Book 2: Chapter 1 - A Diamond in the Rough

[Powderhorn]

Unknown Town, Spring, Day 44

The Philadelphia, a gunboat so named for the friendly attitude the voyagers have for each other, arrives into a small harbor in the forest. While watchful eyes have pursued you for the last few days, now you know with certainty that you were, in fact, being watched.

Within the canopy of the forest, up into the trees and down on the ground, various shelters with warm light coming from within. A small delegation of what you can only presume to be halflings steps out into a clearing near the harbor, while fishing nets are quickly pulled up and hung out to dry nearby. Whomever they are, they seem just as interested in you as you are in them.

[thesloth]

[FIELDSET="Karadoon Stone Eye"][IMG]https://imgur.com/bZsmmIb.png[/IMG] Karadoon spat over the side of the boat as the inhabitants revealed themselves. Halflings..... [B][COLOR="slategray"]"Hang on to anything of value that you didn't toss overboard to appease the ghost ship. Figures there'd be halflings with a city in a land like this one...."[/COLOR][/B] he passed his hands across his gear, tightening knots and cinching cords on everything except his axe. Upon that, he firmly rested his hand. [/FIELDSET] [URL="https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2115162"]Karadoon Character Sheet[/URL]

Karadoon Stone Eye

Karadoon spat over the side of the boat as the inhabitants revealed themselves. Halflings..... "Hang on to anything of value that you didn't toss overboard to appease the ghost ship. Figures there'd be halflings with a city in a land like this one...." he passed his hands across his gear, tightening knots and cinching cords on everything except his axe. Upon that, he firmly rested his hand.

Karadoon Character Sheet

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Powderhorn
Running through BBCode Converter (see edit history)

[theclaytster]

'Old Man' Hinson

"You know. You have trust issues." Hinson says dryly, but subconsciously his hands run through the exposed items and pockets which may hold something of value, putting 'Ole Bess over his shoulder and holding his powder horn. If anyone tried to take her, they would be in for a lick'n.

 

Edited July 17, 2023 by theclaytster (see edit history)

[thesloth]

Karadoon

"Laugh all you like Hinson, but we have a clan of these buggers that travels the elven forest, a few small villages, and our trade outposts. The clan banned them from entering our keeps centuries ago. About 5 years ago a youngster let them into the trading outpost during a bad storm, to handle negotiations there. Six months of dry rations, 3 chain shirts, 4 barrels of ale, and a set of hand carved tobacco pipes all left the outpost without being paid for. In addition to what was traded for.

If I were you, I would cinch that strap on your purse just a bit tighter..."

 

[Powderhorn]

Unknown Town, Spring, Day 44

As Landen expertly brings the Philadelphia in, one halfling of the three calls out: "What ho the vessel?"

Perhaps it even takes a moment to register that he is speaking a language you understand. Allowing a moment for his voice to carry to the Philadelphia, he continues: "Where do you hail from?"

[Vladim]

Iphigenia is busy with her duties as the Philadelphia approaches the harbor. There was much that needs to be done for the vessel to operate like a well-oiled machine, but it seems like Landen is on top of things, and her role has, once again, been reduced to decorative. Still, she appreciates a moment of respite, and takes great pleasure and pride in just standing there, seeing it all happen like clockwork.

She approaches some of the men as the halflings hail the ship from the shore. She leaves the talking to her superiors, as this is not her place. She has not had any dealings with these little folk before, but she can't help to overhear the dwarf's words of warning.

"Mr. Hinson. Mr. Karadoon." she says to them as she approaches. "Let's keep both our purses and lips sealed, no? And let's see if the captain can secure us a place to sleep tonight without resorting to calling them all thieves and liars. At least, not to their faces."

She smiles and begins to observe the negotiations with curiosity and professionally detached interest.

[thesloth]

Karadoon

One of Landen's crew approached unseen and startled the dwarf. Karadoon thought he recognized her as one of the crew Landen relied on for keeping the others in line. Settling himself he nodded in her direction.

