The group continues to chat it up at the Sinker then chase and fight a paranoid druid. On-going GURPS adventures set in the beautiful and evocative Bay of Spirits setting by Randy M. at Roan Studios.
GURPS: Tides and Tribulations
Session 011
Thunder
231126The group is gathered in the main barroom of the Sinker, a halfway house, tavern, restaurant, and Inn located along a non-descript stretch of coastline in the Middle Bay, a few miles from the town of Grebeschyr.
Originally given a nefarious reputation, the place seems to be quite a cozy little spot, not at all busy this time of day.
Nilas continues to delve into the books on the shelves, Looking for information on sea hags, as well as anything that could be old and obscure.
Ragnar seats himself over by the fire, sipping on his water.
Jens continues his chat with a fellow who might have work for the Kittiwake
The barkeep, Borris, looks at Jens and Bro Bob, "So, you all getting a room? We got a room with a couple'a bunk beds, could easily sleep the 4 o'ya."
Bro' Bob Bro' Bob sadi at the end of last session, "We was brewin n stillin before there was a baron herebouts to sell his stamp on it"
Derrin tells Jens he will have to check with some people he knows, but won't know anything til later in the day at best.
Jens politely declines. "I sleep aboard. Gotta look after my cat."
The bartender glares at Jens, "Ahh, the Sinker not good enough fer ye?"
Jens nods to Derrin. "We'll probably be around til then. We'll see if we can work something out later."
Jens shakes his head. "Nay, seems a fine place. But I don't want the Lady Margo getting jealous, now."
Bro' Bob laughs, "The Captain there really doesn't like sleeping on anything that's not at least rocking"
Borris sniggers, "Oy, yea, I can arrange for that, too, captain."
Bro' Bob adds, "But yeah, we migh, 'pendin' he get work or nah."
"Im sure Fringella will let ya all help mop the floor, since she can't seem to get it done herself, ehh? Or you could muck out the stables out back, there's always work around here,"
Borris says.
Bro' Bob looks at Borris, a little puzzled about what he seems to find humorus
Nilas continues thumbing through the books, not finding anything really that might excite an academic such as Lady Sinnan.
Borris look at Bob and grimaces. He holds one hand, fingers making an O and sticks a single finger from his other hand in and out several times, smiling. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head when Bob's expression does not change.
Jens blushes
The other patrons have left the main room, taking the stairs to the 2nd floor.
Nilas walks over towards the bar to order another drink
Borris serves another round of drinks shortly after everyone has finished their first. "Oy, mountain man, you know I gotta charge ya for them waters? Shit, beer's cheaper, really," he shouts across the room to Ragner.
Nilas says, "Excuse me good sir. I have an interest in some older books and parchments. You wouldn't happen to have anything like that around here would you?"
"Sorry, Callast, we trade in food and drink and good times, not books, though I imagine there be a merchant or two who might know something bout books, not typically the talk, but I guess someone's gotta trade in em. What we got is over there, on the shelf, though I think some o' the, um, more racy titles may have been taken to the rooms," he says, winking at Nilas.
"I can ask around for ya," he says to Nilas, tapping his fingers on the bartop.
Nilas blushes a bit. Then changes subjects. "I'm still learning the area and sailing with my friend Jens, over here. Can you tell me anything interesting about the area? Anything with news or perhaps curious events at all?"
Nilas places a silver coin on the counter for the bar keep
"Ahh, the area? Well taint much round these parts. Grebeschyr just a few miles that'a'way," he says, jerking a thumb over his shoulder, "but they says that e're one there's dead. Died and turned ta zombies, they say!" He looks at Nilas with wide, fearful eyes as he slides the coin off the counter.
Nilas says, "Also, if you need some fresh water, I may be able to help you out with that, or freshen up some stocks you have to make it better and safer for your patrons"
"Turned to zombies? I heard of something like that happening elsewhere. Tell me did you hear if it was some kind of crab-like creature that infested them?"
Borris' countenance changes quickly, "You sayin' my water taint no good? You implying I'd be serving stale refreshments to my patrons? Who in the Bay do you think you are?" He slams his fists down on the counter.
Nilas says, "Not al all sir. I was just offering my services as a Callast to you"
"Naa, twere a batbrained Callast like yerself thta did it, Im sure," he spits. He throws his towel down and walks to the other side of the bar.
