|
Welcome to Formidably Maid - one of the more vile collections of scum and villainy in Port Peril. It's nine o'clock on a Saturday. The regular crowd shuffles in. There's an old man sitting at the card table, making love to his tonic and gin. It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the waitress, she gives you a smile.
The door opens, and a tall dark figure enters the bar with a truly large feathered cloak on. At least, that is the first impression to those who are blinking at the backlit door. Then as the door closes, and the interior dimmer light is restored, a hush sweeps over the room.
A tall lithe strix with dark black wings and faintly pearlescent white eyes scans the room. On her back is a bow, with a quiver of arrows. She wears no armor, only loose fitting clothes. Stalking over to the bar, the tall strix woman sits, and tosses a silver piece on the bar. "Hoy, you, barkeep. Pitcher of ale, and whatever you have for food." Her eyes stay lidded as she scans the bar, watching for trouble. Her body is tight with tension, and she eyes the room full of humans with open distrust and distaste.
Malyoxa makes her way into the bar, Port Peril already wearing thin on her nerves. She sighs as she pulls her cloak tighter around her and finds a table near the back. Her hunger and thirst nags at her, but she has no inclination to deal with that issue at the moment. A little suffering wouldn't hurt her. Only when it reached that moment when it dulled her senses would it be a problem. She scans the room, her eyes settling on the winged woman for a moment.
Is she...no...not quite.
Her heart settling after a moment, she resumes looking about the room. How would she ever earn enough coin to put her plans into motion? These wretches and drunkards didn't seem like the type to have deep pockets, but the novelty of wandering from place to place had faded. She would have to earn enough this time...to keep her belly full, her thirst slaked and her blades sharpened. Memories of her home creep into her mind and that is enough to propel her to eat something. She draws a small package from her backpack. She opens the little parcel and eats the dried meat and fruit within. Malyoxa then takes out her waterskin and takes a few swigs.
For a moment, she rues being without coin. The hope remains that it is only a temporary condition.
Man, what am I doing here?
A young human woman of Tian-Min ancestry enters the tavern clad in a worn, yet forming-fitting pirate outfit, complete with a tricorne hat. Under the hat, her dark hair is kept in a ponytail, but her most disarming feature is her ice blue eyes. She is obviously armed, but that isn't anything unusual for the streets of Port Peril.
Her initial doubts appear to ebb away quickly under the many lecherous stares that come her way and she walks to the bar with a confident swagger. As she waits to get served, she turns her attention to the many other seafarers in attendance, but her gaze quickly rests on the winged woman nearby at the bar. She blinks a few times before regaining her composure.
Wow, Dad wasn't fooling, this city really does attract all kinds!
She orders some rum then sits back against the bar with her elbows resting comfortably. There was bound to be a good crew hiring and if her cursed reputation hadn't followed her here, she would be on another ship in no time. Just as long as it wasn't with winged weirdos!
|
Why? Brek walks into the tavern picking his way through the motly assortment of characters.
His superiors sent him to learn beyond what they could teach him but what did ships have to do with it?
Armed with a well used greatsword on his back, a well knotted pack upon his shoulder and absentmindly playing with his holy symbol, the half orc isn't very tall nor was he big. Stocky with quite a bit of power in his broad shoulders, he manages to get a drink and finds himself a place.
Looking over the crowd, he wonders. How does one get hired as a crew member?
After the barkeeper hastily gets her some food and ale, Kiana relaxes a bit, but only a bit. Too many humans around for her to truly relax.
She does blink at noticing a drow, of all things, sitting at a nearby table. But she shrugs. None of her business.
Gizsmith saunters over the bar. "Barkeep. Grog and keep it coming."
He gives the room his best piratey mean-eyed squint. Here was as fearsome group of salt dogs that he had found yet in his dockside wanderings. There might even be an honest-to-goodness buccaneer among the lot.
|
|
Service is brisk. The beer, grog, and wine are cold, if a bit thin. The stew is warm, and softens the stale bread well. The waitress, Reffa, proudly points out that the fish stew has only fish in it tonight.
