Malta Session 45: 05/16/2019 Clean Drinking Water, The Whole Shtick, and The New Ship’s Doctor, Navigator (and Cook)

We begin this week’s session bringing in the Bonded Mind and the Algiers into the shipping lanes of Dingli. In the morning hours our characters see two other ships, one a Hagar Qim ship and the other a merchant galleon which seems to have the capability to fly multiple flags; currently they fly a Greek flag, other than that the merchant galleon sits very low in the water. It was also noted this galleon seems to have a lot of individuals on deck.

As we look on, four tug boats emerge from the canal entry and begin to approach the Bonded Mind and The Algiers and the other two to the Hagar Qim and heavy merchant ship. As the tug gets closer we see evidence of steam power as well as about a dozen individuals peddling their hearts out to bring the tug about. They hail us and offer to bring us into the industrious canal.

As we are pushed along it becomes apparent that without the aid of the tugs, a ship captain could well damage his or her ship. On the sides the walls of the canal closes around us where our characters discover sound bounces strangely and eerily well. Once in the canal our characters observe procedures where small to medium ships are brought in first and the larger are brought in last.

Our characters also see first-hand Zedarluc Galuggo the Knight of Gates, riding his mount, skittering across the surface of the water. He eventually allows passage for us. It is about this time Carlo looks back at the canal and picks up on a brief but familiar mental probing that reminds him of Paola and the Borg House.

Our characters identify ourselves as Maltese, they do not ask to see our ID badges nor to we produce them. We are informed that it is about a half-hour walk, or we could ride the Rack provided we are not laden down with equipment for two gold to get to the city.

We are soon lead to a gate where we witness a whirlpool of ocean water near a stone slope where benches are attached to a conveyor that rotates around like a lift taking one up to the city. There is a likewise construction going down to the ocean.

Our characters exit out on the other side of the bridge on the island where we find our breathing has become somewhat difficult. We are given some directions to accommodations despite knowing there is a safe house nearby.

As we walk some callers identify us as newcomers at such an early hour and warn unseen individuals ahead of approaching custom. When we arrive at the Barn, Gunred Vuggel is standing waiting on us having heeded the callers. He greets us with a deep halting voice, which would be intimidating to lesser men and asks if we are here for food, room or both. The Cliff Giant goes on to detail the quality and the grounds of the Barn including dinner arrangements and amenities. We agree to private quarters, breakfast and baths.

We head to the Luxury barn that has the look and feel of a hunting lodge; the place was large and spacious. Looking about and taking in the Barn there was ‘house’ tobacco, and other luxury items furnished. We eventually end up at the Luxury unit and almost immediately a women descends from a hall appearing like someone put a wig on a woman from the east German swim team. She introduces herself as Allie- ‘yes I’m the witch.’ she admits. She asks and we agree to eat in a common area and where the ‘pond’ is located. The pond proved to be a well. There is a bathhouse and restrooms of which the these people are particularly rules laden about. They don’t shit or piss in the drinking water.

Breakfast is replete with potatoes, bacon and eggs and plenty of individuals sick of eating fish. The food is hearty and good and the help does not discriminate on social class. We are greeted and welcomed in by sailors and friendly regulars alike. Humans seem to be the majority of the individuals, however there is a fluid amount of traffic that pass through here; however a couple of drow elves do draw our attention. There are a few Greeks, Italians and even a few Egyptians are about; this is when we realize Allie is actually Egyptian. No catfolk, but an ogre is present devouring food by himself. Eventually our characters identify a duerger dwarf in the masses. 

We decide to eat close to the well where our characters can survey the room. We realize there is a divide between locals and those who travel the seas. Eventually a halfling walks up and introduces himself as a traveler from Gozo. He introduces himself as Engoss and asks if he could join us.

Engoss

He’s looking for what he can get, passage and or traveling, he has the healing skill and claims to know a thing or two about the surrounding Rocks around Malta and is proficient with a map. He game here to study Filfla to understand and to get a better understanding of the peppercorn local to Dingli. He goes on to mention other finds on other Rocks such as Cinder Moss that was also Rock characteristic. We learn ironically Engoss last served on the Gallant (our new ship) and he has been in Dingli for a few weeks.

We exchange information on where our characters hail. And after a time our characters find a moment to palaver and agree to let Ahumm be the final interviewer for the halfling the next morning.

