LSO OOC Thread II

[HorizonsDream]

"Let's go ahead and do that, and then track down info in the Tiaru.

[Daos]

Alright, in that case, you guys have two weeks off.  How does the party want to spend that downtime?

[HorizonsDream]

Well, aside from hiring a couple of sailors and a marine, Kalana is probably going to try to keep tabs on the Tiaru and Shadowshore if at all possible. She'll inquire about news of the Crimson Wolves too. Otherwise, if her old group is around, she is going to spend some time with them. Drinking and the like, more so than usually after the news that she received from them

[Daos]

Re:  Sailors and marines, what are you looking for?

Here is what I said last time about hiring crewmen:

Crewmen are level 0 characters who can serve either as sailors/rowers, boarders, artillerists, or firefighters. These are all completely interchangeable, if necessary. In fact, as captain, one of Kalana's duties is to assign these positions in battle. Anyway, how much it costs to hire crewmen depends on their level of experience. They fall into the following groups: Landlubbers, Scurvy Rats, Mates, Mariners and Old Salts.

Landlubbers - These individuals have little to no previous sailing experience and no desire to perform well. Traveling with a crew of landlubbers is often very dangerous. Landlubbers hire themselves out for 2 GP a month. A crew of slaves usually fall into this category, but work for free, obviously. Landlubbers suffer a -2 penalty to any maneuverability or pursuit checks. So basically, they are super cheap, but not very good at their jobs; but if you are strapped for cash and just need warm bodies, they'll do in a pinch.

Scurvy Rats - These are crewmen with some sailing experience--perhaps a couple of short voyages--and some desire to perform well. Cutthroats and other rogues often appear among sailors with his degree of experience. Scurvy Rats hire themselves out for 3 GP a month. A crew of slaves might rise to this category if well trained, well cared for, and highly motivated. Scurvy Rats suffer a -1 penalty to any maneuverability or pursuit checks.

Mates - Professional sailors (men and women who make their livelihood sailing the seas) fall into this category. Mates make up the majority of most sailors found in any given place. They are competent, dutiful, and fairly loyal (as long as the captain treats them right). Mates hire themselves out for 4 GP a month and have a modifier of 0 on maneuverability and pursuit checks.

Mariners - These are highly experienced sailors. Often these crewmen are somewhat older and have a few scars--physical or emotional--from their years of sea travel. They often have a few outrageous stories which they like to recount over a cool drink. They hire themselves out for 5 GP a month and get a +1 bonus to their maneuverability and pursuit checks.

Old Salts - These weathered men and women represent some of the most skilled sailors in the world. Old Salts have spent most of their lives at sea. They often prove tough, leathery, and argumentative--though never to their captains or first mates. Younger sailors often hang on every fantastic yarn these oldtimers spin. Old Salts hire themselves out for 6 GP a month. Sometimes, they demand a small share in any profit netted from a ship's voyage in addition to wages. They receive a +2 bonus to maneuverability and pursuit checks.

Re:  Information gathering, go ahead and give me some INT checks.  One for the Tiaru, one for Shadowshore and one for the Crimson Wolves.

[HorizonsDream]

2 mates 1 marine

q747YuoF1d20 Tiaru
1d20 Shadowshore
1d20 Crimson Wolves1d20·1d20·1d20

[Daos]

Alright, I assume you don't have any specific preferences, in terms of gender, race, or anything else, so I'll just roll up three characters and see what we get.  The mates will cost 4 GP/month and the mariner will cost 5 GP/month.

The Tiaru:  Evidently, the Tiaru was one of the few Blue Lightning ships that was not in dock in Tu'Valie when the attack came.  Aside from the Tiaru, only a few others survived, meaning that the Blue Lightning is effectively crippled.  The Tiaru itself was said to have left a week ago, heading for Doubloon.  Evidently there have been a few reports of ships disappearing, only to show up with no crew on board, but some kind of strange fungal growth filling their interiors.  Julak, for whatever reason, seems hellbent on tracking them down.  They heard of some kind of lead in Marit, so after helping clean up the town a bit, headed there.

Shadowshore:  The rumors are that Gunn is building up their navy for some kind of strike.  With the Blue Lightning basically gone, many think Shadowshore is their target.  They were pretty bitter about their defeat there, and for some reason are very interested in owning that island.  If they take it again, the Blue Lightning won't be able to stop them or drive them out again, at least not in their current state.

Crimson Wolves:  Word has gotten around about the Crimson Wolf kidnapping in Serenity.  There is worry that the slavers might strike here next, as they are rather defenseless and more than a few have some grudges against the Blue Lightning.  So far, though, they seem busy with other things.  Officially, the Crimson Wolves and the Slaver Syndicate have disavowed the actions of the 'rogue splinter cell' of wolves that operated in Serenity, without sanction.  They claim they are in the process of hunting these traitors down, but so far nothing has come of it.  The best way to learn more would be to head to Gunn itself and check up on the Syndicate's progress so far.

[HorizonsDream]

Alright, so I say we go after the Tiaru. She remembers the fungal thing from her time on the ship, so she doesn't see the harm in helping them (especially if they return the help with Shadowshore).

[Daos]

How much supplies are you going to buy for the trip to Marit?

[HorizonsDream]

How far is the trip?

[Daos]

Now that Jaeron is gone, the only person left with Navigation is Bayla, so I'll roll for her (privately, so you'll just have to trust she's right).

Okay, she says it depends on which route you want to take.  You can take a straight forward path directly toward Doubloon but in doing so, you will be passing through unpatrolled seas (that is, full of pirates, slavers and other dangers).  This trip will be 575 miles and take an estimated 19 days.  You can also take a much longer trip by sticking close to the other islands, but it will be safer.  That trip will be 800 miles and take about 27 days.  This is assuming you stop and drop anchor each night and then resume the following day.

[HorizonsDream]

Take the shorter route, and hope for the best.

[Daos]

Alright, should be interesting.  So the Tiaru is already a week ahead of you, so after two weeks of repairs and another nineteen days at sea, by the time the Blue Moon arrives in Marit, they'll be 40 days behind.  Hopefully they can pick up the trail from there.

I assume Kalana will want 19 days worth of food and drink?  Water or something else?

I'll start work on the new chapter now.  Should be ready in a few days.  If there's anything further, you all let me know.

[HorizonsDream]

Yeah, enough food, and how much is ale?

[Daos]

Ale is 2 silver a gallon.

Oh, were you still interested in trying to poach members from the Dark Sun or Sisters of the Sea?

[HorizonsDream]

Nah, while we aren't hurting for money right now, I will hold off on that.

If possible, she will buy ale and water to keep people happy.