Northport: a lively city on the sea. The city is a glistening beacon on the water, with spires of wealth and great colleges of magic standing prominently against the blue sky. But here on the docks, a grim reminder stares down at you with empty eye sockets, a reminder of the ruthless steps required to preserve that tranquility. The remains of the unfortunate pirate serve as a warning to others who would dare to defy the laws of the sea.
Each of you have your own reasons for being here. Revenge. Treasure. Maybe even just a good adrenaline rush... but whatever it is that you want, there is someone who may be able to help you get it. You all have a meeting with none other than Admiral North himself. None of you know yet what the nature of his proposition is... but when each of you received a letter from such a distinguished individual, it was too interesting an opportunity to ignore. Each of you received a different letter (please only read your own letter, it is at player discretion whether or not to share his or her letter with others):
Sayyida:
Dear Miss al Hura,
I have heard tales of your exploits in your hunt for a distinguished mutual enemy of ours. Though I may have dealt the killing blow, I doubt that I would have been nearly so successful if you hadn't already cut down many of his crew and sunk more than a few of his ships. I cannot say much more in a letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
--
Merigar:
Mister Tearbridge,
I know who you are and what you have done. But fear not; if I had wanted you imprisoned or dead I could have had a dozen men deliver you to me in chains instead of sending a single messenger. I am not unsympathetic to your situation, and I understand that you had little choice but to aid Captain Hailstorm in his crimes. Now, I want to present an opportunity to you: in exchange for your aid, I can secure for you a full pardon as well as other rewards. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time. If not, then I wish you the best of luck as you seek to evade the long arm of the law... If you reject my offer, I will even be gracious enough to grant you three days' head start before I alert the authorities to your current location.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
(P.S., I am sure that your wife misses you very much).
--
Areleo:
Dear Mister Areleo,
I have heard tales of powerful man from the undersea kingdoms who has journeyed to the surface. I have heard of your kind and your empire's traditions of succession, and I believe that I may be able to help you to achieve what you desire. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
--
Gridolpho:
Mister Ninefingers,
I have heard rumors of a master thief, and believe me when I say that it was most difficult for my best men to track you down. Though your methods are perhaps not the most ethical, I have a great deal of respect for your skill, and I believe that I have an opportunity for you to put those skills to use in a way that could lead to far greater rewards than you have ever seen before in your life. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
--
Emrys:
Dear Mister Goldenleaf,
I have heard tales of your unfortunate accident and seemingly miraculous survival. These tales have left me intrigued, and something in my gut tells me that you may be the sort of person I need. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
--
'Naut:
Dear Aquanaut,
I have heard rumors of your arrival, and they have left me quite intrigued. I know little about you, other than that you have come from the sea to explore the land. Let me say right now that it is not often that something comes from the sea that I do not understand, so you must be something truly remarkable! Anyway, my apologies for how much I have said, it isn't very relevant to the topic at hand. What is important is that you seem like exactly the kind of person... or whatever you are... who could be a great asset to me, and I to you. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
As you all wait at the docks, you can see the Admiral's grand ship, the Tide Runner approaching in the distance, but there is still some time before it will arrive. What are each of you doing?
A shadow slowly slides over Gridolpho, as the Aquanaut's broad silhouette eclipses the sun. Its rays deflect off of their brazen skin, outlining them in a golden-red radiance. Their round, expressionless helmet stares down at the halfling with its one round eye, any view of what lurks beneath obscured by the tinted glass. To Gridolpho and all others present, it is entirely unclear if the being is wearing armor, or if the armor and the being are one and the same.
"Hello,"A unexpectedly juvenile voice emerges from the brass hulk, tinny and distant, like a child speaking through a tin can telephone. "That looks very dangerous." A long finger, ensconsed in rubberized fabric, points bonelessly toward Gridolpho's knife juggling, in a manner rather unlike a jointed digit.
Gridolpho tosses a dagger high in the air, letting it fall towards his head for just a fraction of a moment too long for comfort before expertly catching it.
"Yeah. That's why Granddad gave me the name 'Ninefingers'. But if'n you wanna hear tha full story..."
And here he nudges the hat on the ground with his foot.
The polished mass bends its round head down to the hat, then looks back up to Gridolpho. "Yes, there is a hat." It pauses. "I would like to hear the full story. I enjoy stories."
