Cap'n Voodoo's Freebooter PBP
Game Master voodoo chili

Kaul deftly guides the oars to greater urgency (he rows harder)

Profession: Sailor - Aid Another x3:

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

well, there's definitely a whole lot of helping going on... :)

Kaul puts his back into the oars while Dibbets jumps behind to help the Groom steer. Dingus adjusts the sails and the ship navigates the threatening rocks and pulls out to the mouth of the bay.

Back at the rocks, the dory works carefully to board Capt Pepper and his remaining crew. The captain's red face flashes like a navigation marker as he leaps to safety. the Grackle caws softly and the sails fill with a strong wind that nearly knocks the oars from Kaul's hands as the fishing boat springs ahead and out to sea.

Three sail checks:

1d20 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 6 = 27
1d20 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 6 = 27
1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 4 = 29

Despite the pain of his considerable wounds, with the others' assistance Jim expertly handles the wallowing skiff through the surf.

Jim directs the speeding boat with an experienced hand and you head out to sea before any pursuit is offered. the Grackle points eastward down the coast toward a place he calls Geas Cove. "I don't doubt the constabulary will coming looking for us. We can pull up there and hide the boat for a few days."

He looks curiously at Kaul's box of black rocks. "Why are you dragging a box of ballast around? What's the profit there?"

Dibbs is right good at helping like... but not sure you'd want him piloting :P

Doesn't feel right, leaving a sinking ship like this. Not much choice, though.

"Same as anywhere else--someone's willing to pay for it, and it's easier to arrange for that to happen when the goods aren't under water. Say, Dibbets, I could do with a spot of the vast indifference of Heaven, hey?"

Dibbs was waiting till we're sure we're safe - then will dispense glorious indifference to all...

Jim, the Groom gave you 5 'haling' back on the last page. One of my dogs jumped into my lap while I was typing on my laptop and popped my 'E' key off. I replaced it, but it is just not it's old self. As a result I have to edit myself heavily with every post as it is guaranteed that several 'E's are missing, and if that accidentally still spells a word healing->haling, well, those are harder to spot, and then I just start to sound like a blathering idiot.

"Aye, we have seen some of its value. Till someone pays for it, we keep it safe.....and best no taking a peak. It did not go well for the last sneak...there are some built in...precautions?...no..effects, that Will overwhelm the overly curious."

Kaul eyes the Grackle;

"Hur. Zact'ly."

Attack of the Spellhunds eh Groomy! What kinda dogs you got??

As a Scot, you should appreciate this. I have 2 Border Collie-Chihuahua Mixes, 18 lb border collies. I call them South of the Border Collies or Pocket Collies. Black and White longhairs, Cute, Smart, and High Strung (and a little neurotic-not sure that is the BC or the Chi. as I had a previous BC with unusual mental traits). One is smart enough to ring a bell to go out, the other is even smarter, and uses telepathy. She has definitely inherited the BC stare, and will purposefully sit in front of me and stare..and I mean stare...implanting the image in my mind that she needs to go out...she will continue until it is clear to her that I realize that she wants to go out.

the Grackle gives the Groom a curious look as the fishing boat continues speeding easterly. "Oh, I gave it a look. Just not sure who'd pay for a box of slightly tainted black rock... of course, I do know a fence or three. I might be able to find a client for a small taste of the profits...," the illusory man rubs his prominent nose.

Cool hunds Groom - I grew up with a Kelpie-Corgi cross throughout alot of my formative years.

Clear that the motley crew has launched themselves free of immediate entanglement, Dibbs-ray hops back aboard the launch and spreads some indifference...
I've got up to 8 Cure Lights to burn - feel free to self roll how ever many you like at 1d8+4 per cast
... before settling in for a well earned slug of amber fire from his flask. Offering the Grackle a draw on the well battered receptacle Dibbs measures "Aye, we'll think o' cuttin ye in on the rock iffin ye ken move it fer us. By the by... whats the deal with the tenta-freaks floatin from the mast?" indicating the flumph-flags flying proudly above them.

The disguised tengu gives a helpless shrug. "Eh? pig in a poke... You see, my racket is grabbing gifts going up the volcano to the oracles. No one else is brave or skilled enough. Of course, it doesn't win me any friends around here neither. Both the constables and local guild are none too happy, but every now and then I get some really nice stuff. But I tell you, them oracles got a style all their own. Now and then I get something like them stink bladders."

"I was just gonna toss 'em off the docks, but then I got in with Dusky and figured maybe I could sell them in a bigger market. Now I don't know what to do with 'em. Don't want them singing to any locals... Ak-cholly, I know someone nearby that might buy the box and the floaties."

"She lives up around the corner in a big marble mansion. Maybe a wizard or something. I hear she has a little zoo or something and obviously some money. It's worth a try."

"Now getting back to my cut, there's six of us, right. I figure you won't get anything for the box of rocks without me so at least a double share for me. Figure we just make it 35% for the Grackle..."

the Groom is content to let the Grackle think it's a box of rocks, but he has the thought that Kaul might share some of the same qualities as this box...Did he grab the right one? or was this ever the right one?

