We begin our story at the edge of the nation of Kalsgard, in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, the PCs summoned at the behest of Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen.
Character Introductions
When introducing yourselves in your opening post, choose one or more questions below to answer.
Q) What is a feature you have that other's might not expect? Why?
Q) How did you arrive near Kalsgard? Where are you coming from? Describe your journey here.
Q) In the Downtime that occurred before this adventure, what did you do? How does it tie into joining this mission?
Q) Are you a sailor? What is your relationship to the sea? What job would you typically work upon a boat? Do you have a sailing story?
Q) How many generations back can you count your ancestors? How many generations now walk Golarion? What would they think of you today?
If you haven't already, also put your Check In (Phase One) info in Discussion.
Also, please paste your Character Token on the Slides (also linked in DM bar).
Without further ado, let us now seek
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Mar-Kaw sits waiting for the party to gather. He snaps his finger, and a small orb of fire appears in his palm. He holds the small fire up, and then with a flourish of his hand the flame disappears... He snaps, a small fire appears in his hand, and disappears.... over and over. The small goblins eyes light up staring into the small fire, not just with the light of the fire, but an apparent fascination with the fire itself. Mar-Kaw keeps himself amused with his fire until the group is ready to be briefed on their assignment.
Being a barkeep in the seedier side of absalom, Mar-Kaw has spent plenty of time around sailors, regaling them with stories of his goblin tribe he left when he was still young, or entertaining them with little magic tricks that seem mundane to himself but keep his guests entertained well enough. He generally avoids being on boats himself though... Not that he cant swim well... just that fire doesnt like water, and so neither does he!
Snap... Fire... Gone... Snap... Fire... Gone....
Mar-kaw smiles a toothy goblin grin at his little fire trick as he awaits his fellow pathfinders
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Lucky Phoenix has just arrived from a small (and probably near by) fishing village where he was hunting a dragon that was causing all sorts of problems for the fisherman there. He would still be sporting his traditional winter clothing he bought from the town and the silver jewelry he recieved as payment. Under his large fluffy hood you see a dark prominent mustache that has been pointed and a devilish smile.
While he knows little to nothing of sailing, though he is eager to help and has plenty of shanties prepared for such an occasion. His ancestors would probably be just as embarrassed by his antics and mannerisms as his family and home village is, although a few might find him amusing.
"Awe a local goblin playing with fire." He whispers to himself as he approaches. "Excuse me little tindertwig! I'm here to meet someone, someone with the pathfinders, is there a lodge nearby you know of? I would..." He pauses and looks up and sees the obvious sign "Ohhhh nevermind little friend I found it..." he smiles wide and his eyes close.
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Maybe it was because she was only a Pathfinder because of unsavoury circumstances that she’d been assigned to the north of the Saga Lands? Perhaps – just perhaps – it was because they saw something special in this former miscreant that meant she had been given menial tasks to perform in this frozen marshland.
In truth, she saw it for what it was – necessary work in a region where starvation was a constant threat during the cruel winters. And, from time to time, she’d been obliged to take to the seas – which was a new experience for her – as she was required to defend against piracy in the more remote coastal areas. What she found most challenging was not the physical nature of the work, but the attitude of the perpetrators, who saw this way of life as somehow respectful of their ancestry. Maybe it was her own past reflected that she found the most uncomfortable – her past crimes pardoned but never forgotten – at least not by Korvo herself.
Most recently she’d been required to deal with an aged troll and having earned eternal gratitude from the village, she’d finally been tasked with a mission worthy of a number of Pathfinders. She was not one to be prideful, but she saw the summons as a recognition that her apprenticeship was over and she could finally, truly, call herself a Pathfinder.
She notes she's the third to arrive and wonders what the full compliment of Pathfinders sent to fulfil the mission are as she nods a greeting to the others in her party.
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Mar-Kaw grumbles to himself
"Little tindertwig.... local goblin... These damn humans...