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"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
The Aquanaut again looks down at the hat, then back up. "Oh, I think I see. No thank you. From what I understand of money, it is better to have it than not have it. I would like to continue having it." A short pause. "Have you seen Admiral North? I have a letter. I'm supposed to meet him, but I don't really know why. I suppose he will tell me. Is nine fingers unusual? I think that may be his ship. What's that metal thing in your face?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Gridolphocatches his juggled daggers and swirls his cloak as he replaces them, so you have no idea where they are actually kept.
"Heh. You have a letter from the Admiral? Tha' makes you an important person. An important person asking me a lot of questions. Quid Pro Quo, as the scholars say. If'n ya want me ta answer yer questions, at least do me tha favor of buyin' me a pint, tinny. Otherwis', I'll jus' keep flippin' me daggers."
Merigar turns the corner, quietly scowling and thinking about what to with this admiral situation when he see's the unusual sight up ahead. Merigar is an old dwarf with a long grey beard and a broadcloth coat. In his hands he twiddles with a small marble and and stops where the two people are talking.
"I presume you two are also here to see that damned admiral? Usually i would have no business talking to him but this is a special ocassion."
Areleo will look around at the small surface dwellers with slight discuss and when he notice the metal clad warrior he knows that must be where he must go.
"Where is the Surface Banner Lord Admiral North who dares summon Aerleo the Mighty"
Sayyida folded the letter back up again and tucked it into her jackets inner pocket, leaving the rest og her figs and cheese for the scavengers both feathered and furred that were watching her from the shade trees boughs.
She climbed to her feet and headed down to the docks, as she sighted The Tide Runner a dry smile crept across her scarred face; what do you have in mind North? You thief.....still, only doing what I was.****y better...though the praise was a nice touch...
Dragging her eyes from the inbound ship she took in the others gathered there....a rather fierce looking aquatic, one of the small folk, a rather out of sorts looking dwarf and.....a construct? Something unusual anyway.
She approached them slowly as she heard the ocean dweller speak......Triton or Sea Elf....one of the two, probably the former....
" He's on the incoming ship near as a I can tell."
" Captain Sayyida al Hurra, at your service."
Not overly tall and dressed in a scarlet long coat over fine maille her nails were lacquered and her hands callused. Her jet black hair was long and tumbled about her shoulders and across her face which bore a large curved scar across its left side down towards her chin. Her axinite earrings complemented her dark skin and she raised a sculptured eyebrow as she spoke.
" Were you all called here to meet with the Admiral?"
The brass person again pauses for a short while, remaining stock still while processing Gridolpho's words. At last, they speak. "Very little of my composition incorporates tin. I am categorically brassy." They then turn over to the others, plates of brass sliding smoothly over each other. "Yes, the admiral has called for me. Has he you?" A turn to Aerleo. "You have a disdain for surfacers. How come? You strike me as hardly bathypelagic in origin. Are you not practically the same?"Again, a turn towards Sayyida. It seems as if this metallic mammoth can hardly keep its attention on a single topic for more than a few seconds. "You are Sayyida? They called me "The Aquanaut" when I first arrived on a ship, and that name has stuck. You are a captain? I had a ship once. Due to the name's syllabic complexity, it is often shortened to 'Naut. I have no preference, as neither is my real name. The sun is bright."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
The arrival at the docks was fast reminder about how hard it can be to search for anything while being three feet and a single inch tall. Most people were taller and the crowd easily made for a living curtain more than capable of blocking any view. The first thing the halfling found was a gibbet with the remains of what one could only assume was a criminal. The second was a guard, not far from the corpse.
“Pardon me, sir.” Emrys waited for the man at arms to look at him. “I have an appointment with admiral North in the docks. Would you be so kind as to point me where I might find him?”
The soldier’s answer was precise and following its directions he met a peculiar group. There was another halfling, a human, a dwarf, a triton and another large creature in a strange kind of suit. He approached during the latter’s introduction.
“That makes six of us.” He started. A Lightfoot young man of straight blonde hair fringing over grey eyes. He had a well trimed chin beard, wore red shirt decorated with thread of or and grey trousers. His boots were black boots and over his shoulder rested a mantle dijon in color, checkered by black stripes. “Emrys Goldenleaf.”This should suffice as an introduction, or so he thought taking notice of the large approaching ship. “Seems we won’t have to wait much.”
