Harry is just going to head back to his cabin to avoid the drama.
We're just dead men walking anyway. No use getting worked up over small crap. he thinks to himself.
He's got the right idea. Sterling heads off to the lab.
Luna rolls her eyes and sighs... turns to Paul... "Well that went less than well, and we still don't have a consensus. I agree with Harry, too much drama, but we really needed to make a decision here... In the vacuum left behind, I'm going to step in unless the others decide to get together and talk this out."
She shrugs and looks to Paul for his reaction. "I need to talk to our first mate and hash this out... wanna come along?"
"That jacka$$ has no idea what he just did. He humiliated and fired the Chief of the Boat. Nothing you can do can save this crew. They don't have the discipline or the loyalty to be of any further use. We'll be lucky to make it to port with this crew. We may be able to get her back though, but we'll need a new crew. I'll go with you to talk to her, though I'm tempted to start the conversation by dumping Sterling off the boat. With our luck he'd probably just follow us." Paul shakes his head and follows Luna out.
"Let's go."
She heads off to talk to the first mate and see if she will resume her duties with a full restoration of her status in front of the crew.
The first officer will talk to Paul and Luna, however, it appears some of the crew are upset over it, and they are not interested in continuing after you put into port. She makes it clear it wasn't her talking to anyone, but the crew themselves make it plain they want to get paid and leave at the next port. Given the number of crew leaving, she doesn't feel she can continue on. Luna gets the distinct feeling that the crew she trusts the most are the ones leaving.
She and the crew are more than willing to get you to port, and even offer advice on new crew, but they are not willing to continue on. The lack of clear leadership is clearly bothering the crew. You can estimate you're going to need to replace about a third.
Your second officer will talk to you afterwards, and assure you he's more than willing to continue on, and that he's talked to the rest of the crew. He has a couple of suggestions on people you might want to go ahead and get rid of as part of the general purge, as he doesn't trust them due to their being overly friendly/loyal to the former first officer or just 'bad eggs'.
The rest of the navigation through the Maelstrom is blessedly uneventful, even if the situation on the ship is tense.
Finally though, the ship breaks out of the Maelstrom, to see a new land.
One moment Luna can only see the Maelstrom and it's spirits trying to convince her to throw herself into the ocean, and the next second they fade out and a few miles away is another coastline. Green mountains rise up to turn into white icy monoliths in the distance. A strip of land along the base wanders next to the ocean. Birds fill the air, most colorful in the extreme.
The first officer, still stiff and formal in her duties, rings the bell. "Land ho! Goggles off!" She points to the map Luna has been using to navigate by. "Ma'am, see that big mountain over there that looks like two rams horns? That's this one on the map, Ram Mountian." She points to Luna's navigation chart. "We're a little off course, but not too bad. If we set sail that way..." She points up the coast. "We'll reach the port of Mei'Tha'Nua. It's one of the larger trading ports here, and you should be able to replenish your crew and supplies."
Sterling spend nearly all his time in the lab. He makes an appearance on the deck as the port comes into view. The banker summons Salazar
Luna sighs as she realizes there is nothing she can do to remedy the situation, and simply must acquiesce and accept the situation. She tries to put herself in a hopeful state of mind and look forward to a new first mate and some new crew to replace those lost. She does thank the second officer for his input and suggestions and plans to implement the changes when they reach port.
"I'm gonna be damned glad to get the hell off this boat. I want some land under my feet. "
"I understand Harry... I'm beginning to like the sea but the Maelstrom is another issue... Not sure I'll ever 'like' that part of the travel."
The ship continues underway, and under tension.
As it approaches the port, more and more ships come into view. However, they are built differently than the PC's ship. Long slung and with ribbed sails. Smaller covered boats are poled by people with distinctly asianic appearance.
The city also has a distinctly asian flavor, with odd writing and bright vivid colors, reds, golds, blues, blacks, oranges, all mixed up together.
Finally the first mate directs the ship towards what looks like a larger dock made of stone, with bamboo skirts to protect the ships from scraping stone. Anchors go over, and the ship nestles in against the dock.
