|
Post by Xynphos on Jan 20, 2015 17:30:43 GMT
Location: Port of Memnon Date: Flamerule 1, 1372 DRParticipants: Argudas, Sarina, and BranAs you arrive at the port of Memnon, you see that the boisterous atmosphere is as full of energy as ever. People scurry back and forth between wagon loads of goods and three large sailing vessels. Along the sides of the ships you see the names, Roving Lion, Gray Dusk, and Darting Asp. Each ship magnificent in its own right. The Roving Lion appears to be well worn, with its crew members being closer to middle-aged than young. The Gray Dusk is entirely fashioned of Darkwood, and is maned by a crew consisting of both elves and men. It is said that it has never been boarded by an enemy vessel. The Darting Asp is as pristine as it comes, and the expedition is said to be its maiden voyage. You overhear the shouts of the ship captains, telling the sailors which crates go where, and which bags needed to be carried to which ship. Above all the clamor there appears to be one location of the port that is more calm than the rest. Near the loading plank for the Darting Asp a man sits under a pavilion attended by several young men and women. As you approach the pavilion of two men armed with spears cross them as you come near, without sparing a glance your direction. A middle-aged man dressed simple white robes, several jeweled rings, and a single gold medallion with some sort of red symbol carved into it approaches. He is of average height, his slicked back hair a deep black, holding streaks of silver, with his eyes a pale blue. He asks "What is your business with Lord Valkos? We have a very important trip today and he is not to be disturbed by gawkers. State your business or take your leave." You can make a DC 25 Knowledge: History or a DC 15 Knowledge: Arcana Check identify the symbol carved into the amulet. A DC 15 Knowledge: Local check will provide more information about the different ships crews. Just a reminder, please make all of your rolls in the OOC thread.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2015 17:52:04 GMT
Sarina stumbled her way through the docks, trying her best to be unintrusive as possible, and failing miserably. No matter how she tried to move or step, she always seemed to find herself directly in the path of another burly sailor or scowling dock-worker. It was extraordinarily flustering, as well as disorienting. Twice already,she'd gotten so turned about that she ended up backtracking her steps, or walking past her destination entirely. It was only through luck she finally made it to the correct pier. Taking a moment to check her paperwork, her attention on where she was walking lapsed, leading her to strole directly into the imposing gentleman dressed in white.
"I...I..I" She stammered, embarrassed "Er, that is to say, I was working on researching the family tree's of several local families to see if there was any relationship between the number of children had, and the magical aptitude of each child, when a messenger arrived and I spilt ink all over him, and then he got really really mad and started yelling, and I just wanted him to stop so I tried to use a spell to fix it but he wouldn't stop yelling so I couldn't concentrate and then he called me some names I'd rather not repeat and he gave me this letter saying I should come on this expedition." She paused for a split second, gulping down a lungful of air "And then i thought 'well, I don't really want to go on a trip, but it could be a lot of fun, and I felt bad about spilling ink and it'd look really bad if I just said no after he went to all the trouble of finding me' so I decided to go, and then I got my supplies and figured out where this ship was, and then I came here, and here I am and I ran into you, and I'm really sorry about that. I have my invitation, please don't throw me off the dock, the water looks really really cold!"
|
|
|
Post by Argudas De Soleni on Jan 20, 2015 21:01:18 GMT
Argudas stared unflinchingly as the fisherman babbled on. Despite the Warforged's diminutive stature it didn't take much to strike fear into the heart of the simpleton. A simple stare from cold mechanical eyes and he looked like a demon had come for his soul. After several minutes the fellow finally pulled himself together enough to give directions to the expeditions docking area.
It didn't take long to find the ship in question. The Darting Asp was a good enough looking vessel. Hopefully it was as good as the rumors claimed.
A man standing close to a nearby pavilion called out. "What is your business with Lord Valkos? We have a very important trip today and he is not to be disturbed by gawkers. State your business or take your leave." His dress was simple enough, but the marking on the medallion he wore marked him as a Student Rampant of The First Scroll. The figure was flanked by two guards who were barring his way, neither of whom looked friendly.
