Difference between pages "Stavanger Again, Now in July" and "Espen Rosted"

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Continued from '''[[Loaded Down, Wealthy, July 20-21st]]'''
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Continued from '''[[On to Bergen]]'''
  
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== July 23rd & 24th, 1650 ==
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== Pandred ==
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'''The DM:''' It is a clear, pleasant day, no clouds in the sky, no rain, with a light air barely blowing at two knots towards the southeast as you head off to Stavanger.  At this rate, it will take you 11 hours to cross the bay, running with the wind ... but as noon approaches, windward shifts to the left, allowing the boat to reach and improve it's speed; the wind also increase to 3 knots, shortening your whole journey to 8½ hours.  It's a beautiful day, with clear blue water, a warm sun and the gentle creak of the boat as you make your way.  With nothing to bale, you kick off your shoes into the bottom of the boat, stretch out, enjoying the sun and appreciating this sea travel business, perhaps for the first time.  Your feet don't hurt from walking, you're not sweating in your clothes and armour, nothing is moving on the water that can possibly threaten you.  It's beautiful.
+
'''The DM:''' It is anything but pleasant out here in the storm.  There's really nowhere to change Hamish's clothing except in an alley somewhere, even though rain is sousing every stitch of clothing that the party has on.  Hamish seems more cognizant, enough that he begins to ask questions about how you came into possession of the grant he meant to receive years ago.  He hasn't found the will to actually look inside the satchel yet.
  
−
: Sadly, by three in the afternoon, the wind dies again, this time nearly completely, so you have to row for some hours.  That spoils it a little, until you find yourselves laughing, pausing in the middle of the journey to take a quick swim (the water is invigorating for Norwegians, gnomes and elves, bloody cold for a continental), and you're about four miles from Stavanger by six o'clock.  There's nothing to do but to keep rowing, as the wind doesn't come back, though Nadia squeezes every inch out of the 1-knot wind blowing from the southwest.  At last you see the headland of Ieten (the region about Stavanger), then the city itself.  At nine o'clock, 12 hours from departure, you set foot on dry land again.  It is still day; the sun won't set for another two hours.
+
== Lexent & Vafrandir ==
 +
'''The DM:''' A "vittling yard" is a storehouse for shipboard food, for military ships to collect stores for long voyages at sea.  Ships come in and send their boats to the yard to collect sufficient food to fill up their holds; this is managed with an eye dropper, as it were, as ships are not entitled to more food than their orders permit.  You find the place quiet due to the weather, as no captain would risk having a load of their permitted food falling into the sea, not unless they absolutely had to have it in time of war.  There is no war just now, so the yard is empty of boats.  There is a funnel of water pouring off every shed roof and a steady sheet of water pouring across the dock and into the sea.  Presumedly, you ask for Espen and he's directed to meet with you at the gate.  As it happens, he is perhaps the plainest, almost the ugliest guard you've ever met.
  
−
: As ever, you can find Embla and her parents, and spend the night with her. Begin with telling me what you want to do on the 24th. It is a Wednesday.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Thank you for seeing us sir, we would like to speak with you concerning one Hamish Ross. Marla over at the Courtland told us that you would be the best person to assist us and to speak to no one else until we had spoken with you."
 +
: '''The DM:''' not a good idea using Hamish's name loosely like that.
  
−
: I draw your attention to these recent notes on [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Travel#Sea_Travel Sea Travel].
+
'''The DM:''' There are other guards within earshot as Espen asks what this is about.
  
−
'''Pandred''': What are we offloading on this trip?
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "It really would be best if we could speak in private, sir."
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I believe that our first order of business should be beginning the process of securing passage at least as far as Bergen. From there we can continue on northward, or make inquiries regarding Ross.
+
'''Esper:''' “Hm. All right.”
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Remember our timeline for the lighthouse fund. I suspect the Bronnoysond journey will take more than a month all told.
+
'''The DM:''' He leads you to a place along the nearby wall, under an eave, asking again how this affects Hamish.
  
−
=== Selling Gems ===
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Plainly put, we have proof of his claims and are trying to help set things aright"
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We have our gems to appraise, as well as a few extra weapons: a fine short bow, a fine mace, and two fine shortswords. Do we want to sell the lamp oil and vinegar?
 
