[19:07] <GM|> *** LOG START ***
[19:08] <GM|> *The flotilla is busy being loaded with supplies.  You are each given free reign of the flagship, provided you stay out of the way of the people who are working, and are also given shore leave permission should you so desire.
[19:09] <GM|> *Late in that evening, a pair of sloops enter the harbour, flying the colours of the Paladin's order.  You overhear one young officer note that is probably their entire fleet being added to this quest.
[19:10] * Yuki` plans to stay on the boat, to get used to its movement.
[19:10] * Nikolai is relaxing.
[19:10] * Uileam does as well.  Also, to simply get the layout.
[19:11] * Raoul has much the same idea. This is, after all, the flagship - more ornate and more powerful than anything he's sailed himself, and most things he's set foot on. And since the last time they were on the water they had to fight a summoned demon... Yeah, he's getting the lay of the ship.
[19:11] <GM|> *The flagship is, for all its displacement, very standard in it's layout.  The guestquarters are in the forecastle, the officers and crew in the aft, with cargo and common spaces in the hull between.
[19:12] <GM|> *In your wanderings, you do notice the cannon.  A quick count reveals over a hundred gunports on each side, and spare cannon secured in safe places.
[19:13] * Raoul cannot help but whistle low at this display. He won't poke at them too much, of course, but his fingers trail over one on his stroll...
[19:13] * Uileam is rather taken aback at the sheer number.
[19:14] <GM|> *The diplomats from Earth tend to stay in or near their quarters.  Apparently, they are waiting for some of their own supplies, but they seem to be... delayed.
[19:14] * Yuki` frowns a bit at the sheer number of cannons, but does not mention anything about them.
[19:15] * Nikolai takes note at the voluminous firepower.
[19:16] * Raoul has to turn to those who decided to take in the ship with him. "Impressive, but also terrifying. This is what Azrag Biet can bring to bear when angered."
[19:16] * Uileam makes a mental note not to anger Azrag Biet.  Ever.
[19:17] <Yuki`> "That explains a lot."
[19:18] * Raoul has to ask. "What does it explain?"
[19:19] <Yuki`> "How the old war went once Azrag Biet was involved, and why it went so quickly."
[19:21] * Nikolai pays good attention to any Theran history lessons.
[19:21] <GM|> ((For comparison, the most guns on a wooden ship-of-the-line at the height of the British Empire had ~120 cannon a side.))
[19:22] * Raoul nods, not entirely sure how to take that. "Even such might cannot solve every problem... Some require foresight, which we did not have then. I hope these cannons will gather dust on this voyage, and that our foresight will not."
[19:22] * Yuki` nods. "Agreed."
[19:22] <Raoul> ((So pretty well armed, but not absolutely bristling. I feel like I haven't done my homework.))
[19:23] <GM|> ((It could take on a British Empire Ship of the line in equal combat.))
[19:25] <GM|> *On your tour, you overhear a quiet argument between a Biet officer and a U.S. Marine, over which is better - quality or quantity of guns.
[19:25] <GM|> *Their argument is low, but amicable.
[19:26] * Uileam isn't getting involved.  He doesn't like navies too much, and his stint was on land, anyway.
[19:27] * Uileam continues his quiet, self-given tour.
[19:27] <GM|> *Up on the deck, people are still loading foodstuffs, as well as transferring crewmen back and forth to the boats.
[19:27] <GM|> ((Awareness))
[19:28] * Raoul will leave the argument be, since he would rather believe this ship can handle whatever fight it gets into. Comparing it against Earth technology might be depressing.
[19:28] <Yuki`> !roll 1d100
[19:28] <Uileam> !roll 1d100
[19:28] <Highwind>  Yuki` - 1d100: 19 ( Total: 19 )
[19:28] <Raoul> !roll 1d100
[19:28] <Highwind>  Uileam - 1d100: 47 ( Total: 47 )
[19:28] <Highwind>  Raoul - 1d100: 69 ( Total: 69 )
[19:28] <Yuki`> ((Pass by 31.))