"Granddad always said I knew how ta draw a crowd. Do ya'll usually walk up ta random street performers and tell them about private meetings with high-rankin' naval officers?"
"Granddad always said I knew how ta draw a crowd. Do ya'll usually walk up ta random street performers and tell them about private meetings with high-rankin' naval officers?"
" Well our aquatic friend had already announced their reasons rather openly, so there seemed little need to be circumspect."
"" And most of us seem a little too martially inclined to be street performers."
" Did you have a name that I missed, Small One? I will admit to being intrigued at such an eclectic mix of personages."
A small crowd forms around Gridolpho to marvel at his skilled juggling. A good number of them toss silver pieces into the waiting cap, and by the time he is finished the total comes out to 36 silver pieces.
It is quite apparent that the gathered people have grown rather interested in the conversation, and many of them are openly gossiping as several members of the party have mentioned the meeting with Admiral North. But as the ship pulls into the port, they fall into silence. The gangplank falls with a dull thud. Two burly sailors descend down the gangplank towards you, followed by a girl who appears to be a half-elf.
"Greetings!" the girl says with a smile as she sees the six of you waiting on the dock. "I see all of you decided to come! How delightful! My father is eager to meet you, so let's not keep him waiting."
She and the two crew members step out of the way to allow you to ascend onto the ship.
Now that Aerleo is closer you notice that he a hulking creature standing at 7 feet tall the muscles of a well weathered warrior. He has a blow fish like head and webbed hands and fingers. His eyes are wide and only close by a membrane. He is legs and arms are black but his torso is gray.
“Areleo will go if it brings him closer to the glory Aerleo seeks.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Northport: a lively city on the sea. The city is a glistening beacon on the water, with spires of wealth and great colleges of magic standing prominently against the blue sky. But here on the docks, a grim reminder stares down at you with empty eye sockets, a reminder of the ruthless steps required to preserve that tranquility. The remains of the unfortunate pirate serve as a warning to others who would dare to defy the laws of the sea.
Each of you have your own reasons for being here. Revenge. Treasure. Maybe even just a good adrenaline rush... but whatever it is that you want, there is someone who may be able to help you get it. You all have a meeting with none other than Admiral North himself. None of you know yet what the nature of his proposition is... but when each of you received a letter from such a distinguished individual, it was too interesting an opportunity to ignore. Each of you received a different letter (please only read your own letter, it is at player discretion whether or not to share his or her letter with others):
Sayyida:
Dear Miss al Hura,
I have heard tales of your exploits in your hunt for a distinguished mutual enemy of ours. Though I may have dealt the killing blow, I doubt that I would have been nearly so successful if you hadn't already cut down many of his crew and sunk more than a few of his ships. I cannot say much more in a letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
--
Merigar:
Mister Tearbridge,
I know who you are and what you have done. But fear not; if I had wanted you imprisoned or dead I could have had a dozen men deliver you to me in chains instead of sending a single messenger. I am not unsympathetic to your situation, and I understand that you had little choice but to aid Captain Hailstorm in his crimes. Now, I want to present an opportunity to you: in exchange for your aid, I can secure for you a full pardon as well as other rewards. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time. If not, then I wish you the best of luck as you seek to evade the long arm of the law... If you reject my offer, I will even be gracious enough to grant you three days' head start before I alert the authorities to your current location.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
(P.S., I am sure that your wife misses you very much).
--
Areleo:
Dear Mister Areleo,
I have heard tales of powerful man from the undersea kingdoms who has journeyed to the surface. I have heard of your kind and your empire's traditions of succession, and I believe that I may be able to help you to achieve what you desire. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
--
Gridolpho:
Mister Ninefingers,
I have heard rumors of a master thief, and believe me when I say that it was most difficult for my best men to track you down. Though your methods are perhaps not the most ethical, I have a great deal of respect for your skill, and I believe that I have an opportunity for you to put those skills to use in a way that could lead to far greater rewards than you have ever seen before in your life. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
--
Emrys:
Dear Mister Goldenleaf,
I have heard tales of your unfortunate accident and seemingly miraculous survival. These tales have left me intrigued, and something in my gut tells me that you may be the sort of person I need. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
--
'Naut:
Dear Aquanaut,
I have heard rumors of your arrival, and they have left me quite intrigued. I know little about you, other than that you have come from the sea to explore the land. Let me say right now that it is not often that something comes from the sea that I do not understand, so you must be something truly remarkable! Anyway, my apologies for how much I have said, it isn't very relevant to the topic at hand. What is important is that you seem like exactly the kind of person... or whatever you are... who could be a great asset to me, and I to you. I cannot say much more in this letter that may fall into unscrupulous hands, but suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to help each other. If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, I will be present at the Northport docks in seven days' time.
