"Suny" |
Suny leans on the edge of the half-ling's boat and return the smile.
"Oh aye. Is all righty. Were tha' stinky feather brain whut done tha' hole makin'." Suny frowns for but a moment, "I mean, why dun't poeples want ta' be talkin'? I dun't understand it a'tall!" She gets ready to bring the pair back to the ship.
Reijo Ilvonen |
Seeing there's an understanding, Reijo doesn't bother to waste words with the li'l picaroons. He just stares at them without a moment's flinch, cross-armed with lit pipe-in-mouth, letting his hellborn intensity put the fear of the gods into their little hearts. He lets them row both boats back to the ship, his own now being grappled to theirs.
I know they're already cooperating, but... has anyone noticed that Reijo can be a bit grumpy at times?
Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
The more wounded of the halflings makes a very visible show of tossing his shortsword over the side of the rowboat. Together, they turn back towards Suny.
Without looking directly at Reijo, the woman inclines her head towards the grumpy pirate pulling up alongside them. "He's not going to... you know, is he?"
"Suny" |
Suny who is helping push the Haflings and their boat, there by towing Reijo, back to the ship glances over her tanned shoulder at Reijo and notes the strange look upon his features smiles reassuringly at the lass,
"Nah. Am sure he's gon'a hang his stern ta' lee-ward if'n he needs ta be goin' to." (^_^)
Not sure if I need ta post swim check? Suny can 'Take ten' and get a nineteen...
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
Though the halflings stay as far away from Reijo as they can, the grumpy pirate and the ever-pleasant elf pull the launch back to the Magpie Princess. After a few minutes of heaving and hauling, the two rowboats are pulled up near to the deck and the halflings stand beside Hyrix.
The tengu glares daggers at them, but makes no effort to speak or harm them.
Reijo Ilvonen |
Before the halflings get very far after boarding, Reijo grabs each by the back of their collars, lifts them up, and shakes them down very roughly! He's looking for concealed weapons and gear, though, not to throttle them to death... at least, not yet. He removes any packs they may have as well. Whatever falls to the deck or is otherwise found on their persons gets stashed into the removed packs and held firmly by the pirate. A menacing glare is what the halflings get if they even think to protest.
He later isn't having any of this standing around business with the tengu. "Ain't no time ta be havin' a reunion, ye lazy swabs! Get ta werk!" The brutish pirate throws a mop at one halfling and a bucket at the other.
Lighting up his pipe, he looks to his mates. "So we best start repairin' them sails now..." Looking at Bellamy, "Ye ain't be havin' one o'yer, ah," searching for the right word, smirking upon finding it, "poshuns, ye knows, fer fixin' things real fast, now, would ye ole Blindey?" Looking at Ol' Salty, "Or ye, old man?"
Search the halflings for concealed weapons or gear, such as thunderstones, potions, etc., anything that might be dangerous or used to deceive/escape the ship:
Perception, search Ella: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Perception, search other halfling: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 What was the other's name again?
"Suny" |
Suny does her best to help straighten the poor, bedraggled halflings after Reijo's rough welcome. Then happily bounces away to being showing them how they can help with the fixing of the ship.
Diplomatic:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Profession Sailor:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
"An' remember... When a' Captain askes who be doin' all'a nasty to her ship? Ye point ta' stinky beak, like, okeys?"
Hehe! Reijo and Suny be playin' Good Pirate, Bad Pirate. (^_^)
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
A number of coins and a dagger or two fall out of the shirts, pants, pockets, and unknowable other secret spaces on Ellara and Elodin as Reijo gives them a hearty shakedown. The two of them look rather confused by the sudden change of demeanor as they go from being attacked to imprisoned to deckhands (a position they were not entirely unaccustomed to). Though not their leader--who remains stubbornly silent, though you can tell he wants to scream at someone the halflings take to Reijo like a new captain:
Frantic nodding and a rush to attention. They dash off down the deck, a few more coppers falling from their clothes, as Suny points them in the right direction to get the Magpie Princess back to shipshape.
With that taken care of, you're more than welcome to take a collective 20 on Profession (sailor) and other relevant checks to get the ship back to... Well, mostly normal. Either way, shall we fast forward to dawn?
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
It is a long night.
