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Island Empire Part 1, to Mermaid's Rest

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OOC: Mike, have a good trip, hope you get there in time for the batchelor party! I'll take care of Radoon in your absence.
 

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Arrival at Mermaid's Rest

The final leg of the trip takes a little longer than expected due to unfavorable winds and a slight error in the charts. Eventually, in the late afternoon, a collections of boats becomes visible on the horizon. As you get closer it begins to look more like a scrap heap. All manor of boats are grouped together here, barges, ships, and boats. The boats are arranged in circles radiating outward. Most boats sport colorful awnings to provide shade and catch rain. Some are in pretty poor shape and you are amazed they still float. Some have obviously been here a long time and might not be able to move anymore. Some carry banners or signs indicating that they are taverns, inns, casinos, and other less savory businesses. The place is a bustle of activity and cooking smells. Surprisingly, some areas are surounded by floating walls making small isolated enclaves of isolated boats within the larger city. A small fleet of fishing boats can be seem all around the Rest catching food for the inhabitants. The visiting boats are arranged end to end in long strings connected by floating bridges made of planks over casks. The next available spot is behind a long ship of Bastiander origin.
 

Morwyn

We'll make our way to the space by the Bastiander long ship, following whatever ettiquette is appropriate.

I'll get the crew started on their repairs, with the reminder not to be too efficient or professional.

Once that's done, we can start exploring. Does anyone object to me taking the magic trident and magic crossbow while I do my underwater recon?
 

Finn Hunter

Finn ascends to the crows nest with a 'glass to examine the floating island fleet. He looks for any ships that he personally recognizes, or for any that he has heard a good description. He also tries to get a count of ships, and their probable point of origin. He will also note any ships that might have a problem with an Imperial ship and those that might be sympathetic or open to an alliance in a time of need. He will pay especially close attention to the ships within the walled areas. All this intelligence he will bring to Captain Morwyn's attention as seems appropriate.
 

Mermaid's Rest

The Bastiander ship is large and solid looking, but to eyes of a sailor it is clearly inferior to the ships of the empire. You'd be afraid to sail all the way to the far deserts of Bastiander in such a ship. It is quiet except for a couple of tough looking Gnolls standing guard on the ramp leading past the ship and a couple more aloft keeping an eye out. Clearly, they don't feel entirely safe in such a place.
 

The View from Above

For Finn Hunter only [sblock]The ships and boats are two numerous to count. More than a hundred and fifty ships or barges are here and at least that number of small boats, many moving about the fringes, are here. The first thing you notice is that a surprising number of expensive yachts are present. More than a dozen--not the sort of boats you'd expect in such a place. Any of them would make a wonderful prize for the cutthroats, thieves and pirates here. Most are not flying any insignia and have the names covered either with subtlety or obviously. All have guards posted, and some of those are unusual. One large yacht in particular catches your eye both because of its appearance and because you've seen it before. The ship is the 'Dragonheart Clipper' and it belongs to a mysterious figure known as the Sea Sorcerer. A Mage Lord and Crewe leader of considerable power and fabulous wealth. His Crewe has a fleet numbering in the hundreds. The yacht is an amazing boat currently the great lateen sails are covered in magically projected images of cavorting Mermaids. The quarterdeck supports a large pool where a party seems to be going on with musicians playing on the main deck. The guards for this ship include a pair of elementals, one water and one fire. Such a mysterious and powerful figure would have little to gain from aiding you if trouble starts. Soon you spy a large barge that explains the yachts. It is flying a flag in the shape of an inverted triangle with a black infinity symbol in the center. The flag is mixed in with other pennants with no obvious meaning. The level of the flag suggests that two days hence a Masque will be held on the barge, which has an enclosed cabin filling nearly the entire barge and at least two stories high. Given the type of ships present it will be no ordinary Masque, but one that attracts the elite.

It is notable that there are no ships of recognizable fleets or companies here with the possible exception of the yachts. The ships here are various sorts of gypsy and tramp freighters or boats converted to a commercial purpose such as restaurants, bars, and inns. Some of the ships must be pirates or smugglers as well, but it would be hard to prove. You recognize a handful of ships, but don’t know a lot about them. Only one brings a smile to Finn’s face--the ‘Lady in White.’ This old ship has been sailing under her Captain Genevieve de Grassie for as long as Finn has been alive. Some of her exploits are legendary. Finn met the captain once in connection with his work she made a strong impression on him. With luck the tail of Marin and Son’s woes would motivate her to help your cause. The walled enclaves are well concealed by the walls and carefully placed awnings making it nearly impossible to determine what is happening within them. Several other ships are undergoing various levels of repair and maintenance. It is unlikely the bedsheet’s repairs will be seen as extraordinary. A few boats here have signs offering parts and repairs.

Does that cover everything?[/sblock]
 
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Rook

OOC: Scott -- I'll be out of touch until at least Sunday night, possibly Monday sometime. Take care of Rook for me, if you wouldn't mind.
 


OOC: Um yeah, where the heck is everybody? No one has objected to Morwyn's suggestion that he take the trident and crossbow for an underwater scouting mission. I think we can take that as a tacit 'go for it'. Do you wish to go as soon as you arrive or wait?
 

Rook

Rook has no objections to Morwyn taking the trident or crossbow, either for his recon or on a more permanent basis (I've always thought the trident was a cool weapon -- it'd be good to see a party member using one!)
 

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