DM Immortal's Blood Red Roses: A Skull & Shackles Campaign

Game Master imimrtl

Go down, you blood red roses, go down...

Step right up men and put down yer mark! Looking for men and women who want a life of hard labor, long hours, and almost certain death at the end! If that sounds like you then the life of a Pirate might just be right for ye!

Campaign Guidelines

Posting: Minimum of 1-2 posts per day M-F. If you are going to be gone for more than a day please let me know so I can NPC you and move the game along.

Maturity: This campaign WILL have some mature content in it. I am not planning on going over the top but executions, lashings, and other such unpleasantness will be occurring. Depending upon how things go, it may even be your character that is subjected to things like this. I'm not overly harsh but I don't pull punches either.

Play Nice: Even though this is a pirate game, I'd like to keep Player vs Player conflict to a minimum. There are more than enough NPC's for you to hate and fight with so you shouldn't need to worry about each other.

Character Creation (crunchy bits):

Character Level: 1st
Race/Class: Core, APG, UC, UM, ARG (no custom races)
Abilities: 20-pt Buy
Alignment: Any non-evil and no Lawful Good, I will accept 1 Lawful Evil so long as they can play well with others.
Wealth: Average by class
Character Traits: Two traits plus one Campaign Trait (from S&S Players Guide)

I currently have 3, maybe 4, slots preselected. As such I am looking for 2-3 characters to round out the crew.

The current characters are:
Elven Freebooter Ranger
Human Buccaneer Gunslinger
Tattoo Infernal Bloodline Sorcerer (Unknown Race currently)
Potentially one more but no response yet on race or class

Character Submission:

1. Good writing and a good backstory are paramount with these submissions.
2. You do not need to have a fully detailed sheet or profile (It won't hurt but it won't replace a good well written backstory)
3. As has been done well in the past, please answer the following questions (None of these questions will hurt your chances. They just give me a feel for your character):

1. What position do you see yourself eventually in on a ship?
2. How do you feel about piracy in general? (This includes stealing, killing, plundering, etc.)
3. Which campaign trait are you selecting and why?

Last but certainly not least, I have seen this used to great effect and it is a bit of fun while waiting for recruitment to close but after you submit the basics out of character, start RPing with each other so I can see about group dynamic and your writing style. The scene to RP in is the night you are all taken from the bar in Port Peril. The music is blaring and the night is raucous!

That's about it! I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!

Sounds interesting! I'll try to come up with an application, most likely a druid.

I would be interested in joining your Campaign. Though I must let you know, I am new to this type of game, and PF in general... I am in a campaign with my friends, so I do know the VERY basics of the game, and how to create my own character and things.

Not sure how to do a back story, and am not to good at RP.... I am still learning things. Also, this will be my first online campaign, so you may need to kind of let me know how it works. Thank you.

Dotting for interest I may just use one of my aliases (from another S&S game) unless that one pick back up again -- was going very slow after the first couple of posts

I would be interested in joining your Campaign. Though I must let you know, I am new to this type of game, and PF in general... I am in a campaign with my friends, so I do know the VERY basics of the game, and how to create my own character and things.

Not sure how to do a back story, and am not to good at RP.... I am still learning things. Also, this will be my first online campaign, so you may need to kind of let me know how it works. Thank you.

It's not difficult. I played on an Exalted PbP and it's fairly easy; you just need to create a well thought out paragraph with what your character is saying and doing. Rolls, in my experiences, were done at the request of who was running the story and whenever a player thought it was something of interest for her character.

Backstories, I am guessing, are how your character grew up and why she became an adventurer.

Profile to be made soon:

Assuming someone at the bar asked about him...

