"Job well done, mates. Let's get somewhere safe and quiet so Dibbets can take his medicine, hey?"
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Dibb swills his freshly acquired bottle at Navin in way of affirmation before exiting stage left. He squints slightly at the fluid, wondering out loud "Aye, reckons so... ye think this'll be strong enough? Oh... we needs tae stop off fer some buttered rum as well now that I thinks of it."
Kaul chuckles to himself, still eyeing the fell hag's eye;
"Hur. Reckons I is gonna get this popped onto Lopper. Axe's got eyes too y'know... Makes sense fir Lopps to 'ave one proper!"
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Dingus bats his eyes at Navin as he follows the others from the room, unsteady on the unfamiliar platform sandlels.
"That sounds lovely. As I mentioned don't worry, I'll watch over you while you dream.
Then he steps close to Kaul, and for a change doesn't have to stand on tippy toes to reach his friends hair filled ear.
"Do axes really have eyes? Yours definitely needs one if they do".
Kaul recalls that Otto Parsam over in Scurvytown is the best weaponsmith in Freeport. Although he wasn't particularly helpful last time, to be fair, a fishing hook generally wouldn't be of much interest to a weaponsmith.
Dibbets suggests returning to the ship so he can test Leng's Tears. Dingus somewhat creepily offers his assistance.
Kaul looks quizzically at the snake-hipped sorcerer;
"Course they 'ave eyes Ding... Axes got 'eads, so they got eyes..."
The thug mulls his next move;
"Could 'ead o'er to Parsam's an' look at getting Lopps an' eye... but iffin' ye need me I'll belay that until you lot fry yer brains."
"I'm thinking to stay here for now, in case Dibbets flies off while he's drinking that, ah, not sure what I'd call it."
Hearing no objections from his mates, Kaul ambles eastward toward Scurvytown. The others stop long enough to grab a couple bottles to chase their rare spirits and then make for the Bloody Fortune. They find Lola looking a little bored on Afternoon Watch. They head down to the Captain's Quarters to find Belinna reclining on the couch with an novel and a cup of tea. She marks her page and sets the book aside to rise and greet you.
"You took care of your business then? Nothing to report here. Where's Kaul?"
Kaul takes his time heading through the Eastern District and walks down the main street into Scurvytown past the precinct office. He catches a couple of sidelong glance from the rabble along the street, but no one bothers the imposing looking orcish sailor. Taking a side street across from the Kill Shop, a promising looking weapon shop, but less renown than Otto's place, Kaul zigzags between a couple houses to the door of the solitary smithy.
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Without context Dibbs explains "Kauly's off nailin an eye to 'is axe... reckons it'll up 'is voodoo or summat... s'long as he doesnae come back cuddling a coconut an screechin like a bloody monkey I think we got off easy-like." pausing to scratch his arse before adding "And aye, matters at rest as best they may. As for the now... I've got an appointment wi' a bottle... probly best I do it above decks... easier tae hose down iffin I end up pukin or p1ssin mesel."
With that Dibbs tips his imaginary hat and heads back up topsides with rum and spirit-juice in tow.
Kaul ensures that any glances are met with a murderous scowl and "clack" of a crimson claw.
He pauses briefly at the Kill Shop, mulling the virtue of its moniker, then to Otto's place.
The thug knocks upon the sturdy door;
"Let's see iffin' Otto can give ye an eye fir slaughter eh Lopps?"
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Corliss sits cross-legged on the deck, examining the new 'toy' given him by LeFevre, trying to figure out if the item really does what the elf says it does. He looks up briefly from his examination when Dibbets makes his comment about Kaul "cuddling a coconut an screechin like a bloody monkey" and considers asking for a bit of clarity on the matter, but then he decides that perhaps ignorance is bliss in this case.
Belinna just nods having grown used to the strange ways of her mates. Dibbets heads up and up to the crowsnest where he can find the solitude surrounded by sky to attempt his communing.
