half of your landman fall. fortunately none were in the rigging at the time.
Your remaining crew is pretty surefooted and rolls with the rolling water.
Sorrin you and Bri remain on your feet.
You can see several people on docks who have fallen. The scream of "MAN OVERBOARD!" can be heard from several ships and people on the docks. The splashing in the water is frenzied in certain locations and there are some blood spots on the water.
Ready ropes! Fish them out! Our men, then the others! Move, move!
Bri, help me breath in the water, please... He scans for the nearest person overboard.
Chell flails on the ground for a moment in impotent anger. "Seriously. One day. One day without a crisis. Ugh. What in the nine hells was that?"
There are a lot of lines and ladders being thrown into the waters. to your vision the closest two people have been pulled out, neither were injured. There's female merchant that was sell nuts near the end of your dock, she was pulled out and she was bit on the arm by a shark. Several of the ship sailors have harpooned, and shot bolts/arrows into the water to fend the sharks off. General chaos on the docks right now.
Chell flails on the ground for a moment in impotent anger. "Seriously. One day. One day without a crisis. Ugh. What in the nine hells was that?"
Pulling himself up, then lending a hand to Chell the cleric responds. "That was either an explosion or an earthquake.' he hurries to the doorway, "I agree just one day without a crisis...one day."
He works his way through the Chapterhouse checking on people making sure they are ok. He yells some directions to his acolyte and some of the staff.
"There's one...kill it!" A couple crew men scrabble for crossbows and bolts to shot at medium sized greyish colored shark.
Sorrin looks to spot a shark... hoping to feel Bri's tap on his shoulder. I don't see it!
Ptahh has his warrior stance going, he moves with the shaking floor but does not fall. He sees father Zalen emerge form the room a few moments later giving directions to staff and checking to see if everyone is ok.
"You alright there?" He ask Ptahh and Astri. "Explosion or earthquake?"
"I don't think it was an explosion."
Bri taps Sorrin. "You got it if you want it, but I wouldn't advise going into those waters right now."
Bri yells out to her crew. "Steady yourselves in case another of those hits and stay out of the rigging for a while! If anyone is close to our ship, through them a rope!"
Bri scans the water and will sleep hex any of the sharks she can see, especially if they are near any people.
Astrianna furrows her brows at Ptahh. "Your dagger? What do you- oh, shyte!"
Astrianna flings her arms out wide, half-made hair falling down her back as she balances. Grabbing on to a nearby pew, the half-elf gracefully rides out the quake.
When the rumbling has subsided she starts for the door. Tossing her head behind her she calls to Father Zalen. "We're fine!"
Jogging out of the chapterhouse the bard moves into the street, backing up until she has a good view of the omnipresent volcano to check if it had erupted or outgassed.
Jogging out of the chapterhouse the bard moves into the street, backing up until she has a good view of the omnipresent volcano to check if it had erupted or outgassed.
The top of the volcano seems to be in place, although the sulfuric steam continues to creep out of the peak of doom.
Astrianna covers her hear with her hand. "No explosion... and the volcano is intact. Must have been an earthquake. Potent one, I don't think I've ever felt one so strong. Someone must have pissed off Torag, or something."
She casually walks back inside, rubbing her temples. "By the way, what's the volcano called?"
One greyish blue shark float in the water.
Chell grumbles some more but eventually gets up and makes sure those things she knows are out of place go back. "We just got a ship so the others are rather concerned with it. I guess I should look into this black shark and I'll head down to Sharkjaw. Do you need anything more? I hate to leave knowing things are about to get hectic."
Chell makes her way back to the others in time to notice Jalia has already left. She just remembered Ms Ramires was another Wave Rider. Oh well. There was already a lot on her plate and likely a lot more to come after that shake. I wonder if anyone fell in the water.
"Well I have a few leads now," she starts. "Apparently a black shark is likely to blame. And a healer at Sharkjaw might be able to help. The Tulita too. I am going to the orphanage first to see if they remember what the shark looked like then Sharkjaw. Zalen has apparently dealt with some cases already. Already mostly prepared. Anything else you guys need?"
"Mount Harbringer" One of the parishioners says as she puts two coppers in the offering plate. He shakes his head back and forth when he notices the dagger on the plate. There's actually a few more people filing inside the building now, each tossing a copper or an occasional silver piece into the offering. Several people notice the dagger in the plate.
Sorrin grabs his bow, deciding diving in isn't needed at this time...
Ready crossbows! Fire!
The situation on the street clams down over the next hour or so, there is an increased dragoon presence to limit looting or extort protection money. The chapterhouse is busy. The taverns and drinking holes are even busier!
