The slow, rhythmic sway of the ocean greets you as you stretch your arms and legs out from a long nights rest. You all start to notice the various aches and pains from a long, hard nights sleep. The peaceful bliss of last night runs through your mind. The singing, the dancing,the companionship, and most importantly the drinking. As you start to come to, you realize something isn't right, instead of being on the floor or in a bed with a bar maid or a random stranger from the bar, you feel the cold, dampness of wood. As your senses slowly return to you, the smell of fish, sweat, and rum fill your nostrils. The pounding in your head tells you something isn't right, as hangovers are a common thing among those who frequent bars, and this is no hangover feeling. Before anybody can stand up, you hear boots walking towards you. Glancing up you see, a tall, slender, tan skinned man coming towards you, flanked by 8 pirates armed with saps and sinister grins (you get the feeling that these pirates are not ones to be messed with and would only enjoy hurting anybody who tried anything funny). The tall man, cracks his whip and twirls his long, braided black beard and smiles before he speaks.
Still abed with the sun over the yardarm? On your feet, ye filthy swabs! Get up on deck and report for duty before Cap’n Harrigan flays your flesh into sausage skins and has Fishguts fry ye up for breakfast!
You are without a shadow of a doubt certain that the bearded man who is standing before you, is the man that you harshly turned down last night. A sick feeling in your stomach tells you, that you may have made a mistake/
You discern an oily nutmeg aftertaste on your tongue. Which you know to be a clear sign of oil of taggit poison. Which is a clear sign of being press ganged
You discern an oily nutmeg aftertaste on your tongue.
You remember seeing this bearded man last night and quickly realized you were press ganged.
A soft groan gradually flows from Janis' lips as she starts to gradually drift back to consciousness. Little by little, she starts piecing things together -- she's not at home...she's somewhere else...the cries of seagulls tell her it's somewhere near the sea. Little does she realize quite yet that she's *at* sea. She wrinkles her nose a little bit at some of the foul smells wafting into her nose. Having lived in Port Peril for a few years, she's no stranger to foul smells, but this is on a whole new level of filth. The creaks of wood...rhythmic. Oh god no, she thinks to herself, and forces her eyes open in a moment of shock. Looking around, she figures she's maybe in a...cargo hold of some sort? And there are others? Before she can put together anything more than that, she hears the footsteps, the creak of wood, and looks toward the pirates entering. Upon seeing the bearded man cracking the whip, she instantly recognizes him.
This is not good. So very, very not good.
For a moment, Sylvia feels nearly comfortable. It's an old feeling, the rocking back and forth, the easy sway of the sea. It's the land that makes you sick. There's no rhythm. But she doesn't remember leaving the land as she slowly opens her eyes, pain from her head making each movement of each lid an ordeal in and of itself. Eventually, the whipman comes, and instinct takes over, learned over years and years of working under such men and she immediately forgets the aches, for now, and jumps to her feet without thinking.
Immediately she feels a flush come to her face in embarrassment, as if caught in a lie. This isn't who she is, now. She's made a name for herself! The embarrassment slowly turns to anger and a glint enters her eye and she stares at the men surrounding her and the others she has found herself with.
Slowly, she smacks the top of her mouth in disgust, finally piecing together what happened the night before...
I'll need a blade before I make a move... and I need to make sure these others are okay. Maybe one of them can help in a pinch. I need to buy some time.
She sighs inwardly, this is gonna hurt...
"Aye, aye, we get it now. We'll just be headin' up that way now. No need to be slappin' the leather down today. Need ta rouse the rest o' the rabble is all. Who might ye be, so that we might know who we be answerin' ta, if'n I might ask?"
Revhi rolls over with the hint of a smile on her face, arm reaching for what she expected would be the fast friend she made last night. However instead of the chiseled flat chest she was expecting she is met with a soft, rounded one. Her eyes shoot open to see the wood deck and the pile of people around her. Oh s&%$. Her feelings of fear are only spiked by the pain in her head and the arrival of the pirates. She quickly takes her hand off of the elven woman's chest and examines the situation.
Swabs? Captain Harrigan? Revhi stands slowly, glancing around for her stuff and pursing her lips. "Where is my gear?" She gives a confused look to the elven woman beside her, looking back at the pirates. I am commanded by no man...but without my gear I won't let them know that. Perhaps these others are also useful.
Janis spends a few moments quietly, and hopefully subtly, watching the reactions of the other abductees, and when Sylvia jumps up, she decides to stir as well. "Fine, you have us at a disadvantage. We submit", she pragmatically acknowledges the situation. For now. But by the gods, just you wait. Just. You. Wait. She stares daggers in the direction of the pirates, and prepares to move in the direction indicated.
Edmund begins to say something derogatory when he realizes that this cold floor is not one of his father's fixer up projects, this is something entirely different. Edmund a bit scared but excited hurries to his feet.
