Players to be added. Dot when selected.
:)
The tiefling climbed into the crow's nest for his day on watch. Somehow he makes his ascent look almost too easy and he settled in, out of view of those below.
His sharp eyes and quiet manner had earned him a place on the crew even though he began his voyage on the Jenivere as a stowaway.
The captain had never known he had had an 'extra' mouth to feed on the beginning of the journey. A few minor things had disappeared from the ship's stores but that was to be expected on a ship this size from time to time.
In time, the tiefling had 'met' the bosun (not by accident) during a shore leave. Citing his vast previous sailing experience (fabricated) and his acute vision (real), he had begged a chance to sail on the Jenivere. The bosun had spoken to the first mate, who had cleared it with the captain, and the tiefling had found himself among the crew without having to hide his presence any longer.
When his shift was over, he climbed down, again seeming to do so with an almost inhuman agility. Once down on deck, he mostly stayed to himself. He didn't seem unfriendly as much as shy, even among the crew he lived with on a day to day basis. When dinner was served, he took his fish stew and biscuit and settled down near the bow to eat in solitude. He watched the others, sitting in groups, eating and talking and laughing. He eyes were filled with a quiet longing, but he made no effort to join the others.
His dinner finished, he turned and looked down at the sea swell parting at the bow. Watching the play of the last of the day's light on the water, he seemed fascinated by the display. When the last light faded, he continued to watch the water, his vision penetrating the gloom.
It was late, and he was weary, and lonely truth be told, though he told no one and made no direct effort to join in the evening rituals on the ship. The fox-headed ship's quartermaster pulled out his harmonica and played a slightly melancholy tune, followed by a sprightly one. Travis listened, moving closer, but making no attempt to attach himself to any one of the clusters of crewmembers or passengers who stood or sat about listening, some singing along with the music.
You have been on the ship 8 days to be exact. The Jenivere is not a massive ship, it spans only about 75 feet in length. It is good enough to work as a trading ship, and to offset the rising costs in developing cities to the south the Jenivere, under the decision of Captain Kovack, has decided to take on paying passengers that don't want to pay for an official passenger ship.
On the ship currently are the players, the players artifacts, most which are locked in your "personal" rooms (you each have a bunkmate) and the crew. The crew is numbered at 5 plus a deck swab. The swab is a young boy that no one talks to, and come to think of it, none of you know his name. He is referred to as "swab" or "boy", if he is referred to at all.
The Captain, Captain Kovack, strikes you as a very eloquent and funny man. His years of trading give him the ease of talk. He is admired by his entire crew, but by none moreso than his first mate, Alton. The crew is very loyal to the captain and each other. They are respectfully professional to you passengers, but that is as far as it goes.
Once a week on the first day of the week you have a "meeting" with the captain, which so far has amounted to nothing more than just eating a meager meal, and trading wonderful stories. The captain likes telling stories, because he feels it is good for morale on long journeys. Let's face it, 100 days is a long time to spend confined on a boat.
But tonight there actually is something on the agenda.
" As you know, " starts the captain "we are nearing our first port, and will be there within the next day, if Desna wills it. We will be picking up a paid fare here and there, when the chance arises, and making port to trade supplies and restock. I don't want to linger any longer in ports as we have to. This journey is long enough without stalling. Alton will have the schedule for you all, about where we are going and how long we will be staying. We will not be delayed, and we will leave you. You will receive no refund if you should miss our pushoff to the next port. Agreed?"
He waits for a communicable nod from the group before continuing.
"The second thing that we need to discuss is training. Your weapons, for those of you that have them are currently locked up per our agreement. But we will be getting them out once per day under supervision to start weapons training. We will be passing through The Shackles and I can't think of a reason for you to not be prepared to fight, should pirates come calling. Some of you might not be going that far, but should receive training nonetheless. You are paying for passage, *not* protection. The only person here responsible for your safety is yourself. Questions?"
Wren huddles over her artisan's tools, trying to tie a small fan of feathers about a cheap green gemstone. Plume, her parrot companion, bobs nearby its head matching the rhythm of the boat.
Wren occasionally oaths as the rocking sometimes distracts from the quality of her work, but she wants to have some new stock to sell when they reach port.
