Fai Wa smiles back. "Gold River traverses many different areas: the foothills of Oshi, the farmlands of Oshi, the marshlands of Kuluk. They each have their needs, especially in these times, and we aim to profit off that need." His speech almost whistles as he speaks. "The crew...is the crew. Their stories are for them to tell. As for me, I was a sailor in the south sea, based in Gamkong. Through the war with the damn dwarves, I worked on a conscripted ship, but our fleet were just sitting ducks for the airships. With the dwarves' attacks, there was nothing much left of the city. At least not enough for me to get paid, so I started moving upriver until I met Zheng Sao. She found use for my experience and skills, and I've been with her for almost two years now."
As Two Hill grows more distant, the scenery around the river boat becomes more simple farms and herds of goats or sheep and occasionally horses dotting a hilly landscape. The wide river moves swiftly between the hills; its waters sometimes glitter with the yellowed soil of the riverbed. Thu is most often on top of the cabin, watching out with his crossbow readied. Charopos and Mad Mei alternate pushing or stroking with large poles to keep the boat on track.
Players may post what types of activities they want to try to accomplish, making rolls as appropriate, over the next few days of travel.
Joined: Sep 11, 2014 Posts: 979 Location: Right behind you!
After a day or two, Sai relaxes, confident that the crew is not going to just try to slit his companions' throats in the dark. He busies himself with practicing some small slight of hand tricks and mediating when he can find some time to be alone. When he does practice his fighting forms, he does so in the open with a pair of daggers, certain that he is demonstrating nothing that the captain had not already guessed about him. Around the crew, he offers his strength to any tasks that he might be able to assist with. He keeps an eye out for any games of dragon dice being played, cursing the fact he didn't think to bring along a set, wagering only the gold coins he walked into this mission with, few in number that they are, and careful to neither lose nor win too much, rather spending the time to get to know the crew and take a measure of them.
Often, he keeps an eye on the shore, looking for signs that someone might be trying to follow them. He speaks with his companions seldom, just enough to check in and make sure that everyone is at ease with the situation as it stands.
Spoiler
Insight (taking a measure of the crew) 1d20+2 = 17
Persuasion (getting on their good side) 1d20+3 = 18
Dragon Dice (starting stake, 6gp, not sure of relevant ability if any) 1d20+2 = 11
Slight of hand (keeping himself form getting bored) 1d20+4 = 21
Excited children wave at the boat as it passes, and Mad Mei waves back shyly. Adults beat on laundry in the river, while others watch their flocks drink. Occasionally, they pass little river shrines in the water. The landscape passes quickly.
On the first evening, Sai Yun join Fai Wa and Charopos for their dice game. When he pulls out gold pieces, they roar at the paladin audaciously playing big. Charopos is interested in the mix of Ashen coinage among his money and asks whether he has spent time in his homeland, the tiefling city-states of the League of Ash. His horns sweep straight back from his temples. Sai Yun, in total, wins back only five of his original six gold.
Players may roll Intelligence (Religion) or (History) to recognize the shrines.
Sai Yun
The crew is obviously not sharing everything with the adventurers and they are obviously well-trained in their weapons and dangerous. Still, they are gregarious and charming, albeit not forthcoming with specifics on their work. Sai Yun does learn that Mad Mei is Zheng Sao's sister.
Interacting with (and rolling for) individual NPCs is necessary to get more specific information.
Chen Wu spends the next few days getting to know the crew. He shows special interest in their stories, in how they view their captain and if they enjoy their lifes at the sea. He also tries to talk with Zheng Sao whenever possible, often asking about the ship. When asked, Chen Wu tells that he's a scientist doing field research, and his companions are hired muscles.
