Trying to do the math in his head, Dibbets can be seen looking up and muttering while counting on his fingers. Sighing he confides in the Groom "We even half-fix their noggins an we're already down coin onna job inna asseyelum... Mebbe we ken get away wivvout fixin Kaul's nugget... he's half cut at the best o' times what wiv 'is talkin nut an all..." looking up at the soggy sailor and winking conspiratorially.
"I tell you I'm fine". "I don't care what you say I'm not throwing away good gold on such a lark". "And speaking of gold, I'm tired of not having enough". "We've survived many things that could have killed us, and maybe killed a few things we shouldn't have, but I'm ready for bigger and better things". "I've got a plan formulating, and you're all in it". "Might make you richer, and more powerful, than you've ever dreamed".
To Dibbets in a conspiratorial voice, "Well, seeing as Jimmer is the only one stepping forward for an in the shell omelette descrambling, we can save money that way. Kaul won't know one way or the other, and Dingus says he fine...I ain't going to argue."
Back to the group, "Aye Dingus, I am all for any plan that brings riches short of instant death. If that little fainting episode opened your mind to new pathes to treasure, lead on I say."
Shrugging his shoulders Dibbets acquiesces "Aye... Jimmer, ye want tha full service like, or just most o' the cobwebs fluffed off?"
Kaul scowls at his soggy shipmate and pulls both Dingus and Jimmer close as Dibbs and The Groom confer.
Leaning toward the gilded Abadarian, the thug cracks a lopsided mako smile;
"Pssst. We three be alright in the head like... Its them two (cracks his no-neck toward the short and soggy conspirators) "... are the loopy ones hur-hurdy-hur-hur..."
The Taldan nods slowly. "Aye...this were something I could deal with, before the asylum. Now, though, I can tell it's coming between me and the sea. And I won't have that."
Nodding "Right then... one o' yer scrolls fer a full descramble fer Madman 'ere"
The gnome watches the exchange with apparent mild amusement. He smiles at Jim, "Don't worry, my friend. We can ease your mind and get you back to sea."
The gnomes digs through a satchel at his side, "Oooh, I'm sorry. I've already got a buyer for my last remaining heal scroll. Looks like just restoration today unless you can make it worth my while to disappoint a regular customer..."
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"Just as good anyway". "I wasn't going to pay the first price, much less this outrageously inflated price". "Who do you think you're dealing with". "We should just take all your scrolls, and leave you to deal with your regular customer".
Dingus raises his hands and points them like small cobra heads (Ohh cool tattoo idea), then begins to weave them around with a hissing chant. Richard pokes his head out of the concealment of Dingus's voluminous robes, and adds his visage to the performance.
Intimidate.
"I don't know about you boys, but I'm tired of being lied to, pushed around and cheated". "It's time we started taking what we want".
the Groom steps forward, "Avast Matey. No need of the snakes. Easy.... with the snakes. He's a man of business, a cleric of business even. We share a love of what glitters him and me. Seeing that perhaps we really do need perhaps more than one scroll, he might be seeing the need to see us become regular customers. Because, if say, we don't get a good price and certain people go untreated, well then, I can imagine that snakes might go appearing anywhere, like in people's beds or in their robes...the good Adabar would not want to see that affliction occur to the good people of this town, especially, Adabar forbid, to his followers. A good price on more than one scroll helps put that horrible image safely away. You make money and settle some troubled...vengeful minds...everyone goes home happy."
The gnome just smiles at the attempts to divest him of his wares, but the smile is a little chill as he turns on the thin Tianman, "If I weren't aware of your current fragile state, I'd have the Watch on you in a second and send you so deep into the Tombs, you'd be halfway home."
"This ain't the high seas here and threats will do you no good. This pouch only opens for me or did you forget that I serve the Master of the First Vault?" Despite his words, the gnomee still seems a little nervous about the hissing whispers and viper eying him from the robes.
He takes the Groom's tack a little better, "Now you do look like you might be regular customers and let me remind you, those in need of powerful healing don't have any other option then myself with the high hoohah of Gozreh's Grotto off who knows where. I'd stay on my good side."
"Look, a full heal spell seems to be beyond your means, but I can sell you two restoration spells for 750 each and I'll even guarantee their success. If they don't take, you get your money back. That's better than I usually do."
Dibbs shrugs and turns to Madman "Looks like a double dose fer ye Jimmer... unless one aught the others wants it... Neway, less get it done quick like... I'm itchin fer a drink."
"If no one else feels the need to step forward....with a guarantee, we only need one for now, on Jim, and maybe we take the other scroll for later...see whether hook hands or loose snakes become tomorrow's problem. In a pinch, Dibs or I can probably get the scroll to work...or bring it back here for the casting...maybe flash up some yellow sigils any they will gather what little sense left and come running back here....bah, I need that drink too! Let's finish this."
Jim stirs from his silence. "One for me now, hey? I'll not stay so useless any longer, and we've much to be after doing. Though I'm not sure it's wise to brave the sewers, seeing what became of the Black Knot."
