On the Ocean

[klakxor]

Richie helps command the small boats as they row out to the ship.

He explains to you that Captain Fredericks is not your everyday guy, but that he knows his way around the ocean and the ship.

You approach a large Galleon with 3 huge masts. Rope ladders are thrown down for you to climb aboard.

Mal has already made it by air and Andraes has just surfaced climbing up the chain of the anchor.

The deck of the ship is immense and there is a large set of open doors in the middle where you can see winches are lowering down supplies into the hull. There are about 30 sailors (elves, halflings, hadozee, and humans) scurrying around the deck tieing ropes off and moving boxes.

You can see that the everything is well maintained and the ship is in tip top condition. Richie turns to the group as they gather on the deck. “The cap'n would prolly like to see ya right away. Follow me to the captains cabin”

Richie takes you to the aft of the ship, up a set of stairs and to a very large door. Opening the door, you see a very bright room with beautiful tapestries and rugs laid out across it. In the middle of the room is a large table surrounded by ornately carved chairs with a pitcher of what looks to be water and several glasses set around it. “Have a seat, the cap'n will be with you shortly.”

[Phoenix512]

Armite will take a seat and pours some water into a glass. He takes a drink before speaking. “If we're going to wait, at least there should some food around.”

[draconas]

Sammuel poured himself a glass of water and found a corner of the room to stand in where he could see the doors. He sniffed the water then sipped cautiously.

Andrea made a dismissive gesture at her commanders paranoia and found herself a seat. Her hawk landed on her wrist and she gave him a little scratch behind his head.

[patransom]

Samara leans against a bulkhead and tries to pose like an experienced sailor.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Not in disguise, just trying to look like she's comfortable with the surroundings.

 

[marine7312000]

Doc will pour herself some water but remain standing off to the side.

[Flinx]

“Thank you Richie.” Mar then takes a seat, and pours herself a glass of water.

[Catalyst]

As Andraes climbs onto the deck, he takes a moment to note the size of the ship, the number of the crew, and what type of armament they have as It shakes any remaining water out of It's body and removes the entrails of a crab off It's foot.

“I really must be more careful where I step.”

[klakxor]

OUT OF CHARACTER

I didnt forget you guys, just have a little patience and I will be with you as soon as I can

 

[klakxor]

It is close to an hour of sitting in this lavish room by yourselves before the door finally opens. It's Richie again, he looks in on you. “Everything okay in there?” he questions. “Sorry it is taking a while, but Cap'n fredericks heard that someone from the royal family was amongst ya and wanted to look his finest.”

With this comment, Richie eyes around the room, his eyes stopping at Samara before a smile flashes across his face and he leaves letting the door stay open. The sway of the open waters and breeze let you know that the ship is actually already in motion, although none of you could tell before now. You can hear orders being bellowed out from above the room, where you had seen a deck that overlooked most of the ship. Open Full sails, the wind is looking favorable today

[patransom]

Samara immediately dons her "Princess Samara" disguise and goes to sit demurly at the table. Maybe I'll get a better cabin this way, she giggles quietly to the nearest party member.

[Catalyst]

Andraes checks itself over to ensure that there is no seaweed stuck in any crevices or crannies of It's body. Satisified that It is clean, It stands by the door, arms folded, and waiting patiently.

THINKING: An hour, four hours, it makes no difference. We're all on a ship, it's not like anyone is going anywhere.

[draconas]

“Or maybe he will throw you overboard when he realises who you really are?” Sammuel snorted, “Unless you feel like trying the disguise on for the entire voyage I suggest coming clean now.”

[Phoenix512]

“I don't know about that. He might hit on her as she's a woman and these navy types rarely see women on voyages.”

[Flinx]

Mar just sits there, quietly sipping her water, although she does giggle at the comment about women on sea voyages.

[patransom]

"Princess" Samara replies to Sammuel, “Your concern is appreciated, Captain, but we are simply much more comfortable in this, our natural form.”

At Armite's comment, she adds, “We would hope that the sailors of a vessel owned by the Prince are gentlemen and know proper behavior around royalty.” Of course, she gives Armite a very un-royal grin and wink when she says this.

[klakxor]

After a couple of minutes of discussion amongst yourselves, a shadow starts to break across the the doorway. Around the edge of the doorway a gnome appears. He is dressed in formal captains garb, but looks rather ridiculous.

He looks around the room and stops immediately at Samara with almost a look of surprise. He quickly composes himself before he starts to speak.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to welcome you aboard the flagship of Madragar, the Ullysses. I am Captain Ernest Charles Fredericks of the Royal Navy of Cromwell. I know the waters around Cromwell better then anyone and am sure you will have safe trip to land. I know the Prince has an important mission for you to accomplish, so we are on top speed to deliver you.”

Turning to Samara with a wink, “My lady, I am glad you could join us on this venture. Perhaps this evening you and your comrades will join me here for dinner.”

Turning back to the entire room, “Your quarters are the best I can offer. Richie can take you to them.”

He turns his back and leaves the group, calling for Richie.

Within moments Richie is back and ready to escort you to your quarters. “We have lovely accomodations for the ladies and the gentlemen. The Captain has ordered that each and every one of us is to be on our best behaviour around you and to make sure you are safe and well taken care of.”

To Malsvirirlym, “Unfortunately, we do not actually house rooms large enough to fit you into, but we have prepared a small area in the stable which could fit you quite nicely.”

The rooms below deck are quite nice. They are a bit small but the furniture is a dark oak and the beds have nice clean sheets on them. Each room has a small basin in which to clean up and a storage chest in which to place your equipment. In the ladies rooms there are wardrobe closets each with a fine dress inside. Malsvirirlym finds the area set up from the stable for him also very nice. A wall was built to seperate him from the stable and the room was set with a bed and a large oak chest.