Between magical and mundane repairs, you manage to put the sail back into one piece after a few hours of work. The captain's cabin looks almost cleaner than when you started, and the deck undoubtedly so. The halflings look almost contented with their lot, though they do their best to avoid Reijo entirely.
Hyrix, now tied to the mast like a bad cliche, nods off to sleep at several points. Reijo and Viktorra take turns waking the tengu up with sudden and rather rude pokes, prods, and at least one heavy-handed slap across the beak (which was, in retrospect, not the best of ideas).
Finally dawn arrives, dispelling the gloom of night and the memories of the bloody battles that had just transpired across the Magpie Princess' decks. Within an hour of sunrise, a commanding voice calls up from the bay.
"Cap'n coming aboard!"
Ropes are thrown onto the deck, but Captain Lanteri doesn't wait for the crew to pull her launch up. With the skill of a lifelong sailor, she scrambles up the rope and crosses over the bulwark first--a smirk on her face and adventure in her eyes. Clearly you are not the only ones anxious to hit the seas proper. She casts a slow gaze around the ship, but is interrupted by the sight of Hyrix Snowfeather. His black eyes glare back with cold fury.
Like lightning, Lanteri draws her pistol and levels it at the tengu. He grins.
"Varosa," he mutters quietly, victoriously.
"Snowfeather." Her words are seething. "The traitor returns." She stomps towards him, cocking back the hammer and squaring her aim at the tengu's forehead. "I'd hoped you'd be this stupid. You execution should be personal."
The captain's launch finishes its rise to the deck, where Horemheb stands with arms crossed and his perpetual scowl. He waves an arm at you, then barks an order: "Clear for the Cap'n's justice. This'll be good."
"Suny" |
Suny scrambles to stand with every one as the call rings out about the captain boarding.
With a light hand, one on each halfling's shoulder, she awaits developments as to the fate of Mr Stinky Feather.
For a moment Suny can't keep back a large, wide yawn as all the events of the previous evening have her looking a little blearily at the scene unfolding.
"That feller sure do has a right knack fer makin' freinds, don't he?" Suny says quietly to the haflings in regards to Mr Stinky Feathers.
Reijo Ilvonen |
Waking from a snoring, sound hour of slumber as someone kicks him to consciousness, the angry man rises to find the captain boarding. Sneering at Hyrix, "Hmpf. Oughta be good."
Reijo enjoys the fierce exchange between captain and tengu with a smirk as he lights up his morning pipe. He seems fine with letting her dole out her "justice."
He does recognize her implicit admittance that she knew the tengu would try something like this, and that therefore he and his mates were being tested last night. Reijo processes this... and takes it well. He's even sure to boast, "Aye Cap'n. We gots ye a fine, feathered present. Birdie wasn't nuthin' I couldn't handle."
Best not say nuthin' bout the bloody witch 'at gots away, though.
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
Reijo takes a few minutes searching through Captain Lanteri's cabin, looking for whatever it was the tengu might have wanted.
It's certainly a nice cabin, befitting of the captain, but there isn't anything in particular that seems worth a midnight raid. There's more than a few charts of The Shackles, well labeled with the most treacherous reaches clearly marked and the most profitable trade lanes circled. The cabinets hold a variety of suitably captainly garb, including a collection of rather fancy hats. There's plenty of random trophies--heads of exotic animals, feathers and scales and eyes, a few weapons past their glory days--but nothing that immediately shouted valuable.
Also of interest is the pistol-shot portrait hanging on the wall, now half-covered with a chart. Though most of the figure's face is missing, the well-dressed figure depicted seems to have the look of a sailor. If you didn't know better, you'd say the ship behind him was the very one you stood on. A brass engraving at the base reads 'Warvil Lanteri, of the Magpie Prince'
"Good," she says simply. She stops a few paces from the bird, as though wondering if he was worth the bullet. Hyrix takes advantage of the moment to squawk a word in.
"Is it, Varosa? Warvil's rolling in his watery grave because of your treachery. I'd always said it was bad mojo taking you aboard, but he wouldn't hear that."
If the words got to her, the Captain didn't show it. "It is, Hyrix, it is. A mutineer such as yourself shouldn't have made it off my ship alive. You and your should have been keelhauled weeks ago." The halfling siblings inch towards the bulwark, putting your group between themselves and Lanteri as best they can. Captain Lanteri doesn't seem to notice, shrugging. "A bullet will have to suffice. Last words?"
