A Warlock Alone, Island Empire solo game

[J. Alexander]

Crew for the Retribution

Michael will interview the all and be polite to all but will settle on the ones that felt right. They are as follows. He will draw up the letters of appointment for each seamen as a member of the ship "Retribution" and outlining the terms and conditions he mentioned a the sailing hall. He will make three copies for each person named to the crew. When they sign their letter or make their mark he will open up the strongbox and count out two months wages for the respective positions. He will then instruct them to collect their sea chests and have the aboard the ship by nightfall, but if they need another day to collect their belongings it will be acceptable. He will then state, that work will start upon the overhauling of the ship tomorrow. Further he will ask each crew member if they may know of someone else who might be intersted as the ship is still short a Master Carpenter, a Sailing Master, a healer and 7 sailors. He will then let them go about their tasks but tells them before he dismisses him, that should they have any outstanding dues to the hiring hall, or general outstanding debits, he is willing to pay the dues to the hiring hall outright or in the case of outstanding debits to offer an advancement on their contracted wages.

When the crew leave, Michael will then talk to the two officers and inquire as to their sailing background and past. If one clearly has the advantage of experience he will be named First Officer and the other 3rd Officer. Guiesspiess and Gronds position in regards to the crew and table of ranks will be made known to them and Michael will ask them to accept the conditions that Grumbar accepted.

After the officers, Michael will interview Chandar Sweetwater to get a feel for his background and experince. If the impression is right, he will be named the Marine Officer and will draw pay equivialnt to that of the first officer. Should they strike it off, Michael will ask if he knows of any other potiential sailors or marines to help crew the ship and will briefly mention (just to get his reaction) if He (Sweetwater) could help Michael find enough stought Marines/Mercaniers for a one time hire to raid a Shark Man Tribal outpost.

Michael will then discuss with Grumbar the provisioning of the ship, and ask that he get started right away doing it as they may be serving a first meal tonight.

Next MIchael will confirm the appointment with the Dye Merchant for tomorrow afternoon and with the Cigar Merchant for 3is that afternoon. The rest of the time up until 2 pm will be spent copying the documents signed by the new crew, having them propperly witnessed by the port notary.

RETRIBUTION"S CURRENT CREW
Marines - Chandar Sweetwater (lizardman) 1 dwarf 3 Lizardmen
Cook - Grumbar (dwarf)
Cooks Helpers Young human and one Toad man
Officer - Lo'dasse Imparell (toadman)
Officer - Harris Mangram (human)
Sailors - 5 (toadmen) 2 (human) 2 (Lizardmen)

OCC: Shall we go to the cigar Merchant?

 

[Scotley]

Taking on a Crew

Chandar has some experience with the local militia. During the worst of the plague years the island was overrun with undead and other horrors disfigured by the plague and lawlessness was the rule outside a few enclaves. He has a strong sense of honor and duty to his people. Something has obviously happened to make him want to leave a people that he has served valiantly for some years. The Blackscale Lizardmen are sort of noble warriors and rare. He doesn't elaborate on why he wants to leave. He strikes you as very capable and while modest you suspect he has survived some tough encounters and has been a leader.

He says that he has contacts in the militia and could round up perhaps 20 able warriors for a one time raid, but he doesn't think they would be interested in long term service. He notes that the Sahaugin and their shark allies will be tough foes on their home turf.

 

[Scotley]

Merchants

During the interview a couple of crates of cooking supplies arrive and are taken below as is a considerable stock of fresh and preserved food.

At three Michael arrives at the cigar merchant's office. It is a couple of miles out in the swamp. He sends a flat bottomed skif with two toad men to pole you out. The skiff has a small enclosure of mosquito netting which you find you need in order to make the trip. The thick warty hide of the toad men seems impervious to the bugs. The heat and humidity are oppressive to say the least.

Soon you arrive at a small island in the swamps where open drying sheds, a large building and a couple of small houses rest. As you approached you began to notice small tufts of tabacco plants growing. You are led to one of the houses which is the merchant's office. The little building has a large tile roof that shades the broad porches. You are taken to an upstairs balcony on the north side of the building that is protected by screens. A young toad man just outside sits on a strange seat pushing a set pair of alternating planks down, as one goes down the other goes up. Once inside the sheltered porch the purpose is clear. The young man is powering a pair of slow moving fans that provide some relief from the heat. A chilled pitcher of mild fruity wine punch awaits you. A toad man in a formal jacket brings in a silver tray holding a selection of cigars in different sizes and some loose tobacco. The toad man tells you that Mister Boudreau will be with you shortly.

