrun grabs up a coil of rope and attempts to grapple the creature again--this time with the intent of entangling it in the rope.

The creature appears to fight on instinct and brute rage; it doesn't seem to have learned anything from Jarrun's earlier take-down, so once again, Jarrun takes it off its feet. Jarrun, however, has learned about the tail and the thrashing it can do, mostly driven by its legs and tail, so he quickly gets a couple of loops or rope around the tail and then when it tries to thrash, he adds its legs to the loops.

Jarrun smiles as he rolls back to his feet, still holding one end of the rope, because the beast starts thrashing again, but as it does so, it tightens the rope, pulling its tail and legs together, stifling its thrashing. The more it tries to thrash, the tighter the rope gets. Soon, the beast is nearly incapable of thrashing. It can still do so slightly by spasming its body and neck, and its arms are still free, but aren't particularly useful.

Jarrun soon has it trussed up so tightly that it can barely move.


Alicia continues to observe the obvious sorcerer down the alley while remaining out of sight herself. Mostly this works because the man is focused on what is going on in the shop. When the noise seems to stop, he shakes the wand once or twice, seems to swear in frustration, and then turns quickly moves farther down the alley.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Sat 23 Dec 2017.

"Aha, good trick!" Seeing that the beast has been handled well by the quick thinking Vesten, Vasily smiles back at his patronesses. "Would you ladies care to examine the beast more closely? He is quite the brute, but our fellow here has tied him up quite well!"

See the continued thrashing of the beast, Vasily considers what would be most appropriate here; for sure, now that it is bound, he could poke at it until such time as it gave up on life, however that did seem to be a bit of a waste of life unless the beast was likely to repeat its performance. Of course that conundrum could only be answered by discovering how this thing happened to get up on the docks. The answer to that was through the hole in the wall. Vasily considered how best to handle this, and decided that, while this may not be the best part of town, surely a shopkeeper would have enough interest in his livelihood that he would probably not let evil befall the ladies, if they were placed under his temporary protection.

Vasily turned to the shopkeep; "Sir, I must investigate from whence this beast came for a moment. Please look out for these fine ladies while I'm distracted thus."

He then turns to the giant man from the North; "I trust that you will maintain your truss for a bit while I look out the hole?" Vasily winks.

Assuming no one declines the duties he's suggested for them, Vasily makes haste to the hole in the wall and peers out, looking for any likely way that the reptile managed to get onto the docks or why it decided to make entry where it did.

It would be hard to call the hole in the back wall of the chandlery a 'hole' as most of the wall has been demolished. It leads out onto an alley that runs behind the chandlery, though being on the corner, the alley can only go one way.

Vasily spots two people at the street end looking down the alley, and when he looks at where they are looking, he catches a glimpse of a figure a ways down the alley, moving away, keeping to the shadows, and casting a glance backwards now and then.

The alley isn't straight; it conforms to the back so of the buildings, which, in turn, conform to the shoreline and the road.

Having hustled the remaining crew off the Southern Wind, it was all Jacob could do to watch helplessly as the ship took another volley and sank into the water. It was doubtful the water was so deep here that the ship couldn't be salvaged or even raised; fortunately, the magazine hadn't been hit.

The pirate ship that had attacked was now passing by another ship. Jacob was sure the other ship had been docked when the short battle started. It did not look like any other battle would commence, though, so he turned back to the surviving crew, who were already scattering through the town, no doubt looking for their comrades who'd been ashore.

There was some commotion going on in the store on the corner... a chandlery by the look of things. Then he noticed a woman standing at the opening to an alley behind the chandlery.

Intrigued at why her attention was focused down the alley and not on the spectacle of the sea battle, he sauntered up to her.

"Pardon me, m'lady, but may I be of assistance to  you?" he said.

Vasily did not spare even a glance back into the Chandlery, nor a second one towards the onlookers; clearly this figure sneaking off with furtive glances back at for possible pursuit must have been, somehow, involved in the sudden appearance of the beast that had made a cave from what was once a building. Ideally he should be questioned. Vasily took off immediately to try to catch the shadowy figure before he lost sight of him. At very least he hoped to get a clear description of the person, so he needed to get closer to get a clear view.

The figure Vasily was chasing wasn't actually running at first because he didn't seem to be aware that he was being pursued, but he was moving quickly, as if in a hurry, clearly trying to distance himself from the events in the chandlery.

It's not dark, but the sky was cloudy, and the various overhangs on the buildings did cast shadows in the alley. The figure wasn't slinking between the shadows, but he was making it a point to keep to them whenever he could.

By the time Vasily closed half the distance to the figure, he'd been able to see that the man wore a mask and carried a stick, possibly a cane, in his hand. It was about then that the man (his stature, build, silhouette and movement pretty much said that) became aware of Vasily, and started running. It now appeared he had an objective in mind. Two buildings later, the man disappeared.

As Vasily reached that spot, he realized the man must have entered the back door of the building. Quickly following, Vasily finds himself in a tavern. He sees about 20 patrons in there. There's no immediate indication that the man continued on through and went out the front; Vasily doesn't think he had time for that.


Back in the chandlery, now that the action is over, Jarrun has a chance to actually examine the creature. While there are many animals in the world that have yet to be discovered, and certainly many that Jarrun has never seen or even heard of, this one is clearly not natural. It smacks of some sort of sorcery of the darkest kind. So far, it has demonstrated a lack of any of the traits of a natural animal. While it's eyes may not 'glare with evil' at Jarrun, they also don't show any signs of intelligence or passivity. Its fierceness rages unabated. It shows no signs of tiring.

"I cannot believe my eyes!" the owner says as he reluctantly returns to his shop. "You've caught the Beast of DeChaine!"

"It's been terrorizing the town for six months now. It normally only comes out at night. It's killed a dozen people, ripping them to shreds and eating most of them."

"Oh, my poor shop!" he wails at sight of the gaping hole in his back wall.

"Most strange--it's never entered a building before, never even damaged a building. I wonder what caused it to do so this time?"

"Maybe I'll repair the hole... maybe I won't. It'll be good for business! Everyone will want to see where the Beast of DeChaine was captured!"

"My, but you're a big fellow! May I ask, sir, what is your name? Great tales will be told of this day and your defeating the Beast."

Vasily instantly knows why the man chose to come in here; without a face to recognize the man would be difficult to pick from the crowd. Still, perhaps a bit of luck and a bit of observation could assist him.

He first tries to quickly assess the faces he sees there; especially looking for anyone who was flush or maybe a bit short of breath from the run. Of course he keeps an eye out for the cane or stick, or whatever it was, but he could take his time looking for that after he'd looked at the available faces. Of course the man was unlikely to already have a drink unless he'd taken one from a legitimate patron, so that could be a clue as well, though not a sure one. Most probably anyone with wetness on their shoes was a fresh arrival as well; since it wasn't raining no one's shoes would be soaked, so the normal spray from the sea on the docks would be the only thing getting people's footwear wet.

Vasily takes his time, moving a bit slowly towards the bar as he takes in his initial observations. When he reaches it, he sits where he can turn and see the whole of the room. He fishes a coin from his pocket and sets it on the bar while he waits for the tender to ask him what he needs, all the while examining what he can of the various patrons within.

As the man had been wearing a mask, he would have had time to remove it between entering the back door and stepping out into the main room. Vasily doubts the man could have made it to the front and left through the main door before he got there. Certainly, there would have been some indication from the other patrons that such an even had occurred.

On the other hand, having merely entered and taken a seat would not have garnered nearly as much interest.

Two things wind up calling Vasily's attention to a particular table where two men sit facing each other, apparently conversing pleasantly. The first is that one or two other patrons cast an occasional glance over at the two. The second is that there appears to be a trace of... fear? ...in the one man's eyes. The other man, however, picks up the solitary drink on the table and pretends to take a sip.

As the barkeep moves over to Vasily and asks when he'd like, Vasily can see that the man with the drink has his other arm at his side, possibly with his hand under the table.

