Blood across the Seas

Summary

Adventure: Blood across the seas
GM: Chris
Season: Spring 824 wk
Location: Chez Ellis
Night: Monday
Level: Low/Med

Party

Cassandra - Human Celestial (f) played by Michelle
Celeste - Elven Barbarian (f) played by Dean
Peter Smith - Human Warrior (m) played by Mandos
Ariane Porter - Human Namer/Soldier (f) played by Stephen Co-Scribe PL
Zardoz - Halfling Celestial (m) played by Martin Co-Scribe
D'Artagnan - Halfling Bard (m) played by Alex Mil Sci
Wundstr Brownbeard - Dwarf Air Mage (m) played by Sean

Employer: Master Joss Myrlyn
Mission

Master Joss Myrlyn is looking for help to recover lost ships and/or their goods. A guild party is required to help with some possibly tricky situations that guild parties are known for. Tasks to include;

Assisting with wreck locating, surveying and salvage
Negotiations
Sourcing Supplies
Camp protection
Ship protection
Investigation
Information Gathering (Reading etc)
Establishing Businesses
"Other duties as required"

This will involve some sea travel but plenty of land action too!

Pay: 10,000sp per month + Loot

Scribe Notes

Salvage Crew, Not Pirates

Duesday 1st Thaw

Two of their ships (Celestial Breeze & Silver Phoenix) will be arriving in Seagate tomorrow around noon to take us south later in the afternoon to find wrecks and business opportunities in the south.

We exclude Piracy, Slavery, or other outright illegal or evil acts - we'll have no part in that.

We get 10% of salvage from any land wrecks.

After introductions we split up to organise supplies, enchantments, potions, astrology.

3,600sp for Greater Enchantment.
1,400sp for Astrology.
  500sp ea for healing potions.

A good quantity of decent food is loaded into Ari's tent.

W'ansday 2nd Thaw

We make our way to the port midafternoon where we're assigned hammocks in a section of the hold.

The Celestial Breeze has 28 Passengers, including: 4 Sisters of Mercy on their way to Raniterre and a Family of 12 (parents & 10 kids) on the way to Ebola to reclaim some family lands.

Sailing south we anchor for the night near The Rookeries.

Th'rsday 3rd Thaw

Sailing east we stop at Blackshore for a few hours offloading and loading supplies, hunting in the hills, then on to Novadom for the night.

Bare knuckle fights in the bar for Celeste & Ari with Zardoz managing the bets. Peter spends the night at the local (large) Powers of Light cathedral.

Frysday 4th Thaw

The next morning we set sail south and east towards Saktekorum.

A Desert Diversion

As we clear the westward side of the island south of Novadom, we fall into line a few miles behind a Destinian Galley, Sword of Mercy.

Reaching Saktekorum just before dusk we disembark and explore the town.

Reapsday 5th Thaw

Bassil al Sharif, a trader with a shipment of Crocus (Saffron flowers) and other desert spices coming overland from the north west is overdue. The captain asks us to go seek them out. Bassil has a trading flag, sand dunes under two moons. Usually wears a red turban.

Once we leave town we start flying, stopping to talk to a couple of caravans we pass they haven't seen our quarry. 2 hours (about 60 miles) NW we come to an oasis amongst some hills where we see signs of combat and tracks leading NE. Celeste follows them about 1 mile NE towards some other hills while we fly above.

In the hills we call for the ambush to surrender, they try to bluff it out. I fly past some concealed archers in caves on the cliff, taunting them into revealing themselves and giving me some arrows. Celeste charges, looting more arrows. We engage the Orc bandits and their hounds, calling for their surrender then killing them when they decline.

Then we head towards the ones in the cave on the hillside.

Cave Fight

Under cover of missile fire the not-insane flier half of the party charge up to the cave, then the insane flying half charge in. Bloody fight in enclosed quarters against Orcs, Hobgoblins, and juvenile Goblins takes a while but we eventually kill all the adults and the remaining juveniles surrender.

Exploring we find several rooms, some messy, others cleaner. Hot pool. Waterfall & well with steps on the inside, going down 900' to a cavern and jetty over a pool leading to an underground river leading southwest. A sand filled room, clearing it we find stairs leading to a trapdoor which Peter senses evil beyond.

