Spinnaker Jon regales the new guys the story of how he and the original partners came to meet, having been recruited by Lady Lavinia Vanderboren. He speaks of how they recovered her father's last ship, the Blue Nixie, how her brother Vanthus Vanderboren betrayed her and looted her vaults, how they encountered his allies in the Lotus Dragon Gang, how they tracked them down in their secret lair and defeated them and how their boss Rowyn Kellani managed to escape.
He described how they discovered Vanthus' next scam, robbing some pirates, how they followed him to Kraken's Cove, and discovered that the place had been wrecked and the pirates all turned to monsters by some magical force, something that only left the shell of a great black pearl behind. (This is also how they first found the Savage Kraken). How they discovered one pirate that had not, and how they found from Captain Harliss that Vanthus' betrayal had sent a tribe of Bullywugs to make a home invasion of Lavinia's manor, how they pursued, fought their way through carnival assassins, and cleared out the Bullywugs before they could harm Lavinia.
When the main dishes have been cleared and dessert served (various puddings and liqours for the most part), Spinnaker Jon describes how the partners took the Savage Kraken and outfitted it for Lavinia's great voyage to rediscover her parent's colony at Farshore, on the far side of the world.
Humerously describing how a rich passenger tried to get his horse aboard as cargo, and how Bryson foiled him, he hesitated.
"Ah yes, I should warn you about this one."
He glanced over at the old hands.
"Young Lord Avner Meravachi is also a passenger aboard. He must NOT come to any harm. While the financial deals she made I am not privy to, I am reasonably sure that she has mortgaged her estate to finance the expedition, and one of financiers was the Meravachi family. And one of their conditions was to embark Lord Avner along with her. If something untoward happens to him, she stands to lose everything she has, everything her family has ever had."
He leaned forward.
"Because you WILL want to kill him."
He looked at the old hands. "They don't realize. Tell them."
Sunny continues to sip at her Rum and nibble at the food on offer. (^_^)
She is seeming full of wonder at the Captain's rousing tales of derring-do, or perhaps it's the effects of the Rum she's been imbibing.
At the Captain's ominous warning of wanting to hurt some one Sunny,
bursts out in bright laughter and waves her hands,
"Pshaw! Whut could some feller be ta' have makin' folks behave like that..." She looks to the others whom the captain has shared gazes with.
Ghirrak's shoulders shift in what might be a low chuckle, as he looks from Sunny to Nask.
"Trust me, at some point it will dawn on you that the man would be better with his neck broken, but it's not an option"
Sunny waves her free hand dismissively again.
I in't met a bod I din't like yet!" She declares, possibly a little too loudly. Then tilts her head, seemingly to ponder for a moment beofre going on to include,
"Why, I be havin' ta' say..." And she holds up a wavering finger/hand to emphasis the importance of her point, "... Even them folks back on'a island whut done m'self an' mates wrong? HA! They only rate a 'Gon'a come back an' pay 'em a visit one day' amount of ire, a-tall, an' that's tha' truth!" She nods her head decisively and waggles a finger to indicate the truth of that matter.
With all her expansive gestures, she has managed to not spill a drop of Rum yet... Though it's seemed close.
"Then I shall steer clear of him as I am not known for my ability to tolerate fools."
"What are you talkin' about? Avner a good feller. Ah mean, sure, he rubbed me wrong at first, but he a good feller that's fer sure."
Marius listened with interest to Spinnaker Jon's summary of the group's adventures, nodding from time to time. He did breathe a faint sigh at the mention of one particular name.
"Avner Meravachi, you say," as a native of Sasserine, he was apparently familiar with Avner, if perhaps only by reputation, and didn't seem overly enthused at the prospect of a long voyage in his company. "Well, I'm sure we'll be able to cope with him - it's a small price to pay for the rescue. It's the prospect of Avner getting himself into trouble which would worry me."
Sunny blinks a little when/after her friend Marius asks his question but for now she does nothing more. Possibly she will seek out answers later, after having thoroughly enjoyed the Rum, the company and the evening. (^_^)
"No reason to worry about Avner. That old chap can handle himself." Bryson mimics Avner as he talks about him with some awe. "He is as good with the sword as he is with words." He looks sheepishly at Jon. "He would be a great leader for the expedition. The only reason he isn't is because of politics." It's obvious that Bryson is only repeating something that Avner has often said.
"You'll have no trouble from me, and I'll bear in mind your words regarding the import of your passenger Lord Meravachi."
