A Warlock Alone, Island Empire solo game

[Scotley]

Mermaid's Rest

OOC: I expect that your paths will diverge enough that no conflicts will occur in the future.

The first places you encounter near the dock area are the roughest sort of sailor's tavern. Likewise the initial chandlers have at best poor and at worst rotten or spoiled food. With the exception of sea food relatively little quality food is available on the 'Rest. It appears that the merchant ships are off loading very fine food stuffs and drink. The talk is all about the 'Masque' and the high profile visitors here for that event. The merchant ships appear to be providing for that event.

OOC: If you have followed the main game then you are aware of this, if not I'll provide a summary.

 

[J. Alexander]

Mermaids Rest.

Michael will contiue to noise around the docks and penetrate deeper into Mermaids Rest. He will mention to Grumbar that perhaps seafood should be the menu while the are there given what may well be an apparant lack of foodstuffs and the prices demanded by the drain on the local stocks with the masque. As he is discussing this an idea begins to from in Michaels mind.

1. A large infulx of perhaps wealth individuals may well provide a decent first market for this "Lizard longtails".......

2. Given that the "Retribution" bought a considerable amount of trade good quality foodstuffs while in port they may be of some value here in also quickly turning some coin.

OCC: Remeber these were bought under the mistake impression that they were actually rations......

With this in mind, Michale will look and see how business is advertised here. Would it be possible to rent or set up a small stall in the main market or is business conducted by individuals coming to the ships to inspect the wares.


At the mention of the mask, Michael will inquire how long they have been in town, and if anyone knows of the notables who are here.

The first thing perhaps will be the securing of medical supplies. To that effect, Michael will then begin inquring about a local healer and where they may be found.

 

[Scotley]

Mermaid's Rest

Michael has the disturbing sensation of being watched as they wander about the 'Rest. Several fellows of appearent bad intent size you up, but are put off by menacing looks from Gumbar and Grond. Indeed Grond has to toss one young would be pick pocket into the water to prevent a theft of Michael's pouch. The urchin soon vanishes among the boats to seek out easier prey.

Grumbar has already begun the evening's roast, but begins sizing up the available seafood and making some purchases to be delivered. The menu for the next few days will be fish and seafood.

There is no 'Market' as such in this collection of ships. Remember there is no land to speak of at Mermaid's Rest. Just a few rocks near the center. Most vedors work from their own boats. A couple of barges here and there do rent out space to others, so it is not out of the question to find a place to set up shop. Many vedors use small boats to move about announcing their wares not unlike a peanut vendor at a sporting event. Such an approach might work for lessor goods, but is less likely to succeed for high end goods, though some such vendors are for hire. Grumbar suggests you try approaching some of the high end resturants, such as they are, and trying to make a sale there. The foodstuffs, booze and tobacco you have aboard might all find a market here. It appears that the Masque is largely being supplied from outside the 'Rest.

As you pick up gossip it is clear that everyone has a theory about who is behind the Masque and who will be there. It is equally clear that most such theories are as questionable as their source.

Advertising is generally done with flags and banners. Most of the boats here still have masts even if they may never sail again. Thus, a vast sea of 'billboards' is available.

A few places seem to be apothocaries and healers.

 

[J. Alexander]

Mermaids Rest

As getting medical supplies and araments aboard the ship is perhaps two of the top five prioriteis, Michael will call on the various apothecaries etc and see what they have to offer. He will inform each that he is in need of bandages, healing herbs, perhaps a few splints and slings as well as general medical equipment such as antestipc and alcohol. He will then inquire as to any unique items they may possess as well as any interesting bits of local gossip.

Medical Goods ie Diplomacy for negiogate
Micahel Stormrolls 1d20 +9, getting [11,9] = (20)
Micahel Stormrolls 1d20 +9, getting [18,9] = (27)
Micahel Stormrolls 1d20 +9, getting [2,9] = (11)

Gossipp Rolls
Michael Stormrolls 1d20 +7, getting [3,7] = (10)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20 +7, getting [5,7] = (12)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20 +7, getting [5,7] = (12)

I figure it will take to just after lunch for Michale to finish this portion of the trip. After concluding the medical purchases and if nothing else developes from it Michael will take a brief rest at a reputable eating establishement and purshase a light repast for his crew. He will preferrable pick one that seems to have several well heeled people aslo still lingering aroud. As they finish their meal, Michael will hand both Grond and Grumbar a lizard longtail and say "Light up boys, time for us to be our own Advertisment"

AS the complete the rounds of the provisions comapnies and chandlers, Michael will mention that he currently has a considerable cargo of foodstuff available should they know of anyone who may be interested.

Then next to an arms merchant....

 

[Scotley]

OOC: A proper response may take more time than I have this morning, but I'll try to get something up today. Limited computer access today.

 

[Scotley]

Shopping

Grumbar is able to find adequate supplies that meet his standards, but he is disappointed overall. The price you have to pay is roughly double what a similar collection would have cost back in the Wheelands and that is after squeezing every copper as only a dwarf can. Michael is sure he would have paid at least a third more and a couple of times he thought the Dwarf was going to negotiate with the blade of his axe. However, Grumbar managed to leave each fish monger with a handshake and an exchange of smiles when the transaction was over.

