Lilo's sudden increase in size does draw some attention among the colonists, but nothing major. Imogene and Carylis look at him intently, as does one of the guards, but nobody comes over to bother you.
“Ah Yes, Vero could easily bear down any lesser creature on the ship. It won’t be our finest moment but it will give us something to do.” said in agreement with Rommin
Excellent. That will help protect the food stores on the ship.
Corvus supresses a sigh at Lilo's antics. Too much testosterone in too confined a space. Best to let the men finish posturing before adding anything to the conversation.
Corvus smiles and nods appreciatively as the men take it in turns to explain how good they are.
You talk for several hours, discussing each others' strengths and weaknesses, and get all your stories straight in case of further questioning. Supper comes, and again you can observe the disparity between your food and the prisoners' food. Wat and Chase both decline any offers from you of sharing, but will give in if pressured enough.
The ship continues to lurch and sway throughout the evening, although the weather seems fine. The smell of so many bodies down in this lower hold is starting to permeate the air, which, combined with the movement, makes your stomachs a little tender.
The lower hold is lit by two torches, which would seem to be a bad idea, except that neither torch gives off either smoke or heat. Even with all this light, it is gloomy and dark. Light is absorbed and blocked by piles of crates and the ropes and tools that hang suspended from the deck above you.
Once dark has completely fallen, Nate Hogginside jumps up onto a 5-foot high pile of crates, sings a few notes and a lute appears in his hands. He then begins regaling the lower hold with a series of bawdy and raunchy songs that have Wat's face beet, beet red. The rest of the crowd seems to enjoy it, however, and even the soldiers begin to tap their feet to the beat. Others push unsecured barrels aside to clear a small dancing space and begin to move about to the music. The music seems to have especially gotten to a pair of very ugly human women, who try to sidle up to Rommin, flashing their eyelids in a sort of hideous sultriness.
Eriniyes makes Wat eat at least one piece of meat from her plate. She tells him that if is to become strong he will need better food than what they are currently given.
While eating, Wat notices a red snake slither between an opening of Eriniyes' clothing. Seeing his reaction she tells him not to be afraid, that the snake is her friend and confidant, and that the snake would never harm him.
Is it poisonous? Wat asks, whispering breathlessly, eyes as big as saucers.
"If he wants to be" she replies. "But he is nice, see" Just then the viper raises out of a fold in her clothing just enough for Eriniyes to pet its head like dog or a cat. The reptile's face seems to smile. "OK, bye bye" she says softly, and the snake hides from view.
"You're right to be afraid of most snakes Wat, but this one is...different. You'll see. Once he gets used to you, I will let you pet him if you'd like. But for now just rest assured that he is our friend and he won't hurt you. I told him so."
Titus easily lets his guard down as all the others around him laugh and enjoy himself. He claps along with the music but abstains from dancing, the presence of a lady still being alien environs. The big man will laugh and have a good time, especially trying to ease the tension he may have created between himself and Lilo, then will go to his hammock smiling, ending his first day of freedom.
The horse-faced ladies look saddened as Rommin leaves to go up on deck, but they're quickly over him and (after briefly trying their luck with Chase and turning away in disgust when they see his huge scar) start pining after Hobart!
Hobart gives some of his supper to Wat and Chase, refusing to take back what he puts on their plates. He discusses with Rommin the possibility of bow fishing to add to their food, and to give some to the rest of the prisoners. He enjoys the music, and laughs at Rommin when the ladies basically chase him up on deck, only when they turn their attentions on Hobart does he seem at a loss. Never really having been the object of pursuit by a woman Hobart does his best to be polite to them. He reddens as Wat would if the women become forward. Insisting that these are far to close of quarters for any kind of intimacy beyond a friendly dance. He will suggest amongst his friends that they take turns at a watch. he quietly will say I just think it is in our best interest. One on watch at a time should be sufficient. He is happy to take any turn at watch that seems to be unwanted, but prefers one of the late watches. He will pray for Detect Poison, instead of Detect Magic.
