The Elucidating Sojourn


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Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000

The Elucidating Sojourn

Character Hooks:

FOR RIX

Spoiler:
You had given up hope of finding your sister until a contact of yours approached you with some information. Apparently the Crimson Fang gang that Diz had hooked up with before disappearing is currently operating on the Isle of Stony Reach. Determined to find you sister again you “procured” passage aboard the next ship leaving for the island kingdom, the Shanty Queen, by stealing a barding pass from some witless travelers.

FOR STILGAR

Spoiler:
The road to home led you to the great port city of Altus. With the promise of a hot meal and soft bed you attempted to enter the city through the High Gate. Yet, prejudice barred your entry as several well armored and heavily armed guards “encouraged” you to seek entry through the Carpet Gate further south. As the sun set, you wandered through a makeshift neighborhood of the poor and diseased living in carpet covered shacks and tents on the way to the gate, only to find it closed until the next day. Trying to find any bit of hospitality amongst the outcast of Altus was proving futile until a kind seeming dwarf with a beard tied in dozens of braids offered you comfort and stew at his fire. Hungry and tired you accepted, but something in the stew made your head spin and the last thing you recall is the dwarf saying, ”You’ll be fetchin’ a pretty fine price.”

Please keep your posts in spoiler tags until you are joined with the rest of the group

FOR LEILI

Spoiler:
You were prepared to make your last stand. After several days of trying to elude an angry band of Shundar-Quah you found yourself trapped on the coast with nothing but sea ahead of you and raging barbarians surrounding you. You were outnumbered and prepared to die with honor but then Captain Stonewave landed a boat on the shore. The dwarf with a beard of braids brought a ragtag group of sailors to your aid and soon the Shundar-Quah were either dead or in chains. Afterwards the dwarf praised your warrior skills and offered you a job as a guard upon his ship with orders to keep his crew in line and defend the craft from pirates. For the past few months the Shanty Queen has been your home. Currently the ship has been running a trade route from Altus to Port Sunmoor on the Isle of Stony Reach.

FOR BURRLOFT

Spoiler:
The Emporium has been a wonderful place to ply your craft. Operated by an elven merchant the building houses many booths were craftsmen of all sorts work together, sharing ideas and techniques. Recently a broach you crafted caught the eye of Prince Blake of Stony Reach. Not only did he purchase it, but he commissioned you to create a set of wedding jewelry for his bride to wear at their nuptial ceremony. Now that the intricately made bracelet, necklace, and ear rings are done you must deliver them to his Highness on the Isle of Stony Reach before the wedding. To do so you have made arrangements to leave Altus on the marrow aboard the Shanty Queen.

FOR GERR

Spoiler:
Papa Dav is well known around the Eastwall Ward for having the best baked goods and the kindest heart. When he came to you with tears in his eyes and a horrible tale about his missing granddaughter, Amely, you knew you had to do something. After a fortnight of searching and questioning you think you have discovered a lead. Rumors suggest that a ship know as the Shanty Queen is used by slavers to smuggle captured young women out of Altus to less civilized lands. With a few inquires made in the Dock Ward you now know that the ship is leaving for the Isle of Stony Reach on the marrow. If you could find a way to gain passage aboard the ship you might be able to discover where the lost girl has gone.

FOR YAR

Spoiler:
Your father has honored you with a special task. Queen Wendda of the Isle of Stony Reach has purchased two superior riding horses, imported from the southern desert land of Madessca, as a wedding gift for her son Prince Blake and his bride Lady Claudia. To ensure the horses are delivered in time for the ceremony your father has had to arrange to transport them from Altus aboard a freelance captains ship, the Shanty Queen. Since your father doesn’t trust the captain, a dwarf known as Stonewave, he is sending you to make certain the horses are delivered.


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000

The Elucidating Sojourn

Part I: Journey of the Shanty Queen

Altus is the last remaining free city in the lands of Terran. Ruled by a council and defended by its independent militia it has held free of being enveloped by the Daklovi Empire. On this particular morning the Dock Ward is busy with the loading of ships. At the end of a pier you find the Shanty Queen. Dockworkers are loading the last of the cargo as a dwarf with a beard (tied in dozens of braids) shouts orders at them. Between bellowing his commands he seems to be arguing with a well dressed man who is accompanied by a lady with a babe in arms.

