Magnimar
9th day of Pharast
Year 4714 of the Age of Lost Omens
The sky is overcast today, with the sun hiding behind the clouds, but it has remained dry so far this morning, while a northward breeze promises quick sailing across the Varisian Gulf. The Council of Ushers has been provisioning three ships to dispatch to various parts of Varisia, double-masted schooners which the Magnimarian government claimed after being abandoned following the Sihedron Incident. Normally such ships would be auctioned off, but the Council of Ushers instead emptied the ships out, used the proceeds from selling off their abandoned cargo to refit them, and they now all fly the blue and white flags of Magnimar.
The ships are all docked at the impound yard down in the Dockway District, as the piers there are all owned by the city government rather than private interests, and all adventurers who signed up to join the expeditions have been asked to meed at the impound yard this morning. As each adventurer arrives, they are directed to a table where a half-elven woman in her early thirties dressed in finely tailored clothing is seated with a large stack of documents, flanked on both sides by city guards who look a bit uneasy about their assignment. She offers simple greetings, but asks for everyone to be patient until most of the prospective adventurers have arrived.
Once at least thirty people have gathered, the woman stands up to address the crowd, "Hmm, looks like we have enough of a crowd to get started then. For those of you I've not met before, I am Luma Derexhi, and I've been volunteered as the Magnimarian liaison for all the various expeditions the Council of Ushers is chartering. About half of you will be boarding ships in a short while, and then the other half will accompany me to the stables, as you'll be heading inland and will need horses." She gestures to the large stack of documents on her table, weighed down by a finely crafted sickle that looks made for combat rather than harvesting, "I have here your assignments, and will begin by calling you up according to the expedition you have been assigned to. If you lose your copy, don't fret over-much, as there are copies at the Usher's Hall, so we will still be able to pay you upon completion of your assignment."
Luma takes her seat again and begins calling names, starting with a group who will apparently be dispatched to the ruins of Brinewall, far to the north. You are the second group to be called, once she dismisses the first group to go board their assigned ship. "Donovan Dyne, Selena Starmantle, Serik Vanderale, Lissa Wintrish, and Milva?"
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A young human female walks forward, lugging a large backpack. She is pale-complexioned with red-brown fair and green eyes. She wears a long, hooded cloak, under which she wears a white blouse & a skirt that goes just past the knees. A grey cat follows her very closely.
"Present, miss Derexhi!" she says (in common) cheerfully, slinging the backpack onto herself. "Whooops! Sorry, I'm Selena."
Serik had been to Dockway before, mostly in his less respectable days. Some nodded their recognition while others simply stared and still others scowled going about their business elsewhere. He did not blame any of them for in those days he was friend, fiend, and more. Concerned only with himself, his pleasure, and his fun with all else damned to the disinterest of his own ego. Yet the docks and those that dwelled with in her held long memories despite the not so insignificant time he had been away bettering himself.
The Vanderale name if not his own personal one demanded a certain level of respect and manner both from those without and with in. Many moved out his way, those that did not were quickly reminded by their more learned counterparts. With little fuss he stood before Luma Derexhi with a small smile and slight bow before he spoke.
"I am Serik of House Vanderale. My warm greetings miss Luma Derexhi."
Now that he was closer and having spoken the name his knowledge of who she was came to mind. Seemed the games had already started and moves were being played by sending her for such a task. He could not be surprised, it was expected.
Kn(Local, human)
Milva moves forward with back alley cat-like grace as her name is called. She is tall at 6', but almost rail thin, showing her meager lifestyle. Her dark grey-green hair is braided and tucked under the hood of the sturdy cloak she wears. Her clothing fits loosely over her wiry form, a light grey blouse with a deep blue tunic striped white, dark grey pants and black knee-high, sturdy-looking boots, and a hooded cloak the colors of ash and cinders.
Her voice, strangely soft and higher pitched than you might imagine coming from such a big girl, squeeks slightly with excitement as she responds to Lady Derexhi calling her name "I am Milva, ya. Here-er- present. Right here."
"Prrrrrrrrrrrrr"
Milva smiles, with too many jaggedly sharpened teeth, seeing the cat. "Looks like we're being grouped together, ya. I am Milva. Does the kitty like street meat?" she reaches into her belt pouch, drawing out what looks suspiciously like a cooked rat on a stick.
