Everyday Life in Beachtown

[Rex]

Moving to the treehouse thread.

[Bluehorse]

Liam

He had hoofed it up the dock to meet with the captain. with respect, captain... we have a real emergency.
I can confirm that Bing and his men have turned to piracy. But... Liam checks to make sure they are far enough to be private. Captain, Mr. Nehru is dead. We have a mad man practicing Necromancy and Bing taking slaves to cultivate contraband which he is shipping elsewhere. We know where he docks near the river, but our most pressing concern is that his men seem to be guarding our only source of fresh water. I am calling a meeting and we need your insight on the matter. We need someone who can take at least a temporary leadership role while we sort this all out and try to keep a riot from breaking out.

[OGRE MAGE]

The prominent figure who is Captain Quark listens to Liam’s rant fully before responding.

“It sounds to me like you’ve already found a qualified temporary leader. YOU, master Liam. My place is on my ship! Not spinning around in an office chair on some dry hump of sand.”

“I would hear more of your ramblings though, especially details about Mr. Nehru. If he is really gone, I hope his affairs are still sound enough for me to collect what I’m owed for this trip!”

“And don’t bother yourself about that pirate dog, Bing. I saw the Green Flash and all her hands sink below the waves not but 2 days ago, watched it all happen with my own eyes, I did. All hands lost but one, Bing himself! I got him clapped in irons right now, locked up in my brig below decks.”

“Call your meeting to order, master Liam, and I will be there. For I would hear more of these things of which you speak. Just don’t expect me to stay too long afterwards.”

[Jernau35]

Maag

Before the boat returns to Minotaur island again, Maag goes back to the bamboo grove where he cut his original 10' pole. He cuts three more poles of similar length and returns to the beach.

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Looks stunned by Quarks words on multiple fronts... but he shakes it off and focuses on the most immediate piece of information. Bing?! So you sank his ship and have him here? How? No... I'm getting ahead of myself. Save it for the meeting... you say all others went down? There were no other survivors at all? May i see him?

[OGRE MAGE]

While Liam and Quark are talking, the first mate interrupts them.

"Cap'n sir, the cargo is unloaded and the men would like some lunch and a full mug from Randall's before headin back. Any objections, sir?"

The captain looks over the crewman with a stern stare.

"We are still planning on shoving off yet today sailor, so if you can keep these dogs from fighting and fucking everything in the tavern, the men can go and get themselves some hot lunch if they want. BUT NO RUM!!!"

The conversation with Liam continues as the cheering sailors form a long line of thirsty looking men that heads up the dock, straight towards the Treehhouse tavern.

"We didn't sink his ship!!! We aren't pirates!!! Besides, the Fate has minimal armaments for such a thing. Twas something far more un natrul that sunk the Flash. Something that I myself have never seen before. A huge cloud of mist that shot across the surface of the sea. Or, maybe it was the Azure Sea herself, sucking the criminals ship to the bottom before he could spread more of his vile evil to the mainland."

And yes! The scurvy dog is currently sitting in my brig, if you would like to speak with him for some reason."

"He was the only survivor we found alive, bobbing all alone on some flotsam, so I hope you didn't know anyone else on board."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche
Andron approaches the group and patiently waits for Liam and Quark's conversation to conclude ...

Captain Quark, a moment if you please?

As you may recall I was so recent a passenger on your fine vessel, and my compliments to yourself and your crew for a very safe and uneventful passage. Unfortunately, I bring ill tidings from the Hi-Lo trading post. It would appear the proprietor ... Mr. Nehru ... is dead, the circumstances of which are still not entirely clear. However, my reason for calling on you is that I am assisting the lady Nallissa with the shipping and receiving orders Mr. Nehru has conducted with you. If you would be so kind as to meet with her to discuss the proper procedures for the handling of cargo I am sure she would be most grateful.

Also, would you perchance know of a Captain Bing?

[Bluehorse]

"We didn't sink his ship!!! We aren't pirates!!!

Liam puts his hands up. I apologize, I didn't mean to imply such a thing. Forgive me if my ignorance of maritime law and nuance offended you in any way. I am afraid there was at least one captive known to the natives by name, called Kayliff and from my understanding, there was a load of slaves. he shakes his head at the thought of human loss. Then taking a breath he nods. I would like to see Bing for myself. I am not sure what good it will do if I am being honest. I know the Native Chieftain, as well as the Phanatons likely, would like to get their hands on him. I must admit I am personally torn on whether to offer him up to those people, the people here of Beachtown for his betrayal, or let you take him to the mainland for face civilized justice there.

Changing the subject back before they go. Thank you, Captain. I have no desire to be a leader here. I will do what I can to help organize a council and that will likely be it. I will still appreciate your attendance. I thank you for that.

Before you leave, I think it would be prudent to look through Mr. Nehru's notes and logs to make sure things going forward are in order.
We can review the agreements made with you and others and I will do what I can to make sure these are honored. I also have a number of letters that need to be sent to the mainland on your return. Damn, this is snowballing in a hurry...

[OGRE MAGE]

Captain Quark motions for Liam to come aboard if he wants to check the brig cell for himself, but this man has known Bing for many years and he is pretty sure it is him. "Lets have another look then, shall we master Liam?"

The pair pauses when they see Andron approaching the ship as well, willing to hear what the man has to say before checking the lower decks of the ship. Quark answers the half-elf once he is questioned. "I do remember you. You read your books the whole trip, right?"

Once told about Nehru's death, the stern faced man looks to Liam again. "You sure you didn't tell anyone else about this before you came to me? Because it seems that your little secret might be out."

