The adventures of the Whistling Wanderess - public RP thread

[TarnishedSoul]

A crate of assorted liquors, which includes rum, Firewine, and Neverwinter Mead, arrives at the pier where the Whistling Wanderess is docked. Nestled amidst the bottles is a small folded note addressed to "Captain Hoiha Dacino."

[Tsidkenu]

A rather out-of-place blue robed and hooded female made her way across the docks, trying in vain to avoid the attentions of the dock workers and sailors working and idling there. She cautiously made her way to the dockmaster and, after a brief discussion with him, was soon seen heading in the direction of the Whistling Wandress' mooring.

Once she was standing at the end of the gangplank she called out for acting captain Hoihe Dacino and then lowered her hood, now permitting her rich golden hair to reflect the rays of the sun.

"I must apologise, it had slipped my mind that you live on a ship! I received your letter; you wanted to see me?" she would say if Hoihe was there and came out to greet her.

[Hoihe]

The acting captain would nod "Yes, I would wish so... Could we walk to the Mystran church and converse there? I feel it more fitting for my problems, priestess."

[Tsidkenu]

"Of course," the quiet Mystran replied with a well-mannered nod of her head. "Although part of me did wish to see what, exactly, has made this ship so famous. . . I can do that later when it is more convenient for you."

Aeili turned her head to look down the pier, waiting for Hoiha to finish whatever she needed to before she would slowly stroll back through the docks district, pulling up her hood in an attempt to avoid unwanted advances by the dock workers.

"Your letter implied you once knew the Art but it is no longer so? Has this something to do with your recent. . . encounter. . . with the artifact, whatever it was?" she asked Hoiha in an inquisitive but gentle way as they continued past the Merchant's League and towards the Mystran temple which was nestled cozily in Eastern Gate district.

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[Hoihe]

After the two went to the church, they swiftly returned upon realization the topic needed some privacy.

Crew might have overheard from the Captain's cabin Hoiha regaling Aeili on her past, the Flute's tale, her loss of magic and new occupations and their unintended side-effect. The conversation eventually drew over to what it takes to re-learn the Art as a a wizard before turning into a get-to-know and finally sharing of advices.

[Necrotic Shadows]

Stock

Members of the Whistling Wanderess would be seen this day in the Baldur's Gate Harbor speaking with members of the Sword Coast Commercial Exchange. They speak in fellowship, standing about bundles of lumber. An exchange in coin is made and any amount perhaps would be begrudged by a man relinquishing it, however today it bought much needed wood for ship repairs.

The boatswain would beam, making jest and pleasantry with the members of the Exchange, especially Koba who brokered the deal. Under the order of Captain Hoihe and supervised by Aidan and Vendor who would inspect the lumber, the cargo is brought aboard. Soon, very soon the Wanderess would have her repairs.

Aidan Later would write and pin a notice to their door, after hours.

To Koba and the Commercial Exchange,

I'd like to thank you for the exemplary conduct you and your fellow Exchange members have shown in the art of your business. I can say, without reason of doubt, we will be speaking with the exchange in due time regarding future investments through your company. Your rates were well received, and a sum no one would deny was fair for the product we took on. All the lumber was found in good standing quality. I hope you found all business conducted on our end to your approval. Good business to you all.

~Aidan Thatcher~

[Necrotic Shadows]

The Wanderess had been taken ashore by her crew, a process that took a great feat of strength with the help of block and tackle, a large amount of rope and the coastline trees. The better part of the morning was spent unloading her provisions, supplies and the personal effects of the men who spent their days manning her.

"No one said it'd be fun, lads" Could be heard from the bosun as he chuckled to himself and looked to the captain wondering if Hoihe had begun to worry about further damaging the vessel. Aidan further picked at the possible wound with a mild jesting insult "The "boat" is fine Captain". Turning himself away the moment it's said to hide the smile he could barely contain. He could imagine the she-elf muttering "it's a ship" even if he couldn't hear her.