Burian notes the slight tells in Marius's manner, but assumes those guarded thoughts are still in line with the leaning of their hosts.
He nods reassuringly to Marius.
The Meravanchi family is semi-notorious for its wealth, lack of principles and its willingness to loan money at usurious rates. There are dark rumors of blackmail and unfortunate 'accidents' that surround them as well. The family patriarch, Zebula, is famous for being cold, disciplined and utterly merciless. You have heard he is disapproving of his son's antics.
As for Avner himself, well he is a famous rake; charming, helpful and brave to those he wishes to curry favor with. To ladies, he is prone to romancing them as far as he is able, then leave them in the lurch at the altar; off frolicking with their sisters/maids of honor. He is also known as having a wrist of steel; he is known to have fought more than a dozen duels without a scratch.
Jon then relates the story of the Voyage so far; the launch with celebration from Port Sasserine,
"Of course, that was the moment Father Feres realized he was easily seasick. I don't think he's left his bunk since."
The stop at Fort Blackrock, the near destruction of the city by that burning warehouse full of alchemicals,
"The Ship's Owners said they had nothing to do with the fire, but I don't know..." He said, amused.
The hasty casting off under attack by assassins out to kill Skald.
"Skald is an interesting guy. An ace archer, ugly as hell, tries to do the right thing but has the worst luck..."
Then the turn around the peninsula and the start of the voyage south proper. The attack by that acid slime, the rescue of Phillip from the Isle of Spiders,
"Now that's a tale in itself..."
Stopping by the ruins of Ancient Tamoachan.
"You'll love Professor Urol Forol, the gnome naturalist. His enthusiasm is infectious. He led the partners into the jungle ruins and found an old tomb. You should ask 'em about that little side trip."
Then the passage through the Scarlet Brotherhood blockade under plague flag, the discovery by the pirate ship, the fight past it, being separated from the Blue Nixie, the discovery that the supply fort had been destroyed, the note from Kaskus revealing the Nixie had survived...
"... and that's when we picked you all up. And that is the story so far."
He leaned back and drew on his pipe.
"Our next port are the Isles of Axuxal and the Olman village of
Renkrue. Only two weeks!"
Bryson listens to Jon like he hadn't been in on each story of adventure he tells.
Sunny listens intently to the Captain's tale. Her large blue eyes seeming to grow even bigger in wonder. 'Ooo-ing' and 'Ahhh-ing' at the dramatic points. When the coming stop is mentioned the tanned Elf practically jumps in her seat with obvious joy.
"Yay! We's gon'a see new peoples an' new foods an' new talkin' an' all'a new STUFFS!" She offers a toast towards fine sailing, fair weather and an easy next few couple of days. (^_^)
Toasts are liberally made, and fond memories shared.
Having talked late into the evening, and with everyone drinking now three sheets to the wind, the table finally breaks up.
The sleepy Tavey Nask leads the newcomers to the Midshipmen's berths up at the bow, just in front of the Galley. There are four bunks, four hammocks and eight lockers. You can hear the hiss of the bow cutting through the water here just on the other side of the hull, and it's a little smelly here; the delicious odors of the galley upwind, and the not so delicious smells of the head (usually, but not always) downwind.
With that, you all fall into your berths and plunge into a pleasantly dreaming sleep...
... And somewhere in the darkness, two faceted eyes gleam red...
Suny is up bright and early seeing to a quick breakfast, a thrifty wash down before scampering off/about to help where ever she can.
Even throwing some lines over the side to help garner something a little 'extra' for the provisions.
Come the middle of the day she'll slow down. Taking a rest break to see about handing over the copper and brass kit she found on the other sunken boat to help with things in the kitchen/mess before laying out and presenting the spare 'tackle' she took from the other wreck's rigging.
Garnering a few bits and pieces of information from talking to the crew Suny will eventually present herself to Spinnaker Jon.
Suny will go through 'proper channels' to arranging a meeting with Captain Jon, eventually (hopefully) resenting her cleaned, washed and as seeming usual tanned self to his presence.
Bouncing straight and offering a snappy salute to accompany her "Aye Capt'n!" of attention she gets right to the point.
I were talkin' with t'others of tha' crew an' they be sayin' about 'Buyin' share' in't voyage?" She asks.
"Well.. I've some shine an' I were wonderin' if ye still be acceptin' offers?" Suny looks to Captain Jon.
