Again I know that you would have liked something from the ship but there was no time. The cloak I am sure will be useful to whomever will claim it.When we return to port I do not think that anything will happen because there will not be time for them to recoup after their last fail. That and I will not be cowed by any threats. Perceptive and ready yes but I will still do what I want.
Horatio gives Variel a bemused expression.
”Firstly, if anyone would take offense to suggestions – if they see critique when there is only advice – then they should expel themselves from the ship,” he says with a gentle but sincere voice.
”You know very well I saw nothing but darkness in everyone around me – and where did that get me? Every comment, every piece of advice, any suggestion – all I did was see it as someone trying to abuse me.”
He spits to the leeward casually.
”But that thinking is foolish. It causes division, and it is a waste – I have been learning much about life lately. Both in thinking, and in speaking.”
He cocks his head and looks at Variel.
”I think it would be good to listen to ideas, no matter who says them. I told you already, I am ready to listen to advice, and offer it if I can. And for those who condemn me for offering advice? A pox on them!” he says with a somewhat careless shrug.
He leans against the bulkhead, eying Variel somewhat quizzically, but with no malice.
”What I would have liked from the ship was a return on that investment,” he adds, his tone becoming more serious.
”The Minkai boy took it upon himself to drink a valuable potion which was useful to provide him the chance to become invisible. I do not begrudge the use of a potion, but it was not cheap and its use could have been better served. Being invisible has value, and he did nothing with that power, it seems, except... well, you know better than I, we'll leave it at that."
”I know that attacking a person while invisible will negate the spell; but I had no idea that doing something like picking up a random item off the ground, such as a musket that was not being used – would be problematic,” he says, his brow furrowing.
”If picking up random items left unattended negate the spell; than I apologize – and I have learned something new at the limitations of that magic,” he adds with a smile.
He stretches a bit as he considers the issues of Blood Cove.
”I am glad you wish to live free; that is a good – but it has been nearly a week. That is plenty of time to recoup, I would think.”
”As for these enemies who attacked you? We do not yet know their strengths and weaknesses.”
Horatio frowns, trying to decide how to communicate these things without being rude.
”If you wish to risk your own life, that would be one thing – but as long as you sail with us you are a part of the crew. If you decide to do something dangerous, that means I am pledged to risk my life to save you, and I will not forsake my duty for any of the crew I serve with. After all, even though we have our differences, we are all brothers,” he says with a sincere voice.
He thinks for a bit again.
”Now – as for this business about advice? If you forget – I had asked yours,” he says with a grin.
”What do you think we should buy when we reach port? Things to buy, I mean; and after that?"
"I am curious on what strategy we shall employ during our next enterprise. If you can come with a suggestion on tactics, I would be well pleased to hear about it,” he says very curious to know what the new plans will be.
Having discerned the nature of the cloak, Dhaavan throws it over his shoulders, saying, "Well it's lookin like it's got mild abjuration for resistances to magic or poisons, anythin' really, 'xcept a direct attack, but what's really fun is this..." Dhaavan clutches the hem of the cloak and holds his arm as though he is using a shield, and suddenly it hardens. "See it's like a shield. I'd betcha can even enhance the shield part, if ya knowed how ta hammer in enchant ta armor or weapons an' such."
Dhaavan drops the edge of the cloak, "kinda gets in th' way o' my castin' but i'd bet Adular or Rain'd be fine as they use holy magic, an' Jiro an' Flynn don't seem ta hafta do as intricate gesture ta work theirs than you an' me, Cap'n." adding that there's an asfc of 5% that the bards don't worry about. Does take a move to use the shield...
|
I understand what you are saying about critique and advice. There is a difference to be sure but some will not see it such a short time after a narrow escape. That is all I am suggesting. Let them take pride in the accomplishment and the fact that they survived for now. Take Jiro for instance. He finished cutting the rope and I told everyone to get out. He was following instructions and trusted that we would all be right behind him. If he would have stayed to pick up items hey would have seen those items floating in mid air and known something or someone was there.