The gentleman is pleading, ”Captain Stonewave, you must remember that I purchased the boarding passes from you just three days past. One for myself and one each for my wife and child, you sold them to me. I have no idea where my pass could have gone, but surely with their two you will let us all board.”

The dwarf replies, “I told ye once already, no pass no passage! And don’t be thinkin’ you can be pullin’ any funny stuff or Leili be givin’ you the tough end o’ her axe”

Standing guard at the top of the gangway is a tall, lithe young woman. She wears form-fitting studded leather and carries herself as though she's ready for a fight at any moment. She bars the way resting the head of a great axe on the top of the gangplank.

FOR RIX

Spoiler:
You recognize the gentleman as the traveler whom you lifted your boarding pass from

FOR LEILI

Spoiler:
From your spot atop the gangway you can see the wife is almost in tears.

FOR BURLOFT AND YAR

Spoiler:
Each of you has a boarding pass.

FOR GERR

Spoiler:
With out a boarding pass you will need to find some way to get aboard.

FOR STILGAR

Spoiler:
You awaken in the dark wooden hold of a ship. Iron bars prevent you from leaving a small cell. Beyond the bars you can see various cargo crates, two fine stallions tethered in makeshift stalls, and your personal belongings piled just out of reach. The only things accompanying you in the cell are a few piles of straw and a rusty pail that smells of excrement.


Spoiler:
Stilgar grips the bars of his cell, shaking them. Stilgar is intentionally weakening the bars particularly where they intersect with the wood.


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000
Stilgar wrote:
** spoiler omitted **

FOR STILGAR

Spoiler:
Make a d20 roll and add your STR modifier



Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000
Stilgar wrote:
** spoiler omitted **

FOR STILGAR

Spoiler:
You tug at the bars, but the drugs seem to have left you in a weakened state.


"If you all wish so desperately to stay together then you can all stay on dry land" Leili points out in a matter of fact tone from her position at the head of the gangplank, seemingly unmoved by the family's plight.


Male Human Cleric of Gozreh 1

Yar waits patiently as the debate continues in front of him. When the opportunity arises he boards the ship, and immediately looks to his charge, to ensure that they are well cared for.


Female Elf Rogue 1

Heading to the pier with a sauntering stride, Rix suddenly notices the family trying to book passage.

Spoiler:
Woops! That was close! Maybe I'll wait a few minutes before boarding...

She halts and nonchalantly wanders over to a nearby merchant's stall, perhaps to purchase some last minute necessities for her voyage. Idly inspecting the merchant's wares, she makes a careful scan of the surroundings and the people present.

Perception (sight) (1d20+6=24)


Gerr walks up to the dwarf and stops in front of him. "How much for a pass?"


Spoiler:
Stilgar looks over his cell, trying to find anything that he can use to pry the bars wide or at least a weapon.


Male Gnome Wizard (Transmuter) Level 1

Burloft tromps up the gangplank and waits among the people discussing boarding option or lack thereof. And he waits. And he waits. The wait is interminable... it must easily streach out to two minutes of talking or more. If its not study or appreciating jewelry, what was the point of taking that long?? But these people seem sincere, it would be tragic if they had purchased tickets and lost them. After almost a whole other moment, he reaches forward and tugs on the lady's skirt. "Pardon me, madame, I'm aware of my status as an uninvited participant in this conversation, but I can't help but overhear your lamentable predicament... do you think the possibility exists that you might have accidentally stowed the requisite passes away in the your baby's travel satchel? Or even twined in the swaddings for the nipper?"

When the stuation presents itself, Burloft will pull his pass from his sleeve and hand it over to the human woman. "Burloft Folldorall, ready to accept assigned passage, good woman. Here is my bil of passage, which quarters are mine to repair to?"


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000
Stilgar wrote:
** spoiler omitted **

FOR STILGAR

Spoiler:
Please make a Perception Skill Check


Spoiler:

Keep forgeting the rolls.

Perception (1d20+6=24)


Gerr waits for his answer, but as he does, he studies the young woman with the axe. Does she seem honorable?

