Arcadia - a far away land rife with adventure and unknown perils and possibilities.
Arcadia - a place none of you probably ever saw yourselves visiting.
Arcadia - a heck of a lot better place to be than this stinking dungeon cell in Cassomir.
Certainly, it was not a place you ever considered going when you were planning your escape, whispering through the wee hours of the morning, but fate and chance were both working in overdrive this morning. It started when the guards had come to change Hobart's chamber pot. All things went as before: guards rudely and gruffly commanded Hobart to leave the pot near the door and retreat to the back of the cell, Hobart obliged of course, and the guards opened the door. The thin string you had all conspired to weave together and tied to Hobart's pot became taut in Lilo's hand across the way, pulling the pot between the surprised guard's legs. As he bent over to watch the wandering chamber pot, Hobart seized his moment and attacked. Hobart managed to grab some keys and toss them to Rommin who quickly let himself out and joined the fray. With the guards subdued, you were all let out of your cells and made your way into the guard room next door. After the light resistance was dealt with, you found a pleasant surprise: your equipment and gear, stored in a side cupboard.
A quick shout from the other side of one of the other two exits announced reinforcements, but chance took hold and the rusty, swollen door failed to budge. The short delay was enough for you to grab the rest of your gear and duck out the dark and twisty passage that led to the gloomy and smoky kitchen and out into the crisp, pre-dawn air.
You wandered the back alleys and streets for awhile, eventually finding some clothes to change into and strap on your armour and weapons.
You had a general plan to head to the docks to book passage on a ship somehow, so it was a pleasant surprise to find a ship not only taking on passengers, but doing so for free! All you had to do was agree to sail away to a far away land, possibly never to return. Given your current circumstances, that sounded perfect!
The Lady Iona is a beautiful two-masted ship of Taldoran design, filled with activity as people and cargo are loaded aboard. At the foot of the gangplank, an imposing centaur in armour and wearing the colours of Prince Stavian III stands at the bottom of the ramp along with two soldiers in different colours. The two soldiers are sitting behind a crude table with ledgers, taking the names and occupations of those wishing to make the dangerous voyage to Arcadia, which, according the propaganda poster nailed to a nearby pole, is the Land of Opportunity.
The centaur looks you over as you approach, wrinkles his nose slightly at the smell, and says, Good morning, to you. You are all wishing to join up with the new colony?
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Lilo had thought hard and fast as the disparate group made their way through Cassomirs darkened back alleys..the escape had been easier than they had imagined..too easy perhaps..The Halflings mind ran scenario after scenario and coulsnt make sense off the whole thing..it was a plan that should not have worked yet it had. He kept his mouth shut as they reached the docks..
"How... convenient" he thought as the poster for the Arcadian Expodition appeared.."You'd almost think that we had been allowed to escape with only one real way out off town"
The centaur takes in Rommin from head to toe and nods to himself. Yes, it was only a matter of time before adventurers began to arrive. Still, a scout and woodsman is much needed, so welcome aboard. Give your name and particulars to my men. I can tell you more when we set sail, which should be soon. This ship is heading to the new world. If you're just planning to hop this ship to Absalom...well, don't.
The centaur turns his gaze back to the other four in your group. What about the rest of you? Adventurers are all well and good when there's trouble, but what we really need are farmers and tradesmen.
Hobart keeping an eye out for pursuers turns to the centaur and says" I like my friend here am versed in woodcraft. I am fair hand at the hunt. I as well am familiar with the healing arts, but I would not so far as say physician." Adding quickly, I also know burial rites of any number of peoples, I must say you are the first of your people I have ever met, and would be happy to learn of your own peoples ceremonies." Hobart nods seeming satisfied with his own answer.
Corvus smiles her sweetest smile.
"I am versed in so many useful skills." Her voice positively purrs. "I am something of a scholar and teaching and the recording of matters administrative will always be required. I can heal and have no small ability in matters of commerce. So you could consider me a trader. So many choices..." Her voice trails off as she gives the centaur another special smile.
Well versed in dealing with barbarian Skraeling tribes, are you? He sighs. Adventurers, as suspected; fortunately for you, Lord Brycen specifically wants some adventurer types on this expedition.