As far as tactics are concerned in the future, I don't know what to tell you until we know more of the situation. That is why for the Rock I want Dhaavan to talk first so we may get an idea of what is there. Without any intel it is almost pointless to plan too much.
Horatio turns a startled look at Dhaavan’s presence and hears his comments on the cloak.
”It may have some use for me, perhaps – but I would rather have something I know I could use. In short – what is its value, if we were to sell it? Since it seems that I cannot find things of use, I must resort to either making them myself, or haggling,” he adds with a sigh, than attempts to put aside such dramatics.
He glances back to Variel.
”We have several days before Blood Cove – and you and I at least have many issues between us to mend before we can call ourselves better comrades.”
”In the journey between here and there I felt it would be wise to bridge those gaps with pleasant conversation with purpose – in this case; discussing tactics.”
”Yet the most I have heard is that such conversation is moot until we learn more.”
Horatio pauses a moment to think.
”That said; the few points of conversation I can think of - discussing tactics; crew morale; what we will do for this next mission; the nature of magic; your personal history and hoping to combat that as comrades - those can be long conversations, especially from me," he adds wryly.
”Please know that I was merely trying to make small talk to be friendly.”
”If you would speak of something else; I am open to it, if not – that is your choice as well.”
”But I do not wish to be a burden and I can talk at length. If my conversation is being a burden, please tell me now and I will stop,” he adds with a friendly voice.
|
|
I do not mean to be rude about the lack of discussion for tactics. Instead I am not one to give weight to useless conjecture on topics that I do not have enough information on. To me that is a waste of time and energy as we could spend the next three days solid talking about fortifications and how to circumvent such defenses only to find that there are no fortifications and the only defenses are a horde of sea trolls guarding the harbor. That is why that I wish to wait and see what ins before me before I worry about discussing strategy.
As for what to purchase when we get to port, well I would like to see the catapult replaced and all the artillery reinforced with armor at some point. That may be a long term idea though as I would also like to start reserving some of the wealth gained for future encounters. That way if we run into a problem we have resources to fall back on to overcome that problem. Whether this repairs on a large scale for our ship or a means of magical transportation to some lost treasure horde. Again I do not have specifics so I am thinking broad scale by keeping a monetary reserve instead of specific items.
Rising early in the morning, the first day after the encounter with the Pirate hunters, Dhaavna pulls on is vest and works the ship for the first time in weeks. Jack's watchful eyes are seemingsly everywhere when he doesn't mind being seen, but more notable is the First Mate working along side the crew. The young man pushes himself hard hauling ropes, dressing lines with the aid of his mild telekenesis and taking a few moments to clean spots missed by the swabs with a quick gesture as they swab the deck.
"Cap'n I'll be needin ta get m'craftin supplies. I'm nearly done a crown I'm workin on, What I'd like ta test. Should be o' use selliin this ship. So we pull up this evenin aside the Lady an' I'll hop on over?"
"I got no idea what it's worth, but a think like this is too useful ta sell, far as I'm concerned, an' prolly not valuable enough ta be worth not havin, like that Harpoon what the Grindylow Queen had. So if it ain't sommat yea'd use, leave it for another ta snag for themselves." Dhaavan suggests, having fun activating and deactivating the shield aspect of the cloak with distracted flourishes, interested in the item as it is not something he can create himself.
Horatio looks relived that his suggestion was not misunderstood. He is happy to either talk, or not – he just wishes to know the opinions of his comrade before he speaks for a long time.
After listening to Variels assessment of outfitting the ship he nods.
”Very good! The decision to get better gear for the ship is useful indeed. Yet you suggest a catapult?” he asks, not certain.
”I do not wish to argue; but do you think that this is that the best investment?”
” It can deliver explosive rounds which cover wide areas, but it is difficult and unwieldy; it takes a long time to load and is also fairly complicated to use.”