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Well, if the gems, weapons, and adamantium do net us enough, we could send that back to Treborg with Nadia.
+
'''Esper:''' “You have proof of his claims?  What kind of proof?”
  
−
'''The DM:''' For selling, Vafrandir has access to [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Bargaining_(sage_ability) Bargaining] now.  That page is organized for buying, but, for ''haggling,'' Vafrandir can make a charisma check to see if he can “increase” your sale price by 10%, or by 1-8%.  If he wants to ''pressure bargain'', he can attempt to increase your total by 15% to 30% (d4+2 x5%).  That’s a risk, but for that, Vafrandir will get +3 to his charisma on account of the value of the gems.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "A document from King Christian IV granting him land on the island of Askøy"
  
−
'''The DM:''' The opening bid on all your gems is 533 g.p.  Let me know if there’s some you’d like to sell and some you’d like to hold back.  It’s complicated, but I have that info for every gem.
+
'''The DM:''' Esper reacts, thunderstruck.  He curses, though with relief, before he speaks.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' A fine thought, Lexent. We will go get those things appraised.
+
'''Esper:''' “Hamish is danger. Where is he now?”
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' So I would need to roll under a 14+3=17, correct?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "In danger? From whom? An associate of ours was seeing him to the Quayside Inn. He is understandably shaken by the change in his fortune."
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I think we should sell all.
+
'''Esper:''' “Sir gnome, you are plainly not from around here. Hamish has told everyone in Bergen than when he gets his rights, he will become the Baron of Askøy – something which hasn’t happened.  Just now, most rents on the island are collected by a cartel of Genoans, who assumed the rents on account of the Count of Hordaland’s inability to pay his debts.  Now what do you suppose they will do when Hamish produces a document taking those lands away from them?”
  
−
'''The DM:''' Correct.  Or be banned from entering a jeweler in Stavanger for a year.
+
'''The DM:''' for the record, the Noble of Hordaland is Count Sissel Grieg, who served as a naval officer in the 1630s; he’s in his early 70s.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I attempt to pressure. '''16'''. Whoa.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Would it not be considered treason against the crown if they made any attempt to prevent his rightful claim?"
  
−
'''The DM:''' The final number is 866 g.p., 9 s.p.
+
'''Esper:''' “Yes, of course it would. But that won’t be a problem for them if Hamish Ross has an accident, would it?”
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' That had my adrenaline up, I'll say.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "So what do you recommend we do? What does Hamish need to do to secure his position?"
  
−
'''The DM:''' Cool.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "I imagine Hamish could get some bodyguards - if there's anyone left in Bergen willing to work with him."
  
−
=== Weapons ===
+
'''Esper:''' “If he can be gotten out of Bergen and to a safehouse, then we can speak with reliable authorities, making sure his acquisition is certified.  Many of the guards here at the yard take bribes from the cartel.  I hope none of them suspect what we are talking about.  I have confederates I can trust, to smuggle him out of town. Can you keep watch on him for a day?  Where are you staying?”
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll move on to the weapons.
 
  
−
'''The DM:''' That’s how a good rule should work. Who wants to book passage?  Someone with a good charisma can make a check to speed up the process.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Yes, we can do that. We have rooms at the Quayside Inn."
  
−
'''The DM:''' Do you want to risk pressuring the armourer or the weaponwright?
+
'''Esper:''' “That’s a good place.  Get a private room there and I will meet you both in the tavern at nine.”
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Is that where we would sell the adamantium rather than the puddler?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Thank you. We will be there." We head back to the inn.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll haggle with both but not pressure. If I understand, the risk of failure for haggling is largely of time spent?
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Very good.
  
−
'''The DM:''' No, you’d sell the adamantium to the puddler.
+
== Notes ==
 +
'''The DM:''' Hands up anyone who feels they’re being manipulated.  I want to double check, because all I’m doing at this point is providing exposition in the best way possible.
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' It looks as though we'll have a few days in town before we can leave anyway. I think Vafrandir has the best chance of securing timely passage, unless my +1 to persons with 10 Charisma or lower applies.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:'''(OOC) Occasionally having to remind myself of the fact, but no, I don't feel manipulated. Every choice has been ours and excepting things that would naturally be beyond our control.
  
