Haul Away, Me Laddy-o!

It was well known throughout Baldur's Gate that Kilink was leaving on May 24th. For days there had been talk about how the repairs were going and speculation on where the crew would head and what brave deeds lay ahead of them. Some whispered that they would head to Candlekeep, to beseech the scholars there for wisdom. Others scoffed, insisting that the earthquake was obviously the work of the Red Wizards of Thay, and the heroes would make short work of the enclave when they arrived. And these rumors were again shot down. “How will they get to a landlocked sea?” they asked. The answer came quick, and with a grin, “I'm sure they'll find a way...” The banter and guessing didn't stop from the time the adventurers left the justiciar's courtroom until the morning of the 24th.

A somewhat large crowd gathered to see the crew off on their voyage. More than 200 showed up, mostly from the lower classes of the city, but every walk of life was represented. Jugglers and other performers saw the event as an opportunity to gain a greater audience, and there were small pockets of children and jubilant commoners who let themselves be distracted by the acts. The more wealthy of the city came in carriages and could barely be seen through the shades drawn up in the windows. Some of them had their own musicians, but most simply stayed in their carriages and conversed.

The justiciar himself sent the crew off with a few prepared words he shrill-ly piped over the crowd. “These brave adventurers go forth to find those that have attacked our fair city. May they find success in their venture, and return bearing news of the retribution they have seen fit to bestow upon our enemies!” (He wasn't a great public speaker.) Once Darvin realized that was all the man meant to say, he called out, “Cast off the lines, and take her out!” The crowd cheered, and the ship sailed away, carrying the hopes of the entire city as her cargo.

7:15 AM:
Under the direction of Captain Amblecrown, the Lady Narath made its way down the River Chionthar, until at last her prow broke free of its banks and into the Sea of Swords, where she felt a moderate West/Northwest wind. The salty air felt refreshing and there was a wild, free spirit in the air that caused Carlinya to break into song.

“Up jumps a crab with his crooked legs
Saying 'You play the cribbage and I'll stick the pegs'
Chorus:Singing blow the wind westerly, let the wind blow
By a gentle nor'wester how steady she goes

Up jumps a dolphin with his chuckle-head
He jumps on the deck saying 'pull out the lead!'
Chorus:

Up jumps a flounder so flat on the ground
Saying 'damn your old chocolate, mind how you sound'
Chorus:

Up jumps a salmon so bright as the sun
He jumped down between the decks and fired off a gun
Chorus:

Up jumps a whale, the biggest of all
He jumped up aloft and he's pawl after pawl
Chorus:

Up jumps a herring, the king of the sea
He jumps up on deck saying 'helms a-lee!'
Chorus:

Up jumps a shark with his big row of teeth
He jumped up between the decks and shook out the reefs.
Chorus:”

As she sings, the crew takes to clapping, and Hvrako, Kailina, and Janusa even begin singing the chorus as the song goes on. The voyage is off to a wonderful start.

_________________________

1:21 PM:
Talathel, up in the crow's nest, spots another ship at 10 o'clock, off the port bow. She's on the edge of vision, about 12 nautical miles away, and farther out to sea than the Lady Narath. She's square rigged, but there isn't much else you can tell from this distance. What do you choose to do about it?

Table 1-1 on page 7 of Broadsides! has visibility distances.

Summary of what's happened (Yes, I know it's slow):
May 5th – Tsunami
May 6th – Everyone meets
May 7th – Everyone enters the sewers
May 8th-17th – 10 Days off
May 18th – Party, Abduction Attempt
May 19th – Arrest, Trial
May 20th-23rd – Training