Island Empire Part 1, to Mermaid's Rest

[Erland]

Morwyn

Early on, I'd like to bring the ship to a standstill so that I can swim around her and see how she's riding after the modifications. Is the lack of cargo apparent, or is she riding fairly low due to the modifications and armaments? Can we coax more speed or manouverability from her by shifting the supplies? What name is she showing?

To Michael: "Thank you for your discretion. At the moment, I've no additional requirements for you, and will trust to your initiative."

To Radoon: "You're thinking of Mr. Abelard, our sailing master. It will probably be best for him to take third watch with Marienna. I think our Boatswain should be on second watch with you."

For clarification, I've been presuming that a lookout would be a standard role for sailing the ship. If 7 seamen can't handle the ship and provide a lookout, we may need to reconsider the watch assignment.

 

[Scotley]

Aboard the Rumpled Bedsheet

Upon an inspection from the water the boat does not look unusually heavy or light in the water. Given the limited cargo space remaining, unless you take on a load of ingots or bricks it is unlikely that she will ride much lower. Her odd design makes it hard to know how she should ride. The name 'Rumpled Bedsheet' is displayed. Under normal sailing conditions it is not a problem for six men to opperate the ship while another pulls lookout; however, in heavy seas, unusual manuvering or combat 6 men would be inadequate. Under such conditions it would be normal for everyone on the crew to take action.

 

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm (warlock)

For the DM only.[sblock]Michael will in a spare moment and when no one is looking say the appropriate words for Radoons cabin , If it becomes to difficult to work, etc, he will just spend the time practicing and talking with Giuesspee and finding out wht his talents and skills are. Michael will make a present of the shortsword etc he bought just before sailing to Giuessppe and tell him to learn to use them wisley but not to put himslef at risk. Other than that MIchale will keep a very low profile coming onto deck at dawn and dusk for a few brief minutes. Should then inquire to speak to him, they will have to go thru Giuuesseppe or Grond to their annoyance [/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

Aboard the 'Rumpled Bedsheet'

For Michael Storm [sblock]I understand Michael will be keeping a low profile, but will you attend the Captain's table on the first night out? I assume that planning for the arrival at Mermaid's rest will take place then.[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

The first day at sea is a long one for the crew of the 'Rumpled Bedsheet'. Because of the haste with which the ship was outfitted and launched a thousand details had to be addressed. All active crew members had much to do. Finally, by 9 in the evening the Captain's mess is called. The officers trudge wearily to a much needed meal. After a day of working out the details the ship is running smoothly over the water and making excellent speed for her old hull.

 

[Erland]

Morwyn - Captain's Dinner

Dinner turns out to be a veritable feast, as course follows course:

First a tomato and cheese salad, then a spicy fish soup. Yet another salad, this time tomato and cucumber, preceding stuffed game hen with cranberry relish, before a ratatouille with eggplant and roast peppers. Next is blackened fish, scallops, and shrimp over pasta with a pepper cream sauce, then a whole piglet complete with an apple in it's mouth. Finally, desserts of curried fruit and a flaky pastry with heavy syrup and nuts. Instead of the wines one might expect, the beverages are various specialty beers and ales, starting light and getting progressivly darker with each dish. A decent, though not exceptional, brandy accompanies the dessert.

Morwyn appears to be as surprised as everyone else as the food just keeps appearing. "My compliments to the chef. Mr. Abelard, your wife must be a magician of no small talent; I have no idea how she produced such a feast, and in addition to feeding our fine crew.

Gentlemen, and lady, I confess that my only agenda was to give us all a chance to continue getting to know one another. However, if anyone has had any thoughts as to how best to approach Mermaid's Rest, I would like to hear them."

 

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm (warlock)

Micahel will arrive promptly at the appointed time and present Captain Morwyw three bottles of a dark rich red wine wich has a peppery/violet aftertaste. "These are for you Captain". Michale is dressed in a rich black silk shirt with red gold bullion woven into various designs along the collar and cuffs. His boots are highly polised black leather as is his belt. Michael will move to sit himself somewhat in the center of the table, presuming the Captain is at it's head and the first offices is at the foot. As he seats himself, should anyone care to notice, the 7'5 foot individual named Grond will pull the Capatins door shut and you are left with the distinct impression is standing just outside the door. Throughout the meal, Michael will answer questions that are directly put to him but otherwise will say very little.

For the DM[sblock]I have researched the ship costs etc and have come up with a price for the monster i wish to have built. However, before I finish it up I need to know if it is possible to have two of the decks to be created in a null/transdimensional space but only to the extent of the total space of 8 decks. That is a 1 to 4 ratio. That is they would be very limited and would be keyed to the stairwells. Based upon my research it should cost 30,000 per deck to do it this way. If I am going to have a mobile warlock school lol i will need the space eventually so mite as well incorporate it now and finish it out as I have the money and resources to do. Also by being in a null or transdimenail plane etc. if would be harder for enemies to scry me should i not be on one the regular decks. Hope that made sense. Lots of interesting plans either way so just let me know.[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

For Michael Storm only [sblock]Your ship ideas sound interesting to me. I think the transdimintional stuff is doable. I'll have to do a bit of reading, but it sounds resonable to me. I look forward to seeing what you've come up with.[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

Aboard the 'Rumpled Bedsheet'

In the silence that follows Morwyn's question Terry Lockspar shift uncomfortably and then speaks. He been rather quiet during the meeting, and merely sampled each of the fine beers that accompanied the meal. "I won't be so bold as to offer a course action, but I can tell you a bit about the place we are bound. It isn't really an island, just a bunch of rocks sticking up in an otherwise empty stretch of sea. It looks like there might have been a tower of some sort here long ago. The base of what once could have been a tower forms a good sized bowl that collects rain water. This source of fresh water a good distance from other islands has made it a stop off for those avoiding the law for as long as anyone can remember. The name comes from stories that it was once a popular place for mermaids to sunbath, but to my knowledge no one has seen a mermaid here for generations. As it became a popular place for ne’er-do-well’s to visit a more permanent community began to take place. Soon a floating tavern arrived. People who deal in stolen or pirated goods also started to run their business here. Eventually, a community of sorts had formed--all on boats and barges with the rock freshwater pond serving as a central ancor point. Some boats have been here for generations after their initial owners perished or moved on. Periodically the Empire has raided the place in hopes of reducing criminal activity. However, the nature of the community is such that everyone can just sail away before the authorities can arrive. The community is made up of floating gambling dens, fences, fixers, brothels, restaurants, inns and houseboats. The various boats and barges are connected by gangways and floating bridges. Rumor is that some of the barges here are floating chop shops that cut up pirated ships and sell off the wood and other valuable parts as spares. We should be able to arrive and blend in without undo difficulty. We don't know where Captain Allois might be among the ships we'll find there."

OOC: Other such communities exist in the Empire, though Mermaid's Rest is currently the shadiest of the lot. It is likely that most of your characters have visited such a place at least once in the past.

 

[Scotley]

Aboard the 'Rumpled Bedsheet'

Still beaming from the Captain's complement to his wife's cooking, Sailmaster Abelard adds, "Don't forget the slavers." At this Terry adds, "yes, it is said that when someone is made to disappear they are oft times sold to the Gnolls. Such transactions are rumored to take place at Mermaid's Rest. The victoms of such traffic end their days at hard labor in a distant desert or other land where slavery is still condoned."