| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Chapter 1- Souls for Smugglers Shiv
For various reasons, the PC's have found themselves aboard the ship known as the Jenivere, a ship that has sailed all the way from Magnimar in Varisia- heading for Sargava, Cheliax's shame and colony on the edge, in more ways than one. The voyage is nearing its end, with Captain Kovack predicting that you will arrive in Eleder in about four days.
While the Jenivere is a merchant ship, primarily concerned with delivering goods to and from Sargava, she’s traditionally kept several compartments open to take on paying passengers. This trip is no exception. At the start of the campaign, the PCs probably number among these passengers, along with six other travelers aboard the vessel. As the characters have spent some time aboard the Jenivere, they have at least passing familiarity with these others making the passage to Sargava, and a few notable members of the Jenivere’s crew.
This severe half-elven woman boarded in Port Peril, where she immediately got into a scrape with a crude sailor. She spends most of her time in her bunk, seeming to purposefully avoid fraternizing with the ship’s other passengers.Aerys is a trim, athletic woman with short dark hair, tanned skin, and fierce blue eyes. She dresses
in tightly fitted leather armor and favors dark clothing and tricorn hats. The few times you have seen her, you get the impression she spends most of the day drunk; the smell of alcohol is always present on her breath.
Image- Aerys
A Chelish man whose family has made the Magnimar to Eleder run for generations, Captain Kovack is pleasant enough with his passengers, but a strict disciplinarian when dealing with his crew. He is strict, but generally very competent.
The Jenivere’s first mate is friendly with both passengers and crew, but he sometimes seems to chafe under the strong discipline of Captain Kovack. Of all the crew, he is the friendlist to the PC's.
A sharply dressed gnome from Magnimar, Gelik spends much of his time writing in the ships’ common areas, and takes every opportunity to tell long-winded stories, boast of past journeys, or quip about anything in his field of view.Gelik is a spry, energetic gnome with blond hair and a neat goatee. He dresses like a noble at all times (“If you can’t take the time to dress properly, no one will take what you have to say seriously—and they’d be right not to!”). With liberal use of prestidigitation, his fine clothes always seem freshly cleaned. Only the ink stains on his fingers break the illusion of a proper gnome nobleman (“If you don’t have ink stains on your fingers, no one will take your writing seriously—and they’d be right not to!”). Gelik has something of a cruel streak, and a tendency to mock others.
Image- Gelik
A bookish Varisian scholar who tends to keep to herself, Ieana is traveling to Sargava to explore the ancient ruins there. Rumors aboard the ship alternately suggest that she’s the Jenivere’s owner, a Chelish agent, or Captain Kovack’s secret lover. Ieana keeps mostly to
herself, and grows more intent on her studies with each mile the ship travels closer to Eleder. A small and quiet woman, Ieana has shown no interest in socialising or making friends on the voyage. but causes no trouble.
A scruffy human of Tian heritage, Ishirou boarded at Bloodcove and waits to reach Sargava with a quiet eagerness. Aloof but not rude, he gives the impression of one who has had a hard life but find himself currently without direction. Ishirou is a rugged Tian man who appears much older than he is, with graying hair worn in a ponytail and a perpetual scruffy beard. His clothing and armor are well kept and clean, but obviously of low quality. Only his sword, a beautiful katana, has any real value. Ishirou is fiercely protective of it, as it is his only material link to his cultural heritage.
Image- Ishirou
A prisoner loaded aboard in Corentyn, Captain Kovack sees to this taciturn human’s needs with curt courtesy, but insists he be left alone, sequestered in the ship’s brig. Jask is a middle-aged,
plain-looking Garundi man with hair starting to gray and watery eyes.
Image- Jask
A taciturn man from Senghor, Ship’s Cook Terillo has served in that capacity aboard several ships, though apparently not on account of his culinary skills, which seem to be limited to watery soups.
This red-haired human boarded the Jenivere in Ilizmagorti. Since leaving Mediogalti Island, the woman’s somber demeanor has gradually faded, revealing a boisterous and optimistic personality. None have yet questioned her about her missing left pinky finger.Sasha has tousled red hair and mischievous green eyes, and is extremely attractive, in a somewhat manic way.
