Chapter 1.4 --- Stranger on the Siberian Express --- Nov.10th, 1908

 The Team finds Marseilles to be every bit as beautiful as they'd heard. The lights of the city bring the warm feeling of civilization back when they come into view later on the 6th day of the voyage to Siberia at sundown on the Mediterranean. The passenger train departs at midnight from the town center. You have four hours until then. The ship is tied down and mooring secured with the help of local dockworkers. The port was large and harbored over a dozen large vessels so it had made maneuvering...difficult and time consuming.

 The Mauretania had already spoken with the Port Authority a messenger stated, so someone would be down shortly to take care of business with the Neustria, they'd verified that the team of rescuers boarded the Neustria but found no evidence of foul play, and only three survivors, severely malnourished. The Cabin boy had relayed a maddening series of events, full of superstition and bewilderment. He was far too unsettled to useful as a trustworthy source. Any of you who have a good story could volunteer to file an account of what happened when you find the Port Authority. The Captain of the Mauretania could only verify so much.

 Nathaniel therefore had business to attend to either to give a statement to the authority or deal with the empty statue, not only that but these super-hooligans were headed for Siberia on some kind of expedition!

 The money you all have is supposed to serve as cover but also to outfit you as needed along the way, therefore you have shopping to do if you'd like in one of the richest ports in Europe. Your gear has been sent to the train yard to await loading. Accommodations along the waterfront are cheap however and not well examined by the nosy 'force publique' of the city.

 Everyone has options at this point or stay put on the Neustria until Midnight. Looking out though, there are many things to see here.

 There is rather large fish market along the waterfront as well as several closed markets further into the city. New multistory bureaucratic buildings had recently been created in the city center to house businesses, factories and tenement buildings. Large churches and forts adorned with gothic architecture dotted the city's notable skyline. There is a large park that borders an equally impressive keep on the hillside and flanked by a gigantic church, the Notre-Dame de la Gard.

OOC: Everyone choose something to bide your time with. Also, if you haven't yet done so, pick out your gear for the trip. Please edit your list on the Preparations threads to be exactly what you have!

Asar gathers all of those that are in the group or fought aboard the Neustria. He congratulates them on a successful journey and that he has something for them.

"In freeing and returning The Weapon," he refuses to use it's actual name, "to Tiamat she has granted us a boon."

He hands each of them a sapphire looking gem the size of his rather largish thumb nail. Those that were there for the fight might recognize them as having been in the bowl of water that Asar drank from.

"She asks that we not outright destroy natural monsters, but subdue them should their activities and ours be at odds. When the time is right you will know what to do with the gem. Each of us now have one."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:03, Tue 17 Nov 2020.

Angok had never been truly comfortable on board the ships, and when they had docked in Marseilles he was happy to get back on dry land as soon as possible. But given his rather exotic appearance, he'd had to wait until nightfall before he could venture out into the city. He was dressed in jeans, well-worn work boots, and a simple grey t-shirt with his navy-blue pea coat pulled over and wore a wide-brimmed hat to try and hide his features as much as possible. As he'd exited the boat, he pulled the collar of his coat up, more to conceal his face rather than protect him from the cold.

He didn't really have much of a plan; he didn't think he needed any more supplies, and he really didn't want to risk any direct interactions that might be cause for concern. Rather he just decided to wander, and was quickly drawn to the large domed building on a nearby hillside. Without much thought he headed out in that direction, fascinated by the amount of effort it must have taken to build such a structure.

Nic was feeling more like himself, for the first time in a while. He still felt...almost disappointment...about the weapon being returned to the fish people, but he hadn't really been in a good position to argue about it. Besides, he had a sneaking suspicion it might not have been healthy for him to have it in his possession long term.

He gathered just as he was about to head out when Asar called them together. He frowned lightly as he listened to where the gems had come from. Payment for the weapon, among other things, he thought to himself.

Nevertheless, after only a small hesitation, he took the offered sapphire. He examined it a moment and then carefully secreted it away from prying eyes or hands. He made a noncommittal noise at the 'ban' upon them before walking away. He didn't hunt or kill for sport regardless.

He ambled through a few places that were open for shopping as well, but didn't feel he had missed much in his initial equipment supply request. He caught a few of the good sights of the city, starting with the Palais du Pharo. Then the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-Majeure - He walked around it a bit and stared at for a while. It was beautiful. Though religion and religious locations weren't really his thing, he could still appreciate beautiful architecture.

He stopped for a bit to try some Bouillabaisse and wine. It wasn't his first time in France, but he always found himself passing through to somewhere else. One day he promised himself he'd actually stay for a bit and see more of the country.

James takes the sapphire, holding it up to the light to inspect it, then looks back at Asar.  I'm not up to date on my mythology, he says, show no discernible accent in his voice, or maybe to many to pin down any one individually.  Who exactly is Tiamat?