Sense Motive: 1d20 7=21


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000

As each of you approach the gangway, the dwarf steps to the front of it barring your passage on board. “Boarding passes.”, he bellows gruffly. He collects the rolled parchments carefully checks the seals and lets both Yar and Burrloft pass saying sternly, “Wait on deck for these others, an then Leili be showin’ ya to the cabin.” Turning to Gerr he says, “The ship has been fully booked but it seems this fella is one pass short, if he don’t come up with his passage I’ll sell ya his bunk for 70gold.”

The family standing to the side is distraught and the man barely notices the gnome waving off his suggestions as he continues to plead, “But sir, I must get my family to the Isle for my daughters naming ceremony.”

FOR RIX

Spoiler:
Watching the others you can see that the wife of the pleading man is in tears, the women at the top of the gangplank looks like she knows how to handle her axe, and the Captain has a shifty grin.

FOR YAR

Spoiler:
Any attempt to move beyond the area at the top of the gangway results in several of the crew blocking your way informing you that it isn’t safe to move about the ship while they are loading the cargo.

FOR GERR

Spoiler:
She seems as if she follows her own code, probably vastly different then yours.

FOR STILGAR

Spoiler:
Aside for the bucket and the hay the only other thing in the cell is a short, thick chain (a foot in length) with one manacle attached that you find under the hay. It seems the other cuff has been lost.


Male Human Cleric of Gozreh 1

Yar is suspicious that they won't let him by to check on the horses. Is all as it seems?


Gerr nods to the dwarf. "Keep me informed." He then walks purposely over to the young woman. He nods a greeting, keeping his hands well clear of his weapons. "Ma'am, I have reason to believe that this ship might be carrying illegal slaves. All I need to confirm or deny this rumor once and for all is to have a brief look belowdecks. You may accompany me to mind my honesty, but I believe that the captain might be in on it. You seem honorable, however, and I believe I can trust your honor. Will you aid me?"


Leaning against her axe Leili raises a single dark eyebrow at the man's request. "Look, it's great that you're wanting to be a hero and do the right thing but I'm not taking you below deck. I'm here to do my job, which is to only let on people with passes and then escort people to their bunks" She informs him bluntly "You'll need to get the captain's permission to snoop around his ship before I let you down there"


Spoiler:
Stilgar checks the chain if he can use it as a weapon, i.e. if it is attached to some other part of the cell.


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000
Yar Barkman wrote:

Yar is suspicious that they won't let him by to check on the horses. Is all as it seems?

** spoiler omitted **

FOR YAR

Spoiler:
They deffinatly seem to be hiding something.


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000
Stilgar wrote:
** spoiler omitted **

FOR STILGAR

Spoiler:
It is not attached, it could be used like a weapon. Treat it as a light flail with a -2 attack adjustment, and a -1 dmg adjustment.


Spoiler:
Silgar hides the chain under the straw. He smiles feeling very proud of his cunning. Me got weapon. Now, how me get out?


Gerr nods at the woman. "Very well. Thank you for your time." He tips his hat and walks over to the dwarf.

"Captain, I believe you might be carrying slaves belowdecks. I can bring the Guard, but I'd rather settle this quickly and easily without a great deal of fuss. I understand it's bad for business. Will you take me below? If I am incorrect, I will trouble you no more."


Female Elf Rogue 1

Rix saunters down the pier, pausing behind the couple.

She hisses a whisper to the man:

Spoiler:
"You should only need passes for adults. Put the baby into a sack and carry it on board as luggage. Once it sets sail, what can they do?"

Satisfied, she walks up to the barbarian woman and hands over her pass.


Male Gnome Wizard (Transmuter) Level 1

Burrloft, who had been pacing the deck (within the proscribed area) was getting annoyed. There was no reason to keep him here like cattle, he should be allowed to go to his quarters. Preposterous about staying here for safety. Being of the small folk, he knew that it was safer to be ensconced in his room that standing in an area to be tripped over by some swarthy, oblivious stevedore. He was getting angry enough to consider some mischief, but then he heard that big human asking questions of the woman and captain about slavery... "The slave trade certainly doesn't sit well with me" he thought to himself "Maybe a modicum more patience is necessitated to see this scene play itself out."


Spoiler:
Stilgar starts tapping the bars of his cell, trying to catch the attention of anyone. He figures that screaming will only waste his strength.

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16

Sorry for the delay, My resturat was involved with Taste of Cincinnati this weekend and I have been putting in a ton of extra hours. I should have a post up later tonight.