Image- Sasha
The weather is gloriously sunny, and the crew are off duty while the Captain and First Mate consult about their course with the navigator. Most of the inhabitants of the ship are out on the deck, enjoying the glorious sunshine overhead as the anchored ship drifts lazily, pushed by the gentle waves.
A bleary-eyed Aerys staggers out into the sunlight, the pretty half-elf squinting and wincing at the sunlight.
Wha... Why have we stopped? she asks out loud, as she staggers to a wooden railing, using it to keep her on her feet.
"Course change." James grunted curtly in response from his position leaning against the rail a few feet further down the ship's side. He was watching the distant jungle ridden shoreline intently, but what he was looking for, if anything at all, nobody could tell.
"Cap'n says we'll make port four days hence if all's well. What you in such a rush for?" James was young yet, but looked much older than he was, in fact for someone barely pushing his twenties he huge. His gritty voice more like a low rumble, than the lilting tones of conventional conversation.
The small, bearded fellow behind James answers out of turn: She must be tired of the soups like meself, lad
Flute continues to look out over in the water, eagerly waiting for land. He keeps an arm outstretched letting whatever airflow there is go over it.
The darkly blad half-elf grimaces as James asks the question of her.
Got... Business waitin'. My own ship to captain, if all goes to plan. I can see her now... A little Sloop floating in the harbour li... like a beautiful swan I says...
The darkly blad half-elf grimaces as James asks the question of her.
Got... Business waitin'. My own ship to captain, if all goes to plan. I can see her now... A little Sloop floating in the harbour li... like a beautiful swan I says...
Gelik leans out of the hammock he is relaxing in several metres above the surface of the deck, tied into the rigging, and sneers down at Aerys.
Ah, I see Lady Vintage has decided to grace us with her decidedly lovely presence. Feh, I had thought this was high enough to not smell your stench, but I underestimated the potency of your breath, My Lady! Doth thou plan to captain a floating brewery?
James's response to Flute was essentially another grunt, slightly differing in tone. Yeah the food wasn't great here, but it was regular and that was what counted, at least he knew he'd be getting a meal.
His only response to Aerys was a raised brow and a nod. She seemed the type people often spoke of doing such things - drunk and reckless - but whether she could command a crew was another matter. Nevertheless, he wasn't one to speak ill of anyone's dreams.
Shut up Gelik. James barked back at the Gnome without turning around, sometimes he thought he was the only one unimpressed by that braggart's idiotic ramblings. He was a man of few words, he didn't spare any more for Gelik.
She must be tired of the soups like meself, lad
Hearing this, a short, waifish girl with sandy hair and blue eyes speaks up.
I'm so sorry for that, good sir. I can't tell you how hard I've been trying to add some flavor to Master Rambar's fare, but I simply have nothing to work with! The broth would lend itself nicely to a 3-parts-Rosemary, 1-part Savory blend, but I've got just as much Rosemary and Savory on hand as I have griffon's blood, which is to say, I have none at all. I'm trying, though, really, I am.
She wrings her hands nervously, and keeps glancing at the dwarf occasionally, as though she has never before seen one of his kind.
Upon hearing the Gnome's couched insults, Gwen rolls her eyes sharply and turns away. She can be heard to mutter, "Can nothing silence yonder creature?"
James's response to Flute was essentially another grunt, slightly differing in tone. Yeah the food wasn't great here, but it was regular and that was what counted, at least he knew he'd be getting a meal.
His only response to Aerys was a raised brow and a nod. She seemed the type people often spoke of doing such things - drunk and reckless - but whether she could command a crew was another matter. Nevertheless, he wasn't one to speak ill of anyone's dreams.
Shut up Gelik. James barked back at the Gnome without turning around, sometimes he thought he was the only one unimpressed by that braggart's idiotic ramblings. He was a man of few words, he didn't spare any more for Gelik.
Gelik's head pokes out of the hammock to smirk down at James.
Forgive me, but I never did learn to Speak with Animals like many of my other Gnome kin did, Sir. I shall endeavour to find a scroll of said magic in the ship's hold, so that you and I can someday converse.
Ishorou stands silently and stoically next to Tu'Nada, the only person he has spoken to much since the journey started, having both boarded at Blood Cove. Ishorou seems to be watching Aerys, somewhat fascinated by her.
