Island Empire Part 1, to Mermaid's Rest

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm

Michael will proceed to the banking house with the party. Once there he will cash two of his letters of credit, pending the banking house having that type of currency on hand but will wait till after the others have first had a chance to cash theirs. He will then briefly leave the group taking Grond and Guiessppe wtih him and hit the local market for fresh food, and several other items. Upon leaving the group at the bank, he will ask the Captain if he may have two hours to return to the ship or pedning that 45 mintures or so.

For Captain Morwyn.[sblock]Dear Sir, In responsive to your missive, would it be possible for me to examine the ship's records durning your next watch so that I may examine them uninterrputed. You are welcoem of course to have another ship's officer, etc supervise the inspection but I do ask that they not interrupt me while i am examingn them. Respectfully, M. Storm[/sblock]

For the DM only[sblock]Michael will cash two legetimate letters of credit for 500gp He will then hand the money over to Grond for safekeeping. When he leaves the shop he will head to the market and look for new clothing for Guiessppe. We are looking for some nice leather tunics, breeches, and a cloak for him as well as new boots, etc. We will also pick up items in wool and if they have it in silk. If this is not avaialbe we will do the best we can. Also, I would like to look for a few outfis that will facilitate his role as a catamite should it become necessary. To this affect we will have his hair cut and colored in a boyish/girlish fashion as well as picking up some makeup for the eveys and lips for him should it become necessary to go that far. In order to keep Guiesspee happy, I will allow him to just wander around the market and purchase personal items that he may like up to 50gp worth, and tell him that these are his to keep.

Next I will look into fresh fruit etc to add to my ship's stores. While scanning the market, I will look for anything of interest that might serve as a cargo or trade goods with which a small profit mite be turned. Anyting to give Michale a pretext to engage smugglers etc.

Additionlay, I will do the typical chore of scanning the market, docks for a down on his luck youngster who is looking to get out of town or a way off this rock etc...Michael Stormrolls
1d20+7, getting [10,7] = (17) for a sense motive on finding someone.

Last when Guiesspe is busy and Grond observing him, I will go back to the bank, changing my look and clothes Michale Stormrolls 1d20+9, getting [16,9] = (25)Disguise and go to another banking house and cash a forged letter of credit in the amount of 250gp. This is bening done to actually test the market and see how easy or difficutl it will be to do when necessary. If it looks spooky at all or there is even a hint of difficulty Michale will use a real letter of credit and put the other one back in his pouch. Just in case, he will carry two real letters and one forged letter, and hand all others over to Grond.

Michael will then return to the ship, with no other errands unless something developes. Prior to returning to the ship he will of coures change back into his normal self.[/sblock]

OCC: By the way Scott, did you ever make a decison in regards to my email on gunpowder and the two indiviudla wrapped three charge containers being stacked?

 

[mleibrock]

Radoon - Mariner/Fighter/Master Thrower

When handed the letter from Gisuseepe, Radoon will read it and throw it overboard telling "G" "If Michael has something to ask me he should respect me enough to do it in person."

Radoon will go with Morwyn ashore to cash his letter in as many different currencies as they have available, as evenly as possible. At least the currencies he thinks might be usefull at Mermaid's. He needs to stop at...see below and depending on how long they plan to be docked, he might wander the shipyard, talk with the Dwarf and speak of mermaid's rest, and find the latest news as if we have been sailing a while. Get a feel for if there is any new news about Mermaid's Rest.

Radoon will ask Marienna if she would like to come ashore, if she has a letter. If she would rather stay aboard, he will ask if she would like anything? While he is talking with her, he will attempt to apologize for his unintentional misinterpreted comment about her usefullness and try his best to dig himself out of a hole, hoping she finds his sincerity appealing. If she chooses not to go ashore, he will stop at a sweets shop for some chocolates or such for her and try to plant them in her room when she is not around, maybe on her watch, but leave no note.

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

Rook

Rook will accompany the party to the bank. He'll cash his letter of credit, taking 75% in gems of differing values (if available) and the other 25% in various currencies of the empire, and then return back to the ship, unless anyone in the party is running other errands and asks that he accompany them.

For the DM and Mr. Storm:
[sblock]Regarding Mr. Storm's letter, he'll furnish the requested information in a note and send it back with Guisseppe. In addition to the requested information, he'll write an offer of assistance: "If there's anything else I can help you with, just let me know!"[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

Axiopolis

OOC: For those her care to make a check roll knowledge local--the sea to see what you know about Axiopolis. As before make one roll and read all the spoilers with a DC less than or equal to your roll or less. Radoon take a +8, Morwyn a +3.

