GM Edwin's Serpent's Skull (Inactive)

Game Master Insnare

You have all, for various reasons, found yourselves on board the Jenivere, a large Wyvern-class merchant vessel bound for Eleder in Sargava. It left Magnimar on the 15th day of Pharast, 4713, and has made many stops along the way. It is now the 28th of Sarenith, the 104th day of the journey, and the end is finally drawing near. Another day or two at most, the captain says, and you will arrive at your destination.
The journey has seen a mixture of excitement and long, dull expanses of nothing happening. Some of the more noteworthy events include the relatively recent arrival of passenger Aerys Mavato in Port Peril. She immediately got into a fight with one of the ship’s crewmen who made an ill-advised pass at her. She soundly humiliated him in the resulting scrap and has since remained secluded most of the time, even though this occurred before she came aboard, the scuttlebutt has come to her anyway.

You should remind yourselves of the descriptions of the key NPCs on board the Jenivere found in the Player’s Guide.
In addition to that basic information, here’s a bit more for some of you, as indicated by the spoiler tags:

Miles and Viata

Finn, Miles and Viata

The fiery redhead, Sasha Nevah boarded Ilizmagorti. She has been boisterous and has mixed with most others on board the Jenivere,

It’s a bright, sunny day today. A brisk wind plays off the waters of Desperation Bay. This evening there is to be a feast commemorating the upcoming end of the long voyage. Until then, this is a good time to enjoy the weather.

Finn does enjoy being out in the sea, he never had that many opportunities to travel outside of cheliax. But he was excited soon he would begin his journey.

Grimma was happy. It will be a year since she left his village. She made peace with her ancestor and her dwarf family. She see her little brother getting married. Drank beer, a lots of beer, eat a lot of food and celebrate her safe return to the living.
But even if she was happy with everybody, she missed her village, the blue sky, the jungle, the cries of the birds and the sound of the waves breaking on the shore.
She's becoming more and more found of the human mwangi and befriend the Shaman who share with her everything he knew.
And most important, the call to comeback by her goddess.

That's why after a few weeks in her home town, she left. Most of her family was sad, but more understood why she must left.

She took the Jenivere up to Sargava where locals will took her to her village.

Until then, she took her pleasure to look the see, the birds, the fish and talk to the people who one to one embark on the boat.

Viata stands near the fore of the ship, watching it sail onward. She often finds herself taking everything in. The sun shining down upon them, the winds propelling the ship forward. The smell of the sea coming up from below. Each had their own voice to her, a strange feeling yet seeming to calm her, to answer questions she didn't know she even had.

Yana cam up to her, walking along the railing of the deck on his hands. The mischievous companion attempting to entertain her, and of course himself. Viata can't help but smile, "And should you slip and fall in, who do you expect to save you, hmm?" The monkey seemed to smile back to her at that, hopping up and onto her shoulder.

Turning, she watches the crew work, and other passengers go about their day. Even as much as she kept to herself, it was impossible to not learn about some of them. With the voyage nearing it's end, Viata decides to seek out a some fellow passengers, to thank for what friendship was offered on the journey.

Miles enjoys the weather in his own small way; swab in hand, he keeps himself occupied by cleaning the deck in anticipation of that evening's festivities. Days of fish scales and stray bits of offal have found their way across the deck from the rolling of the Jenivere over the waves, but with a push of the swab, all the salt of the sea and everything else is pushed overboard. He stops for a few minutes to lean against the railing and look to the horizon, his eyes shadowed beneath the brim of his hat, a hat that has served him well so far on his first sea voyage and kept him from being torn apart by the sun.

It hadn't so hard a voyage to date. Gelik had come aboard at the same time and boasted of a great many things to Miles, but he played it as blue collar as he could, pretending to be both intrigued and stupefied by the gnome's knowledge. He knew that in time his apparent ignorance would either bore the gnome and encourage him to cease associating with the crewman...or it would entirely backfire, creating in Miles the perfect mooncalf who would always be impressed by the simplest of stories. He felt he would know for sure that evening at the banquet.

