Yuki steps away from Maheem while drawing her bow and fires an arrow at Plugg, but his greasy topknot distracts her and the shot misses.
Galean feels the rush in him once more, swinging his cutlass towards Plugg.
Unfortunately for the young sailor, his aim is less than stellar, missing completely.
Plugg screams as Nymph literally stabs him in the back, to go with the figurative stabbing in the back you did when you mutinied.
He collapses and bleeds from his wounds but doesn't outright die - you see him still breathing. Your friends realize you've killed the captain and first mate and start to yell triumphantly when their eyes turn to Maheem - suddenly alone. Like any great pirate he knows when to retreat - he withdraws and plunges into the water to start swimming towards the island.
With all visible threats taken care of Nymph heads over to the side of the ship in order to help Tilly back on.
Ayre sends a spear after him
And don't come back!
Kroop walks up and he's so overjoyed he's crying. He absentmindedly wipes his face with his apron.
Ah, free at last. Ye've done a fine thing here, ye really have. But, er, what do we do when Harrigan realizes we've stolen this ship?
He takes a moment to look a bit scared, then absent-minded kicks Plugg, who's still lying on the deck bleeding.
Honestly, this is the problem with new management - they don't get things cleaned properly until they start attracting flies.
Yuki grabs Plugg's cutlass and plunges it into the foul man's heart. She ignores the escaping Maheem, however, as she has no particular grudge against the man and assumes the island will kill him eventually anyway.
She then addresses Kroop's concerns, "We'll need to hide out for awhile, do you have any ideas to make that easier?"
"We're on a boat. In the middle of the f~@+ing ocean!" Nymph calls out from over the side of the boat.
Tilly's happy to have Nymph's help climbing back on the ship, although she's very embarassed to have been knocked off by the jet. She also looks haunted
Kroop looks a bit surprised at Yuki's killing Plugg so vehemently but shrugs it off.
Well, there are a few ways I know to hide a ship in plain sight, but I think we need an expert. Have you ever heard of Rickety's Squibs?
When you search the ship, you find Plugg's log book - Plugg's journal recounts how he planned to kill Galean and Ayre as soon as the ship was back underway, then chain Yuki and Nymph up until he'd broken their spirits. He had planned to take the Man's Promise to a squib to be remade just enough to fool anyone familiar with the ship and then go his own way as a free pirate captain. Nymph and Yuki would be his scapegoats for Harrigan should the shanghaing buccaneer discover the Man's Promise was free - and not under Harrigan's flag.
Owlbear is incredibly pleased to be above deck and he pulls out a large blanket to dry off Tilly and Nymph from their time in the water. He then tries to use it to fan his friends in the hot sun while the water from the wet blanket flies over everyone to their joking protests.
Kroop is breaking out a fine Chelish rum and promising a victory feast while some of the pirates on board hurl insults and threats at the retreating Maheem.
Sandara makes sure everyone is healed and ready, then turns smiling.
Well, now that we're free it's time for one of Besmara's most holy rites - the Captain's election!
The pirates around you cheer, heaving bodies over the side once they've been cleaned of booty - and in some cases clothing - and gather around with rum in hand.
Sandara produces a triple sized gold coin emblazoned with Besmara's symbol, the skull and crossbones.
Sandara holds it aloft and it burns red-gold in the setting sun as she recites Besmara's code - with the crew joining in whole-heartedly.
We all know why we've taken to ship. To carve our name on the ever-changing sea with a saber of terror and triumph. We fight for plunder, for fame, for glory - and we'll earn our place among the legends of the sea!
She tosses the coin into the air and it falls into the pirate circle.
But for every ship there's but one captain - a sailor amongst sailors. Their skill and daring will blaze across the ocean and strike fear into the timid merchantmen and the cowardly naval seaman. Who stands forward to be captain of this crew?
Happy to see Tilly in one piece Nymph gives her a look when she doesn't look well. "Everything okay?"
As Owlbear dries them off she can't help but grin and chuckle. "Aw, thanks big guy."
Once the ceremony ended the sharkkin stared blankly at the coin. Ain't no f@*+in pirate and ain't no f$&@in captain. You f$~%ers shanghaied me.
After a thought she nonchalantly points at Yuki without taking her eyes off the coin.
"Well,... uh, mateys,", starts saying Galean, putting on his piratiest of all pirate grins. ", I dare say we didn't steal Cap'n Harrigan's ship, but merely put in better and more qualified people in charge!", he says, raising his cutlass. "Plus, we got the diary. What kind of a person keeps a diary these days?!"
--------
As the coin lands in the center, Galean looks uneasy at it. Uh. Well... I guess we did nominate Yuki... And she's good with swords and talking and stuff, plus Harrigan almost didn't steer the ship, so I can get to navigate it..., as he scans the crowd, stunned into place.