He turns to Hobart. As for learning the burial customs of my people, do you foresee some great need to bury me? He shakes his head and waves off any reply Hobart might try to make. Just all of you give your names at the table and head up the ramp. I am Sir Kheiron, head of security and in charge of the military force for the new colony. Welcome a... He trails off as something behind you catches his eye. Excuse me folks, looks like the prisoner transfer has arrived.
Sir Kheiron slowly clops across the early morning cobblestones to approach the arriving wagon full of people. Soldiers order the humanoid cargo to disembark and line up on the docks. Seven prisoners climb down, all with manacled hands and feet: a burly half-orc, a voluptuous human woman with fiery red hair and a sulky smirk on her face, a tough looking human woman with scars criss-crossing her face, a hulking dumb-looking human man, a lithe half-elven woman, a scowly-faced halfling, and a young human boy of 11 or 12 sobbing big tears as he jumps down to the ground.
As Sir Kheiron converses with the prisoner escort, soldiers from the Lady Iona arrive to take the prisoners on board. The transfer appears to be going smoothly until the little boy breaks formation and makes a mad dash, not for freedom, but to a crying human woman hiding in the shadows. Mama! he cries out before soldiers tackle the boy and haul him to the ground. Wat! Be brave, boy. Mama loves you. the woman sobs back.
Hobart begins to reply,No, I actually...he stops as the centaur dismisses him. Why thats rude. pompous Horse's ass. Hobart chuckles at himself. At the thought of prisoners arriving Hobart tries to keep his cool. He turns to see them off load looking for any recognizable faces among the gaurd and the prisoners. Hobart watches wondering what the boy could have done that deserves being shackled. His knuckles whiten as his grip on his spear becomes more and more tense. Not sure what to do yet Hobart watches to see what will happen.
In about fifteen minutes, the soldier says to Rommin.
Please, you're hurting him!, the woman cries out at the soldiers hauling her son roughly to his feet. He's just a boy. The soldiers laugh roughly as they drag him back to the line and begin escorting prisoners up the ramp. The boy continues to sob into his chains, trying without success to turn for one last look at his mother. The other prisoners shuffle up the ramp, giving your group dark, dirty looks. None of them look familiar, nor their guard escorts.
Hobart walks over to the woman. He tries to do his best not to be gruff. Excuse me Mrs. but what did the lad do to wind up in chains? You know passage is free? The ship leaves soon though. Do you wish to board? Hobart looks uncertain about the whole matter, but does not like seeing the boy being separated from his mother.
She wipes her eyes. I know, sir, but I have three more little ones at home...I...I can't leave them, and I certainly can't bring them...I... She pauses a moment to collect herself. Please, sir. Please take care of my boy. He's a good lad...he was just...just trying to feed his family. He didn't mean to hurt all those people. Promise me you'll look after him, and keep him safe. She looks up at him with pleading eyes. Please!
When is this ship going to leave port? Eriniyes thinks to herself. She walks to the side of the the ship to see if there are any others who are willing to go to the new world when she sees a boy in chains being led away from what has to be his mother.
A cold streak runs through her bones and chills her very soul. She was in that woman's place just over a year ago. The torment she felt when those bastards took Errak away from her. Only they didn't take him away from her and put him on a ship, his fate was much worse.
If that woman's child is coming with us, I have to make sure that he is looked after!
Hobart listens to the lady Madam you have my word me and my friends will look after your boy. His name is Wat correct? If you wish, run get your little ones and we will look after you all. Hobart was abandoned on the steps of a temple; to see a child lose his family unnecessarily pains his heart.I don't know how we will pull this off, but by the gods I will help this woman if I can
Hobart jerks his head around to see what Rommin is doing.To see if there is going to be trouble.
Move aside, please sir, the guard says to Rommin.
Is there a problem, gentlemen?, Sir Kheiron asks coming over.
The woman looks from Wat and back to Hobart. I tried already, sir. They wouldn't let us on board. I... She slumps, defeated.
Sir Kheiron why was this woman denied passage on the ship? If you are worried about what she will do in the colony Me and my friends will be needing someone to take care of our domestic needs. We will see her, and her children are provided for. He looks at the centaur expecting an answer.
