The young heroes continue their discussion with the Laird's son then embark on their journey, stopping at a lonely rock off the coast when they see a suspicious beached rowboat. On-going GURPS adventures set in the beautiful and evocative Bay of Spirits setting by Randy M. at Roan Studios.
GURPS: Bay of SpiritsSession 006
Come Sail Away
230917Nilas looks to his friends once more. “What say you Jens? We can try tonight or give me one more night's rest and let me replenish some energy so I can focus on my powers from Calla for our prayers for wind in the morning.”
Jens says it would be best to wait 'til morning, "The tide'll turn about an hour after first light. Best to catch it early to speed us on our way. "
Nilas says, "I agree. Let us all get a good night's rest and be ready to sail at morning's light. "
Eilas Sinann comes back around and checks in to see if all the necessary supplies were loaded onto the Kittiwake.
Nilas thanks Eilas for his assistance
"Well good evening to you, as well, Brother Bob," Elias says
Bro' Bob nods in greeting and asks, "Is there anything in particular you'd like logged on this trip - particular interests?
The young Sinann furrows his brow, "No, nothing in particular, just where you go, supplies used along the way. If you are familiar with weather tracking, that could be useful information. Tides, things like that. Information will someday be more valuable than gold, I plan to make sure Clan Sinann is ready when that happens."
The young man leans in close to Bro Bob, "Feel free to keep tabs on any other ships you see, which banners they are flying, and what not. Greybschyr is a port under the Starling Lords, feel free to describe their port and what boats are moored there. And if you do stop in at Merchant's Gut, which I suggest not doing, feel free to track the same as well." He straightens up and heads back toward the Sinann lodge.
Nilas says, "I somewhat know a bit about weather, though I can also pray to Calla for the forecast"
Bro' Bob nods and lifts his glass in agreement and asks, "You and your sister seem a lot more studious than your eldest brother. Do you have any particular areas of study or research?"
Bro' Bob looks at the Callast and laughs, "I can just have you log the weather that we're going to have!"
Jens says, "I'll report back with my logbook when we return, milord"
 |
| Elias Sinann |
Elias raises an eyebrow at Bob's question. "You mean Sabeen? Well, we're not that much alike, she likes reading and studying about all those fanciful stories, me, I like numbers, data, keeping the books straight. The columns all need to play well together, if not, the family suffers. By keeping the accounting above deck, I keep the family prosperous and safe. Now my younger siblings, all they seem to want to do is make father mad and cause a ruckus all through-out the Bay!" He snorts in derision.
Nilas says, "Yes Sabeeen seems, very.....uhm.....very nice indeed."
Nilas blushes
Elias merely raises an eyebrow in Nilas' direction.
Not wanting to let an opportunity slip, Nilas dares to ask. "Um, is there anything that the good lady Sabeen is fond of, that we may possibly come across on our journey?"
Before casting off, Jens will spend some time making obiescences to the gods. They are a bit more elaborate than most ships might do.
Elias chuckles, "Books, artifacts, the older and moldier the better. If no one can read it or figure out what it is, even better," the young Sinann says.
Nilas makes a mental note of that and thanks Eilas again for his assistance.
"Books, maps, books about maps, maps to books, stuff like that. Sure our history is important, but living in the present is more important and planning for the future, that is where it's at," Elias adds.
Bro' Bob asks, "Maps for you, or your sister? Or either, depending on old or current?"
Elias ponders for a moment, then smiles, "Yes, I do like a good, modern chart, especially if it shows shipping lanes or fishing grounds cross referenced with time of year and weather patterns!" Elias seems almost giddy considering it.
Bro' Bob nods, "Alright, I'll keep my eyes open"
With that, Elias heads back toward the Sinann lodge.
Nilas says, "Well my friends, if we are all loaded, let's get ready for an early morning sailing, shall we?"
Jens says, "Aye, well, we best be settin sail, friends. "
The group beds down for the night so they can wake early and be out with the morning tide.
Nilas says, "I will once again stay at the Shrine, Ragnar can join me again"
Bro' Bob asks, "Shall we invite Mother Carmel along for this one?"
Ragnar nods in absent agreement.