Argudas looked up with an even gaze. "I am here to answer Lord Gorian Valkos' call for adventurers. Who are you?" The construct, having said its piece, waited for an answer.
|
|
Bran
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by Bran on Jan 21, 2015 6:54:13 GMT
Sauntering through the streets of the Port of Memnon, Bran of the Blackbriar, a redheaded young woman dressed in rough-spun traveling clothes, stops before the spear-carrying guards, having found the ship in question without much trouble, even despite the sheer size of the port and the grandeur of the ships. She is, however, slightly tardy in that she chooses to spend some time admiring the construction of the vessels, watching the riggers and stevedores scurry about their business. "Wow, I wonder what it'd be like to actually be a sailor...wonder if it isn't too late to change jobs. Not like guarding towns pays much better," she murmurs to herself. "Yup, definitely an elf-ship, with all that darkwood," she muses, staring at the Gray Dusk.
"At-ease, men," Bran says, saluting the guards before reaching into the folds of her tunic and pulling forth the stamped letter she received via courier. "Constable Bran of Blackbriar, Iriaebor City Watch, reporting on the behalf of master Gorian el Valkos' call for aid. These patents should prove I'm telling the truth, yeah? An expedition to the heart of Chult to retrieve some family heirlooms, as I recall." Looking expectantly, the olive-eyed woman crooks her eyebrows, placing her hands on her hips and smiling coyly at the two guardsmen, awaiting their response to her papers. In her heart of hearts, however, she sincerely hoped it was no setup; she needed the promised wealth as a boon to help fund her own private investigation into the death of her father.
|
|
|
Post by Xynphos on Jan 21, 2015 18:37:04 GMT
Ah yes, so you're the specialists Lord Valkos insisted on hiring, he will receive you now. Says the Student Rampant as he puts particular venom into the word specialists. He walks ahead of you and says in a soft tone, "Gorian, the specialists are here to see you."
As you follow the man further under the pavilion you smell heavy incense. You see what you assume to be the young lord on an extremely plush, large pillow, with two beautiful young women on either side taking turns feeding him fruit. His appearance is striking. He wears a black tunic, his muscles bulging from beneath, has short, dirty blonde hair, bright green eyes, and stands about 6'2". You hear him say "I though I told you not to disturb me Zet, choking on the fruit, he coughs and stands up in a hurry, "Welcome, to my temporary abode travelers. I am Gorian mn Alphar el Valkos," Pronouncing this full name with the most pride you've ever heard anyone say anything. He seems to take particular notice of Sarina and Bran, saying "Zet-al-Koshir, you didn't tell me we were going to be entertaining any more beautiful women. I would have prepared better." "Well, I didn't know either, you dolt. Anyways, now you've met. You may choose one of the other ships to travel on to the Chult. It will be a long and treacherous journey." Gorian replies, "Nonsense, they will have the best luxury I can provide for them, on my great maiden, The Darting Asp. You ladies may bring your... attendant? with you as well," referring to the warforged, looking at him curiously.
|
|
|
Post by Argudas De Soleni on Jan 21, 2015 20:33:28 GMT
Luxury: Superficial Security: Priority
"I've heard The Gray Dusk has never been boarded. How many times have they fought off an assault? Or is it a technicality and no one has ever tried?"
|
|
|
Post by Xynphos on Jan 22, 2015 16:45:16 GMT
"Their was only one attempt, after that the rumors kept people away. No need to fear though, the Darting Asp has never been boarded either! Who would? She has all of the most modern weapons ready to go into action at a moments notice, not to mention my reputation as a fearsome warrior to protect her! Ha Ha! Safest ship on the Shining Sea."
As he is bragging about himself and his vessel to the warforged, an elf with gray skin walks in and says "We set out within the hour, Valkos." Then turns and leaves the tent as quickly as he entered.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2015 23:18:44 GMT
"Beautiful women?" Sarina commented, parroting the words that Gorian had said. "Did...did I misunderstand the nature of this job? Or am I just in the wrong tent?" She asked, looking about with no small bit of discomfort. Thankfully, further explanations dispelled the theory, though that still left several very uncomfortable seconds where Sarina pictured herself being snatched away onto one of the sea-going vessels to be made a concubine for some grizzled old captain. Pulling back her imagination, she debated between the two ships, but lacking any real nautical experience, she wasn't exactly in a position to make an informed decision. "So, yeah, boat ride. That'll be fun. Can we spare a minute to talk about the actual expedition part of the...er...expedition? You said we were going to Chult right, to recover some hand-me-downs? Few quick questions. How did these heirlooms get their in the fist place? What exactly are they, we talking about jewelry or tapestries or some kind of giant stone statue? No way am I going to be able to lift a stone statue, and for that matter, would question if such a statue was worth it to bring back. Er, that is, if it is a statue, which you haven't actually stated with certainty. And Chult is a big region, do you have a more precise idea of where we're going? Are we going to be searching when we get their, and how many days worth of supplies do we have? Should I bring my own tent, or will one be provided? Whats the hull depth on the Asp, and if we need to travel inland, will the life rafts be able to handle it, furthermore-" Sarina had to stop herself, as she was begining to run short on breath. She cursed her overactive brain, and gave a very disappointed look at her mouth for taking advantage of the opportunity to start running off without her. Metaphorically speaking.