Suny takes her small back pack, with out which she's not been during the day and sets it upon the captain's table. Opening the flap she proceeds to pull out a chest which, once fully revealed, shows that the interior of Suny's pouch is larger than the outside and hence magical in nature. Taking one of the small, wooden blades she wears upon the straps about her thigh or upper arm she works at breaking the seal of wax about the chests lip.
Captain Jon notes the slight sheen of moisture still clinging to the wood of the chest.
Once free of its seal Suny opens the lid to reveal a number of leather pouches. From within she begins to count coins. Only a few of which she has to work at removing patches of verdigris and other ocean build up from their surfaces. Again Captain Jon notes that there is a wide variety of minting and styles of coin on offer,
Eventually Suny has the requisite amount of 1000 Gp which is the standard rate of buying in a share.
She waits, beaming with pride/please and awaits the captain's comments. (^_^)
Spinnaker Jon's eyes pop when you start counting out coins.
"Where on earth did you get..."
Then he put out his hand to stop you from counting out the coins.
"I'm sorry, but no." He said seriously.
"Your offer is very flattering, but I cannot accept; at least not now. For a couple of reasons.
"First, you JUST got rescued from jungle tribesmen. Making you owners over the crew would inspire jealousy, resentment... all kinds of trouble for the ship. You need time. Time to show the rest of the crew your quality; demonstrate to them and any who watch your skill, your power, your judgement. I have no doubt that when the time comes, the ship needs the cash and you buy in, you will be not just accepted but acclaimed as well.
"Second, and more importantly, if I accept your buy in I won't be able to fend off Lord Avner from buying in as well. And I will die before I give him a piece of the ship!"
He gently shuts the lid of your chest.
"So, keep your money safe, under lock and key. Hidden if possible. If you need a place, I've got an idear or two. Wait for your opportunity, because I swear before Gozreh it WILL come!"
As is his way, Bryson uses his spells to help tell the weather and make repairs. His only duty is to spend time in the crow's nest as he has proven his ineptness at other shipboard tasks. He watches Sunny and is a bit jealous at how easily she fits in. He wishes he could do the same. So of course he goes to his good friend for advice. "Avner, my friend, that new girl just got here and she fits in like pig in slop. Ah want to fit in better. Kin you help me?"
"Aye, see now that were tha' thing. I dun't mind helpin' kin when they get t'gether buildin' boats an' stuffs." She grimaces, shaking her blond mop of hair before looking around at Jon's cabin, "But yer boat here looks rilly finished... So I dun't right understand tha' talkin' of puttin' more shine in't tha' thing." She sighs,
"Well.. fer now I can be jus' leavin' it in here, hey?" She asks, putting the finishing touches to the seal and shifting the chest to some place out of the way and tucked into a corner of the cabin. (^_^)
With whatever business she needed settled with the Captain completed, Sunny skips out -With a jaunty wave, her usual smile, along with a chirpy 'Aye, aye Cap'n!'- and around any folks in the corridors, even as she scampers off to continue all the things she can to help with things about the ship. (^_^)
Burian takes a quick tour of the areas where he may be called to work... trying to hammer out the distance between his knowledge and what will be asked of him.
When it comes time to bunk down, Burian finds a cozy corner and curls up with his isopod, Welt. He drifts off to sleep listening to tales of his ancestors as told by his carapaced critter in crackling and clicking sounds only Burian understands.
Spinnaker Jon nods.
"Thank you for your trust Sunny. But as for the ship being finished, well... Come with me."
He escorts her out to the maindeck, right to the base of the mainmast.
"Do you see this?
He pointed to a series of planks sloppily nailed over a line in the maindeck, gunwale to gunwale.
"We were in a battle, a couple months back. Giant slime mold something or other. Big sucker. Anyway, ta beat it we cut the mainsheets and dropped the mainyard with near a half ton of wetted down sails from thirty feet up. Got 'im of course. But it alsow buried itself into the deck, broke both rails and gunwales, sprung a bunch of hull strakes, made quite a mess.
We slapped a patch over the deck here and concentrated on fixin' the hull."
He scratched his head.
"Well, we always had other things to do. But now we're down in latitudes where we get these afternoon tropical downpours, the deck is leakin' and the passengers are pitchin' a fit at the leaks.
"So. Our next task is ta take out the jury rigged patches, lay down new planking, then make 'em watertight. In fact everybody who's got any kind of carpentry is needed."