Vasily speaks a bit quietly, so as not to be heard by others beyond the barkeep; "Did, perhaps, one of the two men just there at that table just come in? The coin is for you, If I get too thirsty I'll find you again to order."

Vasily tries to keep his attention unobtrusive, since he's sure that the one he's looking for is certainly watching him.

Oblivious to the drama unfolding within, or the chase that had lead Vasily to the Inn, another man paused outside of the very same inn.  Looking up at the Inn, he paused, and considered.  His passengers had chartered passage to Declaine, and it was his destination for other reasons.  Rumour would help him find what he sought... an inn may also be a good place to find some new passengers also.  He smiled to himself and reached a gloved hand out to push the door open and make his way in.

He paused at the door, feeling entirely overdressed for the place, but he made his way in all the same.  Spotting the barkeep, he made his way across the room to the bar, his hands moving to take off those fine leather gloves that he wore slowly and tucking them carefully into his belt.  When he got to the bar, he almost leant on it... but after a moments thought thought better of it and instead lingered close by waiting for the barkeep's attention in turn.  He glanced over at Vasily, and if noticed gave him a nod and a slight smile before turning his gaze elsewhere.

Vasily silently cursed when another patron sauntered in. Still, perhaps it would allow his quarry to relax a bit. He nodded and smiled in return, though did not let his attention linger on the newcomer; if he was there to meet with his suspected quarry he did not yet do so, so, for now, just another factor to keep in mind, not an immediate concern.

The bartender takes the coin and moves as if he's going to get a drink for Vasily, but nods as he does so, also as if he's accepted the order.

Vasily realizes now that the man in question is keeping an eye on Vasily, not out of the corner of his eye nor by turning his head, but by watching the reflection in the glass mug of his drink.


The bartender then stops in front of Valentino and asks what he would like to drink.

The Vodacci eyed the end of the exchange between the pair, and although he wasn't there to catch the specifics, there was something... off.  He appeared thoughtful for a moment, but it would appear as though he was considering his drink choice.  When the barman approached him, his face split into an easy going smile and reached into his frock coat as if to fetch some money.

"I would like to see the Wine list if you would my good man." the nobleman said, his hands gesturing as he spoke, pausing for a moment. His hand withdrew and he slid a guilder across the bar to the man, wrinkling his nose in disgust at using such currency, damn those Vendel.

"I am seeking information also, or at least a well informed man, if now is a good time of course.  You seem, Busy." He concluded, the last word laden with a hidden meaning.

"Just at the moment I am, but it won't be a minute," the bartender replies to Valentino.

"As for a wine list, I think you may have mistaken the Blue Goose tavern for one of those posh places in Charouse. We got red wine and white wine. One of each."

He draws a mug of ale and sets it on the counter about half way between Valentino and Vasily.

"What kind of information you looking for? You might need to go the Academy for a well-informed man, but he ain't gonna know much about what really goes on. No one there is going to know a damn thing about the ship what got sunk."

Valentino chuckled at the regard about the wine.  I suppose it had been too much to hope that the place would stock wine of Vodacce... or even of Castille. He supposed that it would have to do although politely did not say as much "Well.. I suppose I will have a glass of the House red then."

"I said well informed, not well educated. I want to know what is really going on; The sunken ship is a good starting point.  I must say that it was a fairly concerning event for me and my crew.  It seemed strange behavior for pirates... I didn't see them steal a thing."  he went on, concluding with a question, "Quite odd don't you agree?"

His 'order' having been delivered, Vasily sizes up the situation. He certainly would like to talk to this fellow, as opposed to having the whole thing erupt in a melee. Perhaps if he just took a seat at the table, the man would be inclined to at least pretending to discuss the matter with him while he planned his next move, whatever that may be.

Vasily stood up and took a path angled away from the target, but behind his back where the mug would not provide a view. Then, assuming the man was try to keep a low profile and wouldn't blatantly turn around to watch, he then cut towards the table, hoping to get there and take a seat quickly enough that by the time the man realized what was happening, Vasily would already be talking as he sat down; "Hi there. I'd like to have a seat with you fellows; I think we have something to discuss."

The man is momentarily surprised by Vasily's bold move, but recovers quickly enough.

"I think not," is his reply, as the gun he was pointing under the table at the man across from him now moves to point at Vasily.

"Do not interfere with matters that are not of your concern. Be gone! And take your pet with you!"

Apparently he's mistaken Vasily and Valentino as being together.

Vasily keeps his hands clearly above the table, where they can be seen and smiles a friendly smile. "Now, now; if it were not my concern, then I certainly would have not had to face down a giant monster of a lizard, would I have? I have no interest in your involvement, save to be assured that such a thing will not happen again.

As for my 'pet'; I have none such, and am at a bit of a loss to what you are referring."

Whilst he had been mostly paying attention to the Innkeeper, the Vodacci had kept an eye on the unfolding drama.  Due to other ambient noises in the taproom, he didn't catch the whole conversation, but was able to catch the last few words, spoken in what one assumed was a slightly raised voice.

Almost feeling the sleight upon his honour in the words, he turned slowly towards the table, leaning his back on the bar as he watched the men at the table, and cocking his head slightly as he watched.  One hand rested idly on the pommel of his blade and he rested the other on the bar, close to the coin he had left there.

Alicia had watched suspicious individuals before. But, she could not correlate this one to the monstrous creature back inside the building.

She had general ideas how Sorcery worked. In fact, others had informed her that some of her own activities bordered upon Sorcery. But, if the man were a Sorcerer, and he somehow controlled this creature, perhaps he could control more than one? And, what if he had more than one under his control now?

She knew quite a bit about Jarrun's abilities. Therefore, she wasn't too fearful that he might not be successful in his combat with this one. And, if he were injured, she always could fix him up again! However, if another creature were to appear, that might be fatal for him.

And so, the scientist had decided to explore some more, had tried to circle around where the man had disappeared.. alas, without success. It was time to return to see how Jarrun had fared, so she went to the opening in the wall that the creature had entered...

Alicia sees what she expected to see--a large hole in the back wall of the chandlery. She'd heard the commotion, but still, seeing the smashed wall was astonishing. Likewise was the sight of the creature that had made the hole. He was trussed up like a game fowl now, and Jarrun was standing guard over him.


Vasily can now see that the man is holding a 'wand' in his other hand. He also sees the man's eyes widen at the mention of the lizard.

"What do you know of the 'lizard', as you put it?" Kalen responded to Vasily.

"I had nothing to do with that. You can't prove otherwise. When it smashed through the wall of the building, I ran like any sensible man would do! I am not so confident in my pistol that I thought I could stop it. It looked like it would take a cannon to stop it, and I didn't happen to be carrying one with me."

Whatever confidence he might have had seems to have vanished at Vasily's gambit. His eyes dart over toward Valentino, clearly not convinced that the two of you aren't in cahoots.

"Well, then, if you were not involved at all, you would certainly not mind letting me examining that," Vasily nods towards the mostly hidden hand holding the wand, "nor, of course, explaining why your flight seemed to begin not with the lizard's appearance, but, rather, with mine as I made my way past the incapacitated beast and into the alleyway."

Vasily smiles calmly and continues to keep his hands well away from his weapons. He does, however, turn slightly in his chair so that he can catch a glance at the direction this man seems to be looking. It just wouldn't do to get ambushed. Of course all he sees there is the Voddacce that came in and ordered at the bar.

"Why are you so nervous about that fellow? Did you run to this bar in hopes of meeting him, but having me here somehow puts that meeting at risk? He's very sly if that is the case; I saw no hint of recognition or care in him at all."

Sly, was certainly a word that could be used to describe most Vodacce, and whilst he didn't understand the whole situation, it was clear that he was something of a wild card in the meeting of the two men.  How entertaining, he thought, this will certainly be a pleasant diversion.

Both men appeared to be looking at him, and so he slowly moved his hand from the pommel of his sword, and raised it to his hat.  He greeted them with a slight tip of the garment, more of a slight pull on the rim than actually a tip of the hat.  A small, almost lazy gesture as he continued to watch the situation.  The hand dropped slowly once more to rest on the pommel of his sword, almost as though it was accustomed to being there.

