Dibs on Fist Mate!! tbe dwarfmaid tossed her luggage at the door of said room,claiming it as hers.
One of her shocker lizards popped out of her braided pinecone styled coif and spit sparks,snatching up a passing dragonfly and devouring it.It squealed at the bespectacled half-elf's approach and ducked behind the breastplate Gatherine wore styled into the likeness of a boar.
Ah,I remember you--one o' th' patrins that helped out.Thanks f'r that.An'besides meself,Iolana,Tol,Mugambi,and two others who moved on,we're th' Heroes o' th' Shiv. We survived a shipwreck on the haunted and cannibal-run Smuggler's Shiv due to a serpentfolk witch who was probably trying to bring her dead god back t' life o' something crazy like that.We lifted the curse that brought anythibg killed back as undead,killed a nest of ghouls,and most of the worst cannibals abd let the surviving women live in peace.Oh,and we took care of a blight of mold spreading across the island due to some nasty little vegepygmies who wanted to turn Aerys into one of them by incubatibg her in fungus and using her corpse like a cocoon.
Then she made a face when she lifted a boot from a spot of sticky mucus,Oh,EW!What th' lead--that snotty-nosed mephit's sonewhere on board! I'd rather Keekaw had followed us.
"I...I l...liked Keekaw..."
I know I'm a bit insane, but he was almost worse than me...
Ghiv looks at all the rooms. "Well I guess I'll take the Captain's cabin unless Iolana requires it."
He smiles at her and starts to head for room to check out the inside.
At first Aluara had problem with the lady dwarf accent, but she managed to understand the bulk of the story.
Uhum,..., Quite the accomplishment indeed,..Ahem, the harbormaster and chief watchman told me you have some information about Saventh-Yhi
....Hmmmm,yea,th' snake-wench was planning on heading there.Probably coz it was founded by the Azlanti hero who chopped th' head off her god way back when in th' age o' legend or something.All i remember.from skimming th' book was its.location and how to get there...relatively since that part o' th' Mwgani jungle is uncharted. Near some river that begins with an O and some place called the Bamba or Buntu Hills...Like I said,I only skimmed it.Gatherine rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
Crewman Du'Bing starts to head topside, but stops to ask orders... "Set course for Greenblood, Captain? To be sure we'll keep an eye to the horizon, and give chase if we spot'er along the way, aye?"
"Will let you know if sails or whatnot is spotted...otherwise... got plenty hands on deck for tonight."
"Let's set sail. Greenblood it is." Ghiv responds as he comes back from his room.
Interesting... -
There is also a sizable stash of food - including two crates of pineapples.
Garborn finds Piendy in the bilge. He has built himself a "nice" lounging chair out of broken crates and rags. The creak of the hatch, and gentle light wakes him.
"Hey Gahbone me best mate, how'dit goin? Me ship..." *snort* "finally movin again. Good good. Deez Mwangi sail pretty good."
"Y...yes, we a...are back on open w...water now.
I...I just wish it w...was completely by...ch...ch....choice.
But what we f...f...found on the island seems...important."
Garborn looks down at himself a little sheepishly, not sure what to say to what is now his oldest friend.
"Y...you look good Piendy, getting off that I...island was g...good for us all."
It was a busy night, Aluara is ready to rest, she can talk more with these heroes of the shiv tomorrow.
"Never a choice for one born to the sea, Gahbone." "Take from me, not ahways eathy.... " *snort* "But long as I keep me dangling tips free from the bilge pump, it's good day."
"Ah I make me remember...." He scrambles to his makeshift bilge deck throne, and retrieves a black pearl. "Saved from getting sucked up by pump. Thought black pearl, but mebbe fake... dyed me hand all up, and the deck too where me eyes did happen to spot it."
He shows his hand, and there is a fat-lined squashed "V" of black pigment on his palm. "And it's mine... Becuz I saved it."
"I...I wouldn't t...take something f...from you my f...friend, it's y...yours. b...but are you s...sure you are remembering r...right?
A...after a...all that time, I think o...our memories s...sometimes need a s...second go."
Garborn does his best to offer Piendy an out so there has to be no embarrassment when he "remembers" what he forgot to tell his friend.
"You could be right, Gahbone. When I shake me head these days.. sounds like more sauce than noodle."
Then suddenly, "Ah yes! The spiderlady with the big gnome dropped it... so mean-mugged I spied from the crack! Not seen, not heard as best I could."
He holds the black pearl in his stubby fingertips. His eyes look upon it then go vacant through his remembrance and continual snorts....
"Lady was busy with hums and sung nonsense - like the mage-ing words I once kept in me noodle for Master. Smashed most pearls to bits with her heel, but one rolled free... danced along seam... with gentle sway of me ship... until it rolled straight to the wee crack above me head. I went.. boop with me finger to the hatch, and the pearl slipped through."
"You use these to make magic things with your magic appleratus?"
Morning comes, and a worn-looking Crewman Du'bing wakes those not already rising...
