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Kolris looks for a place to sit, and finally settles on one of the sick-beds. He scoots up on one.
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Talathel nods and cracks a smile.
"Deal! Let us go to this snig."
He lets Murdoth lead him to the small creature, talking over one last time what she wants him to say. He moves into the room he is in and smiles.
"Why hello there! My name, as you might know, is Talathel. You name is Snig, if I'm not mistaken."
He sits down in front of him and offers him his snuff box.
"You seem pretty good at hiding. I think what Murdoth offered you would be a wonderful job for you! No need to be insecure or unsure about anything, my opinion."
He continues talking to him for some time, hoping to convince him.
Eventually Talathel comes to the point.
"You know what I think. I've got to know you a bit. I think you are the best man for this mission. I think you should get off at Riddleport and move onto the other ship. Spy for the group, join them, make a name for yourself!"
He smiles reassuringly, completely convinced that the man is up to the job.
As he eventually leaves Snig behind he sits down for some dinner. He waits for everyone to leave the galley except for Murdoth and himself. He sits close to her, acting like they are in a private conversation whilst waiting for the cook to leave. When she eventually leaves the kitchen area he ignores her, waiting for her to leave the galley. He quickly darts inside the kitchen looking for the book.
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When the cook leaves for the privy, Murdoth quietly follows her to the Privy knowing that Talathel needs time to search the galley. Waiting a moment or two to ensure that the cook is in the privy, she acts as is she is not feeling too well gives her an excuse to follow the cook. She takes a few coins out of her purse and wedges them in the crack of the door to make it stuck. When the cook goes to opens the door to try to get out she finds the door stuck, giving Murdoth a chance to come to the rescue. Knowing that Talathel needs time, she takes her time with the task at hand, while comforting the cook that she is working on the problem. She leans against the door and pushes . Once the door is open again, Murdoth notices the coins, and points them out to the chef. "I'm terribly sorry M'lady, it appears that someone intentionally locked you in the privy. Do you have any idea who on the crew might have done this, or why? Perhaps you should tell me, and help me work through who might do this to you?
Murdoth is persistent in the conversation, not allowing the chef to say no, giving Talathel planty of time to search the kitchen in the process.
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Seijiro will approach the captain if he's available, or the quartermaster, perhaps? and ask..
"Sir, if you have a moment, I just wanted to ask about those fascinating creatures in the hold... is the owner aboard perhaps, or are they simply being shipped? I'd love a chance to meet and talk with the owner if that would be possible. Can you, if he or she is aboard, direct me to that person?"
"Look the other way, will you?"
When he's assured you're looking the other way, Killik unlocks the trunk. He grabs a deck of playing cards from it and then locks his trunk back up.
"Any games you like to play with these?"
"Alright then," Snig says timidly, but clearly with a boosted self-esteem, "I will do as you request, Murdoth. I think a bit of change would be good for me."
------
When you agree to bugger off, Shira moves into the kitchen and starts preparing dinner. When you come back to the galley after talking to Snig, Shira's almost done.
The moment she notices Talathel and Murdoth sit down in the galley Shira says, rather than sneers "Go tell your fellow Pathfinders dinner's ready. They probably won't get what the bell's for."
Shira then grabs a bell and rings it loudly.
The sound of a bell being rang comes from the galley.
"Maybe we can play afterward?"
"Aye, that be Velagon!" the captain says to you. "Lemma introduce ye during dinner, come on!"
The captain then leads you to the galley, where the ship's crew's gathering.
The Throaty Mermaid's crew slowly makes its way to the galley, where Shira the cook hands everyone a plate filled with a stew made of carrots, onions, and mashed potatoes.
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Murdoth joins the rest of the crew for dinner. He turns to the navigator. "Ulamon I presume. Let me introduce myself, my name is Murdoth, glad to be of your acquaintance. I have heard many stories of you. You were on the Polished Barnacle correct? Can you tell me about your adventures of that vessel?
Tsukaris finds the first mate's cabin empty, which may be explained by the dinner bell. He finds Thanzeril and Sephriel in the galley, eating Shira's stew.
"The old temples are very interesting to visit," Thanzeril replies to Tsukaris's question. "The architecture is amazing."
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"Velagon!" the captain shouts, and one of the crew members comes over.
The captain looks at Seijiro and points a thumb at the man. "This be Velagon. He be th' one ye be looking for!"
"Hi," Velagon says as he offers Seijiro his hand, "you were looking for me?"
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Ulamon solemnly shakes his head when Murdoth asks about his adventures on the Polished Barnacle. "I don't know what you've heard, but it's not a glorious tale. It was the first ship I sailed on. Our captain ignored the elves' warning when we sailed too close to lost Azlant..."
The navigator looks at Sephriel for a brief moment, then returns his gaze to Murdoth. "They sunk our ship. I was the only survivor..."
