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Nov 3, 2020 22:28
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| # ? Apr 26, 2024 11:18 |
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CG Gives us a nice place to sell the loot without heat, while also giving us plenty of plot cover to find out the captain is actually sailing with a crew of cannibals!
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Nov 4, 2020 07:33
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AG
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Nov 4, 2020 11:44
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Volmarias posted:CG Well Read posted:Ridiculous! Those stories are obvious slander and fabrication! What, some "Cannibal King" at the edge of the known world rules his "City of Heresy" with an iron fist? He has the strength of 1,200 men and the honor of zero? All reputable sources describe the Spice Islands as a land of mystery and wonders, yes, and the ancient king is a mystically powerful, but just, ruler. Rumors to the otherwise blatantly stem from jealousy and xenophobia. Also CG wins so first you check the mail... Nalini posted:I'm sure this problem with the caravans will be quickly resolved, and I've included a quick sketch of the island and our location by the beach, on the northeast side. Your goods are of course securely stored. The expedition is doing well and your extra funding was instrumental in hiring another cartographer and a linguist -- their skills will prove invaluable. There are odd weather patterns and some dangerous wildlife, but no "sea monsters" have appeared to menace us. We'll be happy to see you soon and tour the dig site, if you'd like. Auntie Ell posted:The Spice Islands! A kingdom rich in culture and precious spices. I'm certain you already know, but unpatriotic elements have been trying to avoid Victor's spice tax, a terrible state of affairs. While you're in the neighborhood I'd like you to meet with an old pen pal of mine, he's usually in The Old Cold River, a charming establishment in the new part of the capital. You'll know him when you see him, dear. Eugh, fine. You haven't heard about this "spice tax," but fine. If there's sea monsters you should probably have arms and armor that are good against them. Mary is perfect for this and so you sling her some cash and she consults with the Hunters' Guild. In the meantime you meet with Kumra  Just like you were taught by Orabela, she was taught and Kumra learned with her and there's an extremely long linage of teachers and students of the Diamond Bolt School that goes back thousands of years. In a sense Kumra is your uncle, although you've never met him, and he's pleased you've come to see him and his other students. They seem to be doing well and he does have quite a few more than there are back home. You do some practice with them and Kumra has some advice, although he doesn't like your reliance on armor. Your armor is the traditional armor of your people -- used by many of Victors soldiers and knights, and the light armors of the barbarians you've beaten are a good complement to the horse riding lifestyle, but a true master of the art needs no armor, or weapon, or even motion to achieve their goals. He gives you a scroll, thinking it will not harm your cultivation by being too advanced. It's hard to decipher and seems to be titled "The Lightning-Cutting Perfection Thread." Interesting. Also interesting is that like your own teacher, Kumra has married a scholar and herbalist. You return to the docks with your people and animals. Mary's picked up some gnarly looking harpoons and specially made armors that won't rust in the salty air. Felix is brushing his horse, concerned that it may be sea sick. Lemon is lounging on the head of your mighty new steed, panting happily. It doesn't seem to mind and is browsing on a nearby palm tree. Toby is smoking a joint and talking down the palm-owner who is not cool with the situation. Everything looks good! Wait! You haven't even named your lizard! What do you wanna call it?? Lemon recommends "Stampy." Hmm, is there anything else quickly done that you've forgotten? Might want to do it now while there's still time... --------------------- After finishing off your last few things here in Xoma you embark onto the Three Winds and it really does seem very fast, though you don't know if it's three times faster than a normal ship, this is the first time you've really been on one. The sea air! It's something like riding across the steppe. Maybe you have a pang of guilt over losing Sam but you reach the island quickly, only in a day.  Just like on the map there's this little islet, then a sand bar, then the main island. Unlike the map, the camp is not here. There's some burnt wood and other traces that it once was. The interior of the island becomes pretty well forested. There's also another islet with steep and rocky shores that the Three Winds can't directly access. You'd have to swim over and climb the rocks to investigate it. You decide to: A: Disembark with your vassals and investigate the abandoned campsite. Mary can probably pick up a trail. B: Bring the animals. Look at the camp but also start scouting the island while there's still light. C: Ask the captain to circle the island, see what can be seen from the ocean. He's happy to do this but will not spend night near the island. D: Investigate the rocky islet. No animals but it's small enough to fully scout it on foot. Maybe Felix can levitate you guys over somehow. You've got a few hours, really only enough to do one of these things.
