Before the rum ration, Lex nods his approval to Avakor for the meal, which as far as ship's rations for mere scrubs went, was about the best he'd had. Been cooking long, sirs? Lex calls to the cook and his new mate, one of his fellow pressganged sailors.
Aldon looks around while he works, looking for another rigger that he recognizes from this mornings display. Someone else that was press ganged along with them. He spies a gnome with a very puffy hat and moves beside him as he works the rigging.
"G'day, you feeling just as chipper today as I am? His statement is oozing with sarcasm.
Aldon will finish up the rigging work, take his rum ration and drinks it down.
He will give a salute to his fellow gnome rigger and go and find is bunk for the night as he is exhausted.
DAY 1: Work Day
Almathea: You work hard and it pays off, scrubbing the deck and mopping is a tough job and the sun beats down on you but you get it done without feeling to tired by the end of the day.
During the day Sandara comes by, she’s working as a runner and she stops briefly to chat. Before she says anything she slips two small wooden holy symbol into your hands as well as a kit with strange substances and vials in it. You recognize the first holy symbol as yours.
”think these might belong to you and your mates.” She points to Marn and Lex. ”Sorry I couldn’t get more but Grok the Quartermaster, she may be gullible but not too gullible. Just some advice, keep yer head low for the day and sail clear of that bastard Scourge and we can chat over dinner if you like. Blessing of Besmara on you sister.” She tips her tricorn, hat flashes a smile and is off running a message somewhere on the ship
During the later part of the day you run into a shy little lad named Jack Scrimshaw, he’s a swab just like you and although he doesn’t strike up a conversation the young boy seems to have taken a friendly likeing to you and you’re able to get his name and you find out he likes to carve scrimshaw into bones.
Lex: You see Sandara, the beautiful pirate with the long curly red hair chatting with Almathea. A moment later she leaves and as she goes she gives you a small smile and a wink. Suddenly there is a bang and a splash and a lowd cussing coming from behind you ”%$#&ing bucket and *&%$ing mops everywhere. @#$%!
A short Halfling woman, with brown hair, a small handaxe in her belt and a scarf around her neck is getting up off the ground half soaked by your bucket. You remember her as one of the four other new “recruits” from this morning.
”Sorry about yer damn bucket mate, was chasing a rat and it came through here.” Before you can say anything she gets up and takes off running when she see the rat again, this time pulling out her fancy handaxe and cussing a stream of profanity as she takes off after the rodent.
Marn: You also work hard and you don’t feel fatigued by the work even though its tough, hot and boring.
During the later part of the day you end up swabbing the fore deck with an ugly little Halfling male who calls himself Ratline, but it seems like most people call him “Rattsberger.” He does have a nose similar to that of a rat. He’s not an unpleasant fellow but he doesn’t engage in too much talk.
His need to sing a sea shanty while he works starts to grate on you a bit by the later afternoon but over all you work well together. You don’t have enough time to engage him to much in conversation because you are trying to work hard.
Hoisting the sails up and down is hard work but you get it done and you get it done without any complaints from Mr. Plugg or the crew.
The gnome you chat with is in a purple outfit with a wide brim hat which has a broad white feather in it.
When you engage the gnome in conversation he says ”Chipper!! Conchobhar is always chipper, unless of course he is losing money, then he is not so...chipper..but one cannot be gambling when one is working...either...so I guess Conchobar is not as Chipper as he wishes he was.
The Gnome is willing to talk and you both end up complaining about Plugg and Scourge to one another. He seems like he’s willing to talk, a lot, but doesn’t seem to warm up to you that much during the day. He does however like to talk about himself and you figure out that he believes he is a professional gambler and that he, Sandara the Woman with the tricorn hat, and the Halfling named Rosie Cusswell came aboard a few days ago in a similar fashion as you did. He seems to have a lot to say about this Rosie and he seems taken with her.
”Well the crew seems to think that my stew tastes more like fishguts than fish so that’s where I got the name, mind you most of the stew is made from fishguts so there you go. He laughs a bit to himself and then sighs.
”Odd to see one of your kind...whatever your kind is that is.
He goes on to talk about his chickens and how he collects the different breeds. He doesn’t seem to get too much into who he is or where he is from but you have a pleasant enough conversation and share a few jokes.
