Kaul licks his chops, sensing the potential for things to kick off after Dibbs' honest taunt.
He looks to Belinna expectantly, gnarled hand cupping Lopper's grip.
Belinna frowns. "Who is this Siren? We were a skeleton crew already and now we've lost two more. I don't particularly like leaving anyone behind and we can hardly afford it at this point."
"If Stork has such powerful magic, why'd he just leave? Maybe we can't risk a rescue, but it should at least be discussed."
Dibbs considers plying his response with acid Feckin b1tch didnae gi' as much aught a sh1te when she left us marooned now did she? Stranded wivvout word or warnin an left us tae die nice an fine now didn't she. but the halfling catches himself and instead just grimaces, hocks up a loogie, disgorges it seaward and waits for someone else to speak.
Kaul hacks a chuckle;
"Aye let's discuss."
The thugs shakes his scarred noggin;
"We go after'a lost Hinsin, then we lose more I reckons. An' birdy can't be trusted tae back our play. Leave 'im."
Belinna nods. "Alright, I trust your judgement, Bosun. Well, eat up mates. We're leaving with the tide and we'll be leaner than last time. It won't be an easy journey to Freeport."
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the Groom steps forward to address the Captain, "Not so shorthanded. I'll add my mark to the ship's ledger, if'n you want to make the trip to Freeport a bit easier. I've sailed with a few of your crew already... the Groom turns to look back at the crew before turning back and thumbing towardsJim over his shoulder."ummm...Jim or Dibbits could vouch for me. I wield a few magics given from the Pirate Queen herself, that can make up for any the Grackle had hidden in his feathers. And these, my personal ballista and nail-studded club, are itching for any boarding actions."
Dingus is just glad that stability has returned, and if in fact not really sure who the captain is... not that it matters. He turns to head below decks with a sigh, to return his travelling pack of clothing to the chest.
Belinna smiles at the Groom. "You're in luck. We're short more than a few crew and will take what we can get. I'm hoping Jim will be First Mate and if he'll vouch for you, you can be Second."
Dibbets doesn't have anything more to say at present, though he does seek out Zoss to offer a comradely thanks for chipping in as he did at the throwdown.
Kaul stares balefully at the shoreline, grumbling to none and all;
"Would have liked to gutted Half-Inch afore we sent sail, but with the Siren and her folk abroad won't likely be safe... Hur."
The thug spits o'erboard, then awaits orders for heading off.
Overhearing Kaul's lament "Eh... beggars cannae be choosers like. Think ought it this way matey - gives ye more time tae think up what yer goan do wi' him eh?"
He also adds to the Groom "Ain't got nei objections iffin ye wants tae speak o' tha Drowner tae the crew like either. Salt knows tha Skylord dinnae gi' a sh1te so I dinnae see why I should like either eh?" implying that the Groom could tend to the spiritual needs of the crew if he saw fit as well, rather than leave it to the heretical Gozrehite.
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"I just need to remind them on occasion who they are really sailing for. Having a pretty lass under the 'hat' should help set the mood."
the Groom goes to retrieve his gear from the tavern. When he returns he lays his hand upon the hull of the ship, setting his Brand upon the wood. Once he stows his sea bag he heads to the deck. Pulling a gold coin from his pocket, he throws it into the sea. To those giving him questioning looks, "Priming the pump. Besmara don't look for much from you lot, except respect. To her AND your fellow shipmates. Give her what's due and she gives her favor, such as leads to treasures and becalming winds for fat merchants. But if all you to do is take, she can take in return. All I lost was a finger for my sins, I heard your last Captain had her brain sucked out after abandoning part of her crew."
the Groom finishes by spitting over the rail. He turns and sets off to report to the Captain.
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the Groom stows his gear in a new berth and steps readily into his role as a clanging fog-signal so to speak warning of treacherous shoals if Besmara's not given her due. Dibbets seeks the crows nest for some solitude aloft after a rather trying day. He pauses only long enough for a word with Zossrov who seems relieved that the tempestuous halfling didn't take offense to his nominating Belinna for the captaincy.
Dingus finishes repacking his regalia and catches the end of chow only to be recruited to help with clean-up though he notices that Estabo still keeps a wary eye on the strange young sorcerer. Rafe seems to enjoy the Tian's peculiar behavior at least until Richard pokes his head out of a plunging neckline to stare at the boy.