Mar-Kaw grins, snapping his finger the small flame appearing in his palm, he throws the produced flame just past the newly arrived human's face just close enough for him to feel a little bit of the heat, ensuring that the fire fizzles out in a puddle on the ground passed Lucky Phoonix.
"My name is Mar-Kaw. Not Tindertwig. And it happens I am here to work with pathfinders too!!! So Mar-Kaw demand some respect from fellow pathfinder!"
Seeing the other pathfinder approaching Mar-Kaw bows with a performative flourish
"Sorry you had to see that. I Am Mar-Kaw. Welcome and looking forward to work with you"
And at that Mar-Kaw continues to play with his fire waiting for the other members.
Snap... Fire... Gone... Snap... Fire... Gone...
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Lucky Pheonix cringes a bit as the bolt of fire whizzes past his head. He stares at the goblin "Mar-Kaw was it? I apologize if I came off as anything other than... lost?"
Lucky leans back and stretches. "If we were both summoned here for the same reason you will probably need to know my name..." he pauses a second and snaps upright from his stretch "You may know me by the name of Lucky Phoenix hero to the sewer dragons of Absalom and slayer of the Whitefang... Hello there... What's your name?" his eyes stopping on Korvo realizing a third person had joined them in front of the lodge.
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Embarrassed at his hot-headedness Mar-Kaw stands, and with the same flourishing bow to Lucky apologizes:
"I am sorry for rash anger... It not very long Goblins have been counted among ranks of pathfinders. I have dealt with unpleasantness in past when on expeditions, due to my goblin-ness. It makes me wary of slights, probably too wary. Count me, if not among your friends, indebted to you for this transgression "
Mar-Kaw stiffens back up, looking humbled for having jumped to such conclusions. He stands leaning against the wall and waits for the rest of the group, no longer snapping his little flame into his hand, drawing in the dirt with his foot to look occupied.
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A large, imposing figure strides up to the front of the lodge. Standing at just over six and a half feet tall, Keligaul blocks out the sun for most who stand next to him. His long, black hair is tied back, but a strand falls in front of his face which he attempts to blow away unsuccessfully.
Seeing the others gathers, a smile crosses his face. "Why hello there!' The words that spill from his mouth catch most off guard. He doesn't speak like most of his kind, his words are deliberate and well thought out. "The name's Keligaul," he thrusts a massive hand out for anyone to take, "I take it you lot are hear for the same reason I am."[b] He ponders out loud, very matter of factly. [b]"I've just gotten into town, so please excuse my appearance. It is a bit cold here, I just arrived from Aspenthar, so the difference in climate is very noticeable."
Dressed in hides and not much else, it's a wonder that he is so cheerful. As he turns to each of you, a larger than what seems necessary greatsword can be seen strapped across his back. Made of what seems to be bone and stone it looks impractical. "Perhaps we should head inside, where it's a bit warmer?"
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A song about sailors and barmaids from what sound to be a group of sailors waft into the lodge along with a cold breeze as the door opens to admit an athletic, bearded, black haired man in somewhat presentable clothes singing the last few bars of the same song.
"...taaake me hoooome!" he sings before turning around, taking notice of the current occupants, and holding the door open for a fiery leopard. He looks down and converses with the cat while looking at the others through his peripheral vision. "Well Ruby my love. I admit I didn't know what to expect when I lost that game of cards to the good captain but I didn't expect him to make me work off my loss on his ship! Me! A sailor! Ha! I've never taken a trip on a ship that lasted more than a day before." he says with a chuckle before patting Ruby on the head. "I suppose an extra pair of hands is still an extra pair of hands even though all I did was fetch things for the sailor. And it was good of them to play a few hands of cards. Now let's see if the lodge has anything interesting eh?"
Finally turning around he looks surprised as if just noticing the others. "Hello, hello! Greetings fellow Pathfinders! Maximilian Pardus of the Oppara Parduses and gambler extraordinaire at your service! And this wonderful creature is my companion, Ruby. Say hello Ruby" he introduces himself with a flourish before gesturing to his companion. At the mention of Aspenthar he looks at Keligaul before wrinkling his nose. "You've been to Aspenthar too? Dreadfully dry place wasn't it?"
