Copyright ©1998 Jonathan Cardon
Amber DRPG is Copyright ©1991 Erick Wujcik

Madrak hmms. "There's been a lot of that going on, recently."

Vance frowns. "Indeed."

Madrak finishes the last of his breakfast.

Krinac *An hour passes as people eat a meal, gather their belongings, and pay for their rooms.

Sean gathers his things and waits for the others.

Vance glances to the others. "Reed, will you be travelling with us?"

Reed answers, "If you are bound for Begma and beyond, then yes I would like to accompany you."

Vance nods. "Well, then, let's be off."

Rex nods, and rises. "Even so. I would see this destruction first-hand."

Madrak closes his eye briefly, as if in prayer, and then stands slowly. "Yes," he rumbles.
Madrak says "A ship may be faster, but then we are not free to set our own pace. Perhaps a land route?"

Vance looks to Madrak. "You were witness to what occurred in Begma." His voice is low, pitchecd to the other patrons won't hear. "Will you lead us back there?"

Madrak sighs. "I... cannot," he says quietly. "The path I took from Begma will not serve us now."

Vance hmms. "I have been there before, but I do not know if the paths I took will suffice."

Jeanette mmms. "It seems as though they will have to."

Vance nods. "Apparently so. Do all of you have steeds?"

Madrak says "I do not. I made the last leg of my journey here by sea."

Rex shakes his head. "As did I."

Jeanette nods, "I fear I, too, came by ship."

Vance frowns. "Perhaps travelling there by boat is best, after all. Our best walking speed will be slower than a trip by sea."

Jeanette says "Have you a map of the route?"

Vance says "No, but I have travelled to Begma many times, both by land and sea."

Jeanette nods.

Rex says "Let us be off, then.""

Madrak says "By all means."

Sean nods.

Vance leads the others to the docks, looking for a small merchant vessel taking on passengers.

Madrak mutters to Vance, "I... the... of... crew."

Krinac there are several merchant vessels taking on passengers. Most are bound for Golden Circle kingdoms, a few for Amber, but none appear to be bound for Begma.

Jeanette says "Why not charter a ship?"

Vance nods to Madrak. "Let's see why there are no ships bound for Begma." He then begins to ask around about the lack of a Begman-bound vessel.

Madrak accompanies Vance, though he lets the other man do most of the speaking.

A sailor hears the remark and laughs, "You would have trouble finding a crew to sail for Begma. The way is gone, or blocked by storms. The last few ships from Begma had some nasty weather."

Rex elects to remain behind and keep Jeanette company. "I see no need to draw attention, milling about as a crowd..."

Jeanette nods, staying with Rex. "Why does he not just charter a ship? Father always did, when we could not use one of our own."

Vance hmms. "Who would sail for Begma, then? Surely someone would be willing, given a...monetary incentive?"

Rex grins. "Well, Vance? Are you so wealthy, you could pay men to lose...er, risk their lives?"

Vance doesn't bother glancing back to Rex, instead focusing on the sailor.

The sailor nods, "Oh for hazard pay I'm sure you'll find someone willing to try it. And as soon as the storm weather eases up the ships will be sailing back and forth again. Ya might try the Narwhale. She's got an Amberite crew and they don't scare easily."
The sailor nods, "Of course you will have to listen to the Ballad of the Water Crossers about twelve times a day."

Vance hmms. "Thank you, sir." He turns away, to meet up with the others. "Commissioning a ship costs more than travel fare, even accounting for hazard pay. I cannot afford the former."

Madrak sighs. "Nor can I."

Jeanette seems... well, mystified, by her look. Quite surprised.

Vance looks to Jeanette. "Well, Jeanette, do you have sufficient funds?"

Jeanette reaches into a pocket, and produces a small pouch of gold. "Perhaps if we all combined our funds?" she asks, uncertainly. "I usually draw on Father's accounts, but..." Jeanette chews on her lower lip, eyes flicking from Vance to Madrak and back.

Reed looks over to Sean.