The players are here, he thought, now let us see how the rest of the scene plays out.

Of course, the other explanation is that Vasily and Valentino are both strangers, assuming that this guy is native to DeChaine, which he looks like, though those things are always rather hard to tell, and therefore assumed you two were 'together' since you entered the tavern at about the same time, albeit from different directions.

"The creature is the Beast of DeChaine," Kalen explains. "It has been plaguing the city and nearby farms for several months now."

"This..." he pulls the wand out from under the table but does not point it at Vasily, "mere musical baton is hardly a weapon to challenge such a beast. So I fled from it. That is not a crime. And you cannot prove otherwise."

"I saw a woman at the mouth of the alley. I thought she might have had something to do with the Beast. Or maybe not. I considered going to her aid, of course, as any gentleman would, but then thought that would be foolish if she was controlling it. She did not appear to be in any immediate danger, and if she wasn't controlling the Beast, surely she herself would flee as fast as she could."

"In any case, sir, of what concern is it of yours? Who are you to confront strangers?"

"I've been to the Green Flagon on many occasions, though I do admit to never having come in through the rear door before, though I have exited that way once or twice. When I saw Fred here, I decided to buy him a drink. Isn't that right, Fred?"

"Oh, I do beg your pardon, Fred! I'm not sure if your name really is Fred. Casimir called you Fred. I was going to ask you if you'd seen Casimir lately."

It is clear that this man is nervous now, talking to calm his nerves. He has confidence when he holds the upper hand, but clearly isn't sure that he currently does.

"No, sir, my name is not Fred. It is Caleb. And I do not know this Casimir of which you speak," says the man sitting opposite Kalen. "But you can certainly buy me a drink!"

Vasily is not sure what Caleb's thinking is, but seems to have figured out that the odds are suddenly in his favor and sees how he can get a free drink out of the situation.

"Caleb? How peculiar! And why would Casimir tell me your name was Fred? Most peculiar indeed. The offer of the drink still stands. Bartender! A drink for Caleb here!"

"And you say you don't know Casimir? Perhaps you know him by another name, just as he seems to know you by a different one, though I can't imagine what that would be. He's an elderly gentleman, auburn hair going to gray, often plays chess in the park?"

"Well, never mind. We can get to the bottom of this at another time."

He then turns back to Vasily.

"Since you and the gentleman at the bar came in at the same time, I naturally thought you were together," Kalen says to Vasily as he gestures at Valentino.

"My apologies to you, sir!" he calls out to Valentino as if Valentino had overheard the conversation, a fairly reasonable assumption. "Perhaps you would care to join us for a drink to allow me to make amends?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:20, Wed 07 Mar 2018.

He's trying NOT to look smug or proud of having defeated the Beast in single combat mano y mano, but he can't help himself. Perhaps a better term would be... satisfied. He accomplished what he'd set out to do. What more could he ask?

Now that it was all over and he had the leisure of studying the Beast, he admits to himself that his action might have been incredibly foolish at the time. In retrospect, well, the results speak for themselves.

"I do not need any acclaim," he protests to the shopkeeper, though only half-heartedly.

"I had not heard of this Beast of DeChaine of which you speak. Perhaps if I had, I would not have been so rash to challenge it."

"Look at that maw! At those teeth! It could have bitten my head clean off! And that tail! I've heard tales of crocodiles and the dangerous tails they use. Another reason a wise man would have steered clear of such a creature."

"It is clearly not a natural animal. A product of sorcery, perhaps? Who around here could have created such a monstrosity?"

He wasn't really expecting an answer. He looked around, though, as if that person might be standing there. The commotion... and the danger... had died down, and customers... most likely spectators... were cautiously filing into the store to get a glimpse at the Beast.

That's when Jarrun spotted Alicia! It didn't surprise him that she'd be the one to look through the jagged hole in the rear wall, rather than come through the front door like the others. He strode over to the opening, and extended a hand to help her step up into the shop.

"You missed all the excitement!" he exclaims, as he escorts her over to still trussed up and still thrashing Beast.

"What do you make of that?"

Vasily takes note of this man's face, Caleb/Fred's face, as well as the name Casimir and the description given. He examines the, now visible, wand. Then he smiles. "Very well, since you've indicated you'll have nothing to do with such unusual occurrences, I'll take you at your word. The creature has been subdued by a mountain of a man, and no one seems to have been hurt. We'll call this one a success for the good of the town. And, while you're buying both of these men drinks, I'll go ahead and get one for each of us, just so no one has to feel left out."

Vasily calls to the barkeep as well; "Please bring one for myself and this gentleman as well, on me."

At the invitation to the Voddacce, Vasily slides his chair over, closer to his quarry, to make room for the added person.

"Perhaps after our drink we could go back and you could meet the man who could best the Beast of DeChaine with his bare hands!"

At the invitation, the would consider for a moment before inclining his head and moving over.  "A day in which a man offers me a drink, is rarely a bad day.  I will join you.  A Glass of of the House red if you please!"  He would say, gesturing to the barkeep at that last statement before retrieving a chair and sliding it into the gap made by Vasily and seating himself.

"Oh meeting such a man would certainly be interesting.  If this Beast is as mighty as the name suggests, this man must be a giant.   But I am getting ahead of myself; I am Valentino Iocovelli, Owner of the Buchepalus." He says, the manner in which he said his last name suggested that he was used to people knowing the name where he was from.  Alas, he wasn't in Vodacce any more.

"It is good to meet you... Caleb was it?  Or Fred?" he said with a smile to the poor fellow who seemed caught up in a game that was quite simply beyond him.  Turning his attention then to Caleb and Vasily.  "I didn't catch your names... Messers?" His manner and temperment seemingly naturally friendly, able to set someone at ease.  Kalen may find himself warming up to the young Vodacci, maybe he could be a potential ally rather than a potential enemy in whatever is happening?

Action : Activating Virtue "Friendly" to make Kalen treat Valentino as friendly for one scene.

"A good day indeed!" Caleb agrees as he raises his drink. He seems to be recovering from the strange appearance of Kalen. "I am Caleb Orndir. Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir."

Kalen seems less nervous now, but that's been replaced with suspicion and confusion.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Thu 08 Mar 2018.

"I have no business at the chandlery," Kalen replies, "so I see no reason to go there. Besides, if some brute of a man was able to wrest the Beast of DeChaine barehanded, would that not make him more dangerous than the Beast?"

He paused then as if considering something. He realized that there are enough people in town that could identify him, so there wasn't any point in not telling them his name.

"I am Kalen Macleod."

"Vasily Pavlychenko. Please to make your acquaintance.

Ah, the man, though certainly a spectacle to behold, has a heart of gold. Still, he doesn't possess a wand of Matsushka, like you, Kalen, so he had to gain control of the Beast in a more mundane, if spectacular, way."

"A pleasure to meet you both" the young aristocrat replied smoothly.

"I will visit the Chandlery, if only to see this beast.  I may be recently arrived, but it seems as though DeChaine is much more interesting than I gave it credit for.  Beasts, Giants, Pirates, rare wands, it seems like I have stumbled into some form of Drama or perhaps a Numas tragedy." He carried on with a grin, leaning back in his chair in a fairly carefree manner.  "All we need now is an epic romance, a bit of daring do and we will all be in the depths of one of those Adventure novels that my cousins used to like."

"But however... I am interupting, please... continue with regaling us of your respective roles in these most interesting of events." he continued, before he fell silent.

Kalen's eyes narrow when Vasily introduces himself, since clearly he's from Ussura. But then his eyes widen in surprise that Vasily recognizes the wand.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Vasily," Kalen responds. "I bought this little trinket in a pawn shop in Gottkirchen. The symbols intrigued me. I thought it might be valuable. Alas, it wasn't so. I keep it now as a reminder of my folly."

There might be a kernel of truth in what he says, but only just.

