World of Greyhawk: Company of the Grey Chain

Quote from Charwoman_Gene >>

[[I think Ben_Evolent misinterpreted, Coriana knows one of the ship guards, so would not be in a position to ask about other ships.]]

(OOC: @Charwoman_Gene - Oops!  Thanks for the heads up.  I actually missed the DM's latest post entirely. I probably had the game thread open and didn't refresh before making my post.  My reference to Coriana's docker-worker friend was referring to this earlier post...)

Quote from drumdigby >>

The Malachite Heirarch is packing up and readying to leave the harbour, “And good riddance too!” Says a dock hand Coriana knows, “The damn ship is from Iuz. Heading across the Nyr Dyv and upriver to that fell place.” 

(OOC: @drumdigby - I think that the rest of Xanrym's post still works unless you wanted to role-play the conversation with the ship's captain in more detail.  Since Coriana knows one of the guards, he would undoubtedly leverage that relationship.  He's not sure whether the Malachite Heirarch operates like a merchant vessel or more like a pirate ship.  He'll follow the guidance of Coriana and Darci regarding whether they should speak to the quartermaster first or go directly to the captain.  In this case, Xanrym prefers to let Coriana do most of the talking.  He wants to make it sound like he is the decision-maker for The Company but that Coriana is the one who is advocating for sailing with the Malachite Heirarch.)

[[I skipped the dock worker part.]]

Coriana would ask about other ships before proceeding if it could be done discreetly.

So there are no other ships departing at this time of day. It’s strange that The Malachite Heirarch is doing so. If you all agree. You can all climb aboard the Heirarch. The dock workers pull away the gangplank as you all pile aboard the sailing boat.

In that case Darci will reply to Coriana, “Business with the captian? I suppose you could ask to see them, although you’re gonna have to come with us a way now.” She motions to the gangplank being taken away and the sails unfurling. “What have you been doing Coriana, the last time I saw you you were drowning your sorrows because of that debt you owed. You ever pay that back?”

Quote from drumdigby >>

So there are no other ships departing at this time of day. It’s strange that The Malachite Heirarch is doing so. If you all agree. You can all climb aboard the Heirarch. The dock workers pull away the gangplank as you all pile aboard the sailing boat.

Agreed. 

As the Malachite Hierarch gets underway, Xanrym just hopes that the Forgotten King's bones are actually on board too! 

"I have a plan in place... at least a concept of a plan..." replies Coriana.

Theldrin turns and looks wistfully at the streets of Greyhawk leading away from the docks and into the heart of the city.  With a heavy sigh he gives a nod of agreement and follows the others up the gangplank on board the Malachite Heirarch.  

Such a short lived return to the free city, he thinks to himself, yet all clues seem to lead to the ship... so the mission continues.

Darci nods, "Well that's good, cause you seemed fairly well done as far as I could tell. Look, as you know I don't judge, I don't really care what you got going on here on this boat. But do me a favor and don't cause any trouble. I'm running with this crew now, The Broken Crown, a mercenary company from The Bandit Kingdoms. We've been paid to make sure no one stirs up any trouble on this boat, and I'd hate to be on the other side of a blade from you, friend." She points to the insignia, depicting a broken silver crown. "That being said, I might be able to help you with whatever you need. What is it you guys are doing on The Malachite Heirarch?"

She directs this question to all of you.

Xanrym had simply planned to lie, but he looks to Coriana, waiting for her to answer.  An ally among the ship's guards could be valuable.  On the other hand, knowing the nature of Coriana's associates, he's not sure how much The Company can trust Darci.  He wants to see how open Coriana is with the Broken Crown guard before he reveals too much.

I also forgot to narrate the result from Syllen's Insight check before. Darci seems to be exactly what she seems: an old acquaintance of Coriana with a less than savory past. She seems to be being honest in what she's saying and offering.

[[I need to apologize, if the response is on me I want to think and give a good response and I may not haVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO THAT TODAY."

"We've got business on the other side of the voyage and are looking to cut the captain in as price of passage, it's kinda sensitive so I don't want to get into too many details in public." says Coriana.

[[Deception: 26  if SOMEHOW that failed i use tactical mind for 29]]

(No need for tactical mind.)