DC 10 or less [sblock]Just another dirty rock at the poor end of the Sword Arm chain.[/sblock]

DC 15 [sblock]Axiopolis was the subject of much gossip several years ago during the worst of the plague, but you can't remember why.[/sblock]

DC 20 [sblock]Not a very big or important place maybe a thousand people here. There was an uprising or riot here about 20 years ago and Imperial troops were called in.[/sblock]

DC 25 [sblock]During the plague 21 years ago the Orcs and humans were rioting over a food shortage and a lack of plague treatment. The dwarven government sent in heavy troops from a nearby island to put down the riot and they got a little carried away re-establishing order, hundreds of Orcs and dozens of humans where killed and several buildings were destroyed. The Imperial Navy arrived and a tense showdown took place before things settled down.[/sblock]

DC 30 [sblock]There used to be a third tower in the harbor, but the Navy blasted it down with catapults and magic killing the Dwaven general.[/sblock]

 

[J. Alexander]

Michael Storm (warlcok)

Michael Stormrolls 1d20, getting [10] = (10). Needless to say Michale is oblivioius to anything about this rocky port.

Michael will ask the Captain, just before the leave the ship, how far it is to Mermaids Rest from this port?

Guiessippe will apprach Rook and hand him a letter.

For Rook Only[sblock]Dear Sir, Your offer of assistance is greatley appreciated, and after the conclusion of my reguest with Captain Morwyn, you may indeed be of assistance as I have little knoweldege in regards to sailing times, and the customary routes of travel from one port to another. Shall we set a date for tomorrow night, pending the conclusion of my request, around 7ish? I will be more than happy to provide you with an excellent repaste in exchange for sharing your knowledge and your timely assistance. Respectfully, M. Storm.[/sblock]


Guiessippe will apprach Captain Morwn and hand him two letters. One is the standard missive but the other seems to have a more ornate script and on a higher than average quality parchment. The paper on this last missive is a deep cream in color with a heavy black border about 1/2 and inch wide which is apparently on both sides of the paper. The letter is sealed with a combintion of red and black wax.

For Captain MOrwyn[sblock]Dear Captain, I respectfully request the use of the hold to store several boxes and items currently residing in my room. They will be moved into the hold, pending your approval, tomorrow afternoon and removed no later than 9:00 am the following morning. Respectfully Requested, M. Storm[/sblock]


For Captain Morwyn(Ornate Letter)[sblock]When Morwyn opens this letter, he will see that indeed the border continuse on the surface side but near the top it begans to loop down to form an eagle (think german war eagle) which has the black lines tracned in their interior with crimson ink. The ink iteslf is black.

Dear Captain, I have been remiss in returing the hosipatiliy you have shown earlier by allowing us to dine with you and several other smaller courtisey. Therfore I respectfully request your company at dinner to be held at 7:00 pm two day from now, subject of course to the demands of the ship. Respectfully, M. Storm[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

At Axiopolis

For Captain Morwyn only [sblock]The steward requests permision to go ashore and get fresh bread, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and water. The larder is nearly full as you've only been at sea a day and a half, but Morwyn knows that no sailor likes to miss the chace to stock up on fresh food. She says her husband can accompany her for protection since he has no sailing duties while in port.[/sblock]

The Dwarf insists on filling out a form before you come ashore. He takes down the name of the ship, her captain and her last port of call. He informs you that Axiopolis is a law abiding town and they don't tolerate drunken sailors. Something in the way he says 'sailors' suggests that he considers them somewhere between rats and insects in the order of things. He asks that you inform him or his fellows before your departure and gestures to a small kiosk that serves at the port office. Upon being asked he will inform you that there are two bank in Axiopolis, the local Farmers and Miners Trust and a branch of Clanhome Federal. Both on the square in the town proper. He ends with "have a good day in Axiopolis", but something in his tone makes it come across as "be good today in Axiopolis."