Sincerely,
Admiral Jameson North
As you all wait at the docks, you can see the Admiral's grand ship, the Tide Runner approaching in the distance, but there is still some time before it will arrive. What are each of you doing?
Gridolpho takes a look at the approaching ship and does a quick fingers-at-arms-length measurement and then checks the position of the sun in the sky.
Taking his ever-present metal toothpick out of his mouth, he sighs to himself.
"Welp, granddad. Time for a meal and a pint. Now...who's gunna pay for that? Lesse..."
The thief finds a corner, puts down his hat and starts juggling his daggers.
Performance (Lucky): 23
DCI: 3319125026
A shadow slowly slides over Gridolpho, as the Aquanaut's broad silhouette eclipses the sun. Its rays deflect off of their brazen skin, outlining them in a golden-red radiance. Their round, expressionless helmet stares down at the halfling with its one round eye, any view of what lurks beneath obscured by the tinted glass. To Gridolpho and all others present, it is entirely unclear if the being is wearing armor, or if the armor and the being are one and the same.
"Hello," A unexpectedly juvenile voice emerges from the brass hulk, tinny and distant, like a child speaking through a tin can telephone. "That looks very dangerous." A long finger, ensconsed in rubberized fabric, points bonelessly toward Gridolpho's knife juggling, in a manner rather unlike a jointed digit.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Gridolpho tosses a dagger high in the air, letting it fall towards his head for just a fraction of a moment too long for comfort before expertly catching it.
"Yeah. That's why Granddad gave me the name 'Ninefingers'. But if'n you wanna hear tha full story..."
And here he nudges the hat on the ground with his foot.
DCI: 3319125026
The polished mass bends its round head down to the hat, then looks back up to Gridolpho. "Yes, there is a hat." It pauses. "I would like to hear the full story. I enjoy stories."
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
"Money goes in tha hat as appreciation for tha show. Money buys me a meal. Tha show ain't free."
DCI: 3319125026
The Aquanaut again looks down at the hat, then back up. "Oh, I think I see. No thank you. From what I understand of money, it is better to have it than not have it. I would like to continue having it." A short pause. "Have you seen Admiral North? I have a letter. I'm supposed to meet him, but I don't really know why. I suppose he will tell me. Is nine fingers unusual? I think that may be his ship. What's that metal thing in your face?"
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Gridolpho catches his juggled daggers and swirls his cloak as he replaces them, so you have no idea where they are actually kept.
"Heh. You have a letter from the Admiral? Tha' makes you an important person. An important person asking me a lot of questions. Quid Pro Quo, as the scholars say. If'n ya want me ta answer yer questions, at least do me tha favor of buyin' me a pint, tinny. Otherwis', I'll jus' keep flippin' me daggers."
DCI: 3319125026
Merigar turns the corner, quietly scowling and thinking about what to with this admiral situation when he see's the unusual sight up ahead. Merigar is an old dwarf with a long grey beard and a broadcloth coat. In his hands he twiddles with a small marble and and stops where the two people are talking.
"I presume you two are also here to see that damned admiral? Usually i would have no business talking to him but this is a special ocassion."
Areleo will look around at the small surface dwellers with slight discuss and when he notice the metal clad warrior he knows that must be where he must go.
"Where is the Surface Banner Lord Admiral North who dares summon Aerleo the Mighty"
Sayyida folded the letter back up again and tucked it into her jackets inner pocket, leaving the rest og her figs and cheese for the scavengers both feathered and furred that were watching her from the shade trees boughs.
She climbed to her feet and headed down to the docks, as she sighted The Tide Runner a dry smile crept across her scarred face; what do you have in mind North? You thief.....still, only doing what I was.****y better...though the praise was a nice touch...
Dragging her eyes from the inbound ship she took in the others gathered there....a rather fierce looking aquatic, one of the small folk, a rather out of sorts looking dwarf and.....a construct? Something unusual anyway.
She approached them slowly as she heard the ocean dweller speak......Triton or Sea Elf....one of the two, probably the former....
