It is quickly established that Jape is badly wounded and Maheem is dead. Apparently there was some sort of brawl in the bilges and Maheem ended up dead at Flynn's hands. You also remember that Captain Harrigan's orders were clear...no killing. There was no qualification for self-defense or anything like that. Just no killing.
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Dhaavan, as you approach Peppery's laboratory you are about to enter when you hear a curt Come! from inside. Entering the laboratory you see all manner of arcane implements and experiments. Different components and materials line the walls along with a shelf of books that have runic symbols on them that you recognize immediately as Draconic. Peppery is seated behind the desk. Her blond hair and green eyes look at you as you speak. Unfortunately Dhaavan, the Captain's law is quite clear. Flynn broke it by killing Maheem. He did not deny it. There is nothing I can do...nor will I stick my neck out for Mr. Flynn as you so artfully put it. I warn you also not to do anything rash...I am beginning to like you and I would hate to have to kill you. She looks back down at her writing after holding your eyes for another moment, clearly dismissing you.
Disheartened, you find Habbly overseeing repairs to one of the ships beams and he looks down at you as you plead for Horatio. Sorry lad. It ain't up to me and my word would carry little weight even if I were to say something. Mr. Plugg is the first mate and is well within his rights to order Flynn's death for breaking one o'the Captains laws. Now, if I were you I'd say my goodbyes and get back to work. No use you getting killed too. I doubt Flynn would want you going down with him. With that he goes back to work.
Sandara looks at the bird and says I'll do what I can but I'm not sure what good it will do. Mr. Plugg outranks everyone on ship cides the Cap'n and I sure as hells am not going and talking to them. Nor will I participate in a mutiny that is doomed to fail before it starts if that's what your master is suggesting.
As the day moves on you all get more and more worried as the sun dips further towards the horizon.
You throw yourselves into your duties...trying to figure some way out of this mess but unable to think of much at the time that is not suicide. Ratline, Sandara, and all the others you have made friends with are outraged but the common line is that the Captain and his officers are too strong for you to overcome...especially the Captain and Peppery.
When Plugg approaches at midday and orders her to the lookout, it is all Rain can do to speak with civility and not take a knife to the bastard's throat. She nods her head at his order and gives a faint "Aye" before climbing aloft. Bide your time, Rain.
The climb to the top was not so bad, only slowing the last 10 feet but managing it all the same. Once on the platform, Rain looks out, keeping her eyes on the horizon, trying to determine more of their location while attempting to not fret over Flynn's predicament. Gozreh, Besmara, aid me. Give me clarity, show me a way to save my friend.
You all move frantically around the ship looking for ways to save poor Horatio Flynn's life...unfortunately without much in the way of success. the crew is unwilling to go against the Captain and his officers right now on what they see is a suicide mission. More and more dejected you see the sun slip down towards the horizon.
The crew is assembled and Horatio is brought out of the box. He is having trouble walking from being confined in such a small space and looks to be very dehydrated. Aretta and Fipps drag him across the deck to where a rope has been strung across the ship. He is tied securely hand and foot to it. A breeze wafts over the ship and you hear what sounds like crying coming from Sandara. You hear Owlbear raging below deck where he has been yelling about not hurting his friend "Finn". A few of the crew look on with smiles on their faces but not that many. Most people like Flynn and think this is a waste but are not prepared to lay their own lives down for him.
The bell tolls signaling the bloody hour just as the sun touches the horizon.
Captain Harrigan steps to the edge of the stern deck and says Get on with it Plugg.
Plugg with a look of malicious glee on his face begins to pull the line...
Rain's eyes look up to the horizon, not wanting to watch the spectacle, when she suddenly screams out SHIP AHOY, CAPTAIN! pointing at something off the starboard bow.
The Captain whips out a spy glass and says with a laugh Hold Plugg! It looks like this is Mr. Flynn's lucky day! Peppery?!? Set sails for intercept!
Peppery smiles with what looks like relief and starts barking out orders.
Plugg stops when the captain says to with an obvious look of disappointment on his face. You have more lives than a cat, Flynn. he says as he cuts Flynn's bonds. Captain's orders are always that if a ship comes in sight. All hands are required to serve and all punishments are forgiven so long as they participate in the battle. He was right...this is your lucky day. Without another word he turns back and heads to his post with the captain.
The crew cheers wildly as they set to work to pursue the ship. Some cheering for the ship...others for Horatio...most for both.
Jack gives Sandara a look that's as worried as a thrush can manage, preens slighlty, then whispers, "Honestly, I wouldn't put it past Dhaavan, at this point. He's been acting downright strangely. I been feelin' Things what I never did before comin from him, and he been making some damn stupid choices, but it ain't my place to try to tell him what to do, just to be a lookout for him."