Once she was in place, and with a sound bed of lumber below her keel, they would again with the help of the block and tackle, pitch her to her side so that she lay at rest, careened. Captain and crew alike would be required in the aspects of the work ahead. After a slow inspection, combing over the full of the haul for weak points, rotting wood, worm and bug infested planks. The crew would stop for a short victual before carrying on with the arduous task of removing all the lengths of wood that needed replacing.

The late afternoon into early evening was taken up with preparing the new boards for their proper placement. Each length had to be cut to size, steam warped to allow for the flexibility required to keep the board from snapping when nailed to the ribs of the ship's skeleton. It would be the following day before the majority of the actual repairs would be done. With it, the re-appliance of caulk, tar and pitch. Every man with a job, the captain with her orders assisting the bosun in his labors. After she returned to the water, the ballast would be returned to it's place in the bilge in order to keep the ship from listing to port or starboard. Followed by the supplies, provisions and personal things of her crew. After two days, the Wanderess would be ready for sail.

The Wanderess would be renewed by the loving care of her crew and captain.

[Hoihe]

Out of thin air a short half-elven woman materializes on deck and immidiately rings the bells of the otherwise serenely resting ship upon her pier, yelling "All men on deck! All men on deck! Get those not on board, I'll get the rest."

Soon after, she's seen conversing in the market with various merchants to purchase provisions for roughly a month's voyage and in the taverns to listen in on the newest rumours about naval events to better plan the voyage.

[Hoihe]

"Alright lads! I'm waiting on word from Soora now if she'll come along. If not, we're setting sail tomorrow just in time for Selune to be our guide once we hit the high seas!" Hoihe declares to the crew from her sterncastle, wearing a hat awfully familiar to the one Mealir wore, wearing clothes rather similar to Mealir's own too.

[Hoihe]

After a short trip away from the ship to handle some things, Hoihe climbs up the sterncastle of the ship to declare some news.



"Some news lads! We're not going to Calimport, 'tis a silly place. We're going to Memnon instead, not too much better but... Not so silly! Also because there's more wheat there." grinning some "Aye, lads, we're going to be the Gate's nourishment with this trip! The Temple of Ilmater's giving us plenty of money to pack the ship as full as we can with wheat!"


Looking to the pier, considering something "Oi, and we're taking her out to port in the morning tide so we can set sail easily. Any embarkments and disembarkments afterwards will need to be done with boat!"

[Hoihe]

At the last hours of daylight of the sixth of Mirtul, Captain Hoihe Dacino made her way with a rowboat to the Wanderess. Climbing on board wearing Mealir's tradition, she assists the crew in dragging the rowboat on board. After the boat was raised unto the deck for later use, she climbed to the sterncastle to take a once-over of her crew before speaking.

"My friends, brethen. It has been too long since we took to the high seas!" she annouces, giving a slight pause before continuing "This voyage is going to be special. Oh it will! It won't be our first voyage, together or with this ship. However, this will be our first voyage since Aidan's plans have been made reality. Do appreciate them as we cut through the tallest of waves as she's as good as new!" with that, she taps the helm proudly before continuing.

"Furthermore, this will be our first voyage with me as your official captain. Although I have already contacted many of you over the changing of guard, but our dearest Captain Mealir has had to pass down the responsibility to his seniormost officer, me, for he cannot take responsibility for us anymore, being so busy. I promise you, my brethen, that I will not let you down and command this ship as well as the legend himself! If I fail at upholding that promise, trust me then, that I am a good student and I shall earn the right soon enough."

"Your first mate, Soora, is unable to attend this voyage much to my own disappointment. I fear she is busy with other responsibilities. A shame, really, but maybe next time!"

"The same can be said about Vendor. Our beloved lookout and scout has found himself in charge of great forces, and his responsibility to the people of the land draws him away."

"Everyone else though, I am glad you have come! The temple of Ilmater has bestowed upon us two hundred thousand gold coins to purchase as many sacks of wheat as this old lady can carry! I will discuss with the temple once we return what to do with the surplus. If we can keep it, I shall distribute it evenly amongst all of you who attended!"