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000

Spurned on by the elf’s whispers the man at the end of the pier pipes up, “Capitan, the child will take up no room at all. I dare say you shouldn’t have charge me for her passage. Now let us board or I’ll go to the harbor master about your unfair practices and this mans claims of wrong doing on your part will be carefully scrutinized.”

The dwarf waves his hands in disgust, “To the depths with you all! Leili, show the land lubbers to da travelers cabin while I be takin’ this liar below. I’ll not be havin’ the good name o’ the Shanty Queen tarnished by his likes. Lixandir make us ready for sea.”

The first mate, a large human man (boarding on giant) with a menacing scar where his left eye should be, responds with a gruff, “Aye cap’n.”

Leili leads everyone on deck, including the young family to the stern of the ship and down a small flight of stairs into a large room with several double bunks and lining the walls with trunks attached to the floor below them for stowing personal belongings. The room is dank and musty, lit up by a smudged glass oil lamp hanging from a chain in the center of the ceiling that casts shadows about the walls. There are enough bunks for everyone plus four extra that remain unclaimed.

The dwarf points Gerr in direction of the bow and leads him to a ladder that drops them down into the cargo hold.

FOR GERR & STILGAR

Spoiler:
Gerr: Below deck you find several crates and barrels tied and secured for travel. The dwarf allows you to lead the way down a narrow center aisle formed by the cargo towards the ships stern. From ahead you can hear a rhythmic tapping on metal. As you reach the back end of the ship you find yourself in a dark open back cargo area with two horses in makeshift stalls, a pile of adventures gear, and a half-orc imprisoned behind bars that run from floor to ceiling.

Stilgar: Your tapping seems to attract some attention as a man followed by a familiar looking dwarf enter the area your cell is located.

Both of you are in the same area, please keep your posts in spoilers until you are joined with the rest of the group again. Since you are together you can read each others spoilers unless you label it for the DM ONLY. Thanks

FOR RIX & YAR

Spoiler:
Each of you can hear a slight metallic taping noise that seems to be coming from below the floor of your cabin.


Spoiler:
Gerr scowls at the sight of the man in chains. "What is the meaning of this? Why is this man chained so? What is his crime to be jailed thus?"


Male Human Cleric of Gozreh 1

Spoiler:

Yar drops to his hands and knees, and places his ear against the boards. He then raps sharply on the ground..."Hello" he shouts, then places his ear against the ground.


Gerr Herricksen wrote:
** spoiler omitted **

For MD and Ger

Spoiler:
Stilgar tells the man, "Me not criminal! Them slavers! Be careful! He betray you!" He points to the dwarf.

Female Elf Rogue 1

Rix looks at the man on hands and knees, pressing his ear against the floor. She prods him gently with the toe of her boot.

"Whatcha hear down there, chief?"

Not deigning to join him on the floor, she tilts her head and listens more closely, gesturing everyone else in the room to be quiet.

Perception (sound) (1d20+6=8) So much for my keen elven senses! ;)


Spoiler:
So when you hear this autumn song
Clear your heads and get ready to run


Male Human Cleric 2 / Fighter 1

"Shhh"! "Sounds like a metallic tapping sound or something". "Definitely not something normal for a ship at harbor".


Spoiler:
Gerr rounds on the dwarf. "Enough of this charade, Captain! Free this man immediately or I'll bring the full force of the Guard and their Majesties' justice on your head!"


Spoiler:
"Yes, Captain! Listen to man!"


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000
Yar Barkman wrote:

Yar drops to his hands and knees, and places his ear against the boards. He then raps sharply on the ground..."Hello" he shouts, then places his ear against the ground.

** spoiler omitted **

FOR YAR:

Spoiler:
You hear the sounds of a man coughing bellow the floor


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000
Thelix Moody wrote:
"Shhh"! "Sounds like a metallic tapping sound or something". "Definitely not something normal for a ship at harbor".