When he's not in a conversation with a crew member, the sorcerer is often seen taking notes about the landscape around the river. He also enjoys a walk in the deck before going to sleep to take some fresh air and enjoy the night sky.
checks
Insight (to get a general mood of the crew about their lifes, jobs and captain): 11
Persuasion (to show everyone that I'm a friend and to get any interesting info): 9
Deception (to avoid revealing their true identities - if necessary): 6
Perception (to get a general view of the landscape around us): 9
_________________
Yes, I'm from Brazil and no, I'm not an annoying ****.
Joined: Oct 30, 2013 Posts: 7305 Location: England
Almost as soon as they had left port Hon Yin had began to regret his decision to travel by water. It wasn't that he had any real objections to the ship - the crew seems amicable enough and it was certainly faster then by land - but something about the scenario simply rubbed him wrong. Most likely it was the restriction; days spent in, what was for him, the same place with only the same people to talk to and be around. Th scenery changes but that was all.
Still he tried to make use of his new-found time as best he could. First and foremost he spent his time simply talking to the crew, getting their measure and seeking news about affairs both local and far-reaching. He had only recently returned after all and only the broadest stories had reached his ears. What time he didn't spend in conversation was spent working, doing any odd jobs available and helping the crew in their day to day tasks - as much as they would let him. In his mind anything was better then the idleness that would otherwise overcome him during the journey.
Actions
Ingratiate myself with the Crew (Diplomacy): 9 Gather Information (Diplomacy?): 7 Working (Athletics maybe?): 15
_________________
Welcome! I'm Garren and I'll be your designated villain for the evening.
Other than Sai Yun, the crew do not seem to take to the other adventurers as well, though they remain polite and happy. Only Thu remains withdrawn, as he stands almost completely still for hours at a time atop the boat. Mad Mei speaks little though she seems to enjoy being around everyone. At times, Hon Yin take up one of the poles and helps guide the boat along.
On the second day, the hills begin to flatten more and the river widens and slows. It is easier to see the yellow silt of the river through the slower waters. The shrines continue to make an occasional appearance and at dusk, they pass one where a man and a woman in robes billowing around them are in waist-deep water, chanting and ringing a singing bowl.
"We approach our first stop," announces Zheng Sao. "Around noon tomorrow, we will stop for a few hours in Daomei, a trading town where the Gold River meets the road to Soenglau. You may remain on the boat or not."
Chen Wu
The crew are not very forthcoming, but they seem without complaint if not happy. Fai Wa is happier to share stories of his time at sea, including years ago, he thought that a storm cloud has passed over the sun but then realized it was just the floating Nganfong University. The crew stopped preparing for the rain when they felt drops of wet on them. They then realized that, coincidentally or not, someone at the university above was dumping out waste, right on top of their ship.
Zheng Sao seems to humor Chen Wu when he mentions the group's cover story but she also manages to convey that she knows it is not the truth, at least not the whole of it.
Chen Wu does not see much in the landscape besides the hills, herders and farmers, shrines, ramshackle houses, and the sky.
Hon Yin
The crew of the Night Owl do not seem to much care for the holy man, though they respect his trade. From talking to them, Hon Yin finds out that Oshi, and thus Soenglau, is currently under the rule of something called the Jin Unification Army, or Jin Tung for short. Under some Minister Kova, the whole region sounds like a tightly run place now.
Swift Snake reaches the docks in the morning. For those there gathered it is obvious he is returning from the town's outskirts. Even though he is running most of the way when he reaches the docks he isn't winded at all.
After they leave the docks he climbs on the cabin and unrolls is tatami mat near Thu. He places with care his daisho in front of him and his spear to his right. He offers a silent prayer before assuming the lotus position and for a while he watches the crew as it goes on with its duties before starting his meditation mantra. At first his voice is audible clearly but as he goes on it slowly becomes first a whisper and then little more than silence.
Swift Snake's mumbling
"Lesson 1 is the lesson of water. Water flows through many different places, and as it flows it changes to adapt to its new surroundings. You must be like water, ever - changing and flowing. With change comes opportunity, but too much potential can harbor indecision. How to shield one's self from indecision?."
