Geser flinches when the Padre calls him "half-man", but accepts the moniker as nothing more than the truth. He cannot accept this idea of fate being above the gods, for he has his own theories on the gods and their purpose. He decides to speak with the Padre on the subject when there is more free time.
Turning to Taissa: I can show you the basics with a musket if you wish.
He then stops to listen, wide-eyed, as Suny shares her plan. He can't tell if it's the most brilliant thing ever or foolishly naive.
Suny looks up at Taissa..and simply shrugs, "I be okeys with all'a things I got..." She answers simply.
At Geser's offer to teach her how to handle a musket, Taissa acknowledges the offer with a nod and smile, quietly responding, "I would be grateful for the lesson, Geser. I accept."
Noting that Geser was the last to join them below deck, Taissa attempted to bring the half-orc into the conversation regarding weapons and positions.
So while the others talked quietly among themselves, Taissa moved closer to the newest member of their group.
"Geser, are you more a front-line fighter? Or are you competent from afar with bow? We were discussing positions for this upcoming quest."
Hack takes out his Great Axe and begins to work the blade with a whetstone in a practiced manner.
some more retcon:
”Swords are alright, too… but… well, I remember this one time I squared off with a lad with a sword. It didn’t go too well, as I recall...” he says with a grin.
"Ha! That may be true, but you better hit and drop me with the first shot, because you won't get a second one. Thank you, but I'll stick with my sword. I like to mix it up, I don't have the patience to sit back and shoot. Besides, once I come to grips, I feel sorry for them."
"That sounds well enough, but how skilled is everyone with stealth? We aren't going to be setting up an ambush if we have people clomping about, making noise."
Suny smiles in response to Stefan's question. "I can be all sneaky, like. An' me kit dun't make much noise." She points out her 'natural' shell armor,
"T'would make huntin' much more of a chore, let me tell you." She nods emphatically.
I better get in position afore hand so that when all hell breaks loose my "stompin" won't bother anyone. I'm sure you'll want me as I am once it gets bloody.
"I can be stealthy enough when needed, if I am not weighed down by heavy armour" - Polux retorts.
"Geser, are you more a front-line fighter? Or are you competent from afar with bow? We were discussing positions for this upcoming quest."
I prefer to use my guns at a distance. I must confess I am most experienced at working alone, so this will be new. I can fight at the front if pressed to do so, but there I am not as good.
In regard to teaching you to use the musket, it is simple enough to show loading and unloading, as well as safe handling. When it comes to target practice, we may wish to ask the Captain what our options are.
"I am learned at moving or hiding without being detected".
As Geser answered her question, Taissa nodded. "Geser will be in the back with me."
"Yes", Asan nods.
"Should a fight come, the middle is probably the best for me. That way I can move where I'm needed most. I'll admit I don't have much practice with a musket, but I've fired one a few times, and if you have a spare, I wouldn't turn it away. As for stealth, I have some skill"
Frowning again.
"I hate to bring this up yet again, but all this talk of tactics and formations and drawing them out, and we still don't have any solid proof. I think there needs to be more investigation before we go in swinging blades and sparking powder. We must know the truth of what goes on here before we can act."
Looking to the priest
"No offense, seer, but I cannot rely on your prophecy alone. I want to know that what we are doing serves the balance, not just bloodlust."
This piques Geser's curiosity. He frowns with discomfort, but is buoyed by the fact that he's not the only one questioning this.
"It does cause me discomfort to think that one can draw power from...'fate'...and not a god or a goddess. It seems unnatural. If anyone at all is on the island when we arrive, he is at least half right. That might be enough, but I do not fully trust the power he is using."
some more retcon:
"Ha! That may be true, but you better hit and drop me with the first shot, because you won't get a second one. Thank you, but I'll stick with my sword. I like to mix it up, I don't have the patience to sit back and shoot. Besides, once I come to grips, I feel sorry for them."
John grins a little, his hand dipping to a dagger and he deftly draws it and throws it into the hull across from him.
Then he flicks out his whip and with incredible speed he lashes it out to the hilt of the dagger and tears the weapon from the wood and flings it to the deck beneath.