Aldon listens to all the Conchobhar has to say, making sure not to take anything away from him talking about himself or the other press ganged people.
At the end of the evening, he gives him a single salute before heading off to bed to get his full rest.
He fancies the halfling, eh? I must remember this for tomorrow
DAY 1: KEELHAULING OF JACKES MAGPIE
The day’s work comes to a close and the crew gather’s for “bloody hour”, you are told by a few of the crew that this is the time when punishment is given out for working poorly or slacking off during the day, among other things.
Several pirates escort a man up on deck and bring him in front of Plugg and Scourge who interrogate him in front of the crew.
You figure out from some of the crew that the man’s name is Jakes Magpie and he’s up for keelhauling after he was caught stealing from the qaurtermaster’s stores.
After a short interrogation you hear him admit his guilt and he’s tied to two ropes and abruptly pushed off the front of the ship.
Master Scourge and Mr. Plugg then take a rope each, one on the port, one on the starboard and they begin to move down either side of the ship. They walk the length of the ship and you guess that what is going on his poor jakes is being dragged across the keel of the ship under water.
You notice the particular relish with which Plugg carries out this punishment.
When Scourge and Plugg finally get to the other end of the ship they haul Jakes back aboard. He’s clearly succumbed to his wounds and what is dragged back aboard the ship is a tattered mess of flesh.
”This is what happens to those that steal anything aboard the Wromwood. Let this be a lesson to all our new recruits."
Some of the pirates laugh or jeer, other pirates remain silent and sombre.
Almathea waits to make sure no one appears to be looking at them and then hands Lex his holy symbol and Marn his kit and tucks her own symbol underneath her shirt. Nodding her head towards the other cleric's retreating form, Thea quietly says: "She was kind enough to return a couple of our belongings."
Thea looks away when the remains of the pirate are dragged back aboard, not wanting to see the bloody mess of his body. A hanging would've been kind by comparison.
Avakor frowns as he watches the goings on. Keelhauling? I've seen it before, but rarely and only for something terrible. Is this commonplace here? He watches the spectacle as it proceeds, horrified by the atmosphere that it generates amongst some of the crew. How could someone enjoy this? He visibly seethes with rage.
Lex rushes to the man and examines his injuries.
Marn's eyes light up at the sight of his kit. He whispers, "Oh thank all the gods in their divine demesne's. This'll make things so much easier."
Such a barbarian practice. On the few ships he sailed people were whipped for suggesting it. Their severest punishment was buying left at the first harbor encountered with nothing but a set of clothes, a week's rations and just enough money to buy another set of clothes.
The behaviour of the people on deck was worth noting though. It seemed some of the crew was salvageable.
Once night has set in Marn seeks out a source of light to work with. He then gets to work.
Aldon shakes his head at seeing how much joy they take in the punishment. I can not wait until I have my musket back and have the opportunity to meet with Plugg one on one.
Mr. Plugg orders Lex to back away or take a lashing and then orders Scourge and some others to toss the body over the railing.
There is a loud splash and with that Plugg orders dinner to be served as well as the rum to be passed out.
You all notice Sandara sitting on a barrel eating her stew and puffing on a long pipe.
She seems willing to chat with anyone who has questions.
Feeling rather tired, Aldon begins to head to bed, but can't help but notice Sandara. He's not sure exactly what gave him the idea or need to speak with her, but he walks over and stands besides the barrel.
"Thanks for helping the others earlier... I see your a Lady of Besmara, I would have expected someone of your caliber to be a Free Captain"
Marn approaches the red-headed Besmaran priestess but hangs back a bit as he hears the new rigger's question.
After examining the body and closing the dead man's eyes, Lex steps back at Mr. Plugg's order and watches as they pitch Magpie's body over the side of the boat. During dinner, Lex sits near Sandara.
Lady Sandara, I never got to properly thank ye for saving my life earlier, and Almathea tells me, for retrieving my holy symbol. I hope to someday repay that kindness. Can I impose upon yer good will once more by asking yer advice? I'm afraid I don't have any money, and I wish to get my stuff back from the quartermaster. I'm no good with lockpicking, though, and,Lex gestures toward the smears of blood on the railing, I don't wanna end up like that besides. How did ye get her to give up my symbol?
