To Rule the Razor! (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Swanson

"Yes, angering Whale is not our intention. If we were to encounter his servant, how is best for us to approach it?"

Nef says nothing, she just shoots Oren a grateful look.

Milliauka looks skyward for a moment as he contemplates the question. "You ask a question best answered by the Whale itself, I fear. Propitiating the Whale spirit is our chosen way, that way may work for you as well. Offending the Whale would be easy to avoid should you avoid any whale product aboard your ship. Attempting to slay the Whale would bring the same fate as the Lashed Harpoon upon you."

As the shaman talks with Oren and the others, Moloki pulls Nefertiti aside. "I did not wish to upset the Spiritual One but while it is true we have watched you as you mark your path in Port Shaw, we have also noticed others taking interest in you as well." He turns to look into her eyes. "Please, watch behind you. The Tulita are not loved in Port Shaw and neither are those who ally with them."

"Offending the Whale would be easy to avoid should you avoid any whale product aboard your ship."

A merchant prince's daughter, Nef pales at the thought of trying to avoid all whale products aboard the ship.

Nef pulls off the bone Tulitan bracelets that she bought in the market in Port Shaw. "I'm not sure what sort of bone this is, and it's not worth the risk I might bring keeping them. Milliauka, would you accept these, and offer them the next time you propitiate Tohorara?"

Bone bracelets in the 1800s were often whale teeth.

"Lamp oil, baleen, blubber, spermaceti, ambergris..." Nef groans as she looks at her teammates. "We're going to have to look at every supply item on the Rita and make sure that Jacinth doesn't bring perfume, cosmetics or corsets in her trunk." She sighs. "Meeting with her just became my number one priority after our meeting with the Tolchrists."

And then her eyes widen and she looks at Oren. "Scrimshaw," she says. "What is your ring made of, Oren?"

She turns to Milliauka. "Is it the right time of year for propitiation? I would like to try, if its possible that Tohorara will accept my offerings. What would you suggest we bring as an acceptable offering?"

"Attempting to slay the Whale would bring the same fate as the Lashed Harpoon upon you."

Nef nods and sighs with relief. "No harpoons, then. Thank you, Milliauka. We will do our best. May I return to you at a latter date for further lessons on the gods of the Razor? I fear I need much instructing."

"I did not wish to upset the Spiritual One but while it is true we have watched you as you mark your path in Port Shaw, we have also noticed others taking interest in you as well." He turns to look into her eyes. "Please, watch behind you. The Tulita are not loved in Port Shaw and neither are those who ally with them."

Nef clasps his hands. "Thank you, Moloki. I'll be sure to tell the others in my group, and will be watchful myself. I feel honored by your concern and help today."

"Do we owe you anything for your advice, Father," Oren asks of the elder before the group prepares to head back out and begin their list of tasks.

Not sure about the ring yet. I have proposed crocodile bone, if that would work.

Aikane can't shake the feeling: but what if it's not whale...

"Milliauka, may I ask one more question? I keep hearing Tohorara called 'The Lore Keeper'. Are stories ever appropriate gifts to give him?"

She thanks him for the advice, and waits to see what Milliauka says in response to Oren's most recent question.

Is there a customary gratuity?

Milliauka is quiet as he contemplates Nefertiti's question. Just when it seems the silence is never going to be broken, he softly replies, "The Lore Keeper? I had feared that title had completely faded from our teachings. Back before the out-landers arrived that was the Whale's primary mission, to hold our collected lore." He sighs heavily, "Now, no one is left to add to, or even maintain our history, our heritage." He takes her hands in his. "While I have no knowledge of how the Whale will react to your tales, I do have faith you can make Him listen."

He turns to face Oren, a kindly look in his eyes. "The only payment I require is you do not forget who you are, Oren, and do not forget about us. Should we pass on from this land, you may find yourself adrift as you were before."