Still silent and moody, Jim carries his plate to the foc'sle to eat by himself and then sends it back as he begins his shift at first watch. The overcast, moonless night is pitch black and spell and lantern are employed to allow the crew to make ready. The darkness doesn't bother the bosun, who glowers landward between shouted orders to the crew. The lines are brought in and half the meager crew take to the rigging as the first tugs of the outgoing tide are felt.
Kaul balefully stares into the void between barked orders and mutterings to his loyal axe;
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Faint sounds of music and laughter are carried by the land breeze that descends from Mount Keeba and follows the retreating tide. Features of the island are traced in dashes of light. The volcano is marked by the hellish glow reflected upon the thick clouds gathered above the summit and points of light nearer the shore mark the extents of Plumetown and the taverns, kafes, gambling houses and other businesses seeking to provide nightly diversions for those awaiting their consultation with the oracles of the volcano. Away from land, all is dark as the ship slowly drifts through the crowded wharf barely glimpsed by the faint illumination of her working lights.
As the bow begins to nose away from the town, Kaul looks back once more in regret for vengeful opportunity lost and sees a stranger looking back. It is one of the bird-masked women that Keeba's oracles send out to summon the seekers. The unusually shapely messenger stands eerily still in the darkness and seems to be staring right at him!
Kaul returns the baleful gaze.
"Feck. One o' them bird masked b1tches standin' on the beach givin' me the evil eye!"
Reacting to his mate's words Dibbs looks up and narrows eyes to pick out the offending bird-masked woman. He stumps closer to Kaul and the feathery faced one. He scowls and waits for the lass to make a move.
Dibbets joins his mate squinting at the ominous figure on the docks. She makes no move and a moment later, it becomes obvious that a more direct threat lies elsewhere. As the ship drifts past the final ship moored to the pier, a familiar voice crows, "The Siren sends her regards!" What appears to be a large cobble flies from the dark ship to land with a crash onto the deck near Belinna at the wheel.
The captain seems confused as she looks more closely at the white stone that rolls to a stop at her feet. Jim, Kaul and Dibbets can clearly see in the light from the stern that it is a marble likeness of Handsome Hinsin's head!
Kaul ignores the decapitated stone noggin, instead drawing Lopper and bellowing back at the beach;
"Hur! Ye reckon that scares us... sends a shiver up our spines? Ye tell yer Mistress Ol' Kauly will crack 'er skull like a coco-nut next time he see's 'er. Hur-hur-hur..."
The brute barks further threats;
"I see one o' the Siren's playthings or bird 'eaded pretties they get Lopper's kiss... No questions, no parley... Savvy!?"
"That's HER, ya baboon-brain!" the Grackle's voice replies in exasperation from the moored ship.
It takes a more commanding tone as it shouts orders now. "Feel free to kill the orc, Half-Hitch. The rest can live if they pledge themselves to CAPTAIN GRACKLE!" There's a hissing sound as a swarm of arrows fly from the dark ship!
Halfling-sized arrows rain down around Kaul with three hitting though the small tips do little. At nearly the same moment, a trio of grappling hooks bite into the ships railing and six black-clad little figures leap aboard with sharp little swords.
Keelhaul Kaul-
Madman Jim-
Dingus-
the Groom-
feather and foot-
Round 1:
Seeing an opporchancity unlikely to be repeated Dibbs lurches towards the side of the vessel screaming "Up an bloody feckers. Like we said, tha feathered arse is out fer blood" He lines up the small assaulters and delivers a foetid blast of Gozreh's finest.
Dibbets reacts quickly and blasts the halfling sneaks with a foul wind. The closest thief weathers Dibbets' winds and stabs at the windy one, but misses. Three others are knocked off their feet, but bounce back up and rush the poop deck. Two pause on the way though with a shout of recognition and surround the garishly dressed Dingus. One stabs at the young sorcerer's leg rending his fine clothes and gashing his thigh. On the stern deck, Grund reaches for his cutlass and receives a cut from a small, but keenly sharpened sword.
The grappling lines to the moored ship groan, but hold as the Magpie's drift ends. Unfortunately, this keeps her in range of the shooters on the other ship. More arrows whiz over the port rail. Kaul is struck twice and Dibbets once.
