Marn gets to work like every other day, not really paying any attention to his surroundings. The brewing has been good the last few days and Grok seemed happy, but now it was time to branch out. Avakor had gotten close to Fishguts and passing moonshine to him would best be done through Avakor. Somewhere during the day he went by him, "Bud, could you pass this to Fishguts? I'm sure he'll like it. Just tell him it comes from me and there's more where this came from."
That evening Marn gets back to his still. He still needed to find the ship's surgeon and get friendly with the man. Perhaps moonshine would do the trick for him as well, if not he might at least appreciate a good disinfectant.
Lex beams at his friends, It means a lot ye'd wager yer money on me, even though Owlbear was so much stronger than me. He lowers his voice a moment and speaks to Thea Thanks for the blessing during the fight, Lady. He tips his hat to her.
Lex will cast Cure Light Wounds on Owlbear and help him up after the fight, saying Ye fought yer best and didn't back down, no shame in that.
At the sight of Motaku, Lex sheds a few tears and throws 5 gold overboard, singing a little prayer.
Besmara's smile on both of us as she had decreed.
Motaku's where she settled down, while I remained at sea.
Then thugs raided town, to her they said "A slave ye will be!"
To the Queen I cried, "Help me find her, I'll pay ye any fee!"
With aid, the thugs I spied and killed them rapidly,
But 'twas too late, my Cor had died, innocent ye'd agree.
This 'twas her fate, whipped to work and die in the heat.
So Motaku's where I laid her down, on a boat out to the sea.
I cannot bear, Besmara spare, wrap your favor around me.
At that he wipes his eyes and joins breakfast with the crew.
Avakor, ye don't look so good. Lemme see what I can do for ye. Lex furrows his brow as he feels his head, makes him say "ah" while he uses a light spell to look at his throat, and so on.
Avakor partially stumbled onto the deck on with the rest come the morning. He hears the singing from one side and pauses for a moment, looking over at Lex. He cocks his head slightly, before a wave of heat from the fever washes over him again and he loses focus.
He sits down to eat with the rest of the crew, sighing slightly at the sign of another ship's biscuit. I'd wish a bit tastier fare, but considering how I feel, this might just be right. His stomach grumbles in agreement at the thought. As he takes a bite of the hardtack, wondering if his teeth will break from the thing, Lex approaches.
"Sure, Lex. I've been feeling a bit off since I woke. I'm not sure what's done it, but considering the conditions on the boat, it's a long list." He lets Lex examine him, hoping that the Besmaran will have something useful to provide him, a bit of knowledge that might help him stave off the illness.
As Lex performs his examinations, Avakor's mind begins to drift. He starts thinking of recipes of dishes that he's only heard of, the best bit of stew he had his last time on a ship, the company of friends on faraway boats and so on. When Lex nears the end of his examinations, Avakor remembers the song he heard Lex singing. "Lex, what was that song you were singing? Even the bit I heard had a... sadness to it."
Sometime after his conversation with Lex, Avakor was approached by Marn. He listened to the dwarf, his head still off with the fever, but heard the dwarf's words clear enough. "I will make sure to let Fishguts know. I'm sure he'll enjoy the stuff you've made." As he turned away, the memory of the promise of fruit came to him and he silently cursed himself for his lapse in memory. He spent the little downtime he could spare for the day searching the Galley, remembering his promise to Marn.
The time that he spent on deck in the wind and rain while fishing for Kroop was miserable. The cooling sensation of the rain striking his skin left him wanting to close his eyes and enjoy the feeling, but the wind seemed to keep knocking him off balance, quickly ending the short reverie. He sighed, thinking to himself, Maybe Besmara is unhappy with me. It might be best if I go to Quinn, Almathea, or Lex to seek their intervention on my behalf.
When the evening approaches and the bell sounds the end of the workday, Avakor aids Fishguts in bringing the evening's supper to the crew. As he parcels out the food to each crew member, his stomach churns. Ugh, I guess I'll be going without tonight. He passes on his portion of supper, saying that something has taken ahold of his stomach and won't let go. He decides that the rum would be the death of him this night and tries to figure a way of disposing of the stuff. When the crew is busy laughing at a joke from another member, he quietly dumps the stuff, hoping that the rain will hide the spilled alcohol.