I am Suuktidi, of de Bekyar (Mwangi). When I jus' a lad, anotha' Bekyar, he come to mah village an' he take de lads. He take us to work on boats. Big boats. I not see mah village since. On de boat, dey see I good wit' mah hands. Dey make me to work with de carpenter. Dat carpenter, he teach me to fix boats. He also teach me to fix sailors. But mos' of all, he teach me to respect Papa Gozreh. I learn. I learn good. Later, carpenter dies of infection. Now I carpenter of de boat. I work hard. De captain, he like me. He let me lead prayers to Papa Gozreh. He even pay me some, even dough I be a slave. I work for da captain 4 years. We take much plunder. Last month, I save enough coin to buy freedom. De captain, he put me in port here dis morning. In da morning, I go to find mah village. I go to find da black'eart who take me from mah village. If one ting I learn from da captain, it be dat de ocean has sharks an' de ocean has fish. Sharks live. Fish die. I will be a shark.

This is the IC, quick version. Suuktidi is a cleric of Gozreh with the Weather and Animal domains. He has worked as a ship's carpenter and surgeon. He has no problem with piracy...he knows "sharks live, fish die." He took the "ship's surgeon" trait. I have a character bio sheet that I've made for myself. I'd like to email it to you if you'll share your email. It's a word document. It will have much more detail about who Suuktidi is. And I'll get that profile up asap for character mechanics.

For anyone that needs it, here is a character survey I use for my characters to flesh them out a bit and get the proverbial juices flowing. This is not a requirement and is just here for help to any who need it.

Dotting for interest since the S&S game I had joined seems to have petered out. I'll be using Henk here and will do a little more fleshing out of history and take a stab at your survey. Henk is a harpooner and has spent long days at sea hunting whales.

Here is Suuktidi. Again, a lot of this info is pretty basic. I have a more detailed thing written up to share.

Ok. Here is Henk for this came. Stats are in the profile. I'll answer athe questions you have here, please tell me if I need to add more.

1. Henk is a bit unsure right now about future positions. He is wary of taking any officer role(Especially captain.) since he has seen the bloody aftermath of mutinies and doesn't want that to happen to him. Overly cruel captains will make him reconsider any neutrality.
2. As for piracy, Henk has few problems with makign off with soemone elses's property at the point of a sword. he knows that fighting and killing is part of piracy and will cut down anyone who tries the same with him. Henk will take surrenders and despises rapists and those who kill for the joy of it.
3. Buccaneer's Blood. Henk's father was both pirate and whaler and often used his modified ship as cover for piracy and a source of income when needed. He raided some ships and gained ome measure of infamy which he passed alogn to Henk.

Who am I? Henk. Just call me Henk. Son of a whaler and oppurtunist. Born in a seaside town and brought on board by my Ma when they had to go out for huntss, learned to walk and swim before I could speak and held a harpoon as soon as my fingers could wrap around one. pa gave me his harpoon here and I'm hoping I'll have the chance to pass it along. Of course, more than likely that I'll be shark food before that happens. hehe.

Hope that works out okay – if not, let me know!

I'm developing a Human Druid (Shark Shaman) and will post when I have him more completed.

Ok. Here is Henk for this came. Stats are in the profile. I'll answer athe questions you have here, please tell me if I need to add more.

1. Henk is a bit unsure right now about future positions. He is wary of taking any officer role(Especially captain.) since he has seen the bloody aftermath of mutinies and doesn't want that to happen to him. Overly cruel captains will make him reconsider any neutrality.
2. As for piracy, Henk has few problems with makign off with soemone elses's property at the point of a sword. he knows that fighting and killing is part of piracy and will cut down anyone who tries the same with him. Henk will take surrenders and despises rapists and those who kill for the joy of it.
3. Buccaneer's Blood. Henk's father was both pirate and whaler and often used his modified ship as cover for piracy and a source of income when needed. He raided some ships and gained ome measure of infamy which he passed alogn to Henk.

Who am I? Henk. Just call me Henk. Son of a whaler and oppurtunist. Born in a seaside town and brought on board by my Ma when they had to go out for huntss, learned to walk and swim before I could speak and held a harpoon as soon as my fingers could wrap around one. pa gave me his harpoon here and I'm hoping I'll have the chance to pass it along. Of course, more than likely that I'll be shark food before that happens. hehe.