Hobgboblin's Plate 19/2, Size 6, -2 AG.
Weapons for 40 people
Various trade goods
Satchel with 4 x 10pt Healing Potions
Statuette of Fertility & Sleep Goddess, gold plated, 2,500sp. Provides bonuses to Fertility & Sleep.
Deck of Cards - Creates Minor Illusions for 1 min based on the card drawn.
Crystal Pendant - Protection from Charm/Fear +40% MR. 99-00 on MR roll breaks the item.
Trapped Chest with 6 scrolls, daggers & chalice:
1. Something in Orcish
2. Map of 5 Sisters with military notations
3. Something in Drow
4. Orders from merchants guild in Izmiraldi
5. Orders to assassinate key figures in 5 Sisters. Ensure the Saktekorum Captain of the Guard is killed.
6. Prepare for Invasion in next season
Pair of Enchanted Daggers with poison reservoirs
Silver Chalice - Provides Strength of Stone rk 16 on PS & EN as a blessing on Lloth, Drow Queen of Spiders. Small tithe to Lloth.
Coin, gems & jewelry.

In cells we find and release:

A Goblin brood-mother chained to a wall.

Bassil and six of his people. 4 were killed in the attack, 2 died later.

(mix of races)

Dart recites the story of what is beyond the door, a temple associated with an evil goddess. Opening the doors, we head downstairs to a 20' high vaulted room, 30' wide, 80' long. Carvings, statues, painting of Drow women with writing: "Rashak will return". An enchanted sword and relics on an altar.

Volcano and Tsunami

We divine, recite, and DA to find out more about the loot. Check with the merchants which stuff is theirs.

Peter spends the night praying for a miracle to cleanse the temple.

Sunday 6th Thaw

Around dawn, the temple cracks open and then collapses into a pit. The pit then floods.

Loading up as much as we can and casting wings on the rescued merchants we fly back to Saktekorum.

We ask for the Guard Captain (Musaf al Sharif) at the gate, telling him what we've done and handing over the scrolls. We check in with the Silver Breeze, delivering Bassil's goods. Escort Bassil to a healer, he rewards us with 500sp.

After brunch and a visit to a bath house, at midday we visit the Guard Captain at his quarters. He thanks us formally and gives us a token (ring) of family friendship and a reward:

Potion of Healing
Cloak of Protection
Ring of Feather Fall
Bag of Holding
Amulet Protection from Scrying
Boots of Elven Kind
Wand of Fire Bolts

While aboard awaiting departure we hear loud boom from the south, 20 minutes later a Tsunami hits the town causing devastation. We saw it in time for our ship's water mages to get us safely out of the harbour, some others didn't make it.

We spend the next 5 hours rescuing people, our ship's water mages estimate it was a volcano about 400 miles away. There's not much more we can do after that, so we set sail around midnight.

About 3am we sail by an upturned ship, rescue the 9 remaining crew, right the ship, rescue some of their cargo and rig the wreck to tow behind us. They are traders out of Azuria, as that's where we're going next we offer to tow them home.

Moonday 7th Thaw

About midday, we come to a field of dead fish, and an emerging volcanic island that was previously just an atoll named Abrae.

Duesday 8th Thaw

In the morning we reach the south coast (Azuria) and follow it south-east to reach Dimazcus about 11am. Usual local trading, buying Aryag Oil. We do some touristing.

W'ansday 9th Thaw

We set sail in the morning heading towards Azjunni Landing

Ships and Wagons

Mid-morning as we're sailing, a ship appears only a couple of thousand feet from us on previously empty seas, turns out to be the Sword of Mercy which we had previously seen at Saktekorum, now heading into Dimazcus. We all smile and wave as we pass by.

Late afternoon, we see a fog bank closing on us from ahead. We prepare for combat, the Captain uses a Crystal of Vision to check it out and lets us know it is another of their ships. Sea Falcon a 140' Brigantine, another Elven Warship with 3 wrecks under tow. They swoop in alongside, rafting up so Captain Blood can meet with our captains on his ship. Our two ships are each given a wreck to tow, spare crew from the Silver Breeze are sent onto the wrecks to start work on restoring them.

We swing over to the Sea Falcon to join the Captain's dinner.

Th'rsday 10th - Reapsday 12th Thaw

Sailing through the hazardous waters of the Straights of Thonia.