”Many alchemical weapons that can be used from a catapult can also be attached to a ballista bolt and a ballista is something that can be used by almost everyone with some ease.”
”I am not saying either yes or no; but in this case, I am simply saying I am not sure. I just wanted to be certain those points were being considered, that is all.”
Horatio turns a surprised look at Dhaavan.
”You suggest we should keep the cloak?” he asks.
”But why? It is only modestly useful to some; but there are many to consider aboard. Still, if they wish to keep the cloak and split the cost, I shall not protest,” he says with a shrug.
”But it seems that outfitting the ship as a whole to fight and take more prizes may be better,” he says, staring across the waves at The Lady.
He glances at Dhaavan.
”Speaking of which – how is that crafting project you promised to do for me coming along?” he says with a bit of a smile, curious to know how long it will take Dhaavan to complete.
While he waits for Dhaavan’s answer, he turns his gaze between Dhaavan and Variel, addressing them jointly.
”Something is troubling me; and it has been for the past few days….” he says slowly.
”That was a huge Imperial warship – I think it was Seijiro that said it was built for hunting pirates,” he adds slowly.
”Cheliax has may pirate problems to deal with – but those problems are far north in the Inner Sea.”
”We are leagues upon leagues south of that. That ship would have had to sail for long months just to get this far south… it would have to bypass pirate lairs along The Sodden Lands; it would have had to sail far south of Imperial waters – further south to here; The Shackles.”
He shakes his head in frustration.
”I do not think it is here to hunt mere pirates; but I think instead it has a specific purpose.”
”I want to know what that purpose is; I want to know why she is so far south – and I want to know why she is here at all…”
He turns a serious look at the two.
”Whatever the reason she is really here – it cannot be good. And if she has come; others may follow.”
He scratches his chin, his eyes hard.
”What is their purpose here – are they working with someone; will the rendevous with someone in Sargava – or even Blood Cove itself?” he adds, almost speaking to himself.
”If it is Blood Cove and we beat them to the port, offload our gear and stab west again – we may soon see them on the waves heading that direction themselves. I do not fancy that possibility at all,” he adds in frustration.
”I want to know more about them; and we have a way to discover much,” he adds, his eyes flicking to Dhaavan.
”You hold the cloak of one of her officers; let us find that oracle in Blood Cove and have her throw the bones – it may be that she can divine much of the officer, his purpose and his location – now that we have an article of his clothing.”
”I know this may seem unnecessary; but that the ship is here at all makes me very uncomfortable… I would learn more.”
”What do you two think?” he says, curious to know what Variel and Dhaavan have to say.
"Thank you Rain-san for gracing us with such a perfect song for those who make their home on the sea. May your night be restful and calm."
Rain gracefully bows her head to Jiro and the other sailors, flashing them a smile.
Before she retired for the night, Rain had a quiet word with Jiro. "You did well to keep up with a foreign song. I am sorry I could not do better this evening. Thank you for accompanying me. May the night prove to be safe and productive for you and those on night watch and duties. Good night, Jiro."
Rain heads to the Captain's quarters after bidding a good night to those on deck during her song. Once in the cabin, she washes her face and removes her armour and weapons -- the usual routine -- and looks toward the hammock to see if Neko has returned. It felt strange occupying Variel's cabin without him. They seemed to spend more time apart than together.
Neko watches you for a while Variel but does not make any other moves. She seems to be evaluating you for some purpose. After a while she suddenly moves off and begins wandering around the ship. You lose sight of her towards evening and do not see her again.
-----------------------------------------------
Neko is waiting when you return Rain, opening her emerald eyes briefly when you enter but otherwise not stirring from her place among the pillows and cushions of the hammock.
-----------------------------------------------
Fishguts and Sandara approach the officers (whoever is there) just after the evening meal. Sandara starts by saying Well that was certainly a rousing bit o'fun stickin it to them Chelaxians. That said though, the crew be wonderin what the plans be for the near future. We makin a run on the Rock? Hittin some more fat merchants? Hittin a settlement or two? We're not tryin to make waves where there ain't none but sometimes an informed crew works a bit better if they have a clear goal. Thank ye for yer time all the same.