Vance ascertains the amount of gold from the size of the pouch, and its apparent weight. "I believe that is acceptable, if the others have some funds to add."

Rex nods. "Such as I have, I will contribute." He produces a pocketful, ranging from valuable to small change."

Madrak considers the pouch at his belt. "I have enough to buy a horse. If it will help..." He takes the pouch and hefts it in his hand.

Reed says, "I have some gold, and a few industrial grade gemstones. I wouldn't know how they would convert here.

Sean smiles and pats Reed on the back, "Those gems will do I suspect."

Vance adds a few coins of his own, going to each in turn to collect their portion. Once he is finished, he says, "Time to charter a ship. I know a few captains that will be willing to take the trip for this sum, despite the risk."

Madrak nods. "Well, I hope it will be a return trip, as well."

Vance nods. "It will be. Follow me."

Reed's gems are a little better than industrial grade, and could probably buy a ship, but he doesn't seem to realize it.

Madrak follows Vance.

Krinac *in a short time Vance hires the Windsong. A small but seaworthship, perhaps a onetime pleasure vessel, now a passenger and light cargo ship.

Vance turns, as the group approaches a ship with the name 'Windsong' written in flowing script on the side. "I'll need to speak with the captain alone. This shouldn't take long - if you have anything you need to take care of before we leave, now would be a good time."

GM notes you have three hours on fast forward...the Windsong sails with the tide.

Sean gets to know the crew, and helps out where he can to get the ship ready.

Madrak finds a seat, and keeps out of the way, for the most part.

Jeanette disappears into the city streets for a time, returning shortly before it is time to sail, an extra bag over her shoulder.

Rex departs, saying he'll be back.

After three hours, the Windsong sets sail on the tide, on a course for Begma.

Storm clouds appear in the sky not far away. The clouds behave strangely, they are approaching in fits and starts, as if the wind were changing madly in velocity.

Jeanette: 'And seasickness medicine, probably conjured. :)'.

Alarms go up over the ship, as the crew battens down loose objects in preparation for the storm.

The lookout comes scrabbling out of the crow's nest and rushes to the captain. The captain takes the telescope and looks out at the storm. Reed is also observing the storm through a pair of binoculars.

Shamus seemed to like being on the Windsong, but now he huddles close to Sean.

Reed hands his binoculars to Sean, "Something isn't right about that storm. I'm going below to take a reading with my instruments."

Sean calls to Vance, "The storm is dangerous... Shamus knows. I've not doubted his instincts to this point."

Rex looks at Reed, strangely.

Jeanette seems to perk up at the mention of instruments. Swallowing something - a sweetmeat? - she follows Reed, inquisitive.

Sean takes the binoculars and raises them like Reed had them. He seems shocked at first, but then seems enthralled.

Vance watches the storm, saying nothing.

The captain tells the lookout, "I've never seen anything like it either boy, but damned if I'm going to turn back without giving it a try."

Rex moves to the foredeck, to get a better look.

Madrak leans on his staff, watching the storm from a vantage point near the bow.

Rex gazes off into the distance, his visage clouded by a visibly growing sense of distate; he grimaces, and his eyes narrow considerably.

Sean mutters, "The seas seem funny."

Krinac pages: Reed goes into the room he shares with Sean, and rumbles through his pack. He pulls some kind of box out of it, and sweeps it in a full circle about the room.

Long distance to Krinac: Jeanette eyes it, trying to figure out what it might be.

Madrak mutters to Vance, "What if... simply..."

Rex's eyes go wide. He seeks out Vance.

As the storm grows closer, rain begins to fall. Although not many clouds are yet overhead, the rain falls in sheets, now a strong drenching, now a light drizzle.

Vance mutters to Madrak, "... will... Madrak."

Rex approaches Vance. "Vance..."

Vance says distractedly, "Yes, Rex?"

Krinac pages: Reed goes, "What the hell?" He carefully puts his device back into his pack. Then he checks his watch. He looks to Jeanette, "It's stopped, but still..."

Rex says "Vance, if you see like I see, examine the storm closely. It is filled with highly destructive energies; I mislike it, it seems beyond the natural. (lower voice) You are a great sorcerer, can you protect the ship?"

