Day 19A: Ship Travel

[Iron Dragoon]

Session Start: Tue Nov 11 11:46:10 2014
Session Ident: #dunes
* Now talking in #dunes
* Topic is 'Lief(33)>Muirfinn(25)>Ellese(22)Balyss(16)>Canoloth Pack(11) '
* Set by Kotono on Wed Nov 05 21:40:48
<Kotono> > "Well, most of the well off in Falbard have at least five generations behind them," she explains, "A little less for the long lived minorities, but it's primarily a human land." She pauses to eat, relatively graceful despite a shake to her hands. She looks to Pepo and reaches out to pet his head, "But that's because more generations mean more time to build up money and resources, of course.
<Kotono> All that hard work pays off for later generations."
<Kotono> <Moore> "I suppose that makes sense." Moore remarks. "Where exactly is Falbard? Er... Well, I guess its location relative to Freeport or something, since I'm not familiar with the geography around here..."
<Kotono> * Lucy blinks, asking Jetina, "How far back does anyone's lineage go, as far as you know?"
<Kotono> > "The Thaens go back fourteen generations," She sighs at that, "But they're the founding family of Falbard." Pausing to spear a bit of dried meat and eat it, "They claim to have been the first newborns on Falbard."
<Kotono> <Lucy> "So... given humans and a generational gap of twenty years, Falbard would have been established some three centuries ago?"
<Kotono> > "Centuries? Oh right, centuries and years? That's about right. We measure by generations, which is 20 per generation. 15 and 1/3rd generation." She pauses to keep eating, going at a fast pace despite also chatting.
<Kotono> > After answering that, "As to its location? Well to the west and southwest of where we are now. I've been traveling for approximately..." she pauses, "I think I determined it was a year or two, as the common measurement goes."
<Kotono> <Moore> Moore nods. "Do you want to go back there, if you had the opportunity?"
<Kotono> > "Someday," she says, "But I want to bring back a lot of good things for the family first."
<Kotono> <Moore> "Well, if the sort of things you find from an exploding ship submerged in a light lagoon count, then you probably found the right people!"
<Kotono> "Eh?" Pausing a moment at that, "Say what now?"
* Veren sighs.
<Veren > "Freeport Rock. The ghost ship. We caused it to... Explode. Into a shower of treasure."
<Pepo> 'It was very violent,' Pepo concurs.
<Kotono> "The drooling path exploded out, and the light showed the way to prosperity. But the road to prosperity has so many weeds," Bolethon intones, pausing in his quiet meal.
<Kotono> *Prosperity
<Kotono> "Qupan..." Jetina murmurs, resting back and rubbing her head with shaking hands. "Wow, all of you sound like something. So. What are your dreams? Why are you doing all this and traveling about?"
* Veren shrugs.
<Lucy> "To heroically destroy ghosts and spread the wealth around," Lucy says with a straight face.
<Pepo> 'It's interesting,' Pepo says concisely, walking around underneath the table.
<Veren > "I awoke, and so I survive."
<Moore> "We all sort of ended up here together..." Moore says. "It's been in our best interest to stick together since then, so... that's sort of what I think we've all just continued to do."
<Kotono> "The path undisturbed is a straight one," Bolethon says, "But it only goes ahead. But going ahead isn't always wrong."
<Kotono> "Really?" Jetina replies as she looks down, "Pepo," she asks, patting her lap. Then, "How long has it been since you arrived?"
<Pepo> 'More than a month, less than two,' Pepo says, not having bothered to count the days. At her invitation he goes over and rubs his head against her shins but doesn't actually climb onto her lap.
<Kotono> Jetina pats her laps again, cooing, "Here kitty," she invites. "So you're still practically newborns. Well," she pauses to serve herself some more food, "It's the duty of the nobles to instruct the newborns in the way of the world. Do you have anything you'd like to know?"
<Lucy> "What sort of schools or doctrines of arcane magic do you know of?" Lucy asks instantly, producing some parchment.