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As she approached the two, she couldn’t help but sense the tension – tempers may not be flared but there was certainly heat! It was, up to a point, understandable to the young woman. The upcoming mission, working with strangers and invariably a period of adjustment always led to the ‘pack’ looking to ascertain some pecking order of seniority. Thankfully, she was not driven by testosterone and so avoided the preening and posturing she expected she would encounter – until the group settled into a natural team.
She smiled at the goblin and performed a short bow in return. “I didn’t see a thing,” she said in a mock tone, a smile playing on her lips, ”and pleased to make your acquaintance Mar-Kaw.” She turned to the man and nodded an acknowledgement of his name. “I am Korvo,” she replied and turned to see two more seemingly join the party. She accepted the hand of the half-orc, “Well met Keligaul,” she replied. Which was when she turned her attention to Maximillian, or more accurately the fiery leopard – which was hard to take your eyes from.
“So, is this likely to be the full complement?” she asked the group in general, her eyes still on Ruby.
After some bit of go around, you all head up to the lodge, where you are greeted by a gnome named Lirall, who prominently wears a wayfinder, and bears two woolen bear coats, handing one to Maximilian and the other to Lucky Pheonix: "There now. To keep warm. Come!"
After letting the Pathfinders into the Lodge, she selects one cord labeled “Office” from a bundle of colored cords near the door. The loud howl from a dog echoes throughout the building, followed by a trio of scampering, blue‑skinned goblins dashing down the hall. A large husky bursts into the hallway, snarling at the goblins until a tall half‑orc emerges a moment later and lays a calming hand on her back. He gestures for the PCs to follow him into a meeting room, seemingly ignoring the goblins. The sign language that Torrsen is using is the one associated with Common (Taldane).
Venture‑Captain Bjersig Torrsen begins explaining the situation, his dog Mahki sitting attentively nearby. As he speaks aloud, the half‑orc punctuates his words with phrases in a sign language. “Apologies for the ruckus. The Frostfurs are talented scouts, but they have an adversarial relationship with Mahki. She doesn’t particularly like them either."...
In the room you were invited into, there is a warm fireplace with stretched dearskin-over-bone chairs "To the reason I called you here! The Grenskuldr family traces their lineage back to the storied warrior Grehunde the Sun Chaser, a Linnorm King who ruled over the city of Jol and whose victories in battle were legendary. The family still has a lot of influence. I’ve asked them to help out the Society, and they’ve asked for a favor in exchange. That’s where you come in. Are you familiar with Valenhall?”
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Maximilian thanks the gnome as he takes the coat. "Many thanks for the coat my good gnome. Much appreciated." Putting on the coat the Taldan picks at it a bit before following the others. "So, what did those three do to the dog to make it not like them?"
"Isn't this a cozy place! exclaimed Maximilian as they enters the room. The rogue takes the seat closest to the fireplace and slouches a bit. "I met a cleric once, a half-elf. Real northern gal that one. Did she say anything about Valenhall?" Maximilian looks down trying to remember the words of the cleric.
The Steaming Sea is named for the thick mist that hangs over the waters. Frequent volcanic activity from the Hellrung Mountains leads to the sudden formation of new islands and ridges.
Linnorm King Ulvass sailed to Arcadia in –473 ar and established Valenhall. Brave Ulfens dream of making the perilous journey there at the end of their lives. King Sveinn Blood-Eagle recently did exactly this. Valenhall is well-defended by walls as well as powerful creatures: einheriers, valkyries, and a trio of norns. The partly supernatural settlement takes no interest in current affairs of the world.
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Keligaul looks at the bear skins that were handed out, I could probably do with some warmer clothes, he thinks to himself. His hand shoots to the hilt of his sword when the howl sounds, but it quickly lowers when he realizes that there is no threat.
As he enters the meeting room, he takes a seat as close to the fire as he can get. He looks to the Venture-Captain as he speaks and then ponders his words for a moment.
The Steaming Sea is very safe due to the trade routes that lead merchant ships through frequently.
