Jim nods slightly as Kaul pays the man. As the half-orc holds the gold, a growing smile crosses the Taldan's face. If no one else says or does anything to interrupt, after fifteen or twenty seconds he breaks into a chuckle. "Here, mate. Let the man take his coin and have done. We'll just have to find work that much sooner."
Kaul lets his grip slacken, then mocks a head-butt towards the man with a malicious grin;
"Keep it... hur-hur"
The man seems uncertain how to handle the half-orc. He just stands there uncomfortably until Kaul finally releases the coin. Then he quickly heads back to his table glancing back to make sure the thug isn't following him.
A moment later, Dibbets emerges from the door to the cellar. He negotiates around the bar with a dark look from the barkeeper and finally emerges vomit speckled and fouler smelling than ever.
Kaul looks like he's about to grab the little degenerate but thinks better of it upon spotting Dibb's new vomit markings.
"20 feckin sails... wee bast..."
Somewhat bashful given his current condition, Dibbs turns to the barkeep "Ye run baths this hour?...."
"Good to see you back with us, mate. Where'd you learn that little escape trick?"
Shrugging his bile tinted shoulders "Dunno Jimmer... still a few kinks tae works out methinks though" sloughing a little of the vomit off his skin and onto the bar's floor.
The barkeeper sighs and with a curt nod, jerks his thumb at a young apprentice to run a bath.
Dibbs nods thanks and for the first time since his matey's have known him... goes off willingly to get clean while the others decide what for for the rest of the night.
Jim looks on incredulously. "Here, who's that slip, and what's he done with our mate?"
Kaul barks a laugh at Jim's jape;
"Dunno... but mind that iffen yer feet don' touch the bottom it still ain't a sea... hur-hur"
Emerging from the bath dripping wet and apparently not having heard of a towel... or taking off his kilt and cloak before bathing... Dibbs meanders back towards the common and is sticking a finger energetically into one ear so as to clear out earwax. He is definitely clean now... surprisingly so he's even scrubbed behind his ears and inbetween some of the weathered fat rolls on his neck and such. Almost like he were polishing up for something. A mite overloud he asks "So what are we up tae? ... I'd prefer tae not repeat the measure come mornin so p'raps best I dinnae get too close tae drink agin... Appearances an all that."
The room is less boisterous by the time Dibbets returns despite Jim paying for a round. the Groom looks a bit impatient. It's still before midnight and the night is young.
"Well, mates, what say we pay a visit to Brother Peg-Leg? Barkeep! Any problem with selling us a sealed bottle of rum?"
"Make it a couple, dues as it were, and we have quite the tale to tell."
Dibbs shrugs, not entirely needing to go chinwag with Peg-Leg, but happy to accede to the desires of his more devout compatriots.
The barkeep pulls out another pair of bottles from below the bar. He shakes his head as he recounts his dwindling supply. "Hmmm, looks like I'll have to restock tomorrow."
The Eastern District is quiet as you cross the Field of Honor and pass the few late night taverns and kafes that remain open. The walls of the Old City loom above and with a lazy glance over from the Guard, you enter the dark still streets of the central district.
The Street of Dreams is doing just that as you pass the darkened windows of the Wizard's Guild and high end restaurants and furnishing stores. More Guard watch you from the gates of the old Sea Lord's Palace as you move northwest past a closed bathhouse and onto the Temple District.
Beyond the imposing walls of the Old City, the sky opens up and a gibbous moon lights up the plazas and temples of the several gods. In moments you are standing beneath the masts that support the great black flag of Besmara above the oddly beached ship that serves as her temple.
Dingus follows along with the group, breathing deeply of the salt tinged, smell of the city...glad for once to embrace the stench. Nothing had tried to eat him, shoot him, or cheat him out of something all day. It was a good day.
Any sign of activity at Besmara's temple?
the Groom clinks the bottles together. "Ho, Peg-Leg. You've got a boarding party. Open up, before this rutgut suffers what will probably be its second day in this world."
