Kaul chuckles appreciatively as his little mate leaps over the rails and into the swell. It doesn't take Jim but a moment to follow and Dingus begins a summoning spell. The captain sheaths her blade and calls a sharp lookout for another attack as more crew crowd the weather deck. Hinsin lays off his playing and moves over to heal the most severely injured.
Down below, Jim sinks and then feels a tingling sensation as he gains a more aquatic form. The manta-ling ripples its body and moves away from the shark and under the ship to the other side. He finds two more sahuagin diligently attempting to pound and pry at the ship's boards here as well.
The shark rushes Jim instead tearing open his leg. Another blue shark on Dibbets side rushes the halfling and sinks its serrated teeth into his side. The remaining sea devils move in quickly giving low menacing calls that carry through the water.
Jim tries to return the favor, his slender blade darting forward through the water.
Round 3
Seeing the sea turn a shade o' red, Kaul chuckles choke to a scowl and he realises his course is under the foam too.
The thug hands Lopper to the nearest swab with a growl;
"Iffen I don't come back drop Lops intae the deep for me tae wield... Iffen ye don't I'll come knockin' hur..."
The thug then taps the tribal ink on his bull neck invoking the shark within and takes a deep breath afore diving into the murky sea after his shipmates;
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Dibbets withdraws from his solo position and seeks the safety of the freshly arrived Jim and Kaul - setting up the nuggety one for a flanking position iffin he's able.
Kaul jumps in joining the fray off the starboard just as Dibbs retreats back under the keel toward his allies. Jim stabs his shark wounding it and staining the sea with something other than his own blood.
A dolphin appears and charges the shark ramming it from behind. The shark retreats with the dolphin close behind. The wrecker sea devils lay off their work and swim down into the depths leaving Dibbets protected by the hull at his back and his two mates in front. Four of the attacking shark men move in on the trio. Two Rush Kaul, but are turned aside by the gruesome shark hook. Jim dodges one only to get bitten by the other. They continue to eschew the rappers at their side for their natural attacks.
Round 4
Kaul rips at one of the sea devils with his hook;
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Bloodied, Jim returns the attack.
The form he's taken precluding the use of restorative spells unless he risks at drowning... Dibbets chooses to swim downwards a way, looking to surge into a flanking position with Kaul when he's able to manage it.
Kaul swings a hook at a sea devil, but misses. Dibbets swims down and around to flank and tarry one hoping to open him up to Kaul's hook. Jim's rapier pierces his sea devil through and it thrashes tinting the sea red as it dies.
The sahuagin beating on the bucking ship retreat leaving three which all turn on Kaul. Matching the thug's snuggle tooth grin and then some, the sharkmen get two bites in before making a retreat.
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Round 5:
In the depths of his own frenzy Kaul makes for another of the Sea Devils, attempt to rip it from gills to groin;
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Kaul notices a ray-like form dash up in front of his charge lane to forestall his pursuit of the scaled devils. As best he can with beardy maw, he pantomines that instead of pursuit they should be looking surface-wards and seeking readmission to their ride.
Dingus strips down to his god given outfit, and prepares to jump in after his mates... particularly when he sees the blood in the water. Just before he jumps in he sees action at the surface (rising comrades), and decides to wait before jumping in.
Jim returns to the surface, taking a couple of deep breaths and shouting, "I think they're sorted for now! Someone toss me a line, hey?"
Kaul's reach is somewhat foreshortened with only a hook at the end of his arm and the sea devils dodge his slash and swim down. Still in a fury, the menacing thug follows but they are far faster. He is brought up short before he can dive beyond the pearly gray light of the upper water which reflects the overcast sky. Dibbets deflects him upward as the enemy disappear into the deeper dark.
The crew emerge from the relative stillness below into the yet frightful storm. Dingus has somehow lost his robes again, but assists in pulling you in with the others on deck.
Kaul makes for the surface and soon wishes he hadn't when he catches a glimpse of a rain slick Dingus doing his snakeskin dance...
"Hur... By Besmara's Briney Teats that was fun eh lads! Chasin' them devils down intae the depths! Blood in tha' water Hur-Hur!!"
The thug threads water waiting for his ray-embued shipmate to rise up from the gloom.
"Say, Cap'n...they didn't manage to break through the hull, but Magpie's needing some time in drydock or on a beach."
The wind continues howling and Captain Lanteri sends most of the Magpies crew below to pump and repair. "How bad is the damage? We don't have time for it."
Breaching the surface of the water in a manner somewhat theatrical, Dibbets launches full into the air - transforming as he does before thudding heavily into the side of the Magpie and using the rigging for the rest of the ascent. Shaking brine out of one ear he confirm's Jimmer's view "Aye... question's less whether we's gots time fer it... an more whats we goan do when the scalys come back fer a second helpin like. Iffin tha bastards put they backs intae it they'll tear thru in a few minutes like. Any o' yer men swim as good as we dae?"
With the injured taken below and most of the remaining able-bodied crew working in the hold, there aren't many topside, but all eyes turn from the newcomers to the captain. Lantern scowls. "Very well! If we make it through this, we'll take a few days to ensure she'll get us where we're going!
