Hair, rags and beard smouldering and coughing as though a demented powder monkey caught in a cannon backblast, Dibbs voice rises above the din "After 'em lads go get the sons o' Chelish whores. I'm nae good in a footrace, I'll git our gear." and he turns to stump up the stairs at full half-throttle.
Dropping to near the floor to get below some of the smoke, Jim makes for the front door past the Groom.
Round 5
The wizard comes out of the smoke and his eyes go wide as the Groom's rapier runs him through.
the Groom moves out of the bar through the fire in a wash of steam, coming face to face with the bottle thrower. He makes a move to protect his guard faced with a new collection of foes.
Kaul barrels out the door after the Groom, and immediately picks the toughest looking of the thugs to insult:
"Hur. This little piggy is goin' tae gut ye, eat yer liver fer me supper and use yer baw-bag fer me coin purse... hur-hur-hur..."
:
Frightening [Ex]: Whenever a thug successfully uses Intimidate to demoralize a creature, the duration of the shaken condition is increased by 1 round. In addition, if the target is shaken 4 or more rounds, the thug can instead decide to make the target frightened for 1 round
The wizard leaves a trail of blood as he flees after the gang with the Groom on his trail. The molotov cocktrail throweris surprised by the steamong man in black calmly walking through the fire toward him, but pulls himself together enough to dodge the rapier blow.
Dagrit clears the smoke before Jim and Kaul and quickly removes her heavy leather and chain apron to throw over the flames blocking the exit. Kaul safely barrells through and takes the opportunity to further freak the lone arsonist out. He quickly backs away after the rest of the fleeing gang, who have come across the Watch by the sound of all the shouts and whistles at the land end of the land end of the pier.
Round 6?
Delighting in the fleeing man; Kaul camly reaches back, retrieves a javalin and squints to get his eye in at the lone arse-nist;
"Hur. Follow the pi$$ trail... hur."
:
:
If Dingus has the opportunity and see's whats going on, he will try to grease the area in front of the fleeing cocktail chucker to impede his departure.
Speaking of which, Jim's stuff is disturbingly well-ordered: His duffel is tight-rolled at the foot of the bed, with his armor and other weapons neatly folded/stacked on top.
"I can't catch them lest I do it naked. But I know where they live." In the firelight, the Groom's teeth flash in a smile.
He turns back to face the Broken Mug and sends more water onto the fire.
Jim answers the Groom's smile with one of his own. "Aye. Though perhaps it'd be amusing to turn the Watch loose on them first--after all, not two days past there were three members o' the Council eating here." He scans the building rapidly to see if there's any way to help Dingus and Dibbets get the party's belongings out.
Dibbets continues to help Dingus collect all the squads gear before aiming for a window exit.
The fleeing hood suddenly slips on a patch of Dingus oil and scrambles to get up only to have his night further worsened by a javelin in the back. He bellows and tries to continue on his way.
Dibbets tosses gear down to Jim as he works as fast as his gimp butt can to clear their rooms. the Groom conjures more water to fight the fire, but it is a losing battle. Dagrit just drops to her knees and sobs.
Toward the city you see a jet of flame and hear faint yelling over the stiff wind blowing from the east.
Dibbets continues to work at clearing whatever he can lay his hands on from the upper level. Only when the smoke and flame are too intense to bear does he fling himself bodily from the window to the deck below.
Acrobatics: landing with a smooth forward roll whose form belies his sundered leg.
Seeing Dagrit's pain, tears can be seen to well in Dibbet's eyes. He moves to the Dwarven lass eye to eye with her kneeling and speaks gently "Come lass, ain't naught ye ken do now. Me mates 'n I 'll take it from 'ere. I swear tae ye, ye'll have yer choice o' their heads or b%+&~%*s tae nail up on a post as penance fer what they've done. Take a room an' wait fer word" and he presses some coin into her hand.
Looking down at his rags, it looks like his cherished shirt has finally given up the ghost from the fire and fire-pups ministrations. Shedding the filthy vestment onto the docks, he stretches out and moves over to the rest of the crew with a murderous glint to his eyes.
Catching Dibb's look, Kaul clearly smells blood in the water and mouths the air in anticipation...
