The Docks (DMJK) Thursday February 13th, 2003 2:31:17 PM
At the docks, Draax finds one small sailing ship in port that's willing to take passengers. The other 4 ships in dock already have cargoes. The ship is named the Kraken. Maurice, the Captain, is a bit uncivilized, but he's an experienced merchant.
He doesn't have any cargo to carry yet. He offers to run the group across Dragon Bay for 8 gold per person. He doubts that he'd be able to pick up any cargo in the Scab to make the trip worthwile, so that's the price for a round trip or for a one way. He can give you 15 days total from this very instant to cross, do your business and get back. He estimates about 2 days there and 2 days back depending on weather, so if you used him, you'd have a total of 11 days to make preparations at this end and to find the dragon at the other. He can't offer more time than that because he's expected to pickup a shipment in South Harbor in 3 weeks.
Despite complaining about the lack of trading opportunities in the Scab, he seems pretty willing to go. While talking to Draax, he mentioned something about good sport fishing up there.
Draax Thursday February 13th, 2003 5:28:01 PM
Draax finds himself liking the Kraken's Captain, "Great Captain, let me go talk to my partners and find out what they want to do. I will have an answer for you by tonight. Here is 10gp down payment to ensure that no else gives you a contract before me or one of my partners return to seal the deal."
Draax hands over the 10 gold down payment to the captain. Before heading back to the others and telling them what he found, Draax strikes up a conversation with the captain.
"Good sport fishing you say, what else can you tell me about the Scab? I do not know how long my business partners will keep me out there and I would like to get an idea of what to expect from the locals and the area."
Arien Friday February 14th, 2003 1:25:05 AM
While the others are about their own tasks Arien pays another visit to Hororot. He pauses respectfully outside the chamber and lets his presence be known. Should Hororot respond Arien asks the ancient king, "I was wondering if the second adventuring group, the ones who brought back the map. Had told you of any particular obstacles that they had to overcome or any particular beasts, other than the dragon of course, that we should be aware of. This will be my first time venturing to such an area and so I am unfamiliar with what to expect, I'm just trying to be fully prepared."
Hororot and Arien (DMJK) Friday February 14th, 2003 12:04:56 PM
The ghost king welcomes Arien back. "Well, first it was some time ago when they were here. Most of their difficulties were in locating the thief that had taken the crown in the first place. They had to track him to the west, into the Red Hills, and through the Scab on foot. Their most fearsome fight was with a band of dark dwarves that they met in a mountain passage in the western portion of the Scab. You shouldn't have any such trouble since you are planning to make the water crossing. They said that the main range of the Scab is largely uninhabited. I would expect that you could find a typical assortment of wild animals suited to a cold, mountainous terrain, but I don't really know."
Maurice and Draax Friday February 14th, 2003 2:27:41 PM
"Aye, sport fishing. They have these big sailfish up there. Magnificent fish. As for the locals, there aren't any. Some stray trapper or something, maybe. That's why I never get a chance to get there for fishing. There's nobody to trade with. Those're harsh, unforgiving mountains. Tales say all sorts of monsters live there, but I think it's nonsense. There's not enough vegetation to feed the types of animals that your typical slobbering monster likes to eat. Heh. This time of year it'll be wicked cold up there. I can tell you that for sure. Snow never melts at the top of some peaks, and it's full on winter now. I really can't imagine what you'd want to go there for, but I know better than to ask questions."
Draax Friday February 14th, 2003 5:16:39 PM
Draax thanks the captain for his words and then heads back to the others. He lets the group know about the boat, the 15 day timeframe, and the captain's description of the Scab.
"So, what do you guys think?"
Renik Sunday February 16th, 2003 6:29:38 PM
"Well, it sounds like a plan to me," says the rogue, scribbling furiously on bits of parchment as he works out exactly what he needs, and how much money he has left.
"I say we leave as soon as we can, give ourselves as much time as possible to get in and back out. I'll be ready just as soon as I've bought supplies for the trip."
