[Game Thread] Elegy of a Penal Ship (Fair Maiden)

[Colatine]

Fair Maiden and it's rough cargo...

[AlwaysCivilMike]

Everyone on the docks seemed to be about their own business to the point that if someone got in there way….a pushing match would insure. You made the other person yield or you got run over…that was true for everyone….except for the prisoners. With armed guards on each side of the two by two precession, everyone gave way to this group. They were from all walks of life yet had one thing in common….they were wearing shackles. They were to be free men this day, but that was based on them staying on the Fair Maiden until it reached the Savage coast. Only then could they truly start to live their lives again. For some, this was a death sentence as they would not survive away from true civilization. Others longed to go as the coast matched their mentality….savage.

Several people would stop and toss a piece of rotten fruit or vegetables at them, some cursed them as the menace to society and it was good riddance where they were being force to leave. Whether truly innocent or as guilty as sin, their destination was the same. As they rounded a corner of a warehouse the Fair Maiden came into view. The view of the ship matched that of the moods of those in chains. For better or worse, this was going to be their home. Once on board the shackles would come off but all personal belongings including weapons they still had would be placed behind lock and key until the end of the voyage.

Welcome….to the penal ship….welcome...to the Fair Maiden

[Amos]

Feeling somewhat out of his element, Olly made his way cautiously through the throngs of dock workers, shipwrights, and fish mongers alike. Upon reaching the ship, his heart sank, just a few yards ahead a prisoner caravan was boarding the ship and being released from their bonds. Although he feared not for his own safety, what he saw most certainly would make for a more than uncomfortable as well as highly tension filled journey.

Picking his way through the remaining distance, the young Cleric stopped short of the boarding plank, wondering if this was truly what he wanted. It took but a moment for him to remember the pain of the lash from the last time he spoke his concern, and that seemed to be more than enough of a reason for his feet. Before he realized what he was doing, he was already aboard, handing his paper work into the proper hands and waiting for instructions.

[Rekal]

A dark scowl came to the young man's face as he watched the prisoners board from an out of the way spot on the dock. "Perfect." He muttered low to himself and pushed off from the crate he was leaning against before tugging his tunic straight. "'The Fair Maiden,'" he continues muttering and adds a sneer at himself. "Sounds like a fine ship to start fresh on. Someone..." The tall man sighs heavily, "Failed to mention an important detail about the various cargoes."

Shaking himself, he makes his way across the dock to the boarding ramp and climbs aboard. Settling against a rail to wait for instructions on his berth, his blue eyes watch the former prisoners and take careful note of the others who board of their own volition.

His thoughts meander as he waits and when they touch on his reasons for leaving, his inner voice practically shouts at him: You deserve this.

[zevonian]

Lydak could have been mistaken for a prisoner were he shackled, or if his clothing had not been so clean. Six foot tall, musuclar, and clearly of Orcish blood, he just had the look of someone who had done somebody harm. Alas, he was a freeman who stepped onto the vessel known as The Fair Maiden of his own free will. He appeared to be one who had everything he owned either on his back or in his hands. His garb and gear were a mishmash of bazaar's brightest bundles and monastery man's mentionables.

He spotted a deck officer near the loading planks and asked for permission to come aboard. The Second Mate of the Ship grabbed the attention of the First Mate and together they listened to Lydak's account of being hired as novice oarsmen from here to Sentinel. At first they wondered if it was some sort of trick, but when he adjusted the cord around his neck to reveal a holy symbol of Irori, they had to correct him immediately.

"This is a penal ship. The Captain said someone would be sending a young Orc who spoke Common well, understood the law, and would be willing to help keep peace on the ship. I suppose that would be you. Once you get your sea legs of course." Lydak gave a tusky grin and shrugged his shoulders before reply. Half-orc. To be...exact. A man I respect said to board this ship, and do what the Captain says until we reach Sentinel. He said it would...probably be rowing, but to be prepared for any task." The officers then welcomed him aboard and showed him to the freeman's quarters below. It wasn't until they were back above deck before they made snide remarks over what sort of low born skull cracker they would be dealing with.

ooc Attention DM, if I have taken too much liberty in using Ship's Officers in this post, do let me know and I shall edit accordingly. I'm just retrofitting the penal ship addendum to Lydak's voyage background.

[Humble Athena]

Reia moves quietly through the throngs on the docks, trying real hard to stay away from trouble, so that there are no misunderstandings to keep her from her destination. Despite her caution, there is a barely restrained vim to each step obvious to any who bother resting eyes upon her.

