Chell stays very busy once they dock. Now that her stretcher bearers are freed from sailing, they can return to treating the wounded from the fight. Even after she has done all she can to make sure they take care of, she stands at the rails and frets over the fate of the prisoners on the Weasel. And niggling at the back of her mind was all the other things. The shark, the full moon, finding the local healer. It was enough to take the wind out of her sails. "I hope I get a vacation after this. An uninhabited tiny island that only I can find. That would be nice," she muses out loud.
On board the Weasel:
The Rabid Weasel's crew clams up during the conversation between victors and the men in the longboat. Best to be quiet, not and not to speak ill towards anyone. However, the gunner mate does confirm Bri's comments about the survivors and Capt Flynn being the aggressor. He dares not to speak a word about Capt Dre, so he just lets that topic slide. "Capt Flynn lost all sense of rational judgment when he ordered the attack. As a lower ranked officer under his command and his crew, we were not in position to counter his command. Mutiny being cause for keel hauling or hanging, as crime on the high sea.'
On board the Baron:
Nearly all eyes follow Flynn's head as it plops in the sea. "Be warned we will have no further hooligans by any of your officers or crew. Failure to abide we result in swift punishment to the offenders and banning of your ship." The harbormaster's nearly shouts as the vein in the middle of his forehead bulges. "You owe 200 gold pieces in recompense for the Realm's End coming back in port." He glares at the half-elf, "How many days are your two ships in port?" He continues on, "State you intentions in port."
Astrianna isn't amused by the way the harbormaster is speaking to her, but she keeps her cool for now. That man needs a good bedding to take the edge off.
She was leaning over the railing for most of his ranting, but she stands up when the harbormaster insists they owe 200 gold pieces for the other ship returning to port. "On what grounds do we owe this recompense? We were not responsible for the attack, or the actions of Realm's End, which is free to leave now if she so chooses- frankly we could use the extra slip. We'll pay nothing more than your docking fee for our two ships." That bastard won't be fleecing us for coin.
Astrianna continues to address his questions. "We're not sure how long we'll be here, a few days at most. Myself and the co-owners of these ships are looking for some information we intend to find here, as well as resupplying." She thumbs over to the Weasel. "We may also be looking to sell the cargo aboard the Weasel and the ship itself, if you know any buyers."
If possible the forehead vein thickens to near bursting levels, He waves that your lines are not to be thrown to shore. "You brought the hostilities to our shores." He is hostile. He doesn't seen to soften at the mention of selling goods but does respond, "We're a cargo pit, of course, we have buyers."
Astrianna scoffs at the man's asinine logic. She is on the edge of telling the man that she will come down there and personally stuff her boot so far up his ass that he will be able to taste the salty leather.
Inhaling deeply and exhaling, Astrianna composes herself. After everything they went through to get here she's not going to get them kicked out. She knows that she won't be able to talk him down on the stupid recompense or the docking fees, so she changes tact and tries to at least get on better terms with him.
Splaying her hands in front of her, the half-elf sighs. She knows the garbage about the Realm's End probably isn't true, but she pretends like it is. "Hear me out. We removed a hostile vessel from your waters that had every intention of disrupting your trade with no regard for the rules of the sea. If it wasn't for us, Captain Flynn would have attacked the Realm's End just as eagerly. As a show of good faith, we'll pay your recompense, and we'll pay three nights worth of docking fees for both ships immediately, regardless of how long we actually stay." She certainly appears respectful and composed on the outside. Bastard.
"Now your thinking with more than your legs in the air." The crude man responds. "Toss us your lines." He motions to the longboat to permit the Rabid Weasel to drop anchor. that message is relayed to Sorrin and Bri.
The man's bulging forehead vein eases as he rubs his grubby fingers over his stubbly chin. "More the boarding planks over," he directs the dockworkers. When the ship is tied and in place, "Permission to come aboard to settle accounts."
The long boat approaches along side of the Weasel, "You paying your fees 'ere or is Baron taking care of it? What cargo you got to unload?" The men are always interested in commerce, the greed of the sea.