Nilas groans and just shakes his head. (That went well, Nilas thinks to himself)
Bro' Bob laughs,, saying to Borris, "He seriously spent the last few years on a little island with nobody but his teacher. Still a little rusty talking with regular folk"
Derrin, down at the end of the bar laughs. "Don' mind old Borris, he's a bit of a hothead at times. An I heard tales of Grebeschyr, but there ain't no zombies, least not what I heard. But they say it's bad," Derrin shakes his head back and forth.
Bro' Bob looks at Borris and says softly, "If'n it's not a cousin' o
Nilas says, "Derrin, is it? Do you mind if i ask what your job or position is here?"
Derrin glares at Nilas, "My position is here at the end of the bar. My job is to make sure nobody harasses the staff."
Jens tries to distract. "So, it's like 10 in the morning. Where did everybody else go?"
Derrin shrugs, "Probably to their rooms. Maybe the went for a walk, or a swim down at the swimming hole. It's a nice day out, maybe they went for a ride, I don't keep tabs on the customers, I just keep tabs on their tabs, ya know what I mean."
Nilas just takes his drink and heads over to join Ragnar
Jens notices that Derrin is fingering some dice in his hand while he talks.
While Nilas is over talking with Ragnar, he notices someone peeking in from the window just to the right of the fireplace. It is a hooded figure and difficult to see without a closer, more obvious look.
Nilas says, "Ragnar, that man you were speaking to earlier, was he amerchant or soemthing?"
Ragnar shrugs and says he thinks so. "His name was Ricard or somesuch. He headed upstairs after the game broke up."
Nilas whispers to Ragnar. "look at me as I speak to you, I'm going to shift to the side and see if you can get an eye on the person outside the window...be subtle"
Ragnar shifts to look, not too subtly, then shakes his head, "Naa, he left, almost right as I looked. A person in a hooded cloak. I think I saw long hair, but not even sure about that."
Borris leans over to Bob, "So, you one of them D'Nagien's then?"
Nilas says, "watch, we may have been spotted or tracked here"
speaking to Ragnar, "I'm going to tell Jens and then take a look"
Ragnar nods at Nilas.
Nilas says, "Jens, Calla sheds her tears this day and wish to take in some of the storm."
NIlas then leans over to Jens. "I saw a someone peeking through the window."
Jens nods. "Er, right, well, lead on, Brother."
Jens follows Nilas
Nilas whispering to jens as they make their way out, "it looked like a hooded figure with long hair"
Jens and Nilas step out the front door of the inn, past the maid earnestly mopping the floor.
Nilas assumes that to the left is the quickest way around to the window where he saw the peeper.
Nilas says, "I wasn't sure if you were going to go with me, but Ragnar should tell bob"
Bro' Bob replies, "Yeah, was startin' to say, if family isn't already bringing it, I can setcha to get it right from us, likely save you a few on the price. Just ask the favor that you help my friends find what er' they's lookin' fer when they come this way."
Bro' Bob nods his head towards the others.
Bob realizes that Nilas and Jens are gone.
Nilas says, "Stay back a few yards, but watch behind you too"
Ragnar is still lounging on one of the sofas, It appears that the large man has fallen asleep.
Bro' Bob conitnues, "Among other things, the big guy drinking water, a cousin o' mine, is chasin' thoem's that kilt his Pa a few days ago."
Jens falls back a few steps
Borris puts hishand to his mouth, "A murder, oh no. Do tell." He leans in, tops Bob's mug off and puts his elbows on the counter, face in hands, listening intently.
Nilas says, "Bob can distract the bartender and they wont' even notice us around"
Bro' Bob adds, ""N I got a call on hit 'em too, fer kin"
Nilas and Jens come around the corner and immediately see a dark hooded person climbing up, trying to peer in one of the higher side window. He is struggling too much to retain his balance that he does not see Nilas and Jens come around the corner.
Nilas holds his hand up for Jens and points.
Bro' Bob adds, "But we knows they's in Piper's Quay two days ago, they tossed the Kittiwake an the Callast shrine in town that night, then set off rowin'.
The hooded figure mumbles a few words and waggles his fingers at the tree and the branches seem to move and bend, making a nice little step for him to stand on.
