Astrianna sighs lightly. "Captain suggests we put out to sea, and considering how long Donovan has been on the waves I'm not inclined to argue. We'll need a few more hands on deck first, though."
"Tides bars and brothels...some'll want to get outta port." He waves it off, "Bit of high tide for sure with the quake...no saying if a rogue wave I'll come. Doesn't havppen oft'n."
"Tides bars and brothels...some'll want to get outta port." He waves it off, "Bit of high tide for sure with the quake...no saying if a rogue wave I'll come. Doesn't havppen oft'n."
Astrianna sighs lightly. "Captain suggests we put out to sea, and considering how long Donovan has been on the waves I'm not inclined to argue. We'll need a few more hands on deck first, though."
"If we have to head out because of the tide we can take Jard then. And may I suggest our first stop be Sharkjaws Dock then?" she says smiling innocently.
She shrugs. "I'm skeptical myself, but we have some other business down the coast anyway, so may as well be safe."
Astrianna thanks the harbormaster for his cooperation.
While they are walking, Astrianna explains what Jessica told her. "Turns out the Jawbone is actually a shark jaw... who would have guessed? It allows Tulita elders and shamans to become more connected to the Old Ways. If we want to seek the help of the Tulita Elders I suggest we recover it first. Hopefully it's still in Thul's possession." Doesn't explain those lacedons we saw... there may be more to the Jawbone yet.
"Donovan is right. We should probably focus on one thing at a time. And if we don't do something about either the black shark or the disease we won't have a port to come back to," she says quietly. "Everything else can wait. And I bet the Commandant would be pretty happy to hear we single-handedly stopped a catastrophe."
"How are we going to get into the sewers if they are flooded? Almost everyone else put out on the off chance of a rogue wave. Might as well use the excuse to leave to run down Father Zalen's advised Healer."
Astrianna reluctantly agrees. "Yes, I'm afraid of that as well. The sewers may be inaccessible... What I was meaning is- If we do seek the aid of the Elders at some point, we should recover the Jawbone first."
On the topic of the disease though, she lays a hand on Chell's shoulder. "I don't think it's quite as bad as you originally believed, you can relax a little. We'll get this sorted."
Bri spots Astri, Chell, and Ptahh exiting the wharfmaster's office. they look a bit harried.
*Sorrin can be with Bri if he wants.
Another thing that you notice is the varies dive bars are packed with people. Nothing like a good earthquake to make you make you lose your soul in bottom of a pitcher.
Bri waves her comrades down and hurries over to them. "Hey guys, was hoping to run into you. We got the ship calmed down and Captain Donovan made it back fine with the supplies he went out to get. I'd like to pick up a scroll or two from the Sam fellow, then I'm good to go for recruiting up some more sailors for the ship."
Astrianna reluctantly agrees. "Yes, I'm afraid of that as well. The sewers may be inaccessible... What I was meaning is- If we do seek the aid of the Elders at some point, we should recover the Jawbone first."
"I agree but its a moot point until the threat of a wave is gone."
On the topic of the disease though, she lays a hand on Chell's shoulder. "I don't think it's quite as bad as you originally believed, you can relax a little. We'll get this sorted."
Chell stands in front of the bard to get her full attention. "Children Astrianna. Children were infected. And I found 6 in an hour. Imagine how many I'd find if I had all day. It might be one were-shark or several. Even then they have obviously been busy. This. Is. Bad. And we have days to do something."
Sam will have
scrolls available. It's a common scroll in any port town.
What else are you looking for?
Ptahh hesitates a moment then turns to Chell, "Perhaps you or Bri could cast an augury to see if the ocean winds... or your gods... know if a rogue wave is coming. Or perhaps there is another ally of ours in town that might be able to cast it. If there is no wave, I would think that we could put off getting crew until tomorrow to focus on more pressing issues, such as the black shark and Thul. If there is a wave, we get a skeleton crew together and get her out to sea."
Ptahh ponders more for a moment. "I think we need to set priorities. Too many things could come up trying to distract us from what is important. The full moon is five days away which tells me dealing with this shark issue should be our top priority. I, umm... we need to protect the wome... oh, uh, Port Shaw from this evil."
What am I saying... Ptahh, think about yourself... I am... I just... gah! What are these women doing to my head?
