"Eh, so what exactly are we looking for and where? We seem to have located a horse sucessfully... What more do you know about this... mission?"
"Eh, so what exactly are we looking for and where? We seem to have located a horse sucessfully... What more do you know about this... mission?"
Alfonso walks over to 'Sargento's' stall, carefully avoiding a puddle of unknown origin in the middle of the hallway.
"In this stall there is a test, a very useful test. According to what fair 'nuncle told me there is a compartment in this stall with some gems and a letter detailing a task he would like me to consider."
"My loving relation of soon to be dear memory has set this as a test of my competence. If I am capable of this trivial task I may be worth a greater investment. I on the other hand am using this as a test for him. Is his word worth suffering the halitosis to hear? Does he have power to effect things outside the range of his fruit knife? Does he actually know something or is he flailing as usual?"
"Mind you if he is flailing we all might squeeze a good deal of profit from him as he goes under. Might even be able to set him up to win, he would hate knowing we did that."
opening the door into sargentos stall is relatively easy. sargento just stands there, chewing hay, but looking at you like your interrupting something super important. he gives a snort and shuffles around, keeping his balance as the ship rocks.
opening the door into sargentos stall is relatively easy. sargento just stands there, chewing hay, but looking at you like your interrupting something super important. he gives a snort and shuffles around, keeping his balance as the ship rocks.
"Something about this horse reminds me of a cat showing it's belly but not it's claws...."
[ooc]Perception
Arbot sighs.
"Nobles and their tests. Life is hard enough without people setting traps for each other. This is why I tend to stay as far away as possible. Alright let's get this done... nice horsey..."
Donata watches and listens. Seven horses? This gets odder all the time. Why make it more difficult by having more than one horse? Luck will play as big a role as perseverance in success. Perhaps his uncle is getting senile. Of course, they'll try all seven if they must.
She wanders a short distance down the companionway looking for a crew member.
If she finds one :
Diplomacy if needed:
Sense Motive 1d20+8 = 13
Perception 1d20+3
DM, you asked for a sense motive. Probably for our captain's intentions.
Additionally, Oh DM? Are you still out there?
donata: the captain seems on the up and up. his comments and his sacrificing of his cabin are very noble and are welcoming to you.
arbot, your attempt at making the animal friendly towards you is successful. the horse, being quite and content with eating the hay, now focuses his attention on you. his tail flicks back and forth, and he shakes his head, with some saliva starting to form on his lips. he lets out a wild "neigh" and walks forward, pushing his head forward to rub against your head.
"Arbot, if you can keep the elegant equine equanimous I can creep carefully and seek what awaits us behind the battered board."
Alfonso's face is deadpan but you suspect he is not approaching this quest with the gravitas it deserves.
"I await your word oh handsome horseman." Ok now you are sure of it.
Arbot pats the horse on the head, keeping it entertained for Alfonso to make his way into the stall.
"Onward stalwart hero!"
Arbot chuckles.
Arbot pats the horse on the head, keeping it entertained for Alfonso to make his way into the stall.
"Onward stalwart hero!"
Arbot chuckles.
"Half a league, half a league, half a league onward..." Alfonso mutters as he sidles slowly round the stallion to the back of the stall. The wand of mage armor is in his hand just in case.
I check the stall as best I can for loose boards.
donata: the captain seems on the up and up. his comments and his sacrificing of his cabin are very noble and are welcoming to you.
...
Then Donata thanks him sincerely. Drops her gear off. And catches up to the others.
How about an answer to my spoiler above? rather than try all seven horses she'll ask a crewman (if one's around) which one is Sargento. She's got no trouble asking for directions.
donata: the captain seems on the up and up. his comments and his sacrificing of his cabin are very noble and are welcoming to you.
...
Then Donata thanks him sincerely. Drops her gear off. And catches up to the others.
How about an answer to my spoiler above? rather than try all seven horses she'll ask a crewman (if one's around) which one is Sargento. She's got no trouble asking for directions.