The woman with the monkey, Viata, had made it quite a bit more difficult for Miles to keep his cover. Even now, soaking up the brine that the sun tried to beat into the wood with his swab, he couldn't help but steal glances her way out of his peripheral vision. He had probably only spoken to her once or twice, to bid her good morn or fair weather, and that was more than enough. A face like hers was dangerous to a man trying to lay low.

Once finished with his part of the deck, he picks up the bucket and dumps its contents overboard, watching it splash into the waves crashing against the side of the vessel. He watched the foam on the water until it was as small as the white cliffs of Magnimar on the day he left.

Yana is a monkey, not a cat.

I knew that. Somehow while typing I started thinking of it as a cat. Maybe the whole witch mythos thing got in my brain.

I knew that. Somehow while typing I started thinking of it as a cat. Maybe the whole witch mythos thing got in my brain.

For what it's worth, after you I read it, I went back to make sure I didn't type cat, so I wasn't sure I didn't say it either, lol.

The Lieutenant inspects the job Miles has been doing on swabbing the deck, grunts in approval and says, "Seaman Miles, a word" in a very curt manner.

He then leads Miles over to a part of the ship with none of the passengers around and says, "Good job with the deck, remember we have a crew meeting after the feast tonight."

He nods and gives his own tacit response. "Aye." As the lieutenant walks away, Miles catches him with a question. "Any word from the captain about the man in the brig?"

The LT. pivots on his heel and says, "Supposedly, Jask is wanted for crimes of corruption in Sargava, he was living in Corentyn for about decade as the boys in the brig tell it. Some agent on a diplomatic mission recognized him. Although Sargava hasn't been part of Cheliax in a long time but there is still a fair amount of interaction between them. Anyway, the agent handed Jask over to the captain with instructions to return Jask to Sargava for trial."

He thinks for a bit, "So, are you planning to stay with the company after our voyage or are ye just leave us once we get to Sargava?"

The spry, energetic gnome with blond hair and a neat goatee, who dresses like a noble at all times springs from out of nowhere and slides over to Viata and says, "Are you returning home in Sargava?" with an energetic look in his eye.

The rogue is thoughtful, but not for too long. He smiles an easy-going smile. "Depends on Sargava, I suppose. See you tonight, liuetenant."

Slightly started by Gelik's sudden appearance, she tries to hide it and smiles at the gnome. "No, I'm not from Sargava. Yana on the other hand, I believe he's from the area." The monkey, hearing his name, leaps down from Viata's shoulder, playfully rolling about from the attention. "I've come to see if I can't learn more about him. What about yourself? Why are you traveling?"

In the middle of the sentence he puts his hand in the air and says, "Yana was who I was talking to, he cuts a little smile and lets you finish and says, "A little this a little that, a fine gentleman like me must on occasion go off the beaten path, see something new, was it not Prince Haliad I, who wanted to have a hunting preserve in Garund.. bah, not really significant, I might add. I noticed when I arrived, twas in such a rush, my lass, I had forgotten the day I wanted to leave... it happens..."

Aerys Movato the one who got into a fight earlier in the voyage stands near the bow of the ship with a large bottle of black rum staring out over the horizon, listfuly.

Since noone is really rping yet, I will move it forward

Sasha Nevah bursts onto the deck and surveys the scene. She takes in a deep breath. "I love the fresh sea air! Especially when we're supposed to be really close to land." She brushes back her fiery red hair and strides across the deck. She nods at Miles and Viata as she passes them

She makes her way over to the port side near gimma and gazes out over the water, "What have thought of the voyage so far?

