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Dinella nods as the sailor presents the call from the Captain before turning to her new companions.
Shall we?
Assuming the others nod or acquiesce, Dinella will head to see the Captain.
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When she arrives, she steps in front of her taller companions.
Afternoon Captain, anything new and interesting to be seen on the water?
Davkas manages to pull his attention away from the fish man and his familiar 'Chatterbeak' is released once more from his tattoos. He follows along. Happy to sit in the back for now. His best impressions upon his fellows will be when his magic is needed.
"Alors il commence." Poulain keeps an eye on the water.
The Captain watches the five hired mercenaries approach, their swagger, and he their confidence. He pulls out a pipe and a tin of tar weed, he packs the bowl and strikes the flint. His lips pucker and drawls the thick smoke in his mouth, lets it rest for for the longest second then exhales two smoke rings. "So, we've two days journey before we hit the pirate hunting lanes tell me who has the night watches."
The Captain blows another smoke ring and frowns. "Let's not have cranky guide or sleep deprived guards." His sardonic tone mocks. He shakes his head then replies, "That'll do fine. We're staying under full sail all evening, so there will be a skeleton crew up top. If the winds hold we'll shave a day off the trip."
"If you two are staying up I'll keep my regular sleep schedule."
As though he is done with the conversation the Captain then yells, The men in the in teh rigging hustle about at the sudden course change releasing and tightening lines and sails. 'I do enjoy the salt air...smell that goodness crew!" His hands begin to turn the wheel to port.
Thank-you. Yes, unfortunately a limitation on my spellcasting is the requirement for a full night's rest. However I promise, the hassle will be worth it should we encounter Pirates.
So the hired guards figure out their watch order and then relax for the rest of the day and into the evening. The crew goes on with ship's business and all is well. A few of the crew engage you in idle chit chat and you learn that the ship's destination is a mystery but the consensus is the Captain is heading south of the witches teeth which is treacherous bit of sailing.
Overview Map of the Razor Coast
The crew is generally relaxed and capable, most are seasoned sailors but few have sailed with the Captain for long. the First Mate is the longest serving officer and crew member and he only been around for a few months. the Captain and the First Mate are well liked and considered fair although the Captain is a bit moody and likes to drink. That fact is easily overlooked by the crew since the Captain pays "well" and he provided a small signing bonus. The ship itself is tidy and well run.
The general scuttle is the Captain deals with pirates out of Carcass which is a few days south of the Witches Teeth and the Kakeou Island. Those dealings seem to have the Captain on edge. You've also learned that you are hauling rare spices, and tobacco for the most part.
Beyond that the evening is uneventful...
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After meeting with the Captain, Dinetta talks with the rest of the hired guards to learn what they do.
So, what are your talents? If we are going to work together, and survive, which is something I am a big fan of, we should probably discuss how we will deal with different types of encounters. Airborne? Swimming and water attacks? Other ships? Boarders?
Davkas is not opposed at all to highlighting his casting. I am a Mage of the second tier. I can cast a number of spells, including making you invisible but I am especially potent with evocations. Cold magic most of all. I have a touch of draconic blood you see. I also Favor conjuration when raw energy will not do. If I have a moment before boarding I usually summon a helpful monster, then freeze or burn enemy ships. Creating an interdimensional pit right under a boarding party also works pretty well.
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So, what are your talents? If we are going to work together, and survive, which is something I am a big fan of, we should probably discuss how we will deal with different types of encounters. Airborne? Swimming and water attacks? Other ships? Boarders?
Well for creatures aloft, I have this..
he points to the heavy xbow strapped to his backI have been around the sea for as long as I can remember and can swim quite well as for other ships and boarders. I have trained extensively at the Iron Brotherhood in the style of the crane. It focuses on preventing injury to myself and my allies as well as punishing those that seek to bring harm to my allies
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Dinetta nods as the others speak up:
Well, as I said, I have been a librarian for some time, so I am reasonably knowledgable of many monsters, although assuredly not all. I am fairly good at assisting others to successfully accomplish tasks.
She pauses and considers for a moment before patting the tiny dagger and rapier hanging from her side.
I prefer avoiding combat. She shrugs. It always seems the best way of surviving combat is to avoid it. But, if I have to fight, I am best working with others, so that I can find weak points in whoever I failed to avoid's defenses.
"Cleric of Besmara. I'll bring both her favor and her destruction to any fights." She says simply with a lopsided grin.
