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"They Rode to Perdition" starring Arcade's Gang (D&D/Boot Hill)
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2116151" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 78, “Frolicking”, February 17th, 1882: 1:30 A.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>To avoid drawing undue attention to the elephant Louie had been sent out to ‘borrow’ some sheets and blankets to cover over the sleeping Jumbo. They then cover over the bed lines with loose hay to make it appear to be a haystack. They had been stopped for well over an hour when the distant shape of a ship is seen coming up the Thames River. </p><p></p><p>The 230-foot-long steam ship comes into view, moving slowly and cautiously up the river. It has two funnels, two schooner-rigged masts and large paddlewheels on both sides. It is currently running without any lights although the moon provides ample illumination. The party waves it down and uncovers the elephant. The ship comes to a halt and anchors are dropped. Several men climb onto a dingy pulled behind the ship, which is rowed over to shore, pulling behind it a thick rope tied to the side of the ship. </p><p></p><p>They reach the shore and four sailors secure the boat while a rotund swarthy man with a long dark scraggly beard climbs out and approaches the group. He introduces himself as Paolo Vitalio, First Mate of the steamship Advance. Introductions are made as the sailors set up a three-sided ten along the shores with the open side facing the water. Meanwhile, to large steel doors set on the side of the ship back from the paddlewheel are opened. </p><p></p><p>Sailors on the ship begin sliding and dropping out of the ship’s hold several twelve-foot-square pontoons fastened together with thick ropes. The ropes go through the floats a foot from the top and side of each pontoon. The first pontoon is attached to the rope pulled ashore by the rowboat and the four sailors start to pull them across. Hank, Sam, Louie, Qualtaqa, Angus and Arcade all pitch in and help haul them across. </p><p></p><p>When they are finished there are ten pontoon making a bridge out to the boat, however the river current is causing them to rock about and there is around a foot of empty space between each pontoon so Morgana questions how Jumbo will be able to safely cross. “That’s my job,” Paolo states. He puts on a pair of rubber gloves and then stands inside the tent and takes the end of the two ropes from the first pontoon. He then begins to cast a spell. </p><p></p><p>His hands start to glow and electricity begins to spark from his fingers. The ropes then change their consistency from hemp to steel cables and then steel rods, making the bridge to the ship solid and straight. Sailors from the ship then head out with twelve-foot-long and one-foot wide wooden planks, placing them atop the rods between the pontoons. One of the sailors on shore tells the party “Hurry, we need to get the animal onto the ship.”</p><p></p><p>Morgana wakes up Jumbo and then casts a Speak with Animals spell onto Jumbo to help prompt him into crossing the bridge. Scott takes some flowers that he had picked the previous hour and starts feeding them to Jumbo, luring him out onto the bridge. They soon cross over. Back on shore the spell is ended and the rods soon become ropes again. The crew on the ship quickly pulls the pontoons back while the sailors on shore take down the tent and row back to the ship with a now exhausted First Mate. </p><p></p><p>Inside the ship Scott helps fasten Jumbo to some large chains and elephant sized manacles in the center of the ship’s hold that are fastened into the floor. Arcade says, “Must be to keep the weight steady and balanced. Paolo says, “And to keep him from eating all the hay.” Only noticing a half-dozen pallets of hay bales Morgana comments, “This won’t last long.” The First Mate replies, “We are picking up more tomorrow.” He invites the group to follow him topside. </p><p></p><p>They approach Captain Wilkinson who says, “Welcome to the Advance”. He turns to Jumbo’s trainer and asks, “Mr. Scott, is the animal secured?” In an imitation of a James Doohan voice a player replies, “Aye Captain, there be elephants here.” Anchors and pulled up and the ship resumes its course. They have to travel forward a quarter mile to a wider section of the river allowing them enough space to turn the ship around. This takes time and several constables on shore arrive and start blowing whistles. </p><p></p><p>The ship then begins a mad dash back down the Thames. On the ride up Wilkinson had made multiple notations to his nautical charts of the river and significantly increases his speed. With both paddlewheels turning full force and a full head of steam the ship quickly reaches the English Channel. </p><p></p><p>Wilkinson continues to sail out into the channel as fast as possible, having his crew raise the sails as well to catch the early morning breeze and add extra propulsion. By the time the sun rises over the eastern horizon they are no longer within sight of land. A United States flag is then run up the flagpole and the First Mate tells the Captain “The American name is back on.” The Captain tells them, “You are now on the Frolic.” </p><p></p><p>Wilkinson invites the