<Veren > "Bases of power and nations."
<Pepo> Observing a little longer to determine that she won't jostle him or move around much if he were to sit on her lap, Pepo at length deigns to accept the gesture and jumps up, his head briefly visible above the table before he turns a neat little circle and curls up into a ball.
<Moore> Moore rubs his chin. "I suppose if there are any fey collectives, it might be nice to visit them sometime... Hmmm..." Moore rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe if there's a renowned school for bards or something? I'm always looking to improve my oratory skills."
<Veren > "We should compile the information we gain and produce books for other newborns."
<Kotono> "Well, one of my brothers is a hedge sorcerer," she admits, "But he mostly uses it to fight better. There's one main style for spell book wizards in Falbard - spellswording. They learn to use armor and weapons while casting magic, without the difficulties that causes. There's the Steel and Spell Academy, or SAMA, on Falbard."
<Lucy> "Oh! Isn't that an elven style?" Lucy asks, leaning forward curiously. "And practiced at a human majority nation. Fascinating!"
<Kotono> "
<Kotono> "That's a lie," Jetina replies immediately, petting Pepo as she huffs. "The elves are jealous of our style!"
<Veren > "Hm. That could be useful."
<Pepo> Pepo starts to purr agreeably in response.
* Lucy nods in understanding. "I'd believe that. So that is what the Steel and Spell Academy teaches?"
<Kotono> Her hand is just a bit disagreeably bony, but she makes up for it with slow, luxurious pets. "That's it," Jetina agrees with a little smile, "People come from far and wide to see if they can earn sponsorship into it. It's an elite academy, you have to be a member of a generational family or have one sponsor you to get in."
* Lucy tilts her head, then. "If the acronym is SAMA, wouldn't it be the Steel and Magic Academy?"
<Kotono> "Oh, I meant SASA. I misspoke," Jetina quickly interjects with a faint blush. "Er, yes, SASA."
<Pepo> 'So newborns are discriminated against beyond just their lack of resources?' Pepo asks her with idle curiosity.
<Veren > "How do they decide to accept students?"
<Lucy> Not a graduate, then. Well, she expected as much. "I really prefer to avoid this sort of confrontation if at all possible, but it does sound like it warrants a visit. Especially if I change my mind. Could you write me a letter of reference for when I inevitably stop by for a visit to take a look around?"
<Kotono> "They aren't! They just need someone to sponsor them. If they have any talent, it'll be easy," Jetina explains with another hint of redness to her cheeks. Her voice carries indignity as she pets Pepo, "If you have the skill, but the way you carry yourself I suspect you do."
<Lucy> "I only want to take a tiny peek at the library, in any case," Lucy tells her pleasantly, offering a sheet of parchment.
<Pepo> 'What other activities would require sponsorship, then?' he asks, continuing to remain quite happily curled up as he's petted.
<Veren > "What would our responsibility to a sponsor be?"
<Kotono> "Oh, to make sure your education is taken seriously," she explains, shaking her head to Lucy. "Let me write it later, my hands aren't steady yet. Anyway, if we recommend someone, it's our responsibility to make sure they succeed."
<Kotono> "The pawn thus becomes a knight to the queen," Bolethon murmurs, bowing his head, "Starless sky, moonless dark, drooling path."
<Lucy> "Of course!" Lucy agrees brightly. They have time, and she'll get that letter one way or the other!
<Kotono> This gets Jetina to glance at the light mage, "Speak clearly," she says, a note of annoyance in her voice.
<Lucy> "You are wasting your time, I'm afraid."
<Kotono> Bolethon does not reply, Jetina huffing in annoyance and petting Pepo faster. "Well then. Bases of power and nations, you said, Veren?"
<Veren > "Yes. It would do us well to know what toes not to step on."