Linnorm King Ulvass sailed to Arcadia in –473 ar and established Valenhall. Brave Ulfens dream of making the perilous journey there at the end of their lives. King Sveinn Blood-Eagle recently did exactly this.
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"Ah! Now I remember!"Maximilian exclaimed as he sits up. "That cleric I mentioned? She's half-Ulfen from Karlsgard. She said Valenhall was established by Linnorm King Ulvass when he sailed for Arcadia in –473 AR. It's where Ulfen want to go when they die. They say Valenhall is well-defended by walls as well as powerful creatures: einheriers, valkyries, and a trio of norns."
Standing up Maximilian starts pacing as he continues. "We need to sail the Steaming Sea so named for the thick mist that hangs over the waters." Stopping on one of his turns he turns to the group. "I don't think any map we have will be completely accurate. The Hellrung Mountains is very active and new islands and ridges sprout over night." He slumps back into his seat as he finishes his explanation.
Ruby perks up as Maximilian starts pacing but ignores him after a few turns and starts grooming herself.
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Realising this was the group – and there would be no others – Korvo walks with them up to the lodge, where the gnome greets them. She nods her acknowledgement and keeps with the rest as they enter the building.
Her hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword at the combination of sounds and activity, but Lirall’s lack of reaction reassures her and when the half-orc joins them and calms the dog she relaxes fully – the tension in her body dissipating as her shoulders drop into their natural position. “Dogs and goblins,” she said out loud, to no one in particular, “never the best of friends.”
Now used to the cold of the region – or as used to it as you’ll ever get – Korvo allows others to sit closest to the fire and takes one of the other seats. She listens intently, but apart from some of the names sounding familiar, they mean nothing to her.
At the question of familiarity with Valenhall, she shakes her head and glances around the room, wondering if she’s the only one that is starting with virtually no knowledge of the situation.
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Mar-kaw enters the lodge with the others. When he hears the commotion a big grin spreads across his face. He loves excitement and a bit of commotion is always welcome. Being in a Pathfinder society lodge he knows theres no danger ahead, only some bit of mischeif! At the sight of the other goblins he exclaims excitedly in goblin
"Ahh, Fellow goblins! A welcome sight to see in these strange lands. Good to meet you. Do you work with the pathfinders as well?"
Hearing that Mahki doesn't like the other goblins, Mar-kaw stays well away from her, sitting himself on the ground close to the fire. Not because he his cold, but the fire brings him other comforts and being near it relaxes him more after the earlier tensions arose.
"I'll tell you, at least I in this group know nothing of these places you speak of... I guess pathfinders not send me for my geographical knowledge!"
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Lucky Phoenix happily bumbles along. He offers the bearskin coat to anyone that wants it as he is already comfortable underneath his winter clothing. Upon entering the room he makes himself comfortable and stretches his legs out, resting his feet on a nearby table. He listens for a moment.
"I have heard of that place before in passing but I knew nothing about it. Valenhall, sounds like a great place, I definitely would like to see this place one day, preferably while I'm alive. So what do you need us to do and what does Valenhall have to do with it?"
To Mar-Kaw, one of the goblins pipes up "Ano, pracujeme tady, ano. A toho psa nenávidíme, ale patří vlastníkovi, takže ho nemůžeme zabít. A ty? Průkopník? A co je to? Kočka vašeho společníka hoří! Oheň! Oheň! Oheň! Je to požární kočka? Prosím, řekněte nám to!"
Yes, we work here, yes. And we hate that dog, but it belongs to the owner, so we can't kill him. And you? Pathfinder? And what is it? Your companion's cat is on fire! Fire! Fire! Fire! Is it a fire cat? Please tell us!
To Maximilian, the Venture Captain nods assent, his eyebrow raised as if partially in surprise!
