Joleesa informs the others that she can be ready to leave by the end of the day. All she has to do is return to her Father's Manor and pack. She would prefer to bring "Wheezy", so either Jungle travel or Paddleboat to Fort Trevins are her preferred methods of transport.
Sanvoros again recommends to the group that they stock up on food and water, and other essential gear (healing kits, antitoxin, etc.). He also asks if it would be more prudent to leave at dawn the next day, rather than travel by night, but can be ready either at twilight or dawn, as the group prefers. He then leaves to finish up on some shopping for gear.
"Since we have a goal, and are not just exploring the jungle, I suggest we take the paddle boat to Fort Tevin, then go on foot from there. I have some connections at the fort, and maybe we can gather a little more information on the map."
The group meanders out of the Driftwood District as they discuss their plans. They head in the general direction of the Opal River and the large docks near the Triangle Keep.
The day approaches noon and the air begins to feel like clear soup. The group keeps to the wide awnings most businesses put over their front entrys to keep out of the sun. The roads are still quite muddy from the previous months of rain, but the hot sunlight is doing its best to dry them out.
The group finds its way to the River District near Triangle Keep. Triangle Keep is the home of Opal's river patrols, a stone fortification that entirely engulfs a small island at the confluence of of the Fly and Opal rivers. Along the Opal's bank several paddlewheels are docked. Nearby these large transports bales of goods under open walled structures await loading. There is little activity on the docks currently, but the group can see that the goods are being watched by several folks.
Near the goods and the boats is a building with a sign that reads Tickets. The building has a large window, but its bamboo louvers are pulled down. A small sign says Closed until 2PM.
The heat of midday has shut down most outside labor, but there is one thing open at the docks, the local tavern, the Silver Whistle. Half-a-dozen longshoreman drowse under its awning while another dozen play Dragonclaw, Watch Me and Six-Seven at rude trestle tables under large umbrellas, sipping drinks and chatting. The common room of the tavern looks crowded, and the sounds of some bards banging out an Uplands Rag tune greet the group.
Near the goods and the boats is a building with a sign that reads Tickets. The building has a large window, but its bamboo louvers are pulled down. A small sign says Closed until 2PM.
"Wonderful."
Vilya twirls a lock of her bair between her fingers, looking bored.
Can't wait until we get down to business. Haven't killed anything in ... days.
Vilya twirls a lock of her bair between her fingers, looking bored.
Can't wait until we get down to business. Haven't killed anything in ... days.
"Don't have that problem, myself. I guess the next one is yours then, my dear."
The torrid sunshine beats down on the group as they ponder what to do for the two hours before the ticket building reopens.
"Well, it looks like we have a little wait. What say we grab a little drink and get out of the heat of the day?" San begins heading over to the Silver Whistle; then turns to Ten. "I can buy you that round of drinks I owe you."
Assuming the rest follow, he'll grab a large table (or push a couple smaller ones together), and ask the server to bring a round of drinks (whatever everyone's having) and he'll plunk down a few gold for it San himself will just ask for water for now.
"Well, it looks like we have a little wait. What say we grab a little drink and get out of the heat of the day?" San begins heading over to the Silver Whistle; then turns to Ten. "I can buy you that round of drinks I owe you."
Assuming the rest follow, he'll grab a large table (or push a couple smaller ones together), and ask the server to bring a round of drinks (whatever everyone's having) and he'll plunk down a few gold for it San himself will just ask for water for now.
Vilya sits cross-legged on a stool and stares at the ceiling.
"I'll take some juice. Alcohol never agreed with me."
"I'll take a tankard before I go. I have a few things I need to buy."
Seven Eagle also asks for water, but with some lime and mint in it, he then excuses himself, as he walks to his studio to get his gear.
"I'll meet up with you guys in a bit," "I have a friend that works here at the docks". "I'm going to see if he is here and maybe get some updates on conditions upstream".
Egan then goes looking for his friend Walgar Trunk for an update.
