[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+3
Not sensing any trouble above (due to the fatigue she feels and other factors), Taissa informs Daya it won't be long before another will come up and take over watch. Daya continues to tear and eat her meat.
Taissa descends with the sleeping pup and once more takes her position around the table, pours herself a mug of water, and, picking up her bowl, blows over the top of the hot food and begins eating as the others talk.
Ren turns to Melthune. He says a lot and then grins a little.
"The sea is merely one path your company shall tread 'ere their journey is done; yet it is not the only path," he adds, trying to relieve the warrior in front of him.
Melthune's features do not change, remaining neutral before Ren's cheer.
"Indeed, it is often a soldier's lot to always be marching into battles. For a change it might be nice to ride." She replies.
"Indeed, it is often a soldier's lot to always be marching into battles. For a change it might be nice to ride." She replies.
Ren turns to Melthune and seems to consider this.
"Ah! Well, I do not know much of that art; I grew up in the city, there were few horses and only for noble lords. For me I learned to climb to rooftops and leap from building to building, or to ride the waves on the deck of a ship."
His mind tacks to what he recalls of Varisia in general.
"There are horsemen near Beacon, though not many. There is bad country for horses there... but I have heard tales of folk who ride things other than horses," he says thoughtfully.
"Further north and east lay Irrissen over the Kodar Mountains are the realms of the tribes called "Mammoth Lords"... they do not come much south over the mountains, but it said that they ride great beasts that are not horses, but far more powerful... some ride creatures that my call mother's people named mûmakil. Others ride great lizards like dragons which do not breathe fire, yet are yet deadly in their own way..."
He smiles a little, for to his knowing these are mere legends or children's tales.
"I am sure that they are not an issue, but it is something to think on when considering riding," he adds.
He turns to Taissa thoughtfully.
"Your pardon, lady - but if that goblin has been bound all day, it is possible he may be hungry," he says as he watches her.
Chastised by the captain, Zayna steps back and watches as the others discuss their options. He is right, I will allow them to choose what they are doing and then decide whether or not I will join this group. Hopefully they will make some kind of attractive offer.
He turns to Taissa thoughtfully.
"Your pardon, lady - but if that goblin has been bound all day, it is possible he may be hungry," he says as he watches her.
Taissa lifted her eyes to Ren's. An unfathomable look passed across their deep blue orbs.
She placed her bowl and spoon on the table, rose (adjusting the sling and the sleeping pup) and set about pouring a bowl for the goblin.
Setting the bowl and spoon before him, Taissa pulled the gag from the goblin's mouth and unshackled him. She filled a mug with water and set it down next to his food. She silently mused at what a strange world it was to serve food to a creature who, not that long ago, attempted to end her life and that of her allies.
Returning to her place, she addressed all, "Eat before the food goes cold. We can eat and talk. The hour grows long and we have not slept."
Focusing on the two new recruits, Taissa extended them a formal invitation, "There is food enough for all. If you are hungry and thirsty, join us in meal."
She then sat and took up her food, again, and ate in silence.
Zayna sits silently, smiling and nodding to Taissa. She takes a bowl of stew and gladly eats it, hungry after the long day of fighting and being detained by the guards. As she eats she continues to listen to the Scorpion's crew decide their plans.
Melthune also joins in eating with every one, happy to pass small talk. She makes it a point of sitting as far away from the Goblin as possible.
After remaining silent and listening to the group discuss their plans, Hack finally pulls the pipe that he has been puffing upon from between his teeth. A bluish gray cloud of smoke envelopes his head.
I am no great planner or thinker, but I do know this. We are all set up to be landed title holders in Beacon by making our mark earlier on papers. My word is good, and we are to protect that settlement. If all of these threats to Beacon are soon to pass, would we be not be better served preparing for the Spring assaults instead of traipsin' so far south to defeat a threat clearly beyond us?
Would we not be serving our new Lord better by possibly ridding some goblins, where possible, and then maybe even raiding the boats of these so called Riddleport Pirates while they sit in winter dock? I say let's prepare for Spring assaults the best we can with the coin from the sale of this ship.
He takes a few more puffs of his pipe.
Having said all of that, if the vote says Osirion, I will fight side by side with all of you, but I fear our late return from this jaunt will leave us ill-prepared for our true duties in the Spring.
No one has ever heard Hack string together so many thoughts or words at one time. He simple returns to enjoying his new tabac.
