Kaul shrugs;
"Afore and after! Now we's talkin... Lead on Dibbs!"
The brute nods for Dingus and the wee lad to follow the grubby oracle's navigation. As he lumbers at the aft of the group Kaul's eyes flit from alleyway and shadow mindful of potential threats as he grumbles to himself;
"Groomy reckoned Finn might have a sniff o' Hitch's de-mise. Best we hav' ears sharp an' yer bite ready Lopps..."
:
Not necessarily cock-sure, but unconcerned, Dibbs lumbers along painfully and scoffs at Kaul's interpretation "Nei... if Finn's got it in fer us I'm reckonin he'll send a bastard tae ask nicely. He ain't got nei need fer trickenry"
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Kaul opts for booze to bookend business and the mates plow the crowds along the docks. Dibbets grabs a Shipping News glancing over the headlines as Kaul clears the way ahead and Dingus and Rafe trail along. Most of the Paper has to do with who's in port: rumors of the Bloody Slaughterhouse and Dirty Swan, etc. Of more interest perhaps are the lines "Toad Plague strikes Merchants Guildhouse", "Fire in Drac's End blamed on Elementals", "Dangerous New Gangs in the Bloodsalt!". The usual stuff.
Kolter's Clockworks is on the border of the Warehouse and Merchant Districts so the group looks for a bar before heading inland through the blocks of storage facilities. A small shack with the highfalutin' title, 'Fragrant Breeze' is spotted, but passed up for a more appropriate spot that merely has a big pulley rig dangling over the door. The Block and Tackle stinks of sweat, cheap booze and greasy food and Kaul feels quite comfortable amid the beefy half-orc and human longshoreman grabbing a drink over the shift changes. Kaul can't help but measure up his own gnarly hookhand to the tools at the workers' belts.
Dibbets hands the paper back to another urchin for re-selling... or failing that donates it to the nearest pile of refuse. Shrugging he explains "Ain't feck all worth a second set o' eyes onnit... but were worth a once over."
Once they reach the Block and Tackle he shows a degree of circumspection, limiting himself to calling for a single snifter of clear rotgut. Sipping rather than draining he muses (while keeping well out of the way of the larger gents who bustle about) "Feckin turn tha last while's been eh? Still nei sure I've got a measure on it, but we's still breathin an what not eh?"
Kaul enjoys the musky atmosphere, soaking it with an angler-fish grin;
"Hur... Ye got the right o' it Dibbs. Been quite the journey but I's all fer stayin' on-land fer the foreseeable. "[b/]
He knocks back a shot of rum, then sups at an ale;
[b]"New gangs in the Bloodsalt is piquin' me interest somewhats... Could be an opporchancity for Ol'Kauly to make an impact like..."
The scarred brute looks to Rafe;
"Well lad... What ye make o' us? O' yer new life?"
"Well lad... What ye make o' us? O' yer new life?"
"Well, Master Kaul. Never thought I'd end up aboard a ship, but I am appreciative as always that you all have looked to my safety. Estabo as well. I think Captain Belinna will do a fine job as captain."
"Once we get the ship repaired and all, do you have any idea where we'll go?"
Shrugging "That'd be up tae the Cap'n tae decide... if I were a bettin man then I'd think theres two options though... one she goes a reavin, and the second is she somehow gets a mind theres a more direct line on some treasure. I'd be thinkin tha reavin would be tha way though... specially since there'd be new crew onboard an a prize'd be the way tae turn em happy"
After considering his options, Jim comes to a conclusion. "Let's start with the Guild, hey? Figure Tarmon might owe us something. Even if it's not in cash I'll settle for paying a fair price."
"Aye. Seems a good place. And beats just sitting here drinking with Dunny." He tosses one of his jugs Dunny's way. "There you go Dunny-boy. Just let Ol' Peg-Leg we was by."
Rafe looks uncertain. "I don't know about reaving. I don't think... well, it's one thing to be defending yourself and another to go hunting people."
Dibbs shakes his head "Iffin ye do it right ye hunt tha cargo an nei tha crew. Smart captain'll strike his colours once ye've got tha wind onnim and are comin up. Bloodshed ain't good fer either party."