He shakes his head in disbelief and starts again. "We don't know where to find the black shark or how to kill it or stop it once we do find it. The Tulita might be able to help us but it sounds like they need the Jawbone. And Thul, last we knew, had the Jawbone... do I have that all correct?"
Astrianna raises an eyebrow at Chell. "Yes.. children and adults alike get infected with diseases. One is not more important than the other. We'll help them all- we have five days. Just relax for a little bit, maybe have a drink. We'll get this sorted."
Astrianna notes the bars and taverns packed with people. "Oh, this is prime.. we're sure to find some good hands with all these people knocking them back."
The half-elf blanches at the mention of Sam. "Ugh... that man."
She listens to Ptahh. "That is correct and I agree we should find the Jawbone first, but the others think differently... Right now, our priority is to get more crew to get the Baron up and running."
The bard sets up shop in the Run Aground Tavern, working with and paying Finney to get some food and drinks ready for her speeches. She changes into her red and black noble's outfit with its dashing Dontorian hat (+2 diplomacy) to look extra official. No one better spill any beer on this...
Bri will go ahead and grab all three, just in case and will ask: "Got anything for dealing with sharks or weresharks?"
Astrianna raises an eyebrow at Chell. "Yes.. children and adults alike get infected with diseases. One is not more important than the other. We'll help them all- we have five days. Just relax for a little bit, maybe have a drink. We'll get this sorted."
"The worst most diseases can do is kill you. This one can kill others as well." Chell leaves the conversation at that and gets to helping with recruiting.
Chell thinks on what Ptahh says and saps her fingers as an idea pops into her head. "Not Augury. Something much more reliable though." Before or after the recruiting she finds a quiet place to pray for a few minutes then goes right into the spell she called for. He senses expand to feel every small little nuance in the weather to accurately predict what is about to come.
Bri, looks like the others set up at the Run Aground... Let's do something different.
Let's hit the Chapterhouse, they were low on resources... We could offer free healing to sailors, marines and such. They probably can't work because of their injuries. This would heal them, give them a job if they wished and take some pressure of Zalen and his staff. We explain were with Chell, ask the chapterhouse to point them to The Baron. Seems a win win.
He thinks as he walks around Sam's.
Natives Delight could get word to Tulita. And sailors frequent that place.
Lastly, the Broken Skull. Sailors gamble and the one leaving sullen, need to earn money. We can also ask after Jenkie. What do you say?
At Sam's when sorrin and Bri are about town directing folks to the Run Aground for drinks, healing, and prospect of work Sam does have the traveller's tool.
It's a useful item that he keeps on hand for sailors.
Silversheen.
He has two vials of the substance available. "You know I haven't seen two of the peddlers of this stuff lately, my supply is quite low actually."
Ptahh is showing just enough of lower fang to look menacing and enough for people to understand, he's probably part of any boarding or repelling party.
The Run Aground is packed with bodies and Falgor is working like crazy, along with his serving wenches. The earthquake and potential for rogue waves is the hot topic, when a few people walk in talking about free food, drink and healing, along with the possibility of work. Most importantly free food and drink. This of course has Falgor shooing folks away form the bar. "I"M NOT SERVING FEEBEES...don't know who put that CRAZY idea in yer heads!"
Astrianna, in her stunning black and red noble's outfit, muscles her way through the crowd and laughs as Falgor shoos away some of their potential sailors. She shouts over the rumbling crowd. "He's right ladies and gentlemen, Falgor doesn't normally serve freebees. But if he's getting paid to host a recruitment drive by the crew of the Baron of the Tide..."
She places a fat sack of 100 gp on the bar for Falgor. "It's on me, Falgor, serve them a rib-sticking meal and enough drink to get them buzzed if they're here to speak to me. You know..." The bard raises her voice again, and it is loud and clear. "While we're at it give a round of your signature ale to the whole tavern!"
The half-elf stays at the tavern to manage the influx of visitors and speak to prospective sailors.
At Sam's when sorrin and Bri are about town directing folks to the Run Aground for drinks, healing, and prospect of work Sam does have the traveller's tool.
He has two vials of the substance available. "You know I haven't seen two of the peddlers of this stuff lately, my supply is quite low actually."
Discount if we take it all?
Falgor sees the adventurers entering and he gets wide eyed. Luv me some large scale recruitment time. He gladly accepts the purse of coin.
"Round of free ale? a couple boots stomp with excitement.
"I'll have one.'
Another yells.
"Me too."
