Zale swims down to the other creature and lashes out with his sword, stabbing at the creature rather than swinging.
I don't know his numbers but he does
He stabs deep in to the lobster who lashes out at the Paladin in his death throes, cutting him to ribbons in the process. Zale keeps standing but has suffered a lot of damage.
"Help! Can somebody heal her!?" Aviz shouts out to the others as he sees the threat is gone.
"Help! Can somebody heal her!?" Aviz shouts out to the others as he sees the threat is gone.
"Hold her up!"
"I think that did it but it's my first time. Maybe I should try the kiss of life."
With the danger gone, Hodge heals himself ( ) and continues to catch crabs and hold them towards the water's surface.
or
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With the danger gone, Hodge heals himself ( [dice=Cure Light Wounds] 1d8 +1 ) and continues to catch crabs and hold them towards the water's surface.
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G'nosha swam to Aviz and Esmarelda, and poured the content of Sandara's healing potion into the rogue's mouth.
The potion does much to reinvigorate the Rogue, causing most of her wounds to close and the blood to stop flowing but she still remains unresponsive.
Hodge realizes like a big dumb idiot that a party member is still down, and tosses a very lucky crab over his shoulder. If possible, he walks to a point in the reef where he can be above water.
"SOYAD OB ZAV OPOT!!" He is calling out to them and waving them over.
Aviz narrows his eyes at the odd creature. But strange as he might be, it seems as if he's been honestly trying to help. Aviz goes on his back and wraps an around Es's chest, then uses his other arm to swim over to the bizarre creature. He carefully picks her up for it.
Esmarelda coughed up what sea water was left in her lungs before she looked from Hodge to Aviz. The memory of what happened and what likely happened soon after, filled her head all at once. She offered the Strix, who still had his arm around her chest, a charming smile as she spoke, "Taking the chance to cop a feel huh handsome?" She joked, trying to make light of her near death experience.
Though soon after she looked to her friends and gave them a nod. "I'm fairly sure I owe each of you a thank you." She said before she noticed the reefclaws, dead, in the water. "Grab those things. We'll add them to the pots of crabs... I mean they're just like lobsters." She shrugged a bit.
A woman floats nearby, lounging on a raft, her tricorne hat resting over her face. She begins to speak as you begin to move.
"Took a nasty knock there love. Better be more careful next time. You ain't welcome here just yet."
She raised her tricorne and winked at you before you slip in to darkness once again, a skull and crossbones symbol burning bright across your minds eye as you come too, cradled in the arms of Aviz, with the cold hand of Hodge upon your brow.
"Don't fail me love.
You hear a sultry laugh and feel a light caress, as if a hand has just stroked your cheek. In the light glowing around his palm you can clearly see a skull and crossbones symbol burning bright.
"You'll find your place yet love, don't you worry." You hear someone whisper as your back begins to tingle slightly. You flex and your wings feel, not healed, but healthier.
Golden light flashes for a moment and Es comes spluttering awake.
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Aviz stares down at Es with a blank look. After a long, awkward pause as her joke falls flat he stands and clenches his fists, hunching over slightly. Then he looks out to the sea and takes a few steps back, launching himself over the water. But instead of plummeting strait in he glides over a dozen feet out before coming down, wing stubs seeming to protest the influence of gravity. He splashes up out of the water with a confused look. What is happening to me?
Esmarelda shook her head when Aviz let her go.
Man needs to learn to enjoy himself.
The varisian woman brought her hand up to her chest, feeling a strange tingling upon her skin. When she looked down to check if something had bit or stung her she let out a gasp. Upon her skin, mainly her left breast just before her shirt cover the rest, was the mark of Besmara. Anyone who looked at her would easily be able to see the new mark.
So it wasn't a dream... She really sent me back? Or... let someone bring me back?
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Aviz comes back onto shore, water dripping from his long hair like a wet dog. He suddenly winces and looks down at his right hand, and upon his palm is a mark of Besmara that matches that of Es's. He look from his hand, to Es's breast, then back to his hand as he flexes his partially healed wings. Then he walks over and, calm as a sea cucumber, places his hand on Es's breast.
...
After a brief pause Aviz goes beet red and quickly takes his hand back. "Erm...I umm thought...because of...where I was touching..." He begins stammering like a nervous wreck, not even able to look Es in the eye.
G'nosha stared really hard at Esmarelda's new tattoo... Or maybe her breasts, it was kind of hard to say.