He looks around at the others and realizes his dream could be coming true. He thought at first glance that most of them seemed at home but this was his first go at it. He doesn't say a word but follows instructions when given.
Reginald wakes to the bellows of the man, and opens one eye to look at him. The rolling of the deck makes him realize he's on a ship. Given the headache and the lack of gear, it's not too hard to put 2 and 2 together to come up with 4.
He looks around at the others, noting the hard looks that Revhi and Sylvia give to the "crew" realizes that they and probably the others have been "recruited". He rises to his feet, feigning a stumble to get in front of Sylvia, and the others, and makes a show of getting his sea legs to turn to fully face the rest and the sleepy, stumbling look flashes to a stern look, and a slight shake of his head as he turns back to head up the stairs.
"Seems you have us up a rope. We're on our way.
'
The cracking of the whip rudely awakens Jack from his deep slumber. With a headache normally associated with heavy drinking he opens his eyes to look right at the most beautiful creature he has ever seen, a dark-haired goddess.
The loud voice of the man holding the whip and his eager looking goons holding saps quickly bring him back to reality.
Captain Harrigan? Who is that? Jack thinks to himself. How did I get here?
Licking his lips, Jack starts putting things together. His little drinking session had a different outcome than normal.
A bit wobbly he stands and says ”Let’s meet this captain of yours.”.
He stretches his sour muscles and checks the pirates for a dagger or knife. If so he walks past them to go to the deck and he stumbles and falls against the person and tries to take the weapon from him.
"So sorry good sir, I didn’t see where I was going. Was thinking about that dark-haired vixen over there!” and he points to Janis.
Edmund watched Jack fall into the guards as he waited to head out. He noticed Jack's hands scramble about the guard, a move or a trick he often encountered in his father's shop and in the back alleys where his unsavory friends practiced the art in town.
He had never done it himself, at least not outside a gambling setting, as he was too scared to try. However he had learned to distract others while they attempted it. Maybe here he would gain some credit with his new companions.
Although scared, Edmund yelled across to the guard Jack just bumped, "Hey you! What's with the clumbsy feet? Is it your first time at sea?"
Jack heard one of the other captives yell something. He had felt his hand slip, clumsy of him. Maybe this distraction would be enough to get away with the item after all. I’ll have to thank him later. Jack thought to himself.
"Oh my god, a dead bird flying!" Janis' eyes suddenly go wide and she points through the doorway leading to the deck, trying to add to the distracted hubbub.
Sylvia, looking at the obvious attempt to disarm one of their captors and the abysmal attempts to cover it up just groans to herself, massages her temples, wishes she had memorized vanish yesterday, and prepares for the worst.
I'll not be a part of this again.
She clearly starts distancing herself from the others, making way for the stairs with an audible sigh.
@Silvia I am Master Scourge the boatswain and the Master of Arms, not get your arse up to the main deck before you have to deal with me!
@Revhi Gear you have no gear, the good ole Captain has gear, but if you think his gear is yours, then maybe you should take it up with him.
As Jack attempts to "find" a weapon on the sailor he stumbles and accidentally grabs the man's crouch. The sailor's eye bug out of his head and he hits Jack in the face with his sap. .
The bearded man steps on Jack's throat with his boot Stealing is punishable by kneelhauling, you understand me boy. Once Jack shakes his head yes, the man lifts his boot off of his throat.
Enough of yer talkin', get your arse to the main deck before the Captain gets angry!
All of the pirates seem to ready themselves for somebody to try something and the bearded man slaps his whip on the floor, as if he is daring somebody to try something instead of following his orders.
Revhi licks at her teeth. "Thanks. I suppose we should get to work." She moves on in silence, waiting and watching.
A beautiful red headed women, rushes over to Jack and begins to help him up, and leans close to his ear for only him to hear, if you value your life, you will stop this nonsense and just follow his orders, we have been pressganged and you do not want to anger this group of sailors at the moment. Please let us go up to the main deck. The red haired beauty assists Jack up, smiles at the bearded man and makes her way up to the main deck, followed by a bald human, a cute, short, and muscular female halfling, and a skinny male gnome. You can only assume by the looks of them that they are all in the same situation as you guys.
You do not recall a lot about Captain Harrigan, but you do remember that he is a fearsome pirate who somehow managed to escape the mighty Cheliax Navy and live to tell the tale. You also know that he can be good to his crew, but he is not to be messed with as he has a ruthless side to him and takes very few to no prisoners when he takes a ship.