"Hullo Sandara... thanks again for the healing when we got back. And it was certainly exciting... I guess it was fun too, except when the captain got hit hard... My heart leapt in my throat and I thought we were gonna lose him... Thank goodness Adular was there to heal him up. Cap'n Variel's certainly a bold one, that he is."
"Anyway, I think after we sell the Sanbalot we're heading for the Rock, though that doesn't preclude takin' advantage of any fat merchants we might meet along the way. We haven't had any talk of hitting any settlements that I know of... is that something the crew is wanting to do especially? Now don't take my word as canon, because the Captain is the final word, this is only what I THINK we're doing... okay? Next time we draw the ships together and have an officer's meeting, we might get a more definitive word." Seijiro shrugs with a chagrined half-smile.
"Well, what's life without a little uncertainty, eh? But until then, the crew be doing a fine job, under difficult circumstances. Once we sell the Sanbalot and have all the crew together on one ship again, things will get easier for everyone, I'm sure. At least tonight, most of the crew will get a good night's rest, as we aren't trying to make time through the night hours."
"Is there anything else I can do for you or the rest of the crew? If so, just name it, and I'll do my best to comply..." he says with a smile.
It did not surprise Rain to find Neko lounging regally in her hammock. The cat had more pillows and cushions than anyone else onboard and Rain could not stifle a smile at the thought. She was indeed a pampered cat.
"Good evening, Lady Neko. I hope you had a lovely afternoon full of adventure."
"The ship is secure and I am relieved of my pilot duty for the night." Rain walks toward the hammock, careful in her steps as she is unsure of Neko's reception this night. If the golden cat issues no hiss, Rain will step closer and scratch behind her ear and on her head, gently and affectionately stroking the luxurious fur. Neko's presence meant that Rain felt less alone in the cabin. The thought of Variel's reaction to the cat's presence came to mind once again but she pushed it aside until he returned. Neko kept to her hammock and Rain had the cot -- the demarcation was mutually acceptable.
|
|
Aye Flynn, I would agree with Dhaavan's assessment of the cloak for right now. It's true that it would probably fetch a fair value to be split amongst us officers but it might be better off in our hands. Look at it this way if you would, the cloak bestows upon its owner two forms of protection. One against blades, arrows and other forms of physical combat while the other protects against the magics and poisons that some would use. I agree that it is not the most useful for myself but surely there are those among us who would like such an item. As Dhaavan has mentioned, I could see you or Jiro putting the cloak to excellent use. Since you have expressed interest in selling it I assume then that you would not care for it. Even if Jiro does not want it himself Adular or Rain could put use to it. At the very least Dhaavan and I could use it for its protective properties against spells and poisons.
---------------------------------------
Variel watches the golden cat stare at him but Variel says nothing more to the cat. Instead he fixes his attention back onto keeping up with Rain. When he looks back, the cat is gone and Variel just shrugs his shoulders. There is no understanding cats so no sense wasting time trying to figure it out.
Neko watches you for a while Variel but does not make any other moves. She seems to be evaluating you for some purpose. After a while she suddenly moves off and begins wandering around the ship. You lose sight of her towards evening and do not see her again.
"She may have some scryin' what she can do, although tha's more o' an Arcanist's thing, aye. That may be a worry. Guess i'm a li'l more sued to th' Chells bein around so it dinnt worry me overmuch, but yea may got a good point, Flynn."
** spoiler omitted **
---------------------------------------
Variel watches the golden cat stare at him but Variel says nothing more to the cat. Instead he fixes his attention back onto keeping up with Rain. When he looks back, the cat is gone and Variel just shrugs his shoulders. There is no understanding cats so no sense wasting time trying to figure it out.
Horatio frowns a little, clearly uncomfortable.
He thinks a moment how to proceed, then – after a time – he speaks.