[19:28] <Raoul> ((Awareness of 62.))
[19:29] <GM|> *You hear a very un-Theran sound.  Like a gas motor...
[19:29] * Uileam perks and subtly heads that-a-way.
[19:30] * Yuki` frowns a bit to herself and wanders in the same direction.
[19:31] <GM|> *Up on the deck, at the railing, you can see a Zodiac pulling away from the ship, headed towards another ship in a straight line, ignoring such trifling things as wind and water current.
[19:31] * JadeNSC has joined #i-demon
[19:32] <GM|> ((Zodiac's are those rubber boats with the outboard motor.))
[19:33] * Uileam frowns.  "Fits right in with the scenery."
[19:33] <Nikolai> "A bit showy."
[19:34] * Raoul goes to the rail, not noticing the sound until they start to look for it. "...Was it delivering something, or retrieving it?"
[19:34] <GM|> *One of the Ensigns looks at you for your comments.  "Very much.  It smells and is very noisy, but we've been using it for priority runs.  I'd like to meet the shipwright who created that wonderous craft."
[19:35] <GM|> "Some foreigners, and some important supplies, Lord."
[19:36] <Raoul> "Mm. I will not ask for specifics. But it is good that we are... sharing like this. It heartens me."
[19:37] <GM|> "Indeed.  Such a useful craft, if a bit light.  Barely any drat at all.  I rode on it, and I felt like a stiff wind would capsize her."
[19:38] <Nikolai> "Hmmph."
[19:39] <GM|> *As evening comes, light become more and more common, both in the city and on the boat.  Supper is served in the common galleys as well as in the Officers and Guest's mess.
[19:39] * ElementalKnight has joined #i-demon
[19:39] * ChanServ sets mode: +o ElementalKnight
[19:39] * ElementalKnight makes a mental note to attempt to find a way to obtain a few of those craft. They would be useful scouts for Azrag Biet's lesser waterways and bays.
[19:39] <ElementalKnight> ((er, *Raoul))
[19:40] * Raoul has quit IRC (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by ElementalKnight)))
[19:40] * ElementalKnight is now known as Raoul
[19:40] * ChanServ sets mode: -o Raoul
[19:40] <GM|> ((No one mention hovercraft to Raoul))
[19:40] * Yuki` is going to eat at the guest area, but she's going to try to stay away from the people she doesn't know.
[19:41] * ElementalKnight has joined #i-demon
[19:41] * ChanServ sets mode: +o ElementalKnight
[19:41] <ElementalKnight> ((Hey, small stuff like that, we might be able to *buy* some. If we can just figure out how to hit Earth's market without their governments getting wind of it.))
[19:41] * Raoul has quit IRC (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by ElementalKnight)))
[19:41] * ElementalKnight is now known as Raoul
[19:41] * ChanServ sets mode: -o Raoul
[19:41] <GM|> ((BRB, talk amongst yourselves))
[19:43] * Yuki` is eating silently, still looking a bit ill-at-ease.
[19:43] <GM|> *The ship is pretty still, all things considered.
[19:46] * Raoul decides to have a quick meal in the common galley. There will be plenty of time for finer foods on the trip; for now, seeing the other sailors, and having tack and beer, and enjoying that feeling of the moment before the first step... For a moment, he forgets that this isn't a pleasure jaunt, in a little ship with some friends, destination women and adventure.
[19:46] * Nikolai is calmly eating, relaxing before things inevitably turn for the worse.
[19:49] * Uileam isn't that hungry right now.  Still getting his sea legs.  Damned water is a lot harder when it's not solid.
[19:49] <GM|> *In both places, rumors are rampant about the Earth peoples, even if they don't know to call them that.  In the guest's mess, there is a definate seperation between those from Thera and the Earth contingent.