To Lucky Pheonix and the rest, Bjersig speaks while also hand-signing "Grehunde the Sunchaser never got to sail off to Valenhall— she died in what she planned to be her last battle. Her gorget was passed down to her descendants, most recently Hlavard Grenskuldr, also a Linnorm King. Hlavard was an impressive warrior in his youth, but a month ago he sailed off toward Valenhall to set up a shrine to Grehunde there and finish her journey. He planned to ensure the gorget found its final home in a place of honor. Unfortunately, something happened to his ship, the Shoreseeker, along the way. Merchants report that the ship is still partially above water, but they didn’t get close enough to find out what happened. While his children respected Hlavard’s decision, they would rather not have their father’s body and the priceless family heirloom at the bottom of the sea. I’d like you to find the ship and retrieve Hlavard and the gorget. I’ve arranged a ship for you, the Wandering Hearth, to follow the Shoreseeker’s path through the Steaming Sea.”
He then pauses, as if anticipating additional questions, and while his dog looks on from the goblins now to the feline in the room, the Venture-Captain scratches behind it's ear, causing it to cease all attention momentarily, and crane it's neck instead to adjust the position of the scratching to "just so", now sticking out it's tongue and panting happily, a single hind leg starting to jingle...
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Mar-Kaw responds to the goblins in goblin:
"Ahh, yes good to see other goblins here! I work with pathfinders for whatever you're captain here is sending us out to do. And yes his big cat is on FIRE!! Isnt it so fantastic. I love fire..."
Mar-Kaw's smiles gladly at the fiery leopard of his companion. After hearing the assignment from Bjersig
"Well that seems simple enough. Almost too simple. Are these waters dangerous? What possibly could have sunk the ship!?
Mar-Kaw seems uneasy to be heading out on a ship, after hearing that their assignment is to investigate a sunken ship!
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Korvo may not be familiar with the recent history of the region - but that was not due to a lack of interest. And so she listens devoutly as Bjersig recounts the fate of Hlavard Grenskuldr. She had questions - but two others got in ahead of her and so she decided to continue to listen.
But then she had a thought that she would like to be resolved. "Could you tell us how long the journey is to the shipwreck - in good weather that is."
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Lucky Pheonix let's out a hardy laugh.
"Good weather, that funny, what adventure into the unknown ever involves good weather. Besides why do you think it's called the "Steaming Sea"? For all we know I could be "steaming" because is constantly boiling hot or just plain angry all the time. Tell me what the worst case scenario we could encounter out there, what are some common dangers encountered in the Steaming Sea? What should we expect? Why is it called the Steaming Sea? And can I have a turn scratching you furry friend? He seems to really enjoy a good scratch."
"Ahh, yes good to see other goblins here! I work with pathfinders for whatever you're captain here is sending us out to do. And yes his big cat is on FIRE!! Isnt it so fantastic. I love fire..."
Smiling, the goblins quickly find a hiding spot to watch the fire cat from afar!
After hearing the assignment from Bjersig
"Well that seems simple enough. Almost too simple. Are these waters dangerous? What possibly could have sunk the ship!?"
“We don’t quite know." Bjersig says definitively. "The crew made it to shore on a lifeboat, but their stories conflict. Something may have attacked the ship, or it may have just run aground of something, and Hlavard told them to leave while he investigated. He never lit the signal light that said it was okay for the crew to return, so they made their way back home.”
Maximilian nods as the venture-captain explain the fate of the mission. "...I know nothing about the northern waters. What dangers are we likely to encounter?" the rogue says as bends over to scratch Ruby under the chin.
"The Steaming Sea is home to many creatures - I would advise that you keep your guard" The Venture Captain suggests in a general sort of way.
But then she had a thought that she would like to be resolved. "Could you tell us how long the journey is to the shipwreck - in good weather that is."
"Good weather, that funny, what adventure into the unknown ever involves good weather. Besides why do you think it's called the "Steaming Sea"? For all we know I could be "steaming" because is constantly boiling hot or just plain angry all the time. Tell me what the worst case scenario we could encounter out there, what are some common dangers encountered in the Steaming Sea? What should we expect? Why is it called the Steaming Sea? And can I have a turn scratching you furry friend? He seems to really enjoy a good scratch."