By now she is accustomed to the stares she may get, standing several inches taller than the average human woman would and with the dull points of her ears sticking out proudly from the straw-like mop of blond hair that frames her face. Her attire downplays her appearance- smart brown woolen leggings conceal long, too thin legs from waist to knee, below that bare until the scuffed up boots that shod her feet. Above, a loose cotton shirt, natural white, conceals the faint traces of femininity her body has deigned to grace her with, and a shapeless circle of brown wool that seems to be a cap rests on the crown of her head. Over her left shoulder hangs a battered leather sack.

This fine morning, she admires all the fine ships sitting at anchor, being loaded and boarded. She interrupts a dockworker to ask which is the Fair Maiden, and is only slightly nonplussed by the hints of pity behind his impatience as he directs her to the proper ship.

She turns as he points in time to witness the pathetic procession of shackled prisoners, and quickly ducks behind a mound of boxes to observe. She searches her memories of her time in prison and tries to recognize if any of the prisoners are those she might know of as bad news.

When the procession has finished being boarded, she is still standing on the dock, her prospects for the future sobered by the thought of being afloat in what amounts to a giant bucket out in the middle of the ocean- with a number of possibly angry and hostile men. Bad things could happen.

But she'd promised herself she would go. There was nothing for her here, and a whole new world waiting for her off somewhere in the distance. When she closed her eyes, she could see it- lush majestic trees, strange and unusual animals, unsullied earth. She could almost hear the cacophony of exotic birds, here in her little corner of imagination. But she'd see none of that, if she didn't take the next few steps and board the ship.

Casting aside her reservations, she walks forward.

[Rekal]

The young man leaning against the rail nods in a friendly manner when he catches the eye of the other young mam who had boarded just before him. He seems as excited to be on this boat as I am.

His thoughts turn to the half-orc as his blue eyes size up the man's stature, again nodding when he catches his eye. Well, at least someone looks excited, I wonder how long that will last.

One side of his lips quirk up in dire amusement at his own thoughts. He shrugs his shoulder to adjust the large axe strapped across his back and turns to watch the latest arrival. What a scrawny kid. He thinks as he automatically assumes she is a boy because what woman in her right mind would willingly board a penal ship? He nods at 'him' as well as he waits for some instruction.

[zevonian]

Lydak stays in his quarters only long enough to meet one of his new found fellow occupants. A little man nervously greets the Orcish one and answers brief questions. Before heading back above deck, Lydak thanks the man who has quickly blurted out who else he thinks will be in the room, what parts of the room people store personal belongings, and when meals are served.

Topside once more and still carrying his spear, he scans the group and tries determining who are the paid deck hands and officers, and who are the paying passengers. He had the good fortune of having been on a ship a few months earlier. A senior member of his Order had decided that combat on a moving ship would be good training for everyone, so he chartered a ship for a two day trip during somewhat stormy weather. This was when Lydak had learned how to spot the sailing men. They were the ones who weren't seasick the first hour after castoff. They weren't...him.

But the training made him heartier and he knew that this time he would not take ill. He had better balance now, a stronger inner reserve. And best of all, this wasn't the ship where he had those moments of weakness. This vessel, The Fair Maiden, had a good feeling about it. The unshackled ones seemed just as excited as he was about going offshore, he even got a couple nods from other wayfaring folks. This wasn't the bazaar. This wasn't where he overheard a child calling him a monster.

[Humble Athena]

The young half-elf nods and smiles to those that acknowledge her as she moves aboard. She constantly looks around, studying the people, the substance of the ship, and the water below. She watches the sailors prepare and the other passengers accustoming themselves.

[zevonian]

Lydak spotted a small unattended crate and put a foot on it. He did his best to give an authoritative look, despite not really knowing a soul on the vessel.
They want me to play the hired muscle role because of my lineage. I guess that is why did not ask for my weapon. Is it wrong to hope the prisoners are all criminals? I would not want to travel with slavers. Yes, surely there is a diference between...

He spots someone looking at him. Someone that had noted him earlier. He nods and holds up a waterskin with his free hand. Fresh water could be most welcome here.

ooc Since we're all nodding at each other, I leave that last paragraph as open invite for anyone to come say hey.

[Amos]

Still amazed at the at both the clock like inner workings of the ships crew and the fact that he was really leaving what had been such a nightmarish few years, Olly catches site of one of the fiercest looking men he had ever seen tilt his waterskin in greeting. Thinking to himself that it might be nice to befriend one of his stature on what could possibly be a rough voyage, the young cleric walked over to say hello.