Her baffled gaze went from Aviz to Es:
"You owe the Goddess one," she finally said, and her voice was full of both respect and awe. "Be ready to give it back."
Esmarelda gave a small laugh at Aviz's embarrassment, though she grabbed his hand and kissed the mark. "You may have something there." She told him as she offered him a wink.
She then looked to G'nosha and offered a small laugh. "It's Besmara, she'd only mark someone if it benefited her." She explained, though what the pirate goddess has said popped into her mind. "Or because she has something planned for you..." The varisian woman looked to Hodge, a strange look upon her face. "Did you heal me?"
Aviz continues to mumble and blush and look down, like he's a young boy at a dance who is talking to a girl for the first time.
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The conversation droned in the distance as Hodge tried to make sense of his vision. That man was the same as from the boat. What did that small magician call him? Master Scourge, he was fairly certain. The one who wanted Hodge to copy-cat these floating cork creatures in the first place. He was snapped back to reality by the multiple usages of 'Besmara', and finally when Esmeralda spoke to him. He leaned down to match her eye level, and try some real communication with these creatures.
"Did you heal me?"
"Deeeeed yooooooo Hee'mee?" he trailed off from struggling to repeat the language, distracted by the mark on the human's chest. He points to it "Vus thob Besmar'a!?", and finally looking back at the creature's face there was something strikingly familiar about them, chewing at the back of his memory.
He double checks the antagonistic winged creature's hand for the mark. The blocky human and the Green biped also talked about Besmara. Even his best friend so far (He assumes), the small drunken magician, seemed to be nodding knowingly.
He decided to trust them "Maaaassss-duh-eeer Scoouu-ruhdge... yavo r'oob yekst uhhh... uhhh..." and goes for another approach; charades. He takes a moment to think, scratching nervously at the barnacles on his neck.
Obviously suffering from stage fright, Hodge points to himself "Mass-duh-er Scoo-rudge-""
He turns in profile, and punt kicks at nothing in the water, making a splash.
He lumbers behind Esmarelda, looking at the group and pointing to her rear end "-Besmar'a-" and then pantomimes another punt kick to her backside.
He finally returns to the front of the group, and drags a finger across his neck, with a sickening choking sound; "KKKKHHHHHHHHCHCHCHCTTTHHHKKKTT"
He pauses, and then tries to drive the message home, his voice a little more upset this time. "Scoo-rudge- drags his finger across his neck "KKKHHHHCHCHCHCCCHHKKT'.
The varisian woman nodded to the question Hodge asked when he pointed to her new mark. "Besmara, yes."
Esmarelda watched with a slight look of confusion as the large armored man put on a show for them. She raised an eyebrow as she leaned her head to one side before asking "Are you saying... Besmara wants us to kill Master Scourge?" She guessed, doing her best with what she was given.
Why the hells did he act like he was going to kick me?
As the party continue to pick and collect, stuffing the Reefclaw in to the pots and topping up the others, the day reaches around midday by the time they find themselves clambering back over the side of the ship and up on to the deck. They stand there shivering in the midday sun, as they are approached by the Captain, who begins to peruse their catch. When his eyes fall upon the Reefclaw he smiled broadly and nodded.
"Yeh did well fer runts an layabouts I'll give yeh that!" With that he tossed Aviz a small sack. The sack jingled and clinked at the same time, shifting slightly in his hands. "Tell Grok yeh can have yer things back. All of it."
Any good cheer you can all muster however is quashed as Plugg walks over to you, once the Captain is gone. "Congratulations. But there is still work to be done on this ship. Mister Aviz, to the Crowsnest if you please. Double time. You three scrub this deck till it gleams!" He points at Es, Esk and Hodge, before turning to G'Nosha. "And you girl, get these below deck to Kroop and get him cooking. Hop to it, all of you!"
When the captain looked pleased with the baskets of reefclaws, Esmarelda gave him a respectful nod. She remembered the fact he didn't like people speaking to him, thus held her tongue... for once.
"Mr. Plugg, are we allow to gather our things first? Captain said we're allowed to have our things back, may we gather our things before returning to our duties?" Esmarelda asked, trying to sound a bit respectful, as she shifted slightly and placed her hand on her hip.
Aviz continues his never ending sneer, but the Captain was being less of an ass than normal so it seems there is progress. At getting the rest of his gear back comes up his smirk falls. Good. Being equipped is the first step to getting off. Aviz peers into the sack curiously.