Worry dances across the bird's face, though a smug sense of accomplishment lay buried somewhere with it. His eyes dart to your group, pleading. "Don't trust her," he whispers hurriedly. "She's more mutineer than me!"
"Suny" |
Moving to further shield the halflings, Suny steps her naturally tanned self forwards,
"Oh aye? AN' why should we be carin'? Ye put a HOLE in me!" And she points to the still red mark upon her self.
"We done asked ye nice, like, an' ye went an' be STABBIN' me!" Suny's voice rises and she keeps stepping closer, fists balling as her ire again builds.
Reijo Ilvonen |
Reijo only partially contains a smirk in response to Hyrix's last words. What he is really thinking, he keeps to himself...
Don'tchye werry yer feathery head, Birdie. Me gots her number. Yer cap'n here'll be gettin' her comeuppance, sooner or later...
Ol`Salty |
Ol' Salty and Lil' Fisher both stand to attention as the Captain boards. They were completely exhausted from their night of fighting, followed by painstaking sail repair and other duties. Still, Ol' Salty tried his best to pay attention. He considered it very important that he got on the captain's good side, for death would only save him otherwise. Pirates tend to have that affect on people.
As Hyrix pleads and warns, Ol' Salty listened. If the captain had been a mutineer, surely that would be terrible. However, innocent until proven guilty, and Ol' Salty knew that trust, elbow grease, and a firm prayer to the Gods were all a sailor had to make it to port safely.
Nhati |
Nhati watches, her brow furrowed. It was clear which side her group was supposed to be on, and they had pledged themselves to this captain. What's more, this Tengu had attacked them. But, Nhati also knows that there are a lot of unsavory characters on the seas in these parts, and that if you're going to serve on a ship, the captain probably had done something in the past you didn't approve of. While part of her worries that justice is not being served, and that in fact Captain Lanteri (and thus the rest of the group) might be on the wrong side of this, the Tengu was also no angel. She makes the conscious decision not to get further involved, hoping that the truth will come out sooner or later, and that she won't regret allowing the tengu to be executed.
She throws her parrot familiar Tai a warning look to make sure that the bird remains silent and doesn't say anything that would get them in trouble. Ruffling his feathers a bit, Tai sits quietly on her shoulder.
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
The deafening report of Captain Lanteri's pistol echoes out over the bay.
Hyrix slumps forward, held up only by the ropes fastening him to the mast. His head is a gory mess of blood and feathers. His words hang heavy over the moment, though Lanteri is not shaken in the slightest. Several members of the crew shuffle and murmur amongst themselves. Others quietly avert their eyes. A glare and throat-clear from Horemheb stills them all.
Slowly, Captain Lanteri shakes her head and stuffs the still-smoking pistol back into her belt. "Damned bird. You two." She points past you, to the pair of halflings creeping their way towards the bulwark behind them. Their eyes go wide as they realize they've been spotted. "Clean this up. Toss the bastard to Besmara without a copper to his name. Earn your keep back, or you'll be joining him."
They nod, darting to attention as they frantically try to untie the tengu without touching what used to be his head.
"And you lot," she says, waving to your group. "Seems we've got some things to discuss. If you'd join me in my quarters..." She hastily off towards her cabin, then shouts back over her shoulder. "Horemheb, you've got the deck. Make sure we're ready to sail when Hinsin and Creed get back."
A round of aye-ayes are shouted back as the crew rushes to work. The ship was in much better condition this morning than it had been, but there was still work to do before setting sail.
Lanteri bursts through into her quarters and flops down into her chair, kicking her feet up onto the desk as she tosses her hat--rather masterfully--onto a nearby rack. "Well then. Seems your first night on my lovely lady wasn't entirely uneventful."
"Suny" |
Suny starts at the loud retort as the Captain fires her weapon. Then winces and 'Eeews' at the sight of poor Stinky feather.
At the Captain's command she turns and skips off after said woman.
Once inside the great cabin and the Captain's reclining comment Suny bounces forwards,
"Aye! He done put a HOLE in me!" She exclaims indignantly, again she points to the healing mark upon her tanned self.
"No-Eyes" Bellamy |
Bellamy winced at the sound of the shot, grateful that he couldn't actually SEE the mess so created.
"Well then. Seems your first night on my lovely lady wasn't entirely uneventful."