[19:50] <GM|> *Between the way they dress, their equipment and small contributions to the fleet, people are trying to figure out just who they are, and what they represent.
[19:51] * Raoul keeps the secret, but listens carefully. Rumors have foundations, however shaky.
[19:53] <GM|> *In the guest mess, one of the Refelgan contingent finally gets up the courage to appraoch the Earth group, finding a seat to sit down.
[19:53] <GM|> !roll 1d3
[19:53] <Highwind>  GM| - 1d3: 1 ( Total: 1 )
[19:53] <GM|> *And he sits down beside Yuki.
[19:55] * Yuki` gives a quick acknowledgement to the guy, and goes back to eating.
[19:56] * Nikolai observes.
[19:56] <GM|> "So, where are you all from?" he opens up hesitantly.
[19:58] <GM|> *There is a bit of attention on this man as he looks at you all.
[19:58] * Yuki` waits a little bit for someone else to respond, then finally stops eating when nobody else does. "...Hinodeumei."
[20:00] <GM|> "Ah, and what intrest does that nation have in all this?  And I must add that it doesn't look like you all are from there."
[20:01] <Yuki`> "...no, I am from Hinodeumei.  I do not represent them.  Only myself."
[20:01] <GM|> "... ah.  And the rest of you?"
[20:04] <Nikolai> "Nevada."
[20:05] * Fuepepe[Laptop] has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[20:05] <GM|> "Ne-vah-dah?  I've never heard of that place...  Are you all else from there?"
[20:07] * Nikolai has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[20:07] <GM|> ((...))
[20:07] <GM|> *The Reufelgan collects his meal, and returns to his own group, where a hushed discussion quickly forms.
[20:08] <Uileam> (Missing the true Irish charm.  Sad but true!)
[20:08] <GM|> ((Awareness from Yuki and Uileam))
[20:08] <Yuki`> !roll 1d100
[20:08] <Uileam> !roll 1d100
[20:08] <Highwind>  Yuki` - 1d100: 64 ( Total: 64 )
[20:08] <Highwind>  Uileam - 1d100: 62 ( Total: 62 )
[20:09] <Yuki`> ((Fail by 14.))
[20:09] <GM|> *Down in the common mess, Raoul's noble status is causing him to be slightly ostracized by the common sailors.  Some are brave enough to sit at his table, but little conversation is directed at it.
[20:09] <Uileam> (Pass by some amount.  Strangely enough, I can't get into the fils.)
[20:09] <Raoul> ((I had that problem too.))
[20:10] <Uileam> (Is my Awareness something different, or is this for me?)
[20:10] * Raoul doesn't mind. He tries to strike up conversation, mostly about the ship itself, with those sailors who would sit with him. ((I myself don't know much about ships, so I can't *actually* throw out an icebreaker. <.<))
[20:11] * Nikolai has joined #i-demon
[20:11] <GM|> *Uileam hears snippets of conversation about people trying to find out just who or what this 'Ne Vah Dah' is.
[20:11] <Nikolai> ((guh))
[20:12] * Uileam makes his way into the dining area... fashionably late, let's call it.  He looks a little worse for the wear, but who isn't?  He pulls up a chair next to Raoul and begins to regale those sitting with him about grand (and fake!, but they don't know that) stories about how Raoul has saved his skin.
[20:12] <GM|> *Raoul gets some perfunctionalry responses, but no one is willing to be really friendly with him at this point.
[20:13] * Uileam doesn't immediately make the connection with the Earth and Ne Vah Dah deal.  European, after all.  Stupid colonists. <.<
[20:13] * Nikolai smiles disarmingly at the soldier willing to sit by them
[20:13] <Yuki`> ((Uh, I think we might need to take a moment to figure out where everyone is or was.))
[20:14] * Fuepepe[Laptop] has joined #i-demon
[20:14] <Yuki`> ((Are Raoul, Yuki, Nikolai, and Uileam all in the same messhall?))