Despite his name, Vasily detects a slight hint of an accent. Clearly Kalen has been to Ussura, and perhaps even lived there for awhile.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 20:19, Fri 16 Mar 2018.

"I can assure you that it is quite dangerous. Since you may be activating its dangerous powers by accident as, by your very admission, you do not know what it does or how, merely by carrying it around, I think it would be best for everyone's safety if you were to give it to me, since I'm aware of its workings.

If you need a reminder of your double folly, I'm sure we can work something out."

The Vodacci gave an intrigued raise of one eyebrow, letting his face form into a wry smirk.  So Magic was to be involved? Well then.... that made things a little more interesting.  He didn't have much experience with magic, only the odd encounter with a fate witch of his homeland.  He glanced to Caleb, thinking the man to be but a bystander in all of this, and he turned his mind to pondering up a believable ruse in order to get the man to leave.

However, for now the nobleman, took a sip of his drink biding his time as he watched for the Ussuran and the Highlander for their next moves.

His eyes narrow at Vasily's suggestion. Up till now, he'd been confused but starting to relax.

"Greater men than you have tried to take it from me, and failed," he said with a slight snarl.

"I know how to use it well enough. It is mine to wield, not yours."

He downs his drink then and stands up.

"I tire of this boorish conversation." he says as he starts to head for the door.

"Ah, good that you finally admit the truth of the matter.
When Kalen stands up, so does Vasily. As Kalen moves, Vasily lets him have a couple paces lead, but moves towards the exit at pace with him. Given the commotion that that this is likely to cause, Vasily raises his voice such that the patrons can hear him, that they may understand the reason for the situation; I'm afraid I can't simply allow you to continue to use that wand to terrorize Dechane and all of its citizens, as you have already done, using the Beast as your toy. I made a polite offer to allow you to save face and still do the right thing. If you wish to spit in the face of such a gracious gift, then so be it. At least you're honorable enough to take this outside, so that the proprietor doesn't have to suffer directly for your villainy."

Nathaniel was sat in the tavern, perhaps unwisely drinking the last of his coin. As he neared the bottom of the cup he overheard Valentino mention his owning a ship. After downing the last of his drink he stood and approached Valentino's table. "Excuse me, I couldn't help hearing that you have a ship?"

Before the conversation could progress any further, two of the men from the table stood and headed to the exit looking as though they might be about to settle a dispute.

"That I do my good man," the Vodacci replied with a casual smile, before continuing, or attempting to before the two make their way to the door. "The..."

With Kalen making his way to the door, and the Ussuran following behind, it was clear that something was about to happen.  This intrigued the nobleman, if for no other reason than he had heard rumours of how duels were conducted outside of his homeland, with the primacy of the swordsmans guild.  Tales of arranging duels ahead of time and obeying rules and regulations sounded so terribly droll... but this had all the makings of a duel in the street, much more exciting.

As Kalen reached the door, Valentino would rise and move to follow the pair.

"It seems as though a disagreement is about to be settled.  Come, let us witness the result and then speak more of the Buchephalus."  He had a wry smile as he made to follow the pair out into the street, and it was clear that he was just an nosey onlooker, but given his arms and swagger, should trouble come his way he looked ready.

He wouldn't be far behind the Ussuran as he left.

"I do not terrorize DeChaine or any other place," Kalen replies. "I did not create the Beast. Darker magic than I can wield did that... many, many years ago."

"Now, however, I can control it! What would you do with the rod? Carry it off some place where it can't be used to control the Beast? And it would then be free to rampage through the countryside and the town?"

"I think not!"

"And how were you protecting the town when you had the beast burst through the wall of the chandler?  Most beasts, when given the opportunity, would rather avoid people. Those that don't will make themselves obvious, causing the people to band together against them. Abusing magic in this way only leads to trouble.
So, please, hand it over. I'll make certain that it's no longer used selfishly."

"Well, it's not an ordinary beast!" Kalen answers.

"There was a purpose for its bursting into the chandlery. There are things happening that you know nothing about. This business is none of your concern. Now begone!"

"There are a great many things that I know nothing about, of course. If the purpose for bursting into the chandlery was noble, why not share it?

As for being my concern; it clearly is. I was in the chandlery when it was attacked. I fought the beast myself, risking life and limb to protect the innocents therein. If anything, it is more my business than yours; at least you were not in danger."

Not being familiar with the actors in this particular show, as they headed out of the tavern Nathaniel asked Valentino, "Your men?" He had gathered that the disagreement was over ownership of a stick and had something to do with a beast, and wondered what he had just stuck his nose into.

"Oh no," The Nobleman answered, seemingly amused by the question, even letting out a little chuckle before he went on.  "I came here looking for information, and these two seem quite well informed as to interesting occurrences.  As it looks like it may come to blows soon ,I mean to ask the winner if they know of what I seek."

"Noble, indeed! And when have the nobles every done anything noble?" Kalen says.

"You were in the wrong place at the wrong time, that is all. And you do not look like you have suffered at the hands of the Beast."

"In any case, things did not go as expected, so now there is no longer any concern. We shall not see another Beast in our lifetimes."

"There is always danger in sorcery. It is why it is not for the weak or foolish."

Kalen continues to walk away.

Vasily moves to block Kalen's path. "You're right; it is not for the weak or foolish. This is why you should cease your foolish attempts at it. Hand over the relic of my country now, or face the wrath of the same."

"I am neither weak nor foolish! Do not test me!" Kalen replies, but as he does so, he starts to draw his pistol. It is unclear if he intends to finish the maneuver or if it is just a bluff/threat.

If there was one thing that the Vodacci Nobleman couldn't stand, it was cowardice.  He had always detested it, and viewed the employing of firearms outside of the battlefield as such an act. It required little skill, little bravery, and little finesse to pull a gun on someone. Less acceptable even then poison,  at least that required some skill.  No, it was better that disagreements such as this were resolved with the blade or fist.

Sighing slightly with disappointment with how all of this was turning out, and deciding that the Ussuran seemed to have the better motives in all of this Valentino decided to act.  With Vasily having moved around in front of the pistol drawing man and his attention focused there, Valentino moved quickly, drawing the parrying dagger in his right hand and then aiming a blow to the base of the Knight Errant's skull with its pommel and basket hilt, aiming to knock him out in one swift strike. Or at least stun him, or daze him perhaps.



Attempting to Knock Kalen out in typical swashbuckler style
Valentino Iocovelli rolled 26 using 6d10 ((4,3,6,6,4,3)).
Re-rolling single dice due to 3 skill
Valentino Iocovelli rolled 3 using 1d10 ((3)).

2 Raises total

Noting the hand moving toward the pistol, Vasily placed his hand on his sword, but he knew he needed to remain upright and at least give the appearance of honor, so he did not draw his weapon until the pistol was drawn. And, suddenly, it didn't matter; the mysterious Voddacce had interceded, apparently on Vasily's behalf. Apparently appearances of honor no longer mattered here; Vasily whipped his sword out and prepared to aid in the ensuing fight as best he could.

OOC:
10:53, Today: Vasily Pavlychenko rolled 18 using 6d10 with rolls of 1,3,2,1,4,7.  finesse/Weaponry - bringing a sword to a gunfight!
10:54, Today: Vasily Pavlychenko rolled 4 using 1d10 with rolls of 4.  reroll one of the 1s, due to 3 skill.

2 raises, 1 unused die

Nathaniel left the tavern with his potential employer expecting to watch a brawl, or possibly a duel. Before he knew it, Valentino had was joining in the fight. Unable to collect a salary from a dead captain Nathaniel yanked his pistol from his belt, cocked the weapon and pointed it at Kalen. "We're three to your one, stay your hand or die."

Intimidate + Resolve: 10,4,9,10
If I've done things right, I think that's 3 raises.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Thu 12 Apr 2018.

OOC: Apologies for the delay. I was a bit under the weather over the weekend.


Valentino was attempting an action, which was to strike Kalen from behind. His first raise lets him succeed. However, since it would be impossible to deliver enough wounds to render Kalen unconscious with one attack, that clearly wasn't Valentino's intent.