"Your pardon, lady - but if that goblin has been bound all day, it is possible he may be hungry," he says as he watches her.
"I believe in Polux as captain, and, one day we will have a better, faster ship of our own that he can command."
"I guess we'll have to see about that at a later time" - Polux shrugs in his usual casual way, then looks around at everyone gathered - "The vote is settled then - Osirion it is - we get The Scorpion up to par, at least as far as being seaworthy, sell it, move over to The Seahawk, and then to Osirion. Ren, Taissa had purchased provisions for this one - would you mind checking if any of it could be perhaps useful transferred aboard The Seahawk?"
Turning to the barbarian, he adds - "Even though I do not share your immediate will to be a land title owner, and perhaps consider the Regent of Beacon more of an employer than my Lord, I understand your concerns Hack, but I still think we are not risking that much by giving this trip a try - I'll make sure you come back better equipped, and with more gold than ever, so you can make the best possible for Beacon. Good to know we can count on your strong arm and axe at our side"
With that, Polux turns to Zayna - "It seems matters have finally come to a conclusion - and we would obviously have you accompany us, if you so wish - What say you?"
The creature called Snaga looks up at Taissa as she brings him food.
He lopes to his feet and touches his palms to his forehead, groveling before her a moment as if it is a sign of respect. Then he leans back and quickly eats the meal almost ravenously, as if it is the first food or drink that he has even tasted since being taken prisoner two days ago. It is also possible that he eats quickly because he is afraid that the food may be taken from him; a paranoia that slow eating means other bigger, stronger types would cause you to lose your meals.
As the crew discusses their plans, especially raiding the goblin dens, Snaga raises his head to look at you all, as if he is prepared to offer additional information on such dens and the goblins that may be there.
His eyes flick to Polux, though, and he says nothing, having a clear memory of what happens when he speaks at length or out of turn. Instead, he returns to the food, finishing quickly and drinking all of the water in large, heavy gulps.
Meanwhile, Ren glances at Hack thoughtfully as the man states his concerns.
”In truth, the entire trip – leaving Beacon, sailing to Osirion and returning was only meant to take us six weeks. It would have had us back before the third month started, much less the Blood Moon which will rise on the fourth month, which is roughly sixteen weeks from now.”
”We have had delays thus far when this ship had to run from a storm when it sprung a leak, and then – with the leak – the foodstuff had to be jettisoned so it would not flounder. Now we have more delays when we stopped to fix the leak properly and buy a whole new set of cargo for the ship because of the leak.”
”Further, with two ships to sail we had a smaller crew on both and we were forced to drop anchor at night so that all could rest, slowing us further.”
”If we sailed together all through the night we could journey roughly twenty leagues a day, or – if you prefer – sixty miles in a day; most sailing ships could only make 45-48 miles in a day, at best. We are faster, sixty miles in a day is a low average, to be fair,” he says with some pride at the speed of The Seahawk.
”From here to Osirion it is roughly… 1,200 miles. That’s roughly twenty days to reach our goal and twenty days back; and with a few days in port – yes, I would say roughly six weeks; barring no mishaps….” he says with a shrug.
”I will admit, it is a bit of a gamble, true – but if you wish to fight foul creatures having better weapons would not hurt you. Of course, that is only a suggestion,” he adds thoughtfully.
His eyes turn to Taissa and linger there a bit longer, but he says nothing more at this time as she eats.
Hack stands, and he places a hand on the shoulder of Polux.
I am with you, shield-brother. I am with all of you, but I will hold you to your word on getting us back quickly and in due course to protect Beacon.
He puts his pipe away, stretches, and begins to head to the deck.
I need some fresh air. You all know my thoughts. I will see you topside when we are already to go and sell the ship.
"I would be willing to journey first with you to Osirion if we sell this...vessel, and go on the Seahawk. I would also like a promise that we will return to the north, no matter what we find in Osirion."
Polux listens to Ren, as he relates the details of what they may expect from the trip ahead of them - "I think we can handle those numbers Ren - six weeks should be acceptable, and hopefully will get us further insight into all of this"
At Hack's words, he nods - "Good to know Hack - we'll be back before you can spend all your tabac" - then turns to Zayna - "Yes, we will sell The Scorpion, and as you probably have noticed by now, there are many amongst us that strongly wish the return to the north, and to Beacon, so rest assured that this is our intention"
Turning to Ren again, he stops and looks back at Zayna - "Welcome to the group once again" - he bows shortly.
