675-09-09 - Nathan's Adventures 2: Land Ho!

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Nathan's Adventures 2: Land Ho!
Summary: Nathan's expedition is at sea for several days without sight of land. Will they mutiny?
Who: Nathan Onimus
References: None
When: 675-09-09
Related Logs: 675-09-05 - Nathan's Adventures 1: Which Way Did They Go Captain?
Date of RP: 2014-11-11
Where: The deck of Nathan's flagship, out to sea.
Room Desc: TP Room used


Nathan would have done his best to arrange for the pirate ship to be kept ignorant of just what is following them, even if they happened to look back. Having one of the squirrel ships a good distance ahead of the main group, so they can keep watch on the pirate ship, and the rest trailing behind out of sight of the pirates, but in sight of the point ship. If the speed allows, rotating the ships, so that one day so that each squirrel ship has time spent on point, and time spent in the reassuring company of the anaconda. As far as dealing with the desire of the sailors to turn around, he will try to inspire them with the idea of at last discovering what is ahead, the stories they could tell when they return. How they sailed past the edge of the map. And that should they see an edge of the world, they would see the pirate ship fall off before they were at risk from it.

The crew still seems a bit uncertain but they agree to continue the journey for now. They were two or three days out from land and still haven't spotted land ahead or behind, their supplies are still good, the ships in full working order, but it doesn't stop the sailors and soldiers feeling unease over selling towards the end of the world, not to mention the rumors about the pirates.

Nathan comports himself with confidence, as if there were nothing at all to worry about. Trying to keep a sense of humor when dealing with the sailors, as much as he can stand at least. And spreading the word that should they drop below half of their supplies, they will turn around with plenty of time to return home.

The forward Squirrel is signaled in the traditional way about the prince's judgement, several minutes later there is a signal back suggesting there is either land ahead or a mirage. Either way they are requested to know what steps to take.

Nathan was probably in his quarters when the word comes, so he puts aside his book and rises to head for the deck. "Signal them to confirm a land sighting. If they can get close enough to make sure it is not a mirage..." of course, the communication is probably more limited than what he says, but he leaves the minor details to the sailors. "Slow the fleet down, give them time to confirm what is ahead before we stumble across some unwatned company."

The fleet slows as the signal is given and they wait. It may have only been minutes, but it feels like hours before the signal comes back, land is confirmed. The pirate ship seems to have passed in a cover or harbor, but there is clearly land ahead. They ask if they should rejoin the fleet and what actions should be taken in regards to land being found and the pirates.

Word is sent for the ship to return to the fleet, and the fleet to hold position until it returns. While this is taking place, Nathan call upon the navigator, and make sure that this location is marked and charted. That single pirate ship is unimportant to his plans, after all. The lookouts are commanded to keep a sharp watch, but that's surely not necessary since eye sare likely on the horisons without having to be told. "We should scout the shores a bit. Send the ships north, survey the shore and see if this land looks to be inhabited. There may be a city, or a fortress, or just wilderness.... lets find out before we venture too close."

The navigator nods and says, "As you say, though it must be inhabited at least in the place the pirate ship entered, why else would it go there?"

"Exactly. But we don't want to come upon a pirate camp, or a city, without knowing anything about what sort of greeting awaits us." Nathan says to the Navigator, "It could be a camp, a shanty town... or a thriving fortress of the Pirate King. I th ink we're better off hunting a secluded spot, before setting foot on land. How are our stores doing? We could sail around the shores, see if this is an island or something larger... "|

The navigator nods and says, "I'll see the word is spread to the other ships and the navigators can meet to update our charts. We'll then keep our charts updated, do you wish the entire fleet to stay together? The Squirrels are much faster without the Anaconda after all."

A pause for a thought, "I'm thinking of sending two squirrels south and taking this ship and another north. That would let us cover far more distance in the time, but getting the fleet back together... If this not a small island, that could take some time. Send two south, take two north, following the coast. If we haven't come around an island in say... three days sailing, turn back and meet up again, perhaps."

The navigator nods and says, "I'll inform the other navigators." Then waits to see if they are dismissed.

Nathan waves a hand, giving a dismissal without words. Already again lost in thought as he moves to look out in the direction of land, where none of the men thought land would be found. Smiling. Leaving the minor details for the underlings to take care of.