Mystery at Ussura - Montainge's Expedition?!

[Dracos]

7/11/2009 6:10:25 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   A week has past since the raid on the casino ship, Captain Darcyan leaving them off on it as they took it back to their hidden base to retrofit it as best they could.  It wasn't a great pirate ship, not particularly fast or strong... but it was theirs.
7/11/2009 6:18:51 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   The pirates were gathered around in what they'd made their planning room, using some chairs and tables from the main ship.
7/11/2009 6:24:51 PM <Rolland>   "Okay.. So, we need to decide on what we need to get done, and how.. I think we should focus on crewing for now.. Specifically, we need a doctor, I think."
7/11/2009 6:27:09 PM <Carlos>   "And probably a ship's carpenter and a gunner."
7/11/2009 6:28:11 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   The inside was pretty lonesome actually, to the four of them.   "Let's stop by Nasr and see if we can't scare up some equipment as well...maybe while we're doing so we can find some sailors." Leon suggested.
7/11/2009 6:28:27 PM <Rolland>   "Hmm.. Yeah, I'll agree with the gunner.. We don't have a lot on that front, so we need someone who can make the most of it.. But I think a Navigator (Pilot) would be of more use than a carpenter right off the bat.. This ship is more manuverable than it seems, and I think we should maximize that."
7/11/2009 6:29:30 PM <Carlos>   "I can serve as Navigator, if one of you takes charge of the rigging."
7/11/2009 6:31:52 PM <Rolland>   "Hmm.. I can do that a little.. I've got some experience in it.. But I might be better as the gunner."
7/11/2009 6:33:33 PM <Carlos>   "Then perhaps Glubtz can handle the Rigging."
7/11/2009 6:34:13 PM *   Rolland nods.
7/11/2009 6:34:56 PM <Rolland>   "Alright. For now, that'll work. We can change things around as we go.. I agree with Leon, though. We need to get a full crew before anything else, and Nasr is as good a place as any."
7/11/2009 6:35:06 PM <Glubtz>   "I have a very basic understanding of it."  Glubtz idly scratches his beard.
7/11/2009 6:36:34 PM <Carlos>   "I think we all have a very basic understanding of what we are trying to do."
7/11/2009 6:37:03 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Well, we've been on Dyne's crew for enough years to know our way around the ship.  Even if we aren't experts, we can keep it airborne."
7/11/2009 6:37:15 PM <Carlos>   "Nasr sounds as good a place as any to look for crew."
7/11/2009 6:38:06 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   The unnamed pirate rogues headed onto their ship, newly clensed of identifying symbols as they flew back toward Nasr, arriving a few days later at the busy bazaar.
7/11/2009 6:38:49 PM *   Rolland stretches as he heads down the gangplank..
7/11/2009 6:40:22 PM *   Glubtz follows, feeling reassured with the weight of his claymore on his back.
7/11/2009 6:40:41 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   Indeed, it was quite busy as the three of them headed off, Leon taking leave to see if he could find some general purpose sailors to fill out the crew.  Merchants were hawking wares as there was a small gathering of folks paying close attention to something in the distance.
7/11/2009 6:41:30 PM *   Carlos looks in the direction the crowd is looking.
7/11/2009 6:41:32 PM <Rolland>   "Alright.. I say we hit the tavern for a decent meal, then start getting the ship loaded with supplies and crew."
7/11/2009 6:42:06 PM <Glubtz>   "Do we have the funds for supplies and crew?"
7/11/2009 6:42:22 PM <Rolland>   "And there-in lies our first challange, Glubtz."
7/11/2009 6:43:29 PM <Rolland>   "We might have to resort to Privateering or something.. Or other-wise easy work."
7/11/2009 6:43:36 PM <Carlos>   "Crew can be promised shares of future prizes.  Supplies is another matter."
7/11/2009 6:46:46 PM *   Rolland wanders, as they discuss their plans, over to the crowd to see what's going on.
7/11/2009 6:47:40 PM *   Glubtz stays where he is, slightly hunched over, playing with his cloak.
7/11/2009 6:48:38 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   The crowd seems to be discussing an expedition... a Montainge funded expedition to the lands of Ussura, where  the wild jungles often leave a man maddened and lost.
7/11/2009 6:50:08 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   On the wall, Carlos spots a sign promising 50 guilders to any man who joins the expedition.
