Journal Entry: Cat's Tale

by Trampas Whiteman

Entry Date: 7/10/2005
Entry Number: 3
Entry Title: Sargas' Fire

Heather:

Well the big guy didn't give me much time to get stuff together but since I don't have very much I guess I will restock my provisions. With what little money I have left from my last adventure (pick pocketing) I will head to the shops to see about getting more dried foods. Also I try to find a place to stay that isn't more then I can afford and bed down for the evening. I will probably get bored just sitting around (since I am used to being busy) and maybe head down to people watch at the tavern where I met the Cap'n. Then I will head back to my room, meditate for a bit and then try to sleep. My internal clock always gets me up before sunrise so I shouldn't have a problem getting there in time but I tell the innkeeper when to get me up.

The next morning I will get up break my fast and head down to the docks to hopefully find the ship without too much problem and meet up with the Cap'n.

Dragonhelm:

You manage to scramble enough money together for provisions and a bunk for the night. It isn't the best of accommodations, but at least you have a roof over your head.

After sitting on your bunk for a while, you get the urge to get out, and head down to the tavern. Some of the faces seem to be the same, others not. All in all, though, the lot seems downright depressing. Just a bunch of town drunks.

You wonder around for a bit more, looking at the goods in town. A rouge hat with a white plume catches your eye, though you think it might be a bit much (up to you). As you turn back towards the marketplace, you bump into someone - the man in rags from the tavern.

"Beggin' yer pardon, miss."

He quickly runs off before you can say anything. Though he has left, his odor remains.

After a while, though, you realize that it's time to get back to bed. You go back and meditate.

Upon meditating, you feel more connected to the world somehow, and at peace. It's almost like you can reach inside yourself and find that certain state of mind where all is well.

This time, though, something is different about the meditation. You feel cold, and a darkness threatens to overshadow you. It's as if an eye is looking at you. You wake from your meditative trance with a start, sweating profusely.

Sleep is hard to come by, but eventually you drift off. Your internal clock wakes you up at the appropriate time, and you head down to the docks.

You arrive in time, seeing the ship - Sargas' Fire. You see the captain bellowing out orders to his crew. What's amazing to you is that this crew seems to be very mixed. There are other minotaurs, but you also see humans and even a dwarf.

As you walk towards the plank to board the ship, the dwarf looks down towards you. He's not wearing a shirt, but has a vest. He has a hairy chest and several piercings.

"Aye, lass, where do you think you're going?"

The dwarf smiles at you with a sinister grin, teeth missing or blackened.

Heather:

"And a good morning to you also Shorty!" I say this as I start walking up the plank. As I walk up I take note as to the dwarf's manner and stay on the balls of my feet in order to be ready if he tries to stop me. I don't particularly like being man handled and hate even more being dwarf handled.

"Ahoy, Cap'n! Where should I store my stuff?"

As I wait for the Cap'n to acknowledge me I register the other crew members reactions to my statement.

Dragonhelm:

The dwarf looks a little ruffled at this, but the other crew members laugh. The dwarf almost looks like he's about ready to cause trouble when the captain walks up to you, a look of approval on his face.

"You'll be sharing a cabin with Sorsha. She used to share cabin quarters with the men, but then there was trouble. The men all begged me to give her private quarters after that!"

The minotaur has a good laugh and points to a woman from Northern Ergoth, identifiable by her black skin. The woman is wearing female mariner's clothes, almost with a gypsy look.

Sorsha raises an eyebrow, then simply says, "This way." She leads you to a small cabin, barely big enough for two.

Heather:

"Thank you Cap'n. Hello Sorsha." I take note of all the crew members present trying to get familiar with them so I can put a name with the faces later. I then follow Sorsha down to our cabin.

"How long have you been with the Cap'n?"

Dragonhelm:

"Long enough."

You get the distinct impression that Sorsha is giving you the cold shoulder. She says little else, answering only when asked a question, as she takes you to your quarters.

Quarters are pretty sparse. The room has a feminine touch, though not too much so. Odd jewelry and trinkets decorate the room, taken from all over Ansalon.

"Bed's mine. You get the cot."

With that, she turns around and leaves.

After you get settled in, you go back to the hallway, and bump into another crewmember. He's thin and about your height with dirty blonde hair and a dark goatee. He's handsome in a roguish sort of way. You see that his ears are pointed - a sign of elf blood.

"Whoops! Didn't see you...."

The guy pauses as he looks into your eyes.

"Be still my heart! A sight more beautiful than the entire Courrian Sea."

With that, he takes your hand and kisses it.

"Allow me to introduce myself, luv. I am Demitrius, captain's mate and the Bard of the Blood Sea."

Heather:

I extract myself from his hold and move a little down the hall. "If YOU find me so 'charming' I wonder what I have done to offend Sorsha?"