*******
A gruff voice tells Kaul to come in. He's met by studious squint from the familiar gent at the counter. Fine weapons and a couple pieces of armor are on display in the room. "I remember you, fishhook." His gaze falls on the claw and he smiles appreciatively. "Appears that you found something a little better than a hook. Where did you find that?"
*******
Corliss stares at the rough-made amulet. He is fascinated by the black pearl embedded in the coin. Indeed, there does seem to be a swirling storm in the dark luster and he feels his goddesses touch. All the rich elf claimed is true!
Jim shakes his head at Dibbets' explanation and actions, then snaps off a respectful salute to Cap'n Belinna. "We did the trade with Millant. Dibbets and Dingus came up with some amazing-sounding liquors, Kaul got himself a little magic trinket that he wants to attach to his axe, and Corliss got himself a much nicer magic trinket. I just got a promise of information about the Spider...probably a fool thing to ask for, but--" He shrugs. "I don't like not knowing who might be painting a target on my back, hey?"
The half-elf's lovely almond-shaped eyes get bigger. "That's so exciting! You are so brave, Jim. And handsome." she adds.
Kaul emits a hacksaw chuckle as he flexes the claw;
"Took this 'ere from Jenna Redclaw herself. A trophy lie. Hur-hur."
The thug pulls forth Lopper then pops the Hag's eye next to the hatchet.
"This 'ere is me axe: Lopper. Lookin' to 'ave this eye put onto her."
"Wait! Hold up! I told you I'd watch over you while you drink yourself into oblivion".
The scrawny Tian, mumbles a few choice words, then levitates up next to the crows nest where Dibbits intends to imbibe. He then attempts something he's been working on. He pulls a hammock from his robes, and lashes one end to the mast above Dibbets, and the other to his immovable rod, climbing in to recline as he watches.
"Long as the ship's not moving this should work OKay".
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Dibbets winks at Dingus as the eccentric sorcere joins him aloft, adding "Ye might regret that decision afore we's done." before proceeding to become skyclad under the Freeport sun. Clothes ceremoniously laid to one side in a pile Dibbs lifts the top of his newly acquired beverage and takes in the scent. Letting the aroma sit on his palate for a moment he pauses to gather himself.
What then transpires is a roiling debauched performance of Dibbs' less than melodic voice churning out a stanza, followed by a swig, then stanza, then swig.... until the legs go out from under the halfling and he slumps into what's hopefully an enlightening dream state.
"And it's all for me grog, me jolly, jolly grog
All for me beer and tobacco
Well I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin
Across the western ocean I must wander"
"Where are me boots, me noggin, noggin boots
they're all gone for beer and tobacco
For the heels they are worn out and the toes are kicked about
And the soles are looking for better weather"
"I'm sick in the head and I haven't gone to bed
Since I first came ashore from me slumber
For I spent all me dough on the lassies don't you know
Far across the western ocean I must wander"
"Yes. I remember Lopper." He holds out a callused hand to accept the heavy ax and give it a once over. "And I remembered her former owner. A bloodthirsty raider born on from some icy rock in the Ironbound Archipelago. Made his way down here and was a pretty gruesome pirate even for the Shackles. Used to cut the arms off his captives, throw them over the rail, and tell them to swim home. Tammeralt, I think his name was."
"Now where do you want the eye attached?"
The smell of the leggy, clear liquor is astringent with a hint of malice. The taste is indescribable and leaves Dibbets' mouth numb. He is slurring before the last verse and the song is cut short as the naked halfling collapses to the floor of the crows-nest. Dingus finds that his mates' eyes are wide open and staring, but he is totally unresponsive.
Kaul listens intently, chuckling at the notion of armiess mooks being told to swim for their lives;
"Hur. That's a good 'un. Kickin' and screamin'... Hur-hur-hur..."
The brute pauses, flexing his claw;
"Maybes I should get me a signature way o' killin..."
