You wake in the dark. Your head is pounding and your throat is raw and there is a sickly sweet taste in your mouth. You hear a soft groan from nearby so you know your aren't alone. As you gradually become more aware of you surrounding you notice that the room seems to be swaying back and forth, and you can hear a soft rhythmic creaking.
The last thing you remember is drinking in the Formidable Maid. You remember music, and laughter, the smells cooking meat, and spilled alcohol. The taste of spiced rum. You don't remember drinking enough to have passed out, but you know you aren't in the Formidable Maid or on the street outside.
You remember having a drink in the Formidable Maid and then leaving. As you left the tavern you heard a woman cry out from an nearby alleyway. You went to investigate only to be attacked from behind when you entered the alley. You remember feeling something strike the back of your neck and the ground rushing up to meet you. You have a tender lump on the back of your head.
Vaelor reaches for his head and holds on to it for a few moments. "Where in th' hork be I?" he thinks to himself as he lets out a groan.
Quickly he realizes he is not alone, and from the sway of the room he suspects he is aboard someone's ship. "Who's ship? Hmmm..." He quietly feels for his belongings, and his weapons. "I`ve been robbed!"
Lucanorr whispers to himself..."Too bad this isn't one of those times you wake up and don't know where you are but there's at least a wench next to you." He opens his eyes and sees tries to see what's going on without anyone else noticing.
Allende groans and rolls over. Hearing the noises he realizes he must be on a ship. Hearing the other groans, he calls out, his voice cracking from the dryness of his voice "Hello, is anyone there?"
Ashrem lays still for a moment after waking, trying to remember what happened. Sitting up, he runs his tongue around his mouth revealing a familiar oily taste. Nutmeg? I don't remember having anything with nutmeg in it... I remember an... ow He rubs the knot at the back of his head. Throbbing now that he knows it's there he starts searching for his aid kit and realizes that all of his other belongings have been taken. Well that's just lovely... he thinks to himself. He hears a voice nearby call out and notes somebody else trying very clumsily to sneak away.
I'm over here. He answers quietly. Who are you?
"My names Allende, carpenter's mate of the Sea Sprite." he replies while checking his pockets. Why would they leave me this he wonders as he comes across his silver coin. Suddenly the dream comes back to him and his hand flies to his face. Sure enough he can feel a scar there. So, not a dream. "Do you have any idea what ship we might be on?"
Not at all. I'm Ashrem, a carpenter as well and a student of medicine. Is there anyone else here that you recognize?
"No, its too damn dark in here." Suddenly, an idea occurs to him. Maybe Besmara could help. Taking out the coin, he mentally prays "OK, Captain. how about a little light." and... absolutely nothing happens.
How about our other companions? He asks a little louder. Are any of you hurt? Or have a light about you?
You hear the thump of booted feet on planking and a group of people come down the ladder. They have a lantern with them so you can see that you are on the lower deck of a ship. There a sea lockers pushed up against the hull, and a number of hammocks slung from the overhead. The leader of the group of pirates is a tall man with a braided black beard. His black greatcoat and heavy black boots fail to disguise his almost skeletal thinness. The man grimaces in what looks like pain revealing gold teeth. He cracks the whip in his hand towards you.
“Still abed with the sun over the yardarm? He bellows. On your feet, ye filthy swabs! Get up on deck and report for duty before Cap’n Harrigan flays your flesh into sausage skins and has Fishguts fry ye up for breakfast!” He cracks the whip over your heads again. Without waiting for you to respond he motions the six rough looking pirates with him towards you.
Drag these worthless lubbers up on deck.
Pirates
Vaelor
Lucanorr
Allende
Ashrem
Well, it seems like nobody else knows why we are hear either. Waking up with all your stuff gone's starting to be a pattern Luc...
Lucanorr thinks, The Captain's thin, but are the clothes he's unsuccessfully hiding that with fancy or threadbare? Are these recent lean times or long standing ones? What are the rest of the crew wearing? Do they look pretty threadbare too? What kind of second rate ship have I been shanghai'd onto?
So it was HIM!! Ashrem stands on his own two feet before the pirates approach. Save your energy mates. We'll get there without your help. He tells the pirate mob approaching.
He glances around quickly looking for any gear adrift that could be used as a weapon.
What did you do with our belongings? He asks, in case they get suspicious of his rapid search.