Bjersig abides the request to pet his animal. He answers only "Expect to be at sea for several weeks or more, in good weather. In bad weather, expect to be at sea for longer."
Keligaul squints at the captain as he talks, occasionally reaching up to rub his chin. "Retrieve this Hlavard and gorget and return here. It seems simple enough. I don't have much experience on the sea however, hopefully we will be provided passage."
"I have arranged passage for you with , captain of the . She is expecting you at the docks the following morning, bright and early. You can stay the night here or in town. I have made beds for you, and breakfast will be served at first light."
And with that, the Vanture Captain rises and retires into his personal quarters, leaving you with the roaring fire - and the three goblins still staring at Ruby, absolutely dumbstruck!
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Korvo listened (as she always did) intently. She was hard to distract when information was being shared and her limited experience in working as part of a group meant she would not (or perhaps could not) trust others to remember things she either misheard or did not pay sufficient attention to.
She was not averse to traveling by sea, but she was hardly a sailor either. Several weeks to get the mission over and done with – and that was with a bout of good weather? On land, there was always something to do – something that advanced you in some way. On a ship? She wondered how sailors passed the time, other than man the vessel of course. Not that she was considering walking away from the assignment. She was here because she was duty bound to be carrying out a mission for an organisation that effectively saved her from a life of crime and imprisonment – and no doubt a short life at that.
As the Venture Captain departed, Korvi glanced around the room. Her preference was to stay here for the night – but given they needed to become a team, she held her tongue until others spoke. For once, she would go with the consensus.
While Mar-Kaw ventured into town to secure additional provisions, the rest of the team stayed the night. At first light, the blue goblins come crashing down the halls banging pots and pans, waking everyone abruptly. As you all file into the breakfast room, there is a hearty meal provided, as well as a note in the middle of the table, wax-sealed, and bearing the inscription "Eynilla Vriggdahl" upon it.
After a pleasing breakfast - a hot blackish fluid that burns the stomach acids and stimulates the brain which the goblins proudly declare is called "Coughing!" as well as a brown cheese and a simple round of unsweetened ham, served on crisp breads - the party heads out to the docks and arrive at a ship named "Wandering Hearth". An older ulfen woman steps out and says "You must be the Pathfinders! We haven't a moment to lose, dearies, it's a perfect morning to set sail!" and with that she sizes you each up quickly and with a trained eye, and before you know it, you are all performing different tasks on the boat to ensure a safe and speedy Cast Off at the competent captain's direction!
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Though Mar-Kaw is not overly thrilled about the idea of being stuck on this boat for such a long period of time, he is looking for a job that will keep him up above the deck as far away from the water as he can manage to be. He sees people readying sails and climbing in the rigging preparing the boat for departure....
"Mar-Kaw not too familiar with boats, but my small stature makes maneuvering around ropes like that pretty easy! I'll join them and see what I can help with"
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"Uggh! I'm up! I'm up!" Maximilian says with a groan as the loud banging wakes him up.
After getting dressed Maximilian and Ruby head down to get something to eat. The rogue grabs something to eat for both him and his companion and notices the note. Recognizing the name on the note he assumes that they are meant to pass it to the captain when they meet and he grabs it.
The woman who greets them looked quite formidable and Maximilian guesses that this might be the captain. He pats Ruby on the head before approaching the woman and introducing himself.
"Hello there! You must be the captain, Eynilla Vriggdahl. Maximilian Pardus, at your service." he says with a bow. Straightening up from his bow the rogue grabs the note from his pack Max hands the note to the captain. "Before we leave, we have a note for you."
As they set off Maximilian finds himself spending time in the kitchen learning to cook. He spends his off duty time playing cards and gambling with the other sailors not on duty.
Captain Vriggdahl smiles on as the goblin instinctively starts climbing the riggings, and let's him to it without word or direction. The few other sailors aboard were, after all, more than competent enough to spurn the eagerly nimble and equally afraid of the water in one measure or another. Those same sailors that had been complaining to her about losing their money each night to a "ne-er-do-well" that "seems to think he can get by on his looks alone"!
