The Duchess flashes Merle a smile and says, "The launching ceremony will be beginning shortly but once they open up the ship because well, the party is going to be long and I would need some rest."
Mithas, Governor Stanfield nods in agreement and then says "Well, I will definitely read this letter before I retire for the evening."
All of a sudden the sound of trombones fill the air,
announcing the approach of the king.
Both the Duchess from Merle and the Governor from Mithas, excuse themselves finding so that they can meet up with the king as he enters.
A short time later, elite guards line the thoroughfare and open the
door, and the city governor Roland Stanfield emerges, followed by
King Aodhan himself.
The king offers a one-sided smile to the crowd and is greeted by his
Principal Minister and his sister. Children, gathered in advance by royal
aides, cheer and sing the traditional crown anthem as the group makes
its way to the docks.
The king takes a champagne bottle, announces "It is a great honor as your King to present to you the pride of the Royal Risuri Navy and henceforth the ship shall be formally known as the Royal Naval Ship Coaltongue!!!" and then he smashes the bottle across the
bow. At that precise moment a steam whistle sounds, and black smoke
begins to roil out of the ship’s stacks.
The crowd throw up a three cheers for the king and the ship and start to sing old navy songs.
[
"Congratulations, Mr Massarde, on your accomplishment." Cretien says, hoisting his glass.
The crowd begins to board the ship. After about an hour, everyone is aboard and enjoying light refreshments on the main deck, as the Coaltongue sweeps toward the center of the harbor, where eight traditional fourmasted
ships enter formation with it. Against their white sails, the black
clouds from the Coaltongue’s smokestacks makes for a dramatic image.
Perception DC 10
You can also see crowds along the shore cheering as the small fleet sets a course out of the harbor, toward open sea.
Cretien will indeed take a tour of the ship.
He will walk over to Mithas, who he saw with the duchess, and inquire as to anything she said. He will also share his note of her obvious displeasure about the sight of the black smoke.
Delft walks over to your group before you start to tour the ship and says, "You may have seen Coopsworth and Wintry around the precinct before but since Sagosmer has some family business to attend to and Aggie needs to spend some time in the hospital, I have decided to attach them to your operational unit for this security detail feel free to acquaint yourselves with one another and you guys should have time enough to tour the ship before the banquet commences. That'll be all" he then pulls an assisted about face with the help of his cane returns to schmoozing which is one of his best attributes.
Joseph strolls over wearing an almost irresistible smile and a comfortable air of confidence. "Good eve to you fine folks. It seems we will be working together for the foreseeable future, I hope I will be able to integrate myself into your little group with little trouble." he beams an infectious smile at the group although you get the distinct feeling that he is not paying complete attention to you. Suddenly his eyes snap to Cretian."Ahh but where are my manners. My name is Joseph Reginald Coopsworth, but you fine folks may call me Coopsworth. I find the full name is a bit of a mouthful." His eyes bore into you for a second before moving on to look intently at Mithas.
He stares intently at him for much longer than is appropriate."My good sir, you seem familiar to me, something about the stir around you. Ahh but never mind me, what of you fine folks? Introductions are in order, yes no." He waves off the familiarity of his statements and finally allows his gaze to fixate on Merle. Almost at a whisper, in a way designed to make sure he is heard without making it obvious he wanted you to hear."More is the pity that the ladies are indisposed."
Ha, yes i believe it is now my turn. I m called Arvengail Wintry, and yes i am one of the few surviving High Elf. I will assist you in surviving the Winter that is coming as long as one can, as predicted by the dwarves. Be warned for I am a Vekeshi Mystic, and my magic will assist you for the time being.
is somone would be too kind to prove a mission summary and objective it would be most helpful as well as your specialty.
Mithas makes note of the the Duchess' displeasure of the Coaltongue's pollution and files it away for later contemplation.
He nods in acknowledgement at the two RHC.
