Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche leans forward as the boat nears the shore of the main island. He motions the others to do the same, except for Sir Crestbrook, for an impromptu clandestine conference. He speaks with a low, hushed voice, "I have doubt that Cora's spirit is yet at rest. That Sir Crestbrook has not regained his ability to detect evil suggests that the evil which possessed the priestess of Athena still exists within those tunnels."

He waits for any responses and the conclusion of this topic before leaning back, speaking with a louder voice again. "Brother Saracen broached the idea of using that island as a base of operations. I believe this idea has merit, but we have the opportunity and the resources to do much more, and help Beachtown thrive in the process. Consider the variety of fruit we obtained, but more importantly, consider how close Saltmarsh is. Most of the inhabitants of that town have likely never seen fruit of this kind before, and the wealthier among them I'm sure would quickly develop a taste for it. I am no merchant, but we could pay Captain Quark to ship samples of fruit to the taverns, inns, grocers, and traders; hire an agent to help distribute the samples and gauge the interest. If the demand is there we can hire Joe, Pete, and others, provide work. A new town council is also being formed and a suitable export duty could paid to the town to fund improvements and services." Andron looks around at the others, with an uncharacteristic naive hopeful expression, eager to hear their thoughts.

[wolfpack]

Gramble will eat and drink at the tavern and will return with the group

I will be away till monday

[OGRE MAGE]

Already shopping? I guess someone assumes that you all make it back alive.

[Quonundrum]

Ack! Sorry, conflated the scouting thread with this one. I know better than to assume anything in this game. If gobbled up by a dragon turtle, it's Andron's poor lost ghost.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag scratches his head. "So yer wanna send away food, dat dese people 'aven't got enough of, in order to bring in money, dat dey 'ave no real use for?"

"Lemme fink about dis a bit". Maag cups his chin in one hand and furrows his brow. After a few moments, he grins. "Ah! I get it! Der people can use der money to buy different food from der merchants who will bring it 'ere all der way from Saltmarsh."

"An der merchants will need to build der own stores 'ere in der town. Probably from bamboo, which burns quite easily. So dey will need der services of a person dat can prevent regrettable fires breakin' out at inconvenient times, for a small fee of course". Maag grins and he starts to get a glint in his eye. "An' dis person will also be able to protect der merchants who choose to pay dis fee of der own free will, from der local criminal types dat might be tryin' to threaten dem and rip dem off".

Maag gets an even bigger grin and wags his finger at Andron. "I like der way you fink!"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche pauses for a few moments with a perplexed expression as he attempts to understand the "service" Maag is referring to. Cloistered as he was within the temple, he wasn't as familiar with how business usually needs to operate in the presence of a thieves' guild. "Perhaps I am simplifying the logistics involved but in regards to the fruit itself, the people will still have free access. They do need coin though to purchase needed supplies from the Hi-Lo, and importing from the mainland is extremely expensive. Without a viable export to equalize the flow of money, this town may not be feasible in the long term."

Andron stops to consider a scenario which Maag would be more familiar. "I'm suggesting selling some of that fruit to the fat cat merchants and wealthy in Saltmarsh for an equally exhorbitant price. Once they get a taste for this fruit, they'll pay almost any price for fresh pieces, I'm sure. I can ask Nallissa at the Hi-Lo if this could work and at what cost, but to test this would require a significant amount of gold to get started. That's where we come in. If we discover enough treasure to fund it, we could be investors ... or, loan sharks, but much nicer ... and make a bit of profit for ourselves. We make money, the town makes money, and we stick it to the rich on the mainland." Andron attempts to put on a demeanor of what he thinks is greed, but is closer to extreme indigestion.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To Beachtown
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Humid

As the small craft ripples past the huge dwarven sailing vessel, nearing the sandy shores of Beachtown, Joe speaks up from his position at the oars.

"Hate ta burst yer bubble, but I think Cap'n Quark has already been bringing exotic fruits and plants and such back with him ta the mainland fer a while now. I aint saying hes got the fruit market cornered er nuthin. I'm just saying.......its been done. He might be the guy ta talk to about such matters. Heck, me an Pete here would be willing ta hire on as yer pickers, once the island is cleared of killer trees and minotaurs and all that."

Before the boat even hits the sand, Andron already appears ready to get some things done in town.

Ok, you guys all know the drill by now. If you have anything that needs doing in town, now is the time to get that business done. If there is nothing specific you intend to do, please feel free to continue posting any general RPing, ideas, or strategies pertaining to this mission right here in this thread. Thanks!