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"Bah, let's get yer noggin on straight... then we ken bend it agin wiv' some hard liquor... mebbe get ye some tail that doesn't... you know... have a tail. Then we ken chat on what's now. Dingus there seems tae have a steer onna what 'e wants anylike."
The shiny gnome accepts the sizable portion of bagged gold, carefully weighing it out on his enchanted scales and then depositing the bags into his own magical bag. Smiling he draws out a pair of scrolls handing one to Dibbets before unfurling one before Jim and loudly reading the prayer written upon the other. Jim immediately looks less jittery. His eye twitch slows and his compulsion is eased somewhat. At least he seems only a tad more loony than Kaul.
The gnome takes note of the half-orc's mutilated paw. "I have a spell that would grow that back, but it's out of your range. I can lop it off and heal it quick if you'd rather just be done with it. Just 50 gold and I'll even dispose of it properly. You could probably get a barber to do it cheaper, but you could get infected and then there are usually apprentice necromancers hanging out back ready to reanimate the leavings. I don't suppose you want that thing creeping back some night."
Dibbets takes the scroll with reverence... before trying to find a pocket in his kilt. After a few moments he folds the scroll a little tighter and puts it in his gunpowder sporran for safekeeping.
After Jimmer's deed is done, Dibbets is starting to look like a six year old child who's drunk three pitchers of coffee and been stuck in a carriage for three hours... he really really needs to go. Muttering quietly to himself "Rum rum rum rum rum rum rum rum rum rum rummity rum... rum rum rum"
The gilded gnome continues addressing Kaul, "I'm not sure what sort of implement you'd want to stick on your stump. I know a guy that just lashed a shark hook on the end. If you're looking for something more specialized, you could check with Kolter's Clockworks or even Otto over in Scurvytown. He's got to be the best weaponsmith in the region."
As the magic takes hold and repairs most of the holes in the Taldan's mind, he visibly relaxes. Shadows are only shadows, now, and not hiding places for legions of once-human insect creatures. The sight of a yellow robe no longer triggers the urge to flee or fight. (Bacon, though, still comes with some unpleasant associations....) "My thanks to you, sir. Come on, Dibbets! First round's on me!"
Smiling like a wildman Dibbets nods enthusiastically "Aye... less get some chow too... goat curry?"
Jim pauses for a split second, then laughs. "Hair of the goat that butts you? Aye! Lead on, mate!"
"Now we're talking sense." the Groom sets off back into the crowd on lunatics, a slight smile and a wet whistle on his lips, and his good piece o'hickory restless, where it rides on his shoulder.
Kaul nods at the shiney gnome;
"Hur. Jes' lop it off and be done with it... Aye I'll get me something suitable from Otto hur..."
The thug presents his mangled paw as he grins at the others;
"Go one ahead lads... I'll be along tae toast my dear departed paw..."
Kaul degenerates into a fit of hysterical giggles, wheezing the reason through piggy eyed tears;
"Hehehehuuurrrrhehehehehuuuurrr... My Pa is is dead!Hehehehuuurrrrhehehehehuuuurrr!"
"Yes". "Let us have ale and nourishment, then I shall begin to reveal my master plan to you all".
The crew departs leaving only Kaul's hand on deck after a hatchet blow and a spray of blood. The gnome quickly heals the bleeding stump and Kaul is free to trail after his mates.
Kaul lumbers up as the others seem to be discussing next port o' call.
He grins and proudly displays his stump;
"Ye know Gull is my vote lads... then I need tae source me new hook... 'sides gotta 'ave chinwag with Buster like... Hur..."
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After a slight askance look at Kaul's stump, Dibbets shrugs and stumps along "Way hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding
Way hey and away we go
Ridin' on a donkey."
The rain keeps falling accented by an occasional crack of thunder over Mount A'val as the crew make their way through the wet streets of the Old City. They duck into Pete's to grab a little pub grub before heading to the Black Gull for serious drinking. The Black Gull doesn't bother with food, just booze cheap and plentiful.
Once inside the long dim building, the crew can see that the evening crowd is already deep in their cups. Mackey is serving and Buster looms at his usual post. The raven perched on the ship's wheel hanging from the ceiling gives a full-throated CAW and eyes Dingus suspiciously as the crew makes their way across the filthy stained floor to the bar.
Jim strides up to the bar. "Round for me and my mates, hey?"
"And keep it coming, we got a lot of forgetting ahead of us tonight."
Dibbets gets past the speaking and moves straight into the drinking part, straining the liquor through his mustache for extra flavor. After the first brew is no more, the halfling grimaces a little before turning to Dingus "So Dingus... whassa grand plan eh?"
Kaul nods at Buster, then grabs a grog and also drains his mug afore also prompting for info;
"C'mon Snake Hips... spill yer thoughts... hur..."
