<div class="floatright"><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/ipOqbKL.jpg?1)<br/>The <em>Swift Dawn</em> arrives at Arkanoth</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><em>Setting sail from the great port city of Anccorum on the south-western coast of Caldonia to make the grueling journey across the Invidian Ocean to the almost mythical isle of Arkanoth is one that has thrilled adventurers and colonists alike for centuries, where fortunes can be made over the course of a single lucky find.  The more astute know that for every success story, there are dozens of failures and countless more dreams that end at the bottom of an empty bottle.  Arkanoth has been the target of explorers and colonists for generations, and yet, this day, the isle holds its secrets close.<br/><br/>By the time a ship has made the month-long journey, even the most starry-eyed romanticist arrives dulled and weary.  If the perilous voyage hasn't dulled their taste for adventure, the numerous tales they will have time to hear will certainly do it - danger, strange phenomena, and entire colonies that simply seem to disappear - most realize by then that if pure zeal were enough to tame this strange land, it would have been the colony of one of the mainland powers long ago.  This has been the state of matters for as long as anyone can remember, but this new influx of immigrants seems to promise something different.<br/><br/>Never before has so large an effort been made to tame Arkanoth; treasure-seekers, prospectors, colonists, soldiers, mercenaries, even arcanists of great repute are daring the voyage.  Notable among the latter is the society of the Silken Seekers, a shadowy, exclusive cabal of noble-born mages who established the most successful enclave on Arkanoth since the notorious Port Noble.  From the fortified municipality of Rolandar, they sponsor expeditions into mainland, gathering secrets whilst keeping watch over their pawns using magical sensors those in their sponsor are contractually obligated to lug along.  Those who arrive under the mandate of their governments are able to avoid the onerous costs associated with making the journey to Arkanoth through state sponsorship, but most others, the Silken Seekers remain their only option.</em><br/><br/>As the<strong>Swift Dawn</strong>cuts through the water at brisk pace in the gloom of the hour before sunrise, the voice of the lookout in the crows nest booms out the long anticipated call:  "LAND HO!".<br/><br/>Within the minute, the once empty deck of the ship is almost crowded with people straining their eyes for a glimpse of the shores of Arkanoth, which is only a indistinct outline in the dark, but with the rays of the morning sun, that outline resolves into shinning coasts behind which lie the verdancy of rich vegetation and the ominous rise of dark, mighty mountains further back in the distance.  Though the mood of the last two weeks of the voyage had been sullen and depressed, the spark of anticipation that had colored the beginning of the voyage seems to surface once again.<br/><br/>The Duchess'<strong>mercenaries (https://imgur.com/a/4wqond0)</strong>are all on deck as well, looking well upon the lands that is likely to be a new home for them, even should they find themselves bereft of the Lady Fleur's employ.  Once, they numbered 16, before the toll of the voyage reduced them to 10.  They present a motley aspect, though the uniformity of their<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">arms and equipment</div><div class="spoiler_body">Generally: chain shirt, longsword/mace, and<br/>light crossbow (w/ 20 bolts).</div></div>gives something of the semblance of professionalism.  Whilst their 'Captain', Jon Thanric, keeps them in good order, its fairly clear that the voyage, not to mention loss, has taken its toll on morale.<br/><br/><div class="floatleft"><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/LqI3ntn.jpg)<br/>The <em>Swift Dawn's</em> Captain<br/>Paerren Nolt</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>By mid-morning, the ship's Captain, Paerren Nolt approaches Fleur, nodding respectfully, but otherwise stern and business-like.  "A good morning to you, ladyship.  We'll be approaching the trade lanes soon to make use of the regional currents to propel us safely towards land.  Normally, we'd be putting in for Port Noble directly, but I, ah, understand you're connected with the<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Society</div><div class="spoiler_body">Regional name for the<br/>Silken Seekers.</div></div>; if you wish it, we can have a temporary alteration of course to sail for Rolandar - as one of the few ships who pays dues to the Society, I be having permission to put into port there as well as trade in the enclave, without having my boat summarily burnt to cinders before it enters the bay.  If you have immediate business with the Society, you may be wanting to go there soonish as it may be a while before you can find another boat permitted to land there; the Society doesn't make for any exceptions - even boats carrying those they sponsor."<br/><br/>"We can be there short of midday, and I be willing to wait an hour before setting sail for Port Noble.  If you're there for longer... well, I'm afraid I can wait no longer; between cargo and grumbling passengers, I can wait no longer than that hour.  From there, we'll reach Port Noble by late afternoon."<br/><br/>Between all the rumors Fleur has heard, Rolandar is like a small slice of urban Cladonia, but ruled by spellcasters and steeped in magic of a kind not seen on the mainland.  Among the wilder rumors, some say that the settlement can detach itself from the ground and fly into the skies.  Whatever the truth may be, the only thing that is truly certain (in that everyone agrees on it) is that it is the best place to obtain and trade magical goods.  Most people, however, cannot set foot on Rolandar unless they are directly being sponsored by the Silken Seekers, so trade in magical items generally goes through enterprising merchants who are allowed to sail to the island, trade for the items requested and undoubtedly hike up the prices when selling them.<br/><br/>"Of course, if you prefer just to sail to Port Noble right now, we can make it there just after midday.  Just be warned that the laws of the mainland don't apply here, least of all Port Noble, which is a hive of treachery, thieves, and slavers ruled by crime lords who pretend to nobility.  I recommend a lady of your rank not flaunt it about too much in case you attract undue attention."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">You can use the following for a post format, with any improvements of your devising:<br/><br/><div class="codeheader">Code: <a class="codeoperation" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="return smfSelectText(this);">[Select]</a></div><pre style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><code class="bbc_code">[floatright][img padding=5 height=300]image.http.here[/img][/floatright][b]Current Hp:[/b] Current/Max; [b]AC[/b] CurrentAC<br/>[b]Passive: Perception[/b] +0; [b]Investigation[/b] +0 ([i]Special senses.  Remove if not applicable.[/i])<br/>[b]Languages:[/b] Languages Known<br/><br/>[b]Weapons:[/b] weapon 1 +0 (damage), weapon 2 +0 (damage), etc...<br/>[b]Spells Known/Prepared:[/b]<br/>Cantrips:<br/>1st (0 slots):<br/><br/>[b]Appearance:[/b] How NPCs perceive you during your current post.  This can include flourishes of clothing, mood and expressions, equipment carried, etc...<br/>[hr]<br/><br/>Your Post Here</code></pre></div></div>