Gunnery Mate, would you produce the appropriate paperwork, please.
Crew, prepare for boarding. Harbormaster agents coming aboard!
Sorrin turns to Norb, speaking so the official doesn't hear. You know this guy, this place? Smooth things over, grease the wheels... Show us what you've got.
We want to be professional, play the game, toss him a few. But we're not to appear eager, not chumps. That's your first official order, thanks.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"There doesn't seem to be much in the way of cargo on this ship. I suppose that's why the Weasel had attacked us. Though we haven't had a chance to do a thorough search of the ship yet since we came straight here after we defeated her. As for who is paying, I beleive the Baron is since that's where our money is currently located at."
With things seemingly in control on deck, Ptahh goes below and searches the bowels of the Weasel. Lets see what she has in her hold... and the captain's quarters.
"There doesn't seem to be much in the way of cargo on this ship. I suppose that's why the Weasel had attacked us. Though we haven't had a chance to do a thorough search of the ship yet since we came straight here after we defeated her. As for who is paying, I beleive the Baron is since that's where our money is currently located at."
"Well the harbormaster sez y'can drop anchor. So, last Capt'n bit off more than he bargain'd fer." He chuckles. "Didn't know 'im, who was it?" He sees the damage to the prow of the ship from where it rammed the Baron. Then he looks over to the harbormater who confirms payment is being made your companions. "Luukin' to sell 'er? Referring to the ship.
Selling her's an option, but not a requirement. Of course, if you have someone with deep pockets and in need...
Your fee for helping would well, be affected.
"Well the harbormaster sez y'can drop anchor. So, last Capt'n bit off more than he bargain'd fer." He chuckles. "Didn't know 'im, who was it?" He sees the damage to the prow of the ship from where it rammed the Baron. Then he looks over to the harbormater who confirms payment is being made your companions. "Luukin' to sell 'er? Referring to the ship.
"I think the Captain's name was Flynn. His body is currently on the other ship right now. As for the selling, well, we don't likely have enough crew for both ships, so we may very well be in the market to sell her to someone who doesn't mind it having a bit of battle damage. I don't suppose you happen to know anyone in the market for ship buying, are you? And while I'm asking questions, do you know of a good place hereabouts for a good drink without drunken brawls?"
Astrianna sighs as the harbormaster seems to relax a bit. She's cross about being cheated out of 200 gold, but between the Weasel and their loot they will make much more than that. "Permission to come aboard granted. Lower the board!"
She retrieves money from the ship's stores, and pays the 392 gold owed for the shakedown- pardon, recompense, and the docking fees for both ships for three days. While she is counting out the money, the bard remarks- "Are you Master Scuttler Khore, by chance?"
Ptahh, Sorrin, and Bri there were 13 passengers as promised that you have liberated from their journey. There were also 15 armed crew men who were below deck, manning the ballista and guards.
Ptahh below deck you find 6 light ballista, each ballista has mount giving it 45 degree swivel (essentially permitting the weapon to turn within the gunwale (port hole) opening), there are 39 bolts. They have a hold pump.
to a pump, used for extracting water from the hold of the ship once it begins taking on water. A hold pump can extract 5,000 lbs. of water per minute (or 500 lbs. per round). A pump is manned by a crew of four. It weighs 1,000 lbs and costs 800 gp. It will take a solid 3 hours to dissemble this and move it if you intend to do so and another 4 hours to put it back together.
You do find three barrels of whale oil but there is no alchemy fire on board. You also have enough replacement sails for one rigging location.
The hold has 3 plunder points of cargo in it (3000 gp value total).
----
As far as the captain quarters you find standard maps from the Inner Sea, Arcanian Ocean to the Razor Coast. There are a few locations marked on the charts near the Razor Coast: Port Shaw, lighthouse south of port shaw, Sharkjaw Docks, Beacon island, Halgrens Rest, and Carcass. There is a captain's journal.