You are confident that it would be know problem to find buyers for the fine foodstuffs, but the challenge will be finding some with deep enough pockets to turn a good profit.

The quality of medical supplies was generally substandard as well, but after a few stops a decent supply of bandages, antiseptic, medicinal herbs, splints, and even a particularly fine set of stainless steel surgical intruments of dwarf make in a tooled leather 'doctors' bag that should make Nac'Losin's day are all one their way to the retribution.

The food and medical supplies make a significant dent in Michael's purse setting him back some 500 gp (including 150 for the MW surgical tools). He is offered several 'magical' elixers of dubois quality. However, he can find as many as 4 potions of cure light wounds and two of lessor restoration at only 10% over normal price.

Gossip is mostly about the Masque, and who might be coming. A particularly powerful Mage known as the Sea Sorcerer is on the 'Rest and his ship, decorated with garish display of magical lights is visible nearby. It is said that at least one duke and a member of the Imperial Family will also be here, but which one is hottly debated. Some say that the Masque is really a gathering of powerful Mages and Religious leaders and that they intend to destory the place with fire, with the Masque being just a ruse. Several well known thieves have disappeared in recent days and there is speculation that they are all together planning a great robbery of the Masque. Other disappearances have led to talk that Gnolls of the Bastiander ship are here taking slaves.

Finally, exhasted from shopping, gossiping and haggling, Storm and Company end up at 'The Captain's Table' the resturant on board the 'Black Lace Glove'. Once a luxury liner and now a hotel it is generally considered the finest place on the 'Rest. You have to wait some 20 minutes in the bar for a proper table. The 'High Society' of Mermaid's Rest appear to be here. They are a rather disappointing lot. The best among them are retired pirates, adventurers and sailors made good. Most look like pimps, scoundrels, thugs and smugglers. You suspect that the few well dressed fellows looking about nervously and cluthing weapons are visitors to the 'Rest. The food is actually pretty good though the menu is heavy on seafood. They do manage to have reasonably fresh vegetables and the waiter assures you the bread was baked fresh this morning. Elsewhere in the rest wormy ships buscuits are all you can find.

After a pretty good meal the waiter, who has provided exemplary service, you figure poor service is rewarded with a knife to the ribs around here, lights your cigars. The rich aroma is soon wafting about. While no one approaches you, some apprasing looks and deep inhalations are noted.

 

[J. Alexander]

Mermaids' Rest

Happy to have found at least a semblace of medical equipment, Michael will go ahead and bite the bullet and purchase the potions mentioned. While greedy for sure, this may be very good money spent as it telegraphs to the cure that he is concerned about their welfare and is willing to pay what it cost to save a life should they have to risk theirs in his employ.

As the waiter has given good service Michael will tip him 5 gp or 30 percent of themeals total. He will the casually ask the waiter if he would know of anyone wo deals in or who may be interested in purchasing some fine cigars as well as some high quality foodstuffs, that he happens to have for sale.

Assuming that the conversation does not take that long, MIchael will head back to the ship and rest to prepart for his meeting. Michael is figuring it will be about 3 or 3:30 when he arrives back at the ship so that would give a few hours to check the ship over, rest and see to the loading of the medical supplies etc

 

[Scotley]

The Black Lace Glove

The waiter is eager to please after that tip. "Sir, I suggest you speak with Benjamin Smythe who does the purchasing for the 'Glove. He might well be interested if the quality is high. His office is below the foredeck on the port side."

As your party prepares to leave a man approaches you. He wears a brown jacket and looks a bit out of place here. He seems more of an academic than a pirate. "Good Captain, could I purchase one of those fine cigars from you? I have not seen the like in some time. I hate to be a bother, but the tabacco here is generally quite poor."

 

[J. Alexander]

Mermaids Rest

Looking at the waiter, Michael will say "Thank you, you have provided most excellent service, if your perhpas interested in taking service with a crew come look me up on the Retribution, I am i currently in need of someone to take care of my cabin but more importantly to provide excellent service to my guests"

"Cetainly my good man, but you many not purchase them at all. Handing him three of the cigars he states "I ask that you simply pass the word among your fellow cigar afficiandos that "The Retribution" has a considerable stock and is willing to part with them"

 

[Scotley]

Lunch at the 'Captain's Table' of the 'Black Lace Glove'

The waiter glances around nervously at Michael's suggestion and says softly, "I don't get off until ten, would that be too late to visit?"

They man, who seems well into middle age and has the red nose of one who enjoys drink overmuch, takes the cigar and runs it under his large nose. "Delightful!" He extends a hand, "A pleasure sir, I am Bertold Penor. I shall indeed refer my friends to the 'Retribution'. You'll forgive me for saying so, but that is an odd name for a merchant ship. Is there a story there perhaps?" He also extends a hand to Grumbar and Grond. Then turning back to Michael, "and your name sir if I might?" Taking the man's hand you note that the thumb and index finger are stained with ink.