SR's - Great Southern Isles (PbP) (Inactive)

Game Master stormraven

Ok, I did look at the map info so don't get mad at me when I ask this question: How far is it? ;-) For real, though, if it took us 7 days and our sailing ship goes 2 miles an hour (don't know the speed of the Mako, just using what I know from Skull and Shackles) then we're talking over 300 miles traveled by sea. Estimating from the map it looks like at least 200 miles on foot to Amratt by that scale. Is that right?

Don't worry, your tinker-toys are safe. :)
It may be hard to see at less than full magnification but there are red dots that grid out the map into 50 mile squares. The Mako goes a full square in a 24 hour period - due to the magical sail - with no need for tacking or concerns about wind. So that crossing was nearly 350 miles. The road from Stya to Amratt is approximately 330 miles. Assuming you stay on the road (giving you max move of 25 miles per day - just to make the movement easily calculated), you are looking at a 2 week trip.
The distance between Stya and Antion is close to 1800 miles.

Scroll-wise... you can get 2x Summon Minor Monster, 1x Arcane Sight, and the tanglefoot.

Don't worry, your tinker-toys are safe. :)

It may be hard to see at less than full magnification but there are red dots that grid out the map into 50 mile squares. The Mako goes a full square in a 24 hour period - due to the magical sail - with no need for tacking or concerns about wind. So that crossing was nearly 350 miles. The road from Stya to Amratt is approximately 330 miles. Assuming you stay on the road (giving you max move of 25 miles per day - just to make the movement easily calculated), you are looking at a 2 week trip.
The distance between Stya and Antion is close to 1800 miles.

Scroll-wise... you can get 2x Summon Minor Monster, 1x Arcane Sight, and the tanglefoot.

Ok, gotcha. I was looking at just the Orfallen to Stya map, but after your post I found the big map and zoomed in and saw the red dots, so thanks. And NICE! with the scrolls and whatnot. Orin's down for a two-week road trip. Might need to procure some wandermeal rations or something, just in case I need 'em.

Edit--actually already have some Wandermeal rations listed, but can you ever really have enough Wandermeal?

Ushari shakes her head at the wizard's departure. "Guess we are going to have to hoof it then." She looks at the others, "Let's get a place to spend the night and we can provision for a trip to Amratt. Should we leave in the morning or did you want to say here for n extra day to do some extra research?"

I am not sure Wandermeal rations will work here. It is a two week trip, ya know. Can't go wrong with trail rations...plus Jofram can do some hunting, if need be."

Yep, I have trail rations too. I just meant that if Orin for some reason gets stranded by himself, it could be a LONG trip for him, hehe.

"Better our own feet or some sturdy mounts, than... that," Jofram says with a suspicious gaze at the place where the traveler appeared from thin air.

"What if we had been cuthroats or bandits? He'd have never seen us coming. No, I'll take a path I can scout over these arcane shortcuts any day."

Straehan can't help but fire a follow-up question at the departing mage. "How many? How many teleport patterns do you know?"

The mage half turns. "64... 31 public pads."

Ushari follows up, "Just for the sake of argument...how much WOULD it cost for a trip, both one way and round-trip?"

The mage suppresses a sigh, "That depends on where you want the package delivered, what additional security it requires, and how long it takes the receiving party to prepare a response... If you wanted a private legal document delivered to, let's say, any of the adjacent Isles... that will run you 100 Sovereigns. The reply will cost the same, unless we have to wait for it. Time is money, in this case."

"Hmmm.. package. I'm guessing it costs more to take people?"

He raises an eyebrow at that, "We don't officially transport people unless the client specifically hires additional security to guard their package en route." He gives a people are strange grin. "Seems a waste of money to me, but people pay it."

"Does it matter the size of the item delivered? Or is it a one-price-fits all situation? And if we do decide our package needs guarding, does it cost extra to send the guards?" He turns to Ushari, "Are we going to need the Mako where we're going? I don't like the idea of getting stranded somewhere without a ride. Especially given how some of our more interesting business ventures have gone lately."

"Size, guards, and distance are all factors. So, if you are serious and not just asking out of curiosity, then I need to know the particulars. But first, I've got to deliver a package. Talk amongst yourselves and I'll be back in half an hour. If you are still here, we can talk terms." With that, he heads off across the square. You see that the robe and satchel he's wearing are recognized and carry weight... people get out of his way, including a couple of Watchmen.