There is a spyglass. Within his cabin there is box of potions: 6 CLW, 6 CMW, 2 CSW. 4 cure disease (CL 6). His cabin has another two plunder points (2,000 gp) of miscellaneous trinkets from that the previous captain had gathered over the years.
On the Weasel:
"Dockmaster Scuttler be the one t'help move the ship." The assistant responds.
On the Baron:
Answering Astri's question about his identity. "Aye that be me."
Astrianna mostly nods to herself. "I had a suspicion."
She counts out the last of the coin and hands it over, hoping that's the end of the troubles.
Only the harbormaster, of course.
But guidance, advice is often appreciated... And, I can be an appreciative man.
Excuse me... is there any law enforcement to ensure the security of the ship?
"Oh thank Quell," Chell says with a sigh of relief. "Their alive." Staring out across the water she is able to see several people come up out of the hold. Quite a few did not have weapons which meant prisoners. That was a loud off her shoulders. Someone over there was either a saint or smart enough to keep them as a bargaining chip. She would bet on the latter. Either way, they were deserving of thanks and mercy.
Once the accounts are settled and the wounded crew, dead and alive, are seen to she approaches the Harbormaster's assistant. Would you happen to know of a man named Alyi'ensi Windborn by chance?"
On the Weasel:
The assistant wharf master looks over the crew and passengers, not saying anything as he takes in the faces. He finally responds to Sorrin, "We've guards in the town but nobody goes on yer vessel or stays out 'ere in the harbor. Keep yer own guard that's me first piece of advice. Depends what cargo you've gots moving...slaves Butcher Jill's buy'n but she not in port." He exhales dreamily, "The good whores are at The Pearl Beds...men, women whatever yer kink. Place is run by Sandra the Fiend of Pleasure" He instinctively glances down to your coin purse for the information departed with. "Oh, and don't f*&^k wit the harbormater, he runs the docks and run afoul of 'im and you may as well drown yerself now."
Good to know. Please do keep me advised.
I checking, so that if anyone sought to defile the sanctity of my ship or any of my crew... I wouldn't have to explain how they ended up gutted, mouths stuffed with their own giblets. Been witness to the damnedest accidents. Shame.
Sorrin as discretely as possible passes a platinum.
There's folk that want to make money with us. There's folks that try to make money against us... Don't hear much from those folk.
Sorrin isn't threatening the assistant wharf master. He's just starting they protect their own.
On the Baron:
Dockmaster Scuttler turns to the Chell, "Might try the Broke Orc."
On the Weasel:
The assistant Dockmaster mentions, "The Broke Orc but ain't sayin' thar won't be a fight...it happens."
With the accounts settled, Astrianna puts her hands on her hips and surveys the docks. She turns to Chell. "Well let's see... We need to release our prisoners, bury the dead, sell off all the stuff we acquired, find a buyer for the Weasel, pay wages and split the booty..." She sighs. "There's a lot of work to do, and that's before we find your healer." The half-elf rubs the bridge of her nose. I need to sleep more.
Astrianna takes care of the first, simpliest matter. She orders that Rex and his crew be unbound and allowed to walk free if they so choose. Her offer of a job still stands. She has the priest escorted to the dock, where he is ungagged and unbound. The bard allows him to keep his holy symbol. "You're in a bad way, priest. I've seen plenty like you and it only gets worse from here. Find yourself some help, or a hit. I don't care which." She thumbs back towards the Baron "If you beg our priestess she might cure your addiction if you can't do it yourself, but she isn't fond of you at all."
She gives a shrug before turning around and heading back to the ship. "If you even want to be cured. Cayden's Luck to you."
Astri when you get to the gagged priest you notice he is not moving and is quite pale and has now defecated himself, while losing his bladder contents. A quick check reveals the man is dead. You certainly understand the need to keep this hush hush from those in the port. Was it a hard drug withdraw or something more sinister, you do not know at this point. I'm assuming you had him stowed away in the officer's quarters, or below deck, when pulling into the port rather than having someone who looked sick on your deck.