Allende quickly puts away the coin and struggles to his feet, eyes blinking in the light, quickly looking around the hold for his gear. Not noticing anything, he glares at the whip wielding man, but quickly starts to climb the ladder.
Oh well, last time I woke up penniless I had to enlist on a ship. This time Fate's taken out the middle man. Guess it's time to get to work...I'm Lucanorr, mates.
Lucanorr follows Allende towards the ladder. As he passes Ashrem, he turns to him. Lucanorr raises his eyebrows and slightly lists his head towards the pirates, giving him a questioning but supportive look.
Not seeing anything useful, Ashrem gives Lucanorr a discreet shake of the head. He wasn't going to try anything unless the pirate mob starts something.
I'm Ashrem. Guess we've missed breakfast chow already?
Who this bilge rat be? Vaelor thinks to himself.
Vaelor hears the two men talking and decides it's best to keep quiet for the moment. A healer?. He is about to speak to them when he hears a group approaching.
Who this bilge rat be? Vaelor thinks to himself as he sees the skinny man dressed in black. After the captains speaks he looks around at the others receiving scorn. Slowly he follows the others out, scanning the room for anything to use as a weapon.
Shut yer worthless gob! The bearded pirate shouts in Ashrem's face, he seems disappointed that you choose not to resist. The other pirates grab you and roughly march you up through the ship the main deck. You are led aft to the foot of the Poop deck and shove into a group with four others who are clearly also new recruits. The rest of the ship's crew is gathered around to watch the drama of your introduction to the ship. You notice that the ship is in the open ocean and only land insight is rapidly disappearing to the stern.
Two figures stand up on the Poop deck waiting for you. One of them is a broad, muscular Garundi man with a shaven head, a long beard bound with gold rings, and an eye patch. The other is a younger, balding man with a long black ponytail, wearing a long coat and carrying a well-used cat-o’-nine-tails. The Garundi man leans over the railing towards you.
“Glad you could join us at last! Welcome to the Wormwood!" He booms. "My thanks for ‘volunteering’ to join my crew. I’m Barnabas Harrigan. That’s Captain Barnabas Harrigan to you, not that you’ll ever need to address me. I have only one rule—don’t speak to me. I like talk, but I don’t like your talk. Follow that rule and we’ll all get along fine." The big man staightens and starts to turn away.
“Oh, and one more thing. Even with you new recruits, we’re still short-handed, and I aim to keep what crew I have. There’ll be a keelhaulin’ for anyone caught killin’ anyone." He turns away and address the younger man. "Mr. Plugg! If you’d be so kind as to make pirates out of these landlubbers, it’ll save me having to put them in the sweatbox for a year and a day before I make pies out of ’em."
Aye, aye, Captain! Mr. Plugg replies before turning to glare at you. Captain Harrigan gives you one last cold look before stamping away.
Mr. Plugg walks down to the Main deck and looks you over and expression of disdain on his face.
Right! Let's see if you lot of bilge rats are good for anything! He growls. Up the main mast you worthless slugs! The last one up and back gets a taste of the cat!
Ashrem gets off to a good start climbing but gets hung up in the ropes a little once everyone else starts moving the ropes around. He climbs almost to the top before slipping and getting entangled in the lines. In this race it feels like forever to Ashrem to get himself untangled. Once he does, however, he makes way to the top and slaps the crow's nest before racing down at breakneck speeds. He finishes with an excellent display of climbing skill.
So that be th' captain o' this heap o' wood. I thought that other one be too bony! Vaelor thinks, I must be havin' volunteered fer some sort o' job. I wish I could reckon what 't pays, but I dasn't reckon a thin'.
Not witnessing any others complain, Vaelor starts up the ropes. At least this be somethin' I be good at.
So it's that kind of crew Lucanorr notes to himself. Well, at least I'm good in the rigging...
Lucanorr jumps towards the mast. Misjudging his speed and trajectory, he misses his handhold. He grunts as his head hits the mast's base and falls to the ground.
Discretion's the better part of valor Lucanorr mutters to himself as he grabs the handhold and hoists himself up the mast to begin the climb up to the top.
Lucanorr continues climbing through the rigging, ducks around the cross-beam that secures the bottom of the mainsail and continues upwards.