Bill Troublefinder Sunday February 16th, 2003 10:27:11 PM
"Yes, Draax - good work. First thing in the morning sound reasonable?" asks Bill. "Yep, there are a few things I'd like to pick up, too." He makes sure he says the following out of earshot of any except the party members. "And I wanna swing by my family's place to say hi to them before we leave, or they'll kill me for not doing so, never mind the dragon." So he goes shopping, then stops by to see his parents and siblings, and to ask his mother to make some goodies for him to take on a trip.
Rond Sunday February 16th, 2003 11:58:17 PM
Rond decides he need to do some shopping, then he'll join the others for the trip.
Arien Monday February 17th, 2003 3:46:10 PM
Arien also goes shopping after thanking Hororot for the information.
Bill / Kim OOC Tuesday February 18th, 2003 3:24:59 AM [Amigos - I'm swamped this week. Would someone like to post for Bill through Thursday? -Kim]
Hobbes Tuesday February 18th, 2003 4:59:01 AM
Hobbes tries to find the closest thing to a shrine he can find in town and performs his own prayers for guidance and protection for he and his fellows. He also tithes 100 GP to his god in thanks for being lead to this quest to help these people. He informs the town priest of the desecration of the farmer's blood and hands over the vials rescued to him to get them purified and possibly returned to the farmer. He also gives him the black bag with the sacrificial dagger to be destroyed. "Evil deeds linger in items such as this." he warns.
After this he reunites with Farmer Elmo. "You look fit and capable. I trust you are feeling better to reuinte with the fine beasts under your care. I have a charge for you. I wish you to care for my horse, Bradbury which you rode back until I return. He is not to be sold or traded or taken by anyone save me. He likes to be ridden several times a week, if you would. I will pay you for his boarding and care." He presents a small sack of 50 gp to the farmer. "Ring the bell in his saddle pack to make him come and put him at ease. If we don't return...see that he is taken to the Black Cathedral. In his pack are my vestments and clerical items they will want."
Bill (Carl) Tuesday February 18th, 2003 8:17:05 AM
The halfling returns from his familial visits, laden down with pasties, pies, sweetmeats, dips, jellied fruit, sauces, pickles, jams, biscuits and preserved pears. "Anyone feeling peckish?" asks the halfling through a mouthfull of white chocolate cookies, as he samples some of the goods to ensure they are suitable for an ocean voyage.
Renik Tuesday February 18th, 2003 8:20:29 AM
"OK, how's everyone getting on with their shopping? Has everyone made a visit to the Catacombs?" asks Renik, ensuring that they are as well prepared as possible for the ordeal that faces them.
(OOC: JK, can we start off in the boat whilst still engaged in our shopping at the Catacombs board? If so I'd vote for immediate departure, just to get things moving again.)
Final Preparations (DMJK) Tuesday February 18th, 2003 8:50:04 AM
Bill returns with more goodies than he should really be trying to carry. His mother made a mincemeat pie especially for the captain of the ship you will be taking. She hopes he likes mincemeat. She does of course, but it's not the sort of thing that everyone likes. Still, she does make a fine mincemeat.
Hobbes stops by the church and makes his donation. He receives a blessing and a vial of holy water from the head priest in return. Elmo promises to take care of Hobbes' horse. He tries to refuse the money though.
Everyone else has ample time to get their shopping done.
Night falls. Everyone manages to get a good night's sleep and a big breakfast the next day. You get the bill at the inn for three days and two rooms, and everyone manages to make it to the Kraken in the halflight of dawn. Maurice and his crew have the ship ready to go. They look wide awake and ready to go.
[Carl, you read my mind. Any catacombs purchases made in the next few days will be considered to have been made right now. Any last bits of business that you want to take care of, do it now.]