"Aye Captain; 'twas a lot more work than we bargained fer." Said Bellamy, understating the case by quite a bit.
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
The captain nods quietly, though she does seem quite impressed with Suny's new scar. The magic hides it just enough to make for an impressive pirate story without marring the elf's natural beauty. Which was rather convenient, considering her propensity for nudity.
"Ah, but that's only the beginning," she says at last, pulling her feet down and leaning forward across the desk. She brushes aside a few errant charts and reveals a much smaller map of the surrounding isles. "Because Hyrix isn't the only one who wants a piece of Redclaw's treasure. Legendary treasures don't become legendary overnight. Innumerable sailors have sought the legacy of Jemma Redclaw and failed to turn up a thing. Hell, half of them probably found an early grave doing so. It won't be an easy journey, that's for sure."
She lets that sink in, as though waiting for one of you to back out of the agreement. For a moment, it seems that the allure of glory and gold is enough...
And then Viktorra steps forward.
"Captain," she mutters quietly, contemplative. There's more concern in that single word than you've previously heard from the valorous pirate. "I've no problem with an enemy or a dozen. But a ship's crew is bound by Besmara's blood. A sacred, if tenuous, bond." She hesitates, reconsidering her words but deciding to risk the offense against the captain. "Is there any truth to Hyrix's accusation?"
The room falls silent for a long moment. Captain Lanteri heaves a heavy sigh, then nods.
"Something of the sort. My late husband." she gestures behind you, to the pistol-shot portrait labeled 'Warvil Lanteri.' "To call it a happy marriage would be a stretch. He pulled a pistol on me, I defended myself, and the ship was my rightful inheritance. Not everyone appreciated that fact--Hyrix was the most vocal of that lot."
With a deep breath, she seems relieved to get that burden off her chest.
"Any other questions or criticisms before I explain what I've hired you on for?"
Reijo Ilvonen |
Reijo watches the execution with stoic resolve. It was nothing new to his eyes, having seen many die in his lifetime on the open seas, the deserving and the undeserving alike. Beginning with seeing his own family done in, when he was only a small child...
Inside her quarters, the red-vested sailor nods to her words. When Vik raises her concern, he takes in the moment of tense silence with mild amusement. He hears the captain's excuse... and yeah, that's exactly what he thinks her story is. Surely there's more to it than simply "self defense..."
Aye, right. Pfft!
He knows better than to verbalize his distrust, though. Nodding, "Ye done what ye had ta do."
He takes a seat. Intermittently puffing his pipe, he relaxes, letting the captain carry on with the details of his new job.
Ol`Salty |
Ol' Salty was curious about the captain's explanation. Although hesitant, he tries to seem respectful in his asking. "If'n ye don't mind me askin, Cap'n, what wasit that made the man pull a pistol on ye? If anythin atall, that is."
He'll try to get a good sense of what she's said so far, and of course her reaction to his question.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Nhati |
Nhati silently listens. Doubtless, the story was far more complicated than either the Captain will reveal, or than what the executed tengu would have said. At some point, you have to let bygones be bygones. Nhati knew enough not to fully trust anybody, and to always keep an eye out.
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
NotTheWholeTruth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
The Captain doesn't look entirely unsurprising by the question--she did, after all, ask for more. As she speaks, her words don't seem particularly untruthful or unbelievable, but you suspect that, perhaps, you're not being told the whole truth. At the very least, you're pretty sure she hasn't outright lied to you. Yet.
"A good question," Lanteri replied to Ol' Salty with a casual shrug, "I really wished he hadn't. We disagreed--quite vehemently--about the very treasure we're about to search for. You see, my husband and a few of his old compatriots stumbled onto what they believed was the key to accessing Redclaw's treasure. Being that they all had a rightful claim on it, they knew they'd have to go their separate ways or they'd put knives in each others' backs. So they split the key in three and vowed that the last of them to keep breathin' would earn it, no questions asked."
She pauses, shaking her head slowly as she recalls the tale.