Janis will play along for now, clearly at a disadvantage and not prepared to push her luck. She'll follow the others to the deck and smolder a little inwardly. She doesn't get the entire concept of pressganging, as she has always grown up finding that you get more flies with honey than vinegar. Why would anyone want employees that are chomping at the bit to backstab you? It boggles her a bit, but well, I guess she's going to find out. She'll stay quiet for a bit now, just doing as she's told and observing how everyone behaves, from the pirates to her fellow abductees.
Reginald makes his way up, taking in the ship to figure out what kind of ship they're on. He'll also try to note where each of the sailors are, and if possible which, if any of them, seem to either enjoy seeing new shanghai'd crew, or look like they may empathize with them. He takes as close a look as he can to little things as well, to see how well the ship is cared for, tightly coiled rope, knots done well, if he can tell the state of repair on rigging which sees constant use (pulleys for jibs, belaying pins that the lines are tied to etc). Trying to get a feel for the general cast of the crew. A crew that is cared for and generally happy tends to keep a much tighter ship.
Edmund somewhat frightened by the previous incident stays calm and heads to the deck as demanded. Once above he looks around to try to place himself.
Where am I? Whose ship did they say this is? I wonder what is next or wait, what will they make me do?
Sylvia climbs the stairs quietly to the main deck with everyone else.
Please let there be land in sight. Please let there be land in sight. Please let there be land in sight.
As they step into the bright sunlight, she hesitates a moment while her eyes adjust, sweeping them across the horizon, looking for tell-tale signs of land...
@Reginald, the ship appears to be maintained and in pretty good condition.
@Edmund you feel confident that you are out at sea lol
@Sylvia You cannot see any land in sight.
Embarrassed by his rookie mistake and the following public humiliation Jack stands up and rubs his sour throat. He looks back at the red-haired woman and gives a slight nod. While climbing the stairs to the main deck Jack dusts of his clothes. Adjusting his eyes to the bright sunlight Jack looks around.
The headache and the fact he was taken against his will weren’t the best of circumstances but maybe this could be the opportunity he had been waiting for since returning to Quent. He had only found pain and suffering there…….
Someone bumping into him brings him back to reality. Jack spots the man who had tried to help him a minute ago. He walks up to him and says”Hi, and thanks, my name is Jack and you are?”
Edmund gives him a quick pat on the back while softly welcoming him.
" Hi Jack, not the best of times to talk but I am Edmund. Glad to meet you."
Edmund looks back at his captors and awaits further instructions.
Everybody makes their way to the main deck. The bright sun and gentle breeze greet them, but that is the only friendly greeeting that they get. Figures cluster around the ship’s mainmast, looking up at the higher deck on the stern, where two figures stand. One of them
is a broad, muscular Garundi man with a shaven head, a long beard bound with gold rings, and an eye patch—clearly the captain. The other is a younger, balding man with a long black ponytail, wearing a long coat andcarrying a well-used cat-o’-nine-tails.
Glad you could join us at last! Welcome to the Wormwood!
My thanks for ‘volunteering’ to join my crew. I’m Barnabas
Harrigan. That’s Captain Barnabas Harrigan to you, not that
you’ll ever need to address me. I have only one rule—don’t
speak to me. I like talk, but I don’t like your talk. Follow that
rule and we’ll all get along fine.
“Oh, and one more thing. Even with you new recruits, we’re
still short-handed, and I aim to keep what crew I have. There’ll
be a keelhaulin’ for anyone caught killin’ anyone. Mr. Plugg! If
you’d be so kind as to make pirates out of these landlubbers,
it’ll save me having to put them in the sweatbox for a year and
a day before I make pies out of ’em.”
The Captain, turns his back and walks away, as Mr. Plugg steps up,
Listen up you garbage, when I say go you 6 will climb the mainsail as fast as possible, the first person to reach the top will be my new rigger.
Revhi quickly starts memorizing the faces and attitudes of all the crew members she can see. Who seems loyal, who's smart, who's unhappy, and who might be swayed by a woman's touch.
Then she sees the captain and just gives him a brief nod of acknowledgement, one finger twisting at her loose curls. So that's the bastard responsible. Her attention turns to Mr.Plugg. And this is the man who thinks he can break me. When Mr.Plugg calls for them to start climbing Revhi folds her arms and looks up, watching the other five climb. First test Mr.Plugg. Let's see how you do.
This is beneath me, Janis thinks to herself, her nose wrinkling and face scrunching up a little bit in clear distaste that is obvious to anybody who pays extra attention to her. Whether the distaste is at the climbing or at this entire situation in general, is unclear. Still, I have little choice at this point. I'm not going to start fighting a dozen pirates unarmed. But oh how you will pay. She steps up to the mainsail, and grabs on to it. At least I'm wearing pants and not a skirt... No luck for you today, savages.
This is my first chance to show that I belong. Time to shine!
As soon as Mr. Plugg says go Edmund begins to get a feel for the climb and then speeds up.