" He's on the incoming ship near as a I can tell."
" Captain Sayyida al Hurra, at your service."
Not overly tall and dressed in a scarlet long coat over fine maille her nails were lacquered and her hands callused. Her jet black hair was long and tumbled about her shoulders and across her face which bore a large curved scar across its left side down towards her chin. Her axinite earrings complemented her dark skin and she raised a sculptured eyebrow as she spoke.
" Were you all called here to meet with the Admiral?"
The brass person again pauses for a short while, remaining stock still while processing Gridolpho's words. At last, they speak. "Very little of my composition incorporates tin. I am categorically brassy." They then turn over to the others, plates of brass sliding smoothly over each other. "Yes, the admiral has called for me. Has he you?" A turn to Aerleo. "You have a disdain for surfacers. How come? You strike me as hardly bathypelagic in origin. Are you not practically the same?" Again, a turn towards Sayyida. It seems as if this metallic mammoth can hardly keep its attention on a single topic for more than a few seconds. "You are Sayyida? They called me "The Aquanaut" when I first arrived on a ship, and that name has stuck. You are a captain? I had a ship once. Due to the name's syllabic complexity, it is often shortened to 'Naut. I have no preference, as neither is my real name. The sun is bright."
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
The arrival at the docks was fast reminder about how hard it can be to search for anything while being three feet and a single inch tall. Most people were taller and the crowd easily made for a living curtain more than capable of blocking any view. The first thing the halfling found was a gibbet with the remains of what one could only assume was a criminal. The second was a guard, not far from the corpse.
“Pardon me, sir.” Emrys waited for the man at arms to look at him. “I have an appointment with admiral North in the docks. Would you be so kind as to point me where I might find him?”
The soldier’s answer was precise and following its directions he met a peculiar group. There was another halfling, a human, a dwarf, a triton and another large creature in a strange kind of suit. He approached during the latter’s introduction.
“That makes six of us.” He started. A Lightfoot young man of straight blonde hair fringing over grey eyes. He had a well trimed chin beard, wore red shirt decorated with thread of or and grey trousers. His boots were black boots and over his shoulder rested a mantle dijon in color, checkered by black stripes. “Emrys Goldenleaf.” This should suffice as an introduction, or so he thought taking notice of the large approaching ship. “Seems we won’t have to wait much.”
"Granddad always said I knew how ta draw a crowd. Do ya'll usually walk up ta random street performers and tell them about private meetings with high-rankin' naval officers?"
DCI: 3319125026
"Beannachd leat, ogha."
DCI: 3319125026
" Well our aquatic friend had already announced their reasons rather openly, so there seemed little need to be circumspect."
"" And most of us seem a little too martially inclined to be street performers."
" Did you have a name that I missed, Small One? I will admit to being intrigued at such an eclectic mix of personages."
"Am I not supposed to? Oh. I'm sorry if I've upset you."
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
"Listen up, Bigjob! Ya can call me Gridolpho. Or ya can call me Ninefingers. Ya can even call me 'Hey, Sexy!'
BUT CALL ME SMALL AGAIN AND YE'LL FIND OUT THE DANGERS OF INSULTING SOMEONE WHO CAN HEADBUTT YA IN THA DANGLIES!"
DCI: 3319125026
A small crowd forms around Gridolpho to marvel at his skilled juggling. A good number of them toss silver pieces into the waiting cap, and by the time he is finished the total comes out to 36 silver pieces.
It is quite apparent that the gathered people have grown rather interested in the conversation, and many of them are openly gossiping as several members of the party have mentioned the meeting with Admiral North. But as the ship pulls into the port, they fall into silence. The gangplank falls with a dull thud. Two burly sailors descend down the gangplank towards you, followed by a girl who appears to be a half-elf.
"Greetings!" the girl says with a smile as she sees the six of you waiting on the dock. "I see all of you decided to come! How delightful! My father is eager to meet you, so let's not keep him waiting."
She and the two crew members step out of the way to allow you to ascend onto the ship.
Now that Aerleo is closer you notice that he a hulking creature standing at 7 feet tall the muscles of a well weathered warrior. He has a blow fish like head and webbed hands and fingers. His eyes are wide and only close by a membrane. He is legs and arms are black but his torso is gray.
“Areleo will go if it brings him closer to the glory Aerleo seeks.”