Price |
Price participates in the Asmodean rites, as she has before, with neither discomfort nor zeal. Knowing several of her allies were probably finding the celebration distasteful, she chooses to be cautious in her involvement to maintain the delicate political balance that kept them all working together without friction.
Church pageantry was something she often chose to steer well clear of, in any case. Her job was to protect, not necessarily participate, in Church matters. She saw her service to Asmodeus as something that didn't need robes, symbols, or displays of her faith. In the end, Asmodeus would judge her based on her actions in his service.
Nevertheless, she joins in enough to not affront the Cardinal while restraining her actions enough to demonstrate to her allies that she wasn't a fanatic. She does, however, enjoy the wine since it seems something neither side could find offensive. It's quite good.
She raises her glass, "To Talingarde's fall."
Shulme-Silule |
During Thorn's ceremony, Shulme waves away the symbol. He samples a single sip of the wine, then falls silent, faintly frowning.
He glances at the party as several members join the toast, and concedes to raising his own glass.
"Before we leave, I have something for you all." he offers a few moments later. "A map of Balentyne fortress has come into my hands. It is crude, but it should be of use to us. I have had copies made for each of you."
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
The next morning, your belongings packed and prepared for the journey, you arrive to the docks outside the mansion. Your are greeted by a pale blond northerner, rugged with many scars. He speaks with a strong accent, "I'm Captain Odenkirk. You will guard our boat all the way north, yes?"
Around him you see a dozen grim sailors between the two ships, the Frosthammer and the Stormrider. Both ships are laden with cargo, longships with a single mast each sitting low in the water from the weight.
A couple things to note. One, I would like to know if it's only you seven going, or are you going to try to bring Grumblejack, Slave of the Spiral, Timeon or anyone else along?
Secondly, from here on out, things will be kind of timed abit. I've added a link to a Google Drive calendar to the campaign info tab and the header bar above. Anyone should be able to update it, and I'll kind of be relying on all of us to do so. Feel free to make notations on it on plans and whatnot you would like to accomplish.
Cain... |
A shadow-shrouded figure silently steps out of the mansion's side servant's exit and into the brisk pre-dawn air. As he turns to close the narrow wooden door, the dim candle-light weakly spilling from within momentarily pools in the man's eyes. The light -- weak as it is -- seems to become amplified and reflected as he casts a quick glance around the small courtyard. A wolf's golden eyes.
As Cain finishes closing the door -- his every breath's mist nearly lost in the darkness -- he takes one more opportunity to check his gear. He secretly prided himself on his ability to travel lightly while also being prepared for as many situations as possible. It was a bit of a science, and it came down to utility. Tools doubled as weapons. Weapons doubled as tools. Weapons useable across different types of combat. Clothes appropriate for multiple occasions. And priority given to each item's flexibility and lack of bulk.
Plus, he thought, it's always easy enough to scavenge while on the trail.
Satisfied with his stuffed but secure backpack -- with a morningstar and crowbar fixed accessibly on the sides, a falchion and longbow sheathed comfortably underneath and against his back, and all leaving his hands free for whatever task is at hand -- he steps away from the servant's door and strides across the courtyard and down the path towards the waiting ships.
Taking a liberty here, Price. Hope you don't mind. :)
As he walks, he lugs one item that doesn't fit as well into his efficient and secured packing style… a larger bag that is only slightly more bulky than his own… now occupying his usually-free hands. Price's footman was a role that he'd adopted many times over their years of working together, and he'd become used to adopting the role even when it was unasked. People's perceptions were so easy to deceive in small ways, and it could provide opportunities few considered… after all, who really followed the comings and goings of footmen and servants?
As he steps into the light of the docks, and up to the waiting and bustling ships, Cain stops to get the attention of the captain -- easily identified by Thorn's description.
"I'm Captain Odenkirk. You will guard our boat all the way north, yes?"
Cain watches the activities of the sailors for a few moments before answer, especially noting the dangerous way many of the men moved. Always important to note the threats, he thinks.
"That's what I hear," he says by way of an answer. "Now a good time to bring on some of the gear?"
If the captain agrees, Cain moves onto the ship, his inborn, predatory grace easily accommodating for the slow roll of the ship. When he's shown to their quarters (or whatever is to serve as such on the voyage), Cain sets the bag down in an out-of-the-way location. More than anything, this first bag is somewhat of a test. Price had packed this bag with common and innocuous items, then she and Cain had rigged up the bindings in very particular ways. If someone wasn't VERY careful in their snooping, Price and Cain would know the bag had been looked through.