A young halfling woman, just over two and a half feet tall with a longbow nearly as tall is she is strapped over her shoulder pushes forward. She has chestnut brown hair, hanging loose to her shoulders and you see she wears a holy symbol around her neck - a short sword with three large notches in it. At last she breaks through the crowd to arrive at the table, "Lissa here! Lissa Wintrish. Nice to meet you ma'am." She turns to the others. "Nice to meet you all. I'm Lissa."
"Miaaa" Umbrea seems to strain her paws toward the rat. Umbrea is a cat with a dark gray coat that is very smooth, with two pointy, almost lynx-like ears.
Using his lengthy spear as an over-tall walking stick, Donovan strode the streets of Dockway. "Good to be home, he mutters to himself. "Even if just for a moment."
He sees nobody he recognizes as he walks towards the piers where he has been instructed to meet with his expedition. Not a surprise - Dockway is a populous district, and he had been gone for nearly a year. Donovan's heavily-armed frame gets a few sideways looks, but the insignia upon his armored coat and the holy symbol hanging from its cord mark him immediately for a holy man, and that earns him a respectful deference - an attitude he was still getting used to.
Finally coming to the piers, he spies a crowd of almost thirty people standing around a woman with the blended features of a half-elf. No sooner does he step close enough to hear than she begins her announcement. At his own name, the cleric steps forward and raises his spear.
"I am Donovan," he says, and steps over to join the others who will apparently be his companions for the foreseeable future.
"Greetings, and blessings upon you all."
"Maaa" Umbrea looks at the new arrival for a second, rolls her eyes, and returns it's undivided attention to trying to reach the rat.
Initially offering a friendly smile as she recognizes the young scion of House Vanderale, Luma's expression turns to bemusement at the sight of the cooked rat that Milva had been storing in a pouch. Once all five of you have stepped forward and identified yourselves, she takes a deep breath to center herself, "This is probably either the easiest or most difficult assignment we're handing out today, depending on your luck. The five of you are being assigned to ship out aboard the Wandering Star with a pair of archaeologists who want to take a better look at the massive Thassilonian artifact called the Wheel of Gruankus." She rolls her eyes after saying the name and shrugs, "It's a weird name, but the scholars named it, not me. Anyway, the thing is about as out in the open as the Irespan or Cyphergate, but I guess they want to dig up the portions that are buried and take a better look, and the Council of Ushers approved. You lot are going to make sure they're not slaughtered by goblins and to survey the area. There could be other ruins nearby, and it's far enough from Riddleport that we'd like to establish a settlement there."
She lifts her sickle to fetch out the top five documents, quickly scanning them to make sure she has the right ones, "If you forget anything, these list everything we need surveyed, but the damned scribe put everything in alphabetical order. The number one priority is fresh water. Streams, rivers, lakes, whatever you can find. If there's no herds of deer, elk, or other game in the area, we'll just bring some livestock along with us, but shipping water clear across the Gulf is out of the question." She looks down along the list again, then snickers, "Ah, and just so we're clear, yes, you can keep anything you seize off any goblins, orcs, or other unsavory types you encounter, but that's superseded by the requirement to hand over Thassilonian artifacts. Just because a goblin was toting around the enchanted burial shroud of a Runelord doesn't mean you get to keep it. Lastly, the gold you'll receive when you get back is per person. You don't get extra if someone doesn't return, so don't go killing each other off on the way back." The way she says this seems to imply that she or someone in her family has had experience with mercenaries doing just exactly that.
The documents are all more or less identical aside from specifying your name, presumably so somebody else doesn't try to claim the commission once the expedition is ready to return to Magnimar. Luma patiently waits for you to each have a chance to quickly read the document and ask any questions you may have.
The carrier of this charter has been empowered to negotiate with any local inhabitants on behalf of the Council of Ushers for purposes of gaining access to Thassilonian ruins, and may offer limited grants of land or title within the same wilderness area as compensation, to be issued when settlement commences.
Any hostile creatures who cannot be negotiated with are to be put to the sword as if they had declared war upon Magnimar, and any proceeds of such conflict are to be awarded as rightful spoils to the carrier.