After dinner is finished and the crew breaks into separate groups he seeks out the first Besmaran he can find and Almathea is the first that he spots. Avakor approaches the cleric during the entertainment for the night, "Almathea, you are a priest of Besmara, correct? I have felt out of the Pirate Queen's favor today and I was wondering if you could help me in seeking it once again. I've got few coins to offer her."
Thea sighs as she goes about her duties for the day. Well, soon we'll be out on the open water. No chances to jump ship there. Best just resign myself to being stuck on this floating junk heap for a while.
Later on in the day as she's going about her job in the rain, Thea looks up, feeling sorry for those stuck in the rigging in the heavy rain.
When Avakor makes his request after dinner, Thea agree to help him. As she offers up a prayer for him, Thea looks him over, wondering if he is coming down with something from the weather or foul food. After they finish praying, she'll sing a pirate's song honoring Besmara.
It was a prayer I wrote myself about my wife. We used to live on that isle Motaku. Besmara bless her. Sing it every year on the anniversary, and if my travels bring me in sight of the isle.
Later that evening...
Marn, can I have a swig of that brew yer working on? So I can drink to my wife's memory properly. That foul rum ration would be an insult.
Almost out to sea, might be nice to finally hit the open water. The ship might be hostile, but at least its a ship... hopefully the storm today won't be so bad...
Aldon has a glorious time while working the rigging, the open sea air as well as the rain makes him feel alive for one of the first times since being press ganged.
Later that day, when the rum rations are passed out, Aldon takes a long second before drinking his, contemplating if he should try to dump it or drink it. His hand starts to shake and he slams back the rum ration.
After drinking his rum ration he goes to find Rosie and see if she's playing her fiddle. "Hey good lookin, How's your day been?" He leans in close to her "Is there some place we can talk?"
Lex, after you heal Owlbear and get him on his feat he seems thankful, but doesn't say much before Scourge has him chained and led below again.
The next day when you attend Avakor you notice that one of the bites he received from a dire rat seems infected, it only takes 10 minutes to dress and treat the infected bite as well as treat his fever. Avakor clearly isn't better but you figure with a little more attention over the next few days he should begin to get over it.
Mid afternoon you slip by to see Grok, she rummages around in her trunks and lockers for a minute and shows you these three potions, a potion of barkskin, a potion of cure light wounds, a potion of haste. She only has one of each but is willing to sell them at a standard price.
Marn your latest batch isn't as good as your previous brew but it is still more appealing to the senses and the tongue than the waterd down rum by far.
Some of the crew , Conchobhar, Crimson Cog, Tilly Bracket, "Badger" Medler, to be precise find you, each on their own during the day or in the evening, and say they hear you have something brewing, they mention that they would be willing to pay for some if it's any good.
Avakor, when you look around the galley you find 5 apples, they are the apples Fishguts serves with the pigs to the captain. Other than that there only appears to be a limited selection of fresh vegetables.
Almathea, the rain is still beating the deck above so most of the crew is already lounging in their hammocks after supper. You start to sing your song and it actually goes over very well. Almost all the riggers and swabs are present and their spirits, that seemed so worn down by today's rain, seem a little more lifted, even those that attacked you seem to grudgingly acknowledge that it was a good song.
You figure that you've probably gained some favour with the crew and maybe you'll have an easier time making friends for the next few days.
Aldon, Rosie is absently tuning her fiddle and listening as Almathea finishes her song when you find her. She looks a little surprised when you ask to talk but she says sure and you head up to the cargo hold away from most of the crew who are listening to Almathea finish her song in the lower deck.
Aldon looks to Rosie trying to form the words in his head first, he whispers to her, "A few of us, mostly the press ganged individuals are look to form our own crew. Once we get a chance to split, were going to take it. May involve some minor rebelling... I've spent some time with you, and I would very much like for you to join us... what do you think?"