"Fair night... good steady wind this morning. Should be a smooth start for ya. If you have a handle on charts, and a fair eye...." He gestures to the wheel, and adjacent map table.
"Whoever else can lend a hand with the sails, and rigging... and Miss Gatherine... Havvy will be your powder monkey as well as a swabbie."
"Miss Zerengo, If you could show Captain Ghiv the ropes...."
Eubel - the seasoned dwarf sailor, goes about his work. He handles his duties well, and displays impressive grip strength handling the ropes to adjust the sails of the main mast.
He calls on his nephew Havvy to lend a hand as he slips up once, but overall Eubel appears to have been a solid hire.
Aluara didn't enjoy her duties in the ship, but the sooner she is done with them the sooner she can continue with her other business.
Master Gunner (Gatherine): 1 Craft(alchemy) + 1 Knowledge (engineering)
Craft (alchemy) +4 (rank 1, +3 class)
Know( Engineering) +6 (1 rank,+2 Wis,+3 class)
Craft Alchemy
Craft Alchemy
Know Engineering
Know Engineering
Oi,powder bearer,c'mere!!
Gatherine kicked open the door of her cabin after being awoken by Du'bing and stamped over to the skittish Havvy,seizing him by his tunic and hauling him after her with the zeal of a seasoned adventurer taking on a reluctant torchbearer.
With practiced grace and deft hands,Gatherine outlined what she was doing as she went about her tasks as Mater Gunner.She completed her shift casually as though she been doing it for years,despite the fact it was the first time she'd ever done any of these tasks.
Ghiv is up early and already on the deck taking in the salty air and beautiful sunrise. Once everyone is roused he starts his day. He follows Iolana and starts his first day as captain.
Rerolls for 1 & 5
Ghiv takes to being a captain like a fish to water. "It is a beautiful day and we have the whole ocean ahead of us!"
He looks to Iolana "Thank you for the tips and the chance."
For a skeleton crew, you make good time on your shift. The rest of the crew rises - motivated to rescue their lost kinsmen enough to work the remaining sixteen hours without complaint.
An hour after your shift, a tiny boat with a loose lateen sail is spotted on the horizon near your heading. Du'bing is at the rail with a spyglass. "Two in there... don't think they're moving. Check it out or steer clear?"
Two humanoids blood-soaked clothing, and something written on the loose sail. Just a few words starting with "Mis-something, and ending with a "?"... it is hard to make out flapping loose in the wind.
We have to investigate it, they could be alive
Gatherine snatched the spyglass eagerly,fumbling with it in an awkward juggle before managing to catch it and peer through it.Perception
She handed it back to the startled Du'bing and hustled to the ship's wheel.C'mon,let's reel 'em in!
Bill Pug steers the ship to intercept the small drifting craft. Ekoji hangs over the rail, and grips a long pole with a hooked end to snag it. He holds it a good ten feet from the starboard side of the ship, and says something in Polyglot. Du'bing translates "He'll hold it... someone will need to climb down, and grab rope or board."
He then starts lashing a rope ladder to the side.
"I get winch and loading palette if Cap says bring aboard."
Ghiv understands Gatherine's motivation to go over there but shakes his head.
"We cannot put the ship at risk, what if it is a trap and that boat is rigged to go off the minute someone steps to it? No. We can set two people to row out to the boat. We cannot endanger the limited crew we have."
He looks around. "Who will go?"
As the mention of volunteers, Garborn quickly scampers backwards, hiding behind Gorba as best as he can.
Gatherine pondered hard for a moment and announced,Humph. They're obviously deader thn dead.There taunting us,coz the sail says 'Missing your crew?' but I don't recognize the pair.Could be a bobby trap or they could be undead ready to pop up.So,on better though,let's keep calm and carry on.
Du'bing translates Ghiv and Gatherine's concerns, and Ekoji sighs and nods "Aye. Na'dem... cooda boom."... letting the dinghy drift away from the ship... then "Jaw-lee boda?"
Du'bing nods... clarifies. "Aye. Got a pair of jolly boats if anyone wants to row out and take look." He cocks his head to indicate Gatherine. "Maybe Miss Gunner is right, but it'll be hard to let go without looking." That said, he does not appear to be volunteering himself.
"It is still worth investigating, trap or not.I'm volunteering"
The crewman offer only to get a boat into the water for Iolana. Aerys looks over those not volunteering, and then to Iolana as she corks and stows her flask. "If no one else is willing, Lady Zerengo, I will go." She bows with a tipsy flourish.
"Thanks Aerys,if it is just the two of us we'll give a quick look and go back.I'm no coward but no fool either."
Well,you're a better swimmer anyway.Besides,I wouldn't wanna sink the boat with an errant shot.
Then she eyed the sloshed human skeptically as she unsteadily made her way towards the jollyboat....Um,on second thought,I'll come.You can stay here,Aerys,coz you're a bit...drunk.
She hurried to join Iolana before Aerys could climb aboard,patting her thunderhammer.Bludgeoning always seemed effective on undead--aside from fire and bullets.
Aluara would join them if there is enough space.
