Tales from the City of Opal

Game Master Patrick Curtin

This is my homebrew world Arcaia. This particular setting is the free city of Opal, a lush equatorial city set on the edge of an immense jungle rife with undead , ancient civilizations, and dinosaurs.


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Female Halfling Swashbuckler 6

Felicia hangs back keeping an eye on things as well.


Elf Magus 5

Magnus accompanies Kessel on to the vessel. But wisely allows the bard to to do the talking. (MAgnus is egotistical enough to think he can trade verbal jousts with the bard, but realistic enough to admit Kessel is much better at negotiations than he is!) Magnus stands behind Kessel, thumbs tucked into his belt, looking about the craft as Kessel speaks.

Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

LOL! Magnus preens a little, trying to catch a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the water below,...


Male Half-elf Ranger / 6 (Falconer)

Egan finds a spot nearby, and pulls his canoe from the water, inverting it, and scraping the bottom looking for damage.

Sczarni

Female Human Oracle of the Heavens 6

Citlati remains silent as she observes the exchange.


Bribes always welcome
Kessel Cobey wrote:

[dice=knowledge local]1d20+4

"My name is Kessel Cobey," Kessel says as he steps forward, "And we've heard from the harbor master that you're sailing Terra Incognita, and this where we need to go. However I also understand the voyage and location can be dangerous, and thus ships traveling there usually hire a little extra protection, more to the point, we are what some call adventures, problem solvers, swords . . . for hire, though I do detest that last one, but we are more then capable of protecting this ship and it's cargo for the journey to Threepenny Port, afterwards, perhaps the journey back, depending on the success or failure of our business there."

sallador strokes his small beard

"You look like a likely bunch. Explorers eh? We can give you passage and steerage bunks if you help us in case of attack and help with common seaman's chores"


"Well I can't speak for my companions but it does sound agreeable, however I will point out that we are a somewhat diverse and talented bunch, and common seamen's chores might be a waste of talent. I'm unsure if you have Bards in the Blue Hills, but we are a multi talented lot, and are far beyond simple entertainers. However I shall take your offer to my companions and very quickly give you a reply.

"Oh," Kessel asks, as if only just remembering, "When do you sail? I only ask because there's another ship leaving shortly as well."


Bribes always welcome

Sallador nods

"I know yeh explorers are not sailors, I don't expect a common seadog's work out of yeh. But, all hands must be ready in a crisis to help, no?"

He looks to his ship

"We sail a day from now, right after Selenerise, on the ebb tide. I must know if you will come by tomorrow morn"


"I'll have the answer for you, yeah or nah, within the hour I think."

Kessel then turns to his companions: "Shall we?" he says pointing towards the gang plank, "We should at least look at this other boat."

Once they're away from the ship Kessel shares his thoughts:

"I think the offer is a good one, food, lodging, and transportation in exchange for a bit of work and protection. We can't exactly expect to be paid for our work as most sailors would be signing on for the entire trip and should our mission come to fruition, the return voyage would be without our assistance. I do think we owe ourselves to talk to this other boat however, they may leave sooner, they have the faster boat, and, without re-hashing the discussion Magnus and I had earlier, just because they're not heading to our desired port doesn't mean that they're the slower choice."


Male Half-elf Ranger / 6 (Falconer)

"A second option can't hurt I wouldn't think".


Male Half-Elf Ranger 1 / Wizard (transmuter) 5

"Maybe not, but we still wannna go with the fastest and most direct option, I think. But hell, I'll go along with what the group wants to do."

Sczarni

Female Human Oracle of the Heavens 6

"Whichever gets us to where we are going."Citlali says with a shrug.


Elf Magus 5

"Either way, adventure awaits!" Magnus chimes in with a grin.

"Let us speak with the other shipmaster, and we shall follow your lead on which is best master Cobey."


Kessel nods, then makes his way to the other ship and calls to meet with either the first mate or the captain again.

