"Come on now Chuol, make yerself useful and help them with their stuff," says Faruq. "Canoes? They brought canoes?".
Faruq laughs but there is room to tie everything down in the cargo area behind the cabin.
"I think the hat suites you quite well Faruq, and thank you for being accommodating. Now don't laugh about the two canoes. They are quick and maneuverable. They could be useful for scouting up river or in a number of other situations. We should make sure that if they are going to sit with the cargo that they are stored so that we can get to them quick."
"I think the hat suites you quite well Faruq, and thank you for being accommodating. Now don't laugh about the two canoes. They are quick and maneuverable. They could be useful for scouting up river or in a number of other situations. We should make sure that if they are going to sit with the cargo that they are stored so that we can get to them quick."
"Thanks!" says Faruq touching the brim of his hat, "The future lord of Bloodcove there thinks its too much."
"Just watch out wearing stuff like that up river. The natives will either think you are some kind of shaman and shoot at you first or they'll take you prisoner and worship you like a god, while they eat the rest of us. It could go either way for you, so maybe you should keep it on for the whole trip."
Since Fippin pretty much always has an endure elements spell cast on himself he doesn't need to worry much about sun hats and the like. He's pretty comfortable in terms of the heat, though sometimes he complains about it to fit in. He doesn't always like to announce that he is a priest, until he's comfortable with the people around him. He isn't the type to force his faith on others.
On the day the expedition sets out he is wearing his well fitted suite of studded leather armor and his knife, and shortsword. He displays his holy symbol of Desna. He will keep his hand axe and bow near the rest of his supplies on the ship, but in a place where he can get to it quick if trouble arises. His bow will normally be unstrung. It would likely take him two rounds to have it ready for fighting- 1 round to get it, and another round to string it. He keeps his bow string on his person, and has 3 extra strings in case one snaps. Two of the extras are kept in the barrel that holds his extra arrows, clothes and weapons.
Tarren, when you get a chance can you give some details about the crew of the ship?
As the group draws closer to the boat, Keliwyn says, "I suggest we keep all of our goods and equipment together, if only to make it easier to keep an eye on things," Keliwyn suggests. "I picked up five score arrows, in addition to the normal quiver that I carry, and if anyone needs them, they're welcome to 'em."
"Fantastic day, eh, Faruq?" Keliwyn says as he takes the half-orcs hand and boards the River Queen. As everyone gets settled, Keliwyn makes it a point to find a place to hang his short bow and quiver on the bowside outside wall of the cabin. He's dressed light, with a loose shirt, thin pants and light boots. He stows his armor and cloak in his chest, although he does keep on his sword belt. He hangs his lantern on a hook next to the cabin door, and finds a place in the cabin for his chest and backpack.
"Tell me, Ixius," he asks, "Were you able to find everything you need to make me a decent long bow? How long do you think it will take?"
Sykala gives a dose of bug repellent to Baas and keeps one for herself. She is greatly entertained by Faruq's hat. "Look like pretty bird", she says to him. If the pilot house is covered she will stay on top of that (Esteban has to actively discourage her to keep her off). If that doesn't work she will stay either on the covered cargo or the foredeck, whichever is higher. She greets everyone as they come aboard and looks over the canoes with great interest. She seems pretty excited to be headed up the river into the jungle. The sweltering heat doesn't seem to phase her in the least.
Tarren, when you get a chance can you give some details about the crew of the ship?
She is greatly entertained by Faruq's hat. "Look like pretty bird", she says to him.
"Aren't you sweet," Faruq says in his throaty growl. "Tweet-a-tweet."
"Fantastic day, eh, Faruq?" Keliwyn says.
"Lovely. It will be better once we get going though."
As if on cue Esteban starts yelling to someone "Tesha! C'mon, Tesha. Just this once push it through!"
A dwarvish woman standing on the dock crosses her arms across her ample chest and yells back "Not no chance. You get out in order. No early leaving for Mr.-always-in-a-hurry! You load. You sign. You wait. You go."
Faruq calls down the stairs to the lower deck, "Hurg, we need your charm up here."
By the swearing that comes up from below 'Hurg' is either not charming, not interested, or has dropped something heavy on his foot.
Hearing what sounds like a dwarf banging around below deck, Fippin approaches Faruq.
"Hey Faruq, do you know how this big paddle wheel works? Is there some kind of furnace below deck, or do you make the dwarf run in a giant wheel?
Oh and buy the way, I would very much like to do a blessing for the ship and the crew before we set out on the voyage. It is customary in many lands to say prayers to Desna before a journey, and since I am in fact a priest of Desna, it would make sense that such a blessing be made. Do you think this lot would be in favor of some prayer?" He motions towards the three crew members and Esteban.
Hearing what sounds like a dwarf banging around below deck, Fippin approaches Faruq.
"Hey Faruq, do you know how this big paddle wheel works? Is there some kind of furnace below deck, or do you make the dwarf run in a giant wheel?