"Yes, Plume, we'll be there soon enough. Then we'll take a look around...and get you some fresh seeds. I do know how much you love your seedies," Wren coos. Plume does not respond.
Wren takes a breath to look over the railing, smelling the salty sea air, and looking for birds.
"Plumie, you know that you and your bird kind herald the approach of land, don't you? Though there are some birds that can travel long ways away from land, most are quite bound to land for their nests. That is where you and I are alike, eh, Plumie?"
Wren sighs and puts her head back down to work, wondering if she should approach the crew to see if they need any new earrings or piraty attire. Wren is really not sure what the current pirate/sailor attire is, but aims to capitalize off it once she knows what it is.
When the ship's boy comes to tell her she's late for her meeting with the Captain, Wren flusters into a bright red, angry with herself for dawdling when she has a chance to chit-chat.
* * *At Capt's Meeting* * *
Wren trades stories, gleaning to any piece of gossip or innuendo that she can from the Captain's stories. She is a databank of such gossip, putting pieces of story together to fabricate entirely new half-truths and suppositions for why people do the things they do.
Wren matches the Captain's intensity as the discussions get more serious.
"Of course, Captain. I shall not dally long in port. I just need to pick up some more jewelry supplies and maybe some extra seed for Plumie, here," Wren says.
Leaning in, Wren begins to whisper conspiratorially. "You know, Captain, you have a fair number of ne'er-do-wells on the boat, including that half-orc. Maybe you could tell me a bit about them so I could keep an eye on them for you." Wren tries to get some gossip out of the Captain.
Wren titters when the Captain mentions the weapons training, drawing her own dagger more as farce. The dagger is an unusual design, made of cold iron. The dagger looks like the talon of an outstretched bird of prey, ending in 3 fine points. The blade is not suitable for anything more than pecking at fruit and scratching one's behind, but Wren seems to fancy it nonetheless.
"I don't think I'd be much use in a fight, Captain, but, should we be attacked, you will have the full measure of my magics at our command," Wren smiles a yellow-toothed smile to the Captain, flashing her feathered 'armor' for him to see. "I shall unleash the powers of these feathers to aid in our defense...don't you worry about me."
Shorga nods along with the others at the comptains terms, Least I can do for him allowing me to come along. This likely a fools errand I've set myself on anyhow." The half-orc looks to the floor as if he could see past the boards and into the hold, where his friend and longtime companion Ursa waits impatiently for him to visit. The thought does spark a question, and he raises his arm, "Captain shir. I do have a queshtion. When we come into port, ish it posshible to bring Ursha out of the hold? She's getting quite bored down below."
Question asked, the tall half-orc leans back. The days since he'd come aboard have done wonders for the constant smell of horse which originally clung to him -plus everything smells like the ocean anways. He has left off his hide armor, finally relenting to the first mates warnings about swimming with armor on if he'd happen to fall overboard. He's thin for a half-orc, his form trim and athletic but with none of the bulk normally associated with his race. He still presses his lips together in the company of others, despite the fact it does little to hide his enlarged lower canines. Likely it is just a long-ingrained habit, difficult to shake at any time. He came aboard with a heavy Falchion and a lance, of all things, both items presumably stowed away like everyone elses possessions.
A faint grin turns his lips at the prospect of training, possibly indicating the half-orc fancies himself a fighter of some sort.
Hmmm. I don't think that I have ever had the power of feathers. That might be what puts us over the edge. The captain laughs jovially.
Shorga, is it? Yes though we only plan to stop in Magnimar for ... how long, Alton?"
Alton glances over at the big schedule on the wall, which is in plain eyesight of the captain, and rolls his eyes a little.
"We will be leaving the morning after. One day total."
Alphonse stretches and looks out over the sea, bored out of his skull.
After over a week on the ship, the novelty had worn off and he was just itching to get off the boat at this point, or at least for something interesting to happen.
He'd been discouraged from most of his hobbies early on in the journey (climbing the rigging was fun...until he was told he was in the way, for instance), and he didn't even have weapon's drills to take his mind off of the fact that nothing was going on.
When someone comes to fetch him for the captain's meeting he sighs in relief.
At least it's SOMETHING!
He perks up even further when the captain says they'll be able to do weapon "training" once a day, and are coming up on the next port.
