[Game Thread] Act One: Caller in the Night

[Wolfman]

The Kid unsure what to do or how to approach the large boat, now with 4 people on it and seaming to be growing, hung back and watched the approach of the Hobgoblin as he faced the others. If swords did not break out, he figured it would be safe to approach...... Maybe.....

[thedragonwarrior]

Bangis failed to notice that the Kid is following a Hobgoblin as they walk the path towards the ship. He is quite sure he has seen this fellow over in Safeharbor Pub before the battle erupted. This goblinoid is wearing a hood which he thought was just a regular local. He has concealed himself very well, his thoughts towards the Hobgoblin as they march. A hobgoblin in the group, this is interesting, his thoughts continues to wander. He realized just now that the party is a mixture of monsters or bandits, if coming from the lips of a local villager. It seems I invited myself in a strong group of unlikely mercenaries. He then turned his eyes to the Orc and the Lizardfolk. He has not seen this kind of sight in all of his avian life. He has been to places but this is a first time that he sees that no one has clawed or has bitten anyone yet from a gathering of strange creatures. Hobgoblins and Orcs don’t really get together so well as far as his experience can tell, yet this two has not exchanged any of their cultures or not yet, time will tell.

He continues to move forward and think of the things that might occur when this group comes together. "Well, it seems this day could still prove to be very fruitful and not everything has gone to waste yet…"

[RayzRyd]

Laylah

With fortune on her side, Laylah makes the leap across the gap and makes a rolling landing on the new boat. Just as she comes to her feet she notices dark little man standing quite close with his weapon drawn.

Out of the frying-pan into the fire? she thinks to herself.

Just then, the dwarf addresses her and she knows he is not to be trifled with. Calmly resting her hand on the hilt of her rapier, she gives him her most dazzlingly beautiful smile and answers him:

Greetings, I mean you no harm. I have just found my freedom by escaping imprisonment upon that passing ship and as long as you have no intention of taking that from me, then I am sure we will get along just wonderfully.

My name is Laylah, a humble bard at your service. Now, what brings you to to this particular spot good sir?

[Achard]

Kha-Boom's reply to Tenmar's question got stuck in his throat when the female boarded the small ship and the gray dwarf drew his blades. A quick look at the pier and the people approaching the vessel confirmed Kha-Boom's fears. Whatever safety he had made the conscious effort to feel had been washed away by the waves of the ever-changing unpredictability of social discourse. The behavior of other hobgoblins he had learned to read, to understand, even to predict to some degree, but there were none of his kind around now.

At this moment, Kha-Boom felt like a bird that had flown indoors and realized it could not find its way out. Other sentient races were a mystery to the hobgoblin. Even a blecch like him had not socialized with the slaves back at his camp, and the sympathy he had felt for them was akin to what one would feel for a neighbor's mistreated dog. In the interest of keeping peace, he had not dared to intervene even when seeing what was clear abuse, for he knew too well how crucial slaves were to the survival of his wretched kind. This sense of detachment had been shattered when Kha-Boom had been forced to face world on his own, and it proved now to be a crutch that might yet cost him his life.

In a moment of clarity rare to his mutated state, Kha-Boom begrudgingly admitted to himself that he had no one to blame but himself for this turn of events. It had been his weakness, his behavioristically achieved, instinctual inability to see a life lost for no reason that had driven him from his ship and into the company of a mismatched pack of creatures that easily attracted the attention of every townsperson still standing.

The newcomer said something to Tenmar, but what it was evaded the hobgoblin's preoccupied senses. Counting on the gray dwarf to have his back regarding the two females aboard, Kha-Boom turned to the crowd on the pier. He felt the paranoia inherent to the ambitious hobgoblin race take over. He could not know what the people approaching the vessel could want, but he naturally assumed they were intending to seize it, to take away his only hope of salvation and leave him stranded or maybe even kill him, just as he was beginning to find a rhyme and reason to his life. His eyes glowed in their natural orange color, and without truly understanding where his courage came from, Kha-Boom responded to the perceived threat with a demanding shout, an attempt to establish dominance.

"I am captain Kharbon of the merchant ship Laverus! State your business if you wish to board!"

Kha-Boom grimaced and looked at the people gathered on the pier. The claws at the end of his long hands scratched the deck in a half-menacing manner as he hunched over in a position that made him resemble a small bugbear. He prayed for his life that the effects of his mutagen would not pass just yet.