After a brief pause Jack continues, "I just want to figure out what's wrong with the idiot..."
Seijiro, after hearing the announcement, slips downstairs to let Owlbear know that Flynn has been pardoned. Once Owlbear is calmed down, he comes back up on deck and looks out over the horizon to see if he can spot the other ship yet or if it's still only visible from the 'nest.
Then he gets back to his work... the mainsail still needs hands.
Ret-con After trying to get a stay of execution from the Officers, Dhaavan is rushing over to the box to see Flynn, but suddenly stops dead in his tracks. He glares daggers at all those around, a wretched grimace contorting his usually somewhat warm and pleasant face. Growling, he turns from the Box and returns to work, scrubbing angrily for a few minutes to calm down.
At one point he takes a look for Variel and says, "So yea know when ya asked why I was actin strange. Here's the thing. It's cause... cause I was missing Flynn. He was below deck and I was sick that he weren't around. It's been like that for days! So that's what was goin on. Figure it was some sort of compulsion but i can't for the life o' me figure what kind, but it's gone now, all the sudden. Yea maybe think ya know what it might be?"
Dhaavan shakes his head with a sigh, "Were i still under it, i'd be going to stop the execution come sundown. Damn stupid idea and now what I'm back in my right mind, I ain't goin and doin somethin' ta get me killed like that. 's rotten tho, nothin really to do at this point..." Dhaavan's expression is one more of disappointment that were faced with a loosing battle than the anguish he wore while trying desperately to ply the officers for even a chance to defend his mate.
As Variel and Dhaavan return to their respective tasks, Dhaavan adds "And sorry about yer disagreement. I thought yea were a damned idiot the way yea were goin at it, but i guess i couldn't help but take his side there. Anyway, ye had some good points, not that it matters anymore, does it?"
Working the in galley all day, Sko almost missed the entire event. Finally hearing the commotion above, he came up just in time to see Flynn being put in the box. When he learns what happened and how, his mood sours. They had all done, for the most part, good work and to have Plugg still launching ambushes after the last couple of weeks is maddening to say the least. The intent was clearly to kill Flynn which shows that Plugg and his toadies aren't too concerned about the Captain's "no killing" rule.
Personally, Sko considers it too bad that Flynn didn't kill them both; it's not likely the punishment would have been any worse. He doubts that either Plugg or his cronies will be glad or thankful that Flynn didn't do so.
With combat likely on the morrow, I'm as worried about a dagger in the back as I am about any enemy we might face. With luck, we'll be able to stick together.
When all the drama has ended, Sko stares at Peppery for a moment and then will go see Grok. "Grok, I have a request. My main weapon is a scythe which isn't well suited for swinging onto an enemy ship. Do you think you could lash together some lether belts and buckles so that I could carry on my back if we have to board an enemy ship? It doesn't have to be fancy, nor even particularly durable; just good enough to let me carry it over."
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Spellcraft
Knowledge arcana
Sense motive
Listening to Dhaavan's answer, Variel's face turns from Incredulous to frustration. Turning to Dhaavan with the most serious expression on his face you have seen, Just what did he all tell you that you agreed with? And more importantly do you think he did this to you himself or was it from some outside influence? Finally, are you sure it is over or just surpressed now that you are near him? Try this, go below and get something from your locker. This will tell us if it is sight based, proximity, or perhaps completely over. I hope for his sake that this was from some outside source. If I ever find out tht he did this to you, Flynn will have a lot to answer for indeed. Just when he makes me think that I can't put his behavior behind him, I find this out.
but again, what did he tell you that made sense before. I thought i had good reasons but please let me know if i was incorrect. If you were charmed I would at least like to know what I was up against for arguments so that I may tell you my side. Not that there needs justification, but to clear any misunderstanding hopefully.
"Huh, he just thought yer an ass is all. Same as you think o' him. Honestly I'm pretty sure he said a lot more to yea himself than what he ever did to me. That and whatever sillyness about a rivalry over Rain's affections. But really that's neither here nor there not is it. He's condemned and weather or not yea even cared about the two o' them, yea got real and legit' reasons for bein at odds with him, what with him jawin on bout things best not talked about." Dhaavan's point, in the end is that Variel knows exactly how Flynn feels about him and that flynn did nothing to kep it a secret. Any stress caused by Rain's affections or lack there-of is really secondary to more legitimate grievances such as the unequivocal revelation of Variel's magic-use.
Dhaavan does consider wether or not Flynn did this to him. "I've talked with Flynn about magic, and while he has an academic understanding or the subject, he's not got the kind of power it'd take to pull off that kind of spell. That's more than even I could do, if i chose to mess around with compulsions. And if he did have that power, I really doubt that he'd be able to keep it such a secret. No, i suspect that there's only one person in this boat what can do that to me."
