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Since I first got here, about a week back... The Tulita reminded my of my own desert nations back home. A simpler existence intruded upon and molested. There are those that wanted to cleave to the old ways, others to embrace the new.
There has to be middle ground... Probably the same here. Dunno. He continues to eat.
"Why Thalios, I didn't take you for the type who enjoys being tied up. Though I suppose we can discuss who those get used on."
Bri will accompany him to his room if he is serious about his offer.
You think the Tulita could use a little bit of hope?
'Thalios has no problem being tied," he laughs and escorts Bri off to his room for an afternoon of raunchy debauchery. Bri finds he has a few special moves with his...
I'll let your imagination run. :-)
The elf pauses, unsure why, but he felt as if some great and terrible tragedy was occurring, perhaps someone had walked on his future grave or an angel had fallen....
Don't be stupid. Nothing is wrong
He tried to ignore the pit in his stomach, but couldn't shake the feeling hhe'd lost something.
The bard shrugs. "Rules are meant to be broken, Adriel. The powerful and wealthy break the rules they established to fit their whims, why should we be any different? The trick is not getting caught, and leaving no trail. I'll show you. In any case, we don't even know if he's alive."
When they near the docks around the outside of the fort she docks into an alleyway with him for a moment. Digging into her pack she pulls out her Hat of Disguise and hands it to the elf. "Put this on, touch it, and think of what you want to look like. I'd say go for a human, perhaps a younger one. Make sure you refresh it every ten minutes, just touch it again. Your disguise popping off in the middle of me talking to someone would be... bad. Let me do the talking, and don't let anyone touch you." The bard seeds her pockets with a few coppers and silvers.
Astrianna waves her hands around her form and creates an illusionary disguise. She takes on the form of a middle-aged downtrodden-looking human male.
She assumes the identity of Nick "Pinch" Dobber, a down-on-his-luck shell diver and trapper known for his ability to get a cage full of crabs every time, who went from growing up in the Shackles to trying to make it rich pearl diving in the Razor.
Nick walks out of the alleyway, slouched over with a permanent scowl on his face. His hands are shoved into his pockets, and he looks back at the elf. "C'mon patsy git yer arse over 'ere." The man grumbles.
There is a great rumbling in his throat as he spits a great glob of phlegm on the ground. "No good damned help these days."
He looks about for a street vendor to talk to.
Bri enjoys an afternoon romp and then returns back to the inn to refresh herself and await the others. She will hang out in the common room of it and nurse a drink or two.
At the end of the docks near where Falken escaped you find a female yelling at a few men,
I’ll take me boot to ye jelly-boned thumb suckin’ cruds!" She kicks at one of their arses. "Ye scabby-arsed worthless streaks o’ pee! Think y'been bit, ain't nut'in till me teeth sink in yer yellower'd flesh."
Nick's face scrunches up as he observes the woman, his perpetual scowl turning into an expression that looks like he smelled a rotten egg. The hells is going on over there? Adriel can stick his nose into it if he wants.
The man tries to find a fishmonger or a food vendor, approaching their stand with his hands in his pockets. "There a hangin' soon? 'eard there'sa hangin' some drugger where it be mate?"
Sath, let's go buy a boat you and I.
Adriel touches the hat an imagines an image of a young man in his early twenties.
He wears rough leathers with no sleeves, the scimitar at his hip takes on the appearance of a Machete.
Dockworker. A good looking one, but still a dockworker.
Wait for me, I'm comin'
He found himself loathing to speak like an uneducated pperson, but he manages and catches up to 'Nick'
What we doin, Da?
Nick grunts at his 'son'. "We're goin' too-a hangin' boy." He sniffs, loudly, looking over at the woman making a fuss with a scowl. "Though might stay n' watch whatsit goin' on over yonder."
Astri and Adriel towards the last pier you see the following scene as you begin to ask about a hanging.
An old Tulita man dressed in feathers and rags stands on an empty crate by the dockside preaching to passersby in a rasping voice: “You foreigners anger the sea. You murder the watchers with your harpoons, and skin them for your oil. Soon none left. Without the watchers, Dajobas rise again. His servants come from the deep to kill you. Dajobas kill for your crimes against the old ways. He tear you up with his razor teeth. He drink your blood beneath the waves, grind your bones beneath the moon.”
His outbursts attract the attention of the Dragoons. A towering man with dark hair and midnight-black eyes leads this particular patrol. “You there, off that crate or I’ll take me hammer to ya.” The large Dragoon gestures with a finely wrought adamantine hammer at the old Tulita. The old man’s eyes take a second to focus on the big Dragoon and then grow wide as saucers. In a flash, the Tulita leaps off the crate, drawing a scrimshaw knife from his belt.
“You! You bear the Kiss of Dajobas. I will save you!”
The ancient Tulita snarls ferociously as he lunges for the tall, sturdily built Dragoon. The big bluecoat growls and bats at the old man with his fist, reaching for his hammer with the other. But the Dragoon’s quarry dances away, his feathered headdress bobbing and his furred cloak whipping the air. The rest of the Dragoons go for their weapons, and an elderly native is about to die.