"Service, eh?" Quick on her tongue as well as with her hands, she exchanges the note for a mop, stuffing the ticket into her pocket while thrusting the glorified stick into the rogue's hands "We'll see how ya do swabbin' the deck!" through her smile Maximilian can see that she is missing exactly one front tooth!
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Korvo had a good night’s sleep. Her recent assignments had invariably required her to find a bed wherever there was a patch of relatively flat and dry ground. A bed – however hard and lumpy – was a luxury by comparison. Which meant that the rude awakening provided by the goblins felt as though it deprived her of the last vestiges of indulgence before her voyage of indeterminate length.
The breakfast was simple but relatively nourishing although Korvo wondered how those unused to sailing might react to the open seas with a full stomach! Not wishing to tempt fate, she ate sparingly as a result. She nodded as Max (as she referred to him mentally) took the note destined for the ship’s captain and did her best with small talk as they finished their meal and then headed to the docks.
Looking around, she wondered what she might be useful for on board a ship. She had never been blessed with an abundance of skills and if she was going to volunteer for anything, it would have been to help in the rigging. But given Mar-Kaw volunteered first, she kept her counsel and shrugged resignedly when the captain decided she was best suited to simply tidying the deck. Perhaps her face showed her disappointment, because she was then promised to be shown how to tie knots, so that she might also be able to tidy the ropes on deck – as and when required.
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Lucky Phoenix is overjoyed at the prospect of a captive audience... Uhhhh I mean a crew willing to listen to his tall tales and sea shanties.
"I cant wait to share with you the power of SHANTIES!" He exclaims to the group as they make thier way to the docks after breakfast.
"We shove off today, on a glorious adventure.
To recover the Gorget, into the unknown we venture.
The path is set and the contract is drawn
To discover a boat that's fate is foregone..."
His song trails off as the boats comes into view. Once on the boat he cant wait to get going, he makes his excitement known... repeatedly...
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Maximilian, stunned at the sudden turn of events, looks stupidly between the mop in his hands and the captain before looking at Ruby.
Mop, captain, Ruby. Mop, captain, Ruby. After the third time the Taldan seems to get a hold of himself and shrugs before looking at Ruby. "Well girl, it looks like it's time to do some, ugh, honest work." he complains good naturedly and starts whistling as he mops.
Ruby feels amused seeing her human react to being handed a mop. She returns the rogue's question with a stare and what looks like a sile showing all her sharp teeth. With the rogue now occupied the fiery leopard goes off to explore the ship and familiarize herself with their temporary territory as she hunts for stowaways.
The captain senses Korvo's disappointment, and says "I'd keep an eye on your friend - what he makes up for in eagerness may not match in caution!" nodding the young fighter on up the ropes, and yelling at another sailor, who in turn walks up to Korvo and shows her a simple knot...
At the improvised lyrics of Lucky Pheonix, the sailors' smiles visibly improve, and the motions of their body begin to work and sway in tune, as an oil greases a gear of a great machine, as a river provides circular locomotion to a standing water wheel. Even the captain smiles a little here, witnessing the effect, and decides against moving to intercept the young bard into a different task.
It's hard to tell if the captain is more pleased with Maximilian for throwing his back so diligently into his work, or herself for spurning him such. "That's it, Swabbie! Scrub and scrub and scrub. Nothing like a clean deck to tackle whatever mighty Gozreh will bluster our way!" Her encouraging words not without a hint of teasing. Maximilian suspects that the reason is because he swindled her out of some of her money too!
To everyone "Clouds up ahead - maybe a day or two off - man your decks and keep out an eye!" The warning is cheerful yet!
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Keligaul @ ?? @ ??
Korvo @ Rigger (Acrobatics) @ ??
Lucky @ Pirate Musician (Performance) @ ??
Maximilian @ Swabbie (Athletics) @ (19)+4 = 23
Mar-Kaw @ Rigger (Acrobatics) @ (12)+6 = 18
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There are so many inspirational activities. Swabbing the deck, climbing the ropes, the sound of the sails fluttering in the wind.
