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

The Chinese word for crisis combines the characters for opportunity and danger.
      -Anon.

Opportunity, n. A favorable occassion for grasping a disappointment.
      -Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

Between the Pattern of Amber and the Logrus of Chaos are the lesser powers: broken patterns, the ravelled logrii, representations, designs, and wells. Realms of power. Shards.
Amber defeated Chaos in the Patternfall War, but the battle continues.

Now the Shards begin to fall. The realm of Begma is no more.
Caine has killed Rinaldo and holds Kashfa in his iron fist.
Slowly the eyes of the other Shards begin to open
Chiare and Thule have been warned, but most remain blind to the danger.

A small band of heroes fleeing Kashfa now heads toward the faerie realm of Alfar.
Despite their efforts, the allies they have recruited have been faint of heart, weak of power, or shortlived.
Soon others would contact them with offers of alliance. Offers that bring risk and opportunity for the Shards...

...

Krinac says "Ok Sean and Jeanette are downbelow resting"
Krinac says "And will be until their players show tonight"
Krinac says "The NPCs Nayda, Engela, Kaisarah, Andra, Ariadne, Middenriddle, Aranor, and Reed currently accompany the party."
Krinac says "You are still sailing for Alfar, the realm of faerie..."

Vance stands on the bow of the ship, the wind whipping through his hair.

Krinac says "Actions?"

Rex prowls the deck, looking for something to do.

The engine seems to be losing speed.

Allyna is leaning on a railing staring into the water.

Engela approaches Rex quietly.

Sunfall heads up for the crow's nest.

Fairly quickly land approaches on both sides, the ship is now sailing into a narrow fjord and ahead a well protected harbor comes into view. No ships can be seen on the water, but a few large ships bearing twin masts and oars lie at anchor.
Those with sharp eyes will make out blue flags bearing a golden cross upon them.

Allyna looks up at the shoreline.

The ship slows a bit more as you approach the harbor.

Several crewmen are taking soundings of the harbor.

A crewman shouts, "Twelve fathoms!"

Bells ring, the ship shudders as the engine slows and reverses killing your forward momentum, then halts.

Vance turns, and calls to the captain, "Bring us to port."

A rather young crewman eventually runs up to Vance, "Begging your pardon sir, but we have no charts for this bay, we were waiting for the tug to bring us in. What is our heading?"

Vance looks to the crewman. "There are no charts for this bay. If you're as close as you can safely go, we'll take a lifeboat the rest of the way."

The crewman takes the message to the captain.

The captain comes down from the bridge.

The captain asks, "So is this your destination?"

Vance says "No, but I need supplies, so we'll need the day here."

Allyna heads toward Vance.

The captain replies, "How many will be going ashore, and how much tonnage of supplies will you need to return with?"

Vance says "Each of those with me can choose to go ashore, or not. As for tonnage, they should be within the allowance for personal possessions, and not considered as cargo."

Allyna asks, "What is this place, Vance?"

The Captain says, "Very well, make ready a lifeboat Mr. Anderson."
(singling out a crewman).
Shortly a boat is lowered and readied.

Engela approaches Rex quietly.

Vance says "Nowhere in particular, Allyna. But I needed some general supplies. Since our current leader appears to still be asleep, perhaps you can inform the others about the opportunity for shore leave?"

Rex sees Engela, and joins her.

Jeanette remains with Sunfall, unless something has occurred to prevent that.

Engela says to Rex, "We are still far from Alfar, but it appears we have reached a stopping place. Perhaps it would be best if I took my leave now."

Krinac notes that Jeanette was resting in her cabin since her player was late.

Rex looks saddened, but resigned. "You have faith that we can find our way from here?"

Jeanette comes up to join Sunfall and the others, then.

Allyna clears her throat. "Our current leader? I found this ship. I arranged to hire it. Reed paid for it."

Sunfall starts climbing down from the Crow's Nest.

Allyna says, "You've forgotten our discussions quickly."

Engela says, "Vance has been to Alfar before, I am certain that he can find the way again, but we are still some distance away. I could stay on for a while longer yet."

Jeanette clears her throat. "We all agreed on who commanded this voyage, Allyna, have you forgotten as well?"

Vance chuckles. "Reed sought out my leadership, as did Rex and Sean. Everyone, except you, has been willing to have me in command. A command which I have delegated to Jeanette until we reach Arcadia."

Engela says, "If you feel that is wise, Rex?"

Rex nods, and says, softly, "I wish you to do what is right for you, for your comfort and happiness, Engela. Always."