"I know how I've felt this past several days, and that's totally gone all the sudden, ut I'll humor yea. Got to get more wash for this damn rock anyway." Dhaavan gets a bucket for swabbing, rushing out of range of Flynn and demonstrating that whatever was wrong is gone now. Returning he asks "Well, can yea think of anything left to be done for the man? Even though I'm pissed that I got bound to 'im like that, I can't really hold it against him. Even the officers think it's a lost cause, as does the crew. What a load of Dretch-s~#!"
Sko
WHile below decks getting suplies for his work, Dhaavan does pass through the lower decks likely running across Sko as he does...
Sitting on the deck and tasting the free air, my hand reaches instinctively for my weapons - only to realize they're not there.
My fingers absently trace a scar on my palm - and I glance to the heavens for a brief moment.
Well - the gods have sent a ship - let's see what happens now...
My eyes narrow in grim satisfaction.
If we capture the ship, the Captain will want someone to con her - likely he'll put the task to his First Officer - that'll mean Plugg will be conning the ship - and depending on who travels with him...
My eyes grow flinty.
I pray for justice, and the winds have turned now in my favor. Milani be praised...
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Still Retcon with Dhaavan...
Laughing off a bit of Dhaavan's explanation, Really he said that this was over Rains affections. How little does he understand. In some ways that is true, bur there is more to it than he understands. Granted I wish her company and friendship more than anyone else. I see in her a chance to for a lifelong friend the kind that I have. Ever had a chance at before. She is my age and I have no fear of loosing her as a friend as I have others. What you say is true though that if it would turn into more it would be a wonderful thing. I doubt that would happen here in this situation. I confess that I am attracted to her more than I should be and wish that i could speak easily with her like some do. I do appreciate the greatly the times that we have spent together and wish it to continue. Perhaps it is hard to explain the notion of finding someone you can spend time with and form a bond that can last a lifetime. That she is attractive, self confident, and skilled only makes matters worse for me to interact with her.
Turning the conversation though once again to Flynn's predicament, I don't know what to do for him. I mean freeing him would only get so far as the ship is only so big he would be found. If we were near land where he could escape to shore and have a chance that is one thing. Here freedom is out. Second, he admitted what he did and almost flaunted it by tossing the coin down for making a mess. That is not going to endear him to many and no one wants to challenge the captain. Outside of spiriting him away, if he can't survive the keelhauling he is done for.
As Dahavaan passes through the galley Sko turns to him, "I'm not sure if this is important or not but the other day when Peppery was...explaining things to me, she mentioned that she wasn't a beast like Plugg was and preferred to deal out lessons more subtly. She mentioned you by name. At the time, I thought she was refering to having afflicted you with that speech curse but, given the context of the conversation, I'm not so sure about that now. I'm not really sure there's anything you could do about it but you may want to keep your wits extra sharp for...well, maybe a really long time."
”Begging your pardon, sir,” I call out to the company of officers – not specifically addressing Plugg, but anyone who can aid me.
”I had my weapons taken from me before I was sent below – with a ship approaching, any chance that I might get them back for the upcoming fight?” I add with as much courtesy as I can.
I look at the others.
My eyes are cold and hard – there is still blood on my clothes, and my knuckles.
I glance at the others, from Rain above to Dhaavan, and Variel and Jiro. I’m not sure where Valeros and Sko are, but in any case, I’m glad to be out of the box.
”Does anyone need me for anything – or can I take my gear? Meantime, I’m going below; anyone want to chat?” I add with a fierce light in my eye, glancing around me, curious to know if someone wants to talk at this point.
I look at Dhaavan.
”Oye – there may be gear below worth getting. You handy with locks? I think we may be able to rustle up something of use below.”
Dhaavan casually sidles up to Flynn when the rest of the crew gets busy. "Come on then, you need weapons for this one, and the time to hold back is past so yea gettin' yer black powder for this fight coming up?" He says offering FLynn a hand up, but not looking at the man. Dhaavan's expression is cool, and his eyes cold, holding back a strange fury. "Lets find yer gear huh?"
The first stop is Grok to see if Scourge gave her Flynn's gear.
"Hey there da'lin'. Did Scourge happen to give yea Flynn's gear or is it somewhere's else at this point?" Dhaavan asks the Half-orc. He's not really turning on the charm and is slightly distracted, but still polite and friendly.
If she doesn't have it, then Dhaavan'll give Flynn a hand collecting his stuff from whomever has it, absent-mindedly checking his wrist-sheath to make sure it is going to function if he needs it.
