Onboard the Farzhoul, Baladas has been investigating the cause of death of the captain and analyzing the state of the ship, its crew, and its cargo. Nabooru, a young magic-user (OOC: welcome, Chloe!), has the chance to begin her (?) own trials.
As a starting question, how open about being a magic-user are you, Nabooru? Those who dabble in the dark arts are generally labelled as some combination of insane, dangerous, possessed, or idiotic.
Go forth!
Go forth!
While I do not wish to tell every person I meet, I am prone to disclosing my magic-using abilities to those I seek help/abilities from as a method of intimidation. I prefer to have those close to me to fear me. I am certain of some degree of my own insanity, although it is unclear if the condition was caused by my dabbling in the arts, or if the insanity is what brought me to them.
ReplyDeleteIt is mid-afternoon. Nabooru, you recently saw Stenka leaving the ship to attempt to find the Baroness Rumerial. You are aware that the captain has died, though as you were not present for the interrogation of the first mate, accountant, or navigator, you know little of the circumstances. You do no have much time to ponder them, however, for a young lad, perhaps fifteen, approaches you on the gangplank of the ship.
ReplyDelete"'Scuse me, miss. I've a message from the harbormaster for your cap'n. Says to send a repr'sentative to his office o'er yonder, for a meetin'. Says to do it right quick. That's all, miss, sorry t'bother!"
I'd first like to find Nabooru up top and then I'd like to try and find some of the seedier locales. I'm looking for someone who might have information, either about people or getting into and out of places. I'm curious about the Baroness and want someone who's well versed in secrets.
ReplyDeleteTalk to Nabooru about those plans, you guys can figure out exactly what you want to do. I'll cut in when the setting is relevant.
ReplyDelete"Nabooru! Hey! So I'm trying to figure out what's been happening; something doesn't seem right. I wouldn't go spreading this amongst the rest of the crew, but the accountant seems to think foul play is afoot as regards the captain's death, and I can't help but agree with him. He mentioned a woman, one Baroness Crose Rumerial. Apparently the cargo is supposed to end up with her. I think we should investigate. I'm proposing we start searching this city for a secrets-trader, a spy, someone who might have information about her, her whereabouts, her allies and enemies. I think someone on this boat knew the Captain was going to die and I think we should stay off of it for the time being."
ReplyDeleteHi guys, I'm back. I met a man, name's Diestoklaus. He believes a women from Appakendia is trying to kill him. Would you believe it?! He's a giant and a bloody good fighter too..its a pity; we could have used his help.
ReplyDeleteThats a good idea, B. But lets stay away from the market place over there.
"Captain's dead? And a baroness involved, you say? Well, well. I can't help but mention my feeling that this story's got a curious air to it...one that I wouldn't want to lose just because it's a rumor. I do just love rumors. Powerful, wicked little fun-facts of life to hold onto, be they truth or lies.
ReplyDelete"A juvenile has recently brought to my attention that the harbormaster's requested to meet with a representative of the captain - with haste. Granted, We know not who the captain may usually send for such duties, but sending one of ourselves should not cause much issue. We may be able to draw out a bit more information about where the captain may have been headed, or what his usual business is in this port.
"He might also be able to direct us to the seedier, rumor-ridden areas of the city that we should...'avoid.'"
"A-ha! Good work Nabooru! Just don't tell ol' Fackly about the letter and we needs not worry. Did the youth tell you whereabouts the harbormaster might be?"
ReplyDelete"Hm. He did not. I suppose we could ask about on shore for his whereabouts. Or...we could send a more informed crew member, follow him in secret to the harbormaster's lair, knock the poor fool out right before he knocks the door and take his place!"
ReplyDeleteThe harbormaster's quarters are common knowledge on the docks. Finding them would be no problem.
ReplyDelete"I'd say we shouldn't involve too many more...not that I don't want to mistrust our crewmates, but...I don't. Let's search the harbor for the master."
ReplyDelete(OOC: I apologize for the long delay in my response, there was stuff going on at my place and I became disoriented, like a deer in headlights. I assume that the last quote specified action, but to avoid that ambiguity in the future, put what you're doing outside of the quotes)
ReplyDeleteThe habormaster's quarters are small and dingy. As you all approach, a thin man in a striped shirt waltzes out of the door. He is wearing thick women's makeup. He winks at Nabooru, then calls to someone inside the quarters: "Edmund! You have some interesting company, but I have to be off! Tell me about them later!" The thin man glides away from the docks, and a thick, short, balding man opens the door. A grin alights across his features, though there are bags under his eyes.
"What can I do for you lovely folks?" he asks. "You aren't with Captain Clavard, are you?"
"Actually that's exactly who we're with. A young lad came to fetch us but didn't stay long enough to point us in the right direction. Luckily it wasn't too hard. You look like you're quite glad to see us."
ReplyDelete"Of course, of course! I'm a little under the weather these days, busy-busy you know, but please, come in and we can have our usual discussion!" He ushers you all inside, and seats you on top of several small barrels used as chairs. The cabin is in utter disrepair; in fact, it looks like the polar opposite of the accountant's cabin, though it is just as full of books and papers. Cobwebs crowd every corner, and a stained bed sits alone near a fireplace.
ReplyDelete"Now, the Watch have been particularly troublesome of late, insisting on far more ship inspections than I am used to. I've been able to slow them, and pay some of them off, but they may yet be bothering you, so tell Clavard to /be careful/! Anyway, because of these hiccoughs, I'm afraid that my fee has to be a bit higher this docking. Would you be amenable to 620 pieces of silver? Tax-free, of course." He laughs at his joke and scratches absent-mindedly at the inside of his wrist.
620 pieces? Thats an awfully large sum. We are long-time dealers, surely you can give us, say, a discount?
ReplyDeleteThe harbormaster's smile falters for the first time, and worry flickers across his features. "Ordinarily, of course Clavard and his ship would be in my good graces enough to warrant a, er, a discount. However, your arrival has coincided rather uncomfortably with some, ahem, debts that I have incurred. I don't think that I can spare you much in the way of expense." There is an edge of desperation in his voice as he stops talking.
ReplyDeleteI scrutinize his face. "You've pulled some wrong deals again, haven't you? What have you been up to, harbourmaster?"
ReplyDelete"Hang on a moment, sir. Your inability to hang onto your money is no concern of ours. We'd like our usual rate. This is robbery!" I give him a thin smile and put my hand on my rapier.
ReplyDelete"Er, now now, my friends, let's not be hasty. We've never been on bad terms before. Why, why don't you go fetch Captain Clavard. Perhaps I should have spoken to him in the first place. I didn't realize things would get so... complicated. Please, could you get Clavard?" His face is pleading.
ReplyDelete"We've been sent by Clavard. Anything you have to say to him, you say to us. So speak up, harbormaster, and be straight about it."
ReplyDeleteThe harbormaster goes red in the face, and his eyes bulge. He suddenly stands straight up, knocking over his chair, and dashes to the back of the quarters, where he hunches over a small table and frantically grabs something out of sight, making small, hurried motions. He seems to be forcing himself to forget that you're there.
ReplyDelete