Quoted By:
The storm has finally subsided. Of the dozen or so crewmen only six remain. The rest, including your aged captain, were swept away by the waves. As the second-in-command, and moreover, as the brother of the deceased captain, the men now naturally look to you for leadership. Though it is something you have dreamt about all your life, the loss of your brother leaves a bitter aftertaste. He was a hard, taciturn man, slow to laughter, but of cool temper and always fair-dealing with his crew. You hope to live up to his example.
Speaking of the crew, it is clear they are in poor spirits. The suddenness of the storm and the magnitude of the destruction left in its wake have rendered them mute and listless. The karve, at least, is still yare and true. There was a small rent in the sail, which you will need to fix or replace the next time you're ashore, but the spare is working beautifully. The clouds have torn apart to distant clumps and there is a fair wind blowing from the east.
Most important, the cargo and provisions are still fully intact. One of the morbid advantages of a reduced crew is that you can go quite a ways before needing to resupply.
\ooD==/
ship diagram key:
`D` is the sail
`o` is a full barrel of provisions, which feeds a dozen crew for 2 TURNS (double that for <8 crew)
`=` is other trade goods (TBD next post)
Your orders, captain?
>"To Langholmen, to rest and recover awhile." Langholmen is close by [2 LEGS] and returning home for repose is sure to improve the crew morale [SHAKEN->>CONFIDENT]. Though it does mean delaying the unloading of your cargo, which comes with its own troubles.
>"To Fjordheim, to dispose of the cargo." Fjordheim is your brother's former port of call. It is a large and populous town where anything can be bought and sold for the right price, though it is a bit distant [3 LEGS].
>"To the nearest shore, to perform the ceremonies due to the dead." Land has already been sighted [1 LEG]. A chance to mourn the fallen may alleviate some of the crew's tension [SHAKEN->STEADY], but no telling what you might find in the uncharted wilderness.
>write-in