crew to join him for breakfast in the Captain’s lounge. Several baskets of breads, jams, fruits and dried meats await them along with a honey-mead to wash them down. </p><p></p><p>While they eat Wilkinson tells them the history of the ship. “It was originally built at the Caird and Company shipyards in Greenock, Scotland. Launched on July 3rd, 1862, she was purchased by the State of North Carolina and crossed the Atlantic under where she joined the Confederate Navy as a blockade-runner under the name Advance. For the next two years she successfully eluded over forty Union vessels on a total of twenty blockade runs. </p><p></p><p>She was captured in September 1864 and purchased by the United States Navy who re-commissioned her as the USS Advance, who ironically then used her to attack the North Carolina coast. After the war she was re-commissioned as the USS Frolic and stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. She next patrolled the North Atlantic fishing grounds and was then pressed into service by the Navy in South American waters. She was decommissioned in October of 1877, the same year I published my book, and I purchased her last year with the earnings from my book. She is a fine ship with a lot of surprises. I operate her with a crew of twenty. When flying the American flag I use the name that she was sold to be as, the Frolic, but to me she will always be the Confederate Naval Ship Advance.” </p><p></p><p>Following the meal the group are shown to their quarters, which are rather small and cramped. Having been up all night, they all quickly fall asleep. They awaken mid to late afternoon and see that they are sailing west. Wilkinson tells them that they are traveling parallel the cost and just out of sight of land. Louie complains about the wet misty weather. </p><p></p><p>February 18, 1882:</p><p></p><p>At dawn the Frolic sails into the English port of Plymouth, England. Waiting for them along the dock are thirty pallets of hay bales, which are loaded into the hold out of reach of Jumbo. Wilkinson checks all of the paperwork and the ship sets sail again mid-morning. </p><p></p><p>Once at sea Wilkinson talks to Scott, Arcade and Morgana about the possibility of Jumbo charging at pallets of hay along the sides of the hold just outside of reach of Jumbo. Scott assures him that Jumbo is well behaved and would not do that. Wilkinson says, “No, you do not understand. I want you to train him to do that. Meet me with the rest of your group in my lounge and I will explain why.</p><p></p><p>Once assembled in the lounge Wilkinson tells them, “Back during the Civil War this ship was successfully used to bring contraband through the blockades at considerable risk but also considerable profit due to the scarcity of the cargo. This ship was constructed for just that purpose. I have continued to carry out that tradition.” The group exchange glances trying to deduce what he just told them. Angus says, “So, are you saying that you are a smuggler?”</p><p></p><p>The old Captain smiles and says, “Exactly. I had missed the excitement of that life and wished to return to it. The restrictions within the United States and other anti-wizard magic nations has created an underground economy for wizard magics and certain spell components used with wizard magics. The opposite is also true, as with anti-clerical magic nations restricting items and components used for that. This in turn has made a lucrative market for my unique talents to tap.”</p><p></p><p>Arcade asks, “So, what are you smuggling now and where are we going?” He replies, “At the moment the only cargo on this ship are bales of hay and one large elephant, all of which I have official paperwork for. </p><p></p><p>Within the next two days I will be changing direction and head into the Azores, which are a colony of the pro-wizard county of Portugal. There I will off load half of this hay and replace it with pallets containing hay bales on the outer sides and wizard-magic contraband in the center. The most precious of these will be in four pallets, which will rest two to either side of Jumbo. If any inspectors decide to investigate those I wish to have the elephant charge towards them, which should prevent thorough inspections of them.”</p><p></p><p>Hank asks, “So are we actually going to Galveston?” Wilkinson says, “Absolutely, it is our official destination. But first I plan to make three unscheduled stops in the United States, in places that support large Spanish and French populations who have difficulty getting the items that we are picking up.” “Where?” Morgana asks. He replies, “Locations near Key West, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana and finally near Galveston, Texas.” </p><p></p><p>“So, that’s why you really needed us as guards?” Louie asks. Wilkinson replies, “Yes, that is the main thing Barnum is paying you for. He needs you to get his cargo there safely, and it won’t if the English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek or Italian Navies commandeers this ship. We might also run into trouble from the United States Navy or local authories at any of the three unoffical stops. There’s also the remote possibility of being attacked by pirates, as their type still prowls the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.” The party is surprised by these revelations but do not appear to be overly concerned. “Should make for an interesting cruise,” Arcade comments.