His scarred brow furrows, then he refocusses at Otto;
"Hur... Reckons the eye should go at the eye o' the axe. That ways I hold 'ere out and she can give 'em the evil stare... Or on the end o' the handle - like a sword's pommel like?"
He pauses then shrugs at the weapon smith;
"You're the expert mate... Where would you put it?"
"Well, it's dwarven make so there is no eye per se. It's one piece with alloys and coring to help with the weight. I wouldn't put it anywhere on the business end anyway. It wouldn't stay attached with heavy use. I think the knob's the place. Like a pommel as you say. I can do that."
Kaul nods sagely;
'Hur. Right ye are... Dwarven ye say..."
The thug grinds this claw fingers together with a hairlip grin;
"So... Let's talk coin... How much Lopps' eye gonna cost me?"
The scarred veteran pulls back his long dirty blonde hair now turning to gray and ties it off. "It's a simple enough job. Tell you what, I can do it while you tell me how you and Lopper met. I'll just charge you 100 skulls."
The thug pats the axe and descends into his hacksaw chuckle;
"Hur-ur-ur. Well me an' me mates were on a raft, adrift like. Came 'cross this monastery fir safe 'arbour... Or so we thought."
He smiles fondly as best a scarred, disfigured thug can...
"Fog rolled in. With it came Lopper's ol' owner. Tammeralt, well what was left o' him. He was a brine deader, all stinkin' and bitter. Lopper split me own sword... Bess..."
The thug pauses, beady eyes dewy before continuing;
"We took Ol' Tammeralt an' his crew o' deaders down... an' I claimed Lopps in fair ex-change fir my Bonnie Bess. Her Sister Mara an 'her were bound an' given to the deep. Were waitin' fir me..."
As the filthy naked halfling collapses in the crow's nest, his face goes slack and drool freely slops out of the left side of his mouth. His last conscious thought is to try and at least go a spindle limbed in a way that won't knock over the buttered rum that he's reserved for Saltbeard.
Otto looks sympathetic. "Sorry for your loss. I guess I'm not too surprised Tammeralt came back. The man sounded too hateful to stay dead. So do we have a deal? Shouldn't take more than an hour or two."
You still feel nothing and hear only a faint dull distant hiss like the noise from a shell held to your ear. Below, everything is obscured by a foul fog that hides the ship so that it seems you stand on a mast suspended in nothingness. You sense Dingus' presence, but cannot see him. The tall walls of the Old City rise from the thick ooze-like fog so you can get your bearings. Your attention is pulled to the east. Scurvytown, you would guess. The mist there has a more gauzy look to it like layered cobwebs. Something big stirs in it sending sticky strands unfurling skyward. You sense intense menace and can make out a dark shape in the fog that approaches roiling the fog that obscures it. The movement pushes the fog forward like a wave as it bunches ahead of the thing and rises like a tsunami. Just before it breaks on you, you can make out eight red glowing eyes above a horrible mandibles face. Then you pass out and know nothing more.
Kaul nods with a hard smile;
"Aye. We got a deal mate... Couple o' hours'll give me time to snag yer Skulls."
The thug pats his hatchet affectionately, then bids the smithy adieu;
"I'll be goin'... Behave fir Otto Lopps... I'll see ye both soon."
Kaul will head to the vault to go and collect some coin
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Dingus is at first excited as Dibbs starts to remove his clothes thinking that a most called for wardrobe change would take place before drinking, only to be disappointed as he fails to don appropriate attire for a drinking game.
Half-man customs are so alien. I usually disrobe after drinking a lot, not before... well in a proper sort of world anyway.
After a bit Dingus grows concerned with Dibbs seemingly catatonic state and sends Richard over to investigate.
"Now you stay close to him, and let me know if there is any change or he stops breathing. I'm going to grab some shut-eye".
Dibbets awakens with a bit of a headache and something scaly pressed against his cheek. This time it's not Syncopit's tail, but Dingus' viper, which slithers over to wake its master at Dibbets' yelp. The rum at his side lies untouched and the sun seems overly bright, but based on how little changed its position is, the naked halfling guesses he's been out maybe half a glass.