Time check 0745 hours. If you wish to make your appointment time with the Tolcrists, you had better hurry,especially if you want to look presentable for them.

"Aloha, Milliauka and Moloki. You have taught us much and renewed my resolve." She nods her farewell.

Then she looks again at her friend, Oren, who seems far less certain of who he is when here, amongst the heart of his own people. She offers her arm to him, showing both Oren and these tribal leaders the depth of her trust in her friend. "Oren, will you do me the honor of escorting me out? We have a big meeting ahead, and I have need of my local expert."

She says to him, sotto voce, "I will never let you forget who you are, Oren. Hold your head high, like the hero I know you to be."

Oren offers up his arm, but he doesn't seem to snap back to his normal self until the group is far away from the awful Outskirts. "I told you it was bad," he whispered to the others as they left. He didn't address Nef's statement, letting it hang in the air.

"How are we planning on getting this scent off of us? I doubt we would be well received with te stink of the Outskirts on us, in polite company, that is."

"We can get changed and get a bucket of wash water back at the Captain's Wheel. We just have to be quick about it.". Then she grins. "I'm sure you'll be received very well, Milord Mitabu. You do take us to all the best places."

She does tell the group about Moloki's warning to her about multiple groups of watchers. "I guess I've made more of an impression than I realized," she says, a slightly worried expression crossing her face.

"There's isn't more of a gossip in the world than a sailor, in my experience. They make it to shore and can't help but tell stories. It seems you've become the subject of most of them, Nef," Oren says with a smile.

"Enjoy your new found celebrity. Hopefully, we can use it for something to help us in the future."

She smiles wanly. "I guess I'd better, Oren, because I don't really know how to disappear into the shadows."

"Speaking of which... Milliauka went to a great deal of trouble to research me, which I suppose I should find flattering." She sighs. "I haven't exactly advertised my parentage. I'm pretty sure that I never once mentioned my father's full name even to you, my closest friends."

"Someone must have gotten hold of my immigration form from the Port Authority." She turns to the menehune, speculatively. "Aikane, do you know anything about his spy network? In a way, it cheers me to know that the Tulita have such resources at hand."

"Ugh, the Outskirts. That is a slum village for mostly inhabited by the Tulita not too awful far from here. The conditions are awful...cramped, dirty, sweltering. This part of our people were much better before coming to this place. I feel terrible every time I visit and see how terrible the conditions are."

"I want to see such place" - Zemwaar's voice is grim and somber.

Her hands clench and unclench as they walk through the slum. She turns to Zem. "I can't stand to see our people like this, Malama, but where do we begin to change it?"

Zewaar does not speak - he cannot. He is expressionless when Nefertiti addresses him, but his jaws are clenched tight, arms folded across the chest in a defensive posture as the man struggles to take in the enormity of what he knows are broken Tulita all around them - "Why would they choose to live like this?" - is all he says.

"Screeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

All this talking. At least Senegar provided snacks.

Wedjaat eyes Zem's bag hopefully.

With a subtle nod, Zemwaar retrieves a morsel of dried meat from his bag, offering it to the majestic eagle.

He acknowledges the others behind her, looking over each one in turn. His gaze does linger on Zemwaar for a bit longer than the other members of the group, though. "You have chosen to serve Nefertiti. I believe this will bring great rewards for you."

A raised eyebrow is the Moamasu's only reaction.

"How are we planning on getting this scent off of us? I doubt we would be well received with te stink of the Outskirts on us, in polite company, that is."

Zemwaar stops dead in his tracks - "The stink is there, because Port Shaw and its rulers will it so brother Oren. Perhaps it is time they felt it well up their noses, so they stop pretending they do not know it is there?"

"Why would they choose to live like this?" - is all he says.

Nef says, "I don't know. All I know is that our people deserve better. There must be a way make this better, Malama, and we will find it together."

His gaze does linger on Zemwaar for a bit longer than the other members of the group, though. "You have chosen to serve Nefertiti. I believe this will bring great rewards for you."

