CH. 01 - Skulking Around

[Daos]

It's been a week since the party escaped from Mithas.  They set sail for the nation of Nordmaar and just yesterday finally arrived in the city of Jennison.  Jennison is a city of 3,000, one of the major ports of Nordmaar, about a dozen miles north of the ruins of Valkinord. The lands were once under the control of the Black Dragonarmy, but once the war ended it became bustling once again.  Daily life continues. Jennison is a thriving community, the last large port for ships traveling east to the Blood Sea.

The city is renowned for the ale that passes through her bars and some of the finest shipwrights this side of Ansalon.  And despite the city's tight regulations, there is an active black market (operating from the docks) and a discreet Thieves' Guild.

Having just finished overseeing the ship's repairs and resupply, the group is approached by a humble-looking man. His clothes are well-worn, and his hands are weathered and calloused. He introduces himself as Austin. "I'm looking for a few strong hands to help me with a problem. There's 50 steel apiece for anyone who cares to give a couple hours' honest work."

==============

(OOC:  It is now Pestilence 3rd, in the morning.  Casters may choose new spells for the day.)

[HorizonsDream]

"What kind of problem?" Sumina asks gruffly.

[Daos]

Austin removes his hat, twisting it a bit in his hands anxiously.  "Well, I don't know exactly what the issue is.  You see, I'm the first mate aboard Shinare's Darling, a merchant galley here in port. This morning, I sent two men down into the hold to begin unloading some cargo, two men who have not come back up. There's been some thumping and cracking in the hold as well, and none of my remaining men dare to go down. My hope is to enlist your aid to clear the hold of whatever vermin are down there, rescue the two men (or recover what's left of them), and make certain that none of the cargo is disturbed. The captain of the Darling is meeting with her owners this day to discuss the most recent voyage, and I have only the three hours 'till sundown to resolve matters before the captain returns.  So, won't you help?"

[TristenC]

Sha'al overhears the discussion and grabs a nearby rope. Sliding down with a heavy thud into a landing beside the man, he looms nearby. First he only fixes the newcomer with a suspicious stare, but then after hearing the tale, he speaks. So. he begins abruptly, Fifty steel a piece... for some unknown hazard... Below Deck... in a Galley... Sha'al scoffs. Oars... Hey Sumina, you know the most successful galleys I've ever seen? They make their profit by way-laying hapless fools they corner and sap below decks! he directs the last at the newcomer.

Oh dear, and there's a deadline, ending soon! Whatever shall we do? We must act now, or all will be lost! The sea elf sneers.

And what happens should your precious captain rerurn without it being resolved, eh?! Realizing he is fuming, Sha'al turns his back on the man without answer. Don't be taken in by this rabble. he mutters as he moves off to tend the rest of the ship; while keeping the man and those speaking with him in sight. Hoping the others have enough sense not to get involved.

===
Sha'al is about as untrusting in these weeks after the Kender+dual abuses by the minotaur as anyone aboard has ever seen him. If it's not his crew or a normal person doing normal business they would notice his suspicion and somewhat snappish behavior.

If there had been even an hour or two of free time since docking, Sha'al would have ordered a keg of good local ale (at his expense) for the crew to share and sought out a gambling spot for a bit of time to throw a couple of steel away at. If he catches wind of an underground fight club and they are there more than 12 hrs before the new stranger's approach, he may have entered to fight.

[Matt4]

"Apologies. We had a couple of bad weeks with offers of jobs that did not turn out to be sincere." - Kaelestia explains. - "Do you have any idea on how those 'vermins' made their way inside your hold?"

OOC

Prepared spells
Lvl 1: CLW x2, Faerie Fire, Light, Sunscorch
Lvl 2: CMW x2, Charm Person or Animal, Hold Person, Heat Metal

[Daos]

Austin seems rather put off by Sha'al's hostility and is about to walk off to find someone else when Kaelestia stops him.  "I have no idea," he answers.  "Presumably, through one of the two ways into the hold--the stairs or through the trap door on the deck.  In any case, if you are not up to it, I'm sure I can find someone on these docks that is.  I don't have time to waste here, though."