Allyna turns, to see Jeanette approaching. "I never agreed to any such thing. Unless I've forgotten it as a result of head injury."

The Captain looks on, "I don't care which of you are in charge, as long as we get paid, and get safely back to our home port."

Engela says, "I will stay for the now, but I must leave ere we reach faerie."

Sunfall approaches the group. "How much farther is it to Arcadia?"

Vance walks over to the lifeboat, leaving Jeanette and Allyna to their talk. He motions for Ariadne to follow.

Jeanette just shrugs, not seeming to have much attention for Allyna right now.

Reed watches the shore with interest. Eventually he sets his binoculars aside and moves to join the conversation.

Rex nods, and smiles...shyly? No, couldn't be. "Thank you, Engela. I find your company...soothing."

Sunfall walks over to Vance. "How much farther is it to Arcadia?"

Ariadne nods and quietly falls in at Vance's side.

Vance hmms. "Shadow's vagaries are hard to chart, but I believe it is about a day's travel from here."

Sunfall says "What problems are we likely to encounter along the way, if any?"

Reed approaches at a slow space, "I believe the natives are preparing a hostile reception for us. I would be more worried if they had anything more deadly than arrows."

Engela looks away for a moment, "I am sorry I must part. I would accompany you to Alfar if I could, but I cannot."

Vance glances to Reed, then back to Sunfall. "I believe we'll start with that one."

Rex nods. "I know, Engela. Take care, and I'll call you as soon as I leave Arcadia."

Engela says, "Be careful in faerie. Beware of what you see, for glamours are common. Beware the dark court for they have allied themselves with death. Take care in making promises, for it is the power of the Lords of Alfar to make those promises binding."

Rex blinks. "I'll pass that along. And I'll...take care."

Allyna says, "Vance, before you go..."
Allyna pulls out a card.

Sunfall mutters to Vance, "... is,... her swordsmanship,... noncombatant.... ability... lead... a..."

Vance gazes back at Allyna. "One moment." He then turns to whisper to Sunfall.

Allyna leans against the railing patiently.

Vance mutters to Sunfall, "Do not worry. If... will step... Arcadia, remind me to... to... our... strategies.... as a..."
Vance then turns to Allyna. "Yes, Allyna?"

Engela nods, "Good, Faerie is dangerous, and you are but mortal, the lords of faerie consider themselves better than mortals. They will use you and not think twice."

Allyna says, "I've finished an Image you'll likely find useful. I'll remain in contact."

Rex gives Engela a wry grin. "That, at least, I am equipped to handle. Keep in touch."

Krinac says "Ok, I'm getting ready to fastforward. Who is taking the boat in for supplies and who is staying behind?"

Rex is staying behind.

Allyna is staying behind to work on a sketch.

Jeanette is going.

Vance glances at the card.

Sunfall is staying.

Krinac says "Ok Vance, Ariadne, and Jeanette row a boat in to shore."

Allyna hands Vance a trump of Rex.

Vance takes the card. "Thank you, Allyna. Do you have one for yourself?"

Krinac says "Oops, Engela accompanies them as well."

Allyna says, "You won't need to contact me. It's clear that you don't need my services."

Krinac says "The villagers appear armed and nervous as you arrive. Judging from the appearance of their ships and village they have an early iron age technology."
Krinac says "Scattered archers and men with axes line the shoreline."

Vance shrugs. "That is, of course, your choice. Since you did hire the ship, will you stay around to see it back to its home port?"

Allyna says, "I'm afraid I cannot bring ships through my Images."
Allyna says, "I'll be going my own way while you are ashore. I have at least one world still to save."

Vance hmms, and says in a lower voice, "Interesting. Well, keep in mind that if you leave them, their fate is in Jeanette's hands." With that, he turns, and enters the lifeboat.

Allyna says, "Still threatening hostages? I ought to expect it by now."

Sunfall mutters to Allyna, "... are... can... an Image..."
Sunfall whispers "If you are leaving, can I have an Image of you?"

Allyna mutters to Sunfall, "... I'll draw one..."

Sunfall nods to Allyna.

Vance says "No threats, Allyna. But you seem to have a different perspective than I, assuming that anything I do must be wrong. Recently, you've transferred this viewpoint to include Jeanette. And Jeanette is in charge...if you leave, she'll make whatever decisions need to be made without your input."

Allyna says, "As she's done so far, and as you had done before. I get no pleasure attempting to reason with mule-headed idiots."

Vance smiles. "If I held grudges, we would not be having this conversation. Go in peace, Allyna."

Allyna pulls her sketchbook from her satchel, and starts her sketch.

