DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Miss Chances: 2d10 ⇒ (7, 6) = 13
Cedrick stuns the rat and sets it up for Obisyth's murderous cudgel to end it's life. Deader and Joneth grab some of the bilge debris and proceed to kill the remaing vermin from range. The fetid waters go calm as the lifeblood of the dirty creatures ebb out and mix through, the only noise is the quiet clinking as links of ghostly chain slide over each other in the water.
In one corner of the bilge you find a potential source of the rats... a crate gnawed through in one corner and with a sh1t stained interior flecked with grains of wheat. The rats were seemingly mistakenly loaded within the foodstores and attacking Jack when there was no more to eat.
Perception checks please :) - and combat over
Obisyth |
Obisyth carefully scans the area seeing whether there are any more surprises hidden in the water, she also goes over and looks at the partially eaten box to see what it contained.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
After looking for a few moments, the huge green girl reaches down and picks up one of the now dead rats.
I still think that they would add some flavor to dinner.
With that she drops the rat back into the water and a moment later she shrinks back to her normal diminutive size as her club loses its green hue and returns to a normal club.
John Rhasp |
"Gimme a bit, I'm gonna see what Magpie was talking about."
Then without a care, and seemingly without a sense of smell, Deader started combing the disgusting bilge for anything hidden in the fettid water, pulling things up, tossing them over his shoulder when they weren't interesting, oblivious to the fact that they would undoubtably float around to be found again. There was basically no rhyme or reason to his method, but it didn't seem to bother him.
Clearly this would take a while.
Take 20 on a search check. Twice. (because Deader is kind of awful at this)
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
My apologies there, I missed so many times I got used to not having to bother with the concealment miss chance :p
Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
"Keep those weapons lads and lasses, seems they might come in handy after all eh?"
Joneth Revane |
Joneth keeps his dagger in hand as he looks around for anything of interest. As he does so, he notes that the burningt sensation in his leg, where the rat bit him, is getting a little worse as the moments pass. "I think there was more to the rat's bite than just the sharp teeth..."
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Obisyth |
Let me see that leg. I do not know whether I can help you, but I have helped many injured friends, and animals, in my few short years.
Heal(untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Hmmm, seems I remember something about this, let me think for a minute . . . Waiting for the good VoV to fill in the blank.
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Obisyth checks the wound and knows of a few things that can be done to try and stave off infection, but can't identify the disease without symptoms.
You can keep the good roll and spend a night action to provide care for a decent save bonus if you like. Or a Knowledge Nature might tell you something about the sort of diseases that rats carry
In a few minutes spent sloshing through the bilges you find some filthy items that must have been forgotten for some time: a buckler, a well made thick bladed handaxe, and a tanglefoot bag... they stink, but are perfectly usable.
Soon after you've finished your search, you see flickering lamplight above and Scourge's dulcet tones sound off "Oi, you blaggards finished down there?"
John Rhasp |
Deader seems to have little interest in the treasures he's found and as he finds them he tosses them over his shoulder with the rest of the junk. Luckily he takes a good look at them first so everyone clearly sees where they land and can grab them for themselves.
By the time Scourge calls them Deader says
"Good one, Magpie. Well played. Makin' me think there's some kinda treasure down here. Don't worry, I'll get ya back. Jerk."
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
"Coming Mr Scourge!"
"Well if no one favours the hand axe and the buckler I'd be keen on them"
Cedrick picks up the items discarded by Deader, and collects up a rat to show Scourge before heading abovedeacks.
Happy to retcon divvy if we need or rock paper scissors or something
"This is it Mr Scourge, you had a bunch of these down below decks, and some huge spiders too"
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Buckler is metal unfortunately. For a bit more clarity on the items, the bilges is occasionally used for storage, and the items are basically part of the detritus of ruptured or damage stores, etc. Only the desperate would go wading through the bilges looking for gear...
Scourge awaits you at the top of the ladder with a sneer on his face that only deepens when he sees the rats. Barking "Get the rest of them and turf them over the side... then get back to work."
The rest of the day passes without any further cause for excitement, though Obisyth finds her attempts to sneak away into the hold foiled as there always seems to be other crew around and she can't find the time to linger.
Deader exchanges the tale of the rats with Kroop and shares in the rum Normal rum that the cook breaks out. The portly cook isn't a bad sort and he's started to take a shine to Deader's peculiar ways. Deader ends up drunk as a skunk at the end of the day, but with a good sense that Kroop's a fellow that can be trusted. He promises to put in a word with Grok about the misunderstanding of the first day as well.
Nachni manages to convince Grok to give up Rosie's fiddle, though she's short on the details of how, and it's now up to the group as to the best way to approach her about it.
