Fazaam grins at Yrar with a laugh.
"Indeed! Well said Noble Yrar. Your are our ultimate deal closer. Not only do you treat everyone fairly and equal, But nothing says 'Take it or leave it' like a good 'Smash'!"
Before leaving Ghari cuts a small swatch from one of the bolts of silk. Then he seals up the crates as well as he can.
"Perhaps the silk can be used to hire the dhow."
Realising he might be left, Nebucs takes Yrar up on his offer.
----
The nearby boat will fit everyone, including Nebucs.
That is two small gnomes and halfling in the prow section, where no one usually sits. They will be severely cramped by space.
Two more around the sail mast with the oars either side, if necessary they can probably row, if not encumbered by crates.
The two people in the rear control the tiller so one of them is free to hold a crate.
Of course, if it meets with approval the middle two people could carry the last two crates of silk and not row, relying on the sail and tiller to travel to the village of Musaal.
Every sailor knows that the shores of these islands are easy to navigate with a little knowledge and luck. However the odd shark and the ever-present shifting underwater sands can be treacherous indeed.
Marwan looks at the overcrowded boat.
"O Najm, Master of the rolling waves, grant us safe passage and easy winds as your faithful brave your father Krakis' realm."
Marwan attempts to help get everything set.
Profession: Sailor check 1d20+1=7
The stiffness in Marwan's wounds make him a little clumsy and slow to respond to the small boat.
As people try to climb onboard, Marwan manages to bring the sail down covering Ghari and Fazaam in a heap of canvas material.
Yrar watches Ghari fiddle with the contents in the crates. Yrar moves over, “His eyes go wide and grunts, “I’ve seen pirates trade with fine cloth like that before. That one crate alone would go for about 300 gold. If the other crates are similarly filled, we may have a small fortune to work with."
The Half-Orc moves to the boat as Marwan covers his companions with the sail. He lets out a hearty laugh, “Krakis must still have to teach his son to sail. At this rate Marwan, you’ll have us sailing into the pit of the volcano.” He lets out another hearty laugh then works the sail back to working order.
Ghari looks at the boat with concern, summing up the load. "Gentlemen, perhaps we should leave the silks behind to be retrieved later? The boat will be loaded near capacity with just our party. It would be a shame to enter the watery deep for lack of a few inches of freeboard."
Ghari helps Yrar ready the boat.
Nebucs stops in his tracks when he realises what Yrar meant.
"Well you motherless sons with no pizzle for the ladies. I hate you all!" He runs off after the crew.
There are three large crates.
Yrar looks up and gives a laughing shout towards the retreating Halfling, "My pizzle is bigger than you ‘Hairy Feet’.” Yrar just shakes his head and laughs again as he gets back to the boat preparations.
The laugh stops in mid ‘HA’ as the Half-Orc looks to his companions. With a somewhat confused look, the Barbarian asks, “A pizzle IS what I think it is right?” After a few moments of silence whether his companions answer or not, Yrar lets out another belt of laughter as he shakes his head, “No pizzle for the ladies, ha ha ha, if that Halfling wasn’t such a ‘Camel’s Toe’, I might actually like him.”
Marwan looks abashed as he brings down the sail on Ghari.
"Indeed I am sorry about my inexcusable clumsiness, frind Ghari. I shall move slower and attempt not to bury you in sailcloth."
Still stiff and barely recovered from the battle, Fazaam has only time to widen his eyes as the sail plummet down on top of him and Ghari. Hasan swings excitedly from the top of the tiny mast, squealing with what can only be peals of monkey-laughter.
"It's alright friend Marwan." Fazaam says as the rotund man aids them in escaping the sail. "There was nothing injured but my pride. And possibly a certain monkey." He adds, casting an eye up the mast.
There is sudden silence from above.
Fazaam grins at Marwan. "See, no harm done. Now let's try this together, shall we?"
Soon after the party is on board and ready to sail. It is obvious that unless anything untoward happens, the sail should provide enough to get round Shelitan and reach Musaal.
Ermosh has the following equipment - spiked chain (bloody), leather armour, 2 blue potions of healing (1d8+1), a small pouch of coins 15 gold and 30 silver. He also wears a ring inset with a small diamond.
Jernash the headless has no treasure, just a big greataxe.
Ghari looks at the boat with concern, summing up the load. "Gentlemen, perhaps we should leave the silks behind to be retrieved later? The boat will be loaded near capacity with just our party. It would be a shame to enter the watery deep for lack of a few inches of freeboard."
"Ghari, me buddy, how we gonna negotiate fer a boat wit out any leverage? Sids we leave em' here I doubt they'll be here day be gone by da time we gets back. Heck even if day can't steal dem, does oder guys would hid any ting da couldn't take. Least that's what old Shulim would do. We best take 'em now Ghari er never see 'em again."
