A Warlock Alone, Island Empire solo game

[Scotley]

The funeral rites.

Just before sunset Nac'Losin appears on deck. Her acolyte waits at the stair holding a censure filled with a rich smelling incense. The smoke drifts back to the quarterdeck redolent with essenses of jungle flowers. The crew gathers with the exception of Grumbar and one assistant and two men aloft. Nac'Losin begins a singing in a deep voice that reminds you somewhat of bullfrogs. The words are ancient and difficult to understand, but the lizard and toad members of the crew all seem to understand and sing along. It is a slow and soulful tune that seems to end on a note of hope. Nac'Losin presents a brief homily on the afterlife and the rewards to be found there. Magram then steps forward at Nac'Losin's gesture and he speaks about what a devoted and hard working crewman the deceased was. His words seem to indicate a real knowledge of the person rather than being generic. Next another gesture from Nac'Losin and Imperell comes forward to talk about the man's devotion to family and how he was a good son and brother. Again the words suggest a real knowledge of the man including anecdotes from his life. Finally, Nac'Losin leads a prayer and then another song. The crew seem to turn to the Captain now an expectation that this is his time to add to the ceremony.

 

[J. Alexander]

The Funeral Rites

6th day of Sun's Time in the 2nd year of the reign of Xenieda the First
Sunset
1 day from Mermaids Rest


Taking the que, Michael will step to the railing and say "To say that I knew the man would be a lie and to do that would dishonor his memory and his sacrafice. From the words of those who did, he was both a kind and loving family man as well as an honorable friend. However when the time gain to honor his agreement with and committment to this newly founded crew, he gave the ultimate full measure of duty and honor without hesitation or holding back."

Pausing, MIchael will contiue.."This was the measure of the man we recently lost. This ship and thie crew are thus burdened with living up to such a noble example set by him. Above all though, let us rember his love for his family and his ability to make lasting friendships. For when our time has come they are the legacy worth leaving not trinkets of silver and gold."

Michael will then step back from the railing and glance at Nac'Losin.

 

[J. Alexander]

Question

OCC: Scott, does one have to have the feat, craft magic arms and armor to imbue an item with magical ability or can he have it made by someone else with the feat and just use his spell powers to imbue it with the desired ability? From reading the book, any with the feat can do it single handed providing they have the associated skills to make the type of item in question.

Ideally, Michael would like to have a masterwork item made and then use his inate powers as a warlock to imbue it with the desired ability. The item in question would be a masterwork cannon, say the size of a 8 pounder made from silver. Instead of firing shot and using gunpowder, MIchael would imbue it with an eldritch blast. In order for game balance and to make it easier and less costly, it would take two rounds to charge the items then they could fire for 5 rounds before taking another two rounds to recharge. They could only do this a maximue of 5 times a day....What do you think

 

[Scotley]

A funeral.

Nac'Losin nods, clearly pleased with Michael's words. The crew seem to be pleased as well. Taking up the role of priestess again she says, "We commend this good man's body back to the sea from which all life comes. We ask that he be taken into the afterlife and blest hereafter. I ask you all to reflect on the life of this man in silence for a moment." Everyone bows and Michael sees a few damp eyes. Glancing at Fa'Duatha he notes that she is staring intensely at Chandar who is looking down in prayer. After a moment Nac'Losin looks up and says, "May the Godess bless you all." With that she turns to the rail and makes a final gesture and then moves back to Fa'Duatha and together they go below.

 

[Scotley]

OOC: I belive you can make a magic item in tandem with a caster having the correct feat. Note that you will have to pay the costs in gold and experience which will be fairly high for such an item. I'll do a little reading and give you some totals, hopefully tomorrow.

 

[J. Alexander]

The Funeral Rites

As Nac'Losin completes the rites and moves below decks, Michael will hold the crew in assembly. when she has completly disappeared he will move back to the railing and address the crew.

"We shall hold a memorial/victory feast in one hour. Master Avilonor has been hard at work this day preparing it. I ask that at least 1/2 of a division be on duty at all times durig the feast and the rest may join in. Those on duty may partake of the food while it is hot. In memory of our fallen comrade, each member shall be giving one months wages as a memorial so that they may enjoy their stay in Mermaid's Rest. Enjoy gentlemen. Company dismissed"

As the crew begins to change and prepare to feast, Michael will take command of the quarterdeck and will signal Grond and Guiesspiee to join him. Once they have he will say "While our crew partakes of the feast, we should remain on watch. Light the laterns so as to dispell the gloom. Grond you will control the forecastle and I will remain on the quarterdeck. Guiesspee you are to patrol the main deck and check with each of us." Saying this, MIchael will produce two of the pearl earring and give them each one to wear and show them how to work it. Michael does not suspect anthing may happen but he will be prepared.

Lowering his voice he will say "As soon as we make a safe port of call and become more acquainted with the crew, we will enjoy a splendid evening . Until then I ask that you, bear with the extra duty and the lack of opportunit to relax."

So how goes the funeral feast and does Michael spot anything out of the ordinary or of interest?

