A Warlock Alone, Island Empire solo game

[Scotley]

"Very well Captain. I will pursue mail, but some of the men will be uncomfortable wearing such weighty armor on ship. Almost all armored sailors wear cork and canvas, as do most marines. Our amphibious Marines should be able to survive falling into the sea in heavier armor, but the others will be in grave danger."

 

[J. Alexander]

The Refit

"I know Col. but it is a trade off..to date we have been in stand up fights and we need all the protection we can get. I know that will change in the future so perhaps we can look into a combination of light and heavy squads the only real difference being the cork and canvas armor or the chaimail. I just feel we will run into less trouble in the long run especaily on shore calls with chain mail..but yes while at sea we should have cork and canvas for routine wear."

 

[Scotley]

"Very good Captain. I'll see what I can find." He soon leaves the ship. Fa'Duatha comes on deck to sun herself in her husband's absense. This seems to be a popular passtime for all the amphibians when off duty. Michael soon notes a steady stream of baskets going and coming. A small group of sailors carefully inspects each returning basket of laundry before it is allowed within 20' of the ship. It seem Imparell has met with some success. Gumbar returns looking very full and somewhat flushed from drinking wine. He smiles up at Michael as he makes his way aboard and gives a 'thumbs up' gesture suggesting that he too has met with success. Late in the afternoon a pair of dwarves, one old and one young, in the livery of Clan McKay come asking to see Michael privately.

 

[J. Alexander]

Meetings

Michael will smile at all the goings on and fresh laundry as they arrive and the sailors attitude towards them. When the dwarves arrive, Michael will leave his perch on the quarterdeck and personaly meet them on the main deck.

 

[Scotley]

OOC: Sorry, no time to do justice to this one. Have to post tomorrow.

 

[Scotley]

The two dwarves introduce themselves and a messenger and the chief Herald of Clan McKay. They ask for a moment to deliver a letter and then have a few words with you. The messenger provides the letter.

It is from the young Dwarf who challenged you:

Captain Stormwarden,

Consider this letter and apology to you and your fine crew. It also represents a formal withdrawal of all charges I levied against you and my challenge. I find that I have contracted a rare illness which has greatly affected my temperament and judgement. At the direction of the Bishop, I will be leaving Oddessapolis immediately for the Holy Shrine of the Church of Heaven for extended treatment and recovery. I sorry that I was unable to come to you personally to resend my charges and challenge. My current mental infirmity makes that quite impossible. My actions were rash, ill-considered and without merit. I have dispatched the Herald of Clan McKay to arrange any restitution that you might require for the insult I have given to you and your crew. Again I extend my most humble apologies to you and your crew. Formal notice the withdrawn challenge and charges has been sent to the proper authorities and is a matter of public record.

The scrawled signature at the bottom of the letter is clearly not in the same hand as the rest of the letter. However, the young Dwarf's name is neatly printed and his personal seal is affixed.

The Herald looks up at Michael expectantly. "Captain is there somewhere private we could discuss terms?"

 

[J. Alexander]

Dwarves

"Certainly, please follow me" Michael will then lead them to his cabin and ask that refreshements be brought to them. Once they are in private Michael will say "I think i can save us a lot of time" Smiling he says "It is not his fault that he acted like he did, I i would be remiss in holding him to account, I myself only bareley escaped a similar illness thru the quick actions of my ship's singer. I hold the young dwarf and Clan McKay blameless in the matter and seek nothing more than what has already been freeely given"...then he adds "It is it not to difficult or if it si not prohibited I would like to hear the story of how things played out since my meeting"

 

[J. Alexander]

Letters

25th day of Sunstime
Aboard the Retribution
Port of Odessipolis

To: Captain Honager Marin
Marin and Son
Port of Cambry

Dear Captain Marin,

Events from the masque still continue to unfold and it is with deep concern and regret that I must report that I have failed to find any trace of your son to date. It apperas as if there were numerous indiviudals who fell under control of our foes and who have been sent back to their homes in order to cause confusion and havoc. If you hear reports of someone acting outside of their normal charcter or personailty then it may be they are acting under the influnece of a foreing agent. Should something like that come to your attention, invesitage it and find if they have developed a new acquitance or best friend as this appears to be their operational pattern. I will be delaye here some three weeks in order to refit my ship which was severly damaged thru one of this taken by our foe. I trust this finds you well and I will continue to send status reports.

Respectfully submitted
M. Storm
(via the messeage logbook)



25th day of Sunstime
Aboard the Retribution
Port of Odessipolis

To: Captain Iago
The Judith D
Port of Tergere


Dear Captain Iago

I hope this letter finds you well and that the repairs are coming along on your ship. I take pen in hand to inform you of a potiential market for your cargo. I have disposed of the salt and spices I purchased from you in the Port of Odessipolis to Madame Butterflake. She runs a large warehousing operation and may well be interested in your remaing cargo. Best of luck to you and I look forward to our continued assosication.

Respectfully

M. Strom
(via the logbook to Pandar' Losin)


25th day of Sunstime
Aboard the Retribution
Port of Odessipolis

To: Matthew Stormwarden

Dearest Uncle

It is with great joy and pride that i can inform you that fortune has smiled upon me and my little crew. Storm and Company is now the outright owner of 4 fine vessels and several fine cargo's. My earlier letter to you offering a chance for variouis family members to buy is still stands and my request for additionaly family and close friends to help me man the little fleet is now needed more than ever. I trust this finds you and the famil well.

