Dibbets |
Dibbs takes a quick glance at the hull and wagers how long it looks to be taking before they're ready to sail again...
Taking 10 on Profession Sailor for 18
...and speaking with a bit of harshness back to Hinsin "Oh... right, nae yer fault then... sorry, took ye fer an off'cer on this tub an nae a wiltin piece o' lettuce... Guess I should be talkin wi' tha Cap'n then." pointed look giving Hinsin a chance to grow a backbone.
Dibbets |
Sneering, hocking up a loogie and spitting to the side Dibbets puts that as his answer before turning to stump off towards where the Captain might be found. Once there he puts his most deferential air on (which might look a bit strange on his filthy, flea ridden and yellow toothed visage) and simply asks "Ye gots time fer a word?"
Cap'n Voodoo |
Did Dibbs get an idea on how long the repair'll take?
The work is coming along quickly which probably puts the captain in a slightly more receptive mood. Dibbets predicts about four more days should do it if this pace continues. The captain shrugs. "They're probably passed out somewhere. They will turn up eventually and Yarba will scratch their backs. I can't see them jumping ship at this point."
Dibbets |
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Still respectful but with a raised eyebrow he ponders back with hearsay "Whispers put them gettin thick wi' drink earlier inna evenin than would be right, an nei bein seen since. Mebbe they ain't jumpin ships, but bein taken aside. Four more days we're likely standin proud... would ye still be feelin comf'tble iffin we're sixteen hands down when we's putting tae sail... or should we do some diggin like an make sure they's jus lazy bastards?"
Diplomancy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Dear dice roller... sincerely f%*# you... sigh
Cap'n Voodoo |
Lanteri huffs and raises her voice for all to hear. "Well said. I think curtailing shore leave until the slackers show up again is a great idea lest anyone else decide they'd like a few days of vacation. The sooner the work's done, the sooner we're out of here! Break's over! Back to work all!"
There is a general murmur of annoyance as the crew finishes their lunch and Handsome can't help but flash Dibbets an I-told-you-so grin.
Dibbets |
Taking a few moments to set a silent stare on the Captain, Dibbets doesn't say any words... just looks. Turning away and setting back to the work at hand he takes in Hinsin's sh1t eating grin... and responds by blowing him a kiss... And at the same time as he sends the kiss on it's ethereal way... summoning ten gallons of saltwater above the smarmy arse's head to dowse him.
Petty action completed Dibbs sets back to earnest work... but while he does he tunelessly whistles a tune. Those listening might recognize it's rise, fall and cadence as holding to a poem about an incompetent captain who fails to garnish the respect of the men working beneath.
Cap'n Voodoo |
The tall bard laughs at the halfling's high jinks and shakes the water out of his long blonde feathered hair before beginning a loud jig on his flute that drowns out Dibbet's whistling. The end of the work day arrives with the crew having scraped the exposed side of the hull clean and ripped out the most rotted boards. The next day looks to be a rough one of board cutting, carpentry and tarring.
"Keelhaul" Kaul |
The thug takes in the grumbles of the crew at cancelled shore leave, and even if he agrees internally - if any of the salts direct a comment toward the grubby lookout, Kaul shoots them a bloody look and taps Lopper with his hook for added effect.
The scarred half orc lumbers over to Dibbs and gives him a nod and that hungry-for-violence look that the halfling has come to recognise;
"Hur. Want me to re-arrange the pretty boys face so he ain't no more... Give me summit to keep me sharp like... hur..."
Cap'n Voodoo |
There is grumbling aplenty, but none directly pointed at the halfling and his ominous orcish pal anyway. With the arrival of evening, the crew is supplied their earned rum ration and then settle into small groups for gambling and swapping yarns until the labors of the day drag them down to sleep.
anything for the night, lads?
Dibbets |
Removing himself a wee bit from the knots of personnel Dibbets idles away a short period of time with lit skip rocks... drawing the Skylord's indifference to light up stones in sequence before sending them skipping into the waves. Outside of that idle pursuit, he keeps a weather eye landward and waits for night to progress.