Mister Aviz. He thinks to himself. That's the highest title I've ever been called. Aviz growls and gets over to the crow's nest, shuffling his way up slowly.
Hodge nods. "Besmar'a keeel Scoo-rudge"
Hodge walks down to the bottom of the reef again and begins picking out crabs fro the group to fill their pots.
Hodge shifts uncomfortably in place as the human points at him and garbles nonsense. He looks around the deck for Peppery, calling her over if he sees her.
While he does this, he's following the two small humans and watching for what he's supposed to be doing next.
Hodge nods. "Besmar'a keeel Scoo-rudge"
Hodge walks down to the bottom of the reef again and begins picking out crabs fro the group to fill their pots.
"I'm sorry. Is it like a game? Five syllables, first word, first syllable sounds like...." After a moment Eskilline guesses: "Bees are a keel school fudge? No. That can't be it."
Back at the ship Eskilline whistles and stays upbeat while he works.
As Aviz stares in to the small bag, he is pleasantly surprised to find a small collection of coins and two vials of liquid.
Plugg inclines his head to Esmareldas request, as Peppery makes her way over to speak to Hodge. "Yes, you may go retrieve your gear. Carry on!" At the same time Peppery instructs Hodge towards his task, showing him where to find the Ships Vinegar and the Holystones.
"Any other questions dear?" The woman asked.
"My thanks Mr.Plugg." Esmarelda said with a slight nod to him before looking to her other friends, since Peppery was speaking with Hodge, "Lets get along then Get to Grok, grab you things, take them to your locker, and then back on deck." She told them before heading down herself to go see Grok.
After a feed of fresh sea food stew (different from the regular fish stew as it does not have any really questionable fish bits in it) and the usual drink of rum () you all find yourselves on the Top deck, staring out over the ship as it kicks in to action for the night festivities.
Esmarelda tipped her rum over the side of the ship before going about her way to find Sandra. The new mark, still there for all to see, worried her slightly. Besmara expected something from her, and she wanted to know what.
"Ah, there you are beautiful!" Esmarelda said with a smile on her face. "Do you mind if I take a moment or town of your time? I have a few questions I believe you might be able to help me with."
Aviz takes the money and evenly splits it among his fellow shanghaied crewmates. Then he quizzically takes the potions out. "Anybody know what these do?"
Hodge looks down at the human, after she gives him instructions on swabbing the deck.
<"I would appreciate it if you found me a, uhmmmm-"> He scratches at the armor on his neck <"-a tutor for this new common. I have tried picking up a few words. 'You', for example, I'm sure this means 'hello'. And 'Hodgepodge' refers to the ship's anchor. But otherwise, not much luck. Perhaps ask the small magician? He seems to command attention.">
<"Also- I have a personal question. How do you like working for Master Scourge? Do you find him to be a cordial shipmate?">
Hodge downs the drink, and sets out to make friendly with the rest of the crew. He approaches the only game that seems immediately recognizable, the arm wrestling barrel.
Sitting in front of it, and placing his elbow on the table, he calls out. "Zavud et vistu r'oob ayag av! Stenoptii yavu gn'ak!"
G'nosha shrugged, grabbed the crustaceans, and brought them to the kitchen.
The half-orc drank her rum in a few gulps. She was getting used to it.
Aviz takes the money and evenly splits it among his fellow shanghaied crewmates. Then he quizzically takes the potions out. "Anybody know what these do?"
"Sorry it's not like I'm a trained wizard or anything."
1. Giffer Tibbs - Gnome Male
2. Jack Scrimshaw - Human Male
3. Rosie Cusswell - Halfling Female
4. Crimson Cogward - Human Male
5. Tilly Bracket - Human Female
6. Badger Medlar - Half-Elf Female
7. Shivikah - Human Female
8. Aretta Bansion - Human Female
9. Fipps Chumlett - Human Male
10. Jaundiced Jape - Half-Orc Male
Eskilline lays out on the forecastle stargazing.
"Just look at those stars. You don't get those in the city."
Es finds Sandara sitting surrounded by some of the ships crew, laughing and rolling dice on the deck. A bottle of wine is being passed around the circle and multiple bottles of something that no decent person could identify. Sand smiled when Es advanced and waved at her, before her hand fell still and she stared at the Rogues chest in open interest.