−
'''The DM:''' You couldn’t know if it applies or not, until you actually tried to secure a passage; it might, it might not.  I’d roll. Vafrandir is going to be busy today selling things.  Remember, it is ½-hour per venue visited to buy things from, with a ten hour maximum; every pressure-bargaining Vafrandir does is an extra hour. Haggling requires 10 extra minutes.  If he also wants to buy things from several different vendors, that will fill up the 24th for him and you’ll lose a day waiting for him to secure passage.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I feel the same. We could help Hamish have his accident - and the consequences are clearly outlined. We're making our choices.
  
−
'''Arduin''': Actually, that's me I think. 16 Charisma. I'll secure passage.
+
'''The DM:''' Good. This seems a good time to check.
  
−
'''The DM:''' Roll, Arduin.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:'''(OOC) So is 13 July the next time we plan to play then?
  
−
'''Arduin''': '''7''' on d20.
+
'''The DM:''' Well, we’re off for two weeks.  Enjoy Independence Day.  I’m awaiting a product in the mail that’s expected to arrive between the 2nd and the 6th that will enable me display what I’m working on, so keep an eye out for it.  We’ll be starting again two weeks from Tuesday; the 13th of July. Anything else I can help you with?
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Haggling: weaponwright, 10. What would be sold at the armourer instead?
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Not at the moment. This is a tense situation - the cliffhanger should carry us through the time off! See you all soon.
  
−
'''The DM:''' You have passage leaving tomorrow, the 25th, for Bergen.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:'''(OOC) Nope, I'm good. Everyone have an enjoyable holiday! Out.
  
−
'''The DM:''' Sorry, Vafrandir, I somehow thought there was a shield. We’re selling the bow, the mace and the short swords together?
+
'''The DM:''' Be well!  Out.
  
−
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Correct. The remaining shield was given to Bjarni.
+
'''The DM:''' OOC (jul12) because the hospital moved Tamara's third operation from the end of April to today (with a follow-up examination tomorrow), there will be no game on Tuesday Jul 13th. But count on me for Wednesday.
  
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'''The DM:''' 63 g.p. for the weapons.
+
== Restarting the Game ==
−
 
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Very good! On to haggle with the puddler: '''14''', a close one. About 50 lbs of adamantium.
 
−
 
 
−
'''The DM:''' 145 g.p. for the adamantium.
 
  
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' That means we just need to figure out how much of our newly acquired wealth was promised to our hirelings.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
  
−
=== Hireling Details ===
+
'''The DM:''' In.
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Very good. Let's discuss the marked coins promised to the sappers. Are they ok with "clean" gold instead? We never explicitly talked it out.
 
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Lexent, do you mean the shares of today's haul?
+
'''The DM:''' As ever, picking up after a lull, things will go slowly.  What information do you need right now to enable us to pick up with where we left off? You have entrusted Hamish to Rosted and returned to the inn.
−
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Well, of the profits from the jewels and adamantium, yes. I don't believe we promised them any shares of the weapons.
 
  
−
'''Pandred''': I mean, should they care? Money is money, unless we're trying to sell these coins to a collector they're worth 1gp, marked or no. If we can replace their marked gold with regular stuff we just should do that, if we're committed to seeing the marked coins through together.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' For Vafrandir and I, I can't think of anything we need until we meet up with Rosted in the tavern at 9.
  
−
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I see no reason they should care. Spends the same. But it does mark us about 500 short so far if we're replacing it, which I think is wise.
+
'''The DM:''' I must tell you, the obvious temptation is to suppose that Rosted is a villain, that he spirits Hamish away and that the DM tries to force a scene where the party goes on a quest to rescue Hamish. I hate these sorts of manipulations by writers in cheap, low-hanging television shows, because they’re so obvious.  I have no intention of implementing any such event at this time.  Do you wish to get better rooms with the rest of the party?  Returning to their inn before noon should ensure there will be rooms available.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Am I just being too cautious with this stuff? Push back on me if so.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Six private rooms, all that had been available, have been reserved through the 30th.
  
−
'''The DM:''' They’re okay with your choosing to exchange gold. Did you bring the sappers along to Stavanger?  Did you calculate the weight the boat was carrying from Treborg to Stavanger with their extra weight aboard?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' My understanding was that Hamish was still with Pandred and, presumably, Marcule.
  