Back at Ren, he adds - "How do you feel regarding taking Snaga as a crewmember? I think he may be skilled enough to pull his own weight"
"Apologies Stefan but, 'you were told'? 'You were informed'? May I ask where you got the information?"
"After we arrived, I spent some time wandering the area around the Grand Mastaba asking questions about strange visitors and such. I finally was directed to an old shop owner who had knowledge of such, specifically the Serpent god. He was the one that gave me most of that information."
To Taissa,
"Yes, I would be for going to Osirion. As much as I would prefer staying near Beacon, goblins and pirates are common and constant pests that we can deal with on a regular basis, but this new threat gives me pause and I would deal with it now and in a permanent fashion. All of that being said, I think we should send word back to the Mayor of Beacon to let him know of this rising threat and our prolonged absence."
"How do you feel regarding taking Snaga as a crewmember? I think he may be skilled enough to pull his own weight"
Ren turns to look at the goblin, who sits on the boards and does not move from his place, now that he has finished his meal. The goblin says nothing, merely watching them all. Ren looks back at Polux.
”I am not personally familiar with goblin culture; I do not know much of them, knowing more of orcs… I have read things on their weapons, poisons, gear and habits, but I wonder now if some of those tales may be exaggerated…” he muses aloud.
”The truth is; if he was a formal member of our crew; this is a decision that would be up to our captain to decide after he met him. In which case, if the goblin was accepted into our crew than he would be treated equally as any other.”
”But I had assumed that for now he would merely be a passenger on our ship, and you would be his custodians?” he says glancing back to the place on the deck where the goblin sits, staring at Ren as the half-elf speaks.
”However, if you wish him to be more than a prisoner or some kind of indentured servant of sorts… well, to be honest, I did not know,” he says, watching the goblin, studying his features intently, as if trying to read him while the goblin returns the gaze.
"I guess we'll have to see about that at a later time" - Polux shrugs in his usual casual way, then looks around at everyone gathered -"The vote is settled then - Osirion it is - we get The Scorpion up to par, at least as far as being seaworthy, sell it, move over to The Seahawk, and then to Osirion. Ren, Taissa had purchased provisions for this one - would you mind checking if any of it could be perhaps useful transferred aboard The Seahawk?"
Taissa's brow furrowed upon Polux's initial words, but she kept her silence. Upon talk of the supplies she had procured from the market, she added, "Aye, Ren, aside from the ship's supplies, I bought my own crafting supplies. If we are to travel with you, I will need a place to store the items and a work space. We have a portable alchemist's lab, as well, which we will be bringing with us."
”From here to Osirion it is roughly… 1,200 miles. That’s roughly twenty days to reach our goal and twenty days back; and with a few days in port – yes, I would say roughly six weeks; barring no mishaps….” he says with a shrug.
”I will admit, it is a bit of a gamble, true – but if you wish to fight foul creatures having better weapons would not hurt you. Of course, that is only a suggestion,” he adds thoughtfully.
His eyes turn to Taissa and linger there a bit longer, but he says nothing more at this time as she eats.
Taissa, out of the corner of her eye, catches Ren looking at her. Putting her empty bowl down and feeling nicely full, Taissa's attention is now wholly occupied with the people and conversation.
”But I had assumed that for now he would merely be a passenger on our ship, and you would be his custodians?” he says glancing back to the place on the deck where the goblin sits, staring at Ren as the half-elf speaks.
"Snaga has promised his fealty to Polux, as victor. Even if he isn't an appointed crew member, I believe that between us we can keep an eye on him and he may prove a valuable source of information. He says he is skilful and cunning." Taissa wasn't the goblin's greatest advocate but it didn't mean he could not be useful.
"All of that being said, I think we should send word back to the Mayor of Beacon to let him know of this rising threat and our prolonged absence."
"I agree with Stefan. We don't want the Regent or his men to believe we have skipped town and our sworn duty. And the information we possess may give them time to shore up the town's defences before we return. Stefan, will you write the missive to Caius Lucius Titus?"
After the meal was done and the plates cleared and washed, Taissa made her way top deck and called Daya off her watch duty and down to the stove to get warm. Spying Polux and Hack huddled and talking, she informed them that Daya was no longer on lookout and that another should be set on duty.