As he heads back across the deck of the Frosthammer, he calls out to the mercenary captain, "There is more to load. Be back in a bit."
And he strides back into the darkness, aiming to help get his crew's gear stowed as quickly and efficiently a possible… but not so fast that any sticky-fingered sailors won't have an opportunity on the lonely bag on deck.
Regarding Grumblejack, I say leave him. He'll only bring unwanted attention, and if we have to do anything subtle, he may be our undoing. Plus, Teon is our "big guy". :)
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
Agreed, and leave Timeon as well. I don't think him coming along would do much besides hinder us.
Gwyn had spent the previous several days packing for the trip. She had picked out a few durable, if well cut, outfits that were as dark as the early morning, a set of cold weather gear, a comfortable set of traveling clothes to lounge in, if she ever got the chance, which she was not hopeful about that, and a set of well made clothes styled after those used by some of the richer merchants in Talingarde.
Unfortunately, all of the cloth and the two extra pairs of boots weighed more than the little rogue could comfortably carry.
"Um, Cain? A little help?"
Fargo Drinog |
Fargo staggers up to the dock under the load of his pack. While Teon had carried the same pack with no difficulties, it obviously slows Fargo. The additional outfits and cloaks that we took from the manor did not help at all.
"Um, Cain? A little help?"
I can grab that, the young half elf assures her, morningstar and crossbow clacking together as he bends to pick up her bag.
Xanos |
Xanos follows the others onboard without a word, ignoring the captain and moving down into the hold to claim quarters for his work.
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
@ Fargo: The sack weighs 34 lbs, that's a goodly load for STR 10 character, much less a couple of STR dumped characters like us ;)
"I can't help it if every damn noble woman wears enough cloth in a dress to make sails for a galleon! I'm just glad I'm not carrying it the whole trip."
She whispers something to Cain before following him to the dock and their ships.
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
Assuming Slave of the Spiral is coming.
As everyone brings their luggage towards the ships, Captain Kargeld addresses your group. "To haul this load, I've brought two ships along. Gonna have to divide you all up between 'em for room. How d'you want to split it? Four each boat."
Kalina Jakes |
Jakes arrives just in time to hear the Captain's request, and drops her pack on the deck with a solid *thunk*.
"F%*~ me, the other ship?!? She scowled down at her pack. It really was a fine piece of armor, and she felt like a real soldier for the first time in months, but damned if it wasn't heavy. Unexpectedly, she found herself missing the stinking pack mules that carried most the Talingarde military's supplies on march. They shat on everything and spread flies around the camp like a leper spreads disease, but she couldn't deny they did the job...
"Don't you have a cabin boy or something to load our s@$#?" she barks at Odenkirk.
Looking around are her slowly gathering companions, she shrugs. "Three months sitting on our asses and no one thought to bring the ogre along to hump this stuff aboard?" She kicks at her dropped pack, the toe of her boot dinging satisfactorily against the rather expensive piece of magical armor within...
Shulme-Silule |
"Don't you have a cabin boy or something to load our s*$$?" she barks at Odenkirk.
"I once heard a native here say that volunteers are better than servants," Shulme remarks. He glances at Fargo, now weighed down under the load of two. "A strange custom, perhaps, but it seems he has... volunteered to load our gear."
.The sorcerer watches Fargo struggle towards them under the weight for a few moments.
"Leave what is mine to my own care, though." he adds after a thought, this time to Fargo. "Some of it would be dangerous to you."
Fargo Drinog |
Fargo straightens, a look first confused, then annoyed. What? No I am not your servant. Gwyn had more than she could handle, so I am giving her a hand. If you want someone to fetch and carry for you, it is not to late to grab Timmy Fargo returns to the bag that he is half carrying, half dragging and begins moving again. Slowly.
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
"Oh sure, bring a big ol' ogre on to the ship. And how do we explain that to any patrols that spot us? 'Not to worry m'lord. This lad jus' ate his veggies he did!' That'll work."
Gwyn does her best impersonation of a salty sea captain while not so bluntly pointing out that an ogre on the ship would attract a good deal of suspicion from any ship that got sight of the deck.
"Sorry I didn't mean to snap, just a little too nervous."
She looks at Fargo and frowns in confusion.
"I thought Cain had that. Well, thanks anyway, Fargo."
Kalina Jakes |
"Oh sure, bring a big ol' ogre on to the ship. And how do we explain that to any patrols that spot us? 'Not to worry m'lord. This lad jus' ate his veggies he did!' That'll work."
"I'm not offering him my bunk, girlie. He can see us off and blow kisses dockside after this stuff gets loaded."