Bloody hour comes and goes without too much excitement. Scrimshaw was hampered by his leg and ends up copping a few rope bashes for his trouble. A fine fish stew is served and Cut-throat brings up the rum tun for another dose of the vile liquid.
Rum and Night actions please, then I'll roll onto the next day.
Obisyth |
After seeing the detrimental effect of the rum the first two nights. Obisyth attempts to dispose of it.
Sleight of Hand(untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
I then choose to tend to Joneth's wound which does not appear to be improving.
--> Using the heal roll, 21, from above to improve his fort save.
Joneth Revane |
"Thank you," Joneth offers as he patiently waits for Obisyth's ministrations to run their course. The rogue showed no interest in any of the items recovered and his own weapon is gone, once again concealed in its wrist sheath. Like the previous nights, he chooses to avoid the rum and only eats the fish stew before retiring, his leg wound making him not particularly interested in any other endeavors except for rest.
Stealth 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Nighttime Ship Action: Sleep.
Obisyth |
Not sure whether you need to make a Fort Save, but might be worth posting it just in case. I am sure that DM VoV will add any bonus from my healing as necessary.
As I check Joneth's leg. I really do not like the look of this. I will do what I can, but without proper tools and training, I am rather limited.
Not sure how badly wounded Joneth is, but here is a CLW for him. If anyone else took more damage, let me know and I will use it on you instead.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Cedrick finds his tales of high seas adventure well received again, and gets a further sense that most of the crew are warming to his post-Naval styled camaraderie... a fact he doesn't think goes unnoticed by Scourge's cronies.
Obisyth tends to Joneth, trying to clean the wound and hunting down some fresh linen to use as a bandage.
Joneth - please make a Fort save with a +4 bonus
Other than that you turn in early to sleep off the travails of the day and prepare for the morrow.
Don't forget that Nachni reclaimed Rosie's fiddle, so that can be put to use whenever you see fit
Day Five: Where an Opportunity is Shrouded
Morning comes all too soon with the clarion call to get back to work.
Cedrick: 1d6 ⇒ 3 - Swab the Decks
Obisyth: 1d6 ⇒ 1 - Man the Bilges
Joneth: 1d6 ⇒ 6 - Mainsail Duties
Deader: 1d6 ⇒ 3 - Fishing
Job checks and Daily Actions please
Obisyth |
No duties for Nachni?
Obisyth receives her daily task and sighs seeing that she is going to be spending another day in the bowels of the boat. From there things only get worse as a lot of sh!t got stirred up yesterday forcing her to spend the whole day dredging up dead rats, spider limbs, and other things that would cause most of the rest of the crew who had not grown up in slave pens to lose their breakfast.
When she finished she looks, and smells, like a cross between a shambling mound and an otyugh.
Work Diligently: (+4 to strength check)
Strength: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 4 = 15 <-- +4 Work Diligently
Constitution: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
Swab the Decks: DC 10 Strength or Constitution check. Failing the check results in the PC being fatigued.
Str 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Cedrick is delighted to be above decks and working outside enjoying the sea air and warm sunlight. He fondly remembers his Taldane Navy experieces and wonders about his comrades, how many toasts they must have raised to their lost comrade... if only that lost comrade wasn't him he thinks.
His spirit is upbeat and positive as he talks to his fellow mates as they work.
Action: Learn more about the crew
Joneth Revane |
Having rested well the previous night despite his aching leg, Joneth nevertheless sighs as he is assigned to a more rigorous and demanding job than the previous couple of days. Even so, he manages to perform well enough, taking a short break now and then and conserving his strength. Once again, the tiefling rogue succeeds in sneaking away during one of those breaks in an attempt to explore a little more of the ship, this time his destination being the main hold.
Fortitude 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 4 = 19
Strength 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Constitution 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Daytime Ship Action: Sneak.
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Joneth sneaks away mid-shift and finds the main hold is mostly empty - bar a dozen or more pigs in cages on one side, three tightly lashed bundles that seem to have oversized crossbows and a broken apart catapult, and a score of barrels filled with either lamp oil or rope tar. In the foredecks area Hungry is tied to the mast, though he doesn't take much notice of you unless you draw close.
The aft section has a set of stairs that lead up to the cabin in the aft-decks - though you've a sense of foreboding about the stairs themselves and Quinn tells you later to be careful as some of the parts of the ship are fitted with brutal traps.
Obisyth and Deader apply themselves to task and complete that which they are set to. Deader himself comes up with a decent catch of silvery scaled fish that Kroop thanks him for and sets to stewing. By means of thanks he sets up a whole fish to steam separate from the stew winking "No need to share everything with the crew eh?" sharing the succulent and well flavored fish between the two of you and Grok, who comes across from the quartermaster's stores. Grok still looks angry... but you're guessing this is more demeanor now than directed at Deader. As you finish, the Captain's cabin girl, Caulky, slinks in to collect the Captain's food. A young and relatively meek looking lass she stays only long enough to collect the plate before disappearing again.
