M.A.G.U.S. - a new adventure begins

Introduction

After a short break, during which we each created our new characters, we restarted playing MAGUS. We were much more confident, being a lot more experienced with the game. We shouldn't make too many bad choices this time, eh? We also managed to settle on a regular two-week interval for our playing sessions.

I took over the mantle of Dungeon Master for the first couple of levels. I decided to introduce a couple of aids which I used before in DnD with great success: printed maps and figurines.

Characters

Armatio - a knight born and raised in the mage-city of Doran, thus receiving some wizardly training

Biznard - a rough barbarian from the Eastern Steppes, wielding a two-handed mace

Shamil - assassin in the employ of the Anat-Akhan headhunter clan

Adventure hook

Shamil receives a new mission from his mentor, the tutor majoris. He will aid in expanding the influence of his clan on and around the shores of the Quiron sea. During the first push, he will be receiving missions from a secretive employer.

Let us begin!

After his brief discussion with the tutor majoris, Shamil went out to gather his gear and buy new items for the trip, including a lame horse. One hyperspace jump later, he was infiltrating the city of Daerim, waiting in the Dirty Sloven inn to meet his new employer.

A few beers later, Shamil was approached by a waiter who whispered him the passphrase, then directed him to a room on the first floor. There he met a young woman called Siena, who introduced herself as his new employer. The first meeting proved to be a bit awkward, as Shamil refused to kiss the woman, even after seeing her insistence. Put off, Siena instructed him to steal a bottle of ancient wine, transported on the vessel called The Light of the Red Moon, which was supposed to dock the day after.

Shamil then proceeded to meet his new adventuring fellows. Biznard got drunk in the meantime and mixed up the passphrases - but what do you really expect from a barbarian? Armatio was more then willing to join up with him. He was there at the request of the Grand Master of his knightly order.
The last step was to link up with the representatives of the Squids, a local thieves' guild already cajoled to offer up what help they could.

A nice, quiet day (yeah, right)

The evening and the day after was spent waiting for the ship, as well as a few minor preparations. The adventurers discussed ways of getting unto the ship, sending off Shamil to procure some sailor's clothes. He could have gone to the market, but instead, he chose to stalk drunken sailors in darkened alleyways. His first attempt was was unsuccessful, being surprised by a gang of sailors just as he was strangling someone. His second attempt succeeded, as he strangled and robbed a drunk behind a brothel.

Take the ship!

It was late in the evening when a Squid arrived with much needed information. The ship had arrived during the day, but did not dock, preferring to stay out in the waters of the bay. Cargo and supplies were shipped on using boats. Later on, the sailors came ashore to enjoy much needed distractions.

The adventurers asked the Squids to keep the sailors occupied during the night, and ordered a small boat to be made ready for them.

Shortly before midnight, the adventurers started off towards the meeting point. Although it was the darkest of nights, they quickly realized that they were being followed. They set up an ambush behind a street corner, but their attackers did not take the bait. A short but bloody fight followed. The adventurers prevailed, suffering only minor wounds, but the barbarian made enough of a mess that they could not find anything to identify their assailants by.

With no time to rest, the adventurers hurried on, reaching the meeting point in time. A couple of Squids were already preparing the boat to launch, and were taking their places at the oars. Before leaving, the adventurers instructed the Squid boss to recruit some sailors and prepare to steal the entire ship!