Bart nods drunkenly throughout the conversation, grinning widely the entire time.
The gnome woman shrugs at Quillin Do your work. Get up on time. Don't make enemies... The gnome smirks ever so slightly at Quillin, You seem bad at that last part.
Quillin laughs. "Live and learn. It keeps life interesting anyhow," he finishes with a wink.
After talking to the others, Fjori makes his way down to the hold to take a better look at the creature chained there. While he is fairly certain it is human, he is not really sure of the person's purpose.
"Hey there! You awake?? Why do they chain you like this; like an animal?"
Seeing the convocation break up Mel takes herself off to her hammock
Grok looks Hassan up and down, Aye I have the fiddle. Don't let the name fool ya, iffin its in the store its the Capn's property. Why you want it? Too small for you. And that little b*%+* wouldn't trade nothin but insult for it. Whadda ya give me for the thing?
Owlbear seem perturbed by Fjori's inquiry rising to his full heign of almost seven feet. In the muddled light of the officer's cabin Fjori can see that the man, and it is indeed a man, has patches of tar and feathers plastered upon him. The man's eyes, bloodshot from drink and wild like an animal, flare at the presence of the large Nord and the man attempts to strike out with his hand. Obviously senseless with drink Fjori easily steps away from the chained up man but this "Owlbear" pulls against his bonds for a moment like a dog pulling at a chain. After a few seconds he makes a sort of prancing gesture like monkey and hoots and hollers at Fjori. It is easy to see, drink or no, this man is not in full possession of his senses.
"I have plied you with fine tasting food and sweet drink—as sweet as I can make it, with the materials at hand. Since what was mine is now property of our fine captain, I have nothing else to offer, unless you barter on promises.
"Why I desire the fiddle is between me and the fiddle. But when I leave it must be with that instrument in my hands. Tell me what I must do to make this happen, and by the gods it will be done."
Mhmm the fancy trick might have value...but you seem an okay sort so I will barter on promises...say....10 percent of your next share? Its a fancy fiddle fer sure. Grok scoffs at her comment with sort of raspy half laugh.
Their meeting concluded, Ajani decides that it may be a good idea for him to try and strike up a conversation with the other riggers, seeing as how he's working with them all day and they are most likely to be the people he will need to be most familiar with should their alliance ever come to something more than it is. This firmly set in his mind, he seeks out Samms Toppin, as there's a question he's been wanting to ask her since he first noticed the human woman in the rigging with him.
Upon finding her, he greets her merrily, asking how her day has found her before pointing out that, like she, he also prefers to wander the ship barefoot, though his experience with humans and most other sentient races lends him to believe that the vast majority prefer footwear of some sort.
"My people, the Vanara, almost never cover our feet, as they are very sensitive and we use our toes as much as our fingers for climbing and moving through the trees of the Mwangi jungle. Tell me, Miss Toppin, is it for this reason that you prefer to remain without shoes in the rigging? Does it make it easier for you to move about and get where you need to go? Or is there something else to it?" he asked, his tone genuinely curious.
"Ninty percent of something is better than one hundred precent of nothing, oh mistress of hard deals. I accept your offer."
Hassan takes possession of the small fiddle. He bows again with a swish, and is at once out the door again. He makes the main deck again about the time the others are starting to go their separate ways. He gives the strings an experimental stroke with the bow (), managing to strangle out a competent tune on the small instrument.
He stops in front of Rosie, and offers her the violin. "I think the quartermaster has ripped me off. This thing is too dainty for my clumsy fingers. It needs a delicate touch. Here small mistress, play us a jaunty tune so that we might be entertained."
Quillin calls it a night and rises early the next day to surreptitiously refresh his memorized spells.
Rosie claps excitedly and takes the fiddle in hand, actually taking a moment to hug Hassan's leg before seemingly catching herself and taking more of a "serious" face. You've made a friend tonight sir! Caught up in her elation at retrieving her fiddle the remainder of the evening is filled with the capable and enthusiastic playing.
Toppin seems quite curious with the Vanara and enters into a wandering conversation about the ease of going shoeless and many many questions about Vanara and the home of Ajani. What starts off as a somewhat muted conversation quickly turns to a friendly game of "ask the monkey as much as you can since he is talking to you" with an end result that Samms seems pleased with the exchange and offers Ajani a good night before slipping away to her hammock. Safe to say a friend was made for the druid tonight.
ZZZZZZZ...ZZZZZZZ
[with a hand on my knife just in case]
Ajani retires to his hammock, glad to have made another friend among the crew. He finds himself actually enjoying the curiosity that Toppin has about his people and homeland, glad that someone was interested in him just for curiosity's sake.