[patransom]

The Princess gives the Captain a serene nod, “We are pleased to make your acquaintence, Captain, and have no doubt you will do your duty in delivering us and our retinue as swiftly as possible. Our congratulations, also, on your promotion. The Ullysses is, by all appearances, a fine vessel and a worthy flagship for our royal navy. We will be both pleased and honored to join you for dinner.” She finishes with a quite unprincess-like wink to the captain.

Once in the lady's cabin, she comments, “Well, that was interesting! Looks like the Royal Navy of Cromwell has fallen just as far as the Royal Family.” She giggles.

[draconas]

Sammuel took off his armour, given it would only weigh him down to the depths if he fell off. He left the rest of his eapons in the cabin, taking only a dagger for the same reasons. Then he headed up to the deck to see the ship.

Andrea released her hawk to fly about before heading down below to check out the cabin. In no hurry to be anywhere she settled down with a book until dinner.

[marine7312000]

Doc goes down to her cabin and removes her armor. She straps her axe to her waist and back above deck and pulls out a small pipe which she packs with tobacco and lights. She calls Richie over to her and offers him a flask that she pulls from somewhere.

[Phoenix512]

Armite will just drop off his stuff in his room and heads to the deck. He watches the ocean until dinner.

[Flinx]

Mar will head up to the deck, and find a spot out of the way. She will then pull out her lute and practice any sea-based songs that she knows.

[TheGreenLabrador]

“That will be satisfactory, I will spend most of my time on the deck, if there are any areas that I can stand without getting in the way.”

Mal will head up to the deck.

[Catalyst]

“Thank you for your hospitality, Captain. Though, I would like to offer my services in any way that may be useful for this voyage. I am not a sailor and this is the first time I've been on the ocean, however, I do not require rest or sleep so if there are tiring tasks that need to be done, I would be more than happy to accomodate.”

[klakxor]

The rest of the day is quiet. The ship is immense and everyone can find a comfortable spot out of the way to watch the ocean. The slight warm breeze of the day is refreshing and you all feel exhilirated from the smell of the ocean.

Mar finds that her sea based songs are quite popular among the sailors as they start humming along with some of the songs she is playing. She even has a request from one of the crewmen to play The Mermaids Ballad, which she does with great effect.

When Doc offers Richie a pull from her flask, he nods a thanks but does not take one. “The cap'n would be upset if I were to be drinking too much while I am s'posed to be watchin his ship. Perhaps later after dinner we can have some.”

Andraes is asked to help with tieing down supplies below deck since he offered to help. There are 3 other crewmen helping him but they are focused on their work and really do not interact with him unless it is to tell him where this box or that keg needs to go to be settled.

As the sun lowers, the breeze turns cool and in the distance you can see dark clouds gathering. Richie tries to gather everyone and let them know that the Captain will look for you to be prepared for dinner within the hour. Up until this moment, none of you realized that the only time you have seen that Captain was that brief meeting in the dining room when you first came on board.

[patransom]

Samara seems entirely unconcerned that the captain has been nowhere to be seen. She finds a comfortable location near the bow of the ship and demurely waits for dinner.

OUT OF CHARACTER

If Samara weren't committed to maintaining her "Princess" persona right now, she'd probably be doing the stupid Kate Winslet-Titanic-"I'm Flying" pose on the front of the ship.

 

[klakxor]

You all gather around the hall for dinner. The captain shows up in what seems to be his finest attire. If he did not wear the captains hat and was not quite obviously a gnome, he may actually appear regal.

“Welcome again my friends. I hope the day went well and you are enjoying passage on my ship.” Captain Fredericks grabs a wine glass that looks like it should be for someone three times his size and begins pouring wine.

“Thank you for joining me. We only have a couple days before I let you off for port. As we approach, the weather will get worse. The shores around Cromwell have been unruly as of late. Keep on your toes as you row to shore.”

He looks over to Samara again. “Outside the capital is a small resistance front. I have gotten intel to and from them before, but have not seen any of there runners as of late. I believe they would be happy to see the Princess' face and I would like to know that they are alright. Perhaps you may know some of the resistance force.” He again gives her a knowing wink.

“Anyway, if they are there you may be able to get some information from them on the weaknesses in Cromwell so you can safely pass through.”

[klakxor]

If Samara weren't committed to maintaining her "Princess" persona right now, she'd probably be doing the stupid Kate Winslet-Titanic-"I'm Flying" pose on the front of the ship.

OUT OF CHARACTER

She could still do it by disguising herself as another crewmember

 

[patransom]

If Samara weren't committed to maintaining her "Princess" persona right now, she'd probably be doing the stupid Kate Winslet-Titanic-"I'm Flying" pose on the front of the ship.

OUT OF CHARACTER

She could still do it by disguising herself as another crewmember

 

OUT OF CHARACTER

And be soundly beaten for it, one hopes

 

Samara answers, “We thank you, Wea... er, I mean, Captain... for that suggestion. One hopes our subjects remain safe and committed to resisting the evil occupiers. If we could make contact with them, one hopes they could indeed provide useful information, as you suggest.”

[draconas]

Sammuel considered the military situation, “what do you know about the enemies deployments around where we are landing?”

[klakxor]

“The enemy movements along the coastline are erratic at best. We have seen Sahaugin and other water dangers on occasion, as well as small bands of orcs, goblins, knolls, and other creatures on the shores themselves. It does not seem that there is a constant guard along the shores so I am hoping that you will be able to get ashore with little problem.”

Over the next three days, you all sail along and each night the captain will invite the group to dinner. The weather that started out beautiful is now overcast and rainy. A storm seems to have brewing for the last 2 days bus has not yet made it to the ship.


Continued in new thread.