Henk appears to be a man right out of his youth but is hardened by the salt and sea. Dirty blond hair is roughly cut and his lgihtly stubled face has a scar along his jawline. Not looking like someone tried to slit his throat, but perhaps an accident.

He has a brown shirt rolled up to the elbows and gloves that are worn more for protection for his hands rather than anthing else. Tan pants tucked into his boots complete the wardrobe and he has a cutlass sheathed at his waist. Next to him is a backpack with a chainshirt folded on it along with other sundry equipment.

@Suuktidi: Do you have family you are going back to at your village? Also thanks for the background stuff, it really gave me a better impression of Suuktidi's history and personality. Also if you could answer the three questions that would be awesome!

@Henk: Good so far and thanks for answering the questions. Why are you looking for work? Why aren't you working with your father? What happened? A little bit more background will help a lot.

@Sir Jolt: Looking forward to seeing it!

@Suuktidi: Do you have family you are going back to at your village? Also thanks for the background stuff, it really gave me a better impression of Suuktidi's history and personality. Also if you could answer the three questions that would be awesome!

@Henk: Good so far and thanks for answering the questions. Why are you looking for work? Why aren't you working with your father? What happened? A little bit more background will help a lot.

@Sir Jolt: Looking forward to seeing it!

Henk is looking for work because his father decided to take a tough-love approach to Henk coming of age and said he needed to leave the ship that his father ran. This was to avoid neoptism and riding on his father's status rather than standing on his own two feet. Henk of course wasn't abandoned and his father passed along the family harpoon and made sure Henk's purse was full before dropping him off at the harbor. "Come back to The Shackles once you get yourself a new life, and hopefully a wife, my boy. This creaky knee needs a young'in to bounce on it."

@Henk: Thanks that helps. If you want to walk into the bar and have a seat there is a table open.

Henk looks up at the battered sign above the bar and shouldered his heavy pack. Da was right, can't be running some ship just because he stabbed some whales and plundered some merchents. Just gotta wonder what is gunna happen. Henk sighed and stolled in.

Looking around, he noticed a table had an empty chair and flumped down on it, makign sure his pack and harpoon were close by. Oy girl! He waved to a serving wench. Ale and stew if ya got it.

Apologies - here are the answers to the questions formally.

1. What position do you see yourself eventually in on a ship?

Ship's Surgeon.

2. How do you feel about piracy in general? (This includes stealing, killing, plundering, etc.)

Piracy - like any action - is judged as good or bad via the situation. For example - the only difference between a "pirate" and a "privateer" is - legally - letters of marquee.

As for more esoteric questions regarding my stance on killing and plundering?

I am not excited to kill; but I will kill if necessary to protect my ship, my crew-mates, my friends and my family.

As for when killing is necessary? The necessities of killing are best dictated by circumstance.

Meanwhile - regarding plunder and other spoils? If on the seas I am ordered to attack a vessel or a town - it is only fitting that the rewards of the vessel or town be given to the victor.

3. Which campaign trait are you selecting and why?

I have selected "Ship's Surgeon".

As to why?

As the son of a priestess who was martyred for her faith when I was young, even now I have a strong desire to make my mother proud. I know that following in her footsteps would accomplish this goal - even though I myself am not particularly religious. I never forget the values of my mother and her goddess - even so, I also remember also the value of a good education, which was extremely important to what little family I had.

Having never known my father, after my mother's murder I was then raised by my uncle - a man of many talents who worked in the lumber yards in Sargava where I and my mother lived. He was a stern caretaker and insisted that I have a better life then his, always pushing me to excel.

My uncle and I survived over the years thanks to the earnings we made with various odd jobs until I grew older. When I reached my mid teens I began to save in earnest what money I could so that I could formally study at Eleder's Academy for Alchemy and Medicine.

