Deadlock Ended [SteveK] Monday May 7th, 2007 3:36:43 PM
With Berlon and the enigmatic Umbriel abstaining, it is Theodore who breaks the tie, and the group officially becomes the "Dark Horse Guild". Only the gentle slap of waves against the boat's hull mars the silence, but for all it seems like something momentous occured.
Seafoam is the first to arrive with a mage and an older sailor in tow to look over the boat. Detect Magic and Identify spells are cast, and the sailor crawls over the flatboat. The mage agrees with Berlon as to what the Identify reveals, including the feeling that there should be something more that they can't identify. All is going well until the sailor spots two unusual things. The first is the keel actually curves up all the way to the bow. "Not unusual in a longboat, see, but not a keelboat." And if the magic makes the keelboat in all respects like a keelboat, why does it have this one aspect of a longboat? The second is that there is a post-and-hole area at the front of the keel. "Belike there's a sumthin missing", says the sailor. "Sumthin that be part of the keel." Seafoam hushes the sailor with a look, gives the Dark Horse Guild her regards and says that she'll be back within a day to fetch a price.
Neezer and two mages come later in the day and cast thier spells over the boat, finding out exactly what Berlon and Theodore have already found. "A good and magical boat it is", begins Neezer, "yet it is only one boat. So too, many others know it is magical and so is of limited use right now, especially if we buy it right in the harbor. So, the House of Merchants is willing to give you 10,000 gold for the boat. We will allow you use of this boat or another if this be unavailable whenever you wish to the life of the original members of the Dark Horse Guild. If this is insufficient Highlight to display spoiler: { Neezer will also promise House of Merchants backing to the candidate of the group's choosing provided that candidate agrees to the support.}
Rose's parents agree to talk to the other members of the halfling community to support the Dark Horse Guild's self-defense association. Certainly individuals will be interested in joining before any community wide decision.
Vauhwyt Monday May 7th, 2007 4:05:42 PM
Vauhwyt is glad that Vorelle's name was picked. "It's a good one," she says. Then she tells Mookie she is trading him in for a horse.
When the sailor looks over the boat, Vauhwyt is very puzzled at the boat lore that mostly goes over her head. What's "a post-and-hole area" for example. But she gets that something is missing. "Could it be a figurehead? Or a whatchacallit -- you know, the hood ornament -- the carved half naked girl that sailors put on the fronts of ships?"
Vauhwyt looks at other ships in the harbor. Do any have hood ornaments? If so, where are they affixed? Could that be what's missing?
Vauhwyt dismisses the merchant offer immediately in private talk with her friends. "That's how much a nonmagic ship would cost. No way."
She asks Berlon if his monkey idea could be a hood ornament of a monkey. A big monkey.
Dietrich Monday May 7th, 2007 5:02:01 PM
Dietrich is not particularly happy about the name choosen. He actually liked Vauhwyt´s new idea of Black Feathers much better than all the others. But alas, the party decided and he´ll acept it.
Listening to Berlon, Dietrich smirks at Theo´s reaction. Although it seems just a jest, Dietrich is explicit in rejecting any idea of having a party candidate for the throne right now (although he certainly feels honoured at the idea and deep inside quite likes it...)
"We´re by far not ready for this, and the idea alone could cost us many friends and weaken our position in the City. Don´t ever mention something like that in public."
Concerning the ship, Dietrich agrees with Vauhwyt. Leak or not, it´s a powerful magical item, which worth is obvious. But he liked the offer of support from the Merchants. Maybe this is far more worth than money. The knight thinks this has to be weighted better by the group.
About the association, if Dietrich managed to find a place as specified before, he´ll start the arrengements to make the idea reality, such as renting it, buying some supplements, establishing training schedules etc.
Oni Monday May 7th, 2007 8:27:35 PM
Oni continues to practice with his new halberd. The balance was perfect. He found if he manipulated it correctly he could reach things and pull them toward himself.
As permanent guard of the ship he seen little of Sho'va. He did talk to every one who passed by and he began to gain a greater appreciation, to what Dirt City was all about.
Posting Report for 4/30/07 Monday May 7th, 2007 9:21:36 PM
MTWTF
DM SteveK XXXXX Berlon XXXOX Dietrich XXXXX Oni OXXXX Rose OXOXO Theodore XXXXX Umbriel OXXXO Vauhwyt XXXXX Vorelle XXXOX
ADM Shegger
Berlon Monday May 7th, 2007 10:01:04 PM
Berlon scratches his head with all the nautical talk. Gnomes are, by and large, a landlocked race, and he wouldn't have any idea what they are talking about even if they were conversing in Gnomish.