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Seijiro smiles warmly at the man and nods emphatically. "Yes, yes I was.. and it's a pleasure to meet you, I must say." He lowers his voice a little, though not in a conspiratorial fashion, just conversationally, and says, "I must admit, I was admiring your 'goods' in the hold... You must be a great adventurer to have acquired such beasts... or have contacts with some. Can you tell me a bit about them? Where do they come from and what do they do? I am fascinated by the strange and unusual. I love their little tails... not sure even how to describe them, but they are SO cute! Will you sit with me while we eat and me about them, and about yourself too, if you don't mind."
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Murdoth stares at Ulamon in shock. "But how can that be? I heard that the Polished Barnacle was among the fleet that defeated the Cheliex navy in 4643 ar.. I heard that the sailors even received a special ring from the Sagavan government. Boy what one could do with one of those rings in the fight against Cheliax. The last sentence said more under her breath. "You wouldn't be willing to part with it would you?
Sephriel turns to Kolris and says, "They weren't supposed supposed to be there. they received a warning, and choose to ignore it."
You can see Ulamon clenches his teeth while looking at Sephriel and tries hard to not react angrily.
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"They're called rust monsters, and they're most often found underground," Velagon tells Seijiro. "They love to eat iron and steel, but will eat other metals. They're not violent by nature, but if you were to encounter one while wearing a full suit of armor... Well, you can be sure it will try to eat it. Those who frequent areas with rust monsters often have stone or wooden weapons with them to fend them off."
"I'm just a trader of exotic animals. I wouldn't really know what else to tell about myself. What about you? Have you been with the Society for long?"
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"That depends," Ulamon says as he turns his hard stare from Sephriel to Murdoth and his expression softens a bit. "Why do you want to fight Cheliax so badly?"
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Tsukaris notices Thanzeril freezes up a split second, his eyes then dart to Sephriel and back to Tsukaris. He hesitantly replies, "I see..."
Sephriel gives Tsukaris a hard look. "If we were to let everyone visit old Azlant, surely it would be defiled by plunderers who wish to sell its treasures for profit."
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"They weren't supposed to be there. They received a warning, and chose to ignore it."
...
"If we were to let everyone visit old Azlant, surely it would be defiled by plunderers who wish to sell its treasures for profit."
"Ahhh, well indeed. If it was done in accordance with the law, then I'm afraid the sailors have little complaint." He looks at Ulamon with some sympathy, and continues. "We must have rule of law. If the ship was warned, I'm afraid it's the captain who is to blame. Though I have sympathy for you and the crew who were lost."
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"Ah, Master Veladon, they sound very unique and interesting. I will make sure to keep my metal implements away from them should I pass near their cage. I guess you have to keep them confined without metal then. As for myself, I have been with the Pathfinders for about 2 years now, but I have not undertaken too many missions for them... I have had some family issues to see to between my work for the Society. I truly do enjoy my work for the Society, as it is always so interesting, always something new and different." He pauses a moment before continuing on, turning the conversation back to him and his creatures. "Do you mind if I ask you where you find such unusual beasts as these rust monsters? They surely must be relatively rare, yes? I have never heard of them before."
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Murdoth looks deep in thought, and then continues.
"The empire runs on the backs of fiends, a perfect machine of hellfire and blood, where morality surrenders to the needs of law and order. The laws of Cheliax are based upon the Asmodean Disciplines, which serve as the primary religious text for the Church of Asmodeus. These laws are expansive and intrusive, and attempt to regulate nearly every element of a citizen's public and private life. I cannot in good faith as a servant of Shelyn stand idly by and allow the enslavement of these people. Freedom must be ensured and brought to all people."
She finishes "That ring would be a start to help ensure the freedom of the people."
Sephriel gives an affirmative nod in response to Kolris, but you see Thanzeril looks away with a somewhat annoyed expression.
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"They're in wooden cages," Velagon tells Seijiro. "Metal cages would be a very bad idea."
"I see! Well variety is important, if you don't want your job to become dull. I have many business contacts which supply me with exotic animals and sometimes even I get to see animals I've never seen before. Have you heard of dinosaurs? Last year I transported a variety of different dinosaur eggs from the Mwangi Expanse. I'd love to see the actual dinosaurs, they ought to have hatched by now."
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Ulamon gives Kolris a death glare, but tries his best to ignore the conversation the elves are having. He listens attentively to Murdoth, and once she's done talking he removes the ring from his finger.
"It sounds like you can use this better than I can," Ulamon says as he hands the ring to Murdoth.
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Seijiro continues speaking softly, "I am sure the Society would be interested in rare and exotic creatures, and would probably pay well for such things. Do you think you might consider opening a line of communication with the Society's Exchange 'branch' to bring such creatures here from places like Katheer? I know they'd be more than interested. I could set you up a contact within the Exchange for such a deal.. It could prove quite beneficial on both sides, especially quite profitable for you, I'm sure, if you agree."
Velagon cracks a smile. "Of course I'm interested! The more beneficial business contacts the better! I'm all ears."