Seeing that Sandara already has plenty of other people desiring her attention, Thea will either sit off by herself to eat or find and sit beside the scrimshaw lad if he is on deck with them. Rather than asking him about how he ended up here, she will instead talk a bit about her life and being raised as a halfling.
Avakor walks up to Sandara for a moment.
"I just wished to thank you for the healing earlier. It is good to have those blessed by the Pirate Queen onboard."
He smiles and walks off.
Around dinner time Lex sits down with Sandara and starts up his conversation. Sandara let's you know Lex that Grok, the Quartermaster is a superstitious one, and all it took was some dire warnings about potential doom for holding on to equipment blessed by Besmara and she was willing to part with some of the trinkets. She's not sure that will work again but it might, she also suggests that if a person was to find a fine bottle of brandy or some other spirit that wasn't rum Grok might be inclined to be a little generous.
After Dinner....
"Ha!" Snadara laughs a bit at Aldon's compliment, "Besmara may have blessed me, yes that's true but she's a fickle one she is. No I hope that I'll be a free captain some day but as of today this is in fact my first voyage aboard a pirate ship. I've worshipped Besmara for years, just like so many do in the docks and the settlement but this is the first time for me...mind you it's not the way I thought I'd join a crew but there you go, strange things happen sometimes."
She pauses and blows a puff of smoke from her pipe then she offers it to Aldon.
"And you! you look the sailor but you don't smell like a pirate to me, What's yer name and what did you do before this fine adventure began? Oh and don't be shy there friend!" She points out Marn with a wag of a finger, "come on over, join our parley. Our fine looking friend here who can climb was just about to introduce himself."
She beckons Marn into the small circle around the barrel as she downs her rum and shares her pipe as she waits for the two of you to introduce yourselves.
Aldon chuckles, "Fine looking friend? I do like the sound of that, but you my lady are much more fine looking them myself."
Aldon takes the offered pipe and takes a long puff before handing it back. He blows out a slightly less then perfect smoke ring. "I'm Aldon Longstrider, but you can just call me Aldon. If you've heard of the Longstrider name before, my ancestor was a rather famous ranger back in his time." He leans back on the side of the ship and watches everyone else around to make sure none of the long time crew is around.
"I'm a privateer marine for the Andoran Navy. I was following up some information on some slaver activity when I was... well captured and forced to work as a slave. The irony is not lost on me..." Aldo laughs slightly at that last bit.
Marn listens closely but when he hears Aldon's story he starts to chuckle and slaps the man on the back. "You've got to be kidding. I've been a shipwright and surgeon on Andoran ships for over 30 years and I have never seen that mug of yours before."
He leans in with the others so he can whisper and only be heard by them, "To be precisely I'm a Grey Corsair, but I bet these fellows aren't too fond of those." He leans back a bit and resumes his normal volume, "I come from a family of shipwrights. I bet at least half of all the ships on the Andoshen river are made by my family, as are at least a dozen sea-faring ships."
.
Maybe I've sailed on one of yer family's ships, then. Been on a lot of ships in my life. Mostly as a deck hand, but once I became a full inquisitor, I worked my way up to master gunner on the Flor-de-Lis before we had to scuttle her 10 years or so back. Pity. The cannons on that ship were some of the finest anywhere in the Shackles. Lex sighs. I'm Lex Sequitur, by the way.
After your conversation with the others, , you head to sleep and find Almathea in the aft section of the lower deck where there is plenty of room for you and the others to hang your hammocks.
(Evening influence attempt) You see the other dwarf after dinner and approach him on deck. You introduce yourself and try to start up a conversation but it quickly goes down hill. ”Think just cause we’re dwarves I’d want anything to do with you? Get outta my face...” |He says at stomps off.
The conversation doesn't go well from the start. He growls as he gets up and he makes it clear that you shouldn’t come any closer. When you offer your hand to him he smacks it away and growls again. ”Back off...” Is all he says.
Up on deck, Lex, you break out into a sea shanty for the crew...they are not impressed, after only one verse they start to boo at you, after the second a biscuit is tossed at you, by the third an empty rum mug misses your head and by the fourth you figure it’s probably not best to move on to the fourth.