Perception - Is this our dirt box? Now that he has a chance to look it over. -> 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

I think the point has been driven in, this is a box of rocks. Shouldn't our box be filled with dirt. Me thinks our savior Captain was more than happy to give us this box for a reason.

Dibbs smooths out his brine laden whiskers... which resist his ministrations and maintain their unruly nature. He steals a look up at the gas bags and "I ain't keen on tossin the tentafreaks tae ruin... an I ain't convinced you're our only outlet fer the rocks. Remember now, we're givin ye a free ride fer stealin from us already like" looking to his mates for backup.

Jim doesn't say anything in response to Dibbets. He twitches one of the lines slightly, making the sail luff before filling again.

Dingus feels his levitation spell begin to flag, and lowers himself silently to the deck.

the Grackle shrugs and addresses the halfling, "Plumetown ain't a big market at all, but if you think you can do better than the Pro, go for it. As for stealing, that wasn't my intention, just a little mix up on the boxes. I was in a hurry and just grabbed what I could."

The man frowns and looks out along the coast. He directs Jim to a nondescript cove of black sand and lush vegetation.

With a laugh that sounds like an unsettled chicken, the Grackle continues, "May I remind you as accusations of stealing arise, that the floaters are mine. As I mentioned, they are for sale so if you're looking for something more exotic than a parrot on the shoulder, well, I'm asking 500 sails apiece."

As he rows and listens to the Grackle's negotiations Kaul chuckles to his'self, and softly sings a makeshift sea shanty;

"Hur... hur-hur-hur... 500 sails in a dead bird's nest... Yo-ho-ho and a box o' dirt.... hur-hur..."

Jim looks up at the flying pancakes. "This gentle...bird here says you're his property. What's your take on that?" He looks back down at the Grackle. "Even if they were your property, seems to me that you abandoned them on a sinking ship, and we salvaged them."

CLW #1 on Jim: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
CLW #2 on Jim: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

That puts him over half, which is probably good enough for now.

At Jim's query, the flumph above begin droning loudly, "This is not correct. We are not property. We are emissaries to the Eyes of Mount Keeba. We must find Beldar. MEBS!"

The man at the bow of the boat fades and you see the proper black feathered form of the Grackle huddling dejectedly at the front of the boat. The blackbird's inscrutable gaze moves from Jim to Kaul to Dibbets, but he says nothing further as Kaul continues his rowing and chuckling to himself.

Finally, the keel grates against the black sand beach and the Grackle rises to take his leave of the crowded boat. "It is unfortunate that we could not have come to a mutually beneficial arrangement," he notes as he hops ashore.

Kaul will endenture himself with some o' Dibbs' healing also;

CLW: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
CLW: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

That'll put Kaul 2 shy of full... 38/40...

"Hur... I actually like ye birdy... pity you ain't sticking around.. hur-hur"

One more lick for Jimmer: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 - which puts me at 6 casts of 1st levels for the day

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 Dibbs is concerned about the lack of counter offer from the Grackle and him seeming to give up the chase too easily.

Dibbs cocks a weathered eye at the Grackle "Bugger me, ye give up easy like... I've a counter offer for ye. The tentabags go free wi' us, we cut ye in on the dirt wiv a full share an we ken give the local flatfeet a run around. Shed a feather and we'll tell em ye went down wi the ship and stop em looking for ye fer a while... that interest ye?"

the Grackle pauses, fingering his vest as he surveys the halfling. "What makes you think the tentacles won't talk? If you can cover me though, I'll get those boxes sold."

He plucks a feather from his arm with a grunt and plants it in the sand, black on black. He turns heading for the jungle. "I want a triple share of the sale though."

Any more takers for Grackle negotiation?

don't appear so.

Th blackbird disappears into the greenery leaving the crew alone on the beach with only the sound of the wind through the jungle and the call of seagulls for company.

landlord forgot to pay the internet bill so posting may be minimal for me this week.

"I can be open to that deal if he gets a good price for boxes of spoiled dirt. Seems he might be a better salesman than us and this is a small market."

"Aye, we didn't do much to lay hands on the boxes, so anything we get from them is to the good. For the nonce, we should get the pancakes back together and up to the mountain. While keeping our heads down, which may be a bit of a trick."

Dibbs shakes his head as the Groom and Jim essentially agree to be robbed, but sloughs it away as water off a duck's back "Well regardless we should be prepared fer him tae double back on the deal like. He's a slippery bastard." stumping over the sand to retrieve the feather.

"Ne'er you mind bout gettin the tentacle bags away like... reckon I ken muster up enough of a distraction tae draw enough eyes that you could walk down mainstreet wearin a gimp suit and not get asked a jot."

We need to rendezvous with flumph No3 - correct?
Dibbs is good at distractions like... just bail him out afters ok?

"Right. Beldar is waiting for us back at the warehouse, as I recall." The Taldan looks around the cove, trying to remember where it is relative to Plumetown. "Might be polite to tell our fisherman friend where he can find his boat, hey?"

"Pfff - you buggers ken go overland iffin ye like... but I'm sailin back intae the harbor." taking a long swig from his flask as he stumps back aboard the boat and gets her ready to make back out into the waters.