"Well"
Rosie says.
"I must say I'm not to &%$#ing pleased to be on this damn boat against my will, but I also know how to count and as I reckon there be far more o' them than you. If ye mean to go head to head I'm all for a fight but not a stupid fight. If ye mean to take the chance and $#%^ off when you can I'll be in for that.
I know Plugg and Scourge seem like right &^%*ers but I gotta warn ye, Harrigan, he's in a different class, he's a free captain and from what I hear a right vicious one when crossed. When I lived in Port Peril, ye hear things and Harrgian's name came up as someone not to piss with if ye get me. Taken his share o' ships and plunder and even off'd a few free captains that crossed him. Responsible for ending Iron Bert I hear. Anyway, all to say I don't plan to be losing my life on a fools chance, but if a right good chance comes along i'll be with ye."
She pauses a bit before continuing.
"yer own crew eh? What for? Gonna try your $%^&'n hands at the sweet trade yourself? Good life if ye live long enough I hear. Wouldn't mind trying my hand at it on my own terms."
Aldon you would know that "the sweet trade" is a common phrase in the shackles and it means piracy or to be engaged in the profession of piracy.
Actually, Grok, I think I'm fine with my own spell for healing, and the other two are a bit out of my price range. More mundane gear will have to do. Do ye have any bucklers? I'd like to prepare myself for any fightin' that's coming. Well, any fightin' that allows gear that is. Lex laughs and winks, and pulls out the money purse from the fight with Owlbear.
Marn just nods when the others approach him, gives them a sip to taste and see if they like it and ask them to keep the knowledge away from Plugg, Scourge and the captain. He also asks them to keep their eye open for grain, potatoes and fruit so he can make more.
Aldon nods to Rosie, "Indeed, we intend to get our hands into the sweet trade ourselves, can we count you in to our crew? When the time comes for us to make our move, we will let you know"
Sorry, Grok. Guess I don't need anything you have right now. I'll let you know if I change my mind in those potions. Here's a silver for your time. Lex hands her 1 sp.
Rosie says to Aldon, "Well you seem the decent sort, even if ye all be a bunch of pirates." She laughs. "Yeah you can count me in when the time comes."
Day 8: Morning...you think!
None of you are woken by the bell today, instead scourge himself comes banging down the stairs and bellowing at the top of his lungs.
It feels far too early to be time for work you think but then it hits you, the ship is rocking back and forth and you can hear the wind and the rain battering the Wormwood.
”up on deck you blaggards!! Get in the rigging every last one o’ yeah!”
Unless you ignore his orders or protest you are all given rigging work to do.
Aldon you are ordered to work the lines.
Marn is ordered to work the upper rigging while the rest of you are ordered to repair the rigging.
When you get on deck the rain is torrential and the wind is howling, you aren’t even sure if it’s day or night. You have no landmarks to get your bearings nor can you see much past the deck of the ship. The Wormwood has found itself caught in a massive storm.
You know that this is a massive storm and it’s going to drive the wormwood where ever it pleases, the only thing you can do is try to keep the wormwood in repair and prevent yourselves from being washed overboard.
Not having much body mass, Thea has a hard time keeping to her feet when she first steps above deck. She'll cast light on the amulet around her neck to help her see her surroundings better and carefully make her way over to the rigging as she speaks to her fellow crewmates. "May Besmara bless us all and get us safely through this storm."
Given the conditions of the day, Thea chooses to work diligently, too scared to take her attention off the ropes and her work lest she fall and be swept overboard in the storm. If anyone get close enough to hear, she alternately offers up prayers to Besmara and curses to the weather.
The storm shook Lex far more than it should have for an experienced sailor like himself... maybe seeing Motaku yesterday had done more to him than he thought. Irritated at himself for his poor work and lack of concentration, he confronts Shortstone up in the rigging.
Shortstone! Can't imagine you're too happy with me after my bout with Owlbear. Next time you'd better throw in with me and my lot. You saw what happened to Plugg's goon and those who bet against me, or else you might end up broke in more than just your wallet, Lex growls.