−
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Let me check the weight calcs. We did not say explicitly.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Pandred has returned to the Quaypost with Hamish and Marcule, we went to Rosted alone. There really is no way for us strangers to be savvy to all the machinations in Bergen so at some point we have to trust someone and deal with whatever fallout.
  
−
::'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Throwing on some food and supplies as well: roughly '''2900 lbs'''
+
'''The DM:''' You get a good feeling from him.
  
−
'''The DM:''' Okay.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I would like to try and find someone about who may have been up towards Bronnoysond and may have the lay of the land. Is there anyone about at the Quaypost at this time?
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' So then, how much do we plan to give each hireling? And are we planning to have them accompany us north?
+
'''[[Pandred]]''': In.
 +
:'''The DM:''' OOC: How was your vacation, Pandred?
 +
::'''Pandred''': Lovely, thank you.
  
−
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We currently have 1074 from today's activities. They currently hold 1400 in Ross gold. So we can either 1) convince them to accept much less, probably a tenth, due to the risk of the Ross gold or 2) let them assume the risk of keeping it. Again, am I making a mountain out of a molehill?
+
== The Quaypost ==
 +
'''The DM:''' Several people at the Quaypost have asked whether your inquiry about Hamish paid out.  Several people apparently have some affection for the fellow, even though he is something of a notorious figure.
 +
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "A sad story indeed. You never know how a man's life will turn sometimes."
  
−
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Not even counting the cost of travel to Bergen.
+
'''The DM:''' As the 27th passes (I believe it’s the 27th), you receive a message from the Morkinskib, confirming that you’re still intending to sail with her on the 30th. Can I confirm that you’ve paid for the trip to Trondheim?
  
−
'''The DM:''' You don’t think you can just explain the situation to them?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' We had not yet made that payment.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I've been dancing it around it, I guess. I explain the situation; what do they think?
+
'''The DM:''' The captain is apparently hungering for it.
  
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'''The DM:''' They’re surprised, but they understand and don’t think it has anything to do with the party's actions.  Unanimously, they think that the money should be given to Hamish, whoever he is.  Asger feels there’s sure to be a reward; and Bjarni supposes that if this Ross has been given some sort of title to land, then he’s probably a good person to have as a friend.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Should be 13 gp, 12 sp again, correct?
  
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' So of the money from the jewels and gems, I calculate that Odds should get 77 gp, and 13 sp, and each other hireling should receive 38 gp, 14 sp, and 6 cp. That totals 389 gp, 1 sp, Leaving 685 gp 8 sp for the party.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Hmmm. Is it going to be a problem to give her that answer (and payment) tomorrow, the 28th? I don't suspect things will have been resolved with Hamish by the 30th, but if we can at least get a feel for things at the meeting with Rosted this evening, we can choose whether we are interested in involving ourselves more deeply here, or moving on.
  
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:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I have the calculation on the Cargo page. It's less than that. We can still give Nadia the 200 gp, as well as a bonus to our other hires.
+
'''The DM:''' For the record, Hamish will need a bath and new clothes.  He has not taken a drink since learning the news. Let’s take it that you’ve smuggled him into the inn in order to get him presentable.
  
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' We could send Valda's portion and 200 g.p. back to Treborg with Nadia.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Good idea Lexent, if possible. We can also get him those things this afternoon.
  
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'''The DM:''' Okay, forward movement.  Figure out any last things you want to do here in Stavanger, as well as how much tonnage in equipment you wish to take along with you and how many persons are going along.  Your Captain is a Dane named Oliver Larsen.  He owns a Carrack, a 3-masted ship; you’ve been given a stateroom for four of you and additional space in the orlop deck, a space surrounding the mizzen mast, below the crew deck and below the waterline.  Out.
+
'''The DM:''' Let me know when you’ve bought the clothes.  Do you intend to tell the captain you’ll pay him tomorrow, or just let it be?
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I ask Nadia if there is anything in particular she would like for her upcoming birthday, as it seems we won't be in town for it.
 
−
: '''Nadia:''' "A larger boat."
 