Then he looks at Stefan as he coils his whip.
”Oh I agree... blades are pretty handy… if you can hold on to them, that is…” he says with a wink.
"No offense, seer, but I cannot rely on your prophecy alone. I want to know that what we are doing serves the balance, not just bloodlust."
The priest turns from his place by the stove and looks at Asan.
”Or what will be coming to me if I do not be telling you da ting you wish to be hearing?” he says, watching Asan with a small smile on his lips.
”Will you den be staying on dis here ship – will you refuse to be coming to be hanging back with she dat be watching over our goods when we move?” nodding toward Ella who would be watching the ship when the others head ashore.
He moves closer to Asan, leaning hard on his staff.
”Or do you be tinking dat maybe you be doing nutink at all?”
”Or maybe you come to da place I be telling you on and you be fighting for da other side; so dat tings go as you wish dem to go; being dat you want balance between all tings over all?”
He chuckles softly.
”Maybe you stay behind and maybe do notink at all; den you bust da deal you made wit him dat is da captain, eh?”
He leans back and stares at you with a quiet, appraising glance for a moment.
”Dey said that you and your folk did come to dis place to offer services… you came, and now you are told what you must do… you hear da deal and now you tink maybe you are not happy wit dis deal you already made…”
He grunts in annoyance.
”I be asking why you talk of terms after bargain was struck, eh?”
He shakes his head, at this point he is clearly more amused than annoyed for some reason.
As he prepares to go about his business, the words of Geser cause him to pause.
"It does cause me discomfort to think that one can draw power from...'fate'...and not a god or a goddess. It seems unnatural. If anyone at all is on the island when we arrive, he is at least half right. That might be enough, but I do not fully trust the power he is using."
He fixes him with a keen eye.
”You be riled early dat I call you “half-man” – but it be true as “half-orc”… why one be better dan da odder, eh?” he says watching him.
”And if you say you do not be trusting me power, den I say you are not being true.”
”Say it true half-man; you do not be trusting me – who cares for power if da one using it is honest? Who cares for power if da one using it be good?” he says looking up at him.
”If you be saying true dat you do not trust me, well… dat be different.”
”You don’t know me; why should you be trusting me true?” he adds in an almost goading whisper.
”But it don’t matter none – you made a deal… What? You break your word because dem dat you make a deal wit got power you don’t trust?”
”Dere be many men before you do deals wit who got power maybe you don’t be trusting… did dat stop you from doing da job true, because you don’t be knowing the full of where dey get deir true power? Or do you break deals so easily?” he adds, watching Geser with a grim smile, then chuckles softly.
The priest was certainly a strange, foreboding man...
Geser is taken aback by the Padre's words. His mouth opens and closes several times while the Padre hits him with one comment after another. As the man seems to hit him from many angles at once, he doesn't even know which observation to parry first. He sorely wishes to respond to the "half-man" comment, and his teeth grind a bit, but he knows that he has to keep calm.
I intend no offense. I am not one to impugn the honor of another man without a good reason; it is indeed your power I do not trust. As for you, who can say? But dark forces can offer power in exchange for as yet unnamed terms. They might decide to collect, and who are you to stop them?
I intend no offense. I am not one to impugn the honor of another man without a good reason; it is indeed your power I do not trust. As for you, who can say? But dark forces can offer power in exchange for as yet unnamed terms. They might decide to collect, and who are you to stop them?
The priest looks at Geser and smiles at him, the smile somehow not pleasant, but somehow penetrating.
"Death be coming to us all, eh - but between dat time and dis we got but one burden upon us each day we be taking breat into our bodies: we be doing our best with dat before us."
He lowers his staff and his fingers trace over the skull on it gently.
"I see da visions in me head - I know dat dere be evil dat needs stopping and I go to stop it."
"I tell da captain of dis ship I need his help to do it - I tell him I see in my head dat he must go to get dem bonded like his crew on a day of blood; and wit dem we get done dis task," he adds.
"So it be done, and now here ye are... "
"What more is dere to be said on dis ting? Tomorrow we stop priests from calling on dark evil dat would brink black tings into our place... Dey be calling on tings dat are not of dis place... tings dat should be stopped... We go to stop dem; what more do you need to know den dat?" he says watching Geser.