He grinned at sunny as she saw the scope of the task.
"Think ye can help?"
Avner received Bryson cordially, taking a drink from his bottle and his arm around the young widow Rynight Trendit (who's husband was killed earlier). He listened to his problems with a critical eye.
"Bryson my friend, it seems to me that it is better to look good than to feel good. You need a new set of clothing. The gods know that after months aboard this tub everyones clothing is suffering."
He took another swig of his bottle.
"You are in luck! My man Quenge here is not simply my manservant; he is also an ace taylor. A nice suit, a sharp haircut and the whole world looks different! Come here and stand on this chair. Stretch your arms out..."
Bryson gets up on the chair.
Marius gave the matter some thought. He'd refrained from preparing his spells thus far this morning, intending to get a sense of what spells might be best suited to people's needs aboard the ship. It seemed he had his answer.
"I can conjure up a couple of unseen servants and set them to doing simple, repetitive tasks as needed," he said, "That should help free up skilled hands for more important work. I can also mend materials and items, so I can knit broken planks and the like back together for reuse, so long as I have all the pieces." He shrugged, "I'll have to check and see what the priorities are for such mending."
His education hadn't prepared him for carpentry any more than it had for helping crew a ship, but he was sure he could make himself useful.
"A bit of division of labor, and we should get this patched up. Remove, repair, replace... no problem."
Burian directs those less skilled in this particular work as they set up a job line passing damaged planks to Marius for mending.
He keeps his spell to conjure a bubble of air ready on the tip of his tongue for emergencies - or the finish work if all goes well.
Spinnaker Jon nods.
"Thank you for your trust Sunny. But as for the ship being finished, well... Come with me."
He escorts her out to the maindeck, right to the base of the mainmast.
"Do you see this?
He pointed to a series of planks sloppily nailed over a line in the maindeck, gunwale to gunwale.
"We were in a battle, a couple months back. Giant slime mold something or other. Big sucker. Anyway, ta beat it we cut the mainsheets and dropped the mainyard with near a half ton of wetted down sails from thirty feet up. Got 'im of course. But it alsow buried itself into the deck, broke both rails and gunwales, sprung a bunch of hull strakes, made quite a mess.
We slapped a patch over the deck here and concentrated on fixin' the hull."
He scratched his head.
"Well, we always had other things to do. But now we're down in latitudes where we get these afternoon tropical downpours, the deck is leakin' and the passengers are pitchin' a fit at the leaks.
"So. Our next task is ta take out the jury rigged patches, lay down new planking, then make 'em watertight. In fact everybody who's got any kind of carpentry is needed."
He grinned at sunny as she saw the scope of the task.
"Think ye can help?"
Sunny leans forwards and looks at the patch work covering the damage. She nods to the captain though it's obvious that what she's looking at has all of her attention.
When the others of her friends come forwards Sunny also looks to the rest of the crew for guidance, since she seems unsure of how 'People' boats are actually put together. It seems that Elven sensibilities when it comes to water craft are.. different.. in some respects.
"Its work, but nothing especially unique. We should have effective repairs done shortly."
Sunny slowly wanders the ship looking intently at walls, roofs and such. Her attention fixed on seeing how the various joins, seems and pondering upon the methods the people have worked their wood to fashion the ship she's on.
Doors are seemingly just as interesting, it is also quickly obvious to those around her that 'Privacy' is something of a mystery to the tanned Elf as well as she opens things and wanders into places in her search to learn.
Sunny opens the door to one of the cabins towards the rear of the ship and, peering in, simply blinks at seeing Bryson standing on a chair.
The Elf's expression being a blank stare comprehension of what she's looking at seeming to elude her. After but a moment her eyes sweep around the room as she steps in. With her usual bright smile and a little wave she gives her usual welcome of
"Hey-YA there!" Before daintily beginning to move about the space and continuing to examine the joins of the walls into ceiling and such.
If asked about her business she distractedly replies,
"Hmmm?... I be learnin' stuffs as bestest I can about how people be puttin' they's wood t'gether when they's makin' they's boats. Tha' Kin? We does things in'a sort'a different way. I mean, we be wrokin' wood... an' they's only so many ways ye can be makin' two bits go t'gether..... but..... peoples does things different. Lots more bigger planks. Lots more o' these 'nails' as well. Lot less joins." She blinks if asked the 'why' of what she's doing.
