Kartakass: Chapter Six : A foreign land

[Ail]

"Very good, your tale, Master Dwarf"
Lucius says, excited as he pats Cornelius on the back.

"I had never known you had such a liking for stories, but truth be told, I don't know many dwarves either. But really, you made me dream of a distant land for a few moments, a land I yearned to know..."

Then, looking around and speaking in a softer tone,

"So, what do you think of this Herr? His accent reminds me of something. Could he be Lamordian?"

[BigBadQDaddy]

Van looks the crew as he is heading to his cabin. They seem competent to him and that makes him feel a little better. The wizard has never made a mist travel before and this makes him nervous. He goes to William and asks in low voice:

"The ship...is ok now? I mean the travel will be safe right?"

William gives Van a slight smile. "She's a good ship. She'll get us home safely. Her crew looks like a decent enough lot as well. Of course, the merits of a crew are often not seen unti the ship leaves port." In a lower voice he continues. "Of course, you and the others would do well to hide yer talents unless shown a reason to reveal them. Sailors are a superstitious lot and wouldn't hesitate to throw a 'witch' to the sea." He looks Van dead in the eye as he finishes his statement. His face grown serious. After a moment he smiles and lets loose a bark of laughter and slaps the man on the back.
William then commences to walk about the deck, further inspecting the vessel and talking to the crew to learn how experienced they are.

[steveflam]

As William wanders the vessel, he soon comes to realise that these are experienced sailors and the party is in good hands. Wheteher by speaking or observing them it is abundantly clear these sailors know their jobs.

Lucius and the others discuss the old man. Jacob is absent from the party as he too wanders the vessel. This is his first sea voyage and he intends to experience it to the max. The afternoon passes quickly and soon supper time creeps upon you. A cabin steward approaches the party. "Excuse me sirs, but will you be joining the doctor for the evening meal in the dining room?"

[ewancummins]

"Very good, your tale, Master Dwarf"
Lucius says, excited as he pats Cornelius on the back.

"I had never known you had such a liking for stories, but truth be told, I don't know many dwarves either. But really, you made me dream of a distant land for a few moments, a land I yearned to know..."

Then, looking around and speaking in a softer tone,

"So, what do you think of this Herr? His accent reminds me of something. Could he be Lamordian?"

''Well, I for one know nothing more of him than you, Lucius. He gave me this book. Here, take a look, I think you'll find the contents fascinating, to say the least. That this particular book should appear now hardly seems a likely coincidence to me....''

With that, Cornelius hands the tome to Lucius.

The title is plain , without a title ot other printing.
A few words are penned on the first page

This book is based on my findings while I traveled in Kartakass.
Some are personal and others are based on speaking with
lycanthrope hunters.

Yours truly,
R.V.R

The book is a collection of notes relating to werewolves and their near-kin.

[VAN]

After William reassures him, Van decides to wander the vessel as well. As walking he sees his companions gathered. Lucius has a book at his hands that seem to get his and Cornelius interest.

"Hello guys, glad to see all of you gathered here. What is this book about?"

When he companions feels him in the dialog with the old man and when he sees the first page Van frowns:

"Really weird and I agree that is something more than a coincidence. Anyway since we will meet him in diner we will have a chance to know more and thank him for the book."

[BigBadQDaddy]

After his inspection of the crew, William wanders back to the others to inform them of his findings.
"The crew is a fine bunch. They seem very experienced and know the ship quite well. This should be a fine voyage."
He smiles and looks to see the book that is being spoken about. After being filled in on it's contents, William frowns a bit.
"I agree, that is a bit suspicious. A little too convenient if you ask me. We will have to see what we can dig up out of this R.V.R. when dinner is ready."

[lostboy]

Draven frowns as he inspects the book.

"Indeed strange we should find this now of all places and times. Still if it will help us survive then perhaps it is best not to look a gift horse in the mouth as it were." He adds flipping the pages trying to gauge the contents.

"So, what do you think of this Herr? His accent reminds me of something. Could he be Lamordian?"

Draven shudders but after a moments consideration speaks up " I dont think the accent was Lamordian, but I cant place it." Nodding towards the steward he adds, "I agree with William perhaps we shoudl ask the man himself over dinner?"

[OOC: knowledge local to place the accent : 9 that will be a natural 1 gah!]

