Devil-spawn and Demon-taint: A Fiendish Take on Skull & Shackles (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

With a dismissive grunt and dark chuckle "Who kicked me Silvertongue? Is it so hard to say? what do you fear by not speaking their name?"

Nachni purses her lips in a pout and looks the man in the eye, "You already know Obi kicked you. She was also frustrated, angry, and thought...apparently mistakenly...that you were about to bewitch her." She smiles with her full array of teeth on display for the man and lowers her voice to breathe the next words softly for only the man to hear. "Is it so shocking that b*!@$es and witches such as we would expect the same from you."
Bluff 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

She nods toward Cedrick, "Fair Cedrick offers you an opportunity to get on our good side. You might want to take it." She casts a look toward Fipps and Scourge's other cronies and lowers her voice again. "You see, there used to be more of them. Accidents happen. Seems that better things have been happening to our friends than our enemies lately. Your choice which you'll be. But, if I were you, I'd consider that Hell and the Abyss seem to have chosen their side already."
Bluff to influence 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Obi looks at the man: Yeh, I kicked you. I also stopped you from dying when you unexpectedly began bleeding from what was not a very strong kick. I am sorry for that.

Now back to what I attempted to offer you before. Each of these berries will give you a small amount of healing, and they will also fill you as though you had eaten a full meal. Something that the cook's food rarely does. If you want them, I make a few each day. If you don't, well then enjoy working in the rigging with swill in your stomach every day.

Yeh, she is not the most socially adept.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

"Are you seriously holding a grudge over a kick?" Joneth intercedes as well, the look on his face almost equal parts disinterest and disbelief. "You are alive," he adds simply, as if this simple phrase should be an adequate argument to settle this discussion. There is no attempt at diplomacy or honeyed words; the rogue seems to be stating a simple fact, albeit a fortuitous one as far as any man with a little common sense should be concerned.

Fish simply looks on.

"Around here violence seems to be almost affectionate. I'm not sure I can easily count the number of times Mr. Plugg and I have bonded over a good whipping. Im pretty sure he's just trying to write his name in my back on account o' how much he likes me."

"What?" The question is muttered almost under his breath as Joneth turns to look at 'Deader', his black eyes a little wider than usual after hearing what the other tiefling just said.

With a dismissive grunt and dark chuckle "Who kicked me Silvertongue? Is it so hard to say? what do you fear by not speaking their name?"

"It's not a question of fear, it's more that I am not one to rat out a crewmate, especially to someone who is not or rather, was not crew. Crew looks after its own first, and it doesn't give up its own at the demand of strangers. Personally I'd kill you where you stood rather than give up an ally and roll over to your demands, thats brotherhood, that's what I am about... its about honour and loyalty. Touch one, touch all."

Cedrick leaves his hand extended a moment longer, his eyebrow raises to suggest 'are you taking this offer or not?'.

Assume its too early to have a few more goes at Dip?

With a subtle gesture, Fish sends a whisper to Joneth. It's the daemon blood. Unhinges the mind more than most heritages. Totally been forgetting that I have message cantrip available.

As a meaningful echo of Cedrick's words "Crew looks after it's own" and the Rahadoumi glances to the left and right to where his kin sit "and you can choke on your words of honour. You want me to smile... put the b1tch in a hood, hands tied behind her back and let me go to work on her teeth with my own foot. Then we can talk... otherwise feck off"

Cedrick's hand, Nachni's threat and Obisyth's offer of berries all hand unwanted in the air and are not received or heard in the manner which they intend.

He holds a grudge, and ain't too trusting of you just yet.
Divide and conquer might be an approach with a bit better luck - and remember that the skinny one knows a bit about your dogs.

_______________________

The next day comes with sunny skies and a light wind, making the hard work upon the deck less bearable than usual. There is an uneasy tension as Scourge and Plugg's favoritism of their cronies grates upon all who are not in bed with them. The Rahadoumi seem to be getting a reasonably easy run - but they don't necessarily appear to be reciprocating just yet.

Retcon:

"He goes overboard on the next watch. Tomorrow the rest of them might get the message"

"What?" The question is muttered almost under his breath as Joneth turns to look at 'Deader', his black eyes a little wider than usual after hearing what the other tiefling just said.

"What?" Deader repeats, cheerily.

Nachni smiles wide in response to Cedrick's plan, "Let me know how I can help. He definitely needs to go."
We're still same day as the fight aren't we?

The timeline is as follows:
Day 1: Fight with the Promise, and drunken debauchery in the evening
Day 2: First day on the Promise, with the discussion with the Rahadoumi in the evening
Day 3: Sailing on with the Promise - and the day with the Geography spoiler

Sorry DMVoV, the guy doesn't get to refuse the chance to make nice, let us know he has a grudge, and tell Cedrick to feck off and then get to see the next sunrise all the while suggesting he wants a get-square with Obi. He's gotta go. Maybe his second in command is more reasonable.