"Well," he says to Vauhwyt, "I could certainly make something, but I wouldn't have any idea what enchantments would be required."
With that he will check the ship and see how big of an area this so-called "Monkey Hood Ornament" would have to fit in.
Theodore & Macaw Tuesday May 8th, 2007 9:56:14 AM
Theodore agrees with Vauhwyt on the price of the ship. "Yeah, that's way too low right now. And why would they offer to support whomever we wanted as Prince? That seems too big a decision to take lightly. Either they don't care who the next Prince will be, or it doesn't matter to them. The first option makes them out to be stupid, which they are not. The second option means they have something up their sleeve. I'm concerned about this."
An uncertain look crosses the wizard's face as he deliberates on this latest information. "What do the rest of you think? It seems like a golden gift, but I smell something foul."
Vauhwyt Tuesday May 8th, 2007 10:50:07 AM
"Maybe they know who the next prince will be, whether they back him or no. So they offer to back our candidate knowing it does not matter?"
"Either way, I say no to the merchant offerr. Let's see what Seafoam offers."
Price and Offer [SteveK] Tuesday May 8th, 2007 10:09:26 PM
The Dark Horse Guild ponders the implications of the Merchants' offer. Agreeing that the House of Merchants is not stupid, Theodore is certain that they aren't telling the whole truth. For various other reasons, Vauhwyt doesn't like it either, and the offer is shelved until they hear from the Teeth at least.
There is a little discussion about the post-and-hole, and all agree after looking at the area that the sailor must have been talking about where a figurehead would be secured to the boat. Perhaps that is the answer to Berlon's vague feeling that the boat can do even more...
Seafoam is not long in coming, but she doesn't arrive with more sailors or mages, but with a sage: a master of ancient information. From the long conversation, it turns out that the boat has been in port at Dirt City many years before. It had been seen as a sailing ship and changed to a longship, which then sailed without oar or sail into the harbor. The boat had a figurehead of a mermaid holding a large coin etched with the Woldian Glyph of Wardd. "If we had that figurehead, the boat would be worth many more gold. With that figurehead, how does 100,000 gold sound?" "Of course, you'll have to find the figurehead, first you'll need to know where to look. Interested?"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday May 8th, 2007 10:32:35 PM
Mookie caws, "It sounds like we've got ourselves a new adventure!"
Vauhwyt pushes the raven into his pouch.
Then she pauses, thinks, and whispers to her friends, "Well, it does sound like that, I guess, doesn't it?"
Vorelle Wednesday May 9th, 2007 12:18:29 AM
Vorelle's eyes widen at the thought of so much treasure. She does not like to think of herself as greedy, but still....
"Wh-wh-where would we h-have to g-g-g-go?" she asks softly.
Oni Wednesday May 9th, 2007 12:26:28 AM
Oni pipes n, Finally we do something. Give us the information, I for one am ready to move."
Oni's manner is matter of fact.
Umbriel Wednesday May 9th, 2007 11:56:14 AM
Agrees with Oni with a nod of his head.
Dietrich Wednesday May 9th, 2007 1:00:46 PM
Dietrich is shocked by the ammount of treasure in sight, and stays there a while with mouth open and $$ in his eyes...
"¨%#¨%$, that´s something!"
Speaking with the party alone, he definitely votes for going after it. The treasure will give the party and our cause a big boost.
But Dietrich is a little worried about leaving the CIty right now. He´ll make arrengements, so that at least the club keeps going, with Arngrimm, Sharif and Leo taking care of day to day business. He´ll give them the appropriate ammount of cash to cover 2-3 months of expenses (ooc: how much?)
The knight says to the group:
"We really can´t miss this adventure, but we should decide if we´re going to help anyone´s bid for the throne, even if it´s just moral support. At least we should say to our supporters who is the favorite of the Dark Horse Guild and Defenders of Dirt City."
Theodore & Macaw Wednesday May 9th, 2007 2:33:52 PM
Theodore is more interested in the significance of the missing figurehead than the money, but he's also on board with tracking down the missing artifact.
"It sounds like fun, and we could use a little fun."
Dietrich raises legitimate concerns about leaving the City at such a critical time. "I'm also uncertain about leaving the City, but we might not have to. Maybe the figurehead is close by. If it's not, we can decide what the best course of action is then."
rose Wednesday May 9th, 2007 7:16:14 PM
rose is still busy making items. She does wish to hear about the figure head, but agrees that this is a bad time to leave the city.
