Ochnam points out to Isandros that it's not a kitchen on a ship, it's the galley.


Kass takes to the air on his hippogryph and scouts the waters around the island from on high. There are several ships at sea... two are a ways out heading in to Absalom, and another one is about an hour from putting it to Diobel.

The only one in the immediate area is a warship flying the flag of Absalom. He guesses it's on patrol around island. It's not nearly large enough to be the missing warship.

"Here I am!" an unseen voice calls out to those on the ship.

"I'm not late for the party, am I? There IS a party, right? I like parties!"

Suddenly, the air shimmers for a second and now you see the source of the voice: a Faery! She's about 16 inches tall with pink hair and pinkish sort of butterfly wings. The pink is the bluish-pink of sunsets... you know, the kind where you can't decide if the sky is blue or if it's pink! There's also a candy-coating sheen with a touch of frost and a metallic sparkle. The colors swirl around and move as she flies, and a matching colored sparkle seems to cascade off her wings as she flies.

"I'm naturally invisible, you know!" she informs the others. "In case you didn't know. I don't always remember to turn visible so others can see me, since, usually, I don't want others to see me!"

"Have we found any mutineers yet?"

Kass turns to his hippogryph and his dinosaur. Indicating the winged adventurer, he says "friend, not food. Do not eat her."

"So, what's the plan? Do we check every ship we run across?" Zaira asks.

"Sure would be nice if we knew anything about the mutineers. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack without knowing what a needle is."

"I heard Qadira is playing a deep political game. They don't want the mutineers back to stand trial for fear they'll become martyrs... though I don't know what the cause is."

Since the overland party was planning on scouting the interior of the island some, the ship will reach Diobel about a day ahead of them... unless you do something else.

Since it's Ochnam's ship, he's the de facto captain, so unless someone gives him an alternate option, he's going to put into the port.

Having trailed his bounty, one Felly Cordon, a highwayman, Somtirio had found him holed up in the Underdocks. He'd found the place intriguing, suiting the Gnome quite well due to the low ceilings and dim light.

He'd just turned Cordon over to the sheriff and collected the 100gp bounty when he spotted the odd ship sail into port.

He hadn't seen it yet, but he'd heard of Ochnam's amazing ship. This could be no other. Thus he was at the dock when the ship tied up.
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:36, Thu 18 Nov 2021.

In reply to Zaira Zatara (msg # 7):

Kass says "correct. Not sure about much, but it sounded to me like the mutineers showed good common sense in refusing to fight odds of 15 to 1, against. Their Captain put Ego before Sense. Now to save face, they have to sacrifice the crew to save the captain's reputation. "

"It does sound like the laws of Qadira need some overhauling," Ochnam said.

"There should be some provision for relieving a captain of command due to stupidity. On the bright side, they didn't actually kill the captain. I'm not sure that wouldn't have been my choice. Of course, that could be tricky on a ship. Hard to pull off and not have the rest of the crew find out."

"I'm thinking the harbormaster probably isn't going to be of any help. Not so much because we couldn't get him to talk, but he simply may not know anything."

"Maybe hit a few of the dockside bars to see if they've seen a ship of that size... anchored offshore most likely. I'm not sure about inquiring about the crew. I just can't see them bragging about what they did, and if they don't do that, how would anyone know that they stood out?"

Kass smiles. "I may have an idea or two for that." Kass disembarks and starts looking around for beggars and cut purses while he mentally reviews what he knows of the port city. A well-run Thieves Guild always had multiple watchers at the docks, because Information is Power. It was only a matter of time before Kass could find a local thief to get an audience with the local Rogue Lord.



13:53, Today: Kass rolled 23 using 1d20+14.  Knowledge Local .

13:53, Today: Kass rolled 34 using 1d20+15.  Knowledge Geography.

13:53, Today: Kass rolled 32 using 1d20+17.  Perception
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Mon 22 Nov 2021.

For the most part, Kass has heard that there's a different world in the Underdocks... an area built across the pylons and piers below the surface dock. This is possible because ships' decks are considerably above the waterline.

There won't be any beggars down there, but it's an unseen thoroughfare for rogues and thieves.

It's a safe bet, though, that at least one beggar will be a disguised thief, keeping an eye on the ships that come into port. He'll know how to gain access to the Underdocks.

On the other hand, thieves tend to respect mutineers and aren't likely to give up any information on them. The only hope Kass has is to find someone who doesn't know about the mutineers yet. Either that, or pay one of the more unscrupulous thieves into partin with information.