** spoiler omitted **
As the priest looks from Geser to Asan, he chuckles softly and again and turns and moves from the stove, pausing to glance at Khal.
”Maybe dey be afraid to do dis job wit me tomorrow? But you know dat fear be da notink but da mind-killer… You be feeling my touch on you before… you know dat Fate be good on you, and dat we be doing what needs be done,” he adds.
Khal watches the priest from his spot and wets his lips, looking a bit nervous, then watches the priest turn for the hatch and slowly move aloft and head back to his private room below the foredeck for the night.
”Gods’ blood,” he mutters with a shake of his head, his face a bit pale.
He glances to Asan and Geser.
”I should say this – you are both filled with either great courage or great foolishness,” he says sincerely.
”Do you not know he could have cursed you with a word if you angered him?” he adds.
”I do not say he would do this… In truth, I do not think he would… but I say only that he could do this… Such power… that is enough to give me pause when I talk to him,” his voice coming quietly as he thinks a moment.
As the company discusses their plans for the next day’s events, Khal drops off to sleep until eight bells, at which point Uraga relieves Ren on watch, and the half-elf comes down to sleep.
Soon the company below is sleeping as well as they are able to and the night passes fairly uneventfully.
At dawn the crew is roused from their slumber and called aloft. Apparently the captain wishes to get underway quickly, and soon the anchor is raised and the sails unfurled and the ship is racing north west over fair seas while the sun’s rising light is contrasted with a chilly morning.
The company is forced to work hard for the next hour or so, pushing the ship forward with as much speed as possible.
There is little time to talk until the captain dismisses the groups in shift to get breakfast, then back to duty.
It’s not until noon that all are on the deck at various places doing their duty that you are able to talk freely with each other – calling out your thoughts and ideas over the small size of the ship.
The priest turns from his place by the stove and looks at Asan.”Or what will be coming to me if I do not be telling you da ting you wish to be hearing?” he says, watching Asan with a small smile on his lips.
"Surely you don't think I'm threatening, you do you priest? Do you take me for a fool?'
”Or do you be tinking dat maybe you be doing nutink at all?””Or maybe you come to da place I be telling you on and you be fighting for da other side; so dat tings go as you wish dem to go; being dat you want balance between all tings over all?”
He chuckles softly.
"I never said I would not accompany the rest, for what would be the point of staying? What good would that do? I'm not going to find the answers to the questions I have by staying here and waiting. That is the whole point. I would like to see what is the truth of all this."
He frowns at the accusation of turning on the others.
”Maybe you stay behind and maybe do notink at all; den you bust da deal you made wit him dat is da captain, eh?”
"You are talking in circles, and, I think, perhaps without full knowledge of the deal that was made. We agreed to accompany the captain and investigate the possible killing of innocents. To stop a sacrifice, nothing more. We did not agree to blindly follow orders. We are not soldiers, nor I wold say, are we fools. You seem to want us to run into the dark, flailing at whatever you say. I say a thinking man does not do this. I am on this mission to stop an injustice, and if there is one, that is what I intend to do. My point is if we go blindly killing with nothing but your word, how are we better then the pawns of dark gods that you claim these people are?"
The priest watches you with the same smile on his face during your words.
""You are talking in circles, and, I think, perhaps without full knowledge of the deal that was made. We agreed to accompany the captain and investigate the possible killing of innocents. To stop a sacrifice, nothing more. We did not agree to blindly follow orders. We are not soldiers, nor I wold say, are we fools. You seem to want us to run into the dark, flailing at whatever you say. I say a thinking man does not do this. I am on this mission to stop an injustice, and if there is one, that is what I intend to do. My point is if we go blindly killing with nothing but your word, how are we better then the pawns of dark gods that you claim these people are?"
The smile drops completely away at this point.
"I be making my point clear - but I use words that maybe fit your thinking better," the priest says in a very, very soft voice.
He moves his feet slowly apart, his face suddenly loosing its mirth at the suggestion that he may seek dominion over another; or that he is someone who is like a slaver - to put you under any dominion.