Jim and the Groom head into the Old City and down the Street of Dreams to the imposing doors of the Wizards' Guild. Powerful glowing runes flicker dangerously across the bronze surface promising harm to any who would force entry. That certainly isn't necessary however, as the doors swing open at your approach and a familiar red robed figure emerges. "Ah, there you are," says Tarmon. "I've been expecting you."
Kaul chuckles into his ale at Rafe's young morals;
"Hur-hur. Don't ye worry lad... Leave the red 'anded deeds tae those that... take pride in such."
The thug taps his fell axe;
"'Sides... It ain't about hackin' em til they're a prime cut. It's about lettin' em know you're capable like... Hur-hur-hur..."
Jim starts, then relaxes. He probably planned that. "Aye, we were a mite delayed in our return from Bloodcove, hey?"
Rafe doesn't look totally convinced, but he trusts his mentor. Once they've finished their drinks, Rafe gamely follows Dibbs and Kaul whilst Dingus stays behind playing the role of fashionable merchant of exotic goods and queries the stevedores about any possible buyers.
Moving between the massive warehouses, the trio soon pass the imposing form of the Vault and the currently quiet auction house to Kolter's Clockworks. They find a long queue inside and have to wait a bit before they reach the counter and a iron-haired gnome who looks like he'd rather be back in the workshop.
Dibbets thumps down his barnacled, corroded and generally in somewhat less than optimal condition blunderbuss down on the counter, then unlimbers his ammo and powder pouch from his sporran and splotches it next to it. "Need an overhaul on this'n... she's seen some sh1t, but carried through mostly like a champ. An' have ye gots any smaller ones? Sort ye could hold in one 'and? Takes a while tae butter up ol' Bessie once she's bolted the once savvy?"
Tarmon stroke his thick brown beard as he chuckles. "Yes, but a successful venture, I hear. I am just not sure why burning down the Bloodcove lighthouse was required. Welcome back."
"And I'd like to hear more about your trip to The Smoker, Groom. Perhaps we should step into my office. I have some more news for you as well."
The bored gnome sighs at the sight of the battered musket, but perks up at the mention of a pistol. "Actually, yes. Don't get much interest in a small weapon, but we've got something available at the moment if you've got the coin."
Circumspect and circling "Aye, I've got some coin put away - what exactly might ye be offerin?"
Kaul mugs a grin and lays The Red Claw onto the counter with a clang;
"Hur-Hur. Coin we got. An' I've also got some potential work fer ye... Slightly un-orthy-dox like... Hur..."
The pistol is forgotten as Kaul's Claw Contraption clatters onto the counter. The gnome leaps up knocking his chair over behind him. His eyes bug as he marvels, "Wisit?! I mean, Where did you get it? I've never seen this work before. I must study it. What are you going to do with it?"
The gnome's outburst stills the crowd and curious attention turns toward the conversations with the scarred nug and scurfy slip at the counter.
Jim has the grace to look embarrassed at the comment about the lighthouse, then follows the wizard.
Kaul emits a hacksaw laugh as he enjoys the gnomes fascination of his mechanical prize;
"Hur... Taken from the corpse o' infamous pirate cap'n Jemma Redclaw... Ain't sure where she got it from..."
He waggles his own hook-paw before continuing;
"I means tae replace hook with claw! Hur-hur-haw!"
Noting the crowd Dibbs has a wee chuckle, offering a wink to Rafe before half turning so his voice carries "Aye, cut from that very Cap'n's arm after we put her down. T'were a mighty fight, blood were spilt an we wrestled in the coral choked corpse of the Fearsome Tide."
A murmur rises from the listening pirates and dandies flooding the shop at word that this is the eponymous claw of the infamous Jemma Redclaw. The gnome takes a momment to register as he's pulled some small tools from his bandoleer/tool belt to tap and prod the mechanical arm. "Brigh's Buckled Britches! Jemma Redclaw? I've heard that name. Well, let me say it would be a pleasure to work on this."