"How 'bout some grog or rummy fer me tummy."
"But of course, I'll enjoy a cold ale, barkeep."
"Keep 'em comin', so whatcha luuk'n fer with yer crew. What kinda of pay and terms?" A few sailors bellow. "Who are you?"
Fih-del, fih-del, fid-del, fiddle!! Sorrin stomps and raps a mug on the counter...
Discount if we take it all?At Sam's when sorrin and Bri are about town directing folks to the Run Aground for drinks, healing, and prospect of work Sam does have the traveller's tool.
He has two vials of the substance available. "You know I haven't seen two of the peddlers of this stuff lately, my supply is quite low actually."
"Yeah...whose hiring, now I'm jsut drink'n and list'n, I'm not comitt'n to 'nothin' yet. not till I'm guud and convinced." The sailor thumps his empty tankard on the bar three times. "Ain't no wheres near being convinced of nut'n." He adds.
Astrianna grins at their questions and the excitement of the tavern. "Who am I? Astrianna Sparacello, co-owner of Baron of the Tides. Adventurer, explorer, and one of the best fiddlers in port. Pay is daily wages plus a share of any sea-acquired booty according to the Privateer's Code. That's right... Any man or woman afraid of crossing swords with pirates or find their boots quivering at the thought of high adventure need not apply. We're looking for skilled sailors to work aboard our majestic darkwood vessel and veteran marines to defend him.' She thinks for a moment. "We're also looking for a skilled cook! And some siege gunners for ballista. Now, before you think we're a bunch of idiots running ass-first into danger, myself and my team are quite experienced fighters..."
She goes on to tell of her adventures aboard the Seabear, the shark-man of Thumb's Reach, their exploits against Bonegnaw the slavering gnoll, and their recent journey into the dreaded Hungermire. The half-elf entices them with stories of the riches they found in the swamp, chests full of gold, platinum, and gems with dead men clinging to it...
Discount if we take it all?
Bri makes sure that the barkeep is kept paid for all the drinks they're giving out to the sailors as Astri goes on her spiel. She'll pipe up here and there to add to the story and verify any unbelievable parts.
"Do I look like I do charity?" he says sternly expecting full payment.
Your previous weather check. You can see swells and very high tides coming in the next 48 hours. The winds are going to start to blow hard in the port 45+ mph. There's a storm that is on the horizon.
Come one, come all! Listen to tales off derring-do... Fill your tummy with fresh shark... stew!
The Magus of the Tides... Embrianna, what do you think?
** spoiler omitted **
By the end of the evening you 39 men and women willing to join the ship.
12 our of 39 men below sailor or below
7 landsman
5 sailors
The 27 remaining crew are:
7 marines
8 Able seamen
12 veterans
5 of the veterans have siege engineer experience
You gather 39 crewman willing to sign on to your ship:
7 landsman (dagger/knife only, no armor)
5 sailors (dagger/knife and club, no armor)
7 marines (short sword/club, knife, no armor)
8 Able Body Seaman (dagger/knife, club, no armor)
12 Veterans (5 of these men have naval siege engineer experience)(rapier, buckler, dagger/knife)
Ptahh listens to Astri's tales interjecting a 'Roar' now and again at some of the most heroic portions. He takes up a mug of beer and toasts with those sailors or marines that he can find in the bar, making sure they are getting their fill of the libations.
During the recruiting Chell isn't sure what she should be doing so she takes her cues from Astrianna who seems to be most at home in front of crowd. She helps make sure people are fed and get enough and drink and asks of people's experience on a ship. Unfortunately a lot of them had little to none and would thus need to be trained. And they were going to get their feet wet real quick. Her spell determined high tides and high winds incoming. That was going to challenge a veteran crew. They would all need to be in top form tomorrow. She hadn't spotted Lester yet but she had a feeling they wouldn't get into the sewers with he incoming bad weather. They had so many missions and so many things to consider. Might as well take care of them one at a time.
Get the ship to safety first.
Train the crew. The trip to Sharkjaw Docks would be a good practice run.
And choose a damn captain. Having all of them for recruiting was inefficient. But were any of them up to the task? Donovan was but he didn't seem like he wanted to. Astrianna had the personality but was also reluctant. Herself and Embrianna had the skills as sailors but also didn't want it. We got a decent ship but no one wants to take charge. Maybe she should have spoke more with Bethany. See what responsibilities and skills were necessary.