If you guys want to try something on the evening of Day 2 (or any time in the night) then you're more than welcome.

Assuming that the group backs away from the Rahadoumi, they will remain on deck for an hour or more longer before moving below as a group. They are billetted in the same cabin come hold that the rest of the crew are. Only Scourge and Plugg have claimed the finer cabins above, and Kroop sleeps in the kitchen.

When would you like to have at?

Obi looks at the Rahadoumi as he turns away: I sent four of your companions overboard. Not the big fighters, not the nimble lady, me the little blue girl. She pauses for a moment. You should have taken the berry, it is much sweeter than getting buried at sea.

______________

Later to Cedrick: You make the call. I offered him peace and got a threat in return. I will not allow him to follow through on that threat.

Getting into the mood..

Ultimately it would have to be at a time where he is either alone (off taking a leak) or if he has a night watch job. As he's a fresh presser he's probably going to be below decks most of the time. If we can't get him alone easily, if he doesn't separate from the group, perhaps we need a plan b. The best outcome sees him overboard, the worst is an accident. Too bad he now knows who kicked him, would have been great bait.

"Righto Nachni, we catch him taking his night leak, try make it clean as we can... he can't see well in the dark, so we use that to our advantage. Similarly they don't expect much from the dogs, so maybe if that sire I have a bit of a friendship with took one of the mans items the fellow might feel inclined to come out and pursue... who'd suspect a dog having a play could lead to a stabbing?"

We have any deck plans or the like? Otherwise if you just feel like making it a bunch of rolls and 'take some artistic license' we can abstract things to avoid it taking ages :p.

He knew who kicked him already. A lot of people saw it who weren't our allies. He was just playing you. Was thinking of trying to fascinate him, but I only get 9 rounds of performance, so it wouldn't give us a lot of time to get rid of the others. I can grease him or hit him with touch of gracelessness too. I'm not thinking I can get him with the Strumpet's Kiss unless I fascinate him first. Seems too complicated compared to knocking him overboard while he's taking a piss. Maybe a little grease and a push.

Thats right, he did know, he just wanted to test out his macho and see if we'd roll over. Well now he's got a whacking coming.

I'll post up some deck plans of the Promise tonight - but it looks pretty similar to the Wormwood that is currently in the Campaign Info page.

A statement of intent for the night is enough, I'll see if it results in an opportunity and wing it to conflict from there. If not, then progress to the dawn and you can try again the next day.

Next day will be easy enough, is he a rigger? Amazing what happens when spars just shatter magically under ones weight...

The Rahadoumi in question was given a task to do minor repairs on deck today.

Well, lets just see how his night goes, could be a bit bumpy. Nemesis.

Blergh - rough day at work, and couldn't manage a post tonight. Will be incoming tomorrowz

The night deepens and the Rahadoumi remain on deck in a small knot talking among themselves. As the other crewmen begin to turn in below, they take their ablutions off the side-rail and move into the shared main hold. They take billets towards the center and on one side of the bulkhead. You never see an opportunity to take the ring leader alone, and with the cramped confines there are always onlookers of one kind or another.

Apologies for the delay - has been an epic couple of days at work.
Let me know when / if you try something and give Stealth's or any other rolls that apply.
You did see an opportunity to act when only those friendly to you are observing the Rahadoumi and Scourge's cronies are elsewhere.
Note that you can always attempt one way or another to try and separate the group and sequester - and don't forget that there are some crew who might help you in that endeavor.

Map of The Man's Promise
Main deck is at the bottom, then center deck, then main hold up top.
You're billeted in the big room with the hammocks.

If you want fish's help, give her an idea of the plan beforehand and she'll prepare spells suited to it.

"I care not whether he lives or dies," Joneth offers when Cedrick and Nachni speak about the Rahadoumi. "He does seem like trouble though, so I suppose the latter it is. I do not mind lending a hand if needed."

With that the rogue takes his leave, moving to give a helping hand wherever he might be needed. His attention, however, is more or less divided between Plugg and Scourge and their ilk and the Rahadoumi captives-turned-shipmates.

Obi keeps an eye on the one she kicked - all the time. Whenever she and he are within sight, she will keep an eye on him so that he knows he is being watched. When she is below deck, she directs Shadow to keep an eye on the Rahadoumi. If he comes below deck, Shadow will alert her.
I think this is about the extent of the limitations on the communication at this point.

I need a Disguise from Nanchi since she is going to help make me up. What, if any, bonus do I get for using Alter Self - there is no listing in the spell. Disguise Self give a +10 on disguise rolls if that helps.

Also, not sure whether Stealth is really appropriate as it will be more timing than stealth as I want to be seen, but only by one Rahadomi who is not the ringleader.