He squints at Kaul's hook and stump and shakes his head thoughtfully. "I'm no surgeon though. Blood and muscle is far different material. But, I do know a healer in the Temple District. If you don't mind me looking this over tonight, I can meet you there tomorrow morning and I think we can get this properly functioning!"
Kaul nods and flashes a wink at the proprietor;
"Aye. No worries on that front matey... As long as ye accommodate Master Dibbets' 'ere with equal attention like..."
He leans in to whisper to the gnome;
"An' in the the Meantime I'd be chargin' coin to them gawkers for a looksee o' the Redclaw like!"
The brutal half-orc grins at Dibbs, seemingly happier than he's been in some time;
"Hur... 'And-Gunne fer ye, Blood-Claw fer me... Now we just needs tae get the young'un drunk! Hur!"
Dibbs returns Kaul's grin before taken with a shade of musing reflectance. Rubbing his broken leg he leans inwards conspiratorially "Be appreciative iffin ye ken slip me the name o' yer apothecary... I've needs tae talk wi' someone on account o' me gam."
"It was good timing on my part. I found a lead in my inquiries, right before Jim and lads arrived in port. T'was a fine reunion that ruffled some feathers. But was only 'half' the trouble we usually find."
He leaves it cryptic until they are in the office and drinks are poured.
Tarmon leads the way into the open atrium. Besides the two fig-like trees that reach toward the sky seen through high openings in the ceiling are a pair of the tall, gray, muscular and somehow otherwordly guards. The walls of the chamber are featureless dark stone. Tarmon shuts the doors and then circles round. There is a slight feeling of disorientation and then Tarmon opens the doors again which now leads to a richly appointed parlor.
The arch-wizard gestures for you to take a seat and unseen servants pour wine into crystal goblets. Tarmon smiles. "We may speak freely here."
"Be appreciative iffin ye ken slip me the name o' yer apothecary..."
"Brigh's Bolted Britches," the gnome repeats again gazing in wonder at the arm. "Eh? Mog. Talbous Mog. What kind of pistol you looking for again?"
"Just tha regular like ones I'm guessin... a biggun and a wee one mebbe? S' a bit of a chore getting the big one loaded like, so I'm wantin tae keep mesel goin a bit longer."
"I talked with a sailor that pulled a mostly dead seawife from the drink. She spoke of a sea priestess taken captive by the Sahaugan, the same one people figure that had stopped in Plumetown on her own investigations."
The Groom will go on to mention the region where this occurred and the increase in Sahaugan attacks of late.
Kaul taps his head with hook;
"Mog. Hur. I'll remember that..."
"Mog. Hur. I'll remember that..."
The gnome nods and scribbles a receipt for the musket and arm. "Meet me tomorrow morning on the stairs of the Temple of Knowledge." He turns back to the workshop leaving the trio to make their way out through the waiting crowd, many who give the up-and-coming pirates an appraising glance.
The Groom will go on to mention the region where this occurred and the increase in Sahaugan attacks of late.
Tarmon listens attentively to the Groom's tale. He stands and walks over to a wall map that shifts with a wave of his hand to show an enlarged view of the central Shackles. "Sahuagin from Besmara's Throne to The Smoker and Shark Island to Kepre Dua..." he mutters, deeply in thought as he circles the region on the map. A jeweled finger touches the north coast of Motaku Isle and then heads north past Rampore Isles to stop at the Serpent's Teeth. "Quent and Freeport, the closest major settlements to Shark Island. I would posit that this is a surge from Shark Island, but why would the Sea Devils suddenly mobilize toward these ports?"
He gazes at Jim. "You sailed through those waters on your return, I believe. Anything to add?"
Dibbs nods and thanks the gnome before turning to the others on their way out "Nei need tae gawk lads - all goes well of a mornin' we'll be drinkin at the Block and Tackle wi' tha rest o' our mates tomorrer night. Ye ken see the Red Claw in action."
