Aenon Malas bows slightly, stoically ignoring the old man smell. "I am Aenon Malas a sailor, wanderer and warrior. The flow of destiny has brought me far from the Varisian lands of my birth, across the length and breadth of the inner sea. It will send me further still, to a land forgotten by time."
Singi stands tall with her hand on her work hammer. "I am Singi Stensen. I'm trained as a master smith, and looking for a new adventures. I am from the north."
"But how does his nose make him unsuitable? Such a skilled warrior would be a good match for any woman. I don't understand." Cho wonders about the story as they leave. "Getting dark. We should visit this inn he pointed us at while there are still rooms to be had, I think."
"But it certainly was a good performance. Very open, and intimate. The plays I used to see in Goka were always very formal."
Weyve yawns.
"But I think you are right. We should turn in. We went to a tavern with music and then saw a play... that is a full evening. Perhaps tomorrow we should see the maritime outfitters to see if there is anything we might need on our voyage. -Assuming we are selected, of course."
Andoran - Almas - Citadel of the Supreme Elect
"As for organizing expeditions, my strength is in logistics. I can come up with a list of provisions and equipment and see to their distribution better than most. I've always left the actual leadership to others. I tend to be too busy."
No experience in tropical climates. I'm from the north, but I can learn. I worked on an expedition when I left home, but I wasn't in charge. I can run a smith though. Helping to run an expedition can't be that much different. Make sure everyone works to contribute, and make sure you make a profit doing it." Singi shrugs.
Smedrik nods, "Excellent, why you've already answered most of my questions! Another with Mwangi experience and a local! Tell me, did your experiences at Mwangi give you insight into surviving in tropical climates? Also, what experiences have you had in organizing expeditions, if any?"
Makanaky makes a weird face. "Well... I come from a tropical climate, so yes to the first question." The fact that he said he's an explorer, native from Mwangi and who's been exploring all his life there should make it clear, but he's not here to confront the interviewer.
"As for the second one, most of the expeditions we used to organise were for foreign people. These people, usually, don't know anything of survival, so you need to be extra careful. It's like going with babies, if you allow me to say." Maka doesn't know if the interviewer is or isn't an explorer, and doesn't want to hurt his feelings, but he needs to explain anyways. "What I mean is that, even though I haven't led an exploration into the unknown, I have been leading explorations with the added task of being the only one professional. Into uncharted territory I have been, but the leader wasn't me." As he was told, being honest is the best way of not being caught in a lie.
Aenon dipped, her head for a moment before replying earnestly, "I have sailed on many ships around the inner sea. One summer I was aboard a sloop bound for Jalmeray, I had hoped to spend a few days there exploring the sights and sounds of Niswan before taking a passenger berth to Absolom but I was robbed in the night. It was no matter, I found the steamy climate in Niswan to my liking. I had heard about the Tiger Tiger tea plantation deep in the interior and set off to find it. I reasoned a single box would of tea, which is twenty times more expensive in Absolom would recoupe my losses and more, and so it did. I suppose you could say that was a jungle expedition although it was an expedition of one along well defined if not well maintained roads."
Ayse offered the elderly man a flourishing bow, Varisian style. "Elias Sonelle, at your service, your honor. I am a researcher specializing in Thassilon. I booked passage here the moment I heard of the second expedition to Azlant - I was unfortunate enough to miss the first, and I knew Lady Luck would not be so unkind as to allow me to miss a second opportunity to participate in an expedition so close to my field of study."
Andoran - Almas
When you arrive at the desk the place is already buzzing with activity. In fact, the Captain of the ship and the First Mate are sitting down to a late supper as you enter.
The man behind the desk sighs and looks at you both, "Who sent you?"
Andoran - Almas - Citadel of the Supreme Elect -
There are rooms at the Shining Sea Inn, head there and give the Innkeep my name if you wish to go on this trip. A room key will be waiting for you with only that information.
Congratulations, you are on board! Tonight you'll meet those that you will journey with".