As he stumps along the quiet streets Dibbs whistles a little ditty quite tunelessly. Passing his eyes around he's a small mite curious as to why the streets are so forlorn, but since they've a destination already he doesn't give it too much mind. His kilt still drips a little bit of water from his bath, but is slowly drying out.
the Groom hails the landlocked ship, but all is silent aside from the random chanting and arguments from the "Hall of Fools" behind you. Finally, there is the thud of a bar dropped and the great scrimshaw doors swing open to reveal a gangly figure in a night shirt. He swings the lantern forward and you see a stupefied expression beneath a sandy brown bowl cut as Dunny looks you over with an inquisitive "Narp?"
"Sorry for the late bell, there, me friends. But we find ourselves in need of news of the shifting tides in Freeport since we left. Already we find ourselves skirting some shoals, and can use a friendly word. Got some bottles as a form of apology. Also, I wish to make a donation, had a bit of luck, and Besmara better take her share befor I spend much more time in town. He re-clinks the bottles hoping to engage the old pirate's enthusiasm.
A glimmer of recognition flashes in the nearly brained acolyte's eyes whether for the Groom or the rum, it's hard to say, but the man scoots off into the hold to rouse the priest.
A few moments later a booming voice is heard from the fore, "Well, let 'em in Dunny. I can dress meself, damn you." Dunny reappears quickly nodding his head and narping as he stands to the side of the door. The large form of Father Peg-Leg can be seen maneuvering down the ladder to the altar, where he turns to peer at you with a hand on the wheel.
He seems to have misplaced his shirt as he stands in knee breeches, tricorne, and greatcoat to greet you, "Well mates, you've returned safe and sound. Not seasoned enough for the Pirate Queen is all!"
Chuckling at the de-shirted Father as he stumps into the ship with a smile on his face Dibbs takes a peep at the skin beneath the greatcoat to see if he can pick up any tattoos...
Perception:
...before responding to the call "Seasoned enough that tha sea spat me back out Peg-Leg... I've faced down tha maelstrom 'erself and lived tae tell." setting his eyebrows to a jaunty dance as he engages in the beginning of what might be a tall tale.
Dibbets catches a few of the colorful scenes that grace the portly pirate priest's pale panza including a randy sea elf maid greatly enjoying the company of a narwhal. Peg-Leg hobbles down on his wooden stump, securing the buttons of his coat from the hairy halflings prying eyes and casting a green glow light on a random cleat protruding from the bulkhead. He gestures to the drift wood pews as he seats himself.
"Izzat so, mate?" he asks Dibbets, scratching his heavy beard and waving the Groom over with the rum.
"Aye, but that's the arse end o' tha story tae be true... ye sure ye wanna start there. I always find iffin ye get arsed about it's difficult tae get straight agin." casting a wary eye to the Groom and Jimmer, a raised eyebrow suggests So do we tell 'im tha whole story chappies? Or do we hold some back as we go?
Kaul lurks in the background before grabbing a pew and helping himself to a shot of rum.
Dingus simply stands and glares. After a few moments Richard emerges and glares as well.
"The tale's full of unexpected shoals and deep water, true. It touches on things that you should know as both priest and politician, though, so we'll try not to distract from those.
"You may recall we were hired by Finn to help Obreck Dallian recover treasure from his ship, lost near Suck-ye-bye Isle, so Dallian could pay his debt to Finn. Well, we succeeded at that--fought our way into his infested ship, snatched the chest, and got out with fully minutes to spare 'fore the Jungle King went under. That's when things really got hairy.
"Dallian and his men locked us in our quarters and scuttled Finn's Fortune, then took their treasure in the jolly boat to a rendezvous with the Thresher Shark. Well, we broke out and beached the Fortune on Raptor Island, managed to put together a raft, and made it back to Sentinel Island. We figured that enough ships put in at Sentinel, we could get back to Freeport. Trouble was, Red Aesha and Thresher Shark got there 'fore us.