Motioning for Kurt Armstrong, the helmsman to come and attend the helm, she'd climb down to the main deck, join the crew and call out from there "That's enough talk, I guess! Everyone, man your positions. We're taking her out of the Chiontar and into the sunset before Selune has a chance to grace us!" and with that, she'd join the crew in setting sail, working the manual labour of a sailor, despite her elevated position, assisting in her own strength with a spell or two.


((I'd do a roll of Diplomacy/charisma/perform.. whatever is relevant, but server is down.))

[Hoihe]

((The following post is currently awaiting DM approval. However, due to the sake of continuity, I am posting it with the disclaimer that it might or might not be retconned.))



In the height of the night, due to the poor visibility and ignorance of the local waters, Hoihe made the order for the Wanderess to proceed at half-sails.

Everyone was on deck during this quiet night, even the chef, Lorrain. There wasn't a storm or even a strong gale that would need countless able hands to keep the rigging right, it was simply a matter of principle.

Between hidden reefs, sandbars, uncharted isles and the pirates hailing from thus, sailing in the Nelanther Isles, even on the perimeter is not a choice taken lightly.

"This is when I wish we've had either Soora or Ven. " Hoihe would grumble, squinting afar "I've got good eyes, but nowhere as good as those two tricksters." [10 spot, Dark vision]

Over the course of the coming hour, the Wanderess would have been made to slow down even more as Kurt was forced to navigate the poor lady as if she were a drunken wench, weaving in and out with no apparent rhythm or purpose.

A purpose was found in the end however, as a ship was spotted on the aft of the Wanderess, merely a quarter's distance judging by their speed. It had no markings, but its structure indicated its allegiance well enough. A small ship, at least, small in body but where it counts it was quite the giant. Its deck filled to the brim with uncouth sailors beneath a massive mast and sail attached threatening to tip the whole thing over should it pass over to the High Seas.

"Kurt, change heading to two hundred seven degrees. Tella, ring the bell and indicate release of the main sails!" the order was given from beside the main mast by the newly-minted Captain, and relayed to the appropriate bodies. The Captain herself joined the crew in trimming the sails as the ship turned, then assisting in the securing of the fully-deployed sailcloth, having so little time to respond.

The maneuvering did cost the Wanderess some speed, from its mighty four knots even without full sails, for a time, she was reduced to a puny one. The pirate ship drew near during this time, attempting to throw its hooks upon the Wanderess to attempt boarding.

"Lads, remove those hooks fast! We cannot afford to stop and fight now, hip!"

And through either the blessing of raised fortifications typical of a Caravel outmatching tiny boarders, or the skill of a crew experienced in fighting amnian war galleons and self-appointed pirate kings, even dragons and monstrous boarders, the Wanderess did manage to shake off her pursuers without a single drop of blood shed.

Unfortunately, the maneuver had brought the ship truly off course, forcing them a day's delay. Such is the battle of Umberlee and Valkur, a blessing of strong wind rarely meets a sailor without the company of misfortune.

[Hoihe]

"Alright lads, we've arrived. Let's pray Lorrain can keep focused and get us a spot somewhere on the commercial docks. We'll be buying lots of wheat so a crane would be handy." Hoihe declares to the crew as the make anchor, watching as Lorrain rows off to the harbour. "Would have done it myself if not for these backwards people... " she grumbled quietly before going to approach Aidan

"Aidan, I know you promised Desrah to attend her masquarade. I've prepared a spell of teleportation, greater one in fact. I can take us there for the event and back on board. What do you say?"

[AlexBnt]

.

[Hoihe]

"We're staying a few days, lad. I'll contact Xela, just for you and see if he's alright, okay?" the female half-elf responds with a weak smile, apparently the captain of the elegant caravel docked in the commercial district.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, she'd give him a light tug "Come then, let's see what Lorrain cooked up with the local ingredients, eh? Oh and... what's your name? I'm Hoihe Daicno."