Bart isn't quite sure if he fell asleep at the table and someone moved him to his hammock, or if he managed to stumble down there on his own. Either way, that's where he woke up at.
Very possible can i get a stealth or sleight of hand(is that bluff now?) check, default to dex?
Everyone gets to bed as their tasks and conversations allow, now a more formal rag tag group than merely perceived as one...except the flowery Keleshite who spent his night elsewhere.
The following morning leads to dry mouths and hurting heads for some but less aggression for all as there is no morning surprise, or assault or truly any insults or antagonism. In general there is *work* and your "opponents" as they have acted seem pre-occupied with other things.
Hassan is sent to haul rope and work knots with Quinn while Fjori is spared the bilges but sent to swab the decks instead. Mel's performance as runner was obviously noteworthy as he is set to run the ship for the day again.
Bart is put in the crow's nest while Ajani is sent to work the sails and lines as the ship makes way. Quillin is informed by Plugg that in an effort to keep stores from depleting too quickly the cook's mate will spend his time catching and hauling fish for the addled but conscious Fishguts to cook for dinner.
The day is hotter than it has been but the movement of the ship and the occasional northbound cross breeze keeps it bearable in all but the deepest bowels of the ship. A hot spell is likely coming and if it gets much worse the work will be all the harder with the sun beating down.
Hassan: DC 10 Pro Sailor or Str, DC 10 Con
Fjori: DC 10 Str or Con
Mel: DC 10 Acro and DC 10 Con
Bart: DC 10 Climb and DC 10 Perception
Ajani: DC10 Pro:sailor or Dex, DC 10 Con
Quillin: DC10 Pro:fisherman or Survival
Day actions and what not. Ahoy!
Ajani sets about his work with diligence as always, glad that, for the moment at least, the group's detractors have decided to lay off. He scampers about in the sails, taking care to accomplish his duties to the best of his ability.
Though he gets his work done in fine fashion, his fur does little to protect him from the sweltering heat of the day on the high seas.
Acrobatics
Con check
Mel scampers around the ship at Plugg and Scourge's commands..it appears the officers have it in for her today as they keep her running from one end of the ship to the other until by the watches end she is more than ready to call it a day.
She does take time to work on the cook today stopping by to offer Quillan 'helpful' advice on sea fishing and swapping yarns with the semi drunk Fishguts
Diplomacy as influence on Kroop
"حقا لقد تخلوا عن الآلهة نجل الحقيقي لها. كل يوم أن الكلب تمكن من العثور على أسوأ مهمة بالنسبة لي," Hassan mutters to himself darkly.
Nonetheless, he takes to his task with his normal facade of smiles and light, greeting all of his shipmates warmly and singing Kelish sailing songs as he works.
He works diligently throughout the day, making friendly small talk with Quinn as time allows: "Tell me, oh glorious queen of the seas and skies, how it is you came to be aboard a ship such as this. One such as yourself should be relaxing in the shade, eating figs and sipping on sweet sherbet, not laboring in the hot sun with one so lowly as myself."
He performs his tasks with the graceful ease born from years of practice, but as the day wears on the heat of the sun begins to sap Hassan's strength. By the late afternoon his smile has worn down to a smirk.
While not exerting himself to any great lengths, Fjori finishes his tasks adequately. During the midday meal he attempts to hide some food, which he later takes to 'The Owlbear' in an attempt to gain some rapport with the beast.
Bart climbs up the rigging and into the crows nest where he spends the day staring out into he open sea. Bart's eye is keen and he notices everything of import. Bart focuses on his work, ignoring the small, foppish pain in his rear.
"Fishing?!" Quillin scoffs. "I'm going to need my lucky hat then. What do you say Grok? Can you help a gnome out?"
Quillin spends his morning trying to win Grok over and then tries his hand at fishing. None too successfully and Smudge doesn't help by perching nearby calling "Here, Fishie, Fishie, Fishie!" through out the ordeal.
Influence Grok
fishing
Quinn smiles at Hassan, Oh I seem the sort for figs and wind blown beaches do I? Perhaps...when I have taken what I mean to take from this world and I have paid my Mistress her due. Nah, I love the sweet trade and love the salt and spray. Servant of Besmara or no I pay my price and my due for greater rewards in time. In general thecleric is amiable and sure handed in her work though Hassan notes she speaks little of herself in any concrete sense. As the heat and the day wear on the Keleshite feels worn and well fatigued.
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Quillin is given his hat by a smiling Grok, Oh aye the fish wuoldn't know ye big enough to eat them unless you had this majestic hat to scare them intas your net! The half-orc turns that hat over easily enough and offer the gnome a wink Mebbe I find your other stuff if the fish is plenty enough.