She watches strange little Fargo struggling with Gwyn's pack. "Though it seems like you've made an ogre out of Price's little puppy dog..." Jakes raises an eyebrow as Fargo loses hold of the load again. "Hrm. Not a very good one..."
Are we splitting up? If so, I grumble and lug my pack to the second ship with Price and Cain...
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
"Poor Fargo. The lad does try."
Gwyn's mouth twitches up in humor, showing she really doesn't feel all that much pity for the struggling caster. He really should have let Cain handle it.
Yep. And sorry to pick on you so much Fargo. Just having a little fun.
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
"Don't you have a cabin boy or something to load our s#*#?" she barks at Odenkirk.
Odenkirk turns as though to glare at Kalina, then smiles. "Aye, he is sitting in cabin. And he'll be glad to load it as soon as ye find it."
Looking around are her slowly gathering companions, she shrugs. "Three months sitting on our asses and no one thought to bring the ogre along to hump this stuff aboard?" She kicks at her dropped pack, the toe of her boot dinging satisfactorily against the rather expensive piece of magical armor within...
At Kalina's mention of the ogre, the captain pauses, stares up towards the mansion, then turns back to readying the ships, shaking his head.
Cain... |
Cain sees the look the captain gives Thorn's mansion, "Big lad we helped out of a scrape... not exactly one of ours."
Onn his way by with another of the group's bags, Cain grunts at the struggling half-elf. He roughly grabs the bag from Fargo, nearly lifting the half-elf off the ground with it, and barks out a laugh, "Not that I like to look at him, but your bud Teon mighta been more useful with these bags."
When Odenkirk mentions splitting the group between the ships, Cain stops, barely avoiding letting out an annoyed growl. "Don't exactly remember that bein' a part of the arrangement."
Still half-attempting to look the part of the servant/footman, he doesn't' say another word, seeing how the group will handle the captain's order.
Dropped a post in the Discussion… we gonna try to convince him otherwise?
Cain... |
When no one speaks up, Cain simply makes a decision, carrying Gwyn's bag up onto the Frosthammer, tossing it into their designated area. He then grabs his own gear in addition to Price's bag, and hauls them over to the other ship. As he passes the group once again, he nods over to Jakes, "You comin'? You, me, and Price over on the other ship. The rest can stay here on the Captain's ship."
I'll assume since no one is stepping up to dissuade the captain that we're splitting up.
Kalina Jakes |
As he passes the group once again, he nods over to Jakes, "You comin'? You, me, and Price over on the other ship. The rest can stay here on the Captain's ship."
"Right then..."
Jakes shoulders her pack again and gives one last long look at the manor house. "I've had enough of this place. Let's get moving."
To Odenkirk, she says with a laugh, "Well don't just stand there directing traffic, Captain. Up anchor, reef the mainsail, and all that."
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
Seeing as none of us have a clue how to work a ship, I would guess so.
Gwyn hides a snicker behind her hand, but can't quite stop smiling at Jakes' comment.
"Go on then, You and Price can leave me all by my lonesome with this ruffians." her smile turns into a grin as she settles in on the Frosthamar. She double shecks her gear and clothing to make sure that everything is in order before using the sack of clothes as a pillow and softly singing a song.
Perform(sing): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Once there was a man,
Who thought himself so gran'.
He declared to all around
That he would never touch the ground.
So he stole the wings of an angel bright
He desired and envied her graceful flight.
He flew and he flew to soaring heights
and upon the sun did wish to alight.
The angel he robbed did sob and sob.
"How wicked a man to, an angel, rob"
So she prayed and prayed his fall.
The one who flew so tall.
He stole the wings of an angel bright
He desired and envied her graceful flight.
He flew and he flew to soaring heights
and upon the sun did wish to alight.
The sun did answer her vengeful prayer
And burned the wings without a care.
To the ground he fell
His doom already spelled
He stole the wings of an angel bright
He desired and envied her graceful flight.
He flew and he flew to soaring heights
and the sun those stolen pinions did light.
He fell to the ground below
A thousand curse he did bellow.
To Hell with thee
A demon you be
He stole the wings of an angel bright
He desired and envied her graceful flight.
He damned her to burn
Into a demon she turned.
All because of her wings so bright.
Price |
"Go on then, You and Price can leave me all by my lonesome with this ruffians."
The unusually retiring Price finally speaks up - in earnestness. "Yes, as my ward, I do have concerns about your safety on this vessel." She approaches Odenkirk, her voice prim. "I expect you maintain discipline rigorously aboard your ship, Captain. So, I trust you'll have a word with your men to ensure my ward isn't accosted. And I'll be communicating ship-to-ship with my colleagues here while we are underway to ensure everyone is behaving himself." She looks towards the house, obliquely indicating their patron "I don't think I need to mention that your business interests may suffer if I'm disappointed in this matter." She doesn't wait for his agreement before leaving.