With Kalen's attention focused on Vasily, and because he wasn't expecting any interference from others, he's completely oblivious to Valentino.

Valentino can use his second raise to succeed at his goal, which is to render Kalen unconscious.

He lands a solid blow to the back of Kalen's head, and Kalen's eyes roll back in his head and he drops to the ground.

Seeing the man fall unconscious, Vasily makes a point to retrieve the wand as soon as he can, leaving the fallen man otherwise unmolested. "Thank you both, for your assistance. I am loathe to leave even a villain such as he unconscious on the street. Would one of you be willing to assist me in bringing him back into the inn, that we might raise him back to consciousness prior to being on our way?"

Nathaniel eased the lock of his pistol forward and pushed the weapon back into his belt. Taking hold of Kalen beneath one armpit, he looked at Vasily. "Come on then, let's get him shifted 'fore we draw a crowd."

Vasily does as asked, helping to heave the man back into the inn before too many people start to gather.

"Thank you again for the assistance. Unfortunately it is unlikely that this man will see justice for what he's already done with the Beast of Dechaine, but at least he's now been stopped from doing it ever again."

Vasily turns to the barkeep and sets 2 small pouches on the bar; "Please, keep further trouble from finding this man until he awakens. One of these is for you, for taking the trouble to watch him, and the other is for him, when he awakens."

He then turns back to Nathaniel (and Valentino, assuming he followed them back into the bar); "I believe, now that the future threat has been neutralized, I'll head back to the chandlery, as I was accompanying some people when I left. If you two would care to see the massive hole, or the Beast itself, I can show you the way back."

OOC: Each pouch has 1 Wealth in it.

He had of course followed them into the bar, with one final glance around the street as if to make sure that the coast was clear.

"I doubt it will be the last we see of him.  Any man to take such and not seek a certain measure of personal justice is no man at all." The Vodacci replied, still holding the dagger in hand as if considering something.  After a moment, he seemed to come to a conclusion.

"I will come with you, I have questions which I feel are within your... expertise." He says by way of reply. "Besides, the opportunity to see the beast of Dechaine and the man who bested it should not be looked upon lightly."

Sheathing his dagger he would then gesture for the Ussuran to lead the way.  "Lead on"

The three of you walk back to the chandlery without incident. Upon reaching the alley where the back of the store is you hear and then see someone tacking up boards across the hole in the wall.

When you enter the store through the front door, you find a large man arguing with some constables. They claim that they have no jurisdiction of 'stray pets', apparently referring to the still bound but still wriggling creature on the floor.

"Sir! It is not a person! I could arrest and incarcerate a person!" the first constable says.

"Would you expect us to arrest a dog?" the second one chimes in. "If the dog is rabid, it would be put down. And that, sir, is your responsibility!"

Vasily takes in the scene, then remembers that the two men with him were curious about the creature and the giant. "That man, there, is the giant who wrestled the beast into submission. And, of course, you can see the beast just there. It seems they're trying to decide its fate now."

"Impressive, besting a creature like that by hand." Nathaniel commented, "I don't see the problem. The beast is dangerous, why not put it down and be done with the matter?"

"I am strong! I do not claim to be wise," Jarrun responds to the constables. "Therefore, I cannot testify as to whether this creature has a soul. I do not know if it even has a mind."

"And that is why you must arrest and imprison it until a higher authority can so decide."

"In any case, it was probably being controlled by someone. That is the true guilty party! Would you destroy a sword because someone used it to kill? Yes, the sword is an inanimate object and the creature is not. But it is the same principle. Both are merely weapons used to commit a crime!"

"Now, if you'd be so kind as to remove the creature so that the shopkeeper can go about his business?"

He was half tempted to wrestle the constables and tie them up!

"Jarrun, I have seen to it that such control will never be exerted again.

As for the creature itself, there are two possibilities; one is that it is merely a giant wild animal; it is dangerous, but not cognizant of its actions. The other is that it is aware, but, of course, was not in control of itself. Either way, it seems to me that, should there be no specific wish to destroy it, it would be a good idea to relocate it to somewhere far away from people, so that it will no longer be a threat.

Perhaps we could get a wagon and draft animal and utilize them to bring this creature somewhere where it will not have the opportunity to do further harm?

Either way; whether it is to be destroyed or merely exiled, I suspect it falls to us, Jarrun; the constables are probably correct in their assumption that their duties end with the application of law to people. I suspect the militia would be called up to defend against this beast, if it were still attacking, but now that it is subdued, I suppose that would probably be considered unnecessary."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:41, Mon 07 May 2018.

"The nature of this beast is such that it cannot become someone's pet," Jarrun says. "I think it is also more than just a wild animal like a bear or wolf."

"The best we can hope for is to place it in a zoo, perhaps inside a double cage. I do not fault you, constable, for being afraid of the beast, even trussed up as it is. If you get a wagon to transport it, I will go with it to keep it under control until it is somehow imprisoned."

Just then, a person enters the shop. Jarrun, of course, recognizes him as the owner and captain of the ship.

"Mon dieux! What is that thing?" the man exclaims.

"I am Marcelo Marino. That was my ship that was attacked and sunk! I need to get a new ship. Would any of you happen to know of a ship that might be available?"

"That thing is the Beast of DeChane. It was manipulated with magic to terrorize this shop, so we've put a stop to both it, and the magic used to manipulate it.

I'm Vasily, by the way." Vasily does a little bow of greeting.

"The attacking ship was a pirate ship," the shop-owner replied. "It sailed away after the attack, and that other ship went after it."

"Doubt if you'll find any ship this side of Ghost Kitchen."

((OOC: Apologies for the disappearance... RL issues as usual.))


Having accompanied Vasily to the chandlery to get a glimpse of this Beast of DeChane, Valentino was suitably impressed when he finally laid eyes on the creature. He was even more impressed by the amount of rope it took to secure the Beast, and more impressed still at Jarrun--the man who'd single-handedly defeated the Beast.

"Quite impressed... really!" he comments to the others.

"Now that I've seen it, I do have a question. Do you think there is a chance this is an effect of sorcery... and then maybe it can be reversed?"

"As for a ship, my family's ship is due here from Gostkichen in another day or so."

"Oh, well a day's wait for a ship to come to port is almost nothing. It will probably take longer than that to figure out what to do with this beast.

As for how the Beast came to be; I suspect that it was some sort of magical energy, but I've never heard of a sorcerer who was capable of such a thing. Perhaps it came about as a result of long-term exposure to magical energies. At this point, however, it seems to be the creature's natural and permanent condition. If we could get it will away from civilization, I suspect it would simply go about its normal life, and not seek out humans, which would only create problems for it."

"But... but... A family ship? You are bound to have a captain already!" Marcelo replies. "What will I do? Perhaps I can buy your ship from you!?"

"Captain Marino, look at it this way; in the least you will probably be able to get a ride to a more active port where you can acquire a new ship. I suppose the alternative is to build a new ship here, but I think that may present its own challenges."

"Captain Stanislav is under contract, but he's getting up in years, and would like to retire soon," Valentino replies to Marcelo. "Perhaps you could buy his contract. That, at least, would let you be a captain again, until such a time as you can get your own ship."

"Alas, I cannot fathom what to do with this creature. Any place we could send it has the problem of potential corruption... by power as much as by incompetence."

"My concern is that it is not a natural creature. It would still be one if it was merely affected by sorcery. But if it is completely a creature of sorcery... it needs to be undone."

"Hmm, well it seems to act like a normal crocodilian creature would, other than those actiosn that can be attributed directly to the control that was exerted over it. I suppose it could be wholey the creation of magic, but it seems more probably to be the result of a sort of change brought about by the workings of some form of magic. Perhaps we could convince an independant natural philosopher to examine it and determine if or how it differs from an ordinary natural crocodilian, other than its obviously large size?"

"Well, then, that may not be so bad," the former Captain replies.

"I just want to see those damn pirates hang! It was very strange for them to attack a ship in harbor. They were burning bridges; this harbor will never be safe for them now."