After that if it's not time for the boat to leave he'll join up with the others in the Tavern.
Egan strolls the docks, looking for his friend Walgar. Walgar has been working as dock security and liason between the Uplands Rangers and the river boats. He works out of a small building near the large dock complex.
Egan walks to the building, labeled Uplands Rangers River District Chapterhouse. The door is open, and Egan can hear his friend talking to someone.
"If you're headed to Fort Trevins and you want to stay within the walls for more than a cycle you need a special permit from the Commandant. Head to the main chapterhouse when you arrive and apply. You'll need about 50 Galleons, but that will allow you sanctuary for a full year."
Egan walks in and sees the portly form of Walgar seated at a desk talking to a young man in a chain shirt with a large axe. Walgar looks up, smiles at Egan and gives him the 'wait a moment' guesture. He finishes talking to the young chain-clad man and gets up. The old ranger is a little more grizzled than Egan remembers, and has gained a few inches about his tum. The longsword and machete he carries look well-maintained though.
"Egan! You old bushrunner you! How's tricks?"
The party enters the Silver Whistle and finds a seat. The place is busy. Travellers, Dragoran migrants, Zapatec hillmen, dockworkers, plantationmen and riverboat roustabouts all drink and chatter out of the hot noon sun. A smiling girl in an imaginative rendition of a riverboat captain's uniform takes their drink orders.
The party sees one person who stands out among the motley crowd. A man, if he is that, fully seven feet tall with skin dark as a chunk of ebonywood. He is squat-looking despite his size, as if a wizard magically stretched a dwarf and cooked him well done. A wild head of flaming red hair and an impressive waist-length beard woven into a long braid completes the stranger's look. The man(?) is dressed in black clothing and a thick leather apron that sports several burn marks. He is drinking with several smaller-looking versions of himself, these ones more dwarf-like in appearance and size. They all seem to sport large hammers.
Knowledge (Local) Check. (1d20+6=10)
Joleesa follows the others into the Tavern to wait, quietly pulling Ten aside before they enter.
Ten:
"Errr... listen I know this is gonna sound strange but I'm actually a bit skint at the moment. It's why I'm in the market for some work and why I joined up with this lot. Forbidden Temple in the Jungle's gotta be worth some serious gold right? So I know you usually keep a little stashed away for a rainy day, you were always better with your money than me. I was kinda wondering if I could borrow some for the trip. You know I'll pay you back with interest first chance I get right."
She takes a seat at the table and asks for a coconut milk with a dash of rum.
"So I'm going to have to go home and get my stuff together. It shouldn't take me long, I travel fairly lightly. I will have to get "Wheezy" ready though and he'll take a bit longer. I'll finish up this drink and head on over."
Joleesa:
"Things are steady." "I hope the same goes for you".
"Say! I'm heading upstream with a group on the ferry later." "Any news from upriver, or anything I should look out for"?
"We'll be heading overland from the Fort as well". "Do you have anything I need to deliver there, or any news from there"?
Joleesa Morvais:
Ten Foot will take the offer of a drink to pass the midday sun away, only mad dogs and lizard men go out in the midday sun.
He then decides he will need some food for the journey and will buy 4 weeks worth of trail rations for the trek, he informs the rest of the party that his god can provide water and ale for the trip, so no need to bog themselves down with water, but his faith is too weak and needs more testing before he can provide food for them.
he explains that he has never learnt how to ride, so travelling by foot is his preferred mode of travel after the river trip.
Does any one need any thing in particular purchased for the trip?
Walgar walks over to a flask.
"I have some nice Sugarberrry juice if you're interested."
He pours two glasses of the purple liquid while he thinks, handing one to Egan.
"Well, there's been some talk of zombies on the move. There was a plantation known as Rosebriar that was attacked and burned. Also, the beginning of dry season means spiders on the move. We've been seeing a lot of bites and attacks lately. As for Fort Trevins ...hmm."
Walgar walks to his desk and pulls out a oilskin bundle wrapped tightly and sealed with a large red wax blob indented with his sigil.
