A Warlock Alone, Island Empire solo game

[J. Alexander]

Letter to Padar'Losin

5th day of Sun's Time in the 2nd year of the reign of Xenieda the First
Port of Tergere
Morning

Pandar'Losin

As we were preparing to set sail this monring, I was reminded of several issues that I failed to address with you before I left. Perhaps had I not been so rushed in preparing the Retribution and with other details, I could have spent more time discussing with you my plans and your responsibilites in regards to overseeing the construction of the shipyard and other facilities in Tergere. I can only ask your pardon, and hope that we may in time develope a profitable working relationship to the betterment of ourselves and the Island of Tergere.

First, I do wish to retain you as my factor on Tergere during my abscense, rather than the short term construcion oversight project that i initated along with the shipyard constrution project being undertaken by local companies. To this affect, I am offering a salary of 10gp per month for this postion and beg you to accept.

Next is my wishes in regards to the construction on my compound on Tergere. I have made arrangments with Mr. Durrein Willburn of the Farmer's and Miner's Trust on Axiopolis to recruit several dwarven stone masons to come to Terger and oversee the stone work on the buildings and the pier. It was made clear during my discussion with local contractors that they were only vaguely familar with this type of stone construction and as I do wish for a solidly built complet, I have hired local experts. Further, Mr. Willburn will make arrangments for quarred stone to be bought and sent to Tergere for construction purposes.

Further, I desire the compound to be built upon raised earth and wheras the intial idea was for a 10x10x10 sea wall surronding the compound I wish to increase the walls height to 15 feet. The drainage ditch which is to be set 10 feet from the base of the sea wall is to be 20 wide and 10 feet deep with lose stone and rubble at the bttm. The french drains are to be no larger than 18 inches in diamter that drain into it and are to be set at such a anglel so as to prevent flooding should the sea manage to invade the ditch during a storm. The lose earth generated from the excavations is to be piled and compacted in the center so that as from the gate the ground will rise some 10 feet to it's center if this is possible. I am total unfamilar with local drainage issues, so please consutl a local expert and insure that the entire compound drains itself from both ground water and rainfall.

The compound is to have it's roadways paved with stone and raised some 18 inches from the ground with a firm road bed. If it is possible, extend the road so as it links to the main road to down providing of course you get permission to do so from the local officials.

When this is completed, I wish you to begin excavations on the cellars and foundations of future buildings and when completed cover them with appropriate local materiasl so as to prevent standing water.

Should it facilitate worker moral and efficency, you are authoriszed to allow the workers to build temporary homes on the ground, using local material until such time as more permeante structrues are discussed as well as a mess hall. For that you will need to hire a cook and perhaps some additinal help. Furhter if by chance the workers bring the occaisonl family member to help on special projects or for the occasionaly meal, that is fine by me and I will rely upon your judgment not to all it to become abusive.

Finally, as this compound is to close to Mermaid's REst for my comfort and as I will hopefully be sending cargos their for storage while i trade my way north, you will need to hire guards for the compound. Ideally there will be at least 5 guards on duty at all time and you are authorized to hire them and allow for quarters for them and their familes within the compound.

In closing, you will find a letter of designation, naming you as my factor with authorization to present invoices for payment to Mr.Willburn at Axiopolis. Please note, that in order to draw the monthly salaries of the employees, you will need to invoice them out. You are also authorized to keep on hand a petty cash fund of 25 gp to cover incidential expenses.


M. Storm

By my calculations it should take your team of 15 men working 8 hour shifts roughly 6 months to accomplish the this task.

 

[Scotley]

Various Details

Padar'Losin takes the commission to oversee the work and serve as factor. Drainage is a serious issue and will require considerable earthwork to produce a dry compound. The locals typically wooden platforms on stilts over the swamp and make the upper walls and roof with cane, rattan, palm fronds and thatch.

The ruby earing is functionally a +2 ring of protection. The dagger is more intersting, it is a Dagger of Entry which can be found in the Arms and Equipment Guide. The necklace seems to allow the wearer to communicate with the wearers of the pearl earings. The exact usage she hasn't quite figured out yet.