Ghiv nods at Iolana and Gatherine. "Okay, but be careful... and good luck." He looks to everyone on deck. "Is there anyone here that can detect if there is any magic layed on that boat or its occupants? If so, do it."
He then turns to those who are staying. "Be prepared for anything..." He looks pensive for a moment. "Including a fight. Those that can use bolts or arrows get them and have them readied for firing. Everyone else prepare the ship to go after Iolana and Gatherine if need be. Now move!"
Ghiv takes up his position by the wheel and patiently waits keeping his eyes peeled for danger.
Aluara, Gatherine, and Iolana take one of the Moana Tarqona's shore boats to investigate. As they row nearer, they see the unmoving riders seated facing each other... both leaned to the side, and rocking stiffly with the waves.
Once they are within 10 feet, they see both men (in common colonial sailor attire) have their wrists bound in front of them with playing cards in their hands - as if they were playing a hand of cards. A folded parchment is underneath the remaining deck of cards - pinned with a dagger to an overturned crate between the riders. Their clothing is torn, and caked with blood... the wounds look grey. The ropes that bind their hands leads under the benches where they are sitting.
The "grey wounds" look more like paper mache or like wasps' nest "material"... like they were "patched up" with a grey papery substance.
"This is an elaborated trick,too much for my tastes.Their wounds are patched up with a grey papery substance. We should go check on them to tell more but this boat has a giant this way for the trap sign written all over it."
Iolana gives a worried glance to Aluara and Gatherine.
"So ? We check now or we go back and decide what to do with the others. I'm good with both."
yeah,...it is probably a trap, I say let investigate it further to avoid the others form the danger
Gatherine offered her an exasperated look,Aye,uh,duh. I could see that from the ship!Only reason i bothered coming along was so that drunk Ayers wouldn't get you both killed by setting this off!It's like reaching your hand into a mouse trap on purpose!
Perception
She scowled at the grisly scene floating before them in disgust,may as well grab that scrap of paper. Then we'll make some distance and I'll shoot the boat so it'll sink.No need leaving 'em floating like that for the next poor fool to come across.
Gatherine cautiously leaned out to reach for the parchment pinned to the crate between the pair of cadavers with one hand,the other holding her thunderhammer cocked back to strike anything unnatural. her body was coiled taut in anticipation.
Reflex save if needed
Iolana gets a grip on some straps behind Gatherine's back, ready to pull back the dwarven girl.
As Gatherine reached and snatched the parchment, the dead sailors jaws lower - their mouth lie open as they reach for her with bound wrists. The playing cards facing Gatherine - still affixed to their reaching hands - are defaced with writing "Ba-Boom!"
The ropes from their binds leading underneath their benches "whirrs" faintly then clicks. As Gatherine pulls back - aided by a yank from Iolana, you hear the "sizzle" of a burning fuse.
Aluara first reaction is to draw her dagger and attack (seated)
Acrobatics
Gatherine shoved the parchment down her clevage and windmilled her arm in an attempr ro keep her balance,even with Iloana holding onto her the back of her bandoleer.
Sbrieking in a combinarion of horror and adrenaline,Gatherine lashed out with the hammer as the jerry-rigged corpses thrust stiff arms at her. The tell-tell sounding of moving machinery altered her to the trap setting off with hee engineering know-how.
Attack
Thumderhammer
Thunderhammer ammo
She aimed for the outstetched arms bound by the rope in a desperate attempt to interrupt the triggered trap.
Not used to fight on small moving boats Iolana too choose to fight seated.
Str 12/Dex 13/Con 13/Int 17/Wis 12/Cha 14
HP 38/38
AC (+1 lamellar armor) [Tot 18] [Touch 12] [FF 16] (armor+5 dex+1 dodge+1 natural+1)
CMB:+4 (+3BaB +1strength)
CMD:16 (+3BaB +1strength +1dexterity +1Dodge +10)
Fortitude save +5 (+4base +1con)
Reflex save +2 (+1base +1dex)
Will save +5 (+4base +1wis)
BaB+3
Initiative+1
Perception +8
Caster level check +12
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(armor check pen. not included)
Climb +7 //Intimidate +7 //Knowledge Arcana +11 //Profession(Sailor) +6 //Spellcraft +11 //Swim +8 //Sense Motive +4 //Survival +10
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Speed 30ft/9mtr
+1 Scimitar [att+6 dam1d6+2 18-20/x2 type S]
Shortbow [att+4 dam1d6 x3 60ft type P] 15 arrows
Prepared Spells :Level 0(cantrips):Daze(will DC13);Acid Splash(1d3 acid);Light;Detect Magic
Level 1:Shocking Grasp x2(5d6 elect);Shield(+4 AC);Magic Missile(3d4+3);Magic Missile(3d4+3)
Level 2:Bull's Strength (+4 Str);Bear's Endurance (+4 Con);Web (reflex DC15)
Arcane Pool(1/2 magus level+int mod)[5]
Carrying 40lbs/light emcumbrance/check penalty -1