Ropes are thrown to heavily muscled stevedors who haul on the lines and then make them fast, pulling the ship against the dock with a bump.
As soon as the bump is made, there's a small sigh of relief that runs through the crew. About a third of the crew head down into the ship, as does the First Mate. No doubt gathering up belongings.
A round faced and bodied man in gold and black and orange robes begins demanding to speak to the Captain of the ship from the dock, speaking with a heavy accent.
Luna steps forward and replies, "That would be me... how can I help you?"
"AH, so, there docking bribe for docking this dock." He holds up an elaborate gold amulet around his neck. "Docking Bribe Taker is me. Recognize ship as Holy Ones Ship, Me only speaker of Blessed Language here. Must take Bribe from you or no Dock. Bribe is outlandish 5 gold coins per day. Hiring morons..." He waves to the burly stevedores. "...not part of Bribe. Must negotiate robbery rate with them." His speech is broken, and he pauses often as if searching for the right word.
The crew suppresses grins and laughter as he speaks.
"This port certainly shows a refreshing honesty. " he mutters in the background.
Sterling silently sends Salazar over the side to reconnoiter the harbor
Stealth +20
"You're right, 5 gold is quite outlandish. 3 gold a day for docking sounds more reasonable. What say you?"
The man looks affronted. "Three gold extremely reasonable! I not be bribed less than 5!"
The sailors again seem to be suppressing mirth.
The ones leaving come back up on deck in time to hear this, and the First Mate sighs, and moves over to Luna's side. "He's been taught Common by the ship captains, and most of them enjoy teaching the opposite words for haggling. What he's really trying to say is there is a 5 gold per day docking fee, and he's the harbor master. I doubt he has authority to negotiate a fee, usually the fee is set by whatever Lord is currently in control of the area. Five is about what we paid last time. They use different coins than on the other side of the ocean here, about 2/3rds the size with small squares cut out. So 5 gold to them is about 3 gold, 4 silver to us. In other words, you're negotiating the same price." She says to Luna in a low tone.
Louder she says. "When you're done ma'am, we'd like our pay, if you please."
"Five it is then, Master of the Dock." She smiles at the fellow. She counts out five gold and 4 silver of the larger coins and hands them over to the man... "That should be good for our first day in port, yes?"
She turns to the first mate and nods to her. "I'll have to get your coinage for you. Come with me please." She heads down to the 'office', which is the captain's quarters, where the group treasure is kept. "How much is owed for you and those leaving?" When the woman answers, Luna counts out the appropriate amounts for her and the crew that are departing. With regret and sadness she bites back the urge to try one more time to get her to stay. Instead, she accompanies her back on deck.
To those leaving, as they are given their due pay, she wishes all, "Good fortune and safe harbor to you all in your future travels."
Sterling waits for Salazar to return with the report. He then heads down to the lab.
The first mate nods. "Good luck to you as well..." She eyes the former second mate for a moment. Then continues. "I'll be in port for at least a week, if you want any guidance on choosing new crew-members."
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As Sterling goes below decks to the lab...
The second mate approaches. "Ah, my lord. A terrible business, indeed. But you had little choice other than to remove the woman. Discipline demanded it. A shame the Navigator had a liking for her." He shakes his head regretfully. "If you would like, I can go ashore and try to find some crew with more loyalty to the one who approves their employment, rather than to the one who reports to that one."
My aim is only to reach our goals with as little risk and greatest reward as possible. I fear she is far too naive about current situation. While Luna had no concerns about undermining my authority, I find no advantage in doing the same.
That said, Your words mean something to me, and will not be forgotten. What I work towards is freedom. Freedom from the church or any agency who would tell me what I can and cannot do, what I can and cannot think, what I can and cannot say. The freedom to turn opportunity into advantage. If freedom is not given, then it must be taken.
You can find your freedom with us. Leave me. We'll speak again.