"When you are finished your business up here, please come to the galley and we can go over the schematics and determine what needs to be done to securely seal the cracked hull. And Polux, we all need a full night's rest if we are to function at full strength and wit come morning. We must rotate watch duty to ensure this happens." The day had been overly long for Taissa, who had completed numerous tasks on no sleep, and her manner was more blunt than usual.
Taissa turned and left the men to their talk, and moved below to the galley. She took the pup out of the pouch and roused him. "You need to eat, little one, then you may sleep again." She set him on the floor and placed a portion of the meat she purchased for the animals' feed on a wooden plate for White Fang and filled a bowl with water.
Moving to the table, she spread out the ships's schematics and waited for Hack to join her. The sooner they got this planning done, the sooner to bed and rest. Then morning would bring much work and its own adventures.
Polux nods at Taissa's recommendation, and addresses the group - "Well boys, you heard the first mate - I get first watch, Stefan you take second, Hack next and Taissa last - Hack, will you let Taissa know the order of the watches? And make sure to hit the sack and get rested"
Turning to Ren, he responds - "It is agreed, but let us not simply leave it at that" - standing up, he motions to the goblin - "Snaga, come close please"
"Snaga, I am sure you were listening to the whole conversation - do you agree to the terms?" - the man questions with a smirk.
Taissa glanced over at Ren. It’s clear that she can perceive his look, but as to what prompts his motives – at this time she seems unable to sense what that is.
As Taissa speaks of the goblin; of his use, and his value, the goblin lowers his head somewhat, but his eyes remain on Ren, who continues to study the goblin more intently. As Ren continues to watch the goblin, he speaks to Taissa.
”I do not know for sure if this goblin shall be much of an asset yet or not… perhaps you are right… but I would only say this – if he was to sail with Johnny as one of our crew, Johnny would want to know all he could… he would question the goblin himself; learn from him, speak to him, hear what he says and what he has to say…”
Despite these words, Ren does not speak to the goblin himself, rather, he seems more intent on studying the creature and observing it, gauging it, watching it, paying attention to its movements and what it does or doesn’t do.
It is possible that he may know more about goblins then he is letting on.
He suddenly hears Taissa and Stefan talking about sending a letter to the Lord Regent and nods at the wisdom.
”That is an excellent idea… no matter what happens next, if you keep in good communication with the Lord Regent; delivering him information and news on your progress... such an action shall show him that you are interested in the town, that you are also valuable.”
He smiles at the idea.
”Whatever happens next, if he gets the information and can act on it, he will certainly be pleased with this information and pleased with those who sent it, I should warrant,” he says glancing over at you all.
”There are courier services here, if you have a letter prepared they can send it on the next ship that stabs northward as soon as you prepare something,” he says.
When Taissa discusses the idea of moving their parties gear to The Seahawk Ren turns to her and nods.
”I should think that would be alright. There is room enough on our ship for your gear and supplies and room to use it,” he says with a friendly smile to her.
Taissa then excuses herself and heads aloft.
Ren glances at the others then turns to watch the goblin.
The goblin says nothing, but after a moment or two the goblin starts to chant very softly in his own tongue and begins to rock gently back and forth in time to the rhythm.
Eventually Taissa returns and wakes White Fang for some dinner.
The pup wakes up and makes little harrumphs as he yawns and scooches around a bit, but seems less interested in eating the meat then drinking the water, which he drinks a lot of. He licks some of the meat for a bit, but then gives a little yawn, snuggles and goes back to sleep, not really hungry.
At that point, Polux addresses the rest of the group, agreeing with Taissa’s comments about getting rested. However, before things can really continue, he motions Snaga to his feet.
The goblin stops his soft chanting moves to his feet and lopes over toward Polux.
"Snaga, I am sure you were listening to the whole conversation - do you agree to the terms?" - the man questions with a smirk.
The goblin looks at Polux, watching the smirk on his face but says nothing for a while.
”You are the chief; you command, I obey. What else is there?” he says with a very soft voice, looking at Polux with expressionless eyes.
Ren leans back and studies the goblin, his eyes flicking toward Polux, then the others, wondering what will happen next.
Melthune frowns as the group 'talk' to the Goblin...But she says nothing at present, being very new to the group.
She aids in cleaning up after the meal, her military training obvious in the quick, brusque efficiency with which she washes, cleans, dries and packs the utensils.
"I can make firearms, ammunition and clerical scrolls should the group want. I will make them at cost for you all. We should have plenty of time during our journey, I just need to purchase the proper ingredients before we leave," Zayna interjects as she is finishing her stew. "I would also like to see the Seahawk and meet the rest of its crew."