In exchange for the commission of no less that one thousand gold sails, the carrier of this charter is required to faithfully survey all parts of the peninsula upon which the Wheel of Gruankus is located which lie to the south and east of the Calphiak Mountains. This survey is to include at minimum a detailed description of local reserves of the following: deer, elk, fresh water, mineral deposits, open fields, timber, and waterfowl, as well as detailed maps of the inland area. Furthermore, any Thassilonian artifacts discovered are to be delivered to the Council of Ushers for study, and may be returned at discretion of the Council after examination.
So witnessed on this 8th day of Pharast, under authority of the Council of Ushers of Magnimar.
<signatures of the scribe and Lord Randred Derexhi>
Lissa reads through the document handed to her by Luma. "Gruankus? That's a strange name? I don't suppose you have any idea what it means or anything that is already known about this artifact and the site where it rests. Should we ask the archaeologists?"
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Selena interjects:
"Oh, it's quite simple really. There are interesting Thassilonian ruins in the area that are quite worth investigating. Inside those ruins is the Wheel of Gruankus. As far as I know, it's a ruin like any other. Full of mystery & unsolved riddles." While speaking the last sentence, riddles Selena seems to smile a little.
Selena Sets down Umbrea on the ground.
Umbrea runs up to Milva's legs and start turning on the charm, rubbing herself against her legs and purring.
Serik took up the charter with a warm smile. Taking a moment to scan the contents as he dwelled on the location. For a moment he was about to dismiss what little information there was about the area until something sent a shiver up his spine. Not one to ignore his instincts he repeated the location in his mind. Again and again it was off, a warning or sense of fear kept being invoked yet he could not pin it down.
Finally he understood. His smile falling to pieces at the dreadful revelation.
"Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that the domain of the Shadde-Quah, or Axe Clan of the Shoanti. A clan with a reputation of being hostile to outsiders, by hostile I mean attack on sight. If so then we are going to require special preparation before departure, which will require a bit of financial support on the Council's part."
It would be difficult to deal with the Axe Clan but not impossible. Shoanti were not the savages so many labeled them as, if one took the time to understand their culture and ways.
For some reason, the odd name of the ruins make Donovan want to giggle. "Hah... Graunkus. GRAUnkus. GraunKUS..." He holds onto a straight face - and thus, his dignity - despite being unable to make his brain leave the poor word alone.
"The basics of establishing a new settlement are a part of my training," he says. "Such an endeavor is beloved of Abadar." Donovan possessed a couple of volumes on the essential subjects, though he had not yet had time to to study them thoroughly.
Despite himself, the facade of the too-serious cleric cracks for a moment as a smile breaks free on his face.
"And it ought to be a good deal of fun for us, too."
"Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that the domain of the Shadde-Quah, or Axe Clan of the Shoanti. A clan with a reputation of being hostile to outsiders, by hostile I mean attack on sight. If so then we are going to require special preparation before departure, which will require a bit of financial support on the Council's part."
Donovan answered the well-dressed young man. "If we can arrange at least one non-hostile meeting, I will undertake the task of negotiating with them for our safety."
Luma is about to answer when Selena interjects, and waits for the young wizard to finish before adding, "So far as I know, it was named before anyone got around to actually translating Thassilonian into Taldane, so the name is probably meaningless gibberish. Feel free to ask the archaeologists, they should already be settled in aboard the Wandering Star, man by the name of Pavo Quink and his partner, husband, something like that." She gesticulates to indicate she doesn't really care about the exact relationship or even what the other man's actual name is.
Grinning in an almost predatory manner, Luma nods as Serik suddenly realizes just exactly where the party is being dispatched to, "Like I said, it could easily end up being the most difficult assignment handed out today. That's why, when I saw that a member of the esteemed House Vanderale had signed up, I just knew that this was the right task for you. Your family has been in the mercantile business since before your grandfather was born, and you've got what, a dozen ships? Make a deal! Or just do your best to avoid them and hope they don't regard the Wheel as some sort of holy site." She waits for Donovan to add a comment of his own, then says, "Exactly. Between the two of you, you should be able to charm the pants off of any Shadde-Quah you run into." She pauses, her expression turning introspective as she thinks for a moment, "If they even wear pants, that is."