The knife-throwing game in the corner is run by a very intimidating female half-orc named Larana. It's apparently very popular, and loud cheers and groans rise from the onlookers periodically. There is some sort of metallic gubbinz swinging in front of the ringed target-board. It only becomes apparent what the gubbinz contains, when it's emptied, and a small ball of fur flies toward the stew pot. Reffa swats it casually away - "Only fish in the stew tonight. Keep your mice to yourself Larana!"
@Malyoxa - Reffa brings you a tall goblet of some dark red wine (vintage not-so-entirely-cheap). She points at a burly, coarse featured human participating in the card game. From part of the way across the room, he's obviously been watching for this to be accomplished. He pokes his neighbor, snickers, then looks back with a look composed of, 'i-can't-believe-they-talked-me-into-this', 'oh-my-goodness-she's-going-to-eat-me-now', and 'she's-not-really-out-of-my-league-i-can-brazen-this-out'. Other hands at the card table seem to be ignoring the cards for the moment, and taking odds on his time to live.
Malyoxa's eyes narrow at the goblet and then at the man across the room. A sudden, violent urge courses through her body as she looks at the "gift".
How dare he! Does he really think he is going to earn my favor with a drink? Or does he want...something more? Oh, how vile! I'll skin him alive. Yes, that sounds good. It'll serve as a warning to his friends, as well.
It was impolite to refuse a gift and, even though she was slumming it, Malyoxa was hardly ever rude. She takes a deep quaff of the wine, smiles as kindly as possible at the burly man and returns to eating the rest of her trail rations. If the man approached, that is when she would make him sorry.
Tirmariah is sitting at a table in the Formidably Maid regaling some eager pirates with stories of her "father" the dreaded pirate Captain Roberts's exploits when a tall, dark figure appears in the doorway, feather-cloaked silhouette bathed in sunlight. As the doors close and her eyes adjust, a sharp intake of breath interrupts her tail. The woman, if such a term is apt, is not actually wearing a cloak of feathers, but has wings.
Having been raised by a man wed to a mermaid, Tiah is not unaccustomed to the presence of non-humans, but a woman with wings is something new indeed. I have to sail with her... she thinks, taking a sip from her mug and crossing the room to approach the strange woman.
As she's crossing the room, the door opens again, but, too excited to meet this strange, winged woman, Tiah does not look. She narrowly avoids colliding with a dark-skinned woman with extremely light hair on her way to the bar, then pauses doing a double-take. Did I just almost run into a drow? Her eyes widen in alarm and her body tenses for a moment, but it doesn't seem as though the dark elven woman is concerned.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Tiah finally addresses the fascinating, feathered figure. "Hi!" she says with a confident grin, "the name's Tiah, and one of these days, I'm going to be the greatest pirate captain in all of Golarion. We should sail together."
That's one weird looking Elf. I wonder if she has some kind of opposite albino thing going on? She's still popular though, that's why there's so many little half-elves running around.
Things seem to be looking up for the dark-skinned Elf, but not for Yuki so she decided to make her own luck. She waves the guy behind the bar over and asks, "Hey barkeep, you know of any crews hiring in here tonight?" She then flicks the guy a small silver piece.
Kiana looks at the human woman as she approaches, the Strix's white eyes slitted with vague hostility. But she listens to the human without comment. When she's finished, Strix stiffly, but politely responds. "I am Kiana Sunbane, last of the Clan Sunbane. I doubt either of us will ever be the greatest pirate. As to sailing together, the fates are said to have a cruel nature and like evil jokes, so it is entirely possible." She turns back to her mug, but then stops, and shrugs to herself. Reaching into her pocket, she takes out an old, blood-stained piece of cloth with a symbol embroidered on it, with officer ranks symbols under it. "If you know what country or mercenary group this belongs to, I would grant a reward within my power." She says, her tone obviously not expecting an accurate response.
Of course, Malyoxa thinks to herself as the poison begins to work its way into her system. It seems that good manners are wasted here. Winning a fight is out of the question. No telling who that insufferable, ill-begotten son of a goat has as friends.