"It will not be said that a son of the Stone Eye clan was ungrateful for their hospitality, if indeed they allow us to land. But I'll be sleeping on my axe tonight, and I advise both of you to do the same. Have you had many dealings with the little folk?"

 

[Powderhorn]

Unknown Town, Spring, Day 44

While the halflings await some sort of response, and none seemingly forthcoming, they start conversing amongst themselves, unable to be heard aboard the Philadelphia.

The same person who called our earlier calls out again. "We welcome you if you come peacefully!" Left unsaid, but weighty with implication is how you will be welcomed if you do not.

[Vladim]

She shakes her head.

"First time. May it prove a better experience than your last."

She turns to gaze on the forest-village, and listens to the exchange, trying to inspect the owner of the voice carefully, as if to measure him. She observes the small delegation for a while, wondering what the crewmen will say.

"Still. They seem friendly enough." she remarks idly to Mr. Karadoon.

 

OOC

I'm a bit uncertain about the hierarchy and chain of command aboard the Philadelphia. If she has clear superiors, it seems more natural to let them do the talking, but if it's more of a horizontal system, I'm happy to RP with the delegation. Iphi sound be half-decent in social stuff.

[thesloth]

Karadoon

 

"Mhm. It could hardly go worse than any of the other first meetings we've had in this land. Shadows peeling themselves off bone.... Black Elves shooting magic at us.... Dog face warriors ambushing us.... And that bloody lizard-thing.

 

I will say this, they are the first people in this land not to shoot at us on sight...."

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by thesloth (see edit history)

[theclaytster]

On 7/16/2023 at 8:01 PM, theclaytster said:

'Old Man' Hinson

Nobody was saying anything so Hinson puts 'Ole Bess over his shoulder, leans forward a bit with a hand on the rail. "Of course we come in peace. Why would we not? If we meant harm some of you would be lying on the ground with holes in them." Maybe that was not the best way to start off, but he was tired, nerves shot being on a leaking boat on the water, and that was just a stupid question. Hinson had not had any interaction with Halflings in the past.

"As far as where we hail from? " Hinson points out to sea, some random direction because really, did it make a difference? "Over yonder." And to return the question he thought was stupid, "What brings you here?"  Yeah, he was tired and crotchety today. This time he switches 'Ole Bess so he is holding it leaning on the rail.

He gives the best friendly smile he can. "You got anything good to eat?"

 

 

[Powderhorn]

Unknown Town, Spring, Day 44

The halfling who speaks common seems to continue talking with his colleagues, and then calls out to the Philadelphia again. "We have food and drink for those who wish to share and share alike. We won't tolerate any funny business, so know that you're guests in our home. We didn't last long by being strangers to violence when violence was called for. Come ashore, my voice tires of all this shouting."

[Vladim]

"I think that was an invitation." she says, taking turns to look at the gathered gentlemen, dwarf included. "Well?" she asks inquisitively, with a twinkle in her eye and a smug grin on her face, as if issuing a challenge. "I say we go meet these halflings. Last man on land is a bilge rat!"

With that, she heads towards the village. Karadoon's brief account of past receptions sounds exaggerated, but then again, tall tales and exaggerations are hardly unheard of amongst sailors. Even so, it might be good to have someone of education and a certain diplomatic aptitude to make introductions... and this might even give her a chance to prove her worth to the eyes of her crewmates.

[thesloth]

Karadoon

 

Karadoon watched the shoreline carefully as the boat drew near. Eventually, he relaxed his vigil as no obvious threat materialized. He raised an eyebrow as Iphegenia fairly leapt from the boat.

"Bilge rat? Whatever they are, they must not be good..."

Clambering down far more carefully, he heaved a sigh at being back on land, and at least some of the tension drained from his face. He waited for Hinson to climb down before following the sailor to the waiting crowd.

 

[Mourning Star]

Greta Starling