One Step Beyond

Game Master Lemmy Z

Perhaps he was talking about stds

Perhaps he was talking about stds

Pretty much. I imagine a temple is more likely to have Remove Disease on hand than the brothel.

lol at the posts I have inspired/caused.

Jaazkara acts slightly confused for a moment, then says,"'Dee temple? I know not of 'dee warmblood gods; is 'dis, 'Calistria' a patron of 'dee whores...?" Her tone is not the least condescending or insulting when she says the word, having used it only out of a lack of familiarity with the language. (She's never heard of a "courtesan.")

She continues, somewhat sheepishly, slowly sounding more confident and sure as she goes on: "Jaazkara wishes to...increase her knowledge of 'dee world. Have cultural exchanges. See 'tings she has not. Wit' her new gold, Jaazkara can 'tink of noting' she want more. Jaazkara have needs! And Jaazkara knows she is not one to stay or settle. She adventures! So...options are limited. As for 'dee place...Jaazkara has someting'...'specific' in mind. 'Dee Viper's Nest seemed more likely to cater to-" and she gestures up and down her reptilian body,"-'exotic tastes.' Would 'dis Lady Hazel have one who would have Jaazkara...?"

Thank you Donovan, for funny ways to say coitus

A dirty thought flashes in the elf's mind, but Eitylen quickly reject it, it can't be..., now the elf is more confused than before and decide to just focus his mind on the Ironbloods.

"I can't see why not...also the maidens there are quite knowledgeable of the world so if you're looking for cultural exchange...I can think of few better places than the temple. Though whore is an uncouth word, Courtesan would be more appropriate I think for them. I would be willing to take you there if you like..." Cyrus says, supplying a more proper word for his friend.

And it'd make a mighty fine excuse to see Lady Hazel...

Jaazkara thinks on it for a few moments, then nods assent. "Very well. Jaazkara will go wit' you to 'dee temple. Cor-tes-an." she says, trying out the word and grinning. Yes, I like the sound of that.

Eitylen wrote:

Perhaps he was talking about stds

Pretty much. I imagine a temple is more likely to have Remove Disease on hand than the brothel.

That's unlikely to be a problem in a place as famous and expensive as the Viper's Nest.

- - -

But anyway, what do you want to do next? While it's not an emergency, you are looking for your friend's mother; Taking a break to go to a brothel seems... distasteful.

We go To the Ironbloods

I agree. We can take care of my urges later. Or, I can.

"Of course that particular venture should be dealt with in good time. To the Ironbloods for now!"

You return to the Mad Shark and are greeted by Marcie as usual. She's chatting with Jenny who's apparently taking a break.

Inside the tavern there are fewer customer than usual... Even considering the fact that this time of the day has never been particularly crowded.

Joel and Marina aren't anywhere to be seen, but it's likely that at least one of them is in the kitchen.

Jaazkara takes the opportunity to order a drink she's been meaning to try, and while she does, she inquires as to the cause of the relatively empty tavern. She then politely asks if the owners are about.

I ask for an Oldlaw Whiskey, and assuming they've got it in stock, relish it when it comes

Bah, wimp.

Frederick orders a drink he heard about from Tai Leng. it's supposed to come on fire!

Orange juice for Eitylen.

You sit on a nearby table and Karina soon comes to take your orders. This time, the petite blonde doesn't spill anything. She seems much more comfortable moving about when there are fewer people around.

She quickly brings you your drinks, correctly guessing that Frederick's order was meant to be Dragon's Breath Ale, which comes in a ceramic tankard with red and yellow flames dancing on top of it... Despite its relatively sweet flavor, it does pack quite a punch.

Jaazkara is happy to see the girl bringing the whiskey she asked for. And even Eitylen gets a surprisingly fresh juice.

Karina then answers Jaazkara's questions.

Empty Tavern:

"Huh? Ah... I think it's because of all the ships leaving port. To avoid some kind of mist or something. I'm not sure... I just... kinda of... Accidentally overheard some navy guys talking about it."

The Owners:

"Well... Marcie is there talking to Jenny. Uncle Joel is in the back, helping Jabs unload the supplies to the pantry... Aunt Marina is just reading one of her books. Want me to call one of them?"

Jaazkara nods and slips the girl a couple coins for her trouble.

"Yes, 'tank you. We would appreciate 'dat."

"Okay. just a sec..."

Karina leaves the room for a moment just to return a few seconds later and start taking the orders of other customers.

About two minutes later, Marina Ironblood enters the main room, she walks calmly through taking just a second to correct Liz' posture before stopping next to your table.

"Hello!" she says with a kind voice. "Can I help you with anything?"

I'm sorry I keep asking this, but what is she supposed to know again? I've been having a hard time fllowing this chain of custody here. We heard from Glasseye that the Moon Face lady was seen talking to an Orc woman while Marina's kids...meandered about?