ACTUALY YAR BARKMAN SAID THIS


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000

FOR GERR & STILGAR:

Spoiler:
As Gerr spins around to face the dwarf he turns face first into a cloud of olive colored dust. It's thick consistancy fills his nostrils and clings to the moisture on his lips and the man begins to hack and cough. Stilgar can only watch as the dwarf blows the dusty into the mans face with an evil smile.
Gerr needs to make a Fortitude save


For MD and Gerr

Spoiler:
Stilgar howls his outrage and takes his improvised flail and wraps it around two of the bars of his cell. "Crom, give me strength! Or the hell with you!" Blood pumps through Stilgar's veins and the beast within is unleashed. Rage On! Stilgar's pulls on his chain and on the bars to bend them enough to allow him to pass through.

Str Chk (1d20+5=25)

Wow! A Nat 20!


FOR MD AND STILGAR

Spoiler:
Gerr stumbles back, putting his hands over his face.

Fort Save: 1d20 2=11


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000

RIX, YAR, LEILI, BURLOFT:
There is a shudder, a creaking sound and then the snap of splintering wood as the floor of the cabin bursts from below. Through a small hole you can see the man from the pier (the one who brought the accusations of slavery up) lying on the cargo hold floor below. A half-orc is bellowing with rage as he tosses aside two bars from a cell that once contained him, the bars having been attached below the floor of the cabin. The Dwarven captain is drawing a fat headed hammer off of his belt preparing to defend himself from the monstrous looking prisoner. Two horses (recognized by Yar) are stomping in a panic inside two makeshift stalls.

FOR LEILI:

Spoiler:
You had no idea that the half-orc was a captive in the cargo holds jail. It is mostly used for crew who get out of line or drink to much whisky.

GERR, STILGAR:
The powder does its job (DC 14) and Gerr crashes to the floor unconscious. Stilgar yanks with all his might and yanks two of the cells bars right out of the wood, putting a hole in the ceiling where the bars were once attached.

FOR RIX, YAR

Spoiler:
You can feel from the rocking of the floor that the ship is pulling out of port.

The party is now effectively together so we no longer need to keep any posts inside spoilers unless the character deviates from the rest of the group or some other character only info is being addressed.


Stilgar screams at the dwarven captain, "Murderer! Yous killed him with powder!" He advances on the captain with his improvised flail.

"Murderer! Yous pay!"

Init (1d20+1=12)

Atk; Dmg with improvised flail (1d20+6=23, 1d6+5=10)

Stilgar swings his chain at the dwarven captain.


"Captain Stonewave!" Leili calls out, apparently torn between concern for the dwarf and anger at the confusing sight below.


Female Elf Rogue 1

Rix looks down into the hole. "Huh. That's interesting."

For a brief second, she seems to be weighing something in her head, then she shrugs. "Ah, what the hell!" And with a grin, she draws a sap from her belt and drops down into the hole.

Acrobatics (jump) (1d20+7=26)

Mythril DM:

Spoiler:
I'm not sure of the layout down below, but I'd like to try and get a sneak attack on the half-orc. Failing that, a sneak attack on the dwarf. But it depends on who I can get behind and flank most easily.


Male Human Cleric of Gozreh 1

Yar, not completely trusting the Captain anyway, makes a quick decision to aid the captive.

Sense Motive (1d20 2=13)

Spoiler:
Summon Monster I - Celestial Badger, to immediately flank the Captain, rage, and attack.

OOC: I will be out of town on business the first part of this week, and posting will be sporadic, so feel free to play Yar as you see fit.


Mid Morning Day 2 Total earned XP: 15,000

Since Gerr is curently under the effects of sleep I am just waiting on a post from Burrloft. We haven't lost you have we? I make the DM post sometime durring the day WED. with or without the gnomes post.


Male Gnome Wizard (Transmuter) Level 1

Sorry, no. I just had a horridly busy week and a half at work which included travel. I'll try to keep better abreast.

Burrloft's eyebrow arches up as he sees the half-orc who seems to be escaping bondage, the inert gentleman from the deck and the distasteful dwarven captain. Well, that captain is certainly an unsavory sort... I trust him less than the two whom I haven't actually met. "The captain presents himself as quite the big blowhard. Let us disause him of that notion." The gnome raises one hand and his ring glows with a lurid gold light. "Alz-Morphium et goh minreductumum." The light lances from his tiger-eye ring to the dwarf.

[Casting Reduce Person from ring(bound object): DC 20+1(spell level)+1(transmutatin spell= 22; duration 2 rounds]


Now he gets a bonus to AC for size!

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