"Arbot, I think I hear the fair Donata out there could you call her over in a way that does not startle this wall of too, too solid horseflesh?"
Arbot glances out of the stall and if Donata is not too far away, will try to get her attention so she can notice that we've found Sargento. If she is already gone topside, he will return to petting the horse and inform Alfonso that our fair maiden has made her exit.
donata: you do manage to have a crew memeber stop working long enough to hear you out, but he says bah, i have no time for womanly things. and he picks up the crate and continues on. as you look at the parting crew member, you hear arbot and alfonso call your attention to them.
alfonso: pushing damp and discolored straw aside, you do manage to percieve a floorboard that is different than the others. the floor board is 2inches wide by 6 inches long, and its in the general area of the horses back side.
Alfonzo: pushing damp and discolored straw aside, you do manage to perceive a floorboard that is different than the others. the floor board is 2inches wide by 6 inches long, and its in the general area of the horses back side.
Bending carefully but none the less bringing his head into perfect position for a kick or a more 'natural' attack, Alfonso examines the plank in question. If it appears to open in some simple manner Alfonse will commend his soul to a certain woman back in Cheliax who could do that thing...and open it
Lukas watches back from a safe distance Your uncle has a strange sense of humor Alfonso. I hope this isn't the case when we get into the wilds; too much foolery can get one killed. Though by the size of that warhorse you may not have to worry about dying colony-side...
donata: you do manage to have a crew memeber stop working long enough to hear you out, but he says bah, i have no time for womanly things. and he picks up the crate and continues on. as you look at the parting crew member, you hear arbot and alfonso call your attention to them.
...
Arbot glances out of the stall and if Donata is not too far away, will try to get her attention so she can notice that we've found Sargento. If she is already gone topside, he will return to petting the horse and inform Alfonso that our fair maiden has made her exit.
Donata frowns at the departing crewman. Hardly pleasant, that one. Before she can pursue that thought she hears the others and returns along the companionway.
"The crew is no help. What have you found?"
ouch alfonso, make a reflex save, dc 12 since your back was to the horse.
"Geaahhh"
A stiffness in the horse's posture, the sudden hiss of the yellow stream, the patter as it's absorbed by the straw, and Alfonso awkwardly lurching ...
Oh, that's not pretty.
With urine cascading off the back of his head, alfonso manages to pull up the odd looking floor board. reaching into the cubby, he pulls out of the nasty brown liquid that has collected in the void a sealed scroll case and a large sack that drips fluid as it leaves the nethers. Alfonso, you are suprised at the size and weight of this bag.
"A noble in his natural environment... I take it your mission was successful? You may want to avert your eyes... and your nose, Donata"
With urine cascading off the back of his head, alfonso manages to pull up the odd looking floor board. reaching into the cubby, he pulls out of the nasty brown liquid that has collected in the void a sealed scroll case and a large sack that drips fluid as it leaves the nethers. Alfonso, you are suprised at the size and weight of this bag.
Standing carefully, steam rising from his sodden clothing, Alfonso walks carefully, gingerly, out of the stall. His eyes seem unfocused and his voice is deeper and sharper edged that you are used to.
"I am the slave of my baptism. Parents, you have caused my misfortune, and you have caused your own.”
He holds the bad and sealed case in dripping hands. Alfonse seems to see you for the first time. Is voice is normal and perfectly calm.
"Could someone be so kind as to either kill me, throw me overboard, or bring me a large bucket of water. Your choice."
"Throwing you overboard seems to solve all our problems, doesn't it? In either case, clean water would seem to be in short supply on the ship, so I would suggest going for a swim. Need me to hold your newfound treasure?"
"Throwing you overboard seems to solve all our problems, doesn't it? In either case, clean water would seem to be in short supply on the ship, so I would suggest going for a swim. Need me to hold your newfound treasure?"
"Please, feel free." Alfonse holds out the soiled articles. "Be careful though, I would not but it past fair 'nucle to boobytrap them. He would want me to go through this in person."
