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On board the deck of the patrol boat, you find drops of congealed blood scattered about the vessel. A book lying in a pool of water proves to be the ship's log book. Though damaged by water, you manage to use it to identify the vessel as the Goshawk, sailing out of Ubersreik's Teufel River Patrol Terminal. You can make out some details of their investigation into recent disappearances of river craft.
One recent passage catches your eye:
"Knocking was heard again last night. We spoke with a travelling trader today who claimed that she and her family often hear it, too. She insisted that the noises were made by the spirits of the drowned. She said that there might be ways to talk to those spirits using Morrite rituals or contraptions, but hasn't the skill to do so herself. I pray to Morr that he take these unquiet dead before I ever have to speak with them!"
The vessel isn't very large & a quick search of the cabin reveals little else. You don't find any bodies to examine or check for signs of life.
Whats the rules of salvage?, he says holding up the book for some to read the passage .
Anyone know of any river or spirit lore?
"A patrol boat! Don't know if it was ghosts or beastmen who did this. But either way, it would be a shame to let it go to waste. Help me search this as thoroughly as we can." Hans said, refusing to let someone else's misfortune go to waste.
Good idea Hans, and decides to rummage for a bow or anything useful.
Hans isn't able to remember any details, but you are fairly sure that you should be able to retain a finder's fee by returning the boat to the patrol terminal.
Searching the rest of the boat turns up a lot of nothing. You find more congealed blood about the ship that you didn't notice at first glance, but even the food supplies are fresh water barrels you would expect to be on a patrol boat are missing.
Reiko calls over to you, wanting to know what you have found.
”Well and truly looted! Can’t be beastmen, as there aren’t any bodily remains. Most likely very bold Pirates, as there’s next to nothing in the way of evidence. But the barge remains, and that means a finder’s fee. So…could be better, but profit is profit.”
Agreed. It is picked clean as a carcass. But a reward would be welcome to all, under no illusions that the captain will keep a lions share and what remains will trickle down through the established crew before they get a taste, IF they got a taste at all.
Then an idea strikes him... a very very fool Hardy idea.
What if we few were to directly take the boat back to claim reward? I am no expert. At all. Buuuut... the reward money would be going direct to us. Does anyone else have sailing skills? If not we may as well resign ourselves to a few pennies or a shilling if lucky.
I do know how to sail, but I'm no expert. Maybe we could use that boat as a floating hospital, to take care of sailors wounds and diseases?
Well... we'd have to turn it in, so it wouldn't remain a hospital long.
”I can help sail it. I have some skill in that, and it would be a shame to let the coin go to someone else. Unless it’s in the contract, it’s our fortune. So…we should turn it in as soon as we can. Let the patrons have their vessel back to keep us all safe, and we could use the coin to arm ourselves. If River Pirates can be so bold, then we need to ensure that we can watch our for ourselves.”
Sounds like a plan! Our first independent business venture! Let's move over here but let us buy some water and rations off the Captain first.
He sighs and strokes the bulkhead lovingly... regretfully.
Its a beautiful dream... but I don't know crap about navigating these waters, where we need to take it or do more than be a deck hand... A man can dream.
He grins.
Plus I'm pretty sure the Captain of our current ship would be FURIOUS. He's legally got a share in this barge in all likelihood and we have zero supplies. Assuming that we somehow got away with it and he let us go? If we ran this aground we'd be starving in a day... and if we accidentally floated this into another river craft? We'd probably be mistaken as river pirates.
Sighing again he says, I suppose we better report to the Captain. A bite of a loaf is better than trying to fight the world for the whole loaf.
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Hans sighed. They could have made more coin with the barge than he'd make with the entire venture. Making a new life wouldn't be so bad with some coin in hand. "Yes, yes. At least it will buy us some good will with the captain. I'll go report it."
Hans made his way to the captain. He took a moment to 'put his face on' before he spoke.
SL5!