She quickly draws a dagger out of her belt and attempts to hide it on her body. It wouldn't do much if she is stripped, but she really hopes it wouldn't come to that. For the first time in her life, she is scared. Being powerless, especially in the hands of an unwashed prison flea, is the last thing she wanted to feel.
Hopefully, the dagger is hidden well-enough and Malyoxa silently prays to Calistria that she will get to use it before she is victimized. She sets a hand on the table and tries to get on her feet. Maybe she could make it to the door and out into the street before she was knocked out.
Good, now to make the feet work.
Her vision becomes hazy as she stumbles to the door. The air is unpleasant as she hugs the wall outside the Formidable Maid.
Somewhere, anywhere would be better than this. Curse that man.
"Hmm..." Tiah looks carefully at the symbol on the cloth and thinks a moment.
|
|
Brek seeing a symbol on it approaches the two.
"Excuse me", The stocky orc who is rather short at just over 6' asks, Compact frame with strong arms. "Perhaps I may know something about it?" I'm also looking to join a crew as well."
The Drow and winged woman looks interesting but for now, keep to water first.
Kiana raises an eyebrow as the half-orc looks, but she seems marginally less hostile toward the half-orc than she does toward the human girl. "If you can find out anything about it, fair enough." Is all she says. She holds it so they can both see it, her fingers tight on the cloth. The blood stains are obviously years old, perhaps even a decade, considering how old and frayed the cloth looks.
|
|
A look of recognition crosses Tirmariah's face... followed by a look of confusion, then sadness.
Then, with a sigh of resolution, she puts a smile on her face and says, "Yeah, this symbol looks familiar... I'll tell you where it's from, and I'll even help you find whatever it is you're looking for... but, first, you gotta promise."
The strix stands up, towering over the smaller human female. "Promise what, Human." Human is said with a very rough and accusatory tone. The type of tone one usually reserves for 'cockroach' or 'rat'. "I make no promises without knowing what they are for, nor the worth of that information."
Tirmariah confidently stands her ground.
"Promise you'll sail with me, of course," she says with a grin. "If you promise to sail with me, I promise to tell you what I know about the symbol and help you find out more about the people who used it."
|
|
Brek shakes his head.
"I'm afraid that I don't recognise it as anything to do with religion though all I can say is that there seems to be some relationship to unholy or holy text references in this."
At Tirmariah's words though Brek is interested.
"Do you have a ship? I might be interested in your offer if you'll have me."
Kiana glowers down at the much too chipper human, and then looks to the half-orc. "That would not surprise me, the humans who wore this were evil in the extreme." She turns back to the human. "I promise that, if you tell me truth, and you have a ship, I shall sail in your crew for one cruise."
Gizsmith squints blearily at the small group. At the mention of a ship, he grabs another mug of grog and begins make his unsteady way over to them.
"Are you guys pirates? I hear this is a good place to meet them?"
Tiah laughs nervously at all the attention she suddenly receives at the mention of a ship looking a little embarrassed. "Well, I don't exactly have a ship..." she says to those gathered. "But I only asked you to sail with me not for me," she adds to the strix.
"Anyway, that symbol bears some stylistic resemblance to one associated with Sargavan—" Tiah stops short as she notices the drow woman she nearly crashed into stumbling unsteadily toward the door.
She couldn't have had that much to drink yet... something doesn't add up.
Her eyes sweep the room to see who else might be watching the dark elf.
|
|
I don't like the look of that guy...
"I'm sorry. Please excuse me a moment," Tiah says as she hurriedly tosses some coin on the counter and rushes out the door after the drow shortly behind a rather large fellow.
|
|
As Tiah reaches the door and begins to head out, the hefty pirate - shaved pate and all, returns back through the door, bowling into Tiah. He looks startled and uncertain. His expression then changes to a creepy-jovial grin. "It's cold and wet out - and too early to leave. Let me buy you a drink." He stands firmly in front of the door - unambiguously filling the doorframe.
"No thanks," Tiah replies with a friendly smile, "I really need to see someone." She attempts to push past the man, not out of ignorance but hope.
Please take the easy way. Please take the easy way.