This stuff's all coming back to me now! Lucanorr's feeling cocky again and makes a last leap to the top of the mainmast. He makes it and grabs ahold of the cross-beam that secures the top of the mainsail. His momentum carriers him forwards. As he holds tight to the mast, his body flips upwards until he is vertical, feet in the air and holding on to the mast at its base. He pushes with his hands and lets go. He's in the air long enough to twist and land sitting on the top cross-beam. He scrambles into a standing position and begins making his way down.
While he's up here, he takes a good look around the ship to get an idea of what kind of vessel it is, how many crew there are, and what direction they are heading.
He heads back down around the top cross-beam and into the rigging.
As Lucanorr approaches the bottom cross-beam, he slips on it. At the last second, he regains his footing and continues down below the sails.
Finally, Lucanorr returns to the deck. He shuffles into line next to his fellow new "recruits," fully expecting future tests they'll all be designed to fail...
Allende looks around at his new 'crewmates' What a sordid lot he thinks. And he was never good at the rigging, he was a carpenter on his old ship, not a rigger. Watching Ashrem, Vaelor and Lucanorr assay the attempt and suceed. Allende reluctantly gives it a try, cursing under his breath at having to follow Lucanorr who was well nigh perfect.
Allende starts out pretty well and gets a little confidence.
A little too much confidence as he gets tangled in the lines
and then falls trying to get free
Setting his teeth he tries again and although he obviously isn't as good as Lucanorr he does pretty well.
Mr. Plugg scowls at how well you all do climbing the rigging. Vaelor is just slightly fast than Lucanorr. Allede and Ashrem finish the task so close together that he can't tell which finished last.
Well, perhaps you lot aren't completely worthless after all!He looks disappointed that he doesn't get to use his cat'o nine.
Now. Can any of you lubberly slugs cook?
Allende starts to say something, but then he thinks. There really aren't any legends written about pirate cooks. So he stands there and tries to look disinterested.
Lucanorr keeps his head down and tries not to let Mr. Plugg catch his eye.
I'm no cook but if you're looking for a ship surgeon or even just a loblolly boy then I'm the man for the job. Ashrem says proudly. If it gets me out of mess duty, I don't mind scrubbing down whatever spaces they have for a sickbay...
For th' way they be treatin' us, I hope this job pays well. Vaelor thinks. He decides to wait until to meal time to ask a fellow sailor what's the agreed price, that way everyone won't know that he blacked out and doesn't remember signing up for this.
Strange, I dasn't reckon havin' that many drinks before blackin' ou'... he thinks before concluding that there is something wrong about this gig.
None of you bilge rats can cook eh? Well one of you is going to have a chance to learn. Mr. Plugg says.
You!He says pointing at Ashrem. Report to Fishguts in the Galley you the new Cooks Mate.He turns and points at Vaelor You were the fastest so you get to work in the rigging. you others are working the deck from now on. he says to Lucanorr and Allende.
Allende Repair duty make a DC 10 Sailor check or Dexterity check
Lucanorr Hauling Rope and Knot Work make a DC 10 Sailor check or Strength check also make a DC 10 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the watch
Allende smiles. This was exactly what he did on the Sea Sprite. He throws himself into the work, determined to show the pirates his worth. While gathering supplies for his work he looks about trying to discover where his equipment is.
He completes his tasks quickly and competently and is quite proud of his day's work.
Lucanorr starts organizing the rope, knotting it and storage it where appropriate. He's moving around the ship and making sure that lines are tight and that everything is...well, ship shape! It's good work for thinking, and he likes the feel of the wind on his face and the smell of the salt in the air while he thinks about what to do next.
I could probably bully one of these guys into telling me what's going on here, but I don't know anybody yet...maybe it's better for me to try and make a friend. On the other hand, the Cap'n said no killin' so maybe that happens sometimes on this ship...could be good to start a fight and let everybody know I'm no pushover...
Nah, I made it through the riggin' good and they saw I know my stuff. Let's see what I can find out if I talk to a few folks quiet-like...
Lucanorr sees another crewmember, one of the other new "recruits" who's busy at a task of his own. I wonder if they're all strangers like the four of us that were in the hold or if they all know each other. If they do, I better make sure to get in good with 'em now...
This isn't too hard. Not that different from my time as part of the Percheon's crew. Down here's sure a lot different than sailing the Westcrown-Sothis route my old ship sailed though. What about you? First time on a ship?
