Players: Don -- Jack Seablade
Peter -- Tal'din
Connor -- Bonefus (of the Wayward Island)
Devon -- Odin
John -- Ahmed Ibn Sur
Name: Ahmed
Caste: Zenith
Motivation: Revive the technology of the first age
Place of Origin: The South
Appearance: (Like a Sikh) Dark skinned with a weather-worn looked.
Loose cotton clothing. I wear a wrapping on my head to
cover the markings of my caste.
I have been summoned to the Reef Isle in the Coral Islands by Lord Wavewalker in order to assess their defenses. Another master craftsman, {{{ Peter }}} has been summoned to assist in the matter. I have met a number of people who have made an impression on me here. Their aptitudes might mark them as Exalted. I have been here for about two weeks looking over the defenses on the island-- observing the men, their training and equipment, their watch schedules, and their leadership. I will wait somewhat longer before making a judgement on their abilities.
Recently, I was hired by a man to do some work on a place that is away from the city.
* Lord Wade Wavewalker -- Lord on Coral Island. Made money by banking. Sits
on the city council.
* Lord Taggart -- City Councilman
* Lord Stormsweep -- City Councilman
We decide that we need to gather information on the city council in order to assess the best way to take over the island. At the meeting, we learn that there is something of a revolution in the Neck. Some of the council think that a fleet should be sent down to get things in hand. Seablade suggests that we go along with the plan for now, but set up some sort of betrayal at the battle. The council votes for it.
After, Lord Wavewalker agrees to go to dinner with Seablade to discuss some matters with him.
In the meantime, there is a local Kelp farm that is having trouble with a demon creature that is interfering with operations there. We go and in and beat the creature to death with out fists. The creature was a demon monkey that deserved the fate that it received.
EXP: 4 Points
The four islands that are being attacked are called the Golan islands: Falgo - Fruit, Talgo, Malgo - Merchant, Tanka - Military. Bonefus decides that the best way to get to the island faster than the rest of the armada is to summon a Huraka to provide more propulsion for our ships. I spend my preparation time outfitting the men.
We depart with the Flag ship Sea Breeze. The other capital ships are High Wave and Tidebreaker. Stormsweep's flag ship is the Entrepid. A cutter from Stormsweep signals that he would like to entertain us for dinner.
Titus -- God of the Western Ocean
Entrepid -- Stormsweep's flag ship
High Wave -- Other flag ship with the fleet
Stormbreaker -- Other flag ships with the fleet
Sea Breeze -- Jack Seablade's flag ship
The next day, Bonefus has his Huraka blow air that enables our ships to pull ahead of the rest of the fleet. Bonefus also beseeches the aid of another creature to have a storm waylay the rest of the fleet. It requests that Bonefus brings the creature a certain type of wood spider from the east or else risk its wrath while traveling on the sea.
We arrive at Tanka flying a flag of parley. We try to come to shore on a cutter flying a flag of parley, but get attacked by cannon fire. Bonefus asks his bear to yell at the attackers and try to make them stop. One more cannon shot comes at us and it is closer, but Tal'din takes his hammer to the cannon ball to knock it back at our attackers. He slams the ball back into one of the bridges on land. The captain of the defense brigade calls of the assault and we dock. We are greeted by a group the includes several people in robes, including one with a religious symbol. We greet them. One of them is in a blue robe and the others are in yellow robes.
* Blue robe -- Val'tuth, Yellow Robe -- Paul
There is a brief altercation with the leaders of the island. There is threatening and counter-threatening. He gets mind crushed by Jack Seablade and agrees to a surrender meeting.
EXP: 4 Points
We discuss the terms that we are going to present to the island for their surrender.
- Put a commander in charge -- Neal Stephenson
- Command of military to us
- Prevention of piracy
- Vassal state to us
During this time, I take a look around the city. It is made of some chalky stone and goes up into the foothills. Construction is very practical-- It works, but does not look ornate. It is well-kept, but not baroque. There is a bazaar with several apothecaries.
The religious symbol seems to be the symbol of the Washed Gods. It appears to be popular among younger people in the city.
Val' Tuth -- Leader of the Elder Council
We go to the meeting with Val'Tooth and Paul. Paul asks if we have heard of the Washed Gods, gods who wish to flood the world, but spare their worshippers. They end up finding out that Bonefus's belief's closely mirror that of their gods and they agree to sign the surrender. They throw a feast in our honor.
In the morning, we depart to Malgo. There was a grand procession to announce the arrival of Jack Seablade. During the procession, Odin sneaks off and finds a young terrestrial exalted and beats him up. The rest of us continued into the town hall and came upon a council meeting.