"Well... a bosom to attract much interest indeed. Aye girl I have some time. Come, sit and play a couple hands if you feel like it?"
Peppery smiled up at the huge man and nodded slightly, "I can help you learn some yes, in fact we will start tomorrow. Now it will have to be in tandem with your work but I will teach you yes."
At his question she frowned slightly, "I do not work for Scourge. He is Pluggs puppet and I am Pluggs equal. But he is a good tool, none the less."
After downing his Rum, Hodge made his way to the barrel set aside for arm wrestling and took his side, calling out a challenge. In a moment the call was met by the tall Mwangi man Maheem. The man cracks his neck sharply before gripping Hodges hand and holding up three fingers, slowly putting them down one by one, before he pushed.
Eskilline is hit hard by the rum and feels his tongue loosening even more. When he meant to say "Just look at those stars,", his slurred speech made it sound more like "Just look at that arse". Arreta who was standing near by let out a spluttered laugh before swaying over to him and glaring down at him with hands on hips.
"What was that pretty boy? Are you suggestin that my rump is not summat you'd see in a city? Where would ya see it then? A farm?" She chuckled lightly to show she was joking before shoving him gently with her bare foot.
"Buy a lass a drink? Or at least steal her one?"
G'Nosha feels the rum hit hard, draining all of her vitality and leaving her feeling lethargic and basically fluid. She finds herself drifting towards the Aft Top deck, towards a tall hanging cage. Inside the cage rests the remains of a person and a ratty looking old Parrot.
"F%!% OFF!" The Parrot squawks loudly at the woman as she approaches, which is met by a drunken giggle.
G'Nosha finds Kroop sitting on the deck, back against the rail, staring at the wheel of the ship. He does not look up but salutes her as she approaches, before beginning to speak in a drunken slur, "Sometimes I just want ta take that wheel and turn us in to a reef. Run us all aground and murder us all!" He began to laugh softly.
"What can I do fer ya girl?"
Aviz finds himself drifting towards the lower levels of the ship, heading down past the mid deck. He spots a small shape hurrying down the stairs in what appears to be quite a rush.
Aviz squints through his buzz, then shakes his head. Wait...why were they running? Aviz starts to quietly go after the movement.
Aviz moves after the small shape as it darts down the stairs and through the crew compartment. No one pays attention to the little Halfling as he keeps on heading down, moving without notice to the ladder that leads to the Bilges. He looks around once or twice but the crew is busy drinking, fighting or f+#~ing and no one seems to notice as he lets himself down the ladder, pulling the hatch closed after him.
There is a wild edge of panic to the Halfling. He seems like a man on the edge of flight. He is determined however and set on his path.
The front of his tunic is stained in blood, as are his hands. He is carrying a heavy sack out of which you can see a saw handle protrude.
"Oh you don't want me playing, I'd own you all before the night is over." She told the group with a playful wink before turning her attention back to Sandara. "I'm sure you are well aware I did not have this mark when I left the ship this morning to go crab hunting, but while out and about we happened upon some reef claws... I took a few hits and lost consciousness. When I awoke, I found this upon my breast." She explained as she moved enough of her top for Sandara to get a proper look, without exposing herself. "But, that isn't all... Before I awoke I had an odd dream. I was laying in a pool at sunset, next to my was a woman on a raft. She had a tricorner over her face so I couldn't see who she was but she told me: "Took a nasty knock there love. Better be more careful next time. You ain't welcome here just yet." Then just before I was pulled back I heard her say: "Don't fail me love." I'm not really sure what to make of it... Or even if I should make anything of it! If it was Besmara, it could have been nothing... Or something." Esmarelda said as she took a seat next to her friend.
Aviz growls as he sees the blood. Oh s$+@. I should have tossed my drink, this is going to get ugly. He runs a hand under his shirt to his brass knuckles, following the halfling.
"<M-my apologies! It was just...>" He leans in closer, forgetting nobody else could understand him. "<... I thought he was the captain! You will have to explain the hierarchy of this place when we begin my studies, please!>"
He stands back up at full height "<So, this scourge is a tool? Then if he is to be slain, I will find a replacement for him. that way you and 'Plugg' will not be too put out. Thank you very much for your help, I will see you in the morning for language training, and then make preparations to murder Scourge.>"
He nods politely, and begins strutting off to scrub the decks.