"That could be Lex, could be. I don't know the names of all the ships they made seeing I spent more time repairing ships on the high seas than building them in a dry dock. My name is Marn by the way, Marn Stonewood." He then lowers his voice, "I assume you know the Steel Falcons? It's their naval division."
"Enjoy your evening." Marn says to the other Dwarf's back. There goes the last hope for a shred of decency aboard this floating junkyard.
"As you wish." Avakor pulls his hand back and heads to the sleeping berths.
Blood, death, hatred, and pain... It's sunk into the walls. What... to... do... He thinks as he drifts off to sleep.
@Lex - You are unfamiliar with the grey corsair's
Sandara takes back her pipe and takes a puff. Well Aldon, Besmara may have plans for you than. She smiles, besides you're not really a slave after all, your just press ganged. Most of the major governments have done it for centuries during wartime. Need some more sailors for war go down to the docks and take the rough and tumble lot, too drunk to stand, and "recruit" em, when a government does it it's for the greater good, when a pirate does it it's called slavery. But who am I to say...
She takes another long puff on the pipe and hands it to Marn.
Being in the Navy you probably know that discipline's important, can't have your crew doing what they feel like or slacking off, a lash here a smack with a rope there to keep the crew in line, no different than life in the navy...the biggest difference is the pay, and although you all feel hard done by now just wait till we take our first ship, volunteer or "recruit" it doesn't matter, aboard a pirate ship we all get our pay, probably more than you'd ever make as a privateer.
Sandara says with a smile.
Of course the pirate life is one of freedom but it's men like plugg and that %$&@er Scourge who make life miserable.... She pauses and begins to fume,he brow furrowed and fire burning in her eyes..
At this she hears Marn mention the steel falcons snapping her back to the present. Shhh...best be careful who you mention that around, I think that Mwangi woman over there used to be a slaver herself.
Sandara points out a tall dark and sullen Mwangi woman picking her nails with a dagger sitting on the steps leading up to the fore deck. You know she's a swab.
She gave up that life I think but best keep your tone down when talking about that sorta thing. Plenty of pirates who disagree with slavers, plenty more who see it as just another way to make some coin, best keep your opinion's quite till you know where people stand. Me I can't stand the thought of slavery, Besmara loves freedom and so do I.
Well it's getting on, Marn, Aldon, Lex, good to meet you and welcome to the sweat trade. Besmara guide ye and if you have any questions let me know, I don't know this ship too well yet but I keep my eyes and ears open With that she gives you all a sultry smile and a wink and wanders off below decks leaving you all standing in a cloud of sweat smelling tobacoo.
After you are done your evening activities you all head down to the lower deck, you notice a few of the crew have their hammocks up near the stairs, two in particular a male gnome, Patch Patchsalt the boatswain's mate and a human male, Kipper the gunner's mate seem to have stacked this prime location as theirs.
You all find places to string your hammocks up in the back of the hold and you are each given a small locker around the wall with a key, not that you have any gear to stow there. The rocking of the ocean soon puts you all to sleep.
DAY 2: MORNING CALL TO WORK
The bell tolls the start of another day and pirates all about you are getting up and heading upstairs. You can hear some grumbling and other’s complaining about headaches after getting extra rum last night but they all seem eager to get up on deck. You figure it’s probably in your best interest to head up as well.
All of you found a place to sleep in the back of the hold so you are the last to make your way through the lower hold to the stairs. You are met by five pirates near the bottom of the steps.
Fipps Chumlett, a very fat man with sweaty tanned skin and no shirt.
Aretta Benson, an odd looking woman with big wide ears and a few missing teeth.
Syl Lonegan, known as slippery syl, a beautiful young woman with long dark hair and a murderous look in her eyes all the time.
Tam “Narwhal” A surely dwarf with long white hair and beard and a long nose.
Jaundiced Jape, a half-orc with no tongue and a cruel demeanour.
They stand between you and the stairs. Fipps, in a deep voice says ”Go’n some place? as he shoves Aldon in the chest. The other’s laugh.
Some other pirates at the top of the stairs stop when they hear Fipps and watch from the stair well above.
Lex calmly closes in toward Fipps and turns his stern gaze toward him.
Don't make us hurt ye lot. Get out of the way.
Lex's voice cracks during his attempt, and he realizes he's in trouble.
