Luskan Hunting

[Peridan]

((OOC note: This is a PnP style event between a DM and myself, because we can't connect on our timezones. Please do not post directly, but if your character is likely to become involved in some reasonable way, PM me. Thanks!))

The docks are, as always, abuzz with news and gossip of both the shipping world and port life.

Daniel hears that the whaler 'Heavy Petting' has returned from seeing the Luskan vessel 'Scream if you want to Burn Faster' back to international waters and is making preparations to leave on a hunt.

The sun streaming from high overhead, the sounds of the docks fill Daniel's ears. Dressed in comfortable trousers, a navy blue tunic, and his cloak he shields his eyes against the brightness of the day as he steps out of the Mariner. He shifts the travel sack across his arm, and seamlessly enters the crowds bustling around the docks. Eventually he makes his way towards the dock where the 'Heavy Petting' has laid anchor, and asks to speak with the First Mate.

Travel Sack Contents:
3 daggers (Two on person)
Scroll Case (on person, hidden)
1 length of rope, silk, 50 ft.
1 spyglass
1 waterskin, full
3 pounds of dried meat
1 mirror, small steel
1 writing case, containing paper, ink, and pen
3 wax candles
1 length of chain, 10 ft.
1 flint and steel
1 grappling hook
3 fish hooks and bait
1 Bag of Holding

Bag of Holding Contents:
Assorted Scrolls (Will have to check IG)
6 Assorted knives, daggers, and handaxes
Short bow and arrows
10 vials of critical healing potion
3 vials of acid
3 vials of liquid fire
1 spare cloak (Meriadoc)
Assortment of poisons
1 raw gem
10,000 gp
Leather Armor and other Adventuring Gear (hoods, belt, etc.)
Lockpicks (Several on person)

[Doubtful]

Avanthyr rests uneasily beneath the hot gaze of the sun. It's wharfs, once packed with exotic goods, cargo and people from the many lands of Faerun are quieter now, packed less with goods for trade and more with a depressing flotsam of human refugees, the unsafe roads to the city make trade hard and the single portal to the flying fortress can only handle limited trade.

Daniels route to the Heavy Petting takes him past crates of goods left to rot, once busy warehouses whose roofs now sag from disuse, past vendors trying desperately trying to sell now near useless goods to disinterested crowds or others hawking basic foodstuffs for extortionate prices to desperate and starving mobs. With Sestra and its invaluable farms in Baneite hands much of Sundren remains starving.

A wretched stench smothers the town, a noxious mix of rot, unwashed humanity, sewage and failure. Spoilt goods, rotten meat, even the dead are often carelessly discarded into the waters of the docks along with the effluent of its population. Amongst this filth brave mudlarks try to eke out a living, risking the crushing hulls of moored ships or the sucking and treacherous muds and wastes in search of coins or goods they might sell.

Here and there the forces of order do what they can, Blackwood Mercenaries are often seen accompanying ExiCorp exporters and traders whose goods still seem to flow well out of the city. The dashing members of the Meriadoc militia are easy to see in their high boots, blue capes and plumed soft hats. They seem keen to live up to their musketeery style, as often as not intent on charming a pretty dame as actually paying attention to the goings on around them. Occasionally the steel clad figures of Corvins guard can be seen, these devout and serious men patrol the streets with sharp eyes and glum faces.

The Heavy Petting herself is easy enough to find, an ugly ship for an ugly job. It's four row boats, one conspicuously new, are stowed above the scarred and rough lines of her hull, the hunched soot blackened form of its try-works squats on the foredeck. It's crew are hard at work bringing aboard a great number of barrels and crates, mostly empty judging by how they're handled.

After inquiring about the First Mate Daniel is pointed toward a man known as either Stross or Sharkbane who's overseeing work on the foredeck. Stross resembles a particularly dangerous looking shaved bear with heavy tattooing, with a couple of looks and nods the men he's overseeing alert him to Daniel's approach.

He turns, "Well then" his grin full of teeth filed to points "What can old Stross do for you, looking to sign on are we?"

[Peridan]

The sharp tang of the sea breeze fills Daniel's nostrils as he faces the huge first mate. It's been a long time since he's done this, and the years had not been kind. He could barely remember the fledgling thief shaking hands with a sea captain with an iron fist on the Waterdeep docks, so long ago.

Hells, he missed this. A sharp pang enters his chest at the thought of his first voyage out, but he quickly smiles at the first mate, shifting his weight. He looks the man over, noting the tattoos and rough appearance. His smile grows wider, and he shows his teeth.