Once aboard Kessel asks:

"We're looking to get to get to Threepenny Port, and we know from the harbor master that you're sailing to Terra Incognita, my question to you is how close is Threepenny Port to where you're headed, and how soon do you sail?"


Bribes always welcome

down the docks aways is the Shark's Smile.

the ship is loading cargo, lumber and boxes marked in an angular script

Hyrkmerian :

Spoiler:
various words: Arrows, blades, fragile, glass

a group of tattooed men work winching the cargo aboard. A large man comes over to Kessel

"I am Bosun Kalanui. We have no plans to sail near three penny port. Sorry"


"Thank you for your time Boatswain," Kessel says with a short bow, before turning and rejoining his companions.

"So it seems our first ship is our only option," Kessel says as he quickly relays the crewman's words, "A bit of a wasted trip sadly.

"However," Kessel says gesturing to the cargo being loaded aboard the Shark's Smile, "Everything I see suggests that we may be sailing into a war zone. This ship is transporting blades and arrows, and swords I can understand. You don't want some clumsy backwoods blacksmith flattening out a sharp piece of iron, most warriors like a strong elegant blade that's at least loosely modeled after a master's sword . . . but arrows? Back home most warriors fletched their own arrows. Fletching isn't a highly specialized skill, and you only buy arrows in bulk if you're expecting to need them, in numbers, and fairly urgently."


Elf Magus 5

Magnus looks slightly surprised, glances back at the ship, and back to Kessel.

"Indeed. Nice detective work Master Cobey. 'Forewarned is Forearmed' as they say." The elf says cheerfully.


"Well I suppose if no one else has anything to add, we head back to the other boat and tell them that we accept their offer."


Elf Magus 5

"Sounds good." Magnus agrees, only half paying attention to the conversation as he checks his reflection in a nearby dirty window pane. He smiles at his reflection, then turns back.

"Well then, shall we? They say that the tide waits for no man. Not even ones as dashing and handsome as us!" He grins.


Bribes always welcome

Sallador the First mate welcomes them back

"welcome aboard my friends! We shall have a good voyage, Neptune-Opochtli willing, eh?"

he devoutly fingers a silver trident pendant


"The weather was with us for our last voyage," Kessel offers, though he wisely decides to exclude the unexpected encounters with zombies and plant/fungus monsters, "I can only hope we have the same luck with the weather."


Bribes always welcome

Sallador nods sagely

"This time of year, the storms, they stay south of the Sargasso. We should have fair winds, and should we run against the Smokers*, that is where you can help, no?"

DC12 know(local)

Spoiler:
Smokers are a slang name for pirates. Most pirate rations are smoked jerked meats and fish. They often come ashore on uninhibited islands to hunt and fish. They then make huge smoky bonfires to cure their catch


knowledge local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"Smokers? Pirates you mean? Yes, that would be our field, however, from my knowledge on the matter, very few are desperate enough to risk death for a prize. Putting up a fight, or even suggesting we're capable of fighting is often enough to detour the average pirate . . . however there is that small percentage . . . anyways, let's not dwell on such dark thoughts. Most likely it won't be a concern but I think you're better served with us aboard."


Bribes always welcome

Sallador laughs

"The threat is not as bad as if we were sailing the Glimmergleam Road amongst the Fireflies. But, my friend, there is always a crew desperate for plunder, and willing to take it, anywhere you sail. The Sargasso Smokers are a thin and hungry lot, salvaging becalmed ships in the Deep Weed, gnawing on squid pies, and choking on ashen wind off the Western Wastes."

He slaps Kessel on the back heartily

"But enough of these maunderings! stow your gear in the hold, I'll send a seaman to find you some hammocks and a chest to store your goods."

He whispers aside.

"We have a good crew, but some can be rather, how you say, sticky-fingered, yes? Best to watch your goods closely, so as not to provide temptation or provoke a fight, no?"

Sallador yells to a skinny crewman

"Arabella! to me!"