One of the gendarmes in the shop perks up at Vasily's comment.

"Oui! Professore Toban is such a naturalist! You are a genius, sir! If you could deliver him to the professor, then all our problems will be solved!"

"He has a modest estate down on the river."



Meanwhile, the ship makes it into port ahead of schedule.

Detlef Peukert disembarks as soon as he is permitted. As he surveys the town of DeChane, he notices there is some considerable activity around the chandlery.

Detlef approaches the scene near the chandlery. He first spots the large reptile that has been hogtied by what appears to be a very large warrior with blonde hair, at least he looks to be the only one big enough to do it and is holding the rope. The Eisen Mercenary makes a mental note to keep an eye on that guy in the future. As he looks around further, he notices a man that fits the description that the captain gave him about who he was supposed to report to. He walked up to Valentino and gives a crisp salute before introducing himself.

“Detlef Peukert, Eisen Mercenary currently under your family’s employ, reporting for duty sir. Your family’s ship has arrived early in good condition. The Captain told me I should report to you as soon as we had docked. How may I be of assistance to you this evening?”

The man standing before the group of people was a proud sellsword of Eisen. His hair was black and cut short along with being clean shaven. He wore black leather armor that was worn everywhere except for his back. Across his back was the trademark zweihander that was almost as tall as him. He wasn’t very bulky but rather a wiry trim build. A dueling guild pin shined proudly on the collar of his armor. The most memorable thing about his appearance though was that the man was covered head to toe in scars. Some seemed like sword slashes and some looked like bullet wounds. He seems a little chipper than most would expect of a soldier from Eisen. He had a smile and not carry around the gloom and doom attitude that many Eisen portrayed.

"Far be it from me to disrupt the ordinary chain of command, but might you have some means of moving this creature? We need to deliver it to some location down the river. Is the ship, perhaps, large enough to carry this beast, and, yet, small enough to traverse the river? If so, then perhaps we could band together to carry the creature onto the ship so that we can take the short journey down the river to this Toban's estate?"

The gendarme was being a bit optimistic at referring to LeSeur Creek as a river. It's barely ten feet wide and only about 2 feet deep, except during a heavy rain.

The chandler informs you that the professor's estate is only about a quarter of a mile away.

"You do not need to be so formal, Monsieur Peukert," Valentino replies, "especially here on shore."

"Welcome to the company, though."

"This is Monsieur Vasily Pavlychenko, Monsieur Marcelo Marino, and Monsieur Jarrun, who defeated that creature in single combat!"

"I think we can procure a wagon to take the creature to this Professor Toban."

"Jarrun, would you mind helping us deliver the beast to Toban?"

He smiles and give a polite nod in the direction of the others.

“As you wish sir. It is a pleasure to meet you all. If battling large beasts such as this is normal for you, then an exciting adventure awaits us for sure. I can help drag the beast if need be. Two are stronger than one. May I ask what you plan on doing with the beast and why we are taking it to this professor?”

"Ah, only a quarter mile.. and a 'river' with barely a draft to speak of; I guess we're back to needing a cart or wagon. If we're feeling particularly hail, perhaps we could do it with a litter."

He looks at the damaged shop and then to the beast.

“Perhaps the owner of the shop that this monster damaged could allow us to borrow a wagon as a show of thanks for getting rid of the animal? Or do you think there is any way we can control this beast or at least herd it in the right direction if we can’t obtain a wagon?”

"There is sorcery that could be applied to the task, but, as always magic is fraught with danger, and it is always better for men to handle things without it if at all possible."

The Mercenary tightened his fist slightly at the mention of sorcery controlling monsters. He looked at the man with slight suspicion.

“Does this sorcery affect only beasts, all monsters, or men? Eisen, myself in particular, are usually very leery of sorcery. I just wish to be more informed of such magics if possible. If there are others capable of sorcery, I would like to know.”

"I have not had time to do an in-depth examination of it, however, I believe it cannot be used on men. It can be used on this beast, however, but since I'm not even completely certain if this beast is animal or monster, it would be difficult to even guess whether the magic could be utilized on monsters or beasts or both.

Sorcery is simply a tool for mankind. When it is well understood it can be applied judiciously, always understanding the costs, to allow society to accomplish even greater things than it otherwise could. When it is not well understood, however, it becomes a dangerous sort of crutch which will tend to end up restricting society with overbearing rules and poorly understood superstitious customs.

Since we're only talking about moving this thing about a quarter mile, I don't think it is wise at all to fall back on sorcery, especially sorcery that is poorly understood."

He relaxed slightly. The Mercenary then looked at the beast and the route to their destination.

“Good. The less sorcery in my opinion the better. Eisen has survived without it. I believe that other countries could as well if they were willing. However, I do respect those able to control it and use it wisely. I will go ask if anyone has a wagon available. If there isn’t a horse to go with it, then I will do my best to push it along.”

With that, he went inside the shop and walked up to what he could tell was the shop keeper.

“Seems like you have had a lot of excitement today. My shipmates and I,” He motioned over his shoulder at the big guy who hogtied the beast. “would like to help you get this creature out of your hair as quickly as possible. To do that, we are in need of a wagon and possibly a horse to pull it. We would only be borrowing it to take it up to someone who may know more about it before loading it up on our ship. The wagon and horse would be returned as quickly as possible. Do you have such a wagon or know someone who does?”

"Alas, I do not have a wagon," the chandler says. "I would gladly let you use it if I did just to get rid of the Beast!"

"The general store across the street has a wagon it uses for deliveries. I'm sure you could talk him into letting you use it."

He nods to the chandler.

“Thank you. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before this beast is just a bad memory and a good story for your customers. I’ll speak with the store owner right away.”

With that, he left and went into the general store across the street. The Mercenary looked for who might be the man in charge and approached him.

“Excuse me sir. I was told that you may have a wagon that you use for deliveries. The reason for my inquiry is about the beast that was caught at the chandler’s across the street. No doubt word about it has reached your ears by now. I was hoping that my friends and I could borrow a wagon to get the beast away from here, so it won’t terrorize and damage your store like it did the chandler’s.”

Vasily watches over the tied up creature while the Eisen tries to obtain a wagon.

"Well, as long as you get the creature away from here," the shop owner says, "you can use the wagon. But if you damage it, you'll have to pay for it!"

Between the five of you--Detlef, Valentino, Vasily, Marcelo and Jarrun--you are able to wrangle the beast into the wagon, secure him and guard him, and then drive the wagon to the professor's estate.

The Eisen nodded and shook on it. “The wagon will be returned undamaged. We shall take precautions when loading and unloading the Beast.”

After loading the creature onto the cart, he helped pull it along with the blonde haired mountain of a man. Upon reaching the professor’s estate, he knocked on the door. “Excuse me. My friends and I would like to speak to a Professor Toben. We have a specimen that we believe he would be greatly interested in and seek his wisdom.” He waited patiently for a response. Detlef wondered what sort of man this professor was to have such knowledge of creatures and beasts.

((OOC: Drat. I thought I responded to this...))


A butler answers the door, and after ascertaining who is there and what they want, he permits you into the parlor.

"Wait here, please. I'll tell the professor that you are here."

A few minutes later, the professor enters the room.

"Greetings, Gentleman. I'm Professor Toben. How may I assist you?"

When you explain it to him, he insists on seeing the creature, and accompanies you to the wagon. He's astounded for a moment, then he gets excited!

"Please! Can you bring him around back? I have a few cages installed for the larger and more dangerous animals that I study. I believe they will be strong enough to hold him."

He leads the way around the back of the estate. He unlocks the door of a separate building and leads you inside. It's unclear what the building's original purpose was, but it's been divided into four large rooms, each with a cage that's tucked into one corner. The two corner sides of the cage are brick walls with the sides of the cage bolted to the wall. None of them are currently occupied.

He opens one of the cages and has you put the creature inside. If you set him down close to the bars, you can cut the ropes through the bars.

