Spelljamming across the Universe(5E)

[Zarrgon]

The Rock of Bral. Within the endless void of Wildspace, lies a cosmopolitan hub upon a still massive rock. This sprawling city within allows for almost any form of trade and meeting, as long as you stay low. Imports from through fantastic space have their way of ending up here, goods from all sorts of Crystal Spheres and demiplanes alike! Within the many markets, there are many strange and wonderful faces. One such is one you have met before!


The Rock of Bral is ruled by a merchant prince advised by three councils: the Council of the City representing the various neighborhoods, the Noble Council representing the landowners, and the Council of Captains representing all shipowners. These bodies do the majority of governing work, but the last word is still always held by the city's Prince. Still, there's little in the way of actual law on the Rock, with the citizenry mostly self-policing in all but the most serious of offenses. While a fairly open community for the most part, the Rock is still tightly managed in some key aspects, including availability of food and water and quality of air; being such a small community, they carefully balance and regulate their resources and needs of each in order to sustain themselves.

Spoiler: Characters

Show

Each of you has your own histories and the start of a story....and each story has lead your character here: The Rock of Bral.

[RossN]

Talara

A slender young human woman walked through the maze like streets, her soft heeled boots, skirt and hooded cloak all black hued like the curls of her hair which only made the paleness of her skin and the emerald glint to her eyes more noticeable. She was attractive (at least if one's tastes ran to human which was not true of everyone on the Rock of Braal) but there was a certain air to her that spoke of ruthlessness, resourcefulness and craftiness. Those green eyes darting here and there along the bustling streets always seemed to be weighing the price of everything...

Talara was on the hunt. Not for beasts or for her fellow sapients, and not even for ways of increasing her beloved gold which normally occupied most of her otherwise rather empty mind but for information. Somewhere on the Rock of Bral were the clues that point her in the direction of an ivory ring that had once belonged to Zyphon the Magnificent. Stolen decades from the dragon's hoard by greedy and resourceful adventurers. The dragon wanted it back, though he had proved maddeningly enigmatic even by his standards as to what if anything the ring actually did, murmuring only that she would 'know it when she saw it'. For all Talara knew it could be a wholly mundane if beautiful piece of duty... or it could be powerful magic. Either way it was her job to recover it.

Taking a turn through a crowded and colourful and trying to fight off the instinctive distraction of a particularly wealthy looking merchant, species unknown, surrounded by all-brawn no-brain looking guards off a second, equally unknown species Talara entered the area around the docks. Normally her haunts were the markets and as refined a tavern as she could find but it often paid well to study the newcomers to the Rock, both the old spacefarers and the groundlings taking their first proper place into the universe. She could probably pick up some gossip here, perhaps even offer herself as a guide to a true newcomer for a certain fee. 'Let's see what we have here,' Talara murmured to herself.

[Xihirli]

Lesh was also searching the docks, for ships with low crews. During her life in the Astral Sea she had often been able to hire herself out as a translator - she only spoke three languages, but given a bit of time she could understand almost any language - for those who found artifacts and writing from long-dead cultures. When she spotted a face she knew, she crossed over to her.
"Talara." Lesh lifted a hand. "How are you? What are you doing out here?"

[RossN]

Talara

Talara's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Lesh and she strolled over to join the gensai wizard. 'Lesh! Good to see you my fiery friend. I'm doing what I usually do, trying to hunt down an item. This one is for...,' the human woman paused momentarily, recalling Lesh's views on dragons. 'A collector. A carved ivory ring of some sort.'

She gave a rueful half smile. 'As for how I am, well, I feel you need three things to make it through life: wits, beauty and gold. I am having a little difficulty with the third. What about you, how do you fare?'

[Xihirli]

Lesh looked out at the silvery sea before her. "I'm trying to find a boat to get me out there. There's got to be something that... well." Everyone who'd spoken with Lesh about her life had already heard that rant before, so she stopped. "I've never been on a spelljammer before. What's it like?"

[RossN]

Talara

Talara gave an amused smirk. 'You'd probably be better off asking a sailor or a merchant; I've spent more time in ports than on deck.'

Seeing the other woman's expression Talara dropped the standard sardonic tone and looked a bit more sympathetic, softer somehow. 'It has its moments, looking out there at the stars and moons and planets. Just the feel of the deck around you and the tang and glint of magic in the air and the feeling that you are heading somewere. That's Wildspace. Then you reach the Flow which is like...' she struggled to find the words. 'Imagine an artists paints all swirled together, except that instead of creating a dull coloured splodge each shade remains vibrant in the swirl. It is something.'

She paused, her natural streak of cynicism recovering and driving back some of softness. 'Still, I've no intention of voyaging to simply experience it. I'm out to rebuild my family fortune and my collection.'

[Xihirli]

Lesh nodded, smiling at the more idealistic moment from her fri... acquaintance, really. "Are you looking for a jammer to take you now?" she asked.