Rocky immediately steps forward and strikes a pose, flexing menacingly
Sandara looks at Galean in a half amused, half exasperated manner while the rest of the pirates turn incredulous looks at him.
You can't nominate a pirate captain kid - a captain has to seize the coin to demonstrate their desire and avarice, and their will to command.
As Rocky steps in Sandara grins.
OK, kid - say your peace!
Rocky speaks, Ayre translates.
I have born all the dangers of this brave crew. I have watched us fight and win. I have always been there pointing out the small details that are missed. I, alone salvaged much of our gear when we were in the most danger, and no one noticed. . He continues and Ayre falters for a moment
And what is more I control this spell caster! He does my bidding. Let me lead us to glory, to plunder, to power!
as whatever roll is applicable
Rocky strikes and incredibly inspiring pose and waits
He lifts the coin high above his head
Galean stares slack-jawed at Rocky, the coin, and the situation in front of him.
Sandara sort of chuckles and makes a naughty-naughty motion with her hands at Ayre.
Who here feels that this...being is worthy of the captainship?
The surrounding pirates laugh at Rocky's posing, but shake their heads.
Sandara plucks the coin from Rocky's hands and shoos him out of the circle.
If a captain can't speak for himself he's no captain - his orders must ring clear across the decks in the worst storm or the fiercest battle! You're a brave little one, but you can't have a translator in the declaration.
She laughs and flips the coin again.
Who stands forward to be captain of this crew?
"He's just gonna grab the coin again."
Rocky puts on a different hat and moves back into the circle and does it again, though in a different accent
Taking a deep breath, Yuki steps into the circle and picks up the coin before Rocky gets the opportunity to continue his shtick, "I'll stand up to be the ship's captain, if her sailors will have me. Before I was press-ganged by Harrigan, I served on other pirate vessels so I know how to raid and how to sail. As you all know, I'm a great talker, so if we need to recruit new people or negotiate, I won't have any problems convincing people to give us the best deal. I helped organize the mutiny, bringing you all together to earn your freedom from the tyrants Plugg and Scourge. Nymph, Galean, Ayre, and I all survived the dangers of that island where undead, giant monsters, and the queen of the squid-goblins all tried to eat us. We also rescued the crew that were kidnapped, so you know I won't abandon you in your time of need."
"I believe I'm the best person for the job, and, if you all agree, with my leadership we'll all get filthy stinking rich and become infamous throughout the Shackles for our cunning, courage, and relentlessness!"
As we have learned I am just a stooge of Rocky so you have to win his support.
Rocky is, mysteriously, unable to lift the coin having been rejected from the ceremony once - but Yuki, as a new supplicant, is able to pick up the coin and state her case.
As she finishes the pirate crew cheers - perhaps not as heartily as they could, but they seem to accept her captaincy.
Sandara smiles, relieved, and plucks the coin from Yuki.
Long may the captain sail! You must appoint your officers, then it's time for the proposal of where we sail and the vote!
Sandara puts the coin in a pouch and the pirates begin to consume the rum as you start to party.
The next morning it's time to set sail, so you gather the crew together to propose the vote on destination.
Rocky slumps over in defeat, and salutes the new captain.
Ayre scoops rocky up and puts him on his shoulder. Maybe next time pal, I could use your help in my workshop I plan to make
I could use some supplies. I figure I can set up in the back a decent Alchemy lab, on one side, a medical rest area on the other, we can set up that hammock. But beyond that I could realy use some new spells, I got lots of space in my book here but no way to get new ones. Lets go plunder some mages tower or something!
Ayre says at the meeting, he sends Rocky to start organizing his medical room.
After being proclaimed Captain, Yuki gathers together Ayre, Galean, Kroop, Nymph, and Sandara in the captain's quarters, "Thanks for your support guys, I won't let you down. Now, as some of us discussed earlier, I'd like Galean as my First Mate, Nymph as the Bosun, Ayre as the ship's surgeon, and Kroop will stay the ship's cook. Sandara, I'm thinking maybe make you Master of Arms or have Nymph take that role and have you act as Bosun. We need a quartermaster too, I think we might want to have Galean do that along with his position as First Mate."
"Of course, if you guys aren't interested or want to take a different role as an officer, just let me know."
"Next, I think the next best step is to follow Kroop's advice and get the ship squibbed. Assuming this place he mentioned is close by, we'll sail there first, pick up provisions, and maybe pick up more crew if we need them. After that we'll sail the area and see if we can't find some ships to raid."
"We'll need a new name when we get the ship squibbed, so the floor is open to your ideas. We could just change it to something like 'Besmara's Promise', unless we really want to piss off Harrigan and change to something insulting to him. Either one of those type of names might make it easier to find us though."
