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Post by ArtoriusRex on Mar 13, 2016 21:10:17 GMT
Scant few days had passed since the sea had thrown Saewine from its salty grasp. Already he was on his feet again. That noble fishing boat that had doggedly followed his seaborne body to port had been fixed, and was ready once more for venture. With a steady hand, Saewine chipped away at the painted wording on the prow of the boat. Soon, the words Sea Fucker had been scraped off, the name Gwenhwyfar scribbled in its place. Or, at least, what a native had told Saewine said Gwenhwyfar. It could well have said Smelly Foreign Invader.
But the boat was now his! And with it, a chance at riches. He went down to a pub on the seafront, to find sailors.
"Oi!" he bellowed through the door, "I seek nine stout seafarers, at half-a-crown each per week, for a three week voyage to the islands!"
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2016 21:18:51 GMT
The offer of food and a half crown attracts a small group of fishermen and landsmen. 6 sign on for your journey, enough men to crew the boat, if not to bring in a large haul o' fish.
With the typical northerlies, you can estimate a journey of roughly a week to the first port of call upon Big Horney.
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Post by ArtoriusRex on Mar 13, 2016 21:33:21 GMT
With his men in tow, Saewine heads for the market. The intent is to fill his boat with grains, honey, salted meats, and wine.
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2016 21:35:39 GMT
You find the wine a little lacking, but you can get enough in the way of barley, greenstuff, salt meats, and other general vittles to fill the boat up... more if you sell your nets.
The total comes to 50 Crowns, 60 if you trade your nets in for more. You are confident that you will be able to make a comfortable profit once you reach the Horneys.
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Post by ArtoriusRex on Mar 13, 2016 21:52:51 GMT
"Fifty crowns... thieves... Want my nets too, eh? Why don't I sell my hands for twenty crowns apiece while I'm at it..?" Saewine darkly mumbles as he makes his way down to the harbour, his men and goods trailing in his wake.
The harbour is as harbours are; smelly and busy. The men make short work of loading the boat, and soon, all is ready. Saewine bids them say farewell to their loved ones, for now, and casts off for the Horneys.
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2016 22:04:39 GMT
The wind has died somewhat since the nasty blow that set him up so well in Portchester. He beats up into the wind, keeping clear of Godenland to his lee to weather the cape and bring him swiftly down to Big Horney.
The 400 mile trip goes smoothly, the boat giving a little more leeway than Cynesige would have liked. He is well in site of the cape as he passes it. The total trip takes him 5 days, and he arrives in Albesport, a small village in the sheltered bay of Big Horney...
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Post by ArtoriusRex on Mar 13, 2016 22:27:52 GMT
"Of course, lads, of course. Have a decent time in port. I'll get to selling these wares..."
Saewine bellows of his wares at the harbour, advertising Great Meats, Wholesome Grains, and such. Naturally, he requires his danger money.
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2016 22:33:08 GMT
The local peasantry flocks to buy his wares. They are gaunt, and they smell. The smell of the very, very poor.
You sell 15 crowns worth of your wares for 30 crowns. A local merchant offers 10 crowns and 5 bushels of wool for a further 10 crowns worth (you estimate the wool to sell for about 7 crowns in Portchester, 5 in Godenburgh).
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Post by ArtoriusRex on Mar 13, 2016 22:41:02 GMT
"Excellent! Excellent! There's no denying the people of the Horneys have good taste in food!" Saewine muttered to himself, taking a bite out of a spot of salted meat. He chewed grimly.
He takes the offer of crowns and wool, and will sell the wool later on in Portchester.
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2016 22:45:58 GMT
"You, you there! The Jarl wants to see you", a short man with a spear bustles over to Saewine, "Come with me, the longhouse isn't far. It's been a while since we heard from Godspende, we thought you weren't coming."
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Post by ArtoriusRex on Mar 13, 2016 22:59:25 GMT
"He does..? Uh... Excellent. I'll come with all haste. What precisely is this Godspende..?"
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2016 23:15:32 GMT
"What do you mean? King Godspende III of Godenland? Did he not send you? The Jarl has been incredibly angry at the King, no help, no support these last months, and the peasants on sticks and stones, nary a cabbage..."
The Jarl, it turns out, is a young man. Wearing brightly coloured woollens, and sporting the talisman of the God of Harvests...
The Jarl had been petitioning his King, Godspende, to send aid to the Horneys against the famine, but either out of inertia, or hostility, none had been forthcoming. He thanks all the Gods for Saewine's help, and makes him an offer.
"These isles need food, as you have seen. The land is poor for anything other than sheep. You keep us in food and fodder, and we provide wool and salt lamb, what say you?"
His seneschal describes their needs: Big Horney: 100 bushels a month; Little Horney 50 Bushels; Rockall; 40 Bushels. In exchange they offer 150 skeins of wool."
The conversation continues, it seems that the King of Godenland is becoming increasingly unpopular, he imposes punitive taxes on all non-Theists, and his arbitrary ways offend the Jarls...
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Post by ArtoriusRex on Mar 13, 2016 23:28:26 GMT
"Dear me... No, I beg your Pardon, Jarl, I was sent only by myself. I fear I don't have the shipping space yet to deliver such quantities. I have only my crew's provisions left. However, I aim to make for Godenland with all speed as soon as the tide is suitable. I'll return with food as soon as I can."
Saewine notes that though the Theists believe their kings to have been ordained by their god, there's no such restriction on pagans. Perhaps the Jarls should petition their King together, especially since it's behoven on all Theists to do good deeds unto their enemies.
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2016 23:33:45 GMT
The Jarl chuckles darkly, "Petition Godspende? Last Jarl to do that found himself hanging. Supposedly he blasphemed against that blasted Theos..."
"No, but if you bring me food and a crew, I'll give you the boat in the yard to use. She needs a crew, but she'll carry all you need. You can use her for the shuttle from Portchester, she can carry 250 bushels, with a crew o' twenty."
"Don't go taking her off that route though, I'll be needing her before late..."
If Saewine can provide 20 men for a crew, he can use the Jarl's longship for the route. Should provide him with a comfortable profit plying the the route from Portchester to the Horneys.
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Post by ArtoriusRex on Mar 13, 2016 23:39:35 GMT
Saewine gave a wry smile.
"Hung? Aye, aye... There is duty from the ruler to the ruled, though it is often forgot..."
On the subject of the boat, Saewine is very happy, "Yes, Jarl, I'll be happy to find men for the work. By the gods, this will be a good venture."
If the Jarl is happy to conclude proceedings, Saewine will take his leave, and go to Albesport to try and recruit twenty men, on the same rates as his old crew.
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