"True to his word, Warvil didn't go looking for the treasure. In fact, he'd kept so quiet about it I didn't even know it existed until I stumbled onto this old letter." At that, she opens a drawer in her desk and retrieves a weathered piece of parchment. She slides it across the desk, letting you read it in full before continuing:
Varossa,
If you’re reading this, then I am most likely already winking
at Pharasma. Never before you did I find my equal in greed and
love of the sea, and I don’t regret any of the scars you’ve given
me. Since it seems likely I’m a dead man, I bequeath to you the
last of my possessions of any worth. This odd little horn may
seem broken and useless, but it’s the key to the lost treasure of
Jemma Redclaw. For safekeeping, I secured it with the guardian
of winds on this isle where I find myself marooned. It’s part of
a greater instrument. If you desire incredible wealth, retrieve it
and then speak with Stormeyes or Harkalm. You’ll have to knock
some heads to get at the gold, but that’s far from new to you.
If I ever loved anyone, you were it.
Warvil
Captain Lanteri takes a deep breath before continuing. "I asked him what the meaning of the letter was, and he told me it was bad old blood. Something he'd left buried after he'd gotten off that rock he was stranded on. I pressed, he resisted, things got violent--they always did, between us--and then it all ended rather abruptly." Again she shrugs. "He really shouldn't have drawn his pistol."
"Regardless, I saw no reason not to fulfill the letter's wish, even if his departure was a bit my fault. Which brings us," she says with a chuckle, "to exactly why I need you. We need to retrieve these... three reasons to live! To avenge my husband and claim the treasure he and I both deserved!"
With a wink, she quietly adds, as though an afterthought, "There will, of course, be plenty of treasure to go around. Enough for a sailor to retire thrice over, if the legends hold any truth at all."
Nhati |
Nhati says, "I'm a bit confused. How exactly are we going to avenge your husband? As far as I can tell... nobody specifically did him wrong-- well, perhaps except for the one who killed him, but I doubt you plan to extract vengeance from yourself. Did the other two try to take the key from him? I think I've missed something."
"Also, where did you stumble upon this letter? He says he's marooned on an island; is this a story from his past that you know? If he still had it in his possession, then clearly he hadn't let go of the old bad blood... but what specifically was the bad blood? It sounds like three pirates found a treasure they knew they'd betray each over other, and did about the only thing that could result in all three of them remaining alive for the near future."
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
Another shrug. "Don't know. He had it in buried in with his things and I stumbled on it while I was looking for--well, nevermind what I was looking for. He wasn't particularly keen on reliving whatever it was, so something obviously happened that was worth avenging."
She laughs, though there's a sense of sorrow somewhere beneath it. "My intent, of course, was to do that with Warvil. The sea's got a funny sense of a humor."
Nhati |
Nhati shrugs. "Things happened. If I'm going to be honest, I'm in this to see the fabled treasure of Jemma Redclaw. If there is vengeance to be had for you, so be it."
Reijo Ilvonen |
Reijo continues to wisely keep his cynical thoughts to himself on the captain's story. His eyes grow warier as she tells her story and answers the questions put forth, though that might just be his default expression.
It don't add up. Sounds ta me like ole Weevil thought bet'r 'bout trustin' our cap'n here. Wonder why. The lass found reason ta be doin' him in, when she found that let'r. But she done lost an ally in'im. So she be findin' a few new fond an' feckless buffoons ta do her dirty werk, til she be pulling 'er pistol on us to take the spoils fer herself.
Ne'er trust a wench...
"Aye." He concurs with Nhati with a nod, but begins to show signs of his restless need to get moving. "Whaddya say we be off an gettin' our just deserts, than."
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
Captain Lanteri grins, her eyes glittering with the same greedy that Reijo's always did. "Lets. Our first destination ain't far at all."
She lays her hand across the charts and stops a finger over Besmara's Throne, an island neighboring Motaku Isle. "The specifics will stay with me, but we'll be taking a bit of a detour. Creed wants to pick up a new toy for his babies, and not even I will get between that man and his artillery. Besides," she adds with a wink, "I'm sure we'll find a use for a bit more firepower."
"You'd all best go and get some rest--especially the pretty one with the hole in 'er. We'll be getting underway soon enough, and I expect you all to be ready for whatever comes our way by nightfall, got it?" She waves you out, seeing no more need for words. As you get most of the way out the door, she calls back as an afterthought, "Oh, and keep whatever the bird and his crooks had. Teach those little backbiters a lesson in humility."
Ol`Salty |
"Aye Aye Cap'n" Ol' Salty responded dutifully. He wrote of his adventures in his journal for a short time, before falling asleep where he sat. Lil' Fisher chirped slightly, before curling up within the old man's lap.