Monkeying back up into the rigging, Dibbets looks to make sure the ropes don't come undone...
Profession (Sailor): and
Kaul seeks out the swab whose holding Lopper for him. The soaking and bitten thug lumbers over to the man, grinning as he admires the new bite wounds;
"Hur... they'll make decent scars I reckon... Alright shipmate I'll be needing me ax back..."
Kaul offers an open hand ready for his favoured hatchet, whilst his shark hook paw hovers should the swab be reluctant to part with the weapon.
There is not a moments hesitation as the sailor hands the heavy axe back.
Jim offers a lot of assistance before catching a stray sheet in the face.
With Lopper belted and back by his thigh, Kaul relishes the salty spray nipping his fresh wounds.
He's that chipper that the thug even pulls his weight on deck;
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Dingus deciding the safety of the ship is more important than his modesty at the moment, takes a moment to lace up his sandals, then turns to help with the rigging.
Profession: Sailor
Profession: Sailor 2
And ends up for the most part getting in everyone else way, as a rogue breeze picks up his last good robe, and sends it whirling over the side.
Dingus deciding the safety of the ship is more important than his modesty at the moment, takes a moment to lace up his sandals, then turns to help with the rigging.
1d20+6 Profession: Sailor
1d20+6 Profession: Sailor 2And ends up for the most part getting in everyone else way, as a rogue breeze picks up his last good robe, and sends it whirling over the side.
Things go from bad to worse as the storm shows no sign of abating soon. Dibbets jumps up to keep an eye on things above while Kaul and Jim make sure all is lashed down properly. The naked Tian seems more of a distraction than anything and the bosun yells for him to get below and put something on for modesty's sake! Captain Lanteri takes the helm again, but seems distracted and lets it get away from her just as a huge wave hits the ship abeam and nearly rolls her. Kaul grabs a swab before he goes over and Jim rushes to help get the ship turned aright. There's plenty of crashing and yelling below deck.
Sea lashed and salty Dibbets couldn't be more at peace riding the swirling maelstrom of storm above the deck. As the ship reels, he looks about at the faces of some of the other riggers... at least a one or two must be starting to look a wee bit green round the edges with worry. Cackling he shakes his head and drinks in the storm, yelling as he does "'Taint naught worth worryin bout lads:
Windy weather boys, stormy weather, boys
When the wind blows we're all together, boys
Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow
Jolly sou'wester, boys, steady she goes."
Those that remain on the wildly bucking deck perhaps are not as heartened by Dibbets song as he intends. The winds howl and waves crash. No one stays aloft except the wild halfling. Even Jim isn't that mad. It is perhaps not the worse that the Eye has to offer, but bad enough.
Darkness begins to fall making it harder to tell what dangers are present. The captain and Dibbets are the first to spot something low and looming that grows larger as the ship is tossed and blown toward it; it is land and the likelihood that the Magpie will break up on the unknown shore!
Kaul is already at the anchor when the captain calls for it. The land ahead looks low and marshy so likely the ship is already pretty shallow. Hopefully there is something below to hang on other than mud. The anchor is let out and drags as the ship charges landward. Suddenly, a jarring halt and the ship is stayed.
The anchor will hold, but there is little relief as the crew works through the night bailing. It is just before sunrise when the wind and waves subside leaving only a heavy rain.
The newcomers and those not bailing or injured listen in on the captain's conference. Iulia reports that there were more injuries below and nearly all the stores ruined. The half-Orc bosun says that the flooding is controlled, but she wants a good look at the hull. Belinda, the master reports that you are likely off the SE coast of Shark Island, the Sahuagin Coast. The closest settlements would be Old Moak Harbor, Ollo, or possibly Raketooth around the coast to the north shore.
During the night Dibbets does what he can to help out with the wounded... which consists of dispensing indifference at anyone the ship's surgeon frowns at rather than figuring out what he should do for himself. His opinion of the crew and ship is hardly raised after a wee storm manages to shake them about this much... but as they're in hostile waters without much option he chooses to endure.
To the Bosun he suggests "Want me an Jimmer tae pop in an 'ave a looksee at the hull?"
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Dingus comes to the deck yawning as the morning dawns. He slept tight as a bug, suspending himself in mid air with his anchoring rod, and curling up in his hammock like a shell bug. He is wearing what looks like a empty potato sack with a hole cut for his arms and legs, and a rope tied with his anchoring rod for a belt. He is already beginning to scratch where the rough cloth contacts his skin.
"Good morning all. I do hope there is a shop on yonder shore".
Dibbets gets some grudging nods of appreciation as he tends the injured, but Dingus' antics only get a shake of the head and sigh from many of the crew given the ship's current location off a barren stretch of the Sahuagin Coast. The captain frowns as she looks over Belinna's chart. "Moak Harbor is closest, but that'll take us right into the heart of Sea Devil territory. I've heard a small settlement has taken hold there again, but I'd rather avoid it if we can and I want nothing to do with Ollo and Sorrinash. I guess that leaves Raketooth." She squints at the bosun for confirmation that the ship will hold.