Jayse nods as the man departs, "We could send the Mako and go with it as her guards. It might save us weeks of travel. Though, having no money to speak of, it's not like I can really contribute to the effort."

Yes, it seems that would be costly, but it couldn't hurt to ask. Should we go secure some lodging and meet back here in thirty minutes?

Usahri nods, "If we can afford it, then transporting the Mako would be a good idea. As for funds...I do still have some in the banking system, so we should be fine there, unless this wizard charges an arm and a leg." She nods to Orin, "Let's get those rooms, Orin. I could use a hot bath."

Jayse smiles, finding an out-of-the-way place to sit down, "I'll wait here in case he comes back while you guys are looking for a place to crash. Will you get a room for me?"

With that, Jayse settles back against a wall in a crouching position, idly tossing his dark stone from hand to hand.

I'm happy to waive the hotel search and FF to 30 minutes later, unless someone has an objection.

Sounds fine to me.

The half-hour passes quickly and you find yourselves in the piazza again as the mage approaches. He looks surprised to see you waiting.

"Well, perhaps you are serious after all... So, what is the job you have in mind?"

Jayse stands as the man approaches. "Well, we have some business down by Amratt, but time is a major factor. We stopped in to outfit ourselves for the next leg of the trip -- and decide whether that should be overland or by water -- when we ran into you." Jayse grins, "And I gotta say the idea of being there immediately is tempting." Jayse gives the man a quick description of the Mako. "… and having her available once we've finished our business up there would be idea. So how much would it cost us to have you.. uh… magic her up there? With us coming as well, of course."

Ushari, if you wanna try to get us a better deal with some Diplomancing, that might be helpful... assuming he can do it.

Oh...by the Gods.... Ushari thinks as she picks up on Jayse's not-so-hidden message to 'assist' here. Plastering on a friendly smile she adds in a dulcet tone, "We would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide as we are rather in a hurry." She resists the urge to bat her lashes at him, instead settling for a soft smile of thanks.

Jayse, you OWE me for THIS!

Diplomacy 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 1 = 26 charming

Lol. I didn't say you had to sleep with him... or even flirt with him. Having the guy like us couldnt' hurt, though.

So Ushari slides beneath the table... :D

The mage subtly shakes his head as Jayse describes their transportation needs. "Too much, too big, and too many. Our business is the transportation of contracts, correspondence, treaties, and the odd high-value package - not ships and people." He looks to Ushari briefly, "However... unofficially it could happen. I'd have to get creative in tweaking the contract - your boat becomes a craftsman's masterpiece for a wealthy patron, that sort of thing. This will have to go on the books. I can't 'sneak' 5 people and a boat into Amratt. And my employers frown on work under the table. But I do like the challenge involved."

He mulls it over, imagining how he'll have to finesse the contract, "Your ship better be sturdy. I know the pattern in Amratt, not the harbor. We'll arrive in the middle of town. You'll need to hire porters to carry your boat to the quay."

He works through the logistical problems silently. "Yes, it can be done. Now, there is the cost involved... 2000 Gold Sovereigns."

Orin considers the man's information, inwardly approving of Ushari's feminine bargaining skills. He approaches the mage respectfully, and raises his hand with a request.

Excuse me, but would you mind if we confer briefly amongst ourselves?

Assuming he complies...

Orin addresses the others.

With a little time I can get together 400 gold, maybe more if needed. I think 400 apiece is a small price to pay for instantaneous, safe travel. Who knows what could occur in two weeks' time, both to us on the road or to Naladoria? If we can make this happen, we should.

He looks to the others for their input, but states the last point with an air of authority as though any alternative suggestion is unacceptable.

Jayse nods, "I agree with you. I'm willing to put i whatever effort is necessary to contribute to paying for this, but as of right now, I don't have any gold to speak of." He shrugs, adopting one of those 'i'm only half-joking looks', "I mean, i guess I could knock over a bank or hit a rich dude's house."

Ushari nods in agreement. "I agree with Orin here. We NEED to get to Amratt right away! As for the cost...if any of you need extra money, I can cover your expenses." She glances at Jayse meaningfully. "It is worth the cost."