 

[Scotley]

Troubled Waters

The two Lizardman Rangers return to the ship. Chandar pulls a Lizardman up from the water by his jerkin blood and water pour off him. The Ranger is badly wounded, his arm nearly bitten off and the other has some lessor wounds as well. Nac'Losin runs to the wounded and quickly begins a prayer to her Godess, while clutching her holy symbol to her breast. The darkness seems to lessen as the power of her faith flows into the wounded Ranger. Motes of of light seem to play about the wound for a moment and with a sharp intake of breath from the man the wound seems mostly healed. Nac'Losin struggles to her feet and casts a lesser spell for the other man this time the results are much less dramatic, but the prayer is no less fervent. Men on deck begin to shout "Sharks!" and point to fins around the ship. The less wounded man comes to speak with Michael, Chandar beside him. "Sir, we seem to have aroused the shark lair. I am sorry." He is panting with exertion, and looks ready to pass out. Clearly the swam as if all the devils of hell were after them to survive. "We located the village. It is around a dead coral reef quite deep about a quarter mile to starboard. They have some tunnels in the reef and have carefully planted fields of seaweed to shield themselves. Their are several sharks and a few men on on patrol. They have a few more dangerous underwater plants as traps at likely hides where someone trying to sneak in might pause. That is how we were discovered. A plant thing nearly got me and our scramble to get away caught the attention of a shark, we dispatched him, but his blood soon attracted the others and we had no choice but to flee. I would guess that whatever valuables they might have can be found in the tunnels on the reef. At least that seemed to be the focus of the guards and patrols. I regret we were not able to get closer or look inside."

 

[J. Alexander]

Battle with Sharks

Michael will go over to the wonded rangers and give them a quick check. "You did all you could, it is appreciated" As he returns to the quarterdeck he will call out "To Arms". Captain Chandar, assemble your Marines to repel boarders". "Lieutainat Cardossa see to the arming of your division with the heavy crossbows and assume postions on the quarterdeck and forecastle. Lets give this sharks a taste of our bolts" Continuing he will say "Lieutinat Impareell see to the arming of your division with long spears. Strike at those sharks as they get close to the Retribution or boarders as they emerge from the sea."

As the crew is assembling at their stations etc, Michael will speak to Grond. "We may have an opportuity hear old friend thanks to your great strength. Load the forward catapult with all the blood and visceria you can find and start launching it out to sea away from the Retribution. This will keep the sharks occupied and hopefully in a frenzy as we sail towards the reef. I belive the shark men will attack soon and if they do so, I wish for them to do it without the aid of their pets. Only you can do this quickly Grond, see to it well and we may well carry the day quickly."

"Madame Nac'Losin, see to the wounded and get the below the deck"

"Master Availnor prepare to defend the entrace into the ships hold, I dont want any of those stinking fish men to damage our goods or harm the interior"

"Get that ballista into action and lets start sending these sharks to the bttm"

"Lieutiant Mangrum, you take the wheel and keeps us running straight and true to the reef. You have tactical control of the ship"

Michael will then go to the railing and when he looks at the situation. Should the opportunity present itself he will lauch and eldrith blast at one of them. Time for the crew to see their Captain do something besides given orders.

ONce the ballista and crossbowman are up and running, they will begin peppering the sharks with their weapons.

OCC: Remember the crew was already semi prepared and weapons issued prior to our sialing into the waters.

 

[Scotley]

Sharks!

The men respond quickly and soon bolts are hitting the water. They don't appear to be having much effect on the sharks, but it does give them something to do. The balista is somewhat more effective and a roiling of water surrounding a recently fired upon target suggests that the sharks are more than willing to eat their own dead. A man cheers are he draws back a blooded spear having tagged a shark who foolishly got too close. You hear the straining of lines and the distinctive twang and thump of the catapult going into action. Some distance away a splash is seen. The ship heels over as Mangram makes for the reef without hualing in any canvas. The ship seems to glide over the water and a pleasantly cool spray falls on Michael at the railing. A thrill of the chase is on the men and they laugh and shout as they try to hit the sharks. A cheer goes up and Michael's eldritch blash strikes a nearby dorsal fin with a shower of sparks. The noisy clatter and popping sounds of the catapult being reloaded are clear even over the shouts and splash of the waves against the hull.

 

[J. Alexander]

Battle with the Sharks

Standing on the quarterdeck, Michael will call out "Good job lads, good job, that was a quick response time" Continuing he will say"Someone give me a count on the sharks, just count the fins so we can determine how many were dealing with" "Crossbowman, relooad and hold your fire for anything that comes out of the water at the ship"

"Mr Mangrun, slow us down a bit and keep us withing ballista range of those sharks, lets draw the sharkmen towards us as we eliminate their allies."

"Grond, Capatian Chandar, to the quarterdeck if you please" once they arrive Michael will ask for their thoughts. "Gentlemen, any idea how we can dispatch these sharks safley from a distance whiel they are occupied" Then looking at Grond Michael will say" You did exceedling well old friend, you bought us the time we needed, thank you"

"Shall we try to hit them while the swarm the top of the water with catapult fire or would that be ineffective."