I turn a flat gaze to Dhaavan; watching him check his knife.
"It's good to have a knife, better - keep two. Otherwise you might get very dead, very quick. Just some useful advice," I add with a cold look at those around me.
Scourge tosses you a key to the lockbox with your possessions in it next to the sweat box.
I catch it deftly, and help myself to my gear.
In addition to it, I assume I also have the other two daggers I pinched from the dead and near dead man below.
I turn a look at Dhaavan.
"You coming?" I ask him, but without waiting, I'll head below.
My intention is to go to Maheem's locker, and than try to find out what was in it - specifically - all the loot that had been reported stolen and than put there - and than blamed on me.
Maheem's dead - who knows what's in his locker? I doubt very much anyone will care about a dead man's chest...
Dhaavan waits till nearly sunset, and when Peppery steps out of her offices for the bloody hour, Dhaavan catches pace with her. "I think I've got my lesson learned. I appreciate yer subtle approach... and doubt I'd survive a direct one. But just to be clear, Yea don't mind me usin magic, just so long as I don't turn it on yer crew?"
He does turn to her, with a twinkle in his eye, and cracking a smile, "Out of curiosity, what was it yea did to me. Yer the only one here that could possibly be powerful enough to make me actually feel anything like I did this past week, and I appreciate that kind of power."
Dhaavan accepts a Dagger, but shrugs to Flynn saying in infernal
Maheem's locker is locked when you go downstairs. There are crew coming in and out of the hold.
Maheem's locker is locked when you go downstairs. There are crew coming in and out of the hold.
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Once Flynn is released and starts to be strung up for the keelhauling, it is with resignation that Variel watches the precedings. From our of nowhere the cry of ship rings across the deck. Tis one word turns everyone from watching a death sentence into a well oiled machine. Seeing Rosie run past, Variel follows her and attempts to gather some info from her about what to expect over the next 36 hours.
Gather info
Rosie looks at you Variel when you say 36 hours and she looks at the ship adn says More like 12-14 there Variel. That's a loaded merchant ship and the Wormwood is pretty quick and we have the wind in our favor. It's going to be an exciting day tomorrow! She runs off getting the ship prepped with a broad grin on her face. After all...this is a pirate ship and they are finally getting to be pirates.
The night progresses quickly and the crew works in shifts to make sure that you are all refreshed come morning.
The weather is beautiful and clear today, visibility is excellent and you see that through the night you have made up significant ground on the other ship. It is only about 3/4 of a mile away currently and you expect that you will overtake them in about an hour.
Riaris Krine summons you to the foredeck where she gives you your assignment. Alright. Everyone has a job to do and yours is quite important and this comes down from the captain hisself. You seven are to take the ship's wheel. It's on the aft deck just below the sterncastle from what we have been able to see of the ship. You’re going to grapple over, kill the guards on the sterncastle, take the wheel, and guard the ship’s boats. Kill anyone who tries to get away on one of the boats. Don’t move from the wheel until the fighting’s done, or you’ll have to answer to me. Oh yeah, as we get close, it’s going to get foggy. Just stick to what I told you to do.
You can see the ship a lot clearer now that you are closer. It is a three masted sailing ship bigger than the Wormwood and you can see on the stern the word's Man's Promise in gold lettering. It is flying a flag with a gold shield upon which two golden hands are raised palms facing forward.
Seijiro, seeing everyone separate into small groups to talk without him, goes below and sleeps for the night. Come morning, when the assignment is given, he shrugs and sighs, nods in silent compliance.
At least it's a simple enough duty to take the wheel and hold it, not let anyone escape... maybe not as easy as it sounds. Wonder what the others think about it.
He looks to the others and listens if they have anything to say about the job assigned to them.
Hmm…
Seeing the ships colors, but more importantly – marking her lines and the way her sails are cut, I quickly recognize her class.
Rahadoum, eh?
I grin darkly.
”So, Rahadoum is where the vessel’s from than; good! Very good…” I say with a slow relish.
Least it’s not from my homeland – that’s something, anyway.
I turn to Rain and Jiro, seeing that they're the only one's close enough to me to venture a look.
I quickly notice that though they may be able to see the ship, they can't read her well. But I can, and when I turn to them, they see an excited gleam in my eye.
I speak quickly, but loud enough for the others who are nearby.
”Rahadoum is a nation of gods’ cursed heretics. They don’t worship the gods there – they deny them, sticking to their old codes of "ethics and law" instead of even paying attention to decency and faith. But as for those codes and ethics?"
I snort in derision.