 

[J. Alexander]

Questions

OCC: Yeah i figured as much. I may have to go with ballistas that have been enchanted to +1 and with an acid attack combined. If i read it correctly that would be like 2 slots (1 for each) that would put the cost at 2000 (1/2 base cost) plus the cost of the ballista itself and about 80 xp per ballista. If I added distance to it it would raise the cost to 3 sltos or (3000 gp plus 100xp to build). This would give a much greater distance attack as well as reduce the chance of mssing a long ranges....

 

[Scotley]

The feast

The ship is brightly lit as requested. While things start off slowly, as the crew gets into the food and drink they begin to become more lively. They exchange tales of their deeds during the battle and you suspect that they grow in the telling. After a couple of hours you have quite a crew of heros aboard. Nac'Losin and her Acolyte do not return to the deck, but if you inquire you are informed that she did take a tray of the food. The feast includes a spicy vegetable stew and fish wrapped in banana leaves with almonds then steamed. The fish is tender and sweet with a pleasant nutty aftertaste. Grumbar has made a bread pudding from the remaining fresh bread with a strong rum sauce that also seems to be a hit. A group of men falls to singing traditional songs, while others retire with full bellies. The evening passes uneventfully. With the dawn a line of clouds can be seen on the horizon portending more rain. The wind changed during the night slowing progress toward Mermaid's rest, but you expect to see it within a couple of hours.

 

[J. Alexander]

Letter to Captain Honager Marin

7th day of Sun's Time in the 2nd year of the reign of Xenieda the First
Morning
3 hours from Mermaid's Rest

Dear Captain Marin,

I trust this letter finds you and yours well. Currently we are just hours away from making Mermaids Rest and shall continue our inquires on your behalf there. I do not have much hope of developing much, as my former associates have been there some days already and have proably alerted our oppostion and they will have most likely gone to ground after possible striking at them. However it is with high hopes that arrive there as I am fairly confident that we shall at the very least develope some leads to follow.

To date we have been very successful so far in establishing our cover as a small independent crew who has recetly gotten extremely lucky. Supporting this ruse is a substainal cargo of tobacco products with a trade value of 24,500 in the form of cigars and 4,500 in loose tobacco added to this is a raw cargo of dyes that should net another 15,000 or so. Then there are the odds and ends such as premimue food stuffs and (Insert description of the fish and other caputred goodies) which add another 15,000 or so to our value. Even if we have to discount some our our prices as much as 20 percent, as long as we trade for the full cargo value less discount, especially in regards to other raw materials, we should do very well. Any hints of cargo that may be of use to Icewatch at this time of the year would be appreciated.

As for the crew I acquired in Terger, they have proven to be most excellent. Not two days past we staged a hit an run raid on the Shark Men lair mentioned in my previous letter and made off with a substainal prize but alas with the loss of a valiant crewman. (Insert Details of the raid here). The crew acted in a superiour fashion given the newness of it's inception and the lack of proper weapons with which to defend the ship. I have high hopes that in time this crew shall become a fordimable force.

Turning to a delicate subject, I must once again impose upon your good offices with a request. It has been brought to my attention, that the voyage we are undertaken may prove somewhat difficult for my small ship given the number of crew and it's racial composition. While I have no doubt that we can accomplish our mission regardless, we are qucikly running into a problem with storage space for our food stuffs and fresh water. The replenishing water barrells we can manufacture ourself and will go far in reducing the amount of space we need but we still need space for our food stuffs and our cargo so my request is this. I have heard that it is magical possible to convert a cargo hold into an area that can hold much more. I have been lead to belive that the ratio is in the percentage of 1 to 5 thus a 20 ton cargo space could in effect hold 100 tons of cargo. As to the cost I have been told that it runs roughly 35,000 gold pieces to effect this transformation (This is the book price from one of the old Encolpidies of Magic). What I need from you is help in recruting the individuals who can preform this act as well as a guarantee for payment. Currently, I have on hand some 10,000 gp in hard currency with which to pay for this and will perhaps have even more by the time I reach Bronhelm, which is where i hope to have this done. With this augementaion in place, more space will be freed up for additional crew and marines as well as the necessary equipment for such a long voyage to Icewatch.

Yours Respectfully,

M. Storm

 

[J. Alexander]

Cargo Hold

OCC: Scott, during my research on vessels and cargo space etc. I found in Arms and Equipment where the average ship this size has 100 tons of cargo space as agreed to in our earlier post. Given that and the fact that we split the cargo deck into 4 25 ton compartments in the modification, I belive I have more space available for crew than we talked about. According to the ratio in arms and Equipment I can house two mediume size creatures comfortable for each 1 ton of cargo space. Thus with just one compartment, I can house 50 additional crew members, while still retaining plenty of space for food stuffs etc. If I further convert the forward lower hold into the bathing areas, say 5 tons, that will leave space some 20 tons left over for food and water. The rear cargo decks would thus be available for cargo in the amount of 50 tons, which is what we discussed. Your thoughts..