Lucanorr chats with the fellow crew member for awhile, trying to drop in on him whenever possible over the course of the day's work.
After a long day of hauling, tying, testing tautness, and talking, Lucanorr's tired and wants his bunk, hammock, or bit of floor--whatever Harrigan's providing his crew on this miserable collection of sticks he's calling a ship. Wormwood, ha! I hope the Cap'n takes better care of his ship than of his crew. Looks like they've missed a few meals. If this ships in as bad a shape, we're doomed to never see port again!
Lucanorr finds an out of the way corner in the hold and gets ready to knock off to sleep for the night.
A bottle breaks and exposes a pleasant scent, like a higher class of girl than we usually find on the docks. Lucanorr peers into the sack that the bottle came out of. Now this will sell! He very quietly gathers it up and stashes it in an unused corner deep in the hold where nobody should ever think to look for it.
Now, it's off to dreamland.
Ashrem frowns at his new assignment.
Well men, I wish you the best of luck... he starts to grin, Hopefully y'all have cast iron stomachs.
He saunters down to the galley looking for Fishguts. Wonder what my nickname will end up being... Hardtack.. no... eh... Fishheads.. no, that doesn't work either... Chumbucket.. That one has potential.
After making his way down, Ashrem introduces himself and works diligently on any tasks he's given.
Ahoy Matey! What can ol' Fishguts do for ye? When you tell him that you are the new cooks mate he grins and says I 'ope ya fare better than the last un.
It is a Special occasion Captain Harrigan wants pork. make a DC 10 cooking or Survival check.
While you work with the inebriated cook he willingly answers any questions you have about how things work on the ship. give me a perception check as well.
Lucanorr wipes his eyes and yawns, "Thanks mate! Guess it's time to get on deck." Lucanorr follows him up onto deck.
Ashrem takes a good luck at the mess he's got to work with and heaves a big sigh. I hope I fare better too. Looks like I got me work cut out for me. he says with more enthusiasm than what he really felt. He has ol' Fishguts show him around to where everything is kept and makes mental notes to himself as to how he would want it organized.
Throughout the day, Ashrem asks these questions:
How long have ye been serving on the Wormwood? What did you do before? What do you know of the crew? How long has Mr. Plugg been aboard? Has he always been the first mate? Who is the tall pirate with the braided black beard? What else can you tell me about him? What do you know about the Captain? I take it pork is his favorite dish? Does he have any other favorite meals? Is it alright if I keep an eagle down here? I have one trained to catch fish.
Ashrem works hard in the galley, doing the best he can to scrub cooking utensils and the pots and pans clean, getting the animals back into their pens, repairing the pens after the animals escaped again, and then getting them back in. Pork wasn't a common dish in his youth but he did remember one or two recipes from fellow travelers that seemed easy enough to cook in this environment.
Besides the two tuns of Rum for the crew there is also a barrel of poor wine, six bottles of good Chelish brandy worth 20 gp each, three bottles of magnificent rum worth 12 gp each.
Ol Fishguts is in a talkative mood atleast about somethings. He says he has been serving on the Wormwood for longer than he cares too,a nd that most of the crew either recently joined or was pressganged like yourself. He says Mr. Plugg, who he calls a vicious little git, hasn't been on board the ship long and has been first mate for only a short while. He identifies the pirate with the braided black beard as "Master" Scourge. He tells you that Scourge "Is a right vicious little bast**d, and ye'd do best to stay out o' is way as best ye can."
Vaelor gets to work following his orders. Arrrgh! Someone better start showin' me some respect around here or... he then remembers that he doesn't have any of his belongings, including his trusty cutlass.
After his duties are completed Vaelor looks around for someone to speak with. He spots a wary-looking fellow with shoulder-length hair (Lucanorr) and walks over.
"Hello mate, me names Vaelor. Say, do ye know 'ere they placed our stuff? I be...uh...a wee ou' o' 't last night when they brought us on board. Come t' think o' 't, I be nay sure what this job pays either. What did ye agree t', if ye dasn't mind me askin'?"
After dinner for the crew, Ashrem goes to find the three men he awoke with in the ship's hold this morning and introduces himself.
I know you men are new to the ship, as am I. Tell me about yourselves. What have you done before coming aboard? I was the son of a wood carver and know a little about carpentry and I've sailed a few times aboard ships as a surgeon. Have you been able to gain any information about this ship?