Dibbs comes to slowly as his brain works sluggish under the alcohol's haze. His wakening is hastened though when he notices a certain scaly accomplice invading his personal space. With a girlish shriek he scrabbles as far away from the wee slitherer as he can manage. "Bloody feckin, urgh... me noggin" holding a few moments to get his head back in order.
Dingus starts, almost falling as he remembers where he is. "Oh good you're awake. Thought for a moment there you'd kicked the bucket. I was just going to get some grease to rub you down so you wouldn't get burnt by the sun... maybe next time".
Dingus unsteadily casts levitate again, and begins to work his way down the mast with his hammock and anchor rod.
"Come along now Richard. Snack time".
He then turns to the naked halfling.
"Want a piggyback ride down? There's room here next to Richard"?
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Jim's response is interrupted as there is a knock at the door and Corliss enters. He gives a broad grin as he holds up the pearl and coin amulet. "It's the real thing!" he announced excitedly. Seeing Jim and Belinna alone in her quarters, he cocks his battered head. "Didn't interrupt anything, did I? Thought you might want to know Dibbets was up in the crows-nest a-shouting and went quiet rather sudden. Dingus is up there too, but I just thought, well, I guess I'm still getting use to his moods. Don't know if I should be concerned or not."
Looking from the captain to Jim, the priest asks, "I was wonderin' what spell to store in me new amulet.... Mayhaps dispel magic in case we suddenly gets whacked with a hostile spell? Or praps it'd be better to be able to recall a spell I'd already cast, like lightnin' iff'n we was to one day battle a mighty sea serpent or the like. Any preference?"
Growling then grimacing as his head throbs Dibbs waves off "Nei matey, I'll make me own way downsides... best I put me kilter back on anyways eh?" Dibbs sees himself robed before descending back to the deck. Although Saltbeard didn't make an appearance, he still pays homage by emptying the buttered rum into the brine.
The filthy halfling then refreshes by conjuring some salt water to douse and drench hisself before seeking out the remainder of the crew.
Sure enough, up on the weather deck, all is quiet up in the nest. Lola just shrugs to the others as she goes about her rounds. It looks like a hammock is slung off the mast somehow like a purple flag. Just about the time Jim starts up the ratlines, there is a shriek and low voices above.
A moment later, Dingus furls the purple flag and descends, followed a moment latter by a grimacing and slow moving Dibbets. The halfling does one of his far too few ablutions as everyone watches.
Kaul wanders across town to the Vault and removes some money to pay for Lopper's ocular surgery. By the time he makes it back to Scurvytown, it's late afternoon and the shadows are growing longer, darkening the alleys that branch off the poorly cobbled street into the district.
:
Kaul clocks the unusual lack of pep from the denizens. Against his better judgement the thug lumbers toward a the nearest gaggle of Scurvytowners;
"Hur. You lot look like a collective rough night on the cobbles. What ails ye?"
:
The man's bleary look sharpens as he focuses on who's talking to him. His lips tighten around his teeth in disgust. "What's it to you? You're on the wrong side of the wall, orc. If I'd got a decent sleep last night, I'd kick your blighted arse. Damn nightmares."
Kaul instantly regrets his moment of charitable weakness and plants his scarred noggin firmly in the face of the Scurveytowner:
:
:
Charitably deciding to help the big mouth with his sleeping problem, Kaul pulls a black jack from his belt. The man's mouth opens and his hand goes for the knife at his belt just as the heavy bag smashes into the side of his head. The man spins and collapses onto the rough cobbles. His companions flee.
As the Scurvytown "tough" is dropped, Kaul grunts a chuckle and relieves the man of his blade and pads him down for any coin or valuables he possesses.
Business concluded the thug heads back to Otto's, with a vow that the next smart mouth gets the Claw o'er the sap...