Island Empire Part 1, to Mermaid's Rest

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm (warlock"

"A true Den of Thieves then", MIchael says. "It appears to me gentlemen that there are two obvious choices. The first choice is tha we sail into Mermaids rest and spend the time developing informatino and hoping to tumble across a lead. The second choice would be to put in for repairs while letting it be known we have a choice cargo aboard and then letting the pirates hit us at sea".

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

Rook - Scout/Mage Blade

"We could also try a combination of those suggestions -- if we can dummy up a need for repairs that will fool anyone 'chancing' to observe the ship, we can stay in port while we take care of our 'repairs' and sniff around for a lead (also working in some hints about our cargo). If we don't stumble on anything while we're there, maybe some of the pirates will think to take us later. By the way, I feel about slavers (and anyone who deals with them) the same way Mr. Storm feels about pirates -- I would welcome the opportunity to return later and take out the whole place if we find they are truly dealing with the Gnolls."

OOC: Putting our quotes in a different color is a good idea, but I'm having a hard time reading some of the darker color choices on the black screen. Would it be acceptable to stick to bright color choices for our quotes?

 

[Erland]

Morwyn

"I've been giving the matter some thought, and I'm averse to claiming we have a non-existant cargo to tempt attention. There is another alternative: we could be going to Mermaid's Rest to obtain a 'special' cargo to smuggle into some other port.

We could have one of a variety of reasons to be buying such a cargo: we've already disposed of our previous such cargo and are looking for our next load, we had to throw our previous cargo overboard when approached by a customs cutter, or just that we've fallen on hard luck and need a quick boost. The final option is a bit risker since we've got capital, which runs counter to the hard luck tack. The fact that the 'Bedsheet has been specially modified could actually give credance to either of the first two stories, should those modifications be discovered.

That should buy us time to investigate Mermaid's Rest, as well as provide a cover story for our inquiries. Still, all these stories seem weak to me, perhaps there are other options I haven't been able to think of."

OOC: I'm troubled by the logistics of the piracy; how far from Mermaid's Rest was the capture of Allois? I still don't have a good mental map of the key locations.

 

[Scotley]

OOC: Allois' capture was a long way from Mermaid's Rest. Too far for it to make sense that the pirates were working from Mermaid's Rest. Something just doesn't add up...yet.

You are right about the bright colors, I choose poorly for my most recent post, sorry.

 

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm (warlock)

"Captain Morwyn perhaps has the best idea, in that if act like were looking for a new cargo of good it does go along way with the coverstory and allows us to ask the tedious questions that are most certainly going to arose suscpion. Then benefit as I see it is that their greed will get the best of them and they will at the very least send an interdimary to meet with us or scoop us out. One of the few problems is that the sailors will have to be in on it or confined to ship, as no matter how loayl they may be to Marin and Son after a few drinks they may brag etc and tip our hand. Given that Mermaids rest was mentioned, I fear the ship is already chopped up, so i think it would be a good start to have terry and the young lady as well as any hands that are familar with her build look for wooden spars etc that would match her wood etc. Aslo, only one of us should actually be doing the investigation into the pirates, by tradation it should be the captain and perhaps a lieutant or the investor but too many asking questions will most likely sppok them etc. One of us should also start another tack by looking into purchasing slaves. He or she could simply state the Rumpled Bedsheet was the first ship sailing to Mermaids Rest so he booked passage on her. Failing that, I could portray a minor noble down on his luck who is willing to sell someone into slavery. I purpose this to be my valet, Giusessepp, as he is the right age for them to buy, especially if it is presented to them that he makes and excellent catamaite.(check the spelling on that one guys). What are your thoughts gentlemen?"

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

Rook

"I like the slavery angle, as well. It gives us the opportunity for more people to be involved in inquiries. I think the risk of offering a person up for sale is that we may be required to actually sell them before we get the information we want. Far safer to be looking for slaves than to be selling them. Also, as Captain Morwyn pointed out, we have capital to buy so the safer plan is feasible."

 

[Erland]

Morwyn

"The crew already knows enough to tip our hand, I'm afraid, so we'll need to keep them on board. Marienna, can you see to that?

I don't have the skills required to conduct this kind of investigation, so we'll have to let the ship's agent handle that, if one of you are willing to take that role. I'll be happy to serve as 'muscle' in any negotiations.

As to whether or not the Lorianna Fare has been chopped up, I feel that it's still an open question. The Fare was built by Dexter and Longi, who only built a few dozen ships, including the Imperial Barge. As such she's worth far more whole than piecemeal. The other ship Master Marin lost, the Daughter of Cambre, was also a Dexter and Longi, and though they've attributed that loss to storm, it's a very suspicious coincidence and I don't fully trust the accepted story.

Finally, I've been bothered by the logistics; Mermaid's Rest is too far from Icewatch for typical piracy. There's something more going on, if only we knew what. However, that all makes me suspect that we've got to concentrate on Mermaid's Rest; we can't count on pirates taking an interest in the Bedsheet to lead us to our goal. I supose, though, that we'll chance it, if it comes to grasping at straws."

 

[Erland]

Morwyn

"Terry, Marrienna, I've tried to avoid even thinking this, but do you know of any reason why someone might be targeting Marin & Son? Two Dexter and Longi ships being lost in less than a year is an amazing circumstance, but that both belong to the same shipping company seems beyond coincidence."

 

[Scotley]

Aboard the 'Rumpled Bedsheet'

Marienna and Terry look at each other and finaly Marienna shrugs, "This question has been weighing on our minds ever since we heard about the loss of the Lorrianna Fare. Unfortunately, we can't really come up with anyone who would want to do us harm. Uncle Honager has made some business rivals, but I don't know of any enemies powerful enough to do something like this. We thought maybe they would try and hold Allois for ransom knowing that Uncle has a lot of money, but we've heard nothing. Another firm would like to get their hands on the space at Pier Seven on Cambre, but they are a reputable business not pirates and storm witches. There has to be more to the mystery than we know at this point."

 

[mleibrock]

Radoon - Mariner/Fighter/Master Thrower

For Radoon only [sblock]We'll continue your conversation with Marin even though the action has moved on. "I agree with you that bringing my son on home would be great, but unfortunately the magic of the disks are keyed to a fixed point in my home, they only send one way. I just want the chance to confront those who have wronged me and mine. I assure you I won't get in the way of the job you are doing."[/sblock]

OCC - Sorry I have been out this week, have been under the weather and working a lot, just sleeping when at home.

"I will agree if you promise to let us deal with what happens and not force our hands. You also have to accept that I do not want to bring you unless it is safe. We will capture them, bind them and then bring you. Is this acceptable?