Berlon Wednesday May 9th, 2007 8:36:21 PM
"As far as the Merchants go, on one hand it's very possible that they are simply taking our good deeds into consideration, and as unusual as it is when it comes to this city, perhaps we shouldn't look a gift monkey in the mouth."
"On the OTHER hand, I'm sure they have their own interests in mind, and I'm sure it's simply the bottom line."
Berlon is particularly interested when the Sage arrives. If he has a chance he will try to talk to the Sage and find out any personal information he can.
"I have a feeling I know where this figurehead might be..."
The Tale: Figureheadivly Speaking {SteveK} Wednesday May 9th, 2007 10:46:45 PM
The Sage spins a wall of words, and with frequent promptings by Seafoam, manages to stay more or less on topic. Bottom line is that the figurehead was last seen with the ship leaving for Alisidur. "Most have felt it was stolen by the priesthood of Ga'al, but where and how you found it, I feel another hypothesis is more likely. The time of year of it's disappearance is a month of storms, and the southern tip of Izen is treacherous. I think it more likely the ship was wreaked and the keel and figurehead separated."
Seafoam cuts off the sage. "We've sent one of our ships, the Rossa's Pride, to the swamp area to confirm our speculations. Rossa is an experienced Captain and a mage in his own right. If the figurehead is in the swamps or the waters below the cape, he will know. And then you can retrieve the object."
The Sage leaves immediately after with Seafoam, and Berlon doesn't get the chance to talk with him.
Dietrich sets up the club as quickly as possible, figuring a week would be sufficient to begin the Guild andlet it run on its own. One of the Prince's old warehouses a block off the Full Moon Market and in the backstab quarter look both cheap, defensible, and roomy enough for your needs (purchase and fixup cost 500gp without any supplies). There is another warehouse that is on the docks along the main street to the old Palace. A halfling family is willing to rent it for 100gp a month plus 200gp to fixup.
For the candidates for the throne, the Dark Horse Guild's contacts are almost universal in thier assessments. Even though things are getting more tense, it isn't at the boiling point yet. The candidates have been working to be the next Prince since Correll left, and that unless something breaks, the jostling will continue for a while.
Theodore & Macaw Thursday May 10th, 2007 11:13:56 AM
"So, I guess we wait, then," says Theodore. "If Rossa can find the figurehead, we go get it."
Theodore shrugs. "I guess I can always do some more studying. And now would be as good a time as any for you to borrow my spell books, Berlon."
Dietrich Thursday May 10th, 2007 11:41:43 AM
Dietrich listens to his friend and thinks that Berlon´s comment could be true too. Maybe the Merchants are really so greedy and immediatist as to regard the savings in money as more worth than their support for a candidacy for the throne.
The knight doesn´t like the mention of Aisildur, but we´ll see what happens. Anyway, as Theo said, we´ll have to wait for more information before we can go after the figurehead.
"I´d suggest for us to make our own research though. I´m sure Theo can find something about the ship in his master´s books and notices."
As to the club, although Dietrich would like to rent it from the Halflings (as this would increase their support in that community), he prefers to purchase it for 500 gp. He´ll pay for it from his own pockets and see fit that all legal procedures for the transmission of property are met.
Oni Thursday May 10th, 2007 12:55:03 PM
Oni volunteers to help Dietrich setting up the club. It will give oni the chance to see and live with city dwellers.
Vauhwyt d20+1=5 Thursday May 10th, 2007 1:13:35 PM
"Here's 250 gold for your club, Dietrich," says Vauhwyt. "It's a fine idea."
The liontaur seems content to follow this lead and seek out this Rossa. But the big news is that this very ship was seen leaving DC harbor. If so, who owned it then? Maybe someone else has a claim on this vessel. Does it have a name? Why has no one come forward to claim it?
Vauhwyt makes what inquiries she can. Untrained Gather Info is a 5.
But, as she tells her friends, it is really getting clear to her that the party needs an NPC henchman of some sort. A Bard or a Stinger. Someone who can make Gather Info rolls and who has lots of Know Local and who has a lot of Diplomacy and Bluff.
One way is for someone to take the Leadership Feat -- we could get this fellow as a cohort, and a few low-level type followers to staff the club.
Also, just because we are the Dark Horse Guild, that does not mean we can't have a black feather emblem. She takes just such a feather ...
"OW!" croaks Mookie.
... and weaves it into her mane.
"Anyone else want one?" she says.