Darci nods, "Alright then fair enough. You can absolutely go talk to the captain, but you're probably better off waiting for a while. We haven't even left port yet! I gotta get back to work, but come talk to me if you need anything, and if you need somewhere to sleep I've got some nice quarters I can set you all up in. Also, if you're cutting anyone else into this deal, I might be interested too!" She walks off, yelling orders at other members of The Broken Crown.

You watch as the city get's smaller and smaller as The Malachite Heirarch sails off into the Nyr Dyv. Looking around the boat, you see a number of interesting guests on board. A group of dark looking priests wearing stylized horns on their heads and their personal guard make up the majority of the passengers, although there are a number of people in wolf skins and fur's gathered together as well. A noble man, clearly from The Shield Lands in fine blue and silver clothes, looks out over the port side talking loudly and passionately as a younger man writes down his words. A small group of humans dressed in dark greens keep to themselves and walk below deck, one of them looking over their shoulder at your group just before they descend. 

Theldrin lets out another sigh as he watches the Greyhawk skyline slowly fade into the horizon in the wake of the ship.  He then shrugs and turns his attention to the other guests on board.

(OOC: Checking to see if anything comes to mind about the priests or humans dressed in green)

History: 25
Religion: 5

Theldrin sees that these priests are likely from The Horned Society, and like many from that land, clearly worship the evil god of war and discord, Hextor.

Theldrin gives Xanrym a sidelong glance, discreetly adding a subtle nod towards the priests.  But he is also curious about the humans in green, who seemed to be taking an interest in the party. 

More obviously he stands at the ship's rail and looks out at the water passing below, saying with a yawn, "Well, I certainly hope there aren't any krakens out and about today..." Turning towards the others, he then adds, "Nice quarters to rest in sounds promising..."

Khessa agrees with Theldrin, her blue eyes sparkling with anticipation: "Yes... to rest and study! Now that we've earned some money, it might be worthwhile to compare notes."

"But we also need a plan to find out who has the bones—and to take them," the blonde arcane warrior lowers her voice. "The guy in green who looked at us before disappearing is suspicious. The 'horned,' on the other hand, if they serve Hextor, shouldn't serve Iuz... so they shouldn't have the bones. I don't know what to make of the noble man, though..."

The tall adventuress nonchalantly approaches the man from The Shield Lands in fine blue and silver clothes, beginning to listen with interest as he speaks loudly and passionately to the younger man who writes down his words. She imagines the nobleman is dictating her deeds... and surmises that the man must be a bit vain; so perhaps showing interest in his deeds should please him. And hearing about his exploits might help her understand what kind of person he is...

Khessa hears the man talk, "Yes, yes, of course it was a wonderful move on my behalf. Many of my ideas are quite brilliant like that you know, Clayton my boy! Anyway, what with the ruffians on this ship, I had better stop giving you all the stories of my diplomatic success. When we are dropped off in Critwall I can tell you the rest, of course we may have to have one of the crew row us there as my people are somewhat resistant to ships from Iuz in their dock. But when one possesses my reputation for diplomacy, one finds enemies suddenly remember their manners." The older noble man guffaws and turns around, spotting Khessa and looking up at her, "Oh hello there young lady, quite an impressive stance you have there. You with the Broken Crown bandits as well are you?" He asks, seemingly not caring if the term 'bandit' would insult you if you were with The Broken Crown.

Khessa, in her armor permanently gleaming and flawless through magic, takes a moment to make herself smell a faintly exotic scent and then leans close enough for him to smell it. She raises an eyebrow with a smile and asks the rhetorical question: "Do I really look like one of them? How disappointing... I would have bet I looked about as much like them as you do".

"Shall we start over and introduce ourselves, friend?" the blonde arcane warrior holds out her hand. "Khessa Cabbagefield, woman of adventure - but with enough dignity to avoid banditry".

Theldrin smiles and nods, replying to Khessa, "Yes, of course... comparing notes would be splendid."

He then bides his time waiting to see what happens next, keeping an eye on the interaction between Khessa and the noble, as well as staying on the lookout for anything else of interest happening on deck.

Perception: 18