"If you could bring this to Captain Annonio I would appreciate it. Oh, and if you are traveling upriver, I can give you a comp pass for your travels."
Walgar fishes out an official document authorizing one free passage on any riverboat, fees due to the Uplands Rangers.
"I'll take a tankard before I go. I have a few things I need to buy."
Tobias manages to obtain what he desires at the local businesses after the group has a few hours wait at the tavern (Nothing is open during midday). He returns to the tavern with his supplies
Meanwhile ...
After a few hours pass and the heat of the day lessens somewhat, Ten finds a chandlers nearby that has trail rations (hard biscuits and jerked bush meat) for sale. He gets what he needs and returns to the tavern.
Meanwhile ...
Seven Eagle walks through the drowsing city to his studio. He quickly collects his gear and returns to the tavern just as the midday siesta draws to a close.
The tavern patrons are dispersing, some a bit wobbly. Most are headed back to their jobs at the docks. The dark-skinned red-haired folks tall and short all head off towards the distant form of the Opaline Queen.
Izkrael will head out and collect supplies during this time as well.
He goes looking for a lumper, saddlebags, tack, 20 days of trail rations, and twenty days worth of lumper feed.
It's been longer than a few minutes, and true to form, Vilya is bored and pouting. She has taken to carving swirls on the underside of the table with her kukri, all the while silently fuming.
Of course, they didn't buy any gear before looking for a guide. Why should they, right? They're just the tourists. I've got all the gear I need right here.
As if to punctuate her thoughts, she viciously stabs a large grub that had dropped from the ceiling a few moments earlier.
"Feh..."
Izkreal heads off to look for a Lumper to carry supplies. He finds a stockpen fairly close and makes a purchase. A feed and grain store is adjacent, seling all things packbeast.
Vilya stabs the large larva that fell from the ceiling. The six-inch worm makes a satisfying *squitch* as Vilya's razor-sharp blade enters it.
It's been longer than a few minutes, and true to form, Vilya is bored and pouting. She has taken to carving swirls on the underside of the table with her kukri, all the while silently fuming.
Of course, they didn't buy any gear before looking for a guide. Why should they, right? They're just the tourists. I've got all the gear I need right here.
As if to punctuate her thoughts, she viciously stabs a large grub that had dropped from the ceiling a few moments earlier.
"Feh..."
San, silently watching Vilya's mood darken, chuckles to himself. "Well, there you go! Now you've killed something again. Happy?"
As the worst heat of the day mellows, more and more folks start to walk in and around the river docks. Bales of cloth, bundles of logs, amphorae of exotic wines and many other goods parade along the sidewalk outside the Sliver Whistle. The bar is almost empty as folks begin the last phase of their work day.
When everyone has returned from their supply-gathering, San will polish off the last of his water. "Looks like Fort Trevins awaits," he says to no one in particular. "Shall we go get our tickets?"
When everyone has returned from their supply-gathering, San will polish off the last of his water. "Looks like Fort Trevins awaits," he says to no one in particular. "Shall we go get our tickets?"
Ten Foot stands up and grins, "hell yeah, lets go!"
The group troops out into the humid afternoon and heads to the ticket office. The building has reopened, and several slot-barred windows are manned by workers busy taking folks' coin and dispersing tickets. There is a sign posted over the windows.
Tickets:
Opaline Queen:
Animals: 5sp
Steerage: 5sp
Deck: 1 gp
Bunkroom: 5 gp
Second Class stateroom: 50 gp
First Class stateroom: 100 gp
Pride of Vellasia:
Animals: 4sp
Steerage: 4sp
Deck: 8 sp
Bunkroom: 4 gp
Second Class stateroom: 40 gp
First Class stateroom: 80 gp
Smaller vessels available for hiring, ask within.
"I'm all for saving a few galleons, myself. Anyone have an issue with taking the Pride of Vellasia?" Whichever is selected, Sanvoros will get a bunkroom for himself (he does still prefer his privacy, and as a spellcaster he relishes a good night's sleep; usually lacking in the jungle).