During the summers I earned coin as a fisherman; and during Yuletime I would help citizens of the city with repair work on their homes to earn coin for schooling until I finished my time with the academy.

Having recently graduated with my degree as a Surgeon: First Class, I am regrettably left with hardly any funds to my name. With barely the clothes on my back and some meager gear on my person, I have made my way to a local bar to seek refreshment and perhaps the chance for employment.

@Horatio: Excellent, thank you!

@Henk: A pretty serving girl with red hair and a saucy smile comes over and sets down an ale and a plate of a spicy fish stew. At the table with you is a young man in a dark frock coat smoking a pipe. The serving wench looks over at him and says Care for another glass of port, sir?

FYI Horatio is one of the preselected players.

Henk nods and grins at the serving girl, his eyes wandering up and down as he digs into his stea. Dern good to get something hot and filling tonight.

Henk gives a nod to the man sitting next to him after the girl leaves. Evenin.

@Horatio: Excellent, thank you!

@Henk: A pretty serving girl with red hair and a saucy smile comes over and sets down an ale and a plate of a spicy fish stew. At the table with you is a young man in a dark frock coat smoking a pipe. The serving wench looks over at him and says Care for another glass of port, sir?

FYI Horatio is one of the preselected players.

”Thank you madam; but – apologies, I feel that one glass is all that I need at such an hour,” I respond to the barmaid with a slightly awkward smile.

Glancing to the well armed and geared man sitting down next to me I take another pull of smoke and watch him order his meal and drink.

Hmm… a full pack; and look there – a water skin – in a tavern? This is a lad that means to travel or recently come to land. If he has come to land, then it is likely that he may have news of work – or perhaps not. In any case – circumstance has thrust us together, perhaps I should seize upon it?

”Beg pardon sir – you’ve come recently to this tavern, clearly; is it for work or pleasure? I confess readily that I seek employment on a vessel. Do you know of any such ships that would seek skilled laborers?”

Henk turns to his adresser. Work, and maybe a little pleasure. Henk grins at the retreating backside of the maid. Recently got off a ship to find something. Gotta find new ships so I don't get all rusty doing something for too long. As for work for yerself, You might check the docks for the 'Whale's Doom' whaling boat that might be suitable for what you want to do.

1. Suuktidi would aspire to be a ship's carpenter/ship's surgeon. The S&S Player's Handbook says the two go hand-in-hand so I've built him to do both.

2. Suuktidi has been "raised" on a pirate ship. Piracy is a part of his life. To him it's a matter of nature - predators feed on prey.

3. He took the Ship's Surgeon campaign trait because he was trained by a master carpenter who doubled as the ship's surgeon. He learned how to mend both ship and man under that tutelage.

Suuktidi did have family in his village - a father, Suuktari, and a mother, Mishka, grandparents, and uncles. His believes his father and uncles were killed in the raid that took the boys from their homes. He expects his grandparents would be dead by now anyway. He has hopes that his mother, Mishka, is still alive. He doesn't know the name of the slaver who ruined his life, but he intends to hunt the man like a boar.

Dotting for interest will have a elven magus up tomorrow.

Henk turns to his adresser. Work, and maybe a little pleasure. Henk grins at the retreating backside of the maid. Recently got off a ship to find something. Gotta find new ships so I don't get all rusty doing something for too long. As for work for yerself, You might check the docks for the 'Whale's Doom' whaling boat that might be suitable for what you want to do.

"Whaling? Nay - that is not of my interest,” I respond, thinking of the time when I saw whalers during my youth.

The fine fountain of water that would spray forth from the blowhole and darken the sky as it obfuscated the dawn. The sudden thrust of their bodies shattering the hulls of the longboats and the force of their collapse back into the sea – crushing boat and man alike under their weight. And always the presence of the sharks which swam about like ravenous dogs, eager for the scraps of flesh and blood that would roil from the still fresh carcasses of the beasts that were butchered on the open sea.