Berlon Thursday May 10th, 2007 6:12:32 PM
"So the portents of Aisildur were true," Berlon mutters. He scratches his beard as if in deep thought. As an afterthought he reminds Vauhwyt, "Be careful, you don't know where that thing's been..."
Umbriel d20+12=28 d20+12=29 d20+12=32 d20+12=23 d20+12=23 Thursday May 10th, 2007 11:11:30 PM
Finally, Umbriel steps from the sidelines.
Why hire someone to gather your information when you have someone here who makes it part of his profession. Besides, by hiring someone in this town you never know who that person's real allegiance is to and whether the information he or she is bringing to you is the truth. So, with that said, I will check my contacts and see what I can find out about this ship and the mermaid figurehead.
Nodding to those still at the boat Umbriel heads off to the harbormaster first, then to the wharf bars and cathouses.
Removing 100gp from his purse for bribes and payoffs and for "special" bribes.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday May 10th, 2007 11:35:13 PM
Vauhwyt is delighted! "Umbriel! You are a person of unknown and wonderful talents! Excellent!"
"Um, by the way, of what exactly does your training consist?"
Vauhwyt herself explains that she is a fighter, rogue, and sorcerer in service to a remarkable lady. If asked about this lady, she simply asks that the conversation be postponed until she knows Umbriel a little better.
Vorelle Friday May 11th, 2007 12:45:02 AM
Vorelle watches Vauhwyt take a feather. "N-n-n-no, th-thank you," she says in response to the liontaur's offer. She doesn't think Vauhwyt is serious, but you never can tell with her.
Umbriel Friday May 11th, 2007 2:28:43 AM
Over his shoulder as he departs Vauhwyt hears: Survival.
Gethering Resources [SteveK] Friday May 11th, 2007 8:02:16 AM
ooc: sorry for the late post; computer issues.
With a weeks time, Dietrich becomes a property owner(500gp); he has bought a warehouse! Renovations are also beginning, starting with sweeping (a constant job) and sterilizing the building and sketching out where the salle and any offices or sleep rooms will go. The contract clearly states that he owns the land on the City Above, and doesn't cover any property Below. Through the streets of dark loam, the closest tunnel to the City Below is a block away in the Full Moon Market.
Dietrich and Oni help fic up the new hall.
Rose is able to complete her final seven days of planned activity.
The liontaur plucks a feather from Mookie's behind and offers a similar one as a symbol of the Dark Horse Guild. Mookie flutters indignantly out of reach, and Piper and Macaw both give Vauhwyt an old-fashoined look, but no one else has taken up the offer. Yet.
Vauhwyt suggests getting cohorts and hirelings for other jobs around the city, but Umbriel cautions against a hirelings true alliegances. The drow then reveals his own skills of gathering information and survival.
It takes Umbriel a good week to get what he can on the flatboat. This is mostly because his usual information contacts are completely dry when it comes to the boat. Going more into the Sage, Mage, and cleric of Wardd area, and bringing careful offers of money and counter-information, the dark elf is able to extract the following. - a magical flatboat with mermaid-and-coin figurehead that could change shape to a longboat and sailing ship docked and departed several times from 51 years ago to its last appearance 48 years ago. - it was seen twice moving by itself only as a longship. - Captain Nautalis, an independant, owned the ship, which he named "Waveflyer" - it disappeared 48 years ago in a storm while sailing towards Alisidur.
Umbriel Friday May 11th, 2007 9:41:53 AM
Heading back to the group after a weeks absence, Umbriel fills the group in on what he found. (read the DMs post) Hate to say this but looks like we'll be heading to the Alisidur area. Think a crew needs to be gotten for the boat. Someone we will be able to leave her with when the time comes. Perhaps this Jeraldh fellow of yours can help you with a good one.
Theodore & Macaw Friday May 11th, 2007 10:22:09 AM
Theodore giggles at the nasty look Macaw gives Vauhwyt. "Don't worry, Macaw. Your feathers are safe from me."
The raven gives his master an indignant look and flaps up to the mast.
"Captain Nautilus, huh?" Theodore muses. "Well, if it was his ship, the right thing to do would be to try and contact him, or his next of kin, and offer the ship back. It was his, after all. Did you find out any information about him, Umbriel?"
rose Friday May 11th, 2007 1:43:41 PM
rose is very busy, but she gives 100g for the warehouse to teach defense.
ooc 1: how long has rose been making stuff?
ooc 2: sorry for not posting yesterday had alot of doctors appointments.