"Hur. Been on our heels fer this last while. I'm with Dibbs, we need tae get nasty with this lot..."
The bruised and battered thug grins through his bust hair-lip;
"I got plenty enough coin tae rustle up some bad basterds from the Bloodsalt, or see if Buster wants a slice? Hur...
Dagrit pushes the blowing hair from her face and wipes away her tears. She gives you a weak smile. ”Thanks for the kindness, boys. I don't know if I deserve it. I honestly think this was a judgment upon me. I been living with a guilty conscience all these years. You see the reason I was so worried about a ghost lurking around under the Mug was that I gained her by murder. The owner was a creepy human sleaze that offered me part ownership if I’d just marry him. I did and then strangled him soon after and sank him beneath the inn. I don’t know if he was behind any of this or if it was just a random act of hatred by those racist turds, but this is a chance to look at what I’ve made of my life.” She pauses and looks deep in thought.
”Torag tells us that how we live each day is like pounding our life out on the anvil. We can make something useful or end up with a twisted lump. Maybe this fire is my chance to heat up the metal and make something better. I loved running the inn, but maybe I can be of more use some other way.”
She thanks you again as you feel the boots thumping along the rickety pier as the Watch finally arrives. The Dock Watch appears to be men and women culled from a variety of unemployed sailors. The only thing uniform is a blue armband, a heavy truncheon, and scorched clothes. A pair grab the wounded gangmember and the others just stare at the Broken Mug now entirely engulfed in flame.
The sergeant makes his way over to Dagrit. "Dammit Dagrit, I'm really sorry about this. I don't think there is anything we can do now. It looked to be the Blackened Knot. We chased them into Scurvytown, but they got away. Don't worry though, I'm sure we'll track 'em down and see old Abel dangling from his own rope."
Jim frowns a bit in thought as he listens to Dagrit. "Y'have the right of it, I think, as far as you go, an' it's good that you're looking ahead and not astern. But there's more lives than yours broken by these scum this very night. Don't forget the ones who work for you, and do right by them. Prove you're more than an ill deed done long ago. That's being a good captain."
Turning to the rest of the party, he continues. "The Watch had their chance. Only question now, do we go tonight or rest for a time and then go?"
Spitting a blood-flecked gobbet of phlegm to the side, Dibbets grinds his teeth as he speaks "I've a few more shots o' the skylords favor tae spread round tonight, but fair cop we'll be goin in battle damaged iffin we try it on now... then agin so will they."
Chancing a short glance at Dagrit he adds "Eye fer an eye lads an no less. They took our tavern, only fair we burn their feckin pile o' horse turd tae the ground."
As he relaxes from combat, Jim winces in pain as he realizes how badly burned he is. "I could use some o' Gozreh's grace, mate. Though see to Kaul, first...he took a couple o' shots from the pair of bullyboys they left behind." He spits in contempt. "Least that's two we won't have to worry about later, eh?"
"Where are we gonna hang out now", Dingus says finally garbed in his flowing robes.
Kaul eyeballs the lone prisoner as he retrieves his javelin...
"Hur... Hang em' high is what I reckon... starting with this one... Lessen he got things tae tell us o' course..."
the Groom conjurers up a small fist-sized globe of swirling seawater in his hand. He pushes it against the worst the Kaul's burns. The water spreads and wash away the worst of the damage.
Kaul's pain visibly eases and he nods his thanks tae the Groom.
"Hur. Never thought I'd welcome tha kiss o' brine on me wounds again. Ye have me thanks Groom"
Jim frowns a bit in thought as he listens to Dagrit. "Prove you're more than an ill deed done long ago. That's being a good captain."
Dagrit nods to Jim's sound advice, "You're right, Jim. In fact the best part of the Mug for me was getting to know the folks that came in each night to find a sympathetic ear. I want to do something to help them. Maybe it's time to end the hatred that is festering in Scurvytown. Instead of drowning their sorrows or blaming others, I'd like to help the folks find a way to better themselves. I know some well off dwarves that might be willing to fund such a mission. Maybe this will be the best way to destroy the Blackened Knot."
