CH. 02 - Shore Leave

[Daos]

Senllip (Midnight Brawlers Base)

Eyeing the bag of coin, Amers says, "All I heard was it was some kind of diplomatic mission.  One of the merchant princes wants to start some kind of trade route with Hashadeth, or something like that."

"That's not what I heard," Eanindel adds.  "I heard they were trying to sell off some kind of contraband that's illegal up on the mainland, but not here.  Drugs maybe, or some kind of magical gizmos."

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(OOC:  Calabria is a nation on the mainland, up on the continent of Gontoria.  It's a monarchy in name, but in practice it is ruled by a group of wealthy merchant princes, each one with their own army of mercenaries, assassins and rogues.  It's a very wealthy, but rather shady place.  The place is known for their thieves and pirates as much as they are for their merchants and salesmen.  It is often joked that the Calabrians get all of their goods from theft and piracy and then resell them back to others, only to steal them again.)

[Bishgada]

"Yes.. " Senllip nods at Eanindel words, "Shady business such that fit the Calabrians... Do you know something about their guard? How many guards, skills, usage of magic? Have you heard if they recruit to reinforce their ranks before leaving tommo.. err.. reinforce their ranks on recent days? If so, what skills are they looking for?" Senllip asks.

[Daos]

Kalana, Jaeron, and Johannas (Upper Deck of Tiaru)

Shortly after dinner, while up on the deck to get some fresh air, the party hears a commotion down on the dock.

"Please, I need to find Johannas!"

"Sir, you do not have permission to board at this time!"

Upon closer inspection, an adult human male in his mid-thirties or so, appears to be trying to walk up the gangplank, but a couple of sailors are barring his entry.  He has black hair, blue eyes and fair skin, marking him as a colonist, or a descendant of one.

Johannas would recognize him as Harrin Talbot, one of the three former pirates who, like himself, gave up that lifestyle.  While Johannas went into self-exile to learn the ways of druidism, Harrin and the other two went into business together.  Last Johannas had heard, their little startup had been fairly successful so far.

Senllip (Midnight Brawlers Base)

"The Calabrians use their own men only for security, although I heard a rumor they had some kind of golem on their ship that protects their cargo.  And golems are magic, so they might have other magicks on board.  Traps and the like, probably."

"Did you say they were leaving tomorrow?" asks Eanindel.  "I hadn't heard that."  She frowns, as if annoyed that someone had better info sources than she did.

[HorizonsDream]

Kalana turns to look towards the commotion, and finally walks towards the sailors. "Let him through," she says. "Why do you need Johannas?" she asks.

[GreyWolfVT]

Jaeron seeing what the commotion is about joins Kalana "Yes please to let the man through if he is looking for Johannas then we should at least see why he is looking for him."

[Bishgada]

"Well, I assume detect magic, detect traps and anything that can stop Golem would be helpful if someone was to visit their deck, right?" Senllip winks. "Hmm... You know how rumors go. It could be false but who knows. I assume that if some Shady business is going around it would be soon or already done." Senllip concludes. "It is always delightful to speak with you. Here are some coins for our continuous friendship." Senllip gives the some of his coins to Eanidel and Amers but doesn't departs yet and keeps the pouch on the table under his palm, giving them time to ask questions of their own or to give more info.

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(OOC: Senllip will give the money if it is appropriate to do so. If it is common to give in accordance to the usefulness Eanindel will get more (70%/30% gp). If it is insulting than both will get the same. The amount of money should be fair. Is 10 gp fair? too much? too little?
If no farther info will be exchanged in the ordeal Senllip plans to meet the guild magician and priest for help with dealing the Golem and magical traps.)

[Daos]

Kalana, Jaeron, and Johannas (Upper Deck of Tiaru)
The sailors reluctantly allow the man to pass, and he hurries up the gangplank to the party.  "Then Johannas is on this ship?  Johannas Barnsley?  I'm...an old friend, and I am need of his help."

Senllip (Midnight Brawlers Base)

The two accept the 10 gold each, and depart.  Athel sends word to Thrumal and Metha.

Thurmal is a male dwarf with white hair and beard, and large grey eyes.  He bears the symbol of Renos around his neck, and is wearing leather armor.

Metha is a female halfling.  She's somewhat repulsive looking, with messy red hair and blue eyes.  Although she wears no armor, a black scorpion sits on her shoulder, likely some kind of familiar.

"Thurmal, Metha, this here is Senllip, an old member of the guild," Athel says, by way of introduction.

(OOC:  Yes, 10 GP is pretty fair for information.)

[HorizonsDream]

"I remember seeing him just a few minutes ago," Kalana admits to the man. "But what is it you need help with?" she asks.

[GravityEmblem]

Once he hears his old friend's voice, Johannes rushes up to the top deck. "Harrin!" he cries out. "What's wrong?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Jaeron "Yes he is aboard the ship. Not sure where he's gotten off to maybe his quarters?"

[Daos]

Kalana, Jaeron, and Johannas (Upper Deck of Tiaru)

"Ah, Johannas!" the man says, looking relieved upon finding the druid.  "It's my sister, Rosina.  She was kidnapped by the Crimson Oars, one of the local thief guilds.  The constables are useless and won't do anything.  There's no telling what they'll do to her.  But I know where their hideout is.  And I know you work with the Blue Lightning now.  And that's what the Blue Lightning does, right?  Help people and fight criminals?"

Natylie Korosuga (Natylie's Cabin)

Natylie goes to bed early, so she will be ready for departure the following morning.

[HorizonsDream]

Kalana looks between the frantic man and Johannas. "Why would they want your sister?" she asks. "Are they known for randomly kidnapping people?"

[Daos]

Kalana, Jaeron, and Johannas (Upper Deck of Tiaru)
"I'm not sure. Ransom maybe?  Or maybe they intend to sell her into slavery.  I mean, they are criminals.  Whatever their reason or intentions, they can't be good," the man says.

[GravityEmblem]

"It certainly is," Johannes responds confidently. "We should take some time to prepare for the trip and a fight, and we should probably tell the captain first. Then, we'll be off."

[HorizonsDream]

"Do we know where these criminals are located?" Kalana asks. "Do they have a base of operation or anything like that?"