"Now, what can you tell me about this creature? Where did he come from? Is he truly the Beast of DeChane?"

"Indeed, we do believe this to be the Beast of Dechane. It was being controlled by magic, and made to crash through the rear wall of the Chandlier on the docks. We'd hoped you could keep it contained and take over the dealing with it from here, as we are ill equipped to do so."

Is this what they would do to me if they ever found out? Lock me in a cage like some animal. They would have to subdue me first I suppose. Easier said than done since I could just fly away.

He nodded to Vasily. “Yes. It is as he said. I will say that I am very interested in the origins of this creature. Was this the work of Sorcery or perhaps it is a strange mutation of its species.”

Perhaps this would help shine some light on his own predicament.

"Well, that is easier said than done," the Professor replies.

"I suspect it may be a bit of both. If, as you said, sorcery was controlling it, I doubt if it was the same sorcery that created it... that twisted some living creature into the beast. It may not even have been intentionally. Porte sorcerers walk through a dark realm when the port. This creature may have come from that realm, or something may have come through that twisted the base creature."

"It may take awhile before I can determine which, and longer still if it turns out to be sorcerous."

The Eisen turns to the group. “Shall we wait for his findings or be on our way?”

"Well, it is something of a distraction. However, learning is the greatest power available to man. I say we stay for a day or two to see if we can learn something useful about the possible origin of this creature."

"We are on a mission," Valentino points out. "We are after the Black Pearl, are we not? Or are we abandoning that quest?"

"The sailor who may have it already has a day or two head start on us, and there are probably other agencies pursuing him. This Beast's attack is evidence of that... someone is trying to stop us. That probably includes the pirate attack on our ship."

"The Beast, however, had been around for a lot longer than this current quest. Unfortunately, the man who was controlling it wasn't able to tell us anything."

"You're right, of course. The professor is the best suited for pursuing this and appears to be suitably equipped to handle it. Any information we could find out by waiting we could certainly return and find out later. If the ship is ready to depart, perhaps you are right and we should make haste back to it, to get under way.
I'm not confident that this attack was actually brought on by anyone seeking to prevent our pursuit, but I guess that is largely immaterial; we are able to continue pursuit, and pursue we must.
What say you, Herr Peukert? Can your curiosity be stifled until after we have finished our time sensitive task?"

He gave another look around the room then back to the group. He shrugs and motions to Valentino.

“Whether my curiosity will be satisfied or not is irrelevant. As long as I am employed, I will go and do whatever my employer wishes of me. Perhaps once my current contract is concluded, I will come back and speak to the professor on my own time. For now, we have a mission and my duty is to see that mission fulfilled to the best of my ability.”

He adjusts the zweihander strapped to his back as he walks to the door. He stops in the doorway and looks back. “You need not worry about the cart. Now that it is not carrying a beast, I can easily bring it back to its owner while you two make arrangements for our departure. Is this satisfactory sir?”

You take the wagon back to its owner. He does seem a bit surprised that you brought it back in one piece.

Unless you have some other business in town, it's off to the ship.

The Eisen Mercenary thanks the man for the use of the wagon and heads back to the ship.

Vasily boards the ship and awaits the next leg of their journey.

Valentino expects the crew of the ship to have done any restocking that was necessary. He'd made it clear that they'd expected to sail at a moment's notice.

Nor was he surprised that Marcelo hurried ahead to verify that very thing.

He joined Detlef and Vasily on the way to the ship.

As the three of them boarded the ship, he was pleased to see Marcelo at the top of the gangplank ready to report.

It only takes about 5 minutes for the ship to get under way. Minimal sail until the ship is away from the dock, and then full sail as the ship reaches deeper water and heads east.

The delay was going to put their target that much farther ahead of them, and that much harder to find. About the only advantage they might have at the moment is that he shouldn't yet be aware that he's being pursued.

On the other hand, they now know that someone else is also after him.

Detlef stood atop the deck of the ship looking ahead at the horizon. He had a death grip on the center mast as he was not used to sea faring and didn’t have any sea legs. The food in his stomach was able to stay down just barely. It would not bode well if people saw the mercenary puking his guts out over the side of the ship. “So Captain. What’s the plan?”

"We found out his name is Prad... the one we are pursuing," Marcelo replies to Detlef. "The ship he was sailing on at the time is the Iphigenia headed for Vendel."

"I can't say why, but I've got this notion that his destination was Rurik."

"I was planning on bypassing Wische but stopping at Gottkirchen to make sure he didn't change ship."

"Skip Adel and head straight for Posen. If the ship went to Vendel, Prad may have gone to Posen from there. If no ship was available, he could travel overland to Rurik."

"The best way to get your sealegs, Detlef, is to sit down and keep your head balanced above your hips. That way, you get to feel the rhythm of the ship's motion. The nausea is caused because what your eyes see conflicts with what your sense of balance is feeling."

"Great, it seems we have a plan." Vasily says as he pretends to have his sea legs, despite having been ashore long enough to definitely have lost them.

"I believe I'll take a rest now, since it seems unlikely that I'll be needed soon." Vasily finds a place above decks that doesn't seem to see much traffic, so that he can take a nap in the fresh air, rather than below decks where it reeks in such a way as to precipitate a much stronger reaction than he's now enduring.

Detlef did as he was instructed and sat down in the proper position. He immediately felt better. “Sounds good to me. How long until we reach our destination? Are we able to gain any ground to try and catch up?”

"Maybe," Valentino replies to Detlef. "The captain has put on full sail, not always a good idea in these waters, but the enemy may not be aware that you've acquired another ship so readily."

"A day should see us at Gottkirchen, a two-hour layover there, and another day to Posen."

"At that point, we'll have to decide where we're going next--Vendel or Rurik. It'll depend on what we find out."

Detlef mentally mapped out their course and thought about where the ship might go next. “I may be able to find out some information in Posen. My mother’s family is from there, and I might be able to use my status from the military academy I went to as influence in finding something out. At the very least, they will feel more comfortable talking to me than outsiders.”

Vasily awakens from his nap refreshed and ready, once again, to be aboard ship. Satisfied with his recovery, but still woefully under-skilled to assist in the actual sailing, he does what most in his position would; he acts like he's been an honored guest aboard ship all along. And so it is that he heads for the Captain.
"It is a fine matter to have had a chance to rest after all of the excitement ashore. I'm of the understanding that we'll be making port again sometime tonight? Do you know anything about the place where we'll be going ashore?"

Once out at sea, the peace and tranquility sets in. At this time of year, there's little chance of a storm at sea, but the winds are strong and the current is steady and going in the right direction.

Due to the tides and timing, approaching Gottkirchen in the middle of the night, which is when you get there, is not advisable, so the captain lays off the coast until dawn when the morning tide comes in.

As dawn approaches, you can get a glimpse of Gottkirchen through the spyglass.

Detlef wakes and stares out at his homeland with a satisfied smile. “Ah it feels so good to be back in my home country again. It has been far too long. Hopefully, I will get to spend some time here.”He turns to the captain and the rest of the crew. “On behalf of Eisen, welcome to Gottkirchen.”The mercenary was ready to get off the ship and onto dry land. He made sure all of his armor and weapons were presentable and his military academy emblem displayed proudly on his left shoulder.

"Thank you for the welcome. Hopefully the locals will be so welcoming as well!" Vasily smiles, then heads over to the area he's unofficially claimed as his own, and makes sure all of his stuff is in order.

"I am sure you'd prefer to stay awhile, Detlef," Valentino says, "but remember, we are only trying to find if the sailor had been here."

"If I'm not mistaken, we've only got about an hour if we want to sail with the tide. We'd have to for the next outgoing tide if we miss this one."

Gottkirchen isn't actually on the water, so no docks and wharves have been built. Only small fishing boats are beached on the shore... easy to push out into the water.

Whoever is going ashore will need to take the dinghy into town.

That should make it a bit easier to find out if the person you are looking for has been here.

Detlef nodded in understanding. “Well then let’s not dally. I will look to find the nearest establishment that serves sailors and then let you do the talking.” Detlef had one of the sailors lower the dingy into the water and descended. He waited for the others to join him before rowing to shore.

