"Wherever we're going, let's go there a little faster," Cotton suggests as she comes running up. The little Gnome glances over her shoulder, then runs up the gangplank. "Let's go, let's go!"
Was Cotton successful in her acts of arson and/or defacement of private property?
Sa'sori grins at her little friend's eagarness and turning gives one last gaze at the town that had been her prison for years.. and with a toss of her luxurious long golden hair she turns to the waiting ship. Hefting her pack and gripping the pommel of the enchanted sword at her shapely hip she strides on-board... the tear in her eyes is only from the sun shining on her face... the light of freedom burning in her heart...
"No, I have my own mission to accomplish for the society. I can assure you, you will be in good hands with Reginar." Cygar says replying to Vera, before turning his attention to Moira. "I personally know very little about this cult. I know they wear the same masks and operate in roughly the same region. Though it's only speculation, I assume they bypassed Kassen's hunters by distance. That crypt you're town holds so dear is a few days travel. If they did come from Tamran as Reginar suspects, then they could have planned a path that would have lead them no closer to Kassen than the Crypt. As far as why I'm concerned. They stole from a tomb. Stole something so important that the dead reawakened just because it was stolen. Not just the vengeful dead, but Kassen himself. That is concerning enough for anyone."
Map of Nithramas showing Kassen in relation to Tamran.
Map of Golarion showing Tamran in relation to the rest of the world.
"Fair enough." Vera bows slightly in thanks and moves to board the ship.
Satisfied with the extensive answer, the ranger also boards the ship.
"I'm here, honest," Dyrm calls out as he approaches the ship, his shorter legs pumping. He joins them and wipes some sweat from his brow. Despite the effort of the run, he's smiling. It is clear the return to the green has done him some good.
"Let's go, let's go!" Cotton enthuses. "All aboard who's going!"
A trio of dockhands come down the boarding ramp drenched in sweat. One wiping his brow with a damp towel before settling in the nearby shade. They're seen off by a Dwarf who casts a steady eye on you and Cygar.
"You lot, board up if you're coming." The dwarf spins on his heel and makes his way back to the cabin, whistling an unfamiliar tune as he marches his way back.
The Black Mist is a rectangular, small-sailed river barge 60 feet long and 20 across. There is a cabin that occupies the back third of the barge with enough cots for all of you as well as the captain and his deck hand. Inside the cabin is a simple stove.
"Yes, yes, sorry." the dwarf clambers on board, "So much water, powerful element, more attuned to fire myself so I'm a bit nervous."
Vera just grunts in response. She can't shake an over all bad feeling, but heads toward the cabin to 'board up.'
With everyone on board and settled, Captain Waldren starts barking orders to a human man that he calls Ewem. The deck hand faithfully follows each order and the barge begins to set off down the river. Kassen slowly begins to fade from view with each passing minute.
Those of you that watch the shore will see Captain Wisslo and Guardsman Golfond Kir approach the dock hands who loaded the boat. You're much to far away to hear any conversation, but you can defiantly see the dock-hands point in the direction of your barge. It's clear from Captain Wisslo's face that he is frustrated that he arrived too late to catch the barge.
"Poor Captain Wisslo, I wonder what he wanted?"
"Probably me," Cotton says, grinning from ear to ear. "I wrote some stuff on walls of my ex-tutor while I was out. And the best part is, all of it's true! Heh heh heh!"
Preferring high places, Moira takes her time and climbs on top the barge's cabin for a better view. She looks ahead of the barge most of the time but turns to look back to Kassen more than once. It is during one of these bouts of nostalgia that she sees Captain Wisslo. Wonder what they want? She stands up trying to get a better view. Maybe she could tell from body language how important it was.
"Heh, I shouldn't laugh, it'll only encourage you," He says to Cotton
"Not to worry," Cotton says as she lightly elbows Dyrm in the side. "I'm a bottomless fountain of ideas. It'll bubble up with or without encouragement, so you feel free to laugh."
"Good point," He actually smiles, "And thank you. So much water, it's a bit unnerving. I've never seen so much water. "
Or that could be it, Moira thinks over hearing Cotton. She shakes her head at her friends antics.
Sa'sori goes to the 'prow', or as close to such as the squarish watercraft has, of the barge and sits down crossing her legs beneath her, she releases her tattoo familiar from its usual place emblazoned across her bare back, to fly free and hunt for prey. The strangely reddish-colored hawk soars circling the barge as it lazily makes its way down the river and Sa'sori begins to sing softly, occasionally dipping a foot in the water to watch the ripples... she is clearly very happy, her expression all smiles. When the wind picks up as the barge heads down stream, Sa'sori unties her long luxuriant golden hair from its braids to let it whip and billow in the wind~ Free!
...
She never once looks back as slides out of sight behind her.
After 6 days of travel, Captain Walren announces they are nearing Tamran, and if they push on after dark, they'll be able to reach the city that night. He seems a bit edgy, as he always is when he draws near the city. Storm clouds gather in the distance directly ahead of you. He mentions he wants to push on through the night and reach the city tonight.
Sa'sori notices the unease in the Captain's tone, "Is there something you fear on the waters here about Captain? Are 'river pirates' common? If so.. we could also stay on watch tonight to be prepared for any... difficulties. Romantic as pirate stories are.. its another matter to be the victim of pillaging cut-throats."