The captain has turned the ship, so you are sailing directly into the wind, which was pretty close to your course anyway. He's reefed all sails, they would only have pushed you backward.

Long distance to Krinac: Jeanette mms softly. "Storms often take on a life of their own..."

Vance says quietly, "I will find a way through. But, I suggest that unnecessary persons clear the deck - it will be hazardous."

Rex grins. "I'll be belowdecks, after I warn the others."
Rex seeks out Jeanette, and Reed, as well. He says, quietly, "Vance has suggested that we go belowdecks, while he weights mighty, arcane forces to part a way through the storm for us."

The waves around the ship have begun to behave strangely. They are moving in fits and starts like the clouds. The ship begins to shudder as it bounces across the waves rather than moving smoothly from crest to trough.

A cry goes up, "Water below!"

Jeanette: Jeanette grabs hold of something sturdy...

The first officer cries, "Man the pumps!"

Rex helps on the pumps.

Vance holds steadfast to the mast, the winds whipping about him as he gazes forward into the storm.

Madrak looks at Vance, then the others.

The captain cries, "All passangers below decks!"

Vance doesn't seem to hear the captain.

A seaman turns out the cabin where Rex, Jeanette and Reed are, "We could use some extra hands on the pumps."

Sean heads below deck, Shamus in tow.

Madrak sighs, and makes his careful way belowdecks.

Jeanette and Reed are already belowdecks.

Madrak moves to assist with the pumping.

Fat drops of rain that come in shuddering waves sound the fury of the storm. The wind gusts from dead calm to gale force with no warning. No lightning or thunder accompanies this storm.

Rex continues pumping.

People begin to move strangely. Rex suddenly seems to be pumping water at fast forward.

A wave rolls over the main deck as the ship breaks through a wave... and then the storm begins to lessen in intensity.

GM: Where are you?

Jeanette: 'With Reed, belowdecks.'.

Madrak takes a station at a different pump, and works with a strength that belies his considerable stomach.

GM: Reed is going to help pump, and suggests you go to your own cabin.

Sean mutters to Shamus, "The Sorcerer, Shamus." he nods.

The storm begins to grow in strength again.

Rex takes a deep breath, pumps harder.

The ship begins to groan, as the waves again pound in that irregular rhythm.

Madrak grimaces, and increases his efforts.

Sean looks to Shamus, "Stay here... I will see if I can help." he heads for the door.

The ship lurches... and then impossibly hangs in midair for a full three heartbeats, before crashing into the next trough.

Sean grabs a beam and continues to the door, "This is why my people never journeyed the seas."

GM: You are slammed into the deck... smashing your arm, and scattering blood across the floor of Reed's room, at least you didn't drop any of the instruments. (hello bad stuff)

Jeanette: Jeanette mutters a curse, and wipes up as much of the blood as she can...

Madrak stumbles. "Wise people," he mutters.

Sean suddenly dashes out from belowdecks... as a wave crashes across. Some of the water sweeps below, but Sean maintains his footing and reaches the deck.

The captain cries, "Belay that hatch!"

Vance has a deathgrip on the main mast, and he continues gazing forward into the winds.

Rex hangs on to the pump handle, and grins, faintly. "Our seas were blue and calm..."

Sean closes the hatch as the captain orders.

Between one momement and the next, one of the crewmen vanishes. He must have been swept away by the wind... but how could it have happened so quickly.

Vance pulls one hand off the mast, and begins speaking arcane phrases.

"CAPTAIN don't stand there!!" a sailor is rushing to the wheel where the captain seems frozen into immobility, and the rain falls in sheets, and the wind stops, and then blows harder.

The ship begins to turn and wallow.

Vance stops in mid-phrase, and curses. He then grabs the mast again.

Sean moves to help the crewman with the captain, he yells a word at the Captain, "CATHA!"

Madrak leans against the hull, catching his balance. Then he lurches forward to begin pumping again.

