Secrets of Los Cabos

Chapter I: The Decimation of Los Cabos

Yesterday you thought you felt a little ground shudder, but it couldn’t have been an earthquake; there hasn’t been an earthquake in Los Cabos in 200 years. So you dismissed it, and it wasn’t until today that your worst fears are confirmed.
Today Montaña de Fuego exploded and with it took out the rural farms to the north-east of the city. The sea rose a full thirty feet and took out the southern docks. Tremors shake the now abandoned marketplaces and people cower in their clay roofed houses.

The mayor, Señor Marcos is trying to calm the citizenry and implement an evacuation plan, he has called all able bodied citizens to help in the evacuation effort and you have volunteered. You struggle against the wave of people that are running from impending doom.

The Governmental Buildings of Los Cabos are in the southern district of the city and as you approach you see that the sea has risen to the point that water is beginning to lap at the foundations of these marble buildings. Armies of militia and volunteers pile sandbags to stem the flood but it seems that there is no use.
As you approach the building you see the recognizable face of Señor Marcos talking to a group of what appears to be sisters.

“Señor! More volunteers!” one of the militia calls.

“Salud señores.” Señor Marcos says in a calm voice, “strange weather we have been having.” He allows himself a curt laugh to relieve some tension. “I thank you for your volunteerism, but I seem to have all the men I need.” You doubt that seriously as you see the men at hand can barely keep the rising water at bay. “I have another job for you one of utmost importance.

“Indeed.” says one of the sisters.

“Señores this is Sister Clara; she will fill you in as I am quite busy.” and with that Señor Marcos was gone.

“As you can see this is not the weather Los Cabos is famous for. And I know why. If you would care to follow me I can fill you in.” Sister Clara leads you to a small shrine, which god it belongs to you have no idea. “This is where spell was cast this shrine is here to mark its spot, yesterday the spell stopped working. That spell gives us the tranquil safe weather and protection Los Cabos is famous for.”

OOC: I am going to stop here as you may want to say something. One day limit of posting as I have to get this moving. I have sent your stats to you as well as equipment and skills via PM.

"I understand that the city has this spell, for the nice weather and so forth..." said Dieter, somewhat mockingly, "but why, now it's gone, is everything being destroyed? As far as I'm aware, cities without protective spells get along alright..."

"Whats all the commotion about lads? I was woken up when felt the earth quake, at first I thought it was my head, but now I know it is not." Dargkar said half drunkenly. "How did this happen?"

"I will tell you all I know. I know that the spell was placed by rouge elf mages, five. I know that 300 years ago this city was uninhabitable because of the frequency of disasters. The Marcos family hired these elves to fix it. The elves agreed as long as that every year when they came back Los Cabos would have tribute ready. To ensure the citizens continued payment they didn't cast a permanent spell, rather they casted one that has now run out. Los Cabos has never missed a payment and the mages always came. These rouge mages travel the world they could be anywhere! Perhaps this city is doomed..."

Surely you must know their names?

"Alamir Lightstrike is the only name I have found in the histories, but again no one knows where they are. They travel the world offering their services; I have no idea where they could be. Now if you don't mind I have to assist the Mayor with the evacuation effort. The western docks are still functional and the roads to the east are open; I suggest you begin your search of the world for these mages every day you waste brings this city closer to destruction."

The sister turns a corner as you all gaze at each other in disbelief.

"A search of the world for five mages, impossible." one of the company mutters

"Do we have a choice?" answers another.

OCC: Well there is your mission: Find the five mages before time runs out. They could be anywhere including Lustria, Cathay, etc. Good Luck and don't worry there will be clues as to the whereabouts of these mages if you look hard enough. Actions everyone please.

OOC: I don't fully understnad what you mean by actions please but I am guessing it is just write what you character is saying etc.

"I suggest we make haste to the docks and find a ship. Sailing would be a swifter way of getting around. My brother owns a vessel large enough to fit us all in and carry us promptly to our destination." Garek declared in a solemn manner. His hands pulled tight the straps holding his tool belt around his waist. Noticing the moments silence he continued "What do the rest of you want to do?"

OOC: This is confusing. Is there going to be a character post, Scaly, or are we going to have to guess what race people are, what they look like, etc? I mean, you can't exactly RP it - 'I'm Thorek, I'm a dwarf, I have a grizzled grey beard and a runic hammer...' - 'Yes, we noticed.'

IC: Dieter nodded as realisation broke inside his head. This was a chance to get out of the city. Cut off every connection, especially with that odious worm of a crime-lord.

"We should make haste then, eh? Make haste for the ship before this whole town comes down around our heads."

OCC: You are right, I got ahead of myself.

You survey your companions for the first time seeing what company you will be sharing.

First you notice a dwarf, who like all dwarves is short and stubby with a long beard. He has dark brown hair and eyes and wears an apron with a hammer on it, the Golden Hammer Inn and Bar's symbol.