A raised eyebrow is the Moamasu's only reaction.

As they continue their walk back, Nef says to Zem, "One thing Milliauka said really bothered me, Zem. I didn't like it when he said that you serve me. I think that was meant as a deliberate dig... just like his statement about me being a 'Desert Princess.' "

She thinks over this a bit, and then asks, "Zem, I think he may be right about something though. I rely on you endlessly... You're my friend, and my teacher, but what do I do for you in return? Tell me, is there a way I can serve you too?"

Zemwaar stops dead in his tracks - "The stink is there, because Port Shaw and its rulers will it so brother Oren. Perhaps it is time they felt it well up their noses, so they stop pretending they do not know it is there?"

"I have no problem with putting stink up the noses of the leaders of Port Shaw," she says raising her eyebrows, "but I'd rather not bring it attached to my own person."

I supported his decision to wear native dress during our lunch with Senegar. But stink? Nope. I'll scrub him down myself if I have to do so.

"Ugh, the Outskirts. That is a slum village for mostly inhabited by the Tulita not too awful far from here. The conditions are awful...cramped, dirty, sweltering. This part of our people were much better before coming to this place. I feel terrible every time I visit and see how terrible the conditions are."

Ke' snarled and spat.

"The Outskirts problem is multilayered. I'm not sure if there is any simple way to eliminate the awfulness. The people do choose to live there for the most part, and if they left, where would they go and how would they survive? They think, that at least they are still with their people, no matter how deplorable circumstances. It's a thorny thicket."

Nef nods. "You're right about about the multilayered nature of the problem, Oren. However that doesn't mean this is unsolveable, just that it will be tough."

There is determination glittering in her eyes and her shoulders straighten as she visibly comes to a decision.

"This can't all be solved at once, but there are small things that could be done that would improve conditions there. A better sewage system and a reliable source of fresh water for the entire outskirts would eliminate both the stink and needless illness."

She sighs. "More importantly, our people need dignity, direction and the ability to determine their own fates. I cannot just swoop in as an outsider and do this for them. They need to be part of the decision making. They need to have both agency and ownership in some shared project, and they need to succeed. If they don't, everything falls apart again."

"I may have found the reason Horus and I have come to the Razor," she says, trembling and giddy with the realization. The sheer enormity of the job ahead terrifies her, but she cannot turn from it. "I may have just discovered part of my life's work, but I can't do this alone."

"My friends... is this something that calls to you, too? You don't have to answer me right away. Perhaps you can think on it during our voyage together, and decide then."

She sighs.

"Or even much later, if you wish. This job is one that won't go away anytime soon."

____________________________
I'm going to post something in discussion about how I think this would work.

Nef says, "I don't know. All I know is that our people deserve better. There must be a way make this better, Malama, and we will find it together."

"Yes" - the man answers - "If their wish is indeed to break free from this mire, then we will find a way. If not, they will sink"

As they continue their walk back, Nef says to Zem, "One thing Milliauka said really bothered me, Zem. I didn't like it when he said that you serve me. I think that was meant as a deliberate dig... just like his statement about me being a 'Desert Princess.' "

Zemwaar ponders Nefertiti's words for a few moments as they walk - "I respect Milliauka's wisdom as a Tulita elder, but his words in that sense are not relevant to me" - he states flatly - "His divinations may well allow him a particular insight into the heart and fate of men, but either he does not know me, or he knows something that even I do not" - he adds, looking at her - "We know as much as there is to know about the path we thread, and have a glimpse of the path we wish to follow in the future - and that is for us only to dwell on, none other"

She thinks over this a bit, and then asks, "Zem, I think he may be right about something though. I rely on you endlessly... You're my friend, and my teacher, but what do I do for you in return? Tell me, is there a way I can serve you too?"