Arbot takes the articles gingerly and wraps them in a piece of burlap from a nearby sack (assuming that a burlap sack does not require a search check to find in a stable!).
"Get yourself cleaned up, I'll make my way back to our quarters"
Arbot takes the articles gingerly and wraps them in a piece of burlap from a nearby sack (assuming that a burlap sack does not require a search check to find in a stable!).
arbot, make a perception check, dc 30 to find the burlap sack
btw, im kidding on the perception check.
Nice to see the nobles be shat upon for a change Lukas says with a wide grin on his face. I do hope whatever you find in this case is worth the trouble Lukas then follows Arbot out of the stable, puffing his pipe as he goes.
arbot, lukas, and alfonso make for the side of the ship. several crewmen, seeing alfonso in his sodden state, laugh mercilessly at his plight. within a minute, the whole ship seems to laughing at alfonso's mishap.
oy mates, looks like someone was tryin to get fresh with the livestock!
aye! und he vas turnd down!
ya! he now goes to drown his sorrows is the last comment heard as alfonso jumps off the ledge into the cool water below.
arbot, holding the nasty smelling bag in hand, promptly drops a bucket into the water and pulls it up full. once on deck, he puts the sodden bag into the seawater, which promtply turns brown from refuse.
stumping up to the rail, captain brisz glances over the edge to spy on alfonso rolling around in the water. in a whisper to lukas and arbot, hmm, methinks i shalt have to set a watch on the cattle. hahahaha. followed in a louder voice MAN OVERBOARD! SLILS, DROP A LADDER FOR THE BATHER!
"With that one around, you might want to..."
Washing off the bag, he dumps the now dirty water back overboard taking care to do so away from Alfonso's bath. He holds the slightly cleaner bag in his hands and waits for Alfonso to make his way back up to the deck.
Alfonso takes a long dive to the bottom of the river if he can. It feels good to be alone, to be silent, to be able to drop the act for a few moments. It is strange that you can still feel tears undrer water. Still submerged he removes his boots and tunic, surfacing with the tunic over one shoulder and the boots held in one hand.
"Come and join me! It's the second best water I've been all day!"
Alfonse thinks as he swims to and climbs the ladder.
'That should get a laugh. They will think I'm crazy but they understand crazy so they should leave me more or less alone.' 'Now to get dressed and dry and find out what is in that bag and scroll case.'
Once on board wring out the tunic and pour water from the boots in an exaggerated manner. Play up the false dignity to the crowd, make them laugh.
Thinking 'Good, they laugh, the belittle, they dispise me but you do not fear what you dispise. That is good you do not watch closely what you do not fear.'
After much hooting and hollering, the crew resumes work and you all head below to donata's new quaters, since it is the only room big enough for all of you.
Inside, you secure the door and then gather around the table.
alfonso, not sure if you want this to be known, so i will spoiler it and at your approval, the others can read it, or you can read it out loud.
"dearest nephew, im sure at that statement you are making a snide remark and making a comment about something relating me to sargentos ofal. i really couldnt care. What i do care about is you. you have value to me, more alive than dead, and on my side. I am going to put this blunly so you will know that i mean business. Your ship isnt heading to brinewall right away. it is making a stop over in riddleport. its official reason is to purchase more hay and grain for the animals. unnofially it is to let you and your friends off without anyone noticing.
Your job is two fold. your first one is to convice your fellow travellers to come along with you. your second is to follow the river that flows through riddleport north until it bends to the east. my cartologists think at that location will be a good location for an outpost and will cut down on expensis and time for goods to travel. My military aides believe it will be a good early warning location should any sizable force decide to attack us through riddleport. I need you to scout the area around that location. Check for signs of anything that looks like a threat to our city.
once you have your info, head north to brinewall. you should be able to find the settlement with ease.
Do this well, and i will reward you well.
-al
Alfonso leads you back to his quarters and asks you to wait a moment while he changes. He makes no move to accept the bag or case from Arbot.