The blond woman lead Frederick's parents to the market after talking to them for a while. On that occasion (and a few others), she was accompanied by Marina's kids. Marina was seen talking to the blond woman multiple times on friendly terms, both during the 7th Purple Moon Festival 15 years ago and in the time after that as well, so she certainly knows her identity and probably whereabouts. I swear things are just about to get more exciting... I kinda forgot to add a little detail and made a wrong prediction about your actions. ><'

(She's also been living in Blue Shell for at least 15 years, so there's that. :P)

"We were hoping to ask you some questions. We have reason to believe you are, or were, on friendly terms with a woman who knew my parents. I was wondering if you might recall seeing a couple, an orc woman and a human man, 15 years ago during the last Purple Moon festival. They were seen in the company of a blonde woman who you seemed to be on friendly terms with?"

15 years ago was 3 Festivals ago, not the last one... Well... 2 festivals ago, technically, since this year's festival hasn't happened yet. But let's ignore that...

Instead, I get to tie in the arrival of Frederick's parents to a different occurence from my GM timeline. ;)

"Your... Parents?!" Marina replies obviously surprised. "Oh, my...! It must have been Desna herself who brought you here, dear! I do remember that couple! They were here the day of our Grand Opening!" she says, cheerfully. "It was quite the event! I can still see it was it it was yesterday... So many people... Captain Olaf, Lady Yuuko, Din, Marie... That handsome druid fellow... Even Namazhi Wavebraver was here! Such a wonderful lady... She always looks so dignified in that uniform. And she was so kind... She loved Marcie's song!" she goes on excitedly, before realizing she's sidetracking, lost in her memories. "*cough*... Ahem... But I do remember an orc woman and her lover. She had a beautifully braided hair, and he had a strong jaw... Much like yours, dear..." she says with gentle eyes. "Yes... I remember they were brought here by... Oh..." she interrupts her tale with a somewhat serious look, although it's closer to annoyance than anger or sadness.

"A blond woman, you say? Are... Are you sure it wasn't a brunette? Or a man? Maybe an elf? Some of them are quite androgynous, you know?" she says a while rubbing her right temple and before quickly adding "No offense, dear..." with an innocent tone while looking at Eitylen.

uhm?, it was a blond women according to our investigations - THe elf missed the offense

Cyrus simply enjoys a slice of ham with diced potatos. He glances at Frederick as Marina recounts his parents.

"Fairly sure it was a blond woman." Cyrus says in between bites of his supper.

Marina turns around and quickly speaks to the waitress...

"Karina, honey... I need to have a quick talk with these customers. Would you be a dear and watch my stew for a while."

"Sure, Auntie Marina." answers the young girl, before quickly writing down one last order from a customer and skipping away to the kitchen.

"Thank you, sweetie." Marina says kindly, before looking back at you with a somewhat concerned look.

"There was a blond woman here, that day: Melissa Sweetdew. She's... a friend of the family... And not nearly as gentle as her cutesy name would have you think."

Marina pulls a chairs from a nearby table and gracefully sits on it.

"Melissa is a privateer under employ of the Armada. She has contacts, skill and a damn annoying attention to detail. If anyone can take you to your parents, it's her. Finding Mel is easy. Meeting her, not so much, but I can help you with that... Getting her to help you... Well.. I hope you're as resourceful as you look." says the woman.

"Go to the eastern limit of the docks. About a mile away from the shore, you can see a large ship with the picture of a jester in its sails and a few smaller ships around. She'll almost certainly be there." Marina stands up. and quickly says "Wait here for a moment..." then rushes to the kitchen only to return a few moments later with a small basket in her arms."Here! I made some honey buns this morning... Take it to her, and she'll be more inclined to help you."

Thanks ma'am! - The elf finish his orange juice and is ready to continue the sarch of fredericks mom.

"Thank you! Finally, a lead." Frederick says, then pauses for a second.

"Do you by any chance have any more honey buns?"

"Sorry, sweetie... Tis all I got." she says solemly. "Truth be told, I'm surprised there were this many left... Jo and Marcie never let them last past breakfast." The woman lets slips a hint of pride. "If you want, I'll make some for you tomorrow."

There are four honey buns in the basket.

Jaazkara thanks Marina as well. Then, having enjoyed her drink, she inquires as to the availability of a bottle of the stuff, and pays her tab.

Jaazkara is sold a bottle of her whisky. It's not particularly rare around here...

You now have to reach a boat about a mile away from the shore... Let's hope Brother Cyrus gets over his fear o getting wet. ^^

"Does anyone know where we can rent a boat?"