Nilas whispers to Jens and points that he is going to flank him"
Derrin wanders over to listen to Bob's story as well, since there is nothing else going on in the Sinker to speak of.
Nilas tries to sneak around the hooded figure and flank him
Nilas swings out around the tree while Jens tries to stay pressed up against the wall. Jens' foot slips on the wet ground and he grabs the side of the wall to brace himself, inadvertently puling off a strip of siding, making a loud sound as the rusty nail bends and comes out of the wall.
The hooded figure at the window turns with a start, sees Jens and tries to flee in the opposite direction.
‘Nice distraction,’ Nilas thinks to himself as he attempts to grapple the hooded figure
Nilas says, "Stop!"
Jens yells, "Wait!"
Bro’ Bob dips into his accent, “After we caught em at it. Dunno who they was, but they kilt summun in town by the same name as his Pa, Rogan, a bit afor they went after the Old Bear. So we're all feelin a mite mean 'bout things"
Jens chases after the figure
The man seeing Nilas lunge at him from out of nowhere, lets out a shriek and flees along the side of the building. Nilas catches a glimpse of a sword scabbard under his robe.
Nilas says, "After him!"
Nilas starts running after the man
The man runs up and around the corner.
Nilas keeps running and turns the corner
Jens charges forward to help Nilas and tackle the stranger
Jens passes Nilas and they both round the corner to find the man standing there, a glowing ball of lightning in his hands.
"Hey, uhh, stand back or I'll blast you!" he shouts in the rain.
Jens says "Oh sh*t!"
"Who are you and why are you chasing me!" he asks.
Nilas growls
Nilas steps aside of Jens
Nilas says, "I am Callast Nilas Orkan"
"I saw you spying upon us through the window, so I came out to see who you are and what you are doing out here"
"And... " he says, looking at Jens.
Jens clears his throat. "Er, well, you can call me Captain."
He takes a step back.
Jens is nervous about giving his name to a spellcaster. No telling what they could do with it!
Nilas says, "He is here because I asked him to come out with me, he is my friend"
"Well, why are you chasing me? What do you want?" he says.
Nilas says, "I want to know why you were spying upon us from the window. I want to know who you are and if you are a threat to us"
"I don't know you, I wasn't looking at you. I asked who you were first, and yes, if you are a threat to me, which I believe you are, since you tried to grab me back there for no reason!" he is talking quite fast now, and getting louder.
Nilas says, "I tried to stop you, not harm you
"So you say, how do I know that?" he asks, taking another step backward.
Nilas to Jens, he may be calling for back up
Nilas says, "Because if we wanted to kill you I would have blasted you myself when you were climbing the tree"
Jens moves sideways to flank the stranger
Nilas takes step forward, closer to the window
As Jens starts to move, the man throws his lightning bolt at him!
The bolt of lightning is coming right at Jens!
Jens dodges, dropping to the ground!
Bob hears a crack of lightning just outside!
Ragnar rushes to the near window!
Bro' Bob snaps his head around and readies his bow as he looks to see what's happening
Jens gets to one knee
Nilas steps up and raps on the window with his left hand and hurls his spear with is right at the assailant.
Nilas sees Ragnar looking out the window.
The hooded man dodges.
Bro' Bob moves over against the wall to peek out the window from the side
The hooded man takes another step back and suddenly the grass and ground cover grows up several feet high!
"Leave me be! Let me alone!" the man yells.
Nilas calls out to Calla to grant him the power to walk on air
Bob can see his two friends and someone moving behind another tree.
Bro' Bob attempts to open the window quietly
The man steps back under the boughs of the nearest tree.
Jens pulls himself to his feet.
Nilas step up and over the enhanced vegetation
Nilas says, "Surrender now!"
Nilas thinks the man is casting another spell.
Nilas says, "He's casting!"
Nilas and Jens see the man finish his quiet mumbling and then he just disappears.
Ragnar leans his head out the window and asks if everyone is ok.
Jens freaks out and runs away
Inside, behind Bro Bob, Borris is yelling, "What the hell is going on out there? Whats all that racket! And for Chronos' sake, close those windows or we'll all get sick!"
Nilas lets loose a Thunderclap around the area where he last saw the wizard.