"It seems that Dallian's 'treasure' was something called the Stone of Solesh. Red Aesha used it to call up the dead of the sea--besieged the monastery on Sentinel after she and Dallian took the Wind Lass, killed every hand aboard her and all the monks besides. Dallian's got Wind Lass now, I'm thinking.
"But something happened there after we put down the sea's dead that perhaps I'd better let the Groom tell, for it seemed to involve the Pirate Queen Herself. Skipping that for the nonce, we were picked up by the Plumed Lady and after a brief stop in Plume Town made it back here. If the Eyes of Keeba see clearly, the Stone and Red Aesha are in the 'white seas of the North.'
"And that's our tale, such as it is." Jim snags one of the bottles on its way around and takes a long pull.
Peligro fills a pipe, nodding as he absorbs the tale, "Now that is a crackin' yarn, Jim. Red Aesha, huh? I know a thing or two about that dark elf. As alluring and treacherous as a lanternfish from the deepest, coldest trench, but let's hear what the Groom has to say about the Queen first."
He notices Dingus' glaring and cocks an eye to him, "Here now mate, have a seat and put a way your long fellow. You're giving me the heebie-jeebies!"
Kaul grunts in agreement;
"Hur. Ain't that the truth. I got's bamboozled by a House O' Slips tae boot... and me sacred nut guarded our booty..."
the Groom takes a seat and pulls the cork out with his teeth. He takes the first swig and passes the first bottle. "Our first stop at Sentinel, I got the queer sense from our Queen, that something wasn't right. I was in no hurry to get ashore, seeing the old place overridden in Friars and such. But I had a worse sense of impending doom. I had a vision of red eyes in the water, but we didn't stay long enough for it to make much sense. Our second stay, we washed up like so much flotsam there. And sure enough, the visions came true. An army of Deaders rose up from the sea to take the place, but we put up a pretty good fight. Seeing that the place was a pirate fort long before any benevolent saints took up residence, it was built for defense. In the aftermath, I took the time to rededicate the place to Besmara, at least, I think that was her intention to lead me there. Unfortunately we didn't have the resources to make it a permanent claim, but given enough time and loot, I means to see my way back there."
He takes another swig as the bottle comes around. "But on a darker note than Deaders from the sea, I think now that I am not at the end of the reason for the visions and the true meaning of the red eyes. My Queen visited us that night after the assault. She led me to this book." the Groom pulls a leather tome out of his bag, and opens it, and pushes it out onto the table. "It is full of dark and disturbing details of creatures called Abolyths. In it, it details the Stone of Solesh, by this reckoning, can control all manner of terrors of the Deep. The merman were said to have cast the stone from the sea to prevent its evil corruption. Green, vitreous, the size of a skull."
Dibbs keeps the story of his dance in the dark with a demon shark and the cryptic words of the blue and crusty one to himself... after all, those words were for the Grotto when the sun rose, and not for one of the Drowner's kin.
Peligro's eyes widen , "Well knock me over with a feather, ye've caught the Queen's fancy! I know being a landlocked priest is useful in a fashion, but Besmara only smiles on a sailor. Ye got me itchin' to head back to sea and adventure, though Freeport cert'ly keeps things interesting."
"Ah, well. Perhaps the Queen does want the island rededicated to raiding. Of course, that won't be easy if what I've heard in recent days is true. I spoke with a sailor the other day swears a ghost ship was found just west of Sentinel Island. The whole crew dead and stiff as an iron nail and from Sentinel they heard a horrible shrieking that sent deathly chills through 'em. Sailors have started calling it Banshee Island instead and giving it wide berth."
"Maybe She wants you to do something about this rock, ye mentioned." Peg-Leg takes up the book and idly flips through it."She wouldn't like anyone countermanding Her orders down below. I don't know much about rocks, but if it has anything to do with Aboleths, it can't be good."