Oh and buy the way, I would very much like to do a blessing for the ship and the crew before we set out on the voyage. It is customary in many lands to say prayers to Desna before a journey, and since I am in fact a priest of Desna, it would make sense that such a blessing be made. Do you think this lot would be in favor of some prayer?" He motions towards the three crew members and Esteban.
"Magic," says Faruq with a shrug. "Trade secret."
"Pray if you want but Esteban might not stop working," looking up Faruq adds, "Pray for good weather."
"Good old magic. Nothing beats magic. You know even dwarves get tired if you make them run in a wheel too long..."
As the group draws closer to the boat, Keliwyn says, "I suggest we keep all of our goods and equipment together, if only to make it easier to keep an eye on things," Keliwyn suggests. I picked up five score arrows, in addition to the normal quiver that I carry, and if anyone needs them, they're welcome to 'em."
Ixius agrees it is an excellent idea to keep our stuff together and that we have easy access to it.
"Tell me, Ixius," he asks, "Were you able to find everything you need to make me a decent long bow? How long do you think it will take?"
"Yes I have all the materials for any kind of bow we need if I can find a place on this boat. I will start on yours first. A regular longbow should take me about a week, but I can make you a composite longbow if you wish. They're harder to make and it takes longer, but I can do it. "
"Good old magic. Nothing beats magic. You know even dwarves get tired if you make them run in a wheel too long..."
"Yes. That's why we bring you. To run on wheel," Faruq says as seriously as he can.
Fippin will wait to do his blessing until the ship is loaded up and about to shove off. But once that happens. He will set up his empty barrel in the middle of the deck.
He will then introduce himself to the crew.
"For those of you who don't know me yet. My name is Fippin. I serve the goddess Desna, and as many of you know, she is a god who watches over travelers. It is custom in many lands of Golorian to say a blessing to Desna before a journey. Today you are in luck, for you have a genuine priest of the goddess with you on this voyage. For those who wish her blessing come join me now."
Fippin then proceeds to cast a create water spell. The water appears in the air above the barrel and funnels down into the barrel.
Fippin then sings (rather badly) a customary song to his goddess in his native tongue.
He then looks towards those gathered on the ship and says.
"Come drink the blessed water of the goddess, so that you will be blessed during the course of our trip."
He dips his own waterskin into the barrel, fills it and drinks.
"I had a feeling you were going to say that. Fear not I'm a fast runner."
"Good old magic. Nothing beats magic. You know even dwarves get tired if you make them run in a wheel too long...""Yes. That's why we bring you. To run on wheel," Faruq says as seriously as he can.
"Yes I have all the materials for any kind of bow we need if I can find a place on this boat. I will start on yours first. A regular longbow should take me about a week, but I can make you a composite longbow if you wish. They're harder to make and it takes longer, but I can do it. "
"That's alright, Ixius. I don't really have the strength to draw a composite bow, and I've always found them unwiedly. A standard bow will do, but make her pretty, eh?"
Never one to spurn a possible blessing, Keliwyn happily partakes in Fip's ceremony. Once he's slaked his thirst, he turns to the halfling priest and says, with a grin, "Fippin, my friend, a wise man named Franklin once said, 'Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy.' The water is nice, and certainly needed, but can Desna provide anything stronger?"
"That's alright, Ixius. I don't really have the strength to draw a composite bow, and I've always found them unwiedly. A standard bow will do, but make her pretty, eh?"
"If I have enough time I will make you a beautiful bow. I found some very fine wood at the market this morning."
After things settle down and we get moving Ixius asks the captain if there is space on the boat to set up his equipment for bowmaking.
If Keilwyn was still injured Fippin could easily have cured him the day before.
Also on the day they are leaving Fippin opts to pray for a mending orison instead of purify food and water.
He offers to make use of it during his ceremony.
"It is always good to start a journey in clothing that is well mended and in good repair. I offer you this blessing in Desna's name. If anyone has anything that needs mending, I will work her magic and it shall be repaired in an instant."
He will also check various ropes and tarps on the ship and cast mending spells on any that look frayed or torn.
"If I have enough time I will make you a beautiful bow. I found some very fine wood at the market this morning."
After things settle down and we get moving Ixius asks the captain if there is space on the boat to set up his equipment for bowmaking.
"A big sturdy chest? We could always have Faruq's wardrobe trunk brought down," says Esteban with no trace of a smile until Faruq shoots him a glare.
If Keilwyn was still injured Fippin could easily have cured him the day before./QUOTE]
"... If anyone has anything that needs mending, I will work her magic and it shall be repaired in an instant."
"Quick! Esteban! Bring my wardrobe chest down!"
Faruq pauses in his loading of the ship to say "Tesha's not going to let The River Queen slip out ahead of the line. We're going to be here for a while. ... She hasn't liked Esteban since he got Hurg to dress up like her and ... Never mind, long story."
Faruq continues loading the wheelboat.
Sykala watches everyone scurry around the decks and is trying to decipher what each of them is doing to entertain herself while waiting to go. She doesn't take part in Fippin's ceremony but does watch that too. She'll also keep an eye on the surrounding area to see if anyone else is taking an interest in thier departure. She seems like she is also periodically testing the air like a cat when it catches a new scent.