A few moments later Alfonso opens the door, apparently he is used to dressing quickly. Perhaps it is an effect of the river bath but he looks healthier and happier than you have seen him. He certainly looks better in the traveling clothes of muted reds and browns than in the now rather soiled uniform.
"Have a seat. This is politics, it may take a little while."
Seating is rather snug but counting the bunk and a folding camp chair there is enough room for everyone.
Alfonse opens his travelling trunk and removes a large bottle of deep red Cheliaxian wine and a set of drinking cups.
"It's not the best vintage but it travels very well." Handing a corkscrew to Daggard if he is here, Arbot if not. "Now if you will pour I will see what my sanguine relation intends."
Alfonso opens the Scroll case first, extracting the papers carefully.
Reading the short note before the cups are filled Alfonso passes the note around to the others.
"Well that seems simple enough. Hardly worth it to go to all this trouble."
Alfonso takes the bag and after examining it pulls a dagger from his belt and cuts the laces sealing it shut. The resulting cascade of gemstones stops conversation dead.
Alfonso's low whistle cuts the silence.
"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials."
well the green ones seem to taste the best, but the black ones go better with the wine.
returns from putting his gear in the area he was directed to
listens carefully to reading of letter
"You have a strange family, Alfonso."
"I would say any plan that gets us off this ship faster is good plan."
"Well well Alfonso, it looks like you've done it! You've found us a ticket off this dinghy of a ship! The faster we get off the better I say. Scouting out a spot for an outpost will be right up my alley. I only hope that we get back to Brinewall before your uncle decides to makehis move. I'm with you on this plan... as long as we make haste!"
Aye I agree with the Pallo, this ship will probably be the death me! Lukas lets out a grin Though, as I've said before, this 'al' is a strange man. Why go through all the trouble of carefully concealing the message? Something stinks, and it's not just the horse droppings on your shirt Alfonso. But, none the less I am on board.
From the doorway where she has been watching, Donata chimes in,"I agree with Lukas. Why should your uncle go through all this fuss? Why not just send a plain message? None of this makes sense. "
She stops talking and starts calculating the inconvenience of this side trip versus the value of the governor's favor. "If you'll have me, I'll come along."
"Well then let us toast"
Alfonso raises his winecup.
"The day began in pain and mud and stench and piss.."
"it ends in wine and friendship and a table full of gems that rival our fair smith in beauty."
"It is a day to remember and a day for beginnings."
"To the future! May it continue to show us beauty midst the pain"
Once the toast is completed Alfonse will gather up the gems, keepiln them along with the note in the scroll case for now.
"It would be best to decide what we will do with my 'nucle's bribe. In Riddleport we will find guides and servants and soldiers for hire. Perhaps even a cartographer and a military engineer of our own. Mind you we could also spend the gems staying drunk for weeks in one of the better brothels. Throw some change at a young bard to pen a tale of adventure that lauds each of us as heroes while lamenting the unsuitable nature of the site. Just an option."
...
"it ends in wine and friendship and a table full of gems that rival our fair smith in beauty."
"It is a day to remember and a day for beginnings."
"To the future! May it continue to show us beauty midst the pain"
Once the toast is completed Alfonse will gather up the gems, keepiln them along with the note in the scroll case for now.
"It would be best to decide what we will do with my 'nucle's bribe. In Riddleport we will find guides and servants and soldiers for hire. Perhaps even a cartographer and a military engineer of our own. Mind you we could also spend the gems staying drunk for weeks in one of the better brothels. Throw some change at a young bard to pen a tale of adventure that lauds each of us as heroes while lamenting the unsuitable nature of the site. Just an option."
Donata smiles and blushes slightly at the compliment even though she knows that it's empty flattery. She is genuinely pleased with Alfonzo's toast however. "Beauty midst the pain," she repeats before drinking.