"I will draft a letter for the Lord Mayor. Ren, if you would be so good as to show me who to send it with, I would be most grateful."
He turns to the new members of the group and bows.
Most well met ladies. I am Stefan Lebeda, at your service."
Melthune smiles in reply to Stefan's greetings. She again places her right fist to her left shoulder.
"Well met Master Lebeda. I am Melthune Guardi Tsilda." She introduces herself formally with a slight nod of her head.
"Hello," Zayna says smiling to Stefan. "I am Zayna Amjad. Pleasure to make your acquaintance Stefan."
”I do not know for sure if this goblin shall be much of an asset yet or not… perhaps you are right… but I would only say this – if he was to sail with Johnny as one of our crew, Johnny would want to know all he could… he would question the goblin himself; learn from him, speak to him, hear what he says and what he has to say…”
Taissa brushed a strand of hair from her face and pushed it tiredly behind her ear. Her usual fair skin seemed somewhat flushed, perhaps from having cooked the meal or some level of agitation.
Moving closer to The Seahawk's First Mate, and tugging his arm to draw him back from the others (especially any who could understand their words), for discreet conversation, Taissa reverted to Elven and quietly addressed the issue of the goblin with Ren.
When Taissa discusses the idea of moving their parties gear to The Seahawk Ren turns to her and nods.
”I should think that would be alright. There is room enough on our ship for your gear and supplies and room to use it,” he says with a friendly smile to her.
Reverting back to the Common tongue and not caring if her response to Ren was overheard, Taissa replied evenly, "I would like to work on arrows and ammunition for my bow and musket. And healing potions, if I have time. I have bought some personal supplies to enable such crafting. Thank you, Ren."
"Taissa, I can make alchemical cartridges for your musket," Zayna offers, smiling at the beastmistress. "I think you'll find they speed up the reloading process significantly. Each one costs me about 3 gold pieces worth of raw materials. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without them. I would probably be dead right now if I hadn't had them earlier today." Zayna looks down to the shirt she'd been forced to jury rig back together while waiting at the guard's garrison earlier. The scimitar had cut right across her chest, and without the ugly fix to the cloth her breasts would be exposed. "I'd also like to buy a new blouse before we leave Korvosa, now that this one is ruined. Do either of you have something I could borrow until tomorrow?" she asks Taissa and Melthune.
Noting they were of similar height and build, Taissa nodded to Zayna, "Aye, I can lend you a shirt."
"And thank you regarding the musket cartridges. Much time is wasted loading the current powder balls. I shall get you that shirt, now."
Taissa moved purposefully to the crew quarters, with the bunks and hammocks, and from her bag, removed a clean, white, long-sleeved shirt. Returning with haste, she thoughtfully handed it to Zayna.
"I'd also like to buy a new blouse before we leave Korvosa, now that this one is ruined. Do either of you have something I could borrow until tomorrow?" she asks Taissa and Melthune.
Melthune nods and smiles inreply to Zayna's question, moving to her possessions - sorting quickly through the neatly folded bundle and eventually producing a shirt/blouse of her own which she offers the other woman.
"Here, lend this untill you've a replacement. She offers...then looks intently at Zayna..."Though...the fit might be a bit off..."
"Thank you both, but I think Taissa's more similar to my size," Zayna says to the other women. She accepts Taissa's shirt, and turning her back on the men, quickly changes. "That's much better," she says after turning back around. "Well, it's getting late, and it sounds like we have a solid plan for the morning. I'm going to head back to the inn where I was staying. In the morning I'll settle my accounts and meet all of you back here at the Scorpion?"
"Do you require an escort back into town, Zayna? This morning's attack has left me uneasy and I would not see you attacked, again. Especially in the dark."
And in response to her question regarding meeting on The Scorpion come morning, "Aye. I will be repairing the hull and will be, here."
"I would not refuse an escort. Especially if it's a beautiful woman and two awesome animals," Zayna replies, smiling.
Taissa inclined her head at the compliment and responded in her blunt fashion, "You are exotic and thus the beauty. My animals are wondrous." She returned a lopsided smile.
Covering and storing the pup's meat so it would not spoil, she lifted the sleeping White Fang off the floor and secured him, with his soft blanket, in the middle of her hammock, in the other room. Taissa returned to Zayna's side. "I will leave White Fang on the ship, for he is asleep."