Sir Kheiron returns Hobart's stern gaze. As I understand it, she was not denied passage; her children were. It is a dangerous voyage with limited space and limited food supply; not the place for a ten-month old infant. There will be another voyage next year. If our efforts at establishing a colony are successful, she is more than welcome to book passage on the resupply ships. He smiles. I will even leave word that she is not to be charged for the fare, if that will also please you, but as for coming with us now, this ship is on a tight schedule and departs in less than fifteen minutes. Its departure will not be altered to allow a mass murderer to bring his mother along for his sentence. If that is not acceptable for you, well, here's the shore. You're welcome to stay behind.
Stupid, stupid old man... Titus hid on the dock, watching the others board a ship. He told them to go ahead without him, that he had plans, but that was a lie. To be honest, he was scared half to death. He was breathing in air that didn't stink, he could smell the sea. People were walking all around him, going places, smiling. All the movement, all the light, it was making the old man short of breath. Plans? Yeah I got plans. Going back to my box. He wanted to watch the others go, first. He needed to see them go away and make sure that they wouldn't end up like him, destined to die in the dark, too scared to be outdoors. Not even worth enough to be executed. The fools were starting trouble on the dock, though. A prison train was brought in, strong backs and weak minds, most like, press-ganged into whatever the ship was headed for. If the boys weren't careful, there would be blood soon, then it would all be for nothing. There'd be no going back, except to a barber's block. Frustrated and worried, Titus took a deep breath and crept further down the dock, closer to the ship.
Harn gives Kheiron a stern look"And just what is the lads sentence?"
Oh how I would like to throttle this one! He thought. No, I have to help everyone get away if we start brawling here were gallows-birds for sure. Alright Mrs. give your and your children's names to Sir Kheiron here he will see you have passage on the next ship. We will do our best to look after your boy in the interim. Hobart bows slightly to the woman. He then heads for the ramp. He signs in Jaffeth H. Gillin. Everyone calls me Hobart He says to the clerk I hope the lads have better sense then putting down their real names on this charter.
Its departure will not be altered to allow a mass murderer to bring his mother along for his sentence.
Corvus' ears prick up at the words, 'mass murderer.' 'And the mother said he didn't mean to hurt all those people?'
"Sir Kheiron. I appreciate the urgency of our departure, but could you briefly explain what the boy did? He looks a little young for one to have killed so many."
This time Corvus smiles politely, not looking to exert any undue influence on the centaur.
It doesn't take a great number of years to commandeer a baker's cart and ride it at a gallop through a crowded market square and trample fourteen innocent shoppers to death. The mother sobs; Sir Kheiron sighs softly and pats the woman on the arm. The fact that he is so young is probably why the magistrate chose to send him with us rather than the gallows. At least with us, he'll have a chance to redeem himself and earn a place back in Taldor society. Ma'am, these adventurer's seem keen on watching out for your son for you; I give you my word that all prisoner's will be well treated under my care. He pats her on the arm again and clops over to the prison guards that brought the train. He speaks with them, pointing at the woman several times. Corvus spots some coins change hands.
A man in a naval uniform comes to the edge of the railing next to the gang plank and shouts, All aboard! All aboard!!
Good lads! The trouble averted for the time being, Titus turned back toward the jail. This was the best thing. He didn't know anything else. And yet... What if he could start a new life? What if this new colony was the answer? He could be part of a community. He could be the guy who knew things, in an all new place. A place where he could see the sun, and he could work hard and have something to be proud of. He took a deep breath and walked to the gangplank. He approached the book. "I'd like to sign up, if it isn't much trouble, sir." Titus' bumblebee voice was low as he refrained from eye contact with the knight.
The men at the table offer the ledgers for the remainder of your group. The soldiers escort the prisoners on board ship and down below decks, Sir Kheiron following, clopping slowly up the ramp.
As the rest of you move to follow, the men at the table close up their ledgers. One of them gasps at the sight of a wolf following your group. Excuse me, but you can't take a wild animal on board ship!
Good thing he ain't wild then eh! Hobart replies That there pup belongs to Rorse. He says in a friendly manner. He pats Titus on the shoulder Glad to see you with us old timer
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Lilo joined the queue at the table hopping from foot to foot in eager anticipation..he hadn't reckoned on going so far but it all seemed to be for the good..his new friends would see how useful he could be to them on this voyage and when they got to the other side there was a whole new land to explore.