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2116151, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 78, “Frolicking”, February 17th, 1882: 1:30 A.M.[/B] To avoid drawing undue attention to the elephant Louie had been sent out to ‘borrow’ some sheets and blankets to cover over the sleeping Jumbo. They then cover over the bed lines with loose hay to make it appear to be a haystack. They had been stopped for well over an hour when the distant shape of a ship is seen coming up the Thames River. The 230-foot-long steam ship comes into view, moving slowly and cautiously up the river. It has two funnels, two schooner-rigged masts and large paddlewheels on both sides. It is currently running without any lights although the moon provides ample illumination. The party waves it down and uncovers the elephant. The ship comes to a halt and anchors are dropped. Several men climb onto a dingy pulled behind the ship, which is rowed over to shore, pulling behind it a thick rope tied to the side of the ship. They reach the shore and four sailors secure the boat while a rotund swarthy man with a long dark scraggly beard climbs out and approaches the group. He introduces himself as Paolo Vitalio, First Mate of the steamship Advance. Introductions are made as the sailors set up a three-sided ten along the shores with the open side facing the water. Meanwhile, to large steel doors set on the side of the ship back from the paddlewheel are opened. Sailors on the ship begin sliding and dropping out of the ship’s hold several twelve-foot-square pontoons fastened together with thick ropes. The ropes go through the floats a foot from the top and side of each pontoon. The first pontoon is attached to the rope pulled ashore by the rowboat and the four sailors start to pull them across. Hank, Sam, Louie, Qualtaqa, Angus and Arcade all pitch in and help haul them across. When they are finished there are ten pontoon making a bridge out to the boat, however the river current is causing them to rock about and there is around a foot of empty space between each pontoon so Morgana questions how Jumbo will be able to safely cross. “That’s my job,” Paolo states. He puts on a pair of rubber gloves and then stands inside the tent and takes the end of the two ropes from the first pontoon. He then begins to cast a spell. His hands start to glow and electricity begins to spark from his fingers. The ropes then change their consistency from hemp to steel cables and then steel rods, making the bridge to the ship solid and straight. Sailors from the ship then head out with twelve-foot-long and one-foot wide wooden planks, placing them atop the rods between the pontoons. One of the sailors on shore tells the party “Hurry, we need to get the animal onto the ship.” Morgana wakes up Jumbo and then casts a Speak with Animals spell onto Jumbo to help prompt him into crossing the bridge. Scott takes some flowers that he had picked the previous hour and starts feeding them to Jumbo, luring him out onto the bridge. They soon cross over. Back on shore the spell is ended and the rods soon become ropes again. The crew on the ship quickly pulls the pontoons back while the sailors on shore take down the tent and row back to the ship with a now exhausted First Mate. Inside the ship Scott helps fasten Jumbo to some large chains and elephant sized manacles in the center of the ship’s hold that are fastened into the floor. Arcade says, “Must be to keep the weight steady and balanced. Paolo says, “And to keep him from eating all the hay.” Only noticing a half-dozen pallets of hay bales Morgana comments, “This won’t last long.” The First Mate replies, “We are picking up more tomorrow.” He invites the group to follow him topside. They approach Captain Wilkinson who says, “Welcome to the Advance”. He turns to Jumbo’s trainer and asks, “Mr. Scott, is the animal secured?” In an imitation of a James Doohan voice a player replies, “Aye Captain, there be elephants here.” Anchors and pulled up and the ship resumes its course. They have to travel forward a quarter mile to a wider section of the river allowing them enough space to turn the ship around. This takes time and several constables on shore arrive and start blowing whistles. The ship then begins a mad dash back down the Thames. On the ride up Wilkinson had made multiple notations to his nautical charts of the river and significantly increases his speed. With both paddlewheels turning full force and a full head of steam the ship quickly reaches the English Channel. Wilkinson continues to sail out into the channel as fast as possible, having his crew raise the sails as well to catch the early morning breeze and add extra propulsion. By the time the sun rises over the eastern horizon they are no longer within sight of land. A United States flag is then run up the flagpole and the First Mate tells the Captain “The American name is back on.” The Captain tells them, “You are now on the Frolic.” Wilkinson invites the crew to join him for breakfast in the Captain’s lounge. Several baskets of breads, jams, fruits and dried meats await them along with a honey-mead to wash them