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Nov 6, 2020 05:47
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C, Stampy is fine
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Nov 6, 2020 05:53
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Lux Animus posted:C, Stampy is fine
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Nov 6, 2020 06:15
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D, Lemon has the right of it, he's Stampy.
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Nov 6, 2020 06:29
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Lux Animus posted:C, Stampy is fine Stampy
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Nov 6, 2020 07:20
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You ask the captain to circle around the island, and he agrees it'd be prudent to check at a distance. The sailors swing the ship around and it becomes apparent they're likely not on the rocky islet. There would be some obvious evidence of the camp, but it seems almost totally barren. The main island is much bigger and with the currents and winds it does take some work for them them to avoid crashing on hidden reefs or running aground on sandbars, but they're able to avoid the dangers. Towards dusk you notice a thin wisp of smoke rising up from the forest. Probably it's them. A: Disembark and head towards the smoke. You'll be able to get there but it'll be dark by then. The captain has agreed to wait a few days if you don't immediately return. B: Wait until sunrise. Curses usually get stronger at night and the captain plans on anchoring a safe distance away. Plus if monsters attack the boat you can help protect it.
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Nov 6, 2020 21:42
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Danger Awaits!
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Nov 6, 2020 21:44
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B, they can survive another night. And if they're in the forest it means they're hiding from something on the beach, so the ship will probably get attacked tonight.
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Nov 6, 2020 22:05
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Be smart
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Nov 6, 2020 23:15
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B, we're not running against a clock here. Hopefully the camp is fine?
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Nov 6, 2020 23:44
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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_faUO9-FE6c The sailors really do seem to know what they're doing and they retreat a safe distance away from the island as the moon rises. It does seem forlorn, it would be the kind of night curses appear. But no monsters attack and in the early morning you disembark and make your way past the beach, and onto a game trail into the forest  After a while you leave the trail to approach the spot the smoke was rising from. Now that it's light more smoke is rising once again, so it's got to be the place. Stampy is very comfortable getting ridden out here, and while it's not that similar to riding a horse, it works. The gaits don't match horses at all though, and instead of galloping Stamps leans back some and runs on two legs. You'll have to get used to it. You've got Lemon up here and you could probably have your vassals and a bunch of cargo without overly burdening the creature. As you get close to the camp suddenly Stampy rears up and roars! Mary, Toby, and Felix leap into action, weapons drawn and charging into the clearing ahead. It's in fact the camp. Their guards seem cagy enough to try and attack anything that comes by, and you're not so sure that's a good sign. You dismount and lead your crew into the camp where Nalini comes out to greet you and offers breakfast. How much time do you want to spend here? A: As much as you drat well please. Hang out and chat with the archeologists, maybe check out their excavations. B: Enough to chat and get the loot. Eat breakfast with them and bail. C: Get the loot and leave. Spending too much time here will just rope you into their problems, and Nalini seems to have everything under control.
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Nov 8, 2020 23:35
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B We're not totally without manners.
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Nov 8, 2020 23:48
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Be polite but we got things to do
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Nov 9, 2020 00:37
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B Small talk, give them a good impression, leave on good terms.
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Nov 9, 2020 02:50
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B. Make sure stampy gets fed. What does stampy eat
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Nov 9, 2020 03:00
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Stampy currently is drinking an entire cask of their water and eats almost any kind of vegetation, but prefers trees and aquatic plants. You've got bales of dried leaves put up back on the ship and make a note to ensure you have enough fresh water to make it across the ocean.
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Nov 9, 2020 03:05
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Are carnivorous dinosaurs also used as mounts?
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Nov 9, 2020 03:07
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You've heard about it but the're so rare that you've never seen such a thing, or heard of anyone claiming to have seen it, ever. Maybe in the far west.