I figure we need a way to communicate and coordinate during the voyage - particularly when it comes time to take both ships. Hence the reason I want to establish ship-to-ship 'check ins'. Does anyone have Message as a spell or something similar?
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
Captain Odenkirk can be heard grumbling as Price walks away, "Should've asked fer more, bringing wenches aboard my ship. Bad luck."
The boats are readied and the voyage begins. The first half day begins with the boats traveling down the Varnyn River before breaking into the ocean itself. Heavily laden, neither boat travels quickly though still faster than traversing by land. You all see numerous fisherman along the shores, Kargeld waving at most as you all pass. When questioned, he simply responds, "Wouldn't want ta seem suspicious."
While the travel is somewhat pleasant, the boat itself is not. With not a single cabin aboard, you all stay out with the crew amidst the crates of weapons bound for the north. Meals are hardtack and small beer. No garderobes or chamber pots aboard, you must relieve yourselves over the side as the sailors do. Several sailors, thinking to catch a glance, are observed neary. But Odenkirk quickly shuts them up, a violent strike to one particularly vulgar man. Odenkirk glares at the crew, addressing them sternly. "Ye can do your whorin' at port or ye can get off my ship."
A week passes in this fashion, the sailors keeping their distance as best able on such a small boat. Odenkirk himself rarely speaks unless to curse his luck or to curse one of his men. He stays far from the group when possible.
On the 7th day of travel, as you near the Watchwall, Price happens to see traveling towards you another ship. One sailing the flag of the Talirean army. The ship is faster than the ones you currently travel. Cain, Fargo and Gwyn make out the ship shortly thereafter. One thing is clear, it means to intercept.
Cain 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Fargo 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Gwyndolin 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Kalina 1d20 ⇒ 13
Price 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
Shulme 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Xanos 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Odenkirk 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Cain... |
Xzaral: Cain, Price, and Jakes are not on Odenkirk's ship, right?
Cain spends the week observing. Knowing his way around the ship could turn out helpful… knowing the strengths and weaknesses of all the sailors could be lifesaving.
A week of observation of the crew, learning what he can, but specifically looking for anything observable about the men he'll eventually be required to murder. Don't know what I expect out of the roll, but I don't want to waste the week… might as well get to know the enemy.
Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23.
He's taken to keeping his falchion and bow on him at all waking hours, keeping up the appearances of hired security. And on the seventh day, as Price points out the ship sailing its intercept course, Cain stands by the side rail of the ship, armed as he usually is.
"This could get interesting. Let's see if we can get these men on their way quickly - preferably without a fight."
Cain grunts without taking his eyes off the slowly growing ship. His voice is equally low, "Fine with me. If it does come to a fight, though, how easy you think it is to sink a ship like that? Fire their sails? Snap the mast? Anything we can do without having to actually get our hands bloody would be nice."
He begins scanning the ship for its ranged capacity.
Archers? Ballista? Anything of the sort in view?
Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13.
Shulme-Silule |
Shulme keeps apart from the sailors (as far as is possible on a small ship). He takes no part in the work of sailing, and often sleeps during the day and watches the sky at night, taking careful notes on the positions of the stars.
--------
Shulme is seeming to doze by the mast when the Talirean ship is spotted, but when a warning is given he rouses himself and joins his companions.
The sorcerer reaches for the iron circlet, eyeing it speculatively. A few moments later, Timeon stands among the others after all.
The squire glances at Gwyndolin.
"Perhaps you would like to play the part of a knight of Talingarde?"
King Markadian V |
What, you rolled a 25!
Kalina Jakes |
Summoned by Price's warning, Kalina buckles on her sword belt as she quickly makes for the bow, rudely shoving a sailor out of the way.
Cain grunts without taking his eyes off the slowly growing ship. His voice is equally low, "Fine with me. If it does come to a fight, though, how easy you think it is to sink a ship like that? Fire their sails? Snap the mast? Anything we can do without having to actually get our hands bloody would be nice."
"I know that make. Standard Talingarde patrol cutter. Not more than a dozen armed men usually." She smirks. "Standard customs inspection is for the commander to come aboard with about half. The rest are archers that cover the inspection from the deck.
