The Prologue (1941) - Part I

[jacemachine]

Russo and Richard, as well as Dr. Loder and Abendroth are joined on deck by Mister Wilkes and Monsieur DuMont.[[ Listen check DC 15 to hear it, except for Russo, for obvious reasons.]]

[spoiler] He says to your group. He notices a couple faces missing.

[BowenSilverclaw]

"Thank you, mr. Etienne." John says, savoring the smell of the cigar.

"We've been hired to escort an archeologist into the jungle. He thinks there's something there that might be of interest to his studies, you know how those bookish types are."

[spoiler]Technically not a lie... [/spoiler]

After that he lights the cigar and offers to help unload their gear, the sooner it's done, the sooner they can be on their way to start their mission.

[jacemachine]

Max Hawkins and John Kestrel
[spoiler]

"Sir, I must ask you to stop." He says to John. "We must keep everyting tied down until we reach port, etherwise everything could topple down and break. Thenk you, but no thenk you. De shep is only stopping briefly before we errive in de port. Ceptain Barret told me dat dey wes gon' to check de ships hull. We have a little time to kill in de meantime. I recommend seeing Santa Boca as we arrive. 'Tis a beautiful sight to behold." When Mister Etienne speaks he enunciates each syllable slowly and in a baritone voice. It is clear he is man who rarely needs to raise his voice. Though his accent is heavy, is slow even way of speaking makes it easier to understand.[/spoiler]


Kestrel
[spoiler]

"Technically not a lie... "

[[ Technically you are correct, but as it is your character's intention to mislead him into believing that you are being straightforward, I must ask that you roll a Bluff Check for me please.  ]]
[/spoiler]

[Neull//]

[jacemachine]

Max Hawkins and John Kestrel
[spoiler]
"Thank you very much." Mister Etienne says graciously, accepting the cigarette from Max.
[/spoiler]

[Nanshork]

Richard gently lays a restraining arm on Eisen's elbow.  "He could be harmless, don't provoke him.  Nice to see that somebody else around here knows that you must pay attention to your surroundings at all time though.  Relaxation is death.  As for us being here for the same job, I'm no good in a firefight.  My darling here is for hunting."  He gently pats the stock of his rifle.

[spoiler]
Yes, I'm going to make more dark broody comments until I die.  
[/spoiler]

[BowenSilverclaw]

[spoiler]

My darling here is for hunting."  He gently pats the stock of his rifle.

"I call it Vera." 


Bluff: 16[/spoiler]

"Sorry mr. Etienne, I'll wait 'till we reach the port. If you gentlemen don't mind I'm going to check up on the rest of our group." John says as he gives mr. Etienne a firm handshake and before he starts to walk.

"Thanks again for the cigar!"

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Heheh, sorry, been on a boat too long, might be a little too eager, too cautious. No need to worry, though it's comforting having that (indicating the gun) covering. Do you speak German, perchance?" He'd almost WANTED to run into some soldiers to pull off this bluff, but knew it was just a fail-safe. He turned, noting the Frenchman's whispering, but payed it only minimal attention, and continued on.

Turning to the group as a whole, "So, do we want to immediately disperse to find the guide, or do we want to investigate the town first? Just so we get an impression of tasks to accomplish. Is there anything anyone needs from town?" As soon as he'd had to speak out to the group, and in a very obvious way, Eisen had converted to using his German accent when speaking English, and it sounded just thinck enough to be a thick accent without being unable to be understood.

[Nanshork]

Richard shakes his head.  "I spent most of my time in Africa, and Germany has no territory down there.  I regret that I don't know it, it would have come in useful."

[Neull//]

"We will speak again mr Etienne"

[jacemachine]

Wilkes greets Sgt Kestrel on the deck. "Have you seen what is keeping Mr. Hawkins? Those other passengers are beginning to wonder why we have come to a stop. Before this ship can continue. Captain Barret will need to know if you will be staying on the boat all the way in to port. I have made arrangements for you otherwise if you wish to slip off the ship and enter Santa Boca from the trees." He looks around towards the other people on deck.

"Decide soon, because in a moment a crew member will be coming up to the deck to call all of the passengers to come down to the mess hall so the captain can speak with them. While those prying eyes are below deck you can load up onto a small fishing boat that has pulled up behind the ship even as we speak." He pauses to pull out a somewhat thick, sealed white envelope. Writing is on the front of it in pen. Possibly Wilkes own hand. He hands the white envelope to Sgt. John Kestrel. "Sgt. These are the papers you will need to retrieve your cargo from the Dock Master. Do not lose it!"

"Ah! Mister Hawkins!" he says to the late arrival coming out onto the deck. "I was just telling your team mates about a choice you will need to make!" He quickly explains the situation again for Hawkins sake.

[BowenSilverclaw]

"I think I'll accompany the rest of the group to the port. Thank you for the papers." John says as he puts the envelope in a pocket inside his fatigues.