Renik Tuesday February 18th, 2003 9:32:22 AM
The rogue eyes the boat with trepidation. "I thought you said this was a boat!" he whispers, "I've seen bigger bathtubs!" All the while he smiles and waves at the captain and crew, trying to look suave and confident. But in truth he is close to panic; he has never set foot on a boat in his life, and doesn't find the prospect an edifying one.
Draax Tuesday February 18th, 2003 12:35:01 PM
Draax sees to the caring of his horse before departing the town. He give Renik a half of a smirk as he catches the rogue's comments. As he greets the captains, Draax mentally counts the number of crew members that are visible.
"Morning captain, these are my uh, business partners." Draax gestures to the others as he speaks letting them make their own introductions if they choose to.
"So, how soon can we be off?"
Bill (Carl) Tuesday February 18th, 2003 4:57:49 PM
"Hello there!" beams the halfling at the captain and his crew. "Pleasure to meet you all. I'm Bill, Bill Troublefinder, from around these parts. So is this your boat? Isn't it big? 'The Kraken' -- an impressive name. My grandfather used to tell a tale of how a group of halfling adventurers, in search of fame and fortune, got swallowed by a Kraken and taken off to slave in its gold mines far beneath the waves, so that in a way they found their fortune, and their fame too in the telling of the tale. But to be honest I think that maybe grandfather told me that tale to try and dissuade me from taking up the life of an adventurer."
Arien Tuesday February 18th, 2003 5:26:35 PM
"It's okay Renik," Arien says cheerfully while giving the rogue a slap on the back, "It's only dangerous if you fall overboard, or if there's a storm, or if pirates attack, heck we might even get a visit from our old friends the Sea Devils. Oh wait, that's right, you never got a chance to meet them, I'd be honored to introduce them to you if the chance arises." Shifting his pack to the other shoulder Arien hides a smile as he boards the boat.
change in plans (DMJK) Wednesday February 19th, 2003 4:08:54 AM
Maurice looks down at the group from the railing and starts laughing, "Oh, I can't go through with it anymore. Don't you all know that you can't cross Dragon Bay because it is a nation filled with dragons and half-dragons. That's why the Sentinel is here, to keep them out. If we tried to cross, we'd get eaten before we were a mile away from the shore. In fact, my boat just wound up here after those god wars. No sailor in his right mind would try to sail here. We woke up one morning and we were tied up here. Once we found out where we were, we've been afraid to leave. We head out and do a little fishing, but we never go very far. There's no way you can cross the Bay by water or in the air. If your gang has to get to the Scab, you'd better teleport or start walking through the Red Hills."
[just found out that Dragon Bay is forbidden territory, so it's a forced change in plans handed down from above]
Bill Troublefinder (Kim) Wednesday February 19th, 2003 4:32:52 AM
"Oh. Okay, Captain Maurice, sir," Bill says, looking disappointed. "Well, we're sorry to hear that. I was wondering how you would deal with the Dragons of the bay, but thought that perhaps your boat had some sort of artifact that kept them at bay, as it were. Well, no hard feelings, I suppose. Sir, my mother baked this mincemeat pie for me to give to you." He looks at the pie, and without meaning to, smacks his lips. "So, even though you dare not brave the dragons, perhaps you'll enjoy this pie." He extends his hands to offer it. "Good wishes to you and your crew, sir."
Draax d20-1=3 d20-1=13 d20-1=9 d20-1=11 d20-1=16 d20-1=7 d20-1=3 d20-1=19 Wednesday February 19th, 2003 8:23:51 AM
Draax takes back his bag of gold, letting the captain keep the 10 gold down payment. "That is very disappointing captain, but at least you came to your senses before you got us out into the bay. Well captain, do you know of a teleporting device or someone that might be willing to teleport us there and possibly back or at least someone to ask that might have that information? I would rather not travel through the Red Hills if I could avoid it."
When they leave the docking area Draax says to his friends, "Sorry for the misunderstanding guys, but the captains seemed so confident when I spoke to him yesterday. I guess being stuck here for such a long time made him think about the unthinkable. I should have asked the question about how he would deal with the dragons before making the deal."