"I'm Mithas, welcome to the assignment. We're here mainly to keep an eye on the guests. There are some rumblings of displeasure at some of the king's decisions of late. We are to circulate and see if we can't sniff out the general sentiments of the guests and dignitaries."
"Cretien Dufrene, scholar of all things techno-magical and arcano-mechanical."
"Names Merle". "I hit things". "I'll talk more later but I have a previous duty to attend to first".
Merle immediately begins to look for someone important, or in uniform to find a place for the King's sister to rest when she is ready.
Perception
Merle looks for a little while and then finds an officer to help him.
"Hello, I am petty officer Elian Aughtbrook, I am responsible for hospitality on the RNS Coaltongue's maiden voyage. How may I assist you? says the naval officer with excitement.
Joseph smiles again at Mithas."Ahh yes my friends, dissidence among the dignitaries aye. I do believe we are dealing with my bailiwick here. If you gentleman will excuse me, I think I will mingle with the crowd."
With that Joseph will mingle with the crowd and attempt to gauge the crowd. Here a "Ahh and how about this progress aye?" and there a "We seem to be becoming more and more Dannoran as we go, pretty soon we will all be speaking like this." ending in a humorous accent. His smile easy and infectious and his cheerfulness belying the dark chill at the center of his soul.
Perception
Sense Motive
Diplomacy
Arvangail will tour the ship in order to be familiar with his surroundings. He will look of course for anything that is out of the ordinary.
Cretien will see if the ship's designer is offering a private tour. He doesn't ask for one, merely invites himself along if one appears to be happening.
Failing that, Cretien will pop belowdecks and watch the crew in action, observe any interesting processes, take a peek at the boiler room, etc. all while keeping an eye out for suspicious behavior.
"Ah yes". "Thanks for your time...This is a beautiful vessel". "I do have one small request however". "The King's sister"... Merle nods in her direction... "Would like to secure a place that she might rest during the journey". "She seems to be a bit delicate".
The Petty Officer looks at Merle and nods in compliance and then hears the crack about the Duchess and says, "Well that shan't be a problem, let's see how well you hold up when you are in your late sixties."
He then checks a notepad he is carrying, scribbles something into it and says, "Will be done!, Would you prefer I handle this or would you like to personally escort the Duchess to her berth?"
"I'm sure you have a lot to do, so I'll be happy to escort the Duchess to whichever suite you have available".
The Petty Officer says, "No problem" and gives you the room number.
You see that the Duchess has made her way over to you and says, "Well Constable Adaire, you seem very adept at helping us older folks... So what is your opinion of the over reliance on Danorian technology?
Mithas heds for the bowels of the ship, keeping an eye out for anything that might be amiss with ship or crew.
Mithas is unable to discern any problems with members of the crew or crowd vis a vis the ship.
Near nine o’clock, the Coaltongue sits anchored just within sight of
shore, surrounded by its eight-ship escort. The starry blanket of night
hovers overheard, and a quarter moon peeks above the eastern horizon.
The crew have set up an outdoor kitchen on the aft maindeck, and are using the interior of the capacitor as a banquet room. The ceiling occasionally
flickers with silver arcs of magical energy, which the crowd delights in.
A whistle from the bridge sets off motion as nearly the entire
crew starts to line up around the outer deck, carrying horns, drums,
and woodwinds.
The naval band strikes up the Risuri national anthem as the King and the PM walk down the aisle of the banquet hall toward the place of honor. The king steps behind the podium with almost Brownsian precision the music stops. He gives a mini pre-speech and every time he makes a poignant point about 'increasing the peace through preparation" and "how the new and old must work together" he points to the horn section for a little extra flare. After his speech dinner commences and people seem to be enjoying the whole affair.
Perception DC 5
laughing it off. “One of the burdens of kingship; the fey can really let me
know when they’ve got an opinion. I always get burps that taste like fish
when I sail these days.”