Rorse will dance some of the more traditional halfling dances while Hogginside plays his tunes. Enjoying the music and liveliness of the people, he will be one of the last to calm down. He is just as happy to carry on all by himself, but he won’t turn down any dance partners, though he would be quick to turn the pair of sisters away, saying something to the effect of, if you can’t dance with chase you can’t dance with me.
Preform:
Rorse finally seems to tire after Dancing about for the better part of the night.
That is sound logic to me Hobart, Vero and I will watch first with you, Lilo. responding to Lilo’s query.
"I too am more than used to keeping watch for hours on end, so perhaps I should be paired with someone less experienced?"
Corvus smiles politely and casts her gaze across those assembled to see who is willing to join her in the duties.
"I can see well at night, but I am inexperienced at searching for dangers at sea. I offer myself to be whatever service is needed."
Whatever watch schedule you decide upon, you easily make it through your first night on board ship. The ship is quiet and peaceful at night, other than the snoring which comes from all around you, especially Hogginside, who it seems is a loud mouth asleep as well as awake. Dim light slants in down the ladders when people begin to stir.
None of you are seafarers, and the constant rolling of the ship begins to take its toll. Please make Fortitude saves upon waking up, 15 passes and you feel little more than a faint stirring in your gut, 10-14 leaves you sickened for the day, while less than 10 leaves you nauseated, pretty much unable to do anything other than lie in your hammock, groan, and wolf your cookies (which begins adding to the unpleasant aromas of the lower hold).
Fortitude:
Hmmm, well maybe we could afford to do one person watches while on the ship. after all we know there aren't mondsters on board, and even if there were , I doubt they'd start here. wake me up after your watch Lilo.
Rorse and vero will attempt to sleep through the rocking, both Vero and Rorse sleep in the hammock that he set up.
Rorse fort:
Vero fort
Rorse woke up in a cold sweat doing his best to make it to an empty bucket. Vero whins at the fact that Rorse is keep little of his food down. In a rare event rRorse will lay in the hammock quietly obviously not being himself.
Feeling shaky but still managing to keep his food down, Titus will go to the ship's galley and see if there's anything the cook can recommend to help his friends feel better or keep their nutrients down, reasoning that they can't be the only ones getting seasick and that the ship must have some kind of preparation for this sort of thing.
"As for watches, I hope it's not necessary aboard the ship. We already have guards, but if you lot think it's absolutely needed, I'd prefer last watch. I like to get up early anyway."
Hobart just knew this sea travel was going to not agree with him. He spends the day miserably in his hammock.
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Fortitude save
Lilo seems to find his sealegs quickly..he looks concernedly as his friends suffer moving amongst them during the day carrying a bucket ad trying to keep their sprits up.
"There, there it'll all get better soon you just have to get used to the motion..that gentle swaying..the up and..oh sorry..here's the bucket
There are many others down on this deck in the same predicament as yourselves. Wat pukes up his guts, though Chase seems fine. There's a bit of a row as Kuras upchucks all over Nate and Imogene doesn't look so uppity and frosty down on her knees with her head in a bucket.
For those of you able to move about, the day passes uneventfully. At night, Nate tries to entertain you all again, though very few people are feeling like dancing this night.
You're awoken before dawn the next morning by a thump against the hull. The ship is blessedly still, and you quickly discern that you have arrived in port in Absalom, a few hours shy of dawn.
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Lilo rushes up on deck when the ship anchors
"Hey it's Absolam" he shouts "I always wanted to see Absolam..do you think we'll get ashore here?"
He gawps at the sights of the worlds Largest city..the bustling port, the Tower of Nex looming over everything even at this distance..then realises he is virtually naked.
"Ahh..oops"
He bolts below again to dress
Titus watches the approaching port next to the nude halfling. "Maybe we will, depends on the commander. Sir Kheiron seemed like he wouldn't want us just taking off once we got to Absalom, so he may say something against it. You might want to get some clothes on before a gull takes off with your pecker." He laughs and waits to see if any others are looking to get off the ship once it puts in at Absalom.