Astrianna chuckles softly when someone gives her the name of the mountain. "Volcanoes never have pleasant names, do they?"
She frowns at the dagger in the collection plate, and turns her head to Ptahh. "Is that really yours...? I heard she was a thief, but... How did I not see her take your dagger? Wait a minute... she grabbed onto my arm." The bard quickly checks her possessions to see if any are missing.
When Chell comes out she relaxes with relief when the priestess explains the situation. "Oh thank Calistria. Or Quell, I suppose, given our location. Chell you made it sound like it was the end of the world. If it's just one shark we can handle it, I thought all the sharks were to blame." I thought something was odd, lycanthrophy can only be spread by those affected by the curse.
Astrianna looks a bit skeptical about her going back to orphanage. "Honestly, I feel we have other things to do today. Now that I know the world isn't ending I would strongly suggest we do our planned job tonight. It's going to be at least another day before our ship is ready to go to Sharkjaw." She gestures towards the door. "Come with me and Ptahh, I'm going to speak to Jessica about the research I asked her to conduct on the Jawbone. It will help us decide how important tonight is."
She also indicates another reason they came. "Well Ptahh just unwittingly made our donation to Quell for Jard, thanks to Jalia. I'll tell you about it later... We still need a Gentle Repose for Jard though."
Astrianna curses as she realizes one of her potions are gone. That b~&&!! I swear I was watching her hands the whole time. Xander was right.
She looks rather upset. "Damn, I'm missing a potion! How did she do that so quickly? Right off my bandolier!" The half-elf fumes and she fantasizes about revenge. Something something parasol RIGHT UP her ass!
Prior post regarding Sharkjaw Dock
It's a separate town.
When Chell comes out she relaxes with relief when the priestess explains the situation. "Oh thank Calistria. Or Quell, I suppose, given our location. Chell you made it sound like it was the end of the world. If it's just one shark we can handle it, I thought all the sharks were to blame." I thought something was odd, lycanthrophy can only be spread by those affected by the curse.
It might be just one but I doubt it. We have a culprit at least. I need to check on the kids from last night and see if they saw the same thing. I'll meet you at Jessicas's after." If there is nothing else she puts action to word, heading over to the orphanage. She reminded herself to come by and make some repairs or donation at some point. She finds the matron and through her, the two boys from yesterday. She asks how they are doing, checks their wounds for infection before asking if they remember anything about the shark. Anything distinguishing about it. Once she has an answer she heads back to Jessica's or, if that takes too long, back to the ship.
Astrianna sighs. "All right, all right. Don't meet me there though, I'll probably be long gone. The campus is quite a ways away from the Bawd. Why don't we meet up at the Green Dragon, I'm stopping there next. I still have many errands to do today..." So stubborn. Am I that bad? Hmm.
She looks at Ptahh. "Well.. I assume you're the only left to carry Jard back to the ship. Make sure he gets a Gentle Repose spell, or he'll stink up the place something awful. Uh, well... he also won't be fit for his sea burial later." The half-elf pats Ptahh on the shoulders and takes off, leaving him in charge of the body.
The matron welcome's Chell and reassures her the boys are resting comfortably. Chell your short visit reveals that the boys are fine. One boy would mention he thought the shark which was very big was dark like a shadow. The other did not see it.
The hours of the day begin to tick on by in the aftermath of the earthquake. It is learned that a few building have gained structural damage, there was a death or two and several injuries. Much of the chatter by sailors involves the risk of rogue waves caused by the earthquake and you learn several ships have called back shore leave to put to sea. Not wanting to risk being damaged in port. Other sailor types, merchants, and residents of the Port Shaw use this time to head to various taverns to get drunk and lament their woes.
As he works... Sorrin finds one of the Bonegnaw rescued Tulita, informs him of the Hungermire episode and asks after the best way to meet with Elder Nakuaka and Mokoli Ali'i.
He seeks counsel.
Bri stays on the ship for now, since someone probably should right now. She'll order some sailors to go down into both lower decks with her to inspect the hull of the ship to make sure that nothing floating underwater has damaged it. She'll be sure to check around the bilge area carefully herself. If everything down there is okay, she'll make sure the ship is ready to leave port at a moments notice just in case.
"Elder Nakuaka use to spend most time in council or with dragonsmoke. Heard dragonsmoke harder to get now but he searches desperately. Proud Tulitan healers and using medicines uses clean poisons out of his body." He inhales the air from the seawater. "Mokoli Ali’i lives beyond the outskirts with a band of brother's seeking to hang on to old ways."
He shakes his head, "He tries not to loose faith in the wale, dolphin and turtle for they are older than other gods. This god Quell wasn't wetspot on sheet when the natural order began."
