And The Devil Will Drag You Under (Inactive)

Game Master nightdeath

The night is quiet as almost everybody is tired out from the activity, Sandara moves along most of you chanting spells of soothing magic to ease everybody. Grokk had even given out double rations of grog to everybody.

Highlight of the day was when Riaris Krine declared No eye and Doc as the best throwers among all of those who tried today.
"Only problem, you landlubbers love the water too much."

Reijo's intimidate scares Jape so much that he refused to be seen in the cabins without being accompanied but under orders from Master Scourge, had drove the whip harder against all of you.

Ah, that explains Reijo's bad luck...

* splash! *

"Sonov'a scurvy dog!" Reijo declares as Bellamy's grappling hook knocks the pirate into the water on one of his attempts.

* splash! *

"Git that bloody hook outa Blindey's hands, fer th'love o' Besmara! An' stick it up 'is blind arse b'fore I do!"

"Hee hee hee! Sorry laddie! I'll make it up ter ya come suppertime with somethin' special."
He looks over Reijo's back.
"Here. This'll help." He pulls out a flask of some kind of liquor and pours it over Reijo's back while hiding his whispering of a Cure Light Wounds spell.
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 healed.

The next morning Doc gets up early to prepare his extracts and mutagen and mulls over how to find the mysterious drug aboard the ship.

Morning finds everyone in a frenzy.

A ship has being sighted it seems, a caravel carrying cargo or rich passengers. Rich pickings with few guards.

The cry goes up in the crow's nest as the crew moves like a well oiled machine as they get to work readying cannons and boarding ropes / planks.
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The Silken Dove carries a full complement of guards. A grand total of five chainmail halberd carrying guards. The captian a confident sailor of some twenty years, had hired them to provide extra muscle on this particular trip as he's carrying nobles, loaded passengers as well as valuable cargo in his hold.

Sighting the pirates, the entire ship goes into alarm as the ship while fast does not have any other weapons such as cannons. The sailors armed themselves with belaying pins, rapiers, cutlass and daggers. Bows are brought up to the fore and port side expecting to unleash a full volley at least twice before being boarded.

The captain calls upon all available hands to defend the ship!!

"Ahoy all passengers, get yourselves below decks and lock yourselves in!!! Pirates have being sighted and we cannot outrun them. If you wish to fight, arm yourself and join us above deck. We shall repel these foolish pirates. They'll not find us easy pickings."
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The crew waits as the ship obviously prepares for trouble being caught on the wrong side of the wind.

Riaris Krine gives out her orders as she spins the cannon lightly and lights its fuse, her first shot destroying the target's main sails.
"No eye and Doc!!! Both of yer lead the boarding parties! Reijo and Terry pick a boat and row!!!! Get our boarders up, the rest of us will cover ye!!!

The crew lowers the boat down while others heads for the ropes and higher points of the main sail with their own weapons.
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The pirate ship fires its first shot and whoever the gunner is. That gunner knows what he/she doing as that shot rips the sails apart and makes outrunning the oncoming pirate ship moot.

Battle beckons as all hands prepare and tenses for the incoming confrontation.

No-Eyes thought it was odd for the Captain to detail the cook to lead the assault, but oh well, it was hardly the most unreasonable order he'd ever heard.
He salutes in the wrong direction and barks; "Aye-Aye Captain!" And proceeds to grab a boarding pike on the way to the boat.
To his boarding party he says; "You can't go wrong following me boys!" He says to the wrong direction.

Reijo speedily gets to his locker as the commotion begins. He belts a cutlass and a thin boarding axe, then straps his rolled-up brown coat across his back. Pipe in hand, he lights up, taking a few puffs. Calmly, he nods to Grok and heads out.

"Aye!" Reijo shouts in response to Riaris's orders. "Jus' belay yer bloody trap a'ready, ye grisly wench..." he mutters under his breath.

When he sees Bellamy facing astern, he grabs his shoulders and faces him in the direction of the caravel. And should anyone hand his blind companion a grappling hook, he punches them. In the face. "Knock some sense ina ye, y'witless maroon. And..." turning to Bellamy, "ye best not be pokin' me with yer pike, Blindey..."

Reijo then heads with Terry to one of the dinghies. Puffing away at his pipe, he grabs an oar and begins to row...

"O' course not! I got better control than that!" Replied Bellamy indignantly. "You just make sure we don't have ta swim on the way over!"
He looks around blindly.
"Now; someone hand me a boarding grapple!"

