Sir Marius smiles at the various agreeing comments. "Unfortunately, I have little more to tell you. While I could describe the original layout of the ship, it is quite possible that whoever patched it up changed the inner arrangement of bulkheads, rendering my description useless. With regard to cargo, the ship was large and rented storage space to many wealthy merchants in the city and the lands beyond. I have no detailed list of what was being shipped at the time, but it almost certainly held valuable items - assuming, of course, that the ship was not plundered at some time in the past."
Pausing, Sir Marius rubs his chin, a pensive expression dominating his features. "I do recall that the captain of the Emperor of Waves was said to be a diligent chronicler of his journeys aboard the vessel. Perhaps, if you could find his journal or a ship's log, you might learn both what the else the ship was carrying and what happened to the ship since it was least seen."
Pacing about the room once more, Sir Marius turns to face Balasar, "As for when you sail, that is up to you. I have chartered the vessel Soul of Winter and her crew, captained by one Wolgar Windrune, and left instructions that you all are to be my representatives in this matter. The captain waits for you aboard his ship and will launch when you give the word. Captain Mertrow has been kind enough to lend me his ship's wizard for the purpose of guiding the Emperor and I received word just this evening that the man is already settled aboard Soul of Winter. While I do not wish to rush your preparations, I would encourage you to report to Captain Windrune and set sail as soon as you can be ready - weighing preudence with speed, perhaps tomorrow morning after having a chance to buy any needed supplies."
Here, Sir Marius seems to run out of words. He looks about before adding, "If you have more questions, I will try to answer. If not, I will see you each given 200 gold before bidding you good evening and smooth sailing."
[OOC: unless you have further questions for (or requests of) Sir Marius, your characters each gain 200 gold and have from now - about 8pm - until you sail to do with as you please. I will assume you all get to Soul of Winter and depart at 10am unless the group decides otherwise]
Elaric takes his leave, but tells the party he is headed for the Arcane University historical archives to learn what he may of the Emperor of Waves, the merchant prince Aubreck Drallion, and the part of the world in which the ship vanished. Anyone may accompany him if they wish [OOC: and give advantage to his Investigation check, should they choose to aid in his search].
Reeves will accept the advance payment and accompany Elaric in order to glean what information he can in preparation for the trek. As he is proficient in Investigation checks, he will aid Elaric to grant him advantage.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Balasar will search for purveyors of potions and magical items. Specifically, he is searching for potions of healing, waterbreathing, and waterwalking.
Investigation: 9
Perception: 19
[Rolling both just in case both end up being useful].
Balasar will also search for magical items granting those same properties. Somewhere along the way, he gave Guan Hao the Unicorn Bunny head that he was holding on to temporarily.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elaric (with Wendell and Reeves assisting) makes an Investigation check for additional details: 26
Wendell will need to make an Investigation check for his particular inquiry...
Guan Hao has a wonderful time [OOG: I did roll for possible boons and/or complications, but none came up]
Though getting late for most shops, Balasar does have luck (of a sort) in the market square where travelling merchants may set up temporary shops in tents or kiosks. However, to know how this turns out, he will need to make an Insight check...
After the party member's various evening escapades are concluded and all have had a good rest, the heroes proceed to the Soul of Winter.
Manned by a veteran crew, Soul of Winter is a sailing ship run by Captain Wolgar Windrune, who greets the assembled party on the dock and escorts them aboard personally. To keep from impeding his crew, the captain insists that everyone remain in their quarters, a cramped chamber below deck, during the voyage - unless anyone has experience as a sailor [OOG: if you have the Sailor, Marine, or some other nautical background/history or if your character has proficiency with water vehicles, you may assist the crew if you like]. The crew consists of thirty sailors, all of whom, the captain informs you, will remain aboard Soul of Winter during your salvage job; they have not been paid for anything other than transport to and from an unnamed derelict vessel found adrift several days from Adaern.
Upon settling in, the captain hands over a sealed envelope and remarks, "The cargo'll be in the hold, but I'd ask that ye not go outfittin' yerselves afore we reach our destination. Don't want t' risk 'avin' loose gear slidin' about if'n we run up against any rough waters." With that, he departs.
Opening the letter, you discover it is from Sir Marius. In it, he informs you that he made some last minute purchases and arranged for the delivery of supplies for your mission aboard the derelict. The gear provided includes: five sets of studded leather armor, two light crossbows with twenty bolts each, five 50-foot coils of rope, two grappling hooks, twelve torches, two healer’s kits, six vials of antitoxin, two potions of healing, and two sacks for carrying treasure out of the ship.
The voyage is expected to take anywhere from 3 to 7 days, depending upon the weather and how far the Emperor has drifted since its last sighting.
Do you have any specific actions you wish to take during the voyage?
Wendell is immediately going to go looking for the ship's wizard to compare notes, see if he can be helpful, and possibly round out his spellbook, which currently lacks a nautical element.
During the voyage, he will also re-summon Fluss. (10 GP deducted). He will bring the otter back as an owl to assist in scouting.
Reeves is straightforward and curt. "I could use the coin. I'll take the job."
Guan Hao belches and brandishes his goblet.
"Keep filling my plate with meat and my cup with mead, and I'll sail to hellgates!"