[20:14] <Uileam> (I was out of the dining room until this point.  I just made my way to Raoul to make everyone happy.)
[20:15] <GM|> ((Raoul and Uileam seem to be in the common mess, with Yuki and Nikolai in the guest mess.))
[20:15] <Raoul> ((Yeah, that's what I have.))
[20:15] <Yuki`> ((Oh, okay. Got a bit confused there.))
[20:17] * Nikolai has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[20:19] * Uileam lets his disarmingly amazing stories sink in?
[20:19] <GM|> ((You wanna roll a skill for it?))
[20:19] * Raoul isn't sure the stories are going to be what gets the sailors to respect him, but if talk of the ship doesn't do it, and he's not got anything to save them from in mortal combat...
[20:20] <GM|> ((Fastforwarding))
[20:20] * JadeNSC is now known as Aislinn
[20:21] <GM|> *In the morning, you all come out for breakfast, only to find a familiar marine sitting down for breakfast herself!
[20:22] * Aislinn has already eaten half of what's there, and is shoving it in her mouth. Bootcamp habits are hard to break.
[20:22] <GM|> ((Jade is back from her leave.  Give her a warm welcome all!))
[20:22] <Aislinn> (( *what's there on her plate. ))
[20:22] * Yuki` comes into the mess halls, stops, blinks a couple times. She's staring a bit.
[20:23] * Nikolai has joined #i-demon
[20:23] <Raoul> ((Yay! The more the merrier. Except if it's Pippin.))
[20:24] * Yuki` keeps staring for a bit, then skaes herself out of it and slowly goes over to sit, like she fears that Aislinn is actually a mirage.
[20:24] <Nikolai> ((What))
[20:25] * Uileam doesn't have that much of a reaction, having barely met Aislinn before she disappeared.  He bows his head and gives her a quick "g'mornin'" before finding grub of his own.
[20:25] <Nikolai> "..."
[20:26] * Aislinn takes a gulp of OJ and waves. "there's plenty more."
[20:26] <Nikolai> "Hi."
[20:26] <GM|> ((Aislinn is back.  Rejoyce!))
[20:26] <Yuki`> "Uh... you... got reassigned again, I see."
[20:26] <Nikolai> ((Rejoice))
[20:27] <Aislinn> "Somethin' like that, yeah."
[20:28] <Nikolai> "Hmm. Nice to have you back."
[20:28] * Yuki` nods. "Definitely."
[20:28] * Raoul goes to get food before the crew consumes it all, but he nods to Aislinn on the way, a bit of a spring in his step. New day, bigger group, life ain't bad.
[20:28] <Aislinn> "Thank you.  Good to be back."
[20:30] <Yuki`> "They give an actual reason this time, or mysterious as ever?"
[20:32] <Aislinn> "I'm here for 'protection.'  Guess they figure I stand half a chance of keeping people from getting killed."
[20:33] <Yuki`> "I hope you don't need to protect that many."
[20:33] <Aislinn> "Maybe just your old bones.  The others seem healthy and virile enough."
[20:33] * Aislinn takes a mouthful of food after that. It's hard to tell if she's smirking or not as she chews.
[20:34] * Uileam is apparently a very young-looking old man. <.<
[20:34] <Yuki`> "Not really.  I have a couple more tricks now, and age or not, I'm still fast enough to run."
[20:34] <Aislinn> (( She has to make jabs at Yuki. <.< ))
[20:35] <Aislinn> "Well hopefully this assignment will be boring and no one gets killed."
[20:35] * Yuki` takes a bite. "We'll find out soon enough."
[20:35] <GM|> *Walter comes out from his cabin, and sees the new arrival.  "Hello!  I'm Walter, head of this contingent.  You must be our late arrival.  Eyeslinn?"
[20:35] * Nikolai blinks.