After some pause
"Lesson 2 is the lesson of Earth. Earth is constant and firm. You must be like Earth patient and unyielding. With firmness comes calm, but too much stillness can harbor inactivity. How to shield one's self from inaction?"
Another small pause
"Lesson 3 is the lesson of Fire. Fire burns both through obstacles as the light it sheds banishes darkness. You must be like Fire, intense and aggressive. With intensity comes strength, but too much strength can harbor overconfidence. How to shield one's self from overconfidence?"
The monk stops again as his mind elaborates on the nature of Fire
"Lesson 4 is the lesson of Air. Air is everywhere. It is as much around us as it is inside us, it carries our words and our life. You must be pervasive and ever present like air. Presence everywhere can cause lack of focus. How to shield one's self from dispersion?"
Another pause
"Lesson 5 is the the lesson of the fifth element, the void, the quintessential lesson. The Way is one and yet it can take many forms, Enlightenment is both the journey and the destination. Truth can clear the eyes of the seeker but it can also blind him. What is the answer to the enigma of void?"
The monk pauses once more and then starts again from the beginning. This goes on for the the four hours while he meditates
He stops his meditation a little before noon. He offers another prayer to his sword before standing to his feet after some stretching he practices some kata with his blade on the cabin's roof before packing his belongings again. He shares lunch with his co-travelers and Hebi, offering some berries to the others. After lunch he takes out his flute and plays for them something relaxing. He isn't very talkative but replies kindly when spoken to. He observes the crew carefully again before going to the captain.
"Might I ask for a favor captain? I would like to take a look at your maps. I would like to swim to shore and follow the boat from land. I should be able to follow your pace and manage to hunt a little as well before returning on board later tonight. If I stray behind I might catch up at your first stop."
actions
Swift Snake should swim to shore and scout a little inland giving special attention to see if anyone is following them. This unless the captain prohibits such a line of conduct. He also gathers food from his background feature partly through berry gathering, partly through hunting and partly through fishing with his spear while swimming. He offers more to Sai Yun at first and some treat to Hon Yin's 'chicken', the rest he shares with everyone. He will keep a similar line of conduct throughout the journey meditating mostly either before or after lunch. He visits both shores but mostly the southern one. He uses stealth to avoid being noticed both while traveling and while going on and off board. He sometimes speaks with Charopos in Stachti asking him of his journeys and how he found himself working on a boat so far away from home.
Rolls: 1)Perception
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20+5 and got a total of 7:
(passive 15) both for looking out while on boat and while on shore 2)Survival
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20+5 and got a total of 25:
(passive 15) for finding tracks and recognizing their origin as well as for navigating 3)Athletics
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20+3 and got a total of 7:
(passive 13) both swimming and other athletic feats. 4)Stealth
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20+5 and got a total of 15:
(passive 15) both when getting on and off the boat and when travelling 5)Insight
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20+3 and got a total of 12:
(passive 13)for observing the crew and gauging their intentions. 6)Persuasion
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20-1 and got a total of 19:
(passive 9)for gathering info from any traveler he might come across.
Zheng Sao merely shrugs and gives him a look when Swift Snake asks about going ashore. The map she offers him is basic, offering no new information beyond what Swift Snake knows, except that it marks the location of Two Hills outside the Western Capital, Daomei at the intersection of the imperial road and Gold River, and Goldspill where a tributary meets Gold River between Ong and Oshi.
drvonwolfen ooc
The land is hilly and therefore, your overland speed will be halved by difficult terrain unless you stick strictly to the river banks. Does this affect what you want to do?
I only wanted to travel inland only as far as cinvenient to keep up with the rest. I don't want to divide the group or purposedly stray behind. I could do small incursions with short rest on the boat in the middle. If it is obvious I can't keep up tell me and I will change the earlier post
I did the math and you can keep up if you forgo any stealthiness. You won't be able to do much though since you will have to keep running back to the river bank to chase up to the boat.