[Eilaer]

Tenmar listened to Laylah's response and could tell she was likely just as dangerous as he had assumed. Still, he could do nothing without needlessly risking his own safety since the other girl gave him the impression of wanting to be some sort of avatar of justice. A waste of time and energy in his opinion. The icing on the cake was when the hob declared out loud to everyone that this was a merchant vessel. There was no attempt with any illusions this vessel could potentially have any form of real protection.

With an angry grunt, he slowly sheathed one blade and then the other while keeping an eye on Laylah.

"I'm admiring the lovely sky and peaceful surroundings waiting for Puff the magic goblin over there to figure out what we need to go on a lovely little sight-seeing voyage."

There were no attempts to sugar coat the fact that while he was assuming she wasn't currently a threat, he wasn't happy with the situation. He also made no move to leave where he was standing. If she didn't mind standing that close to what he figured she would assume was a cranky dwarf then she could stand wherever she wanted.

[Wolfman]

Kid looked back at the Birdman after he spoke, he was not sure if he was addressing him or someone else, or really anyone for that matter. He did not really understand what the creature was talking about, fruitful? This day most certainly was a waste, except for the dead slavers..... As he looked back to the ship the Hobgoblin faced the dock and bellowed out that he was the captain of the ship and all would have to pass him to enter. Great, now there is little chance of sneaking on....

The Kid moved out from behind the freight on the dock that he was using for cover and stood up straight as tall as he could, for his 5' 10" thin frame. Walking up to the side of the ship, he stopped at the dock side of the gangplank, in his most grown up voice,Permission to come aboard Captain! One Mage reporting for Duty!

[Solomon777]

Assym looks over his shoulder to the area where Captain Rolo and the others are and then to Athiss. His mind searches for the words to stall the interaction with the village residents. Turning his eyes back to the Governor and the folk of Tradepoint he replies, “Governor, please walk with me and we will converse with the Captain to quell your people’s concerns.” Assym leaned over to Athiss and whispered, “Run over and alert the Captain that the Governor wishes to talk of a rescue attempt…he’ll know what to do.”

Aboard the Lavernus

Captain Rolo steps off the brow to the deck and his eyes fall upon the gray-dwarf and Laylah, with one eyebrow rose he addressed the bard. “This night never stops with surprises. I am glad to see you escaped from those vermin.” Captain Rolo had only recently collected Laylah from her original captor, Captain Vexi. He was far more polite than Vexi, who saw fit to keep Laylah in the lower decks of the ship, closer to the common crew.

Rolo rounded to the motley crew of monsters he now found himself surrounded by. He regarded Kid as he spoke then turned to Captain Kharbon. “Aye, Captain, the lady could join us in a moment of talks to understand where we have a foot-hold after these events. I also have some more pressing news that…” he opened his arms to include those around them “…may be of importance to this hearty crew, and of relief to the fair folk of Tradepoint?”

[Grogg Tree]

Looking over the sheet of parchment, the summoner's eyes quickly took in the scrawled ink on the semi-sturdy fabric. Looks to be of importance, but I'll need to glance it over later when there is better light and far less distractions. Folding the sheet up, the woman made it half as big as a playing card. She then pulled the shawl down and tucked the item inside of her brassiere.

Having dealt with that, the woman began walking toward the gathering of people. During her stroll, Elizabeth picked the gaze of Captain Rolo out of those standing around. Good to see that he is not one of the ones causing problems... the man seems to have a good heart. Coming up to the outer edge of the people now giving their attention to Rolo and others, the Shoanti mumbled quietly to herself. "Should probably head back to the inn and retrieve my stuff soon. It hasn't been safe since the cannon went off and poor Kyra can't take much more punishment." The young blonde lass then began to pull a hand absently through her soaking locks, wringing some excess water out of them while listening to the talk, trying to decide when to head back to at least get her gear or possibly rest for the night.

-

[Kshnik]

Jarek has remained quiet while following this strange assemblage of races towards the docks. At the docks Jarek hears the hobgoblin declaration and turns his head to watch the scene unfold on the ship. As he watches Jarek listens to the interactions immediately around him.

 

Jarek Player: Kshnik Name: Jarek Role/Class: Tank, Mighty Godling Height: 6'4" Weight: 256 Skin: Brownish Green Hair: Black HP: 14 AC: 19 Touch 12 Flat footed 17 Movement Land: 30 ft Weapon: Greatsword (+4(2d6+3)), Power attack (+3 (2d6+6)), Grudge Fighter (+1 atk, +1 dmg) Fort: +4 Ref: +3 Will: +2 CMB: +4 CMD: 16

[Achard]

Now realizing his attempt to pass off as "captain" Kharbon to be a foolish and ultimately futile attempt, Kharbon moved back as the much more charismatic and confident captain Rolo stepped on the deck of the small vessel with unwavering steps that told volumes about how used the man was to the unsteady and unpredictable footing that was the deck of a ship in stormy weather. That right there, the impressed Kharbon thought, that is a sailor. The hobgoblin looked at a tangled mess in one corner of the ship, a hopeless excuse for a sailor's knot made by him this very morning, and sighed.