I'd almost forgotten...maybe I can find something to do there? Buy a game or something to keep me occupied. he thinks, jingling his near empty coin purse absently.
The schedule on the wall reads:
Estimated schedule:
- Magnimar, Varisia - days in port 1
- Kintargo, Cheliax - days in port 2
- Pezzack, Cheliax - days in port 3
- Corentyn, Cheliax - days in port 3
- Ilizmagorti, Mediogalti Island - days in port 2
- Ollo, The Shackles - days in port 3
- Quent, The Shackles - days in port 2
- Port Peril, The Shackles - days in port 3
- Bloodcove, Mwangi Expanse - days in port 4
- Senghor, Mwangi Expanse - days in port 3
Days at Sea: 78 days
Total Journey: 104 days
Shorga dips his head in an appreciative gesture, "Thank you Captain. Ursha and I are grateful." He looks around at the others, looking a bit like he didn't want to speak but going for it anyway, "If anyone would like an eshcort when we reach Magnimar, Ursha and I would be happy to help. I jusht need to shtretch her legsh, no particular shopping in mind."
Hearing Wren offer some sort of feather-magic for protection he glances across at her, Interesting one there... he thinks silently.
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Shilyn listens quietly to the captain, more than a bit unsettled at not having at least a dagger at hand. She leans back in her chair and lets her eyes wander around the room. Her stomach turns a bit with the rolling of the ship. "Ugh, this tossing and turning's going to be the death of me for a bit I think," she muses quietly "Glad I didn't eat too much earlier.. although I'm hungry."
As her thoughts turn to food, she abruptly stands and makes a dash to the door and heads for the open air on the deck. A quickly muttered "Excuse.. me.." followed by the sounds of running feet trailing her out the door.. shortly accompanied by a masculine yell.. "Hey! Watch it, you almost ran me over!"
So the rest of the day and a half pass without much adieu.
You reach the port of Magnimar in Varisia. For those that have never been there, it is truly a sight to behold.
**Pretty picture of Magnimar**
** Pathfinder Wiki for some additional reading on Magnimar **
Wren looks at Magnimar, eager to leave. Her dealings in Ustalav had left a bad taste in her beak mouth, and she seeks warmer climates in the south.
"Come along, Plumie. We shant look back upon this place...it was not good to us. After all we did for our good friends, too."
Shorga leads Ursa carefully out of the hold, the horse and half-orc clearly pleased to see each other and stretch their legs. With no one taking him up on his offer, he satisfies himself with touring the major streets and visiting a few sites. If the city guards are agreeable, he even takes his trusty mount outside the city for some galloping and time in the sun. Before the gates close, Shorga is sure to return and heads back to the ship. He leads the now-reluctant horse back into the hold, so they don't hold up things in the morning.
Alphonse goes into town to stretch his legs and find some simple amusements to occupy him for the rest of the trip.
Let's see...a Siege board is always good if I can find someone to play with...pick up a deck of cards and, hm...yeah might as well get one of those crosswords for a real slow day. Ooh! That's an interesting little puzzle...
Once his shopping is done, he heads off to the nearest tavern for a good meal and a pint of ale, before heading back to the ship.
Once there, he looks around the boat for one of his fellow passengers.
"You there, Shorga I believe? Are you a Siege player, perchance? I just picked up this board and thought it'd be nice to play a game this evening. Are you interested?"
Travis leaves the ship for a bit, heading into town. He seems to know the city and where he's going, as there is intent in his stride, and no hesitance in his directionality. He is gone for a few hours, and when he returns he seems even quieter than normal. He stands looking out to sea most of the rest of his wakeful time in port.
Captain Kovack gathers everyone around and gets a head count from the crew and for the passengers.
You all notice a particularly short and spry looking gnome that is well dressed, with blonde hair and a neatly trimmed goatee. He seems to be absent mindedly making his waistcoat glow on and off, as he waits for everyone else to arrive.
"While we are waiting, does anyone want to hear a joke?"
"A knight returned to the king’s castle with prisoners, bags of gold and other riches from his victories. “Tell me of your battles,” said the king.
“Well, sire, I have been robbing and stealing on your behalf for weeks, burning the all of the villages of your enemies in the north.”
The king was horrified. “But I have no enemies in the north,” he said.
“Well,” said the knight, “you do now.”