Cho looks at the clerk in disbelief, having to remind himself how far from home he really is an attempt to calm himself before responding. "Smedrik, the Seneschal of Codwin I of Augustana. Who put you here?"
Of course you would be suited to such an environment.
You would be amazed at how many un and non qualified candidates I have seen.
There are rooms at the Shining Sea Inn, head there and give the Innkeep my name. A room key will be waiting for you with only that information. Congratulations, you are on board! Tonight you'll meet those that you will journey with".
"Smedrik, the Seneschal of Codwin I of Augustana. Who put you here?"
"Yes, that's right, Smedrik sent us. I know this is very tedious, but just send us where we need to go and we'll be out of your hair."
"Thank you. I look forward to the trip, Sir Smedrik." She makes her way with a bright smile to the Shining Sea Inn.
Maka tries not to appear too relieved. "Wow, thank you sir! You won't regret it."
With a small bow he retires and goes to search for the Shining Sea.
Aria wasn't at all sure what to make of this, but she presses the palms of her hands together and bows to the old man and manages to say respectfully, "The Shining Sea Inn? Very well Sir, I shall go there."
She left feeling deflated, this was not at all what she had expected! The society had conducted what she regarded as a proper interview, this was on the other hand was so perfunctory you couldn't describe it as an interview and keep a straight face.
She had no idea where the Shining Sea Inn was, but she expected it was probably close to the docks so she set off to try and find it, asking passers by for directions.
The elf gave Smedrik a thankful nod and made his way to the Inn.
Ayse gave a rueful half-smile, replying, "Not as much in either as I might like to claim, I'm afraid, but I am not completely inexperienced. I've spent some time in the Mwangi Expanse, while apprenticed to a senior researcher. My tasks at that time extended to maintaining base camp, and I also assisted with organizing tasks for the adventurers hired for the expedition. As I said, nothing too extensive, but I can handle myself in the field, and wrangling a group of independent individuals is nothing new to me."
Andoran - Almas - Citadel of the Supreme Elect -
Well my boy there are rooms at the Shining Sea Inn, head there and give the Innkeep my name. A room key will be waiting for you with only that information. Congratulations, you are on board! Tonight you'll meet those that you will journey with".
---
Andoran - Almas - the Shining Sea Inn -
As the sky drags the sun to night, the Shining Sea Inn looms before you. Ahead and behind you see several dozen who are all headed to the Inn, all have bags packed and wistful looks in their eyes.
The Inn itself is a beautiful building decorated in sea and sailing motifs. It's at least four stories high. The activity there is substantial with people coming to and fro.
Several soldiers guard the environs watching all who come and go though they do not say anything to anyone their looks are clearly there to intimidate any who would seek to commit bad acts.
The front door is wide open. As you enter there are two men and two women behind the front desk. They smile when you drop the name of Mr. Smedrik, "Right this way".
You are led to your rooms, reserved for just you of course.
"The Captain will be hosting dinner tonight. Feel free to mingle with other crew members in the meantime".
---
Weyve & Tsaong
The man behind the desk nods, "My employer placed me here. You are both where you need to be Sirs. A dinner hosted by the Captain will begin soon, feel free to mingle with the other guests, those staying here will all be on this expedition with you. Quite exciting". His monotone voice reflects little excitement.
---
"Excellent!" says Weyve. "Thank you indeed."
He turns to Tsaong, grinning. "It seems we are chosen for certain after all. Shall we head to the dining room and mingle?"
Weyve heads to the ballroom and looks around.
Spectrum did not bother to unpack. He simply dropped his pack on the bed and set a visible Arcane Mark glowing brightly on the outer flap. It would do little on it's own, but to anyone untrained in the ways of magic who might be snooping in his room, it would deter them from disturbing his things.
He made his way to the common lounge and ordered himself a glass of mead, watching to see who else he would be working with on this expedition.
Likewise Aenon didn't unpack although for a different reason. Thanks to the aesthetic life she had been aping she hardly had anything to take with her anyway. If asked she would claim that as need the world and fate would provide, she almost began to believe it herself...