−
 
 
−
== Before Embarking ==
 
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'''The DM:''' What details do you want to hammer out today before getting aboard ship? How much are you taking with you, remembering you can store goods with Embla here in town that you don't want to take on with you right now.
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
 
  
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I think the biggest thing is figuring out our plans regarding the sappers. When we first hired them, I had imagined we were doing so specifically to deal with Grond's lair. Are we planning to continue keeping then in our employ? Are we planning to bring them north with us?
+
'''The DM:''' It occurs to you that you might want to keep Hamish’s sobriety and good fortune on the down-low, rather than giving people in the Quaypost reason to gossip.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Ah, good point. I think it can't hurt to keep on one or two. It's a job, sure, but we've been through a bit together. Nice to have a cook. On the other hand, we're not expecting to crack a lair on this trip.
+
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Yea, I'm not spilling too many beans, I hope.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' What we bring will depend on what the overland travel will be like. I imagine we can pack food on our persons and avoid having to use the cart.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' How did the message from the Morkinskib arrive?
  
−
'''[[Pandred]]''': Maybe, but the cart is going to be an issue at some point. We know they're in a given area, but how far? Are we going ten miles or fifty? I agree that at minimum the cook stays around.
+
'''The DM:''' It was a message left with the innkeeper.
  
−
'''The DM:''' Arduin will confirm that the cart will be utterly useless in that country.  I haven’t sketched the routes that exist there yet; I ought to do that, yes?  In any case, apart from a possible cart track around Bronnoysund, anything off road will be so thick with trees and rocks that dragging a cart through it will be impossible.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' What does everyone think? Leaving the message unanswered until tomorrow carries the risk of complications with our stowed possessions, answering it with a request for delay limits our options slightly, while confirming passage and making payment will likely lead to us forfeiting those funds if we change our minds. Or are our minds made up that no matter what happens this evening, we plan to sail on the 30th?
  
−
'''Pandred''': Oh boy! Bushwhacking!
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We're not delaying the ship. Just figuring out whether we should stay here in Bergen for a few more days, since it'll likely be a few weeks since we're back.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Is Trondheim is a market city?
+
'''[[Pandred]]''': You think we can solve this in a few days, or you just ready to eat the cost?
  
−
'''The DM:''' Curiously, looking at the real world map and my invented map of Norway, I’ve placed my Bronnoysund 20 miles east of where it should be.  I’ve corrected that. Bronnoysund is on the extreme coast of south Nordland. It could be walked to, but dragging a cart isn’t possible.  Though curiously, I have video of the area you’d be walking through.  [https://youtu.be/0Tpq2mLtXDc This] is a video of the train between Trondheim and Bodo, in Fall Season; it gives a sense of the land route north of Trondheim, though it passes 40 miles east of where Bronnoysund is (around 4:20 in).
+
'''The DM:''' You could send a message to the captain that you'll pay him tomorrow ... then change your mind or put him off until the 29th, with the possible ill-feelings that would produce.
  
−
'''The DM:''' Trondheim is a very important market town, four times more important than Stavanger.  Stavanger is a comparative backwater.  Trondheim is the second most important Arctic port in the world. The first is a place called Aenaria, elvish, in northern Ulthua.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I do not think that we can solve this in a few days, but hopefully after tonight we can make a better decision on whether or not we are interested in being involved in its solving. My inclination is to send a message back to the ship that we have some business to resolve this evening, but will come by tomorrow to square things away.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' That's what I thought. So we can stock up on bushwacking supplies there if needed.
+
'''The DM:''' I await your doing that.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Since Bronnoysond is on the coast, I recall Nadia said we might be able to get a boat from Trondheim. That would be my preferred option.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Does everyone else like that plan of action?
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' The weight of the shield could be a problem.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I concur. That doesn't make any promises we'll break.

Revision as of 11:46, 14 July 2021

Continued from On to Bergen

Pandred

The DM: It is anything but pleasant out here in the storm. There's really nowhere to change Hamish's clothing except in an alley somewhere, even though rain is sousing every stitch of clothing that the party has on. Hamish seems more cognizant, enough that he begins to ask questions about how you came into possession of the grant he meant to receive years ago. He hasn't found the will to actually look inside the satchel yet.