”I expressed interest in selling it because I do not believe it is helpful,” he says slowly.
”To be fair – it could be somewhat helpful – yes; to one person and only one person. And – perhaps – that one person may have great power which will aid all of us.”
”But that is not my point.”
He thinks a moment longer.
”When we were offered the task of attacking this ship we were told that only a small group could come. I wished I would have been with you; I wish I could have come – but the situation would not allow me to come,” he says, a touch of bitterness coloring his voice, but he does his best to stifle it.
”Instead, Rain and I spent a very long time doing nothing but waiting patiently for you and the others to return.”
”You had action; adventure and bloodlust to sate your needs – yes, you almost died – but you were living the life you wished to live and had chosen. So that alone was worthwhile and good.”
”Though it no doubt moved very quickly for you; as you were involved it – for me it seemed as if time stood still. Meanwhile, I had nothing to do but wait. I do not like waiting – I prefer action,” he says.
”And the wait itself was grueling because I worried and fretted for all of you; would you live – would you die – could I do anything to aid you, or help you, and what would that be?”
”Several times I almost jumped from the ship and decided to swim to shore and move to help; but that was not my place. I was asked to stand as guard. Furthermore, my reputation was one of being abrasive and argumentative; I determined that I would not be that way and I would do what I could for the good of the group and put my own needs aside.”
He pauses and takes a deep breath.
”When you returned this was all you collected; one magic cloak. One item of note – one useful item of power for one single individual.”
He thinks a moment longer.
”I do not mean to belabor this issue; but when we left Blood Cove ten days ago, I had supposed we would go directly to this Rock place. You spoke against it ten days ago – you said that we were not ready; that we needed more wealth and only the experience that action could provide us before we went against something so challenging.”
”I was not happy; but I agreed because I saw the wisdom in your words.”
”But now, what do we have to show for it?”
He glances over the Rahadoum ship and scowls.
”If we sell this ship and the plunder and give the cut to the crew and take the remains to divide eight ways between us – one for each officer and two parts for the ship – that means that we will have earned barely 1,000 gold pieces on this task and 2,000 for the ship.”
”This assumes we earn the maximum value that reselling this lot will give us. Besides that – we lost a catapult, and wasted other magical and mundane sundries and parts which total more than 1,000 gold pieces. Even if we reinvest the full 2,000 into the ship – that barely buys back the catapult, the cost of the potions, the supplies to fix things – and the cost of the alchemical weapons; which we had to use against the Chelaxian ship to begin with.”
”Now you speak of heading to this Rock? But why?”
”We are no better than where we started; our experience with the world of sailing has not changed, and we have not earned enough money to buy the cost of a magic knife apiece.”
”In short – at this rate – it will be a long time before we have the experience and wealth to even attempt attacking the Rock.”
”We more gear; we need more experience – and we did not get either of much since we left Blood Cove. By your own admission we weren’t ready to face that Rock place; we are no more ready, I think. But if selling that cloak earns us more wealth; then perhaps we will be closer to it,” he adds, hoping that his explanation does not seem penny-pinching, but he wanted to explain his points better.
-- I would like to suggest tho, that we value Wonderous items at Half value for the sake of how we tally out party wealth-balance. It'd be silly for someone to have 2,000 credited against their wealth account for an amulet of nat armor that we found, while another player has 1,000 cause i crafted it for them. other items that we'd have to buy would make sense to keep at full price, and then when the player using it sells it, they get full price credited back as wealth they no longer have in the pot.
"She may have some scryin' what she can do, although tha's more o' an Arcanist's thing, aye. That may be a worry. Guess i'm a li'l more sued to th' Chells bein around so it dinnt worry me overmuch, but yea may got a good point, Flynn."
Horatio looks at Dhaavan with some surprise.
”No… I think it is aligned to the divine magics… divination, for example,” he says slowly, ”But I may wrong. I know very little about scrying, but if someone can do this, I want to know more… I want to know why that ship is here; I do not trust the presence of Cheliax,” he says.