"I might be able to help you with Red Aesha though. Pirates is one thing I do know. The dark elf is as spiteful as she is lusty. It's no secret she is after her kin up on the Mordant Spire. If ye heared she was bound for white seas up north, my guess would be that she's bound for vengeance on the Steaming Sea."
"Anyone 'ere kin wi' Red Aesha?" wondering if they couldn't take it out on the lass herself they could provoke her to come back.
Peligro chuckles coldly, "If'n there were, she'd likely have already killed them. Tales tell that she was exiled by the masked elves for some great sin and now it's her against the world. Might be that she's had some dealings with the criminal element here in Freeport, but I can't say she cares for anything other than her ship and her first mate, Melindra Makavin."
"As long as we've gotten you up and about, there were another minor thing as came up in our discussions with Finn on our return. As you may guess, he was less than happy with the loss of his ship and Dallian's treachery, but since we're resourceful folk (or so he said) he made us an offer. The price of two ships for what he described as the back door to Black Dog's hoard, which he seemed to think might still have a few sails left in it. Now, I'm no Freeporter save by recent adoption, as it were, so I couldn't say whether he's having us on here. He did allow as how much of it had been plundered around the time the last Sea Lord met his end, but the caves had collapsed so no one went digging to make sure they got every penny out. Speaking for myself, I'd appreciate your counsel on this.
"There's one more thing. On our travels, we met something the like of which I've never faced before, and gods willing I'll not see its like again. The sight of the thing alone put a, a hole in my mind, you might say. I've papered it over with duty and rote, but sometimes at night I can still hear whisperin' from it. Have you magic to set me right?"
Jim's question about Finn's proposal elicits a chuckle from the pirate priest. "What Finn told ye is true. It's a gamble I suppose, but there might be enough treasure down below to make it worth your while. Finn's a cunning one though to get his money up front. Sure as the tide, Black Dog's curse followed the last bunch and then there's the snakes."
"Not too many know that long afore humans settled down in these parts, heck before there even were humans really, serpentfolk slithered all over Golarion. One of their ancient cities, Valossa if I recall correct, is buried right under this here island. The story I heared was that there was a jade door at the back of Black Dog's cave that led to snaketown. Was a serpent artifact led to the Sea Lord's downfall and from what I hear not all the snakes are gone."
The priest looks genuinely pained by Jim's last confession. "Sad to say, I'm not much of a mender, Jim. I'da patched up Dunny if I could."
Dunny gives a questioning "narp?" at the mention of his name.
"To be honest, Freeport ain't really known for the goody Gods that look after that kind of thing. Mother Lorilee probably could have eased your mind, but she's lost at sea I'm told. You could check with the other Gozrans, but the best I can offer is maybe ye spend some time at the Chambers Asylum over in the Eastern District. That's about the best I got."
"Jade door, hey?" Jim's eyes dart quickly to Dingus, then back to the cleric. "Should we come into the coin, we'll give that some thought. I believe Dibbets has his own business with the Skylord's temple, so I'll take the matter up with them. My thanks for the advice. I'm hoping they can help, for in truth an extended stay ashore would like as not drive me madder than I already am." He grins.
Dingus's ears perk up at the mention of a kingdom of snakes. Richard senses his excitement and begins to writhe excitedly.
"What". "A whole kingdom of snakes". "What a wonderous place that must have been". "Can we go there, and see what remains"?
At Jim's mention of the Gozrehians Dibbets scowls "We'll see Jimmer... last time they tried tae fob me off onna pissant. I ain't fer bein refused today though."
Seemingly bored by the in-depth banter and story telling, Kaul slumps in his seat, quietly snoring as his snout nose twitches and hairlip sneers in alternating rhythm...
Peg-Leg notices Kaul's snoring and the Groom's glazed eyes and lifts a hand, "Well mates, it has been good to catch up and spin a yarn, but the hour's late. By all means, ye drop again soon and tell me yer bearing, but I'm a bit tuckered out meself."
Dunny sees you to the doors as Peg-Leg waves good night.