That's not to say that there are any taverns in the Underdocks... maybe a few fences dealing with illegal goods and probably a few hideouts.

He doesn't even have to step off the dock to spot the symbol carved into the sea side of a pylon. It's mostly a thieves symbol saying thieves are welcome here but be careful. Base on the angle of the carving and the pseudo-arrow embedded in the symbol, it seems to be pointing to the tavern called the Dueling Marlins.

"So, shall we go investigate that pub?" Zaira says as she flits around next to Kass.

"Other than listening to gossip and such, I'm at a loss as to how to proceed. Who is likely to know the answer to any of our questions? Hey! Possibly a pawnshop! If the ship put in here, they may have pawned some items to get money for supplies."

"Let's see... what else could they have wanted here? Information? A buyer for the ship? Hey! That brings up an interesting point! If they sold the ship, would the new owners have to give it back if they found out it was stolen? I think we're talking maritime law here... a.k.a. the Law of the Sea. Of course, if they were pirates, it'd have to be reclaimed by force."

"Charts for where they wanted to go? For that matter, maybe they wanted to find out where they could go? Do you think that's a reasonable line of inquiry? We could be looking for the same place!"

"The only other reason for stopping here that I can think of was just to put boots on land for a change. Last chance to wet their whistles, if you get my drift."

"Can you think of any other reason?"

"That's a whole lot more reasons than I thought of!" Ochnam replies.

"If they were looking for a haven, then that would be a reasonable line of inquiry for us to pursue as well."

"Not sure those other ideas are... practical. Mainly because we don't know enough about the mutineers. It's not like we can walk into a chandlery and ask 'Did any mutineers come in here to buy supplies?' Unless you can think of some specialized item that they might have needed..."

Kass says in a low tone "why complicate things? The local rogues keep an eye peeled on the docks, day and night. Best way to find out if they made port here is to pay for the information, or beat it out of someone. But we have to find the right someone first."

"Oh, poo! I'm going to be too conspicuous, aren't I?" Zaira says.

"I'll just turn invisible again. There! Now, let's go find one of these perspicacious rogues!"

Kass follows the 'rogue signs' trail through the streets of Diobel until it indicates a rogue haven in a pub called the Box of Frogs.

Although the city gives the appearance of a dingy and dismal place, life on the streets is still rather lively, and the buildings aren't as rundown as they appear. They've just been weathered for a long time without being refurbished.

The Box of Frogs is almost an exception. It's brightly colored with a dozen painted wooden frogs nailed up on the outside. But the frogs are weathered and faded as well, just more colorful to start with.

Entering the pub, the interior is surprising clean and bright with the frog motif carried out everywhere. Candle holders on the tables are brightly colored ceramic frogs. More painted wooden frogs are on the wall.

At this time of day (about mid morning), there are only four other people in the pub.

One of them is a portly man eating breakfast. He's wearing a coat over a vest as brightly colored as the frog decor.

Kass notices he's got a tattoo on the back of his left hand that matches the symbol carved into the porch post on the front of the pub--the symbol of a local rogues' guild. He has no idea what the guild is, but it's consistent with 'standard' Thieves' Cant.

Kass pulls out a gold coin and lays it on the table near the man that is dining. He says "pardon me, sir, but I'm new in town and need some advice. In exchange for what help you can give me, I'd offer to pay for your meal and perhaps a cup of wine as well. Would that meet with your approval?" Kass tries to get a read on the man's body language as he responds.



02:13, Today: Kass rolled 22 using 1d20+15.  Sense Motive.

This message was last edited by the player at 10:14, Tue 04 Jan 2022.

"Advice is always free, good sir," the man replies. "No one ever takes it, though. In any case, a good meal is always appreciated."

"Have a seat. Join me. And tell me what sort of advice you seek."

"My name is Somo. What brings you to Diobel?"

Kass takes a seat and says Greetings, Somo. My name is Kass, but my friends call me Firehair......not very imagination among my friends, I guess. Anyways, my business takes me many places, and I have noticed that certain individuals in each city make a living on Information, whether buying or selling. Such individuals often have multiple eyes and ears fixated on the docks, noting the coming and going of goods as well as personnel. Would you have any idea how I might secure an audience with such people, particularly one who favors the shadows?"
Kass smiles slightly, knowing he himself was more at home in the shadows.

"Ah, yes... the Shadows," Somo replies. "Many an unsavory thing lurks within the shadows, especially in a city like Diobel."