Since asking the bartender about work isn't bearing any fruit, Yuki sighs and wishes she hadn't wasted that silver piece on him. The winged woman seems to be gathering a crowd, but that probably isn't her scene so she hops off her stool to get herself into one of the nearby card games. At least, she tries to, but she's immediately overcome by a feeling of vertigo and sits back down.
"Whoa, what's in that rum? That's strong stuff!"
Kiana's eyes go rounded as the little human plays her joke, pretending to know something when she doesn't, and then runs off. For a heartbeat, Kiana almost let's it go, but then she growls. Grabbing her pack, she slips it on (the straps are oddly designed, to hold the pack low on the middle of her back, and thus out of the way of her wings).
She stalks up behind the human girl, and grabs her by the arm. "Oh no you don't, you little human rat! How dare you play such games with me!" Barely looking up, she growls at the fat man. "Out of the way, you fat tub of lard! I am taking this little shrike outside and teaching her some manners!" The strix growls, kicking him in the crotch to make her point.
|
|
Brek winces as do most probably every single male in the room as he subconsiously crosses his legs. Tough as that one seem, that kick will hurt.
He contemplates follwing them and hesitates knowing that he barely knew them. He clutches his Holysymbol dedicated to Gorum and prays for guidance. Was this where he was to go?
"Ow!" Tirmariah exclaims as the strix tightly grips her arm forcing her to support her body with only her toes.
She's got the wrong idea, but for now she's helping me get out of here, she thinks. I'll worry about clearing this up when we get outside.
Malyoxa grins slightly as she passes from consciousness.
They'll kill him anyway...good to know Calistria has a sense of humor. Hopefully, she'll be in a good mood when the time comes for these three...
Thoroughly enjoying the flavour of the evening's entertainments, Gizsmith slams back another flagon of grog and woozily makes his way onto one of the tables. Taking a deep breath, he begins to drunkenly belt out some appropriate music for the unfolding confrontations.
Oh, blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down!
To me way-aye, blow the man down.
Oh, Blow the man down, bullies, blow him right down!
Give me some time to blow the man down!
As I was a-walking down Paradise Street,
To me way-aye, blow the man down.
A pretty young damsel I chanced for to meet.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
She was round in the counter and bluff in the bow,
So I took in all sail and cried “Way enough now.”
He sucks in a breath for another verse, but instead slips on some spilled ale and tumbles from the table to land in a heap on the floor. He doesn't stir from his fall and soon loud snores can be heard.
|
|
Brek notices another two patrons taking a nap.
Is this what pirates do? Drink and Sleep? Or pick a fight? Oh My Lord in Iron, what would you have me do? His brow furrowed as he thinks about his next move.
Thinking hard about it for it seems a difficult problem it is before coming to a suitable conclusion.
Raising his voice,
He stands with his arms crossed making the stocky half orc look rather silly as he stands with his arms crossed while holding on to his waterskin.
|
|
~~~~
Brek sees a tall and thin man with a braided beard and a mouth full of gold teeth gesture him over to his table. He signals the barmaid to bring another cup of what he's got - and a look passes between them, some sign they had a prior understanding.
Similarly, some signal seems to have passed from the barkeep to the thin man with the gold teeth and fancy outfit. He also gestures Yuki over to his table.
Reffa deposits two flagons identical to the one in front of the pirate on his table.
~~~~
Giz's stylings are well appreciated. He is roused roughly and lifted up onto a table. Another cup of grog is pressed into his hand, with cries of "song! song!".
Epic debauchery and piratical drunkenness ensue - some of which may even be recalled later.
~~~~
Kiana and Tiah sweep out past the fat man curled around his tender bits, and out into the evening. They are both far less steady than their indulgence so far would lead them to think. After the two adventurers traverse a block or two - somewhat unsteadily, A high clear voice sounds from behind them, "Ho! Feathers! yes, you. Feathers first, then her friend."
As the ladies turn groggily to regard the striking red headed pirate princess, two thugs come from behind them in the shadows. They clout Kiana promptly into unconsciousness. The redhead casts a spell at Tiah, which seems to slide off of her already-fuddled consciousness. "Damn" mutters the redhead, then more loudly to the two thugs, "Well don't stand there gaping, grab her!"