His hand tightens around the staff in his hand; his other arm hanging loosely at his side, the fingers slowly curling into a fist, then loosening.
"Tomorrow I be doing a ting. Dem dat want to help me - dey be helping me. Dem dat don't want to help me - dey can stay here on dis boat and even be choosing to rot if dey wish..." he says.
"I tell you true, O Man - I be making no ting my slave... Who says I be giving you orders, eh?" he says very, very quietly, his eyes boring into yours.
"Tomorrow you do what you wish - if you stay, stay - if you come, come...."
"As for what I want you to be doing..." he moves a bit closer to Asan, his voice dropping to a low whisper "I told you clear on what I be doing... the captain of dis here boat asked you fair if you would come to help... you said you would help... What I wanted was help on a ting..."
He continues to watch you.
"Who says you go blindly, eh?"
"I tell you da truth on a ting. Now you know it to be true, so how can you be saying dat you are you blind on dis ting, eh?"
"Unless you say I am giving you the Lie... or maybe you're saying you doubt me 'cause you tink I'm a fool who talks on tings I don't truly know?"
His feet are apart in a ready stance, his hand gripping his weapon easily and in a relaxed manner. He watches you with absolute calm; no emotion on his face and his fingers have flexed slightly by his side a few times.
"Which is it, den?"
"Do you say I be lying to all about what I see; dat my words are false? Or do you say I'm a fool who makes up dreams as true?"
"Which do you tink I am..." he adds in a quiet voice.
Still as well in his attitude, although perhaps not so still as the priest, Asan continues.
"I want to help. I would have not even have come to Beacon were it not so. The fact that you may be right is the reason I'm going to go out with everyone tomorrow."
He takes a deep breath, folding his arms behind his back. Thinking about the constant chime of his bell, he puts his thoughts to a steady beat, hoping they come out the way he intends. He wished briefly he had more ease at speaking or social acumen.
"What I am saying is that we experience things...we less gifted, If you will,we must experience things with our eyes, our ears, our minds. If a man were to come to me and tell me he was a king, am I to bow, without seeing his crown or his kingdom? It may indeed be true, but how am I to know if I do not seek the answers myself?
Almost apologetically,
I see that you are upset at something I said, and perhaps I spoke too brashly. I am not saying you are a slaver, or that you would enslave. I am saying I don't know you, and can only take your word and the word of the people who work for you. To go and investigate a thing, that is enough, but to act on it, I will need to see more. I am going with the others tomorrow to do just that."
"You seem a man who has experienced much. You must know that trust is not something to be just given. It must be earned."
"Priest, I don't believe my companions meant to disrepute you. We have given our pledge to Captain John that we will aid you all and we will keep to our word. None are cowardly, here. Peace."
"Do you have a name, priest? We've been lax in asking. Apologies."
Taissa looked over and saw Daya nestled on the floor by the stove, her beak pressed against chest/wing, slumbering. Her eyes then settled back to the priest.
If Geser can get a moment to himself in the morning, perhaps during his breakfast shift, he will take out his whip and try to find a private place to perform his morning ritual of self-flagellation.
Taissa will spend part of the afternoon with Geser, learning how to clean/handle, load and fire a musket.
Hack has nothing to add to the conversations. he is quite content with the plan and drifts contently off to sleep before aiding in the sailing duties during the morning hours.
The priest’s eyes flick to Asan and he stares hard at him, and then they turn to Geser, too.
Khal, who has watched all of the things going on hears Tassia’s words and offer his own to aid her.
[ooc]Diplomacy Check to “Aid” Taissa
You cannot understand his words, as he is speaking Skald – and after talking briefly but rapidly to the priest in support of Taissa’s Diplomacy check, the priest face mellows only slightly from absolute calm back to somewhat grumpy frustration and he mutters in the Mwangi tongue as he moves up the hatch to his room.
Khal moves from his spot like a panther and hurries to Geser and Asan.
”You have no idea how risky such words can be. I hear you – I know what you feel; you do not know the strength of his power, and before you believe his word untested you simply would prefer to have true proof of his words before wholly committing yourself – this is fair and reasonable.”