Avakor sighs and grabs one of the apples when he thinks Fishguts isn't looking.
Presuming he isn't caught, he'll slide the apple into his belt pouch. During dinner, he'll ask Marn to meet with him for a moment below decks. When they're out of sight, he'll pull the apple from his belt pouch, and keeping his voice low, say to Marn, "There is not much fruit in the galley. Just the apples used for the occasional pig dinners for the captain. Will this be sufficient for one of your batches?"
Finally up in the rigging, Avakor works steadily on keeping the lines in good working order. The chill carried by the rain and wind helps to drive out the constant burning of the fever, but make the work harder.
Once the storm passes, Avakor crawls off to his hammock, tired of everything for the moment. His only thought is of getting rid of this disease that has him in its grip, but his sleep is dreamless and difficult, and he wakes up numerous times during it.
Marn smiles at Avakor. It wasn't enough by far, but it was better than nothing, "Thanks, it should help me get the flavor to something more enjoyable than pure alcohol."
Ugh, it wasn't time yet, it was way to early and now the idiot wanted him up in the rigging? He did it on purpose! But this was no time to argue if any of them wanted to survive, this would simply be added to the list of things to take vengeance for.
His progress was slow but he managed to get up in the rigging. He tried best he could not to look down. A dwarf shouldn't be this high off the ground on something so spindly as a mast, no they shouldn't. He threw himself in the work in order to have a distraction. Oh he would have his vengeance on Scourge, he would stuff the blaggard with bombs and combustibles until he couldn't fit any more and then watch the fireworks.
Not wanting to let the storm toss him to bits, Aldon decides to work as diligently as he can given the circumstances. He makes sure to keep an eye on all of his compatriots, a storm like this can be murder on the morale and will help anyone who falls.
Day 8: Daytime results
Almathea has no problem repairing the rigging and she does an impressive job despite being lashed by waves and drenched by rain.
Lex however has a really bad day. He can’t seem to get the hang of fixing the rigging or working the ropes and soon enough Scourge is raving mad at him telling him he’s going to get it once the storm is done.
Even his planned intimidation of Conchobhar goes sour with Conchobhar laughing in his face. ”Conchobhar has never been broke, nor is he broke now, Conchobhar will always find a way. Besides Conchobhar is even more wealthy after your fight than he was before. Besides little man, Conchobhar has seen many things, many many things and you...you do not frighten him.” With the he strokes his feather on his wide brim hat and laughs boisterously, but in an odd way...
Marn you do just fine and manage to work hard, you do notice Tamm “narwhal” smirk down his long nose at you as you shuffle precariously around the sails but he makes no comment.
Aldon you also are able to do your job with little difficulty.
Avakor you are indeed still sick, and the weather seems to have forced you to feel even worse today.
Dex dmg
Con dmg
Despite being sick you do very well and are able to work hard accomplishing whatever Plugg or Scourge order you to do.
DAY 8: Evening
Avakor begins to make his way down below decks after the first shift is over. ”Where the hell do you think yer going fish man? Get back up here! There will be no sleep tonight while this storm is threatening the ship!” Scourge yells. "Back to the rigging with you, in fact get up in the sails and take over for that damn dwarf, he looks like he’s gonna fall every time he takes a step up there." He points at Marn.
None of you are allowed to stop working, you are each given a soggy biscuit and forced back to work.
Avakor is assigned to work the upper rigging, while Marn is told to start line work with Aldon and Lex. While Almathea is ordered to manage the ropes, and make sure they don’t get tangled.
It’s about three am when the cry goes out, ”Man overboard!!” none of you even heard the splash or saw the person fall but some of the crew seems to be looking to the port side.
Tired straight to the bone from the non-stop in the torrential storm, Thea nonetheless manages to get her job done. Just not as well as she would have liked. When will this storm end? The only thing keeping me from falling over from exhaustion is the fear that if I do I will be swept overboard!
At the cries of "man overboard", Thea grabs some of the rope she's been working with and any random little bit of trash rolling about deck. Making her way over to the port side, she looks over the railing. She'll cast light on whatever she managed to grab and she'll throw it over the railing hoping to be able to see who went over.
