Tales from Talaveroth

Si'Juul gives a soft nod. "Good."

Then to himself,

'.....affectionately....?'

Then out loud once more,

".....uh....well.....you know my reason for using blackpowder......can I ask what you want it for? You have every right to refuse to answer that, given our conversation so far......"

"See, this powder contains a lot of energy, and it's something we might be able to use if we need to enter something quickly when we don't have the requisite tools or time. Or, if we find ourselves locked up somewhere, it might serve as a crude means to deal with a lock. Similarly, if we find other metals and a bit of rust, I might be able to concoct something that can cut through most metals. I personally just want to research the powder to understand what it can do, and potentially find ways to increase its use, or make it more powerful."

OOTC: The other metals that Twitch is thinking about here is brass, for the zinc in it. She wants to melt some of that down to mix rust, zinc, and the black powder to create thermite powder. I'm planning to take the skilled feat for her at level 4 and include alchemist and smithing tools in the new proficiencies, to justify her knowledge of these things in retrospect.

".......you know more than I thought.......but why would you want to make it more powerful? It's plenty strong as it is........"

"At propelling shots through the air, sure. But I have some other applications in mind that might find more niche uses. And my pops always used to say: "You might not be the smartest or the strongest person in the room. But you sure as hell can be the most prepared." An' I just take that to mean that I want to know what I can use the different parts of my gear for, is all."

"That's......actually pretty wise.....your pops was a smart man......"

Thinking to himself once more,

'She might make an excellent recruit.......gonna have to watch her closely.......'

"We must discuss plans and techniques for using these materials. It goes without saying that we do not use these haphazardly or for senseless destruction."

Si'Juul is gauging Twitch's reaction very carefully.

(Guessing an Insight roll here, just in case: 16

But if it's not needed then that's fine too)

The night passes quietly, and the morning is fine weather as well. The first mate was right, but just barely.  You watch the island getting closer all day: a sandy beach surrounds a tropical forest. At its center rises a tall pillar of rock, topped by a tower.  The light at the tower's apex is painfully bright, even in the daytime.

You have the day to spend making any preparations you like (though the captain gets on Twitch's case about getting those water barrels fixed, and giving her many other tasks.  Twitch may suspect he's a little surly about her mutinous rant the previous day...even though it worked out profitably for him.)

It is dark when the ship sails into a bay. In the moonlight you can see beaches and coconut palms curling around to either side.  There is a dock along the shore, in front of where a thin waterfall splashes down from the rock cliff into a pool. A stairway is carved into the stone, zig-zagging to the top of the cliff.  The Green Dolphin heads directly for the beach, her captain meaning for the ship be left aground when the tide goes out so the hull damage can be examined and patched.

Captain Haba gives orders for the Mobius to be anchored in the bay for the night, and addresses the crew.  In the morning, he says, they will dock. "I apologize to the passengers for this unscheduled stop, but it gives you the opportunity to experience this unspoiled tropical paradise! I hope you will enjoy the beautiful beaches while the crew gets the ship reprovisioned. Lethwaite, I want you to lead half the crew to forage for supplies. There ought to be some edible roots, fruit and coconuts.  As many coconuts as you can find, we can sell any excess to offset our losses from the storm.  Thunderhammer, you're to take sailors to refill the water casks.  All of them, not just the empty ones.  We may as well have fresh water while we are here. Slithizz, you're to guard the ship.  Hand-pick ten sailors to back you up and get the ship cleaned up. Mrs. Alebottle, see if your boys can hunt down some wild boars or other game.  I want you to set up a barbecue on the beach, with roasted potatoes at the very least, coconuts, and if possible, a grand pig roast!"

The crew cheers, the dwarves are ecstatic at the chance to change their keg party to a beach party, the dwarf kids jump up and down squealing about sandcastles and swimming, and you hear the druid asking Slithizz to babysit the plants while he goes looking for botanical specimens. The cook runs below to start choosing her pans, while Ogg and Thogg chant, "Pig hunt! Pig hunt!"

"And, Twitch, I have a special assignment for you," the captain says. "It's traditional that ships coming to reprovision on Coral Island offer a gift to the wizard of the lighthouse to thank him for his service. I have selected a crate of fine wine from our premium cargo. You have been chosen for the honor of delivering it to the lighthouse, and extending our compliments to the keeper of the light. I am sure there is nobody on board more capable of getting the crate up all those stairs without breaking a single bottle."

Paren gives a slight head turn at Twitch's new task but says nothing. He then goes and waits with his arms crossed by the gang plank for her to head out, joining her as she goes.

(That won't be till morning, though.)

Si'Juul immediately walks down to the beach, relishing the soft sand against his talons. He can't help but smile. He stretches his wings and limbs and breathes in the fresh tropical air, sparing a glance to the immense tower before returning his attention to the sand.

".....Mmm....been far too long......"

Si'Juul, Twitch would slowly nod along as you caution her, and you can tell that she's fully aware of the destructive potential, and that all she wanted was to have an opportunity to learn from you about this powder.
---------------------------------------------

Twitch gives an exaggerated bow and a sneer at the captain, before almost hissing: "Of course, captain!"

Si'Juul would feel relieved at Twitch's reaction before he made his way to the beach.

He makes his way to the pond at the bottom of the waterfall to kneel down and splash some cool refreshing water on his face.

"Ahhh......loving this island so far....."

Twitch is taking a fishing net from the ship, and sets it up between two palm trees to create a small hammock to be able to sleep comfortable and off the ground.

Si'Juul calls over to Twitch,

"Wish I'd thought of that!"

He stands up and cracks his neck. Taking a look around, briefly glancing at the merry dwarves, then to the tops of the trees to watch them away in the wind.

Elhanna will spend some time with Helga and the goblins explains the situation to them. “ Will you take care of these knuckleheads until you reach land for me? I don’t think it is a good idea that they follow me. Goblins aren’t really accepted by the common folk and I don’t know where we will be going. If you’d let them, I’m sure they would love staying with you as your little helpers.” She look at her with pleading eyes. If she refuses Elhanna will take them with her and figure out what to do with them later. 

Elhanna goes topside just as the captain giver Twitch her assignment. That man is such a jerk.I wish I could reach him a lesson.. then she walks up to Twitch and put a hand on her shoulder. “Let me help you with that.”

Twitch gives an appreciative smile to Elhanna, before whispering to her: "I don't intend to collect those bottles before the morning, I would trust him to try and break them over night."

“That basterd.. then how about we set a trap for him? We. Oils switch the content in the crate? Is there anything valuable of his that we can use?” 

"See, I'm all for a prank like that, but I don't want to cheat the lighthouse keeper." Twitch responded with a smile.  "But the idea of a prank is a nice one, and since the captain wants coconuts, I'm sure we could prepare something for him." She gives a mischievous grin.

“Oh I could sour all the excess coconuts that he plans to sell! “ -nope that was my wizard.. :-) 

”I could destroy the water inside the coconuts maybe? All they would have left are dry lumps”

"How about we fill them with old fish oil instead?"