"You rely on me as much as I rely on you Aka - no more, and no less" - he answers without a second thought - "In fact, it has been so ever since we walk together, and it is my hope that it always remains so" - he finishes - "From an early age, I have learned that the fist is nothing without spirit, and it is as such that I think of us"

"And you do serve me - with your friendship"

"I have no problem with putting stink up the noses of the leaders of Port Shaw," she says raising her eyebrows, "but I'd rather not bring it attached to my own person."

"I understand Aka - I do not feel the same way however" - he still continues, without skipping a beat, along their route.

Come on... Do we really stink, just because we were in the Outskirts..?

Yes you guys do pick up a peculiar odor when you go to a slum...sooo I have been informed of by Hmm, he he. Fortunately, a cold water bath will be enough to remove it.

Realizing time is running through the hourglass, you hurriedly bid your farewells to the Tulita leaders and make your way back to the Captain's Rest for a quick cold bucket bath and a change of clothing. Oren fortunately remembers the directions to the Tolcrist Manor and you hurry on your way. One thing Oren tells you of the Tolcrists is as high browed aristocrats, Kurt and Lady Tolcrist are insufferably smug and condescending about their wealth. However, they do care deeply for Genevieve.

At this point, I will assume Rata Fenn has rejoined you again, with a fun tale to tell :)

Once you arrive at the Tolcrist Manor, you are quickly ushered to the den of their ostentatious Manor, a stark contrast to the squalor you were immersed in but an hour before. Sitting on one of the divans is a well coiffed man, dripping with signs of his wealth and opulence. The lady next to him is dressed in such a way so as to outshine any other possible competitors from bruising her own ego. They stand and greet you, with the man addressing you first, "Hello, Miss Nefertiti. We are go glad you were able to come her on such short notice. I am Kurt Tolcrist and this is my wife Cristina Tolcrist. And your...companions are..." He awaits you to introduce your friends.

Aikane doesn't get too intense with the chilly bathwater. He poses as a gritty sailor in a blue and white striped bandana.
disguise hat to look like a sailor: 1d20 + 0 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 0 + 10 = 12

perC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 to check for tails. (people following or watching us. or I guess really cute gnomes. if we want to go that route. or maybe dogs. dogs have tails in pathfinder, right?)

On the Way Back from the Outskirts

"You rely on me as much as I rely on you Aka - no more, and no less" - he answers without a second thought - "In fact, it has been so ever since we walk together, and it is my hope that it always remains so" - he finishes - "From an early age, I have learned that the fist is nothing without spirit, and it is as such that I think of us."

"And you do serve me - with your friendship."

Surprised by both his words and her own sudden rush of emotion, Nef hugs her friend. "It is my hope that it always remains so, too," she says softly.

On the Way to the Tolcrists

Nef considers changing her clothes to a more nautical look, and the dismisses the idea. She's not a sailor. To emulate one seems wrong somehow. Instead, she alters her clothes to a modest but still stylish red pant set that she hopes will look professional.

She tells Rata about their depressing visit to the Outskirts, the encouraging news about Lucky, and about Milliauka's suggestion that Leviathan might attack any ship using whale products. Realizing that Rata doesn't like things expressed in spiritual terms, she says, "The leviathan has a monstrous size. Perhaps it has monstrous senses as well. It seems a sensible precaution."

"So how did your expedition go? Did you find any useful information?"

After Rata has his say, she then turns to the rest of the team.

"Since we now know that Senegar was biased in my favor... could you guys back me up a bit in negotiations with the Tolcrists? I don't know them, but I do know that they're fairly unlikely to favor me in the same manner."

Then she stops for a second and gets a horrified expression on her face. "At least, they better not. Because that would be entirely too creepy."

At the Tolcrists

"The pleasure is all ours," Nef says warmly. "These men are my traveling companions and fellow crew. May I introduce Aikane, Zemwaar, Rata, Ke'ahilani, and Oren? They are some of the finest sailors around and the bravest friends one could ask for."

