During montage time, Yuki attempts to raise the crews Infamy by telling stories of their combat prowess against powerful assassins and the foul hobgoblin captain with a bloodthirsty sword.
Infamy + 4
Disrepute + 2
Galean spends his time looking after the ship, inspecting every plank and nail with a staggering thoroughness for someone as young as him. He checks the maps, the currents, and the winds, and then he finally goes ashore, to meet up with Yuki and the rest.
As Captain Yuki finishes her terrifying speech on the murder of the murderers and the stealing from the thieves, he nods agreeingly, raising a mug. As they sit around the table, he puts down the mug, a stern expression on his face, as he looks around conspiratively.
"We're going to take Tidewater Rock. And then, the Shackles!"
After several trips and raids, freshly stocked up on supplies and ready to go your crew is gathered around to hear your bold plans for further piracy.
When a Free Captain named Magna Stormeyes discovered the natural harbor on Windward Isle over 2 centuries ago, she immediately recognized that it would make the perfect haven from which to launch a pirate fleet. Starting with just one ship and a small encampment on Windward’s harbor, she began to ply the trade of piracy. With the plunder from her initial hauls, she set about building a keep, which she called Tidewater Rock.
From the vantage point atop the Rock, she found she could pick out particularly ripe targets while receiving ample of warning of hostile ships approaching. Over time, Stormeyes’ successes enabled her to build a sizable fleet, as well as more strongholds on several different islands. She became the scourge of the southern sea lanes and eventually claimed the Hurricane Crown as her own. Shortly after becoming the Hurricane King and relocating to Port Peril, she was assassinated by rival Free Captains. Stormeyes’ burgeoning fleet fell apart among its squabbling captains. Gerta Frome, first mate of Stormeyes’ flagship, the Cocksure, seized control of the Rock. Within only a few years, Frome became a powerful Free Captain herself, and the legend of Tidewater Rock as both a powerful good luck talisman and an impregnable bastion was born.
Over the many years since, control of Tidewater Rock has passed from hand to hand, and its strategic location and practical defensibility have enabled its owners to enrich themselves substantially. With the rebellion of Sargava and its ostensible alliance with the Free Captains, Tidewater Rock became of less strategic importance, and its owners came to be of less prominence, but the age-old axiom of “Good fortune and sure sail await what one can crack the Tidewater Rock” has stood the test of time among the pirates of the Shackles and is oft-quoted—if seldom heeded—even today.
Gathering her officers together, Captain Yuki points to Tidewater Rock on one of her sailing charts, "We've all heard about the Rock, so I don't think I need to repeat anything. I think it would be very good for our reputation if we could turn it into a base of operations of sorts. Since we're the good guys though, I think it would be best if we try to reason with whoever holds it now, and try to build an alliance. If they're evil people though, we will take them out. Questions or suggestions?"
"Sounds good so far, Captain," Nymph responds while looking inbetween the maps and her new blade. "Do we have any hints who might be in charge right now?"
Yuki takes a moment to consider Nymph's question.
Lady Agasta Smythee, the widow of Iron Bert Smythee, is the current owner of the Rock. Rumor has it she's from Galtan nobility that fled the revolution there and was raised to weird power.
While she's never been known as a power in the Shackles she's no fool - numerous Sargavan, Chelaxian and Shackle interests would love to seize the tower but so far they've failed.
Yuki shares what she remembers with the other ship officers, "So, we should find out with this Lady Smythee wants and offer to give it to her in exchange for an alliance. I mean, if she isn't a nasty person anyway."
"Widow, eh? One of us could seduce her." Nymph offers.
"It's a good plan, Cap'n.", shares Galean. "Don't think many of our colleagues share our love for the... uh, diplomatic approach.", he smiles. "And... uh, I'd like to have a dry-land base, too. We can start growing some things, maybe start a cane farm, or something.", he points out his plans. As Nymph shares her idea, he turns red. "Uh, sure, Cap'n. That might work."
He scratches his head. "Uh, do you know if she has a vessel? We could probably even ally ourselves with her. Get shared ownership of the isle, and give her one of the boats we've captured. It'd be a real help to someone stuck there, even if they're living off the land." He ruffles his singular chest hair, then sits back down in a relaxed stance that seems to take a lot of effort. "Yeah, we going to get the Rock!", he says excitedly. "Want me to plot a course, Cap'n?", he asks.
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"Ooooh, that's a good idea Nymph, as long as she's interested. It might save us some money. Yup, plot a course for Tidewater Rock!"
"We do have a great selection to offer her." the Sharkkin chuckles.