He raises his hands palm up, "Mokoli Ali'i searches for something in town, it was lost to us, he and his warriors search but me not see them, only heard that news."
Ever since the Captain left supplies have begun to trickle to the ship. clearly orders that he has secured. Around 13 bells (1 pm) the Captain and his shore crew return with the bulk of the remaining supplies. The crew quickly gets it aboard and stowed securely. He takes Sorrin and Bri down to the officer's cabin.
"Much appreciate your help onboard, especially with that quake. But now you must find the others and get your crew in order. Ply the men with drink, food, and promises of riches because as I stressed earlier this morning that is your only chance as a group of ship owners you'll have to secure the sailors necessary. Even if one of you stepped up as Captain it would take a full day to assemble crew. If this task was left only to bard she has failed already...she is a mere owner, not the captain. The only way the owners will be to secure enough sailors if if they all work together....not some of them but you all need to focus on the one task. It's past 13 bells already and half the day is wasted, you'll be lucky if you can get them on this ship before tomorrow."
He pauses, "Ships are putting out to sea, Captains and crew are afraid of rogue waves that often follow earthquakes. It would be a shame if the Baron was driftwood tied to docks."
"We will try to round up the others and grab some crew if they aren't all scared off by the earthquakes. The ship should be ready to sail, so if you see a wave getting ready to come in, cut her loose and try to get out as fast as you can."
Bri will look to the chapterhouse first to find the others.
In the Chapterhouse, Ptahh stands above the body of Jard and silently contemplates his own death in the unforeseen future.
"Where shall I put Jard's body for rest and prayers before we take him for a proper burial? Oh, and Father, here is a donation for the Chapterhouse from the crew of the Baron in Jard's honor." Ptahh hands him a small bag with 800 gold pieces.
"One last thing, Father. I apologize for having entered your Chapterhouse armed to the hilt. I lost my dagger at some point in here, and I believe that one of the parishioners may have placed it in the donation tray. Here is another 100gold as a donation and as penance for my lack of care while in this sacred place. I'll be sure to make certain, that I do not lose it again. I'd hate for one of the children to get a hold of such a dangerous weapon."
Ptahh gathers his dagger and heads to the ship to find Astrianna.
Jasmine brightens when she notices Astri enter the building, she flips her hair back and approaches. "I was hoping you'd come back. It looks like you are in one piece still. You were asking about the Jawbone of Kaho Ali’i. My research has found this she pulls out some old parchment. It appears that the Jawbone of Kaho Ali’i is an item a shark jaw actually, that holds powerful significance for members of Tulita tribes from the Port Shaw vicinity. In the hands of a Tulita elder, or tribal leader it helps with understanding Old Ways, makes them stronger in their beliefs and pride." He shows the bard the document.
Father Zalen chuckles when he sees the dagger in the collection plate, he removes the item and hands it back to Ptahh. "Watch her hands...I know it can be difficult at times as other parts of Miss Jalia are easy on the eyes too." He pats the man on the back, "good to have you onboard. watch their backs they will need it. Danger follows them like a diseased prostitute." He laughs out loud.
Astrianna smiles at Jasmine. "Of course I'd be back, this place is full of useful ancient knowledge... and exotic wonders." She winks at the elf.
Taking the document in hand, the bard skims the paper. "A shark jaw? Mokoli Ali'i reounted the legend that said it to be a whale jaw... how time twists information. I suppose they would prefer it to be a whale jaw. Very interesting."
She hands the document back to Jasmine and takes out the map of the Hungermire form her haversack. "Thank you for looking into this for me. As a show of my appreciation, I'm returning this map I purchased. As far as I'm concerned I'm never, ever returning to the Hungermire again." She shakes her head.
Preparing to leave, Astrianna has two more thoughts. Firstly- "Do earthquakes happen often here? I had never felt anything like the most recent one."
And secondly- "You don't happen to sail, do you? We just purchased a new ship and are looking for some good crew."
Jasmine takes the map and notes the additional marking made on it. "Earthquakes can happen. Today's was good rumble maybe the volcano is hungry. My days adventuring are done, I like the comforts of tomes and scrolls here. Sailors tend to stay in the Tide district and rundown taverns and brothels."
Astrianna smiles. "I have a long time ahead of me before I retire. I aim to fill a book with my adventures. I wouldn't mind working here if I did retire, though."
She bids the elf goodbye and makes her way to the Green Dragon.
You gonna ride the tides here or set out to sea?" stuffing a cigar in his cheek.
Astrianna sighs lightly. "Captain suggests we put out to sea, and considering how long Donovan has been on the waves I'm not inclined to argue. We'll need a few more hands on deck first, though."