[Tarotdragoon]

Russo pays more attention to the slowly approaching shore and port than to the assembling crowd behind him, getting lost in the blue of the sky and the juxtaposition of the green of the forests with the grey port line of the town, he wished he was up in the sky watching the u-boat from high and spotting out landmarks and trails, but no, down on the boat to be running off into the jungle to find a abstract artifact.
He almost jumped a mile when the Frenchman came and whispered in his ear

[spoiler][/spoiler]

"woah! you scared the bejeesus outta' me monsieur, It's ok, no hard feelings, hopefully things will go smoother than I'm expecting and you get to keep your insurance" he said with a slightly morbid smirk, taking the mans hand and squeezing slightly but letting go swiftly

the sound from the jungle was almost deafening even way out here, the boat began to slow, he glanced at the frenchman, to the others

"are we stopping?"

he turnes around to see the american suit passing a large envelope into his namesake's hand,

"anything going on that I should know about?"

"I think I'll accompany the rest of the group to the port. Thank you for the papers."

he watches (the other) John slip the envelope into his fatigues and notes the rest of the group as the assemble,

"are we arriving soon? are we stopping? did i miss something?"

((methinks somebody wasn't making enough listen checks, out interest what became of those spot checks, or are you trying to make us jumpy Jace?))

[BowenSilverclaw]

"Nothing special." John smiles.

"I think we should be arriving shortly..." he says as he gazes at the port, still enjoying his cigar.

[Neull//]

Max will be following the others..

[jacemachine]

"Let me make this a bit more clear since everyone is here." Wilkes says.

"If you wish to, as a group, take a 'side entrance' into Santa Boca, we've arranged for a boat to carry you to the shore where you can make your appearance to town virtually unnoticed." Wilkes explains, pointing towards the rear of the freighter. 

DuMont elaborates, "To be honest we aren't sure what to expect once this freighter docks. Nazis may want to inspect everyones papers suddenly. But then again, you might be able to stroll right down the gang plank without anyone giving you a second glance. The lower your profile, the better."

Even as they finish going over the options again, a member of Barret's crew comes out onto the deck and makes an announcement to the passengers that they should come below deck to the Galley where the captain waits to speak to them.

"They are going downstairs for your benefit gentlemen. These people won't see you leave the boat if you choose to leave now. The captain has agreed to do this for us as a favor. He can only buy us so much time. However if you really feel that you should be fine to head into Santa Boca with the rest of these passengers. Then I will trust your judgment and wave the boat off." Wilkes says.

You watch as the passengers enter the doorway to head down to the mess hall. The last one a young bearded Hispanic with long dark hair, glance in your groups direction before he goes inside.


The Kingston Queen drifts as the small fishing boat, now visible to the rest of you as well, pulls up to the side.
[spoiler]There is a small fishing boat up alongside the rear of the freighter. There is a man wearing a white tunic, short red pants, and a straw cowboy hat. His wooden craft plods towards the boat using oars. There is a propeller motor visible but not on. He is looking upwards towards the party. He is apparently unarmed.[/spoiler]

 A voice calls up in Spanish.

"What shall I tell him gentlemen?" Wilkes asks one last time.

[j0lt]

Dr. Loder mulls the options over in his mind.  "If the Nazis are at the port, it may be a better idea to take the fishing boat in, then again, if we are spotted coming in anywhere other than the port, it could arouse suspicions.  What do you think, Richard?"

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Taking initiative, Eisen hoists his backpack, with his only possessions, onto his left shoulder, fixes his cap, and addresses the group. "If any wish to stay behind to lower suspicions by arriving normally, I'll accompany them. I'm wearing a Nazi uniform, remember; they will not suspect one of their own*. My 'official' excuse is that I'm between tours of duty, and deciding to keep up skills and endurance by hunting before heading back to glorious war. I could very easily walk past them, and even if they wish to talk see my papers, and yours, I'll be able to allay any hostility, at least, by claiming you to be part of my hunting party.

Of course, I wouldn't expect anyone to stay. However, that's likely the path I'll be taking, if there are no objections. By the way, do we have any non-suspicious papers to check, aside from my own?" Looking between people, he wonders just how easily he'll be able to pass them off as fellow Germans... maybe as Nazi supporters...

[spoiler=*]Isn't there a bonus if the person being bluffed to has no reason to disbelieve, and the lie is rather plausible? I can't pull up the SRD at the moment, for some reason...

Hell, would any Nazi's even try sense motive checks?[/spoiler]

[Neull//]

Max has been doing this job for way too long. People glancing at him, was not always good news. The British archaeologist scans the bearded Hispanic stranger with the long hair. He is looking for anything out of the ordinary (behaviour, hidden weaponry, way of walking etc)   
Spot: 18
Sense motive: 20! (pure 20)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1998786/

[Nanshork]

Richard shrugs.  "Look at me, I'm a Brit on Safari.  My presence is not in and of itself suspicious.  However, the soldier and the two scientists stand out a little as such, and if the port is being watched they might arouse suspicion."