“It has only been days since our situation changed with our previous employer so the issue really is choosing a port to advertise our services and find work and purpose. I feel the opportunities we find will reveal our strengths.”

"Maybe we can put those potions to some sort of emergency boxes all over the ship. Like, just attach said boxes on the walls so we can have access. Keira, you can do that right?" Brian says in response to Glass's thanks.

 "Well, this is sort of a port, isn't it?" Tor asks calmly, and without letting any accusation into his tone, "And you've been here at least a day or two, presumably looking for work. So, obviously you'll know who the main employers are and where the brokerages and clearance-houses are?"

 For clarity, the kobold adds "I was only rescued a few days ago myself, but the first thing I did was take myself to the hiring hall, since I knew that I'd need to maintain myself before I could work on getting home. I don't know much about the major players here yet.*", making it plain that he himself doesn't have the first idea where to begin beyond the obvious 'make a plan and follow through (that's what Torkaghsinishkabepres would do)'.

"If you don't, then we'll need to undertake that task before any other. The first step to a job well done is to set up your work space, after all." - indicating the port, he starts to explain the setup - "Most of the immediate area is cheap construction: Asteroid rock, discarded ship timber, that sort of thing. It's warehouses, workshops, all the stuff you need to run a shipyard and service the crews of ships. Local residences are mostly on the far side of the rock and in between, you've got the fancy part of the town, which is the city hall, watch office, expensive stores, that sort of thing. If you're looking for official work, you go there. If you're looking for unofficial work, start here in the dockyard taverns."

 ---

* Although if the DM would like to give me and my co-hire the basics of the port culture and setup, that might short-cut this step!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Sat 17 Dec 2022.

You know...another day in port will only cost 2 silver. For the whole crew and ship.

Xanadyr's eyes flicked back and forth as the conversation seemed to swell and switch, like a current crashing against rocks here and there but continuing onward nonetheless. When eyes looked at him he said, "Well. I'm not like those other elves, and I doubt I know them. I'm not originally from around here. But if you don't want me to join the crew due to my race I will understand. I'll be miffed and upset, but life will go on."

As to what was brought to the company, he gave a small shrug. "I am knowledgeable of ships, specifically those fit for space travel. I know how to navigate in space fairly well. I am a spellcaster of modest skill, and can operate a helm. I..." He stopped and made a hmming noise and then said, "No, that's probably enough for now."

To Keira he smiled and said, "Sadly, no, Alarm is not among my limited repertoire. Though...I do know Mending, which is useful onboard a ship if that helps."

"If you think it will help us secure a contract or cargo of some kind, we can stay another few days in port. It's not that costly." Glass says to those more familiar with the spaceways than he.[Language unknown:  "Ureiouart reatraure llre nti saouensi'diutio ast tio andich'traresintkor nere ectdaywertio t no adutit a Terndeith."] He mutters to himself.

 "A cargo or indeed, any sort of work. Frankly, this isn't the sort of vessel I'd use for cargo operations unless they were small-quantity, high-value and you don't just luck into those." the kobold spellcaster states before sighing and pinching the bridge of his muzzle and looking up at the group (he sort of has to look up at everyone) and concluding "Look, first chance we get I'll take our negotiator into town and find work for the ship. Does anyone have a particular preference for or against certain sorts of job?"

"I think at this stage any work is good. Something to get us started. Might not be a suitable ship for large cargo, but surely someone would want something carried elsewhere that we could help with."

Keira considered it for a bit, "I'd need time to get some custom pieces from town and then I could construct boxes and affix them as we travel, so as to minimize time sitting in one spot. Alternately, I may be able to cut niches into our existing stair railings or walls without such issues of custom piece requirement. I can magically tinker some emblems until we decide what we want to use then ink those over for a more permanent mark though it would take time to set ink into the wood but that shouldn't be troublesome.

Do we have a replacement ladder yet for the cargo hold? It may be nice to have something a little wider, or simply second ladder to let us use that opening better. A shallower loading angle or block and tackle would let us load in heavy goods easier too, when we do land on the feet. We can anchor the new ladder into tie downs in the cargo bay so we don't lose it if we get in a hurry again."

