Island Empire Part 1, to Mermaid's Rest

[Scotley]

Below decks

For Michael Storm only [sblock]Giuseeppe is clearly a bit overwhealmed by what you have to tell him. He is not used to being involved in any such complex schemes. Getting his hands on his fathers tabacco pouch behind the shed is about the extent of his past plotting. His eyes widen when you explain to him what a catamite is. He agrees to do as you say and adds that so far the people he has met on the 'Bedsheet' have seemed to be really good and friendly people loyal to their cause. He hasn't heard nearly the grousing and complaining he was used to on his previous ship despite the hard work. The crew are curious about Michael and Grond and the others, but just in a straightforward kind of way.[/sblock]

OOC: Welcome back!

 

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm (warlock)

For the DM only[sblock]Michael will spend the time in his cabin as discussed. He will also work on some forged documents of nobility, minor son etc of a minor son of a major house etc that is on the other side of the world etc...He will make a patent of nobility, a letter from his father, and a receipt for cargo in trasint to Cambry with a declared /insured value of 25,000 gold pieces. He will also make an aditional supporting letter from his father and one from his fathers steward saying that he is enclosing the cargo receipt and that the cargo is due to arrive in Cambry in the next 60 days. A future letter will let it be know what ship it is on. I will take 10 on all of these letters.


Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [12,10,7] = (29) Patient of Nobility
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [7,10,7] = (24) Letter from Father
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [20,10,7] = (37) Receipt for Cargo
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [7,10,7] = (24) Letter from father/cargo
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [14,10,7] = (31) Letter from Steward

As for the letter of credit Michael will attempt to forge the following:

Cross Croft Bank - made out to bearer 250gp
Imperial Bank - made out to beareer 250gp
Halfing Trust made out to bearer - 250x2
A Bank from a city on the other side of the world- made out to bearer 250x7 (this bank will not exist)
Michael Stormrolls1d20+10+7, getting [4,10,7] = (21)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [8,10,7] = (25)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [16,10,7] = (33)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [19,10,7] = (36)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [1,10,7] = (18)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [17,10,7] = (34)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [15,10,7] = (32)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [4,10,7] = (21)
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [2,10,7] = (19)Mi
chael Stormrolls 1d20+10+7, getting [13,10,7] = (30)
Bank Forgries

Hopefully, Michael will be astute enough to know which ones are the best.

In regards to Giusseppe, Michael will have him start exercising and instruct him he is to get a good base tan but is not to be weatherbeaten. He is also to let his hair grow out. While he can continue to practive with the short sword, he is to place empahis on using a dagger and throwing them.

Other than that we will spend the hours munching on good bread, great perserves and good wine. Michael will also use this time to instruct Giuesspee in the art of table manners and casual conversation.

What is Gisussepes take on this from observing him.
Michael Stormrolls 1d20+9, getting [6,9] = (15)

More later [/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

Below decks on the 'Rumpled Bedsheet'

For Michael Storm only [sblock]Guissippi seems to enjoy the chance to enjoy the fine food and proper manners. You suspect this is a far cry from the often unpleasant and meaneal duties of his previous employment. He is a little nervious after your initial discussion, but soon his mood is improved. He is a quick study and learns after only being shown a time or two. There is a problem with the way you are using take 10. Please see your email.[/sblock]

 

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm

For the DM only[sblock]Gee did i screw the pooch on that one. Okay I will take 20 on them all so that should give me 29 base. If i am using my masterwork forgers kit does that also add 10 to it. According to the descripitoin it does so if i am correct that should make them 39. but i will of course accpet the 29...I figure that that should be difficult for most to decipehr quickly. Add to this several other letter, documents, etc that would establish the identiy of one Kaidan Silva, it is this identiy that i will use to pass the forged letters of credit when the opportunity presents itself.

In regards to Giussieppe, I will ask him if he has a hiding place in his boots or belt, and if not we will make one by hollowing out his heels sliglty and reattaching them. Into these secret spots, I will place 1 250gp gem each and then pack the heels and renail them shut. These gems are never to be used unless somthing happens to either me or grond, then he is to use them to get out of town and back to the safety of the house. When we can, we will have custom boots made for him that will hve these gems secreterd in them. This is not a smugglers set of boots, but regualr boots that just happen to have their heels slighlty hollowed out before the are permeantly attached to the shoe.

