Our story begins aboard the merchant ship Jenivere, a Sargavan ship that makes the trade route from Varisia in the north to Sargava at the south several times a year. Your characters boarded the ship in any of the various cities along that trade route, hoping to find a ride to Eleder, the capital of Sargava, for reasons that are their own.
(Let the RP begin!)
Mordack examines what is on the ship. [dice=perception]1d20+6
It's late afternoon aboard the ship, the sun just starting to set in the west, behind the ship. The crew of the Jenivere are milling about, enjoying the calm seas and the lack of bad weather. Aside from yourself, the only other passengers on deck are the gnome Gelik Aberwhinge and the human Sasha Nevah.
Joll takes the opportunity to observe the crew going about their tasks and looking for anything suspicious, as is professionally habitual for him. If nothing of note catches his eye he will attempt to surreptitiously listen in on anything said within his hearing. And if the crew's talk does not provide anything of interest he will simply take in the breeze and the sun on this pleasant day.
When he sees Gelik he nods just enough to be courteous but not enough to indicate an interest in the gnome's tales. Long periods of enduring his tales have convinced Joll that there is nothing of substance to them. However, when he sees Sasha, he gives her gentlemanly acknowledgment and smile. One must always keep up appearances he thinks to himself. If she is close enough for conversation he will greet her in a friendly voice. "Hello, Lady Sasha. The sun and the sea are refreshing today, aren't they?"
Kevorin looks out and stares at the setting sun for a time before sighing "I thought this would be a little more interesting " bored from the uneventfulness of this boat trip he removes his hood walks over to the gnome and says "Gelik since meeting you have told me countless stories although none of the Mwangi express, what do you know about it"
Joll takes the opportunity to observe the crew going about their tasks and looking for anything suspicious, as is professionally habitual for him. If nothing of note catches his eye he will attempt to surreptitiously listen in on anything said within his hearing. And if the crew's talk does not provide anything of interest he will simply take in the breeze and the sun on this pleasant day.
When he sees Gelik he nods just enough to be courteous but not enough to indicate an interest in the gnome's tales. Long periods of enduring his tales have convinced Joll that there is nothing of substance to them. However, when he sees Sasha, he gives her gentlemanly acknowledgment and smile. One must always keep up appearances he thinks to himself. If she is close enough for conversation he will greet her in a friendly voice. "Hello, Lady Sasha. The sun and the sea are refreshing today, aren't they?"
The sailors are discussing nothing of note, only the continuing rumor that the Varisian scholar Ieana is Captain Kovack's secret lover.
The red-haired Sasha Nevah smiles in greeting, waving at the inquisitor from her seat at the rail, perched atop the side and leaning back on the rigging. "Indeed they are, Mister Belliker. I hope we reach Eleder soon, it seems like months since I've boarded this ship."
Kevorin looks out and stares at the setting sun for a time before sighing "I thought this would be a little more interesting" bored from the uneventfulness of this boat trip he removes his hood walks over to the gnome and says "Gelik since meeting you have told me countless stories although none of the Mwangi express, what do you know about it"
The little gnome looks up from his writing, tapping the ink out of his quill pen before setting it aside. He smoothes down his fine-looking silks before responding. "Young man, I've been to the Mwangi Expanse several times on business. It's a wonderful place, although Eleder is a little provincial for my taste. The jungles are broad, crawling with strange creatures you can't find in more civilized lands, and full of ruins brimming with artifacts from forgotten civilizations."
Joll makes his way toward Sasha to converse. "What will you do to entertain yourself once you are there?" he asks in a friendly manner. "Sitting about idly does not seem to suit you."
Joll makes his way toward Sasha to converse. "What will you do to entertain yourself once you are there?" he asks in a friendly manner. "Sitting about idly does not seem to suit you."
She laughs and shifts position, standing on the lip of the rail and peering over the edge at the sea and the fish swimming alongside the ship. "I'm not sure what to do at the moment, to be honest. I'm in search of adventure, mostly. I left home to see the world, starting with the Mwangi Expanse it seems."