Let me know what rolls are appropriate and I will roll them.

When are you attempting this? - refer to my post above.
And I am still not sure exactly what you are trying to do - so please make an IC post to reflect intent.

Late in the evening of the first full day as crewmen aboard the Man's Promise... the band of pirates bonded by both blood and circumstance react to a threat. One of the godless heathens allowed unto the crew had gotten uppity... it was time to remove his voice and teach the rest of the bastards their place.

Midnight was fast approaching when Bootlick, Deader and the Green Witch rise from their bunks and stalk out of the hammocks. If any were roused by their passing, they soon pass back into slumber... after all, pirates gotta piss when the need takes them right? Fish slinks from her sodden bedroll also, and positions herself just outside of the bunk, hidden from the view of the sleepers... but still with an eye on the Rahadoumi who had made himself their prey. Joneth and Nachni keep to their bunks - but have weapons in hand and are ready.

With a swift lift and puff, the single lantern burning in the forrad section was put out... after all there was little need for light when darkened sight wound do. Then with a solemn nod from Cedrick, Obisyth and Deader began a slow chanting as quiet as they could muster...

Perception (Target DC 17 - Base of 10 +3 for distance +4 for circumstance): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Perception (Friends DC 15): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Perception (Other Rahadoumi DC 17): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Perception (Das Cronies DC 19): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

...and briefly there are thoughts of success, as it does not appear as though any are shaken into wakefulness. But then a curious turn, as the Rahadoumi that you wish dead stirs within his bunk...

At this point in time it is pitch black, and you can see that he's just awoken... but does not yet have a clue what is going on.
Deader and Obisyth - do you complete your casts? and I'll need an indication from the others as to what they do immediately.

Cedrick sighs deeply, if the man is awake, the gambit fails.
He signals to cut away and collapse the ambush. "His is impossible luck, maybe he is a shaman after all. Tomorrow. Always tomorrow."

Can't CDG the opponent now, and the rats are probably not enough to one shot him reliably. I was counting on the full -10 for being asleep but now he's alert so the plan kinda fails.

FWIW the man did get a +10 to the DC for being asleep. Verbal components of spells need to be said clearly - which I eyeballed as a DC 0 to hear the details of a conversation. +10 for sleeping, +4 for circumstance (ambient noise and such) and +3 for distance to get the DC 17.
Without giving anything away... maybe you could just see if he... you know... goes back to sleep?

Hmmm noisy bloody spellcasties!

Cedrick shrugs as though to suggest here goes nothing.
"Keep it down you f+=+ing lot, people are trying to sleep" Cedrick hisses in the darkness.

Bluff 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Obi stops her casting and waits to see if the target goes back to sleep.

Nachni breathes softly while awaiting the attack. When the Rahadoumi stirs in his bunk, she nearly groans, then settles back in to see what the others will do.

Joneth keeps quiet, not stirring even when the Rahadoumi seems to wake up. The tiefling rogue, his dagger not far from his grasp, simply waits to see whether the others are going to move ahead with the plan, ready to play his part in it if or when the time comes.

Fish keeps to her position. It isn't her plan to alter, but readies a spell to put them back to sleep if need be.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

The Rahadoumi yawns, but doesn't rouse... soon enough he returns to slumber and the bunkroom grows eerily quiet with only the sound of creaking timbers and waves slapping against the hull.

Rinse and repeat?

Sounds good to me.

Yeah retry...praise be to Desna!?

Obi nods and begins to once again summon a giant rat.

Same

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Humming to himself and occasionally singing to himself, Deader works incantations into a soothing ballad about joining the dreams of an ancient god of sailors who peacefully sleeps beneath the seas.

After a momentary pause the gambit is begun anew...

Perception (Target DC 17): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Perception (Friends DC 15): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Perception (Other Rahadoumi DC 17): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Perception (Das Cronies DC 19): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

...but the Rahadoumi with the errant mouth proves to be a stubbornly clairaudient fellow, and rouses with the noise of the chanting...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

...though he shows no signs of identifying it for what it is. He mutters darkly "Bastards not lettin a man get his sleep... just not right dammit" and remains very much awake, but still prone and oblivious to the true-est intent of the noise.

Looks like ye can't catch a break :P - dost thou continue with thy quest?

"Fish, the man can't sleep they keeping you up too?" Cedrick comments in a coarse whisper; he hopes Peq-Pez gets the message...

Let's do this, and may the dice gods favor us. DM, DC is 15.

Fish sings the words of her spell, a lullaby for dreamless sleep, and directs it towards the fellow who won't go quietly to his fate.

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

You briefly see the man's brow furrow as he notices a new voice in the dark with foul words on their tongue. However a moment later he succumbs to magically induced slumber.

Summoners can now dictate the appearance of their rats - and Fish will need to offer instruction.

Yay!