Once the introductions are done, she says, "We in turn are grateful for any information you can share with us about the voyage of The Dulcimer."

Kurt Tolcrist nods in reply and takes Nef's hand in his own, planting a kiss on the inside of her wrist, as Senegar did the previous day before. Once the party has settled in, he says in a business-like tone, "We are aware of your rescue effort for the lost passengers of the Dulcimer. As you may imagine, the loss of our daughter Genevieve has been devastating to us. Therefore we are prepared to pay 4,000 gold bits for you to find Genevieve and return her to us. I have contacted the other families as well, and they assure me they are willing to contribute additional monies for the recovery of their own sons and daughters as well. When you return I shall add those monies to ours."

He waits for you to respond to the deal, before he continues. "Now as for what happened to the Dulcimer we have heard these rumors of a giant whale sinking it. Quite frankly, as speaking for all of the families who have lost loved ones, we find this preposterous." His voice grows lower and tinged with anger. "As a matter of fact, we all blame Jacinth for their disappearances and none of us believe her so-called 'killer whale' story! That’s complete NONSENSE! She probably got drunk and ran the ship aground on Dolentla Island!"

He pauses for a moment, clearly agitated about this. He takes a few calming breaths as his wife Christina places a comforting hand on his shoulder. She adds, "Of course, we have kept these opinions to ourselves. Still that Jacinth is a spoiled playgirl and a marginal sailor at best. It was a fool’s errand for her uncle to purchase the Dulcimer to accommodate her wild pleasure cruises. Now she may have cost the lives of our loved ones!" Her voice is tinged with hysteria at the end.

"Is Jacinth known to be a drinker?"

"We've been wondering what kind of dumb b£¥€# goes on an archaeological expedition to Dolentia £¥€^% island," Aikane says crassly.
diplo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Not that it was Genevieve's idea, of course. We have had a hard time following the logic of it all, I mean."

Nef pulls a notepad, a well-sealed ink pot, and a pen from her Pathfinder Pouch, taking notes for questions to ask Jacinth later.

Interesting. The whale was the ONLY thing from Jacinth's story that I found credible. Precisely because it was so preposterous. If she was going to make up a story, why not pick something more believable, like pirates?

"I am also curious about the nature of the expedition, and what the group was seeking at Dolentla Isle," she says, professionally. "What was your opinion of what they were seeking? Did Genevieve confide in you?"

She looks up at them and says, "I'd also love to know your full impression of Jacinth's skill set, strengths as well as weaknesses. I know you considered her a marginal sailor, and spoiled... but The Dulcimer's crew was a hand-picked group of the elite of Port Shaw. Why do you think Port Shaw's best and brightest followed her?"

She sets to one side the idea of a drunken Jacinth crashing a ship, all by herself.

If she was drinking, where was everyone else? Was she the only sailor? Were they all drunk?

"If you don't mind, I'd like to hold on the monetary negotiations until the end, when we have more complete information about what may be in store for our group on this journey. Will that be alright?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Cristina looks at Oren and thinks for a moment before nodding slowly. "When she attends our social functions I ALWAYS see her with a wine glass in her hand, but..." she runs her hand through her coiffed hairdo, "Come to think of it I don't recall her passing out during any of OUR parties..."

Kurt does not seem phased by the profanity in the Menehune's voice. "I don't know what Jacinth planned to do with them! Genevieve told us she was going on a pleasure cruise up the coast! Something harmless, or so we thought!" He then turns to look at Nefertiti. "Look, Miss Nefertiti I know you have not met any of our elite children before but whatever they may be, they are not experienced sailors, not by any stretch! I had some initial reservations about the trip, but Genevieve assured us Jacinth could handle this. Why they would want to go anywhere near that accursed place is beyond me!"

He nods in reply to Nefertiti's request for further negotiations.