Unknown mystery
Bri shrugs at the assistant. "There is always a chance for fights when a bunch of drunk sailors are in one room together. Just so long as the place isn't known for it."
Now that the more emergent tasks have been handled with, Bri turns her attention to everyone still on the Weasel. "All right folks, your priest and my priest are both over on the Baron right now, but if anyone is in need of healing before disembarking, come and see me and I will do what I can for you."
Bri you gather a crew of people: your crew, a few of the Weasels and some of the sailor passengers all looking for some healing.
Astrianna blinks a few times when the man doesn't respond at all after her monologue, which is strange. Usually they have SOMETHING to say. She sniffs the air and wrinkles her nose. "Aw, s!%%... He's gone. Well. Wrap him up." She knows what would happen if this got out, and looks sternly at the marines. "If anyone asks, Ptahh hit him too hard and he died of internal injuries." The bard looks to one of the guards. "When did he stop moving? He was struggling for a good hour as far as I remember."
The bard casts a quick cantrip, and sends a Message to Chell. It tickles her inner ear- "Chell, it's Astri. I need you in the hold. The priest of Besmara is dead, either from drug withdraw or poison, I don't know. We can't let this get out, if they think he had the White Death they'll chase us out of port with torches... Can you take a look at him?"
Several of those in the hold are nauseous from the stench of death. A few using a bucket to vomit in, but within a few minutes they all get their stomachs back. "All of a sudden, he convulse, and couldn't straight out with his stomach, think he threw-up and died of with the gag in." The guards mention. "Made the whole area stink...badly."
Astri you see the man is twisted up and there are clear signs he vomited and choked, but his drastic change over the last couple hours is something you've never seen before.
Astrianna pulls out a scented handkerchief and holds her to her nose, face twisted in disgust. She gags a bit, but compared to the Hungermire this was a perfume shop.
"Quite unfortunate... The gag was meant to protect us from his spells, not kill him." She murmurs, inspecting the body. I have never seen anything like this before. If this was just the brainfog, I'll pass on trying any...
While she waits for Chell to arrive Astrianna flicks her fingers and casts another Cantrip, using Prestidigitation to clean up the area and make the hold smell like freshly baked cinnamon buns.
On board the Weasel:
"Sirs can we start transporting the passengers to land on the jolly? How 'bout leave time?" the crew begins to inquire.
"Yes, transport the passengers first and then those of the Weasel crew that don't wish to sign on with us. As for leave time, give me a bit to go talk with the other ship and see how long we will be in port, then we can determine how long a leave time we can allow folks."
Since the Baron is in port, Bri will the ship in the men's care for the moment and ride in the boat with the first group of passengers. Once there, she will board the Baron and search for Astri and the Captain.
"Our people are asking about leave time, but I have no idea how long to tell them they can have it for. So how long do you all think we will be in port to settle our business and handle the Weasel?"
Wait.
I'd like to hear from the passengers. Where are they from, will they be safe here? Do they wish to stay with the ship, either utilizing their skills for pay or just until we get back to Port Shaw.
"*sigh* Coming." She had never heard of a withdrawal causing someone to die. Why did no one come get her before? How quickly did it happen? No point questioning until she saw for herself. She heads for the hold, prepared for the stench of death only for it to smell like a bakery. Odd. Then she see's Astrianna hovering over the body. Oddness understood. Chell has her stretcher-bearers move the body somewhere she can work and out of the way of the other crew then gets to work trying to determine cause of death.
"Not hard to figure out. Listen up, if anyone has concerns about their safety here or is interested in hiring on with us on the Baron, stay here and talk to Soren. If any passenger or Weasel crew wants to head on to port, grab your gear and wait by the boat. Along with some crewmen to oar who will be coming back to the boat with me of course."
Sorrin gathers the recently liberated.
Simple to us, as we wish to expedite matters. But, let's give them time, lest compassion slowly slip away from us.