"Aye, Blindey..." Bellamy hears the sound of someone nearby getting punched in the face. And a boarding grapple is not forthcoming...

A Mwangi woman with with brown eyes, short curly black hair, and brown skin appears on deck holding a trident. She has a few tattoos around her neck and biceps, and wears the loose, colorful clothing of the Bonuwat. She grimaces.

"Dem got no right be stealin' dis ship cap'n. De scum in de head, dey be." She seems thoughtful for a moment. "Scum maybe betta' on de nose, truth."

She takes some cover behind the gunwhales and prepares to shoot lightning at a boarder.

No-Eyes thought it was odd for the Captain to detail the cook to lead the assault, but oh well, it was hardly the most unreasonable order he'd ever heard.

He salutes in the wrong direction and barks; "Aye-Aye Captain!" And proceeds to grab a boarding pike on the way to the boat.
To his boarding party he says; "You can't go wrong following me boys!" He says to the wrong direction.

Barefoot Sams looks and groans."We're gonna die aren't we?"

Maheem chuckles as Giffer Tibs in a drunken stupor attempts to hand No eyes a grappling hook on his request only to receive a backhand from Reijo. He picks up the grappling hook.
"Allow me, fellas."

Doc hears the call just as he finishes up with his concoctions for the morning. He immediately downs one of them (dex mutagen) and runs up above, grabbing a grappling hook and rope along the way. "Here we go! Like threading a needle, eh Bellamy?"

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Doc tosses the grappling hook across to the other ship and yells at several others to grab ahold of the rope and pull.

Remidax paces the deck, loosening his weapons in their sheathes. Fools don know wat' they're gettin' into do dey?" As the grapples go over, Remi grabs a rope and heaves to.

Terry makes sure he's properly armed and armored, then climbs into the boat and grabs his oar, grinning as No-Eyes and Reijo manage to keep things light. "Now, remember, boy-o, we have to stroke TOGETHER. Your typical one-up-manship'll just put us in a circle." The chuckle hopefully takes some sting out of the comment.

"C'mon One-Eye! Sing fer us! Drink 'n the Devil had done fer the rest!"

Reijo's frown at Terry's rowing instructions quickly shifts into a wide, smug grin. "Ne'er ye minds me bloody stroke, Lass! We be rowin' right as rain if ye dossit like a prop'r tar, 'stead o'the dainty-like wench ye 'pears t'be!"

"De first one up, dey be gettin' mouth full de ocean" she mutters to nobody in particular.

Nolwazi silently mouths a prayer to Shimye, and readies to call upon a surge of water.

No-Eyes bellows out a martial sea-shanty, encouraging his little troop to greater efforts.
Perform (comedy): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

After handing the rope off to others, Doc pulls a small vial from his belt. As the others board their ship, he looks to No-Eyes nearby and says, "Bottoms up! I'll see you on the other side." He then quaffs the liquid (Touch of the Sea) and leaps overboard.

Grappling hooks hook over the side of the Silken Dove as the attacking pirates pull themselves over and the defending sailors rush to engage them.

The battle is on.

Pirates x 10
Sailors x 6
Guardsman x 5
Current Party
Joining Party

Doc successfully throws over a grappling hook as well as Maheem, then No eyes's ditty sends everyone into a bouyant mood as some pirates fall into the sea blasted by water.

Other falling as their ropes are loosened and thrown over.

Everyone Post one Action.

Nolwazi summons the seas power and attempts to wash a climbing pirate off a rope, preferably into a companion below.

bull rush v CMD: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"Aye, be going in de waters you!"

Shield of Faith AC19, Inspire Courage +1/+1

Round 1_____

No-Eyes swings aboard (an impressive sight as he has an eyepatch over both eyes) chanting away.
He uses the chanting as cover to cast Summon Monster I. A Fire Beetle comes out of nowhere into the fray.
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Fire beetle attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 1 = 11 for a possible 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage.

Doc is swimming for the other boat.

Once the way is open, Terry scrambles up the rope and onto the ship . . ..

Take 10 on the climb, if allowed, is a 17.

Is there a map I'm missing?

Seeing his new found companions making for the other ship, Remi tries to gauge whether he can jump across or should dive in and swim like Doc.

As they approach the sail-shorn ship in their rowboat, Reijo dons his tattered brown coat. He soon after follows Terry's lead, climbing up the rope with swift skill previously unseen (now that someone isn't throwing grappling hooks at him, lol).