Nef puts her notes aside to offer comfort to the Tolcrists, offering each her hands if they will take them. "I lost my mother young. I know how devastating this all must be for you, especially with your daughter's fate uncertain."

In a calm voice, she continues, "Please understand that I meant no insult by calling your child an elite. It was a statement of fact, and nothing more. I know how society operates at that level, and understand how the prospect of an adventure could appeal as a change of pace for a young girl."

She raises her eyebrows.

"What I am trying to do is get as complete a picture as I can of what happened on the voyage. When you say that they were not experienced sailors, how much had they sailed before? Jacinth was wealthy enough to engage a working crew, yet chose not to do so."

And now... I know Jacinth is hiding something. She was seeking something important and secret, and she didn't want to hire a bunch of gossipy regular sailors. Very interesting.

"How long has your daughter known Jacinth? And what were Genevieve's talents, if I may ask? Did she have archaeological interests?"

Or did Jacinth want her for something else? So many mysteries here.

Rata recounts what little there was to tell of his efforts tracking down the Wave Riders to the rest as they reconvened for their appointment with the Tolchrists. During the meeting, Rata maintains silent sentry as he is wont to do, preferring to let Nef handle the more intricate negotiations, although his disposition visibly improved with the mention of another hefty reward of gold.

As with most things in Port Shaw, Rata was beginning to realize, there seemed to be much more to this expedition than they had once believed.

Oren stood by silently, watching Nef's expert handling of the emotions in the room. He wasn't sure if it was because she didn't have the Tulita blood, and the first strike against her, but the ability she had to convince people to open their hearts to her was quite impressive. He smiled despite himself and watched her work.

Kurt pauses for a moment as he reflects on Nefertiti's questions. "Genevieve met Jacinth not long after the Viscount arrived in Port Shaw, it must be about two years now I believe. As for her talents..." He strokes his finely trimmed goatee in thought. "We have been grooming her to take our place maintaining our family affairs once we retire. She has no plans to go exploring or sailing all over the Coast, as far as we know."

razor coast bingo: curse like a salty sailor, check.

Nef glances at her teammates, who had suddenly gone silent, and raises her eyebrows at them.

Didn't I ask for negotiation backup?

C'mon guys... Aid another is only DC 10!

Then she turns back to the Tolcrists. "So Jacinth has been part of your circle for only two years. Were all the other crewmates of The Dulcimer close? Were they all mostly childhood playmates?"

Jacinth... Why did you pick these wealthy children with mediocre skills and drag them off with you? Was it that they were your friends, and thus the only people you could trust? And if their families thought that they were going on a pleasure cruise, they likely packed their best clothes, whalebone corsets and all.

She says, honestly, "I cannot imagine how horrible all this must be for you. Know this... we will do our best to bring them back or give you closure."

Though maybe stripped of their blasted corsets, assuming that they still have them.

Nef consults her notes. "Earlier, Mr. Tolcrist, when you talked of that 'accursed place', I was wondering what you know of the Dolentla Island. I've heard rumors, but as longtime residents of the Razor, you and your wife might well know far more than I do on this subject."

"Do you know how long the 'pleasure cruise' was expected to last? Did they pack heavily with supplies or gear, if you might know?" Oren decided to engage the others, as Nef mentioned there would be an opportunity to haggle for an increased award, if they were successful in their mission. Even as good as Nef was, increasing our gold pot is worth trying to step out on a ledge...

Diplomacy Aid Another 1d20 ⇒ 19

Kurt glances at his wife briefly before facing Nefertiti again. "We have heard the same rumors you have surely heard as well. The most popular one says the island is haunted. That whaling ship...the Lashed Harpoon was sunk near there as well." He shrugs his shoulder helplessly. "The pleasure cruise was supposed to be for a couple of week, so Jacinth told us. I told them to stock up for an extended voyage just to be on the safe side."