"I..." he started, hopelessly attempting to regain a small measure of composure in the wake of the many less self-conscious individuals suddenly occupying the deck of the ship he had thought was as good as his already. He wiped away the water gathered in a nook of his cloak and looked up at the dark sky that mercilessly poured water on the poor people of Tradepoint, who, by all standards, had suffered enough already.

It was that last thought that ultimately swayed Kharbon over. He wasn't always that concerned with the sufferings of others, mainly because of his preoccupation with his own trials, but he felt for the victims of this horrible, violent attack. Besides, genuine cooperation was a tactic hobgoblins rarely applied in their dealings with outsiders, which could be a reason they weren't that highly thought of by other races.

"Very well, but let us go below deck to talk", he finally said, pointing at the sky. "For what it's worth, it should be dry down there, and I've yet to inspect the full damage done to my ship anyway."

Before leading the way into the captain's quarters, Kharbon glanced cautiously in the direction of the crowd that had clearly been waiting for some sort of consensus to form. He paid special attention to the young man who had stood up for him earlier. If his recountings of his help in the battle against the pirate behind Safeharbor Pub were correct, Kharbon was, he supposed, in some sort of debt to him, and the man seemed good-natured enough. But there was one big problem: He had just identified himself as a mage, and without any kind of caution, regret or shame. Quite on the contrary, he had seemed quite proud of the fact.

Because of his fairly sheltered upbringing, Kharbon was notoriously bad at understandings attitudes not born of a hobgoblin mentality, but one very typically hobgoblin prejudice in particular stood out, without him even thinking about questioning it: magic was an elven art, and elves were a hateful, genocidal lot. I'll need to keep an eye on that one, he thought before turning about and making his way below deck.

[thedragonwarrior]

Bangis hears the Kid asking permission to board the ship where the previously wounded captain invited the rest of the band. It also seems like the captain has started to declare his plans without him on board yet. So, he starts to walk hastily towards the ship, over the gangplank and onto the main deck, to hear whatever the captain’s master plan.

[RayzRyd]

Laylah, aboard the Lavernus?

As a group gathers, Laylah's first concern is that someone may with to place her back in captivity. She knows that she cannot allow this to happen again. Freedom suites her and she will not allow it to be taken away again.

Addressing Rolo:

Greeting Captain, fine to see you again.

To anyone else nearby:

You can all rest easy, I mean no harm. Though, I would like nothing better than to know what in the seven hells is going on here. My view of events was somewhat limited below deck.

 

I am leaving on vacation this friday for all of next week so I probably wont be posting again until after Nov. 2.

[Eilaer]

Tenmar grunted at all that had happened, "I suppose whatever the good captain has to say involves getting out of this wretched deathtrap of a town and off to somewhere where we are less likely to get ourselves killed. Either that, or he is a moron and wants us to go after the other ship in this vessel. If that's the case he might want to re-evaluate the fighting capabilities a cannonless ship has, and I don't consider ramming a good answer."
Tenmar was suspicious of the new captain. Well, he was suspicious of most of these people, but the hob at least seemed to take an interest in surviving which was more than he could say about any of the others with certainty. There was a third option Tenmar felt could happen, that the captain was about to declare war on all of them, and being that the town was just attacked and there was a duergar and a hobgoblin right for sure in this miserable group, they'd be a perfect scape goat. He dismissed this possibility for now since the captain was sorely outnumbered on the ship and he didn't think it likely that he would risk his own life with a gambit like that.

Of course, not everyone was as careful as himself. The man could just be an idiot that knew how to sail a ship.

[Solomon777]

The weather lifted the steady fall of rain to a haze, however the wind stayed at a constant, blustering gale. Lightning streaked through the clouds and finally struck to the earth several miles away.

Captain Rolo looked at the hobgoblin, his experience with the monstrous race wasn’t as well ridden as he would have liked but upon looking over everyone gathered he realized much of the current group around were strange to him as well. He nodded to Kharbon in recognition of his office, “I insist you retain the office of captain, Captain Kharbon. This is after all your vessel and it should be afforded due respect as such. I will insist we share our information, Captain.” He then looked to his next concern and spoke easily though changed focus of the conversation without a pause. Without looking in Tenmar’s direction he mumbles, “We won’t be on this ship for long, my good dwarf, not long at all.”

