Imperial Sins (Evil)

[Thatguyoverther]

((Six thousand. Three times the last payment.))

[PId6]

Loren

Once outside, Loren looks to Aslan expectantly, his hand twitching a little as if restraining himself from snatching the parchment like he did the paper money.

[Blackknight1239]

Aslan the Black

"Mmm, yes. This will be more than adequate. Thank you." Aslan gives the priest a curt bow before stepping out of the church. As he walks outside he causally reads the parchment he was handed. "So, let's get this war on the road, shall we?" he says, with a devillish grin.

[Thatguyoverther]

On the piece of paper are a few short words:

Criage Newson
14 Windlass Lane
Westhammel

Knock Twice

[Blackknight1239]

Aslan the Black

Aslan gives a quick, high pitched whistle. A few moments later a grey destrier trots up to him from behind the church. "Follow me. I know where we have to go." He saddles up, and covers his armour with a heavy grey cloak.

[PId6]

Loren

Loren simply gives a shake of his head and falls forward to the ground. As he does, his hands turn to paws again and he transforms into a dog once more. He nips at the horse and barks impatiently, then follows Aslan through the streets of the city.

[Thatguyoverther]

((Westhammel is a town near the Paduan border about two weeks walk from the capital. You can travel most of the way by traveling up the Eber river, cutting almost a week off of travel time.))

[Blackknight1239]

OOC

Spoiler

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I assume we have enough supplies for the journey? Or...?

[PId6]

Spoiler

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I've some supplies, not that I really need them much, being a druid and all. But are we hiring a boat or traveling overland?

[Thatguyoverther]

((OOC: You don't have enough for the entire journey. Nobody caries two weeks worth of food and water with them at all times. But it shouldn't be to much of a problem. It's usually no more than a day's ride between villages even in the sparsely populated areas. Getting supplies shouldn't be a problem. Depending on the size of the boat you want to hire/book passage on they might provide meals.))

[Blackknight1239]

OOC:

Spoiler

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So, the best to do at this point is find a boat, huh?

[PId6]

Loren

Loren and Aslan reach the harbor area. Running off, Loren begins to search for a large enough ship to carry them up the river. Looking at the various captains and crew members near the ships, he tries to find one that seems somewhat trustworthy, then leads Aslan to the one he found. Loren remains in dog form, sitting by Aslan's side.

[Blackknight1239]

Aslan Towerlock

approaches the ships captian, or at least the person that looks most in charge. "I would like to inquire about this ship's availability. Me and two of companions seek passage to Westhammel."

[Thatguyoverther]

The man turns around, a smile on his face. "Well you've come to the right," He takes notice of Aslan's darkened armor, and his smile disappears. "place. We can take you as far as Shezar's Bend but then you'll have to hoof it from there. We're not heading out until tomorrow. It'll be six gold a head, meals included. There are additional charges if you want and extra cabin, and for animals. Cut rates if you're willing to sleep with the crew and do oar duty."

[Blackknight1239]

Aslan Towerlock

"6 gold is fine. We will require rooms for a horse, and a...dog. The cost?"

[Thatguyoverther]

The man scratches his beard. "Horses are an additional five, but I don't think we've ever taken a dog. Does he eat scraps? He'll have to stay with the horses, umm..." He pauses a bit still stroking his beard. "Another gold, but if he keeps me up at night, I'll toss him overboard."

[PId6]

Loren

Loren gazes at the man coldly. If he tried that, he won't ever need to worry about waking up again.

[Blackknight1239]

Alsan the Black

"Don't worry. Scrappy here is rather quiet. When do you leave?" Aslan rifles through his gold satchel and hands the man 24gp.

[Thatguyoverther]

"We should leave tomorrow about an hour after dawn. It depends on whether my shipment gets here on time. Name's Tenbur, my mates call me Captain." He chuckles at his own joke, and takes the coin.

[Blackknight1239]

Aslan the Black

"An hour after dawn it is. Thank you." Aslan departs, to inform the rest of the party of the situation.

[PId6]

Loren

When they find a time and place alone, Loren transforms back into human form. The first word he utters as he gets back on two legs is, "Scrappy!?"

[Blackknight1239]

Aslan the Black

"I don't know, it seemed to fit at the time. Besides, you don't much look like a "Princess", do you?"

[PId6]

Loren

Loren glares, then gives a grunt and changes the subject, "So we come back tomorrow at dawn. You shouldn't have given the coin so quickly you know, he might cheat you and just sail off today. Oh well, we'll need a place to stay for the night. Any ideas?"

[Thatguyoverther]

Aztara speaks up. "I know a place, it's out of the way and the Innkeeper knows how to keep quiet, or if you're feeling thrifty we can probably sleep at the Temple."

[PId6]

Loren

Loren's expression turns dark, well, darker. "No, we're not going back to the temple. We go to the inn." He turns and falls upon four paws, then looks to Aztara expectantly.

[Thatguyoverther]

Aztara leads the way to the inn, passing through the cities maze like streets. The in is an average looking building of it's type. The Innkeep looks up as the group arrives but quickly finds work elsewhere to divert his attention. Aztara informs the rest of the group that she's already paid up one room through tonight but if the party wants more personal space they'll have to acquire another.

[PId6]

Loren

Loren remains in dog form and shakes his head, then wanders to the kitchen to look for scraps. Afterward, he finds a corner of the room and curls up to await the morning.

[Thatguyoverther]

((Sorry about the delay, I keep waiting for Blackknight to throw his two cents in.))

The heat of the day fails to relent at night making sleep difficult. Every time Aslan falls a asleep he is woken shortly by a tightness around his neck, almost as if the fetish is trying snuff the life out of him. In Loren's dreams something plays at the edge of his mind, refusing to take form or substance. Whatever nocturnal dilemmas the other party members experience, they keep their ordeals to themselves.

Dawn seems to break earlier than it has any right doing. The pleasant morning air promises another sweltering day. At the docks the crew of The Hind are still at work loading cargo. The party are the only passengers on Tenbur's vessel. A hand full of others board the vessel including a tired looking scribe, a grizzeled old man and a trio of brothers that seem far to jovial considering the early hour.

True to his word Tenbur sets sail about an hour after dawn.

(The voyage will take about a week, please post a list of activities your character will be doing during the voyage.)

[Blackknight1239]

Aslan spends the trip mostly by myself. Either with his horse, Morningstar, honing his sword, or watching the water glide past the boat. It's been far too long since he's had a chance to relax.

[PId6]

Loren

Over the course of the voyage, Loren maintains the form of a dog. He generally sleeps with the horses but occasionally curls up in the cabin. During the day, he wanders around deck, watching the waves and sky with calm reflection, and growling at any that would disturb his tranquility. To the crew members, his demeanor varied. He ignored the scribe with disdain, but frequently watched the old man reminiscently, even seeming respectful to him. He didn't bother much with the other crew members, and for most of the voyage he kept to himself, awaiting the end of peace and the beginning of war.