[20:36] * Uileam wonders why people over here seem to have trouble with names.
[20:36] <Aislinn> "Aislinn," she corrects.  "Though if you're military, Sergeant Kelly will do."
[20:36] <GM|> *Walter waves off his mistake.  "Sorry.  Not a morning person.  Didn't sleep well either, all things concerned."
[20:37] * Aislinn polishes off her plate and takes a moment to lean back in her seat and enjoy her OJ. "I suppose not. Where're we headed?"
[20:38] <Raoul> ((brb))
[20:38] <GM|> *Walter steps up.  "Jord."
[20:39] * Nikolai has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[20:39] <Aislinn> "Oh, fun."  She looks over at Yuki.  "What's on the agenda?"
[20:40] <Yuki`> "Negotiations.  At least, I hope it stays at only negotiations."
[20:40] <Yuki`> "My 'old bones' aren't big at being stabbed yet again."
[20:40] <Aislinn> "Ah, diplomacy.  I'll check my weapons."
[20:41] * Aislinn chuckles. "I'm sure it'll go 'smoothly,' if the rumors about special ops I heard were true."
[20:41] * Nikolai has joined #i-demon
[20:41] <Yuki`> "Now those rumors I hadn't heard much about."
[20:42] * Aislinn shrugs. "S'why it's special ops."
[20:43] * Yuki` nods. "Good point."
[20:43] <Aislinn> "Kinda odd timing though.  Sending us in and then..." she trails off.
[20:43] * Yuki` let's the silence hang.
[20:44] <GM|> "I heard there was another op that went bad, and this is the official follow up, and apology, or something like that" Walter adds.
[20:45] <Yuki`> "...that would make some sense."
[20:46] <GM|> "Not that I was told anything about that sort of thing.  We're just here to 'observe', really."
[20:46] * Aislinn snorts. "Now I *know* I need to sharpen my knives."
[20:46] <Raoul> ((back))
[20:49] <Yuki`> "Heh.  Well, then, you might as well sharpen mine too, while you're at it."
[20:50] <GM|> "Please don't atagonize people.  It just makes my job harder."
[20:50] <Aislinn> (( "this is my rifle, this is my gun..."  ...sorry. ))
[20:50] <Raoul> ((Ahahaha.))
[20:51] <Aislinn> "I'm not trained for diplomacy.  I'll stay in the background and keep my trap shut.  When the bullets start flying, then you'll hear from me."
[20:53] <GM|> "Ah, perhaps you need some tutoring then.  Our trip will take a couple weeks.  I may be able to give some of you a crash course in diplomacy."
[20:53] * Raoul nods. "As much as it is a joke, it may be a wise idea. Sharpen swords, and minds, and prepare to use both."
[20:54] * Yuki` shrugs. "I'd be willing to listen in, to see the methods from a different angle."
[20:55] <GM|> Walter claps his hands.  "Excellent!  I hear we will be underway tomorrow, so if you have any last minute things to do on land before we go, I'd suggest you do so right away."
[20:56] * Aislinn sighs. "Fun."
[20:57] <Uileam> "I believe I'm all set for now, dinner aside."
[20:57] <Nikolai> "Indeed, that was tasty."
[20:58] * Yuki` nods.
[20:59] <Aislinn> "Full belly, sharp mind."
[20:59] <GM|> *A random steward overhears your appreciation of the food, and offers to tell the galley staff.
[20:59] * Yuki` waits until Walter leaves, then says in a low voice to the others "I'm guessing when we're done with that diplomatic training, we'll all need to review with each other a bit to remind ourselves how things really go."
[21:01] <Aislinn> And how is that?"
[21:02] <Yuki`> "Knowing our collective luck?  As badly as they can go."
[21:02] <Aislinn> "So, nothing's changed."
[21:02] <Yuki`> "Not that much.  Like I said, I learned a few more tricks... and I think everyone else did, too."