Yarba frowns not really acknowledging the halfling's offer. "We've got the leaks mainly under control. So long as the weather holds and nothing else happens, we should get there alright. Sooner we get her lifted out of the water where I can take a real look, the better."
Belinna nods eagerly. "Raketooth is not much farther than Ollo. We should get there easily in a day or two even taking it slow."
Kaul shoots the Captain a curious look;
"Hur. What's tae avoid in Ollo or Sorrinash skipper? Although Raketooth sounds promising' enough fer a sinkin' a few rums an' crackin' a few heads hur-hur-hur..."
The brutish half orc mugs a mako grin as he chuckles at the prospect of further violence.
A moderate rain continues to fall though the wind has died. The captain looks at Kaul incredulously. "Calling Avimar Sorrinash a dog would be hitting it closer to the mark than not. As for Ollo, it has trouble like Avimar has fleas. All of Shark Island is cursed, but at least Raketooth sounds half civilized. I don't want any problems either. This is to be a very quick stop."
So saying, the captain orders the crew to get the ship underway. Yarba begins yelling and the riggers grab ropes and climb. Unfortunately, the wet sails hang slack in the calm that has followed the storm. Anatoly, now nearly recovered from his wounds thanks to Dibbets gives the little lookout a sidelong look. "You got any wind left, comrade? No more storms just a strong breeze maybe."
"We'll try to make sure that nothing troubles the repair crew, hey?"
The rejection of his offer to inspect the hull is met with merely a shrug and a "Suit yersel... wouldnae hae taken a minute like."
After the order to set sail and Anatoly's question Dibbets settles a smirk onto his wiry haired and yellow toothed maw challenging the man back "Gi' me a song an I'll gi' ye some wind lad." monkeying through the rigging to put himself aft of center and braced. Once snug he gives a short look skyward before a short and sharp inhale is followed by a long and slow exhale. It isn't much, but the wind definitely picks up from the next to nothing that was once there to a consistent breeze. The ornery tattooed midget also supplements the low and slow with a couple of short sharp gusts to blow the worst of the water off the canvas.
Anatoly begins another droning song from his northern homeland as Dibbets scurries up the lines.
"Oiy moroz, moroz
Ni moroz menya
Ni moroz menya
Moyevo konya
Ni moroz menya
Moyevo konya
Moyevo konya
Belogrevogo
Another torrent drenches those left on deck as the sheets rattle and shed the rain. Slowly the ship moves away from the shore to the cheers of the soggy sailors below!
Once out in the open, the winds freshen though they are near head on leading the master to direct a close reaching course. The going is slow especially as you push through a narrow channel and turn into the wind, but eventually you round the east end of the island and anchor the ship under a waxing moon just outside of the settlement. The captain orders all hands to remain on board until she can check the situation in town in the morning.
The indefatigable Halfling keeps at his work through the day, rigging, looking, winding... and singing without any signs of tiredness or fatigue setting in. After all stop is called he seeks the company of his mateys with a parting wink offered to Anatoly. He grins yellow toothed and halitosy as he offers "Well... intrestin few days eh? Bit o' a blow, bit o' blood... maybe even a bit o' drink iffin her nibs lets us come ashore wi' her?"
Kaul nods somewhat cooly back;
"Has indeed. Suppose ye'll be drinkin' with yer new pal Anatoly iffen we are let off the lease like?"
The thug sniffs, then scratches at a scabbing scar with his hook...
Jim glances around quickly. "We haven't been at sea all that long, mates. Though depending on the negotiable companionship I could be tempted ashore, hey?" He lowers his voice. "Sing out if anyone gets close. This isn't for prying ears. This Stork fellow--I'm thinking he'll try to make a move when Cap'n Lanteri goes ashore. If he waves the bloody flag, best we have some idea which way we're going to jump."
Not entirely sure what's gotten Kauly's britches twisted Dibbs shrugs "Mebbe, aye." before finding Jimmer's words far more interesting and worth pondering "Ye any idea on who's wi' Stork then? I figger tha pretty boy's Lanteri's man right?"
Jim nods absently, trying to bring to mind Stork's introductions. "When we were doing the meet and greet with the crew, after we did the crab, Stork was strongly hinting that Gunner Creed's the Cap'n's man as well, but most of the others are open to a change of command--Iulia, Horemheb, your buddy Anatoly, Ship's Master Belinna, Zossrov, Bosun Yarba, and Cobb."
The new crew huddle in hushed conversation upon the weather deck. An activity sure to attract a bit of attention sooner or later and indeed a short shadowy figure exits the hatch from below and creeps toward the conspirators. Dibbets recognizes the figure first and Rafe gives a tentative greeting and asks what is up.
With a smile Dibbs gives the lad a whack on the shoulder "Eh lad, nei much just catchin upp afters tha decen ol' storm. Didja need tae ride it all out inna kitchen? How's Estabo doin down there? Hearin much worth hearin?"