Seijiro sits out on the deck for a while that first night away from the island, after the duties of the day are done, free to enjoy the outside night air for the first time onboard the new ship. Until now, he and the others were locked in the hold at night on the Man's Promise.
He feels the ship around him and enjoys the gentle rocking motion and the sounds of those crew who are still awake talking or gaming or whatever they are doing to amuse themselves. He doesn't partake of the activities, though he does talk to the others from time to time.
Mostly though, he just sits by himself and stares out to sea toward the east, wondering about his brother Hijiro and the rest of his family, wishing them all well.
At some point during that first night since sailing from the island, he writes a short prayer to Hei Feng and wraps the prayer around a small bundle of coins and drops the entire bundle with prayer scroll in to the water off the stern.
Once he is done with his prayer, he returns to his position mid-ship and leans on the railing, staring at the stars and sea, and just enjoying the utter relaxation that comes with freedom from the oppression he has lived under these past weeks.
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When the bundle drops into the water you hear a very faint thunderclap way in the distance. You see a small line of storms way in the distance but they seem to be moving away from you all as you look for a moment.
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The journey proceeds without incident over the next day and you begin to spy the coastline just after the midday meal of the second day. Based upon your logs and charts, you are fairly sure that it will only be about another hour or two before you reach the cove where Rickety's Squibs is located.
Fishguts and Sandara both requested a word with the new leadership of the ship before reaching Rickety's. Gathering in the Captain's quarters, Fishguts lays out light refreshments of some sort of hard cake with dried fruit that is surprisingly good as well as water and a bottle of brandy.
Snuck it on board right unner Pluggs nose I did. he says proudly, ...and happy to be sharing it with fine folk like yerselves.
Once everyone is seated, Sandara speaks up in her lilting musical voice, We right appreciate what ye done fer us by gettin' rid o'those two walking talking piles of pig s&*$ as ye done. Fishguts here and I are right pleased at the outcome. That said we wanted to talk to ye a bit and see if'n we could help you out. We been on the water a long while and are pretty familiar with the politics o'the Shackles. She looks over at Fishguts before adding There be a name for a new ship like ours with no reputation among the Shackles pirates....prey. We need to build our reputations up so that if we are spotted on the seas that the pirates won't try and take us as easy meat. Anyhow, I know ye probably know most o'this but I like ye and want to see this thing succeed. We're here if'n ye got questions and just know that the crew back ye.
Hearing Sandara, I offer a question -
"Begging your pardon, miss - but there has been some talk about sharing our exploits with the locals at this settlement that we travel to... the assumption seems to be that by boasting of our success we will improve our reputation with the locals there."
"I do not know the truth of that, but it does leave me with a particular concern: if our objective is to sail to this port and pay earned coin to rework our ship so it somehow looks different, rather than simply using another flag... won't the end project be translate by the locals as something like... Ah, that new ship there? Why, the crew who sailed her; they were the same crew who bested some Rhadoumi sailors and mutinied against their former officers to take it as their own!"
"In other words; why all the waste of coin and time to disguise ourselves if - in the same breath - we advertise exactly who we are and what we did to all in sundry even as they remake our ship in a new image? A single rogue on that island looking to make easy coin may take our tale to our former master and - for a price - offer full details to Harrigan on what our new vessel looks like, as well as the valuables we have collected in the ship."
"That would seem to me that Harrigan would then have twice the motivation to hunt us, and he would also know exactly what our vessel looks like after all of this work."
"Again, I do not know the policy, nor even if this theory of mine is correct - but what is your response to that? Would subterfuge not be better than boasting - or at least with regards to the former mutiny? I am eager for your opinions on the matter," I add with a polite bow.
Sandara looks at you and says I'm not saying you walk into a bar and say "Hey we just mutineed against Plugg who is a subordinate of Captain Barnabas Harrigan!" But talking about the fight with the Queen grindylow and your adventures on the island. The talk of capturing a Rahadoumi ship is also something you can do. There are ships taken every day in the Shackles and Rahadoumi are common enough that the risk is slight that someone would make the connection. As far as someone willing to sell us out to Harrigan, Rickety would have that man's guts for garters as that would mean that no ship would be safe in his harbor which would mean he would lose business. The folks that work for Rickety are hand selected by him and know what happens to those who cross him. He has an excellent reputation for discretion or else he would not last long. That brings me to the next topic. Have you all thought of a name for the new ship yet?
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If we take the name plate off the ship now, then there will be no connection if we don't mention Plugg, scourge, Harrigan, or the Man's Promise. I agree with Flynn that we should be prudent, but in this case I think Sandara is right that we will be safe enough at Rickety's.
I don't know if we have come to a consensus, but we mentioned the name The Dread Lady. Gives the right feel and no one wants to be on Besmara's wrong side.
pointing at variel when he mentions removig the name-plate, Dhaavan pipes in, "We could even throw up the plate of the Mermaid's Pearl there and really throw folk off!"
"I do want to bring up what our figure-head'll be when Flynn carves one up for us, nice and pretty. While i like sailing under the name Dread Lady well enough, medusa's known ta be deceptive and conniving, using treachery ta get to 'er victims. Any other thoughts maybe on our figure head? Not that I'll have a real problem with that choice, but maybe there's better ones out there?" Dhaavan mentions regarding what they want to sail under.
When questioned, he suggests, "While she may be of the Lower Planes, I might say putting up an Erinyes? She is a lady of battle, of war. Beautiful and violent, she sweeps up her foes in her black wings slaying them what dare stand against her. Pretty straight-forward and not unpleasant to look at neither, nor some mermaid, pretty and harmless. Any other thoughts?" Dhaavan shruggs looking over the Officers, gauging their reactions to his interpretation fo what the Dread Lady could be.