Taissa collected her lucerne hammer, longbow and quiver from the corner of the room and placed them over her shoulder and across her back for easy access in case of trouble. She left the musket in its place as she had only two shots remaining. Her daggers were in their sheaths at her waist.
Looking across the galley to Polux in conversation, Taissa waited and then interjected, "Zayna seeks to return to the inn. Daya and I will escort her. Keep an eye on White Fang - he's asleep on my hammock. I may bring Hack with me, for the streets are unfamiliar. Have you any objection?"
Abruptly she looked to Ren and asked, "I know you're hungry. But would you walk with me into town and back? Hack acted as my shield this morning."
"If one of them wants to come, they may," Zayna says, going to stand by Taissa and shrugging. She holds her musket, as it is too long to easily put on her back.
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Summary
The gang goes about the task fixing up the ship. The calculate it would take nearly a week at their current pace. Kristin heads over to one of the bars and pays a total of 3 gold per skilled carpenter for a total of 12 gold pieces for four of them (upping your total base roll via Aid Checks to +8) for a total of 2 days (costing her 24 GP).
With the additional aid the ship is soon fixed and finished easily.
Things seem to be going normally in the town; no one seems to be paying much attention to your party, as far as everyone can tell, and things seem to be fairly relaxed since the incident with the attack a few days ago.
During this time Stefan is able to send the letter via a courier back to Beacon
Meanwhile, the company seems content to let Snaga come with them, but no one really seems eager to speak to him directly. His answers to questions tend to be short, direct, and to the point. In general Snaga doesn’t engage in much chit-chat with anyone, knowing that long speeches anger his "Chief".
Needless to say, during the time when you work on the ship, preparations have been made to sell the vessel. It is not easy, as there are not many people here that are very interested in it, but in the end you find a fairly wealthy buyer from Rahadoum who engages in privateering and feels that this ship would help him in his investments to the south.
The deal is brokered with the fellow for a total of 5,500 GP (the normal selling price being roughly 4,500. This means of the initial crew there are still five members; Hack, Kristin, Polux, Stefan and Taissa. This would normally be an equal split for 1,100 GP a piece.
The extra 1,000 GP should more than make up for the loss for carpentry and other crafting supplies to repair the ship.
That said, the party transfers their personal goods over to The Seahawk and formally sets out on Abadius 14th.
As the crew sets off to Osirion they make excellent time on the seas.
They observe that at the least the Osirioni priestess sails with them, as John had promised to return her home to her family.
During the voyage it seems that Kristin and Amun-ta Menhai seem to both be vying for John’s affection from time to time. He does his best to enjoy both sets of their attention, but generally he seems a little uncomfortable with it as he has a ship to sail, and can't be bothered with such things at this time.
Both the priestess and Vale will speak on occasion with Snaga regarding some of the stuff that he shared with Ren and their folk. When the goblin is not helping them sail, he seems to pay a lot of attention White Fang, but says nothing about it; merely watching the pup and studying him from a distance, suspecting that if he spoke to the pup or moved close to the pup it may anger folk.
Snaga will formally sleep close to Polux, as Polux is the formal leader of your Tribe. He will make sure his gear near Polux and when he is not doing work he will keep close by to act as a sort of bodyguard.
During the journey Ren will occasionally make some more personal small-talk with Taissa (if she is agreeable to it).
Ella the gnome will play with White Fang in her free time and is curious to talk to Zayna about various gunsmithing strategies, and proudly reveals her weapon, which seems to be a blunderbuss which has a second large barrel underneath the main one which is capable of launching alchemical bombs at a good distance. Uraga is also an excellent shot with a musket, and though his weapon is decidedly a tanegashima , it is clear that he has had formal training in muskets at some point, and was very likely an ashigaru in his younger years.
Khal will do sparring with Hack from time to time, and occasionally looks to test the mettle of this Melthune, attempting to gauge if she’s good with a weapon, or someone who prefers to use mostly armor to defend herself.
When John is free he will talk with any of your company, curious to see what your thoughts and opinions are about anything.
Meanwhile…
Your company is roughly two weeks at sea and has moved through the channel between Rahadoum and Cheliax. As they push further east the lookout observes a Chelaxian sloop in the distance. She seems to be firing on a small cutter.
It is about a league north east of your current position.
John swings his spyglass to bring it to bear on the ships and studies it with a frown from the quarterdeck.
