Chapter Three - A Modest Proposal

[mackaber]

Brek merely shakes his head at the stupidity of the lad before setting himself to help as best he can in getting out of the harbor in swift fashion. Although he has utmost confidence in Chanur's ability to do so.

[Vardaen]

Daerith comments to Berek, "I'm sure that he's not the first person to show up drunk for a sea voyage. " He motions at the wharf area, "They don't have all those taverns on the wharf for no reason. That much easier to find yor missing sialors before you set sail." Daerith then turns and helps get Avner into his cabin and then returns to the deck to do his part.

OOC

Cast off, hoist the main sail. ARRRGH! A pirate life is the life for me!

[Trogdor]

As the experienced sailors in the crew watch Avner being led below, they can't help but find that Daerith's words ring true. Many's the time they've seen fellow crew members carried on board they were so drunk, often none too soon before departure. Some of them may even have been that sailor being carried aboard. Sailors knew as well as any to enjoy the entertainments a town had to offer while they were docked. For once at sea, those pleasures would be but a memory. No doubt Avner was doing just that.

Soon, however, the time for reflection is gone. The anchor is raised, the foresail is sheeted home, and the Sea Wyvern gets steerageway. During this time all hands, including the volunteers, are too busy to worry about anything but getting out of the harbor, a tricky maneuver that requires great care. The next hour is a busy one, but a successful one as well. In time, you pass slowly thought the harbor gate, broken ages ago and never repaired.

After that, you pass through the local shoals, well known to the sailors on board, and out into Jeklea Bay. There you can see the Blue Nixie, which has been sailing off and on awaiting your departure. No sooner are you into deep water when the signal, make sail NNE, is hoist from the Blue Nixie's mizzen mast, and your journey begins.

The following days are busy as everyone gets settled into their new life. A new pattern of living has to be adjusted to, especially for those not used to the sea. Watches are set, and occasionally adjusted. the particulars of the rigging are adjusted, and adjusted again until you're certain you have it set just right. And various passengers have to get their sea legs. Some do well, like the Fariels and the merchants Parkin and Kipling. Most have a bad day or two, but then adjust. A few unfortunate souls seem to suffer more than most, however. Father Feres and Dolan Greathill are hit the worst. Dolan turns greener than any dwarf has a right to get, and it's days before he's up to taking solid food. Father Feres has it the worst, though. By a week out, he's still abed most of the day and miserable when he's on deck. Yet through it all, he maintains a positive outlook, even if it's between bouts of retching over the side. To the disappointment of all, Avner Meravanchi takes to the sea immediately. Even his first morning, despite an evening of debauchery previously, he proves completely undisturbed by the motion of the ship.

It's now, just a week out, that you're nearing the headland, past which the Azure Sea lies. One you weather this point, it will be clear sailing all the way to the Olman Isles. So far the wind has cooperated, But you all know that such things can change at any time.

OOC

Feel free to post about the first several days at sea. By the end of the first week, you will all know everyone on the ship. You know their names and at least as much about them as is listed in their description in the Sea Wyvern OOC post. No one needs any introductions to anyone else. Some passengers and crew are more or less talkative. But on a ship this size, you can't possibly avoid each other.

Departure from Sasserine Harbor

It looks like this, except going in the other direction.

[Chanur]

Chanur is pleased with how the crew handled the tricky task of negotiating the Sea Wyvern out to the sea. Once underway Chanur orders the colors hoisted, and enjoys the company's flag waving in the wind.

Chanur spends much of the time on deck enjoying the salty wind and sea spray. Once things have settled down Chanur approaches Amella and takes her aside.

"Amella, you have done a fine job getting the ship ready to sail, and keeping the crew working together as slick as an eel. We did not get to talk last night, but you seemed to have something on your mind. In private I would prefer you speak your mind, is there something you wanted to say?"

[Trogdor]

"Nothing, sir," Amella replies in a polite, but curt tone. Then realizing that something more is required she adds, "it's just that you remind me of someone I used to know. That startled me when we first met, since he was killed in a pirate raid two years ago." She shakes her head. "That's all it was, sir. Nothing really."

[Chanur]

Chanur gives a smile and nods.

"You know where to find me if you want to talk about him. We can get into the Brandy."

Chanur walks off not pressing for more information.

On the second day he brings the expensive Brandy to Avners room and knocks on the door.

" Mr Meravanchi, I brought you something I think you will enjoy by way of an apology."

[Vardaen]

At some point before leaving Daerith slipped a package into Lavina's cabin on the Blue Nixie. A flag for her ship of the same quality as the Sea Wyvern one. It bares a great symbol of the house, but removed are the mentioned names of her parents, and in place along the scroll, he had her name put. He hopped it would prove to be a nice surprise on her first day out.

Daerith's been on ship before, if atleast from Karken Cove to Sasserine, but that seems enough to give him his sea legs. He's nimble as well, a born accrobat and that helps against the rolling of the waves and the ship. Until things settle in on board he helps out as much as possible, taking his meals lightly, and staying topside as much as possible. He doesn't wear his armor obviously, but he is never without Torothalion. The blade has been tied down with an extra knot on the hilt to prevent it from accidentally slipping free and going overboard. He spends much of his time plotting the course, using the maps and tools of the ship, and those extra he gathered, to keep them on course, but for now following the shoreline, and avoiding the shoals and sand bars is hardly difficult work for him or the sailors.

In the evenings he's out on the prow gazing at the stars or across at the Blue Nixie. A few times he waves or casts a few cantrips of dancing lights, or minor effects to aid in communication (like making small illusionary images of flags or map headings appear) for the other ship to see.

Meal times and other free times he spends tutoring the new would be wizard apprentince talking basics and cantrips with her for now.

OOC

Didn't want to forget the flag he bought Lavina!

[TetNak]

Wavedancer shows Chanur the charts he found when a captive only a few weeks ago. He helps to keep the ship on course the best he can, knowing the waters instinctively and with the charts themselves. He does spend time leaping into the water, every once in a while, particularly when there is concerned for any sort of reef, and directs the ship past from the water itself.

[mackaber]

Berek's first few days aboard ship are somewhat miserable. He has to cut back on booze for various reasons and generally doesn't like being on ships. This becomes ever more apparent now that the rabid monkey infection has passed him by. At least he has a Dwarf to keep him company in his misery and so he uses much of his spare time to play some dwarven card and dice games he hadn't gotten around too for quite some time.

[veritas]

Fin splits his time more or less equally between finishing potions for the Sea Wyverns and giving what aid he can to those afflicted with motion sickness. Having been asea for the better part of his life, Fin is fine but understands that not all others are as well adapted. He pays special care to 'that windbag priest of Heironeous', as he has come to fondly refer to Father Feres.