When his turn came he managed to contain his excitement enough to tell them his name and then almost skipped up the gangplank.
"Isn't this great " he beamed to the others.."I can't wait to see what happens on this trip can't you?"
The guards look back and forth at each other, and at the silent Rorse and the wolf, clearly unsure of how to handle this situation. They look about to call up to others on board ship when the situation is taken out of their hands by another call from on board, All aboard! Sailor, cast off the mooring lines!
The guards shrug and wave you all up the ramp, stuffing their ledgers under their arms and following you on board.
Sailors on the dock begin untying ropes holding the Lady Iona in its berth. They scramble aboard behind you and haul up the gang plank.
It is Moonday, the 5th of Gozran, the year 4707 in the Absalom Reckoning. Soldiers direct you down to the lower hold, and tell you to find yourselves hammocks on the pile and string them up where ever you wish on that level.
Titus scrawls an X where indicated then makes his way up to the ship. He grins at Hobart, relieved at the welcoming gesture. He finds a corner in which to string his hammock, glancing forlornly as others stow gear and whatnot. He had nothing but his clothes, and even those were taken from the locker at the jail. Somebody else was gonna be pissed if they escaped and tried to get their clothes on the way out. "Where's this rig headed?" he asked no one in particular, just making conversation as he set up his bunk. "Thought I heard the knight say Absalom, then onward from there."
Seems we are heading for Arcadia. We are on a colony ship. I dare say this is our last look at Taldor, and that doesn't bother me in the least. Hobart smiles looking at his fellow escapee's Heres to new beginnings! He lifts his wide brimmed hat We will have to make a proper toast at first opportunity. He grabs a hammock, and finds a place to sling it up. It does sway a bit doesn't it. Heh I never been on a ship before I think I'm going to be glad for my shade of green skin for once
Aboard the ship, Eriniyes approaches the boy and crouches down to speak to him. Hi there. I know you must be frightened. My name is... she hesitates for a second, remembering her new identity...Eriniyes. What is yours? She then stands up Are these chains necessary? Its not like the boy is going to jump ship.
The prisoners have already had their chains removed. There are four armed soldiers down in this dim and crowded hold, all watching the prisoners. Most of the prisoners have gathered in the bow of the ship ahead of the foremast that's anchored to the bottom of the hull. They've already strung up their bunks into a close-knit grouping. Wat and the large, dumb-looking human male are still standing around, apparently deciding on where to set up.
There are several other colonists down here as well; some have obviously been here awhile and are already set up, while others must have come on board this morning and are still settling in.
There is no door for Rommin to set up near, access to the lower hold comes in the form of two broad ladders which descend and meet in the middle of the ship. However, the area near the stern of the ship is relatively empty of colonists.
While the prisoners are keeping to themselves, shooting glares and snarls at anybody who approaches them, most of the free colonists are much more friendly, exchanging nods and smiles with you as you get set up. One pair of young human girls, clearly related by their shared hideous facial features, give Rommin extra special ugly toothy smiles.
The boy looks back at her with a trembling half-smile. I'm Wat, and I'm okay, I guess. Goon's watching out for me, and those men over there said they'd look out for me too. I guess I'd better go find a spot to sleep.
Those men said that? Well then, I think you will be in good shape. You are a brave one. Eriniyes is comforted that the men she saw talking to the boy have offered their help as well.
Deciding they must be men of good character, she approaches the half-orc after she sets up her hammock. Hi, my name is Eriniyes. I see you have offered to watch out for Wat. Very generous of you. Do you have any idea why he is was with those prisoners?
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Lilo spends some time moving from place to place measuring out his hammock space then moving on again ..in the end he finds a spot that he deems suitable and hangs the cloth from a convenient hook.
"Well this is exciting isn't it" he comments to all and sundry he bounces over to the Lad Wat and the woman talking to him.."Hi" he says looking up at the boy.."I'm Lilo..don't worry everything is going to turn out great"
Rorse was in a rare mood indeed, He was temporarily keeping his mouth shut, He wanted to gut the Centaur and free the boy there would be glory to be had. He considered smuggling the woman on board...but then no, what they said made sense, a boat beat the gallows and who knows what he would do if he was left behind. Perhaps there was a way to make this right yet.