Fishguts on the other hand becomes increasingly more concerned as the day wears on tht Qullin simply isn't bringing enough in. I'll hide it as best I can but I need to use some o the stores to get meals made proper. If Plugg finds out he may take you for a word. Sorry to say but I'll do what I can.
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Hot and parched Mel spends her day on the run but manages to make handful of welcomed visits by the cook and quartermaster. Kroop responds well to Mel's humour despite his tension over the fish and he seems to warm up equally to the young man much as the quartermaster had the night before. By day's end Mel, though still thoroughly worn from her work, has seen a few extra pieces of jerky and fruit and a small cup of water of the coconut which despite its odd flavoring is far more refreshing than just a normal dip in the barrel.
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Fjori moves about his work resolutely and mutely focusing his efforts on getting some extra food to work his plan with Owlbear. In the mid afternoon Fjori sees a perfect opportunity between a strike and raise to go to the dim witted man below. At first the meeting is fraught with tension as Owlbear acts first aggressively then overly oafishly almost like some perverse jester. There is confusion and anger in the eyes of the man as Fjori attempts to interact with him and offer the food. Sure it is a trick, Owlbear attempts to threaten the Nord but Fjori's knowledge of beasts seems suddenly appropriate here and the two mountains shaped like men manage a strange pantomime and grunting report that leaves Owlbear with food and much calmer and Fjori certain that the man, beast like or not, seems to no longer consider the freebooter a threat.
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Bart keeps his mouth shut and his eyes open and though the day passes slowly Bart manages to make notify the deck when a pod of whales runs the risk of connecting course with the ship and when another vessel appears on the horizon but then tuns off and out of sight. The day is quiet for the Chelaxian and perhaps just as well as Bart doesn't seem to be in the mood to be too social himself. It doesn't hurt that the crow's gets a steady wind so the day is not too unpleasant despite the beating sun.
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Without the random rains or the humid breeze of the jungle at home, Ajani cooks in his fur and feels fatigued by the time the day is done. Despite this his work is stellar and the Vanara is occasionally offered snippets of friendly conversation by the likes of Quinn and Samms Toppin as they move about on their tasks on deck.
Satisfied that Toppin is a friend to him, and glad to count her among them and for her friendly conversation throughout the day, Ajani tries a couple of times to draw the only other rigger who seems to share his view of their taskmasters, Ratline, into conversation.
Quillin looks pained at his lack of success fishing. "Damned parrot wouldn't shut up and scared the fish away is my only excuse. Well, that and I ain't much of a fisherman. Maybe I just need better bait..."
As the Rum ration come round Mel manages once again to ditch it without being spotted even though her tiredness makes her a little clumsy
Stealth to Ditch Rum
She spends a little time telling some not altogether sucessful tales and then talking to the Halfling Rosie asking about her music and where she learnt how to play so well.
Performance Orate
Diplomacy as influence on Rosie
After that she drags herself back to her hammock.
Dumping his rum ration again, Fjori decides to take a turn down at the stores, as it seems almost all his new companions have been there. While not actually looking for anything in particular, he does try to strike up a conversation with the cook and quartermaster, asking about 'The Bugbear' mostly, but also a little about themselves. He tries to make it a mostly social visit, not asking for anything, but making it clear that he may be available to give them a hand if ever needed.
Quillin needs a drink after his day fishing and downs the grog as he socializes.
Cha bonus
fatigue
Con
Fort
He decides to visit with the halfling rigger this evening. "Hey, how'd you get a nickname like 'ratline'? Is that anything like a fishing line? After my luck attempting to fish today I might have to start catching rats in the hold to supplement our meals..."
Diplomacy
Afterwards, Quillin calls it a night.
Tired from the long day, Hassan waits for an opportunity to dispose of his rum, and quietly makes his way to his hammock.
After collecting his rum ration, Ajani holds onto it for a while, making his way across the deck to sit with Toppin, hoping to engage her in further conversation and solidify their friendship. "So Samms...you are from the Soddenlands, yes? I know little of that area of the world, though it is not so far from my homeland...the stories all say it is a miserable place, though. Would you be willing tell me of your home? I would like to know of it."
While speaking with her, he does his best to nonchalantly empty the rum out of his mug by drips and drops, hoping to avoid detection by anyone who might have something to say about it.
Bart lines up in the evening, getting his meal and his rum as per usual. Pirate life, it seems, comes naturally to the big man. He already feels like he's just going through the motions. Bart sits at a table by himself, silently eating his meal and washing it down with his rum. Wonder if any o' me new "friends" is gonna come for a chat. They seem ta be chatty sorts.