After breakfast our characters adjourn to the baths and from there the market. Our characters meet with Engoss once again where we cross the bridge to the Flail Tree, where over the next ten minutes Jabari attempts to read Engoss’ aura. The attempt was subpar only yielding information that Engoss’ is not neutral. 

At the marketplace our characters find the obligatory message and job board Jabari had inquired about earlier that morning. This is a common meeting place. Here there is a wagon, the tobacconist Misrah who comes off abrasive and rude. We are immediately roasted by the man as we survey his wares; our characters as well as other patrons were contstant objects of Misrah’s shtick.

While here Carlo, finds the Flayer Tree as been marked by the Borg while Jabari asks Misrah about his fine cigars and purchases the gift for Sciortino.

Lete and Lex inquire about clothes and come across a vendor with a plethora of clothes to be looked through. This piques Jabari's interest and arranges delivery of enough clothes for 80 complete sets to The Algiers to be picked through by the crew. For payment, the vendors express the need for a navigator and the chance to look at some maps over payment in coin. They give us the names of three ports, Gozo, Bugibba and Comono and these merchants would like ease of passage into these ports. Our characters settle on a letter of introduction as new merchants in Bugibba. Hey happily agree and give us their ship name.

An individual named Ruban comes up to Carlo and says I come with local news, and he hears Carlo comes with news from a far. Eventually Ruban reveals himself and soon find themselves talking semi privately where he expresses meeting later and that not 'everyone' is here, he had hoped Carlo would come soon.

Meanwhile an individual approaches Marco who asks “are you an Andrezzi?” Marco turns and recognizes Zhikal his second cousin. Marco, disguising his surprise, asks what’s new? Zhikal replies by explaining he traveled here through Rabat and has lived there for a year, has a business partner blah blah… most of it Marco realizes- is a complete fabrication. His clothing is nothing special save for his boots, he wears too much jewelry and carries a strange backpack. He claims to have pressing business, Zhikal confirms Marco is staying at the Barn and hopes to meet with him later. Marco keeps an eye on him as Zhikal walks over and stands next to his another individual for a few moments before Marco loses sight of him in a mix of buildings.

Akab Qeifad

As this occurs Lex speaks briefly with Misrah and asks about a package Paulie left behind for him. The two negotiate for a scroll tube and a healing potion in exchange for a cursory gem in return for show. The meeting was swift and unseen.

Elsewhere in the market Lete, as he was looking for a possible wainwright, crosses paths with a turban wearing individual who introduces himself Akab Qeifad along with his full title; also a Babylonian. Akab recognizes Lete from Paola and the warehouse fighting ring the night of the pirate attack. Akab remarks on Lete's fighting prowess and invites the brawler to a evening meal. The Master of Salt claims to have pressing business but would like to meet again tonight. Akab invites Lete back to Flaying tree at dusk and his men will escort Lete to Court and dinner.

After this encounter Lete finds the wainwright Deund who, in turn, is looking for a masterwork hand axe and other tools; it occurs to Lete that with the use of some party treasure: five masterwork weapons- two are large and it will be enough to craft a masterwork carriage.

Jabari, also while in the market, looks to have paper delivered to the ships and encounters across 'Sailor Frank' who mentions the ship the Shoe Horn and talk to the first mate; he will know what to do.

Back at the Barn Lex opens the scroll from Paulie and finds mundane communication, however coded in the papers was information on the Boxer safe house along the main road along with stables and apartments above with crawl access from the stables to the house. There is a key in the scroll tube as well as a small map as well as notations that 1,100 gold has been gathered and stored to date.

Carlo investigates the industrious city desalinization process and the technology behind it; it is about this time Lete is meeting Akab Qeifad in the market. Carlo does learn there is a rare ore needed to remove the salt from the water.

It is about 4 in the afternoon while many of us retreat to the Barn, when Ahumm enters requesting a room before sitting down with the Engoss who is in good spirits. During the interview with the Halfling it becomes clear Engoss doesn’t put faith in gods and relies on practical healing but does possess the skills he proclaims. After conversing it is agreed to offer Engoss employment as ship’s doctor, navigator (and cook- because all halfings can cook) for The Algiers. He agrees to one a gold a day until the next port where we can then renegotiate for officers pay in the future (minimum 2 gold).

We pick up next week with Lete's dinner with Akab Qeifad, Carlo going to the Borg house and Lex the visiting the Boxer safe house.