 

[J. Alexander]

Chandar and the Cigar Merchant

MIchale will think Chandar for the information, and offer him the position of Marine Officer aboard the ship. He will then say "It is something for us to consider, perhaps we shall discuss it when we have a full compliment of officers as it would be putting everyone into harms way for no guaranteed profit, therefore it must be discussed. On that note Lieutainat Chandar, I run a free ship in that anyone who has a problem is welcome to discuss it with me without fear of reprisial or they can approach any offcier to air a grieviance without fear of reprisial from any other officer but I will tolerate no insubordination, theft, drunkeness or betrayl aboard this ship. Should such occur, you will be called upon to deal with it in a quick and perhaps harsh manner. Can you live with that sir?"

"Also as the Marine Officer, you will be responsible for the equipping of the marines and the stocking of the armory. I had intended to name Grond as my Armsmaster, but if you would like that position and to lead the traiing of the crew etc, I am sure we can compesate you for the additional responsiblities" " Please take inventory of what we have and what we need so that we may start acqurining those itmes you deem necessary for ships defense?



Michael will accept some of the fruit punch and will view the operatios from his location, observing the types of employees etc........otherwise he will just wait.

 

[Scotley]

Discussion with Chandar

"I must tell you that my experience with ships is limited. I will be much better training the Marines. I would suggest you let someone more experienced prepare the sailors to help defend the ship and arm it. I can come up with arms for the Marines and train them to fight bravely. During the plague years I learned the value of disciplen and loyalty. I will despense justice and punishment if you so order."

 

[Scotley]

Meeting with the Merchant

Michael samples the punch and finds it only fair--the wine inferior, the mix to sweet and perhaps a bit too watery, but at least it offers some relief from the heat. There is work going on all around. In one of the smaller huts they are weaving containers for the cigars from some sort of leaves. Tobacco is hanging to dry and in other places being carefully rolled. A couple of fierce looking Orcs and Lizard men seem to be in charge. While you see no mistreatment you suspect that that Toad men working the plantation are strongly encouraged to work hard. Soon a smiling man in a white tunic enters the balcony. He extends a hand and says, "Mr. Storm, so good of you to come, welcome to my plantation." He guestures to a seat. "Please sit down and tell me what I can do for you today. I had one of my men prepare some samples of our wares."

 

[Scotley]

A crew for the Retribution

Harris Mangram has considerably more experience in ocean craft than Lo'dasse Imparell.

 

[J. Alexander]

Discussion with Chandar

"Well let's hope it never comes to us having to enforce disclipine, I have found that there are never any real winners in such cicrumstances. Arm your marines as you think best, I would prefer you emphasis be on the defense of this ship, but there may also be need for you to arm and train them as an advance strike team. If it is possible, recruit two other Lizardman for your first squad and then will we work on recruiting you a second squad in time of humans and others. I ask that the other two be of your own folk so as to allow you to train and function as an aquatic strike team if necessary and for no other reason. When you start your training, review them with a critical eye, and once you are able to determine who is worth, name them your second with the corresponding increase in salary."

When you find the equipment you need, tell Grond or myself and we will get you the necessary funds. Do you have any questions?

 

[J. Alexander]

Crew for the Retribution

After the interview with the two officers, Michael will take about 30 minutes to reflect on the merits of each and call them into his office. "I have decided that Mr. Mangram will be our first officer, while you will be our third officer" "Do any of you gentlmen have a problem with this or with Mr. Guiesspee serving as this ships 2nd Officer?

 

[J. Alexander]

Cigar Merchat

Nice to meet you also sir. And i must apoligize for the abrupt request to meet you so soon, but I fear my time is limited here so wished to stike while the Iron is hot, so to speak. I find myself intersted in your wares thru the courtsey of Gaston Moreu who allowed me to sample one of your cigars last night aftre an agreeable dinner and then was again generous enought to allow me one more to enjoy on my evening stroll. So to make a long story short, I am intersted in purchasing some of your product for both my personal use and to use to trade for other merchandise as I move northward. I do belive that such wares as you have to offer will turn a considerable profit the further north I go. That is if i can convince you to allow me to purchase your excellent product?