As the Dwarf returns to his place at the head of the pier a rag tag group of poorly dressed orcs and humans approach with woven baskets. The baskets contain 'fresh' produce and fish, stale looking bread, crudly carved soapstone figures depicting warriors and sailors, and 'dwarf made' weapons that look like they must have been scavenged from a clan scrap heap. It is unlikely that they have anything you would want. Bypassing the assembled vendors, Marienna, Morwyn, Radoon, Rook, and Michael make their way up the dusty once paved track to the walled town of Axiopolis. You pass a couple of seedy dockside taverns where a few old salts are starting the day's drinking early. Three or Four orc porters are loading and unloading cargo listlessly from ships, working slowly in the midday heat. It isn't quite as warm as Cambre here, but as you trudge up the hill the sun beats down hard and you begin to sweat. You pass a couple of ruined buildings that appear to have been destroyed in some long forgotten conflict. They are now home to squatters and you see numerous people resting in the shade. One thin dog trouble himself to get up from his spot under a collapsed wall to bark at you, but he seems content to let you pass and return to his place in the cool shade without getting close. Near the town you pass a pair of brightly painted buildings on opposite sides of the street. One is a little before the other. Both sport a wide shaded balcony about nine feet above street level. On your left 2 human women sit on the balcony wearing revealing clothing and fanning themselves with colorful paper fans. They whistle and call out asking if you are lonely. At the street level a thin man with oiled dark hair and an overbite that makes his gold teeth stick out alarmingly suggests that all sorts of delights can be had inside. Marienna hurries the rest of you on saying, “we have no time for dalliance today, I hope you men aren’t too disappointed.” Marienna reddens and puts a hand to her cutlass as one of women begins deriding her and saying she is too skinny to be any fun. She seems to have had little experience with such rough folk. The next house is even more exotic. The women are Orcs and Half-Orcs. Three large muscular Orc males are in a small yard next to the house working out and practicing with weapons despite the heat. The Orc women upstairs begin to comment on the possible martial prowess of each of you. One, seeing Marienna’s hand on her sword suggests that Marienna might be the best of the lot of you, which sets them all to laughing. You’ve all heard stories of Orcish brothels. It is rumored that Orcish women need to see bloodsport to perform. One has to best one of the Orc ‘Champions’ in the yard in view of the women to gain admittance. It is said that once properly motivated the passion of Orcish women is unrivaled. Those who become enamored of such passion may find that they shorten their lifespan. Of course if the Orc wins he has a reward coming from his ‘Lady’. Typically, the most attractive and lustful women have the most powerful ‘Champions.’ The price is often many times that at a human house of pleasure. As you pass one of the half-orc women leans over the rail and smiles at Rook. She holds down a single flawless white rose to him. He can just reach it if he chooses. She is dark and beautiful with long black hair and shinning eyes. Her shape is fit with just a bit of extra feminine roundness. Her eyes lock on Rooks and a jeweled necklace at her throat sparkles in the sun. The smell of the rose just inches from his face is intoxicating.

For Rook only [sblock]Rook feels a stirring of passion and desire for this exotic beauty. His vision swims slightly as the aroma of rose comes to him. He feels a mild euphoria and a sensation of floating. His vision narrows and he can see only the woman above him gazing down on him like an angel in painting. She blows him a gentle kiss and he can almost feel it. A soft moan escapes her slightly parted lips. The rose is just inches from his finger tips as his hand has started to rise, seemingly of its own accord. OOC: Care to roll a will save?[/sblock]

For everyone else [sblock]Rook pauses and looks up at the woman. He seems to sway in an unseen breeze as she blows him a kiss. His hand starts to rise toward the outstretched rose. Seeing this the Orcs in the yard stop their practice and turn to look at Rook. They are grinning and one punches the largest one on the shoulder and says something softly in Orcish. The big warrior smiles broadly. He is powerfully built. Muscles ripple under the scarred skin of his bare arms and chest. His nose has been broken more than once and he is missing the tip of a finger. One of his ears also seems to be lacking a piece. He is a veteran of many fights.[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

OOC: Three things for Todd, Michael should have a couple of points of Knowledge local-the sea to add to his roll. I doubt it is enough to matter, but thought I should pass it along fyi. Second, you got a slight typo that makes Rook's spoiler too long--you might want to edit. Finally, I don't remember the querry about gunpowder. Sorry, I should have saved it. Could you please send it again. Give Michael 50 exp for my failure.

 

[Scotley]

Radoon finds Marienna interested in going ashore with him. She doesn't have a personal letter of credit, but does have some letters for the ship's expenses and she brings one of those. Sorry for posting this out of order.

 

[J. Alexander]

OCC: Gunpowder Inquiry. In your rules for firearms you state that 3.5 charges is the critical mass to potientailly have a reaction and or sponateouse exlplsion. I asked that did this apply if say two (2) charged items that were wrapped in linnen and stacke on top of one another thus having a critical mass of 4 charges but seperated in two and buffered with linen and cotton.

For the DM only;[sblock]Michale will detect magic and see if anything is being used against them by the ladies, having just been thru the sorcerouss lol he is parnoid about ladies and necklaces. If he does detcet magic being used agains them he will heighten his vorcaiours dispelling and try to negate it at least temporarily. do I need to roll for this ?[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

OOC: The powder's critical mass is based on proximity rather than contact. You have to have good seperation. Cotton or linin would not be thick enough. Usually, when it is packed for storage or shipment each bundle of powder is padded with seaweed or spanish moss in segragated spaces in wooden crates. The seperators are usually half an inch thick with double that in moss or seaweed making each bundle of 2 or 3 charges at least 2 and a half inches apart.

For Michael Storm only [sblock]The rose and the necklace are both radiating enchantment magic.[/sblock]