Eskilline is hit hard by the rum and feels his tongue loosening even more. When he meant to say "Just look at those stars,", his slurred speech made it sound more like "Just look at that arse." Arreta who was standing near by let out a spluttered laugh before swaying over to him and glaring down at him with hands on hips.
"What was that pretty boy? Are you suggestin that my rump is not summat you'd see in a city? Where would ya see it then? A farm?" She chuckled lightly to show she was joking before shoving him gently with her bare foot.
"Buy a lass a drink? Or at least steal her one?"
Eskilline looks about for a couple (or more) swabs at play with libations handy. He puts a index finger nearly to his lips and says "Shhh."
He casts ghost sound mimicking the sound of a loud splash just out of easy sight from them.
Inspired, he sneaks in
And makes off with a pair of cups.
He leads Arreta to the forecastle (assuming she has at least rum-goggled, good looks) and hands her one of the drinks. "They were probably supposed to be on look-out anyway." He smiles and then says a magic word and with ray of frost chills the tankards. "Cheers."
[dice=perform (romantic, strings)]1d20+4[/dice]
A very tired -and somewhat drunk- G'nosha stared at the parrot, and, unable to think of a good retort, banged the cage:
"You f*** off, silly bird.""
"Sometimes I just want ta take that wheel and turn us in to a reef. Run us all aground and murder us all!"
"Can't say that I don't understand," G'nosha grunted. "You're not the only one getting tired of it all. "
She showed the reefclaws:
"Anyways, we've got things to cook."
As Aviz makes his way slowly down the ladder in to the dark, dank bilges, he is greeted with the fresh scent of blood and a twisted disturbing sight. A single lamp swings from one of the crossbeams, bathing the small cramped hold in eerie light. A low keening sound can be heard from the back of the compartment, accompanied by a dull sawing.
Aviz catches sight of the sound, the Halfling man. He is knelt by a bloody body, sobbing softly to himself as he works a saw, attempting to cut the arm off at the elbow. He looks up as Aviz makes his way down the ladder, brushing tears from his eyes. He stares at Aviz and begins to cry harder.
"I-I didn' mean it. He woz pushin me too much. He followed me down ere and I had my blade and I just f*&$in did em. I didn mean to, I didn I swear. The Cap'n will ave my ead he will. I'm done for!" Ratline, the Rigger, hiccups loudly as he gestured down at the Half Orc man lying before him.
Jaundice Jape has seen better days.
Sandara whistles through her teeth softly and leans in a little, frowning at the mark before nodding. "I knew summat weird were gonna arrive when he showed up..." She whispered quietly to herself before clearing her throat softly.
"Well that is some story love, that is for sure. And aye it sounds like the Salty old b#~@+ herself, praise be to her name and may she bring us fat merchants and lazy guardsmen. It ain't unheard of fer Gods to choose... champions of a sort from time to time. The younger gods especially love to do it, causes a lot of trouble if used right and god knows the Lady is up fer a bit o mischief. I couldn't tell you what you were chosen fer but I'm sure it'll all shake out in the end, aye. Anyone else wearing the mark?"
Peppery stares at Hodge in confusion for a moment before laughing softly. "Yes, you would not be the first one to plan to try to kill him dear, but I must warn you he is rather tough. And that is nothing as compared to the Captain. There is a rule on the ship against murder at the moment so you may want to hold off for the moment, just in case you end up with your head torn off and deposited somewhere unpleasant. He is an unpleasant man, I can understand you wanting to ah... dispose of him. But you are not quite crew yet. When the time comes to draw steel for a prize, stick to the front, lead the advance and he will treat you right. Lots of gold for you too. So stay your blade for awhile. We will talk in the morning. Till then dear!" She inclined her head before walking away, casting a glance back at the huge creature as she did.
After successfully pilfering the mugs of what turns out to be a sweet Chelish Brandy, Eskilline leads the young woman to a secluded spot. They talk, they laugh, they grope and the night passes beautifully, Eskilline acting the gentelman for the most part and Arretta the brigand. Though rougher than he would usually go for, Arretta is beautiful in a sea weathered way and imposing to boot.
Kroop waves the woman to sit down, shaking his head softly. "Already cooked it and served it girl. Sit and drink yer fill. Tomorrow is a new day but fer now, now we can relax and do as we wish." He nodded, smiling a gap toothed smile. "Ya know I was a famous Chef once? Had a resraunt in Port Peril. Was the talk o the town, beautiful stuff all tagether. I'd recommen it, if I still worked there!"