Welcome to the in character list for the game. First post to come after I've gotten player confirmations.
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The story starts with the six of you having been chosen by Petros, Chamberlain of Lord Edvar Wintrish, to undertake a rescue mission. What you know to date is that Valeria Wintrish, youngest daughter to Lord Edvar, was captured during a pirate raid of a small seaside holding that belonged to the Lord. The holding was pillaged, buildings burnt, over a dozen were killed and several young women (including Valeria) were taken, presumably for slaves. In exchange for a large reward (and freedom in two cases) you have agreed to set forth on a sailing vessel provided by Lord Edvar and attempt to rescue his young daughter.
We begin with all of you standing before Petros on the docks of Corentyn, nearby is a carriage where Lord Edvar sits, allowing his chamberlain to speak for him since the six of you are too far below his station for him to address personally. Standing behind Petros are a pair of large armed guards wearing the colors of House Wintrish. Petros speaks, On behalf of my Lord, I thank you for undertaking this most dangerous task and I assure you that my Lord will well reward you should you be successful in rescuing his youngest and most favored child. I can not even imagine what the poor child must be going through as we speak. As Petros speaks, he begins to walk closer towards the docks and motions to a specific ship. This vessel is known as "Sea Dragon" and is captained by a former Ulfen pirate by the name of Ragnar. He and his ship have been commissioned by my Lord to be part of this rescue mission. You will be expected to assist in the day to day operating of the ship as there is only a skeleton crew on board. As you can imagine finding enough individuals for this undertaking has not been easy and a full crew could not be obtained. Though you may look on the bright side, fewer people means less ways the reward money will be split and of course you are welcome to whatever loot you recover from the pirates as my Lord is only interested in the return of his daughter. Now if you will please follow me, I will introduce you to the captain.
Petros turns and walks towards and then up a gangplank leading to the deck of the Sea Dragon. Once up on deck, you see three people of what you assume to be Ulfen descent standing there. Standing slightly in front of the other two is a large older man, perhaps standing about 6'5". Though his blond hair and beard are streaked with grey, he still appears to be in excellent physical shape. Standing slightly behind and to the right of him is a rather attractive young woman, perhaps in her 20's with blond hair similar to that of the older man. To the left stands a man who is perhaps in his 30's, standing at about 6'2" with pale red hair. Gesturing to each of them in turn, Petros introduces them as Captain Ragnar, his daughter and navigator Signe and his firstmate Jens. After making the introductions Petros will bid you all farewell and good luck and then walks back down the gangplank.
After Petros leaves, Ragnar speaks; Welcome to the Sea Dragon, my rules are simple. You go against my orders, I toss you overboard. You start a fight on my ship, I toss you overboard. You fall asleep on duty, I toss you overboard. You touch my daughter, I toss you overboard. Now, Jens will show you below to the crews quarters where you can store your stuff and bunk down for the night. We set sail in the morning so be up and on deck by dawn.
Jens leads all you below deck to the crew quarters, which is one large room with several hammocks strung up along each side of the wall with two small wooden chests under the bottom hammocks. Here we are, stow your gear and pick a hammock. If you get seasick I suggest you pick the bottom hammock rather than the top unless you want to make a crewmate unhappy. Be on deck by dawn for orders unless you want to risk the Captain's ire. If there are no questions, I'll be seeing
you all in the morn. If no one asks Jens any direct questions he will walk out the room.
Patch swallowed the charming grin he'd been directing at Signe and followed Jens down to the crew quarters. He had little enough to stow, but he stowed most of what he had (not without a suspicious look at the goblin that had joined them) before laying claim to a high hammock, cheerfully announcing, "Never been seasick and ain't planning to start now. So... what are your stories? I didn't get to talk much with you, what with all them music-haters complaining 'bout my tunes," he said, peering over at Deron as he toyed with the bone birdpipes he'd taken out of his vest.
Hoga puts his things away. Not a single human among this group. Nice!
I'm Hoga, he says to whoever may be listening. What do you have to do to get a meal around here?
Patch swallowed the charming grin he'd been directing at Signe and followed Jens down to the crew quarters. He had little enough to stow, but he stowed most of what he had (not without a suspicious look at the goblin that had joined them) before laying claim to a high hammock, cheerfully announcing, "Never been seasick and ain't planning to start now. So... what are your stories? I didn't get to talk much with you, what with all them music-haters complaining 'bout my tunes," he said, peering over at Deron as he toyed with the bone birdpipes he'd taken out of his vest.
