The Maiden's Bounty

[Revenant]

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After spending their final days in Gull's Landing buying goods and distributing their coins and magical items, the party prepares to depart for Lionsgate. Lord Gallowhawk has graciously booked passage for them aboard the ship, The Maiden's Bounty captained by one Jebidiah Lando.

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Lord Gallowhawk explains that Lando is a very experienced sea captain frequently transferring goods between port cities and sailing the breadth of the Amaran Sea. Lando explains that his cargo hold is loaded with goods for both Lionsgate and then Aisland City. So he will be dropping you in Lionsgate and then sail onward to Aisland's capitol before returning to pick you up after the tourney. In his gruff deep voice Lando says, "We'll be sailing the coast for the most part and not headed out to the deep sea, so hopefully it will be a safe journey. Just have to keep watch for pirates brave enough to try and raid ships in Aisland waters. I expect the voyage to last three days and should there be trouble, I ask that any passengers assist my crew. We are picking up a few other passengers in addition to you lot. Mostly folk sailing for the tourney or on to the capitol. You all will have private cabins below thanks to the Lord here. Now have you any questions?"

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave boldly greets the Captain, "Tis good to see you again sir. I doubt you remember it but we once played a long-lasting game of poker at the Purloined Parrot. I believe I ended up taking quite a bit of your gold in that game. I hope you don't hold that against me."

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik "Aye Captain. Have yah had any issues wit pirates in tha Aisland. I figure you ain't gonna mention it unless it's happened afore." the dwarf commander asks. "Pleased ta meet ya an me an Vari be more an happy ta help in whate're way we can." he finishes.

[Rex]

Bryne

"Thank you Captain, I am all set once I know where my cabin is and if I am sharing it with anyone."

[spanningtree]

Thena

Thank you captain, I am Thena and this is Jacinthe. Impressive conveyance... we will help where there is need. Tempus bless.

[tristenc]

Nis curtsies to the Captain, Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Lando. May I present my companions, Mediphera, Abaessa, De'Athrya and of course Sir Duckington of Tuxbury. The black-and white cat sits a moment beside the ladies, head tilted slightly as he looks over the Captain. Seemingly satisfied, he stands and saunters off to asses the remainder of the ship

====
If the others are willing and there is space, Nis can share her cabin with Mediphera, Abaessa and De'Ath. Or they can stay in pairs.

[Revenant]

The Captain bows to each of you, "Welcome aboard," then turning his attention to Mave, "Ah yes, Mave Gallowhawk, I remember that game well. If I recall correctly you won yer blade in that card game from the pirate Black Elise as well as a good portion of my ship's profit from sales that day. Neh, I won't hold it against you, though I doubt Black Elise would say the same."

The captain then turns to Torvik, "Pleased to meet you both and glad to have two rangers of the Horn aboard. Aye, lately the trading routes have been plagued by two who don't fear the King's navy. The dwarven pirate Farnock Firebeard and the vagary brigand The Mayfly. We need to keep an eye out for those two leeches of the sea."

Prompted by Bryne's question, "Well the Lord booked all the private cabins we have below. And by private I mean your own private single bunks one atop another in a space with little leeway. No spare space on board I'm afraid, so you'll need to sleep two to a cabin. I'll let you decide how to split them up. Or if you'd prefer not to sleep in a cramped space we've some room in the crew's sleeping quarters, though it would be in a hammock and not one of the bunk beds. Up to your preference."

He looks to Thena and Jacinthe, "Always pleased to be under the blessings of Tempus. And I see Sir Duckington has gone off to inspect the deck. It's good luck to have a cat aboard. Keeps down the vermin." A call from above draws their attention as Mediphera looks up and says, "There you are." She looks at the captain, "That would be my companion Octavius." The captain looks up, "An owl then. Well you all certainly travel with interesting companions. I'll have to introduce you to my first mate when she isn't so busy taking inventory. I bet you all will have some things in common, her being a sea witch of the Summersea isles. Your mounts are stabled opposite the cabins area if you need to check on them. Meanwhile I need to confer with my navigator before we set off."

[GreyWolfVT]

The captain then turns to Torvik, "Pleased to meet you both and glad to have two rangers of the Horn aboard. Aye, lately the trading routes have been plagued by two who don't fear the King's navy. The dwarven pirate Farnock Firebeard and the vagary brigand The Mayfly. We need to keep an eye out for those two leeches of the sea."

Torvik listens nods his head and looks like he is thinking "Dunno why but that name Firebeard kinda sounds familiar. Well that be neither ere nor there. But We're both at yer service an be more n happy ta help take watch an keep our eyes peeled fer pirates." the dwarf moves on after waiting for any reply back from the captain.

[Rex]

Bryne

"Thank you Captain, sharing a space with another is fine with me."

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave asks Bryne, "Do you want to share a cabin?" Then in a conspiratorial whisper asks, "Or did you have your eye on one of the boys?"

[Rex]

Bryne

"Yes I would like to share a cabin Mave. Even if I had my eyes on one of the boys as you say I would still need to keep appearances up."

[spanningtree]

Thena


Jacinthe and I will share a room. I'm more concerned about tamping and keeping meals down while at sea...

[McThunder]

Dorian steps forward slightly, voice even but purposeful.