”My ass! Those basterds are as two-faced as you’ll find, I warrant – I’ve met with some before… but they’re rich… damn rich. Silks, spices, perfumes – they’ll have a fine mess of it, I’d wager – and that’s not all. If we’re lucky, they’ll have plenty of hashish, opium, hemp, and Pesh – they import in by the boatload out of Khatapesh… and that’s not cheap… so we may even find quite a bit of other little valuables on board than bits of junk some loose coin,” I add with a wicked grin.
I pause, rolling my shoulders back and getting limber on my feet; watching the ship, considering something.
”Oh yeah – one other thing; other than all of that – they got one other business for coin: slavery,” I say flatly.
”That means that they’ll likely have slaves aboard, too – if we’re lucky. Because a slave might actually end up helping us out of this mess.”
And maybe if you free some poor souls on their ship, it'll also ease your bloody conscious too, eh?
I frown a bit, considering something, than swing back my coat, jerking out my pistol and double checking the priming; slamming it back into the holster.
Tying my long hair back into a loose ponytail, I spit to the leeward, and ready myself for the battle.
Currently I am armed and armored – full kit.
Meanwhile – in addition to my usual kit – I’ve also go the two daggers from the fools below. Both of them are stuck in my belt – in case I have to through quickly; and the four flasks of oil; ready to lob at folks, if we can.
Finally – to the GM
Krine said we’d see fog. But if we’re able to see the ship now – in the middle of sea – during this time of day –at this latitude – at this time of year…
Something doesn’t add up. Either we’re heading for a strangely and mysteriously foggy place – or someone’s going to use a spell with fog involved in it. I'll roll if I need to, but this seems pretty obvious to me that it is spell. Still - I sure would like to know either way.
Before going to sleep, Seijiro will find Variel and ask him, "Variel-san, you said you had a set of tools for me. Something tells me there will be little call for their use tomorrow, but I thought I would take them off your hands for now, if that's alright. That way, I will have them, in case there is need of them after all."
”Rahadoum is a nation of gods’ cursed heretics. They don’t worship the gods there – they deny them, sticking to their old codes of "ethics and law" instead of even paying attention to decency and faith. But as for those codes and ethics?"
I snort in derision.
”My ass! Those basterds are as two-faced as you’ll find, I warrant – I’ve met with some before… but they’re rich… damn rich. Silks, spices, perfumes – they’ll have a fine mess of it, I’d wager – and that’s not all. If we’re lucky, they’ll have plenty of hashish, opium, hemp, and Pesh – they import in by the boatload out of Khatapesh… and that’s not cheap… so we may even find quite a bit of other little valuables on board than bits of junk some loose coin,” I add with a wicked grin.
”Oh yeah – one other thing; other than all of that – they got one other business for coin: slavery,” I say flatly.
”That means that they’ll likely have slaves aboard, too – if we’re lucky. Because a slave might actually end up helping us out of this mess.”
And maybe if you free some poor souls on their ship, it'll also ease your bloody conscious too, eh?
As Flynn details the nation of Rahodoum's rich produce and their notoriety for heresy and slavery, Rain listens intently. She considers Krine's order to kill the guards, take the ship's wheel and kill anyone who tries to take the boats, and is uneasy with the entirety of the order. Her moral compass was not always set right but she could not kill unconscionably.
To Flynn and Jiro, she whispers, "I do not know if I can kill someone in cold blood. I am content in freeing slaves for I cannot abide enslavement, but to kill those trying to get away in the boats? No, that I will not do. And if we break Krine's orders, we will be punished."
"Good evening, Variel." They had not really spoken since his quarrel with Flynn and she was a little tongue-tied in his presence now. "I was wondering how you were? We haven't spoken today."
After Variel answers, Rain will continue, in low-voiced Elven,
"Those items in your possession; you mentioned you had armour. I have the leather-studded armour I came onboard with, but if you have something better for me, I would be willing to listen and extend my interest in it." Rain looks up into Variel's eyes. They were friends and she hoped they could continue their friendship, especially since he and Flynn were making an effort to get along (only in front of the pressed-gang).
Upon hearing his assignment, Dhaavan immediately gets himself over to Grok's, and asks, "Is there anything yea got what i can use ta help me board a ship, potions, rope, anything, I don't care? I can't climb rope for s+~& is the thing, so whatever yea got, I got some gold, and if i live through this fight I'll pay yea back if i'm short, otherwise consider my tatt tools yours, and that's some quality needles, let me tell ya."
Grok looks at you with a grin and says They'll lay planks once we slam together that you can try and run across. T'won't be easy but probably better than trying to jump. The grapples are mostly to bring the two ships together. Now if you haven't ever done a boarding before, you get your pretty little ass over right quick so that it doesn't get shot off. As for potions and such, you all know what I got and I ain't gotten much else since then.
