Action 1&2: Search for the Dragons Weight: Double Fudge Points: 1 Description: The Goddess's request has dragged to 4 years, now, and has finally begun to bear fruit. She asked us to find the Wyrms, and we have finally gotten our first real lead - in a land which Mir claims to 'own'. One group of our Wanderers has discovered a trade in body parts of deceased dragons, parts which should still contain some connecton to their own. Start a two-pronged effort to pursue this lead, seeking a way to find any still-living dragons. The first group will attempt to purchase as large a relic as possible from the smugglers. Let them determine the method of getting the 'part' to us: if possible, a piece of wing, any bone, or (best) heart or brain (provided they are not damaged by magic or animals/insects). Pay an extra-high fee and ask the smugglers to deliver to a ship (in whatever location they request, but not on shore, so we can claim truthfully that we have not engaged in ile legal trade in Talishara). We should have at least a couple of Mages who can use the item to track down a living dragon. The other group will be the wanderers, themselves. Continue to do their good works and express an eagerness to trade with these people for more legitimate goods, as well ... and offer good prices. If nothing else, they could form the nucleus of our own information-gathering resources in this part of the world. But if we're lucky, they'll also manage to learn a bit of the history of the dragons and where they came from (other than the city in the sky). Difficulty: Hard (-1)? (This is what it has been every time until now, although I'd hope the tangible leads will help) Factors: Getting the object via the smugglers seems the most likely path. However, dealing with them would have to be kept secret (-), although the actual trade and subsequent tracking should be easy (+), barring unforeseen circumstances. The 'second' group is mostly intended to cover all possible routes of discovery, but their existing good relations might be another bonus (?). Suggested results: ---: Caught by Mirrish patrols and accused of spying (or smuggling), worsening relations further. -: Unusable or False dragon bits, meaning no luck in tracking it down. +: The item purchased works, but circumstances make reaching a dragon immediately difficult (or it's bad, but the second group can point us to a place where living dragons have been recently), ++: We actually see and/or meet some dragons. Action 3: Dock in Burcancy Weight: Single Description: Despite heavy efforts, we've still not been able to create a usable drydock for ship repair and construction. While we can do simpler things here, the locals' insistence on maximum profit rather than maximum good has made any long-term goals run very slowly. Put more effort into this one: the dock would be good for all of us. Difficulty: Hard Factors: We *have* made some progress to date, although most of the results have been mixed. It's easy to chalk it up to weird local customs (like profits) and remember that despite such long efforts we often have been able to work with locals before. Suggested Results: --: Increased tension between the local lord and his superiors (and no progress), -: Dock built, but delays mean that few non-Ka'shari are interested. 0: Dock built, Ka'Shari begin catching up on ship maintenance. +: Dock built, increased trade improves the local lord's mood (and helpfulness) Action 4: Help the Exquaesito (and us!) Weight: Single Description: Our new Trade Mission in the Free Cities has put us into contact with various groups who desire transportation. One is the Exquaesito, who want to establish missions in distant lands like East Torphan or even Kaeir or Mir. Send a Wanderer ship to take them for a very low price in exchange for advice and lessons on how to win the hearts of people from strange cultures, we'll take them to any city on the Midsea. Difficulty: Normal (The passage is trivial, but learning from what they have to teach may prove harder for us) Factors: Good relations with the Free Cities, but we've had little luck figuring this stuff out before. It's hard to hold high hopes. Suggested Results: ---: Ship sunk or the Exquaesito folk die on shipboard for some reason --: Terrible cultural problems: they make it there but hate Ka'Shari -: We learn little from the exercise +: We gain a bit from the exercise (+ to next effort to expand the Wanderers) ++: We learn a lot (bonus to Wanderers' ability to establish relationships in a town) and the Exquaesito do, as well. Action 5: Help to Kaeir Weight: Single Description: The Kaeirans have asked a favor: help to chart trade routes to Celpalar. We already trade there, of course, and are glad to help our friends in Kaeir earn a profit. It's also good sense: increasing their knowledge of the Straits of Anorurr and of the sea routes there makes Celandra better for both our peoples. We'll have to slow our ship, but the joint effort should be worth it. Difficulty: Easy for us (probably not so for Kaeir) Factors: We probably know the Straits of Anorurr better than any, but they remain dangerous: there and during the long deep-sea journey are where there is the greatest risk to either ship. Our mages and superior ships should give us an advantage is passing through the straits; I would hope that even in a disaster we could avoid any loss of life. Otherwise, it's a mutual assistance project. Through the Kaeirans we might meet the V'raal and possibly repair some misunderstandings with Mir. (OOC: My belief is that the Straits of Anorurr are a challenge even for the best of ships/captains. If not, this becomes far easier and less of a challenge for others) Suggested Results: ---: Disaster: Either the Kaieran ship is damaged/unable to make the journey, or our interaction with Mir/V'raal/Celpalar (one or more) are made worse - and our reputation as sailors is damaged somewhat. -: Accidents prevent us from helping, and Kaeir finds the Straits very difficult. Mixed: We make it to Celpalar - and find ourselves losing ground in the trade game. +: Expedition considered a success, but the difference in skills is such that Kaeir considers dropping the effort in lieu of expanding their Celpalar trade with us. (We're certainly eager for that one!) This message was sent through MyMail http://www.mymail.com.au ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