Nilas says, "Oh yes, of course! We should let her know to prepare to leave with us in the morning"
The uplands ranger's mind is clearly somewhere else at the moment.
Bro' Bob nods, "I'll go see if she's working"
Nilas says, "I'll join you if you don't mind."
Carmel is working at the Windbreak and is very happy to hear about the voyage.
After confirming that Carmel is joining the "Fongs of Fate", Nilas and Ragnar head to the shrine
Bro' Bob tells here that they're leaving early, then gets some supper before heading back down to the kittiwake for the night
Dinner is eaten, Carmel tells Maricia she will be leaving town. Everyone gets a good, full night's sleep with no interruptions. The morning is cool and windy and Jens gets the Kittiwake ready to go!
Jens expertly pilots his small craft out of the protected harbor of Piper's Quay as the sun is coming up over the eastern horizon. Quite a few other boats are making their way out into the Bay as well.
Once Jens has the ship underway, Nilas will ask him how best to aid with the wind and such for better sailing, be it speed, direction or what he needs
Jens sticks a finger up and grins. "Actually, the wind is just right to take us out. Might need an assist when we get around the headland there. "
Nilas says, "Fair enough my friend, Calla will bless us once we are out in the open waters"
The Kittiwake cuts through the whitecapped waves of the Bay as Jens masterfully pilots it. Ragnar, who is clearly more used to life on land, seems to get a little ill at the motion on deck. He spends much of the time below in the small cabin, his head between his knees. Everyone else enjoys the salty spray and the wind in their hair.
Nilas says, "I could help Ragnar, but it would only last for about ten minutes or so, but if needed I can attempt to relieve his sickness symptoms"
The ranger merely grunts, overhearing this.
The coastline is rocky and rough in many places and there are numerous hidden reefs, rocks, and sea stacks that make following the coastline dangerous.
Carmel asks what the final destination is? Grebeschyr or trying to find the fleeing assassins from the other night?
Nilas looks at her and comments. "Yes"
Nilas enjoys the spray of sea and the journey. Praising Calla for such a great day
Bro' Bob shakes his head, "Assassins first, the Grebeschyrf
Jens uses his spyglass to scan the shore for and ships anchored there.
Bro' Bob relaxes, and chats with Carmel
Nilas will assist and enjoy the weather and ride, keeping an eye out for anything, boats, marine life, ect.
When needed NIlas will cast Wind spell to assist with speed or direction
Jens sees plenty of ships out plying the waters of the wider bay, not any near the rocky shore. There are quite a few rocks and hidden reefs but Jens manages to pilot around them, though there are several close calls and at one point everyone hears as the Kittiwake narrowly scratches by a submerged rock, just barely grazing it.
Jens notes that rock in his log book, as well as the ships that he can identify.
A couple of miles out, Jens notices a small boat tied up against a small, rocky island. The boat is on the shore-side of the island, and would be nearly impossible to spot by any of the other boats in the area that are further out.
Jens says, "Well well well. What have we there? Do you see it, friends?"
Nilas says, "Could that be the little boat we are looking for?"
Bro' Bob nods, "Looks like someone doesn't want to be seen.. We should warn them that there hiding place isn't very good."
Jens shrugs. "Could be. You want me head that way?"
Jens pulls on a few lines, and with a spin of the wheel the Kittiwake comes about, heading toward the island.
Nilas says, "I think we should, it does match the type of boat they scooted off in, doesn't it?"
Bro' Bob bows to jens and readies his bow in the bow in case of trouble
As Jens brings his boat around, the remains of a small campsite can be seen on the narrow beach, but no one is present.
Jens is unable to bring the Kittiwake all the way up to the shore and has to drop anchor about 20 feet from land. There are plenty of rocks and the water is not too deep but everyone is going to get wet on the way in. Ragnar offers to remain on the boat for now.
Jens thinks Ragnar just doesn't want to move. He looks quite pale.
Jens nods. "Aye. Take good care of the ship and Lady Margo. "
Lady Margo responds, "meow"
Nilas says, 'This makes sense, I can't imagine that they would go very far by rowing"
Nilas slips over the side and plunges into a deeper part of water than he thought, but is able to maintain himself by swimming
Carmel follows Nilas over the side and ends up over her head as well.
