Journey Beyond the Mists - Part 4

[Dracos]

12/13/2008 6:16:59 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   ---------------------------------------------
12/13/2008 6:19:28 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   At the end of the last session, shallow as the rocks it were, the party learned of Nassar, some say the jewel of the west.   They learned more of the Valuan nation and how cruelly they tend to treat their prisoners.  But mainly, they learned that Glubtz can't sing.
12/13/2008 6:19:59 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   Naturally, dealing with this appropriately, they arose bright eyed and ready for buckanneering, with Glubtz tied tightly and bound to his bed.  Not that anyone remembered to let him free...
12/13/2008 6:20:36 PM *   Elladan looks up from his breakfast and a content smile...
12/13/2008 6:21:09 PM <Elladan>   "I'm not sure why, but today... I feel like.. like there's this dragging weight that's been left behind somewhere..."
12/13/2008 6:23:15 PM <Kythaine>   "It does seem rather peaceful."
12/13/2008 6:23:40 PM <Kythaine>   "So what's the plan for the day?"
12/13/2008 6:23:40 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "You folks sure are quiet and peaceful for pirates," the attractive, yet unnamed barkeep smiled.  "And it's far too early," She gestured at a strange little working clock in the corner of the bar.
12/13/2008 6:24:00 PM *   Elladan smiles at the barkeep.
12/13/2008 6:25:08 PM <Elladan>   "Ahh, but when graced with the perfection that is your company, how can one not be made wholey content?"
12/13/2008 6:25:38 PM <Marcus>   "My, you are in a good mood," Marcus comments with amusement.
12/13/2008 6:26:42 PM <Elladan>   "Indeed, sir. It is a beautiful morning, with excellent food, and even better company. I feel myself entirely.. 'free-er,' I suppose, than I have in a long time."
12/13/2008 6:29:37 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   She smiled, her ruby lips pursed as one who was well used to such easy flattery.  "No free drinks this early."
12/13/2008 6:30:08 PM *   Kythaine chuckles.
12/13/2008 6:31:42 PM <Elladan>   "Heaven forbid, my good host! While money is indeed very valuable, the good will of your host is priceless! Not a word has been untrue, good woman. And besides, with the way this morning has been going, I feel no need to escape into a mug, no matter how good your choice of brew is, my lady!"
12/13/2008 6:33:16 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   The lady barkeep favored Elladan with a grin at his all too swift and oververbose defense of himself.
12/13/2008 6:35:22 PM <Kythaine>   "Shall we wander down to the cartographer's guild?"
12/13/2008 6:36:16 PM <Elladan>   "Ahh, a plan begins to form! Indeed, let us be off!"
12/13/2008 6:36:18 PM <Marcus>   "Let's. Breakfast was good, but I'd like to get some work done and get the blood flowing."
12/13/2008 6:40:20 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   And so they made their way off... the cartographer's guild was a small, but relatively overflowing building, papers pushing out of the windows, maps hung here and there about the exterior and the interior.  Inside, with a bushy red mustache and a rather fancy suit over his dwarvish frame, they found what appeared to be the proprietier of the locale.  He was examining a map with what appeared to be some kind of spyglass
12/13/2008 6:40:20 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   , but put it away as the bell chimed with their entrance.  "Hullo there, hail and well met travelers of the sky."
12/13/2008 6:41:04 PM <Elladan>   "A good morn to you, sir Dwarf!"
12/13/2008 6:42:46 PM *   Kythaine nods. "Well met. I have heard you might have jobs available."
12/13/2008 6:45:36 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Sailors are you?  Free roaming, and not under contract with one of the national navies?  We can't hire naval folks, not since well, that incident with Juliard," He puffed despairingly at that thought.
12/13/2008 6:46:20 PM <Marcus>   "Incident?" Marcus asks, somewhat curious.
12/13/2008 6:46:26 PM <Kythaine>   "The incident with Juliard?  What was that about?"
12/13/2008 6:48:53 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Hum?  You never heard of it?  Captain, or Lieutenant, Juliard was a man who signed contracts with the Merc's guild, the Valuan Navy, the Nassar Navy, and Red Wings.  It was the red wings that caught him and cut him to ribbons, but after the embarassing scandal, no one really is happy to hear of any naval officers accepting outside payments."
12/13/2008 6:51:21 PM *   Elladan tisks.
12/13/2008 6:52:06 PM <Elladan>   "I would imagine so. I've yet to meet any group who takes kindly to their... employees.. taking money under the table for work they know nothing about.."
12/13/2008 6:52:22 PM <Marcus>   "Oh, well, no worries, we're most certainly not with any navy yet, although we have been lookign at some information on the Valuan's Navy. One of our companions is interested in them, says they're the best, though I think she's just interested in one of their admirals," Marcus comments, saying the last part in an almost conspiratory tone.
12/13/2008 6:59:43 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Sorry," He waved his hands rapidly. "I don't get into the rumoring business.  It's bad for trust and all sorts of things, you understand."  He caught on quite fast.
12/13/2008 7:01:46 PM *   Marcus laughs. "That's alright, though we -are- still looking for any available jobs, I admit."
12/13/2008 7:01:52 PM <Elladan>   "Oh, don't mind these old gossipers, my good man. But, truely, you are a business man, and for one such as you, time is valuable. What work have you?"
