'The Hogue' Introductions: Boyce & Nicolaus

'The Hogue' – Voyage to Sentinel Island - Day 1
Nicolaus queried of a sailor scampering up from the below deck regarding the presence of one Boyce Blackwolf, and was directed to the ship's mess off the crew's quarters. He squeezed past another group of sailors heading up onto the deck and went below. There sitting at a worn and scarred table with secured benches sat a bearded man in fine clothes. If the quality of his garments had not given him away, the way he was armed suggested he was part of the expedition.

Nicolaus approached the table and waited to be acknowledged and when the man looked up he spoke. "Do I have the pleasure of addressing Boyce Blackwolf?"

"That is I, can I help you?" replied BlackWolf with a smile, Wolf closed the book in front of him.

"May I?" Nicolaus gestured to the opposite seat and slid onto the bench, taking his gloves off and laying them before him on the table. The ship's cook placed a cup of some thick and steaming brew before him; Nicolaus nodded in appreciation as the man smiled and wiped his hands on his dirty apron and returned into the tiny galley. Hands enfolding the warmth of the cup, he glanced at the book, "Alexis Greyriver suggested I introduce myself, she felt our particular interests might align when we try to delve into what this island and its denizen are about. What are your thoughts on this expedition?" He took a tentative sip of the brew, "Oh, that is... interesting."

Wolf looked at Nicolaus and was in thought for a moment. "That's why I don't drink that," said Wolf with a smile. Wolf pulled out a small skin flask and laid it in front of Nicolaus. "Add some of that it will taste better, yes it has alcohol in it. I have only studied to a few in my travels. The first the tribes were not too aggressive when they got to know the exception back then. The second was not. They saw the exception as demons. They were not flesh-eating thank gods but would still kill you on sight. With them let's just say they kept their distance after the bowmen They had killed about 10 of them quickly. They say about 200 passes from the exception. Now that I have said that. this is their land they know it better than any of us. They could probably sneak up within 3 passes of you and you would not know they were even there. Languages are normally primitive could be a mix of signs and words. Maybe have some hieroglyphics as a written language." explained Wolf. "have you heard anything on the natives there?" asked Wolf.

Nicolaus Took the proffered flask and took a tentative sniff, then added a liberal amount to his cup. He raised it in the air, "Your health," and drank a little of the cooled liquid, "Mm, much better, my thanks."

"I have encountered flesh eaters before, and read of three times as many, but there seems to be nothing known short of the ravings of a broken man and rumours. Here at the edge of the world it seems there are still mysteries. But I suppose this is what they are sending us out to do, find answers." He took another sip.

"Apart from the mystery of the people living there and there possible us of Magik. Why is there interest here? Is there something about these lands that is of interest?"

"No idea" then Wolf laughs some. "I think I am here because I am just an adviser of sorts for recording history, language and, antiquaries. So far I have been trying to figure out languages and learn how to communicate with the natives of this new land." said wolf taking a swig from his flask. then put it away. "I know you study medicine I remember you being around The Great Library of Orb. I do remember you by reputation. I am gale your with us." said Wolf.

"I am intrigued with your background, where have you traveled? I myself traveled last to the misty jungles of Kru'll, to wander ancient roads and explore a rotten and decayed citadel in search of fragments of knowledge. There are places covered by the jungle that whisper of vanished glory through their crumbling foundations. I did fall ill there but was cured by a village shaman using remedies from local plants, in her way she was more accomplished then the court healers. I learned much from her."

"I have traveled most of the known world been almost everywhere in the Empire of Salos a few places I have missed but there was not really anything to research in those small towns. Garrah was a hard place to research and study the Clans are protective of their culture and lands. But the rugged coastal cliffs and its mountainous interior offer a view like no other the beauty is breathtaking."

Wolf paused thinking more "I visited many of the strangleholds of Torja and routes and traveled using their ships. I studied in Mizar the birthplace of all the Old World's major religions and dozens of minor ones, Researching there was fascinating and gave me a world view of religion and respect for all of it." Wolf said with a smile and stopped to listen to what was happing on deck.

Wolf continued "The dark and foreboding jungles of Kru'll I found it to hold and hide many secrets. I help find and research some of the long-forgotten buildings and cultures. That's where I got my start in antiquities and my interest in history." Finished Wolf.

As a storm brewed above, Boyce and Nicolaus talked into the evening regarding their travels and strange sights seen. A strange sound they both felt rise up through the hull, caused them to lock eyes and rise up and make haste onto the deck. There much of the crew and passengers could be seen lining the rails. A leviathan had just broken the surface sending spray and waves high into the air. Cries of 'Baleia' rang out from the sailors. They watched the rare sight with fascination until the creature finally drifted beneath the waves.