Casarus the Kharijite's page

Casarus salutes the admiral at the end of the meeting. As the other officers filter out of the room, Casarus approaches the admiral. ”Admiral Teip, I want to offer my sincerest apologies for being late once again, sir,” he says. ”Will you take the standard disciplinary action?” He stands at attention, gaze focused on the admiral’s forehead.

He waits to speak with the secretary, not wanting to waste time leaving and then returning. When it’s his turn, he greets the officer and asks, ”How many days worth of stores will we need? Do you know what the expected first port of call is?”

After acquiring the requisition forms he needed, he returns to his ship, Bezrieul’s Gaze. Time moves too quickly. Checking his inventory manifest with the quartermaster, deciding how many supplies they need and all the other logistics required to get the ship ready for departure. Hours spent determing his ship’s seaworthiness as well as the state of his crew. Taking 10 is a check of 18 for Profession (sailor) Eventually he realizes he’s skipped lunch and goes to a tavern for a mid-afternoon pork pie and glass of beer.

Flashback coming tomorrow...

Casarus keeps his face calm and unperturbed as the admiral mentions the Shackles. Overconfidence had led many men to their dooms, Casarus reminds himself as the Admiral dismisses the other admirals efforts. Behind Casarus’ back his fist shakes in excitement to be hunting pirates. No matter the years he still remembers his father being run through by a pirate. Wouldn’t it be more effective to combine the three fleets and destroy the pirates that way? he thinks.

He nods as his fellow officers ask their questions. ”I am eager sir,” he says.

A quick question, are there any Fleets staying in the Inner Sea to protect Cheliax’s shipping?

Flashback post
Casarus had forgotten how many steps there were getting to the attic office. It could be worse, he thought. Doing this multiple times a day would keep anyone fit. At the top of the stairs he paused, letting his heart quiet its thumping in his chest. Muttered words and quick twirl of fingers and the sweat on his face was gone.

He entered the small office and stood before the supply clerk Stefan Mathur. ”Hope I’m not too early,” he muttered as the clerk said he was early. At the mention of Sesty, he half turned expecting to see an assistant at the door. There was no one there. Confused he returned his attention to the clerk and just caught the viper’s tail sliding past his boot. With a chuckle of surprise he stepped away from the snake.

A short nod met Sefan’s words about flour and beans. At the man’s raised eyebrows he cleared his throat and said, ”I brought this to your attention because you’re relatively new here. I doubt you’re involved in any of the dealings between my captain, quartermaster, and the supply officers here. I don’t like seeing the law and regulations undermined. It erodes morale and corruption festers and spreads. I’m close to fifty years old. Seventy more years on the sea isn’t unreasonable. I want a strong navy, and this weakens it.” He held up his open palms as a sign for patience.

”Your pardon, now is not the time for talking about all that. In short, I believe Captain Maxillus and the quartermaster Gaienix are smuggling gems, art, wine and other contraband into Cheliax. I’ve discovered numerous crates and barrels with false bottoms.

“As if that wasn’t bad enough, I think they are also reselling some of our supplies. The invoices from the last time we were in port were off by 5-15% depending on the item. It was a mistake that I saw it, and at first I just thought it was an accident. The more I thought about it, especially after finding the false bottomed crates, the more my suspicions rose.”

The fifth bell rings out over the city, as Casarus locks the front door of his single room apartment. The half-elf touches the scroll in his belt to make sure it is there and descends the stairs. Under his deep blue cloak, he wears the uniform of the Chelaxian Navy. One bell to reach the Admirality, he thinks. He regards his polished boots and nods in satisfaction. More than enough time.

After buying two hard-boiled eggs from a street vendor, he walks along the harbor, watching the dawn and city come to life. A patter of steps from behind, and he lunges to the side while turning. A human vagrant armed with a rusty dagger scowls. ”Give me your coin elf!”

. . . . Besides meeting a beggar, Casarus also helped put out a grease fire in a tavern, but there’s no need to get into that at the moment. We know he’s late...

The sixth bell rings as Casarus entered the admirality building. I could run, but that would be undignified. Some soft words and pirouetting fingers and his uniform is clean again, boots polished, and perspiration gone from his skin. He walks quickly, forcing his guide to keep pace. His scowl makes some of the younger officers press themselves against the wall rather than get in his way. Quickly, but not as quickly for his desire, he stands before Admiral Teip’s office.

”My thanks,” he said with a tilt of his head to his guide. He took a deep breath then entered the room. Apparently there were five or six others summoned to this meeting. Not looking to see if he knows anyone he focuses on the admiral. Coming to attention he salutes, ”My pardons for being tardy, Admiral Teip,” his melodious voice fills the room. His adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. ”Captain Casarus the Kharijite reporting for duty.” A bead of sweat runs past his temple, as he maintains the salute until the admiral salutes him back. One more mark against me, he thinks. What if I get demoted?

I’m so sorry!! I never finished the PC’s background so I assumed I wasn’t accepted into the game. I’ll finish the character sheet and start posting tomorrow.

I can RP being late to the Admiral's office. Good idea Stefan.

I’ll probably change the avatar tomorrow too.