12/13/2008 7:05:43 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Well, let's see... what  kind of ship you've got?  Something big and fast?  Capable of taking the hard squalls?" He wondered.
12/13/2008 7:08:03 PM *   Marcus grimaces. "There's a reason we're in need of jobs, unfortunately. Our ship's a good one, but it could be a lot better, you see."
12/13/2008 7:10:27 PM <Elladan>   "Indeed.. While still quite reliable, our pretty girl is due some extra care. As men faithful to her, we owe it to her to make the money for such.."
12/13/2008 7:10:44 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Ah...  well then, mmm...nearby locations don't pay that much...but,"  he turned and dug something out of the pile of papers.  "We always can negociate for new finds, but for this, I'd like someone to go get a proper second check.  Make sure it's really there.  See, there's a rumor that on the border of one of the sky fronts near here, toward the bottom of middle sky, there's an island of lizards.  Not had a chance to
12/13/2008 7:10:44 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   get anyone to go out and verify this though."
12/13/2008 7:12:06 PM <Marcus>   "Oh? Why the interest in some lizards? Never struck me as anything special, the creatures," the baffled pirate asks.
12/13/2008 7:13:51 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "No interest in lizards whatsover, my good man," He adjusted his monocle.  "It's the land.  And the wonder.  We mark points of interest, that could reflect positively or negatively upon the trade and tourism industries  of nearby cities.  An exotic island, buried just below the windstorms and just above the shallows?  That may be valuable information."
12/13/2008 7:15:38 PM <Elladan>   "Ahhh.. Indeed.. Many things are valuable, but land is finite.. A piece of untouched land, with unknown resources, could very well make a wise man rich."
12/13/2008 7:17:56 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Exactly," He waved a finger.  "So, a hundred gp to each of you, for valid confirmation of the find.  You didn't find it first, so it's only a verification fee."
12/13/2008 7:18:21 PM <Marcus>   "Oh, I suppose I understand," Marcus comments after a thoughtful nod. "Well, it sounds like an interesting assignment, regardless. Anything else you have though? It's always nice to have options."
12/13/2008 7:21:23 PM <Elladan>   "Indeed.. If you had anything near to that island, we'd be happy to try to get as much done as we could in a single trip."
12/13/2008 7:21:52 PM *   Trunkyboy is now known as Glubtz
12/13/2008 7:21:57 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Near that island...not on this side of the wind drifts at this time of year.  Keep your eyes peeled though," He waved a finger.  "I'll pay well for any new finds."
12/13/2008 7:23:47 PM <Kythaine>   "What counts as a valid confirmation?"
12/13/2008 7:25:43 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "A navigator's log.  Have you folks done one before?"  He hurriedly detailed the concept, handing them a beginner's one for free.  "Just in the favor of starting future business.  Detail the route, cover sketches, details of the area, and the return path."
12/13/2008 7:27:17 PM <Glubtz>   "I'll take that my good sir!  I'm the most artistic one out of this lot."  Glubtz's manly voice pipes up.
12/13/2008 7:27:47 PM <Kythaine>   "Thank you."  Kythaine looks at the map to see about how far away the island might be.
12/13/2008 7:28:29 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   It looked about two day's journey, going by the copy of the route the man had handed them.  A pretty smooth route too.  Likely no one else had come in since it's discovery.
12/13/2008 7:30:21 PM <Kythaine>   "I think we should get going before someone else beats us there."
12/13/2008 7:32:03 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Aye...if someone else gets their first...there'll be little to no pay for the job.  Additional verifications are always worthwhile..but it's the first two that are really valuable."  He stroked his mustache.  "And don't think of faking it.  We black out anyone who does very quickly."
12/13/2008 7:34:42 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Have you  folks any more questions?" He wondered at them.
12/13/2008 7:35:12 PM <Elladan>   "Never, good sir! How would we ever build a reputation from such?! As it were, I say we be off! Prompt service is of value."
12/13/2008 7:37:30 PM <Kythaine>   "Agreed."
12/13/2008 7:37:40 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   He smiled at them.  "Good sailing then!" He waved them off toward their ship.
12/13/2008 7:39:23 PM <Kythaine>   "I guess we should retrieve the gnome," Kythain suggests grudgingly.  "He is good at fixing the boat and we might run into bad weather."
12/13/2008 7:39:55 PM <Elladan>   "I suppose he has his uses... We can use him as a back-up anchor, if nothing else.."
12/13/2008 7:41:18 PM <Kythaine>   "He's a bit noisy for an anchor."
12/13/2008 7:41:52 PM <Elladan>   "Easily delt with, though. The impact should silence him well enough, if from a suitable hight.."
12/13/2008 7:47:33 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   As they chatter, they pass the inn where a Glubtz sleeps...well, for values of sleep being tied and muted against the bottom of a bed.
12/13/2008 7:47:50 PM <Elladan>   "Hmm.. So.."
12/13/2008 7:47:59 PM <Elladan>   "One, two, three, not it!"
12/13/2008 7:48:16 PM <Kythaine>   "Not it!"
12/13/2008 7:48:25 PM *   Elladan smirks at Marcus.
12/13/2008 7:53:46 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   Marcus grumbled, "Hey, you guys tied him up..."  but dutifully went in, smacked the gnome around, and pulled him downstairs.