:
: : ; : ; :
They must be watering this stuff down more than I thought, Bart thinks to himself.
Ajani finds that his talk with Ratline doesn't really go anywhere but the halfling does not seem hostile despite the lack of spark in the conversation.
As the night rations are handed out Mel finds her performance is rusty but her chatter with Rosie productive as the halfling revels in her reunion with her fiddle and talking about her time as a younger woman travelling the shackles learning about ship stories and jigs despite being more of a "physical" type.
Fjori makes a successful introduction to Grok who seems way too drunk for her own good and makes a lewd comment or two about "finally seeing a man who might be the right size". This leads to uproar from the cook but Fjori's overall impression is that he has made inroads.
Ratline offers Quillin a similar muted interaction with little in details and no true spark. Still the halfling man seems approachable if not just a little aloof.
Hassan heads from ration to deck to hammock. The night passes quietly enough and sleep is deep and easy.
Samms opens up quite eagerly with Ajani and speaks about how the marshes and climate of her home are not to her own liking, preferring the salt and spray of the open ocean. None the less the woman is eager to tell what she knows and seems, more than anything, to find the young Vanara of a likeable sort.
Bart keeps to himself and that seems to be the direction things go for the night as no one goes out of their way to approach the large man and Bart heads to the hold earlier than many for a decent spot of rest.
Another morning comes and like the morning before there is no attempt to waylay the group.
Rations are handed out and the groups break to get their daily work when Mr. Plugg motions to Quillin, Cook's mate. A word.
This can't be good. Quillin thinks to himself as he nervously steps over to Plugg. "Yes, First Mate?"
Mel rolls out off her hammock ready to meet the new day her previous nights tiredness gone.
Fjori gets up and heads for the deck. He wonders what task he will be assigned for the day, and if he will have enough time to visit the 'Owlbear' again. He is also not too sure he made any impression on the Quartermaster lastnight, as she was so very drunk that she might not even remember him. He also wishes to speak with the group again, just to keep in some of the crews mind that they are together...maybe saftey in numbers will bring some others over to their side.
Ajani wakes and stretches languidly with the new day, the constant work giving his muscles a true test of ability. Still, he doesn't feel nearly so fatigued as he did yesterday evening, his talk with Samms and a good night's sleep restoring his energy and spirits.
Sliding down out of his hammock, he yawns, twisting his upper body and otherwise doing a few stretches before following the others to the deck for the day's work.
Plugg looks over Quillin disapprovingly, Despite Kroop's best efforts he is a drunk and has no mind for numbers. The stores are short and the fish in last nights meal was light. I can only assume you efforts were less than satisfactory. I'll spare you the cat as I have a diversion that I think will make my point...
Plugg is interrupted by Scrimshaw Jake climbing from below decks, Mister Plugg sir! A word sir! Urgent sir! Plugg casts an eye at Quillin and steps off as he colludes with Jake off to the side. The boy is obviously excitable but Plugg seems to take everything in stride and sends the boy off.
Plugg returns to Quillin with his ever neutral if not cold expression but a smile plays about his lips though his eyes show no humor. Looking at the gnome Plugg speaks up louder for others to hear. Change of plans. Master Scourge. Form a party and see that they are armed. The cook's mate is leading a foray to the lower decks and bilge... we have stowaways...giant rats of some kind...Jake says they could eat a man... Plugg's eye linger on Quillin again as he speaks, The mate has made some friends. Send them with him.
Scourge flashes his teeth Aye, sir. Scourge looks around and points at Hassan You, time to practice your pretty talk. Scourge points at Mel and Ajani, Boy and Monkey you can help. Scourge casts about sand sees Bart, Lets see how you big fists and tough talk fare below. Finally Scourge turns to Fjori, a twisted smile forming on his lips. Oh yes. I think its back o the bilges today for you.
Scourge gestures at the assembled group, You'll each get a blade that you'll return as they're the ships not yours. Those of you who don't come back? Well someone else bring their blade... Scourge gives each of you a standard issue cutlass and gestures to the stairs below. Get to it.
Hassan grimaces at the notched steel cutlass pressed into his hand.
"Hmph, I have never practiced with a blade. Particularly one of such... quality as this. But with a spear I am as deadly as wind that blows from our cook's backside. I had a fine short spear with me when I came aboard. If the bosun would lend me a spear such as that, I would kill a thousand rats and one. To all the gods of heaven I swear that it is so."
Scourge gives Hassan an indignant look, You just love the sound of your own voice doncha? Belly ache to the Quarter if your precious spear is so important, I don't care. Scourge waves off the Keleshite dismissively.
Fjori takes a few practice cuts with the cutlass and leads the group down into the bilge, keeping his eyes open for any rats.