The man with the amulet smiles, takes the gold and silver coins, tests them with a small brass lion statue that he pulls out of his robes. The coins ring nicely as he taps them on the teeth of the growling statue, and he seems pleased with the tone. "Thank you much for bribing a worthless scum like me." He bows, and nods at the burly workers, who finish tying off the boat.
Yes, he's got a name. It's in the thread somewhere, sorry, I'll look it up when I have time if you can't find it.
Resummoning your eidolon, he groans in pain until healed. He looks like something took a few thousand bites out of him. "Not fun, nasty little things under the water. All teeth and stomach, first one, then three, then a hundred... hope I gave them belly ache..."
"Not an army.. fish... lots and lots of toothy fish... I wondered why I didn't see anyone swimming in the harbor.. or see any fish.. The local boats have metal bottoms too... not rusty..." The Eidolon shudders. "I think they're fresh water fish, I didn't see them in the salty areas, just the mixed areas... by the inlet."
"Meh, probably not... we're near the harbor mouth... salty water here... but I wouldn't move any deeper into the harbor... someone must have known about the fish for us to dock here..."
It's also funny that the rest of the group didn't ask why I fought so hard to get Forques as a first mate after she punched me in the face...hard He laughs again It's like I'm playing chess, while they're playing checkers.
He looks at Salazar excited. I mean it was brilliant. People of self righteous moral high ground are so predictable. I kept telling them, we're heading for demon island, at least some of the crew will revolt. More than likely we'll have to put them down. But all I hear back is 'if we have happy thoughts and clap real hard, Tinker Bell will live'.
Knowing group dynamics, like minded people will form cliques. What better way to purge the crew of those suffering from a self righteous moral code. I didn't think it would happen with just one insult, but she played into my hands. Forques should be thanking me.
Sterling frowns a bit. The ensuing coup, I did not foresee.
It's unbelievable, I secure a portable hole. Gather enough resources for our journey. Negotiate every aspect to get us on the water and underway. My thanks...
Sterling leans back. I fully expect to see a naval armada guarding another massive demon wall, we may or may not be able to get through. All I really know is, you're my only friend. He pats Salazar again
"Until your paranoia makes you turn on me. There is something wrong in you, Sterling. I hope only that my former mistress can heal your wounds and sooth your psyche. If not.. then you will turn on me as well, for you cannot help it. Your mind betrays you, by making you think others are out to betray you." Salazar shakes his head sadly. "I can only hope you listen to the whispers of she whose gem you hold, and your mind heals. There is yet hope for you, if you will only strive to overcome the darkness in your heart."
So I am truly alone. You are dismissed
The Eidolon shakes it's head sadly and fades from existence.
Harry will make sure he has some valid coinage and find a tavern.
The town is an odd mix of asianic influences and what almost looks like norse. The boats are odd mixtures of trireme and junk, with bamboo sails. The buildings are up to 6 stories tall, with brilliant oranges, golds, reds, blues, and greens. The written language is nothing like what the villagers in Hell use for written language, nor is the spoken tongue similar to anything the group knows.
Street vendors sell all manner of food, most of it fried on the spot, including letting you pick out which chicken or living crab or lobster you want cooked up, and watching it get field dressed and cooked fresh.
The food, just from the smell, is highly spiced. Rice also seems a very common companion to all the food. The rice is, however, a dark red color, not the usual white that the group is used to.
Harry finds a tavern by the simple expediency of looking at signs until he sees one with a glass on it. Ducking his head inside, he finds a place filled with people sitting around small tables with no chairs, only cushions around them. Gambling goes on scattered around, mostly dice, although something similar to dominos also seems to be popular.
The waitress speaks very very limited Common, and manages to convey to Harry that his coins are good, and that she has Shangi, Fu Mei Lae, and On'Mon'Sei to drink. She also seems to have food as well, but exactly what the dishes are is impossible for her to translate with her limited language ability.
Luna will try to inquire with the second mate about how to acquire more crew here, if he has a clue. Also ask him about what is standard in port for shore leave... 1/3 at a time seems likely, with 1/3 on watch and 1/3 resting, then rotating shifts. If that is appropriate, she'll put that into action.