James ignores Gelik, in fact he still hasn't moved from his position staring out at the shadowy shoreline far in the distance. He always ignores Gelik, and the man closes his eyes momentarily as he berates himself for rising to the Gnome's bait. He normally wouldn't even give the annoying creature the time of day, but people's dreams are sacrosanct, however farfetched they might be.
Tun'ada turns to Ishorou, "I do not know why you are so fascinated with the woman who polutes her body so. I'll give you she may be pleasant to look at, but her behavior and time will eventually end even that benefit."
Trying to turn Ishorou's attention to anything other than the drunken would be captain, "What do you make of the gnome who is always talking? I think the small one should be careful, someday soon he may insult the wrong person and it will be the last thing he does."
Tun'ada turns to Ishorou, "I do not know why you are so fascinated with the woman who polutes her body so. I'll give you she may be pleasant to look at, but her behavior and time will eventually end even that benefit."
It is not her looks that fascinate me, charming though she may be. Her love of ships and the sea fascinates me. My father was of a similar ilk.
Trying to turn Ishorou's attention to anything other than the drunken would be captain, "What do you make of the gnome who is always talking? I think the small one should be careful, someday soon he may insult the wrong person and it will be the last thing he does."
If he were to insult my honour so, the small one would feel the edge of my katana. But that is the way of things in Tian culture.
The red-haired Sasha stretches languorously in a hammock she has set up to enjoy the sun, seemingly waking up from a nap.
So... Who would like to go for a swim in the water with me? she says in a sultry tone, laughing as many of the crewmen eagerly volunteer.
Sasha swims alone... she says with a bright and cheery smile, as she dives headlong into the ocean.
At the sound of the splash as Sasha dives into the water, Ambroze looks up from his book, Quink's Theories on the Relationship of Thassilonian Runes, Modern Varisian, and the Ancient Azlanti Language. "Hmm, that looks like fun," the yellow-haired gnome comments quietly to himself. "In a 'Hey, let's make ourself a meal for a passing shark or sea monster' kind of way."
Noticing for the first time that the ship is at anchor, the scholarly gnome glances around the deck, studying the other passengers and listening to snippets of their conversations.
"Excuse me, Master Carmichael? Did you say that we're scheduled to make port in Eleder in four days? How splendid! With luck I'll be able to join an expedition into the interior shortly after we arrive."
James nods back to Ambroze absently, turning his head only slightly from his position gazing out at the ocean to indicate that the motion is directed at the scholar. The deck has become very noisy all of a sudden, and the man closes his eyes again, this time for longer as he seeks some measure of peace within his own skull.
Sucha good day.. comments Flute to no one particular as he makes his way to the gnome with the book.
Hey there. How are you doin', lad? Folks call me Flute. Whatcha readin'?
Flute gestures for a typical dwarven handshake.
"With luck I'll be able to join an expedition into the interior shortly after we arrive."
A tall, man of what you would guess would be Kelish or Garundi stock wanders over, or at least you would assume that was his heritage was until you heard him speak, the accent is most definitely Mwangi.
"You are looking to travel into the depths of the jungle? Would you be looking for a guide, or perhaps a translator? Many of the tribes of the Mwangi have their own dialects of the polyglot language, I happen to be familiar with a few, and more than just a little familiar with what you would call the Expanse."
James looks up with interest at this point, finally turning away from the ocean and approaching the Mwangi man, probably the only other human on the boat who can match him for height.
"You know this area well? How much do you know of the colonists?" He asks cautiously, obviously hiding a second question behind this query.
*lurk dot*
James looks up with interest at this point, finally turning away from the ocean and approaching the Mwangi man, probably the only other human on the boat who can match him for height.
"You know this area well? How much do you know of the colonists?" He asks cautiously, obviously hiding a second question behind this query.
"I know the Expanse well enough, in my former life I traveled it extensively. As far as the colonists, based on the ones that I had dealings with, most are not to be trusted."
James nods thankfully at this information, before glancing downwards apparently in deep thought, his eyes flitting left and right as he processes this information. He looks up at the other two momentarily, with effort throwing them a strained smile before returning to his thoughts, he does not move from where he is stood with them both though.
The door to the main hold opens, and the Chef pokes his head around.
Gwyneth? he calls.
Its time to feed the prisoner again girl...
Sucha good day.. comments Flute to no one particular as he makes his way to the gnome with the book.
Hey there. How are you doin', lad? Folks call me Flute. Whatcha readin'?