"Captain, dire news!" He said, making his way over with feigned haste. "It appears that these waters are even less safe than we had expected. We, that is, Axel, Magda and I, have found a River Patrol Boat. It is empty, save for pools of blood. Naught is left upon it, with the boat looted down almost to the nails. I can think of nothing that would be so thorough than River Pirates, though I shudder to think about how large a group it must be to attack the River Patrol. We have talked it over, and believe that word must be brought to the nearest patrol station about this atrocity, so that they can mobilize their forces against this threat. We would be more than happy to take on this task, should it be your order. How shall we proceed?" He spoke with an air of both deference to the captain's position, as well as confidence in his own abilities. In his experience, when there was a problem it was best to report it along with a plan of action, all the while giving one's superior face in leaving the choice to them. While Axel was right in that it would be too hard to get away with the entire reward, at the very least they could get the trust of the captain, and if allowed the task, could make connections with the local River Watch. Such friendships were sure to be useful later. Business, afterall, necessitated making such relationships.
Reiko stops Hans in the middle of his argument, making a sign to ward against evil. "Hold for now," he says after hearing of conditions on the Goshawk. "My folk want nothing to do with a cursed ship. You'll have to talk to our benefactor." He motions to one of the other Strigany, who goes to fetch Reuter.
The fresh-faced young merchant looks to have been sleeping in the cabin. "What's all this? We found a ship?" he asks. Reuter pales as he is filled in on the details, frightened by the prospect of violence aboard the Goshawk.
"Yes, I suppose it would be a shame to leave it there. Most unfortunate."
Reiko steps in before Reuter can finish his line of thought. "If you wish to salvage that ship, you are welcome to do so. My folk wish to remain on the Trandafir though. It's our home."
Reuter acknowledges the statement and continues, looking at you. "It's up to you then. I should stay with the Trandafir as well. I wouldn't be any use trying to guide that ship to its port. If anyone wants to sail the um...Goshawk was it? They can do so and split the reward amongst themselves. Labor should be rewarded after all," the young man says, looking pleased with himself.
Reiko looks relieved to have a cursed ship disposed of without his intervention but does raise another objection. "That's well as can be, but they won't be heading to the docks in Ubersreik with us then. There's no telling how long it will take them to get to Ubersreik on their own. This river does no forgive fools. If they make us wait long at port, I'll be wanting part of the salvage reward for my crew."
"That does sound fair."
So, what are we doing about that boat?
asks Magda to the others
"Come then, fortune awaits." Hans said to his companions with a genuine smile. "Let us make haste, for time is money, and we have very little of eitehr!"
Working together, you quickly adapt to sailing the Goshawk and arrive at Ubersreik in plenty of time. You have to suffer through a watery checkpoint as you approach the Patrol Terminal, but when they hear that your business is salvage, they direct you toward their docks.
A riverwarden captain helps to arrange your business when you arrive. When he hears your story, he looks more resigned than anything. "Was bound to be us sooner or later. The Teufel's taking more than giving of late. Thank ye for returning the ship. Don't know where we'll find a crew for her, but that isn't yer problem."
He hesitates before continuing. "If'n ye willing to help us out a little more, ye can keep an eye out. Investigating all discreet like, as it were. Something strange is about on the rivers these days and another set of eyes watching can't hurt. Can't say how much it'll be worth, but I'll rummage up something if'n ye can help get these disappearances sorted."
He gives you a salvage writ to pass along to the quartermaster, who rewards the group five crowns for returning the Goshawk. He also arranges for a ferryman to take you to the Ubersreik docks.
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"A well earned haul! Now, what I suggest is this. One crown for each of us, and we save the last one. That last crown? It is called a 'party fund.' Not for throwing parties, mind you. But it covers common expenses that we might incur. I say this because I like the lot of you, you're good people, and I'd like to continue working together. This 'party fund' represents our trust in each other, and our desire to make more gold in the future." Hans said, giving a winning smile, that could even be seen from behind his bushy mustache.
If you say so... I don't understand business.
Arriving on the docks at Ubersreik, you don't have long to wait until the Trandafir arrives. Ruprecht complements you on a job well done & the work of loading the barge up with even more supplies begins. Fewer of the supplies are for construction this time & more are perishables, primarily food.
As you work, you notice an elven woman in fine clothes standing nearby. Ruprecht goes to greet her.
Thats... an Elf? Amazing!, he breathes.
What does Ruprecht want with her?
Like Axel, Hans stood in shock at the sight of an elf. He had thought that they were only to be found in places such as Marienburg and Altdorf. To find one here meant that there was something truly important going on.
I don't think I ever meet one elf before. I wonder how Ruprecht knows her.
The elven woman talks with Ruprecht for a moment, then turns to look at your group. She motions you over.