Next you notice an elf who carries a bellows, and you attention is caught by his right hand which appears to be have a silver gauntlet, but upon closer inspection “the gauntlet” is fused to his arm.

A man pulls your attention away from the hand and you see a man, whose chin is covered in dark stubble that blends into the dirt on his face. His body is well built; appears to be a laborer. His hair is as short as his beard, receding slightly. He has a large uneven X scar above his left eye.

Another man is obviously a cleric of Manann due to his dark greenish/blue robes trimmed with waves of white. His right hand carries a small ring with the symbol of Manaan on it. The cleric is a little shorter than average with straight brown/black hair which is cut short. He carries with him a staff made of sturdy oak wood although it appears he does not need it to walk.

The last man of the group has a well-trimmed, black beard. His clothes are dull – nothing unusual, nothing noticeable; he wears grey trousers, old boots and a brown, weather-worn jerkin over a white shirt.

Another elf carries many books, maps, an most notably a bow with him. He is tall and has a pale face, long blonde flowing hair and ice blue eyes.

Another dwarf very different in appearance from the first catches your eye last he is obviously some sort of professional, but what kind you have no idea.

OOC: there I hope that helps a little; again my apologies. Introduce yourselves as appearances don't tell everything (especially names)

Ic: Since the last dwarf is my character I will describe what he looks like.

The Noticable different dwarf makes his say.

' I'm Rhielian, a runesmith of Khaz'dun but no longer privilege to call that my home as it belongs to an Orc tribe, though I can say that I have no home.

I'm also a Healer by trade though we don't have time to talk as we need to escape and find those mages or this city will be destroyed by the weather it is famous for.'

Rhielian appeared to be slighty smaller then the other two dwarves but shared the same that hold almost all dwarves, the size of is beard, it was slighty dark in colour marking the dwarf as a mid aged.

The well built man speaks again
"I apologise for not introducing myself before when I spoke of leaving the city by water. My name is Garek, I am a blacksmith," this draws the attention of the others to his belt, from which hangs his tools,
"I came and retired here for the famed weather of the city, now it seems, I am going to have to find another town to run my forge in. I have had training as an Empire state troop, I rose to the rank of captain and commanded a small force that protected the countryside from raiding beasts." His scar morphed as his face became full of expression while talking, wrinkles on his forehead becoming prominent, his scar bunched into the shape of a pick.

"I suggest we go to Cathay first, or at least get in the water so that we are on our way." Dargkar said

"I am Dargkar, head bartender and owner of the Golden Hammer Inn."

OOC: That's Dieter

Dieter raised an eyebrow at the dwarf's suggestion.

"I have a better idea - how about going somewhere nearer, like Bretonnia or the Empire, eh? I imagine you would feel quite a fool if you crossed half the world only to find your quarry to be back where you begun."

The man sitting silently at the back startles everyone by saying "You must all use the clues to decide where to go. A meeting shall be held soon to make the final decision on which direction."
OOC: You will be given clues by us.

nodding politeley to the stranger gino looked thoughtfully at the oher before speaking in a soft voice filled with a certanty only faith brings.

" My name is Gino As you have no dought guessed I am a priest of Manaan I hope I can be of some aid to you on this journey."

'I agree with Dieter, no one would be foolis enough to travel to where we don't need to, I say that we travel to the closest destination but since that is by ship we must travel to a dock if we are to travel to the lands of Bretonia' Rhielian laughs

'As i feel my short legs, will not be able to go the great distance nor energy required in walking there'

OOC: So then the docks?

"These rogues would be little accepted in Brettonnia, may I sugest Nagarroth? Elves of such deplorable ethics can only have come from that cold place" Sarathain looked around with his ice blue eyes at the faces that had turned his way "I apologise; I should announce myself. My name is Sarathain, I hail from Ulthuan."

-- Sarathain (blonde elf with bow)

"Hold - did our friend," - Dieter gestured to the stranger at the back who had spoken - "not say there would be a meeting, eh? To decide the destination? Then we should wait until this meeting is held. Besides - I think little of your proposed journey to Naggaroth. It is far, and I've heard nothing but ill of that land, however little we humans may know."

Landuin clenched his silver hand slowly, looking down at the metal limb quietly. "I must disagree with this proposed journey to the dark lands as my name is hated there. Many of the dark-kin fell to enchanted blades forged by me." Looking up at the man in sea blue robes, " If we're traveling by boat, I suggest you pray to your man-god for safe passage out of this storm."

OCC: Can I get a consensus on where you all are going?

"So let this meeting be held and we can be on our way in search of these mysterious elves," snapped Garek, a relatively impatient man. "Waiting is wasting time, the longer we wait, the less chance we have of saving Los Cabos." he continued, startling the group with his sharp comments.

Dieter looked at the man at the back who had told them of the meeting.