The thug spits at Kaul. "Ya ken go back to your cave, Piggy! I ain't saying nuttin'!"
The Watch forms a cordon and starts pushing everyone back as the heat from the burning building becomes unbearable. The sergeant, obviously the leader of this squad because he actually owns a helm and well made studded leather armor and shield, assists Dagrit, ”We’re going to have to clear this pier before it collapses. I am really sorry, Dagrit.”
To Kaul he shakes his head, ”You aren’t likely to get much out of this bastard. We know plenty about the gang though. The Blackened Knot is an infamous gang in Scurvytown. The leader is Abel Wackets, a former city executioner who was disgraced in a corruption investigation. He used the tragedy of the Great Green Fire to stir up racial strife and rise to power. A strike outside of Scurvytown however, is going to have repercussions.”
He looks the crew over and says with some sympathy, ”I know what you’re thinking, but I’d consider a couple things: First, their base is in the fisheries. There’s a lot of fish oil and other things that would quickly burn out of control possibly endangering the main source of food for the city or even causing another Great Fire and harming a lot of innocent people."
"Second, the Blackened Knot may not be all that popular, but they do have supporters and if you folks go in,“ he specifies Kaul and Dibbets, ”you’re likely to get in over your head pretty quickly. I’d let the law, such as it is work on this. Don’t do anything rash tonight.”
The mood painted on Dibbets face is black as he hears the sergeant speak. Feckin flatfeet are probly in wi tha pecker-heads themselfs. His eyes are levelled at the remaining gang member, hatred and venom cast out from the pupils.
"Well iffin ye ain't got nae use fer him sergeant" pulling a dagger from his bandolier "Ain't no reason ye have tae report any survivors is there" said in a level flat voice.
Kaul wryly smiles at the prospect of getting their paws on the survivor...
"Hur. That's a fact. Weren't no survivors..."
The thug makes a grab for the surviving Knotter;
"C'mere deadman..."
:
Away from the Guard.
"No fire, huh. That kills my first plan. Don't do anything rash. That kills plan 2, 3, and 4."
"Well iffin ye ain't got nae use fer him sergeant" pulling a dagger from his bandolier "Ain't no reason ye have tae report any survivors is there" said in a level flat voice.
The sergeant shrugs, "More likely than not, he wouldn't survive a week in the Hulks so I don't see a reason to bother the Courts with this trash... just keep it quick and quiet."
Kaul quickly grabs the arsonist and holds him in a headlock.
Nodding at the sergeant "Aye, it'll be that. Yer gesture buys ye some time, but I'd be expectin tae find Abel swingin in the breeze and slowly decomposin sharpish, aye?"
With that he turns and offers the held dagger to Dagrit, seeing if she's game for retribution.
Dagrit frowns a moment and then takes the dagger, "I suppose one way of ending the hatred in Scurvytown is cutting out the rot. I'll start working on reconciliation tomorrow."
With an expert thrust between the ribs, she finishes the thug.
More Watch show up and a crowd of onlookers has gathered on the street near the pier. Not long after, the Broken Mug collapses sending a fountain of sparks into the air and eventually the whole structure tumbles into the sea with a tremendous hiss as steam billows up.
Once the blaze is quenched you notice the dim glow of the new day to the east.
Dibbets watches the Mug sink into the depths and he almost visibly sags as it disappears. Turning to the rest of the party "Well lads, what the feck are we gonna do now?"
Kaul shrugs, scowls at the fire and then the dead firebug... He rubs his scarred noggin prompting eyes being raised by the rest of you;
"Murr. Been thinkin... what iffen our new shipmate put these basterds onta us? He wasn't mighty taken with Dibb's spit-shake or the prospect o'a greyskin on board..."
"... what iffen our new shipmate put these basterds onta us?..."
Jim watches grimly as Dagrit dispatches the Nooseman. "More mercy than he'd give you. Best to throw his body in to burn with the other two, I think."
Wiping his soot-covered face with a singed sleeve (and only succeeding in pushing the stains around), Jim ponders Kaul's question. "Might be, mate. Let's watch them closely when we muster. Our Master Dibbs is a keen judge of character--I would say more, but I don't want him to reenact our goat encounter of a few days ago--and he can keep a weather eye out for skulduggery.