Actions?

Sir Crestbrook 7/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 5/11 0/4 1st
Saracen 28/33 0/5 1st 1/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[ravenn4544]

Alordan takes his huge sack of fruit to the Inn - maybe he can sell some there for a few coins and donate the rest

[OGRE MAGE]

Inn?

Lets do that at the.......Treehouse?

[Storm11]

Saracen will wait until it’s his turn to get off and loft his share of the fruit up to the main camp. He will donate his share to the community, taking two choice pieces for himself and leaving the rest for the hungry.

He is of a mind to do some carving of the Minotaur horns he cultivated on the last two visits into plaques for his Augury spell.

After checking on his shack and his stored gear the holy champion will head to the beach and find or create a bit of shade and get comfortable, using his dagger to carve up the horns into small plaque sized pieces.

[kruk]

Lerrick

Andronichishche"Oh, you're also welcome to stay in my hut for as long as you need. It's paid ahead for a month. A halfling named Dexter is also staying with me. He arrived on the ... <ahem> same ship ... as I did two days ago."

The cleric looks toward Andron Is that an open invitation for everyone? I must find a place to rest and meditate. There are several members of the party who still need healing. The sooner I can find a quite spot the better.


Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

When the boat lands the paladin makes his way to the tree house.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche turns to listen to Joe's input, obviously very intrigued with what he has to say. "Captain Quark, indeed?" He rubs his chin momentarily in thought while he considers the implications. "If I know Captain Quark, he's not the kind of man to continue spending time doing anything if it wasn't profitable. In theory then it must be viable, and I'm sure he doesn't have access to such a readily available supply of fruit." He smiles and nods to both Pete and Joe, "And you two were exactly who had I in mind! I'll speak with Quark whem he returns. Thank you for the information."

He smiles in response to Lerrick's query, "Of course! The hut is furnished with four hammocks and with Dexter and Alordan, that leaves one still available. A fellow sister of the cloth is always welcome." He points to a cluster of huts in town and indicates which one is his.

Andron had already hoisted his gear when the small boat reaches shore. He quickly disembarks, making his way with a rapid gait towards the Hi-Lo and its rentable huts nearby.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga will give her fruit to some needy looking children then head for a quite spot on the edge of the jungle to rest and meditate. With Cu standing guard of course.

[OGRE MAGE]

The towns hungry children are grateful for the free snack from Tlachtga and her big doggie. The more of it she hands out, the more kids assemble, eventually creating a cute kiddo train that follows her and Cu around town for a while. They eat her fruit and pat her dog till her sack is nearly empty before she moves off towards the edge of the jungle to rest and concentrate her thoughts.

[kruk]

Lerrick

After visiting the Hi-Lo the cleric returns to Andron's hut to rest. She selects one of the hammocks not being used and slides herself into it. Putting most of her gear underweight the hammock she decides to hold onto the mace with both hands as she lies down. She quickly quickly falls asleep. After a while, not know how long she slept, but feeling refreshed, sh beings to pray to regain her ability to heal.

[OGRE MAGE]

I want to get this mission started up again if possible.

I believe two days of spell sharing have taken place here so far. That should be enough downtime to get everyone healed back up to full health again and to get their spells back. If you need more time than that for any reason, just let me know.

Once everyone in this group posts that they are done in town and ready to head out again, I will restart this scenario.

[Storm11]

Saracen finishes the crafting of his augury plaques as the sun sets on day two of the return to Beachtown. Washing his clothes and armour and topping up the town well with up to 5 create water spells at 16 gallons of water each casting (80 gallons max) he will sort through his equipment on that evening and prepare for the next trip back to the Isle of Cats.

He awakes refreshed on day three, communes with the light to renew his magic, gathers his belongings together, refills his waterskins and makes his way to the beach once more, and to see if he can find his comrades.

[Quonundrum]

Acknowledged. Should be three days in town, though. Two days of spell sharing and one day of spell research.

[OGRE MAGE]

Ok, thanks!

That will give everyone (other than Andron and Saracen) another day of behind the scenes action if they need it for anything else.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche depletes his prayers on the evening before returning to the island to add water to the communal barrels with three casts of Create Water, thereafter refilling his own waterskin. Marge might need bigger barrels at this point. He stops briefly at the Treehouse Tavern after visiting Nallissa at the Hi-Lo for a bowl of stew and water, then stumbles through the soft sand of the beach to Joe and Pete's boat. Noticing Saracen already waiting, he waves in greeting as he approaches the shore.