"My first, ma'am," Miles answers, assuming the question might have been directed towards him, attempting to make himself appear to be occupied by checking and rechecking the rigging gaffs below the railing. Some of them had apparently been used for fishing, too, so he polishes and cleans the hooks with a stained rag. "Nothing to judge it against. Took a few days to get the sea legs, but I suppose all is well now."

He steals a glance at her missing pinky finger, something that had been a question of some curiosity amongst the crew. Having worked with people who did such things on a regular basis, Miles opted not to share his suspicions for fearing of generating such questions about his own background. Loyalty vis a vis mutilation, he thinks. It had made him feel somewhat sympathetic towards Nevah.

At times, he also looks towards the bow of the ship to make sure Aerys isn't being further molested by crewmen. Otherwise, he doesn't get anywhere near her, lest he fall prey to her severity, as well, just for being too close.

Surprised at Gelik's response, she's about to respond when Sasha comes onto deck. Politely nodding to her in return, she returns to Gelik. "I supposed I'm just surprised. Most think Yana little more than a nuisance or an oddity. To be so frank with him is unusual. So a traveler of the world are you? I think after my trip south I too may take up such a life. Any advice you would offer someone just starting off?"

Good day to you, miss. I'm Grimma Forgefire. said in response to the fiery woman as she gave her hand.

So far, not much. But I like as you the fresh air and the more we come closer to our final destination, the more I'm happy. My village and my friends are all in Sargava.
And you, is this trip what you expect ?

Gelik turns to Viata and says, "Well, my dear as he pets Yana, keep in good humor and always be learning!"

Neva says to Grimma "So far, yes, I've been expecting to go to Sargava for awhile but never been as of yet. So, if you don't mind me asking, is your clan of dwarves colonial, Tarulu or M'beki?"

On his way away from Miles, the Lieutenant catches sight of Garrity and walks over to him, "Excuse me sir, but I seem to have a message for you from the prisoner, well the boys and I are having a wager about this letter, anyway I am sorry to bother you..."

Miles takes some particular interest in the lieutenant's conversation with Garrity and moves about the deck of the ship, attempting to position himself discreetly but nonetheless within earshot of their conversation.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Taking a second to refocus his thoughts at the matter at hands Finn shift his gaze toward the man the just talked to him That would be no trouble at all LT, what is the wager? he extends his hand in order to take the letter.

The Lieutenant says, "Well sir with all due respect, if I tell you what the wager is, it would affect the wager, because I know we've got some sneaky types floating up in our ship and well, cannot corrupt it now can we?"

Grimma smile at Sasha. Neither of them ! My first time in Sargava was as a dwarf colonist. But Fate is a strange thing and thanks to Ylimancha I was reborn an Ijo. It's one of the mwangi tribe.
My village is near Desperation Bay. I was absent for more than a year to see my dwarf brother marry, so I hope all is good for them.

the dwarf, stay silent a moment then with a warm smile ask the young woman

And you, If you don't mind me asking, why did you take this trip ? Friends or family in Sargava ?

breaking into a big old smile :Fair enough, hand me the letter and let me know what you need from me for the wager. Finn will open and read the letter.

Alton hands the letter over to Finn...

FINN

@Gimma, Sasha says, "So you've been adopted by the Ijo tribe, how interesting ... I have a new assignment there. Family business you know import/export, type of thing."

I have read the letter sent to me. so what is it the you wish to know from me for the wager? replies Finn with a smile

The LT smirks, "Are you going to request to see him?"

Indeed i am, would you be kind enough to escort me to him ? he says with a smirk

The Lieutenant says "Dammit!," he then regains his composure "I can do that for you if you wish, sir."

He then turns "Miles!!! not seeing him where he should be working he says louder MILES!!!! Where in Besmara's buckle be you, son?"

you lost the wage ?

after hearing the reply

thank you for taking to me to him, i can easily get lost on this ship

Miles steps out from behind the nearby mast and dusts his hands to give the impression he'd been working on something laborious. "Aye, lieutenant?"