7/11/2009 6:51:16 PM <Rolland>   "Hmm.. We could look into running that expedition's transport, maybe.. The way the ship is outfitted right now, there's plenty of room for equipment.. It's some-what armed, but not enough to be out of place.."
7/11/2009 6:51:28 PM *   Rolland raises an eyebrow to Carlos..
7/11/2009 6:51:43 PM <Rolland>   "What do you think? Transportation business?"
7/11/2009 6:53:34 PM <Carlos>   "I don't think we can afford to be gone for that long."
7/11/2009 6:55:35 PM <Carlos>   "Just how long is this expedition supposed to last?"
7/11/2009 6:56:08 PM *   Rolland shrugs and moves to find the man in charge.
7/11/2009 7:00:12 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   Checking in, it says if interested to report to the Steel Hawk mercenaries who are handling recruitment.
7/11/2009 7:01:09 PM <Rolland>   "Merc troupe, eh.. Hmm.. Even if we don't jump on for this, they might have other work.. Worth checking into, at least. After lunch, that is.."
7/11/2009 7:04:09 PM <Carlos>   "Agreed."
7/11/2009 7:05:36 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7/11/2009 7:05:52 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   The group was soon situated in their favorite little inn, a small meal in front of them.
7/11/2009 7:06:06 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   it was a bit quiet today.  Not many customers going around at this hour.
7/11/2009 7:07:30 PM <Rolland>   "So, besides this Merc group, anyone have any ideas?"
7/11/2009 7:10:22 PM <Glubtz>   "Not at the moment, besides the fact that I really must keep training, I was manhandled at that fight."
7/11/2009 7:10:55 PM <Carlos>   "Well, there's always acting as merchants.  Or we could see if anyone is offering letters of marque."
7/11/2009 7:11:04 PM <Rolland>   "I think we all need to keep training.. We might want to add an armsmaster to the list to keep us in shape."
7/11/2009 7:11:59 PM <Rolland>   "Yes, I was thinking a letter of marque might be the way to go. They'd provide us with enough initial backing to get on our feet.. The question is, do we want to be tied to a government?"
7/11/2009 7:14:07 PM <Glubtz>   "Meh, that brings a bad taste to my mouth.
7/11/2009 7:16:08 PM <Carlos>   "Well, I'm not saying I like any government.  They all try to do the same things that pirates do, only the governments are less honest about it."
7/11/2009 7:18:02 PM <Rolland>   "Eh. What I don't like is that it could give them leverage over us."
7/11/2009 7:19:05 PM *   Carlos raises an eyebrow. "What sort of leverage?"
7/11/2009 7:19:53 PM <Rolland>   "Well, they fund us, know exactly who we are, and give us safe ports. Any time they want to, they can turn that on us, and they know it."
7/11/2009 7:22:17 PM *   Carlos scrathes his head. "I'm not following."
7/11/2009 7:22:59 PM *   Rolland shrugs.
7/11/2009 7:23:29 PM <Rolland>   "I just think it gives them one more way to screw us over when they decide they don't need us around anymore."
7/11/2009 7:23:36 PM <Glubtz>   "So are we taking the job or not?  We really do need funds.  Who would have tought being a pirate required money?"
7/11/2009 7:25:27 PM <Carlos>   "Maybe we could pretend to be a regular merchant ship, trying to attract pirates, then defeat the pirates when they attempt to board."
7/11/2009 7:26:06 PM *   Rolland winces..
7/11/2009 7:26:38 PM <Rolland>   "Eh, I don't think I want that kind of reputation in our own circles.. No one would want to help us ever again."
7/11/2009 7:27:06 PM <Carlos>   "I see your point."
7/11/2009 7:29:17 PM <Rolland>   "So.. Merc company for now, then."
7/11/2009 7:30:02 PM *   Carlos considers. "If we hire not just ourselves, but our ship to carry supplies, we should be able to get more money."
7/11/2009 7:30:58 PM *   Rolland nods.
7/11/2009 7:31:06 PM <Rolland>   "Let's do it, then."
7/11/2009 7:33:03 PM <Carlos>   "Lets at least hear what they have to say."
7/11/2009 7:33:59 PM *   Rolland nods and puts the money for the meal on the table, then gets up and heads to find the Merc troupe.
