The Sundered Lands of Palladium
Session 42February 15-26, 2017
Boarding the Titan
Monday October 30
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
Silver, Valinya and Gorg stand there as Fortis flies off toward the ship anchored out past the breakers. Arn comes out of a nearby shanty, ale droplets adorning his beard and friendly shouts following him. Moonscar leads a wary Seeker back toward the docks. The sky is cloudy and gray and a light drizzle, almost a mist, falls from the sky.
Seeker gives the half-Ogre a wan smile. “Hey, guys. Let’s get on with this. Gorg is going to help us by giving us a ride, don’t want to take spoil that help.”
“Yes true, and Gorg, it’s really good to see you again. We briefly had a … um, new friend who was also physically imposing but who is no longer with us. It will be nice to have someone to gather the glares and allows others of us to be less noticeable. And another strong back is a welcome addition for those of us who are less capable of lending a hand with the heavy work,” Valinya says.
Gorg replies, “I do enjoy getting out on the water, but after spending a bit of time with you guys a while back, I realized just how boring it can be out on the ship! I wouldn't mind tagging along with the bunch of you again, but someone's gonna have to bring me up to speed on what you all are up to.”
Seeker says “Okay, I’ll try to sum up. We’re hunting for a terrible artifact, called a Shadow Pearl. One of them is responsible for the shattering of the lands to the southwest. So yes, really, really terrible. We have an ally here in Essanos, one Lady Vanderboren. Her brother is a villain named Vanthus. We think he might be able to lead us to the Shadow Pearl. He stole all of Lady Vanderboren’s family’s money and gave it to a crew of thieves and smugglers called the Sea Harpies. We just finished rooting them out of their underground lair, and emerged with the spoils, including the Vanderboren fortune, as well as a lead on where to find Vanthus. It’s a place called Kraken Cove, a rendezvous for smugglers and their ilk.” He stretches. “We aim to go to Kraken Cove, find Vanthus, and recover the Shadow Pearl.” He looks at Gorg. “Still sure you want to come along?”
Arn chimes in with Seeker, nodding on the abbreviated version of their journeys. Arn adds in, “It would be good to have another with yer strength and skill to join us again Lad. A good warrior is always useful to add on. Besides, Lefty said he misses ya too.”
While listening to the discussion, Silver tries to shoo everyone into the boat, so that the group can get underway. Once it gets to the more sensitive topics, She interrupts with “Let’s not discuss all the details until we’re at least underway? I doubt anything you say while standing around on the docks can be considered private.” She gives Seeker a look that screams “why am I the one that has to say this?”
In the momentary silence, Silver turns to Gorg “The Titan hasn’t picked up any new hands right? I don’t want to surprise anyone later.”
Gorg absorbs the story and mulls it over for a few seconds, finally replying, "Wow...That all sounds pretty exciting, I'd love to help out. I don't often get a chance to spar while at sea, so I might be a bit rusty..." A big grin spreads over his face, "but that will only give my first foe a couple extra seconds to live!" Turning to Silver he replies, "Of course we have, there's always turnover. I can explain to the new guys though."
Gorg holds the rowboat steady as everyone else hops aboard. Moonscar takes up his usual position perched up on the bow and everyone else fills in the seats. It is a tight fit, with both Seeker and Gorg, not to mention Arn and all his gear, but they manage.
As the group begins to board the boat Valinya takes a calming breath or two before singing herself vaporous. Not to draw too much attention to herself Valinya floats just above ground miming walking motions and once in the boat she “seats” herself though really floating. Her disconcerting emotions about being over water and her mild fear of drowning remain despite her precautions but it’s enough to help her make the rocking ride out. Big boats aren’t as scary usually but the higher the potential for the boat capsizing, the more apprehensive she becomes.
The whaling harbor is quite busy this time of day with whalers bringing in their day’s catch and smaller vessels going back and forth across the water. Gorg pilots the rowboat out past a breakwater and toward the Tiny Titan some 100 yards away. The water here is much more tumultuous than in the regular harbor due to its direct access to the open sea. Several Essanos Harbor Watch ships can be seen rounding the point to the outer cliffs of the Noble District to the north. Someone can be seen waving to the approaching rowboat from the deck of the Titan, seeming to urge the small boat to row faster.
Arn picks up on what is going on and offers to lend a hand to help row the boat since he is probably the most experienced of the Guardians in that aspect. He lends his muscles to Gorg’s efforts and the boat picks up the pace quite well. As they row, Arn continues to chat. “Gorg, I think ye will find that between Seeker and myself, ye should have ample opportunity to work on your skill at arms. We will knock that rust off of ye”. Arn lets out a hearty laugh and puts more effort into rowing to get his companions to the Titan.
Setting Sail for Kraken's Cove
The companions finally make it out to the Tiny Titan. Everyone climbs aboard and before the rowboat can even be hauled up onto the deck, the ship’s anchor is pulled and its sails are unfurled. Captain Alixandir Tahir waves from the raised deck near the wheel as he points and shouts commands to the hard working crew. The crew quickly performs their duties, moving easily around the newcomers on the ship.
| two maps in one |
After a few moments, the Titan is tacking away to the east, with the strong northern wind filling its sails. One of the Essanos Harbor Watch ships starts to pursue for a moment, but then gives up the chase and focuses on securing the ships still in the vicinity of the docks. The Captain climbs down from the navigation deck and greets the gathered companions. “Good to see you again so soon, friends, Gorg tells me you need a ride out west?”
Seeker says, “Yessir. The land west of Essanos is rough going, mostly swamps and such. We need a ship to get us near a place called Kraken Cove, off of Blood Bay.
“I know of Blood Bay well enough, though have never been there. Frequented by pirates and other dangerous sorts. Usually easier to give it a wide berth, but shouldn’t be a problem finding this Kraken’s Cove with the information you have,” the Captain replies. “If this wind holds, we should be able to be there by daybreak tomorrow morning, does that work for you? I’m not too comfortable taking the Titan into Blood Bay so maybe we can find a place to beach just past the point and you can hike in? And do I understand that you will be taking Gorg ashore with you? Hmm, keep him safe, will ya!” The Captain chuckles and reaches up and slaps his first mate on the shoulder.
Silver addresses the group. “I could do some scouting, it might be good to know what to expect when we get there. If we’re expecting pirates, we might want to be careful about how we approach this place. I think the moon will be out tonight, I can scout a bit then when I’m much less likely to be spotted myself.” Not hearing any arguments, she looks about for a clear spot on the deck. Is there a good place to have a nap? If I’m going to be awake all night, I should probably rest a bit sooner.”
Arn nods with Silver’s statement. “Aye there lass, it would be good to get a birds eye (Arn winks) view of the land before we walk in blindly into yet another trap, as we sure seem apt to do. With as busy as we have all been, it would do us all well to sit back, enjoy the trip and get some solid rest. Do us good to secure our equipment for a hike again. I’m glad we got to take a short break anyway before heading out to hunt down more vermin.”
Cast of Characters:
+Arne Jamtgaard plays Seeker, a teenage Wolfen Warlord
+Mike Biancone plays Arn, a surly Dwarven Warrior
+Amergin O'Kai plays Moonscar, the esoteric Kankoran Druid
+Daniel White plays Silver, a young and curious Dragon
+Mike Williams plays Gorgukk Torgnaz, an Ogre sailor and mauler
and +Jason GURPS as the GM
+Mike Williams plays Gorgukk Torgnaz, an Ogre sailor and mauler
and +Jason GURPS as the GM
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