Bro' Bob shakes his head and shrugs, "I saw someone there, but I can't teell what's going on"
Several upstairs windows open after the Thunderclap with various people yelling down and cursing about the noise!
Nilas goes back to the ground, where the mage was last seen and recovers his spear
Borris yells at Bob and Ragnar to close the windows because the rain is coming in. "Calla's allright and all, but I don't need her pissing all over my floor, ya know?"
Nilas mutters to himself. "Dammit Jens....if you weren't so clumsy, we may have caught him"
Bro' Bob rebolts the window and heads back to the bar, slinging his bow once more
Nilas looks around to see if there may be any kind of footprints or tracks?
Nilas says, " I need Ragnar out here"
Nilas sees some muddy tracks under the tree, but they don't go anywhere.
Jens stops once he's clear of the area.
Jens and Nilas make it back inside a few minutes later.
After they enter, they hear a sigh from the corner of the room as the young maid Fringella looks at the mud and water the two just tracked in over her freshly mopped floor.
Derrin calls out, "Where the hell did you two run off to, what was all that thunder and lightning goin on out there? Mr. Lynan ain't gonna like none of that business going on round here, I'll say."
Nilas glares at Derrin and stomps off to go look at the book rack again.
Jens goes to the bartender and asks for a mop and bucket. "Only seems right since I made the mess, right?"
"Naa, don' worry bout it, the girl'll get it, that's what she's paid to do, ain't that right, Fring, get to mopping, girl!" he shouts. "So really, what you and that hot-head Callast doing out there? Running around and making all that racket?"
The maid looks tankfully toward Jens and drags her mop and bucket back over to the door.
Jens shrugs. "There was a stranger spying through the window. We wanted to ask em some questions, but they started doing all sorts of magicky stuff. Then vanished in ta thin air. So we had to let 'em get away, I guess." He shudders."
"Stranger? Fellow bout this tall," he says, holding his hand up at the appropriate height, "wearing a grey or green hood? Long brown hair? Magics? Sounds like Shane, he ain't no problem, just shy. He comes in sometimes, but likes to see who and how many in the taproom before coming in, he be one o' them Druids, nature wizard. Pretty gentle fellow, never seen or heard him do no magic like that before," Borris explains. "Sounds like you jes run off some o'my business. Hmmmm."
Boris angrily raps his fingers on his bar in rapid succession.
Jens pales. "Oh, gosh, I'm sorry. We're kinda on edge with the stuff we been doin' lately. I'd like to apologize to him if you could put in a word..."
Jens says "Even buy him a drink or two."
"I suppose I could," Borris sighs, repeating his signature finger tap on the bar, waiting for some coins to appear.
Bro' Bob sighs, nodding his head, "The one's we're after, they attacked us when we caught them searching the ship and the shrine. All three were wearing cloaks, but that's not so strange I guess. We caught one, but she poisoned herslf during the night in the laird's lockup"
At the end of the bar, Derrin, jumps up from his stool, brushing his shirt off, "Oh, uh, Mr. Lynan, didn't expect to see you so early today."
Bro' Bob adds, "That ain't normal. . ."
Looking over, a large, well dressed man is seen coming down the stairs.
Jens drops a few coin for another round
"Yes, yes, I had not planned a venture down the stairs at this hour, but I have heard quite the commotion and wanted to ascertain the cause for the bedlam."
The man is dressed in a fur-lined suit, is completely bald though sports bushy white eyebrows. He carries a walking stick, though does not use it to steady himself.
Jens takes a drink and looks meaningfully at Nilas over the rim of the mug.
Nilas gulps. (oh boy)
He looks around the mostly empty room and spies the newcomers. "Ahh, welcome, welcome to the Sinker. I hope my professional and courteous staff has been treating you kindly."
Jens catches a smirk on Fringella's face as she hurriedly finishes moping the floor near the door.
Bro' Bob nods, "Very"
Nilas walks in and clears his throat. "My apologies Mr. Lynan. The ruckus was my doing. I saw a mysterious person lurking about and I went to check in on him. He then startled and attacked us. We tried to calmly talk to him and assure him that we were no threat, but he then hurled magical lightning at my friend and we tried to contain him"
Nilas had stormed over to the bookshelf again after coming back in. Flipping through the books again, he comes across an interesting tome titled the Record of Discarded Emotions. It is a well worn book, hand written.