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Nov 9, 2020 03:22
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SniperWoreConverse posted:You've heard about it but the're so rare that you've never seen such a thing, or heard of anyone claiming to have seen it, ever. Maybe in the far west. Definitely sounds like a life-goal Also B
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Nov 9, 2020 05:12
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You talk with Nalini and she is happy to see you and assures you the expedition is going well. The loot is safe and ready to be picked up so you have your guys load it onto Stampy while she introduces you to some of the archeologists and professionals. One of them, a scrivener named Friday, is especially pleased that someone of learning and culture has finally showed up -- the (in)famous Cannius Corno was originally hired to be the record keeper and translator, and that old lecher is the boss of a herd of barely-competent guards. Friday replaced him and now Corno writes his own work in camp or periodically looks at various things on the island while his team runs security. Well Read posted:You know that name! That's the author of The Re-Hungering -- the book your old hireling Erhan was reading when you first met him (and got him fired and almost ruined his career). If he's out leading guards in a place like this, he might have actually been to the Spice Islands. That and other works he's written are usually placed somewhere exotic, and while they're all bad, and almost all bodice-rippers, sometimes they get certain details right. Noble Scion posted:Sir Corno is also a peer. It might be worth talking to him, even if he's full of poo poo about the world outside of court. He hasn't come out of his tent yet. The rest of the experts seem professional and highly skilled. The archeologists themselves are excited and a little worried, and are eager to get to the site. They'd be happy to show you what's been recovered so far before they leave. Your vassals know the drill and they have been busying themselves talking to various commoners. Toby informs you that the loot wasn't tampered with, but unfortunately the island is probably actually cursed. Someone let it slip that they've found ghosts in the ruins, and not the friendly kind. Mary and Felix are pretty sure their security team isn't as dumb as they seem -- they've got a paladin who knows his poo poo and skilled sharpshooter. There's also a dragonfolk hunter who is currently waving at you, she's wearing the same style of clothes that's current with the commoners back home and has that look that's a mix of fear, respect, and maybe pride. In a sense you're a living piece of the kingdom so you wave back to her. She's a strong one, and in the hunter's guild. Breakfast is good and their cooks know exactly what they're doing. You've got a minute to think over what's next: A: Obviously you bid them farewell. You have places to be. B: Part of the agreement with Nalini is you get a portion of profits and right of first refusal on anything good. You didn't just give her a shitload of money for nothing, or to hide your crimes. Inspect the site, look at the findings, the whole 9 yards. C: Check over the current findings, then leave them to it. It should be fine. She didn't look into the chest, you don't need to look into the site. Do you want to talk to Corno before you leave? Y/n The Three Winds is going to wait for a while, you have a few days if you need it. Corno may be a pain in the rear end and not worth it if he's the soft simpering kind of noble and you plan on leaving ASAP. SniperWoreConverse fucked around with this message at 11:01 on Nov 9, 2020 |
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Nov 9, 2020 10:57
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C, yes. We’ve got time, we can chat to a peer and check out what they’ve got.
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Nov 9, 2020 13:58
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AJ_Impy posted:C, yes. We’ve got time, we can chat to a peer and check out what they’ve got.
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Nov 9, 2020 16:01
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C, Yes
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Nov 9, 2020 16:47
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See? Yes.
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Nov 9, 2020 17:24
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6t63Rauj_U The results so far are significantly more ominous than what you expected. They've recovered large slabs and little pieces of a broken stele, and been able to reconstruct part of the inscription.   The site is the location where the stele once stood, and the ground there has collapsed, revealing a partially flooded cave system, and hewn stairs leading into it. There's two competing sets of iconography: the newer set which always depicts a number of mostly humans fighting and then forcing monsters into the caves before sealing them shut, and the older set, which mostly deep into the caves and depicts various monsters and includes statues of creatures with large gems in their mouths.  The island itself has may examples of oddly malformed flora and fauna. Sea monsters do in fact attack from the ocean, on nights with odd mist. The caves are also filled with a similar strange mist which smells foul and seems to deaden and distort sound and the light from lamps.  Ghosts have indeed been encountered on the island, both at the surface and in the caves. One was an immense spectral snake which has been seen above ground and returning into the cave. The others so far have been robed cultists, who haven't yet been seen above ground. There are a few slight similarities to some of the things you've seen. The use of turtle shell shields is still alive with the crew of the Three Winds, as is their reduced regard for being fully clothed, and in some cases their weapons and instruments. The snakelike rock formations remind of of the weird preacher you met west of Frigg, the guy who lived on "Snake Mountain" and was a werewolf hunter, but that's tenuous. The other kinds of things humans are seen with in the new inscriptions seem like they may be older styles of Xomani stuff. At least some can be recognized as priests. You let the archeologists know, and wonder if Nalini has bitten off more than she can chew here. Probably not. She's been through some harrowing jobs. Well, that put a damper on breakfast, you're about to ask about Cannius when he comes sprawling out of his tent obviously profoundly aggrieved, stumbling around and getting his fancy clothes filthy with camp dust. He actually throws himself at your feet wailing about "tragic dooms" and "the death of heroes." A: "Haha ok look it's been great Nalini, I'll see myself out now, you've got this handled." B: "Good God, man! Pull yourself together! A man of your renown in this state!?" C: "What."