"I've got no complaints against the Vellasia. I just wonder what the catch is."
"I've got no complaints against the Vellasia. I just wonder what the catch is."
Tobias:
Ten:
"Let us see how much when we decide on our mode of transportation, but I cannot see it being any more than 50gp."
After sharing a drink before heading off, Joleesa returns from her house with a pack full of food, leading a Leaper with a scar across his neck which makes him wheeze when he breathes. Lumien is perched lazily on her shoulder and the Leaper is playfully nipping at the glowing, swinging tail.
Knowledge (Local) Check. (1d20+6=19)
"Personally I would prefer the Queen. I have heard stories about the Pride that would make me think twice."
Joleesa:
Egan frowns at the wheezing leaper. "That's going to make stealth difficult if it's called for". "Sometimes you have to hide from things in the Jungle instead of confronting them". "I hope you didn't pay too much for that leaper, because I don't think it will last long". "Still, I guess it will make the journey more interesting".
"As for the ship of choice I really have no preference".
Izkrael does not particularly care which vessel they take, only that they get there. He waits for the others to decide, and then grabs himself a bunkroom.
San spends so much of his tme in the jungles, that he never really has gotten to know the city of his birth .
"Well, if you've got a bad feeling, I'm fine with the Queen. That OK with everyone?"
Ten Foot lets it be know that he is happy to go along with the majority on the travel arrangements. He ponies up the money for him and JoJo when they buy the tickets, going for a/the Second Class stateroom for both of them, is that price per person or per room?
... He ponies up the money for him and JoJo when they buy the tickets, going for a/the Second Class stateroom for both of them, is that price per person or per room?
The two large paddlewheels sit at the dock, swarming with workers and passengers. Threads of smoke escape from the large smokestacks that rise from the cneter of the ships. A loud whistle and a cry ring out along the docks.
"ALL 'BOARD! OPALINE QUEEN LEAVING IN 15 MINUTES!"
Joleesa smiles warmly at Ten as he returns from paying for their Stateroom. She hands "Wheezy" over to the animal handlers, giving him a last scratch under the chin before she goes and telling him to be a good boy in Greenspeak (if she has to hand over Lumien as well then she does so, otherwise he will come to the Stateroom with us).
Ten Foot parts with the money for two rooms and sets off to explore the ship, excited in how the last day has turned out, 48 hours ago he was wondering where his next pay cheque would come from, now he is off on an adventure into the unknown, beats escorting merchants any day of the week.
DM:
I have purchased a few alchemical items, smoke sticks, thunder stones and most importantly anti-toxins. Could you please let me know if this is OK, if not I will cross them off and add the 200gp back.
Tobias gets a bunkroom, then stands on an out-of-the-way portion of the deck, glad to be on the water again.
Vilya purchases a second-class stateroom for herself.
"Good thing I didn't have to waste so much money on gear like everyone else. Come prepared, and you get the good rooms."
Bunkroom for Seven Eagle as well
The large boat is aswarm with activity as folks load up for the journey. The group members find their staterooms. They are a bit cramped, but feature a fit-for-two bed and washtable in each. Tobias finds a bunk in one of the large bunkrooms. It's just a narrow cot with a small lockable trunk at the foot. The cots are stacked two high.
After settling in the group finds its way to the deck for the departure. The large boat whistle sounds out and sailors reel in the ropes from the dock pilings. The large sidewheel begins to turn as the massive boat begins its journey up the wide green expanse of the Opal River.
In all his travels, Ten Foot has never been on one of the great paddle ships and his excitement shows on his face.
He bangs loudly on JoJo's cabin yelling "Come on, we can unpack later, let's explore!"
He dashes around the ship, rolling question after question at the crew members, trying every door, it becomes obvious to despite his great size and heavy drinking habits, he is a hardly a full grown man and still has the over enthusiasm of youth.