"I'll sit at the rowing bench. I could hold one crate if not two." Yrar suggests as he grabs one crate and sits down. Freeing an arm, he uses a hand to wave over the other crate. "We should be able to make Vingoor with just the sail and the till. And if we do run into trouble, I'll just chuck the crates overboard and row as if Krakis was guiding me. Sound good?"
"I'll sit at the rowing bench. I could hold one crate if not two." Yrar suggests as he grabs one crate and sits down. Freeing an arm, he uses a hand to wave over the other crate. "We should be able to make Vingoor with just the sail and the till. And if we do run into trouble, I'll just chuck the crates overboard and row as if Krakis was guiding me. Sound good?"
Marwan nods towards the singing half-orc
"I am in total agreement with Yrar. I think we should try to bring as much wealth as we can with us if we are in need af a vessel. Silk will buy us much in the proper market. As the Book of the Navigator says: 'Never spurn what Luck has brought your way.'"
Ghari concedes his objection in the face of popular sentiment. A trace of greed makes the concession easier. As a sop to his conscience he offers to take the bench next to Yrar in case rowing is required.
With a flourish, Fazaam gestures Ghari to the seat next to Yrar, and the oars. He smiles and winks at Ghari, then moves stiffly but lightly to the back and takes a seat next to the tiller.
Marwan seats himself in the small boat, his recent injuries making his movements stiff.
"May Father Krakis and his Son, Navigator of Life's Shoals, watch over this small boat and the ones who crew it."
Marwan takes the tiller and steers the boat around the southern end of the island.
Fazaam, Ghari and Yrar all hold crates while Shulim and Fudrick man the prow (at a squeeze).
One last sight of Shelitan shows the last wisps of smoke leaving the summit. The island itself looks idyllic.
---
Ahead Musaal stretches several hundred yards along the beachfront. It is midafternoon and most of the fishing is done. A few men are at the nets and cutting a new canoe while there is a gaggle of women washing clothes on the rivermouth stones, laughing gaily.
At the far end of the village, the large dhow of Morah is visible to all.
At the sight of the activity, Hasan chatters excitedly from his perch at the top of the small mast.
Fazaam leans forward at the sight of the Dhow, then reels himself back in with a visible effort. He looks at the others, especially Ghari, and says lightly.
"So, do we leave a few with the boat to guard our meager bargaining supplies, or just all go marching in with all we have and hope he's feeling easy today?"
"Sorry, my previous training didn't provide much in the way of 'Knowledge: How to make deals with Petty Crime Lords', and I'm just a bit ancy."
"I shall be guided by our most excellent orators, the nobles Shulim and Marwan, in this adventure. And Ghar has always been better as the strong, silent type." He adds, grinning at his friend with a spark of his previous spirit.
Looking thoughtfully at the fishing village Fudrick says, "Let us speak with dhow owner and see where he stands. We could also use some fresh water and a new supply of food. If we are to use this dhow we may also need some other gear. Depending on what the other sailors we let go have done they may have gotten here earlier and warned this man to expect us. Maybe the open handed approach will earn us a better standing with him. To be on the safe side though maybe we should have one or two waiting near our boat." Looking back at the others he says, "Any other suggestions? Raised on a family ship tactics was something we didn't discuss much of." As he says this he thinks back to his family and turns back to the village. "It hasn't even been that long yet I find myself thinking less of them already. I must not forget my promise to avenge their deaths with Hettama's righteous fury. He makes the sign of Hettama across his head and chest.
As the sailboat nears the beach, a fisherman leaves his nets to help beach the party.
One or two others glance curiously at the large party.
Yrar steps out onto the beach and bounds to dry land where he sets down the crate in his hands. Moving forward to help secure the boat he says, “Well done Marwan.”
Once things are secure, the Half-Orc turns to Ghari, “I almost forgot I had this of yours.” Yrar pulls out some squashed bread and the other supplies the Ranger had him hold, “Sorry, the boat was tight. I might have sat on it a little,” he mentions gruffly
“I don‘t mind stayin‘ wit‘ the boat if you think this will be more of a talkin‘ exchange. I’d rather not talk to men who deal with pirates. Now if we change our mind and do some taken instead of talkin’, then I want to be there."
Yrar looks to Fudrick, “Do ya think that sea scum beat us here?” Yrar looks around the shore and also out at sea.
While looking Yrar off-handedly mentions, “Hey, if we can’t get this boat, well I know this island pretty well. We could probably trek there too.”
DM
Marwan assists in beaching the small craft.