The Lt. says to Miles, "Tell Hinstulkina, the quartermaster, that she has won the bet, I'll be bringing the passenger to see the prisoner."

Turning back to Finn, "As an officer, I do not take part in the wagers because We don't want the crew to think management is trying to steal from them. But Hinstulkina, when she wins a bet is impossible to deal with", he says with a sigh.

Grimma smile at the the young woman answer.

Not exactly, It's more a mutual adoption. It's Ylimancha, my godess, who sent me to them. After helping them to fight slavers and with no news from my dwarfs companions I decided to stay in this village and after a while, I was like them...

Ah ! family business ! I run far away from that ! That's the first reason I quit the Five Kings Mountain to go mining in Sargava ! Now, I have other duties, but they are my choices, not an obligation from someone else.
Hope you will enjoy it. But in case you don't, come see me. Otherwise, if you want tips, I know a few businessmen in Eleder.

I am sorry to hear that she will make your life miserable. he replies with an amused voice as both of then walk toward the brig

Everyone has gotten a little flavor of each other or so, I would like each one of you to describe how you plan on spending your time during the feast and with whom you wish to speak and so on, followed by a fortitude save.

Grimma stayed with Sasha during most of the time of the feast.
She also talked to the captain and the lieutenant about the time they estimate their arrival. Then she tried to avoid the bard who talk too much to her taste. But talk to anyone who try to befriend her.

fortitude (+2 vs poison and magical effects): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Finn doesn't really care whom he sits next too.

He is a pleasant dinner companion trying to engage in whatever conversation. He does ask lots of question about the ship's current final destination as he has never been there. Climate, politics etc...

Fort: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Miles takes his place at the feast next to the quiet scholar who joined them, who usually keeps to herself. He does so for two reasons: one, she isn't likely to engage in any unwanted conversation, but also because Miles himself can attempt to make some inquiries.

"I may be getting my land legs back in Sarvaga," he says to her quietly between bites. "No idea what to expect, aside from the rumors you hear at every port about it being a place of opportunity, and not all of it above the board. Just how true is that, really?"

Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Viata attempts to avoid Aerys if possible, but will attempt to engage some of the others. She'll attempt to engage Ishirou in discussion about his past, hoping to get him to open up.

Diplomacy (why not!): 1d20 ⇒ 15
Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

You all enjoy the wonderful weather the day has to offer, talking some more and for the most part, having a good time. Gelik’s mood has definitely improved after his conversation. Sasha continues to be boisterous and happy. Even Ishirou joins says a few words here and there, albeit, stoically, and while he still doesn’t really smile or look happy, he looks in better spirits than any of you are used to seeing him.

Finally the time for the evening’s feast approaches. The passengers are invited to dine at the captain’s table. Captain Kovack is in dress uniform for the event. Gelik is dressed in his absolute finest. Sasha and Ishirou don’t quite dress as fancily, but they do their best to look good. Aerys is also there, and she partakes of the food and wine without reserve. The only passenger not to show is Ieana. Captain Kovack says that she sends her regrets, but she is not feeling well, and would like to rest before the end of the voyage. First mate Devers is on duty, so is unfortunately unable to join the dinner.

Rambar Terillo, the ship’s cook, serves his finest. More soup. It looks to be the same bland soup he has served every other day of the voyage so far. He serves each passenger personally before moving on to the rest of the ship to serve the crew. Although the soup looks the same, it actually does taste different. Not better, not worse, just different, so he obviously put something different in it.

All in all, things seem to be going quite well. Then everything becomes hazy and finally black.

Grimma

Round 1

Grimma

GRIMMA

Round 2

Finn begins to stir. He thinks he can hear waves. Then someone shouts and he opens his eyes.

GRIMMA and FInn

Grimma, Finn

Grimma

Grimma, Finn

Finn

GRimma and Finn

Round 2

Round 3

Across the battlefield, Viata starts stirring.

Grimma, Finn, Viata

Viata