Kaul shifts forward to support his wee pal and brings his hatchet venomously to bear on the half-man threatening Dibbs;
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The brute bo'sun immediately vents his fury at his foe, bellowing his challenge;
"THE FECKIN' SEAS WILL RUN RED WITH ALL YER BLOOD! WE"LL DRINK IT LIKE WINE... AS YER MEAGRE CARCASSES'LL FEED THE GULLS!"
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Outraged as the slice and stain in the outfit he had just worn for the first time, Dingus takes a step back (Into the mast square?), and casts levitate to rise up the mast using his hands and feet.
Once he is to a significant height, he will pull our his anchoring rod to give him a stable casting platform.
"I've been waiting on this moment. You will all kneel before me and pledge your allegiance to the cause, or die!!!
the Groom, hearing the cries, steps up to the rail. Seeing Dingus swarmed by Halflings he fires down into the lower deck with his Crossbow.
He calls down Besmara's Wrath on those that would board a ship carrying his brand.
the Groom shows a bit of prejudice in his judgement against the boarders. His Siren bites a halfling sneak wounding him. Jim moves in to aid Grund and runs another sneak through with the Storm blade.
"Cut us free!" Belinna orders the swabs on the deck. Those on the foc'sle drop their ropes and rush the port rail drawing cutlasses and knives. Rafe boldly attacks an invader on Dingus, but misses. The skinny sorcerer calls upon his ancestral arcane blood and floats up the mast to safety.
Kaul rushes to Dibbets defense and halves a halfling in a spray of blood.
Leaving space for Kaul to slide through and keep getting bloody, Dibbets calls upon the Skylord's favour once more and girds himself in solid air.
The steady rain of arrows turns from Kaul to the mates slashing at the grappling hooks. Jenkie is bloodied in the barrage. He gives a fearful cry as a halfling behind him stabs him and he falls. Two more halflings leap across the gap. Rafe is hard pressed by one of the wee raiders, but holds the stairs.
Grund is encircled, but manages to fight off the slip slashers. From the moored ship, a trio of glowing red darts fly unerringly from the Grackle to blast Kaul with arcane force. With a howl, a small form of green-eyed barefoot fury flies across the gap to land on Kaul stabbing with wild rage.
Seeing the wounds begin to mount on the scarry nugget, Dibbets uses his power over the light indifferent to salve them and keep him salient...
Kaul bellows in growing rage as spell and shank, blast and bite. A slap of the Big Wind's indifference heals the majority of the damage, but not the temper...
He claws at the knifing passenger with his hook-paw;
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the Groom goes to the steps and descends to the lower deck, drawing forth Bête de nuit to knock some heads. Calmly walking towards them he cuts loose with a tirade of violence and violation against the intruders, their family members, and their pets.
Expressing similar sentiments as Kaul, backed by divine menace, the Groom crosses the deck and leaves the black pajama brigade parched and burned by his curse.The two wounded halflings nearest Jim and Rafe collapse. Two others burst into flames! Jim moves to Grund's side to finish one of the flaming rogues.
Using the anchoring rod to anchor himself, Dingus picks the Grackle out of the crowd, and send him a welcoming forked lightning tongue.
Electricity!!!!!
Belinna stays at the helm, but calls to the riggers, "Come down! Defend the ship!"
"You move and you'll be blasted out of rigging!" the Grackle threatens. Lola and Ella start down anyway. Onzu cuts one of the grappling lines with a powerful shop while Ed misses his strike. Grund moves to defend his captain, blocking a halfling blade.
Kaul flails at the crazed halfling clambering over him like a mad monkey with a dangerous blade. At least Dibbets is at his side to smack his rump and mend some of the damage. Dingus catches the flash of magic missiles from the Grackle and sends a bolt of electricity at the birdman. the Grackle doesn't see it coming and is struck full force. The cowardly crow casts a spell and disappears from view.
A smoldering halfling leaps overboard to extinguish the burn. Hic companions on the weather deck rush toward the Groom and Ed who's hacking at a grappling line. One wounds Ed though the other's blade is foiled by the inquisitor's armor.
At the stern, one of Half-Hitch's guildmen dodges in to hamstring the half-orc while the harrying hitcher stabs his nemesis in the neck! The archers focus on the windy ally of the orc and two arrows pierce the windy veil.