The crewman scampers across the deck. On closer inspection the skinny crewman turns out to be a willowy elf woman dressed in sailor pants and a striped tunic. A knotted green head-rag hides whatever hair she has. Leaf green slanted eyes stare from a sooty-smudged face

"Take these explorers to the hold, and find a spot they can claim, and some hammock and a lock chest from storage, yes?"

Arabella nods

"Aye Number One"

She becokons to them

"If y'all would follow me?

She leads them to a hatch near the rear of the ship

I'll halt here for a bit, but I will go forward soon if no one has anything else to say.

DC 15 Know(local or geography):

Spoiler:
he Glimmergleam Road is a deepwater channel through the Eastern Isles frequented by many ships plying the Mazatil trade. The Fireflies are an archipelago of more than a thousand atolls directly south of the Glimmergleam. These atolls are home to many pirate bands preying on the ships travelling the Glimmergleam. It is a quick, but dangerous passage.


Elf Magus 5

"Indeed! We'll be more than happy to assist you with taking out the trash. Should said garbage be foolish enough to entertain the notion to bother you on our voyage." Magnus adds with a preen of his long-feathered hat.


Male Elf Paladin/Ranger 4/1

Izkrael studies the elven woman, Arabella, as she leads them towards the hold.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Knowledge (Geography): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 (for the Fireflies and Glimmergleam Road)
Knowledge (Geography): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9(ponderings on where Arabella might be from)


Male Half-Elf Ranger 1 / Wizard (transmuter) 5

"Ahh, back to the sea. Wonderful. Can't get a decent drink on the high seas, but what can ya do?" San hoists his pack, gives a wink to Citlali, and follows the elven woman down into the hold. He'll try and claim a hammock next to a wall so that he has only one direction to keep an eye open on when he's sleeping.


Bribes always welcome
Izkrael wrote:

Izkrael studies the elven woman, Arabella, as she leads them towards the hold.

[dice=Perception]1d20+8
[dice=Knowledge (Geography)]1d20+7 (for the Fireflies and Glimmergleam Road)
[dice=Knowledge (Geography)]1d20+7(ponderings on where Arabella might be from)

Iz:

Spoiler:
The peoples of the Aelvarrin have scattered over the world since the end of the Second Age. Judging form what he could glimpse in her skin tone and facial features she is likely one of the Tyravian folk: a graceful people known for their love of the ocean
Sczarni

Female Human Oracle of the Heavens 6

With a smile Citlali follows Sanvoros and their slender guide down into the hold, taking in the details of the ship.


Male Half-elf Ranger / 6 (Falconer)

Egan views the ship, and makes sure to ask the officer of the deck where the best place to tie off his canoe is.


"I've heard it said," Kessel muses, "That locks were invented to keep honest people out. Regardless I have little of value anyways, save for my weapons and my lute, though the latter has more sentimental worth then monetary, crafted by the father I never knew you see, but I appreciate the warning and the chest.

"Arabella?" Kessel asks, upon meeting the new crewmen, "I am Kessel Cobey"

knowlege geography: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
knowledge local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Kessel, a true bard, knows a little about everything.


Elf Magus 5
Dungeon Monkey wrote:

"Arabella! to me!"

The crewman scampers across the deck. On closer inspection the skinny crewman turns out to be a willowy elf woman dressed in sailor pants and a striped tunic. A knotted green head-rag hides whatever hair she has. Leaf green slanted eyes stare from a sooty-smudged face

"Take these explorers to the hold, and find a spot they can claim, and some hammock and a lock chest from storage, yes?"

Arabella nods

"Aye Number One"

She becokons to them

"If y'all would follow me?

She leads them to a hatch near the rear of the ship

Magnus' eyes literally light as he catches sight of their guide.

"Arabella?" He grins.

Elvish

Spoiler:

"A Lovely name for a lovelier vision. I think it might too late for the lockbox. I fear you have stolen my heart."

The dandy bows deeply before their guide, smiling charmingly.