"No-Eyes" Bellamy |
"Aye aye Cap'n!" Bellowed No-Eyes, saluting along with the rest on being dismissed. He gets his seabag and hammock all squared away before getting some rest.
Nhati |
Nhati whispers to Tai, "She's not talking about you", before heading out, finding her berth, and hopefully getting a good solid sleep that will allow her to replenish her arcane resources. (And gain a level Morrowind-style.)
Reijo Ilvonen |
"Aye, Cap'n." Reijo saunters out after his mates. He makes his rounds about the deck, puffing his pipe as he visually inspects the crew at work. On one occasion, he barely restrained himself from scolding a young deckhand not swabbing the deck the way it should be. He had to remind himself, he's not quartermaster of this crew. Nor captain.
Not yet, at least.
Satisfied after a while, Reijo finds a comfy enough place to sit down. Elevating his legs, the pirate finds himself wishing he had a nice hat to shade his eyes from the sun. He positions himself so that the mast's shadow makes up for it. With pipe in mouth, Reijo wanders off into a sound sleep, dreaming of how the captain's quarters would look with himself residing there...
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
Sure enough, when you wake after a few hours (Complete with Elder-Scrolls leveling), you are greeted by the sounds of the sea.
The Shackles was notable across the Inner Sea for its tightly packed archipelago, and for most journeys you were bound to see land somewhere on the horizon. It might have been a simple rock or sandbar, but each bit of land was essential to proper navigation through the region. Plus, it made the sailing all more treacherous--and advantageous to the piratically-minded. Sure enough, the mighty mountains that divide Motaku Isle grow ever smaller on the eastern horizon. The sun has passed its zenith and begun the long journey westward as the night slowly approaches.
The salty sea air rushes past you on the maindeck as the Magpie Princess veers northward. Though Captain Lanteri is nowhere to be seen on deck, the crew operates efficiently. The perpetually grumpy Yamtisy barks orders to ensure that much. She scowls at your group as you all eventually emerge from a much-needed rest.
"Oh," the half-orc grumbles. "Yer not dead. Horemheb had said's much, but I'd had my suspicions. Get ta work doing whatev'r it is you people do." She swings an arm across the bow. "Got'a series'a maneuvers round some old rocks comin' up. All hand's'll be needed to get the Princess 'round em in one piece."
"Suny" |
Suny bounces up on deck, skipping over to Mistress Yamtisy. With a jaunty salute/wave she reports.
"Suny I yam, reportin' fer duties" (^_^) She says in her usually bright and cheery tone.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
"I yam clever in'a riggin' an' know me rope work. I yam good workin' with wood an' can be fixin' things, should there be a need too..." She gives a quick list of her skills to the Sailing Mistress and awaits her instructions of where Suny can best be put to work.
Suny is definitely not wearing a bag on her head as a hat. (>_>)
Reijo Ilvonen |
Grumpy meets a grumpy question with another grumpy question. "Who's yer artist? P'raps I can teach'im a thing er two."
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
Yamtisy perks up for a brief second at the mention of an artist.
Her enthusiasm fades as quickly as it appeared. "Oh. You mean Belina." She tilts her head towards the sterncastle. "She's up on the poop readying for the upcoming twists and turns. Normally the Cap'n be'd piloting 'er now, but she's reviewing something 'er other in her quarters."
She further directs Suny up into the rigging, where there was plenty of work to be done raising and lowering the sails in rapid succession to dash in and around the upcoming rocks. In fact, pretty much anyone without a real preference for work was directed to the sails--keeping them from tearing (for the second time in as many days!) during the maneuvers would be essential to keeping the Magpie Princess moving at a steady clip.
Stopping for repairs would not only be costly, but delay the glittering gold at the end of the treasure hunt...
I'll let you guys decide where you're hanging out and what you're doing, and then it's time for some fancy sailing!
"Suny" |
Suny enthusiastically salutes/waves to Mistress Yamtisy before racing off and scampering up into the rigging to help along side the rest of the crew stationed there.
Profession Sailor:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Acrobatics:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Climb:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
"No-Eyes" Bellamy |
No-Eyes preferred the business of being a ships cook and hung out in the galley whenever possible, preparing and serving hot food for the crew.
Profession (cook): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
If not he made an average sailor, but could bear a hand when needed.
Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 On occasion, the ropes would around him would spookily slither about coiling, stretching or knotting all by themselves. He would also volunteer for watch duty whenever he could, grinning all the while.
But his real pleasure was lighting up a pipe and holding a mug, holding forth with funny stories, anecdotes and even sea shantys in a surprisingly passable voice, especially during and after the evening chow.
Perform (comedy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Viktorra |
Vik would try and stay around the wheel of the ship, as she is most comfortable there.
Should she be shooed away by whoever is manning the wheel, she would at first put up a fight, using whatever charm she can manage to stay by it.
That failing, she would take to whatever job she was given.
Nhati |
Nhati will do whatever she can to help with the sailing. This includes making use of the Prestidigitation, Mending, and Mage Hand cantrips as necessary for random tasks. Other than that, she'll cheerfully dive into the routine business of behaving as a sailor -- although not being a great climber, she'll ask to stay off of the rigging.
Profession (Sailor): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Reijo Ilvonen |
Reijo would make an excellent rigger or helmsman as well, and can do his fair share when the ship is in need of repairs and maintenance. But he's had his fill of doing the dirty work after twenty years at sea, why not take the opportunity to stretch his trained navigation skills once more.
He makes his way over to the poop deck in search of Belina...
Helio RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32 |
The group makes a fairly even split. Suny scampers up into the rigging nearly before anyone asks her to. Nhati keeps a close eye below, wary to start climbing anything herself but near enough to help with the tasks on deck.
Reijo and Viktorra both make their way up towards the ship's wheel, where the smiling Belina greets them with a nod. Though she needs no help manning the wheel, she could use another pair or two of eyes to make sure she doesn't corner too closely in the upcoming straits.
The old and the blind make their way into the ship proper--Ol' Salty into the forecastle where Doc Imogene is already patching up a sailor who seems to have caught something nasty during his stay in Lilywhite. Bellamy meets up with Cobb, who is currently poking about the main hold in search of something to cook up for dinner that isn't salted fish.
Everything seems to be going well as the ship approaches the towering pillars of limestone. Jagged stone spike jut from the water, sure death to any ship unfortunate enough to be speared upon one. With a firm turn of the wheel and a hasty adjustment to the sails, the ship hauls itself sideways and into the dangerous straits.
As the second maneuver approaches, a strange, haunting melody drifts out across the waves. It echoes across the ship, its soothing refrain sinking into the mind...
Initiative time! In addition, everyone but Ol' Salty and Bellamy must attempt a DC 19 Will save (and read the corresponding spoiler below!
As the haunting melody passes from one ear to another, you begin to wonder why you'd ever thought it was so haunting. You look to its source, and see one of the most beautiful and beloved winged creatures you've ever seen. With the body of a mighty hawk and the visage of a Chelaxian opera star, she and her song drift down from 100-foot high pillar beside the ship. Though you can't recall her name right now, you're positive you've met her before. And she was one of your dearest friends. How could you have forgotten that? You should probably go and greet her properly!
As the haunting melody passes from one ear to another, you shake off the strange, fuzzy feeling that threatens to overtake you. You look to its source, and see a half-human winged beast flapping her way towards you. With the body of a hawk and the head of a woman, she swoops down from the 100-foot high limestone pillar beside the ship. She continues to sing as she approaches, and eyes the ship and its sailors with envy. Several of your fellow sailors seem to have stopped working at their tasks and turned their full attention to her...
You hear the faint sound of music from outside the ship, dulled by the layers of wood between you and it. It doesn't sound like a normal sea shanty...
If you emerge onto the deck, you'll need to make a Will save and read the respective spoiler.
Viktorra |
"W-what is that sound?"
Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Vik manages to shake off the entrancing melody, and quickly springs into action.
Assuming that she does actually go first, and there's not a surprise round...her excitement at being back at sea has really shown through!
With her newly enhanced speed (fast movement!), Vik will take the stairs down from the wheel to the middle deck, drawing her pistol and issuing a quick prayer to the Pirate Queen as she does so.
"Sailors, look alive! We've got a beastie incoming!"
If no surprise round, and the thing is in range (50 ft.), she'll take a shot (assuming it's not going to be getting within 10 feet for a touch attack). If there is a surprise round, then she's done. Also, fervoring a Divine Favor.
Attack, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Damage, Deadly Aim: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12