Deron stows his one sack and claims a hammock of his own. He chuckles slightly when Patch speaks about his music. He nods towards the goblin. I underestimated how desperate our employer is. Perhaps I should have asked for more than just getting out of my cell. With that he swings into his hammock and closes his eyes and, unconvincingly, pretends to try to sleep.
Lunthawg stores his backpack in one of the top bunks before climbing up and starting to jump up and down in the hammock. He looks over at Hoga and speaks, relatively well spoken even for a human, so exceptionally so for a goblin.
Yeah, we do get free food right? I wonder if the cook is up late.
He jumps down from the hammock with a thump.
Desperate boss means this must be dangerous. Dangerous means fun. Besides, have you ever seen a bunch of pirate ships burn at once?
He asks, kicking idly at some debris on the floor.
Deron looks up from his hammock with a very puzzled expression when he sees that it's the goblin speaking. He mumbles something and sits up, carefully balancing as the hammock swings slightly.
Signe walks into the bunkroom carrying a tray containing six bowls of stew and a couple loaves of bread. Despite the gentle swaying of the ship she manages to not spill anything as she sets the tray down upon a small table that appears bolted to one of the walls.
This sure is a motley lot that we have for a crew, I hope that there not a bunch of complete idiots. Here's dinner. I'll be on cooking duty for the next couple of days, once we figure out which of you all can manage not to burn water will be taking turns in the galley as well. Her eyes wander over the lot of you and end on Lunthawg. Gozreh only knows what a goblin would cook up
Signe turns to leave saying; Just leave the bowls on the table when done and I'll be seeing the lot of you on deck in the morning.
Uppity human...
Hoga speaks to the goblin.
Can't say I have, little one. Burning ships is a little more danger than I'd want.
He goes to the table, sniffs at a bowl of stew, and puts it down. Taking out his dagger, he begins cutting the bread into six large pieces.
At least the bread smells good. Who's hungry?
Hoga devours his stew and bread quickly, a habit born of his slave past. He at least remembers to stop when his share is gone.
Not bad. The water's a little burned, though. I assume you all have names?
Deron gets up and quickly takes a bowl and a share of the bread. He nods to the half-orc and says Deron, then sits and eats quickly and quietly.
A pleasure, Master Deron. That's a sharp-looking blade, there. A good thing to have, if these pirates aren't for giving up the girl politely...
Hoga's not too good at small talk, but he tries, and tries not to stare at Deron's strange tatoos.
I'm Lunthawg. And I have a dagger in my bag...do we need it or something? What girl? Oh right we need to rescue a girl or something.
He speaks quickly and doesn't pause before running over to start eating. He will eat anything leftover from the other people's meals, but otherwise sticks to his own.
Are you fast guys? I mean the ships burn slowly, but you aren't going to make me not burn them are you? Wait are the rest of you...used to dealing with pirates?
Deron nods in response to Hoga and smiles when the goblin speaks, but continues eating without comment.
Can't say I've dealt with many pirates, Lunthawg, but if you're for burning their ships, I'll be right behind you.
The goblin shrugs before starting to climb back up into the hammock he has claimed.
I'm here because I was a slave to pirates for a while. Well...before becoming a pirate.
He says, sitting with his legs over the side, swinging them idly. He then looks at Hoga and starts to speak in Orc.
I assume that you hit things? Probably hard?
He then looks around and speaks in Common again.
What do the rest of you do?
Patch grinned at Hoga's remark about the burned water, but his grin faded when the half-orc mentioned burning pirate ships. *Maybe not the best time to bring up the past,* he thought, before Lunthawg did it for him.
The goblin shrugs before starting to climb back up into the hammock he has claimed.
I'm here because I was a slave to pirates for a while. Well...before becoming a pirate.
He says, sitting with his legs over the side, swinging them idly. He then looks at Hoga and starts to speak in Orc.
I assume that you hit things? Probably hard?
He then looks around and speaks in Common again.
What do the rest of you do?
Patch leaned back against the wall, letting his legs dangle over the side of his hammock, much like Lunthawg. "I can do many things well, sailing and playing the pipes not least among them - but I think it's my talent at magic that got me tapped for this berth." He released his birdpipes, which went spinning around the room before returning to his hand. "People call me Patch Cullen," he added as an afterthought, though he wasn't wearing a patch. From the scar over one eye and down his cheek, though, it had been a near thing.
What about you guys?