Just before dinner is served to the crew everyone is assembled on the main deck. The sun is slowly sinking towards the horizon but inspite of the tranquility of the evening the rest of the crew seem sullen and apprehensive. Any attempt to talk with others is quickly hush. Shortly after all the crew is gathered Captain Harrigan appears from his cabin and goes to stand on the Aft deck. He nods to Mr. Plugg who disappears bellow decks with Master Scourge. A few moment latter the two reemerge dragging a third man. The man with them is dirty and unshaven. He has manacles on his wrists and ankles. Plugg and Scourge drag him over to stand before the Captain.
Captain Harrigan leans on the aft deck railing and looks over the prisoner.
Jakes Magpie he says after a moment. You have been found guilty of stealing from your shipmates. You have confessed your crime and now you will face keelhauling as punishmentHe waves for Mr Plugg to proceed and then stomps back to his quarters.
Plugg enthusiatically sets about carrying out the punishment. Magpie is taken to the side of the ship ropes are attached to the manacles on his wrists and ankles. One of the ropes is already rigged to pass under the ship. The unfourtunate man is then pushed over the side and Mr. Plugg and Master Scourge work the ropes to drag him under the ship across the barnacle covered bottom. What emerges from the water on the otherside of the ship moments latter looks nothing like the man that went into the water. The body looks like it has been flayed, clothing and flesh shredded by the passage under the hull. Scourge and Plugg pull the body of what was Jakes Magpie on board long enough to retrieve the manacles before dumping it overboard for the sharks.
After the keelhauling dinner is server to the crew. A half decent fish stew with half pint of rum dispensed by the ships quartermaster.
Allende tries to hide his feelings about the brutality of the punishment. He had heard of keelhauling but had never actually seen it carried out. If Jake was guilty then he supposed he deserved it, but Plugg seemed like he enjoyed the job entirely too much.
After dinner for the crew, Ashrem goes to find the three men he awoke with in the ship's hold this morning and introduces himself.
I know you men are new to the ship, as am I. Tell me about yourselves. What have you done before coming aboard? I was the son of a wood carver and know a little about carpentry and I've sailed a few times aboard ships as a surgeon. Have you been able to gain any information about this ship?
"Well, my names Allende. I was a capenter's mate also. I think our equipment is either in the aromory or the quartermaster's store. You don't know who the quartermaster is by any chance?"
Lucanorr walks with the red-headed woman up to the main deck. "Thanks. This will definitely come in handy working tomorrow. And, of course, a man just feels more like a man when he's got something to defend himself with...just in case, you know. Been on the ship long? Lucanorr continues talking with her until they arrive at the crew assembly.
Lucanorr watches the punishment without reaction. No idea if he did it or not. These bastards Harrigan and Plugg would probably keel haul somebody just for fun. They probably robbed somebody and framed him. Still, the crew isn't all bad. Sandara did give you back your dagger...and that great red hair! I could get used to looking at that...
Lucanorr wolfs down his stew. This is pretty good. I've had much worse before! I'm exhausted from today, I've tried to get in good with the cook but I need to get some sleep. Well, unless Sandara's got other ideas...
As he's walking away from the galley, one of his former cellmates grabs his shoulder and says "Hello mate, me names Vaelor. Say, do ye know 'ere they placed our stuff? I be...uh...a wee ou' o' 't last night when they brought us on board. Come t' think o' 't, I be nay sure what this job pays either. What did ye agree t', if ye dasn't mind me askin'?
Lucanorr responds, "Ha! Mayhaps we get paid and mayhaps we don't. I still can't even remember how I got on this floating bucket of sticks. Well met, Vaelor. I'm Lucanorr. Guess we're in this mess together now. You look like a guy that can handle himself in a fight, if it comes down to it.
Lucanorr sticks out his hand in greeting.
"No word on our stuff. You might check this ship's got a store or a quartermaster. I did see something like that while I was hauling rope today. Ugh. Normally something like haulin' lines don't tire ole Lucanorr. I guess whatever they put in my drink last night don't wear off in just one day.
Lucanorr closes his eyes and rubs his temples to try and get the last of the strange substance out of his system. "Any idea what the deal is with night shifts?