"Yes. Where and when is this meeting? Is it only us, or have you - comrades - which will help decide?"

"I say we go to wherever is closest from here and work our way out." Dargkar said.

Again the stranger spoke " Look towards the land of the dead and you will find your enemy. But also the wastes could herald some clues.......".
OOC: Now you decided. Your next posts should be votes.

"I know nothing of the 'Land of the Dead' - but it sounds rather inhostpitable. I say we travel North - we may find our quarry in the Norselands or Troll Country. Towards the Wastes.

Addressing the Group Gino spoke, Though he did not mean to do it years of preaching gave his voice a quality that often Caused people to feel he had a holier than thou attitude, He hoped his new companions would not feel this way, But would accept it if he had to, This quest was more important than makeing friends.

"As far As I know we are not seeking our enemy, but rather a friend, To this end it would prehaps be prudent to find these clues in the north"

Landuin opened his eyes after a few moments of thought. " I think the wastes sound like the best choice." His eyes darkened after his words, thinking of the possibility to find that dwarf who ruined his life as a crazed Slayer.

OCC: If one more person agrees with going to the wastes by way of water, we can move on as I need a majority. By the way thats the last clue you will get directly (no more go to the wastes you'll find them there) instead look for clues while in the wastes for the elves whereabouts.

IC: The stranger who seemingly knows more about the elves then anyone leaves while your backs are turned, this somewhat makes you wonder if his clue is false, to lead you in the wrong direction ...

"Since everyone else seems to think the wastes are where we should start, then I say we should do that." Dargkar said to whomever was listening.

"Why waste our time searching every corner of every land when we can go to the most logical place that these rogues would be?" Sarathain asked somewhat rhetorically, he began walk round "The longer we are searching the more danger Los Cabos is plunged into, Naggaroth is one of the few places these Elves would reside."

--Sarathain

EDIT: Sorry, didn't realise the decision had been made.

OOC: If you think it will be easy you are badly wrong. You maybe going to the wastes because of clues but now it is up to you. Prince of Caledor the group has made up it's mind that they are going to the wastes.

Chapter Two: The Docks

The company makes its way to the western docks to purchase way to the Northern Wastes. The docks are incredibly busy, busier than you have ever seen them. Single Families, Groups of Families, and Individuals struggle to meet the inflated prices of the boat captains to take them anywhere but here. Securing a ship out of Los Cabos to any far off destination might prove expensive, as the boat captains can make several trips from Los Cabos to other Estalian cities in the time it takes to go to the wastes.
The company searches for Garek’s brother hoping that connection might lower the price, but he appears to have left. Only three of the dozens of ships appear large enough to make the passage. Their names on the prow read Los Cabos Lady, The Argil, and The Wave Runner. Each boat has its own distinctive personality The Los Cabos Lady appears to be manned by men and is rather square in the water; however it is well armed with 10 twenty pound cannons. The Argil is a dwarf steam ship also square in the water, but not as big, nor as well armed. However what is loses in armament it obviously makes up for in greater speed and armor. The Wave Runner is obviously the fastest and also the least armed and is piloted by elves of some sort that none of you have ever seen.


OCC: Bidding can begin. Keep in mind you will have to convince these captains that they should take you over the clamoring crowd.

An OOC question - is that 10 20-pounders in total, or 10 to a broadside?

OCC: Good catch Chili, The Los Cabos Lady has 20 Total, the Argil has 6 per broadside. The Wave Runner has 6 Bolt throwers total.

Garek spoke,
"I believe we should attempt to bargain with the master Dwarf of 'The Argil'. We need speed, but also protection. We cannot sacrifice one for the other but need a compromise."

There is nothing like fine dwarven ingenuity."Dargkar commented, "I too say we talk to the dwarf captain."

'Aye, I also say that the Dwarves fine ship, will benefit us as protection should be attacked and also grant us space however I fear for the Elves they will not be welcome on a dwarven vessel' Rhielian comments, though stroking his beard

'maybe one of us Dwarves should try and talk to him to accept them on board?'

" Surely you must jest good men, that ship is much too slow!" Landuin subconciously puffed his chest out, " The Elven vessel must go three times the speed of a lumbering junk such as that! Tme is of the essence, and I assure you, six of that ships bolt throws can deal with most anything. I lived a good decade in Lorthern, I have seen the might of such machines." Landuin pointed with his green-silver hand to the Elven ship. " That is the vessel we should take, and I believe I could convince them for a lower price than those greedy dwarves." Landuin glared at the crew that he could see, looking for any signs of that scarred dwarf.

Dieter smirked inwardly as he saw the elves and dwarves squabbling. This was how the high and mighty 'Elder Races' behaved?

"As far as I am concerned, we need speed, not a warship. The elven captain will be most open to persuasion over the moral matter of saving the city, and I do not trust this metal contraption to stay afloat."