[BigBadQDaddy]

Draven shudders but after a moments consideration speaks up " I dont think the accent was Lamordian, but I cant place it." Nodding towards the steward he adds, "I agree with William perhaps we shoudl ask the man himself over dinner?"

"Well, in that case, I think I am going to look down below and inspect the quarters that are waiting for us." William then makes his way below decks to do just that.

[steveflam]

When William descends below he discovers the cabins to be well kept. Each one has a desk and chair. A Settee is on one wall. The bed is large enough for two people. Two night stands are found to each side of the bed. The final touches are a dresser and a large bath.


When it's time for the evening meal, you are led to a large dining room. Sitting at one end of the table is the elderly man, who's being served already by a host. The table is for sixteen people, but alas only your party and the man are present. The old man beckons you to his end of the table "Come, please! I am pleased you've joined me for dinner, ja! Sit! Sit!"

He sips a glass of wine and sets it down. The host disappears through a door. "How do you like the ship? She is magnificent, no? Have you had the chance to look at the tome I gave Herr Dwarf this afternoon? And Herr Dwarf, that was an exquisite tale, thank you."

[Ail]

Lucius quite readily accepts the man's invitation, and sits next to him. Then, responding to the man's question:

"Why, dear sir, yes we have, and I find you dabble in very interesting topics. You wrote it yourself, I see. We share common interests, it seems, as I also like to hear and read tales of superstition and folklore.

Do you collect these tales from wandering around, or do you have any first-hand experience? That said, without having read the book in full, would you say... the lycanthrope... is it a real beast or a product of wives' tales?"

[VAN]

Van bows to the man:

"I'm Van I didn't have the honor to meet you before at the deck. Thank you very much for the dinner invite, I'm sure we will have a pleasant time and our trip will be much more interesting."

Then he gets a seat beside Lucius and waits the man's answer to the priest's questions.

[lostboy]

Draven sits down in a seat away form the man, not out of rudeness, just simply that there are others better equipped for an academic discussion than him.

However he does nod politley "Alexander Draven, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I also must thank you for your hospitality". Once said he reaches for the nearest glass of wine and takes a long gulp.

[BigBadQDaddy]

"Bill Cante, at yer service." Say's William almost indifferently. He takes a seat further away from the old many and looks casually around the room before returning his attention to the old man.
"I understand you lent us a book? Mind tellin' us why?"

[steveflam]

"Why, dear sir, yes we have, and I find you dabble in very interesting topics. You wrote it yourself, I see. We share common interests, it seems, as I also like to hear and read tales of superstition and folklore.

Do you collect these tales from wandering around, or do you have any first-hand experience? That said, without having read the book in full, would you say... the lycanthrope... is it a real beast or a product of wives' tales?"

The old man sips his wine and sets the glass down. A twinkle in his eye as he smiles at Lucius. "It is a pleasure to meet you all and thank you for joining me at my table. As for your questions young sir, they aren't old wives' tales. I know this from personal experience as well as having spoken to people who have faced these dreaded beasts."

The man pauses looking around the table, eyes taking everything in, lingering longer at Jacob than the others, before continuing "As for me being the author, that would be untrue. I merely picked this tome up in my travels and have no such use of it at my advanced age."

"Bill Cante, at yer service." Say's William almost indifferently. He takes a seat further away from the old many and looks casually around the room before returning his attention to the old man.
"I understand you lent us a book? Mind tellin' us why?"

"Herr Cante, I have no use of this tome as I have just told your friend. Your dwarf friend spun a marvelous tale thus I rewarded him with the tome. I am sure it might come in handy in your travels. Perhaps not in Darkon, as this is where the vessel is taking us, but elsewhere. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth , young Bill. I give you this book of my own free will, asking nothing in return. I merely seek your company for the long voyage to be honest. Is that a fair response tou your queries, gentlemen?"

[VAN]

"You were very kind to give us that book Sir, but there is one thing I don't get. Why you gave us this book and not another one maybe to undead. Since we head to Darkon you will know for sure that a book to undead would be more...ah...accurate. I don't want to offend you, I repeat that this gift is welcomed, I'm just curious but how you chose that one? You seem a man that have experienced a lot and I'm sure that you have gathered many books with tales or personal experiences."