A tall deckhand stops loading for a moment, and, dipping his waterskin into the barrel as well, stops to take a drink from the blessed water.
The deckhand looks to be a local, with dark skin and some local knicknacks as accoutrements, such as a necklace made of small animal bones. He wears a light shirt of hide, but is otherwise dressed minimally in order to deal with the extreme heat. He carries a shield and spear strapped to his back, which both sport many painted tribal symbols.
He speaks aloud in broken Common: "Thank you, fren', for blessing dis ship. I feel more safe for dis journey. I be pleased to meet you, Fippin. I be called Chuol by my tribe." He turns to the other travellers. "I be pleased to see many warriors join us on de trip down dis dangerous river.
With a glint in his eye, he finishes: "And maybe we make it all de way safe and sound." He gives a small chuckle.
With that, he returns to his work of loading the ship for departure.
Hours behind schedule despite Esteban's pleading with Tesha, The River Queen finally departs. The sun is already hanging low over the ocean turning the river the blood red colour that gives Bloodcove its name. Dark clouds approach from the interior.
Faruq runs around the boat lighting hurricane lamps.
Esteban yells at everyone on board to secure the cargo and then themselves. "Cargo first; crew second," he shouts repeatedly in case you doubted his priorities. Once that is accomplished Faruq and Esteban heads up the ladder to the pilot house and most of the crew heads below.
Ixius is on the foredeck watching the river slip by.
Standing on the topdeck, Keliwyn asks, "Captain, do we expect any bad weather or rough water? I do hope you will try to give us advance notice of either."
Chuol is helping the other deckhands secure the cargo, working as hard as he can.
Fippin would in all likelihood be roving the main deck. He'll be keeping an eye on the weather, and making sure the cargo is secured well. He'll still be keeping his eyes open for any frayed equipment that looks like it could benefit from a mending spell.
He looks up at the dark clouds and mutters...
"This is what happens when not everyone takes part in a blessing. Sometimes Desna gets a little annoyed."
Fippin would in all likelihood be roving the main deck. He'll be keeping an eye on the weather, and making sure the cargo is secured well. He'll still be keeping his eyes open for any frayed equipment that looks like it could benefit from a mending spell.
He looks up at the dark clouds and mutters...
"This is what happens when not everyone takes part in a blessing. Sometimes Desna gets a little annoyed."
Standing on the topdeck, Keliwyn asks, "Captain, do we expect any bad weather or rough water? I do hope you will try to give us advance notice of either."
"Considered yourself notified. We're gonna try to make it to a bend up river before the storm hits and wait it out there but I can't promise things won't get rough first," yells Esteban over the noise of the wind.
Fippin will put on his explorer's hat to give him a little protection from the rain. If it starts to rain he will take shelter under the pilot house. If it gets real bad he will go inside the cabin of the boat.
If it starts to rain heavily, Keliwyn will take refuge with Fippin under the pilothouse.
Survival check for storm (1d20+13=19)
Sykala watches the incoming storm she seems to become even more intense and taunt with excitement. She stays up on her perch seemingly reveling in the winds. "Gozreh come. Give his blessing", looking toward Fippin.
Fippin will put on his explorer's hat to give him a little protection from the rain. If it starts to rain he will take shelter under the pilot house. If it gets real bad he will go inside the cabin of the boat.
Chuol will begin attempting to work faster in order to strap down the cargo before the storm hits, just in case. Then he will seek a good place to hold on, possible against the cabin.
Well like I said- if it's just raining hard then the under the pilot house is okay. However, if it is really windy and there is lots of lightning and the boat is rocking a lot the I'll go in the cabin.
Fippin will put on his explorer's hat to give him a little protection from the rain. If it starts to rain he will take shelter under the pilot house. If it gets real bad he will go inside the cabin of the boat.
Ixius also goes into the pilot house with Fippin and Keliwyn when it starts to rain.
There is a low rail around the topdeck. The pilothouse is enclosed.
The storm gets worse. The clouds get darker. The sun descends further.
Ixius also goes into the pilot house with Fippin and Keliwyn when it starts to rain.
Fippin and Keliwyn are under the pilothouse not in it.
Survival check for storm (1d20+13=19)
Sykala watches the incoming storm she seems to become even more intense and taunt with excitement. She stays up on her perch seemingly reveling in the winds. "Gozreh come. Give his blessing", looking toward Fippin.
Sykala suspects it will be about an hour in duration and fairly intense. She's seen storms like this in Bloodcove before. They often come in late afternoon or early evening just when the heat starts to feel like a dry heat instead of a steambath.
Under the pilothouse will require the six acrobatics checks.
Acrobatics Checks (1d20+3=4, 1d20+3=16, 1d20+3=6, 1d20+3=22, 1d20 3=18, 1d20+3=21)
Ixius almost gets blown off the boat but manages to steady himself just in time.
After (hopefully) having secured the ship's cargo, Chuol will move under the pilothouse, and hopefully find something to grab onto to help keep on his feet. If the cargo's not done being secured, however, he'll keep at it until it's done.