"Oh! I is helpin' ta' fix boat!" (^_^) Is her bright response. "Seems it took a lashin' agin somat an' there be scuffs an' rents ta' be fixin'. But we's got'a be pullin' things apart afore we's puttin' things t'gether, like. So... afore I take anything apart, I wan'a learn gooder abouts how it be lookin' when it be put t'gether."
Sunny continues on her investigative, exploratory way around the ship. (^_^)
"GIT OUT! You knock 'fore comin inta a room. Even ah know that. What you doing is rude and will git you kicked off the boat."
"GIT OUT! You knock 'fore comin inta a room. Even ah know that. What you doing is rude and will git you kicked off the boat."
(O_O)
Suny starts at Bryson's exclamation.
Jumping back out side... she pauses... before tentatively raising a hand and tapping away at the portal with one of her tools...
"Is that a knockin'...?" She asks, sounding quite unsure about things.
While Bryson squawked (almost naked), Avner is suddenly at the door looking at Sunny with a smile on his face.
"Well hel-lo! You must be the new girl; Sunny, right?" He said. He raised her hand to his lips.
"You can call me Avner. Ignore my friend here, he's just nervous about his new clothing."
Ghirrak keeps mostly to himself, halping where heavy lifting is needed, but otherwise keeping silent watch over those aboard or meditating.
While Bryson squawked (almost naked), Avner is suddenly at the door looking at Sunny with a smile on his face.
"Well hel-lo! You must be the new girl; Sunny, right?" He said. He raised her hand to his lips.
"You can call me Avner. Ignore my friend here, he's just nervous about his new clothing."
Sunny nods and smiles, though seeming nervous, accepting the fellow Avner's strange hand-shake. She peers around Avner, looking to Bryson and still seeming worried.
"G'day t'ye, Sir..." She tentatively. then bobbing in a half bow, half curtsy,
"I mean, hello t'ye, Avner... Mister Avner.... " Sunny continues to look to Bryson for... something...
"Ya speaking to Lord Avner Meravanchi. You should show some respect." Bryson gets some clothes on.
Sunny moves away from Avner, seeming to almost jump again at Bryson's voice. She blinks at the Half-elf, confusion still evident on her features. Sunny reaches out and tries to copy Avner's strange hand-shake.
"Hey-low..." And she again bobs and nod to the fellow, even as she hesitatingly takes his hand attempting to mimic his previous light peck upon the limb,
"Ye is must be Muster... um... Lord Avner....?" The tanned Elf continues to glance at every one's reactions, looking for cues and clues as to how she should proceed garnered from their reactions.
QUENGE ASPER: (Lord Meravachi's manservant)
Quenge slaps Bryson's hands as he tries to reach for his clothing.
"Domph movph shir." He said through a mouthful of pins. Expertly he moved his measuring tape here and there as Bryson stood on a stool, his arms outstretched. Bryson was wearing nothing but a large shirt with what might be considered far too much in the way of ruffles at throat and wrist. Quenge carefully measured, folded and pinned material with practiced ease.
"Why, yes milady, I am. I see my reputation must have preceeded me." Avner said with a grin.
You sense that Avner has taken a great deal of sudden interest in you, to the point of dumping his current girlfriend (who is looking on in shock from the other side of the room.
Spinnaker Jon called Marius Hawk into the Captain's Cabin.
"Marius, I'd like ta make ye Ship's Mage. Since yer a prime spellcaster, I'd like ye ta coordinate with Bryson Deepwinter fer ships defense; mostly I'd like ye to prevent an enemy from burning us ta the waterline, since that's the biggest danger ships face from enemies.
Beyond that, see if ye can work out offensive or utility work as well.
Tell me, what's yer specialty as a mage anyway?"
He offered you some elven wine taken from the Lotus Dragons headquarters long months ago.
As the ship carried on, the ships crew practiced fighting skills every other day under the watchful eyes of the ships officers.
It quickly became clear that Devon Hernan was one of, if not the, best swordsman aboard the ship. Only Avner Meravachi rivaled him in pure swords skill. Avner responded to this by attempting to befriend him; inviting him to dine with him, complimenting him on his skill and so on.
The rest of the crew gave him grudging respect for that, as well as his clear sailors skill. Spinnaker Jon was impressed enough to give him watchstanding duties as a helmsman.
The ships carpenter was impressed enough with Burian to make him a Carpenter's Mate for his skill. The rest of the crew was a bit put off by his appearance, his strange looks, his strange combat style and his even stranger familiar.