|
|
|
Post by Xynphos on Jan 24, 2015 3:33:24 GMT
Lord Valkos replies, "There aren't many tents on deck, but I'm sure we could work something out," following the statement with a wink towards Sarina. Though, her attention was short lived as Gorian moved onto more pressing matters. "The legend of the treasure has been passed down though the generations. Nobody knows how it got there, or what it actually is, just that it is there. One day as a child, I found the map hidden in a secret chamber on our family estate. Father commissioned the First Scroll to decode the map, as it had its secrets sealed with magic. It took many years to decode and here we are today. Zet and I are actually childhood friends and he was with me when I found it. I guess that's what prompted him to join the organization in the first place. Enough of old tales, time to get down to business. We have provisions for ninety days of sailing and exploring, including food, drink, and shelter. Once we hit the city of Mezro on the coast of the great forest, we'll be following the map inland. Zet was only able to reproduce one copy of it in time for the trip. Why don't you go and get one of the copies to show our companions."
As Zet leaves into the back to go and fetch the map, what could only be described a creature with crystalline light blue scales, white long hair, silvery eyes enters the tent. Mystical marks cover her body like that of an ancient creature out of its time, with crystalline feathered wings. For some reason as the creature approaches you cannot help but feel thoughts of peace.
|
|
|
Post by An'Drye Bladewing on Jan 24, 2015 3:59:07 GMT
As always, An'Drye was merely riding the waves of time, she had received a letter and she had nothing better to do, but she was used to that anyway, boredom wouldn't ruin her manners nor her happy-to-help personality. Besides, the journey itself had already proven quite interesting.
Finding the place in question was easy enough, fate had a way of sending her in the right direction, and avoiding to bump onto the men working at the docks, was still not a difficult task, albeit she did not understand the lack of working women but she didn't question it either.
Tagging along with her best friend, she presented herself curteously.
"Excuse me, I understand that this is the tent of Lord Valkos, in charge of the Chult Expedition? Ah I see you were already mid-briefing, I am so very sorry for the tardiness, my name is An'Drye, but if any of you wish you may call me Annie." - finishing with a small curteous reverence, she sits in the ground as if to meditate, yet she simply pays full attention to the remaining of the briefing.
|
|
|
Post by Blossom on Jan 26, 2015 3:49:12 GMT
It was a long time traveling with An'Drye. Together, they went faster and longer than Blossom ever thought possible! And finally, they were here, the destination where great adventure was promised! The bustling docks were an intriguing sight, yes, much like any other city. But what really interested Blossom was the ocean. Rarely, had she spent much time around such a natural feature. It was beautiful, yes, but it just wasn't an environment best suited for a pixie.
In any case, apparently An'Drye was running rather late, and she was supposed to be talking to this man under the tent thing. Considering Blossom got here at the same time, she was left just as much in the dark as her friend. But the pixie did see some familiar faces. She couldn't help but become visible to greet her friends and blurt out, "Oh, Argudas! Bran! ..Sarina?" She always thought the last one was a tad bit odd. "It is so good to see you again! Are we all going on the same adventure and looking for a hair loom?"
|
|
|
Post by Argudas De Soleni on Jan 26, 2015 4:15:12 GMT
Argudas' eyes glowed brightly for a moment as it turned to face the new arrival. The Warforged's tone remained even despite the warm nature of its words words. "Blossom. A pleasure. We are setting out to find a relic of Lord Valkos' family. I doubt it is a loom for hair." The constructs gaze shifted to the other new arrival. "What a fascinating creature. I don't believe I have seen one like you before."
|
|
|
Post by An'Drye Bladewing on Jan 26, 2015 11:41:36 GMT
An'Dryei is surprised for a moment from the sudden encounter, but she realizes whats going on and extends her hand as greeting "Ah, so you are Argudas, Blossom told me about all of you on our way here, sounds like you had plenty of fun!."