Killing a man in clean combat was one thing perhaps – but the slaughter of such creatures seemed uncouth and unseemly – and not to my taste.

Smiling a bit, I continued.

”I confess that such action does hold draw for some men, perhaps - but for myself? I find there to be a certain coarseness to the butchery of animals when there are more prudent ways of gaining what rewards there may be drawn from rendering the fat of such beasts; no disrespect to you, sir. Every man must earn his bread, of course, and I do not begrudge any of the task of such labors,” I add, my eyes avoiding the presence of the well-used harpoon which lay propped against his chair.

”For myself – though whaling ships need skilled surgeon’s, it is true – I would rather put my services to the use of men with more noble causes.”

I lean in – somewhat conspiratorially.

”Sir – as a man versed in the sea, surely you are aware of the presence and encroachment of the scum from Cheliax who – from time to time – seek to cause unrest in our fair nation? Could it be doubted? Their own folk follow demons, ‘tis said – and often seek to do great harm to their neighbors,” I add with a vague gesture with my pipe – waving it somewhere northwards to suggest their imminent presence and encroachment on our waters.

”It is said that men of iron will guard these waters – at cost of a stern levy, 'tis is true – but it seems that it would be not only a wise course, but a clever one, to follow these men who would guard our waters, and; to seek to assist such sailors in the prevention of those who hail from Cheliax - a land governed by demons. For myself, I would seek such a vessel – and offer my service to such a captain as that,” I add the last somewhat emphatically.

Then, realizing I may have said too much, I lean back a bit, – and consider that the last comment a bit too sentimental, perhaps. However, after my mother passed and my uncle raised me I heard many times from him and his colleagues that the work we did in the lumber yards was to pay local captains for their protection against such evil as the scum from Cheliax.

It stirred my blood readily to ally with a noble captain as the one's who's legends were bandied about taverns and campsites – indeed; even one with a shadowed heart – surely, in time, he would show his true colors at the presence of such villainy. Then I could, with greater ease, lift steel as the captain would lead us in a charge take his crew to task in the duty of wiping clean the sea lanes of any enemy to my native country.

At least that was the thought that was greatest in my heart. Still – exposing such sentiment could be dangerous in such a place. Quickly I did what I could to conceal my true feelings.

”Besides,” I added with a bit of a grunt ”The pay would be far greater to serve with such men who can crush enemy ships and take what prizes they offer! Better that then wasting time trying to bandage impoverished sailors on a mere whaling ship, eh?” and offer my best effort at a boisterous laugh to accompany my grim jest.

Even so – a sailor is a sailor, be he whaler or privateer – therefore, do not laugh so easily at the agony of a dying man, no matter what his profession, for it is unseemly.

I hear the words in my head – my mother’s admonishment, perhaps – and do my best to keep that part of my mind from showing on my face.

I will have a character up tomorrow. Thinking of creating a samurai, or cleric. I don't think a samurai really fits the setting. Thanks.

I will have a character up tomorrow. Thinking of creating a samurai, or cleric. I don't think a samurai really fits the setting. Thanks.

What about wako? The samurai of the sea :)

If you will allow it lol. I have only ever played a Wizard, and Paladin. Interested in Samurai, and Magys, but don't have UM book yet.

Henk shrugs at the man's words. No stomach for whalen? Yer choice of course. Fighten against a whale be just like fighting a man many a time. Whales not all be gentle giants of the sea. A whole pack of orca be something that sends sharks fleeing.

At the mentain of Cheliax, I have heard of them. Them and their demon friends, selling yer soul to some hellspawn for power just isn't worth it. A hundred years if a man is lucky for an eternity in the pit? Henk makes a sign across his chrst. Give me a clean death at sea before I sign some hell paper.