<Lucy> With her question answers, Lucy keeps an eye on the conversation while summoning a magical beacon above the ship to observe their surroundings. There is no better time to start experimenting with her magic to try and recreate that interesting x-ray vision!
<Kotono> "Locally? There's Freeport Rock, but that boat's apparently sailed off," she remarks, "Rossalund that way," she gestures vaguely in the direction you came from, "A mageocracy ran by a coven of medusa witches. I haven't heard much besides rumor...they're far enough away that news about them rarely reaches Falbard."
<Kotono> OOC: Make a spell craft check, Lucy.
<Pepo> 'Rossalund is destroyed,' Pepo helpfully informs her.
<Veren > "Well... Rossalund is destroyed."
* Veren nods with Pepo.
<Kotono> "...oh." Jetina says in a small voice, "What happened?!" She surges up at that, looking down at Pepo, raising his chin up with one finger. "
<Kotono> OOC: Gah.
<Lucy> roll 1d20+16
* Hatbot --> "Lucy rolls 1d20+16 and gets 31." 12 [1d20=15]
<Kotono> "...oh." Jetina says in a small voice, "What happened?!" She surges up at that, looking down at Pepo, raising his chin up with one finger. "I heard they had problems with their Dim and Dark, but nothing that bad!"
<Veren > "Pirates."
<Lucy> "Highly organized ones, at that," Lucy muses in a distracted tone. "A shame, truly. They seemed like a nice mage-lead meritocracy."
<Pepo> 'Pirates attacked the day after we arrived. The city was doomed,' Pepo elaborates a little more.
<Kotono> "A crusade," Bolethon bows his head. "The end of the path is merely the beginning of another. The dimness wipes away the crust anew."
<Kotono> After a moment he murmurs, "Flanagan who is not Flanagan. Death that is life."
<Lucy> "We will remember him fondly for his gracious gifts."
<Kotono> Lucy's pretty sure she needs more of that wonderful, soothing chaotic magic from the rod of wonder or similar sources to get anywhere with x-ray vision. Meanwhile, Jetina says, "Oh. That sounds more like war."
<Lucy> "You wouldn't know who wanted them dead so badly?"
<Kotono> Suddenly, an echoing howl comes to your ears. It sounds far away and mournful, yet makes the hairs of your arms and backs rise up as a thrill of fear follows.
<Lucy> Happy that she has a sensor already running outside, Lucy looks about through it!
<Kotono> It doesn't seem to be coming from immediately outside the galley, at least. You don't see a source for the howl around.
<Pepo> Pepo hisses and his fur stands on end, before he jumps off of Jetina's lap and rushes to whichever side of the ship the howl sounded like it came from.
<Lucy> "Or know what that might be?"
* Veren moves to go to the top deck.
<Kotono> Jetina tries to rise, but she falls back. "I'll just stay here," she says, "Still can't walk well."
<Kotono> OOC: Pepo's chasing the noise and Veren's going to the top deck. Lucy and Moore?
<Moore> Moore will fly along with Veren for now!
<Lucy> "No idea? Well, unfortunate," Lucy murmurs, heading up as she casts Shield.
<Kotono> OOC: So three of you to the top deck and Pepo after the sound? Okay. You three in here and Pepo into #evil.
<Pepo> OOC: I assume I'm on the top as well
<Pepo> OOC: I want to see where it's coming from so I'd go to the correct side on the top where I can see stuff
<Kotono> OOC: Okay then.
<Kotono> The party heads to the top deck. Here Old Kamhoff is steering the ship, whistling a jaunty tune as he does so. "Done with eating?" he calls with a wave.
<Pepo> 'What was that noise?' Pepo asks directly, since he seems so unconcerned.
<Lucy> "Might you have any idea what caused the shriek, Mister Kamhoff?" Lucy asks him.
* Veren draws his new magical blade in preparation.
<Kotono> "Shriek?" He blinks at Lucy, before laughing, "Ooooh, you mean that howl? Macaron does that sometimes. Has a hell of a howl, doesn't he?" He pauses to peer ahead, "It's one of his tricks, I think."