Flute gestures for a typical dwarven handshake.
"Why, hello there, Master Flute! My name's Ambrozius Zimblethorpe Boddynock, but most Big Folk just call me Ambroze," the daffodil-yellow haired gnome introduces himself, taking Flute's forearm in a dwarven handshake.
"I'm just doing a little light reading," Ambroze answers Flute's question, holding up a large leather-bound tome. "Quink's Theories on the Relationship of Thassilonian Runes, Modern Varisian, and the Ancient Azlanti Language. I picked this up in a little bookshop in Magnimar. It's by some fellow in a little town called Sandpoint. He seems a bit obsessed with ancient Thassilon and its effect on modern Varisian culture, but he has some interesting theories regarding how the Varisian language can trace its influences back to both the Thassilonian language and the ancient Azlanti language. I'm hoping his book will help me reach my own goal of learning the ancient Azlanti tongue. Did you know that the various dialects of the Polyglot language of the tribes of the Mwangi Expanse can also trace their roots to the ancient Azlanti language? Imagine, two such different modern cultures as the Varisians and the Mwangi can trace their history back to a common ancestral culture! It's very exciting!"
Well frost my beard! Pleased to meet ya Ambroze! Flute sounds very genuine and cheery upon introduction.
I stopped by Sandpoint on me way to Magnimar. Ye diden' catch the Jenivere up there with me did ya? I can't remember. Flute jokingly blames it on the cooking saying, Prolly do to tha soup we've been eatin' no less... poisoned I say... i be durned sure or I'm a bearded elf! Flute chuckles. obviously not being serious in his allegations about memory-erasing poison in his meals.
I gotta admit to ye lad..I donno much aboot the land of man but I'm always one for ancestry! Tis always interestin' when ye find old out old stones arn't that diffurnd as ye first thought.
You seem like a sharp lad. Where do ye hail from? If ya don't mind me askin'..
Its time to feed the prisoner again girl...
The thin brunette stands up quickly, as though accustomed to taking orders, doing chores, or both. Aye, Master Rambar. She moves toward the hold, tripping ever so slightly over her own two feet, but catching herself on Gelik's hammock, causing it to rock. So sorry, good sir. As she turns, a smile touches her features - It is obvious that she may be many things, but sorry does not number among them. She disappears quickly below the deck, fully expecting a string of insults from the gnome, and fully prepared to utterly ignore them.
The Captain eventually emerges onto the main deck and announces with a stern smile that you are even closer to 'our glorious destination' than they initially thought. Later that evening, you are all (with the exception of Chi) sat at the dinner table with the other passengers (with the exception of Ileana), Alton, and the Captain. The cook brings out the dinner- a magnificent meal of various salted meats and cheeses, and some fine wine.
The Captain smiles as he pours you all wine, and Alton proposes a toast- to the passengers and their lives beyond the long voyage on the Jenivere! It is late in the evening and you all begin to eagerly tuck into the appetising looking food...
You are brought a fine meal by the Chef this evening. He explains the other passengers are celebrating at the request of the Captain.
Flute-
Ambroze-
James-
Chi-
Gwyneth-
Tun'Ada-
Your senses slowly return as you feel a sharp pain in your foot. Shaking your head groggily, you get a mouthful of sand as you realise you are lying face down on a beach, dressed in your clothes and armour but with none of your weapons at hand. Lifting your head, you can see some strange creature nipping at your feet with its pincer experimentally. The creature appears to be some kind of cross between a scorpion and a lobster. Casting a quick glance around the beach, you can see various other survivors unconcious on the sands, and oddly enough, a large stash of gear including your own, piled into a single stash. Several other of these strange sea scorpions are slowly converging on you and the other bodies. Even as you stir now, something is wrong with your body... You feel slow, groggy and weak.
What in the hells is going on... he thinks, eyeing the monstrous beast warily.
Encounter Round 2-
The Sea Scorpion tentatively lashes out with its pincer as you stand up. It doesn't yet seem inclined to use its stinger.
One of the scorpions nips at Flute, waking the Druid as he wakes up groggily just likes James did. Three sea scorpions converge on James and nip at him with their pincers.
Two Sea scorpions approach Chi. One of them is too cautious to pincer her, but the other wakes her up with a sharp nip to her forearm.
