DragonDenn’s Theros Game

Io says, "Yes, medicine is not something I am well versed in. I can however, help in funeral arrangements of the diseased."

He adds, "A vision of Pharika... Do you suppose there might be any medusi on board?"

"Fresh fish has cured many of my problems.. But if that doesnt help these people than I doubt I'll be much use" Spyro would add with a smile.

"Perhaps this is the fate which is in store for The Sinful Devil, to serve as a disease ship for the unfortunates we are about to meet," suggests Xerronios.  "I too, have no particular skill at healing disease but perhaps music can ease their souls and their discomfort."

Kanlos shrugs, "Its your ship captain, we'll go where it takes us. As for the ill, about all I can offer them is a prayer and a coin."  He places a meaningful hand on the pouch of copper coins on his hip, the same one from which he drew the coin for the pirate captain. 

"I suppose it cannot be ruled out, but medusi on board  would be a surprise."  Gnorcys informs Io with a shrug.

The Jester travels for a couple of hours, until, around midday, you see a sail off in the distance.  Aughus moves to the foredeck, standing there with Misty as the ship closes the distance quickly.  It is another trader's vessel, this one named Bold Gem.

"Hale Bold Gem!" Aughus's booming voice cuts across the water, the crew of the other ship having already noticed the Jester by this point anyway.

"Well met!"  The Bold Gem's captain calls back. He wears sailor garb, but has the look of a well-doing merchant.  "What can I help you with?" The man moves to the front of his own ship.  As he does so a single crew, a female sailor, works to pull down the single sail.

Aboard the Proud Jester the crew is taking down her sales as well, so that the two ships can drift together.  The Sinful Devil stays back, though they take down their sales in turn.

"A vision from Pharika." Aughus informs the other captain.  "I am Aughus, follower of Pharika.  Who might you be?"

"I am called Handsome Dog..."  The other captain says with a shrug.  He glances to the woman working the sails.  "Might be what is wrong with my other crew member though..." He says as his eyes turn back to Aughus.  "He's been laid up for a day now, but just figured he ate something wrong..."

Xerronios eyes the seemingly peaceful vessel and crew...nce burned and twice shy...looking for anything out of place, anything at all.  Overhead, Zarcan coasted on the air currents unconcerned with the travails of the beings below.

Perception: 13

Io says to the other ship's captain, "What exactly is wrong with him? Also if you don't mind me asking, have you picked up any passengers from the mainland recently? A passenger who isn't part of your crew? Maybe you dropped them of somewhere?"

Handsome Dog shakes his head at Io.  "No new passengers." He says.  "We are running from Bladen Hold to Meletis.  and left Bladen 2 days ago.  It is just me and my 2 crew, though we have a few extra rats since Bladen, must have gotten aboard while we were docked."  He looks thoughtful.  "The symptoms are cramps and fatigue."

Xerronios doesn't spot anything 'off' in the area.

The symptoms don't really mean anything to Io as he's not versed in medicine. He hopes perhaps that someone on the Proud Jester would be able to find some use for that bit of information. He does look disappointed with the captain's answer regarding passengers though.

He thinks for a bit and asks, "How long have you had your two crew mates? Have any of them joined fairly recently? Do they wear any face coverings? Did they wear them at the time of joining?"

 ooc: What does Xerronios think of the symptoms along with the rats?

Medicine: 24

About the loot earlier:

Kassiopeia will wait until the others have had their pick from the pile of loot and gather the rest of the coins.

Mumbling mostly to herself: "You can spend your coin on your priests, but I have expenses to cover and Karametra expects of me to keep the living alive and better their situation."

About the Bold Gem situation:
Kassiopeia will walk to the forecastle of the ship to address the 'Bold Gem': "Jo Bold Gem. Any other symptoms? Fever? Rashes? Did he throw up?"