down. While they eat Wilkinson tells them the history of the ship. “It was originally built at the Caird and Company shipyards in Greenock, Scotland. Launched on July 3rd, 1862, she was purchased by the State of North Carolina and crossed the Atlantic under where she joined the Confederate Navy as a blockade-runner under the name Advance. For the next two years she successfully eluded over forty Union vessels on a total of twenty blockade runs. She was captured in September 1864 and purchased by the United States Navy who re-commissioned her as the USS Advance, who ironically then used her to attack the North Carolina coast. After the war she was re-commissioned as the USS Frolic and stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. She next patrolled the North Atlantic fishing grounds and was then pressed into service by the Navy in South American waters. She was decommissioned in October of 1877, the same year I published my book, and I purchased her last year with the earnings from my book. She is a fine ship with a lot of surprises. I operate her with a crew of twenty. When flying the American flag I use the name that she was sold to be as, the Frolic, but to me she will always be the Confederate Naval Ship Advance.” Following the meal the group are shown to their quarters, which are rather small and cramped. Having been up all night, they all quickly fall asleep. They awaken mid to late afternoon and see that they are sailing west. Wilkinson tells them that they are traveling parallel the cost and just out of sight of land. Louie complains about the wet misty weather. February 18, 1882: At dawn the Frolic sails into the English port of Plymouth, England. Waiting for them along the dock are thirty pallets of hay bales, which are loaded into the hold out of reach of Jumbo. Wilkinson checks all of the paperwork and the ship sets sail again mid-morning. Once at sea Wilkinson talks to Scott, Arcade and Morgana about the possibility of Jumbo charging at pallets of hay along the sides of the hold just outside of reach of Jumbo. Scott assures him that Jumbo is well behaved and would not do that. Wilkinson says, “No, you do not understand. I want you to train him to do that. Meet me with the rest of your group in my lounge and I will explain why. Once assembled in the lounge Wilkinson tells them, “Back during the Civil War this ship was successfully used to bring contraband through the blockades at considerable risk but also considerable profit due to the scarcity of the cargo. This ship was constructed for just that purpose. I have continued to carry out that tradition.” The group exchange glances trying to deduce what he just told them. Angus says, “So, are you saying that you are a smuggler?” The old Captain smiles and says, “Exactly. I had missed the excitement of that life and wished to return to it. The restrictions within the United States and other anti-wizard magic nations has created an underground economy for wizard magics and certain spell components used with wizard magics. The opposite is also true, as with anti-clerical magic nations restricting items and components used for that. This in turn has made a lucrative market for my unique talents to tap.” Arcade asks, “So, what are you smuggling now and where are we going?” He replies, “At the moment the only cargo on this ship are bales of hay and one large elephant, all of which I have official paperwork for. Within the next two days I will be changing direction and head into the Azores, which are a colony of the pro-wizard county of Portugal. There I will off load half of this hay and replace it with pallets containing hay bales on the outer sides and wizard-magic contraband in the center. The most precious of these will be in four pallets, which will rest two to either side of Jumbo. If any inspectors decide to investigate those I wish to have the elephant charge towards them, which should prevent thorough inspections of them.” Hank asks, “So are we actually going to Galveston?” Wilkinson says, “Absolutely, it is our official destination. But first I plan to make three unscheduled stops in the United States, in places that support large Spanish and French populations who have difficulty getting the items that we are picking up.” “Where?” Morgana asks. He replies, “Locations near Key West, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana and finally near Galveston, Texas.” “So, that’s why you really needed us as guards?” Louie asks. Wilkinson replies, “Yes, that is the main thing Barnum is paying you for. He needs you to get his cargo there safely, and it won’t if the English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek or Italian Navies commandeers this ship. We might also run into trouble from the United States Navy or local authories at any of the three unoffical stops. There’s also the remote possibility of being attacked by pirates, as their type still prowls the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.” The party is surprised by these revelations but do not appear to be overly concerned. “Should make for an interesting cruise,” Arcade comments. [/QUOTE]
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"They Rode to Perdition" starring Arcade's Gang (D&D/Boot Hill)
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