We just need to ask around the docks - It should not be dificult with the number cyrus can get in Ghater information

In my defense, it's not so much fear as revulsion for we had recently spent a large amount of time traipsing about a swamp.

"I'm sure I could find a decent rate...or a kind enough fisherman willing to take us out for a pittance."

Take 10 on Gather Info+Silver Tongue for a 27

Oof... Wall of Text ahead... Sorry.

You quickly find out there aren't many fishermen by the docks at this time... Most of them are already at the sea.

You do however come across more interesting information... The ship where Karina Sweetdew is said to be is known as the Golden Galleon... A ship that has sailed near the shores of Blue Shell for nearly as long as the city has existed...

- - -

Shortly after the city was established, gambling became such a huge problem that the city's Grand Council decided to banish it altogether and enforce harsh punishment and constant vigilance.

At that time, someone decided to take a large ship and turn it into a floating gambling house that would juuuuuuust beyond the point where the Blue shell navy was willing to chase them.

In time, the ban on gambling was lifted, although the practice is still strictly supervised by the government and not well seen by most navy officers... At that point, the Golden Galleon approached the shore, but whoever commanded the ship at the time decided to keep it afloat... Only once every few years coming to the docks for repairs.

Nowadays, the ship is rarely farther than a couple miles from the shore... But it does tend to wander away at times when the Blue Shell Armada is too active.

- - -

And as it couldn't be any different.... These are such times. The navy seems unusually active by the docks. They are not worried about the Golden Galleon, though. You find out that during your absence from the city, there's been an unusual increase in pirate raids to ship not too far from the coast. These attacks are often preceded by a cold, thick fog.

This has prompted the armada to greatly increase the patrols around the city, often two or three warship at a time.

No fishing boat is willing to approach the Golden Galleon (in part because very few fisherman have the money to spend there anyway). Trade ships prefer to stay at the docks so as to be prepared to leave on one of the few opportunities when the Armada agrees to escort trade ship to a safe distance, supposedly beyond the reach of whatever pirates are ravaging the area.

These days, the Golden Galleon is visited by very, very few ships whose captains are too brave, greedy or stupid to stay away, the occasional mercenary/privateer ship and a few Blue Shell Navy ship, that supposedly go there for a quick inspection of the place... Although sailors are known to occasionally partake in the entertainment (most higher-rankings officer disapprove of this practice, but don't punish their men for it, as gambling is no longer against the law).

So, what do you want to do Fred?

"Perhaps we could check if the Navy has an inspection coming up? Maybe they will let us come along."

The golden galleon is not hostile to boats that get close to it,right? We could rent a boat and drive it ourselves

Rent-a-boat isn't exactly a common business here... Most boats belong to fishermen, who are already at see since sunrise. And those who are still around are probably not willing to rent their one source of income to strangers... Specially strangers going to the Golden Galleon when the Navy is this upset.

At least one official armada ship goes by the Golden Galleon everyday, though... They stay there very shortly, though, as they only make a quick inspection to look for suspects and/or information on the recent raids. They don't take passengers, though... Usually... Like everything else, there are exceptions for those who are influential enough. And you can always try to sneak in.

Other than that, there are mercenaries... Pay them enough and most of them will gladly take you there. Or you can join them and hope they go there...

Alternatively, you can always swim... ;)

The possibilities are endless, really.

It seems like a lot of trouble, they could just wait until things calm down with the Armada

It's your call Fred

Ww could buy a boat as a last resort, a Swanboat is 450 gp

I have a feeling things aren't going to calm down with the armada until we find some way to take out the Undine Fogomancer pirates or whatever is lurking out there.

Which is likely to be cheaper? Paying mercs to ferry us over (and hoping they don't screw us over), or buying a boat and paying to dock it somewhere when we're done?

I have a feeling things aren't going to calm down with the armada until we find some way to take out the Undine Fogomancer pirates or whatever is lurking out there.

Perhaps we can try to make a deal with the armada in that regard

Well...we could always talk to our good friend Ayren. He usually knows a way if possible.

We could pitch in together and buy a folding boat! It becomes a ship!

I only have 640 gp left

You could steal a ship... Or sneak into one. Or build a raft. Or ask for help... You do kind of know someone in the Wavebraver family... You saved the pet tiger of one of them. :P

I refuse to fall into the DM's malefics schemes :P

More seriously, exactly how much cost to pay those mercenaries?

You fell for my malefic schemes the moment you first posted in this thread, boy. >:D

ahem, there was a question in there ¬¬

How much they charge to take you there? Probably little to nothing... As long as they're going there anyway. And you convince them to let you in their boat. Well... Convince whoever is responsible for whatever boat you want to take you there, that is.

This really wasn't supposed to be this much of a challenge. :P

...Is frederik choice, I vote for just waiting a couple of levels to see if the pirates go away :P