[Maggius]

Kain was standing dressed his working clothes with wrench near breached hull of small spelljammer and examining it carefully. Voices came from the nearest stone building - captain of this ship was arguing with workshop's owner about price. The damage was small, but Kain knew that the chief administrator will set a greedy price. Pirates become more active in last time - many ships needed to be repaired. Kain's working hours have just already ended. He took a pipe from his bag and ignited it. It should be another typical day in port of The Rock of Bral he thought. Some times ago he started to looking for a captain, who needed mechanic. This was a good place, but all his friends had already left. Falko - never spent many time in ports, he was always in travels. Griznarr - Kain had not seen him for a long time, he hoped that the elves did not kill him. Even Morgana had left this place - brilliant mechanic, many captains wanted to see her aboard their spelljammers. He smiled and thought, if this day would bring good luck? He felt that yes.

[Zarrgon]

A large humanoid tortoise humanoid (a tortle). His simply brown clothing matches his brown skin and shell. His whole shell lights up with glowing words saying in common: "help needed, inquire with me". As he walks along every so often a person walks up to him. They talk for a couple minutes, but the other person most often just shakes their head and walks away. The tortle just keeps walking along, his head hung low.

[Xihirli]

Lesh, intrigued, nodded to Talara and approached the Tortle. "Excuse me," she said.
"My name is Leshruf. What help are you looking for?"

[Zarrgon]

Roton Fairshell "Ah, yes, seaworthiness to you. I'm Roton Fairshell of the Sphere Shells Trading Company. And I have one beach of a problem. I'm a junior member and I was just given my first trade deal. I was given a ship, the StarWave, a very old squid ship. I sent it out to make a couple pick ups and come back here. They messaged in as soon as they entered the Sphere, but then they never made it here. A couple of days ago a passing ship reported seeing the Starwave adrift right along the crystal sphere edge. My company sent out a wreckboat, but nothing has been her from them.

So now it all falls on my shell. Find out what happened, to both my ship and the boat. Save any of the crew or employees that might still be alive. Save the cargo and ship if I can. Scuttle her if I must so she never drifts into a space lane.

But I have a feeling in my shell that something is wrong. I have a salvage crew all ready to go, but I'd feel a lot better if I could bring along a couple of Spacers, just in case there is trouble we can't handle.

I can't offer much, 25 gold coins......but if we can get the cargo and sell it, I can pay more with that and give you a share.

Sound like something you'd be interested in?"

[Xihirli]

Leshruf nodded. She needed to start building a reputation before she could get the better jobs and she knew that. "You can count on me. Where should we meet up?"

[RossN]

Talara

Talara's had followed Leshruf over, her expression curious. 'That sounds like an interesting job,' she all but purred, green eyes glinting at the mention of potential share of the cargo (how much could that be?) 'I believe you can count on me too. I specialise in recovering items, even if a whole jammer and her crew will be a first.'

[Zarrgon]

Roton Fairshell "Oh, two of you? By the Scared Seas, I thought I'd never find anyone.

Meet....well the Star Fountain Plaza works for me.

I just hope I can find some others, I was hoping to find a handfull."

[Xihirli]

Lesh simply nodded to the tortle. "Good luck."

[Maggius]

Cain walked towards the docks. Here was worthy pub where gathered sailors for resting and exchanging rumours. Best place to look for work. Or to look for trouble - too many scoundrels of all sorts gathered from different worlds made their deals here. Thinking, Kain was making his way through crowd, when he saw strange turtle. "help needed, inquire with me" was writen on his shell. Very interesting. Either he was desperate, or it was cunning fraud - this place could offer different situations. Well, maybe he really needs some help. Or can offer something interesting. 'Good day my friend. Can i help you?'

[Zarrgon]

Roton Fairshell waks over to Cain.

Roton Fairshell "Why yes, maybe you can. I'm Roton Fairshell and I have one beach of a problem.

I'm a junior member and I was just given my first trade deal. I was given a ship, the StarWave, a very old squid ship. I sent it out to make a couple pick ups and come back here. They messaged in as soon as they entered the Sphere, but then they never made it here. A couple of days ago a passing ship reported seeing the Starwave adrift right along the crystal sphere edge. My company sent out a wreckboat, but nothing has been her from them.

So now it all falls on my shell. Find out what happened, to both my ship and the boat. Save any of the crew or employees that might still be alive. Save the cargo and ship if I can. Scuttle her if I must so she never drifts into a space lane.

But I have a feeling in my shell that something is wrong. I have a salvage crew all ready to go, but I'd feel a lot better if I could bring along a couple of Spacers, just in case there is trouble we can't handle.

I can't offer much, 25 gold coins......but if we can get the cargo and sell it, I can pay more with that and give you a share.

Sound like something you'd be interested in

[Maggius]

'It sounds dangerous - but, like everything in space. I have experience in space travel. I am interested. When will we start?'

[RossN]

Talara

'Well it seems as if you have gotten your wish,' Talara said to Lesh, a smile on her face. 'If we're lucky this could make our fortunes.'

[Zarrgon]

Roton Fairshell looks over at the new voice.

Roton Fairshell "I would like to leave as soon as possible. First morning bell. "

[Xihirli]

Lesh nodded. "Best of luck to you, Talara."