"Just I guess, but I think the storm IS his concern. I'd rather not get hit by a storm in this little boat either."
"How I wish it were just the storm." The Dwarf replies, "Unfortunately you're both right. The storm brewing will leave a lot of fog and clouds in the harbor. Worse yet, some "privateers" have taken to these waters. I'm hoping that a press through the night can get us through the fog ourselves before anyone notices we're here."
"If it comes to that, we'll do our best to help defend the ship, Captain," The dwarf says, "I may not know water, but I can fight if I must."
Moira finds the trip on boat extremely boring. It was too easy. You just floated by without a care in the world. To some that might be enjoyable but to someone who knew the thrill of running through the forest and climbing to its highest points, it was lackluster. She tries to find things to do but one is very limited on a boat.
"Seems like it wouldn't be worth it to attack a small transport barge." Well, maybe if they were normal passengers. They did have a few expensive magic items. She doesn't know the area or the situation so she lets the captain make the call.
The boat scoots on all throughout the day without incident. The sky darkens just before sunset as the rain begins to fall. The deckhand makes his way into the cabin to take shelter from the storm. As darkness falls, a foggy mist rises up from the sea, but the Captain seems unshaken by this. He is clearly experienced in piloting through such storms.
Sa'sori will roll up her pack and lie down to nap the day away... instructing to wake her at sunset.
When she wakes Sa'sori ready her gear for battle. Wrapping one bared slender leg around the curve of her Composite Longbow she will string it for ready use. Then Sa'sori will go the the Cabin shelter and climb on top of it taking a seat on the roof. She will ready her Composite Longbow for a sniping position from the roof and stay on watch well rested from the Afternoon's nap.
She will comment to the others, "I can stay on watch all night... we half-elves do not need as much sleep... usually spending our 'sleep' in a reveries of waking dreams of past events in our lives... part of why we and elves, of course, are immune to magical sleep effects. I may need some relief before dawn.. but I should be ok for the night. natural darkvision as a Dwarf should also be useful to those on deck. I can create a dancing lights spell effect should something amis need light to deal with."
"My armor takes too long to get on and sleeping with it on isn't gonna happen. I may as well just stay up as well. Walking around the edge of the boat should help keep me awake." Vera will pace around the edge of the boat looking out into the water for signs of trouble.
"Well one of us should be rested in the morning. Guess that's me. I'll sleep with my bow at head. I have a few extra torches if need be." Moira heads into the cabin to sleep.
"Sounds fine by me." The dwarf isn't sure what to make of this water, but he'll do his best not to be afraid of it.
As darkness falls the rain picks up, a bitter cold winter winter rain washing over each of you as you patrol the empty deck. Moira enters the security of the cabin and falls asleep quickly with the ocean rocking her to sleep.
Sa'sori takes point on the roof of the cabin, her footing slick as the rain washes over her. Vera walks the boats edge, the waves leaping up and brushing over her every few minutes.
Dyrm moves to the stern unless others are already on watch there, in which case he moves to the front of the ship and looks out.
Sa'sori seeing the start of rainfall... casts and maintains casting again periodically her spell... to wrap herself in a slight buffer of swirling winds that keep the rain off her and her clothes dry.
There is not much she can do about her footing though... so she contents herself to sit crosslegged on the roof.. keeping watch, perching on her shoulder refraining from flying in the hazardous rainfall winds and obscuring mists.
As darkness falls, in the distance you can see the light of a city dead ahead. The storm makes vision spotty, but the captain seems unshaken by it.
Suddenly, through a fog bank a tiny sailboat appears skittering up next to your barge. The boat is attempting to hook on, and is close enough, they will likely hook in a few seconds.
Sa'sori notes the arriving Privateer's Sailing boat, she tries to count the number of pirates trying to board... as he notches & draws an arrow...
First Sa'sori mentally directs to enter the cabin and wake Moira with a fluttering of wings and a hunting shriek or two.
Then Sa'sori, aims her longbow at whichever one of the pirates seems to be giving direction to the others the one likely standing at the back and she shots him with her longbow... hopefully before he realizes he is even a target!
...Sa'sori says not a word, but is resolved to take the pirate's ship for herself! It at least could be sold for a decent amount of gold in port~ perhaps even a bounty for the pirates themselves if turned over to the authorities!
Thinking,
"All hands on deck!" Cotton shouts when she notices the little boat skittering up. "Pirates! Brigands!"
As she hops up near the railing, the little Gnome winks at the pirate crew on deck and adds: "Kindling."
Cotton cups her hands in front of her and chants Words of Power. A cone of fire bursts forth, streaking the other ship and setting aflame anything that will burn...!
If Vera moves first, she will ready an attack to hit anyone trying to climb aboard. If she moves after she will attack the first guy who climbed/is climbing aboard.
Round 1
Cotton readies her spell, as the Privateers toss two hooks up to the boat, latching onto the rails in two places. As the boat draws up along side yours, you can see a total of 3 men on board the vessel. Vera draws her blade and readies it for the approaching scoundrels. Sa'sori takes a more aggressive response and fires an arrow down into their boat, piercing on the men with her arrow.
Round 2 Order: Moira, Cotton, Privateers, Dyrm, Vera, Sa'sori
1 9/16
2 16/16
3 16/16