Two important things happened about three weeks ago.

One is that a hurricane swept through the area, hitting coastal communities in Shubotai and western Dellavria.  Not just any hurricane, but one with the sort of intensity that is seen not even once in a generation.  The storm itself was certainly newsworthy, but an interesting addendum to the story is that, once sailors felt safe returning to the sea, some of them reported seeing an island in the distance that was not there before.

The other event of note was that a group of about 4-500 people had set up camp in the westernmost pass of the Méizou Mountains that separate Dellavria from its neighbors.  They say that they are refugees from Yuizha, a small country on the other side of the mountains that was recently conquered by Shubotai.  Since they are mostly keeping to themselves and staying in the pass¹, they have not yet caught the notice of Dellavrians outside of the immediate area.

One person who has noticed the refugees is Carmen Estivale, the matriarch of one of the smaller (but still fairly successful) merchant families.  She has spent the past three weeks planning and negotiating, and what it has led to is the six of you, preparing to set sail, with the task of exploring this seemingly new island to determine what resources it holds and where would be best for the Yuizhan refugees to make their new home.  Lady Estivale has generously paid for provisions for your journey, and has also promised 150 silver pieces per person when you return (for reference, this is equivalent to about two weeks' pay in an upper class profession).  In exchange, she expects that all of your dealings with regard to this island will be exclusively with the Estivale family, no other merchants or guilds.

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¹Of course it's a bad idea for them to stay there, everyone knows the mountains are dangerous.  And besides that, they might get in the way when trade caravans want to travel that way.

Sailing from Dellavria to the new island should take about three days.  Lady Estivale's funding has covered enough food for ten days for all of you.  If you want to make any more preparations or negotiations before leaving, now is the time (flashback scenes are okay if you want to establish something that would logically have been taken care of earlier).

When you post, please answer these questions:

Aldos - It is unusual for a civilian doctor to be part of a voyage like this, as much as it does make sense for you to be here.  Where else have your healing skills taken you in the past?

Barnutan - What is a Ginto legend or belief about islands sinking and/or rising from the ocean?

Makawmano - What is something about your boat that sets it apart from similar ones?

Mrtyu'ca - What is a fact, rumor, or stereotype about Yuizha that the average Dellavrian is likely to know (or at least believe)?

Orlando - Your keen eye has brought you quite a bit of success so far, but what is one time when it failed you?

Zabella - You know Lady Carmen better than anyone else in your party.  As far as you are aware, who are her greatest rivals?

This message was last edited by the GM at 11:32, Mon 06 Dec 2021.

Aldos Paleirte stood looking at the two bags on his bed.   One smaller than the other.
The smaller was his personal package of clothing and personal incidentals.
The larger was his medical kit:  fitted out with pretty much everything he had, as Aldos had no idea what to expect on this journey.

The hurricane had devastated the land, and a lot of people were in need of his services.  And so it was with a  torn and regretful heart that he'd allowed himself to be coerced into this journey.   His time ought to be spent here, helping those in need.

Instead, the Lady Estivale can called in 'that favour' that he'd owed her for some time now.
For truth, there was value to easing that owed burden ... of paying that debt and removing it from his life.   But ... it frustrated him that he was called upon NOW!

He sighed ... and again began checking through his medical stuff again.



So little queenie is supplying food for 10 days:   3days there, 3 days back, that leaves 4 days to explore/map the entire island