Male Half-Elf Ranger 1 / Wizard (transmuter) 5

San can't help but laugh out loud at Magnus's words.

Elvish

Spoiler:
"Perhaps you should look at a vault, my friend. For something that has been stolen so many times, I'd be more worried!"

Sczarni

Female Human Oracle of the Heavens 6

Eyes narrowing for a moment as she deciphers San's switch of languages based on the movements of his mouth, Citlali bursts into a laugh herself.


Bribes always welcome

Arabella looks at Magnus with a humorous gleam in her eyes

"If your heart is that unguarded, it can't be worth much"

She points to a few unstrung hammocks at the walls

"It not much, but better than rolling along the keel"

piles of lashed crates surround their sleeping area. Arabella brings them a battered lockbox about a meter long and half as deep and wide

"Crew sleeps all about here, but this area can be yours. There's not much privacy, but we tend to mind our own business at rest in the hold, I suggest you do as well. The butts of water are aft of here. We have a chaplain that purifies them, so the water is clean. Mess is at second bell of morning and evening watch"

The eleven sailor looks about

"Anything else I can do for you?"

She looks at Magnus

"That doesn't involve hearts or any other anatomy bits?"


Elf Magus 5

Magnus places a hand on his heart as if wounded, and then turns it into a sweeping bow.

"Say not that my poor heart is worthless, or unguarded. Say rather that I am willing to risk all for the truest treasure of love!" He returns, his smile never faltering.

Dungeon Monkey wrote:

The eleven sailor looks about

"Anything else I can do for you?"

She looks at Magnus

"That doesn't involve hearts or any other anatomy bits?"

Magnus mock winces slightly to acknowledge the verbal barb's strike, and bows again. Still smiling.

"More than adequate. We shall be quite comfortable, Thank you My Lady Arabelle."

He watches the elfin sailor as she leaves, appreciating the view. Then he turns to to others. He raises an eyebrow.

"She likes me." He says, fluffing his ruffled shirt.


Bribes always welcome

ok, away we go

The Ghost of Artos leaves Shoalsbreak Harbor on the evening tide, setting her sail to the south. The party settles in and is fed fish and plantain stew by a jovial cook named Seven Garnet.

"Eat up friends, we will be on tighter rations in the south."

Running a few things down now, feel free to state anything you'd like to do starting out

Happenings: 1d1000 ⇒ 888


Female Halfling Swashbuckler 6

Felicia helps out on deck spending free time practicing her swordplay.


Kessel will offer his mental faculties to the captain as well as leading sea shanties to help the crew through the drudgery of the daily work. He's willing to do just about anything save for pulling rope as he worries about his hands. He'd even be willing to work in the galley which is usually one of the worst jobs aboard ship.


Bribes always welcome

The first few days of sailing go nicely. there is a good breeze, and the skies stay a cerulean hue. Mazatil remains a distant black smudge on their starboard side, and the few boat they pass are friendly traders.

The party isn't called upon to do anything chore-wise, but the common seamen appreciate the shanties the Kessel sings them. Felicia's finds a few crewmembers who like to spar, so she trains with them a bit.


Elf Magus 5

Magnus hangs around on deck, not looking for work per see, but willingly obliging if asked. He does spend a bit of time in the rigging, which he says reminds him of climbing trees as a youth. He learns a few knots and the basic operation of the sails, although his wandering mind won't let him sit still long enough to master all of the intricacies.

Magnus also is first in line to offer his services as a sparring partner for Felicia with a bow. He genuinely enjoys the challenge of fencing against an accomplished swordswoman so much shorter than himself. The fact that she is as attractive as she is skilled may have something to do with that.

While Magnus is nowhere near the storyteller that Kessel is, (despite what he may believe in his own mind), he is a personable fellow with a wealth of stories about his travels. He chats up willing sailors (Especially Arabelle) and entertains them with stories of his adventures. His lack of oratory skill is somewhat made up for by his gregarious nature and increasingly outlandish tales which he insists are all true.


