1. Introduction; A Decent Proposal

[tumblingdice]

Nod when he realizes that it was a good use of their time, but a millisecond later he is certain that his use of his time was more productive and infinitely more enjoyable.

Ah, grasshopper. One can not be more productive or less productive. One is either productive or unproductive. The same goes for joy. Wax off!

[Scalydemon]

Marion - Female Hobbit

Returns from the Merchant Area. Finds a nice shady Oak tree to sit under back near the tavern. She sits back against the venerable tree, lights a pipe of the 'old toby' longleaf tobacco she purchased and contemplates the upcoming journey. 'I don't really care much for horses over-much, but at least it's a paying job' she thinks to herself as she watches the smoke rings dissapate in the leafy canopy above

[tumblingdice]

Renardius spends his time at the local church... mainly berating the clergy for any perceived lapses. (If there are multiple churches of multiple deities, he'll so the same at all of them, regardless of whether or not he's a member )

Renardius, while the novices cower at your treatment, you discover that the bishop in charge here in Kelvin is just as humorless and obstinate as you. You spend some serious time with a mop and bucket until everything is finally to your--and by your I mean his--liking.

Your visit to the Church of Traladara is less fruitful. While the clerics there listen politely to your suggestions, their parting comments, spoken in Traladaran, seem to suggest some kind of obstruction to your posterior passage.

[greyarea]

Tret, cutpurse

Tret goes to find people to make money off of through story-telling. As far as you know.

[tumblingdice]

Jarek, your contacts report that Kalanos is a decent man, though emotionally unstable at times. While he's had a steady crew member or two over the years, he employs his rowers seasonally. As a result, you don't learn anything about who serves on his crew.

[tumblingdice]

Day 7, Moldain, Thaumont 7th, 1000 AC, early morning, Fisherman's area, in the shadow of Kelvin Bridge, Kelvin

The bell in the church tower rings seven times as you approach the docks along the Volaga river. Gray clouds tinged with red hang in the sky, while the breeze blowing off the water prompts you to huddle within your cloaks. The water is high, swollen with melted snows, and the current rushes past the boats, rocking them up and down and against the pier.

About halfway down the docks, you find a group of men loading boxes, barrels, and oars on to a riverboat. They work in silence, their labored breathing visible in the chill morning air, and pay no attention to you. Moments later, a short fellow with dirty blond hair and a scraggly beard pushes his way through the crowd. His blue eyes shine as he looks you over.

"Ah," he says. "Stephan told me you'd be here. Name's Kalanos," he greets you, shaking your hands. "Hell of a day to be out on the water, eh?"

Actions?

[Spanningtree]

Soldath

Aye, the weather is looking inclement... how long to Sukiskyn or the nearest landing adjacent? I'm Soldath. He will say stretching out a hand.

[badams30]

Athelstan - Fighter who doesn't like boats

Athelstan eyes the boat with thinly veiled displeasure, and begins to take mental notes of the armaments aboard, and defensible positions. Just before casting off, he will say a quiet prayer to Vanya.

[Adapt]

Jarek - Skeptical Thief

Jarek shakes the captain's hand. "Jarek's the name. Never worked a riverboat before but I've done my share of lifting and unloading. Anything you need a hand with, I'm your man."

He heads towards the boat, passing by Athelstan. He pauses and whispers to the fighter: "I hear bad things about some of the men that work this river. Best keep a sharp eye on them, eh?"

With that, he strolls over to the piles of cargo and introduces himself to the crew, asking if they need a hand. Assuming no one stops him, he'll start loading cargo onto the ship, sizing up the crew and chatting with them about wenches and river life.

[Scalydemon]

Marion - Hobbit

"Well met Kalanos." She'll offer him a firm handshake from a diminutive hand. "Marion Stoutgirdle from a proud family of Stoutgirdles at your service."