He glances at the hatch.
”Yet he does not see things as “logic” and “reason” when it comes to his visions.”
”When he sees his visions he sees them as easily as we see things with our eyes and believes them just as clearly… He takes ill of such criticisms, this I know to be true. Further, I have seen him use his power against our enemies… I do not know what he would have done now, but he was very angry…”
”Tomorrow you will see what you see and can act on it as you see best. For myself, I agree with your hearts – but please, in the future give such arguments to others and wait until he is not near.”
”No one – not even the priest – will fault you if you see something that you cannot act against because it goes against your heart; the priest himself simply wished to have you come and help. If you saw something you felt you could not do… he said that he would not make you do anything… if you saw something that you would not do in front of you, he would be the first to tell you to do what you felt was best...”
”Yet I think there was a misunderstanding of what you meant... he did not understand what you were truly saying, I think…”
He sighs, clearly nervous, then looks at you all.
”One who can use magic – this is always to be truly feared. They are not like warriors or knights who use steel and muscle… magic is power from the gods or other sources… it is very strong and can do very terrible things… and there can be no defense against it if the one who uses magic unless you kill the caster quickly.”
”Perhaps you might have, perhaps not… but then there would have been blood; and that would not have served anyone.”
He sighs.
”Well, the trouble is over – the new day will bring us better circumstances, this I am sure of,” he adds with relief.
”You say you will come with us? Good – and I tell you truly, if you see things that your heart cannot act against, do not act against them. When you come, you must only do as your heart feels as best; no more can be asked than that.”
Stefan, never one to stay depressed for long, watches all the byplay with a growing amusement. As the priest storms off he calls after him.
"Good priest, do not be angered or insulted. They meant no disrespect, they just are unaccustomed to priests that do not serve a specific diety. It is, afterall, very rare, so they were a little uneasy as to the source of your power. In no way do we wish to renege on our agreement."
Suny sighs and hops into her hammock wrapped in her winter blanket. Come the morning after a quick sponge down she wriggles into the gear given to her by Taizza...("Hehe...buttons...") and gets to work helping out with the ship's duties.
"Good priest, do not be angered or insulted. They meant no disrespect, they just are unaccustomed to priests that do not serve a specific diety. It is, afterall, very rare, so they were a little uneasy as to the source of your power. In no way do we wish to renege on our agreement."
The priest has left, but Khal seems a bit uneasy still.
”I am glad that is over; in truth, the priest is good, yet when angered… I am glad that he has decided to take some air. There was too much tension.”
He looks at you.
”You are a very well-spoken man. This is a good thing,” he says with a friendly smile, then goes to sleep…
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As the ship speeds on to this mysterious island, the captain is highly curious to know your strengths better.
During the day he has his people teach you skills –
Skills and Bonuses
For now, he’s having Ella and Uraga work with Geser (and anyone else who is interested in Firearms) for the purpose of practicing ranged weapons.
Then he has Ren practice sparring with Stefan and Asan – and anyone else who wants to do work with blades that involve “Finesse” for a time.
Then he has Khal work with any who are interested in melee weapons that involve more “Brute Force” than the finesse style, focusing work specifically with Hack and Polux for now.
Finally, already observing their aptitude, John selects Taissa and Suny to aid him on steering and learning the ropes from the quarterdeck.
This practice is peppered throughout the day in between times when you’re not each helping sail the ship.
1. Firearm Training – any who practice gain a +2 to hit and damage for the next time they attempt an attack with a Firearm. This is a one-time bonus.
2. Finesse Weapon Training – any who practice this gain a +2 to hit and damage for the next time they attempt an attack with a Finesse Weapon. This is a one-time bonus.
3. Heavy Weapon Training. Any who practice may gain a +2 to hit and damage to any melee weapon that is not finesse. This is a one time bonus.
4. Sailing Training: Any who are trained in this gain a +4 to a Profession Sailor Check. They can choose whenever they want to use this bonus for the future. This is a one time bonus.
Okay
Okay, everyone already has one bonus assigned based on what we’ve seen so far (see above). However, you all can take “Two Classes” to train in – one of them is your choice.