Bribes always welcome
Kessel Cobey wrote:

"I've heard it said," Kessel muses, "That locks were invented to keep honest people out. Regardless I have little of value anyways, save for my weapons and my lute, though the latter has more sentimental worth then monetary, crafted by the father I never knew you see, but I appreciate the warning and the chest.

"Arabella?" Kessel asks, upon meeting the new crewmen, "I am Kessel Cobey"

[dice= knowlege geography]1d20+4
[dice=knowledge local]1d20+4

Kessel, a true bard, knows a little about everything.

I noticed I never replied to this. Mea Culpa. Feel free to read Iz's spoiler about Arabella.

Arabella smiles and nods

"Locks are like fences; they both promote good neighbors. Theft is a bad crime aboard a ship, but there are always those who do not count the consequences. "


Bribes always welcome

Happenings: 1d1000 ⇒ 979

The next few days pass well enough. The crew of the Ghost are a regular sort of sailors, fairly easygoing, and a rather polyglot mix as you typically got in the Eastern Isles.

Kessel becomes a crew favorite, as does Magnus, whose raffish charm enlivens the voyage. Arabella notes his interest, and starts to verbally spar with him while he physically spars with Felicia

Diplomacy check for your luck

The sea begins to empty, as the occasional smudges of a small islands fade as the ship skirts the boundaries of the Great Sargasso. The sailors become more tense, watching the horizon to port, scanning the empty sea restlessly.

Busy weekend, but I am trying to stay current. If no other business, I will advance the storyline.


Elf Magus 5

Diplomacy away!:) 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Magnus cheerfully retorts to Arabella's verbal jibes as he displays a few unusual moves he has learned with Felicia.

Unfortunately, one of the two daily battles is livelier than he anticipated, and his banter isn't up to his usual par. (Or maybe he just doesn't know sailors as well as he thinks he does.)

But he seems to thrill in the challenge, and accepts any verbal strikes, and any bruises from Felicia, with equal good grace.


Male Half-Elf Ranger 1 / Wizard (transmuter) 5

San passes the time as he usually does, drinking what he has and resorting to grog alongside the off-duty crew when he doesn't have anything. While he's personable and sociable at those times, during the day he tends to stay below decks as the sun makes his mild hangover worse. When his help is needed, he'll give it but remains quiet for the most part.


Male Half-elf Ranger / 6 (Falconer)

Egan and Whisper Wing, spend much time fishing over the side, and helping keep watch. Whisper Wing is enjoying the increased flying time, and the sport of trying to snag fish.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 Survival (For Fresh Catch of the day)


Male Elf Paladin/Ranger 4/1

Izkrael is usually on deck at night, keeping watch while the others sleep. He does his best to stay out of the sailors way, and seems rather withdrawn.

Sczarni

Female Human Oracle of the Heavens 6

Citlali alternates her time between spending time on deck to enjoy the open air and rare view of such a large body of water, and being below decks, avoiding the worst of the sun, She also happens to find Sanvoros' company very enjoyable.


Bribes always welcome

Happenings: 1d1000 ⇒ 553

The ship sails on, eventually passing the Skyspear Mountains. The immense peaks shoot high into the distant sky, their tops lost in cloud. The shore becomes more rugged, and the green tinge of vegetation thins and the land to starboard becomes more black and barren.

The Ghost sails into a large bay, where black sand beaches and a few hardy lava palms are all that can be seen. A few ships hurry here and there, but no one threatens the ship.

A small town comes into view on the shore. Ramshakle warehouses and docks line the beaches. Several merchant ships of various sizes are anchored offshore.

The First Mate Sallador cries out

"Three-Penny Port ahoy!"


"On the look out for our ship," Kessel says to his companions, "with luck we'll spot it, otherwise we need to pick up the trail again."


Elf Magus 5

"Aye-aye!" Magnus agrees jauntily. He climbs the rigging to see if he can spot the ship as they approach.

Per: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

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