The mage pretty much expected you'd want to discuss the price. It is hefty. So he strolls the piazza for a few minutes while you debate.

Straehan grimaces. "I've been squirreling away Sovereigns for a rainy day. If need be, I can foot the entire bill myself with money left over for a scroll or three. Guess I won't be getting my fine boots 'bedazzled' this season. Given who is calling in our debt, I think getting to Amratt sooner rather than later is prudent."

After my recent purchases, I have 268 gp. I was going to sell a potion of cure serious wounds for half price to get my share. Ushari or Straehan want to "buy" it instead? ;-)

Keep it. Strae has more than enough cash to cover your 'share'. It all goes into the same communal pot anyway. My suggestion would be that you guys post what you are willing to contribute while leaving some coins in your pocket and then I'll have Strae make up the difference. All it will effect is how many scrolls he can buy for the trip. I was hoping to set him up with a high-risk-high-reward 7th or 8th level spell as a "sh!t hits the fan" backup and a couple "Dispels". I might have to tone down his Ace Kicker. No worries. My initial idea would be for Jayse to contribute 0, Orin drops in 200 (leaving him with 68)... and then Ushari and Jofram can decide how much they want to throw in.

Ok, I'll kick in 200. Hopefully we can give Strae some Adamantine Boot Buckles once we get the pirate treasure as thanks for fronting the money.

Ushari will kick in whatever Jofram cannot cover. I really think Straehan needs the money for those scrolls so I don't want him to skimp on that stuff. If that scroll keeps us alive during out exploration then it is money well spent. :)

BTW, that pirate treasure is near the area too so we have the chance to replenish our loot, he he.

I'm trying to find what I did with my gold total... hmmm - I'm pretty sure I can cover 200gp.

Isolating a measure of silver and gold coins, Jofram grudingly hands them over to Jayse, mumbling under his breath, "Everyone is in such a damn hurry to get us killed..."

OK, that is 400 GP. 1600 to you, Ushari. Wanna split that 800 / 800 with Straehan?

OK, that is 400 GP. 1600 to you, Ushari. Wanna split that 800 / 800 with Straehan?

[Picard] Make it so. [/Picard]

Done and done! So do you guys want to live out your day in Stya or is a FF more what you are looking for? FYI, Ushari, due to your cash generosity, Strae will be able to get one scroll of Dispel Magic and 1 8th level, highly dangerous fall-back scroll... sure there is about 50% chance of spell failure and yes, it could backfire... but what the hell. Strae always likes to live dangerous. Of course, seeing if an 8th scroll is available is the other trick.

Note to self--hit BBEG with Ill Omen before Strae busts out the Horrid Wilting or whatever,, hehe

Jayse certainly doesn't have any burning desires that should derail us from getting to the main event. :)

I'm all for FFing to Amratt. I gotta try out all these shiny new scrolls. ;-)

Excellent. I'll prepare an FF post with some scroll rolls and we'll see what we'll see!

I'm going to change my spells memorized to reflect resting before going to Amratt, ok?

Not a problem.

The deal made and money exchanged, you agree to meet the mage in the early morning hours at the Mako to complete your transaction and journey to Amratt. The rest of your afternoon and evening is spent exploring the town, equipping yourselves, and pondering what a run on a Shaudran ruin might entail - traps, undead, unimaginable creatures?

Too soon, night falls and you retire to your modest hotel rooms overlooking the docks and try to sleep. If you anticipated prescient dreams delivered by the enigmatic Grey Lady, you are disappointed. Your dreams are of the most mundane sort.

The first creeping gray light of dawn and the disconsolate cry of the waking gulls see our heroes silently sliding out of the hotel. They quickly head down to the Mako. Within a few minutes, beneath the sound of the early fisherman preparing their vessels, you hear the swish of robes and the mage emerges from the dawn mist. He gives you a polite nod before hopping on the boat. He signals for you all to join him in a circle around the mast, holding hands.

"Be ready. The boat is going to list one way or another." Having said all that needs be said, he turns his attention inward, drawing the precise pattern of the Amratt pad to his mind...