If you comply, she says, somewhat peremptorily
Greetings. I am Zarine. I am here representing Elven interests, to oversee our investment and make sure the right people are dedicated to this task. Thus, I will need to travel with you for a time, if you are amenable.
You get the feeling that she is asking you to agree out of politeness, not because you really have a choice.
Ruprecht here has told me your names. Axel, Hans, and Magda I take it?
As the Lady says, he replies with a nervous bow.
Hans bowed, much as he would when dealing with any noble or merchant lord. ”It is an honor, my lady.” He said, figuring that the safest way to approach an elf was to treat them as one would any bigwig. ”I assure you, we are all of the utmost dedication and are nothing if not professionals.”
Good to hear. Then this journey should be enjoyable for us all.
Tell me, is the strong scent of ... is that decayed fish? ... is that normal for human settlements?
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After weeks on the river and passing through related settlements Alex replies Fish m'lady? Not especially strong... I can barely smell it all.
Ah. Well, I suppose that answers my question, then. Thank you.
"You will find, my lady, that we humans are not a magical race. And outside of our nobility and the wealthy, do not have the resources to mask the scents of industry. Any area that predominately survives on fishing will smell as such, and the same will be true for tanning, forging, and so on. But like my friend here, one's nose gets used to it. If I may ask, though, what business brings you here?"
Interesting priorities says Zarine after being told that a place will just smell naturally like whatever industry is being pursued.
When Hans asks after her business she attempts to clarify:
Ah yes, I didn't make that at all clear, did I? Well, my people have arranged with the Greater Reik Trading Company to pay for a salvage job, which Ruprecht tells me you are assigned to do, correct?
She looks at Ruprecht for confirmation.
My task is to make sure the gold is well spent, and if it is wasted on an incompetent team that is incapable of doing the job, then that reflects poorly on me, since it is my job to ensure that does not happen, and to withhold payment should the whole thing turn out to be someone trying to cheat the elves. Unfortunately this has happened before, so we have learned to be wary when dealing with outsiders.
That said, you look like a competent bunch at first glance, so I am not too worried, but I feel I must go along and ensure our interests are kept in mind. Plus, I've never really been out of the forest before, and this seems like an excellent opportunity to learn more about how other races think and why they do what they do. I've never really understood why anyone wants to take over or burn down the forest anyway... maybe traveling with you for a while will help me understand.
In any case, it is part of the contract. I must be allowed to go, or the contracted payment will not be approved.
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Axel is surprised to be called "Competent" but holds his peace.
Magda can't keep her mouth shut, as her professional curiosity gets the better of her common sense
What do you eat? I mean, usually, day to day?? Do you eat meat? Mostly fruits, vegetables and nuts? Are elves naturally healthy? Do you have, as a race, specific diseases? Do you practise exercises, or or your naturally fit?
The corner of Zarine's mouth quirks up in the beginning of an amused smile before she calmly responds
We eat meat, yes, but in my experience not frequently. I suppose we are "naturally healthy" to an extent since we have long lives compared to other races, but Elves can get caught up in unhealthy practices and cause themselves to become ill. There are diseases that elves are susceptible to, but I unfortunately don't know enough about that to know if there are some that are unique to our race. Exercise... hmm. I have heard of the practice of repetitive movement designed to sculpt one's body in specific ways in order to make them more pleasing to the eye, but I do not engage in such practices. I find the natural form to be pleasing enough for my purposes.
Why do you ask? Do halflings have specific beliefs or practices related to those questions?
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Most halfling are happy to eat more than needed. I'm not "most halflings". I try to eat quite less than a regular halfling-that's not too hard- and to exercise from time to time, to avoid diseases and an early death from gluttony.
I can't imagine gluttony... I barely recognise the word. It's enough if you get fed.
Perhaps it is a particular concern among halflings. She certainly seems very sincere. But agreed about getting fed. As a matter of fact, that sounds good right now. Would you all like to join me for a meal? Where are you staying?
The Trandafir is soon loaded & departs from Ubersreik toward the Grausee, the site of Ruprecht's project. The barge soon departs the Teufel river and joins the Ferfelfluss as you head south. The Grey Lady Mountain foothills are close at hand during your journey and the flurry of traffic common near the larger ports quickly fades to almost nothing on the lonely river.
It had been a long day of physical labor and excitement, followed by the last watch. To say that Hans was exhausted would be an understatement.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz *snort* zzzzzzzzzzzt
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