Cedrick puts his new-found camaraderie with the general crew to task by finding out a bit about the officers on board (excluding Captain Harrigan, Plugg, Scourge and Hungry - who you know of already):
Peppery Longfarthing: a female human who is master of the sails and resident sorcerer onboard. She is an old friend of the captain.
Riaris Krine: A hard-nosed lass who is often on decks stalking about with intent and a foul expression. She's the master of the guns and can be seen occasionally checking over the ballista and catapult in the main hold.
The “Stitchman”: A quiet man who doubles as surgeon and carpenter both. Often in some corner of the ship on his own, hammering or mending.
Kipper: one of Plugg's friends, above dealing with the crew directly - and spends most of the time helping out Riaris.
Patch Patchsalt: boatswain’s mate and another of Plugg's sycophants. He's a foul mooded gnome with a fair deal of skin eczema that he's always a scratchin.
Caulky: the captain’s cabin girl who no-one sees on deck. Apparently she only comes out to get the captain's food and bring it through to his room.
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
The end of the day comes as a relief and end to another day of manual labor. Although your muscles are gradually getting into the swing of things, it doesn't stop you from aching and being happy that there's no more work in the day.
Today though it seems that Bloody Hour is going to be a bit different... Plugg explains as Deader and Kroop bring up the evening cauldron of fish stew. "Congratulations crewmen, you were barely passable today and it looks like none of ye need tae be bloodied as a reminder. My little black heart swells with pride in ye." giving a false smirk and patting his chest theatrically.
"Now as a reward I thought we'd have a bit o' entertainment an' sport. Bring him up boys" and Fipps and Maheem emerge from the forward stairs dragging a creature that you'd to date only seen chained to a mast. Hungry emerges into the light led by a rope leash held by the two bigger men and yanked crudely towards the center of the main deck. The crowd parts to give some space.
Plugg looks with cruel eyes and harshly towards the beast with the tainted bloodline. Slapping him to get his attention Plugg talks with sardonic simplicity "Hungry hungry?" eliciting a nod from the creature before Plugg tosses it an almost fleshless fish carcass "Have yum yums." and the Qlippoth spawn starts to crunch and slurp noisily on the fish skeleton. Plugg grimaces and whispers
Plugg continues "Now we all enjoy a good fight... I know I do, so anyone willing to step up and take a round with Hungry here?" pointedly looking mostly at your group.
Obisyth |
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Obisyth stands back and quietly watches the proceedings. She carefully keeps an eye on Plugg to determine what his intensions are with this escapade.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Cedrick completely misses whatever transpired as he instead looks to the rest of the group to gauge their reactions.
"So what'sit going to be fellows? They tested us once below decks and I think we generally gave a good account of ourselves, not sure what this one is about but if no one steps up we might get marked as cowards, perhaps the first one was Mr Pluggs test and now this one is the Captains? We do ok then we get fair treatment with the rest of the crew? Thoughts?"
Cedrick sees Deader slip away, but makes sure Deader can still hear, in case.
"Thought there was no killing on this ship Sir?" Cedrick replies to the Captain, "Wouldn't like to end up on the end of a rope and anchor"
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
"I didn't catch that, so I'll take the warning. What you reckon though? I think it's a test to see whether we've got the stones to fight or not, suppose that this isn't a cargo ship nor a pleasure boat and at some point there's going to be some fighting, reckon they are seeing if we have the stomach for it or not and I am concerned that if we don't at least look like we are up for it that it could well be us in chains next time and used as the proving ground...You reckon we should be backing down?"
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
"Thought there was no killing on this ship Sir?" Cedrick replies to the Captain, "Wouldn't like to end up on the end of a rope and anchor"
The Captain is at quarters as is his usual custom, so the question is directed at Plugg instead. He chuckles before answering "Don't worry Bootlick, this ain't to the death... just bare fists and bloodied knuckles till ye can't stand up." pausing a moment then exclaiming comically as though a lightbulb had flickered on within his head "What about you? - surely you're not afraid of Hungry here?" thumping the back of the sorry looking creature still chewing on the remains of the fish.
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
"Not at all Mr Plugg, though I think the other crewmate here has shown an early interest and is thus entitled to first refusal" Cedrick offers cheerfully
"So whats it going to be boys?" he asides to the party.
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
When Cedrick indicates that Obisyth might be interested Plugg and Scourge both burst out laughing "What the lass? Bloody hell Bootlick, not sure you'd want yer girlfriend coming back looking prettier after Hungry messes her up... by the look of 'er you prefer em ugly." and Scourge's cronies join in the chuckles, as well as a small scattering of the general crew.