She then replies to Ayre's requests, "What's the purpose of this alchemy lab exactly? I'm not totally against it, but I'm afraid of a fire starting there if we get into some rough seas. Moving the magical hammock to help the wounded is a good idea though, go ahead and set up an area for that."
"When we get the ship squibbed we'll ask the proprietors about finding you some of the magic stuff you need."
Well, if we are gonna be out fighting and plundering and I suspect checking out islands, we will be needing to counteract various diseases and poisons. In the lab I make ways to counter those. Additionally we can make Acid, Liquid Ice, Bottled Lighting and all sorts of useful gadgets. Think of grease that can be used to make ropes slide easier as we raise and lower the sails, universal solvents, air crystals so we can breathe for a short time underwater, I could go on. The only risk of fire is if someone who doesn't know what they are doing is in there messing around with stuff, and I would only be making things that burn on special order, and no way I would do that in a rough see...no thank you. Additionally there are plenty of reagents that can put out any chemical fire we come across, at least chemical fire. And perhaps, if I we are lucky eventually I can start brewing potions, and making wands, maybe even some other magical items . And if we really wanted I could whip up some sleeping poisons that could be useful...hell I could make stuff which we could then sell when we pull into port. Seems like it could pay for itself.
He ponders a name...How about Gallean's Galley? Or the Albatross? Maybe the Shark's Tooth? The Wave Runner? The Rocky 2? Maybe we want people to underestimate us...The Free Candy?
"That does sound pretty useful. Okay, if you can give us assurances that there's no chance your alchemy lab is going to start a fire, then I don't have a problem with it."
"Does anybody else have a suggestion for the ship's name? I don't want to name it after anyone serving on the ship, that leads to bad luck."
Won't be getting any fire out of me...probably should get a strong chest with a good lock and a good lock on the door.
How about Pluggs Scourge?, or Shackles Finest, the Dragon-cause dragons are pretty cool.
Galean laughs as Ayre's suggestions are submitted. "Plugg's Scourge is very, very cheeky. I like it.", he says, making his way towards the wheel. "I'd suggest deciding it all the way until we reach the squib, though, it'll be hard to change it after we take over the high seas in an adventure of fame, glory and plunder!"
The crew cheers up tremendously at the prospect of loot, and begins setting a more liberal policy of running the ship.
Meanwhile, Fishguts pulls out the chart he finds in the captain's cabin and shows you where on the map you need to go to reach Rickety Squib.
Give me a Profession (Sailor) check - the higher the result the easier the journey.
[ooc]Roll a 1!
geography if it helps
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
After a series of long, drawn out, totally mismanaged directions, a storm, two close encounters with angry mating whales and one time you were pretty sure you eventually arrive at Rickety's Squibs, three days journey to make 100 miles so you still did fairly well.
Rounding a tall headland reveals a hidden cove at the mouth of a wide jungle river, its sluggish brown waters staining the waters of the blue sea like an ugly bruise. A series of docks has been built upon this estuary, with buildings concealed beneath the overhanging limbs of the jungle beyond. A wooden watchtower stands upon the promontory of the headland, carefully concealed among the trees to provide a clandestine view of the seas.
As you sail past the headland a checkered flag of yellow and red is raised above the tower.
boom
Ayre, you see several humanoids milling about the building and a longboat being rowed out - before it hoists its sail to come meet you.
Any orders from the captain?
"What do you mean, turn left! There is no left or right on the ship, g~!@&$nit!", shouts Galean. "And I'm pretty sure that that compass is pointing towards East-South East for some reason..."
He politely removes Nymph from the wheel and sits behind it. "Waiting for orders, Captain!", as he continues the approach into the cove.
"Hmm, what about Besmara's Revenge or maybe just The Revenge?" Yuki offers a couple more suggestions before the first officer meeting is adjourned. "Oh, and we'll need our own flag too, but let's worry about that later."
* * *
* * *
"Come to a stop and drop anchor, they're probably just sailing out to meet us and find out what our business is." Yuki gives her order to Galean in a voice loud enough for the crew to hear after she takes a look for herself in the spyglass.
The crewmen on the longboat hail you.
Ahoy there! Permission to come aboard!
Ayre stands aside with Rocky on his shoulder, and he waits for the important people to take care of things
"Ahoy! We're looking to get this ship squibbed. If you guys can help us with that, come aboard!" Yuki calls back if the men don't have weapons drawn or seem otherwise aggressive,
Clearly they mean to take the ship.
As they climb aboard, the sailors appear to take stock of the ship.
Aye, we can help with that. Ye want the ship squibbed but it'll cost.
The man looking at you is short, stoop-backed old man with a
leathery, weatherworn face, watery blue eyes, and a halo of
frizzy white hair.
I'd need to inspect the ship, ye got any idea what ye want done besides the squib?
"How much does squibbing usually run?"