The Seas of Blood - The Price of Fame (Chapter One)

[Bront]

As Kentarian moves to leave, a'Shelys embraces him as he would only a close friend, speaking quietly to him, "tell her that our child will be taken care of and will not grow to hate his father or mother." As Kentarian disappears into the shadows, a'Shelys' eyes follow him for a ways, unmoving for a moment, then he abruptly turns and climbs aboard the ship and looks for the captain.

Upon finding him he relates his tale and asks for Swoops advice.

"Well, in about three month's time, you'll have either enough money to spoil the kid rotten, or you'll be looking for another line of work. I'm quite confident in the former, so I wouldn't be worrying. You'd be amazed how gold can smooth over just about any rough bump, and I'm sure ye'll be a good father." Swoops says, patting a'Shelys on the shoulder.

 

[Phoenix]

Slowly but surely the rest of the crew from the Moon Goddess return to the vessel from their foray into the city. Slowly barrels of fresh water and food are loaded into the ship's storage and Morgan begins to busy himself cataloging everything and preparing himself for the trip ahead.

Swoops watches as the crew have the ship ready to sail before the supplies are even loaded, so as the last barrel is brought on board all he has to do is give the order and they will be off.

From the crows nest a younger man comes clambering down the ropes, bringing a message from Rameses: "Cap'n, Rameses says that the Silver Soverign is having trouble getting its supplies on board for some reason, we may get an hour or two head start on her."

 

[Bront]

"Then let us be off."

Swoops bellows out "All right my maties, hoist the ropes and shove off from the dock, pull up one sail and let's get her out into the open see, then raise both sales and set a course north. We sail onward to glory and fame!"

 

[Phoenix]

The crew of the Moon Goddess scurry across her surface like bees on a hive, setting the course of the ship at the whim of the Captain. Wind catches in her sails and soon the ship and her crew are sailing in open water, swallowed up by the night and leaving behind her adversary in the docks of Tavernport.

Soon one of the crewmen approaches Swoops and asks: "Aye...Cap'n, where we headin'?"

 

[Hypersmurf]

The crew of the Moon Goddess scurry across her surface like bees on a hive, setting the course of the ship at the whim of the Captain.

OOC: You know, I had a really nasty plan to cast Contagion, hold the charge, wildshape into a gull or somesuch, and flit across to the Sovereign as we sailed past to accidentally smack into their cook or someone similar.

But I'm not sure if that's just a tad too vicious. Is it considered evil if the disease isn't a fatal one?

(Not so much the evil descriptor, which the spell has, but an actual Evil Act.) /OOC

 

[Ferrix]

a'Shelys winces, the thought of leaving his child to Caerios causes his eyes to narrow with anger. However, it would not be right for me to neglect my post when Swoops needs us all. "Give us direction Captain, it is time that we are off."

 

[Phoenix]

OOC: You know, I had a really nasty plan to cast Contagion, hold the charge, wildshape into a gull or somesuch, and flit across to the Sovereign as we sailed past to accidentally smack into their cook or someone similar.

But I'm not sure if that's just a tad too vicious. Is it considered evil if the disease isn't a fatal one?

(Not so much the evil descriptor, which the spell has, but an actual Evil Act.) /OOC

[sblock]Do what you deem necessary, if you cross the boundries of alignment I will change your alignment, easy as that...
[/sblock]

 

[Bront]

"We're setting sail north, for that way be the Waverunner."

He looks expecantly at his most trusted crewmembers "Well, what did you find?"

Once all the information is gathered, the captain pulls a'Shelys and Lukda (Assuming she back or didn't go) aside. "I need you to to plot the course for the Waverunner using this information." He whispers to Lukda "

Spoiler

Keep him distracted with other tasks, he has a lot on his mind, and I think keeping busy will help him get passed it for now.

"

OOC: [sblock]Hypersmurf, go for it if you see it in character. I don't see it as potentialy evil, but it depends on how nasty you are with it. I think you're best doing what fits the character and not worrying about the alignment

BTW, remember that everyone on board gets a +1 bonus to Profession: Sailor while commanding.[/sblock]

 

[Hypersmurf]

[sblock]Do what you deem necessary, if you cross the bounries of alignment I will change your alignment, easy as that...
[/sblock]

[sblock]Fair enough I'll stay away from anything that drains Con - I think infecting a ship with Slimy Doom is undeniably evil!

I think Cackle Fever. Spread by inhalation - should work well in the close confines of a ship - and since it just targets Wisdom, it won't kill anyone...

Plan: to circle around so I'm not making a direct line from our ship to the Sovereign; make a casual pass or two over the ship to identify a likely target - nobody in command, but someone like the ship's cook would be perfect; on the next low pass, swoop down and blunder into him to discharge the spell; then fly off, make a wide loop, and return to our ship.

Fort DC 19 negates.[/sblock]

As the Goddess heads for the exit of the harbour, Lukda catches Swoops alone for a brief moment. "I'll be back soon," she promises.

Casting a spell, she takes the shape of a large gull and launches herself into the air, heading rapidly away from the ship.

 

[Phoenix]

[sblock]a'Shelys Profession-sailor check (DC 10) +12 - Success
Lukda Profession-sailor check (DC 10) +26 - Success
Swoops Profession-sailor check (DC 10) +17 - Success
Bart Profession-sailor check (DC 10) +19 - Success
Morgan Profession-cook check (DC 10) +25 - Success
Weather check (DC 10) +20 - Critical Success!
[/sblock]

The Moon Goddess turns to the north, catching northerly breeze perfect for sailing, something that the well-trained crew take advantage of, scurrying across the ship to set a course that optimizes the good luck.

The next afternoon sees the Moon Goddess well towards the Isle of Loria on the trade route of the Waverunner. For hours the ship patrols the area with Rameses on the lookout for the elusive trade vessel that would be the crew's first target.

With only hours on sunlight left there is a cry from the Crow's Nest: "Ship ahoy! Starboard!"