"Brother Olly Windermere, pleased to meet you!" Olly had held his hand out while speaking, but was momentarily taken a back upon a closer look of him. The man was obviously a Half Orc, and having never come into such close contact with one before, the young cleric couldn't help but feel intimated. Even with his height advantage, the stories he had heard of Half Orc savagery had him second guessing the wisdom of traveling on this ship.

[zevonian]

"Lydak." He extends his calloused, free hand and delivers a more than firm handshake. His grey skin is not camofluage enough to hide a number of bruises upon his arms and face. He withdraws his arm and taps the silvery holy symbol that he wears. "You are called Brother? You serve what Order?"

ooc His name is pronounced like Lid Ack, with virtually no pause between syllables. And his common speech is rather clear.

[AlwaysCivilMike]

The top deck of the ship was slowly becoming crowded as everyone boarded. Whether they be crew, simple passengers or newly freed prisoners, everyone knew that trouble could come in any form on this trip. The men who were part of the chain gang slowly but surely had their shackles taken off while guards stood along the railings of the ship watching for anyone who might give them….trouble. At the moment nobody was taking charge of the situation…..but that was going to change shortly.

 

Over the bustle of so many people came a loud strong voice yell out “SHUT UP! EVERYONE! THE CAPTAIN DEMANDS YOUR ATTENTION!” At the raised portion on the back of the ship stood a bald man with a long goatee looking like he could chew iron. As if on cue, the burly man turned and stepped aside for what everyone assumed was the captain of the Fair Maiden. A hushed silence fell over the crowd as they took in the man who really had their lives in his hands. Wearing the traditional sailor’s cap the man looked like he came out of some storybook about adventures on the high seas. Some of the newly arrived and newly freed men snickered but quickly went silent.

The man smiled broadly and said “I……am Captain Ambrossa and this here *rubs the top of the railing before him* is my ship. While docked, you are ruled by the laws of the land. However, while out at sea…..I rule. I will not put up with any sort of trouble especially from the likes of you all so get that thru your thick skulls. If you try anything on my ship…..I will come down on you hard. It is just that simple. As for you newly *wiggles his fingers in the air* free men, I really don’t care what you did. Know though that since you are on my ship….that means you caused someone else a great deal of trouble. For this reason I have all of your possessions lucked up good and tight until the end of our journey. Only then will you be getting any of it back. As for the rest of you on my ship…..either do your work as part of the crew or stay out of our way. If you don’t…..I will treat you the same as these *points at the chain gang* men.”

He walked over to the first mate and whispered something in the man’s ear. The man nodded but said nothing. Captain Ambrossa turned to the crowd again and said “Stow your gear below and grab a bunk. We shove off at first light. That will be all.” With that, he turned around and started walking back to the ship’s wheel with the bald first mate said “OK PEOPLE! YOU HEARD THE CAPTAIN! GET MOVING!”

 

You all would have been herded together so that you were separated from the prisoners so you are standing quite close now. You can ask the captain, the first mate questions about the journey or work details...if you signed up for that....if you like or go downstairs and pick out a bunk. There are no special quarters for women mind you. It is just one large room full of swinging hammocks. If any of you want to know each other that is cool and only makes conversation easy but that is up to you.

[Rekal]

"Well, gentlemen." The young man with azure eyes sketches a polite bow to those near him. "My name is Tate Creig, and it appears we will be seeing much of each other over the next several weeks." He flashes a friendly grin.

[zevonian]

Lydak stood at full attention while the Captain spoke. His stern demeanor hid the small, yet growing, disdain he was now feeling while the man in the oversized hat prattled on. Clearly this is an uninformed Captain. Or else that is a...what they call it...blanket...statement. Yes, yes. One batch of words to cover everyone. Either way, I have caused no crime.

He waited for the Brother and the others nearby to give or continue their introductions before he spoke once more. "I believe the First Mate has a task of...how you say...peace keeper...set for me. Lydak. But to be sure, I must attend to that. Be seeing you."

He walked away without further explanation, and headed towards the second in command. Waiting with considerable patience and at a respectable distance while others had business with the bald man, he finally took his turn to talk. With a satisfied look on his face after the chatter, Lydak went down below to reclaim his bunk.

ooc Hey Mister DM, no need to write out detailed conversation between Lydak and the first mate, as I've already posted chatter with him previously. Fair to assume that Lydak will do his assigned tasks, providing they seem lawful enough. Only thing I need to know is whether or not he has to keep his weapons and attached bags locked away somewhere.