If the captain cannot provide any leads, Draax will spend the day inquiring for information about teleporting the group to the Scab. Before leaving, Draax looks at Rond, but ask his question to the entire group. "How long are we going to search for a way to teleport to the Scab before giving up and going through the Red Hills?"
Draax will check the following places for information on being teleported to the Scab: (rolled Gathering information check if needed, 3, 13, 9, 11, 16, 7, 3, 19)
Bearclaw Keep (Sidon and family- head of the Windguard) The Blue Dog Inn Belt and Belch Tavern Grog's Happy Half-Ogre Inn and Tavern Hearthfire Inn Ruthat's Bowyer and Adventuring Supply Store The Green Grape Wine and Spirits Shop "The Hag" Fortune Teller "House of the Crystal Sphere"
Renik Wednesday February 19th, 2003 12:19:44 PM
Renik cannot disguise his refief at being granted an eleventh hour reprieve from the horrors of the high seas. "Ah, what a pity Captain, oh well, never mind, eh?" he calls as he hurries away, clearly trying to get out of earshot before the captain changes his mind.
Once back in the village he goes to find maps of the route, in order to determine if an overland crossing is feasible (OOC: sorry, no time to check Duncan's Travel Agency right now, I'll look later!)
Arien Wednesday February 19th, 2003 12:42:38 PM
"Well we did go under Dragon Bay once, and as I recall we weren't troubled by any dragons. In fact as far as I know very few of them swim at all. So if we can't get teleported thats always an option to explore. Because I for one, don't relish the thought of having to cross the Red Hills, and then the mountains."
Another route Wednesday February 19th, 2003 3:11:56 PM
In the Blue Dog Inn, Draax finds a wizard that offers to teleport the party to Floating City. Once in Floating City he feels confident that the group could find a wizard that would port the group to the Scab.
He explains that Floating City is full of wizards offering teleporting services right now because the city is lost. They need to keep up trade and communication, and teleportation seems to be the only way. That's why he's in Windhorn himself. He's teleporting a load of cargo to the Big Float in about one hour.
He mentions that his base teleportation rate is 225 gold, but since he's already moving the cargo, he can do it for 1/3 of the usual price (75 gold) for the whole party.
[excuse the extra post today, I'm just trying to move things along]
Draax Wednesday February 19th, 2003 3:50:18 PM
Draax tell the group about the wizard that is willing to teleport the group to the Floating City for 75 gold. "Hey guys since we are already packed, I say lets go for it, but we need to go now."
Feng Wednesday February 19th, 2003 6:11:12 PM
"Teleportation sounds good. It's fast and safer than the road. As long as we don't wind up in a wall or something. 75 gold for all of us isn't that bad. Hopefully getting from the floating city will be cheap as well."
Bill Troublefinder (Kim) Thursday February 20th, 2003 4:34:13 AM
"Sounds great. Let's do it," Bill says. "I've always wanted to see more of Floating City."
He approaches Rond just before they leave. "Rond - I forgot to give this to you." He hands him a pouch filled with 30 gold pieces. "Won it in a contest, throwing daggers! I want you to have it."
Renik Thursday February 20th, 2003 4:52:42 AM
"Let's do it," nods the rogue, "Give me teleportation over dragon filled seas anytime!"
Hobbes Thursday February 20th, 2003 5:32:10 AM
Hobbes had been grimacing at the thought of days and days at sea. He sighs when it looks like there aren't many other options. He scowls and pouts when they have to make another trip back. But the thought of teleportation leaves his face in a light smile and a twinkle in his eye.
"Give me a good horse any day," he says nudging Feng.
Rond Thursday February 20th, 2003 9:27:17 AM
"I sorta figured we'd have to do this so it's no surprise. Though it's sort of unnerving being teleported to a city that no one can find for some reason?!"
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