A Paid Trip to Spellhold [D&D 4e]

[Voda Vosa]

As CLiff searches the room, and after giving his explanations to the minotaur, he finds what he was looking for. The scroll; small and in disrepair, it was hidden under Kumar's matress. He knows it is this one. It's full of writings Cliff can't understand. Frustration!

Meanwhile, the others assemble the new crew, and set sail towards the cursed island of Spellhold. The ill winds blow strangely today... Chizz and Taran can tell there's a storm approaching their way...

 

[Voda Vosa]

Bouler's Journal
[sblock=Asterion]
The journal is full of personal notes from Boulder, describing each of his days aboard the ship. Of interest are his writings about the dreams he had, even awake. He dreamed of being other persons, and strangely, they died at reaching the Amnian capital. His last entrances are the most interesting. Boulder describes the boarding of a ship of mages, whom Kumar slauthered, and took their stuff. Among their magical items, Boulder describes a disc, that calls powerfully his atention. He writes "Somehow, I think my destiny is tided to that disc in a way I can only describe as innate, primal. I think my destiny brought me to this disc somehow. I've dreamed with this before, but it's shape was covered in a bright light that didn't allowed me to see what it was. Kumar wishes to sell it to his mage friends in Alkathla, but I can't allow that; I'll steal it tonight, when the ship rests at the docks. Kumar has to wait 'till the morning to sell the disc; this'll give me the time I need to steal it."
Asterion also founds many paragraphs written about himself, as Boulder notes the many progresses of the minotaur in the forge, and how proud he was of his apprentice. The last written sentence of the journal is for him. "I might not return after tonight. Asterion, I know you'll be able to read this. I am sorry my apprentice, I'd have wished to free you from this cruel man, give you more than I was able to. If I get the disc, I'm sure I'll be able to defeat Kumar and free you and the others. I'm proud of you, and hope to see you son, Asterion."[/sblock]

 

[Durlak]

[sblock=OCC] Is it already the next day? Can I roll to know how much time we got until we hit the storm or if it's some way to avoid it?[/sblock]

 

[DistractingFlare]

Asterion and Cliff take a few moments to study Boulder's diary. With the book corroborating Cliff's dreams, Asterion seems convinced.

"I know not how this is possible, friend, but I am happy to know that the ember of my master's soul lingers still. Let us find out the nature of this disc, then. We shall unlock its secrets, and I pray, prevent further bloodshed."

Asterion bites back his tears when he reads Boulder's final words.

"He saw me as his son."

Asterion lifts his shield to his chest.

"I will make my father proud. What awaits us at Spellhold?"

 

[perrinmiller]

Kaedyn stands on deck, alone directing the former slaves in sailing the ship, contemplating the destination the minotaur had ordered. Alone with his thoughts, he considers this group that has assumed control of the ship. Not sure what to make of them he remains silent in his vigil or the sailing operations.

As the deck gently rises and falls with the swells and waves, he finds that he is just grateful enough that they haven't locked him up and are letting him roam free, Better to be ignored than imprisoned. I wonder where this ship is really headed and what their plans are when they get there. But I suppose it is better to mind my own business and just go along for the ride. At least I am not a slave.

He turns to the helmsman and says, "Oy there! Wind shifted two points, correct our course a little more to starboard." He orders a second seaman, "Bring in that sheet and trim her up again!"

<<OOC: Out of curiosity, is there a rough position that we are at on a Faerun Atlas?>>
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Kaedyn Thorngood Char Sheet

 

[Durlak]

[sblock=OCC] Taran rolls Nature, and Perception (1d20+13=23, 1d20+13=23) to see from where the storm is coming.[/sblock]

 

[Velmont]

"We don't know, and that's precisely we are going there. The wizards couldn't even scry that place. It is an old prison and is now surrounded by some kind of anti-magic shell." replies Cliff.

"You and your crew are not forced to come, you know. As far as we know, we might just get killed by an overwhelming foe, and the wizards will just send more experienced people over to do the unfinished work."

 

[Pyrex]

Up on deck with Kaedyn, Lochlan leans on the rail, staring out over the stormy waters with a pensive look on his face. His father's murder had been avenged, but seeing his murderer slip beneath the waves had not only not brought him peace but had left him somewhat without purpose. Just as well, he mused, he could do worse than assisting his new shipmates with their mission to Spellhold. If nothing else he owed them for their help dispatching the assassin.

Looking up to where he's shouting orders, Lochlan questions Kaedyn. "How do you make our time to port? I'd be plenty happy to have solid ground beneath my feet again."

 

[perrinmiller]

Kaedyn replies, "Not really sure, as I am not much for navigation, just basic seamanship. But with the wind freshening, my guess might not even matter." The man looks to skies and wonders about the weather with some concern.

<<OOC: I have a rough location on the atlas, but I wasn't able to find Spellhold or the Isle of Brynnlaw exactly. But it doesn't really matter, to answer Lochlan's question I would just need a rough estimate in days sailing before we arrive given normal weather.>>
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Kaedyn Thorngood Char Sheet

 

[Voda Vosa]

As the mood in the ship settles down, and the now freemen carry on the labours aboard, Chizz and Taran notice the formation of storm clouds behind them, obscuring the bright full-moon that shined in the sky.

Taran can roughly make out the direction and the intensity of the storm from his observations. The storm clouds come from inland apparently, and towards the open sea. The elf says that if they can't manage to avoid it, they'll end up in high sea, weeks away from spellhold; if they are lucky. The other outcome looking more grim. From the navigation notes, Kaedyn and Chizz are able to tell they are only one day or two away from Spellhold.

As the druid finishes explaining, a gentle breeze turns into a bothering wind, which was enough to put everyone on their toes.
Without any real authority to command them, the former slaves decide that Chizz, Kaedyn and Asterion should lead the ship in this storm. It would be a couple of hours until the storm reach the ship, and so, the heroes are deprived from their deserved rest.

GM: Well: This is a skill challenge. As the storm rages over the ship, you'll need to make use of your skill to prevent damage to the ship, save falling comrades, be able to determine how did the storm altered the course, deploy or not the seals, etc. Each round of storm I'll pose a few complications that need solving, if you manage to solv most of them, you pass, if not, well I think you can make the picture =) Any questions?