Yuki gingerly rises from her seat and makes her way to Goldteeth's table, despite being off-balance from the whole world spinning. When she finally manages to arrive, after what seemed like an eternity, she rests her palms on the table to balance herself and gives him an apologetic look, "Um, I think they might have spiked my rum, but, uh, I was told you were looking for crew? I think that half-orc guy is too, at least from all his shouting."
|
|
Brek goes over to the table but not before catching the looks exchanged between man and barmaid. He also notices the female human who looks none to steady upon her feet and her words about the Rum being spiked. Not that he knew what Rum was other than that was a common drink by pirates.
He ignores the flagons placed in front in favor of questions.
"You looking for new crew members?"
As the strix pulls her into the cool night air, Tirmariah realizes she is far more unsteady than she should be.
Damnit... she thinks. I know I didn't drink that much.
She takes a look around for the dark elf, but the world refuses to stand still and she finds it nearly impossible to focus. Just then a voice calls out from behind them. "Ho! Feathers!
As Tiah and Kiana turn to regard the voice, two thugs come from the shadows with saps and quickly subdue the strix while a red headed pirate casts a spell at Tiah.
A rush of adrenaline quickly brings the world into focus, and Tiah manages to shrug off the effects of the enchantment though the poison she must have imbibed continues to press against her consciousness, threatening to carry her into the darkness at any moment.
Backing away from the two thugs but staying close to the fallen strix, Tiah draws her cutlass.
"Was there something I can help you with?" she asks mustering as friendly a smile as she can manage in her condition.
|
|
@Tirmariah - The pirate princess steps back and casts another spell.
As the spell completes, the female pirate grumbles, "These will have to earn back this effort - they'd better be worth it. Boyz, the hard way."
The two thugs swing their cudgels, and charge Tirmariah.
,
The two thugs pile into Tiah with vigor. Though reeling from the effects of the drinks, and bludgeoned to the edge of unconsciousness, Tiah still has the wherewithal to stand and respond.
Seeing no other impactful alternative, Tirmariah attempts to charge the female pirate.
|
|
@Tiah - With an almost startling speed and fluidity, the female pirate sidesteps your desperate lunge. She takes a long step backwards, and makes way for her rougher colleagues to act.
,
Both of the thugs seem to be maneuvering carefully, and avoiding any chance of hitting the female pirate. With an exasperated sigh, the woman pulls out a truncheon of her own, and directs the thugs into an arrangement that boxes Tiah in.
"Is there really no way we can talk this out?" Tirmariah asks, heavy with the weight of poison and fatigue but still determined to make a stand.
Ok, ok, ok. I'm messing this one up. Just breathe, Yuki, you can prove to Mr. Goldteeth you're worthy of his crew.
Yuki sits up straight and over-enunciates her words to compensate for her light-headedness, "Oh me, I'm fine. I think someone spiked my rum, but I can hold my liquor. I'm used to drinking, you'll see."
"I have lots of experience sailing on pirate ships, I'd be a great asset to your crew! I come from a long line of pirates, I'll have you know. I could help train the new ones."
|
|
,
,
@Tiah - despite the darkness swimming up through her, Tiah makes a measured parry of the lady pirate's truncheon swing - Tiah even makes a stylish cut that the pirate princess requires effort to avoid. The two thugs immediately pounce on Tiah from opposite sides, and bludgeon Tiah into the cobblestones. Tiah's trip to the wagon is much less gentle than Malyoxa or Kiana's.
|
|
@Brek - The thin officer replies, "I'm looking, but I haven't seen any crew that can hold their drink yet." He draws a long draft from his own, and looks pointedly at the reeling human woman seated at the table.
Brek look uncomfortable.
"Must a crew member be a good drinker then to qualify? I'm afraid the temple where I came from only allowed water to their acoytes.....strong drink is strongly discouraged."Drawing himself to his full height, Brek continues.
"I won't get drunk as I don't drink so I can be aleart everytime. Would that not be good?"