“Our interrogation of the mage you captured has produced more questions than answers. We need to consult Abu Al-Rahim Al-Fath, a scholar and astronomer who lives on a small island off Menorca. His expertise on this sort of shapeshifting will be of great help. Go to this island–” Marco hands Taye a small map indicating a small island named Las Palomas off the east coast of Menorca, “–and retrieve him. He has worked with the Doges of Genoa before, and should be amenable. Give him my token–” Marco then hands you a small golden disc bearing the arms of the city of Genoa, pierced by a thin silver chain, “and bring him back here. We’ll again compensate you well for your work, and you may keep any other spoils you come across. I can advance you 2000 florins in order to hire transportation.”
I’m treating all coins as identical in value; different coins are merely for flavor.
muttering in his corner “Hmm. More babysitting pampered noblemen and warlocks. Feh. Lucky for them the money’s good, or they’d be seeing my back…”
Later in the convo :
"The problem isn’t going to find a boat in a port city, Moor, it’s gonna be to find a boat worth a faen. I **seen **what passes for ships around here. All square fronted and top heavy, wouldn’t last a day in a North Sea gale. And the sails ! All sideways and **wrong **! As for the crews… Brigands and cutpurses and Southern liars what should be chained to their oars if we don’t want our throats slit in the night. No thanks.
There’s bound to be some *actually *seaworthy longboat somewhere on the docks, with reliable Northmen sailors enjoying shore leave on their way back from the Kingdom of Sicily or something. They’ll take us on. I’ll make inquiries. I’ll be needing a spot of cash though. For err…social expenses."
Speaking to Harald, grinning
“My friend, we will allow you to find passage for us. You appear a man who enjoys his comforts. I am sure our companions will appreciate your efforts. Remembering, of course, your throat will be on the vessel as well? And Menorca is a long way off.” whispering “and perhaps you can make discreet inquiries about this Volpe.”
Turning back to the Doge,
“Signore Valente, your pardon, but I forgot to mention earlier. You are the authority in this region, I expect you are familiar with Osanna Penne?
I ask because, while the Gifted appear united against outsiders, they, we, are not so “harmonious” amongst ourselves. The Sorcerer you have imprisoned is to powerful to be completely unknown. Taye, for all my power (gesturing, uses Prestidigiation to conjure a small fireball in his hands) is still a novice. Penne, Oya curse him forever, was a Master. Sorcerer and brigand. His name may be of use in getting further information from your prisoner. Should he still live.”
drawing Alessio aside Taye whispers
“Signore Alessio, I would not offend the Doge if possible. Your liege has already once sent soldiers to interfere in a task he contracted us to handle. Please note, despite our ad-hoc nature, we are not men to betray lightly.”
No, probably should have given that more thought. Trying to use a bit of intimidation to make the group appear dangerous. :smack: In my mind I was hoping Alessio would counsel the Doge to be wary and lenient, not call the guards. Poorly thought out.
Giacomo is suspicious. This seems like far too easy a job to send a band of adventurers on. Why not an emissary, with maybe a couple of guards? He suspects there is more to this than meets the eye, and will mention his concerns discreetly to the party members, as soon as they are out of earshot of the doge and other prying ears.
Also, when will we embark? Harald seems to have an idea on how to secure passage.
[COLOR=Green]I wut ? I’m just planning on getting hammered and buying rounds of drinks all over the docks until I chance upon a fellow northerner with a boat, man [/COLOR]:). If and when I find one, I do have the skills to make sure our ride’s a good one, but it’s not like Harald has a plan here.
Or a work ethic for that matter - Harald tends to agree with Giacomo that this is some buuuullshit, even though he does not necessarily share the paranoia. But at the same time he’s not really inclined to take this new quest of ours *too *seriously. When all is said and done, that idjit Doje paid in advance. It’s not like we got to actually **do **nothing, right ? Push comes to shove we can just tell him his scholar or whatever didn’t want to come along… and get paid again for our troubles !
I’d say no. If it is a milk run, we won’t be learning anything new. If the doge has a hidden agenda he’s not going to tell us just because we asked. At best we learn nothing, at worst we learn nothing and anger the temperamental doge even more. We should just keep an eye out and try to make sure we have a back door if things get pear shaped.
Giacomo to Harald: "Good luck finding us a vessel. If you find one, press your Northern friend, upon arrival at Las Palomas, to remain where we can board quickly and depart in haste, should therebe threats on the island we cannot handle.
[COLOR=“DarkOliveGreen”]Prior to this, Giacomo notes the direction in which the doge departed. He will hasten to catch up and follow discreetly at a distance, using his stealth. In, let’s say a few hours, he will head to the docks to find Harald and Taye and the others. Perhaps we should quickly arrange a rendezvous. Giacomo should know some places by the docks where Harald could find a vessel and a good place for us to meet. [/COLOR]
Taye will be at a tavern in the docks district waiting for the others to arrive. Mainly killing time, preening, and boasting to tavern serving girls. And making sure his purse doesn’t get picked.
Harald will start with a quiet little stroll down the docks, making a mental note of any real ship moored there (you know, not them Italian or Moorish contraptions !) ; then proceed to use what part of the Doge’s money has been allocated to him to buy drinks to the sailors manning these tubs, trying to learn if any of them are going our way, and if so trying to reach the captain and secure passage.
If there really are no Northern ships at all on the docks, or none of them are going anywhere near Menorca; then he’ll reluctantly repeat the manoeuvre starting on the evening of the second day, this time grumblingly including French, Italian, Spanish tubs. Still no Moors or Turks however, they’d only sell us into slavery or somesuch. I heard they do that all the time, so it must be true.