Nothing from Dibbs unless it's prompted by an external influence.
"Keelhaul" Kaul |
Kaul devises something suitably brutal to pass the time. The thug puts up 5 gold initial stake on a barrel top - his logic is simple - if anyone can grab before he pins their hand with his hook can keep the coin.
The brute leers as his fellow swabs and salts;
"Any takers ladies? Beat the hook, bag the coin... but if Ol' Kauly pins ye - no cryin' or screamin'... Take the pain without squealing tae the Skipper... hur-hur-hur..."
Dingus Mack |
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While Kaul is blustering about with his challenge, Dingus wanders closer. "I'll take you up on that".
Dingus steps up next to the barrel, and begins to rub his hands, and crack his knuckles. He waits for Kaul to take his position next to the barrel, then holds his hand out, like he's ready to grab the coins. Then with a sudden lurch, he steps back 5', and brings forth his already in place Mage Hand Spell and snatches the gold coins, before taking off running to hide from his surly mate.
"Thanks for the tip".
"Keelhaul" Kaul |
@Dingus: Bravo sir. Bravo. 5 gold to the good :)
Kaul looks on incredulous as he twitches ready to hook his shipmate's paw before realising the crafty serpent has done him up like a kipper.
The thug scowls, then breaks into hacking laughter, battering the barrel with his good fist;
"Hur-hur-hur! Good un' Dingus! That's why snakes outsmart sharks lads! Hur-hur-hur!"
Cap'n Voodoo |
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Dingus' hijinks raise some appreciative chuckles from some observers, but no one else is fool enough to try the intimidating orc's wager. Creed and Yarba take first watch this night, keeping a look out not only for outside threats, but crew sneaking away. The female officers retire to the captain's sail cloth pavilion.
same plan as previous night?
James "Madman Jim" Patterson |
Jim will spend some time before everyone turns in regaling anyone in earshot with only slightly exaggerated tales of his adventures at sea.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Cap'n Voodoo |
Jim finds an appreciative audience for his yarns. About a half dozen sailors attend him including the lovely half-elven navigator, Belinna, who interrupts her stargazing to listen before retiring to the women's pavilion. The sailor notes that she is indeed a charming young thing before reminding himself that the half-elf could be twice his age...
Dibbets takes his perch on the tilted crow's nest to watch over the moon drenched beach. The heavy vegetation obscures his vision, but he listens through the night taking cat naps until the last of the revels die down. He notes that Hinsin isn't welcome in the captain's quarters that night and in fact gets 'guts watch' with Horemheb, the humorless Master-at-Arms.
Dibbs awakes from another short snooze to find Horemheb kicking Hinsin awake some time after midnight. The moon has nearly set and the pampered bard has obviously fallen asleep on the job. Not long after, Iulia and Belinna take the final watch and wake the captain and crew soon after the sun makes its appearance above the horizon.
A roll call finds two more crew missing this morning: Zossrov, the Kelish half-elf lookout and the young cabin boy, Rafe!
Dibbets |
As soon as he hears of Rafe's disappearance Dibbets snaps from heavy lidded idleness to smouldering rage. He stumps intent-fully over to wherever the Captain's standing and stares at her with a raised eyebrow... silently at first... as though threatening her to do the right thing before it's forced upon her.
"Keelhaul" Kaul |
Afore
Kaul works through his shifts, enjoying the wide berth that most of the crew afford him on account of him being a bad basterd.
The thug spends time in brooding silence; whilst keeping a glaring eye on his shipmates, lest any foul word or deed befall them.
Now
The scarred brute watches as a clearly iridescent Dibbs stumps to the Cap'n, afore she utters a resigned endorsement of the next course of action...
"Keelhaul" Kaul |
Kaul howls his approval and clangs his hook against axe;
"Finally! 'Ere that Lopps we're gettin' off the lease! Hur-hur-hur!"
The brute rumbles up to his small grimy shipmate;
"What we huntin' then Dibbs? Tell me it ain't bearded clams fer Jimmer! Hur-hur-hur!"