As for guarding our waters? More like self preservation mixed with pride. Keeping the Cheliax out and The Shackles hell free is good sense for any man who doesn't have a heart as lack as the byss. Don't let that fool you though, many a pirate have a demon's heart, one doesn't become a pirate by being a noble man. Just make sure you watch yourself when you do sign on and keep your gear packed if you find yourself on the wrong ship.

Henk quaffs some more ale. Well anyway, here is to finding a captain who hans't lost his soul yet. Name is Henk by the way.

OKeys, dottin' fer interest.

I be in'a game already, but the DM went up an' disappeared on our crew a couple weeks gone by now an' I be loosin' hope o' them returnin'.

Am lookin' t' cast me eye afield t'seek adventure, spoils an' such.

Hope me postin' meets with the DM's want fer things. (^_^)

A tall, lithe Elf wanders into the tavern. Her blond mop of hair and tanned physique indicate a life spent under the sun. Her clothing seems to consist of little more than a shirt and skirt, though the handle of a large-ish sword does rise above her shoulder. A small back-pack might hold the rest of her earthly possessions.

She pads barefoot up to the bar, leans against the wood and her lips move in silent concentration as she reads the menu scrawled across the chalk-board there...eventually she seems to understand the goods on offer and leans back, looking over at the Bar-keep,

I'll be havin' a jug o' yer neatest Rum...an' perhaps be lookin' fer lodgin'." She says even as she turns and surveys the rest of the room and its occupants.

Oy Suny! Long tiem no see. Been watchin your exploits on the other S&S board.

Hee! (^_^) Hey-ya there! Aye, t'is fun. Though the Dm o' th' game up an' disappearin' in't the either dun't help nun a'tall! Hope things be swell fer ye an' yours! (^_^)

@Suuktidi: Thanks! That helps.

@Variel: That trait is fine. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

@Sunny: Good submission so far and great job on the survey. What class are you planning on? If I could get your answers to the three questions also that would be awesome.

@Rapth: Samurai are fine.

Ok here are the submissions so far.

Horatio Flynn: Human Gunslinger (Preselected)
Unnamed Tattoo Sorcerer (Preselected)
Unnamed Elven Ranger (Preselected)
Sunny Elven ???
Henk Human Fighter
Suuktidi Human Cleric of Gozreh
Sir Jolt's Druid (Shark Shaman)

Please let me know if I missed anyone.

Full name: Raina Taneththir, but I go by the name Rain.
Elf, Female Freebooter Ranger.
5'10", 110 lbs, Long, Dark Blue Hair, Fair Skin, Turquoise Eyes (my unusual hair and eye colouring come from an aquatic elf ancestor, so I am told). Tall, lithe, exotically pretty. Only child to an only child (my father), I am the single living reminder of my father in this world and my surviving grandparents treated me as special and raised me to understand life in its many guises. I grew up around craftsmen of boats, ships and sails since we lived in a fishing town.

1. What position do you see yourself eventually in on a ship? Sailing Master.
2. How do you feel about piracy in general? (This includes stealing, killing, plundering, etc.) In a perfect world, I would only steal and plunder from those wealthy enough to endure the loss. I enjoy the challenge. I will kill in order to protect myself, ship, crew-mates, family and friends. So, I will not kill for killing's sake or from a bloodthirsty heart. I do not relish the killing but understand its purpose and need in a dangerous world.
3. Which campaign trait are you selecting and why? Besmara's Blessing. My family were faithful folk and my father had been dead near six months. When I was still inside my mother Cristiel's womb, she and my paternal grandparents, Varyan and Eleniel Taneththir, sailed to the small island of Besmara's Throne to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy site of Queen Bes. It was the anniversary of my father's death. As they waited dockside for the ship to return them to Tempest Cay, my mother went into labor and delivered me right there upon the dock. My grandfather swore he saw a light soar overhead and careen into the deep waters of Besmara's Throne -- a good omen, he said, to anyone who would ask. I always felt a kinship with the ocean and with the Pirate Queen, Besmara, and believed a great destiny awaited me if I chose to answer its call.