To Laylah he nodded with an appreciating eye, “You certainly wear freedom well.”

Upon Kharbon’s offer to go below Rolo waved for all to follow being sure to make eye-contact with Kid, and the others still on the pier. “Everyone, if you please?”

Below…

 

Soon afterward Rolo again appraised each of the motley crew. “First I will tell you all of my own worries, and then we will ask of everyone else their intent. Tradepoint’s concern is obvious; half of their town has been taken to chain by a vile man named Captain Vexi. It is true, I will not tarry along, I am also a sailor of the five-finger variety, but I am no slaver.” He searched his pockets again with an agitated furrow of his brow and went back to speaking. “I came back my home in search of a family heirloom, which I had, but now apparently don’t. Either way, my great-grandfather placed a ward over the heirloom; I fear this ‘thing’ will be upon Tradepoint by morning. In exchange for your blades and knowledge I will provide you a share of my heirloom. Furthermore, as I also ask your skills be put against Captain Vexi; a target that I can promise will also bring reward. So I ask my fellows, can I count among you to sail with Captain Kharbon and myself?”

Assym, Athiss, and the Governor made their way to the brow in time to witness Captain Rolo and the others go below. Assym turned on the Governor, “Gov, please stay here and allow me to get the Captain’s attention. He will meet with you on the deck.” The Governor nodded his agreement.

Assym nudged Athiss, “Mate, go get the Captain, for our illustrious guest. While I keep occupy our good Governor.”

[Achard]

While

Dice Perception:

1d20

5

looking around the sections of the ship that had been protected from the merciless rain, hoping to see if the marauding pirates had overlooked anything of value on board, Kharbon listened to captain Rolo's offer. Up until now, Kha-Boom, or 'Kharbon', as he now dared to call himself, had had little motivation to care either way about the events of this night. There had been no love lost between him and the slain crew, and although he sympathized with the people of Tradepoint, he had failed to see why he should care about anything else besides helping with healing the injured. His highest priority was, in the end, to be out of there, on his own way.

But what he lacked in inherent goodliness, he made up for in sheer pragmatism. If the methods of manipulation that had in part helped the physically inferior hobgoblin survive in his merciless society had taught him anything, then surely that people tended to be less hostile towards those who went to extra lengths to help them first. Hobgoblins of his unit were a lot of things, but dishonorable was not one of them, and even the ruthlessly effective klecchi understood the concept of gratitude. This was something Kharbon knew well, and when Rolo mentioned the reward, his mind was made up. Though he himself had found little use for money, except as a method of trading for sustenance and alchemical ingredients, he had spent enough time in the world of men to realize how much the glittering coins and shiny jewels meant for the smooth-skins.

I could start my own crew, the hobgoblin thought and smiled inside. Suddenly, the dream of finding his place in the world as an influental merchant, mercenary, or even pirate king seemed to again be within his grasp. To make sure this rare and limited offer would not go to any wandering mercenary groups, Kharbon decided to step up and toss fuel into the fire. Hopefully, this strange but capable gathering would see the benefits of sailing under a united flag to reach a mutually beneficial goal.

"Aye", he growled in a manner he had heard some crewmen do in moments of approval. "After the brutal attack on the town and on my ship, I'm in dire need of a crew, and I am willing to hire anyone with a strong arm, a sharp mind, and a stout heart to help the honorable captain Rolo and myself rescue the good people of this town, and his..." what was the word? "...family heirloom from the clutches of this vile Vexi-person."

He glanced at the gray-skinned dwarf, whose hostile demeanor toward captain Rolo had signalled strong dissatisfaction with the way things had turned out, and hoped that the recent promise of a reward would satisfy the short man. After a short moment of hesitation, Kharbon added:

"To anyone who will sail aboard the Laevernus, I say: as long as it takes for us to recover the stolen goods and captured people and receive the reward to pay for your services, none of you will be working for me, but with me; your individual areas of expertise will guarantee you the right to affect all decisions, except regarding the ship itself, over which I retain the final say. After the successful clearing of this mission, you are free to go your own way, or free to stay and work as my new crew, whichever decision best suits you."

On a rare moment of clarity, Kharbon realized he was beginning to scare himself. This level of assertiviness, this confidence in his own abilities, this decision to carry on with the facade after many unforeseen twists... On some subconscious level, he knew that all this would eventually come back to bite him, that at one point, he would end up entangled and trapped in his own web of lies, but at the moment, he was far too fascinated with the tales he spun and the incredible promise of a prosperous future to care about any worst-case scenarios.