<Veren > "That was your dog?"
* Lucy purses her lips.
* Veren stares at Kamhoff.
<Kotono> "Sure was," Kamhoff says, "Hell, I told you that he has some tricks and that damn freeloader cat can heal himself." A shrug follows, "Keep up with the times, now."
<Pepo> It sounded like it came from far away... well, never mind then. Pepo sullenly retreats back to the galley.
<Lucy> "So it was a magical howl with certain properties of a draconic nature?"
<Kotono> a
<Kotono> Another shrug follows, "Something like that. To be honest, Macaron doesn't like me poking around about it. Gets surly." Waves a hand, "But he's a good dog, so I don't fight it."
<Veren > "Are you sure he's a dog?"
<Lucy> "Dragons do breed true with everything," Lucy muses, accepting that. "More importantly, do you have any idea how to replicate the effect of being able to see through walls and objects?"
<Kotono> "Well shit," Old Kamhoff drawls, "He looks like a dog, smells like a dog, eats like a dog," Ticking off fingers as he lets go of the wheel, "It might just be a fucking dog!"
<Kotono> "Not offhand. Ask me once Bolethon's back on the wheel," he replies.
* Lucy nods as she accepts that, and returns to the galley.
<Kotono> OOC: Are the rest of you returning?
> OOC: I'll stick on top deck and watch, just in case.
<Kotono> OOC: Moore?
<Moore> OOC: I'll stay for now
<Kotono> OOC: Okay, you two in here, the other two back into #evil and the galley.
<Kotono> The two settle onto the deck. Kamhoff continues to steer along, "He's a good dog," Kamhoff mutters, "Just has a few quirks."
<Veren > "I doubt he is simply just a dog."
<Kotono> "Oh, nonsense. A human learns a few tricks and he's a wizard. A dog learns a few tricks and he's not a dog. Nonsense!" Kamhoff scoffs, a hand on his hip. "Really now."
<Veren > "Dragon blood is not a 'trick.' Though, to be honest, I wouldn't mind having a dragon blooded hound of my own..."
<Moore> Moore rubs his chin. "Actually, I've been thinking.. the light harms humans... maybe it has another effect on animals?"
<Kotono> "That's really just a slander against dragons. They don't sleep around like that. They're predators who have loyal relationships. Besides, Maracon's as furry and non-scaled as any other dog."
<Kotono> "Mmmmm," Old Kamhoff nods, "It's not uncommon for animals to be used in experiments with the light. Usually they just go blind like humans. But I've heard of odd things happening..." Rubbing his chin, "Of course! He's a light mage!" Pounding a fist into his hand, "That makes perfect sense!"
<Veren > "This place is exceedingly odd."
<Moore> "Well that's just preposterous." Moore says with a fold of his arms.
<Kotono> "That was the point. It was fucking sarcasm," Old Kamhoff drawls. "Hell, you're traveling with a magic cat and my dog is beyond the pale because it howls strangely."
<Moore> "I don't think he's a cat, exactly..." Moore says. "At least, I don't think I ever met a cat like him before..."
> "But the cat doesn't listen."
<Kotono> "That damned cat is a cat," Old Kamhoff says sagely, "A cat through and through. I'm only surprised he hasn't tried to make a throne of skinned mice and laps to sit on yet."
<Moore> "If you say so..." Moore says with a shake of his head.
<Kotono> "Cats are freeloaders," Kamhoff goes on, "A dog? A dog's a good friend that'll be with you to the end. A cat wants food, affection and tribute. Adorable tyrants who rule through the heartstrings and cuteness!"
<Moore> "I'm pretty sure Pepo doesn't want to rule any of us." Moore says with a nod.
<Kotono> "Hmph," Old Kamhoff mutters to himself, shaking his head. "How's Jetina coming along?"