On boarding the Silken Dove's deck, an intense-looking pirate quickly takes in the scene before him. Dressed in a tattered brown coat and doo-rag, he puffs away at his a billard-shaped pipe as he draws either a cutlass or boarding axe from his belt (depending on what he sees before him)...

Climb the rope (mods: AC penalty):
Climb check: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 2 = 23

The battle is swift and dirty, the guards simply surrendering as summoned creatures, a blind masterswordsman swinging onto the deck, wet but deadly looking pirates emerging from the seas, clambering up the sides and boxing the defenders in.

The results are clear. The crew of the Silken Dove is surrounded and outnumbered. The captain signals a clear surrender and everyone is bound up as the pirates carry away food, drinks and anything else valuable.

Riaris Krine, the gunner looks at everyone in a clear expression of approval.
"Good job. As per tradition, you get to decide what to do with teh prisoners. Decide and inform me, I'll be waiting at the stern. Don't take too long though. Well done Crew"

Remidax begins pacing the deck of the Dove, wondering what is to become of him.

Bellamy just shakes his head.
"Bah. Just leave 'em. They can make more stuff for us t' take."

Nolwazi spits on the ground.

"An' who be you, and de crew o' dis ship? I be knowin' so dat I can find dem again, an be takin' my tings back, eh?"

She looks defiantly an "No-Eyes", unphased by his blindness. Her mouth is closed in a frown and her eyes blaze with anger.

Sandara Quinn comes up and speaks to all of you.
"You had best hurry and decide, Scourge has given orders to sink the ship in a candle's marks time (10 mins). I think we should bring some of them with us. We lost some men and they could make up the crew as well."

The Captain of the Silken Dove however declares.
"I'll go down with my ship rather than go with you honorless pirates."

'Sendin' the ship t'Davy Jones's Locker, eh? If only Mas'r Scurvy'd be onboard when she be sinkin'...'

The intense pirate puffs on his pipe as he scrutinizes the captured crew with a sinister grin. "Aye. Sparem, me says. An' make tars outov'em all." His grin widens as the angry Bonuwat woman speaks up. Planting his boarding axe into a wooden beam, "'ncludin' the Cap'n. Me ain't wants t'be seein' nob'dy swimmin' with th'sharks t'day."

'The more tars we be havin' t'turn against Mas'r Scurvy and Mis'r Baldy an' their mangy dogs, the sooner me gets me revenge...'

Remidax makes a show of keeping his hands away form his weapons, while he looks for the captain, hoping to broker a deal.

Remidax notices that only Reijo, Terry, No eyes, Doc and the female pirate,Sandra Quinn is around.

The ship seems to sit lower in the water than usual.

"Be seein' what de honor 'mong deeves es! Seems we all be goin' to Shimye-Magalla's arms short like if'fn you not get be doin' sometin' bout it right quick." Nolwazi grimaces.

"Pft! Bah!" Doc climbs back aboard, drenched, sputtering and spitting out sea water. "What?" He hops around, trying to shake water out of his ear. "Yeah, that'll be fine. Just put 'em to work like the rest of us. 'Course, we should think about hittin' port and picking up supplies if we've got more mouths to feed." I could use some more reagents too.

Reijo looks down at the water dripping on deck below Doc, then looks back up to meet the carpenter's gaze. "Nice day fer a swim?"

The pirate looks around and, taking notice of the caravel's shrinking time above the sea, declares, "Lesbe off'en! Or we ALL be swimmin' with'e sharks."

Looking back to Doc, with a grin, "Ye see any Four-Eyes?"

The captain of the Silken Dove refuses to abandon his ship and most of his loyal crew choose to go with their captain, left upon their doomed ship. Maheem however makes sure to see that there are two dinghies with rations enough to last for a month for the crew.

The rest are thrown over board seeking to take their chances in the open waters while the crew gets 3 more members.

Remidax Gotubo & Nolwazi Nkosi are both press ganged into the current crew and if not for Remidax quick talking, they've being the night's entertainment.

The crew is in a joyous mood with fresh rations, rum and most of gold. The captain is pleased enough that he rewards everyone with 10 gold pieces for taking no casulaties for this attack.

One night for all of you to RP your introductions before I move on.

Nolwazi paces around the deck of the ship, her anger rising about her like a storm brewing on the ocean. She paces up to Reijo.

"I be Nolwazi. You gotta good head up dere, I dink. Would you be sayin' to I where dis boat be goin', and what in de stormy sea be goin' on 'round here."