On the first day, Corvus wished she were dead. The combination of pain, nausea and embarrassment left her wishing for the confines of her prison cell once more - well almost.
On the second day, Corvus awoke to wonder what all the fuss of the previous day was about. Mindful that pride often precedes something less pleasant, she keeps her enthusiasm muted for the time being. Besides, the ship docking at Absalom seems to hev invigorated even the most ill of passengers.
Rorse and Vero cuatiously find thier way to the deck of the ship, the stillness was almost suspicous after the last night, He continued over to Tits and arrived just in time to hear the truth of why Sailors hated seagulls. It was quite understandle too, if they did all that.
Rorse and Vero hunker down with their backs to the sea. He ponders how best to approach the subject of bringing more halflings on board, perhaps a broader question of if they would take on more passengers would be best. if they were looking for care free people, well halflings were it. Perhaps a promise of freeland or some such could get a whole burrow to join the ships... he smiled to himself as he pictured rolling green hills filled with burrow after burrow and den after halfling den. His people were quick to populate and area and they were a steady hand at anything they set their mind to do. He then grinned even wider as he pictured helping fill the other ships up as well. If they managed to truly inspire a migration perhaps they would find merchants as well that would be able to bring along food as well.
If he could get off the ship, he had things to acomplish in deed.
Day two Fort Save:
day two
One of the colonial officers comes down to address you all (and no, that does not mean the actual prisoners as well). He tells you that you have put into port and are granted shore leave during the day, but ask that you return to the ship by nightfall or your berth will be forfeited. You expect to remain in Absalom for two days and will leave first thing on the 9th of Gozran.
Hobart is happy to feel solid land under his feet. He decides the first order of business is to find an herbalist. He is searching for a remedy for seasickness. He is happy to have anyone along who is interested, and even lets everyone know what his plan for the day is.
"Agreed Lilo." and it was true, he would be more than happy to see a piece of the world that meant real freedom for his people, but it was still a matter of convincing everyone involved it was a good idea. Rorse so far was undedicded on what to do with his day on solid ground,he knew he wanted to try to get as many of his kind on the ships and all it would take is a trip to the ghettos to find those that would be looking for a new start. but then would the ships take on those that were from mild beginings.
Rorse went about the ship looking for Lord Brycen with Vero in tow.he had something important to dicuss with the man.
Hobart has barely to step off the ship before he is met by several greasy peddlers with trays of charms and remedies for all sorts of things one would encounter at sea: from seasickness, to scurvy, to warding off sea monsters, to an amulet guaranteed to repel the songs of sirens. Taking one look at the random wilted herbs, however, Hobart probably feels his coin can be better spent elsewhere and indeed, he can find much more reputable-looking shops where he finds packets of herbs that when consumed will grant him a +5 bonus on his save (for 1 sp each).
Rorse learns that Lord Brycen is in his cabin, preparing to head to shore.
Hobart plops down 8sp for 8 doses of the herbs to help him through. when he gets back to the ship he will give 2 to Wat with the instruction that he is to take one tomorrow morning and the next the day after. He also lets the rest of the gang know where he found the medicine if anyone wants to go get some.
Eriniyes sets out for a day of bartering amongst the bustling crowd of the city. Having had a day to think about her new life, she sets out with a list of items to purchase:
- 1 chest
- 10 lamps
- 5 mugs
- 1 mirror
- 5 bars of soap
- sewing needle/cloth and knitting supplies
- 5 fishhooks
- 4 winter blankets
- 4 doses of herbs for sea travel
- many cheap trinkets and inexpensive jewelry totaling 10 GP
After her purchases she finds the nicest looking place to eat, and spends 15 GP on a wonderful meal with a few glasses of wine. She finishes in time to see a show at the theatre. Even though it is a comedy, she is in tears as she leaves the performance.
It's a drizzly day for those of you traipsing about the city on your shopping trips, but you are easily able to find the things you all mention.
Assuming Rorse does go to see Lord Brycen in his cabin...
Actually my lord I was wondering ifwe were taking on more passengers? If so I would go look for more skilled and hardy folk.