At lunch time on the 12th, as we're dining on deck an Albatross (Avatar of Kuross - a sea spirit genus loci) lands on deck and helps itself to our lunch. It has a gold 'ankle ring', magical gift of luck.

We all take a swim when we cross the equator.

Another area of dead fish from an underwater volcano.

Sunday 13th Thaw

Early in the morning, we arrive at Azjunni Landing. It has developed from a small village into a walled town with a sea wall/wharf protecting its natural harbour. The Cheetah Tribe (about 1200 people) is currently occupying and running the port, different tribes take turns, about 1 year each time.

We are to escort some of the cargo inland to Ein Gydi Oasis.

Moonday 14th Thaw

The three horse drawn wagons are driven by George, Wilhelm, Brian, and Caspian.

Good speed across the savannah the first day covering about 30 miles.

Duesday 15th Thaw

Another 30 miles up over the Murray Hills to another savannah with a few more trees and then a small acacia forest (Sauvacauche woods). Forest Guardian Giraffes.

W'ansday 16th Thaw

20 miles through the Hans-Alba Hills, camping on the far side at the edge of a dry sandy waste.

Th'rsday 17th Thaw

Another 20 miles through the desert to Ein Gydi Oasis. Two tear drop shaped lakes, a temple (fertility deity), a settlement. We meet Wilhelm von Todd, father of Akuji von Todd - a deceased guild member. We deliver the temple altar block, tree saplings from BlackShore, and alcohol. Collecting the return shipment of Urglah (spiced fermented milk).

Dinner feast and drinks with the locals.

Sand Storms and Strykes

Frysday 18th Thaw

Once the wagons are loaded, the local chief farewells us with a Firkin of Urglah each.

Apparently there is another shipment of Urglah being sent to our ship from a more southerly oasis.

Mid afternoon we need to stop for a couple of hours while a sandstorm blows through. Wundstr creates a counterwind to make it less arduous for us.

We spend a quiet night camped amongst the dunes.

Reapsday 19th Thaw

Back into the Hans-Alba Hills, about 40 miles to the south we can see a snow topped mountain.

Camping at the Sauvacauche woods in the same spot as we camped a few nights ago.

Sunday 20th Thaw

Another afternoon dust storm. More tedious miles across the sandy waste and another night under the stars.

Moonday 21st Thaw

The northern pass through the Murray hills. Another pass about 20 miles has a bunch of flying things circling and swooping over something.

Celeste and I race down to scout it out and see a swarm of Strykes attacking a caravan. She summons a storm to drive the birds off while I fly back to summon the party. Once we've flown to the edge of the storm, Wundstr summons the storm out of the way.

The sucky beaky birds fled before the storm and don't return. We gather them up, heal those we can, recover the bodies and lost wagons then escort them west.

That night, the survivors entomb their dead in caves.

Duesday 22nd Thaw

We merge our wagon trains and slowly complete the trip back to the port.

W'ansday 23rd Thaw

We sail about 20 miles off shore to where they've found a promising wreck.

We observe while the crew loot some chests from the old Elven vessel. Plants are growing out of it: Sea Orchids, Seadar Trees.

Then back to the landing for the night.

Th'rsday 24th Thaw

Their air mages move a predawn storm off shore out of the way so that we can continue our journey south leaving the 3 wrecks parked on the beach.

We pull into St Hylena later in the afternoon, drop off some goods, and spend the evening checking out the sights.

Frysday 25th Thaw - Th'rsday 1st Seedtime

Sailing south.

On the 28th the Sword of Mercy does another 'sail by'. Our captains talk about it and confirm it has an ability to 'Sail Unseen'.

We pull into St Charles late on the 1st.

Frysday 2nd Seedtime

We sail east to Raniterre.

Chapter 7

Reapsday 3rd Seedtime
Sunday 4th Seedtime
Moonday 5th Seedtime
Duesday 6th Seedtime
W'ansday 7th Seedtime
Th'rsday 8th Seedtime
Frysday 9th Seedtime
Reapsday 10th Seedtime
Sunday 11th Seedtime
Moonday 12th Seedtime
Duesday 13th Seedtime
W'ansday 14th Seedtime
Th'rsday 15th Seedtime
Frysday 16th Seedtime

People and Places

Flowing Shipping Company

Merchant company of Ranke (6 ships).

Joss Myrlyn

Merchant, Flowing Shipping. Bears letters of marque (permission to salvage) from The Western Kingdom and Elfheim, but not Destiny. Their 'legal backing' costs the company 20% of the value of ships and goods salvaged.