"I can keep you from immediately dying on these waters or in caverns. When it comes to combat, I 'ave my bow, Mimi Kuishi."
The first night at sea passes uneventfully as does the next day. By the second night the crew has settled into routines. Most of their time off-duty is spent telling tall tails and dicing.
Revhi spends her days lazily scanning the horizon and making friends with the crew. Never hurts to have them on your side when Besmara's ugly side shows.
Davkas helps out where his limited sailor skills can aid.
Mostly he uses Chatterbeak to fly the ranges when requested or allows the bird to aid the lookout.
The Mage spends a good deal of time in study but is not opposed to preparing a particular spell should the captain request.
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Dinetta spend the morning sleeping after a long night on the deck. Shortly before noon, she awakes and ventures to the deck to see if anything interesting has happened. Finding nothing, she spends the afternoon talking with the sailors and learning about where they have been and the sailor life in general.
Diplomacy:
Perception:
Still tired from the prior night, she keeps up a good conversation, but does not pay attention to much else.
As the crew settles into their routines a few activities and nuisances surface.
The favorite pastime of the crew is tossing dice. this activity takes place in the lower hold and in the cooks galley. The cookie acts as the book. You have learned that Big Jake has been on a run of bad luck.
You've learned that the quartermaster, "Preach" Rasker's is not a a cleric but rather a dealer of black market items.
You also learned that "one eye" likes to partake in the bottle while in the crows nest aways form prying eyes.
Preach's specialty are potions and oils: cures and poisons mostly.
He is also the the ship drug dealer of dragon smoke, which is you know is illegal in Port Shaw.
Poulain avoids social contact whenever possible, preferring to watch the waters in silence.
Revhi apparently spends her time like it's a leisurely cruise as opposed to a security job. Luckily their new halfling ally is sharp today. To the rest she just nods, but at the mention of one-eye drinking on the job she frowns. "I'm not one to frown upon drinking, but that man has a job to do, and a damn important one at that."
Davkas found out about One Eyes crows nest activity because Chatterbeak was circling the ship and spied the slacker.
The bird had promptly flown down to the Wheel where Davkas was having a chat with the first mate.
The bird sounded odd because despite his deeper voice he spoke like a Parrot. He actually understood far more than he let on but had noted that was the way most shipboard birds spoke, so he chose not to ruin anyone's ideas.
Rark. First Mate, Ships Wizard. Man drinkin' in the nest. Neesa a floggin meeds a floggin. We'll all be down wit the ship. Crash us inta a berg e will. Needs a floggin needs a floggin
Davkas was quick to quiet the familiar and make the point the First Mate and Captain would have matters of crew discipline.
Any later attempts by One Eye at retribution are obviously ill advised
It is into the evening when Chatterbeak arrives with the news that "One Eye" has been drinking while in the nest. Mister Handerly purses his lips and taps his forefinger on his chin as he considers this information. "How sure is your bird?"
As he waits for the response....
One Eyed yells down form the nest.
Davkas looks disapprovingly at his familiar.
Chatterbeak is no simple animal. As a familiar he is at least as smart as a normal person, though remember he still looks through the eyes of a bird. He has been my familiar for 3 years and he understands the meaning of alcohol and when it is work time and play time. I believe him
One-eye bellows form above.
"Well...if he's been drinking his good eye is still focusing on the horizon." Handerly comments. "I'll talk to him later, but first we have the sea fog to deal with."
The First Mate glances over to Dinetta and educates her, "Sea fog is thicker, lasts longer, and burns off with daylight slower. The warm air is over a colder water. It is odd here since we don't normally have cold surface or current near here this time of the year."
Poulain studies the fog.
Marcus who is accustomed to fog does not worry. He is concerned about a drunk man on watch.
Handerly there is a time for drinking, up in the crowsnest on watch is not one of those times
He then heads over to the maidenhead at the front of the boat and keeps an eye forward.
"True enough....true enough, but One-eye did spot even with a bit of hooch in him." He turns and watches the fog.
The First Mate steers the ship trying to stay out of the sea fog but mother nature has other ideas as it rolls in and shrouds the ship in mist. Visibility drops to nothing. Small gusts of wind stir and roil the mist and bring with them a slight chill unusual for these warm, tropical waters. Eventually a shout comes from ol' One Eyed,
Poulain snarls to himself and fingers his bowstring. Didn't feel like an accident.
Revhi wheels around in surprise.