She quickly makes her way up to the rocks and pulls herself out. "phew, that was deeper than I thought!"
Nilas follows her to the shore line. "yes, indeed, must be a hole on that side of the ship"
Jens makes his way easily from the boat to shore with only his pant legs getting wet.
Bro' Bob trips on the gunwale as he hops over, pitching headfirst into the water with a giant splash, and comes up a few yards away, spluttering, before swimming to shore
Nilas says, "Well that went a little lopsided, didn't it?"
Nilas tries to make sure all equipment is accounted for and sorted
Nilas grunts, “ugh”
Nilas immediately pulls out the parchment Eilas gave him and sees if he can dry it out
The narrow beach is about 20 yards wide and only about 10 yards deep in the middle, tapering to nothing along each side. The majority of the island is straight up and rocky. The island is about 100 or so feet high, one would guess.
The small boat is pulled up on the rocks to the right and there is a small campsite up against the rocky wall where a slight overhang gives some protection from the weather.
Jens hangs back and watches for any ambush.
Carmel moves slowly up the beach toward the boat, her driftwood club in her hand, her head moving back and forth watching for trouble.
Nilas tries to look around, calling to Calla for the vision of the Hawk
Bro' Bob draws his sword and readies his buckler
Nilas scans the small, rocky beach. He sees the boat, the abandoned camp with burnt out fire. Looks like whoever camped here was eating oysters as there are a lot of opened shells around.
Off to the far left side of the island, a loud sound draws everyone's attention as water and spray come shooting out a blowhole in the rock, despite this side of the island being quite calm.
Bro Bob sees Carmel smile as the mist sprinkles down, creating a rainbow in the air.
Nilas walks up to see if there is anything of interest in the boat
Nilas sees that there is no movement on the beach at all. There are lots of birds nesting on the upper levels of the rock though.
The boat is a wide, flat bottomed rowboat. It is filled with wooden cages and lots of oyster shells. There are some ropes and small nets, as well as a couple of oars.
Nilas says, "is this the same type of boat that the assailants fled in?"
Nilas says, "Well, let's get looking, its not like this island is very large"
Jens Marko shrugs. "They said a rowboat. It would fit. "
Nilas says, "Maybe we should check out by that blowhole area first?"
Carmel nods her head and follows Nilas to the blowhole area.
Jens can see Ragnar moving around back on the Kittiwake. Seems the ranger is finally getting his sea-legs. Nope, he leans over the side and vomits into the churning water below.
Nilas walks, always spear at the ready
The blowhole is about 5 feet across. The water in it seems to surge up and down, but mostly staying about 3 feet below the surface of the island. He sees a rope wrapped around a stout rock just next to the blowhole. The rope goes right down into the water.
All sorts of clams and mussels and starfish and urchins cling to the sides of the blowhole.
Nilas looks around again and stops. Turns and points back with his spear. "Hey, do you all see that? It looks like a rope"
Nilas heads over to said rope
The rope is tied off on a rock and goes directly into the watery hole. As Nilas bends to look, the surface of the water recedes about 2 feet, Nilas quickly turns as he knows what is coming next.
A loud popping sound followed by a spray of water shooting up about 15 feet into the air. Looking back, Nilas checks the rope, it is taut, tied or stuck on something down below the water.
Nilas pulls on the rope, seeing if he can pull anything up
The rope is taut and Nilas cannot pull it up at all. It is stuck or tied very tight to whatever is at the other end.
Nilas looks down the hole after the water sprays to see if it is open at all or full of water
The hole is full of water and sea creatures clinging to the edges.
Session Notes
I expected the group to get on with sailing right away, but they decided to stay and question and converse with some NPCs before heading out. I am always ok with some of that kind of RP! We left off at the end in a bit of a cliff hanger, I like that too!Cast of Characters:
Brother Robert (Bro Bob) D'Nagien, a young Enibrian monk and archer - played by Amergin KJens Marko, a young Captain sailing his dory all over the bay - played by Arne J
Callast Nilas Orkan, a young priest of Calla the Storm Goddess - played by Mike B
Callast Nilas Orkan, a young priest of Calla the Storm Goddess - played by Mike B
Ragnar Rocht, avenging ranger - played by Stephen K
and GMJasonGURPS as the DM
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