Deron pats his sword in response to the questions about what everyone does. After which he finishes his bowl of soup, cleans the bottom with what is left of his bread, and returns the bowl to the table. He returns to his hammock and again pretends, very poorly, to sleep while the others talk.
Hoga smiles, surprised at the goblin's fluency in Orcish, and responds in kind.
Yes, I hit things. That's one way to put it.
He puts away his bowl, then crawls into his hammock, making sure his falchion is within easy reach.
Good to meet you, Master Cullen. I'm sure your magic will be most helpful in our mission.
He yawns, then closes his eyes.
I make magics mostly. Sometimes talk to monsters. I do like monsters quite a bit. They look so much more interesting than humans.
He pauses.
Sorry to offend those of you that look kind of human...ish. I make magic though.
He digs through his bag and pulls out a tiny compsognathus which starts to wander around his hammock.
Me and him do magic at least. Maybe in the morning we'll get a chance to show something off.
He says before lying down and trying to settle into a relaxing position.
Patch tossed his bowl into the air, where it floated down to land among the others on the table. Done showing off, he swung himself fully into his hammock to rest, watching the little dinosaur as he drowsed off. G'night, fellas, he muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead before falling asleep.
This sure beat some devil-man's brig.
At daybreak, the sound of the ship's bell rings out and you may well assume that it is a call to assemble upon the deck. As you come above deck you note the weather to be looking fair, with few clouds in the sky and slight breeze bringing in the smell of the early mornings catch from the docks below.
Captain Ragnar is standing on deck with Jens, obviously awaiting your arrival upon deck. I hope that you had a good nights sleep because now you will be put to work as we make our way down the coast. This morning will start with removing the lines from the ship to the dock and unfurling the sails to catch this fine breeze that I hope to take as a good omen for our voyage.
Ragnar walks towards the mainmast and motions upward and for those of you who look up, you see a figure high up in the rigging. Up there is Olaf, he was off ship til late last night securing the rest of our supplies. When we are free from the dock he'll start shouting out which sails to unfurl and I expect the lot of you to listen to him. Ragnar begins to move up deck to the wheel. After we set sail, Signe will be brining up some food to break our fast and we can finish our talk of your duties including taking turns at watch during the night. I expect two people walking the deck at all times. There are many dangers in the waters that we are heading into and I don't intend to be caught unaware by any of them. Is that clear? Assuming no one says no he will continue. Good, now get to work with those lines, just follow Jens lead if you're not sure what you're doing.
Jens moves to begin undoing the lines and will offer advice to any who appear unsure at what they are doing.
Deron follows any directions given. He's at ease upon the ship, but doesn't seem to have any special knowledge of sailing. He works quietly and efficiently and doesn't take part in any chit-chat as the day goes on.
Sailor check.
It's been a while...lol
Lunthawg seems at least somewhat used to being on a ship but aside from being small, it is also clear that he has a short attention span. He typically starts following instructions and then gets distracted before eventually returning to the task at hand.
After Jens oversees the task of throwing off the lines, Olaf takes over the instructions on unfurling and tying down the sails and he will ask if any of you are decent enough climbers to undo ties on the top mast and to make it up to the crows nest for turns on watch. About this time, Signe comes above deck and begins setting some food down on a crate.
DC 10 for any attempts at climbing up the rigging.
As if in answer, Deron climbs the rigging easily and then returns to the deck and awaits orders.
Noticing the food, Lunthawg runs over to it and immediately starts to eat his share. He munches loudly and rather messily.
The tall thin elf, behind his grotesque mask and strange wooden armour, works quickly and quietly. He takes to the tasks like he was born to them and does not remark however menial be the job.
Patch busied himself doing what needed to be done, always right where he needed to be. When Signe brought the food up he shot her a grin, though not in the captain's or his Ulfen crew's view. He set to eating with gusto, though perhaps not so much as Lunthawg.
Leaning towards Nimwi, he asked quietly, What's with the mask?
Climb check:
After the climbing demonstrations, Olaf will allow Hoga and Devon to assist with the upper rigging and to eventually take turns in the crows nest.
As the day progresses, Olaf and Jens become a bit friendlier and during some conversation admit that they had been worried about getting stuck with a bunch of landlubbers who had no idea what they were doing. They will also admit that the reason that they are all here is that they were caught smuggling and Captain Ragnar struck a deal with that lord Wintrish fellow to avoid prison time and loss of the ship.