While he is talking, Michael is contuing to throw his Eldritch Blast now due to range most likly transformed into Eldritch spear at the sharks. when he hits it is 4d6 worthof damage"

 

[Scotley]

The sharks back off a bit, but continue to circle the ship. Because of the range and the partial cover provided by the water the accuracy of your attacks is very low. You suspect that only two sharks have been killed with a couple wounded. The best count you can get is 12 to 15 sharks near the surface. The chum launched from the catapult distracted some for a while, but did not get all of them away.

Your strategists arrive on the quarterdeck, but they don't have a better solution for attacking the sharks. Chandar notes that if his men enter the water the sharks will come close enough to be engaged effectively, but casualties could be high. Grond suggests that the shark men will wait until dark to attack the boat in order to have the advantage of their superior vision. No one wants to enter the water, but it may be the only way to resolve the fight. Chandar says if some of the men enter the water he could perhaps lead a small party into the village, while the sharks and Sahaugin are fighting around the boat after dark, but it will mean splitting the forces and leaving the ship in some jeopardy.

 

[J. Alexander]

Battle with the Sharks

Listensing to their opinions Michael will pause briefly then say" A brave offer Captain Chandar, but I will not risk any of you like that unless it be our only course of action."

Mr Mangrum, steer us closer to the sharks and slow us down, lets engage them by circling them while they lack their allies"

LIeutiant Impareel, pour what ever will pass for chum close to the ship so we can cirlce it and attack the sharks as they go into a frenzy."

Lieutian Cardossa, see to the rigging of life lines fore and aft, I dont want anyone falling overboard because they misssteped"

Turning back to Chandar and Grond he will continuie"Your right, they will hit us during the nightsometime, so we should prepare a warm recepetion for them, could you see to the rigging of cargo nets etc to hamper and entangle them as the swarm over the sides at us Grond?" "Captain Chandar, can you an your Marnies set the deck up for a fight that gives you the advantage?" "We should also see to the rigging of laterns high in the mast to give us light to fight by as well as the quarterdeck and forcastle, let's elimnate some of their advantage of sight"

"This will be a slow process gentlemen, a slow process but it is one I think we can win. Captain Chandar do you and Mr. Grond think you can use harpoons on the sharks so we can pull them closer, is it possible to lauch a harpoon from the ballista. If we hit we can pull it close tothe ship and kill it but we will need someone with great skill to man the ballista, do we have such a person on board?"

"After the division have completed their work have half of each division stand down to rest, this may be a long night for us all"

"Master Grumbar, return to the galley and prepare what foods you can, I want the galley fires extinguised an hour after nightfall. Prepare to feed the men as best you can"

While issuing the order, Michael will continue to pepper the sharks. As the ships close we will attempt the ballista trick, and once the shark has been harpooned, we will pull him close to the ship using block and tackle. Once close the division with long spears will stab him to death...

OCC: Not the best plan i know, but Michael is unwilling to risk his crew at this point as they are as yet untried and unknown. Better to take a slow methodical approach and just wear them down.

 

[Scotley]

Battle with the Sharks

The steps you take seem to work for a moment, then the sharks are learning from their mistakes. When the ship slows and chum is put out a few sharks swim close and are slain or wounded, but just as quickly the scatter again. The harpoon trick works to bring down one big shark and then the beasts seem to stay deeper in the water as the fins are not seen within easy range of the ballista. These are no ordinary sharks, they must be advised by someone. An hour before dark as many men are resting or eating, a shark suddenly leaps across the bow of the ship high in the air. Such a leap is simply not possible without some sort of magical aid. The shark has a stout line of woven seaweed in its mouth. Another shark has the other end in its mouth. They swim forward dragging the line down the ship and off the bow. In the process they manage to pull down a crewman and two marines. One of the Marines lands in the netting intended to foul attackers later, but the other two vanish into the depths with screams of agony and fear. A roiling of the water suggests that sharks have them, but it is unsafe to shoot for fear of hitting the men.

 

[J. Alexander]

Battle with the Sharks

Michael will shout "Prepare for boarders, lets' be very carefull with these creatures." Crossbowmen to the mast" "Lookouts do you see and of the sharkmen in the water"

"Madame Nac'Losin can you help protect us from this foul magic"

Captain Chandar, Grond see to the marine"


If it is possible and the sharks have not killed them, Michael will dive into the water to the nearest one, grab hold and then use flee the scene to dimension door him and the crew member he is carrying back to the ship, leaving a major image behind of him holding the crew member for the sharks to attack"

Hopefully this will work.

Then Michael will tell Grond to get the tribal leaders body out from it's pickling barrell."Lets enrage them so they lauch their attact prematurely. "Grond tie him to the mast and slowly start cutting off pieces of him and throwming them to the sharks swarming after us"