Jim surveys the terrain and believes it will be a tough push through the jungle unless they come upon a road. It will likely be well after nightfall before they see the outskirts of town again on foot.

Unless challenged by the others, Dibbets looks to set out on the fishing boat with Grackle's feather... but lacking the dirt. He makes a beeline back to the harbor.

"Debbets, can you drop us off a mite closer to the town?"

"Aye, that I can... an I ken lend ye the manta cloak iffin that'd be useful to ye?"

Kaul suddenly realises something is missing...

"Bugger! Should've asked the birdy iffen he knew o' a certain wee thorn in my side..."

Snapping out of it he looks to the others;

"What's yer thinkin' Jimmer?"

Did we unload the dirt box on the beach and somehow leave it...I'm a bit confused there? Seems best to get it back to our (un)secure warehouse. Reduced profit better than no profit and all that.

Well Dibbs is sailing back into the wharf, with or without dirt in tow :P

Plan sounds like Dibbs dropping everyone and a box of rocks just outside the bay and sailing in by hisself?

Sounds good to me.

Aye aye Cap'n

After dropping off his mateys, Dibbs takes a long draw from his flask and starts to hum himself a ditty.

The crew is dropped off with their precious box of rock on the beach not far from the dangerous rocks. Wreckage from the Angelina is already washing ashore. Humming to himself, Dibbets carries on and draws near the docks where a crowd still lingers to discuss the spectacle of the day.

I've assumed that Dibbs will have imbibed enough en-route to be sickened from being drunk...

Dibbs lazily tends the sail's position from the deck, steering it towards the nearest he can get to the crowd of people...
Profession (Sailor): 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 2 = 23
...and despite the slowness of reaction and fuzziness of vision he guides the vessel into a solid landing upon the dock. Moving from his position of recumbence towards the ropes he seeks to tie off while casting a peepsie at the gathered crowd for sign of flatfeet or the dregs of the Angelina...
Perception: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 2 = 22

With one hand steering the small craft and the other steering a jug, Dibbets is quite at home and expertly directs the fishing boat to the docks despite his beyond inebriated state. The soused halfling ties off the boat and with a glimpse at the crowd catches an ill wind.

It seems old Captain Pepper and his handful of remaining hands have been attempting to organize a recovery effort for the lost Angelina, but the mobs attention is quickly redirected when a sailor calls out, "Hey, that's one of the lot that came aboard and started the mutiny. Get Him!"

Dibbets sways confidently onto the docks, though is careful to keep his back to the sea and open water. At the challenge of the mob, he answers it himself with a bellowed "Yer daft man, I we're a guest aboard when one of yers set upon us'n an iffin it wern't fer me mateys then yer Cap'n'd be dead n' all. Or are ye fergettin me soggy friend who set the muties to flame like?"

Bluff is +6 and Sense Motive +8 (modified for drunken-ness), please feel free to roll off screen when needed

Captain Pepper steps up with a few of the constabulary, "That's true, they turned on the mutineers after they strong armed their way aboard and did in my first mate below decks. No, I don't think they were in with the mutineers. I think they're something just as bad though. The soggy one said they were PIRATES!" Shouts of outrage echo through the mob.

Dibbets senses that though they crowd may be frenzied into a lynch mob, the constabulary will make sure he gets a proper trial.

Never one to let a spectacle get out of hand unless he provokes it, Dibbets draws himself up to his full just over three feet and rages righteous indignation back at the Captain and her constabulatorian allies "Pirates.... PIRATES! Comin from one that were harborin a thief on 'er tub of rotted junk" fumbling within his rags a moment or two before triumphantly holding the feather of the Grackle aloft "Why Cap'n it were you who were havin not one but two robbers n' ne'erdowells on board... Yer first mate were in wiv the tengu bastard hisself an was goin tae kill us! Kill us deader'n dead afore we managed tae fight off 'is murdrous advance."

He then stops in his tracks and sways slightly with the breeze afore feigning a great realization and poking out his little finger accusatorially "You were the one wif a thief aboard... an yer first mate tried tae off us an now ye stand here after we feckin saved yer life n' now yer all accusin us of of bein pirates? Shame, shame on ye.... What dark secret ye got tae hide Cap'n? - or are ye jus embarrased ye let yer pretty little boat get all smushed up like?"

Dibbets then awaits and watches the crowd's general feeling... to see iffin he thinks hisself right smart... or in trouble...

Happy for Cap'n to continue with offscreen rolling for Bluff and Sense Motive.
Just trying to gauge if the crowd is believing Cap'n Pepper or Dibbs at this point.

Meanwhile...

Kaul amuses himself by drawing pictures of Bess and Mara in the sand;

"They was lovely gals eh lads... (sniff)"

the Groom cuffs him on the shoulder, "They will be waiting for you in the Seawrath's weapon locker....that is, if you ever toss that damnable coconut into the Abyss."

"Let's at least get this crate someplace hidden and maybe huff it into town tonight after we find out what our drunken mite will have gotten into."

"I agree". "Richard says the rats here are scrawny, and taste funny".