Swift Snake comes and goes, hard of breath, water dripping. At times, he arrives with game or gatherings. The Snow Owl's crew seem to mostly ignore the strange elf's appearances and disappearances.
Swift Snake
While exploring, Swift Snake only finds livestock, farmers and herders, and simple homes. On the road and local paths, there are no signs of three riders like those he saw the other night, only wagons and herds of sheep. On occasion though, he sees the signs of individuals moving quickly over land, staying out of sight of the more populated areas. They seem to come from the East.
The crew are friendly though they appear to be withholding something.
As Swift Snake strikes up conversations with various folk, he gathers that they Oshi, a farming region, is being held by the Jin Unification Army, or Jin Tung. The whole area seems to be tightly run. The group is probably well-armed, posit some, as Soenglau was the location of the imperial armory and the military center of the Jin Empire. One person had traveled to Goldspill several months back, and the Jin Tung soldiers were clearly marked by their green and gold armor. The person didn't go further downriver because the Jin Tung demanded payment for passes into Oshi.
Hon Yin
Once, while helping out, Hon Yin catches a box as it comes loose and puts it back in place, for Charopos to quickly take up the weight and tie the box back in place. The noble son was able to notice a clattering coming from the box though, strangely metallic for boxes supposedly of herbs and medicines.
The Snow Owl eases its way through the decorated waters of Daomei. Flowers, lanterns, paper figures float in the in the slow eddies in this part of the river. Charopos carefully poles the boat around protrusions in the water, both seemingly natural stones and carved idols and tablets. Many of them seem to be carved into a dragon's head.
Daomei sits on the southern bank of the river, though the northern bank is sparsely populated with rundown shacks and lean-to shelters. The southern bank is dominated by a long boardwalk, bisected by a large gate leading into an open temple. Waters flow freely in and out of the temple, bearing the devotional gifts that decorate the river in this area. The boardwalk is covered by crowds of vendors, travelers, performers. A man dressed in orange robes leads a large group of people, both dressed like him and dressed like regular townsfolk, in slow noontime exercises. Beyond, many buildings rise, though none break two stories.
Charopos guides the boat to a free pier and Fai Wa leaps off to tie off the boat. Zheng Sao reminds the adventurers that she has some business in town but she will be back in three hours. The other crew members also merge into the docks' crowds, while Thu remains on top of the cabin. He pulls up a small stool, a cushion, and a wide hat, and he seems to take a nap.
Swift Snake gets off the boat as they reach the pier. As Zheng Sao prepares to leave he joins her.
"There is of course no problem if I join you,captain. I am looking forward to seeing you in action. Besides you know the place much better than myself and could better show me around."
His tone is warm and friendly but also matter-of-factly. He won't accept no for an answer.
DS
I won't roll persuasion as I imagine her reasons for having or not having me around go beyond simple persuasion. I will roll insight though regarding her answer.
Sai Yun takes off after Charopos, perhaps a little too eagerly. They pass Swift Snake speaking with Zheng Sao. Following the tiefling is physically strenuous as much of the town, between two hills with the temple nestled where the valley between the two meets the river, is on an upward slope. The tiefling does not seem to be hiding his path, nodding to passersby as he walks. He turns into a narrower street, almost an alleyway, and as Sai Yun follows him in, a long knife appears at the paladin's throat.
"Why are you following me?" hisses Charopos.
Swift Snake
Zheng Sao's eyes get a hard glint. With a toothy smile, she bows her head. "Of course. My sister and I were simply going to visit the temple for a blessing on our journey. Feel free to join us."Swift Snake can tell the captain is very irritated though, perhaps insulted by his forwardness. She also seems to not be telling him everything, but when does she? Her hands open and close in reflex.
Mad Mei catches up with the two of them but she immediately seems to tense at the energy between her sister and the monk. At the paler woman's appearance, Zheng Sao's smile relaxes. "Come, Mei Mei, let's go." The two sisters start to head down the boardwalk, towards the open-water temple.