Still she was curious to see how many of her fellow pathfinders had made it through the 'process', she was loathe to describe it as an interview. Whatever that farce had been about she had no idea, still she was here now - that was all that mattered. Taking a seat by the fire she noticed the one called Spectrum on a different table. Curiously his friend, Ayse wasn't it, was nowhere to be seen. Still he seemed capable so she assumed he'd be along presently. There where several strangers in room including what appeared to be a Gillman and if she wasn't mistaken a man from Tien. A diverse group for sure.
"I am glad to be going, but the selection process leaves me confused. Yes, let us see what these people think of as good food."
Cho follows his companion of the day into the room, obviously rubbernecking as they go, giving the people in the room as much attention as the fixtures and decorations. He points at Aria and whispers to Weyve "I think she is pretending to be Tien. I wonder why?"
Singi drops her things off in her room, and heads down the lobby to people watch while waiting for the dinner to begin. She tries to get a sense of the others, who are not Pathfinders, will be joining them on the voyage. She gives slight nods to those she recognizes from the first leg of the trip.
Makanaky attracts unwanted attention with his dark skin tone. "Well, I'll have to live with that..." He orders something to eat and greets at the concurrence, in general. "I only have to take I'm in the old times, when I was a guide back in Mwangi"
Andoran - Almas - the Shining Sea Inn -
Ayse eventually wanders in and takes a seat near Spectrum but not next to him.
The food served is typical Andoran fare excellent and prepared by what are some of their best chefs as everything is delicious. The room in the Inn is packed to beyond capacity.
Smedrik is nowhere to be seen.
A set of double doors opens and a female human enters the room with a human male and a female half elf.
Weyve and Tsoang recognize two of the three as the Captain and First Mate.
The hall falls silent as the human female begins to speak, her voice amplified by a bit of magic, "Greetings friends and travelers. I am Ramona Avandth designated by the Bountiful Venture Company to make this, the second journey to the Andoran colony, Talmandor’s Bounty.
I will be the person to contact should you have any questions or concerns. I will also the person who is "in charge" of the expedition. I have no wish to be a tyrant or appear overbearing. But. We journey to a far away strange place. I will need you, all of you, to follow my lead. We need to work together to make this a successful venture. Captain".
The human male steps forward, "I am Captain Jacob Markosi Captain of the Peregrine. On my ship of course I give the orders. Still, I shall defer to Ramona on any matters which do not directly impact the well being of my ship. With me here is first mate Naerath.
As the journey begins I am sure we will all get to know one another. BY tomorrow I will have a full manifest of the crew, soldiers, and passengers that will be making the trip. Enjoy this meal and the soft beds that have been procured for you tonight, when we set sail no such luxuries await. The Peregrine is comfortable enough for a pleasure cruise but this is no such things. We will be at maximum capacity from a standpoint of travelers and supplies as we carry not only what we need, but provisions for the colony already in place".
Ramona steps forward again, "Once again congratulations to you all and I hope you are all looking forward to this as I am.
Once we set sail though, the time for questions and doubts is at an end, we will be off and will not return for months at the earliest. If you need to drop, do so tonight that we may find others still in the city to take your place. If you have any concerns, I shall be here in the main Hall to listen to them for tomorrow will be too late".
Weyve applauds politely when the speeches end.
He turns to Tsaong and shrugs.
"Not very inspiring perhaps, but you can tell that there will be no nonsense on the voyage at least," observes Weyve.
"Shall we mingle?"
Weyve goes over to the bar, and smiling at those around him, he reaches for a wine glass. But the wine glass slides along the bar just far enough that when he grips his hand it closes on nothing but air.
He looks down at the glass again. He reaches for it more carefully, and once again it slides away, as if the wine glass itself feared the touch of Weyve's hand.