Nilas says, "We have been on edge because we were attacked by people in cloaks a short while ago"
Mr. Lynan tucks the walking stick between his arm and ample side and wrings his hands together, "Well, well, that sounds quite uncivilized. Who was this man you say? What attacked by men in cloaks? Here at my esteemed establishment? I have not heard of such a thing!" The man walks toward the bar, Derrin quickly moves out of the way to give him the spot at the end. Borris hurries over with a drink for him.
"Aye sir, it were just Shane, these folk thought him to be spyin on them an' when they went to check, got him all ruffled up."
Nilas says, "The cloaked figures attacked us elsewhere. And Borris is correct, we thought that this "Shane" was after us and I tried to speak with him. We did not take any dangerous measures, at least not until he hurled lightning at my friend. We meant no harm or disrespect to you or your establishment
Lynan sighs and relaxes a bit, "Oh yes, yes, Shane, the Druid. A strange and reclusive sort, he's never seemed unhinged before, curious. I sure hope no one was hurt. And please, in the future, I would request that situations involving the hurling of lightning happen at least 50 yards from my establishment. Insurance purposes, you understand," he says, smiling.
Nilas says, "yes, or course. "
The large man drinks his beverage, something hot by the looks of the steam coming off of it. He sets the mug quite daintily back on the bar, despite his large hands making the mug look quite small. "Well then, I hope you enjoy your stay at the Sinker, I must return to the office, I have much paperwork to complete today."
Nilas says, "Thank you sir, and again, our apologies."
Nilas returns to the books. Thoughts running through his mind
"Think of it no more, son. None injured, none fouled, I always say," He smiles at Nilas, putting his hand on the Callast's shoulder.
Mr. Lynan turns and heads upstairs.
Bro' Bob gives a slight shrug, "Seems nice enough. . ." he comments blandly
Nilas frowns. A druid would be a very useful ally right now, especially to be able to maybe help track down the assassins before they return to the sinker
Nilas walks over to the bar.
Derrin nods at Bob, "Aye, Mr. Lynan, he's a good fellow. Runs a tight ship here, but takes care of us, he's a good man, fer sure."
"Well, I got work to do, please excuse me," Derrin says as he takes his seat back at the end of the bar, smiling.
Bro' Bob turns back to Borris and Derrin, holding his empty cup up, "Well, unless Captain Jens gets some business, not sure where we're heading next. Were making for Grebeschyr til we were told about the blockade on anyone coming back out. The other Rogan was a cooper from there, so we hoped to maybe find something out. And the killers was rowing up the bays, not out, so we're lookin for em on the way"
Nilas says, "Brother Robert...I think we scared off the druid. I didn't know who it was when I saw them spying through the window. Shame, he could have been a useful ally right about now. With the weather being so rough for travel, do you think we are best to wait here and catch our quarry?"
Bro' Bob shrugs, "Not sure, but I lhe sailing side of it is Jens'"
Borris clears his throat, "I hope yer not wishing to meet some killers here at the Sinker. That don't sound like nothin' Mr. Lynan would want happening here in his place. I feels like you fellas might wanna tramp back down that hill, hop back inta Captain Jens boat and sail on outta here, ya catch me?" he says with a wry grin.
Nilas says, "We may be best to wait it out and see what happens"
"If'n yer gonna get a room and stay, though, that's something else, I can get ya a room no problem, but if yer just hanging out waiting for trouble to come to you, I think ye should wait it out somewhere else," Borris says.
Jens looks back and forth between Nilas and Borris.
Bro' Bob says a bit louder, "But hey, they was all wearing red cloaks, not brown. Kinda fancy ones too."
Nilas catches on to Bob's parlay
Nilas says, "Oh right....Red....I keep forgetting that."
Jens looks at Borris. "But as long as we pay and drink, you gots no problem, right?"
Bro' Bob shakes his head, as if clearing it, sighing, "Well, anyhows, if yer interested in doin business direct with the family let me know. Seems like a decent place to know and be known. . . "
Borris winces, "Yea, you keep those coins coming and no more running around and lightning crashes and such, then were good. No more lightning!"
Nilas says, "We didn't do any lightning. Just the Thunder"
Jens looks at Nilas. "Seems reasonable. And maybe if we're all peaceable like, that druid fellow will let me buy him a drink by way of amends."