“I appreciate the warning. I’ve no experience at sea, but surmise that pirates don’t always give you time to find your footing. If trouble comes, I’ll do my part.”

His eyes move briefly across the deck, then back to the captain.
“Are your crew seasoned? And are the other passengers expected to fight if it comes to that, or just stay out of the way? I’d rather know now than in the middle of a boarding.”

[tristenc]

Nis will share a cabin with Abaessa, presuming Mediphera and De'Ath will prefer to bunk together next door. She will suggest this to them as well. Looking up into the rigging, a slow smile begins to form.

Without preamble, Niserie mentally chooses one of the ratlines to either side of the mainmast and begins to climb. Her movements are graceful and swift as she ascends as far as possible to look out over the port and the waters beyond. Taking in the magnificent vantage point she calls doen to her friends. The view up here is Spectacular!! She giggles, You have to see it! The witch becons to her friends

[Darithe]

Mave

The talk of pirates and Black Elise gave the young royal pause. Her family tree had more than its fair share of pirates on it branches...some hanging from them, but that had been many years past. She looked down at Talon, her trusty rapier which she had won in the game from Black Elise, a sore loser for sure. But she too was in the past, if not by many years. The call of the siren Nis though was stronger than her memories. Glancing upwards and seeing the witch gleefully clinging to the rigging, she grins and to no one in particular says, "She isn't having all the fun." And with that she scrambles up the rigging to catch the view herself.

[Revenant]

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." ~ Grace Hooper

Nor is safety what adventurers are built for. Nis and Mave cling to the rigging and are truly rewarded with a spectacular view, though both cling tightly as the ship is unmoored and begins its rock to and fro as its makes its way from the city seaward. Both Nis and Mave look back, Nis at the seagulls flying about the confines of the city and Mave a certain heaviness in her heart as she sees her homeland slipping from her view. The sea air is nonetheless invigorating from where the two are perched, Nis thinks this is the closest she will ever become to the aril-tel-quessir, while Mave feels a bit of her pirate ancestors nature swell in her heart.

While far below on the decks, De'Athyra shades her dark eyes against the sun trying to pick Nis out from the skies asking, "Did she fly away?" Mediphera pats the young vagary child's head and says, "A bird must fly dear, but they always return to land." Abaessa chuckles at the conversation.

Vari offers to take Torvik's pack, "I think I'll let you sleep below alone in your cabin Commander. But I'll go prepare your room." She looks upward, "I don't think I could sleep anywhere but up here on deck. I've never seen a sky so big and empty save for the clouds. In the city it was blotted out by buildings and in the Horn, by the trees. I'll just lay out my bedroll here and watch the clouds and the stars, with your permission of course." Across the deck, Torvik hears the light strumming of a lute and glancing across the deck sees the bard, Mallorean also sails with you.

Bryne watches the two seabirds above in the rigging and ponders for a moment joining them, but for now merely listens to the conversations below. In the back of her thoughts, is the knowledge that soon she will see her family again at the tourney.

"Sister Thena," Jacinthe says softly, "Shall I carry our belongings below or do you wish to speak further to the captain?" The tall blonde crusader awaits her decision.

The captain turns his attention to the two Knights of the Vale, "We've watch above all day and night so if the pirates come we will see them coming, rest assured. However, this old ship isn't made for speed, so we are unlikely to outrun them, if they come. I've faith in my crew for sure. They've all faced battle before and will no doubt again so while I expect the passengers to pitch in, they won't be alone in defending the Maiden you can count on that lad."

It is just then when one of the crew, a tall dark skinned man from the south isles, shouts out, "Cap'n, I've found a stowaway!" The big man drags a much smaller man forward and tosses him roughly to the deck. Looking up fearfully, is the half-elf you encountered in the sewers, Bramsey Cortilleon.

[spanningtree]

Thena

Yes, Jacinthe, please do. I'll be down in a bit. She says with a nod.

Turning to the excitement.

To no one in particular: I had forgotten about Bramsey.... and loiters for the moment to see what he has to say for himself.

[Rex]

Bryne

Thinking of her family brings back many memories and she wonders if her brother will be able to make it.

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik nods to Vari and accepts the offer "Very well Vari, ya dun gotta setup me room but I won't stop yah if that's what ya wanna do." the dwarf then starts walking towards Mallorean and stops at the interaction with the stowaway. He waves at Mallorean briefly then turns his attention to the half-elf thrown to the deck. "He looks familiar. But not sure it be in a good way."

[Revenant]

"The sea finds out everything you did wrong." - Ernest Hemingway

The captain frowns looking down at the prone half-elf Bramsey, "There's two things I don't tolerate and that is thieves and stowaways." He then looks to big islander, "Vatta, toss that rat into the sea. We aren't far enough from port that he can't swim back, if the gods will it and the sharks aren't hungry."

Bramsey's eyes go wide and he looks to Thena, then Bryne and then to Torvik, "I helped you. Don't ya remember me, I'm Bramsey. Please Sister Thena, Lady Bryne and Commander Torvik, don't let them throw me into the deep. I can't swim and I'll drown!," he says pleadingly.

Vatta grabs him by his shirt and pulls him upright, "To de sea ya go rat." He then starts to pull him towards the railing.