IC Story Thread: Ch.1,Ad.1 - A Sensitive Matter

Seònaid follows the dwarf inside, amused with his behaviour.

"We thank you for your hospitality Ónar," she replies to the dwarf's rambling conversation. "You must have a curious tale to tell of how you ended up here. I know of no mountain homes hereabouts but, then, I know little of this land. I think none of us know this land, and yet we have a task that determines we must learn it well. We hope that you are disposed to helping us Ónar?"

Duinhir

Stefron

Aug 23, 2023 9:03 pm

Duinhir follows Seónaid and the Dwarf into the forge. He needs to duck his head a bit to get under the door beam.
He is curious as to how much the Dwarf already knows of their task.

Aug 24, 2023 2:23 pm

OOC:

Ok, so, if we want to have the specific conversation where you all fill Onar in on what's going on, that's fine.

But I don't know that we need to do that, assuming GreyWord read all the stuff you guys were told, and you guys tell Onar everything you know ;P

Should we just do a bit of a fastforward here, maybe do some more introductions, but then move on to where you guys talk about what to do next, and/or do it?

I'm weary of losing momentum, and saying things that have already been said just doesn't need to happen imo

Aug 24, 2023 2:55 pm

Mnrtoler Inactive for 3 months

@emsquared: I agree with a fastforward moment

Ragnarr

Aug 24, 2023 2:58 pm

OOC:

Agreed.

Last edited August 24, 2023 2:59 pm

Cirion of Pelargir

Dr_B

Aug 24, 2023 3:21 pm

OOC:

fastforward away!

Ónar

GreyWord

Aug 24, 2023 4:17 pm

OOC:

fastforward info sharing and I would prefer Loremaster to share on behalf of my PC additional insight on the family or events he would have either becose he is local or because he is Scholar

[ +- ] News from Afar

Aug 24, 2023 8:02 pm

OOC:

So my take on News From Afar is that it's primarily a way for the DM to give adventure hooks, or maybe to give a hint if the Company is stuck or doesn't know where to go next. Not really a "targeted" - What do I know about the current situation? - thing.

So, your "one or two events of importance" don't necessarily pertain to the quest at hand...

Though it does say, "Scholars always know a little bit about everything", so I'll give a little bit of just from local rumor-mill type stuff.

The big talk in town is the refugee crisis - Onar has it on good authority that the influx of peoples are primarily coming from the north and east, a nation called Khand - south of the Mordor region, where some manner of migration of orcs has displaced thousands and thousands of the Easterlings.

That's by far the most important event on the lips and minds of Umbar.

And Onar hasn't heard anything about any abductions, but in the past few days, he has heard rumors that there is some sort of feuding going on amongst some of the Corsair Ship Lords. It's not a rare thing for one or two to have quarrels, but it sounded like this was something different then the standard pissing matches. He figures that could be related to your mission because otherwise things have been pretty quiet - dormant even - amongst the Corsairs, and so the timing of the two seems just a bit more than coincidence.

Éothain

rpgventurer

Aug 28, 2023 6:28 am

"I think our first step should be a couple of us checking the docks before darkness falls. That ship has to be somewhere -- maybe fortune will favor us."

Cirion of Pelargir

Dr_B

Aug 28, 2023 6:38 am

"These barquentine vessels... are not common in Pelargir. But not here. Do they require a special jetty? I would have thought that the main docks are reserved for deeper-hulled ships that need the depth?" he asks Onar.

"The Corsairs are a powerful faction here, are they not? Perhaps they have their own private docks..." he adds.

Last edited August 28, 2023 6:55 am

Ónar

GreyWord

Aug 28, 2023 11:06 am

Young man, I admire the depth of you ship knowledge. Ónar note sincerely counting any location he would consider reasonable to look for the ship at.

OOC:

Do I need to roll anything for Ónar to recall all possible locations (docks) where the could have been docked

Regardless I would begin with a tavern at the docks. The ship may or may not answer your questions even if you find it. Sailors may.

Aug 28, 2023 3:06 pm

"I am reluctant to question your knowledge of the locale Ónar, but is it wise for outsiders such as us to visit taverns asking about a ship?" She asks Ónar.