"Master Gelik has paid passage on our fine ship, so we have to make some room. Those that aren't doubled up will need to do so. I anticipate we will be picking more people up in some of the busier ports, and we need to accommodate." The captain says with a gesture to the gnome, who instead of glowing on and off with his coat, has now apparently decided that glowing pants would be the better scenario for this introduction, and they glow on and off. On and off.
The Captain weighs the bag of gold, and eyes the curious gnome, wondering if he made a mistake. But, after feeling the weight of the small purse one time, throws the bag to Alton and shouts out, "Find out their sleeping arrangements. If they do not report to you, then you may assign them. That is all. Prepare for departure."
Alton snivels a little at this extra work, as it doesn't seem pleasant. Then shrugs and yells out "You heard the captain, get your affairs in order, and pick out a bunk mate. I will be around once we hit the main winds to verify and document."
Travis looks at the passengers and wonders who will bunk with who. Probably the ladies together and the aasimar and the half-orc.
Yes, travis is bunking with the crew. They have their own room on the other side. It is a larger room but has more people inside. They are 3 to room in there.
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With a shrug, Shilyn looks over at Wren. "Well, looks like we're going to be room mates," she says with a grin. Reaching over to pat Gelik on the head, she looks at the gnome and gives him a wink. "Nice to meet you Master Gelik. Nice touch with the pants.. but a bit bright don't you think? Perhaps more of a dark green?"
With a soft giggle, she turns to move her stuff into her new accomodations.
Once there, he looks around the boat for one of his fellow passengers.
"You there, Shorga I believe? Are you a Siege player, perchance? I just picked up this board and thought it'd be nice to play a game this evening. Are you interested?"
Shorga looks surprised when Alphonse addresses him by name, "Yesh good shir... Alphonshe, do I have that right? I'd be very intereshted in a game. Shiege is the game eh? I've only sheen it played, sho I may need a little inshtruction, if that'sh not a problem." He moves closer to inspect the board in question.
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Later Shorga inclines his head in acceptance of the changes to the sleeping arrangments. He approaches Alton, "Shir Alton, if you like I'd be happy to move my thingsh to the hold. I've shlept near Ursha sho often, doing sho during thish voyage ish of no concequencshe. Doesh that shuit you?"
With a shrug, Shilyn looks over at Wren. "Well, looks like we're going to be room mates," she says with a grin.
"Oh dearie, I didn't see you there. I didn't get your name, Halfsie," Wren says, giving the half-elf a crooked and yellow-toothed smile. "My name is Wren. You've probably been appreciating my 'armor' since the moment I arrived on board."
Young girls always want to be like me.
"You know, of course, that Plumie here will be bunking with us. But she's a sound sleeper..." Wren looks at Shilyn and points out the bird, taking Shilyn by the arm and leading her back to the bunkery.
"I remember this one roommate I used to have. Now she was interesting...blahblahblah...twice a night...blahblahblah...two coned tubers...blahblahblah...one unicorn, one centaur until they both winced...blahblahblah...pudding like you wouldn't believe, because it was filled with halfling...blahblahblah...and that's why I like to sleep on the top bunk, okay?"
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Shilyn's grin fades at being called halfsie but she tries to keep her displeasure from showing. "The name's Shilyn," she says quietly. "Friends call me Shi, although I'm not really shy."
Her eyes glance around the room and come to rest on the parrot. "Nice bird." She listens as Wren goes on about her roommate, nodding politely at times.
Alphonse takes Shorga to a spot where they can set up the board, and explains how the game works, what all the pieces do, and some common strategies for Siege.
"Father taught me when I was little, said it was a good game for a man to know how to play. You've actually put me in a bit of a bind with that move..." he says, as he muses over his next move.
"If you don't mind me asking," he says as he moves a piece "What's your reason for taking a trip like this? And you should really take better care of your Knights." he says, giving him a smile to let him know it wasn't meant to be a harsh criticism.
Curious about the game, Travis slips closer, staying near the railing of the ship though, trying to get to where he can observe without intruding.
His father taught him? Is that what fathers do?... His mind strays back to his unusual parentless childhood. After a brief moment, he shakes his head and comes back to the present and he watches the game dispassionately, trying to learn by observing.
