As the meeting concludes, and everyone begins to leave, Captain Uqwog speaks up to stop you.

"Vharza, can I have a word? You seem to be knowledgeable about the potential dangers of the waters we will sail through. Can I scoop your mind?"

[Private to GM: Placeholder - move to group 2 when you open.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:06, Wed 22 Nov 2023.

The crowfolk turned to face the captain, his head tilted in curiosity in response. "Assuming that phrase means what I think it does, of course. I might object to you trying to take my brain from my skull, though." Vharza's grim humour wasn't immediately apparent given his avian features, but the dry chuckle that echoed from his beak gave it away.


"So... what do you want to know, Captain? I am more familiar with the dangers in the Southern waters, but I've traveled the length and breadth of the continent." The crowfolk clapped his beak and shrugged. "My information on the Northern waters may be a little dated, however."

The captain chuckled, a deep, throaty sound. "I guess not all of our phrases are the same. I just want info about what is in these waters, not access to your brain matter. The Lady is quite stable and fairly resistant to being capsized, but I worry about creatures that like to make trouble in other ways. So the local monsters like to puncture hulls, or board ships?"

"Well, depends on the monster, obviously. The sahuagin- young Mikasa's kin- are the most likely source of trouble. They will typically try to board a ship to raid- near as I can tell, they are a society of small clans dominated by tyrants. They are not stupid, but they also don't tend to be too creative. It's rare they deviate from fairly standard tactics, and those that do tend to develop a reputation." The crowfolk clapped his beak twice, considering. "Their raids are a constant, and keep the Ghara in demand in the South. Their numbers drop off in the North- the cold doesn't seem to agree with them, and the Whale-Killers loathe them. Or like the taste of their pet sharks- I can never be sure."

The crowfolk considered for a moment. "Other than them, the most likely threats are the great serpents. Rare, but exceedingly dangerous and unpredictable. I've heard of Northern serpents that freeze the hulls of ships with their breath, but never witnessed it firsthand. The Southern serpents tend to blast sailors off the deck instead."

"Interesting. Is piracy something your ships have to contend with, or do the threats come mostly from the local creatures?"

"That's a little outside my expertise, but they certainly exist. Plenty of wild places to hide... but every raid is a deadly risk. Since most ships have fighters to see off Sahuagin or monster attacks, it takes a very specific sort of person to live that way. Not to mention they can never be sure when a ship is carrying a guild hunting party." The crowfolk clapped his beak once, the hollow sound having a sense of finality. "It does mean those pirate that do survive for any length of time tend to be very dangerous."

The crowfolk gave the Captain a sideways glance, not giving voice to his suspicions just yet. A strange thing for two ships to meld by some magic, and to approach the Maelstrom? There was something that either had been lost in translation, or the Captain and his cohorts had avoided mentioning altogether.

Like their allegiances, or careers.

Not that it mattered much in the short term. But if the Captain and her crew were wanted pirates back home, it might make returning a tricky prospect. "I have to admit some curiosity myself, though. You've said little about your homeland, Uquog. I know that Veridonia is an archipelago, but no more."

OOC:
03:19, Today: Vharza of the Mire rolled 23 using 1d20+6 ((17)). Turtle-woman is sus (Sense motive).

"Much the same as home then." Captain Uqwog nods as she speaks. "The waters around Veridonia are plagued with hostile creatures, but our biggest issue comes from governmental patrols. Veridonia is not a united place like Ralan Gul seems to be. There are a handful of major powers and a scattering of more territorial governments. Each fights with one or more of the others, and private ships like ours are heavily molested on the open water. Piracy is also an issue, one that is supposed to be dealt with by those patrols, but in practice they don't seem to be hampered much."

The captain pulls out a document and shows it to you. It is in the same Outsider Common, which you can now read due to the wish cast by the Captain several hours ago. "Our charter, at least that of the original ship you are currently standing on, The Dame, is out of the kingdom of Prousea, one of the 3 major powers. The other 2 are the Bruvonia Dynasty and the Kingdom of Zalux. The former is where the other side of our vessel hails from. We were both merchant ships, with a smattering of smuggling on the side, since each power maintains its own list of contraband that is forbidden on their shores. It was actually pirates that drove us into the storm, badly damaged and with no other hope in sight. Both of our ships were badly damaged, and when we found ourselves in range of each other, our captains agreed to use one of the remaining 2 wishes on this ring to join ships as well as forces. We tried to sail back out, but we either got lost or were prevented from reaching the edge, and after months being pounded by the Tempesta, we believed we would die on these boards. That's when you found us, and gave us hope."