"I've heard tell of such people that you seek, though it's always been at least hinted at that they are each a specialist in a particular area of... lore. For example, if you wished to know secrets about certain people in Diobel, rumor says you should speak to the Keeper of Secrets. That certainly makes sense, does it not? Who he is no one really knows... if he really exists."

"I daresay if you wanted to know about ships themselves, you'd best ask the Harbormaster. Unlike most Harbormasters who get their position by knowing the right people, Jannax got his by being the best there is. Even such a one as I have heard it said that there isn't anything he doesn't know about ships."

"Now, if it's goods that you are interested in, that would be Mirella the White of the Far Reaches Trading Company. I've personally talked to her about getting a supply of Maurinthian wine... a favorite of mine that I like to indulge in now and then. She not only knew who in Diobel had a few bottles in his wine cellar but put me in touch with merchant Captain Stregor who was able to bring me 5 cases within 2 months!"

((OOC: by now, Kass realizes that Somo is name-dropping, not just to try and impress Kass but to judge Kass's reaction to each name. Overall, Somo seems to be telling the truth though possibly exaggerating a bit. But then, Kass realizes Somo is dissembling. He could be anyone of the people he mentioned... though probably not the Harbormaster.))

"On the other hand, if it's people you want to know the comings and goings of, that really is a subject for the shadows. I'm not sure there is any one person you could talk to, though there could be several. I know of no such person exactly, but I could make some inquiries on your behalf."

((OOC: the slight smirk that he can't quite hide probably means that he is one of those people, and that you are now about to enter the 'negotiation' phase of the conversation.))

If she'd been the patient kind, she probably would have waited for Kass to say something, but she wasn't.

So she landed on the table and then turned visible for Somo to see her. She got just the reaction she was trying for.

"Cut out the wishy-washy crap, Mr. Somo Toron!" she said in a not-so-Pixie-ish voice. "Tell us what we want to know and things will go well for you. Hold out on us, and things were go very, very badly for you! And don't even think of going for that dagger on your belt! We're very, very good at what we do."

"Why do you think we approached you in the first place? We KNEW you were 'one of them'."

She was trying really, really hard not to laugh. It was all just a bluff... well, maybe... but she couldn't let on that it was.

Kass shakes his head, chuckling. "Young lady, please! The adults are talking here. Pixies!" He sighs. He then says "Mirella the White? The White......she a wizard of some sort? In my experience that's the type of title an arcanist uses to promote themselves as a consultant. In truth, I'm more concerned with a wayward crew on a distinctive ship. As a knowledgeable local, would you say that the harbor master resembles a rabbit more than a hawk? Would strong words and attitudes loosen his tongue, or be more likely to put his back up? Hmmmm, some avenues to explore, to be sure. On the other hand, it always helps to hedge one's bets whenever possible. So yes, Somu, I'd love to get an introduction to some of those Shadow people, if you would be so kind to make inquiries for me? Oh, and I wouldn't want you to beggar yourself on my behalf,in case there are any...costs involved, of course."

"Actually, I don't know if Miriam has a surname or not," Somo replies. "She has white hair, so I suppose the identifier was added to differentiate her from any other Miriam."

"The Harbormaster is apt to tell you anything he knows if you merely ask. He likes to show off his knowledge. Not that a few coins might not make him a bit more loquacious."

"So, you wish to step into the Shadows, do you? That can be arranged. Without knowing who you are or more about you, it could cost several gold to get one of them to risk talking to you. For 10 guilders (gold coins), you can merely enter the Shadows. Depends on how deep you want to go. For 20, you get an 'Apprentice'. A hundred will gain you an audience with a Master."

"Keep in mind, however, that there are no refunds if the Master doesn't know the answer to what you are seeking."

Kass chuckles. "Step into the Shadows? My friend, I often create my own shadows as I navigate a city. I have treated with both Masters and Apprentices as needed. My usual tactics in entering a town is finding someone with loose lips who will tell me things to avoid me hurting them. I decided to be civilized, for once. I will speak, as you indicated, to the harbor master. If need be, I am certain that the knowledge I seek would be in the head of a well-informed apprentice." Kass' dark-edged smile becomes half-covered in shadow as he manipulates the light falling on him.

"Now you've got me confused," an unseen voice says.

"Are you going to pay to talk to an Apprentice? AFTER you go talk to the Harbormaster?"

"Of course", Kass says to the unseen voice. "One fount of information might eliminate the need for another." Kass nods to Somo, then heads off in search of the harbormaster.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:58, Wed 09 Mar 2022.