She frowns at his plans for the gems, He can't be serious. Can he? She laughs lightly, "I think we'd best keep fairly to the bargain. Besides Cailean's cheer fades when the money's gone and Calistria's bed is never truly warm. Then you'll be sad and cold when your uncle comes hunting."
"Well we would need to present ourselves battered, bloody, bruised, and broken at Brinewall to tell our tale of terrible turmoil and convince the father of the feast that our timely tale is true.
But you are correct, oh acme of strength and beauty. The sweetness of the wine and Calistra's caresses pale before the prospect of a plesent woodland journey in fair company."
"Well we would need to present ourselves battered, bloody, bruised, and broken at Brinewall to tell our tale of terrible turmoil and convince the father of the feast that our timely tale is true.
But you are correct, oh acme of strength and beauty. The sweetness of the wine and Calistra's caresses pale before the prospect of a plesent woodland journey in fair company."
The last makes Donata laugh. "You, sir, are full of griffinshit." She thinks back on some of the "pleasant" moments from her travels with her family in her youth and shakes her head.
"Ah" Alfonso says as he pours more more of the heady grape.
"Beauty and honesty, rare to find such a regal blend.'
"Yes I fertilize the world from a great height. But you must admit, since it flows through my noble veins it is at least the highest grade of griffinshit."
Arbot pour some wine as well. He toasts with the others.
"Bah, tempting as it sounds, I don't think it would be wise to leave all those people in your uncle's hands for too long. Setting up the outpost and getting back to Brinewall in a reasonable time may save many lives. Even more if your uncle is right and one day our work pays off."
He drinks the cup in a long gulp and tosses it back on the table.
"On to Riddleport we go, I suppose"
Arbot pour some wine as well. He toasts with the others.
"Bah, tempting as it sounds, I don't think it would be wise to leave all those people in your uncle's hands for too long. Setting up the outpost and getting back to Brinewall in a reasonable time may save many lives. Even more if your uncle is right and one day our work pays off."
He drinks the cup in a long gulp and tosses it back on the table.
"On to Riddleport we go, I suppose"
"Allow me." Alfonse retrieves and refills the cup.
"Why do you suppose he went to such trouble to keep our task secret?"
"I mean madness pretty much gavottes in the family so perhaps needing a reason for his actions seems passé, but I still wonder."
If he means what he says about the outpost being a transhipment point it will not stay secret for long. So why bother?"
I think it would be a very good idea to poke around in Riddleport to see if anything is known about the area we'll be going into. I understand there is an active magic community there. Perhaps Pallo and I can check with them and see what they are willing to tell us."
...
"Allow me." Alfonse retrieves and refills the cup.
"Why do you suppose he went to such trouble to keep our task secret?"
"I mean madness pretty much gavottes in the family so perhaps needing a reason for his actions seems passé, but I still wonder."If he means what he says about the outpost being a transhipment point it will not stay secret for long. So why bother?"
...
"Considering the favor he's shown you thus far, perhaps he just wants you out of the way. Someplace where he might claim you deserted, or have you quietly killed." Donata smiles. "It's just a thought. One of my uncles would never do that to me, but they wouldn't let me be publicly beaten either. I'm not sure about Chel mores in these matters."
Alfonso pauses for a moment, wine cup just before his lips. His face bears an expression you have not seen before. Is it...respect?
"Thank you fair Donata, you have just saved my life and I consider myself forever in your debt. I was considering why he would want me to do this or indeed to do this at all. I was thinking on his terms, I was in the frame he had set. I was playing his game."
"Thank you for freeing me from that error."
"You are correct, we need to examine our peril at a more basic level. Why did he try to set us on this path and why, assuming these baubles are real, did he expend resources to do it."
"Killing me would be a simple thing and barely worth the bag let alone the contents. What defenders I have are within the mighty Daggard's organization, my life is protected by their law. But out here fair 'nuncle is that law so...."
as you sit around talking, discussing what may happen, you feel a sudden surge of pressure. glancing out the back, you see the scene start to shift and slide. it takes you a moment to realize that the ship is moving. You are under way!!!!