[Igordragonian]

Parra was self reflecting a lot, and closed herself with her  books  swearing and cursing, and then cackling.

She took inspiration from the dolls that she was making, to make a more simple and immeadate spell- she just needed a chance to expriement.

She also was thankful for the crew who have bought a scroll of identify and gave her the chance to try the spell.
Her mood was.. better(?)


----
(Preparing:
Level 1: Sleep, Burning Hands
level 2: Choke

---

Parra stared at Sha'al, a bit surprised.
"Barnacles.. I didnt knew you had in you" she chuckle.

"Umm. I have devolped a new spell, I would be happy to try."  she shrug.
"I think what my friend here say..."
she does a "ka-ching" gesture with her hand.
"It sound like you are in hurry, and does sound like a loooot of trouble. My friend was simply surprised from the low offer for a mission with such..."
She smile an ugly grin.
"High stakes?"

[HorizonsDream]

Sumina looks surprised at Sha'al at first, then laughs. "We'll do it," Sumina says finally.

[Daos]

"Fifty steel each is too low?!" Austin repeats, confounded by such a statement.  "Forget it, I can't afford any more than that.  I'll find someone else."  He is about to stalk off, when Sumina agrees to it.  "You will?" he asks, confused by this sudden back and forth whiplash.  "Fine, then follow me."  He starts off toward the ship in question.

[Matt4]

"Are you coming?" - Kaelestia asks Sha'al. - "It does not hurt to take a look, in his bluntness he seems a sincere man." - she says, before following Austin.

[TristenC]

[OOC] For some perspective on his behavior:  

Sha'al has been brooding the last few days and is very disturbed that their last two missions both ended up with the entire party imprisoned beyond their control and facing probable death.  The last thing he wants is for everyone to walk into yet another ambush. 

Galleys rely primarily on oarsmen. It is hard work, long hours, dirty and exhausting in general; even with a full crew.  One way to get such labor on the cheap is basically to shanghai unsuspecting people and chain them down below with their oars.  Basically the deal as proposed reads exactly like a trap, in his mind.  50 steel a piece to rid the ship of some undefined menace, but the party has to go below to figure out what it is?  

The cash, nature, timing, "act now or you'll miss out" and everything else about this deal feel incredibly off to him.  Be that from his suspicious nature, recent experiences, or just plain knowledge of the seedier side of nautical life.  His response was intentionally a little over-board, due to his mental/emotional state; but the reasoning isn't that much of a reach.[/ooc]

Sha'al seems incredulous at Sumina's acceptance of the deal, and Kaele's assent. He gawks at the others to see if they are out-voted.

[HorizonsDream]

"We can't say no to steel," Sumina says to Sha'al.

[Daos]

Austin leads them to the Darling, which is docked in the harbor.  It is a 50-foot long merchantman, with one main mast and smaller sails fore and aft, requiring a full crew of 15 to man both the rigging and the armaments.  The only structure above deck is the wheelroom, which doubles as the captain's offices.  Austin explains there are three levels below deck; the upper two levels contain the crews' quarters and auxiliary rowing stations for emergency situations.  The lower level is the hold.  It has a 'chimney' 10 feet square, allowing access to the cargo space below.  The hold is seven feet high, usually packed tight with supplies and merchandise.

Austin also furnishes them with details as to the two ways to the hold.  The most direct is to use the ladder bolted to the side of the 'chimney,' while a more conventional route would involve the three flights of stairs leading through the two lower levels to the aft section of the hold.  There are sailors posted at each entrance, making sure that nothing has left the hold yet.  None are bold enough to actually enter, though.

[HorizonsDream]

"Hiw do you guys want to approach this?" Sumina asks.

Ooc: 1st: Bless, Curse, Cause Fear, Protection from Evil, Sunscortch
2nd: Draw Upon Holy Might, Hold Person, Rally, Spiritual Hammer

[Dallion80]

*Granker crosses his arms and looks at the first mate, and then shoots a sideways look at Sumina as he nods in agreement with Sha'al. He follows the others to the ship*

"We need to ensure a way we arent trapped again."