A gull shrieks in alarm as the small sailboat along with her crew almost seems to shrink before vanishing from reality. Water sluices into the suddenly empty hole in the ocean, setting buoys rocking. For our heroes there is the span of two eye blinks. In the first, the pre-dawn half-light and briny ocean smell vanishes - replaced by a cold rush. In the second, the dawn light reappears in an entirely different direction and the world smells suddenly dusty.

On top of a modest platform covered with mosaics arranged in a sharp pattern reminiscent of a set of dying stars, a dark-hulled boat and her crew springs into being. They push a concussion wave of displaced air in all directions, kicking up a small dust storm that rolls across the small oblong square. There is a brief creaking sound as the boat teeters then falls over - settling at a 45 degree angle.

The mage releases your hands, hops down from the boat, swings around to check a couple of landmarks points at a group of burly men, and announces the obvious, "This is Amratt and those are teamsters. Thanks for your business." His smile barely registers before he says a few arcane words and vanishes from existence yet again, leaving you and the Mako on the pad.

A quick conversation with the teamsters, along with 20 GP, and you are watching a bunch of over-large men lug the Mako and deposit her gently in an unfamiliar bay.

Welcome to Amratt

So, what's the plan? Head overland towards the 'lakes' or sail the Mako up and around?

In the Maps, you'll find a massive blowup of the Amratt area. The distance between the city and the lakes is 50 miles, give or take.

Jayse voices his thoughts about the next leg of their journey while the big men lug the Mako to the water, blue eyes taking in every detail of this place that he can. "I say we go by water. If nothing else, I'd much prefer the return trip be with the relative ease and peace of our big girl here than have to hoof it. Plus..." and he leans in conspiratorially, "... it'll be easier to haul all the loot I'm sure we'll uncover. What can I say?" he says with a half-smile, "I'm an optimist."

Ushari nods in response to Jayse, "That is what I was thinking as well. " She laughs softly, "Well, I have a feeling we will find something in there we can sell...I hope your optimism is justified here Jayse."

Sometimes the maps don't work for me, so I'll check it out on my laptop and see if that's better. In any case, 50 miles is 50 miles, so I'm all for the sea route. In the time during our equipment buying, I'd like to get one more thing--just a waterskin. Then when we go to the Mako, before we teleport, I want to fill it up with Ocean water. Hey, Naladoria said to fill up the shell from the ocean then dump it on land, so we might as well make that easier for ourselves, right? Maybe it'll work. ;-)

Also, it's a bit meta, but now that we know this is our last hurrah I'm wondering if we should pull out all the stops and get a scroll of Breath of Life for Ushari, and maybe some scrolls of Shield Other so we can spread out the damage we take (Ushari and I cast Shield Other on Jofram and Jayse, respectively.) Ushari and I have lots of healing between us, so it could allow for Jayse and Jofram to mix it up a bit more without fear of being one-shotted, and we can just heal ourselves, or have Ushari channel and get all of us (which is more effective when all of us are hurt for a little vs one of us hurt for a lot). Straehan would be out of luck with the Shield Other stuff, but he should be behind us anyway, right? I don't know, I just want to make sure as many of us as possible make it to the end of this. I'd hate to die in the first room and be relegated to a spectator for the whole dungeon, you know? In any event...

Orin nods his assent, but voices his concerns nonetheless.

I agree that we should go by sea, but since Jayse has illuminated the optimist view, allow me to ask the pessimistic question--assuming our return journey is made with fewer...able-bodied people, how many people are required to sail The Mako ?

Jayse shakes his head with a rueful grin, "We've sailed her with only two or three actually working... and at least of those untrained. Given that, if we're down to so few people that we can't sail her back, I'm not sure even an overland trip is feasible. I"m not sure how many people I can carry for fifty miles. I mean, Straehan is small... but he's SOLID."

"It's the weight of my massive intellect. With our new sail and no need to tack against a wind - I bet one person could pilot our Mako home."

Despite the meta-gamey-ness, you can bag those scrolls if they are available. I'll throw in some rolls when I have a moment.

"We brought her for a reason, yes? If we were going to leave her docked, we could have saved coin and just transported ourselves. Might as well go by sea."

Witnessing the banter between Jayse and the gnome, Jofram chimes in, "All that mass isn't intellect - it's ego!"