"Thank you for your kind words, noble Yrar. "
Marwan looks at the dhow.
"Although dealing with pirates can be a tricky business, perhaps we can come to some sort of accomidation. I hope fervently that Najm, may His name be praised for ten times a thousand years, will see fit to grace us with a bit of luck and the gift of His silver tongue during the negotiations."
"I shall be guided by our most excellent orators, the nobles Shulim and Marwan, in this adventure. And Ghar has always been better as the strong, silent type." He adds, grinning at his friend with a spark of his previous spirit.
"Noble Fazaam, are you saying that for me the path of wisdom lies in silence?" Ghari will remain with the boat and Yrar unless the diplomatic mission wants backup.
"I shall be guided by our most excellent orators, the nobles Shulim and Marwan, in this adventure. And Ghar has always been better as the strong, silent type." He adds, grinning at his friend with a spark of his previous spirit."Noble Fazaam, are you saying that for me the path of wisdom lies in silence?"
"I'm only saying, Honorable Ghari, that the Navigator says it is better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!" Fazaam grins. He open his arms, and a small furry projectile leaps from the mast into them.
"I agree about the open approach, and that the more, imposing, members might want to guard the boat. If things go south, I think we can probably arrange to come back later and try more,... aggressive negotiations."
The fisherman speaks up as people get out. His face is a little pale.
"Would it be too much to ask what happened to you on the island. Is the volcano about to destroy us all? What about the little explorer and his servants? My sister's husband worked for him, digging and carrying."
He helps everyone to gather themselves.
"I am called Faroun the Cat. Who are all of you? Wait a minute, how did you get to Shelitan? on that sailboat?"
He turns to the other fishermen around. "I think the are traders, they have goods. Don't talk much though."
The fisherman speaks up as people get out. His face is a little pale.
"Would it be too much to ask what happened to you on the island. Is the volcano about to destroy us all? What about the little explorer and his servants? My sister's husband worked for him, digging and carrying."
He helps everyone to gather themselves.
"I am called Faroun the Cat. Who are all of you? Wait a minute, how did you get to Shelitan? on that sailboat?"
He turns to the other fishermen around. "I think the are traders, they have goods. Don't talk much though."
Marwan sketches a stiff bow to the fishermen.
"Noble Faroun, we are well met in the name of He who guides us all through troubled water! The name of the humble trader you see before you is Marwan al-Bahri, and these gentlemen are my companions Yrar, Fuddrick, Ghari, Shulim and Fazaam. We are in a bit of distress. We were set upon by both supernatural evils and loathsome pirates on yonder island. A madman exploded a cavern at the summit of the volcano in a misguided attempt to destroy an evil tomb uncovered by the small explorer's party. I do not know the fate of the expedition, but I fear from what we have seen there is little of good to import to you. It is only by the luck of He who rolls the dice of Fate that we managed to escape with our lives."
Marwan touches his wounded face.
"I myself was lashed by an evil pirate's chain myself before my friends rescued me."
The man turns quick as a flash and screams to the men and women around.
"They have woken the fire god! It is true! The spirits of the night will descend and eat us all! Run! Run! Run!"
As you all look on the screams spread like wildfire. Every native grabs their belongings, fleeing the beach.
"The witch comes to eat us all. They have cursed us!"
Soon the beach is empty. The sound of slamming grass hut doors can be heard in the distance.
swish! swish! swish!
"Well now that is not something I would have expected." Looking at the others he continues, "Maybe we should all head to this man before the he or the villagers get the idea to leave."
The sound of slamming grass hut doors can be heard in the distance.
swish! swish! swish!
:)
Fazaam looks around at the suddenly deserted beach, exchanging surprised looks with Hasan.
"Well." He manages to get out after a few moments of blinking. "That went well."
"Mayhap, noble Marwan, with those who wish to lead simpler lives than our fates seem to have in store for us, 'less is more'?" He smiles and claps the man's shoulder.
"I agree with our most wise gnome with the healing touch. We should definitely make haste to see this man before he decides to leave without us!"
Fazaam looks down the beach, trying to see where the man who has set himself up as an 'important man of means' would live in a fishing village.
Marwan frowns at the retreating villagers.
"I did want to warn them of their peril from the hellspawned zombies. I guess they took my warning a bit too much to heart."
"Huh, ya tink day might 'ave mentioned dat before," Shulim says scratching his head, "I mean seein as it's portend O'doom and all."
There are many huts in the treeline.
Shulim
the village that belongs to a retired adventurer.
The dhow is several hundred yards up the beach. It is not far out to sea and could be reached from shore since a long gangplank is down to some kind of old stone quay.