The half orc gains enough of an understanding to move the piece around, and attempt a strategy or two, but at this point its all just one big learning experience. His eyes are flicking over the board as they play and chat, only half listening to the words, "Hmm? Reashonsh? Oh! My reashon. Yesh. It'sh along the linesh of a family vishit." He moves on quickly, not wanting to dwell overlong on his vague answer, "And what of you shir Alphonshe? What bringsh you to the open watersh?" He moves another piece backwards defensively, trying to protect the Knights mentioned earlier, though the damage has likely been done.
Her eyes glance around the room and come to rest on the parrot. "Nice bird." She listens as Wren goes on about her roommate, nodding politely at times.
Emboldened by Shilyn's courtesy, Wren continues to babble all the back to the room and through Shilyn's unpacking process and moreso if allowed.
Eventually, to her own sadness, she runs out of things to say and begins to get her questioning gossip on.
"Did you see that half-orc? A brooding brute, mark my words. And that tielfing! If there is going to be trouble, dearie, it will be those two. Wouldn't you say?"
Wren continues.
"Where did you say you were from again? And are you elfy in your maternal or paternal side?"
"Me? I guess you could say traveling is my purpose in life. Haven't been to the Mwangi Expanse yet, so I figured I'd go on a walkabout there. I hear it's a dangerous place, good place to test my skills. That's all there is to it really, kind of boring to tell."
"Interesting move. Seen combat before, I take it? Most new players don't pick up the basics this quickly." he says, pushing one of his own pieces to attack.
Travis continues to watch, struggling to learn the game. He gets the gist of it, and understands the basic concepts, but remembering which pieces are which and how each moves is a struggle for him, totally ruining his chances of grasping the game as a whole without direct instruction.
He's glad to stay out of the way of the players, so as not to distract them, as curious about them and their conversation as the game. In time, he loses some of his interest in the game, which is a bit beyond him, but not in the players. Of the two, the half-orc seems the most like me... and probably has seen his share of negative reactions... the aasimar might actually take an automatic dislike to me just like the folk in Kenebras. I should give him a chance though, he might not be like them at all.
Finally, he reaches a decision and turns for a moment, staring out to sea again. I will never know, if I never give them a chance. After all I've seen and been through, I should be thick-skinned enough to take a little rejection... what's the worst they could do, eh?
He turns back and steps out of the shadows with a slight smile on his face. He's careful to keep his lips together when he smiles so as not to reveal a mouthful of sharp teeth, legacy of his mother's ancestry. Though there is little he can do to hide the tail, he does his best with that, too.
"Hi.. I don't mean to interrupt your game, but.. well... it looks interesting and would you mind if I watch and try to learn?"
"Interesting move. Seen combat before, I take it? Most new players don't pick up the basics this quickly." he says, pushing one of his own pieces to attack.
Shorga listens to Alphonse's answer, lips turning down as he imagines himself living the traveling lifestyle. At the compliment of Shorga's skill in the game he looks up with a quick smile, his large canines dominating his mouth. Shorga seems to realize this, and quickly cuts off the happy expression, face once more serious, "Well.. thank you. I've sheen my share of fighting. Attack and Defend, thoshe thingsh are eashy. Doing them well ish lessh eashy." That said he moves another piece forward, preparing to counter attack, but seemingly fails to spot it's obviously vulnerability. He holds his finger on the piece, glancing around the board and considering the angles -and then Travis speaks up right near his elbow, like a shadow given life. "" he exclaims, half standing and jostling the game pieces, nearly turning his makeshift seat over, so startled his hand reactively reaches for a weapon thankfully stowed safely below decks. Just as quickly he realizes there is no danger, but is in fact one of the crew -he thinks- come to learn the game.
He grins tightly, clearly embarrassed and rights the things that were jostled by his sudden movement. Sitting back down slowly he apologies, "My pardon friend. I wash shtartled greatly when you shpoke. I did not realize you were shtanding right there. Pleashe, pull up a sheat and join ush. That ish, if you're agreeable shir Alphonshe."
"Erm, yes, not a problem at all. Please, pull up a seat." Alphonse says, trying to cover for the loud thumping of his heart and obvious startlement after Travis pops up out of nowhere.
Scared me half to death. Hope he doesn't make a habit of that or I'll be had a heart attack before I'm a hundred.
