Options [Halcyon 2nd Ed]

[MikeOQuinn]

Thorne takes a seat and starts counting off options:


"We can go visit this Ten Stripes, on her land, with her rules. We've little enough to offer her that is of interest, but Balota has some connection with her, so we may be able to make berth there for a time.


"We can go to Skullstone. It's not entirely shadowland, though the main island is entirely consumed by the touch of the deathlord Silver Knight. The ports are safe enough for travelers like ourselves, and we might find good trade there. The best trade is in the black ash, but that won't be found on a random stall on the nearest quay - we'll have to go looking for that ourselves. Dangerous, but quite lucrative.


"What is black ash? You've heard the stories, I take it? Don't believe them all. It's the most beautiful of the dark woods. Deeper black than the ebony of the South; hard as the East's ironwood, though not as strong. You'll not see blades made of this stuff, but a black ash longbow will strike as truly with fear as it will with a feathered shaft. The wealthy on the Imperial Island and elsewhere pay hefty sums for furniture made of the stuff, and it is in high demand everywhere for its use as a building material.


"So it appears our options are to brave the turbulent tides of Lunar society and pray we escape with our lives, to seek great profit in a shadowland, no doubt under the watchful eyes of the Deathlord and his servants and pray we escape with our lives, or to chart a course somewhere else."


A mischievous gleam lights Thorne's eyes for a moment. "Do we dance with the beast or the shadow? I'm game for either."

 

[Sevatuan]

"We go to Skullstone." Sevatuan looks around the assemblage in the great cabin. "We have a hold full of jade, and several unique talents aboard Halcyon. We will be able to fill our hold with trade goods on that alone. More importantly, Skullstone offers us an incentive that Ten Stripes does not. Crew."


The Zenith pauses just long enough for a breath. "The incident at Jade Island, and our hasty departure therefrom has left us short several key crew. We have but a single pilot, our carpenter is severely wounded, and we are down several able sea-hands."


The dynast left his final reason for choosing Skullstone unspoken: perhaps the city would offer them some clue about the red-headed reincarnation of the Dawn-that-Was. Sevatuan made a mental note to question his men again. They had heard something resembling a name - or an epithet - from the broken Solar as he had fled from the battle at the tomb. That appellation would be most useful in learning more about our ancient circle-mate.

 

[Persell]

A Voice of Reason


"I, for one, do not think that this idea is a good one."  I look at my Commander, the Admiral-That-Was, and know that he wants to hunt the twisted shard of our fallen Circlemate.  


"We are not exactly in a position of strength--as the Commander states, we are thin at several key positions.  While the Halcyon has name and reputation on our side, it is widely held that the DeathLords hate us,"  I spit the next words with scorn,  "the Anathema."  "And while we may have escaped detection on Jade Island, I doubt that it will be so easy at this Port.   In my experience, these are cold, vengeful and capricious creatures.  I do not like them."


"Black Ash might be an extremely rare commodity, but I do not think that a Death Knight will allow anyone--much less us--just come in and take it.  I just do not think it is worth the risk."


Sitting down, I look at the faces of my friends, waiting for one to either support or counter my fears.

 

[szalman]

Quietly, Quaven pulled Yngwie to the side . . .


"Please do not take this the wrong way, what I say is intended to be for the best of the party and our long term survival.  Part of my training is knowing the lay of the political landscape, and whilst you are correct that the Death Lords despise us, Ten Stripes has a reputation or despising all but her own, so we would be on shaky ground at either end and no other choices readily available.  


"So we go to Skullstone, not only because it is the 'safer' choice; it may not be.  We go because we can pick up crew that we could not hope to pry from Ten Stripes.  We go because we can purchase trading pieces that will not be available at the Lunar's lair.


"And we go most of all, because our Captain - who we both steered towards this direction - has given an order.  I will not necessarily follow blindly, but this order is well thought out, and while not as safe as any of us would like has the ability to help us on several fronts.  We OWE it to him to let him lead, and support him at every turn.  If not then this circle is in worse shape that can be healed even once we dispatch the evil that holds the Dawn-that-Was.


"So, my dear investigator, no matter the distaste and disconcern you are feeling, buck up, offer any suggestions you might have that do not detract from his authority, and get ready to visit the realm of a Death Knight, we are going to need you excellent abilities, whether your personal first choice is taken or not"

 

[MikeOQuinn]

Re: A Voice of Reason

"While the Halcyon has name and reputation on our side, it is widely held that the DeathLords hate us,"  I spit the next words with scorn,  "the Anathema."  "And while we may have escaped detection on Jade Island, I doubt that it will be so easy at this Port.   In my experience, these are cold, vengeful and capricious creatures.  I do not like them."
"Black Ash might be an extremely rare commodity, but I do not think that a Death Knight will allow anyone--much less us--just come in and take it.  I just do not think it is worth the risk."

Thorne takes a moment to consider your words before responding.


"The Silver Knight, " he begins. "while powerful, is exceedingly neutral - for a Deathlord. We will receive no grand welcome; however, so long as we steer clear of his citadel of Onyx and avoid any brash encounters with his death knights, we will be granted stay in his domain."


"As to his attitude toward the gathering of black ash - well, that will depend entirely upon whether or not we are seen in the process."

 

[Persell]

She's going to hate the ShadowRealm


Frowning, I bit my lower lip.  What the Diplomat said mirrored Balota's advice--at least about the Lunar Ten Stripes.  And although I do not have the Scholar's training and expertise, and did not think that the the Commander's new position was as...shaky...as Quaven suggested, I did know that our Circle needed to be unified.  


Sighing, I quashed the visions that Cre'e sent me of the battle of my Well, and nodded.  I wasn't going to like it, but I was going to go.  This was the Scholar's forte, and as such, will do what he asks.  Besides, he was right--I did owe the Commander.  


I once again moved to where I could see and be seen around the table, the quiet voices around the map washing over me.  


Waiting for a break in the conversation, I pitched my voice  "Still, a valuable commodity in the hull is nothing to sneeze about--especially since I have yet to collect pay. Something about"--And here, I paused to look at the faces around the table--"being a Guys Night Out and betting on a sure thing."  Stage sighing, I continued "I didn't even keep the dress."  Soft chuckles greeted this statement, breaking the ice.


"So I take back my vote.  Let's go to Skullstone"  Was I actually saying this?  The phrase "Never again" has a short life on my lips "And while Dew is serviceable, a black ash bow has appeal."  Glancing at the Commander, Besides, we shall see how far One Hundred will take us."


"Now, what do we know of this Ash, and how can one kill a Death Knight easily?"