He turns to face Cristina who gives him an imperceptible nod. He then faces Nefertiti once again. "Well it seems you are doing an admirable job preparing for your rescue mission. Therefore we have allowed an additional reward to be added onto the existing amount. The new total is 6,000 gold bits." He nods in satisfaction. "As you can see, we do love our daughter and wish to see her returned to us safely."

Nef courtesies to the two Tolcrists. "Thank you for your time, your information and your faith in us. We will do everything in our power to bring your daughter back to you."

Then she meets their gazes, and asks, evenly, "Would it be at all possible to get any of this funding in advance?" Her manner is not mercenary, but thoughtful and matter of fact.

"I ask only because we will be sailing through dangerous waters. I'd like to be able to improve our defenses so that we have a better chance of not only getting to Dolentla, but also of bringing everyone back."

Oren tries to keep his grin under control. He wasn't sure if Nef was telling the truth or not, but it was a damn fine story, no matter the case. Clever, clever girl...

I'm assuming that the interview with the Tolcrists is largely done save for backfill.

****

ONCE WE LEAVE TOLCRIST MANOR

After the meeting with the Tolcrists concludes, Nef thanks both Oren and Aikane for their backup in the negotiations. "That was two thousand gold more than even my grasping Qadiran heart would have expected," she admits cheerfully. "Good job!"

If we get an advance, she will consult with Oren and the others for defense ideas.

To everyone she says, "I know we all have an assortment of errands and shopping to run. Can we do them and plan to meet back at the ship at two pm? We should have a meeting of the whole team, including Jacinth, to inventory our supplies and find and remove whale products."

Her face gets an unhappy but determined look. "We need to get answers from Jacinth now more than ever."

****

She sends off a messenger to Deepwarder Manor:

Jacinth,

Nef

****

She then kneels down to Aikane's level, and takes the menehune's hand. Please don't burn it!

"Aikane, I have special need of your deviousness..."

Surprised by both his words and her own sudden rush of emotion, Nef hugs her friend. "It is my hope that it always remains so, too," she says softly.

"Since we now know that Senegar was biased in my favor... could you guys back me up a bit in negotiations with the Tolcrists? I don't know them, but I do know that they're fairly unlikely to favor me in the same manner."

"I am not a good negotiator Aka, my life and training have followed in another direction, and I have learned I tend to be too 'direct' to garner an advantage in any negotiation" - Zemwaar comments - "But I will speak my mind if needed be"

--At the Tolcrists--

Zemwaar felt like voicing his opinion many times, mainly as to why one would leave one's own pup to move away in such a dangerous endeavor, even more so with someone they did not really care for. In his mind, perhaps they bore with Jacinth for some ulterior motive, most likely pleasing the Viscount.

He lets the thoughts roll around in his head, while he watches in silence, observing the postures and body language from Genevieve's parents, looking for deception or some misplace tenseness, apart from the normal one from having a missing, possibly dead daughter.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

"As you can see, we do love our daughter and wish to see her returned to us safely."

He does almost cringe when the love for a daughter comes into the conversation mixed in with an offer of gold, and so he speaks - "We will make our best to bring your daughter back alive and well"

Regardless of how much gold you may thing a daughter's life is worth - he thinks sternly to himself, but then relaxes, understanding that this is despairing situation, and that he would also gladly offer all his gold to have a loved one returned to him.

Her face gets an unhappy but determined look. "We need to get answers from Jacinth now more than ever."

"That is bound to be an interesting conversation, surely" - Zemwaar nods - "Very well then, I will be acquiring some specific provisions for our travels. I will meet you back at the ship" - he adds, motioning to move off.

Mighty Kraken, Zemwaar is going to look for:
- A superior buoy
- A butterfly net
- A compass
- A fishing kit
- A fishing net
- A signal whistle
- A masterwork survival kit
- Hot weather outfit
- A mapmaker's kit (if it is justified)

I've got some other ideas, but they should perhaps come from the group cash ;)

Oren will go looking for magical and alchemical curative items, as discussed earlier.