”Failing that – there is the excellent spell called Track Ship. Of course, for that to work better, one of you would have had to at least have taken a splinter from that ship,” he adds with a dry smile.
He looks hard at Dhaavan, trying to puzzle out his lingo and suddenly his eyes light up.
”Ah – you call them “Chells”, eh? Different vernacular, I suppose – in Sargava; we call the Cheliax imperials “Imps”,” he adds with a grin, the joke on the diabolists making him smile a bit.
Horatio’s eyes mellow as he does his best to consider all he knows of Cheliax and attempts to determine what a warship is doing so far away from their home ports. A warship specifically with no charge.
Could it be to ferry an important diplomat?
Could it be to negotiate trade or dealings with a private embassy?
Could it be that the nation is attempting to negotiate a special arrangement?
Or – and perhaps most disturbing of all the possibilities – with the massive storms recently, could it be that this ship was one of many; could it be that there was a fleet of ships that this single vessel was part of and even now it was simply separated from its fleet on the way to its destination?
Perhaps all of these, or none of these... likely he was being paranoid over nothing; but he was unsure, and wanted to know more.
Therefore -
Adular speaks up to the Captain if he should see him, "Captain, if I may suggest? Tween the plague and the damned Cheliaxian threat, our crew's been through hell an' back. When we hit port and sell the extra ship, maybe we should give them some sort of party or celebration. Let em know we appreciate their hard work."
|
|
Agreed Adular, that is why i already planned on buying everyone a round first thing. Those on watch first shift get a double round once they are off duty. Hopefully it will help morale and keep them happy. I understand the hard times we just went through and hope 2-3 days of R&R will do them good. It should take us that long to sell the loot and the ship. AFter that it is back to the Rock and wherever our fortunes may take us.
You all make it back to Blood Cove without any more incident over the next couple of days. The city is as...unique...as you remember it. You pay the docking fee and now have the city at your disposal. It is just about midmorning when you arrive.
|
|
Upon arriving back at Blood Cove Variel's first order of business to to find out who Adular has assigned for watch duty. Once that is determined, Variel brings the rest of the crew to one of the bars and purchases a barrel of mead to be shared.
Raising his mug up Variel commends the crew for a fine few days of hard work and close calls. Once the cheers have quieted, Variel will raise his mug again. This time in a quieter voice, This one is for those that have fallen and were forced to be left behind. The seas take them.. His toast done, Variel lets the men and women relax and enjoy the couple of days while they are in port.
As the trip to Bloodcove continues, Dhaavan gets himself over to the Dread Lady and his crafting supplies to complete the next day and a half of work he has left on his circlet . He places it upon his crown, then puts his hat on over it, concealing the magic item. As the crew rolls up onto the Docks, he gets busy searching for potential buyers with a small sample of the party's wares that they intend to sell, along with two crewmen as an escort, treating then to a drink with his potential buyers.
to sell plunder for day 1
[ooc]I was counting and wondering what our infamy is at atm. We got 3 at rickety's in the beginning, then another 3 at bloodcove the first time we were here, and we can get 2 more here before we get to the next threshold (max 5 infamy per port per threshold), so someone else can prolly make the roll and save us some time on shore while I sell stuff.
Adular toasts along with Variel and the men, "You've done Besmara proud."
|
|
After the toasts are completed and the crew is enjoying their time off, Variel slips out of the tavern and heads to the docks. Once there he starts making inquiries about who would be most interested in purchasing a fully functional ship. Hopefully VAriel can find someone at this hour.
know local?
If Variel can find someone he starts to try selling the ship. He knows he can get 5000gp for it and that is what he is aiming for. Any less and Variel will look for someone else to sell the ship to.
diplomacy if needed, not trying to raise the price just get fair market value
as the captain heads out, Dhaavan slips over to say, "Cap'n, while I aint got time ta find a buyer with what i gots to do already, Ya want ta meet up with me later for the actual negotiatin' of a price?"