Nick's head jerks to the side as the commotion takes his attention, and he shakes his head while turning away from the vendor they were speaking with. "Folks just can't git 'long like they usin' too... Nonna our business we're law-abiddin' folk...eh?" He looks at his "son" for a moment, face breaking from its scowl to look at him questioningly.
I could probably talk these fools down, but why? That crazy old man just tried to attack that dragoon in plain daylight.
The young human watches on and does not move. He does speak under his breath, Not our business, let's head to find Hawkins. ..
He keeps his eyes down a little, peasants knew not to become involved with the authorities to avoid a beating and Adriel NEVER got involved in anything that there was no upside to interfering with.
Assuming Sath isn't against the plan set when the others left, Sorrin accompanies her to the harbormaster.
Nick shrugs and watches, face returning to its scowl. Once the deed is done the diver gives his head a shake and before turning back to the vendor he was speaking to before.
Astri and Adriel look at the scene but choose not to intervene, it takes the dragoons little time to subdue Tulita. They liberally kick and punch the man as they tie him up.
The man only staying in broken common, "I smell Kiss on him."
As they drag the defiant Tulitan away, you hear the squad leader say, "You'll hang on the morrow, or the next day at t'latest, with that oth'r swine, fer sure you half wit skullyscum native." He then spits on the man. The others laugh.
You see the squad leader who had the beautiful hammer has bloodied bandaged forearm.
As far as vendors or dockwrkers are concerned they shrug off any talk of hanging. "Ain't the law...they hang 'em when they want."
Adriel leans in to Astri, Let's go.
Once clear of the market, he remarks to his companion, The sqaud leader, we saw him before, the one with the masterwork hammer, he'd been sporting a fresh bandage on his forearm, must have recived a wound just after we first saw him
"Bedd'r them than me."
Astrianna nods and leaves the docks area after they have their information. She pauses at a nearby alleyway, looking around before ushering Adriel down it to change out of their magical disguises.
She dismisses her illusion and straightens out her back, sighing. "All that spitting left me parched..." The bard mumbles, taking out her canteen and downing a few gulps while listening to Adriel.
Turning around to exit the alleyway, the two begin to make their way towards the harbormaster. "The squad leader? Ah... yes, I remember him. I believe it was an adamantine hammer, which is most impressive. I wonder where he got into a fight so soon...? Well, a lot can happen in one day." She ponders, brows furrowing.
"Seems Hawkins won't be swinging until tomorrow. If he's being kept in the fort I'm not risking my skin busting him out. Perhaps we could do something for the dragoons and negotiate his release in return... I have decided I approve of the dragoons, especially their leadership, and want to get on Commander Boneduece's good side.
Sorrin identifies the harbormaster and inquires about the ships for sale...
He then tries to negotiate the lowest price and/or best terms (multiple payments over time, for full price) with respect to the Rita. He's also interested on the cost of the required repairs on the privateer's boat.
Astrianna meets the rest of the group at the harbormaster, her eyes roving over the ships. The bar approaches Embrianna, and tugs on her sleeve. She puts her mouth next to the woman's ear. Her tone is serious. "Dirk is going to be hanged tomorrow. He's locked up in the fort. Not much we can do at this moment."
Pulling away from the woman she smiles at everyone else present. "Adriel and I had a lovely walk- we even met Commander Boneduece! It was wonderful. He asked me to play the fiddle for him, and then he played a song for us! It was fantastic, I have never seen someone with such talent." She puts a hand over her heart. "Embri. He may have been the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. I'm not exaggerating."
When they speak to the harbormaster, Astrianna inquires about the price of the Rita and Baron of the Tide, as well as how many crew it takes to operate each.
"We should all chip in, and co-own the ship. If we're going to be on a smaller vessel such as the sloop, we can simply sail as equals, there's no need for a captain."
Adriel follows to the meeting, having returned the Hat of disguise and replacing the magical bolero on his own head.
Thrasher flapped down and rejoined his master. When they finally catch up with everyone else he is his usual self but doesn't mention the Gnawing feeling he got occasionally when he knew something was wrong.
If I aquire enough bloody power, this damn guilty feeling wouldn't be an issue
He decided the legitimate route MIGHT be the best option.
When the mention of buying the ship comes up.
I'm not opposed to chipping in and we COULD make an oveture to your knew best friend for a reduction in sentence from Hanging to enforeced service before the mast. I'm not sure if it's custom here, but there are a few cities that allow you to Buy prisoners as slaves. I'm not saying I approve the practice but it could be a way to save his life without putting anyone offside. Plus, Hawkins would be good crew.
He finishes speaking and waits for the incoming triade from his allies.....
The harbourmaster is a short, fat, sweaty man who does not look like he'd know his port from starboard but first impressions can be deceiving as you soon realize his knowledge of the ships for sail is vast.