Kaisarah says, "I take it lady you are about to depart. You did promise to return me to my home first."

Allyna says, "I doubt it's safe there now. Are you certain you wish to take that risk now?"

Kaisarah says, "Yes."

Allyna says, "I'll arrange for it before I go. Anyone else want shortcuts while I'm still here?"

Sunfall says "Are your images reuseable?"

Allyna says, "They are if I have time to do them properly. I don't plan to remain that long."

Andra says, "I too would like to return home, I had hoped to stay until after faerie and hear the words of Dalt, but if I must decide now, I should return home. By now they will be worried in Thule that I have not returned home."

Allyna says, "I'd assumed you'd bring this boat and her crew back to their home port. You can travel the worlds on your own, can't you?"

Andra looks surprised, "I did not know that duty was expected of me. Certainly I can get them home, and I can find my way home in time, but Menelius should know of these events, and your way is much faster."

Jeanette simply watches, silent, waiting.

Allyna says, "I can alert Menelius directly."

Vance glances to Jeanette. "Shall we go, then?"

Andra says, "By way of one of your images? Certainly that is good, if you do not have the time to provide one for me, I will find my own way home once I have returned this ship to it's home."

Jeanette shrugs.

Sunfall waits.

Allyna says, "I'll give you a temporary Image of the King and you can inform him."

Andra bows formally, "Thank you."

Vance says to Jeanette, "Since you have no preference..." He motions for the boat to be lowered.

Krinac says "The boat is lowered. You are now floating in the sea not too far out of bowshot from land. Actions?"

Rex takes up a position on deck, toward the bow.

Sunfall mutters to Allyna, "If... could,... my... prove... of... I'll let... know... the... the group... shifted.... them... push... the..."

Vance takes up the oars, and starts to maneuver the lifeboat towards shore.

The lifeboat slowly approaches shore. No arrows are fired.

Allyna provides a sketch for Kaisarah, he uses it and vanishes.

Vance looks to Jeanette. "Shall we meet the natives?"

Jeanette nods. "Do introduce us."

Vance smiles, and finishes grounding the lifeboat. He then walks onto shore towards the tall man.

Jeanette rises gracefully from her seat, and follows after Vance.

The man speaks in a language somewhat related to German.

The man says, "Vhat do you want?"

Vance says "We are here to barter for supplies, and perhaps hire a boat...if the price is right. I am Vance, and the women with me are called Jeanette, Sunfall, Engela, and Ariadne."

The man seems to be paying attention mostly to Vance.
The man says, "Supplies and boats we have, the one with the dark hair, is she for trade, I would give you a good cow for her."

Vance chuckles. "The women are taken, unfortunately. But I bring goods more permanant than a woman's fleeting beauty. Metal tools of fine craftsmanship, gemstones, and other finery."

While the tall man ponders this, Vance turns to Jeanette and mutters something.

Vance mutters to Jeanette, "... don't... I... she'd be worth... of what... need,... leave... her own... we've... place."

The man says, "Those are words. Let me see these goods."

Jeanette mutters to Vance, "... just make..."

Vance grins at Jeanette, then turns back to the tall one. A dagger appears in his hand with a quick movement, which he turns hilt-first towards the man. "Try this knife. It is of the highest quality."

The man picks up the knife, and tests the edge with his thumb. "This is good steal. Ve will trade with you. Tonight we drink and tomorrow we trade."

Vance smiles. "It is good. I would like to invite others from my ship to join us, and our goods can be brought to shore as well."

Krinac says "Ok, I'm going to fast forward over the next day."
Krinac says "First there is a big party to which everyone is invited."
Krinac says "The party goes pretty well until someone decides to grope... (consults stuff) Jeanette, fortunately Sean interceeds before Jeanette can stab him, and decks him cold. The rest of the natives find that hysterically funny."

Vance keeps Ariadne near him throughout the party.

Jeanette seems to take it in good heart, laughing with the rest.

Krinac says "There are a few more miscommunications, mostly because the natives treat women as property, but amazingly you don't come to bloodshed."
Krinac says "The next day for a few axes, knives, lanterns, and assorted goods from the boat, you manage to hire supplies, and get the natives to agree to take you anywhere you want to go."
After a day to get ready, one of their boats is ready to sail. It will be quite a bit less comfortable than the other boat. In fact you all have one room, and the best that can be said about the hammocks is they don't have bugs.

Engela stays with you while you stay in the villege, but she plans on staying behind when you leave the village.

Allyna vanishes without a trace shortly after the boat set out for shore.

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