Horatio arrives in the port and looks around the town.
He suggests to Dhaavan that – if he is going to attempt to sell the ship – he may want to use his silver tongue to bargain for a better price.
Realizing that it is fairly early in the day and he has little to do while Dhaavan attempts to make deals; he will spend the first day searching the town trying to gather information subtly for who in town may have connections to the Imperial Fleet of Cheliax.
As Horatio leaves the ship, he orders Amen-set to stay aboard with Piper. He may allow her to come ashore later; but for now he wants her hidden and safe without any people who may be attempting to follow her.
She is a recently escaped slave; and given her background – as she is fairly unique – she may be remembered.
As Variel slips out of the tavern, Seijiro follows him at a discrete distance. Recalling what happened last time in Bloodcove, he isn't about to let the captain wander around town unprotected.
The crew are extremely happy with the officer's generosity and spread the tale of your quality around the town as they are on shore leave. Dhaavan manages to get a good deal for some of the plunder you have taken and you all meet up later at one of the dockside taverns for dinner and drinks.
Seijiro, noone seems to accost Variel although you definitely see heads turn on occasion when he walks past but you don't see much out of the ordinary.
Seijiro watches the reactions to Variel and doesn't know whether to be worried about or proud of his captain, but regardless, he continues to shadow him until he returns to the tavern, or ends up wherever he intends to be for the night. He will continue to keep his presence hidden not only from watching eyes, but from Variel as well.
The crew are extremely happy with the officer's generosity and spread the tale of your quality around the town as they are on shore leave. Dhaavan manages to get a good deal for some of the plunder you have taken and you all meet up later at one of the dockside taverns for dinner and drinks.
Horatio takes his gear and moves into the town; searching for clues on who in the city would likely have connections to the Cheliax Empire at this time.
Having gotten some sweet deals, Dhaavan takes to drinking! Not so heavily as the last time he was in town, as he has work to do in the morning. After some celebration with his crewmates, talking up those what fought best on the Sabanlot, he gets to work, this time of a different sort.
He's being rather subtle while shooting the breeze with the tavern-goers while talking about what happened on the Dominator, gathering information regarding other's run-ins with Chells, as FLynn was rather concerned, and DHaavan isn't exactly the biggest fan of Cheliax.
being sociable for hours.
Of course, all the while he is on the prowl for individuals interested in potentially providing pleasurable company. Even at work, Dhaavan takes to the tavern, ever a rake particularly with his feet on solid ground.
GM: When we docked, what did the Rahadoumi seem to be doing? Dhaavan would approach them before they left, but his action dependa on their mood.
Since Variel did not say anything to her nor plan for them to meet and spend some promised time together, Rain will ask Neko if she would like to come into town with her. Of course, she will carry Neko around her neck/shoulders if she decides to accompany Rain.
Rain puts on a cape with a hood. She will pull the hood up to conceal her and the golden cat as she meanders around town and tavern, observing, listening and talking to sailors. She is asking if anything unusual has happened recently or attempt to find sailors who know the Rock or have attempted to assail it.
for hours.
After she is done with looking through town and talking to the locals or sailors in port, Rain will find the bathhouse and clean herself up before the evening.
Rain puts on a cape with a hood. She will pull the hood up to conceal her and the golden cat as she meanders around town and tavern, observing, listening and talking to sailors. She is asking if anything unusual has happened recently or attempt to find sailors who know the Rock or have attempted to assail it.
[dice=Gather information]1d20+8 for1d4 hours.
|
|
After not having any luck at the docks, Variel makes his way back to The Lady in search of Rain. On the way he stops at the market and picks up some of the fruit that they had shared last time. Upon finding her gone from the ship but all things well in hand, Variel strolls the streets examining wares and making some minor purchases until he should run across her. Having no luck Variel continues his shopping go so far as to purchase some scrolls and inks for his spellbook. Realization dawns o pn him finally that Rain would probably be at the bathhouse as that is whe she wanted to go first thing to clean up. Heading there, Variel makes one final purchase along the way at a perfume stand (standard perfume is 5gp, but spending a bit more sense Variel has no idea what is good or not: 10gp). Hoping he picks the right one Variel finds the baths and asks a woman if there is a fair elven maiden present matching Rain's description. Upon getting an affirmative, Variel sits and waits for Rain to finish.