"For now, though...Dagrit, were you going to have a wake?"
Dagrit stares bleary eyed at Jim for a moment, ”Wake? For the Broken Mug, you mean. That’s not a bad idea. A bit of closure and give me a chance to check in with my patrons. I think Garek would donate a couple kegs of Dented Helm to the cause. How about the night before ya shove off? We’ll show those Blackened Knot bastards ya can’t keep a good dwarf down!”
You find some new, quieter lodging for the next few days and enjoy sleeping in as you prepare for the voyage ahead. The night before you leave finds you gathered at the end of the burned pier for the Broken Mug's wake. The event is well attended, not only by many of the regulars that you have come to recognize, but the entire staff including Dibbets’ favorite barmaid and a large number of Freeport dwarves, well armed and eyes peeled for any more trouble.
No hoods or nooses are to be seen. Sergeant Iratch is in attendance and reports that Abel and his gang are lying low. The Watch has stationed guards at the Chumhouse and questioned a few suspects, but has yet to make any arrests. He assures you that they will keep on it, however.
Half-Hitch also shows up to remind you that the ship is docked at Pier 2 and departing first thing in the morning although that doesn't prevent him from enjoying several tankards of Dented Helm.
The morning dawns gray with a stiff breeze from the east, a blessing from Gozreh or warning from the Eye. You reach the pier under a spattering of rain and see the renovated Unicorn . The figurehead remains the same besides a new layer of gold paint, but the name has changed. Scrolled in bold cursive the ship’s new name reads- Finn’s Fortune. Leaving no question who is funding this venture.
Three of your new shipmates are gathered near the gangway. You of course recognize Half-Hitch in a striped shirt and blue trousers. His shaggy brown head bobs as he appears to be in an animated discussion with the Captain. Dallian is dressed in an emerald jacket and trousers. His iron-gray hair pulled back in a short tail and a frown beneath his drooping moustache. He stands next to a man with similar features, but somewhat younger. He is similarly dressed in green, but his black hair is cut short and he sports a well groomed moustache and goatee.
As you approach, Dallian’s frown deepens. He curtly notes ”Good of you to show up this morning. That makes everyone accounted for. This is the chief mate, Adrick Dallian.” He indicates the man standing next to him. ”The bosun and second mate are already aboard if you’d care to join us and get to work.” With that he abruptly turns and walks up the gangway followed by the mate.
Eager to make the right impression Kaul will launch a spit o' chew at the side of the tub;
"Finn's Luck? Like I give a two penny f**k!...hur..hur."
The thug grabs his heavy weapons and kitbag, stares balefully at half-pint and the Dalliwags and lumbers aboard;
Jim snaps a quick salute to Captain Dallian and nods to Half-Hitch before picking up his gear and following Kaul up the gangway, chuckling at the half-orc's comment. "Oh, we're in for a fine voyage, we are."
Once on board, he looks around for the bosun. "Jim Patterson, checking in. Where can I stow this, and what do you need done?"
the Groom follows Jim. "Finn's Luck, eh? I put more trust in my Queen's. He will listen for instructions where to stow his gear.
Pounding headache still present from the blowout last night, Dibbets is in an unusually foul mood as he approaches the vessel. Having not replaced his rags he is already stripped to the waist, the rest of his gear stowed in the bags he is carrying alongside. Nodding at the men that greet them "Dallian, Dallian. Hope ye emptied out the crows nest fer me, as thats where I'll be residin most ought the trip" Heh, wonder how many o' tha rest o' the scrubbers are blood rellies and giving a roguish smile and wink to Half-Hitch.
Dibbets stops short of the ship, dumping his gear to the side. "Won't be a sec mateys" he stumps to the edge of the pier and without any further ceremony jumps into the brine for a wee soak. Climbing back from the blue sopping wet he grabs his gear and stumps aboard following the rest of the mates. Giving Kaul an elbow and saying "Always get me dunkin out o' the way up front so I don't go in uninvited on the sail."
Dibbets also casts an eye over the vessel to see how well it seems to be rigged and stocked.
Perception: take 10 for 21
Profession (Sailor): take 10 for 15