Odd that the archfey would plague the king so often. Ahh but that crown comes with a price. Joseph continues to try and feel out the crowd. Making innocent statements here and their, trying to get someone to say something out of place. Generally ingratiating himself among staff and guest alike. Looking for anyone who doesn't seem impressed with all the spectacle.
Perception
Sense Motive
Diplomacy
Once Cretien has checked the boiler room and seen nothing of import (and finished dallying, looking at the various arcane who-sa-whats-its) he will walk around more of the ship and walk past his fellow RHC to see if they have anything to share.
The Petty Officer says, "No problem" and gives you the room number.
You see that the Duchess has made her way over to you and says, "Well Constable Adaire, you seem very adept at helping us older folks... So what is your opinion of the over reliance on Danorian technology?
Merle takes a moment to consider the question, then straightens and answers with a deadpan expression.
"To be honest your grace, and with all due respect, if there is one thing I learned in my long days of soldiering, it is much wiser to follow orders than to give opinions". "Still, I must say I accept that progress is going to happen whether I approve or not...so I accept it".
Perception
The Duchess responds " A very prudent response young man. Anyway, I thank you for your assistance on this matter. I will see you later during the party"
At about 10:30, Stover Delft detaches himself from a trio of military veterans arguing about small-unit tactics and comes to your group with a teenager in tow and he says while slurping his chaw "This here is Johnathen, he is a Skyseer and one of our newest recruits, but he said one of his dreams said he needed to be here today, I am attaching him to your unit for this evening, could always use an extra set of eyes"
"Eh well, welcome Jonathen. Did your dream reveal anything we should know?"
Johnathen
The scrawny boy with messy hair gawks at the Tiefling for a moment before looking at the ground.
"The dreams aren't that clear, not often."
He glances up at Delft for assurance before turning back to the tiefling--and immediately looking down again.
"There was... someone was murdered. A woman, sailor. Some firedust. I know it's all here, I don't know when, but--I need to be here, um, sir."
"Heh, no one calls me sir, except my pupils. Cretien Dufrene."
Delft spits a large wad of chaw on the ground and says, "Look fellas, more importantly than just watching this wetnose child dreamer, the king is a bit concerned about his sister being not punctual for the big speech, they have had some disagreements in the past regarding feyishness and modernity, frankly that is nonsense way above my paygrade and yours of course anyway, get your asses to her berth and drag her up her kicking and screaming if you have to... Any questions???"
"Affirmative sir. Kicking and screaming. Let's go get her."
If nothing else comes up Mithas heads off to find the King's sister.
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"Operation wheel out the relatives, understood sir."
Joseph will follow fast in tow, safely behind the half-orc that is.
"You're a teacher?" Johnathan asks, then silently tags along.
Even the light crossbow on his back looks like a burden to the scrawny kid, he adjusts the strap and keeps his eyes on the ground he follows them.
"Yes. I teach at Pardwight, attempting to inspire the progress of mixing magic and technology in today's youth" he responds to the young skyseer.
To Delft, Cretien says, "Understood."
He allows himself to slide back from the front of the group, so as not to have to be the one to talk to the lady. He couldn't even manage to talk down some local miscreants, what luck would he have with a relative to their king?
Merle leads the way to the room on the gun deck where he left the Duchess about two hours earlier. Standing nonchalantly in front of the door is Sokana Rell, the Duchess' hand maiden looking in her handbag.
Rell perks up at hearing the footsteps of the group and says, "That helpful man from the RHC, how may I assist you?"
"Would you be so kind as to convey to her Ladyship that his Magesty presently requires her presence at his side. We have been sent to a provide suitable escort."
Mithas gives her the once over, trying to get a feel for the situation.
"I would suggest that the Lady attend the King promptly". "Nothing is to be gained by antagonizing him in his most glorious moment".
Diplomacy
Perception
Joseph waits patiently, calmly preparing himself for the moment he may need to step in.
GM Rolls
Sokana Rell says "The Duchess is sleeping, she is an old woman and needs her rest"
Mithas