In by the pumps Reed is working but says, "This appears to be some kind of temporal affect. Not that we can do anything about it."

Perhaps it is the word Sean cried, perhaps the spell had just past, but the captain awakens and begins to turn the ship... which is to the best, if it wallows now, it will capsize... seconds pass as he tries to bring it back facing the storm.

Sean lends the captain his strength to turn the helm.

The ship troughs at an angle, not head on, but not a full wallow. Desperately Sean and the captain try to bring the ship back into line.

Sean gets his back into the ordeal and cries out over the wind, "SilvanusArtio!"

Vance calls out, "Sean! If any of the others can aid me, I need their help now!"

The ship begins to straighten, and the storm begins to ebb.

Vance seems almost exhausted, his face pale.

*Anyone going to go try to help Vance?

Sean moves down the stairs with a jump and heads to the hatch below.
Sean calls out below, "Vance needs help. Come quickly!"

Rex hustles to the hatch, and abovedecks.

Jeanette is hurled out of a cabin when the ship rolls again, fetching herself up painfully against the wall opposite. "Wha... what kind of help?"

Sean says "I do not know... Go to him."

Jeanette nods, and picks herself up again to climb to the deck...

The storm is not at its worst now. The rain, wind, and waves move in fits and starts, but not as intensly as before.

Rex approaches Vance, carefully.
Rex says "Vance, how can I help?"

Vance says, when Rex approaches. "I've gotten us as close to Begma as I can, unassisted...and it has drained me. If any of the others can take us the rest of the way, do so now before we drift away again."
Vance is practically slumped against the mast, as he speaks.

GM *notes that the Windsong has been fighting the storm for at least four hours.

Jeanette nods... "How can we help, friend?"

Rex nods. "Vance, is it within your power to grant me a vision, or clear understanding, of our destination? With this, I think I can do it."

Vance points toward a certain part of the horizon. "Head that way. I sensed a ship in that direction...and you will feel a sense of order from the Pattern that is now where Begma was."

Rex nods. "Very well. Do not be alarmed by anything you may experience."

Vance nods. "I will go belowdecks...I am no use up here, now." He stumbles as he releases the mast.

Rex stares ahead, as Vance did. His face swiftly becomes a mask of torment...

As Rex exerts his influence over the ship it shudders, and skips across the waves, worse than before (who is on the maindeck?)

Jeanette had just come to the maindeck, and swiftly moves to grab hold of something solid...

Rex pales, visibly. Startlingly. Shockingly. His skin goes past pale, past white. It is actually hued silver. His irises are a terrifying metallic siver. Unnatural, to say the least. His expression is that of a lost soul.
Rex flickers.

The ship begins to shudder again, lurching and moving unaturally. People begin to move at different speeds, faster, slower, or even flickering away.

Madrak looks up in sudden alarm.

Vance goes below deck, with visible effort.

Rex shakes as a cry is torn from his throat, the soul-wreching agony of the well and truly damned.

Madrak looks toward the steps leading above. "They're dying up there."

Rex shudders, and collapses on deck.

Rex's color returns to normal.

A wave catches Rex and washes him towards the ocean, he catches precariously on the rail.

Jeanette leaps from her spot, catching Rex's wrist...

Vance staggers into a cabin, and lies down, seemingly unaware of his surroundings.

Madrak weaves up the stairs. "Someone man the pump! I'll return shortly!"

Rex lolls about, trying to grasp onto anything or anyone within his reach and lack of strength.

With no one else moving the ship through shadow, the storm passes.
Hours later you are in calm water. Half the crew is missing, although only one was seen to be swept away and some of them were definitely belowdecks.

Madrak * helps Jeanette and Rex get below safely, if they need. [shrug]

GM says "The pumps must be manned constantly for the ship has sprung a leak."

The captain has set course for Kashfa.

Madrak says "Vance, Rex... is it hopeless?"

Vance is still belowdecks, and hasn't emerged from his cabin.

Madrak * has returned, by now, he should think.

Half a day passes. Rex and Vance stagger out.

Madrak * Hang on a minute, please.