Swab, scrub, hoist the sail
Grab the mop, grab the pale
Gozreh is a fickle mistress
And by her grace we will not fail
Every night is filled with rum and ale
Every morning we inhale...( takes deep breath ) and sing
Forward, forward, we will prevail
Forward, forward, we write our own tale
Forward, forward, our crew our new family
Theyre hearts full of bravery (and mouths with profanity!)
In the evenings, trying but failing to "win back" their money from Maximilian, the sailors can be overheard singing the lyrics "Forward, forward, we will prevail..." and such, the mood, despite the weather, taking on a distinct light-heartedness.
During the days, Captain Vriggdahl watches the rogue like a hawk, ensuring he works efficiently to keep the deck scrubbed clean, which begin developing calluses from the rubbing against the wet wood, but too, increasing proportionally the respect the taldan man seems to garner at the card table.
A sailor asks Korvo "Aye - Why doncha climb up to that there Crow's Nest to help affix us this sail?"
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Keligaul @ ?? @ ??
Korvo @ Rigger (Acrobatics) @ ??
Lucky @ Pirate Musician (Performance) @ (10)+7 = 17
Maximilian @ Swabbie (Athletics) @ (19)+4 = 23
Mar-Kaw @ Rigger (Acrobatics) @ (12)+6 = 18
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Mar-Kaw spends his evenings attempting to entertain the crew with some of the slight of hand he learned while running his own shabby little bar in the ports of Absalom. If that doesnt entertain the crew, then his drinking prowess certainly will... Although Mar-Kaw makes sure to keep the magic to a minimum after the drinking starts. It was an unfortunate accident that cost Mar-Kaw his little bar, but he'll never forget how quickly that little wooden tavern went up in smoke. He would not want to see the same thing happen when to the ship while its the only thing keeping them afloat!
, the boat wrenches up an impossible angle and crashes down again, tearing you from pleasant dreams of singing merfolk and recovered doubloons, as in the pitch of night, the Storm, having fully blossomed from a light rain to a steady wash to an occasionally thunderous crackle these past weeks, wakes you up suddenly, the sound of screaming sailors and Captain Vriggdahl yelling for you (and strangely: smiling!), as you all scramble up to the deck, to witness a terrifying sight: barrels rolling, ropes unhinging, waves crashing, cargo cracking, fish flopping, sailors flying, sails tearing... a perfect storm of chaos threatening to put the ship to the bottom of the Steaming Sea!
The PCs immediately leap into action and...
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Korvo @ Rigger (Acrobatics) @ (16)+6 = 23
Lucky @ Pirate Musician (Performance) @ (10)+7 = 17
Maximilian @ Swabbie (Athletics) @ (19)+4 = 23
Mar-Kaw @ Rigger (Acrobatics) @ (12)+6 = 18
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After weeks spent learning the ropes... Mar-Kaw clambers up the rigging and begins securing sails that have become displaced by the intense storm! Following the lead of the sailors in the rigging he ties off sails and secures loose ropes to stop the storm from damaging the masts and stranding them in the sea, that is if they survive the storm at all!
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Korvo was a creature of instinct, and of late that had been drilled into becoming useful and practical actions. Military training does that to an individual apparently.
So, given cleaning the decks was unlikely to help under the circumstances - she defaulted to what she'd been instructed to do: namely secure the rigging. There were different settings for the trim of the sails depending on different types of weather, so Korvo naturally jumped into action, tying various types of knot as she began by battening down the hatches (securing the tarpaulin) and then turning her attention to the ropes, cables and chains.
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Lucky falls to the ground but he just rolls over and returns to sleep "sure I'll sign your book kid, who should I make it out to" he whispers in his sleep. A barrel near his bunk tips and lands next to him this time waking him. He rushes out still groggy to see the chaos.
Luck spends the next few moments lending a hand wherever needed as he has no clue about what would be the best course of action in the storm, taking orders from anyone willing to give them a d generally trying to support the crew.