Sir Marius smiles at the various agreeing comments. "Unfortunately, I have little more to tell you. While I could describe the original layout of the ship, it is quite possible that whoever patched it up changed the inner arrangement of bulkheads, rendering my description useless. With regard to cargo, the ship was large and rented storage space to many wealthy merchants in the city and the lands beyond. I have no detailed list of what was being shipped at the time, but it almost certainly held valuable items - assuming, of course, that the ship was not plundered at some time in the past."
Pausing, Sir Marius rubs his chin, a pensive expression dominating his features. "I do recall that the captain of the Emperor of Waves was said to be a diligent chronicler of his journeys aboard the vessel. Perhaps, if you could find his journal or a ship's log, you might learn both what the else the ship was carrying and what happened to the ship since it was least seen."
Pacing about the room once more, Sir Marius turns to face Balasar, "As for when you sail, that is up to you. I have chartered the vessel Soul of Winter and her crew, captained by one Wolgar Windrune, and left instructions that you all are to be my representatives in this matter. The captain waits for you aboard his ship and will launch when you give the word. Captain Mertrow has been kind enough to lend me his ship's wizard for the purpose of guiding the Emperor and I received word just this evening that the man is already settled aboard Soul of Winter. While I do not wish to rush your preparations, I would encourage you to report to Captain Windrune and set sail as soon as you can be ready - weighing preudence with speed, perhaps tomorrow morning after having a chance to buy any needed supplies."
Here, Sir Marius seems to run out of words. He looks about before adding, "If you have more questions, I will try to answer. If not, I will see you each given 200 gold before bidding you good evening and smooth sailing."
[OOC: unless you have further questions for (or requests of) Sir Marius, your characters each gain 200 gold and have from now - about 8pm - until you sail to do with as you please. I will assume you all get to Soul of Winter and depart at 10am unless the group decides otherwise]
Elaric takes his leave, but tells the party he is headed for the Arcane University historical archives to learn what he may of the Emperor of Waves, the merchant prince Aubreck Drallion, and the part of the world in which the ship vanished. Anyone may accompany him if they wish [OOC: and give advantage to his Investigation check, should they choose to aid in his search].
Wendell will assist Elaric. While he's on site, he'll also like to make inquiries into effective defenses against Night Hags.
Guan Hao will pocket the cash, and spend the rest of the day in drunken idleness.
Reeves will accept the advance payment and accompany Elaric in order to glean what information he can in preparation for the trek. As he is proficient in Investigation checks, he will aid Elaric to grant him advantage.
Balasar will search for purveyors of potions and magical items. Specifically, he is searching for potions of healing, waterbreathing, and waterwalking.
Investigation: 9
Perception: 19
[Rolling both just in case both end up being useful].
Balasar will also search for magical items granting those same properties. Somewhere along the way, he gave Guan Hao the Unicorn Bunny head that he was holding on to temporarily.
Elaric (with Wendell and Reeves assisting) makes an Investigation check for additional details: 26
Wendell will need to make an Investigation check for his particular inquiry...
Guan Hao has a wonderful time [OOG: I did roll for possible boons and/or complications, but none came up]
Though getting late for most shops, Balasar does have luck (of a sort) in the market square where travelling merchants may set up temporary shops in tents or kiosks. However, to know how this turns out, he will need to make an Insight check...
Wendell's investigation check: 7
Balasar's Insight check: 19
Guan Hao's Intimidation (STR) Check: 15
After the party member's various evening escapades are concluded and all have had a good rest, the heroes proceed to the Soul of Winter.
Manned by a veteran crew, Soul of Winter is a sailing ship run by Captain Wolgar Windrune, who greets the assembled party on the dock and escorts them aboard personally. To keep from impeding his crew, the captain insists that everyone remain in their quarters, a cramped chamber below deck, during the voyage - unless anyone has experience as a sailor [OOG: if you have the Sailor, Marine, or some other nautical background/history or if your character has proficiency with water vehicles, you may assist the crew if you like]. The crew consists of thirty sailors, all of whom, the captain informs you, will remain aboard Soul of Winter during your salvage job; they have not been paid for anything other than transport to and from an unnamed derelict vessel found adrift several days from Adaern.
Upon settling in, the captain hands over a sealed envelope and remarks, "The cargo'll be in the hold, but I'd ask that ye not go outfittin' yerselves afore we reach our destination. Don't want t' risk 'avin' loose gear slidin' about if'n we run up against any rough waters." With that, he departs.
Opening the letter, you discover it is from Sir Marius. In it, he informs you that he made some last minute purchases and arranged for the delivery of supplies for your mission aboard the derelict. The gear provided includes: five sets of studded leather armor, two light crossbows with twenty bolts each, five 50-foot coils of rope, two grappling hooks, twelve torches, two healer’s kits, six vials of antitoxin, two potions of healing, and two sacks for carrying treasure out of the ship.
The voyage is expected to take anywhere from 3 to 7 days, depending upon the weather and how far the Emperor has drifted since its last sighting.
Do you have any specific actions you wish to take during the voyage?
Wendell is immediately going to go looking for the ship's wizard to compare notes, see if he can be helpful, and possibly round out his spellbook, which currently lacks a nautical element.
During the voyage, he will also re-summon Fluss. (10 GP deducted). He will bring the otter back as an owl to assist in scouting.
Guan remains wretchedly confined below decks, sick as a dog.
Balasar has no specific actions he wishes to take, and will enjoy the respite while staying out the way of the crew as much as possible.
Guan Hao may make a Constitution save (not required).
Reeves will remain in his quarters, relaxed but alert, and stay out of the way of the crew.
Con Save: 22