Suddenly, Weyve practically leaps at the bar with both hands. The wine glass darts away from his right hand, but Weyve's left was waiting in ambush down the bar and the glass slides right into Weyve's grip. He snaps up the glass and raises it to his lips. His eyes dart around quickly to see if anyone was watching, and when he meets someone's eyes he smiles cheerily and raises his glass as if in a toast. Then he averts his eyes and quickly walks away.
He comes over to Makanaky and introduces himself.
"Hello there! I'm Weyve. It's a pleasure! What might be your specialty that earned you a place on this voyage?"
Aenon resisted the temptation to roll her eyes, she'd been on long voyages before and had heard variations of Captain Markosi's pep talk many times before. She was comfortable sleeping in a hammock, even one warm from the previous occupant. Still pity the poor lubbers who where used to a bed, weevils in the ships biscuit would come as a nasty surprise as well...
Makanaky finishes a sip of his drink and answers the question with a smile. "I'm Makanaky, a pleasure to meet you." He gestures as if offering a seat. "I'm a hunter and can move fairly well in the wildness. I hope this will bring us food and save us some trouble." He picks another drumstick. "What skills took you here, if I may ask in return?"
"Mingle. An interesting word. Let's."
Cho follows Weyve across the space, waving at anyone who makes eye contact as they move. As Makanaky introduces himself and offers a very familiar skill set, Cho looks more closely at the dark-skinned man.
"Makanaky? Sounds military. I am Tsaong Cho. It sounds as though we will be working together, or competing, or both!"
Spectrum did not mingle well. Mostly he just watched the crowd from a seat by the wall and slowly nursed a glass of mead.
Singi raises a glass to the captain and leader of the expedition. Sounds like two competent people. She watches to see if anyone is speaking with Ramona. She tries to make her way just inside of hearing without being obvious.
Maka smiles. "Hehe. Nah, it's not military, it's Mwangi. Never been to the army myself." He finishes the drumstick. "But been to the jungle a lot. I don't expect jungles there where we're heading, of course, but some techniques for surviving in the wilderness hold true whatever the environment... I hope." He raises his hand to ask for more drink, but looks at the newcomer. "Need a new drink, Tsu... Tao... ummm... where did you say you're coming from?"
"What skills took you here, if I may ask in return?"
Weyve smiles.
"I am a healer, both magical and mundane. I know a few other tricks as well. I am also a student of Ancient Azlant. My people are descended directly from the survivors of that once great nation. Sadly, there aren't that many of us."
"So I greatly look forward to studying what we find over there. Who knows what still remains from the great old Empire? So much has been lost."
The short man laughs heartily. "Call me Cho. I am from Hongal. The great steppes of Tian Xia. Yes, let me try one of these drinks. Is there any clotted mare's milk?" He looks to truly be seeking what he just mentioned.
The elf watching from the sidelines glanced down at his own cup, back to the Tien who had just spoken, and set his glass down. He was suddenly not thirsty at all.
"Oh, a scholar. I bet your abilities will be most welcome. Never had the chance to study much myself." He chuckles lightly when responding to Cho. "Milk? Haha! Well, you can try, though I wouldn't bet my arm on it. It will be nice to work together with you, there's too much people here to be satisfied by only one man hunting."
He asks for another drink, and lets Cho try to get his milk if he fells like.
"Tell me, in your opinion... what do you expect to find there? What kind of perils or findings? I've never been in an endeavour such as this one before."
"I've been told that milk lines the stomach, a good way to start if you intend to go drinking rum..." observed the shaven headed 'monk'. She had a strange pensive look about her, as if somewhat on edge. In truth Aria was having deep misgivings about this expedition, she was sure the Captain was competent enough but the Andoranns seemed out of their depth. Their interview process was risible and she feared the same would likely be true of their administrative skills on the island.
"Clotted mare's milk will line you out! Few walkers can drink like a rider-born." That last didn't even sound like bragging, just statement of fact. "You! Servant! Is there any clotted mare's milk to be had?"
The poor sap Cho picked out looks confused for a second before answering. "No. We have some mead or fresh goat's milk instead, if you want?"
