Prologue
The boat rocks back and forth as wave after wave hits the side of the ship, threatening to knock it over. You hear the deckhands above you, running around and shouting commands as the storm attempts to wrestle control of the ship.
It's a fine ship by all standards. Serving under the name of Taladar's Navy, this boat as seen a number of battles, and a storm isn't much to be worried about. Below deck, it might not be the most luxurious ride, but it could be a lot worse. Around you are your fellow convicts, and in front of you sits a Paladin.
He's completely covered in armor, from toe to neck and a helmet on top. You can't tell much about him, except that he is a gnome. At first, he sat there in deep concentration, and afterwards he looks at each convict, with a pleased look on his face. That is, until he saw the convict regarded as "Mister Snow" in which he scowled and let out a low growl.
He continued to sit in silence until he brought out a small orb that was glowing red. The orb grew redder, causing a small pain in the back of your neck, at which point, the orb went down to a faint glow.
After pocketing the orb, he finally stands up and begins to speak. "You can call me Brother Folip. Or you can call me Redeemer Timper. I'll make the orders, and you'll obey them. If you don't, then you'll get hurt.
"We are headed towards the Excavation Site. The dwarves have claimed that the tunnels are down, due to to a cave-in, but our scouts report to have seen no such cave-in. No doubt, they probably have a problem, and they expect us to take care of it. In exchange, we get an artifact. The Order doesn't know what it does, or any value it has, but we can't take the chance.
"Your participation will make things easier. While I can't watch you all the time, there are a set of rules that you now live by. Bad deeds will not go unpunished. This is your chance to make up for your past actions. Don't mess it up."
After finishing is speech, he walks away to apparently retire to his room. "Feel free to do what you want, while following the rules of the boat. This is the Captain's home. Respect that." As he walks out of view, he yells behind him "Remember, if I die, you die!"
Besides the shouts and stomps above you, the room is quiet.