Point of note - use of magical abilities in a straight fistfight would be frowned upon by the crew and officers both. That would include use of alter self in this instance.
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
Cedrick knows better than to make a wise reply and bites his tongue and instead tries to judge what might really be going on and whether he was probably the target all along.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
He also watches Hungry closely, remembering the knife that was pulled out of nowhere last fight, wondering if Hungry might have some hidden treachery.
Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Cedrick eyes Plugg and is unable to plumb his intent, but a cursory glance at Hungry speaks a little more to him. Despite the mis-shapen and disheveled appearance, there is true muscle to the creature's frame. It wears but a small loincloth to hide it's privates, but Cedrick can see no hidden weapon on it's person. The way in which the beast looks up at Plugg reminds Cedrick of an abused dog, desperate for some skerrick of praise or attention from it's master.
Obisyth |
Figuring that to step down now would result in ridicule and abuse, the diminutive girl steps forward.
I think what you are doing is cruel and unnatural, but if you want to see a little girl get beaten up for you enjoyment, so be it. I just hope you have a good healer, as this is not going to end well.
She then turns to evaluate how Hungry plans on starting this foolishness.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Joneth Revane |
"Might as well," Joneth replies with a shrug. His voice has the same whispery quality as ever and his tone is even and calm as he sizes the creature called 'Hungry' up. "It would not be the first time the odds are not exactly in my favor."
"Bare fists only and not to the death, yes?" This last question is directed at Plugg and Scourge.
Any effects of the diseased wound I should know of? Joneth rolled a 19 for his Fortitude, so I am guessing he beat the DC.
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
II've already punched out the last bully boy, figured it would be rude to do it again without giving you guys an opportunity to have a chance too. I'd be more than happy to slap their beast around. Dont want to make this the Cedrick show though :p
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
We'll go with Joneth first then
Plugg looks momentarily upset that Cedrick doesn't come forward, but sublimates it quickly. "And we have a taker..." waiting for Joneth to draw close before continuing "But as fun as a barney can be to watch... it's more enjoyable when there's something at stake." withdrawing a leather pouch from his jerkin and bouncing it in his hand so that the jingling can be heard "I'll put out a hundred in Chelish gold on my man Hungry; against.." pensive finger to lips "Now what could a scabby swab like you offer up in trade" tapping his finger against lips until he has an elaborate flourish of inspiration.
"I know, how about my hundred against you, Bootlick and the wee lass spending the next week in the Bilges... are you game for that man?" beaming a predatory smile.
Obisyth |
II've already punched out the last bully boy, figured it would be rude to do it again without giving you guys an opportunity to have a chance too. I'd be more than happy to slap their beast around. Dont want to make this the Cedrick show though :p
I think that the little girl did a lot of damage in both the brawl and the rat fight. Although DM VoV said that they might not like it I started using Alter Self to buff myself up.
As Plugg steps forward and begins to try to put himself in the limelight, I step back and cast Alter Self on myself. As I am already fairly small, I use the spell to make myself a little smaller and a little more agile. (Change to size small, looking the same as I usually do.) The Alter Self spell states that I get +2 Dex. Do I also get the normal size small changes (+1 AC, +1 Attack)?
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
I then step forward next to Joneth.
Bah, I rather like the bilges. Rats, spiders, other dead stuff. What more could a girl ask for.
I then turn and reach up and look at Joneth's face.
You know, looking at Hungry, perhaps I should be the one doing the boxing. I wouldn't want his cute mug getting bruised.
MIDN. Cedrick Dragonne |
"Not right that the reward is his and the risk is mine Mr Plugg, if I'd be paying the price for the loss then its only fair I'd stand to gain from the win. Perhaps a pairs match if you felt that way inclined about it Mr Plugg, put up a seconder and a second bag of coin and I'm all ears, after all, I didn't even get the benefit of a bag of coin last time eh?" his eyes drift across to Pluggs lackeys, particularly the one that got punched out last time. "Otherwise one man one win or one loss is the only fair way ain't it?"
Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
There are a couple of initial mumbles from the crowd before Plugg reacts.
Spitting to the side the First Officer's tone turns sinister "And what makes ye think fair comes into it Bootlick? Why I could just decide to send ye to the bilges every single day until ye rot down there... perhaps ye'd like that would ye? Down there among the rats n' worse that are yer betters?" settling menacing eyes on Cedrick "Iffin ye'd prefer I'd take me gold and still make yer man fight Hungry... Don't you feckin forget laddie, yer crew here... and a filthy newborn pup of a swab tae boot." silence settling in on the crew and no-one speaking to Cedrick's defence.