Valentino decided to go ashore, too. He liked to think he was a good judge of character and felt he could trust Marcelo. In any case, the crew was loyal to him, and wouldn't let Marcelo just sail away if that was what he wanted to do.

"Have you been to Gottkirchen before?" he asked Detlef as he climbed into the dinghy.

"Looks to be mostly a fishing village."

"I suppose it would not be unwise for me to join you ashore. Perhaps I can be of service, or at least help to keep things interesting."

Vasily climbs down as well.

Detlef waits for one of the sailors to get on the dingy as well to row them to shore and take the dingy back. He shrugs his shoulders at Valentino. “I have passed by here before during my travels very briefly. I don’t know it all that well, but most fishing villages are the same in any country.”

Detlef nodded in appreciation at Vasily. “Your presence is always welcome and more eyes would assist us in finding what we are looking for. Are there any questions either of you think we should ask first of the locals to try and find our quarry?”

Once they reached dry land, he would let out a sigh and pick up some dirt. He would rub the dirt between his hands and start walking to the nearest pub or any official looking office.

"I suppose we could ask if anyone has come ashore from a ship, other than us, obviously, in the past week or so. Given that they do not have a normal port, I would imagine not that many ships stop here."

"Well, then, since you are from this country, Detlef, you could tell folks you are looking for a cousin who moved here," Valentino suggested.

"It would explain why we are here. At the same time, that could easily be the reason the other ship stopped here... same as you, Detlef... visiting home."

"In any case, unless a ship is on a schedule, any opportunity to stop for fresh water and supplies is taken."

"Also, didn't I hear that Gottkirchen craftsmen are skilled scrimshaw carvers? Another reason to stop here, yet still not sufficient reason to create a port. I believe these days it is called a 'cottage industry'."

Detlef nodded. “I like it. So may I ask what is the name of the person and ship that we are looking for when we ask people questions. How long do you want to look around here?”He readjusts his zweihander and looks to see where the nearest pub is.

"His name is Prad. As far as we know, he's just an able-bodied seaman," Valentino answered.

"We still don't know how he came by the Black Pearl... if it is the Black Pearl and not just another ordinary black pearl. The reported size is what made people think it was the Black Pearl."

"Well, there's probably not a harbormaster, so we start at the pubs frequented by the fishers."

“Alright then. Follow me.” Detlef walked confidently towards the closest pub and opens the door for the other two to enter.

Vasily follows along towards the pub. Being from the inland, he did not know that much about coastal villages or fishermen.

"Master Peukert; you have been to many such villages, yes? What are the people like in such places?"

As they walked, Detlef glanced over his shoulder. “Simple folk. They keep to themselves mostly and most days are routine for them. However, small villages usually mean that everyone knows everything about everyone. Strangers are picked out of a crowd very easily. You’ll most likely find the one or two that will talk to us.”

"Hmm, much like villages in the mountains or deep in the woods. Complacent and superstitious. It is too bad that it leaves them so vulnerable to those they believe they can trust for one reason or another."

It's not a big town by any means, and you spot two pubs along the street facing the sea. One is pretty much in the center and the other is down at the end of the street into town. However, there are probably a few more on the other streets.

The central is probably frequented mostly by fishermen. Based on the sign, it's probably The Red Fish pub.

Entering the pub, you draw the attention of the dozen occupants. Some not at first, but they look up eventually as others don't recognize you.

It's a typical pub... a row of tables and chairs down the left side and the bar with stools down the right side.

Detlef walls right up to the bar and plops down. His sword jingling slightly off his armor. “I’ll take an ale.”He looks at his companions and motions to join him at the bar. The soldier scans the room to see if anyone looks nervous or tries to get up as leave.

Vasily sits at the bar, as the implied instructions indicate. He smiles at the bartender and asks: "Do you, by any chance, have any Vodka?"

Valentino hesitates outside the door for minute as he takes a quick scan of the street, paying particular attention to the layout of buildings and side streets. While he doesn't expect any trouble, it never hurts to take precautions.

Then he enters and joins Detlef and Vasily at the bar.

"I'll have an ale, too," he says to the bartender, then turns around and leans against the bar as he surveys the room. He lets a little smile touch his face as he tries to decide if any of the other patrons might be likely to talk to them. Or attack them.

The bartender does, indeed, have vodka.

"I've had this bottle for several years now," he tells Vasily as he pulls a dust-covered bottle out from under the bar.

"Does it go bad?" he asks before opening it.

"I don't get much call for it around here. In fact, you're the first person to ask for it in... well, ever!"

Detlef slides a few marks the bartender’s way. “Makes sense that the bottle hasn’t been opened in a long time. Fishing villages like this don’t seem to get very many foreigners and if you do the whole town knows it. Speaking of which, you wouldn’t happen to know about any other foreigners that have been around lately besides us would you?”

He looks at the other two. “See any familiar faces?”

"Ah, that is one of the beauties of vodka; it never goes bad!" Vasily smiles, then, at Detlef's question, looks around carefully to see if he recognizes anyone.

Vasily doesn't see anyone that he recognizes. People don't travel that much unless they are going off to war.

"Oh, we get a foreigner come through here at least once a week," the bartender replies. "Some are on that walkabout craze, some are looking for a homestead, and some are just going from one town to another with Gottkirchen in between."

"Without a harbor, few ships stop by here. We saw one go by two days ago. It dropped sails for a spell and we thought maybe some of the crew might come ashore, but they never did."

Detlef scratches his chin. “My my that does sound very peculiar. Perhaps they just needed to lay anchor long enough to do some repairs in a calm spot of the sea. Who knows. Would you perhaps be able to describe this ship? If we run across them, we could see if they need any help.” He looks to the two others for any sign of recognition if the man described the ship.

"Perhaps. It was a pinnace... three-master, level deck," the bartender answers. "The aft sail was green."

"The name of the ship was the Sea Rover."

OOC: I honestly can't remember what ship we're looking for, much less what it looks like.

"Well, let's all hope they've only had smooth sailing, but I guess we should probably be on our way as soon as the Captain believes the tide is right!"

"The sailor we are looking for is named Prad. He sailed from Wandesburrow on the Iphigenia," Valentino informs the others to let them know that the ship that was anchored here is not the one they are looking for.

"If no one came ashore, then that settles that."

"Oh, he did have a tattoo on his arm... an anchor with a snake around the anchor."

"Our concern is that he changed ships."

"We aren't looking for that pirate ship that sank the Southern Wind... at least, not at this time."

"Perhaps we should make haste back to the ship and let the captain know we'd like to make way as soon as the weather and tides allow, then?"

Detlef nods in agreement. “Hopefully we don’t need to result while we’re here. Let’s make haste while the tide may still be on our side.”

He nods to the bartender. “Thank you very much. Please excuse us.”

He then gets up with his payment on the table and starts to head out the door.

"Definitely," Valentino agreed with the others.

"We're not even really looking for the ship, but we had to make sure the sailor didn't disembark here for whatever reason. Doesn't look like he did, so it's back to sea we go."


He leads the other back to the beach to their boat, and soon has them rowing back out to the ship.

"Now, where to next--that is the question?" he says once they are back on the ship and the ship gets underway again.

"I guess we resume the path we were following; we may yet still catch up to our quarry."

Back aboard the ship, Captain Marino raises anchor and sets a course for Rurik. That was the other ship's supposed destination. If it makes a stop before then, they have a good chance of getting to Rurik before the other ship, as Valentino's ship is faster.

Valentino had been aware that someone had boarded the ship back in DeChaine, but as he wasn't the captain, it hadn't been his place to make enquiries.

Now that the immediate danger had passed, he saw Captain Marino escort her on to the deck.

"How fares the ship, Captain?" he asked Marcello. "And who is this enchanting creature?"

Vasily listens the interaction between the captain and the owner as he studies the newcomer with interest.

Ooc: Would he be referring to me?

OOC: I would assume so.