"Might I humbly suggest that we start our search for this man near the Dhow? If he's not actually residing on it, he may be living near it, or perhaps someone on the ship can direct us to him?"
Yrar watches the villagers scream, run, and hide. He just stands there and shakes his head while he mumbles, “These villagers are slaves to their own fears. Slaves I tell ya.” He spats on the sand in disgust.
“Well if ye’ be goin’ to talk, no time like now. I will meet ya’ half way. I can guard the boat and stuff just as easily and be quicker to ya if ya needin’ me. Sound good?”
Yrar continues to scan the beach and sea for the pirates they left behind.
There is no sign of the pirates between Musaal and Shelitan.
"Might I humbly suggest that we start our search for this man near the Dhow? If he's not actually residing on it, he may be living near it, or perhaps someone on the ship can direct us to him?"
"I quite agree friend Fazaam. If we are to rescue the damsel in distress we had best move quickly. Hopefully he will not be as skittish as the locals seem to be."
It would only take a minute or so for Yrar to get from the sailboat to the dhow, even allowing for the river flowing nearby.
There is movement on the dhow, one or two figures. Also despite Marwan's scare tactics there are one or two people in the village. It looks like word of your news is spreading to everyone.
At the mention of 'rescuing the damsel', Fazaam frowns briefly.
"Yes, thank you noble Marwan. Everyone ready?" HE asks, looking specifically at Fudrick and Shulim. "Very well. Let's go see a man about a Dhow!"
"Before the locals get any ideas about sacrificing strangers to the angry gods,..." He says under his breath, noticing the activity in the village. He begins striding purposefully towards the ship.
Fudrick follows behind Fazaam taking in the once bustling scene. Speaking just loud enough for the group to hear. "I think the only thing that could have scared them off faster is Yrar's singing." Even with all of this laying on the groups shoulders he manages to crack a joke and smile.
“Hey,” Yrar feigns insult at Fudrick’s pun. Moments later, Yrar breaks into laughter and looks out across the sea towards the island and the smoldering mountain they just left. Clearing his throat, he breaks out into song, “The beach, the beach, the beach is on fire. The beach, the beach, the beach is on fire.”
Yrar stops suddenly when he notices that his companions are just standing there looking at him instead of joining in.
He just raises his forearms in the air, bending them at the elbow while also shrugging his shoulders, “What, I thought it was good.” He breaks out into another belt of laughter, “Fine then, just go get the boat,” he waves them away, “so we can get the girl. I’ll work on something new while I wait here. Maybe Ghari wants to help. Whatta ya say oh Master of the Forest?” Yrar’s grin makes him look crazy.
“ I’ll work on something new while I wait here. Maybe Ghari wants to help. Whatta ya say oh Master of the Forest?” Yrar’s grin makes him look crazy.
"Yrar, what you need is a change of style. Life is more than smashing your foes. How about something like:
"Don't worry, about the ring. You know everything we do, is gonna feel all right."
Maybe you could do something with that, for the ladies."
Marwan grins at Yrar
"Perhaps one of the famous love songs by that enchantress Garlic Mother? Those always set the females to swooning."
As the party move away from the sailboat, they hear humming and grunting coming from the half-orc singer. He is busy composing and jigging to some tune or another.
Leading past the river running over several washing stones and towards the dhow, there are one or two odd pieces of clothes dripping into the water, - left in a hurry.
The dhow and quay are about four hundred yards away and already everyone can make out several figures on the maindeck. A silk tent provides shade on the quarterdeck above.
A group of very dark skinned men are wrestling a sail out of the hold, probably for patching or attention, under the orders of a stringy looking elf in a bandanna.
On the quay are two children, running up and down with coconuts in their hands, racing each other. Beside them is a fat dumpy female, a gnome, covered in a white jellaba and sucking as she watches her charges. further back by the gangplank is a man in tunic and shorts. He runs up onboard as the party approaches the beach end of the stone quay.
Fazaam watches the man run up the plank, then looks at the others and smiles. "Best foot forward lads!" He laughs.
"Hail onboard!" He cries as they approach the Dhow, even though the people onboard can see them clearly. "Is your most honorable Mate available? If it wouldn't be an inconvenience, we would humbly beg leave for an audience!"
Marwan stands next to Fazzam, trying his best to look friendly and harmless. He wisely decides to let Fazaam do the talking this time.
Yrar watches his companions walk down the beach towards the ship. Thoughts of ladies and love songs bounce around in his head. In a rough but sincere voice, the Half-Orc breaks into song,
"Love me hammer, but I love you too
Wait for me, while I smash this Goblin to goo."
Yrar turns his head and grins at Ghari, "So,wattya think? Ladies should dig that one, yeah?"