EXP: 4 points
The audience chamber is filled with men in yellow robes and their advisors. Some of them are slightly different, possibly denoting their station. Seablade approaches the podium and speaking area. He is stopped by a servant while the rest of the place stare on. He is told that the area is reserved for the Elder Council. Val'Tuth indicates to the apprentice that he should let the Elders decide if Seablade's news is of importance. The Elders decide that Seablade should wait until the open forum.
Robe Colors
* Brown -- Apprentice
* Red -- Candidates for Membership in council
* Yellow -- Elder Council
* Blue -- Religious Sect
Seablade finally gets to meet with the Elder Council and tells them of what is about to happen. Their faces sink as they realize what is going to happen. Val'Tuth speaks in favor of Seablade and indicates that the Washed gods clearly work with us.
A group comes in and speaks out against Seablade; "We have weathered such foes before. Why give in to outside influence? Why give in so easily Val'Tuth?" Seablade and this group argue back and forth. One of the candidates speaks out in favor of us, but indicates that the council should get proof of Seablade's claims.
Suddenly, a very grizzled looking man comes in, "What is the Meaning of this?!". He comes with a group of people that are armed with swords. There is a woman archer with him whose hair is black despite that she gets some sun. Their markings indicates that they are of a house that is strong in the west. They are both wearing clothes, have their hands wrapped and have a very menacing aura and presence.
They challenge Seablade's action on the basis that it might be treason. Seablade argues that he is protecting them and helping them to become strong. They inquire as to Seablade's identity. He introduces himself as the captain of the Sea Breeze and Grand Vizier of Tanka. They introduce themselves as members of the house of Drachna. After a brief exchange, they try to "arrest" Jack Seablade. Battle Ensues.
Drachna -- Major House of the West
The woman is destroyed by Tal'din's hammer while the man is incapacitated by Seablade's sword. Seablade then grabs his head and tries to influence him.
Loot:
* 2x Wavecleaver Daiklave (with Water Hearthstone [Freedom stone], and blank
* slot)
* Short Power Bow Artifact
* Lots of Frog cattcher and piercing arrows
* Breastplate (Jade, 1 Dot)
* Lammelar (Jade, Artifact 2, Hardness 5)
* Couple Pieces of Jade
Seablade gets together the Elders in the courtyard since the auditorium is being filled with water by the rain storm. They agree to become the vassal of Jack Seablade.
John Claude Shipwright -- Lieutenant placed in charge of the island
XP: 4 Points
The other two islands fall shortly after and the party prepares for the arrival of the rest of the fleet. I have been training my crafting skills and I seem to now have a mastery of wood and a better mastery of fine jewelry.
The following day, the fleet arrives. As they come into viewing distance, Seablade orders the victory flags flown. The island is flying the colors of Seablade as well. They signal back asking how and then approach the island. They inquire as to how we conquered the islands and why there is not more battle damage. It is suggested that since the army is still together that another island be sought as prey for the fleet, for example, Wavecrest or another associated island.
Taggart and Stormsweep come down to talk about the events. Taggart become unruly and demands his 20% of the spoils from the island. He is arrested and thrown in the brig on Seablade's flag ship. Stormsweep indicates that he is unhappy with this arrangement and that he is going to another set of islands to raid. HE indicates that Seablade's forces should not follow him.
Some rogue skiffs break of from the fleet. They are signaled to stop, but they only signal back "Taggart". They make a run for the island and for the flag ship. The fleet fires a warning shot and then proceeds to destroy several of the skiffs, including the lead ship. They surrender. Seablade rents the ships to a merchant lord named Hugo.
Hugo -- Merchant lord working for Seablade. He has a scar on one cheek and
is full of life and vigorous. He is one of the more successful merchants in
Malgo.
Future plans:
-
Start construction on a Manse over top of a nearby demesne.
-
Convert the currency on the islands to silver.
-
Get the use of a volcano to build things.
-
Consult the Censor of the West about the Washed Gods
-
Research Magitech (read very old books).
-
Deal with the Terrestrial Exalted and figure out what they were supposed to be doing/signaling.
-
Promote the island as a vassal of Seablade.
-
Keep an eye on Stormsweep.
Tom -- Young terrestrial who was captured by Odin and convinced of the value of the solar exalted and the commoners.
Taggart is killed by the terrestrial exalted while they are in prison together. It is an entirely regrettable incident.
A deal is struck with Wavewalker to expand his banks to the neck and make him sealord.
EXP: 9 Story Points + 6 Points from year passing = 15 points total