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Nov 9, 2020 23:44
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C 
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Nov 9, 2020 23:47
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B+C "the gently caress is wrong with you acting like this"
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Nov 10, 2020 00:02
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By Jove! What has you acting in such a manner in front of the help?!
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Nov 10, 2020 00:07
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C in such a way that implies B in Noble-ese.
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Nov 10, 2020 00:11
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You're taken aback at this display and ask him what in gods' sake has happened. One of his men, the dragoness, actually pulls him to his feet and quietly reminds him of his station, albeit clumsily. Cannius Corno, the author of many sordid stories, begins to weave a tale of betrayal, redemption, and failure... His story is insanely long and convoluted, and his talk is just as flowery as his writing, but it mostly goes like this: After a long and pointless preamble, he decides he's going to write another book, and was travelling west through the desert with a lone servant who was secretly a witch who robbed and left him for dead. His current group finds him "seconds from death" and restores him to health and their healer is a commoner of unusual taste and refinement, and a powerful mage, who agrees the party will help him enact revenge purely out of his personal sense of honor, but has some sort of magely matters to attend to first. They travel through the desert to Xoma, fighting many dangerous and probably fabricated monsters, have a number of fascinating and possibly fabricated encounters, not a few of which are probably going into the book as smut, and this healer actually uses his own money to buy clothing suited to Cannius' station and style. Then they sign onto the expedition, where obviously the mage knew there would be vile ghosts and every kind of sickening cult practice and put a stop to it. Except he's completely convinced this "John Smith" is actually in mortal peril or dead in those caves, and he begs you to use your knights to purge the evil in the caves. He of course would do it personally, but he was grievously permanently wounded by the witch and would surely die if exposed to the dank humidity of the caves, a condition that would be no problem at all for you. You put it off for now and ask him about nobility things like the fineness of his clothing and what kinda booze he likes getting drunk on. He loosens up and becomes more comfortable, and you easily flatter him into writing up a set of notes on the Spice Islands, which he is adamant he's actually visited. He practically leaps to his desk and gets scratchin'. A: Alright, you'll check the site. Ghosts are not your specialty and you've had very bad luck with curses. B: No, you'll do it, totally wreck those ghosts. C: No, you'll leave and go to the Islands after he finishes the travel guide. Whatever else he may be, Cannius is actually a deft writer and will have the notes done pretty quickly, like by noon.
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Nov 10, 2020 19:31
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C. Yeah this is all kinds of bullshit and I don't want stampy getting possessed by a lizard ghost.
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Nov 10, 2020 20:51
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C. protec stampy
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Nov 10, 2020 20:58
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C, we didn't want anything to do with this bullshit in the first place. We aren't prepared for ghosts and poo poo, let's get a move on.
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Nov 10, 2020 21:03
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A I like getting roped into doing a good deed
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Nov 10, 2020 23:37
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A quick look won't hurt. Go in, grab the probably dead guy and get back out
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Nov 11, 2020 02:30
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Slaan posted:A quick look won't hurt. Go in, grab the probably dead guy and get back out Lol. We should split up to cover more ground.
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Nov 11, 2020 17:15
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| # ? Apr 26, 2024 11:18 |
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During the conversation with Cannius, one of his servants tries to clumsily eavesdrop by pretending she's doing calisthenics training nearby. It's that same huntress. Toby's able to swoop in and get her moved along, but later comes back saying probably she's just trying figure out a way to get the group on good terms with an actually-rich, not decrepit old man of a noble. Can't blame her too much. Most of the expedition leaves camp to do their daily... expediting... and Cannius returns with his notes for you. It's kind of a lot, but at first glance seems to match up. Take it with a grain of salt and it could hardly hurt. He's still melodramatically hopeful that you'll do something about the gruesome ghost situation and you decide to: A: have Toby use his wizardry to enchant something for them. B: Lemon could probably do something, ask her. C: Mary has a bunch of mundane monster traps she's made and is fine with handing some over D: "Nope" on off of this lovely island and go to the real Islands right now. If you want you can double up on ABC, it wouldn't take much more time or cost to do all three, but it would take a bit more than just doing two or one. Probably I'll compare the amount of do something's vs do nothing and just average it out.
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Nov 12, 2020 02:02
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