Ole Hobart even talked them into letting Vero ride with them, which to be completely honest was a deal breaker, if they hadn't let Vero come along, well then neither of them would have, now that he was free and with Vero under him, they could have ran for the woods never to be seen again in this waste of dirt called Cassomir, But no he was off to become one of the legendary founders of Rorseland…Rorsia…Rorseopia. Yes, It was but a matter of time.
Rorse rattled off his name to one of the sailors and he wrote it down and then Vero and Rorse went into the ship to find somewhere to settle into the ship. Vero was already skeptical as soon as he got on the ship, but he was a loyal and protective steed indeed.
Rorse and Vero will go and sit near the grumpy prisoners knowing how it felt to be in chains so recently made him more than curious about how long it would take to integrate the rest of them into society, before they became to outcast to be excepted.. Besides If he could win them over then there would be another group of rough and tumble folks that’d watch his back.
Hearing Lilo’s enthusiasm finally roused Rorse from his quiet requiem, Apparently thirty minutes and secured freedom was all it would take
“it’ll be exciting once we reach land again,” Rorse calls out to the other Halfling. "Anybody know how long it is going to take to get there?” Rorse will look about the ship to see if there are many other halflings, If not Rorse would just have to make sure more came in Absalom and invite more of his people, it wouldn’t due to be one of three Halflings in the new world and have them all be male. He’d miss his people and their customs, not to mention rays of sunshine seemed to pour from Lilo’s mouth like dark ale from a dwarven Keg.
Rommin sees no signs of pursuit, and indeed, the ship already has a good hundred feet of open water between him and the dock by the time he gets topside again. Sailors bustle about, doing sailor-type things one would expect aboard a ship making its way out of port. Up on the aft deck, Rommin sees Sir Kheiron talking with two men, one in his late-twenties, clean-shaven and well-dressed, the other older and looking like a glorified professor. Also on the aft deck are two men in naval uniforms, one at the wheel, the other shouting orders. The ship lurches a bit as it starts to pick up speed. Looks like you'll be clear of the harbour in about ten minutes, with nothing but open water ahead of you.
None of the colonists or prisoners below decks seem to know anything about how long they'll be at sea. One of the soldiers watching the prisoners mutters something about 8 weeks, though they'll be in Absalom day after tomorrow.
Rorse is able to see some of the dynamics among the prisoners and learn some things about them.
Kuras is a wild-looking half-orc, prone to much hollering and complaining. He stomps about the hold, setting up his hammock, casually but clumsily trying to provoke the soldiers watching him.
Imogene, the human woman with fiery red hair seems to be the defacto leader of this group, at least among the three women. Her glance falls on Rorse occasionally as he sets up his hammock, but she quickly looks away with the level of disgust one would normally reserve for a pile of horse poop one had just stepped in.
Daciana, the scar-faced woman is quite shy and quiet. Despite being tough and strong-looking, she clearly defers to pretty much anybody else.
Carylis, the lithe half-elf, seems to share Imogene's opinion of Rorse to a tee. There's also something odd about the way she looks at Imogene and leans a little closer than one would normally expect with two women who are just friends.
Finally, Nate Hogginside, H-o-double g-i-n-s-i-d-e, "and don't you forget it, mate!" seems to know more curse words than Rorse even knew existed, uses them constantly, and, if he is to be believed, had sexual relations with at least six peoples' mothers, including Rorse's. What you f&%#^@#$ lookin' at, mate? I don't f&%@&*#* like that &%#^**&@ kind of look. It's the same one I gave your *#*&#&^%@ mother last &@^**# night when I &^#*&$^#*@&@^#&@*&&&#*#(&^$&@*@&^.. . course, she f&&&@^#& liked it!
The other two prisoners, Wat, and the large dumb-looking human have set up their bunks near Rommin and Hobart.
“what am I lookin at? not a whole lot, looks like your mostly talk to me, piggout. I suppose if you were making ma happy you musta been making pa happy at the same time, cause that man ain’t one to share, unless of course, he is sharing too, you look his type, all soft and what not. Hell you’re certainly more dainty then ma ever was.