GM *hold a bit...

Madrak * wants to know what's going on before we get halfway back to Kashfa without him having a chance to do anything about it.

After the storm passed, an hour and some change after Rex collapsed, the Captain got things under control, and computed your position. Give or take the margin of error, you are back where you started before you sighted the storm.

Madrak frowns, and moves to have a word with the captain.

The captain looks at Marak. "Yes?"

Madrak says "We've gained no distance at all since we entered the storm?"

The captain says, "We may have lost distance. We are in practically the same streach of ocean.

Madrak says "How close to Begma can you put us ashore?"

The captain says, "Eregor would be the closest port."

Madrak says "Considering the state of the hold, I suggest you make for Eregnor, unless there's good reason not to."

The Captain says, "That isn't such a bad idea."

The ship then sails for Eregnor, and will be a half day out when Vance and Rex awake.

Vance walks out on deck, after he awakens. "What is our current heading?"

A seaman with a not too pleasant expression says, "Eregnor."

Madrak spends much of his time pumping, so the depleted crew can make better time. Occasionally, he disappears into a corner for a while, only to return with renewed vigor.

Vance nods, and returns below deck.

A half day later the ship docks at Eregnor.

The crew seems more than happy to help the passengers depart, but while there have been harsh glances, there have been no recriminations made.

Rex emerges when the ship stops moving, for the most part, which he takes to mean we are docked. He is pale, but a natural-looking pale.

Jeanette frowns, as the group gathers once more... "Days, wasted."

Rex carries his rucksack as though the weight of the world were on his shoulders.

Madrak also, despite growing fatigue, finds time to say a few words for the missing crewmen, leading those interested in a wordy and ambiguous, but sincere prayer.

Worse than days, if they figure time the same way in Begma, more than a week passed while you spent two days on a ship.

Vance goes to settle up the price of passage with the Captain.

Madrak stands slumped against the rail, waiting for the others, gaze slightly unfocused.

Rex joins Madrak, looking envious of his walking-staff.

In contrast, Reed, Jeanette, and Sean are just tired and smell of seawater.

Madrak looks at Rex. "Is there anything beyond the storm, or just destruction?" he says in a low murmur. "Could you tell?"

Rex turns a haunted visage toward Madrak. "I don't know. The storm...it fed off what I was doing. I had no idea, until it was done. The storm _was_ destruction."

Madrak says "I fear what an attempt by land will bring us."

Vance leads his horse out of the ship's hold, and down the gangplank to the dock. "We need to acquire steeds. Then, I plan a side trip, to secure additional aid."

It is already midafternoon in Eregnor. I'll assume rooms and hotels for the night, and planning begins in that night after everyone has washed the salt off themselves and eaten. Lets jump to there.

Madrak * nods.

Krinac *steeds are readily accomplished

Vance *cleans up, secures his steed in the inn's stable, and meets with the others after dinner.

Madrak eats enough for three fat men, and drinks copious amounts of ale without becoming overly drunk.

Rex joins the others for or after dinner, looking better, but a bit melancholy.

Jeanette takes a long bath, and sends her clothes out to be laundered.

GM: The bloodstain and your investigation of Reed's things appear to have escaped notice.

Vance glances to the others. "I know another who may be able to assist us. If there are no objections, we will garner steeds and ride to meet her in the morning."

Rex nods, and does not object.

Led by Vance the party crosses shadow for a day eventually arriving at the Sorceror's city in the Empire of Chiare.

Vance is very polite and deferential, as he inquires about one known as Sunfall.

The Sorceror's City is a truly impressive fortress half carved into the side of a mountain. The inquiries raise some attention. Outlanders are not common in the Sorceror's City, but your message is conveyed.

Vance waits. If asked, he will say that he met the honorable Sunfall during a caravan journey, and wishes to visit while he is in Chiare.

Like most walled cities the Sorceror's city has an outlying village outside the walls. The village has an inn, and it is here that outlanders stay.

Sunfall enters the village on muleback and heads for the inn, assuming her visitor will be in the common room there.