"Ah, yes ma'am. I had offered to help find some replacement crew already. Sir Stirling seemed... put off.. on any assistance." He bows to Luna. "I would be honored to assist in getting any crew you wish. I do have a few contacts in this port, I've been here several times before." He straightens. "The best way to recruit is to talk to the local portman. Not the man you paid, the man who handles the dock workers. He has power, and isn't averse to taking a few coins for good recommendations." He says, tapping his nose.
"As to the crew, yes, the port is safe enough. We used to do quarter shifts. However, given how many we've lost, thirds is safer for now."
"Thirds it is then, and thank you for your assistance in this, it is much appreciated... Shall we go talk to the local portman together? or would it be better if you spoke to him alone, since you know him already."
Sterling holes up in his lab. Occasional curses, and yips of success issue through the wooden walls.
Harry will order some Shang (whatever it is) and point to some grub which doesn't contain grubs.
Harry ends up with a small bottle of rice wine that has a mild kick to it, heated, much like saki. He also gets a chicken dish that has a heat rating in the 6 digits on the scoville scale. It seems to be a mix of rice, fish, chicken, unidentified red meat, mushrooms, carrots, peas, and some crunchy vegetable not unlike water chestnuts but that are green in color.
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Sterling putters around below decks in his lab, muttering to himself about persecution and spies and traitors...
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"Ah, perhaps it might be best if I set up a meeting, ma'am? The locals aren't fond of foreign demons as they call us, and you'll likely pay more for his services without me smoothing over things first?"
"That would be fine... thank you... and make it so."
The (now first?) officer nods. "Of course, ma'am." He says, with a smile, and makes his way down the plank.
He heads off down the docks, and is soon lost in the crowd.
Luna watches him disappear into the crowd, bites her lip thoughtfully for a few moments.
Then she goes in search of Sterling to try to talk with him...
SHe knocks on his door, calls out to him.. "Sterling, will you talk with me a bit please?"
Sterling hastily but carefully covers his work with a sheet. He gets up and unlocks and opens the door. What can I do for you Captain?
"I was hoping we could talk Sterling... as friends... please. You've been noticably absent, it's not like you to be reticent with your input and advice, and I will need that. This is not the way I wanted this to go, you know... Please don't be angry with me. I really was hoping we could remain friends. Your coldness and distance isn't going to help things along. I need you. We have been a team, and need to remain as one." She squares her shoulders but the quavering in her voice shows she is near tears, even though she blinks them back and refuses to break down in Sterling's presence, since weakness is not something he would respect. She bites her lip while waiting for his response.
The word 'friends' hits his ear like clashing tin. He stares at her. Friends trust each other, don't they? The truth is that you don't trust me. And I fail to see why.
Have I lied to you? Have I stolen from you? Have I plotted behind your back?
Truth is, friends support each other. And in the heat of the moment in a hostile world, friends back each other's play, even when they think it may be wrong. Especially when they think it's wrong, because they trust their friend has their best interests at heart.
I'm not angry. I just don't think we define friendship the same.
"It's not that I don't trust you, Sterling... we talked about this, or tried to. I know you're the one with all the experience handling people, but I think you made a dire mistake with how you dealt with the first mate is all. I think maybe you shouldn't have called her out in front of the crew, but talked to her privately afterward and hashed out your differences in a separate meeting, without the crew present. That's all."
She sighs softly and looks Sterling directly in the eye.
"I know you have our best interests at heart... or did... now is not the time to change that, is all. We all need each other. That hasn't changed... Please consider that before you sequester yourself from us. We need to be a united team, and I'm simply asking that you consider that."
"I AM your friend, whether you feel that way right now or not. Please remain mine."
Sterling shrugs. We work towards the same goal, for now that is enough. Time and actions will tell the rest. I have a few ideas. So, in the spirit of trust, I'll tell you,that I'm making a universal translator. It should be ready tomorrow.
Seeing as they have a written language here, maybe we can get information that would otherwise censored by the church. Maybe even something about Rantherus.