-An assortment of adventuring goods and gear valued under 10gp (pretty much if it is under 10gp and is mundane adventuring gear she has it)
-a starknife
-2 sets of thieves tools
-a battered iron box containing six candles, one of which is a candle of truth
-a potion of Barkskin
-a potion of Cure Light Wounds
-a potion of Haste
-MW Climbers Kit
-Disguise Kit
-4 flasks of Holy Water
-Magnifying Glass
-Manacles
-2 Tanglefoot Bags
-MW Light Crossbow
-3 Cutlasses
-31 assorted daggers
-3 MW daggers
-43 MW Darts
-MW Sap
-120 Arrows
-20 MW Arrows
-6 +1 Arrows
-200 Crossbow Bolts
-a suit of Banded Mail
-a Breastplate
-1 Chain Shirts
-MW Leather Armor
-3 suits of Studded Leather
-12 Bucklers
-2 MW Bucklers
-+1 Dagger
-+1 Short Sword
-MW Warhammer
-Scrolls of Cure Moderate Wounds, Summon Swarm
-Wand of Bless Weapon (16 charges left)
Captain Harrigan comes on board when the ship is about an hour away and yells out Fishguts! Sko! Get a pig and chum the waters! Fishguts immediately goes below and brings up a pig on a lead. With Sko's help holding it he slits its throat and tosses it over the side and ties it off. Confused for a moment, you then realize that Harrigan is intentionally drawing sharks in for the battle.
The next hour is a flurry of activity as the ships slowly move towards each other. You can plainly see activity on the Rahadoumi ship as well as they prepare for boarding. Men and women begin lining the deck with what look like crossbows and several ballista are loaded on the sterncastle. No one has fired yet as the range is still a bit far.
Riaris comes up to you all and says Oh and one more thing! Rain, you did the best on the boarding practice...so you are leading your boarding party over there. It's not a hard task. Remember, take the wheel on the aft deck...secure the sterncastle and kill anyone that tries to take those boats. Also, don't destroy the ship! She says looking most at the spell casters. No fire! We don't know what they're carrying and we don't want to set the whole bloody thing off. Anyway, those are your orders. I'm heading by each crew to make sure they understand them...any questions? If you have any she will answer them but she doesn't answer anyone else, making it clear that Rain is leading the charge. Once they're answered, she goes back to overseeing the ballista. You notice that they have not assembled the catapult. You surmise that is because they want to capture the ship...not destroy it.
At this point you see Captain Harrigan, wearing his full battle regalia including armor with a motif of screaming skulls and a vicious looking black shortsword at his waist, Mr. Plugg, wearing his normal gear, with his cat and cutlass in the shape of a grinning skull and spotted with rust at his waist, Master Scourge in his normal gear, and the other officers come on deck. Last to come up is Peppery Longfarthing, dressed in full arcane regalia. She is wearing blood red robes with silver arcane runes around the hem and cuffs along with a belt with multiple pouches. In one red leather gloved hand she has a wand that is crackling with electrical energy and the other is empty. She moves over to the main mast and begins floating up to the fighting top that Horatio, Variel, and Rain built...ordering anyone up there down.
As the ships get closer, you'd guess a little over 100 feet, the crew of the Man's Promise begin taking pot shots at the Wormwood with crossbows and ballista. The ballista are being aimed at the rigging in a futile attempt to slow the ship. At this point you begin to see a heavy mist coalesce up from the ocean and begin to engulf the Rahadoumi vessel. Should anyone look up, you see Peppery's hair is flying as if being blown in wind, though the weather is calm, and her eyes are clouded over as she moves her hands and wand out towards the merchant ship. Once the ship is engulfed in mists the shots from the Rahadoumi become erratic and then stop.
The ships draw steadily closer and closer until they are within grapple range.
Before going to sleep, Seijiro will find Variel and ask him, "Variel-san, you said you had a set of tools for me. Something tells me there will be little call for their use tomorrow, but I thought I would take them off your hands for now, if that's alright. That way, I will have them, in case there is need of them after all."
When the chance affords itself to speak privately with Jiro, I pull him aside,
”Ahoy – Jiro-san,” I say casually, motioning him over.
”Listen,” I say speaking quickly and quietly ”When those lads jumped me below and tried to murder me – the lad Maheem claimed the pretext that it was all due to someone stealing goods and piling it in his locker and he said it was me!. Stupid, I know it – the basterd was likely stealing it himself, got pinched – and than he pinned the whole thing on me just for an excuse to murder me,” I say glancing around quickly – my voice low.