She glances off to the side, eying the other ship carrying Odenkirk and the rest of their group. "Not sure how they'll handle two ships. Not going to put themselves in between, 'less that commander is a stone cold idiot." Turning to Price, she says, "I know you're the brains of this outfit, but if we can get the commander out of sight and below decks, we might be able to send him back aboard his own ship with a few alterations..." Jakes raises an eyebrow and taps the Cardinal's iron circlet hanging from her belt....
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
Gwyn desperately wishes she had borrowed some books from Thorn's library, but since she didn't, she just observes and makes mental notes on who seems to keep their eyes on her the most, and for what reasons.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
-------
"I don't thing that'll work. I know next to nothing about knights, I was supposed to keep up with the soft nobles. Besides, I'm better striking from the shadows."
As if to put weight to her words she finds a convenient crate to hide behind, she uses her circlet to take the from of a fey of about her build.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Disguise (If needed): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Price |
She glances off to the side, eying the other ship carrying Odenkirk and the rest of their group. "Not sure how they'll handle two ships. Not going to put themselves in between, 'less that commander is a stone cold idiot." Turning to Price, she says, "I know you're the brains of this outfit, but if we can get the commander out of sight and below decks, we might be able to send him back aboard his own ship with a few alterations..." Jakes raises an eyebrow and taps the Cardinal's iron circlet hanging from her belt....
Price nods, absorbing the swordswoman's information, and damn glad for her familiarity with Talirean military matters. "Unfortunately, we're on the wrong ship to influence events. I suspect the Captain has a way to handle the patrol. We just have to be ready to act if things go wrong." Price finds the sailor in charge of Stormrider. "How do you handle patrols like this? What is the Captain likely to do?"
FWIW - my assumption is that Price was using the circlet to hide her ID even from the crew, adopting a forgettable but patrician noble-woman's face. The rest of the disguise is just a nice dress that she got from the Cardinal.
Cain... |
FWIW - my assumption is that Price was using the circlet to hide her ID even from the crew, adopting a forgettable but patrician noble-woman's face. The rest of the disguise is just a nice dress that she got from the Cardinal.
Xzaral, is it too late to say thta we've been doing this since we met the captain and his crew? It's the smart thing to do -- given that our names and descriptions may have gained some notoriety after their escape from Branderscar. If so, Cain's common disguise would be a man of his size and height, but with fairer skin, hair, and more normal-colored eyes.
Fargo Drinog |
Fargo joins Gwyn hiding behind the stack of crates. Instead of shyly looking at his feet as he often does when in close quarters with her, he presses his fingers together and begins to chant in a low whisper.
Fargo is beginning the ritual to summon Teon. It take one minute. If we have not been boarded before that minute is up, he will use the circlet to assume a generic sailor shape.
Kalina Jakes |
Price wrote:FWIW - my assumption is that Price was using the circlet to hide her ID even from the crew, adopting a forgettable but patrician noble-woman's face. The rest of the disguise is just a nice dress that she got from the Cardinal.Xzaral, is it too late to say thta we've been doing this since we met the captain and his crew? It's the smart thing to do -- given that our names and descriptions may have gained some notoriety after their escape from Branderscar. If so, Cain's common disguise would be a man of his size and height, but with fairer skin, hair, and more normal-colored eyes.
Likewise - assuming Mark allows the retrofit - Jakes always wanted to be a blond.....with a horrible scar running down her face. Blatant enough that her new description can't be chalked up to makeup and hair dye, at least
Kalina Jakes |
The sailor turns to Price and gives her a smile. "We run, we bribe, or we fight. And I don't see the cap'n gettin' out the box, so I think he be wantin' ta fight."
Jakes strokes the pommel of her longsword. "Fine by me. Always wanted to sink a ship..."
King Markadian V |
I'm fine with people assuming disguises, just please let me know what you look like so I can adjust reactions accordingly.
The ships themselves, based on what I can remember (don't have the book available right at present) are similar to a viking karvi, a type of longship. It's a single deck, about 8' wide (we'll say 10 for battlemat purposes), 60' long, and sits very shallow in the water (about 1.5'). It has 10 rows of benches in it allowing 20 people to row if required, a single square sail to aid in propulsion. With the supplies for the bugbears loaded, it's difficult to maneuvar (difficult terrain). The sides do curve up enough that they would provide cover from arrows if you kneel down, and total cover if you drop prone.
The other ship is faster than your ships, but faster as in you have a good 10 minutes before it'll reach you.
Shulme-Silule |
"Very well. If you cannot manage the deception, then it seems likely to come down to a fight." Shulme nods to Gwyn. He discards Timeon's appearance and assumes that of a middle-aged clergyman, leaning heavily on his Iomedaean-marked spear and watching the Talirean ship approach.