He looks to Andron again. "You can rest assured that I will check in on Nallissa before I depart again. I hope she still has Nehru's coin purse handy."

"And yes, you could say that I have heard of this Bing character. In fact, we were just about to go see the man in my brig where he is currently clapped in irons. As long as you are here, would you care to join us?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche
Andron couldn't help but let loose a small chuckle at Captain Quark's remark ... Indeed, I do tend to preoccupy myself with my studies. Truth be told I was pleasantly surprised at the smooth voyage ... I was expecting a bit more difficulty in reading given the stories I've heard of sailing.

A brief expression of consternation crosses Andron's face when Quark confronts Liam about his "secret", but it quickly passes as he assembles the pieces of the puzzle after learning that Bing is currently imprisoned in the brig of the Fate ...
Oh, rest assured Mr. Liam did not divulge his secret to me concerning Mr. Nehru. I just recently assisted the lady Nallissa with Mr. Nehru's ledgers, and per his notes he suspected Captain Bing was indulging in piracy. It would seem his suspicions were not unfounded! Yes, I would like to meet with this Captain Bing. Nallissa was a fright upon learning she may have needed to deal with him ... I am glad you're able to spare her the displeasure.

Turning to Liam, Andron introduces himself ... The peace of Rao be with you, Mr. Liam. It would appear that Captain Quark and yourself has the situation well in hand, at least as it concerns Mr. Nehru and Captain Bing. The town is very fortunate to have one such as yourself in their service.

[OGRE MAGE]

Captain Quark looks back at Liam again.

"See! That makes 2 of us now who think you would make a great leader here."

He motions for the pair to follow him down a tiny set of stairs that looks more like a ladder that leads into the bowels of the Twisted Fate. He stops again before descending and turns back to Andron.

"I'm sorry what was your name again?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche
Initially perplexed at Captain Quark's query, Andron quickly realizes that in his haste he completely forgot to introduce himself ... Beg your pardon, Captain. My name is Andronichishche of Niole Dra, cleric the temple to Rao thereof. You may call me Andron, if you prefer. At your service.

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Winces at that and then pinches the bridge of his nose, his brow furrowing in a way that showed not all of his encroaching wrinkles were those of laughter. Hrothgar... you doorknob... He looked back at the Captain. I had two companions. I asked them to keep this under their hats until I could meet with whatever passes for officials and heads of families to quell rumors before they started... Looks like word spreads quickly... I promise to be short here, Captain, thank you for allowing me aboard.

To Andron:
Rao... Now there is a name I haven't heard spoken in some time. A pleasure to meet you sister. My name is Liam Meadestaff, haling from Fort Fjord. I am glad to see more people coming here to help. We certainly are in need of people like yourself.

At hearing Quark point out that he had two unwanted votes for leadership he shakes his head trying to ignore the comment. He then follows down to see Bing.

[OGRE MAGE]

A pleasure to meet you sister.

Try not to be offended, Q. Some players are notorious for things like this.

[Quonundrum]

A pleasure to meet you sister.

Try not to be offended, Q. Some players are notorious for things like this.

No offense taken! I mean ... the name is hard enough to pronounce, let alone spell or determine gender.

[OGRE MAGE]

The trio steps below decks of the sailing vessel and walk towards the prow of the ship to a small wooden door. Quark opens the door to reveal a small storage area filled with casks and crates. Jammed in one small corner of this area is a short 6' x 6' cage with thick rusting iron bars. A small iron grate acting as the cages door is closed tightly and a human sized figure can be seen laying on the stained wooden floor of the cage.

"Get up ya pecking pirate," Quark shouts at the figure to no avail. "You got visitors ya scurvy dog!" The captain bangs on the bars with the hand guard of his cutlass, but that doesn't rouse the figure either.

"Well, there he is. Maybe he killed hisself somehow? Wait a sec here....... How'd he get different clothes on in there?" The man pokes at the feet of the figure with the business end of his sword which also results in nothing happening. "What in the name of Osprem is going on here?"

You each notice a greasy residual on the floor around the body, as if he was wet when he laid down in here. The captain pats his jerkin and any other pockets, looking for a key to get into the cell. "Shit. My first mate has got the key, and he's already brought all my crew to the tavern. Do one of you have any skills in picking locks?"

[Bluehorse]

A pleasure to meet you sister.

Try not to be offended, Q. Some players are notorious for things like this.

No offense taken! I mean ... the name is hard enough to pronounce, let alone spell or determine gender.

LOL! Yeah, sorry. Two new characters at the same time and I keep getting your male cleric mixed up with the female druid. For what it is worth, i went an entire adventure with this character being called by Monocar (my other) all the way through the jungle and back!

[OGRE MAGE]

I hope that wasn't by me.

[Quonundrum]

"Shit. My first mate has got the key, and he's already brought all my crew to the tavern. Do one of you have any skills in picking locks?"

Andronichishche
Andron, focusing on the immobile figure on the floor of the cage, barely registers Quark's question ... Locks? Oh ... no, I have no skill in locksmithing ... however, I feel we have a more pressing concern than the identity of the body within the cage. Turning towards the door to the small room Andron fixes Quark and Liam with an intense gaze unusual for the normally serene half-elf.

As I recall, you directed your first mate and crew to partake in lunch at the inn? And as a man of particular discipline you would certainly know every detail of your crew, but I suspect either your first mate is in allegiance with Captain Bing, which given the former is extremely unlikely, or ... we're dealing with a doppelganger ... in which case we must proceed post haste to the inn and ensure that nobody leaves until we unravel the truth.

[OGRE MAGE]

The very serious looking captain stares at Andron with a slight hint of confusion in his eyes.

"A dopple whatsit now?"