Donovan bows politely to Luma even as he searches through his recent training for the gods the Shoanti serve, and whether or not they respect the clerics of Abadar.
Serik gives an expression between amusement and disbelief. Shaking his head as much a statement of misunderstanding the situation as a understatement of what they are asking.
"Yes well when making a deal you have to know the party your dealing with. That being said, they won't talk to me or anyone else for that matter. Unless we have a shoanti with us their going to attack first. Which is why I need to hire at least one before we leave, ideally a few."
There was no avoiding them, the axe clan would know about them before they even landed. The Shoanti had a bad history with outsiders, these extended that label to varisians as well. Anything done on their land would require their approval or willingness to go to war. For his part war was not an option.
"MAOOO" Umbrea looks up at Milva and meoows loudly trying to get her attention.
Milva smiles, bending down and holding the stick so Umbrea can eat at her pleasure. "Sorry kitty, I got a bit distracted. I won't let it happen again, I promise."
Umbrea takes the rat in her mouth, gives an appreciative nod of her head at you, then returns to lay Selena's feat. There she starts gnawing at the rat.
"I love cats, ya. I've got a few more if she gets hungry later on the journey, although there may be rats on the ship already." Milva nibbles off a leftover piece of meat still clinging to the stick. "You look like you know a thing or two. What's the fancy pants all worried about the Shoanti for? I mean, aren't they most likely to try to kill me, being a half-orc, first?"
"I'm really looking forward to this, but the clause about the artifacts is a bit disappointing. Still, I'm sure opportunities will happen. Never been aboard one of these sailing ships." Milva scratches her chin.
"Bah!" Luma waves a hand dismissively, "Look, I read over the old report from when the treaty with Riddleport was signed and none of the local Shoanti even showed up. For all we know, the site is actually taboo and they won't go anywhere near it, which means you've got a perfectly safe spot to retreat to if things go bad. Well, safe from the Shoanti, at any rate." She sighs and looks out at the pier, "If it's really that big of a deal to you though, I'm sure the ship can wait an extra hour before departing. The tides might not be ideal if you take much longer than that, but you can find just about anything over at the Bazaar."
She leans back in her chair and says, "Whatever you pick though, it's really none of my concern. You're going to be paid a thousand sails when you get back, and you could hire a whole company of Shoanti for a month with that much. You're a Vanderale, figure something out, but don't expect an advance, because I'm not authorized for that." Luma then scans the next set of documents to see who she needs to call next, since there don't seem to be any other questions now.
Yes, its too bad I won't be able to turn any artifacts over to the Society, but at least I might still manage some findings that I would write about. Lissa pulls at an imaginary itch on her ear. "Goblins. And these Shoanti that Serik and Donovan will handle for us. Are you sure you haven't heard of any other threats to our safety that we should know to be prepared for?"
He knew when he was being dismissed, he also knew when not to point out gaping holes in assumptions. Turning to the rest of the group he was part of.
"I am going to go find a few hirelings. As for other dangers, mountains normally mean fierce monsters sense it's not the easiest terrain to live in. Sorry I don't know details. Be back as soon as I can."
If no one stops him he makes his way directly to the bazaar of sails. Shoanti were not rare in Magnimar, but finding a decent one or more to leave in less then an hours time was not easy ether.
Umbrea finishes gnawing the rat, and starts batting around what's left with her paws.
"A thousand sails when we return is good," Donovan says. "But I haven't heard of too many mercenaries who will work on credit, unless it's with an established company. If we're talking about hiring help, I hope some of you have more in the way of resources than I.
Donovan then looks to Luma.
"Miss, how far of a voyage is our destination?
After hearing her answer, Donovan bows politely and turns toward the ship.
"Fetch me if I'm needed, please. I'm going to go speak with the archaeologists, see if they know how long they're likely to need to study the artifact."
"I think I'll hang on to my documents, ya. Sorry Selena, you seem the trustworthy type, but I'd rather not risk being accused of anything without the papers to back me up, should we get separated. Besides, I have a waterproof pouch too, ya." Milva tries to make a friendly, apologetic smile.
She picks up her things. "Need any help lugging those books aboard?"
Luma shrugs at Donovan's final question and answers, "No more than a few days at most." She then begins calling the next group, making it quite clear that you've all been dismissed.