"I prefer Éothain's approach, where we search the docks if you can provide likely locations. At the same time maybe you can visit the taverns, being a local, and ask around? One of us can go with you, in case of trouble. It would also be helpful if you can find out if any of the factions are behind this. It would help us know who we are likely dealing with. Except for you, we all have no knowledge of this city, so know nothing of the various lords."

Aug 28, 2023 3:50 pm

OOC:

Onar knows, out of hand/no check, that the Corsairs indeed do have their own docks, and really their own entire sub-section of the city.

It is where the Corsairs and their family's live when not on the water, and the businesses and people that support them, and it is pseudo-military in it's function (the Corsairs are the main military force).

But the entire sub-section is broken up into neighborhoods overseen by gangs responsible to the various Corsair Ship-lords, and so it actually lacks much of the organization, upkeep, or even more official security measures that a Northron might expect in a military ward.

Ónar

GreyWord

Aug 28, 2023 4:37 pm

Ónar start laughing that is soon interrupted by coughing. Asking for a ship transporting abducted children from Gonder wouldn't be too wise, would it? But if you are patient listener with a bit of luck you don't even need to ask your question.
Dwarf believes there should be people who - after a few mugs - would tell us everything they know about Corsairs ships and their whereabouts if we simply listen. Ónar wouldn't be asking anyone about the specific ship, but be patient to listen about any ship arrived at the docks recently.

Ónar also share the info posted by Loremaster above, including location of the corsairs docks where you can try to locate the ship before darkness falls If you think that outsiders visiting private docs is less suspicious. he is direct his his doubts

OOC:

You will see this happening as I picked my PC to have the distinctive quality Forthright

Aug 28, 2023 5:21 pm

"Shall we visit those docks together Éothain? We should probably change our appearance somewhat, to look less obvious?"

She asks Ónar for help toning down the "foreign" look of their outfits.

OOC:

I think Éothain and Seònaid should try looking around the docks to get a lay of the land, and see if they can pick up anything on the ship. They do not speak the local languages, but I am hoping they can get by in the common/trade languages. If they can tone down the "otherness" of their outfits enough to blend it, I think that would be a good idea. Not disguises, but just to make them less obvious on first/brief glances.

Cirion of Pelargir

Dr_B

Aug 28, 2023 5:25 pm

Mnrtoler Inactive for 3 months

"I also feel I can be more useful at the docks. Spent much time at the shipyard, back in Pelargir, and I know a bit about ships, might be able to help," he says. "I will join you, Seònaid."

Ragnarr

Aug 28, 2023 6:28 pm

Well not everyone can go to the docks, thus I will have a jolly time at the tavern with the dwarf. Ragnarr says excitedly

Duinhir

Stefron

Aug 28, 2023 8:58 pm

"I'll go with you, Ragnarr. Three to the docks, three to the tavern." Duinhir says.

The ranger heeds the dwarf's forthright warning about being too open-mouthed in the taverns. It is not that he does not trust Ragnarr and his attention but seeing how he is having tales written about him, Duinhir suspects Ragnarr might not be the most discreet in the company.
So he decides to go along to make sure their mission is not revealed.

Aug 28, 2023 10:59 pm

OOC:

Nice, so 3 and 3, passive information gathering and active searching.

I will point out, for anyone wanting to blend in a little more, local clothes will cost anywhere from 6 copper for a commoner's long baggy tunic and trousers with light shoes, to 2 silver for more durable but climatically appropriate "summer travel" garments. Or more if you want to get fancy ofc.

So, I really like Skill Challenges for "leg-work"-type investigations. But the Skill Challenge mechanics can breakdown with too few participants...

That said, 3 is basically the minimum number where I see them as still functioning. So maybe we're undertaking two Skill Challenges here...?

And I'm thinking two separate Challenges even though you have the same goal because there's not necessarily a great way to unify consequences of a failed challenge in the narrative between the two activities.

If you've not read my summary for How I Do Skill Challenges, I would encourage you to do so now.

Let me know if there's anything I've missed, or if there is other prep anyone wants to do first, but otherwise, whomever wants to get some local clothes can just drop the coin, and I'll set each of the two contingents up with some narrative lead in to the Skill Challenges (standby for that).

Sound good?

Aug 29, 2023 2:02 am