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Seijiro smiles back warmly and gets Velagon's contact information (and gives him an address thru which he can get in touch with a contact at the exchange if such a thing exists, otherwise, just gets HIS information and tells him he will be contacted shortly). "The Exchange will be heartened to hear you are interested and look forward to further contact in the near future. Now, tell me more about these dinosaurs you spoke of... To be honest, I'm not sure I've ever heard of them or seen one. Was it dangerous to collect their eggs? Just the name for some reason sounds fearsome."
Seijiro and Velagon talk a bit more about dinosaurs, while slowly the rest of the crew returns their plates to the kitchen and heads back to where they were before.
"Want to see the rust monsters?" Velagon asks Seijiro as he, eventually, also leaves.
While most of you still hang around in the galley Shira leaves for the upper deck.
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Talathel jumps to his feet, taking his plate with him, and moves into the kitchen. Just before he goes inside he whispers to the others.
"Ssshhh."
He says with a finger to his mouth.
"My lovely Forch is still hungry, don't tell anyone!"
He then slips inside to look for the book, the smoke and darkness making it hard for him to see it.
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...while slowly the rest of the crew returns their plates to the kitchen and heads back to where they were before.
When people start cleaning up plates, Kolris interrupts briefly. "So, good folks, I was wondering if any of you would be interested in some games of chance?" He looks around from crew, to his fellow Pathfinders, to Sephriel and his guard. "Nothing too serious, of course, but some games to wile away a few of the hours at sea could be fun. My new friend Killik has found a deck of cards, and I'm open to suggestions for games people would like. How about those who are interested regroup here in an hour or so, after any night chores are done?"
"I'd like that!" Velagon responds to Kolris, just before he heads to the cargo hold with Seijiro. "I'll be there!"
Talathel slips into the kitchen and looks around. Even though he initially doesn't see it Talathel sticks around long enough to find the book he was looking for; Concocted Libations to Die For.
Velagon and Seijiro head to the cargo hold, where Velagon show Seijiro the wooden crates with the rust monsters. "Aren't they beauties?"
[dice=DC 10 Perception, for Seijiro]Each of the wooden crates has been locked with a metal lock, which the rust monsters could reach if the would stretch themselves enough.[/spoiler]
"You think they could reach it?" Velagon asks Seijiro and kneels down next to the crates. "Heavens, I think they indeed might! Good of you spot it!"
Velagon rushes over to another crate and takes some sturdy rope from it. He cuts two pieces off the large rope and rushes back to the cage. "I'll also tie the crates shut with these pieces of rope, that should keep them inside the crates."
Velagon then ties a piece of rope around two of the first crate's bars, and does the same for the second crate. "Wow... thanks, mate! They'd create massive havoc if they were to escape from their cages!"
It slowly becomes dark, and part of the crew goes to their cabins. Kolris, Killik, and Velagon play a game of chance with Killik's deck of cards, but they eventually also go to bed.
------
The next morning everyone wakes up from a good night's rest. You don't have any tasks aboard the ship, and are thus free to do whatever you'd like to.
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[Seijiro would have wanted to join the card game, if it wouldn't put Killik off in any way, but he won't try to start any faction mission work during the game, just trying to let Killik know he's an okay guy, without any seeming agenda.[/ooc]
On the second day, he'll try to approach Killik and begin with "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you the other day, just wanted to talk... I'm hoping we can get a chance to talk again before the journey is over... please don't think too harshly of me."
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In the morning, after breakfast is done and everyone is settled into their daily routine, Kolris will head to the captain's cabin.
You find the captain busy at work at his desk, writing in a thick, leather–bound logbook. The beautiful half-elven woman lazes on his bed again, reading an illustrated chapbook.
The woman sits up and puts her book away. She gives you a mischievous smile. "I'm Azuretta, dear. I've heard your name is Kolris? I like it."
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Talathel nods and his face indicates that he seems in thought.
"Doesn't the man know not to push his subjects? That causes uprisings or worse, killings.
He thinks to himself for another moment.
"I could perhaps aid you in this. I have some spells that might be able to help. Mage hand could help me lift fish out of the water. Or perhaps ghost sound to scare the fish. Or... Maybe Marzack."
The last he adds with a wink.
"Otherwise I could try and talk to the man, though it is not proper for me to comment on his leadership."
"Mate!" the captain says when he stops laughing. "The 'designs' be exactly what she be hired to do on me ship!"
Azuretta takes your arm and leads you out of the captain's cabin. "So tell me, Kolris... Which room would you like to visit first, any preferences?"
She gives you a wink and adds, "I know a quiet place."
She puts her fingers to her mouth and whistles, calling her companion down from the mast. At her command the bird dives into the water. It resurfaces a moment later, with a fish that you can easily grab with mage hand.
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She leads you to the forward cargo hold. While you walk across the main deck you see Talathel and Anera on the fore deck. Talathel's using mage hand to reel in some fish Anera's pet osprey has caught. Anera briefly looks at you and Azuretta and gives both of you an evil glare. Marzack, the first mate, gives you a brief look as you pass by him on the main deck.
Azuretta lets you enter the forward cabin first and closes the door behind you. "Sooo... you wanted to talk, my dear?"