Joined: Sep 11, 2014 Posts: 979 Location: Right behind you!
Spoiler
Sai raises his hands slowly to demonstrate that he has no weapons in hand.
"No offense meant. It's been boring on the boat and you looked the most like you might be headed somewhere enjoyable, that's all. I'd considered asking you if I could tag along, but I didn't want to intrude if you had business more official or personal than I needed to be privy to. Before I gained my traveling companions, I'd gotten accustomed to acting rather than speaking. My apologies if I made you feel threatened."
The monk works the peace nods on his Daisho as he follows the duo. He seems to be very interested in their surroundings.
Spoiler
Perception
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20+5 and got a total of 11:
under his tengai he keeps track of the sisters and their surroundings especialy screening for reactions from around them and hidden messages between the sisters. PS Sorry I am posting from my phone and might have some errors in the text.
Charopos seems satisfied. His knife vanishes, though he is still frowning. "I am just meeting with friends for a drink, vlaka." He nods towards a tavern door ahead. "You may join us, if you wish, but I don't know if you would have much fun."
The tiefling walks ahead and opens the door to a seedy sort of bar. Inside, day drunks sit along a dirty counter, with a fat man smudging glasses with a rag. Around the sole table in the corner are three other tieflings. "Geiá!" call out the tieflings when they see Charopos. He joins them at the table and another of the tieflings signal the barkeep for another drink. If Sai Yun joins the tieflings, Charopos will introduce him as a passenger on their boat.
Swift Snake
The boardwalk crowds are mostly human, but with a mix of wealthier looking merchants, rough and tumble types, street urchins, simply-dressed townsfolk, and some religious types. As they come up to the temple, Swift Snake can see how the temple steps descend to river level to allow the river waters to flow into the temple and cover much of the floor. Men and woman wade through the water, lighting candles on floating boats or in lanterns and rubbing smoothed stone idols in the water. Priests wade through the people as well, speaking with petitioners and selling religious icons or candles. Toward the back of the temple, the floor curves up out of the water and forms a dragon's head hanging over the people. The sculpture is laid with gold and jade, its eyes are large sapphires, and water pours out of its open mouth.
Zheng Sao smiles wanly at Swift Snake and says, "People come here to speak to the river spirits. Perhaps you'd like a blessing for whatever quest you are all on. If you'd please, my sister and I have a private matter to attend to. Come, Mei Mei." The two sisters turn off and head towards the back of the temple. Mad Mei kicks at the water as she walks, while Zheng Sao's boots remain firmly on dry land.
Chen Wu stays with Hon Yin during the stop and, once he's sure no one else can listen to them, he starts a conversation. "Anything you want to share about the last few days, Hon Yin? It seems our monk wants to get us kicked from the boat."
OOC/Garren
I wasn't sure if Garren wanted to stay at the boat, so I made my post vague on purpose. Feel free to pick where we are chatting, Garren.
_________________
Yes, I'm from Brazil and no, I'm not an annoying ****.
So if I get this straight the temple structure reaches the river's waters and from the base rises a dragon head. Is the dragon head the temples entrance or its roof or just an ornamental feature of the temple. Are there other ways to reach the back of the temple other than following the two sisters? I will give you an investigation and a perception roll for a better description of the temple (who knows perhaps I can find a hidden passage) and then I will probably try to spy on the sisters best way I can.
Perception
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20+5 and got a total of 20:
Investigation
drvonwolfen rolled 1d20-1 and got a total of 4:
Swift Snake smiles, as the sisters distance themselves a low playful growl finds its way out of his throat. If one could see his eyes under the tengai, that person would see a pair of predator's eyes following prey.
He turns towards the waters and murmurs a silent prayer. "So what do you think spirit-sama, should I stay or should I go? I thought so..."
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
Login
Register
Card Search
NGAWiki
Search