If you take a second “Class” you haven’t studied already (such as Geser taking Finesse Weapons), he gains both bonuses from Firearms and the second bonus from Finesse Weapons.
However, if you take a class twice – you gain a second bonus.
Second Bonus (if you take it twice)
1. Firearm Training – 1 free use of the Gunslinger Deed “Deadeye”, even if you are not a Gunslinger. You can use this whenever you want in the next 24 hours.
2. Weapon Finesse Training – Ren is handy with a blade and teaches you how to gain a +4 to CMB for one Disarm Attempt. You can use this bonus whenever you want in the next 24 hours.
3. Heavy Weapon Training – Khal teaches you how to use the feat “Cleave” for a one time bonus. You can use this bonus whenever you want in the next 24 hours.
4. Sailor Training – Captain John teaches you how to be a nimble sailor. You gain a +4 Misc. modifier to Dexterity for one Full Round. You pick the round; it lasts one round and must be used in the next 24 hours.
As the day continues, Taissa is soon on the quarterdeck with the captain. Standing near him is the priest. As John goes over the finer points of sailing, Taissa turns to the priest.
""Do you have a name, priest? We've been lax in asking. Apologies."
The priest turns from his spot on the quarterdeck to look at her. He has a grace on the swaying ship that Taissa is only now able to appreciate as this is the first time she’s seen him on the ship in the full daylight under a hard press of sails riding before the wind.
”You be not needing to apologize on dat,” he says, seeming troubled about the night ahead, but clearly on notice to have some better behavior.
”Me name be Vale… Vale Blackroot… of da Blackroot Clan,” he says with a friendly nod.
”My kin used to serve da Tane of Westbanks – but dat was many years ago far back in Cheliax lands,” he adds, seeing a look from John that encourages more polite conversation.
John turns to look at you –
”He means “Thane”,” John says helpfully, knowing that the priest’s accent can be confusing at times.
”As you likely know, a Thane is a territorial lord; or head of a Great House among Blackroot’s people,” he says, explaining a little more.
”He’s saying that he no longer serves the Thane of Westbanks because that Thane was destroyed by a Chelaxian nobleman… a lord Cato, wasn’t it padre?” John says, turning to the priest.
”It was dat his name… but not matter much now… now he be dead and his House ashes,” the priest says with a frown at the memory.
John instructs you to tack the wheel a few degrees to port.
”Funny thing, we had a hand in helping with that one,” he adds.
”The thing is; me and Ren hit dirt in Cheliax to do some gun running to some of the locals to help their resistance movements against this Cato basterd.”
”When we got there we met with some of the late Thane’s folk and handed over the guns. They were in bad straights – Cato’s folk had sacked one of their houses which was being used as a hospice… Cato figured it was a front to hide resistance fighters…”
”I didn’t care for that, and neither did Ren, so we ended up coming with the lad in charge of that group and we hit this Cato’s house back. By coincidence we met up with the padre here… one thing led to another and he liked our spirit and decided he’d join us.”
”So we’ve sailed together sense,” he adds helpfully.
”I got to say – I remember that day pretty good; first time I saw the padre in a fight… it was damn brutal…” he says thinking a moment, then shrugs.
”Anyhow – now you know the gist of how we met the padre,” he adds.
”And you know a bit about his people, too. Of course, most of the padre’s people don’t talk like him – they talk like with our kind of lingo, the padre’s special on account of him living so long in the south. But all of that time there – all that learning on new talking and some of their culture and even… even their magic… None of that could erase the kind of lad he is,” he says with a friendly grin, then instructs you to move the wheel a bit back to starboard a bit.
He glances at Taissa.
”You know – after all those wonders and sites… hell, you do know he killed that dragon hatchling alone, right? Green dragons… those critters are mean son’s of whores, even fresh from the egg,” he adds, shaking his head with awe.
”Well, despite all of those crazy adventures and powers he still likes to cook and tell tales and enjoy a good pipe.”
John gives you a bright smile.
”Of course, that ain’t too surprising. But hey, that’s Halflings for you,” he says with a grin.