<Moore> "I have a feeling there may eventually be some... personality disagreements." Moore says with a hint of caution. "But she seems nice enough."
<Kotono> OOC: Perception, Veren.
<Veren > roll 1d20+12 Perception
* Hatbot --> "Veren rolls 1d20+12 Perception and gets 20." 12 [1d20=8]
<Kotono> Hm? Veren happens to see a glint of something far ahead, in the bright light. Something indistinct, too far away and hidden to make anything else out about it.
* Veren squints at it, but stands.
<Veren > "Kamhoff, I caught a glimpse of something... There. A glint."
* Veren points it out for Kamhoff and Moore.
<Moore> "Eh? Really?" Moore says as he turns to look.
<Kotono> Kamhoff does the same. AS you come closer, you can begin to see the outline of a light skimmer ship ahead. It's coming in your general direction, though details are still hard to make out.
<Veren > "A ship. We should prepare in case they're hostile."
<Moore> "What's the normal protocol for this sort of thing? Prepare for the worst, hope for the best?" Moore asks.
<Veren > "Always."
<Kotono> "Be ready in case," Kamhoff says, "Go down there and let them know breakfast is over."
<Moore> Moore nods and heads down!
* Veren palms his magical blade, readying himself.
<Kotono> OOC: #evil real quick, Moore.
<Pepo> Pepo appears from the galley and moves to whichever side of the boat the other one is approaching from.
<Moore> Moore returns with the others!
<Kotono> Soon the others return, including Bolethon, who takes the wheel. Ahead you can see it - a light skimmer ship, a sail with the image of a green teardrop on it. A familiar sight - that of the pirates that sacked Rossalund.
<Moore> "Oh boy." Moore says with a frown.
<Lucy> "If, strictly hypothetically," Lucy murmurs, "these nice people were to gift us with their boat, could we crew it and your own, Mister Kamhoff?"
<Kotono> "Not a chance," Kamhoff says, "We're running short crewed as it is, just us."
<Lucy> "How unfortunate. It is such a lovely boat, too."
<Veren > "Could we tow it?"
<Moore> Moore takes a moment to withdraw his Lyre of Building as a precaution.
<Pepo> Pepo just stares at the boat, waiting to see if they're hostile or not.
<Kotono> "Towing it, eh?" Old Kamhoff strokes his chin as the ship comes closer. It's perhaps 500ft away now. You can see figures on deck - cautious but seemingly not doing anything else. It's the same type of pirates as before, notably.
<Moore> Moore keeps an eye out for Purple Wind or whatever that guy's name was!
* Lucy steps closer to the side of the ship and waves at them.
* Veren simply waits.
<Kotono> The ship comes closer - about 50ft to the left and 100ft ahead now. You see a figure clad in black, wrapped in a black cloak and armor. A helmet hides his face, but he raises a hand in greeting. A booming voice calls across the distance, "Hail and safe travel." A man's voice, powerful.
<Pepo> No piracy it seems like, so Pepo relaxes and lies down on the railing.
<Lucy> "Hail and safe travel!" Lucy calls back, quite pleasantly. There might be better responses, and she better check with Kamhoff about that later.
<Kotono> Thus the ships pass, 50ft apart now. The pirate ship looks bigger - mostly below decks, like it's been expanded. OOC: Doing anything or just letting it pass, y'all?
<Veren > OOC: I'm down with either. I'm good to raid them or not.
<Pepo> OOC: they're not starting shit, let it go
<Lucy> Since they don't have the crew to take it for themselves, Lucy must regrettably let it pass.
<Kotono> Away the pirate ship goes, the two paths parting once more as the excitement passes. Kamhoff dusts his hands off, "Well, that was today's excitement.
<Kotono> "
<Lucy> "So it was," Lucy muses. "Mister Kamhoff, what are the appropriate greetings and challenges out here at sea?"
* Veren returns his blade to the hidden sheathe.
<Pepo> Pepo goes to have a nap.