Inti makes his way across the deck, for once being unsteady on his feet as he is unused to being on a boat. He sees several other people deep in conversation so finds a fairly quiet spot in the sunlight and looks out across the water.
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Another hooded figure was also present on the ship, stowed away in the shadow now cast about the deck by the setting sun. The figure was feminine, yet there was an aura of confidence that surrounded her. She clearly wasn't a member of the crew, but she had not spoken to many since boarding the ship.
Though her manner was stern, her lips were turned up in a grin. Still she stood there, watching the sun set beneath the horizon as she had every day since the voyage had began. Almost as if she was waiting for something to happen.
"You seem a little less talkative then usual Gelik you would normally enthrall me about stories of ancient magic or lost dungeons but you just gave me general descriptions. Anything on your mind?"
Inti nods in acknowledgement "That it is good sir, and what is it that brings you here?"
Joll continues to engage Sasha in conversation. "Home for me was sleepy little Corentyne. Where do you hail from?"
"You seem a little less talkative then usual Gelik you would normally enthrall me about stories of ancient magic or lost dungeons but you just gave me general descriptions. Anything on your mind?"
The little gnome smoothes his blonde hair back out of his face, curiously examining one of his nails. "Just feeling a little seasick today, lad. I'm normally quite shipshape but the last few weeks have me feeling a little ill. Truth be told, dinner is coming up shortly, but Rambar's soups don't seem too appetizing to me all of a sudden. I think I'm going to go to my cabin and try to sleep this off if you don't mind Kevorin." The little gnome extricates himself from his stool, taking his papers and pen with him, striding off in the direction of the cabins.
Joll continues to engage Sasha in conversation. "Home for me was sleepy little Corentyne. Where do you hail from?"
Sasha's face twitched with something akin to distaste at the question of her home. [b]"I'm from Ilizmagorti. Not a kind place, and I finally decided to get out and see the world. I booked passage on the first ship heading anywhere else, and here I am. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go freshen up for dinner, can't get me enough of that oyster and leek soup Rambar serves." The tall red-headed woman curtsies to Joll, heading off toward her cabin.
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The crew finish their assigned tasks quickly, and before long the ship's cook Rambar Terillo emerges onto the deck, calling everyone to dinner.
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As the sun was in the final stages of its descent below the horizon, it was time again for dinner. The day-to-day had become rather boring and monotonous aboard the ship, but it was understandable monotonousness. The figure retired into the ship for yet another dinner and another evening of reading and meditation.
Entering the room below deck, she sits and removes her hood. It is clearly visible that she was wealthy before embarking on this trip, but she is in casual attire and seemingly unarmed. She hasn't said much in the almost 100 days aboard the ship, but she didn't seem difficult to approach either. A moment after sitting at the table and whispered a short prayer to herself.
The cook's announcement dims the light on an otherwise enjoyable evening. The prospect of another watery soup elicits a slight from Joll. But his training has instilled in him a resolve to bear unpleasant situations, although he notes that his trainers never had to endure Terillo's culinary insults.
Joll sighs imperceptibly and makes his way to the Captain's table.
I scratch my head then don my hood again while mumbling " Is Rambar's soup that bad? well I like it. " I start heading over to the captain's table.
A dusky-skinned dwarf comes stumbling in from below decks, visibly shaken and flushed, clearly sea sick. Any more 'a this soup and I'll weigh less than that puny gnome. I've released enough ballast to cause us ta capsize, by Angradd! I NEED GOAT, LAMB, MEAT! He slowly makes his way to the captain's table, stumbling along the way, using whatever he can find for a hand hold, whether the backs and shoulders of those already seated, or the tables and benches, and sits down.
Names Mordack Tries to shake hands. So what brings you here?