"Cap'n's mate huh? Then you would know what this little adventure is all about wouldn't you?" I smile encouragingly and wait. Thinking that he might be even better looking if he would clean himself up a bit. But I know about travel and about how hard it is to find a decent bath.

Dragonhelm:

"No idea, luv. Cap'n has been strangely quiet about this one. I think it may have something to do with the empire."

Heather:

"How about showing me around?" Maybe if he shows me around and introduces me to some of the other crewmember I will be more comfortable being the newbie on the ship. I have a feeling I am going to have to prove myself to several (if not all) of the crew and I hate having to do that. Makes me look like I am showing off. Well, if I must I must.

Dragonhelm:

Demitrius is pleased as punch at the idea.

"I would consider it a personal honor! This way..."

Demitrius shows you around the ship. First is the quarters section.

"Minos get the best accommodations, but there's no point in arguing with them - if'n you want to stay alive, that is. I sleep over here..."

He shows you a bunk. There's a few books strewn about and a rough map of Ansalon tacked against the wall.

"Over here's the galley..."

Demitrius takes you into the dining area, where a pudgy 40-ish woman is cutting up some greens. She's smoking a cigar while doing it.

"'Allo there, Matilda! Lovely day, don't you think? We've got a new crew member. This is Cat."

As Matilda looks up at you, something bumps into your leg. Or rather - someone. A gully dwarf (small dwarf subrace that wallows in filth) is at your feet, a dish towel in his hand.

"Ah! Nice lady. You no hit Goober. Goober good gully dwarf. Me sawwy. Don't hit me!"

He bursts into hysterics, crying and begging. He reeks of garbage.

Heather:

"Apology accepted Mr. Goober now why don't you go see if Ms. Matilda Needs any more help?" I smile at Matilda giving her a wink and try to sidestep Goober. I move towards her and offer my hand. "So Ms. Matilda I have you to thank for all the delicious food that we are to be eating on this voyage?"

"So Demitrius why don't we continue on and leave so that Matilda can finish with whatever tasty food she is preparing for us." I am hoping that with a little sweetness from me I might make a couple more friends besides Dem and the Cap'n.

Dragonhelm

Goober beams at being called "mister". Likewise, your flattery seems to have hit a soft spot with Matilda as well.

Demetrius takes you around to meet the remainder of the crew. Most of them are minotaurs, most of which scoff at Dem's snappy banter. You have the distinct feeling it would be good to give them a wide berth. There's a few other humans as well, though not many.

Pretty soon, the captain comes up to you two.

"Demetrius, you have work?"

Demetrius shrugs his shoulders some. "Uh, yes sir captain."

"Then snap to it! This isn't a pleasure cruise." With that, Demetrius scurries off. "Catch ya later, luv!"

"Well, little one, I see you're making friends already." The captain lets out a bit of a snort. "Demetrius is a good kid, though he doesn't always keep his mind on his work."

Heather:

"I'll keep that in mind Cap'n."

Dragonhelm

"I have decided that, among your other duties, you are going to train as a navigator. I simply can't stand idly by and watch you give bad navigation advice. Meanwhile, I believe that Sorsha has a couple of other people for you to meet. Sorsha!"

Heather:

"That would be a true pleasure Cap'n." I say this and then turn to watch Sorsha walk towards us. I don't think that she is someone that I should turn my back on at any point. Before she gets all the way to me I bow low and say, "Madame it would be a pleasure to meet any of your friends."

Dragonhelm

"Aye, cap'n." Sorsha walks up to you, as the captain begins barking orders to the crew. Though this is a ragtag group, you can see that they all work together in unison.

Sorsha walks up to you. "Say hello to Mr. Mop, and Mrs. Bucket." With that, she thrusts a mop and bucket at you, points to the deck, and walks off.

Heather:

"Well Mr. Mop, Mrs. Bucket I believe we will be spending a lot of time together." Then in a whisper I say to myself, "I hope that you don't mind for it gives me the added advantage of watching the crew as they work. I believe Sorsha has it in for me and I mean to find out why." I start washing the deck keeping a keen eye on all of the crew members as they get the ship ready for our voyage. I am trying to place a face with a task on board. This might be difficult because I don't know the names of each of the jobs but at least I can get a description of it to place with a face.

Dragonhelm:

And with that, Sargas' Fire begins its journey. This wasn't exactly the adventure that you had thought it might be.

Entries in this Journal:

• Introduction
• Prelude
• Flotsam
• The Locket
• The Minotaur Wars
• Twilight

This item has been published here with permission from the author(s) and may not be reproduced without permission. This is a fan submission and its contents are completely unofficial. Some characters, places, likenesses and other names may be copyright Wizards of the Coast.