"I'm Alphonse. And you? You're a member of the crew, if I'm not mistaken?" he says as he recovers, absently moving a piece to capture Shorga's seemingly vulnerable one as he talks and eyes the newcomer.
Wonder if he sneaks around like that because he's shy, or because of his obvious demon-blood? Probably both, not that I blame him.
"I'm sorry... didn't mean to startle you... are you.. sure it's okay?" he asks hesitantly even as he pulls an empty bucket over, upends it and sits. He eyes the aasimar particularly as he sits down, then turns and gives Shorga a little smile.
When Alphonse bids him stay, he sighs in relief.
"Thanks. My name's Travis, and yes, I'm one of the crew... and well, I find the game you are playing here quite fascinating, though I truly don't understand it all."
"Hm, well a game in progress is a bit difficult to follow. Really, the basic rules are fairly simple..." He rattles off the uses of each piece and the objective of the game.
"You're remarkably stealthy you know, I didn't even have a clue someone was there! We'll blame it on me being absorbed in the game so I can save face, eh?" he says, and winks at Travis.
Hope I don't scare him off. Doesn't seem like he's used to talking with people very much.
"I'll do the best I can to follow along... just keep on as you were going." He pauses a moment while Alphonse continues on speaking and chuckles softly.
"Sorry, as I said, I didn't mean to startle you, I just didn't want to disturb the game." He smiles back at Alphonse's wink, careful not to show teeth.
I hope I didn't put him off by staying to the shadows... he seems a forthright fellow... and used to people being more forward, I think.
Shorga grins gently as Travis joins their small table, "Nicshe to meet you Travish. I'm Shorga. Ash for the game, you can probably shee I'm jusht learning, but Alphonshe here shays I've already done shome intereshting movesh." He turns back to regard the board, his grin falling and his brows drawing down as he watches Alphonse take the piece he'd thought so well placed. "Hmm, clearly I have much to learn." he says, chagrined. He considers his next move, much less sure of himself this time, and tries to shore up his crumbling defenses.
Move made he looks up at Travis, "Think nothing of it, shir Travish. Sho how do you like the life of a sheaman? Alpohonse ish a traveler himshelf. Perhaps you've been to the shame placesh?" he suggests.
Seems a bit skittish, better be gentle with this one. he thinks.
"Truth be told," he says, lowering his voice, and making sure no one can overhear him other than the two passengers, "I'm rather new to seafaring, but I'm learning fast. It's not a bad life."
"I'm afraid I'm not well-traveled when it comes to unexplored places like Mwangi... I've been around Varisia, and... a few places northeast but really not many places at all."
The half orc looks surprised, "You sheem a full shailor, I'd not have guesshed it wash new to you. That shpeaks to your shkills I'd shay."
Shorga nods slowly when they speak of Mwangi, "I've never been there either, to the Mwangi Exshpanse I mean. My mother told me quite a lot about the place, before she passhed. I musht shay I'm quite looking forward to it."
"I don't know a lot about it... I've heard it's a jungle... and dangerous... but that's all. Maybe you could share with us some of your mother's tales?" He watches the board fascinated, only stealing glances at Shorga and Alphonse from time to time.
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Shi removes her pack while Wren is talking and simply dumps her pack next to one of the bunks. She listens patiently as the older woman rambles. "Calistra, give me strength!" she thinks quietly, nodding her head and giving an "Uh huh.. I know right?" from time to time.
Her patience finally pays off when Wren asks about her past. Dodging the question, she looks at the other woman and says, "I think we should head up on deck before the others wonder what's happened to us, don't you think? Besides, I saw the way that gnome fellow was admiring your feathers. I bet he's wondering where they're all from."
Without waiting a response, Shilyn turns and heads out the door go go topside and see what's happening.. and to give her ears a rest.
Shorga leans back, the game momentarily forgotten. His eyes are seeing another time and place, a mothers voice remembered, "She didn't shpeak of it often. There were shome thingsh she wished to forget, you shee. But one shtory she loved to tell wash the village where she grew up. She never shaid the name, just described the way the shun roshe above the treesh each morning. The shmell of fish baking over the fire..." He goes on, spending several minutes describing bits and pieces of a second hand memory, full of imagery and yet always very vague as well. It's easy to it's something he's heard many time, long ago. Eventually he trails off into silence, looking out over the water, lost in his own thoughts.
