The PC's gather individually, arriving at the docks of Karlinger City. Stevedores load the PC's belongings and supplies onto the ship, Tireless Traveller.
The docks are crowded, discovery of new land has increased interest in sailing and all sea related activity. Many of the people standing on the dockside are the families of those brave souls who are setting off to colonize this new land and perhaps seek their wealth in the process. The noise of a thousand people talking fails to hide the sound of creaking wood from the jetties and from the ships themselves. The sea wind blows it’s cool morning breath over the shore, filling your sense of smell with an almost overpowering smell of salt, seaweed and dead fish.
Kafka:
You are among the first to arrive beside the ship you are due to set sail in. You make your way through the throng of people towards the gangplank of the Tireless Traveller. The first mate of this ship is standing beside it checking names against his list of passengers. His broad features and dull skin and coarse hair belie his half-orc origins. Of course, it is impossible to tell which clan of orcs he may have been spawned from. Glancing at you briefly he places a mark next to your name and grunts at a passing sailor. “Carry this runt’s luggage to his cabin, I’m surprised the little elf can carry it at all”.
Pyrosh:
While most of your family is unable to accompany you to the docks, a few have come with you to see you off. Dayna, Saluna, Wills and Fondor have been able to free themselves from their normal duties for part of the morning. Your father and several other members of your large family have had to satisfy themselves with saying their goodbyes the night before or earlier this morning as they left for work, or as you yourself left the family home on the beginning of your long journey. Your mother has chosen to remain at home with young Immi has been unwell the last two days.
Dayna, Saluna, Wills and Fondor bid their tearful goodbye as you leave them behind and join the line of people boarding the ship. Ahead of you, you can see a young elven male and two human females. The first mate nods at you and ushers you past, a sailor collects your belongs and hauling them up onto the boat. He doesn’t pass any comment as you board the ship, unlike when he was dealing with the elf before you. Perhaps he feels some kindred spirit due to the mix of blood flowing within you.
Rock:
You get a mixed reaction from people as you push your way through the crowd. Looks of anger quickly turn to fear or confusion as people react to your size race and appearance. It is not often that half-orcs are seen so well dressed, although the great axe is perhaps not such a surprise.
Your large frame allows you to see clearly over many of the people in the crowd, which gives you a distinct advantage as you reach the waterside. A fellow half-orc is checking names against a list and appears to be getting pleasure out of bullying the passengers when he can get away with it. He turns towards you and looks up at you, he treats you with the fear appropriate for your size and muscle structure and asks politely, “Mr Rock I presume”.
To which The Rock replied “No, it’s Mr The Rock”
“Oh I’m sorry sir, please step this way. Harry will take your luggage for you.”
You are shown to your cabins, there are three passenger cabins. Each cabin holds eight people and bunk beds attached to the walls. The cabins are cramped and dingy, with only one window to the outside world letting in light. There are two unlit candles in each room. The prospect of spending forty days in such tight confines is rather unpleasant. Storage for your luggage appears to be whatever you can squeeze under the bunks.
Before long the last of the passengers boards the ship and less than ten minutes later the captain and all the sailors are ready to leave. A thick rope is removed from the jetty and hauled aboard. The sails are set and the ship slowly leaves the harbour of Karlinger city.
There are 96 crew, and 24 passengers (8 female, 16 male including pcs). The boat’s hold is filled with supplies for the settlements in De Mutrio. Cabin space is very limited, with eight persons to a cabin, and very little room to spare. Eight bunk beds line the walls, and storage consists of whatever you can fit under the four bottom bunks or in the small space at either end of the cabin.
Land is no longer in sight, and so the long voyage has begun. Time passes slowly for all passengers.
Kafka made a perform check, as an attempt to entertain the passengers. His check was mediocre, but it attracted the attention of The Rock, who then joined in for the next performance. Together they made a rather stunning performance that pleased the whole crew, and all the passengers on board the ship.
After the performance was over, Lady Trenwith spoke to the two for a while, before returning to her cabin.
It has not taken long to get used to the routines of ship life. You wake, you eat, and you sleep.
A week has passed on board the ship and there is little to do.
A thick fog hides everything but the nose in front of your face. The sailors don’t seem concerned by this and the journey continues.
Three weeks have passed will little excitement. Once or twice the ship has been becalmed, but the wind soon picks up again.
Another thick fog blocks all sight but you sail on regardless.
The party questioned the logic of this, and were told that all was safe; there was nothing for miles around to crash into. They weren’t particularly happy about this, but decided the navigator knew best.