Lexent & Vafrandir

The DM: A "vittling yard" is a storehouse for shipboard food, for military ships to collect stores for long voyages at sea. Ships come in and send their boats to the yard to collect sufficient food to fill up their holds; this is managed with an eye dropper, as it were, as ships are not entitled to more food than their orders permit. You find the place quiet due to the weather, as no captain would risk having a load of their permitted food falling into the sea, not unless they absolutely had to have it in time of war. There is no war just now, so the yard is empty of boats. There is a funnel of water pouring off every shed roof and a steady sheet of water pouring across the dock and into the sea. Presumedly, you ask for Espen and he's directed to meet with you at the gate. As it happens, he is perhaps the plainest, almost the ugliest guard you've ever met.

Lexent: "Thank you for seeing us sir, we would like to speak with you concerning one Hamish Ross. Marla over at the Courtland told us that you would be the best person to assist us and to speak to no one else until we had spoken with you."

The DM: not a good idea using Hamish's name loosely like that.

The DM: There are other guards within earshot as Espen asks what this is about.

Vafrandir: "It really would be best if we could speak in private, sir."

Esper: “Hm. All right.”

The DM: He leads you to a place along the nearby wall, under an eave, asking again how this affects Hamish.

Lexent: "Plainly put, we have proof of his claims and are trying to help set things aright"

Esper: “You have proof of his claims? What kind of proof?”

Lexent: "A document from King Christian IV granting him land on the island of Askøy"

The DM: Esper reacts, thunderstruck. He curses, though with relief, before he speaks.

Esper: “Hamish is danger. Where is he now?”

Lexent: "In danger? From whom? An associate of ours was seeing him to the Quayside Inn. He is understandably shaken by the change in his fortune."

Esper: “Sir gnome, you are plainly not from around here. Hamish has told everyone in Bergen than when he gets his rights, he will become the Baron of Askøy – something which hasn’t happened. Just now, most rents on the island are collected by a cartel of Genoans, who assumed the rents on account of the Count of Hordaland’s inability to pay his debts. Now what do you suppose they will do when Hamish produces a document taking those lands away from them?”

The DM: for the record, the Noble of Hordaland is Count Sissel Grieg, who served as a naval officer in the 1630s; he’s in his early 70s.

Lexent: "Would it not be considered treason against the crown if they made any attempt to prevent his rightful claim?"

Esper: “Yes, of course it would. But that won’t be a problem for them if Hamish Ross has an accident, would it?”

Lexent: "So what do you recommend we do? What does Hamish need to do to secure his position?"

Vafrandir: "I imagine Hamish could get some bodyguards - if there's anyone left in Bergen willing to work with him."

Esper: “If he can be gotten out of Bergen and to a safehouse, then we can speak with reliable authorities, making sure his acquisition is certified. Many of the guards here at the yard take bribes from the cartel. I hope none of them suspect what we are talking about. I have confederates I can trust, to smuggle him out of town. Can you keep watch on him for a day? Where are you staying?”

Lexent: "Yes, we can do that. We have rooms at the Quayside Inn."

Esper: “That’s a good place. Get a private room there and I will meet you both in the tavern at nine.”

Lexent: "Thank you. We will be there." We head back to the inn.

Vafrandir: Very good.

Notes

The DM: Hands up anyone who feels they’re being manipulated. I want to double check, because all I’m doing at this point is providing exposition in the best way possible.

Lexent:(OOC) Occasionally having to remind myself of the fact, but no, I don't feel manipulated. Every choice has been ours and excepting things that would naturally be beyond our control.

Vafrandir: I feel the same. We could help Hamish have his accident - and the consequences are clearly outlined. We're making our choices.

The DM: Good. This seems a good time to check.

Lexent:(OOC) So is 13 July the next time we plan to play then?

The DM: Well, we’re off for two weeks. Enjoy Independence Day. I’m awaiting a product in the mail that’s expected to arrive between the 2nd and the 6th that will enable me display what I’m working on, so keep an eye out for it. We’ll be starting again two weeks from Tuesday; the 13th of July. Anything else I can help you with?

Vafrandir: Not at the moment. This is a tense situation - the cliffhanger should carry us through the time off! See you all soon.

Lexent:(OOC) Nope, I'm good. Everyone have an enjoyable holiday! Out.

The DM: Be well! Out.

The DM: OOC (jul12) because the hospital moved Tamara's third operation from the end of April to today (with a follow-up examination tomorrow), there will be no game on Tuesday Jul 13th. But count on me for Wednesday.