[Maggius]

Kain Graccen
"Deal. I have enough time to prepare." He held out his hand for a handshake.

Spoiler: Insight roll

Show

(1d20+0)[10]

[Dexam]

Lily Ravenswood

The short, slender half-elf woman wandered through the bustling streets, trying not to constantly stare at the wonders around her, but sometimes failing. She'd successfully escaped the wrath of her master by stowing away aboard what she had assumed was a ship docked in Waterdeep, fully expecting to end up in the Moonshae Isles, or Calimshan, or even Vilhon Reach. Never had she expected that she would end up here, at this city-among-the-stars. "At least the captain of that... spelljammer? was kind enough not to throw me overboard, or hand me over to whatever authorities run this place," she thought to herself. "But what shall I do now?" she mused.

For all it's wonder, this 'Rock of Bral' bore the common sights of any large cosmopolitan city, and Lily's home city of Waterdeep was one of the largest and most cosmopolitan in the Realms - she was sure that she could fit in here, given time. She momentarily wondered if she should assume her "other" personality, but a quick glance of the busy people hustling and bustling about the street dissuaded her of that notion. "The Lady Lilisendra shall have to remain in hiding for now," Lily thought. "This city is bound to have it's expenses, and I shall have to find other means to earn some coin."

Some moments later Lily spied some sort of tortoise-person with a "help needed" sign on it's shell, occasionally stopping to talk with people. Shouldering her pack and adjusting her weapons, she approached. "Excuse me, good... being, but might I enquire as to what manner of help you are seeking?" Lily smiled gently. "It might be that I can offer my services - for appropriate recompense, of course."

[Zarrgon]

Spoiler: Kain Graccen

Show

Insight- Roton Fairshell is up front and honest

Roton Fairshell turns towards Lilly " I'm Roton Fairshell and I have one beach of a problem.

I'm a junior member and I was just given my first trade deal. I was given a ship, the StarWave, a very old squid ship. I sent it out to make a couple pick ups and come back here. They messaged in as soon as they entered the Sphere, but then they never made it here. A couple of days ago a passing ship reported seeing the Starwave adrift right along the crystal sphere edge. My company sent out a wreckboat, but nothing has been her from them.

So now it all falls on my shell. Find out what happened, to both my ship and the boat. Save any of the crew or employees that might still be alive. Save the cargo and ship if I can. Scuttle her if I must so she never drifts into a space lane.

But I have a feeling in my shell that something is wrong. I have a salvage crew all ready to go, but I'd feel a lot better if I could bring along a couple of Spacers, just in case there is trouble we can't handle.

I can't offer much, 25 gold coins......but if we can get the cargo and sell it, I can pay more with that and give you a share.

Sound like something you'd be interested in"

[Dexam]

Lily Ravenswood

Lily taps her chin in silent contemplation. "Trouble-shooting a salvage job," she thinks to herself. "I have no idea what a squid ship or crystal sphere is, but I'm sure I'll pick it up as I go."

"Well met, Roton Fairshell; I'm Lilisendra Ravenswood, but my friends call me Lily. That is indeed a beach of a problem you have there. I could perhaps be persuaded to assist... for 30 gold coins, half in advance, half on return; and naturally I shall require a signed contract bearing your company's seal granting me rights to an equal share of any salvage. What say you, do we have a deal?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Persuasion if required: (1d20+4)[9]

[Zarrgon]

Roton Fairshell "Well, understand this is not a salvage job....at least not yet. I have no idea why the ship is adrift, but I have hopes that we can save the ship and crew and bring them all back here to Bral safe and sound. And at worse I might need to scuttle, not salvage the ship.

And I'm offering a share of the ships cargo, if we can get it. That is why it would be best if we could bring back the whole ship and all it's cargo. So you under stand, I'm offering a part share of any cargo we can recover.

And 25 gold is my limit, i was not born with a shell made of gold you know. But I will pay all that gold up front.

All sound good to you?"

[Maggius]

Kain Graccen

After talking with the turtle, Cain thought it would be useful to find a crew that saw this Starwave - they can tell some additional infornation. Pirates, space creatures, anomalies - ships do not disappear on their own. And rumors can often tell a lot of interesting things. Cain noticed that the turtle talked with two women: human and fire gensai - obviously, they received the same offer as he. At first, he decided to talk with them. Cain came up and introduced himself. "Sorry to interrupt your conversation. My name is Kain Graccen. Did you also get an offer ftom that turtle?"

[RossN]

Talara

Talara nodded her head in greeting to Kain. 'Just so. I'm Talara and this is Leshruf. I know the wages don't sound much but a share of the cargo, now we're talking. Or are you more in it for the adventure?'

[Xihirli]

Leshruf inclined her head. "Tortle, not turtle. I'd recommend not calling him a turtle. Insensitive."

[Maggius]

Kain Graccen

Cain thought and after a brief delay said:"I not very interested in money, but for me - this case can offer something more than I have now. I always wanted something different than working in a repair shop. It's a good work, but not for me. And what about your?"