To torment the others, Michael will let the smells of the presevers and the food she prepared get to the other crew memebers/party by having Giusseepie dump them over the sides. There will some wastage to be sure, but i wish to reinforce the impression I am a fop.[/sblock]

For Captian Morwyn only[sblock]Dear Captain, please advise me when we are within 4 hours of making port or landfall. Respectfully submitted, Michael Storm.[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

Below Decks on the 'Rumpled Bedsheet'

For Michael Storm only [sblock]I'll look at the master forger's kit, but I assume it works like any other masterwork tools, thus you are correct and can add the modifier to your total of 29, so it if it is +10 then that would indeed be 39, which will be very difficult for most people to catch. I'll post something about the food at morning.[/sblock]

 

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm

For the DM only:[sblock]I did some research on the forger kit and the base kit is +2, I do rememeber reading about a master forgers kit but can not seem to find it. For Simplicty can we say that a masters kit allows a +5 to all roll that would make them a 34 instead of a 39. Still way above average.

Also I was doing some thinking, and there is a glaring hole in our plan. "Ship's Papers" if we are to procced with the charade of a down on the luck ship crew, we should have a history of papers such as cargo receipts etc, shipping manifests, in addition to the log book of the ship itself. Michael will start preparing numerous ships papers to cover a period of 12 months. We can simply say all other paper are kept in our home port of call, which is customary. It would just have to be noted in the ships log, that the papers were placed off ship. If I can gain MOrwyn permission to see the log, I will review it before making the papers so as to be able to crossrefercne and lend crediabiltiy to our story.[/sblock]

Giusseppe will approach Captain MOrwyn on the quarterdeck and say,"Begging your pardon Sir, I have a message from Mister Storm. Would the Captain please accept it?

For Captain Morwyn[sblock]Dear Captain Morwyn, If it is permissable, I need to examine the ships log book and any ships papers that may be availabe to you. The are needed to cross reference certain perpartions I am undertaking to benefit our mission. If it is indeed possible, please forward the information by giving the paper work to Giusseppe and he will insure that i receive it. Respectfully requested,M. Storm[/sblock]

Michales cabin boy, will approach Radoon when he is on the deck and say" Sir, I have a messeage for you, would you please acccept it'?

For Radoon[sblock]Dear Sir, I request that you furnish me with a list of common shipwrights and their home ports as well as various chandler, merchants and their respective ports that you are famialr with as well as the names of the individual assocaited with said business. Thank you for you cooperation in this matter. Should you require pen and ink to complete te list, please feel free to ask the bearer of this letter and he will supply all that you need as well as insuring that I receive your response should you choose to do so. Respectully, M. Storm[/sblock]

Gisuseepe will approach Rook and say, "Sir I have a messeage for you from Mr. Storm, will you please accept it?"

For Rook only[sblock]Dear Sir, I request that you furnish me with a list of common shipwrights and their home ports as well as various chandlers, merchants and their respective ports that you are familar with as well as the names of the individuals associated with said businness. Thank you for you cooperation in this matter. should you require pen and ink to complete the list, please feel free to ask the bearer of this letter and he will supply all that you need as well as insuring that I receive your response should you choose to do so. Respectfully, M. Storm[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

OOC: Sounds like the planning has wrapped up. In the interests of moving things along I plan to advance time this afternoon to landfall at Axiopolis, an island that is part of the Sword Arm Chain closest to the Wheelands, where you may do your banking and such like.