With a shrug, Shilyn looks over at Wren. "Well, looks like we're going to be room mates," she says with a grin. Reaching over to pat Gelik on the head, she looks at the gnome and gives him a wink. "Nice to meet you Master Gelik. Nice touch with the pants.. but a bit bright don't you think? Perhaps more of a dark green?"
With a soft giggle, she turns to move her stuff into her new accomodations.
The gnome seems perturbed by the head pat. It motions it's hands and then seems to think better of it.
In response to Shorga's description of life in a Mwangi village, Travis looks pensive for a moment, a tiny scowl creasing his brow as he considers Shorga's words.
"It sounds ... idyllic... sun... trees... fish..." He grows quiet a few seconds after Shorga does, letting the half-man have his time of silent contemplation.
He turns his attention for a moment to the board and Alphonse, not wishing to intrude on Shorga's silence.
Struggling to grasp the strategy of the game, he asks a question of Alphonse about the current board. His question shows he's been paying attention, and has some basic understanding of strategy, but still has much to learn about the game. "What would happen if Shorga were to move this piece over here?"
Alphonse listens to Shorga's tale and gives a small smile.
Sounds nice. Maybe we can see it one day. He drifts off into thought about all the things that might await at the end of the journey
At Travis' question he snaps back to reality.
"Hm? Oh, yes. Well, good move in the short term. Takes one of my Cleric's out of the game, which is a blow to my offense. However, it leaves a bit of a gap in his defenses. If he's not careful to cover for it, that I can get one of my Archers through that gap before he can plug it up, and it's hard to recover from having something behind your lines like that. Risky move. Can pay off or bite you in the rear just as often as each other."
"I'm still struggling to understand, but your advice and guidance is helping. I see what you are saying about leaving an opening... I guess not the best move he's got available." He grows quiet while he tries to envision what will happen if other pieces move... though he lacks the deep understanding of the game to see several moves ahead.
"Oh! Good idea," Wren says, agreeing with Shilyn after she mentions the gnome. "He was interesting, wasn't he? I mean, for a gnome. You can only trust that sort so far, right?"
Wren preens her feathered 'armor' as she walks, following Shilyn.
"So, you didn't mention if your mom or dad was elven, did you?" Wren asks passively.
"Well...my mom, bless her soul..." Wren diatribes a bit about Elven mothers as she walks and awaits Shilyn's response.
Alphonse stays on the ship, not having a need to get off and not being too fond of Cheliax for the most part.
Shorga takes Ursa out riding, and visits a few armories window shopping for some better armor. Alas he's not got enough to actually buy anything and returns to the ship before the night has set it. He seeks out Alphonse and Travis to see if they've any interest in a game of Siege, and also makes an effort to approach the two ladies he hasn't met yet, Shilyn and Wren -approaching them together as they've frequently been seen together since the change to the sleeping arrangments. "Greetingsh ladiesh. I am Shorga Brull." and bows formally -if inelegantly.
travis stay on the ship in Celaxian ports and asks alphonse for a little one on one instrunction on siege. he'll do his best to master the basics.
he'll try also to chat with jask, introduce himself and ask why he's a prisoner and where he's being taken.
So the post monster hopefully got full and won't eat any more posts. To recap what some of you saw, if not all:
You made 3 stops in Cheliax, and ported for a few days at a time each stop. At the end of the first stop in Kintargo a woman boarded named Ieana. She speaks with a Varisian accent and is very bookish. She doesn't seem to have time for "commoners." Not that she has ever used that word, but the presence of that word is caught in every remark aimed to get the person inquiring of her to just go away.
The second person loaded in the last stop is named Jask. Some of you noticed him being loaded on in handcuffs, as either a prisoner or a slave. He is old, but not ancient. Rambar, the cook, is the only person allowed to approach him, serving his watered down "soup."
That doesn't mean that some of you haven't approached him, and he won't speak to any of you, he just watches with very knowing eyes, gathering everything in.
Srorga, Alton mentions to you that only the Captain for sure knows why he was locked up. But it was for forgery, or something like that. Not a violent crime.
When any of you approach him locked in the brig (next to Shorga's horse locked next door :) ), all he has to say is "I stand before you an innocent man." in a calm voice.