”She’s Imperial alright, but mark the colors on the cutter! She’s got the Westmarch banner,” he says with a growl.
The others on The Seahawk look suddenly grim at the news, and even Kristin spits to the leeward, apparently recognizing the name as Vale makes a strange gesture to the ships in the distance.
Only the Osirioni priestess seems a bit confused at this information, as if it is supposed to mean something. It's clear that she is not entirely certain who – or what – this “Westmarch” standard represents.
”What, then, is this standard that causes thy face to darken so?” she asks John in confusion, wondering why he seems so upset about this news.
”We ain’t got time for a committee meeting! We got to do something,” Kristin says, interrupting the priestess and glances up John.
”Aye! We cannot let her stand alone,” Ren adds as he watches the Imperial vessel fire another salvo at the retreating cutter.
John turns lowers the spyglass and looks at the others.
”You’re gods damn right,” he growls.
Then he calls out in a loud voice – ”Prime the cannon and load muskets; let go full sails – all hands; action stations!”
With that he swings the wheel hard and brings the ship about.
Mission or not, it seems that on the journey to Osirion something has come up…
Zayna grabs her musket and immediately looks around for somewhere she can get a good line of sight from. She hunkers down behind a rail or barrel there and prepares to fire on the enemy ship as soon as it's in range.
Meanwhile, the company seems content to let Snaga come with them, but no one really seems eager to speak to him directly. His answers to questions tend to be short, direct, and to the point. In general Snaga doesn’t engage in much chit-chat with anyone, knowing that long speeches anger his "Chief".
Whenever it presents itself, Polux takes the chance to get to know more about Snaga, not only staying close to him while he participates in the ship duties, but also to check on his skill doing it. For the time being, he is interested in understanding what moves the goblin, if a mere chance at survival instead of execution, what his life was like before his tribe was attacked, etc.
Having been the one responsible for keeping him as part of the crew, the man does not want to make the goblin an outcast, hence and in spite of being naturally a morose and 'to himself' guy, he makes an effort to include them in their daily activities.
1. Snaga will accept two kukri’s – if possible? But they need to be small sized. Failing that he’ll take two small daggers.
He’s good with daggers.
2. He needs small sized studded leather (if you have it).
3. A small-sized longbow or musket will work for him, if possible.
Finally, he’s open to answering any questions you have; but it’s hard to give you general answers because there’s so much material to cover. The more specific your questions are the more detailed his responses will be.
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John turns the wheel slightly moving the helm to a slight angle.
He glances at the others, specifically Zayna.
”What the hell are you doing? Get your ass out there! You’re handy with guns; I need you at the bloody cannons not hiding behind barrels!”
No one looks to see if you obey the orders, but Snaga looks at John.
”To hear is to obey!” he barks out, then moves to the cannon and prepares to load it.
Ren glances at Snaga, but doesn’t seem surprised that he is moving to arm it; for obvious reasons.
He notices that the others are readying themselves.
”Imperial marines will be on that ship. A vessel that size typically has twenty marines and twenty sailors; not counting officers,” he says glancing over the water at the ship.
”They sailors will likely have cannon and daggers, but the marines will use cutlasses and they are extremely brutal killers!”
His eyes narrow as the Chelaxian ship fires a barrage at the other ship, but he draws his pistol and checks its priming then stuffs it back into the holster.
Meanwhile Khal moves onto the foredeck and is carrying a massive battle axe and a large shield. He slices open his palm and smears a streak of blood across his forehead.
He raises his axe and shield above his head and cries aloud –
”Skeggjöld, skálmöld”
”Skildir ’ru klofnir,”
”Vindöld, Vargöld, áðr veröld steypisk!”
An axe-age, a sword-age,
Shields will be cloven,
A wind-age, a Wolf-age; before the world's ruin!
Snaga glances aft toward Khal and he nods his head at the words. Then his eyes flick suddenly to White Fang for some reason and smiles encouragingly to the pup and raises his blades as if to salute the warg.
Then he raises one of his blades and slices it across his forearm causing it to bleed. He licks the blood from it eagerly then sheathes the weapons and quickly goes back to manning the cannon.
Vale alone is apart from the others; but he begins to chant. His words are strange, but they somehow seem to feel you all with a strange sense of inspiration…
Zayna nods to John and moves to help Snaga with the other cannon. No idea what I'm doing here...lets see if I can figure it out.
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