"Well, gather close lads, wouldn't want my plan to fall on unwelcome ears". "Here's the gist of it". "We've been doing things kind of haphazard and chaotically, which is fine mind you, but so far not to profitable". "so I say it's time we took control of our destiny, instead of just letting it happen to us".
"I've seen a lot of scurvy captains, and unfit leaders accomplishing much more than we have, so here's what we do". "Where we do it, and how we make it happen we can discuss, but I believe we need to do one of two things.". "Either we start our own gang here in Freeport, or we somehow find us a ship, and start raking in the real dough". "There's no reason we can't become a power player here in town, or if we're really feeling our oats, let's find us a ship, and go wherever we want, and do what pleases us". "There's plenty of loot, and fun to be had for a bunch of smart guys like us". "What do you think"?
From his precarious perch atop a stool Dibbs stops halfway through a draw on his liquor to ponder on Dingus' words. Mulling things over he looks from each of his crewmates to the other - the scary and serpentine, to the sodden and scary, nuggety and half-handed, before settling on Jimmer.
A throaty gurgle as he laughs through the ale before putting it down "Iffin we do I vote Madman 'ere as the face of it... e's the only one folks wouldnae either laugh at or be piss scared o'." wiping away the foamy residue of his brew on a hairy arm "Problem is wi' gettin a ship is we needs some cash like... unless we sets about jus feckin takin one like. An wi' tossin down roots ere.. we jus don't know who else has a takin on a place... What do ye think mateys?"
"What do ye think mateys?"
Jim tosses back the rest of his rum and signals to the barkeep for another bottle. "I'm liking the idea of returning to sea. What troubles me, though, is that any ship big enough to be worthwhile will need more than just the five of us to man her. Unless.... His voice trails off as the refill approaches. With accounts settled and the barkeep safely out of earshot, he continues. "It came to me when we were negotiating with the gnome that there are things such as those scrolls--small things, but valuable ones--such that a small, fast ship could carry a fortune in a cabin. A couple of runs from here to Absalom and back, and we'd be sitting pretty."
"Still in needs a decent post cash like... but I knows where we could pick up some fellas on the cheap iffin we needs a crew. Quick whip roun' Dagrits kitchen'd stump up some salts... probly bit on the old side but fair enuff iffin we in needs."
Jim nods. "Aye, hadn't thought of them. Good one, mate. A ship would set us back 10,000 sails, easy, and when have we had...that...how much do we have in the vault, mates?"
Kaul eyes Dingus with a slight look of awe, before grinning like a mako;
"Hur. I says we do both... Gang onshore will 'elp fund our activities on the waves..."
The thug downs another mug and carries on;
"Was thinkin' o' startin' me own gang anyways... well fundin' em like... give em a leg up like hur... Eyes an' ears, fists an' cudgels onshore won't 'urt... well not us anyhow! Hurhurhur!"
Kaul bangs his stump on the table as he descends into a hacking laugh.
"In my opinion, I bet very few of the ships being used by "Freeport Merchants" were purchased. And yes, we'd need more crew, but I bet there's plenty around that would jump at the prospect of a bit of gold, and some pillaging.
"We know of an empty base on Sentinel Isle. A good place to operate from, as the pickings seem to come right to you."
Dibbets firmly shakes his head "Nay mateys... iffin we sets out afloat I'd nae do it under another... feckin worked out great last time eh?" look of grimness momentarily crossing his face "Thassa nother set o' feckers got it comin" sadness tinging an eye as he reaches for another drink and throws it down "Bloody hell mateys the more'n I think on it the better it bloody sounds... right o, ye gots me on board Dingus... jus keep yer twin pythons outta me face an I'm wi' ye."
There is a bit of jostling nearby and a wide half-orc covered in coarse black hair and holding a large nail studded club steps up to you. Buster's head rotates upward slightly on an unseen neck so his massive chin can indicate Kaul's stump, "Lose something?"
Ignoring the others, he follows up with, "You hear what happened to Slick?"
Kaul grins back at Buster;
"Hur... did indeed mate... thinkin' o a hook or a shiv tae replace it..."
The thug cracks a smile nods his own no-neck towards the crew;
"Will 'ave tae get one o' these poor lads tae help me when I pi$$... ain't strong enough tae lift it with one paw hur-hur-hur-hur!"
At Slick's name the thugs eyes narrow;
"Oh aye... I know about Slick alright... he was trouble... but ain't we all? The guilded halfinchers got him... but they'll get theirs alright..."
The thug taps his (and once Slick's) tuskcap to emphasise the point, before downing a shot o' liquor with a grimace.
Buster looks thoughtful, "Yeah, Slick got what he deserved. Sounds like he won't be living on that boat he had in the harbor then, seeing as he's not living. The Bloodsalt's just getting crazy. It was bad enough with the 'goblins acting like they run the place, but lately some grayskins been going wild. Just crazy, attacking anyone in sight until someone puts 'em down. I'm looking to move out. Docks sound fine."