@Rain: Excellent thank you!

Dreaming Warforged's application: Noche'WA, a Shoanti Oread Aquatic Druid.

Looking forward to your comments. I am away for a few days though, starting tomorrow, and will have a harder time posting.

Henk shrugs at the man's words. No stomach for whalen? Yer choice of course. Fighten against a whale be just like fighting a man many a time. Whales not all be gentle giants of the sea. A whole pack of orca be something that sends sharks fleeing.

At the mentain of Cheliax, I have heard of them. Them and their demon friends, selling yer soul to some hellspawn for power just isn't worth it. A hundred years if a man is lucky for an eternity in the pit? Henk makes a sign across his chrst. Give me a clean death at sea before I sign some hell paper.

As for guarding our waters? More like self preservation mixed with pride. Keeping the Cheliax out and The Shackles hell free is good sense for any man who doesn't have a heart as lack as the byss. Don't let that fool you though, many a pirate have a demon's heart, one doesn't become a pirate by being a noble man. Just make sure you watch yourself when you do sign on and keep your gear packed if you find yourself on the wrong ship.

Henk quaffs some more ale. Well anyway, here is to finding a captain who hans't lost his soul yet. Name is Henk by the way.

”Well met Hank. My name is Hora.. er… call me Doctor Flynn; well, no, actually I suppose “Flynn” will do just as well,” I add, feeling both my given name, and my title, somehow out of place in this establishment as I offer my hand to Hank.

To cover my embarrassment my mind instantly tacks course to the more academic element of my raising.

”And, as for whaling? You speak the truth – do not mistake me there – I’ve seen whales crush the hull of schooners with their heavy heads as they plow into them, and the slap of their tail can break a longboat into matchwood – aye, they are no peaceful beast, especially if riled. Even so – they are beasts, not men,” I add, a touch of intensity in my voice I try to push down a bit.

”Men have free will – and the choice to do good, or evil – that choice is in their power. They know, or should know – that if they are prepared to do great harm to another then it comes from that choice. A whale has no such education – it acts to protect itself and its mate or young – I do not fault an animal, or even a man, for that. And to kill a man who intends to do me murder does not overly vex me – yet to abuse or mistreat an animal seems a different issue – I find that a man unmasks a perversity in himself when he chooses to harm a beast. An animal, be it a dog or even a whale is only a simple creature that is without education or even the wits to know right from wrong – and yet is mistreated simply for a man’s personal amusement… though of course, hunting them - for the necessities of life - that is a different story,” I add hastily; reminding myself of his profession.

Swallowing down my longing look at his rich stew, I plow on in my comments, though.

”I agree on your point about those who would sell their souls to demon masters; yet I cannot agree with the issue of survival being the only reason to guard this place. There are some – though not all – who have roots here; who have history. Again, I am no idealist – but I refuse to believe that no captain who sails these waters, even if they should take “protection money” to watch the costs and harbors – has no sense of sentiment or consideration for the community he guards.”

”Surely there are captains who – knowing the danger of the armies of Cheliax and the wealth they can offer in bribes - are ambitious enough to accept those bribes rather then our own offers of coin for protection. But I have heard of none that succumb to these temptations. My heart tells me that though it is likely many of the men who ply these waters may in fact be cutthroats – or worse – even still; the essence of their heart cannot wholly be erased. Surely inside those who have not sold their souls to demons beats the heart of a man who has at the least a love for the place he calls his own, and will not suffer the domination of no other men?” I add, my speech growing somewhat lengthy.

Pausing a moment, I take a deep breath – I am not in a lecture at the academy; but a barroom sitting across from heavily armed men who have drank of deep spirits and may not be inclined to listen to such long words.

I shrug a bit at the words, smiling to take the edge off of such a long commentary.

