Day 1 – Evening
Aetharbor
The trip to Arclow did not appear to be a popular one. The first captain laughed and walked away, which Asithi found quite rude; but it was actually quite tame compared to some of the later responses. The second response involved quite a bit of cursing, and the third captain actually called over a guard to chase her off. But before Asithi could react to the affront another man approached her. He said he had a small ship that he used to ferry people between the islands, and Arclow was his next stop in his route. It wasn’t popular, most got off at Aetharbor, so his ship was light. Asithi offered the trip for 15 iron shillings.
Seawall
While a strange and new setting, Meyath’s work in the tent had been familiar. She had healed before, and when she caught the rhythm the healing was easy. The kitchen was different. It was set up in a fairly familiar fashion, but the people running around doing their own tasks caught her off balance repeatedly. Bowls were dropped, ingredients crushed under feet, and at one point Meyath nearly cut herself. Shaken by the event, she walked out of the kitchen with nothing to show for her time.
Will decided the people who would best know of recent events would be in the guardhouse, so he returned to the yard and asked one of the recruits what had happened recently about the fire.
Male Recruit 1: “Ah, you’re the new recruit. Word is you were staring at Arai sparring this morning. No worries man, she’s got that effect on people. Best part is she’s so absorbed in sparring she’ll figure you were only watching her technique. Careful though, stare too often and she’ll want to spar with you, and that is not a fun experience. She doesn’t hold back, at least not any more than she has to in order to keep her partners alive.
Our job has actually been pretty quiet. You know, there’s the usual rumors of smuggling, and some even turn into reports. But we never find no evidence. Smugglers, they’re good at smuggling. Most guards ‘round here, they don’t last long enough to get good at guarding. So whether there are smugglers, or merchants are just sabotaging each other, you ain’t ever gonna know. We do still look though.
Pirates though, they cause troubles. Never know when they’re gonnna hit, ain’t no rumors to keep you knowin, you know? Like that fire. Came outta knowhere. No casualties though. That ain’t common, so don’t get used to it. Normally them pirates are on the city like ants on a Devil’s Tree. We stop ‘em every time; always enough to do that, never enough to feel truly safe. They’ve been quiet except for last night though, and most of the recent attacks have been sorta similar. Not many deaths. You mighta come at the right time mate!
Ain’t the right time to be a man here though. Arai, she’s one of three women, and she’s more likely to hit you than kiss ya. Much more likely. And the other two, well lets just say that they have their sights set higher than us recruits; ya know what I mean.”
At this point one of the women who Will recognized as not Arai came over. She appeared to take offense to the young recruit’s comment, and brought him out into the yard to ‘spar.’ This consisted of beating him with a stick while he tried to protect himself. Luckily, or so Will thought at the time, this was interrupted by another unfamiliar feminine face joining in, apparently protecting the loudmouthed recruit simply because her rival was attacking. The ferociously attacked each other while Will watched. He could tell there was less technique than passion in the blows, and also that they weren’t holding back at all. During this time his new informer stumbled over and stood just behind Will.
Male Recruit 1: ”Like I said. The women here, they aren’t for us. Getting involved with any of them is dangerous.”
This last remark was punctuated by Arai picking up her own weapon, disarming the other two, and getting between them. The fight was over it seemed. For now at least. It seemed the earlier gossip was wrong about there not being sticks involved.
Iseaya
The tunnel going back was much as it was when they came. It was a lengthy and dark, but the torchlight led them back reliably. Sofia danced along down the tunnel, thoroughly proud of herself for having solved the problem so well. Varkhal was less certain; there was nothing in his memory that made him sure that other moles would not cause trouble. However, he also had no sound reason to doubt the effectiveness of the Aethen’s strategy, other than of course the fact that it was far simpler than it should have been.
Spirarbor
The wizened man was disinterested in payment; he relayed to her that at some age you decide to worry less about money and more about having partners for conversation. Realizing the lateness of the evening, and the promise of dinner, Cara went back to her house. Her parents were very excited to have her for dinner; they had prepared large Fencing Fish steaks, covered in exotic spices they had grown accustomed to in their journeys. Cara gladly ate the meaty fish as she discussed her day with her parents. They seemed to think the Sleepless Banshee was nothing more than a local oddity.
”Oh yes, I’ve heard of that cult. A lot of intellectuals doing their best to confuse themselves. So much of the world reveals itself to these scholars that they have to invent paradoxes just to get some mystery back.””I’m not sure that’s fair. I’ve known some people who have found that religion rewarding. Intelligence doesn’t relieve people of the desire to have a guide in this world. Those who follow the Sleepless Banshee, they find a guide in her. I think people are just distrustful of them because they don’t understand them. Maybe they even like it that way; they make few enough efforts to convert anyone.”
Maps
Book passage on a ship to Arclow if possible - failing that, obtain a ride to any other island port. It does not quite matter which.
Luck: 19 vs 7
Meyath helps out in the kitchen
Luck: 3+2 vs 10
Will decides to ask around a bit to see if anything has happened recently, besides the fire.
Luck: 20! vs 10
Post to get things moving: try to remember (Int check, I suppose) if the rest of the giant moles would get the message through the actions of this one.
Then return to the healer's hut with Sofia under my arm. If the journey is slow/slowed for some reason, write another of the same rune on the remaining leather strip, this time to create a strap for Varkhal's spear.
INTe: 11 +2 vs 15
Luck: 12 vs 5
Follow Varkhal right on out.
Luck: 19 vs 5
Offer payment if he needs it as thanks, perhaps?
Then make my way to the docks! I would like to get to know the religions of the passing ships--especially if they're taking a rid-
Waitaminute.
Dinner!
Go home and tell parents on my plans to get on a ship and learn more about the local religions! Mention the Sleepless Banshee! 
Luck: 14 vs 5
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Topic: [IC Thread] Kurchil's Children - Day 1 - Introduction (Read 17667 times)