Inti accepts the handshake "Oh, a bit of this and that", he chuckles. "Actually, in the Shackles I got caught doing something I really shouldn't have and sort of had to make a dash for it..this ship was travelling to a place that has held much interest to me, so I hopped on board and here I am"
A dusky-skinned dwarf comes stumbling in from below decks, visibly shaken and flushed, clearly sea sick. Any more 'a this soup and I'll weigh less than that puny gnome. I've released enough ballast to cause us ta capsize, by Angradd! I NEED GOAT, LAMB, MEAT! He slowly makes his way to the captain's table, stumbling along the way, using whatever he can find for a hand hold, whether the backs and shoulders of those already seated, or the tables and benches, and sits down.
And the dwarven folk are known for their sturdy natures. Surely he is unused to the waves. That in combination with this Joll sniffs and notes the threat of Terillo's soup[/i] would be enough to undo anyone.[/i]
Joll sits wondering why the Captain has invited them to his table now, after so long at sea. Whenever someone enters or leaves the cabin he mentally notes it. Every few moment he runs through his mental list in order to keep it fresh in his mind.
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Mordack just remains silent from Gudbjörns comment. I better be on my best behavior, and not take his side. He might give us Dwarves a bad name. I'll be his friend when he is not like this. Otherwise, all other races are going to think all dwarves are this way.
Then he whispers to
Trust me dude, not all of us dwarves are like this/that.
Inti whispers back quietly "You needn't worry, I do not tend to judge a race based on the first few individuals I meet"
Suddenly realizing those around him, Ah, I forget myself. A thousand apologies. I meant no offense. Ma mood has been better, it has. We must agree, though, something must be done about these provisions. This soup, everyday... all's I'm sayin' is that a little dried venison, some hearty bread and cheese, maybe a little ale, boost da morale, it would. Might be I could keep from tossing that overboard. All's I'm saying. Gudbjörn glances at those around him. Gudbjörn, son of Veigar, of the desert dwarves of the Shattered Ridge. Y'all look like a cheerful lot, he says, eager to break the awkward silence and trying to hide his obvious seasickness.
Much good it do if it won't stay down ma gullet. Gudbjörn grudgingly takes a sniff at a spoonful followed by a few sips at his soup, none too eager to meet the results such action may take. After less than a few, We can't be too far from our next port, can we?
"We are quite a way from making call in port. Don't worry too much; eventually you will get used to the motion of the ship."
For a moment, Joll appears about to say something about the soup but forebears.
Captain Kovack strode into the cabin, wearing his finest garb and holding a jeweled silver goblet filled to the brim with wine. He cleared his throat, calling for silence in the hall. He beckoned for wine to be poured, and the introverted scholar Ieana picked up a pitcher from the side table and poured all the other passengers wine.
"I'd like to make a toast, my wonderful passengers. To a safe and short three day voyage to Eleder!"
The other diners took up the call, and they all drank deep from their goblets. For a time they laughed and cajoled, eating their soup carefully and politely. Then suddenly everyone clutched their stomachs, experiencing debilitating stomach pains. And then everything goes black…
Kevorin merry from the celebration and finally able to get off this boat drinks and eats to his hearts content. This meal is better then normal Rambar cheers for safe passage.
(+2 if poison)
Joll nods appreciatively to the Captain for the wine. He drinks small sips of it between spoonfuls of soup in the hope that it will cleanse his palate of the latter. The last thing he remembers thinking is Is it growing dim in here?
Fort Save
Inti
You manage to regain consciousness, looking down at your feet to see some kind of sea creature nipping at your feet, trying to determine if you're edible or not.
Initiative
Joll looks down at the creature at his feet, curses loudly and pulls his feet back as quickly as he can. His head is still in a fog as he looks around wildly in an attempt to take in the conditions of his surroundings. For a moment he thinks that the others must be dead. It is only when he sees Inti moving that he thinks otherwise.
What upon Torag's Forge is this thing at ma feet?
wha... what the hell happend
Inti curses loudly as he is awoken by a particularly sharp pain, reaching for his Scimitar as a move action, and then lashing out at this creature with his blade
wow not a single roll above 10