7.5 ft
22.5 ft
30 ft
37.5 ft
52.5 ft
60+ ft
Once finished Edmund looks down as he realizes that the lady Janis had beaten him barely.
Looking up the 60' mast and sighing to herself, Sylvia begins the climb with unsteady arms.
Panting, Sylvia is more than glad to half clamber back to the bottom when Janis reaches the top when she herself barely passes the halfway mark.
Reginald listens to the captain, and the mate and gets ready for the climb, trying to look about to see if he can spot anyone that might not be of the same inclination as the rest.
It takes Reginald 18 rounds to reach the top
Rigger is important on a ship…..It’s always better then swabbing the deck! Jack runs towards the mainsail and starts climbing.
After about 30 seconds Jack looks back and sees only Janis and Edmund hot on his tail. Looking back up Jack sees his prize.The place he can just chill while other work there asses off. He resumes his climb.
A nice place to check out that Janis while she gets all dirty and sweaty. Jack smiles at the thought.
"Jack is numero uno!”
Mr. Plugg sees Revhi not moving but without saying anything he withdraws his cat'o'nine tails and lashing it out at Revhi
nonlethal
The cat lashes into Revhi drawing blood.
When I tell you to do something you do it. Next time three lashes. Since you believe you are to good for the rigging, that will be your new job. You five, anyone of you have any experience cooking?
Edmund stood quiet as he watched Revhi take a beating. He heard about the cat'o'nine tails from the many stories around the bar and wanted no part of it.
As Mr. Plugg finished Edmund hesitated then stuttered with his answer,
" I.. I .. did some cooking but nothing outside the house."
Edmund smiled before finishing much more confidently,
"Quick hands and good with a knife."
Revhi sucks in her breath at the pain. "I see why you're not in charge of anything important. I'm not sure where you jumped to that conclusion at, but I didn't participate because of how awful I am at climbing. If you want me to be useful I suggest you get me on navigation. Or I'll just make sure to tell the captain whose idea it was to set up somebody rigging who had no idea what they were doing."
Janis was a little surprised at her own performance climbing the mainsail. Must be a good day... All things considered, of course. When Revhi is whipped with the cat, Janis winces inwardly and her face gives the slightest of grimaces. Oh, you like racking up the bill, do you Mister Plugg? Let's see how you like it when it comes time to pay the piper.
I am the first mate you wench, I will tell you what to do and the Cap doesn't care about what you have to say. I do not care about where you think you will be useful, you either do rigging or go to the sweatbox. If you can't perform the task then you will be whipped till you can do. Continue to mouth off and you will see why I am the first mate and how I am not the person to mess with.
The red haired lady steps up to Revhi and whispers Let it go, I have heard people end up dead when they cross him.
Mr. Plugg lashes out with the cat directed at Sandara, I did not tell you to speak or move!
My apology Mr. Plugg, Sandara says as she slightly bows her head and takes a few steps back.
Janis observes silently, not getting in the middle of the argument, but noting in the back of her head how the redhead has tried to help them twice already. What is her angle?
Reginald watches the exchange between Revhi, Sandara and Mr. Plugg and takes note. At least we have one potential ally. Now to pay attention to see if there are more.
Ok first mate. Let's see how much you enjoy being first.
Pigs with whips... disgusting...
Striking her chin out with what little defiance she can muster right now, Sylvia mutters, "I ain't got no cookin' skills 'cept if'n ye 'n yer lot like it raw, then I'm yer girl."
Coward, hitting an unarmed woman. Let him try that s~+$ on me.
”Mister Plugg, sir?” Jack yells from the top of the mast.”You said sir, first one up would be your new rigger. That would be me. Sailors look up to their captain and first mate. Need to trust them completely or else they lose their faith in them. Bad for morale.”
Let’s see if these pirates are superstitious.
Also the girl looks a bit like the lady of the sea. Bad luck for a crew to strike out at Besmara!” Jack turns to the sea and takes a bow and says Praise the lady of the sea.”
Hope you can take it, lady. Because I'm not about to join in a full scale uprising. Well...not until I have the lay of the land, Janis thinks to herself quietly. She doesn't volunteer any knowledge of cooking.
Edmund stood watching the confrontation as Jack yet again possibly put himself in a bind. He thought this time Jack's words may cause him pain like Revhi.
Still a bit disturbed from seeing Revhi get beat he hoped this would all end soon as it had earlier when Sandara tried to aid through interruption and redistribution of punishment. Edmund wanted none of that and like then here he stood actionless again waiting for the next trial.
Mr. Plugg's face turns red and he looks towards Jack, When I want your opinion boy, I will ask for it, you can have 3 lashings this evening, now shut your trap and get in line. Now that I think about it you can deal with ole Fishguts, so you will be his new cooking assistant, the rest of you lot will be swabs.