"Hmm, you know the Old Astra didn't need ladders, just stairs where you can just walk down to the cargo hold for only a few minutes with a brisk pace. Just saying." Brian says, saltiness not withstanding.

Xanadyr was a little torn for just a moment. He wanted to explore the new ship and see what all it had to offer, or didn't as the case may be. He also wanted to get going. Almost any place was more interesting than where they were. But they had no destination, no idea, and no job.

He let out a small sigh. "I will go and inquire about work as well. Maybe we'll get lucky and some wealthy personage is stranded here and looking to go somewhere quickly." He let out a dry chuckle.

I will go along, Jediah suggests.  No one should really go alone.  Though you've been here a bit already, it may help me to learn more about this place.

"At this point," Glass answers, agreeing with Ayamba,"Any paying contract would do. I'll accompany you on your search." He arranges for 4 silver to be paid for additional docking fees, hoping they secure something within the next day or two.
To Keira he says "Since they have a small forest here, you should look at acquiring the raw materials and store them. You can then work them as needed for whatever project comes up, as we travel."

OK, that will take you to day 29. That will be 22 days food used and 37 days food remaining, roughly.

Edited by DM after a little math
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Mon 19 Dec 2022.

 "Alright, although the task shouldn't require all of us and for the love of magic, we should stick together. It would be embarrassing to get back to the ship and find out that we've been hired for three separate and mutually exclusive tasks." Tor answers, although whether he's overstepping the bounds of his authority or just providing the sort of solid good sense that you'd hope to get from an arcane caster who relies on his clarity of thought to cast spells is rather up in the air.

 "Alright. Anyone coming on the job hunt with me, anyone helping the artificer with her I suppose. No sense wasting time about it!" the tiny kobold states, moving to be in place once/if they're properly docked and ready to go.

"Should someone stay with the ship?"  Jediah poses a simple question.

"I'll stay, I made the helm and I'll protect it from thieves." Brian says, staff at the ready,"Then again, didn't we have that person with us, I don't remember who he is what he does but he was working with us? Right. Or did he jump ship or something."

Keira shrugged, "I'm going to put the Alarm spell on this door of m- this box. If I'm within a fair distance touching the door will alert me. I'll take the extra time to put it on twice, one will chime locally so you know the alarm works, both should go off at the same touch." She tapped the door she intended to enspell but she also planned to magically tinker an image to the door to make it clear.

"After I set this by the helm and work about half an hour of magic on it, I'll head off ship. I can have Koolu search from above for places with lumber out. Though that is no guarantee it can possibly help." All that said she would go to the helm room. First order of business was to magically tinker a tools emblem on the desired door. Then begin two ritual castings.

"I can stay behind too." Callvyn suggests, looking to Brian, then back at the captain. "I mean, if that's all right, sir."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Mon 19 Dec 2022.

"I will stay on ship, and go with Keira when she leaves."

"We are Free Traders, now, Callvyn. All I ask is that everyone who wants to be on board when we leave, are on board on time. What you while we're in port isn't a problem, as long as it doesn't reflect badly on our ship and crew." Glass answers.

 Watching the captain and crew debate and decide their course(s) of inaction, the diminutive Kobold remarks softly "I am going to need so much willow-bark tea." before heading to the gangway (once they're docked, obviously) and calling out "Last call for the hiring hall!" then heading for the better part of town - moving at a shockingly fast skitter for someone of his size, although he does linger to make sure that anyone coming along has a chance to keep up and, if more than one person does seems to take it upon himself to keep them together and away from anything distracting (or slightly shiny).
This message was last edited by the player at 14:23, Tue 20 Dec 2022.

In reply to Tor (msg # 310):

You've never left dock. I'll give folks until noon tomorrow, then you're on your own.

Xanadyr looked between the different people and then gave a small shrug. He'd already stated his attention to help look for a job, so when Tor turned to leave, he did as well, following after the little fellow, humming softly to himself.

Captain Glass follows Tor, curious to see what they will find for a contract on short notice.