"No culture here at all. Bring me water, then, if you have no real drinks." He turns back to Makanaky. "There will be plenty of creatures in our way as we try to tame the wilderness, but none will be as threatening as our other settlers. Men are man's worst enemy."
"Tell me, in your opinion... what do you expect to find there? What kind of perils or findings? I've never been in an endeavour such as this one before."
"Well, from what I've heard, the initial colony was founded on a tropical island... beautiful and lush but uninhabited. They haven't charted it out yet."
"But all these islands out there were once part of the Azlanti continent. So I hope we will find some trace of their civilization. Perhaps some buildings... though they likely will be in ruins now. We might have to do some digging!"
"I've been told that milk lines the stomach, a good way to start if you intend to go drinking rum..."
Weyve turns around and regards the newcomer.
"Oh, hello," he says. He smiles charmingly. "Pleasure... I'm Weyve. Pleased to meet you. This is Cho, and this is Makanaky."
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Aenon bowed with her hands pressed together, "It is most auspicious to make your acquaintances, may the gods bless our endeavor! It is my hope also that we shall find relics of the Azlanti civilization, so we may learn wisdom from their triumphs and from their mistakes." That's the kind of stuff monks say right? I do hope we won't have to keep up this charade too much longer.. thought Aenon/Aria.
Andoran - Almas - the Shining Sea Inn
The mingling continues for some time with further introductions taking place and with a handful of those picked dropping out and those few are replaced by the next morning.
Along with "the group" on the journey are the Captain, First Mate, and the Leader of the Expedition who introduced themselves the prior night, as well as:
The Peregrine's Navigator - Tyra Swain (female human),
The Boatswain - Raerg (male half-orc),
Quartermaster - Bean Counter Brady (female halfling),
The ship also has 16 sailors who work the rigging and keep the ship in tip top shape,
Colonial Soldiers numbering 6 who will serve Ramona Avandth,
Colonists numbering 36 who serve a number of functions required to facilitate the building of a community, above those are a few that stand out as having special skills along with all of your own,
Alba Divenvaar - (female dwarf alchemist),
Anya Sandstrider - (Shoanti female human ranger),
Carver Hastings - (male human archaeologist),
Eamon Caranth - (male half-elf cleric of Erastil),
Harcourt Carrolby - (male human aristocrat),
Kurvis Nurpico - (male human cleric of Abadar),
Luetin Calewick - (male human expert),
Lyra Heatherly - (female half-elf ranger),
Perrell Beys - (female human expert).
The next afternoon, the Peregrine sets sail to great fanfare with thousands waving the ship off from the docks.... Ahead lays the greatest quest of your, or perhaps anyone's, lives!
AZLANT - LAND HO!
After six long weeks, this morning the crew of the Peregrine sighted land to the west. A few hours later, the Peregrine sails into a natural bay with a sandy beach within rowing distance for the ship’s boats. As the crew begins to untie one of the smaller boats to lower it into the water, the sailors pass a spyglass among themselves and finally hand it back to the captain.
Captain Jacob Markosi peers at the island for a moment before grunting and handing the spyglass to expedition leader Ramona Avandth. “You should see this,” he says quietly.
Ramona accepts the spyglass and peers toward the shore. When she lowers the scope, she is clearly distressed but trying to hide her worry. She approaches and motions toward the far side of the deck, away from where most of the other colonists have congregated. “Can I have a word with all of you?” she asks.
"You don't hide things well. How bad is the sight?"
"Of course. May I have a look?" Weyve asks, pointing at the spyglass.
Spectrum stood nearby. He said nothing, but closed his book and listened.
Makanaky pays all the attention he can, while trying to discern what happen even if he knows he's too far away. In case something bad is happening, he's got his boomerangs in hand, a reflex learned through all the years of hunting.
Aria noted a certain air of concern in Ramona's voice, had the other shoe dropped already? they hadn't even got there!
"Of course. May I have a look?"
"I would be interested too." replied Aneon quietly.