”But the point is – he’s dead, now, eh? If he had been pinching the loot, it’s likely still in his seaman’s locker, eh? Well – you’re handy with locks, so I hear… maybe if you slip down there tonight during the bloody hour, you can check it out – find out if he’s got a bunch of gear inside – or if it’s only hash.”
”If he’s got the gear – I say take it, stow it, and than, after the fight – you can sell it to Grok – claim it was “found” on the other ship. If I’m right, they’ll be enough hash to go around – if we win, they’ll be celebrating hard enough they’ll never notice one way or the other if it looks a wee bit familiar, eh? Next thing you know – you got a fresh bunch of wealth,” I add with a grin.
”Now – normally, I’d be asking for a ten percent “finder’s fee” on this… But, I don’t know – considering I almost died for the news, I’d be obliged if it were a bit higher – I’m short of coin anyway, and I’m itching to fix up my pistol before a real fight – but that costs hard coin, nearly 300 gold. Now, maybe, if you’re agreeable, we could settle the “finder’s fee” for, say – fifty-fifty? I’d never ask you for so much for just giving you a tip, but this one is pretty handy, if I do say so. What do you say? Does that seem fair to you, you know – considering?” I add with an encouraging nod, hoping that – given the circumstances – he’s willing to share what he may find in the dead man’s locker fifty-fifty.
Of course, he’s not obligated to – what he finds is his; ten percent being the “honest cut” for finder’s fees among such actions – so I’ve been told. But I’m hoping that, considering I almost was murdered on account of it, he’ll be a little generous, especially since this information is news and if he can use it – it could help him, and us, a lot.
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Why did she have to talk now before I have things straightened out. Sigh nothing is ever easy and there is no time it seems for proper explanations. I hope that she does not ask too much about what Dhaavan and I talked about specifically what i told him about me.
Well to tell you the truth Rain I have been trying to meditate when possible today. I spoke with Dhaavan earlier and he said some things that concerned me. I told him some things that hopefully enlightened him, but spent the rest of the time thinking about the implications of our talk. The short of it is that Dhaavan has been more friendly towards Flynn due to some sort of compulsion lately. Now both Dhaavan and I don't think that Flynn has the ability, but the fact that one of us was targeted in such a way is disturbing. Outside of Peppery I don't know who else could perform such a feat. It. Ames me wonder how many others are under such compulsion that we don't know about. Other than that I am fine.
As far as the armor is concerned, it is heavier than you are probably used to but it does provide some better protection. it might hamper your climbing though with its weight. Take it if you want it. I would just as soon see you protected better than myself. i would hate to see something happen to you after everything you have survived through on this ship.
”Rahadoum is a nation of gods’ cursed heretics. They don’t worship the gods there – they deny them, sticking to their old codes of "ethics and law" instead of even paying attention to decency and faith. But as for those codes and ethics?"
I snort in derision.
”My ass! Those basterds are as two-faced as you’ll find, I warrant – I’ve met with some before… but they’re rich… damn rich. Silks, spices, perfumes – they’ll have a fine mess of it, I’d wager – and that’s not all. If we’re lucky, they’ll have plenty of hashish, opium, hemp, and Pesh – they import in by the boatload out of Khatapesh… and that’s not cheap… so we may even find quite a bit of other little valuables on board than bits of junk some loose coin,” I add with a wicked grin.
”Oh yeah – one other thing; other than all of that – they got one other business for coin: slavery,” I say flatly.
”That means that they’ll likely have slaves aboard, too – if we’re lucky. Because a slave might actually end up helping us out of this mess.”
And maybe if you free some poor souls on their ship, it'll also ease your bloody conscious too, eh?
As Flynn details the nation of Rahodoum's rich produce and their notoriety for heresy and slavery, Rain listens intently. She considers Krine's order to kill the guards, take the ship's wheel and kill anyone who tries to take the boats, and is uneasy with the entirety of the order. Her moral compass was not always set right but she could not kill unconscionably.
To Flynn and Jiro, she whispers, "I do not know if I can kill someone in cold blood. I am content in freeing slaves for I cannot abide enslavement, but to kill those trying to get away in the boats? No, that I will not do. And if we break Krine's orders, we will be punished."
"Good evening, Variel." They had not really spoken since his quarrel with Flynn and she was a little tongue-tied in his presence now. "I was...
”Rain, lass – if we’re in a fight with them, I doubt very much that any killing will be in “cold blood” – nay, I reckon everyone’s blood will be hot,” I add with a sardonic gleam in my eye.
”Now – as for the boats? I don’t think they’ll run. Not at all… “
”Pirates have a reputation of cruelty for a reason,” I add, my tone switching to “teaching mode” again.
