There are some who say they can use one... skill ... well everyone is an expert ;-)

You managed to get 7 silver as pay, your crew got 4 each.   This does not include the coin Omar gave you.

You previously had two, the owner is suggesting adding two more, the same large vessel you had, but well loaded down it sounds like. He'll also add some Boards and heavy shields to protect you from the bolts fired.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 32):

Mustafa will give 2 silvers each to the other crew, and keep the 4 for himself to make his pay 11.

Are there any crossbows to be had, with bolts, of course?

Their seems to be a bit of a run on them, but you find two, one a light cross bow (ST-8) and one heavier (ST-11); they want 3 SP for the Light one and 5 for the heavier one... that is with a pouch for quarrels and what quarrels they have on hand. 18 for the heavy and 14 for the light.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 34):

The heavier is preferred, and Mustafa will purchase that one with the bolts.

Normally, the bolts would all be the same...it is the strength of the bow and bowstring that determined the draw strength, and though very heavy bows could use heavier bolts (is siege crossbows), generally for such a small ST difference they would be the same...

OK, just the way they are selling them... To your eye, the lighter crossbow's bolts are a bit thinner and lighter.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 36):

How long would it take to be able to use one effectively? I doubt we have that time but I had to ask. Also, can I find someone to strengthen the Crossbow to 14?

Regardless for now I will get ready with my crew. Are any of them purchasing the cheaper crossbow? I will encourage them to do so with their new pay...

No chance to strengthen the bow.  It's a moderately easy skill (DX-4) to learn.

No one is purchasing the other bow, they don't have the free cash.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 38):

They both just got paid 3 silvers! Their problem, then!

Alright. What is the situation? We put a small wooden covering for the person on the steeringboard (Or wheel, as appropriate) and set up cover from which folk below decks can fire. Actually, do we have below decks?

Also set up buckets of water if they throw fire...

No, there is just the area below the rowing seats... there is a flat floor, but it is only about 8" above the deepest part of the hull ... The side boards are to cover the steersman (Oar) and others who might be shooting back. The hull side will stop any bolt fired from a hundred feet or so ... no one has reported any bigger engines.

Buckets of water are a good plan, just in case.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 40):

Since I understand the bridges are the problem, what can we set up to provide cover from above?

We will also soak the decks in water as we depart...and stow the sail to keep it safe. Do we have a spare? What vessel, and what is the mission?

This is the same longer Vessel you picked the Princess up in... just loaded down with grains mostly, some skins and some amber.
There are no bridges across the Magnaflume river, just it's tributaries, where you shouldn't need to go.

You have some ways to go before there is any threat, so the sail is going to be needed, may be wanted even if under fire, as it makes you faster, reducing exposure.  The threat is from small groups here and there  along the river, not for the whole length.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 42):

Ah, if there are no bridges, then yes, the sail would be good. Is there a spare sail? What is the width of the narrowest section of river?

I will hire other crew, especially looking for those with crossbow skills as they can be useful at range, and those with sewing skills that can repair sails...plus any with Armoury (Missile Weapon) skills...

Edit: Cash Total: $91.7 starting cash left over, + 7 Florins ($700) + 11 - 5 silvers (Last Pay minus crossbow, $120) = $911.7, Correct? Were we also going to update the Character sheet to say there were 2 knives instead of one, as per Private discussions, and add the Crossbow (ST 11, 1D+3 imp, Range 220/275, Acc: 4, 6 lbs, and 18 bolts in a quarrel)? Will probably add some purchases to that too...How common are creatures that need silver to be harmed in this world?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:33, Sun 04 Aug 2019.

In reply to Mustafa Zephyr (msg # 43):

Within the area you travel the river varies between a 1/4 mile and a ½ mile wide.

All sailors of any skill can repair sails and tie knots. It's a part of boating (Sail).

You can hire Boatmen for roughly 10 (apprentice seaman)-15 (Able Seaman with experience) CP a day depending on skill, or hire soldiers who should be better with weapons, Have some armor but have no boat skills for  10-12 CP a day.


$120 = 6 SP... check your math.

Consider the knife there. A Crossbow Bolt is a Crossbow quarrel ... same item, different names. Quarrel is the more correct term.

You, nor anyone claiming expertise knows anything about creatures affected adversely by silver.

Minus the 5 sp for the crossbow = 6 sp. Did I miss something there?

With the quarrels, you are right. For some reason I was thinking a quarrel referred to the quiver.

With regards to the creatures effected by silver, that is fine. I was just checking to see if it was common knowledge.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:48, Mon 05 Aug 2019.

Not that I saw...  Go with 891.7

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 46):

Lost a silver piece? Ok so be it...$891.70.

I would also like to get 40 balanced Lead bullets to complement the ones I have (price $20) and 10 balanced Silver projectiles he would like to save for special enemies he wants to make a statement with! ($24).

I understand he has 2 Able seamen? He would like to increase the able seamen to 3, plus 2 apprentice seamen, and get 3 soldiers skilled with either bow or crossbow. Total wages: 65+36=101 cp per day.

But before he signs the contract, so to speak, he would like to find out more about potential contracts. Do they provide food? Pay?

If You hire them, you provide food. Your boss is rather Luke warm about hiring so many...dead weight he says.  @ able seaman he can see, he'll buy off on an apprentice, but no more.  He suggests the threat is being over blown.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 48):

I see. What about the details of the contract? What does it entail and cover? That is the best way I have of gauging the threat...

In reply to Mustafa Zephyr (msg # 49):

Contracts are largely verbal, sealed by a hand shake.  You provide food, transportation to any remote place and any special tasks to be done (obviously a seaman does anything related to that task,  but if you also want him to sell or buy things on the trip, that is special and increases his cost. It is quite possible to create a very complex situation, and putting it in writing makes it clear to those who can read, but most can't and will steer away from any sort of written contract.  If you have something special you want the person to do, you get a Merchants guild master to witness and record the agreement as a neutral party.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 50):

Ok, so no-one is offering me a contract then. No lucrative offers to make the risk worthwhile? Perhaps a couple of lucrative offers together? Somebody wants some high value goods taken downriver?

In reply to Mustafa Zephyr (msg # 51):

Not so, several merchants have offered good money to take things down river, often along with one of their folks who will sell it.
You have plenty of choice in both sailors and soldiers, as there is a sudden slump in business.
You owner is being very parsimonious as a penny saved is a penny earned.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 52):

So if I take the most lucrative offers, as much as the boat can carry with room for troops, his much do I stand to get paid?

A Gold crown is offered, out of which you have to pay the crew, of course that's just the trip down, so you could also make money coming back as well.  There are some documents the Guild Masters want delivered, and that is a fair portion of the money.  A Bigger crew is going to reduce your share a good bit.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 54):

Right. How many days travel is it? And to where?

In reply to Mustafa Zephyr (msg # 55):

To Nardath, past where you have been going with the Arabs.  probably 5-7 days down and 7-10 back up. Plus time in port, about two ten Days.