Signe will spend most of the morning plotting out the course the ship will take and doesn't seem interested in making small talk with anyone.
Nearing midday, Ragnar will leave the wheel and come down to talk to you. I don't know if any of you are familiar with the dangers of this area of sea, so I'll tell you know to be on watch for any ships, especially those flying pirate flags and for Merrow. I suspect we won't be able to avoid both forever on this trip, so I want everyone to keep their weapons handy.
And all this time I thought they were pious and pure...
With your leave, I'll go below and get my bow and arrows.
Unless there's any objection, that's what he'll do, returning quickly to the deck with his falchion also strapped to his back.
Deron spends his time quietly going about his work. He barely, if ever, speaks and generally keeps to himself over the course of the day. When Ragnar comes down to talk to them he simply nods and returns to work.
Lunthawg shrugs at the captain's words. He then runs off to continue his marginally productive contribution to the daily work. He talks to anyone that will listen and will specifically search out anyone that seems to have a deformity or otherwise seems exceptionally far from human. He has no qualms about complimenting such individuals on their monstrosity before smiling and happily running off again.
Leaning towards Nimwi, he asked quietly, What's with the mask?
Nimwi turns to regard the elementalkin. His head slowly tilting to the left, he stares for long seconds before responding. 'You are Undine. My people often deal with your kith and kin. Strange that you do not recognize it.'
The tall elf's entire body seems to shrug, his eyes blinking several times before returning to his task.
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At the mention of merrow, Nimwi actually speaks up. 'Very much like ogres who have adapted to life in the sea. They are fast swimmers with vicious claws.'
The elf follows the half-orc below decks. He returns with a trident joining the barbed whip and folded net hanging from his hips and the dagger in it's wrist sheath strapped to the underside of his left forearm.
Nimwi turns to regard the elementalkin. His head slowly tilting to the left, he stares for long seconds before responding. 'You are Undine. My people often deal with your kith and kin. Strange that you do not recognize it.'The tall elf's entire body seems to shrug, his eyes blinking several times before returning to his task.
Then it was Patch's turn to blink, looking confused. I'm what? You know who? My mother? Your kind have been to Port Peril? I don't recall seeing you, growing up. He wiped his brow, sweating profusely in the sun.
Nearing midday, Ragnar will leave the wheel and come down to talk to you. I don't know if any of you are familiar with the dangers of this area of sea, so I'll tell you know to be on watch for any ships, especially those flying pirate flags and for Merrow. I suspect we won't be able to avoid both forever on this trip, so I want everyone to keep their weapons handy.
Patch nodded; he was already armed, with knives ringing his belt and a cutlass at his side, as well as a truncheon. Still, he went down to fetch his net and sling as well.
Nodding at Nimwi's description of the merrow, Ragnar continues: Of course merrow aren't the only creature of the sea we must keep an eye out for. But we'll be hugging the shoreline as much as we can to avoid the larger beasts. I'd been hearing rumors of giant squid in the deeper waters south-west of us and I've no desire to tangle with one of those again. Turning to walk back to the wheel, Ragnar ends: For now just keep an eye on the water and another on the sails to make sure they stay full of wind. If you find yourself getting too bored, toss a line overboard and see if you can catch anything fresh for dinner.
Hoga carries on, climbing up the rigging and helping as needed.
Perception to see anything unusual:
Nimwi continues to work, keeping the sails trimmed.
Lunthawg, upon hearing about food, does at times decide to toss a line over the side of the boat. He seems woefully incompetent at fishing in such a manner, but seems earnest in his attempts.
Put off by Nimwi's silence in the face of his questions, Patch scowled and stomped off to work. Probably just some kind of elf insult. His attention was split between working and scanning the surrounding waters.
With one eye on the sea, Deron continues to work.
Jens will drop a fishing line of his own near Lunthawg and offer a couple tips on fishing from a ship. You can assume he knows what he is talking about as he soon pulls up a fish.
For those who rolled 10 or better on Perception:
Patch paused in what he was doing, shading his eyes as he peered out across the water. Then he finished tying off a rope before seeking out the captain.
Captain Ragnar, there's a wreck off the bow, on the reef. There may be trouble ahead.
Captain Ragnar looks off in the direction Patch gives. Good eyes lad. Olaf, get yourself to the crowsnest and the rest of you look sharp. There hasn't been a storm in over a week so it was nothing natural that made that ship wreck. Jens, go below and fetch up Signe, I want everyone above and ready for trouble.