A few vials of antitoxin (50 gold per), the same for anti plague (50 gold per), a couple scrolls of Remove Disease (375 gold each), Remove Blindness (375 each), Remove Curse (375 each), and maybe a Neutralize Poison (700 gold).

What would the party want me to pick up? Anything we buy would come from the forwarded funds. This is a Frog God Game, so I'm a bit paranoid, lol.

Do Air Crystals work underwater? :D

While the Tolcrists are certainly willing to increase the reward offered for the return of their daughter Genevieve, any hint of a cash advance is met with stony silence.

Your meeting with the Tolcrists over, you head off on your various shopping expeditions...

Zemwaar, you have no issues tracking down your items by heading to any of the various shops in the Docks. (Also, yes Air Crystals can be used underwater :))
.
Oren, your trip to the Sagacious Samuel’s Magic Emporium is productive as the owner states he has the vials and scrolls available but the cost for each of the Remove scrolls is 450 gp flat fee. Also the scroll of Neutralize Poison is (Available?: 1d100 ⇒ 30) available for 850 gp flat fee.

Before Oren and Zem leave on their shopping trips, Nef thinks about what she might need to propitiate Whale:

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Specifically, do we need a canoe, or will one of The Rita's life boats do? Do we need a necklace or some other jewels to sacrifice?

To Oren, she asks, "Can you get me a potion of Touch of the Sea and some air crystals?" Just in case the Leviathan takes a dislike to my canoe...

Nefertiti wracks her brain for stories where violating the Tulita customs of propitiate the Whale has been offensive to the deity. She knows a common custom for those who take long ocean voyages, where a canoe would be either impractical or dangerous, have used a lifeboat in place. As for the effectiveness of it, the Whale has not said definitively one way or another, but the chances of offense are not higher should a canoe not be used. It seems to depend more on the sacrifice itself.

"That is bound to be an interesting conversation, surely"

"Oh, it will indeed," she says in a quiet voice.

By Horus, I hope my plan works. We need a united team, and that includes Jacinth.

Zemwaar nods - "Very well then, I will be acquiring some specific provisions for our travels. I will meet you back at the ship" - he adds, motioning to move off.

"Malama," she says, looking thoughtful, "can you pick up a faucet, some paint and a fine calligraphy brush for me? The paint can be any color that will show up against the metal, but it has to be waterproof."

As the group departs the Tolchrist manor, Rata can't contain his elation, "Six thousand additional gold!? Haha! Maybe we should make appointments with all of the houses before we leave-" He stopped short when he realized what he was saying. These families were all fearful that they had lost a daughter or a son. He realized his words were extremely tactless and insensitive. His demeanor changed isntantly, "What am I saying? These people suffer the crushing burden of loss. Uncertain whether or not they will ever see their loved ones again." He swallowed hard, "Much like myself... And my father. And here I am celebrating about getting more money. What kind of monster am I...?" Rata drops to the back of the group, brooding once again with his own inner monologue.

. . .

After Rata has had some time to compose himself, he would make his way to the Pig's Whistle once again to check up on Captain Montgomery before their 2 o'clock meeting on the Rita.

Anticipating the fact that Jenks had told the Captain of his earlier visit and what information he sought, he will once gain voice his questions regarding the whereabouts of the Wailing Gypsy. I figured it would be kind of redundant to type the same thing out all over again.

---

In terms of shopping, I as a player run into a few problems. First off, as I expressed in the discussion, I know next to nothing about nautical travel, so I will defer to the rest of the group in that regard. Secondly, I have actually never played at this high a level in my short career as a Pathfinder player (I have many times in D&D, but that was years ago) and it seems like Oren's list of precautionary items is all inclusive, so I am more than happy to volunteer Rata's share of the gold towards that effort.

Also, Zem, if it makes any difference, Rata already has a compass that he would be more than happy to lend to you or whomever else may wish to use it.