The thug hacks a laugh as he waits...
Dibbets |
Dibbs is taken aback slightly by Kaul's question, before realizing that he might need to connect the dots for the attack dog of the party "We's off tae see what tha feck's happened tae Rafe an tha other crew that's gone missing-like. First me an Jimmer go in softly softly cheeky monkey... then if that dinnae work... then we gets bloody."
Cap'n Voodoo |
There are concerned glances among the crew and they watch the veteran freebooters take their leave before Yarba yells at them all to get back to work. Dibbets leads the way, stumping along the jungle path away from the beach and toward the settlement of Raketooth. Suddenly a wild form steps from the greenery onto the path. It is Nkechi.
Since boarding the ship, the Mwangi holy man has kept to himself barely saying a word as he's gone about his duties and spent his free time staring out at the sea. Now he fixes the investigation team with a stern eye. "I have guided you through the green hell of the Expanse so mark my words now. There is something in common among those that have disappeared: all were bitten by the sea devils."
Dingus Mack |
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Dingus is happy that the hunting party is back in action, but dismayed as he begins to step off the vessel for the hunt. What if I tear or smudge my new robe? "Hold on a second fellas".
Dingus rushes below decks and returns wearing a worn sack even more decrepit and dirty than the one he threw overboard with the arrival of his new robes. "Can't let the other one get destroyed you know".
"Keelhaul" Kaul |
Kaul looks at Dibbs with a hint of disappointment washing over his beady eyes;
"Hur. I can go softly sneaky sneaks... When I needs tae..."
At Nkechi's info he grin's with pride at not succumbing to the shark-man-bite-curse.
"Tough as old boots! Hur!"
Cap'n Voodoo |
"So you're thinking that we should watch that last one and follow him when he goes off?"
"No, I was saying that he seems to have resisted whatever it is just like you. Besides I wouldn't wait. As for what 'it' is, I'm not the oracle here. Don't know, but I'm pretty sure it's important." he gives Dibbets a meaningful look.
Dibbets |
Some days it'd be nice to still have our Knowledge man... Dibbs is too clueless ;)
"Right, aye... so yer figgerin theys more likely tae be huddled up scale worshippin than they is bein taken by tha locals eh?" raising a bushy windswept eyebrow for sign of confirmation "Dinnae change first port... I'm fer thinkin we poke aroun tha bar tha first lads went walkabout frae an see iffin we ken gets a sniff o' direction. Tween us we should be able tae manage trailin doon if we ken gets that first taste. That is unless we's gots an idea o' where the buggers hae gone first like..." furrowing brow and asking Nkechi "Ain't no way tha feckers couldae grown gills is there? Up tae now I'm thinkin lookin landward... should we be getting salty instead?"
Cap'n Voodoo |
Nkechi wishes you luck and returns to the ship leaving you to continue into past the warehouses and over the dark river into town. There aren't that many bars to check and you recognize the one your mates mentioned, a serviceable place called Liar's Roost. The proprietor is a large-headed pox scarred man known as "Pineapple Head".
James "Madman Jim" Patterson |
Before entering the establishment, Jim looks around. "Let's try this all peaceful, first. Plenty of time for mayhem later, hey?"
On entry, the Taldan strides up to the bar and addresses the owner, showing coin. "Evening, sir. Rum for me and my friends here, and maybe the answer to a question or two?"
Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Well, that sucks.
He'll give the man a few skulls for a tip anyway.
"Keelhaul" Kaul |
Outside...
Kaul shoots Dingus and Dibbets a jaundiced look at Jimmer's warning;
"You two listenin' eh? No scrappin' or trouble!"
The thug tries to remain serious as he follows Jimmer into the bar.
Inside...
Kaul shakes his head at the 'keep's question as he knocks back the rum...
"Keelhaul" Kaul |
Kaul taps his mug for a refill;
"Keep 'em coming matey... an' we'll keep yer coffers full hur... So our missing lads... Were they in here like?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 16