[21:02] * Nikolai has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[21:03] * Raoul nods. "I meant it when I said both minds and swords."
[21:03] <Aislinn> "Then I suppose I'm behind."
[21:04] <Yuki`> "I imagine a little training in Thera will help with that."
[21:06] <Yuki`> "It's not like we won't have the time here, and we could use the time to learn how to work together again."
[21:07] * Aislinn nods and looks at the others. "Sounds fair, I guess."
[21:08] <GM|> *From outside the sounds of work never really stopped.  In fact, it seems like the ship is riding lower in the water now than it was yesterday.
[21:08] <Yuki`> "Besides, after being in a few battles like we were, I'd sure as hell trust all of you more than I trust anyone else on this boat."
[21:08] * Nikolai has joined #i-demon
[21:09] <Yuki`> ((BRB.))
[21:10] <Aislinn> "Smart move.  Experience often beats training."
[21:12] <GM|> *There isn't a real parctice area on the ship, although the ship's own military compliment does have part of the deck staked out for their own drills.
[21:13] <Yuki`> ((Back.))
[21:14] * Yuki` finishes up her breakfast.
[21:14] <Raoul> ((Well, it's either that or the deck, and even the deck would be a bit busy.
[21:14] <Raoul> *))
[21:15] <Aislinn> "Well, there ought to be some place where we won't cause much damage."
[21:15] <Yuki`> "Well, I'll leave that to the people with the pull to ask the important people."  Yuki smiles a bit and looks at Raoul.
[21:16] <GM|> *You can hear that Zodiac outside again.
[21:16] * Raoul laughs. "I do not think I have as much pull as you might think here, but I will ask, certainly."
[21:17] * Yuki` shrugs. "More than I have. I don't even speak Azragi."
[21:17] <Yuki`> ((Probably horribly mispelled.))
[21:19] <Raoul> ((nope, s correct.))
[21:19] * Raoul heads off to find the head of said military contingent, to ask permission for use of their training facilities.
[21:20] <GM|> *It's not hard to find.  The ships compliment is practicing anti-boarding techniques with pikes and axes off to one side.  The Captain of the group has a thin white sash.
[21:21] * Raoul lightly coughs, off to the captain's side. "Captain, if I may?"
[21:21] <GM|> "Yes?"
[21:22] * Mischa has joined #i-demon
[21:23] <Raoul> "If I may, I would ask permission for myself and my companions to use your training facilities while onboard. Respecting your own schedules, of course."
[21:23] <GM|> "We can't do that Lord, not while in harbour.  Hard enough to get this space for ourselves, as there is no place set aside for us.  Once we're at sea though, different matter."
[21:25] <GM|> "Come talk to me again once we're underway.
[21:25] <GM|> "
[21:26] * Raoul nods. "Usage at sea was my primary concern. Thank you for your time."
[21:26] <GM|> *The captain nods and goes back to his drills.
[21:27] * Raoul nods, leaves him be, but turns back before leaving the deck, to watch the soldiers at practice for a moment. But only a moment; then he returns to the party.
[21:29] <GM|> ((Anything else before I set this flotilla out of harbor?))
[21:29] <Yuki`> ((Not from me, personally.))
[21:29] <Raoul> ((I'm good.))
[21:29] <Uileam> (Nope.)
[21:31] <GM|> *The next morning, with much triumph, and fanfare - music and all that jazz, the ships begin to file out of the harbour, making their way around the breakwater and the lighthouse on it.  The flagship you're on is lead by a harbour boat about halfway into the coloumn, while ships with shallower drafts make their own paths.
[21:31] <GM|> *It takes about an hour, but the entire fleet of some fifteen ships is in formation, and slowly moving north with the wind.
[21:32] <GM|> *It's actually a pretty neat sight.
[21:33] <GM|> ((And that's where my notes end for the year.))
[21:33] <GM|> *** LOG END ***

--
Jon Berry