Rorse dismisses Hogginside while Vero watches the man intently, its pretty easy to see that Nate won’t be dealing with one but two fighters. But then Rorse isn’t really after starting trouble with cursey McLoudmouth. Ones cussing at him and two of the women are looking at him like he is a chamber pot, Ah hell, He’d do it anyway. Might as well make his name known the first day.
“whats that, eight weeks? Rorse asks of the muttering soldier guard. That’s a long time to be standing there looking all angry at these fine folks. If it were me, I’d try to come to an understanding, a bit of you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours. I certainly know the first thing I’d do once the lot of you decided to take rounds and watches. Two of you resting two of you awake. Rorse smiles a wolfish smile at the guards. and even then what happens once we get to Arcadia? I certainly wouldn’t forget the four faces that glowered at me for eight weeks. So what do you say? Forget about all this, were watching you nonsense and get on with your lives. Seems to be what this Arcadia business is about, right? Redemption? Seems like you’d be better off starting clean now, before you get 8 weeks of pointless bad blood built up.
Imogene chuckles at Rorse, and purrs at him (not unlike Corvus), I wouldn't worry about them. They're just doing their jobs, in their own, half-witted way. Nate, apologize to the fellow; nobody likes to hear you go on about their mothers the way you do.
Nate mutters something through his snarl that might possibly be an apology. Rorse feels more than sees the hulking presence behind him, although the others see Kuras come up behind Rorse. He doesn't seem to be threatening, however, and he leans down and whispers to Rorse, And they're not the only ones who should be forgetting our faces once we get to Arcadia, knee-high. Maybe you and your mongrel should try a different spot to rest your stink. You're not really wanted over here. Besides, one loud-mouthed knee-high is enough.
Nobody in the forward section seems to be paying Rommin any mind. The soldiers have death grips on their sword hilts, their faces tell you they fear a brawl might break out at any second.
Fair enough, Lady. Just seems like a silly waste of energy,time and effort to me.He replys to Imogene. He then replys in kind to Nate rough and grumbly. Like wise, hogginside.
Rorse turns around and looks at the half orc face, soooo much closer than he ever cared to see one before. Listening intently to the secret that the Half orc had to tell him. He almost wanted to laugh, halflings couldn't smell as bad as a half orc if they tried.
Rorse takes up a conspiritorial whisper. If you don't want me over here than so be it,but it just so happens that i was in a cell the last several nights myself and the fact is, I wouldn't mind forgetting the lot of your faces in absalom instead of arcadia if you catch my drift. Paticularly, if you got the boy back to his mum.Me, I'm for Arcadia, but then that is my choice, I'd just as soon see you all have that choice as well.
Diplomacy:
The excitement of getting underway was making everyone antsy. It was like when the new fish came in, determined to let everyone know who they were and what they were about. The loudest ones always had the worse time of it. It didn't matter for the time being. This wasn't a prison, despite all the prisoners on board. The old man would do what he always did in these touchy situations: keep his head down, stay quiet, and watch. If things got out of hand, he knew who he could count on.
Speaking of counting, he overheard that they would be at sea for eight weeks. A lot of time with little to do. Good thing he had a lot of practice at that. Still, might not be so bad to find something to work on. He watched the sailors at work, looking for anyone in charge. He approached that person and volunteered, "Your men need any help? I'm not a sailor, but I know how to work, and I can listen when people tell me things."
Hello Eriniyes, names Hobart how do you do? Yup the lad doesn't deserve this. So watch over him we will. He says Oh crap Rorse we aren't in the yard you don't got to size up the other dogs. Eriniyes notices Hobart watching over her shoulder. The boy took a cart, and he lost control; several people died, a terrible accident but no cause for him in chains. Excuse me miss. Hobart makes his way across the deck next to Rorse. I hope we don't have any trouble here, because we ain't no fish to be hooked, Savvy! Hobart looks Kuras in the eye. lowering his tone We can be friends, or we can make the guards your last worry. I prefer the first, But we will have an understanding of respect, or you force our had to make sure it is earned.
Intimidate