She thinks hard if the little information she has so far can narrow it down significantly.
Medicine: 21

Listening to the others talk of diseases, Ritha sighs.  Though she knew the basics of battlefield medicine, the true practice of healing had never been her forte.  "I can offer my prayers, and my hand in hunting down those rats, if they are still a problem.  Though if the Gods have deemed this worthy of a vision to us, then I would not doubt that it is more serious than a mere stomach cramp from bad food," she says.  "Is there anything we can do to assist you?"

"I can also help with the rats" Spyro would reply. "Some rats can be pretty friendly. One used to meet me at my fishin spot. i'd give him some of the small fish until I met Scraps here. Once I adopted Scraps the old rat always stayed away. Scraps is good at finding rats." 

Kanlos stands nearby, ready to assist however might be needed, but unsure as to what skills he has that could help here.

Handsome Dog shrugs to Io.  "No masks here, and they've both been with me for some years now."


Aughus gives Kassiopeia and Xerronios nods as they join him in the fore section of the ship.  He listens to Handsome Dog's responses, then glances to Xerronios and Kassiopeia.  "What do you guys think?" He asks.
 

Xerronios and Kassiopeia...  

You both recognize the symptoms, along with the fact rats are on the ship.  It is a diseased called Sewer Plague.  It is caused by being bitten by an affected creature, or coming into the droppings of such a creature.  You both know the best way to aid someone infected is to help raise their body's heartiness.  (To help them make Con checks, which is the only way to kick the disease.  Unless magical means are used to cure a disease that is.)

"It sounds to me like it is probably Sewer Plague.  Rats carry it and people can catch it from a bite or the droppings.  We don't know it on the plains but I learned about it in Krimnos when I was playing at an inn there, the Laughing Dolphin."  Xerronios pauses for a moment, remembering.  "I thought it strange, at first, when they brought the infected fisherman and his family to the Dolphin, but the innkeeper told me that putting the sick into good moods, with food and drink and good cheer, can help the body defeat the illness.  Normally, the local priest of of Pharika would simply have called upon the goddess for healing but she had left the day before to see to a birthing some days away.  So, the sick ones ate and drank and I played the liveliest and heartiest tunes I knew.  It worked.  Within a couple of days, the family had begun to recover."

Turning to the others, he said, "If none here have the magic, I would be happy to play for sick sailor, liven his mood.  Perhaps while you tend to his symptoms, Aughus?"

Io acknowledges the captain's answer. It seems he would have to keep searching for this is not the correct place.

In response to Xerronios, Io shakes his head and says, "I'm afraid the magic I have been gifted with from Athreos is more specialized in harming rather than healing. However if the disease spreads through rats, perhaps it would do us well to exterminate them."

Just to be sure:

Insight: 17

Does Captain Dog look truthful?
Given the incubation time and the distance from land, the sailor would have to be bitten after they left port.

And our last encounter turned out to be a trap.

In case he looks truthful:

Kassiopeia turns to Aughus: "Can you get the boat readied, I need to go over to the Bold Gem to take care of the sailor."
Towards the others: "Looks like a need for some exterminators. Anyone interested in a little rat hunt?"

Turning back towards the Bold Gem: "Can you drop the ladder, I need to come aboard."

With these words Kassiopeia leaves the foredeck and descendes to the cargo area to pick up her backpack, returning moments later to wait for the rowboat to be ready.


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Should Kassiopeia be suspicious of Captain Dog:

Kassiopeia turns to Aughus: "Can you get the boat readied, I need to go over to the Bold Gem to take care of the sailor.
But there is something not right."

Towards the others: "I get the same vibes from this guy as from the pirate captain earlier. Something's not right here! Please ready yourselves."

Turning back towards the Bold Gem: "Can you drop the ladder, we need to come aboard."

With these words Kassiopeia leaves the foredeck and descendes to the cargo area to put on her armor, gather her weapons and pick up her backpack with the medical supplies. She returns after a while to the main deck waiting for the rowboat and the others to be ready.