GM *drops a little background. This area appears to be a similar to some of the vast oriental empires of Shadow Earth.

GM *Vance is in the common room, as is anyone else who wishes to be there.

Madrak * is there, having little else to do.

Sean * is there.

Jeanette is there.

Sunfall enters the common room of the inn, looking for Vintir.

Reed is also in the common room.

Vance looks up, and stands. "Greetings, honorable Sunfall."

Jeanette stands, and bows in a formal Japanese style, as though to an equal. "Greetings," she repeats.

Sunfall dips a brief bow. "Are you well, Vintir?
Sunfall glances at Vintir's companions. "It must be a wealthy caravan to need so many guards, Vintir."

Vance nods. "Yes, though my journey has been long. I have news for your ears, if we can speak without interruption." He glances back to the others. "These are associates of mine - we all have much in common."

Madrak stands slowly, and mimics the others' bows as best he can.

Rex * is there. (I was afk)
Rex rises, and bows.

Sunfall says "Certainly."
Sunfall motions to the innkeeper.

The innkeeper approaches, and bows deeply.

Vance waits without comment, as Sunfall speaks to the innkeeper.

Sunfall says "We need a small, private room for a little while, no longer than a half hour. Can you arrange it?"

Krinac *The innkeeper can and does... minutes latter the party is all seated in what is normally a bedroom, but the bed has been removed, and several floor pillows and a low table added.

Sunfall says "What matter brings you to require such privacy?"

Vance removes his boots at the door, and moves to sit. "Matters of grave import. Various resources among the worlds are being collected by the two great powers known as Amber and Chaos. One of the greatest of them has been claimed, destroying the world it was in. The power you bear is a derivative of that one, and Chiare will eventually be targeted."

Sunfall says "Marauders will find the Circle to be well protected. However, I will pass the warning on."

Jeanette shakes her head... "This is no bandit raid, Honorable. This is the utter destruction of a world we speak of."

Vance says "I've seen the Circle's protections. The protections at Begma were greater, but they were bypassed."

Madrak says "Begma was destroyed."

Sunfall says "The citadel is the result of a god's dream, and has hidden sources of defense. It stood against the armies of the demon Zarach. The circle itself was created as a defense."
Sunfall says "What manner of foe do we face?"

Jeanette says "Those forces which created all the worlds, and all the gods as well."

Vance says "If the defenders remain vigilent, it will be a great struggle. But, without aid, you will eventually fall. The foes, and I speak in the plural, shape reality itself. Individually, the powers in between them will fall. Only with unity is there a chance of survival."

Sunfall says "So what solution do you offer? We already make contact with those of other realms of power."

Vance says "Those here are representatives of some of these other loci of power. Amber has struck Begma in an unknown fashion. Only by finding out how they destroyed Begma will we be able to defend against other similar attempts. That is our current goal. But, we need another experienced traveller of worlds to help us reach what remains of Begma."

Sunfall says "The Karcist Almirant must be informed. Will you come with me back to the citadel?"

Vance nods. "I will. Are you able to make the choice to accompany us, or do oaths currently bind you in this matter?"

Sunfall says "As a Tanist, I cannot take an extended leave of absence without permission. If the Karcists believe that I am the proper choice to aid you, they will grant me that."

Vance says "Very well. May the others accompany us, or would the Karcist Almirant prefer just you and I?"

Sunfall says "If you truly represent other focuses of power, it will give your story more weight."

Vance hmms, and considers.

Madrak says "I represent myself only, I fear."

Vance says "I will pick two others to accompany me, then. The remainder of our group can secure our lodging for the evening."

Sunfall nods.

Vance looks to Madrak. "I need you along. You're the closest thing to a witness of Begma's destruction." He looks back to Sunfall. "When shall we meet? I need to discuss this with the others, beforehand."

Sunfall says "I can wait here in the village until an hour before sundown."

Jeanette nods, "I will go with you as well."

Madrak nods to Vance.

Vance nods. "We will be ready before that time, honorable Sunfall. Thank you."

Reed says, "I would also like to go if allowed."

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