You are welcome to join us as crew if you have the skills or passengers. Passengers' passage to Port Shaw will be complementary, you will be fed, clothed and cared for in general. Crew will utilize a shipboard skill and be paid fare wage. Sailing, fighting, cooking, sewing, cleaning... all decent skills.
He shares what he knows about Sharkjaw.
On board the Baron:
Before the harbormaster left the ship.
The Scuttler asks, "Harborin' any halflings on board or slaves to sell? Price be good on healthy ones." The direct question stings those who value freedom. Then he turns to look at the anchored captured ship, [b]"Sell'n her? Come see me if you are.'{/b]
Sorrin when the offer to leave the ship is raised there are quite a few willing to disembark, including a couple of your own men. "We'll take our pay for the loot, and find a ship back ourselves." Two of your original crew rock back and forth, "Not reasonable to stay and fight Capt Dre...the Chaplain was scary...Sir."
Although there are others who agree to stay on at least until the next port or they arrive back at Port Shaw. Your will be able to pick up some able seaman and there are some who just want passage.
@ Bri:
A launch crew gets the jolly in the water and makes sure the boarding rope ladders are in the water as Bri leads them to the Baron. Bri you can see, who you suspect is the harbormaster leaving the ship as you approach.
@ Chell
When you arrive in the hold there is chill in the air but a scent of freshly baked cinnamon buns. The priest is curled up with the gag pulled off his face, he is pale, and dead. There is no sign of life in his body. When inspecting his corpse you notice his teeth are cracked and ground down, especially the molars. You've never seen anything like this and it's mind boggling how this man could have been casting spells a couple hours ago. You suspect that either the dragonfog drug has serious side effect to keep it's users hooked, or something unnatural caused such a quick demise. Although there are signs that he choked on his own vomit you don't think that was actually the cause of death.
Before the harbormaster leaves-
Astrianna says with a straight face- "No halflings on board this ship." The Razor is certainly full of... opportunities.
Astrianna has one last question. "Not interested in slaves, but who's in charge of trading 'smoke around here?"
She is much more receptive to the offer to sell. "There's a good chance we'll sell the Weasel, you'll see us soon most likely." It's quite amazing how the attitude of the Master Scuttler has changed, she's glad she was able to calm him down despite the loss of some gold.
In the Hold with the body-
When Bri finally locates Astri and Chell, they are in the hold standing over a clearly dead body. Emerald eyes turn to the ladder as Bri enters the hold. "How's the Weasel? I assume you flushed out those pirates on the gunnery deck."
In response to her questions, Astrianna shrugs. "I have the feeling we'll be here as long as it takes. Did you see that huge shark on the way here...? Chell says it's the Chosen of Dajobas, and it's why we're here. Which means we're probably going to have to kill it. I paid for three days of docking, just in case. The crew should get leave for today at least. After that battle they need to recuperate..."
Sorrin when the offer to leave the ship is raised there are quite a few willing to disembark, including a couple of your own men. "We'll take our pay for the loot, and find a ship back ourselves." Two of your original crew rock back and forth, "Not reasonable to stay and fight Capt Dre...the Chaplain was scary...Sir."
Not looking to fight Dre or anyone else... He's famous, infamous. I can respect that.
But, he chooses to come after any ship of mine and he can kiss my Qadiran arse. I'll make him legend.
Sorrin looks a little disappointed that original crew are considering abandoning ship. It's obvious he's taking it to heart.
She seemed... zealous. I'm sure she was concerned for everyone's well being, including the recently liberated passengers.
I'll talk to The Chaplain. She might need to hear it directly from you though. If any one or group of you wish to speak to her, I'll be there with you. If you want me to speak to her on your behalf, I can do that too.
Sorrin considers. A leader, an officer has just as much duty their team or crew as crew has to officer, if not more so.
I can't promise absolute safety... or guarantee her or any other officer's behavior. I was not Captain of the Baron. But, I can promise to counsel, guide and speak to the crew's concerns. Do my part to make it better. Never hesitate in voicing your concerns.