Berlon Friday May 11th, 2007 4:06:16 PM
Berlon will offer a quick Detect Magic and Detect Evil on Dietrich's new property. "You never know. Plus," he adds looking around, "I can arrange some basic alarm systems if you need. I am sure we will garner new enemies once Theo is voted Prince."
He looks around some more, but not before adding, "Yes, yes, Theo, I know," to the mage, as if to deflect any protests.
"I seem to remember something about the Merchants wanting something done with Aisildur, or was it the mages? Something about spell component shortages?"
"Theo, should wecheck in with your master to see if he knows anything about lacking components? And then maybe we can check in with Neezer? We wouldn't want to make any unecessary trips, but if we're going to be there anyway..."
So, unless anyone objects, Berlon will go with whoever wants to come to check with Neezer, and, if Theo wants, accompany him to visit his teacher.
Dietrich d20+7=27 d20+4=8 Friday May 11th, 2007 5:42:55 PM
Dietrich is happy with the new property. He suggests for the 250 gp from Vauhwyt and the 100 gp from Rose to be put in the party treasure, to buy stuff when needed. The warrior uses his carpentry and masonry skills to repair any broken things in the warehouse and to strenghten weaker parts, prepare the training facilities etc.
Dietrich laughs at Mookies face and almost accepts Vauhwyt´s offer (only to watch Mookies reaction), but in the end prefers to stay without the feather.
Although Dietrich is a little worried about Umbriel already taking part in sensitive decisions and actions of the party, he´s delighted to have someone with his skills in the group! Dietrich trys to help Umbriel with his own contacts: Help other DC knowledge: 27 Help other diplomacy: 8 Adding a bonus to the Drow´s checks.
He too would like to know what exactly Umbriel does... He himself is a fighter with some rogue qualitys.
Finally, Dietrich agrees with Berlon about checking Theo´s master and hiring some hands with Jerald´s help.
Umbriel Friday May 11th, 2007 9:17:33 PM
/ooc Dietrich, the only way you can aid another is to actually be involved with them. He wouldnt take you to his contacts yet being, like you have been offish towards him, he feels the same towards most of you. Not until we have had a chance to get to know each other.
[DM SteveK] Umbriel's efforts into the history of Captain Nautalis seem to indicate that he was an independant, that he kept minimum contacts in Dirt City (a couple Teeth and a couple Wolves), no family, and no forwarding address.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+9=17 d20+9=22 Saturday May 12th, 2007 10:24:16 PM
Well, a week goes by.
Vauhwyt spends some time at the girls' apartment, making sure it is okay and tidy and A-OK.
She also spends a good amount of time at church.
She also spends time honing her skills at the WLA. If she runs into her friends Fidel or Captain Liam (IIRC), she asks what the story is with the Dragons' visit, and what has happened there.
OOC to DMs: Highlight to display spoiler: {Note that as Crescent Valley DM, I used Fidel as one WLA officer helping set up a WLA outpost in the CV -- because the CV is filled with hobbitses, like Fidel. Not to say he can't also pop up in DC, but I thought I'd mention it.}
Vauhwyt also spends some money on upkeep, fresh gear, etc.
More OOC to DMs: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt also would like some sacred poison, please. Of the poison list in the DMG, that means black adder venom (120 gp), medium spider venom (150 gp), or large scorpion venom (200 gp). Option one: Buy some MW tools and make some using her Craft skill -- hopefully she can get what she needs to make it from Church or Church contacts. Here are some craft rolls, including the +2 MW tools: 17 and 22! Option two: buy some from the Church or Church sources. I would expect to use it only in seeking revenge, BTW. I just figure I should have some if I need it.}
Oni Sunday May 13th, 2007 1:09:23 PM
Oni spends the majority of his free time at the training facility. {By the way, what we gonna call this place??? Dietrich???]
After the intial repairs are done Oni instructs all who want to listen on the art of using a long weapon. Since this is a training facility, Oni donates 100gp to get wooden 'fake' weapons to train. He also sets up a small archery range.
Wepons training was not all. The art of nature, the way life lives. Stories of animals and their interactions with other animals. Survival of the fittest the message every time.
Oni enjoyed teaching, it came natural, and he was surprised at how patient he was with the students. Maybe it was because training here was for defense and self knowledge, there was no impending doom.
Oni also makes forays into the southern forest to spend quality wilderness time with Sho'va. Their bond grew better each day.
Vorelle Monday May 14th, 2007 12:36:30 AM
Vorelle assists with converting the warehouse. She has no skill with carpentry or anything related to it, but she follows directions well.
LOG ON