First, I am not going to give a blow by blow accounting of the session almost everyone was there. That being said, there are some highlights.
Combat started not when someone missteps and blew a stealth roll, it was a vigilant smuggler that heard then spotted with his bullseye lantern some vagabonds sneaking aboard during his watch. The smugglers were awaiting another ship to rendezvous. The smuggler’s shot went wide and pocked into the mizzenmast just over Erdan’s shoulder as he ducked for darkness. “Those sneaky-ass Drow”, the man cursed as he now had to draw his rapier.
Meanwhile under the quarterdeck, Boris and Siay had made good progress in the darkness of the aft gundeck to have found the bulkhead of the Captains quarters. Siay felt along it until she felt the hinges of the hatch. It was the shot from the bows that called the smugglers to arms. They burst from the Captain’s mess only to be surpriised by Boris standing on the gundeck saber in hand. A breif melee ensued with pistol shots being fired in close proximity. Two of the smugglers went down but not without a price. Siay paid that with a deep wound to the breast…
On the maindeck, Antinoro fired at smugglers pouring out from the focsle. He clipped one and she dove into the cargo hold. The others now aware of his presence turned to fight. Iri howled and distracted the one known only as Bjorn, giving the Darkmoon an opportunity to strike mortally wounding the man. [GM Note: I cannot remember who was distraught at this ironic turn] It was Iri and Ara that turned this engagement. Ara causing the darkness to close in on them, enhancing Iri’s menacing trade. The superstitious lot cowered in fear.
Screams and commotion were heard as it was likely that something very dangerous broke loose and was in a frenzy below decks.
The fight left the smugglers as they started to take grievous wounds and were simply not paid enough to die for some stupid animals as Bjorn later put it. With half their number wounded and demoralized they began to surrender.
The fight over, Iri gave aid to Bjorn. Boris effected the capture of Soller Vark, and took his rapier among other things as prizes. Lavinia’s payment was also found on the scoundrel. The captains quarters were searched and the signet ring was found with a scrap of paper rolled up in it.
A quick debate over the fate of the villain ensued….
[GM Note: In closing the session I thought about my decision regarding the alignment system from D&D during my development of this for GURPS. I had decided not to use it because of GURPS character creation process. So I had to ask during the session for the players to please review your characters and play them as you conceived them. How is your character going to react to the events he/she is witness to. What if anything will they do? Some of you remember Jonas. The reason he is memorable I believe is because I played as he was written. He refused magic aid, he was after-all a magehunter. What’s more is he was a man of honor. He realized that his actions and his leadership caused the death of innocent people. He had to submit himself for justice, and paid the ultimate price. Not that anyone of your characters is that way. What I am stressing is make your character come alive by playing him or her they way you envision them behaving and reacting. All of us have a moral compass so do your characters, follow that and your journey will be one to remember.
From my point of view I thoroughly enjoyed Session 1. Aside from some technical issues, when are there not right; the session went really well. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I.]