Hamstrung Kaul drops to one knee, as Half Hitch opens up the brute's neck and shoulder with shanking stabs.
Blood flows as the thug, bellows in anger and pain, flailing at his stinging foe with hook paw;
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As he seeks to carve himself some new features, Kaul shouts to his sorcerous shipmate;
"DING! SPARK ME UP! I CAN TAKE IT! JUST GET HIM OFFA ME!!!!"
the Groom drops the crossbow with a heavy thud and tightens his grip on his club. He smiles at those closing in on him, "Just think boys, that crossbow weighs more than you do. Just how much is this going to hurt?"
He swings like knocking a ball off a post.
The thud of the Groom's dropped repeater is followed by the crack of a halfling skull and another demi-man falls. Jim skips up to assist Kaul, but Grund gets in the way with his attack though his cutlass wounds anyway.
"Cut us free!" Belinna directs again. Rafe rushes over and sunders the line that the fallen Jenkie was working on. Ed follows up with a solid blow and the ship begins to slowly drift away from the docks again. Ella reaches the deck and rushes to the Groom's side. Lola reaches the deck and jogs over to help Kaul who is at a loss against the halflings scurrying over and around him like a pair rabid squirrels. Kaul bellows for Dingus to light him up though the wisdom of that in the close-quarters fight is debatable.
"Give me some room matey. I'll speed you up a bit though".
Dingys casts Haste on his tried and true crewmates.
Taking a backward step and dropping to the deck, Dibbets lines up Half-Hitch in his viewfinder and puts some of the Skylord's backbone into his words "Nuff o' that ye bastard... takes yer medicine quiet like."
All the defenders on the stern suddenly move with incredible alacrity aided by Dingus' spell. Half-Hitch is foiled from further his vengeance momentarily by Dibbets spell, but as the freed ship slowly drifts forward, another volley flies from the halfling artillery being left astern. Jim suffers a glancing shot, but Kaul takes a pair of arrows and a nick from the ankle-biter now at an advantage against the wounded thug. The lone halfling outnumbered forward retreats up the stairs to the poopdeck and her remaining allies.
Kaul movements become a frenzied reel as the volley of attacks take him past a mortal threshold...
Hacking a blood flecked laugh the thug looses himself in the pain and oblivious of his own flesh brings Lopper to bear on the halfling passenger in a series of hacks;
"HUR-HUR-HUR! NOW YE DIE LITTLE ONES! NOT LIKE KAULY! KAULY DON"T DIE SEE... STICKS AN' STONES MIGHT BREAK HIS BONES, BUT HIN WON'T 'URT ME!"
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the Groom steps up to the rear stairs muttering a prayer for pain. Bête de Nuit dangling in his hand begins to drip glowing green drops on the deck. In a quick motion he whips his club about sending congealed jellyfish phosphorescence flying toward the halfling above him, burning on contact.
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the Groom follows the retreating halfling and flings a gob of burning bile that strikes her mid-back. The thief shrieks at the second injury she's received from the pirate inquisitor and staggers toward the aft mast. Grund moves to intercept the burned halfling, but she ducks his swing. Rafe slips in behind though and delivers the killing blow.
Jim drives his rapier through one of the halflings on Kaul finishing him off. With the grappling lines cut, Belinna orders her crew to get back to the sails and increase the distance between her and the strange sortie from the moored ship.
Kaul has problems of his own with Half-Hitch, but the thug seems to regain focus from the severity of his wounds. He manages to knock his former mate aside and Lola flanks the fallen sailor with a long knife. Lopper snicks mingling the halfling's blood with half-orc blood on the deck. Then a back swing cleaves deep into the little wretch's skull dropping him.
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Closing his eyes as blood and backwash of what was Half-Hitch washes over his prone form Dibbs chuckles, before reaching out to give Kaul an indifferent slap on the ankle...
"Yes! Yes! Yes! Dingus almost performs a little dance as his nemisis... or one of them anyway falls, but then remembers he is balancing on his anchor rod, and is content with dancing in his head.
Then back to business at hand, Dingus concentrates on where the Grackle was last seen, and sends a revealing gift to a location about 20' from where he was towards the safest refuge he would have chosen.