Bro' Bob laughs at Nilas, "Well, at least you talked to em first, then tried to fry em"
Borris sticks is bottom lip out and squints one eye closed, like he's thinking real hard, "Hmmm, but if'n ya hadn't runt outside, then I think that lightning woun't a'happened, right?"
Nilas says, "We probably should get a room. Wait out the storms and rest. and yes, I would like to make it up to the druid. I'm sorry that my temper flared up"
"Not really. If Shane would have talked like a reasonable person, there would be no issue"
"I'm going to check out the books more, but if we get a room, that may not be a bad idea."
"Hey, round here, just cause someone ain't talking reasonable, don't mean ya gotta go after 'em an'all that. Person's got a reasonable right to keep to themselves, least that's what Mr. Lynan says, and when he says its, I believe's him," Derrin says.
Nilas walks over to the books. He looks at Fringilla and slides her a few copper coins. "I'm sorry that we made a mess"
Bro' Bob gives Borris a pained look, "Seriously, he really is learnin to be civilized again. Ragnar's teachin' 'im," he says, jerking his thumb over his shoulder
Nilas hand Frigella 3 copper coins
"50 silver Marks for the room, private, just the four of you, won't put no one else in there, even give ya a key to the door," Borris offers, twirling a keychain around on his wrinkly finger.
Nilas cringes when he hears the price
Fringella bows low, "Oh, sir, thank you, it's no trouble, really, no trouble at all." She takes the coins and shuffles away.
Nilas turns and frowns. "That's pretty expensive for one night"
Bro' Bob tells, Nilas, "Fair sight better n a cut under the stairs back in Piper's Quay!"
"That's standard fare, Barony sets them prices. 10 per person, 10 for the guarantee of a private room. Now I can charge ya MORE for a luxury room, if you like," Borris chuckles.
"So, we gots a deal?" Borris asks.
Nilas walks back over to Brother Bob
Nilas shakes his head. " I don't have much to contribute"
Nilas says, "We should have gone after that treasure"
Jens looks at his team. "Well, I can cover it, if you think it's necessary."
Nilas says, "I'm not sure that it is"
Bro' Bob shrugs and murmurs, "15 is all I have"
Ragnar pipes up, "Ive only got 7 of the silver ones"
Nilas says, "we may be best tracking back and hoping to pick up our quarry on the way back through"
"Ok, look, you seem to be a nice group of kids, you give me what you got in silver and we'll call it square, cover your drinks up to here and I'll throw in dinner tonight," Borris says.
Jens forks over the coins
Nilas pulls out 10 silver coins
Bro' Bob asks Jens, "So what do you think Captain? Want to weigh anchor, or wait out hte weather here a night?"
Nilas says, "Maybe we can speak with Mr. Lynan more later."
"Fine," Borris says, "I'll throw in lunch too, but I can't keep fillin yer mugs all night with nothin more than the cheap stuff, ok?" He smiles and winks at the group, seeming to now like them a bit more.
Nilas says, "We should bring Carmel with us"
"Boris, are the vessels in the docks safe?"
"Aye, I ain't never heard ah no trouble with dem boats down there," he says.
Nilas says, "Best to have all of us together"
Nilas says, "heck, maybe she has some coin too."
Bro' Bob laughs, "Three days ago she was working as a bar maid - not likely, folks in Piper's Quay can't afford to tip all that much!"
Derrin shows you to your room upstairs. He also shows you to the Snug, a cozy nook at the end of two hallways with chairs, couch, books and fireplace.
Nilas will delve into more books
In the Snug sits a solemn looking man. Derrin gives him a nod and he nods back. Clearly they know each other.
Nilas says, "We should go get Carmel as well"
Nilas says, "we should at least check in on her"
Bro' Bob nods, "Agreed"
Session Notes
Another fun RP session, only 3 were able to play again tonight. I need to get one more full time person so even if we're down one, we've still got 4 to play. Mostly conversations tonight, but they did chase someone that had been peeking a window. That turned into a fight and could have been potentially bad.Cast of Characters:
Brother Robert (Bro Bob) D'Nagien, a young Enibrian monk and archer - played by Amergin KCallast Nilas Orkan, a young priest of Calla the Storm Goddess - played by Mike B
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