Restarting the Game

Lexent: In.

Vafrandir: In.

The DM: In.

The DM: As ever, picking up after a lull, things will go slowly. What information do you need right now to enable us to pick up with where we left off? You have entrusted Hamish to Rosted and returned to the inn.

Lexent: For Vafrandir and I, I can't think of anything we need until we meet up with Rosted in the tavern at 9.

The DM: I must tell you, the obvious temptation is to suppose that Rosted is a villain, that he spirits Hamish away and that the DM tries to force a scene where the party goes on a quest to rescue Hamish. I hate these sorts of manipulations by writers in cheap, low-hanging television shows, because they’re so obvious. I have no intention of implementing any such event at this time. Do you wish to get better rooms with the rest of the party? Returning to their inn before noon should ensure there will be rooms available.

Lexent: Six private rooms, all that had been available, have been reserved through the 30th.

Lexent: My understanding was that Hamish was still with Pandred and, presumably, Marcule.

Vafrandir: Pandred has returned to the Quaypost with Hamish and Marcule, we went to Rosted alone. There really is no way for us strangers to be savvy to all the machinations in Bergen so at some point we have to trust someone and deal with whatever fallout.

The DM: You get a good feeling from him.

Vafrandir: I would like to try and find someone about who may have been up towards Bronnoysond and may have the lay of the land. Is there anyone about at the Quaypost at this time?

Pandred: In.

The DM: OOC: How was your vacation, Pandred?
Pandred: Lovely, thank you.

The Quaypost

The DM: Several people at the Quaypost have asked whether your inquiry about Hamish paid out. Several people apparently have some affection for the fellow, even though he is something of a notorious figure.

Vafrandir: "A sad story indeed. You never know how a man's life will turn sometimes."

The DM: As the 27th passes (I believe it’s the 27th), you receive a message from the Morkinskib, confirming that you’re still intending to sail with her on the 30th. Can I confirm that you’ve paid for the trip to Trondheim?

Lexent: We had not yet made that payment.

The DM: The captain is apparently hungering for it.

Vafrandir: Should be 13 gp, 12 sp again, correct?

Lexent: Hmmm. Is it going to be a problem to give her that answer (and payment) tomorrow, the 28th? I don't suspect things will have been resolved with Hamish by the 30th, but if we can at least get a feel for things at the meeting with Rosted this evening, we can choose whether we are interested in involving ourselves more deeply here, or moving on.

The DM: For the record, Hamish will need a bath and new clothes. He has not taken a drink since learning the news. Let’s take it that you’ve smuggled him into the inn in order to get him presentable.

Vafrandir: Good idea Lexent, if possible. We can also get him those things this afternoon.

The DM: Let me know when you’ve bought the clothes. Do you intend to tell the captain you’ll pay him tomorrow, or just let it be?

The DM: It occurs to you that you might want to keep Hamish’s sobriety and good fortune on the down-low, rather than giving people in the Quaypost reason to gossip.

Vafrandir: Yea, I'm not spilling too many beans, I hope.

Lexent: How did the message from the Morkinskib arrive?

The DM: It was a message left with the innkeeper.

Lexent: What does everyone think? Leaving the message unanswered until tomorrow carries the risk of complications with our stowed possessions, answering it with a request for delay limits our options slightly, while confirming passage and making payment will likely lead to us forfeiting those funds if we change our minds. Or are our minds made up that no matter what happens this evening, we plan to sail on the 30th?

Vafrandir: We're not delaying the ship. Just figuring out whether we should stay here in Bergen for a few more days, since it'll likely be a few weeks since we're back.

Pandred: You think we can solve this in a few days, or you just ready to eat the cost?

The DM: You could send a message to the captain that you'll pay him tomorrow ... then change your mind or put him off until the 29th, with the possible ill-feelings that would produce.

Lexent: I do not think that we can solve this in a few days, but hopefully after tonight we can make a better decision on whether or not we are interested in being involved in its solving. My inclination is to send a message back to the ship that we have some business to resolve this evening, but will come by tomorrow to square things away.

The DM: I await your doing that.

Lexent: Does everyone else like that plan of action?

Vafrandir: I concur. That doesn't make any promises we'll break.

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