During all of this of course Variel is oblivious to the shadow(s) that follows him.
Running fingers through her newly washed long hair, Rain felt more like an elf again. The grime of the past week was all washed off and she smelled fresh, with a hint of honeysuckle. It was nice to be in clean clothes, as well.
As she turned the corner out of the bathhouse, her eyes caught a glimpse of Variel. Rain was a little surprised to find him there.
"Var? What are you doing here? Are you bathing as well?"
Neko had vanished earlier with a soft purr and a flick of her golden tail when Rain told the cat of her plan to take a long bath. Rain was not worried as Neko was resourceful and magical. The golden cat would surely turn up when she was ready.
|
|
Looking up as his named is called Variel leaps to his feet once he recognizes the voice. Smiling he looks down at his dishevelled appearance amidst the dirt and grime of the last few days. No Rain I did not come to enjoy the hot bath waters although that would be a treat right now I must admit. No, I came because I knew that I would find you here as I believe this is your favorite place other than the tavern before. I did not want to take a bath in the chance that I might miss you while I was in there myself. Anyways, now that both ships are in and the crew has been pacified with mead I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity to spend the rest of the day with you. I don't know if you remembered but in the jungle I said I wished to spend time with you since we have not had much time together lately. I have packed us a late lunch or snack of fruits if you want to take a stroll while we eat. I have no plans or idea where to go just would enjoy your company.
Variel extends his hand out in invitation. If she is willing Variel proceeds to hand her the sack of fruits with the perfume resting inside as well.
After Horatio gets the results of his he will gauge the sun.
Noticing that it is roughly three hours after he left the ship, and remembering he left the ship at roughly 8:00 AM – he observes it is around 11:00 AM.
With the information in hand, he will now take direct steps to act on it.
Rain listens as Variel invites her to join him for the remainder of the day. She looks at his outstretched hand and after a moment of contemplation places her own against it. "Aye, I do remember the promise and I would happily join you."
When Variel hands her the small bag, Rain peers inside and notes that Variel had remembered her favourite fruits, and there was something else. Rain put her hand inside and pulled out a bottle of perfume. Rain's eyes turn up to meet Variel's enquiringly, "Is this gift for me?"
|
|
Suddenly self-conscious that Rain would take it the wrong way VAriel starts to explain but stumbles over his words. Why yes it is for you. I thought you would like to smell nice after a long day of work. I mean, not that you smell bad at all, or ever, or...Okay that came out all wrong. Let me start over please.
Variel visibly shakes his head and then opens his mouth to speak again. I know how you like to freshen up and maintain your cleanliness especially after a long day. I can not provide a hot bath house on the ship for you so I tried to think of the next best thing. I know they have scented water here sometimes to help those relax and unwind. It was that idea that made me think of purchasing the perfume for you. I am not experienced in perfume but I thought that a little scent in your nightly wash water would help you relax after a long stressful day. I hope the scent appeals to you as again I am no expert on these matters.
Once done with the explanation that took much longer than perhaps needed, Variel's eyes wander around in an attempt not to look Rain in the eye as he is not sure how she will take it.
Seijiro watches Rain and Variel from his hiding place and settles in a little as they seem in no rush to leave... rather than take a chance on revealing himself, he decides to stay hidden and let them leave first. He does however smirk a little at Variel's comments... He sounds more like me, stumbling over his words, than like himself... is this what love does to elves? or to people in general?
Once the two elves go off together, he will let them have their privacy and slip off back to the tavern when it is clear that they are long gone and there is no chance for them to look back and possibly spot him.