”You see, if they are reputed to be bloodthirsty – many folk, when attacked, to avoid the cruel tortures, will simply surrender outright. If they do, the pirates show their “generous” side. They give the crew that surrendered a small cut of the loot to divide – generally five percent for the low sailors – and maybe more for officers and nobles. They let them live, they ask who among them would join the pirates as “mates” and as for the others? They will hold them, feed them – and typically drop them off at the first likely port with the loot.”
”That may sound like a waste, and against their nature – but consider: it cost them no lives and it was no threat to do that. They lost none of their own crew in a potentially bloody fight. Other then about five to ten percent of the loot, and they don’t always do that, by the way – they often find new shipmates – because sometimes enemy ships have “pressed men” eager to change masters. And as for the others that they drop off on a “likely place” – that’s still useful, because the survivors will spread the news. Their story will make pirates actually seem like noble rogues instead of evil men.”
”The people that lived may even feel grateful if they see the crew in the future, and in any case – at the least, the pirates lost no lives, and gained all around.”
I sigh.
”Of course, if the crew of the other ship refuses to surrender, than all manner of brutal ways are used on them, generally. But not entirely all of them – some are allowed to live. Again – pressed men on that ship who don’t want to be killed for being “pressed” like us – will generally be allowed to join us – and noble or wealth folk will be ransomed – but not after suffering abuses for fighting.”
”But that’s also a way of spreading the news of the cruelness of pirates. But that’s also a win for the pirates; to leave a few survivors. Even if it's only from those ransomed after a fight... Well, either way, they’ll spread the news. If you see a pirate than you either surrender outright to a “noble scoundrel” and get decent and fair treatment – or, if you fight – expect the most horrible things to happen to you if you aren't killed outright.”
I shrug, than spit my tobacco quid to the leeward.
”It’s good policy either way, for the pirate types – it spreads rumors that encourage ships in the future to surrender outright with no loss of life; and that’s just good business. But if they don’t – we’ll likely torture some that we take – or kill them badly – and find a few new shipmates who are ready to “jump ship” as they’ll likely have pressed men aboard, too.”
”So yeah – if we fight, we’ll either fight hard, than take a few new mates who were pressed – assuming they surrender – and ransom those who don’t – you know, the wealthy or nobles. That could be worth something… But chances are, those sorts who are worth ransoming will stay with the captain, if he decides to put a commander on the other ship.”
I glance across the wavers.
”Oh well – I guess we’ll see what the gods bring us in the morning, eh?”
Upon hearing his assignment, Dhaavan immediately gets himself over to Grok's, and asks, "Is there anything yea got what i can use ta help me board a ship, potions, rope, anything, I don't care? I can't climb rope for s@#$ is the thing, so whatever yea got, I got some gold, and if i live through this fight I'll pay yea back if i'm short, otherwise consider my tatt tools yours, and that's some quality needles, let me tell ya."
I mention causally to Dhaavan as the ships being to tack and bank, slowly closing –
”I still got a few flasks of oil on me – if I toss them down on a deck – you got a spell that can light ‘em up? Or maybe summon a creature that can burn?”
”If the fog is real – it’ll burn it away fast and make it easy for us to see. If it’s magic-like – the fire won’t burn it away, any more than a torch would. But even so – you toss a flask of oil at an enemy and light it – you won’t even have to aim right, your toss would really only have to “touch him” – and than – whoosh! – he’s toast.”
I ponder a moment.
”Actually, in that case – I’ll probably be in the thick of it… You want some of the flasks, than? I got four – if you want ‘em – you let me know.”
For the GM
1. Which two of us have grapples?
2. At this range, I’ll conserve the ammo for my pistol – but that won’t stop me from taking a few shots with a bow – if there is one to be had – and someone will lend me one. If so – I’ll take some shots – but I need to know (also – heading out for a few hours, so those attack actions – if applicable, will happen soon).
3. Finally – seeing the officers come out with “full regalia” I discretely cast Detect Magic on them – wondering if the captain, or any of his lackey’s, have magical gear. Mainly my focus in on Plugg – something tells me the captain is out of our league – but Plugg? Soon…
I’m gambling that in the confusion and preparation for battle, no will notice me cast – and even if they did, what will it matter? But if I need to make some kind of roll to “hide that action” please let me know and I will do it later today as I'm heading out the door.
Thank you!
"I suppose I could try, see what's in there anyway. Assuming the rest of the crew is accomodating by staying above for a bit. It's possible he turned over anything he found in there to Plugg as proof of what he was saying though... We'll see in a bit."
When he goes down in the hold, he'll check out the contents of Maheem's locker to see what's in there.
"Thanks... they might come in really handy after we take the other ship - there might be some hidey places they have locked up and need looking into."
Seijiro takes the tools and tucks them into his belt pouch.