As you approach Windward Isle, 100 miles due west from Rickety's Squibs you see a tower rising like a solid block from the sea at the edge of this island. The pounding surf rolls around its base and partially covers the steps that lead up to its front gate. A few arrow slits pierce its walls here and there, and a single shuttered window opens high upon the face of the fortress. A roof of metal shingles rises from its battlements where sentries keep lookout and siege weapons stand ready on corner turrets.
"Land-ho!", shouts Galean. He jumps on excitedly, attempting to slide onto the railing to get to the captain's cabin. However, the slide is more of a slow, methodical, boring descent, and he's bright red as he knocks on the door. "Cap'n, we've got them in our sights. Should I roll out the dingy?", he asks, rubbing his sore hindquarters.
"Okay, anchor us out of immediate siege weapon range." Yuki says to Galean as she peers over at the tower, "Here's the plan, we're going to row in on a dingy, but hoist a white flag to indicate we're here to parlay. Hopefully they will be willing to talk."
"I'm with ya, Cap'n."
You see some movement on the battlements but they're clearly waiting for you to announce your intentions.
Yuki casts Enhanced Diplomacy on herself before calling out, "I am Captain Yuki Okano of the Calamitous Intent. We've come to parlay with Lady Agasta Smythee to discuss a mutually advantageous business prospect. We come in peace."
A voice rings out from the battlements.
Very well, Captain Yuki Okano! You know the rules of parlay, who will you trade in good faith?
As a pirate, you realize they're talking about the exchange of hostages. As Captain you have to designate someone for the inhabitants of the Rock to hold to ensure your good faith, and in return they'll send someone for you to hold hostage.
Yuki looks to her officers, and speaks quietly to them, "Soooo, any volunteers? Galean can turn into a small animal and use that to escape most bonds right? While Nymph can certainly handle herself for awhile if things go poorly. Since Ayre is a wizard, he should probably stick with us, unless you want to try to give up Rocky as a temporary hostage. I mean, Rocky certainly is the strongest and bravest among us."
"Yes, but he's also the most important. I'll go." Nymph offers.
Galean clears his throat. "Uh, I'd volunteer, Cap'n.", he says, standing up. "Not going to be very useful in the negotiations anyway. And I'll try not to escape unless I really need to."
"So, do I need to pick which one of you goes, or can you decide between the two of you? I mean, if we're going to try to seduce the lady we could use both of you potentially, so I'm good either way, but I will pick if you guys are going to both keep offering."
Nymph shrugs. "I dunno, will the hostage be sent directly to what's-her-face?"
Yuki calls out to the voice above, "Where will the hostage be kept during the parlay? I want to know that they'll be safe."
In the Rock, in a locked room. Where are you going to keep your hostage?
"Wait! Who's their hostage? If she's hot I'll keep a watch on her then." Nymph says in a slightly hushed tone to her captain.
Yuki calls back to the person on top of the tower, "Depends on who the hostage is, probably back on our ship unless you want to keep them with our hostage."
She then turns her attention back to the ship's officers, "Okay, so which one of you is going to be the hostage? The first one to volunteer gets the honor."
Galean beams up, whispering. "I'll go. As you said, Cap'n, I can escape.", he says. "Uh, it's not really according to the pirate's code, but they're really more guidelines than strict rules.", he smiles. "And try not to have all the fun while I'm gone."
After you designate Galean as the hostage, they instruct you to have him present himself, alone, at the gate to be traded.
Once he does, he's met by an older man with a handlebar mustache and salt and pepper hair. He has a greatsword slung over one should and is wearing a set of well-worn banded mail.
Alright, lad, relax - as long as ye don't break any rules you'll be fine.
He directs two guards to search Galean and everything except his clothing is confiscated.
It'll be waiting for ye after ye come back.
They blindfold Galean and take him into the fort, then stash him in a stone room that has a bed and a locked iron door, with a small oil lamp shedding light on spartan, but not miserable, conditions.
Don't worry lad, ye won't miss much. We'll bring ye food and water in a second.
Before they leave they smile at him.
And if ye need anything there's a guard right outside.
They close the door and shut it firmly behind you and you hear the latch lock securely.
Meanwhile a younger man, likewise bereft of weapons, steps up and walks towards Yuki and the crew.
Hail and well met. My name's Smythe, I'm the designated stalking goat for this parlay. As soon as your man Galean's secure they'll raise a flag and you'll be able to bring up to five people to dinner. I understand they've had quite a haul recently. Once you've left dinner and return me back to the castle your friend will head back.