"Aye, sir. Sailed for a few years, and passed my 'prenticeship to become an able seaman nigh five years back. I've traveled routes to and from Waterdeep, and am looking to sign on for a whale hunt to learn the ropes. Heard it's more, ah, lucrative than the usual merchant trading that goes on along the Sword Coast."

Daniel eyes the vessel, and looks back to the first mate. "If you'll have me, I'm even a decent hand with an axe in a fight. Been hearing all kinds of rumors coming from these waters, but I ain't afraid of getting in a scuff."

[Doubtful]

Stross regards Daniel for a few moments then chuckles with a low rumble. "Aye, all kinds of rumours. Sign on with us and you'll have stories aplenty next time we make shore. The name's Stross, you'll hear other names but you won't use them when I'm in earshot."

He stretches for a moment, muscles like rope shifting beneath the tanned leather of his skin. "We'll pass through here again in six months, though you'll make a better lay if you sign on for the full three years. Past the cape there's good hunting in the Sea of Moving Ice, though we'll track further south first, see if we can find a pod coming up from the warmth. Loading's going well so we'll be hoping to leave port tomorrow or the day after."

He signals another sailor, a thin rat faced young man who immediately scurries over, Stross continues "We've a full compliment of twenty eight, though we're still to take on another four aside from yourself, mean's for now you've a choice of berths. Callow here'll take you down to stow your gear and get you the chit to sign. After that he'll show you around."

Stross nods but doesn't turn away, Callow looks attentive and ready to lead Daniel to the forecastle if needed.

[Peridan]

Daniel runs a hand through his black hair streaked with strands of grey, courtesy of a combination of permanent dyes. "I'm thinkin' I'll do the six months, see if I'm a good hand at this kind of thing before I sign up for that long of a stint. Names James Umber, by and by, and it's a pleasure to be aboard and to sign m'articles."

He offers a salute with two fingers, common in the Waterdeep waters, before boarding the gangplank and following Callow to the forecastle.

[Doubtful]

The crew quarters are about as appealing as might be expected; cramped, uncomfortable, slightly greasy and infused with the stench of whale rendering.

Amongst the existing crew positions there are clear spaces where a new crewman might tie his hammock, a mismatched selection of footlockers dot the cabin, most under or near hammocks but a few are stowed together with a selection of patchy looking furs.

Callow takes a seat on one of the footlockers, gesturing toward the stowed group.

"Take one of those for your stuff, put your hammock and blankets where you fancy. There's space near the back, by the stowage, or a space by the door. Leave the furs for now, your blankets'll probably be fine till we get further north."

He digs a strip of something dark out from his pocket and takes a bite "Just on for the six month eh? Less money on that, we don't find a good group down south and you risk ending up owing the cap'n for the ride. Better money on the three, both share and made."

"Course..." He grins and leans forward, obviously trying to be dramatic "Gotta survive long enough to claim your pay. Sea's got more than whales in them. Luskans are on the prowl again, that's bad news. Old Sharkbane's reputation might worry some, but it don't hold off the Sahuagin, fishy bastards took a more than a few last season. Even the whales've got it in for you once the harpoons start flying. You saw the new boat outside, the old one. BAM!" he slams a fist into his palm "Whole crew gone, whale crushed the lot."

He hops back up to his feet and moves to the door "When you're sorted we'll meet the rest. Unless you need to go ashore for anything first?"

[Peridan]

Daniel settles on a spot near the stowage in the back, tossing his bag into one of the footlockers and looking around. Gods, this reminded him of the Black Arrow. The dank under-hold, the writing carved into the walls with a spare knife. He runs his fingers along the wooden walls, tracing his fingers along the worn whorls.

He turns to Callow, and takes a similar seat as he on one of the footlockers, leaning forward and listening to the warnings. A crooked grin grows as he listens, and he fishes a cigarette from his sleeve to set on his lips. He strikes a match against the underside of his boot and lights it, taking a drag.

"Not my first voyage, mate. But all the same, what's the point in death besides as the spice of life, eh? Let's go meet the rest of the crew, I'm itchin' to get sailing." He stands, and saunters after the sailor.

[Doubtful]

On the dock side and about the port a few recruiters shout the call for able hands looking to earn a good wage and good career harvesting the bounty of the sea. The wheels of commerce need to be greased, and there's no finer grease than that made from whale.

(((Final call for those with legitimate reason to get involved. Once the ship sails so will the opportunity to join. PM me or Peridan)))