Celestial Breeze

120' Galleon under a Ranke Flag, Flowing Shipping. Ballistae fore and aft. Crew includes an Air Mage.

Silver Phoenix

150' Elven Carrack under a Ranke flag, Flowing Shipping. Crew includes a Necromancer/Shipwright.

Sea Falcon

140' Brigantine, former Elven Warship. Crew includes a Water Mage (the Captain).

Captain Blood

Captain Zohar of Sea Falcon is also an admiral of the Western Kingdom who may have issued the letters of marque to his other captains.

Sisters of Mercy

4 Michaelines on their way to Ranniterre.

Kuross

A sea spirit genus loci in the Straights of Thonia. Albatross Avatar. Has a gold 'ankle ring', magical gift of luck.

Wilhelm von Todd

Of Ein Gydi Oasis. Father of Akuji von Todd, deceased guild member.

Buffs & Mil Sci

Buffs and Abilities

**Long Term (assumed always on)**
Magic (caster)	Rk	Effects	Duration	Ar	Ca	Ce	Da	Pe	Wu	Za
Shadow Form (Za)	15	+32% Def	8 hrs	Y	Y	Y	Y	-	Y	Y

**Short Term/Situational**
Magic (caster)	Rk	Effects	Dur	Ar	Ca	Ce	Da	Pe	Wu	Za
Witchsight (Za)	6	See Invis	3½ hrs	-	Y	-	-	-	Y	Y
Featherfall (Wu)	6		3½ hrs					-
Vapour Breathing (Wu)	6		3½ hrs					-
Fire Proofing (Ce)	4		3½ hrs					-
Fire Armour (Ce)	6		3½ hrs					-
Shadow Wings (Ca)	16	46 mph	8.5 hrs					-
Weapon of Flames (Ce)	10	+11 BC%, +5 Dam	15 min	Y		Y		-
Inspirational Song (Da)	6	3 targets, -2 dice modifier.	90 secs					-

**Self Only Buffs**
Magic	Rk	Effects	Dur	Ar	Ca	Ce	Da	Pe	Wu	Za

**Senses and other stuff**
Capability	Effects	Ar	Ca	Ce	Da	Pe	Wu	Za
Detect Ambush (%)	Ranger (-5/rank of opposition)	35		79	44		49
See Invis (Rk)	Effective rank for seeing invisible	7	(6)	13	9	-	(6)	(6)
Stealth (%)	Std / Ranger Outdoors	72	83+	128 / 143	93	40	36 / 51	154

Greater Enchantment: +21 on one area each
Mil Sci Raise Morale: +2 WP
Herbalism/Cook: 3 FT Meals/Broth

Watch Order

Hour:	1	3	4	5	7	9	10	11
Std Watch	Zardoz		Wundstr		Dart		Cassandra
	Peter	Celeste			Ari			Peter
Peter Devotions	Zardoz			Wundstr		Dart
	Cassandra	Celeste			Ari			Cassandra

Marching Order

Skirmish Formations (Front)
Default Dart Celeste Peter Wundstr Ari Cassandra Zardoz	Double File Dart Celeste Peter Ari Wundstr Cassandra Zardoz	Single File Peter Ari Dart Wundstr Zardoz Cassandra Celeste

Astrology

Lucky Numbers
Ari	Cass	Celeste	Dart	Peter	Wundstr	Zardoz
79	75	67	52	26	53	36

Calendar

Spring: Thaw 824 (10)
	Moonday		Duesday		W'ansday	Th'rsday		Frysday		Reapsday		Sunday
		Candlemansa	1	Guild Meeting	2	3		4		5		6
	7		8		9	10		11		12		13
	14		15		16	17		18		19		20
	21		22		23	24		25		26		27
	28		29		30	1		2		3		4
Spring: Seedtime 824 (11)
	5		6		7	8	Rites of Thunor	9		10		11
	12		13		14	15	Equinox	16		17	Eostre	18
	19		20		21	22		23		24		25
	26		27		28	29		30		1		2
Spring: Blossom 824 (12)
	3		4		5	6		7		8		9
	10		11		12	13		14		15		16
	17		18		19	20		21	Floralia	22		23
	24		25		26	27		28		29		30	Walpurgisnacht