Jim nods. "Aye, we were attacked by the things near Besmara's Throne. They tried to kill the crew and take the ship, and when we cleared them from the decks they went after the hull. Had to do a bit of swimming to discourage them. Then there was a walking dead priest with a crocodile head on Shark Island, turned a couple of our crew into weresharks. He said he followed some godling I've never heard of--Dajo-something. During the fight he called up something looked like part crab, part croc, and part squid. Rafe, our cabin boy, said the priest called himself the Caller of Crooked Forms."
Kaul flashes his angler-fish grin once again;
"Hur... Bloody Claw more likes it! Hur-hur!"
Tarmon raises an eyebrow as he takes in Jim's list of experiences. "It is no secret that lycanthropes find Shark Island a haven; it is, after all, the port of Blood Moon and Captain Sorrinash. The undead priest and strange things you mention may indicate that the lycanthropic taint is far older that Sorringash though. Interesting. I shall have to look more deeply into what is known of Shark Island and forgotten deities."
He pauses as if to make a mental note and then turns back to the Groom. "As for news of our hunt here in Freeport, we still haven't been able to stick anything to Grymes yet, but we shall continue to keep a sharp eye on him. Neither has the gnome shown his hoary head. All is not dour news, however. Roberts has intercepted an Aspis payment to Mr. Wednesday. He might be assisting them with smuggling, spying or some other treachery with his Canting Crew."
"Also, perhaps this is merely coincidence, but intuition tells me it isn't. A wizard named Parnass apparently died in a fire just yesterday. The Shipping News has printed that it was a conjured elemental that brought him to his end, but that is just green fire paranoia. Parnass was an abjurer and studied the rather obscure northern art of cyphermagic. He was also very cautious, but very greedy and had been acting strangely of late. Some say that he had recently killed a common tradesman for no reason whatsoever. Strange indeed."
"But first things first. I will look into the Shark Island matter. I have a standing meeting with Sister Gwyllin for brunch tomorrow at Maurice's Place. Why don't you go in my place and share your news with her, Groom? I have no new news for her at the moment, but who knows what I shall find..."
Jim listens with interest to the wizard's commentary. Our Groom has been up to much in the time we've been apart. "Is there anything else you'd need? We'll try not to burn down any lighthouses this time. Oh, and I'm looking to buy some protective magic, but would prefer a place that charges a fair price."
Dibbets and Kaul make their way back to the Block and Tackle to find Dingus in a fine mood though he shepherds them away from the bar before young Rafe's boozy christening. It seems the unusual sorcerer has somehow befuddled or bedazzled a merchant into buying half the loot and for a very good price as well! The quartermaster drives his mates back to the ship to get the goods unloaded before the merchant changes his mind.
Buoyed by the prospect of a new mechanical arm and coin to boot, Kaul seems in unusually high spirits as the shore party make their way back through Freeports streets;
"Hur... Bet ye put the ol' snakey hoodoo on 'im Ding! Hur!"
The thug further entertains himself by administering a shove or growl at any loiterers unlucky to cross their path.
"Aye, whatevers it was ye did tae him... good on it eh?"
" Oh, and I'm looking to buy some protective magic, but would prefer a place that charges a fair price."
Tarmon shrugs. "If it is magic, I think that I could find someone to help you. What do you require?"
"A ring of protection, or someone who can 'chant my armor to make it more resistant. Maybe both, if my share of Redclaw's treasure is big enough."
"Just let the apprentice at the door know," Tarmon says distractedly, his mind already working on other problems. He leads the sailors back into the atrium around and back through the door which now leads back outside.
It is near evening when all the crew meet up again. Belinna says that the ship wont have a berth at the Shipyards until the end of the month once all the visiting ships sail out after Raidfest. So it seems they'll be in Freeport for a while. Fortunately, half of the plunder has been off-loaded and sold and the crew find themselves 3300 gold Sails richer after shares and money for restocking and repair. So at least they'll have money to spend. Belinna again brings up the issue of what to name the new ship.
Jim will take the plunder and get a ring of protection +1, and have his chain shirt enchanted to +1, total cost 3000 gp.
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Dingus spends about 50 GP on a vast amount of costume jewelry, and gets a tattoo of a Peacock being devoured by a colorful snake on his right forearm.