The charter seems to back up the captains assertions. As near as you can tell, the captain is telling the truth.

"And what of the beasts? Surely there must be some form of unity between these powers? Otherwise, what happens when the truly dangerous monsters emerge?" The crowfolk asked, intrigued. "That was one of the impetuses for the founding of the Council, and the Guild by extension. I may not always like the Council, but they do an acceptable job of funneling resources to counter disasters."

"The only unity is the Adventures Guild. They work to protect the Archipelago as a whole, and only the most foolhardy ruler impinges on their ability to freely operate. They might find that suddenly the help of those powerful people dries up when the next calamity hits. But no, the different nations are at an uneasy equilibrium. There is not enough power among a large enough group to reasonably control the whole thing, and if someone tries, the others would declare open season. So, they mostly try to keep out of direct, open conflict, since no one is sure who would come out on top."

"It sounds like it is a different system, but the same solution." The crowfolk asked. He tilted his head at the strange turtle-like Captain. "But what of the land itself? I understand that it is a series of islands, but not what the islands themselves are like."

Captain Uqwog leaned back in her chair, a wistful look in her eyes as she gazed out of the polished porthole of the Lady of Mirth. The distant memories of her homeland, Veridonia, stirred in her heart like the gentle caress of a tropical breeze. Turning to face Vharza, she sighed and began to weave the tale of her enchanted archipelago.

"Veridonia, my homeland, is a jewel of the seas," Uqwog started, her voice carrying a mixture of pride and melancholy. "Picture, if you will, an expanse of azure waters that seem to dance with the whispers of ancient spirits. The Lady of Mirth would find herself welcomed by a mosaic of islands, each bearing a unique charm and character."

Her eyes sparkled with the reminiscence of the splendor she described. "The three major powers – the Kingdom of Prousea, the Bruvonia Dynasty, and the Kingdom of Zalux – hold dominion over the largest islands, their grandeur unmatched. Prousea, a realm of towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, showcases the prowess of its people in stone-carved cities that seem to defy gravity."

Uqwog's expression softened as she spoke of Bruvonia. "The Bruvonia Dynasty, rulers of the island adorned with emerald forests and crowned with misty peaks, have mastered the art of harmonizing with nature. Their floating gardens and ethereal tree cities are a testament to their bond with the mystical forces that govern Veridonia."

A sigh escaped her lips before she continued, "And Zalux, a realm of golden beaches and vibrant coral reefs, where the shimmering palaces of the royal family seem to rise from the very heart of the ocean. The Kingdom of Zalux is a testament to the grace and elegance that can be achieved when sea and land coalesce in perfect harmony."

Uqwog's gaze drifted to the scattered minor island chains, each with its own tale to tell. "The minor isles, scattered like forgotten jewels, house quaint villages, ancient ruins, and secrets that only the sea winds and the rustling palms are privy to. The air carries the scent of tropical blossoms and the promise of adventure."

Her voice trembled with longing as she continued, "Oh, Vharza, Veridonia is a place of wonder and magic. From the bioluminescent creatures that dance beneath the moonlit waves to the vibrant canopies of the great Dreebaya trees, the entire archipelago is alive with the pulse of nature. I fear I may never set foot on its shores again, and that thought weighs heavily on my heart."

Captain Uqwog paused, her eyes reflecting the depths of her emotions. "But now, my duty keeps me adrift on these foreign seas, chasing horizons and charting unknown territories. Veridonia remains a distant dream, a memory held close as I navigate these uncharted waters, yearning for the day when I can once again feel its warm sands beneath my feet and hear the melodies of its enchanting forests in the wind."

"I think you will make it home. Maybe not soon, but you will make it." The crowfolk mystic stated, somewhat cryptically. "You clearly care for your homeland, and it will call you back in time. I look forwards to seeing new lands myself, and Veridonia sounds worth seeing."

"I hope you do indeed get to see my homelands. I would be very glad to tour you through the archipelago. For now, though, I think I have all I need. Did you have any other questions for me?"

"Not for the moment, I think. Thank you for your answers, Captain." The crowfolk rose from his seat. "If you need my help with the beasts of the sea, don't hesitate to ask. Otherwise, I will bid you goodnight- or day. I may have lost track."