Lucanorr walks with the red-headed woman up to the main deck. "Thanks. This will definitely come in handy working tomorrow. And, of course, a man just feels more like a man when he's got something to defend himself with...just in case, you know. Been on the ship long? Lucanorr continues talking with her until they arrive at the crew assembly.
Your Welcome.Sandara says in response to your gratitude. I have only been on board a few days me self. I fell for the same trick you and your mates did.
Sandara stays near Lucanorr during the Keelhauling, and when the food is passed out she sits down on the deck nearby. The food is usually pretty decent. Ol'Fishguts is a fair cook when he ain't too drunk to see straight. . . Me thinks they put something in the rum. That or its just very strong. If you don't want to drink it don't let them catch you throwin it out or given it away. Ye get three lashes for that.she warns when the rum is brought around.
3 constitution damage
1d8 hours fatigued
Lucanorr takes his dram of rum when it's passed to him. He looks at it for a second, reflecting over the day's events. Then, he looks up with a smile and a gleam in his eye. "Oh, what the hells! You only live once!" he says and holds his dram out to Sandara in salute before tossing it back. "Not too bad. Maybe I'll have slept it off before morning. I'll bet that bastard Harrigan likes to make sure everybody's up before the sun.
"Yar, well met, mate." Vaelor says to Lucanorr. The pieces started to fall into place and he started to grasp the situation. A fierce look comes over his face before he snaps back to Lucanorr's words.
Time to do some investigatin' he thinks to himself.
At dinner Vaelor has suspicions about the rum but, after seeing several of the others drink theirs down, he gives in and downs his only enjoyment for the day.
As Vaelor settles in for the night, he thinks over his conversation with Lucanorr. He decides he'll try to visit the quartermaster tomorrow while doing his duties.
The rum in his belly helps him fall asleep quickly.
Sandara sits with you all during the supper and points out who the other members of the crew are, and explains how things work on the wormwood. She tells you that at night most of the crew sleeps and only a few of the crew and one of the officers are awake at night to keep watch. She points out Cut-throat Grok who is on deck drinking with Fishguts the cook. She explains that your belongings are in the quartermasters store and you will have to convince Grok to give them back if you want them. She also points out Riaris Krine the ships Master Gunner who is on watch up by the helm on the aft deck. After the meal is over she helps you get hammocks strung and lockers to keep your belongings in set up below decks with the rest of the crew.
Allende and Ashrem talk about their various ships. Allende attempts to draw in some of the other recent shaghaied people, namely the halfling Rosie. He also tries to talk to Vaelor and Lucanorr.
Lucanorr thanks Sandara profusely for her help. I'm so tired tonight but want her to know I'm interested... I have just the idea for tomorrow!
"Thanks for everything Sandara. I feel like between my first day shipside in over a month and that run that I'd better bunk up for the night. Will I catch you abovedecks tomorrow?" He yawns and gets into his hammock, having positioned it near hers.
When Allende walks up, Vaelor is happy to see a fellow "recruit" engage him in conversation. It isn't long before he is unable to hide contempt for being unwillingly dragged out to sea.
"I`ve been t' sea often, but nerehad me belongings taken away from me before. I aim t' get them aft." he tells Allende, believing he can trust him.
Later, after seeing Sandara being helpful and maybe somewhat sympathetic to their situation, he eyes the rest of the crew when he is through hanging his hammock. He spots a woman, whom he noticed spent the day with fishing poles but no shoes, and decides to see how friendly she is to him.
"So, be ye responsible fer catchin' that meal o' ours? Mighty fine job ye did! Name be Vaelor. How did ye get signed up fer this, same way us new fish did?"
When the words come out of his mouth he realizes that the rum has already taken hold of his tongue and his tone came across as a little too forward, almost flirty, which wasn't his intention.
"The black bearded pirate that we first saw upon waking; His name is Master Scourge. And I definitely remember seeing him the night before I blacked out and found myself aboard this ship. There is a few knives, a pair of handaxes, a spear, and a shortsword about the kitchen. I may be able to smuggle them out for us to use if we have need."
Ashrem downs his rum after the evening meal, knowing that it wouldn't be too good for his health. The rum does loosen up his tongue a bit and he begins telling tall tales of daring heroes from the past that have been passed down among the Varisian people. Only a few minutes into the story though, Ashrem loses track of which story he was trying to tell and starts to mumble sleepily. He barely makes it back to the birthing before falling asleep flat on the deck.