7/11/2009 7:34:44 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7/11/2009 7:35:05 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   At the front desk a blonde man was scratching his head, going over several files and seeming quite busy.
7/11/2009 7:36:58 PM <Rolland>   "Sir, we've come to find out about this expedition."
7/11/2009 7:40:42 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Eh, more?  Really?  You want to head out to Ussur?"  He glanced up, barely paying attention to them.
7/11/2009 7:41:26 PM <Rolland>   "Not, perhaps, in the manner you mean. We're interested in providing transportation for your group, mainly."
7/11/2009 7:41:43 PM <Glubtz>   "I wouldn't say WANT to," Glubtz mutters.
7/11/2009 7:42:40 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "No, no...  There's no funds for just a ship.  A ship plus men, yes, but nothing for just a ship."  Oh, joy.  A beaurcrat.  Just what they neeeded.
7/11/2009 7:47:39 PM *   Carlos stares at the beaurocrat, clearly restraining himself from a variety of sarcastic comments.
7/11/2009 7:47:41 PM <Glubtz>   "And how much funds are there for a ship plus men?"
7/11/2009 7:48:45 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Let's see...For three men and a ship?"  He counted.
7/11/2009 7:49:49 PM <Glubtz>   "I count as two, even three!"
7/11/2009 7:52:53 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "...Yes,  Alright, that will be two hundred and fifty guilders per week.  Payment will be given by the montainge count at skywind outpost, south of Ussur."
7/11/2009 7:53:28 PM <Rolland>   "How long is the contract for?"
7/11/2009 7:55:02 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Until release by the overseeing count.  They have a mission they'd like to complete."
7/11/2009 7:55:14 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   he tried waving them off with a gesture of his pen.
7/11/2009 7:55:30 PM <Rolland>   "And this mission is?"
7/11/2009 7:56:04 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "It's an exploration expedition.  They need manpower to help delve into some of the more uncharted regions of Ussur."
7/11/2009 7:56:07 PM <Glubtz>   "Do we submit the expense report to you?  And massages covered under entertainment?"
7/11/2009 7:57:14 PM <Carlos>   "So how much a ship and us and the rest of our crew?"
7/11/2009 8:02:15 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Expenses?  Massages?  What blather?" He actually paid attention for a moment.  "Seriously, do you have more?  The first pay will be on the other end, at the skywind outpost."  He handed Rolland a paper of introduction.
7/11/2009 8:02:49 PM *   Rolland raises an eyebrow at him.
7/11/2009 8:03:07 PM <Rolland>   "I can see how your charm got you this job."
7/11/2009 8:05:50 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Yes, yes...  It is sadly my fate to deal with iterent rogues who have more guts then sense."
7/11/2009 8:06:18 PM *   Glubtz pokes his stomach. "I don't have a gut..."
7/11/2009 8:07:05 PM <Rolland>   "Never forget, those rogues have a fate, too. Who knows, one of them might be fated to react badly to your words and relieve you of your sad fate."
7/11/2009 8:09:17 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Ah, yes... Violence...but that here would mean you wouldn't make any money," He smiled slyly.
7/11/2009 8:09:32 PM *   Rolland smiles plesantly.
7/11/2009 8:09:42 PM <Rolland>   "Money's not everything. Or so I'm told."
7/11/2009 8:14:03 PM *   freya (~freya@S010600d0b7829546.su.shawcable.net) has joined #skies_of_arcadia
7/11/2009 8:14:49 PM *   Rolland rolls 5d10
7/11/2009 8:14:50 PM <freya>   Rolland rolls {5d10}[1,2,6,6,10] = 25
7/11/2009 8:14:56 PM <Rolland>   OOC: Keep 3.
7/11/2009 8:15:56 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "W-well, perhaps I've been a little rude... You have my apologies, good sir."
7/11/2009 8:16:12 PM *   Rolland shrugs.
7/11/2009 8:16:52 PM <Rolland>   "Well, who's to say it was my fate or not? But, in the future, you should remember that not all men are quite as tolerant as others."
7/11/2009 8:20:40 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Right, right..."
7/11/2009 8:21:55 PM *   Rolland turns around and leaves, heading back to the ship.
7/11/2009 8:23:48 PM *   Carlos shrugs and follows Roland. "I don't like this. The person in charge of hiring is a fool, and someone else had to be fool enough to put him in that position."