At the Warforged's Query she answers "Don't worry, i haven't met one like me either, and its been a while since i last met one like you -An'Drye starts searching back her years and years of memory but interrupts herself, she had to stay in the present for now- but alas, a small Warforged is plenty unique in its own right, i hope we get along as well." she says all of this with a hapy and honest smile.
|
|
|
Post by Xynphos on Jan 26, 2015 23:00:51 GMT
"Good. Looks like the whole crew is here. Gorian says, as Zet-al-Koshir reenters the tent with two scrolls in hand. He says a smattering of words, conjuring a table from mid-air, placing one of the scrolls on it and opening it up to reveal an ornately drawn map. As you look closely you notice the extreme detail that the cartographer placed upon each and every marking. There was a picture of a peninsula, with a forest covering it. There are is a symbol on the coast labeled, "City of Knowledge", from which the trail leads inland to a large forest that the map calls "The Jungle of the Beast". Through the jungle there is a small body of water named, "The Pool of Hatred." And even farther past the pool is a symbol of a cave labeled "The Den of Thorexuldras" with a symbol of a pile of coins right next to it. Zet says aloud "Yes, yes, now that you've all see the map, I have one copy for all of you, and one copy for Lord Valkos and myself. Familiarize yourself with it on our sea journey. We depart shortly. Its time to board the Darting Asp. I'll leave it up to you whether you join us or not. Anchors up in ten minutes. If you are late this time, you will be left behind."And with that, Lord Valkos and Zet set out from the tent to board the Darting Asp. You all my choose which ship to board. This will have an impact on the rest of the adventure.
You also have the option to recognize the name, Torexuldras from the map with a DC 25 K: History or K: Arcana Check.
|
|
|
Post by Blossom on Jan 26, 2015 23:33:46 GMT
Blossom peers at the map intently, noting the shape and form of the drawings, the land and continents, if you will. Though illiterate, she could recognize a lot of things simply by how they were drawn. The small symbol of a coin pile still eluded her; she wasn't sure what it was supposed to be. And even if she could read the word 'Thorexuldras', she wouldn't know a thing about it anyway...
"So now we have to cross the ocean!" the pixie said with some excitement. Quite an obvious statement at that, too. Then a small moment later she had another thought, coupled with some concern. "..how long do you suppose it would take?"
|
|
|
Post by An'Drye Bladewing on Jan 27, 2015 1:24:18 GMT
An'Drye looks carefully at the map and recognizes the name, she feels like she had been there, long long ago, she cant quite recall the details but she is sure she will remember soon enough.
(somehow passed the check, but not sure about what it is i figured out from that)
After that she decides she will likely be going to the Gray Dusk, since it looks sturdier.
"Blossom, ill be boarding that one once everyone is ready, would you like to come along?"
|
|
|
Post by Blossom on Jan 27, 2015 1:52:15 GMT
"You mean the one made of dark wood with elves and men? Sure, I suppose!" Blossom said enthusiastically. "Are all these ships going to the same place at the same time?"
|
|
|
Post by An'Drye Bladewing on Jan 27, 2015 2:12:46 GMT
An'Drye chuckles faintly as she walks towards the ship, she may not need to rest but she would sure like some right now, "Yes they are Blossom, ill be going ahead, but if you need anything you know where ill be."
|
|
|
Post by Argudas De Soleni on Jan 28, 2015 7:09:14 GMT
Primary Goal: Safe Arrival at Destination Strategy: Numerical Superiority Secondary Strategy: Sturdy Transport Conclusion: Gray Dusk
Argudas straightened its cloak and followed An'Drye and Blossom onto the Gray Dusk. "Let's get underway."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 2:55:16 GMT
Sarina followed the rest of the group towards the Gray Dusk, her motions being preformed by rote rather than intent, while her mind worked. Torexuldras, a dragon? What does that mean? Does the map belong to him, or is the map trying to indicate where he is? She thought to herself as they walked, her eyes focused entirely on the document infront of her. If there is a dragon involved, this trip might not be worth it. Nothing good ever comes from dragons, thats what uncle Clint would say. I guess thats not true, he'd probably say Auuuahahaggahaaaa or something like that. Real shame, what happened to his jaw. But hey, there we go, first hand advise not to meddle in the afairs of dragons. Sarina looked up a moment to realize she was walking the wrong direction and had nearly stepped off the dock and taken a plunge into the ocean. Thankfully, she caught herself in time and corrected her course. Now, no need to rush entirely to conclusions. It is Possible, after all, that the note is just referancing him. Oh, but then, what if the map was originally owned by Torexuldras. That'd be bad, too... Sarina gulped down a lump of nervousness.
|
|