Aldon will quickly run over to the side of the boat and will take a quick look to see who fell overboard. He strips off his heavy boots and equipment. He runs over to Almathea, "If I tie the rope to me and swim out, can you tie it to the boat. Gonna swim down and see who's down there!!"
Almathea, Aldon and anyone else who runs to the port side roll perception.
Thea looks fearful at what Aldon's about to attempt. "Please be careful and may Besmara bless you." Thea then takes the end of the rope she has and ties it to the ship's mast.
Avakor, some of the crew carry you below deck and dump you on the floor of the cargo hold. Scourge doesn't allow Sandara to heal you because he says all "useful" hands are needed on deck. You are still unconscious when the other sailor goes overboard.
Aldon you spot a small figure in the water first and point them out to Almathea and the others.
It appears to be Rosie Cusswell, you hear her yelling at the top of her lungs "I can't &^%$'n swim...@#$% me"
Almathea you have cast light on the rope but you can choose to throw it at Rosie or tie it to Aldon or throw it to Rosie.
"I got the rope, go get Rosie!" Thea ties her knot and prays it holds.
The biscuit--though soggy and unappetizing--seems to quicken Lex's spirit, and he pursues his new task with vigor.
At seeing the unconscious Avakor, Lex will run over and murmur an incantation and wave his hands over him.
His ears perk up at the call of "man overboard" and rushes over with the others to see who it is.
Damn, Aldon, be careful. Lex will take hold of something of Aldon's and cast Light on it. Wave the light at us when you want us to pull you up.
Lex you feel a tug at your lips as if they want to contort into laughter but then it seems to subside, Conchobhar looks somewhat disappointed about something but shrugs it of and leaves.
Scourge looks like he was going to try and stop lex but from healing avakor but grumbles and allows him to at least get him conscious but no more, after that Avakor is assigned to work with Almathea to sort and manage rope.
Alamthea quickly ties the rope to Aldon's waist, the wind and the rain batter the wormwood and her crew, the waves crash and break against the wormwood's hull.
In the water poor Rosie Cusswell is picked up by a swell and tossed about..
Aldon Longstrider steps up on the railing, his hat is whipped off by the wind and it rolls across the deck, his hair whips about in the wind, his features drenched in rain. He looks determined...
After hours of working the rope with Almathea, Avakor notices the group moving to the port side after the man overboard call. He rushes to the side with everyone else, hunting for the figure in the seas, but Aldon beats him to it and points out Rosie in the water. Without thinking, Avakor dives from the ship into the sea and begins to swim towards the halfling.
Marn walks over to the edge of the ship, "Oh bloody hell." When he sees Avakor jump in he nods, the guy looked a bit fishy bets were he was a great swimmer, saved his extract for another day.
Marn keeps a close eye on what's happening down below, ready to lend a hand but for now he just stands next to Aldon in case the guy needs a hand getting from the railings onto the ship.
Aldon you manage to land 10 feet out from the side of the boat, almost right on top of where Rosie had been.
Rosie's swim check
But she is unable to kick hard enough and she is washed 10 feet further from the boat. Aldon you attempt to swim in the water but you yourself are tossed about in the raging ocean 10 feet further.
Avakor you jumped straight over the side so you are 5 feet from the boat but you are able to make it to Rosie without any problems and she reaches out for you trying desperatly to grab on and you are able to take hold of her.
Rosie's assist to swim attempt She manages to kick and flail a bit but it's enough to give you both some momentum.
Almathea still has her end of the rope. "Lex, Marn! Help me hold onto Aldon's rope!"
Aldon swims over to Avakor and Rosie, "Hang on to the rope!" He tugs on the rope twice to give the rest of the group the signal to pull them in.
Lex grabs the rope with the others and starts pulling. Heave!
Avakor swims with the other two as hard as he can, trying his best to work against the constant pull of the waves. Besmara, I hope your looking on me favorably now...
Marn just nods as he clamps his hands around the rope, "Let's get those fools out of there in one piece."