 

[Scotley]

Dawn on the Rumpled Bedsheet

Eventually, the company fell to yawning all having put in a hard day. The Captain's mess ended and those not on watch were able to get a few hours sleep. The night passed uneventfully and the ship progressed nicely. Dawn comes bright and clear except for a few clouds on the distant horizon. A rain squall is expected late tonight and those clouds are the first hint of it. Pleasant spicy food smells greet your arrival on deck, but the cook has prepared a simple meal of porridge, two day old bread, eggs and cold mutton from the previous night's crew meal. Some slices of fresh fruit elevates the simple meal slightly. The smells are coming not from the galley, but from a basket held by young Giusseppe--Michael Storm's cabin boy. He is throwing the remains of a small feast over the side. He is tossing crusts of bread still laced with jam, chicken bones and other bits of once fine food to gulls and fishes, obviously taking some delight in the activity. The dregs from a few wine bottles also go over the side. He puts down the basket and carefully wipes his fingers on a handkerchief and returns below decks basket in hand a hint of spice and yeast still emanating from the it. Soon he returns with notes for various party members. There are several ships passing in either direction this morning as you sail between the Wheelands and Shield Arm chain along the channel that leads to open sea. Cambre was on the ocean side of this channel and by noon you are nearing the inner sea proper on the Shield Arm side of the Channel heading West North West.

 

[Scotley]

Arrival at Axiopolis

The Rumpled Bedsheet arrives in the small harbor at Axiopolis just after midday. The little island is rocky and steep. A pair of sturdy looking dwarf made towers surmounted by catapults protects the harbor some hundred yards out in the water. The harbor supports one small deep water pier at which half a dozen vessels, mostly coasters, are moored. A pair of smaller piers supports the local fishing fleet, which appears to be largely at sea right now. A couple of battered old fishing boats and a few skiffs make up the complement of boats there. One boat does stand out. It is adorned with nets and traps like the others, but it is a long low sleek little ship with a freshly scraped hull and broad but short masts. It looks fast, and you can’t help thinking ‘smuggler’ when you see it. A few run down looking warehouses front the docks. A bit higher up the slope, you see the walls of a town. They show signs of having been built and re-built a few times and it looks like it is about time for another rebuilding. Beyond that the distinctive tower and terrace structure of dwarven holds are visible. The stone towers rise from the slope to heights of 50, 75, even a 100 feet. Below each tower in a semi circle a terrace has been built out from the slope. Each terrace is protected by a low wall of perhaps 15’. From here you can’t see the crops that might be grown there, but the walls and tower windows are adorned with boxes where tulips in a variety of colors can be seen blooming. Smoke rises from around some of the towers, likely the output of underground forges. Outside the walls of the town around the lower slopes of the island small farm cots in stone or even wattle and daub with thatched roofs can be seen. Pens of livestock, wood lots and small farmed patches cover the bulk of arable land. In the distance a distinctive trees in a ring of a Druids’ Grove can be noted. While a good bit of activity can be seen the whole place has a run down look about it. Mud and dust seem to be competing to cover everything and general disrepair seems to be the norm. As the ‘Bedsheet’ touches the dock a Dwarf whose immaculate appearance is incongruous in the squalid surroundings awaits the lowering of a gang plank. His Shield Arm Legion uniform gleams with polished metal and leather. As the Shield Arm Chain flag on the ‘Bedsheet’ passes him he stands even straighter and salutes sharply. He seems to take no notice of other flags including Imperial ones. Behind him in the distance a small collection of human and orc vendors gets up from an afternoon nap in the shade of a warehouse to approach with fresh produce, and local handicrafts for sale. Marienna suggests to both Radoon and Morwyn seperately that we stay in port no longer than absolutely necessary. She seems eager to get to Mermaid's Rest and find Allois. The Dwarf hails the ship and insists on talking to the Captain or First Officer before he allows anyone other than a couple of deck hands who secure the lines off the ship.

OOC: Who is going ashore and what are your plans?

 

[Erland]

Morwyn

In response to Michael's notes -
Since I'll be on duty 4 hours before reaching Axiopolis, I'll send someone to notify him of our schedule.

As to the second note, "I'm afraid that those documents really should remain in the captain's quarters. He's welcome to examine them there."


I'll reassure Marienna that I don't intend to remain in Axiopolis any longer than absolutely necessary. I'd like to take Radoon with me to cash my letter of credit; I'm going to the bank and then straight back to the ship. Rook and/or Michael are welcome to go with us, or to go ashore to tend their own business. I do encourage the others to cash their letters of credit as well, in case we find ourselves in need of currency at Mermaid's Rest.

Unless they can provide sufficient reason, none of the crew are allowed ashore. I want to be in and out as quickly as possible.