"Aye, the Rita a good fishin' sloop served her owner well he usually had a nice hull from the sea. Harok's cousin, Relgin McFarrows, has her for sale for 1700 but he's eager to sell her. 1700 is fair but you can do better cuz rumor is it's cursed." He spits. "Nasty rumor and I ain't seen any sign of a curse and if I had this fishing hulls that's a damn fine curse to have." He chuckles deeply. "What happen'd to 'is wife has nothin' to do with 'is boat."
He takes the group over to the Baron of Tide. "She's a sleek darkwood freighter," he pauses to let you look at her, "once belonged to the infamous smuggler Baron Desmond Shade 'til she was taken by Commandant Boneduece and Commander Perrin." He touches the wood. "Between Bonedeuce’s Pride and the Perrin's Albatross she didn't stand a chance."He looks at the ship some more before continuing, "The Commandant is particular 'bout who he sells to. If he does like you it'll cost y' 11,500 but if he favor's you you may get her for 10,000, maybe a spot lower. Now mind you she's a fast ship, not armed for serious fightin' but she can flee most encounters."
Adriel waits for his fellows to make a selection. He had no sailing skills before the journey to get here and was not versed enough to know what was appropriate...
Thunderstrike, is it... How much to fix her?
"Astri, didn't you just mention having a favorable encounter with Commandant Boneduece? Perhaps we could have you haggle with him a bit and get a good price for it. I must say that I am currently favoring that ship, though we would have to change the name so we would not be connected to it's shady past."
And do you know any money-lenders or the going rate?
The bard asks the harbormaster- "How many does it take to crew the Rita? The Baron of the Tides?"
Astrianna nods at Adriel. "That is a fantastic idea, magus. I could request an audience with the Commander for tomorrow and inquire about a trade for Hawkin's life." The bard looks at the Darkwood freighter longingly. "I adore this ship as well, Bri. I don't care about the shady association so much- the name itself is terrible. It's too long and lacks imagination."
Astrianna begins to pace slowly, putting her fist on her chin and thinking for a moment. "I guarantee I can talk McFarrow down to a lower price, and we could out-right purchase the Rita. But that darkwood ship is so... majestic." The half-elf waves her hands dismissively at the mention of money-lenders, her smooth mezzo-soprano voice full of disdain. "I bet this city is full of sharks and sharks alone. Instead, I propose the following."
She lifts her hand in the air, waving her finger in the air as if drawing a diagram. "I request an audience with the Commander, and discuss a price for renting Baron of the Tides, with a generous deposit, until we have the funds to purchase the ship out-right. On top of that, I will negotiate Hawkins serving aboard the ship with us- he will be an excellent addition to the crew, if I can talk Bonedeuce into it."
Her hands spread wide to either side of her, palms out. "Worst case scenario is the Commander says no, we purchase the Rita instead, Hawkins gets a fatal set of dance lessons, and we continue with our lives." Her eyebrows raise, waiting for input on the plan.
Adriel is happy with that outcome.
Fair enough. Law abiding citizens we are then. Hawkins seemed a lawful type, at the very lest we have made an effort. Honestly, if we do get him out he SHOULD be confined to a damn ship. That mans sticky beak and heavy principles have gotten him into too much trouple. But he'll make a fine crewman. Question is, once we have a ship, what are we doing with it?
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The Rita is a two crew single mast fishing sloop but it can be sailed by a single person, it can hold 8 people comfortable and a few more in place of it's cargo.
The Baron of the Tides is a three mast sailing ship, the third mast really gives it it's speed. "Crews 20."
The harbourmaster looks at Sorrin and his moneymonger question, "not sure anyone would be loanin' money to you...nobody know you." He shakes his head, "Besides if they did d'rates would be as high as the stars."
He jots a few things down in his book with his quill. "Y'could rent one crewed if y'want to...maybe even the Quells Whore."
The bard smiles at Adriel. "I have a few ideas. I need to talk to some people."
She seems surprised at the Harbormaster's suggestion. "The Quell's Whore and its crew are for rent? ...How much does Captain Razor typically ask?"
Sorrin seems very focused. The repair costs please, for the Thunderstrike... How much to clean her up?
"You need t'ask captain Razor that...she negotiates her own rates."
He turns to Sorrin, "the Thunderstrike being sold pretty cheap an 12,000 gold but you'll need another 6 thousand to repair her masts and decking, then the ballistae that's damaged another 3 thousand. More if you're in a hurry."
Astrianna looks over at Sorrin. "That's a good price for the ship, but what would you do with it?"
My uncle would counsel we retire and speak in private.
Harbormaster, please... What do you know of the owner of the Thunderstrike, his reputation, I am new here as you noted. I do appreciate your time.. He slips the man a platinum.
Astrianna gives him an extremely skeptical look, but sighs and shakes her head. She lets the others ask any questions they have and waves them forward. "All right. Let's return to the tavern. We can discuss the situation- and I need to talk to the famed Son of Mordekai anyway. if he's still there."