Initiative Order-
James- 13
Flute-?
Chi-?
Sea Scorpions-1
The middle-aged, dark-skinned prisoner smiles as you enter the small chamber that serves both as a storeroom and a prison.
More watery soup today hmm? he enquires softly, his eyes twinkling.
Gwen squeezes the cheese and soup through the bars, taking care to ensure that Jask first steps back away from the bars.
Now, are you going to tell me what you did that landed you here yet? I'll get it out of you eventually, you know.
SHALE!Flute jolts awake from the searing pain and suddenly feels sickened. He staggers but manages to stand. Oh no ye don't ye sea vermin! Where be me hammer?
initiative:
perception:
I can't seem to edit my profile again so I'll track HP here:
Current HP: 14
Chi looks up, suddenly aware, no more is she hiding away in the bowels of the ship, she is on the shores of...thinking Am I back, is this now the final part, the journey to get home. Chi, her clothes bedraggled and wet along with her hair cling to her undernourished but sinewy body. She raises her head, only to see a cat further up the beach, on the edge of the beach looking pitifully down at her, the cat ginger and wet through cleans her paw waiting for Chi, oblivious to Chi's predicament. The pain in Chi's arm, brings her to focus on the problem at hand, her eyes fix on the creature that bit her. She opens her mouth, as smoothing words in celestial issue forth Nearger, chaterath criterail ola warthar.
As she finishes the soothing words, she gets up from the ground, trying to ascertain her position, working out what she should do next. She sees two men she barely recognizes, one rummaging through a pile of wet things, pulling out a sword, the other is just getting up too. Around her she spies Gwyneth, a friendly face from the ship.
Initiative
** spoiler omitted **
I was employed by the Sargavan government, and uncovered corruption- illicit deals with the Shackles Pirates. I took the evidence to my superior, who framed and betrayed me using the very evidence I myself uncovered. I fled to Corentyn, until a Sargavan agent caught up with me. I have pleaded my case to the captain, but as he correctly points out- I have no proof to clear my name, and i'm not the first criminal to claim hes been set up- nor shall I be the last...
Jask smiles at your caution.
Ain't no need to be afraid of old Jask little lady.
Round 2 Actions and Clarifications-
The scorpion completely ignores Chi's efforts to charm it, and both scorpions try and pincer her as she rises. Chi dodges one pincer with ease but the other strikes her as she rises.
James retrieves his sword from the pile of equipment, and three scorpions take advantage of his distraction to pincer him- but none of the pincers breach the barbarians armour.
Flute gets to his feet and takes a pincer from a vicious, lobster like claw. Wincing slightly, he retrieves his hammer (one item per standard action to retrieve one from the pile) and turns to face his aquatic adversary.
The scorpions still don't seem to be angry enough to use their stingers, although their frustration at their potential food's resistance is beginning to tell. They lash out viciously, three at James, one at Flute and two at Chi.
VS James-
VS Flute-
VS Chi
Chi-13
James-13
Flute-10
Tun'Ada-4 (rolled for you)
Sea Scorpions- 1
Tun'Ada, you wake up in a similar fashion to the others and you are on the same penalties etc- sickened and currently prone as you slowly come to your senses. Unlike the others, there are currently no strange sea scorpions jabbing at you.
Fail
Aye Lad! Lets make sure none of us 'ere become chow!
Blasted Buggers!
forgoing his shield, next turn, Flute swings his warhammer down on the one north of him.
Attack roll:
current hp: 13
Sickened (-2 to basically whenever you roll a d20)
Current AC: 15
I wish you well, I'll see you soon enough. Enjoy the cheese! She flashes a smile and a wink at the older man before departing.
Edit for Crit Threat!:
** spoiler omitted **
Heh... Cute... the middle aged man mutters as Gwyneth leaves the prison area.
Chi knowing that these creatures have the upper hand and she is defenseless and getting weaker, watches them move towards her and backs away as fast as she can, moving in an arch towards the the pile of items, as she see her bow and quiver of arrows in the piles. She stumbles over the body of a human lying in her way.
Spoiler your post please :). I've put you next to Jask, as thats how faryour withdraw action can take you.
Round 3:
Tun'ada drags himself to his feet and searches the nearby pile of equipment for any of his weapons
Initiative Roll (if needed):
Round 1:
** spoiler omitted **