No-Eyes brings over a mug of rum for Remidax and Nolwazi.
"Better drink up! Yer alive an' that's a good deal!"

"You been long days on dis boat dat you be speakin so? I be glad for all de breathin', jus' so I no want no poxy-head man bein' lord-o-captain. I be sea-child; ocean speak to I and I speak to ocean - and de ocean say dat dis girl be free. An' may de storms come from de goddess an' de goddess an' take dem if dey be wantin' to keep I as wench o' ho"

"Hah! You speak well girl! But why speak to the ocean when you can sing?" Cackles Bellamy.
He bellows out a ribald sea shanty.
Bardic Performance:Sea Shanty
Performance: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Nokwazi stares at No Eyes for half a minute before bursting into laughter.

"You da funny man, an' chirp well. Dem sea got a song; listen hard!"

She twirls her right wrist quickly and summons a miniature lightning storm. She holds it in the air a few seconds before tossing it over Bellamy's head. The ball of lightning cracks as it flies by, and static stands Bellamy's hairs on end. "It got de voice"

A few seconds later water seems to leap from her left palm, crashing down around Bellamy's feet. "It got de drums."

She grins at the songsmith.

Reijo looks down at the water dripping on deck below Doc, then looks back up to meet the carpenter's gaze. "Nice day fer a swim?"

The pirate looks around and, taking notice of the caravel's shrinking time above the sea, declares, "Lesbe off'en! Or we ALL be swimmin' with'e sharks."

Looking back to Doc, with a grin, "Ye see any Four-Eyes?"

Doc takes off his shirt and begins to wring it out. "Nice 'nough. Just glad my new concoction worked. No sharks. Don't think I'd be back if there were sharks, would I?" Suddenly Doc's pocket starts moving and he reaches in and pulls out a small wriggling fish. He holds it up by the tail and examines it for a few seconds before flicking it in Reijo's direction.

"Well, where we be off to, eh?"

Remidax accepts the rum from "No-Eyes" with a nod of gratitude. Taking a long pull from the mug, he wipes his mouth with the back of his sleeve.

"Dat hit tho' spot! Thank ye much. I'm called Remidax, what be all your names and where to are ya's sailin'?"

Reijo seems to enjoy the Bonuwat woman's fiery temper. In his gravelly voice, "Aye. Someun's gots t'have 'is wits about 'im 'round 'ere. An'..." he checks out Nolwazi with a lascivious grin, "fergive me fer bein' so blunt, me lov'ly, but... me 'preciates a saucy lass such as yerself. I be Reijo."

Reijo frowns as Bellamy interrupts his conversation and offers rum to the two new companions, "Oi! None fer me, y'bloody scallywag?"

Reijo watches with interest as the magic show goes on. He laughs at Bellamy's lingering, static cling hair do. To Nolwazi, "That be a neat rig, Lucky."

Reijo then finally answers Nolwazi's and Remidax's common question, "Wher to, 'oo knows but the Cap'n? All me knows is we be headin' southwest o'Port Peril th'past half-moon."

Pirate slang: rig = trick

Bellamy cackles with glee as his hair stands on end.
"Ye got the touch an' no mistake!"

To Reijo he bellowed; "What? Are yer hands broken? Git yer own mug! THESE are welcome aboard gifts from those like themselves!"

To Remidax he said; "I be No-Eyes Bellamy, Ship's Cook."
He hesitated.
"Well, more like Assistant Deputy Ship's Cook. You know how it is with new guys."

"Uh, guys? You not notice that this ship's sinking and the rest of our crew's already gone? Quit playin' and let's get back aboard the one floatin' ship 'round here before they LEAVE US. Introductions and gettin' ta know each other can wait until we're not havin' ta swim!"

We already did. Post 337.

Oh. I must have missed it when I was scanning through . . ..

Terry realised his little speech was given but he's the only one left as the others had long scrambled aboard, leaving him the last to leave the doomed ship.

The Silken Dove goes down to a watery grave but the dinghies left behind can be seen bobbing up and down the waves as you sail off into the far horizon.

There seems to be more crew members now but The captain is indeed pleased and no jobs are declared beyond the main duties. The crew give a loud cheer and several thump Reijo and No eyes for a successful boarding attempt.

No eyes however in the Kitchen receives a msg from the Cook himself.

Whispering
"Get ye and your friends to this kitchen at 2nd watch."