My eyes flick up then as the door opens and they see the presence of a young female elf. Instantly my eyes are drawn to her; for she is a different quality of the females I have met or known, even in passing.

She has neither the fair aristocratic features of the “colonials” who live in Sargava, nor does she have the dark sensuality of the women of Mwangi. Her body is lithe and her skin looks like honeyed cream. A mop of golden hair shrouds her face somewhat – and she has little in the way of clothing.

I know little of elves – but what I studied in the academy (taking a course or two in “Elven” so I could learn more about these unique people), but to see one so close and so… bereft of modesty? It was indeed a bit of surprise.

My concentration was somewhat moved from Hank, and – despite my efforts – I couldn’t help my eyes as they traveled the trim lines of her small frame as she ordered a drink.

Knowing that I was without more food, and that a drink would do much to ease my tension this night (further it was my chance to celebrate graduation) – I determined I would order another drink.

”Apologies Hank – I think I will be getting something from the bar,” I add politely, and move up to the bartender.

Looking at the elf, and watching her lift the mug, I smile at the bartender.

”Greetings,” I say to him.

Looking out of the corner of my eye at the lady I add to the bartender ”Your pardon – but I, too shall order a tot of rum, if you would be so kind?”

I then turn to the elven lady and do my best to offer her a polite smile.

Um DM Immortal...which three questions would they be?

As fer class?

There be a method t'me madness. (^_~)

Much cheers to all.

Sunny holds the mug on both hands. Lifting the (Earthen ware?) vessel to her lips for what seem to be small sips, after which each is followed by a quick flick of her tongue to make sure all the Rum is had.

Island Elf (^_^)

As she leans against the bar her gaze wanders slowly around the room. Seeming just as interested in what ever holds the roof up as what lays about upon the floor. When one of the other patrons swaggers over to the counter and orders Rum, then turns and offers a smile to her Sunny instantly grins back. (^_^)

Submissions still open? You know I gotta throw my hat in on this one if there's a shot.

@Jonasty:

Definitely still open Jonasty and awesome to see you! They'll be open until probably friday or saturday.

@Sunny:

1. What position do you see yourself eventually in on a ship?
2. How do you feel about piracy in general? (This includes stealing, killing, plundering, etc.)
3. Which campaign trait are you selecting and why?

Dotting. Ill have a sea reaver barbarian probably

Henk shakes the hand that is offered. Pleased to meet you. When the attractive elf wanders in, Henk's eyebrows rise and he makes a low whistle. Hmm..Now that is a high quality streetlass. Henk nods at Flynn as he walks up and returns to his meal.

Noche'Wa has been sitting for a while now, sipping a soup that certainly did not grant the Formidably Maid its reputation.

Or perhaps it did...

He smiles at the sheer exoticism of the place. What they said was true... This is a great place to find a ship. I'll come back after my walk by the shore. It had been a while now that he didn't get a chance to walk on the edge between sand and sea, something that brought peace to him and reminded him of his mother. If I'm lucky, the moon will be out to great me. He takes a big swallow and is about to cough as he hears the Doctor talk about animals. He listens some more, then finds he mostly agree with the man.

As though he's heard his thoughts, the Doctor turns to face the Shoanti. The broad sculpted man smiles back, mostly covered in a simple woollen cloak: "Well met! Well met! Ah! Ah! Ah! Indeed, those poor beast often show more wisdom than us, and it's a waste to make them suffer. Unless of course we are hungry! And unless of course THEY are hungry! Ah! Ah! Ah! I am Noche'Wa. A pleasure!"

"Oh, and pass the soup..."

Sunny, I think he will need a first level version of your character.

Asked some questions @Sunny.....

*Giggles* I done answer them, silly! *Points back up thread*

So, there they be agin fer ye benefit. (^_^)

Much cheers to all!

My mistake Sunny thanks for clearing it up. Apparently I need to check my prescription lol.

Noche'Wa very well done.