The Wandering Star is easy to pick out, since the furthest of the three schooners has already retracted its gangplank and is busy unfurling its sails, narrowing the choice down to two, and their names have been freshly painted on. The ship seems to already be fully loaded, so the sailors are mostly busying about tying things down and making sure the ship is ready to set sail. At first, there seems to be no sign of the captain, but an aged halfling with an overly elaborate hat emerges from the aft once you all start boarding to welcome you. He speaks in a jovial tone and is particularly animated, throwing wide gesticulations, "Ah! The adventurers! Excellent! I'm Captain Highbridge, and I'm sure we'll have plenty to discuss over luncheon once we're at sea. The Misters Quink are already situated in the fore cabin, but we have a pair of nice cabins with bunks for all of you. down below the aft cabin, they only have portholes, not proper windows, but everything's still perfectly fresh, and the paint's barely done drying."
He puts two fingers to his mouth and whistles, a young human girl who is already taller than him appearing, "Val, show the adventurers to their quarters and make sure they know where everything is." Young Val bows and then says casually, "Um, alright, this way..." The rooms are situated across from each other down a narrow set of stairs, but are actually quite nicely appointed, if a bit small for being shared with so many, though there's actually bunks for four people in each of the two rooms, which would be even more crowded by far.
"My thanks, Captain Highbridge," Donovan greets the halfling, rather amused by his flamboyant manner (and hoping that beneath it lay a skilled sailor).
Somewhat awkwardly maneuvering his long spear through the tight spaces, the cleric follows the girl named Val down to the adventurers' cabins, and chooses the one on the port side. Depositing his pack and his weapons on and near the bottom bunk, he then walks to the fore cabin and knocks upon the door.
"Masters Quink? My name is Donovan Dyne, I was hoping to speak to you about our upcoming journey and mission."
Lissa bows to Captain Highbridge, "Nice to meet you sir. I'm glad to see our captain is from such a competent people." She gives him an exaggerated wink. "I'm sure there is plenty of room."
Lissa will leave her things on one of the top bunks in the other room, assuming the ladies will take one and the gents the other and join Donovan to see the archaeologists.
Umbrea walks up to Lissa and turns on the charm, rubbing up against her legs and purring:
"Prrrrrrrr"
Putting on a smile he speaks.
"Good day my name is Serik. I am interested in hiring a Shoanti guide or two for my exploration of the Wheel of Gruankus."
He had to follow a certain manner despite the time, hopefully the pleasantries would not take to long. He had to get business done.
Milva boards with the others, silently taking in the ship while the captain speaks. Hope she stays afloat. They haven't even let the paint dry, much less taken her on a shakedown. After the captain finishes, she replies "She seems a fine ship, ya. Thank you for the welcome, Captain."
She follows the ladies to the chosen boarding, and looks for a chest or armoire to put her belongings in, stowing them behind or under the bunk if none presents itself. She leaves everything but her belt pouch (and its contents) and her scorpion whip in the room, returning abovedecks to find a spot to watch Magnimar shrink away as the ship sails.
There's nothing like an armoire, but looking under the bunks reveals some simple trunks locked into place to keep from sliding around on the floor when the ship is at sea. It might take a moment to puzzle out how to unlock them and pull them out, but it's a simple enough matter with no key required, and each trunk can easily hold the contents of a large backpack.
As Donovan knocks on the door of the fore cabin, the sound of wood against wood can be heard and a voice calls out, "Yes, just a minute." A few moments later the door is opened, revealing a human in his late twenties or early thirties, smartly dressed in the latest Magnimarian fashion, wearing spectacles and a simple cap which covers most of his prematurely greying hair. Beyond him, you can see a much more nicely appointed room, complete with a table, chairs, a lush Keleshite carpet, and even a painting hanging on the far wall. His gaze was initially somewhat downcast, so he notices Lissa first before looking up to meet Donovan's gaze, "Yes? Oh! You must be the adventurers the Council hired to keep me and Magnus safe."
He extends an ink-stained hand to each member of the party to have arrived at his door in turn, "Pavo Quink. I'd introduce you to Magnus, but he's taking a nap at the moment, and nothing shy of a bucket of water will rouse him from sleep. Lord Derexhi filled you in on everything, yes?"