7/11/2009 8:27:23 PM <Rolland>   "Indeed.. We need to find secondary work for this route if we're going to do it. This might be a long contract, and if it is, we need to squeeze everything we can out of it.. To the merchants, I guess.. One of them has to be interested.. Outposts like that are always in dire need of supplies, and are willing to pay for them."
7/11/2009 8:30:37 PM <Carlos>   "And some merchants may have cargo they don't want the authorities to know about."
7/11/2009 8:32:34 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   The bazaar was indeed full of merchants...  Though the most interesting probably was the merchants selling firearms.  Such a bounty would be useful even if they didn't do their job.
7/11/2009 8:33:14 PM <Rolland>   "... Hmm.. You know.. Remote outposts always need more guns."
7/11/2009 8:33:21 PM *   Rolland grins at Carlos and Glubtz.
7/11/2009 8:35:07 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   A burly man seemed to be manning the shop, and the cannons as it were, as the shop itself was outfitted like a little ship.
7/11/2009 8:43:52 PM *   Carlos goes into the shop and starts looking at the cannons.
7/11/2009 8:45:26 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Hello, Looking for a new cannon," The large man stepped up, looking fierce enough to take on a lion as he stroked his large black beard.  "I've got plenty of good ones in stock."
7/11/2009 8:46:54 PM <Carlos>   "I expected as much, though my companion here..." Carlos gestures towards Rolland.  "...is our ship's gunner."
7/11/2009 8:48:15 PM <Carlos>   "We have an idea that might prove profitable for all of us."
7/11/2009 8:48:15 PM <Rolland>   "Aye.. we've recently come into ownership of a new lady. She needs a few more teeth, over-all. But that's really secondary right now.."
7/11/2009 8:48:27 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Oh?"
7/11/2009 8:49:25 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "What business might you be here for if not buying?"
7/11/2009 8:49:45 PM <Carlos>   "Transportation."
7/11/2009 8:50:20 PM <Carlos>   "We know of a place that would likely be quite interested in your merchandise."
7/11/2009 8:55:22 PM *   Carlos rolls 4d10
7/11/2009 8:55:22 PM <freya>   Carlos rolls {4d10}[3,7,9,10] = 29
7/11/2009 8:55:38 PM *   Carlos rolls 1d10
7/11/2009 8:55:40 PM <freya>   Carlos rolls {1d10}[5] = 5
7/11/2009 8:56:03 PM <Carlos>   OOC: total = 31
7/11/2009 8:58:11 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Well, well, let's see, where are you headed?" He smiled, heading toward the back, "And how big a cargo hold do you have?"
7/11/2009 9:00:27 PM <Carlos>   "We're headed towards Ussura."
7/11/2009 9:02:06 PM <Rolland>   "The glorious Skywind Outpost, to be exact. As for our cargo hold.. We've got a decent amount of space.. The old girl is a refitted casino-merchant ship. It had a fairly decent sized hold for all the goods and supplies needed for their guests."
7/11/2009 9:05:34 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Hmmm, the Skywind output.  Alright...  That is a ways off, but there's not many ships that head out there.  Why are you heading there?"
7/11/2009 9:07:14 PM <Rolland>   "There's some expedition that's paying fairly well.. We're in the process of relocating where we sail from, and we think Skywind might be a nice un-tapped resource, so we're making a 'testing the waters' trip, so-to-speak."
7/11/2009 9:07:58 PM <Rolland>   "It'd be foolish to go without a full hold, however, so we're planing on getting what we know will sell well before we get there and get the list of what they really want."
7/11/2009 9:11:32 PM *   Carlos nods. "It's a chance for all of us to profit, especially if we can get payment at Skywind in things that will sell well back here."
7/11/2009 9:11:41 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Well, Alright...  You seem like good sailors, so I'll take a risk on you,"  He began scribing the details down. "fifty guilders up front, and three hundred when you return with the proceeds."
7/11/2009 9:18:57 PM <Carlos>   "Thank you for your trust.  That deal sounds good, but we're also considering upgunning our own ship.  Could we get a better deal if we took some of that in cannons instead of guilders?"
7/11/2009 9:25:07 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Mmm, I could sell you a cannon and some equipment in exchange for the trip.  But that'd be most your pay," He bargained back.