Respectfully

M. Storm

 

[J. Alexander]

Letters 2

25th day of Sunstime
Aboard the Retribution
Port of Odessipolis

To: Vitorria Latzarri
Captain
Donna e Ciest

Dear Captain Latazzari

It was a heavy heart that I take pen in hand and inform you of yet another event that relates to the Masque of the Golden Grotto. While visiting the Port of Odessipolis, it came to our attention that several of the younger dwarves who had attended the Masque had returned home apparently in good health. Upon their return it was obeserved that their behavior and personality had changed and that they were creating problems for everyone. Investigating the problem it was discovered that they had returned to their home with a new friend and that their mental state had be unblalaced. Should you encounter similar circumstances or patterns of behavior please infom the local bishop and perhaps he can deal with the matter. I trust this finds you and your lady wife well.

Respectfully

M. Storm


25th day of Sunstime
Aboard the Retribution
Port of Odessipolis

To: Turgolon Bey
Druid and Page to the High Grove
Dear. Bey
It was a heavy heart that I take pen in hand and inform you of yet another event that relates to the Masque of the Golden Grotto. While visiting the Port of Odessipolis, it came to our attention that several of the younger dwarves who had attended the Masque had returned home apparently in good health. Upon their return it was obeserved that their behavior and personality had changed and that they were creating problems for everyone. Investigating the problem it was discovered that they had returned to their home with a new friend and that their mental state had be unblalaced. Should you encounter similar circumstances or patterns of behavior please infom the local bishop and perhaps he can deal with the matter. I trust this letter finds you well.

Respectfully

M. Storm


25th day of Sunstime
Aboard the Retribution
Port of Odessipolis

To: Dom Argosta Tullian
The Western Reach

My Lord Tullian

It was a heavy heart that I take pen in hand and inform you of yet another event that relates to the Masque of the Golden Grotto. While visiting the Port of Odessipolis, it came to our attention that several of the younger dwarves who had attended the Masque had returned home apparently in good health. Upon their return it was obeserved that their behavior and personality had changed and that they were creating problems for everyone. Investigating the problem it was discovered that they had returned to their home with a new friend and that their mental state had be unblalaced. Should you encounter similar circumstances or patterns of behavior please infom the local bishop and perhaps he can deal with the matter. I trust this letter finds you well.

Respectfully

M. Storm

25th day of Sunstime
Aboard the Retribution
Port of Odessipolis

To: Madame Arianna Mathain
Bornholme

Dear Madame,

It was a heavy heart that I take pen in hand and inform you of yet another event that relates to the Masque of the Golden Grotto. While visiting the Port of Odessipolis, it came to our attention that several of the younger dwarves who had attended the Masque had returned home apparently in good health. Upon their return it was obeserved that their behavior and personality had changed and that they were creating problems for everyone. Investigating the problem it was discovered that they had returned to their home with a new friend and that their mental state had be unblalaced. Should you encounter similar circumstances or patterns of behavior please infom the local bishop and perhaps he can deal with the matter. I trust this letter finds you well and that you have safley arrived back in Bornholm.

Respectfully

M. Storm

 

[Scotley]

The tale

"Well Captain, since you ask for nothing more than the story, I shall give it to you. Though you must understand that I was not present for the events that transpired and my tale is second and third hand at best." He takes a breath and begins, "This morning the Clan leader called your young antagonist in for a chat, under the pretense that he was planning to hire lawyers to pursue the matter against you. This was of course a feint. Instead, he invited the lad and his friends to join him for breakfast at the Clan Keep. Having called upon the Bishop after his meeting with you, McKay had not only the Bishop, but a half dozen sisters of the holy fist waiting in the hall behind a screen. The sisters are an order of dwarven women similar to militant monk, but who specialize in the handling of the demon possessed and mentally deranged. When the Bishop stepped from behind the screen and presented his holy symbol forcefully while the sisters tossed holy water, it is said that the 'friend' brought home from the Masque burst into flames despite having just been anointed with holy water. He burned away to nothing but a dark stain on the stone, which the staff are having considerable trouble cleaning. Anyway, the young dwarves went mad at the sight and drew weapons spoiling for a fight. The sisters and McKay gave it to them. They quickly knocked all the lads unconscious though they fought like demons. It is said that the Bishop had to call upon his divine power to raise on the the sisters from the dead right there in the hall. I for one believe this is embellishment, but it is possible. Those in the household at the time said that the sounds of the battle though brief, were fierce." He shakes his head. "Anyway, after a brief discussion with the Bishop and MaKay, it became clear that the lads were not to be disabused of their notions by the slaying of the 'friend'. It was decided that they would be taken away in chains for a period of rest and recuperation. I was called in to pen that letter for the young dwarf to sign and I can tell you that he was more animal than Dwarf when I saw him. The Bishop is quite confident that all the lads will recover fully once they've had a little time and treatment. Before mid-day today a ship was on its way to take them to the Holy Isle." He nods at the young messenger who has been listening to the tale open-mouthed. The lad recovers himself and produces a paper. The Herald continues after handing Michael the paper. "McKay told me that you might not be interested in any payment. If that were the case I was to give you this offer." Michael sees that it is a request to ship a large consignment of weapons to Bronhelm for Clan McKay. The rate offered is a full 50% higher than the going rate. The quantity involved would fill three quarters of the retribution's available cargo space.