At that mount Marn steps up and slaps Lex on the shoulder, "Don't be so silly man." He pulls him back a bit. "Yes, we are going somewhere, we're going up deck to work. I'm not sure what you are going to do but I have the idea anyone who's late will be flogged, so I guess you don't want to be late either?"
Aldon wakes from his restful sleep feeling better then he did last night, he's not sure if Sandara's words had effected him, but he at least felt better. As he goes up for the daily shift, he is quite shocked as he gets pushed by the lead pirate, he stumbles back and begins to chuckle which eventually leads to more laughter, and then finally he doubles over laughing. "You sir! Should go into comedy. Because I'd love to "go" home, but you have made it abundantly clear that I can't. Oh, I'm sorry, abundantly means "in large quantities" or "very", I must remember not to use such big words."
While speaking and doubling over in laughter, he carefully puts his brass knuckles on his hand without anyone seeing.
Lulled to sleep by the rocking motion of the ship, Thea wakes up early the next morning hoping to find herself on home ship and that the previous day was just a bad dream. Trying to wipe to look of disappointment off her face as she looks about and sees that it was no dream and composes herself as she offers up her daily prayer to Besmara.
As she manages to finally pry herself out of her hammock and start to follow the others above deck, Thea's dismayed to see the group of pirates blocking their way. No doubt wanting to give them their own personal "welcome" to the ship.
Doubting that anyone could possibly find her intimidating, Thea just stands back, hoping the pirates will see reason and not wish to risk a lashing themselves for being late to duty.
Fipps perception checks
Aretta perception checks
Syl perception checks
Jape perception checks
Narwhal perception checks
Aldon you deftly slide the brass knuckles on without any of the pirates noticing.
To Lex and Marn, Fipps grunts and laughs, his sweaty belly bouncing with each chuckle. "Well you might be right, late to work could be bad for them who is... Clearly he has a terrible grasp of the common tongue and very terrible personal hygiene.
At that moment Aldon Makes his comment and Fipps snarls and pulls back his fist to punch Aldon in the face...
Rolling init...
Pirates Init:
Aldon Init:
Marn Init:
Almathea Init:
Avakor Init:
Lex Init:
Initiative is as follows: Lex, Almathea, Avakor, Aldon, then the Pirates...
Ignore the Hammocks on the map, they have been taken down during the day and so will not be in your characters way.
Almathea looks at Fipps. "I think you should Flee!
Fipps Will Save:
Fipps appears unaffected by your spell Almathea.
Avakor wakes up with the rest, and begins the ascent to the deck to begin his day's work, when he hears the goings on up ahead.
Second day on board and it sounds like someone already wants to pick a fight... five someones, great...
Avakor moves up behind Aldon and focuses inward for a moment, intoning,
He touches Aldon on the back, "A bit of momentary help against our 'friends' here."
Narwhal, best flee if ye know what's good for ye. Lex places magical force on the word flee, making it seem as though nothing could make him refuse.
Aldon sees the punch coming and reacts quicker, uppercutting Fipps in the chin, with his brass knuckles.
Narwhal's Will save
Aldon your punch manages just to clip Fipps on the jaw.
The pirates are un-fazed by your magical commands and they move forward to engage you. None of them are drawing weapons at this time.
Fipps takes the hit to the chin, he growls and then swings a wild haymaker at Aldon.
Fipp's Attack:
Non-lethal Damage:
Syl moves along the wall and tries to take a cheap shot to Aldon's left side.
Syl's Attack:
Non-lethal Damage:
Aldon you take 8 Non-lethal
While Narwhal and Jape attempt to deliver blows to Lex.
Narwhal's Attack:
Non-lethal Damage:
Jape's Attack:
Non-lethal Damage:
Lex you manage to get your hands up to block the incoming blows in time.
Aretta seeing Marn off to the side and unprepared takes a lunge at him and tries to punch him in the head.
Aretta's Attack:
Non-lethal Damage:
She Connects with marns right ear. Marn takes 3 Non-lethal.
"Miss, don't be an idiot!" He turns towards the woman that just attacked him. He then attempts to take hold of her to try and prevent more harm coming to either of them.
Aldon winces from the pain of the attacks, but continues on his fight. He strikes out at Fipp, aiming for his gut.