7/11/2009 9:26:52 PM <Rolland>   "Hmm... Sounds a bit more attractive.. But, how much better would it look to the Count of Skywind if the first fully-loaded cargo bearing ship he saw from this port not only thought enough of your wares to transport them before *anything else,* but also trusted your wares to protect their own ship?"
7/11/2009 9:28:14 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   He raised an eyebrow.  "My wares are fine, to be sure, but I'm selling a shipment, not opening a trade route."
7/11/2009 9:29:01 PM <Rolland>   "Ah, but you *could* be. You're getting the oppertunity to have first line into their market, after all. So far, no other merchants from this port have heard of even a whisper of cargo going out on this expedition.. Think about it.. Your wares will be the first there, and you'll have the *first* list of what they want when we get back. It's a chance to corner a market before any of your competetors even know it's there."
7/11/2009 9:30:17 PM <Rolland>   "Think about being the sole supplier for their entire garrison. That's a rich market in itself, much less supplying and resupplying all the new people that will be there after money starts flowing."
7/11/2009 9:31:36 PM <Rolland>   "I'm not suggesting a full refit by any means. That would be an unsafe investment to be sure.. But a little now, and a little more after you get the route in?"
7/11/2009 9:34:35 PM *   Rolland rolls 4d10 keep 2
7/11/2009 9:34:36 PM <freya>   Rolland rolls {4d10}[4,5,5,9] = 23
7/11/2009 9:35:50 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Do this first... and then I may trust you more.   The guilders or the cannon.  It's an opening business relation."
7/11/2009 9:36:06 PM *   Rolland nods.
7/11/2009 9:36:45 PM <Rolland>   "Understandable, and admirable. Shows you have the fortitude to stand by your decisions.. For now, we'll take the money."
7/11/2009 9:37:12 PM <Carlos>   "I agree, the guilders this time.  It gives us more flexibility."
7/11/2009 9:37:44 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Alright then, we have a contract.  And don't think on running.  If you do, you'll never be able to show your face in Nasr again."  He handed over the guilders.  "I'll have the equipment moved to your boat in the morning."
7/11/2009 9:38:09 PM <Rolland>   "Exactly, good sir. Ah, silly us.. We got so caught up, we never introduced ourselves.. I am Rolland d'Aiguillon."
7/11/2009 9:38:24 PM *   Rolland offers his hand to the merchant.
7/11/2009 9:38:44 PM <Carlos>   "And I am Carlos de Silva."
7/11/2009 9:39:31 PM <Carlos>   "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
7/11/2009 9:41:40 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "I am Siro d'Gunn.  It's a pleasure indeed.  May it leave us all wealthy."
7/11/2009 9:43:22 PM <Carlos>   "I do agree.  I did have another thought. Would you know of a gunner who would be interested in a voyage to Ussura?"
7/11/2009 9:44:42 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "A gunner?  I might.  I don't know you well enough to refer you.  Again, You seem trustworthy enough to gamble some stock on."
7/11/2009 9:45:15 PM *   Rolland nods and gives Siro the slip information for our ship and decide on a delivery time, before setting off to meet up with Leon and purchase supplies.
7/11/2009 9:47:50 PM <Carlos>   "With your job, I'm sure you know the local gunners. A skilled and trustworthy type would reduce the chances of anything going wrong and help ensure the safety of you merchandise."
7/11/2009 9:51:29 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   He smiled.  "Yes, but should you be untrustworthy, having someone tossed overboard in the night would hardly be good for business."
7/11/2009 9:51:58 PM *   Rolland frowns slightly.
7/11/2009 9:52:46 PM <Rolland>   "Now, now, Siro.. That's bordering being uncalled for.. This is business.. Expecting a new aquaintance to be a theif or cheat is one thing, but murder is another."
7/11/2009 9:55:53 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "I mean no ill will, but extending more resources than this on a first venture?  Surely you have mistaken me for some kind of charity."
7/11/2009 9:57:33 PM <Rolland>   "Not at all, sir. I fully understand your reluctance, you're placing a great deal of money into our hands. We're simply looking for someone who can make the most of our defenses to help ensure we get to where we're going.. But, you're correct, also. Friendships and reputations are what business is built on. I wouldn't risk one of my own for someone I just met, either."
7/11/2009 9:58:30 PM <Admiral_Dracos>   "Well spoken, Rolland.  Good luck, and hopefully we can do more business in the future."