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Aye a Erinyes would work quite well as a matter of fact. When I mentioned Medusa earlier it was just as an example of something more fearsome than a mermaid. The Erinyes fits the bill nicely. As far as fitting the ship with the nameplate from the Mermaid's Pearl, i think that would do nicely to help with covering up our mutiny and keep Harrigan off our backs for a while. Well done, Dhaavan, well done.
Valeros had been silent the last few days, his thoughts chaotic and adrift. It was nice that things were finally underway and they had a plan of action. It seemed to help focus him on the tasks at hand.
Listening to the conversation in the quarters, Valeros gives a shake of his head. There's no need to worry about Harrigan at this point. Sandara sounds in the right as far as this Rickety fellow. But even if someone gossiped, as long as we don't mention the mutiny or Harrigan specifically we'll be safe. Harrigan isn't going to be announcing his capture of the ship in great detail. So as far as folks know, we're simply another crew of pirates who've come into their own vessel, a common enough occurence in the Shackles.
"Makes sense to me, a little boasting about some of what we've done sounds easy enough ta do, leaving out the whole mutiny business and Harrigan, o' course. As for this Erinyes ... I dunno what that is, but if it be fitting for a Dread Lady, I say let's do it."
You all talk for a little while longer and eventually decide that not much else will be completed until you reach Rickety's and find out what will occur next.
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Approaching dusk on the second day, you all have been skirting the coastline for the past several hours looking for a small hook of land hiding the cove upon which Rickety's village is set. Beginning to fear that you have missed it, Ratline calls out from the Crow's Nest where he had himself hoisted in order to have something to do on the ship and pay his way. Cove ho! He says pointing towards a very cleverly disguised estuary. Had you not been looking so carefully you would have missed it easily due to the jungle growth.
Variel carefully pilots the ship into the estuary and Rickety's comes into view. Rounding the tall headland reveals a hidden cove at the mouth of a wide jungle river, its sluggish brown waters staining the waters of the blue sea like an ugly bruise. A series of docks has been built upon this estuary, with buildings concealed beneath the overhanging limbs of the jungle beyond. A wooden watchtower stands upon the promontory of the headland, carefully concealed among the trees to provide a clandestine view of the seas. As you pass the watchtower you see a checkered flag of yellow and red go up and an answering blue one goes up on the docks.
As you pull in you see a longboat beginning to pull away from the docks and head towards you. On it are seven men, six are pulling oars and the seventh is standing near the bow. As he gets closer you see he is a rather ugly man with a fringe of white hair and he is somewhat overweight.
Ahoy the ship! He says in a jovial voice Permission to come aboard?
Seijiro watches this exchange curiously, waiting for Variel to handle the captain's duties of honoring such a request... or not. He watches both the white haired man and the oarsmen for weapons and any hostile intent.
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Striding up from below decks I move to the gunwale and glance down to the waves.
I am wearing clean clothes, and new gear is stuffed into my belts; including a brace of pistols and a my sword and daggers.
Glancing down at the men, I squint and observe them, my eyes flicking back to the tiller a moment.
"Ahoy the boat," I call out.
"Who goes there?" I ask with a friendly voice.
I don't know whether or not they will be let on board, but I do know one thing - I'd rather hear a declaration of intent before we decide one way or the other.
I ponder the flag a moment, and wonder at their meaning...
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Knowledge check on meaning of the flags?
Knowledge local on Rickety, is it him in the boat?
Giving the helm to one of the others sailors to keep the ship still, Variel moves over to the rail. Hearing the call for them to come aboard Variel responds, Permission granted if you be master Rickety or come on his behalf.
Assuming the answer is yes, Variel will toss over a rope ladder to help the man come up. The name is captain Nightstorm. Welcome aboard the The Mermaid's Pearl. wink, wink, Although that is just one matter we have to discuss, there will be plenty of time for business later. Care for any refreshments? Our stores are depleted and need to be restocked, but I am sure we can find you something. Let me introduce you to the officers. Dhaavan my first mate, Valeros our bosun, Flynn our siege engineer and master craftsman, Jiro our quartermaster, Ambrose our cook, and Sandara our physician.
Seijiro beams with a big grin when he's introduced and keeps watching the interesting white haired fellow. He also keeps an eye on the oarsmen though not obviously watching them, just casual observation from time to time.
He wracks his memory for any tidbits of information he might have picked up about Rickety Squibs, who the white haired fellow might be and what the significance of the flags is. Sadly, nothing comes to mind initially so he tries harder to recall anything about this place.
The man smiles and says Aye I be Rickety. He then proceeds to climb nimbly up the rope ladder and plants his feet on deck. As Variel makes the introductions he says A pleasure to meet you all. As for refreshments, thank you but I just had my evening meal. Perhaps we can dine together over the next few days if we come to an accord. He has a generally pleasant demeanor and seems a sincere man. Now, what can I do you folks for?
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A man who gets straight to the point. I like that. I'll do the same for you then. First and foremost, we need to refit this ship. You know what I mean so I won't elaborate. Second as I previously mentioned, we are short on supplies. Ambrose will have a list of supplies he needs. Sandara will want items as well for the sick and wounded. You can talk to Jiro about supplies as well for these two. Along with these supplies, Flynn will have a list of items he needs for repairs and for his siege engines. Valeros may have requests for the working of the ship. Of course if there are any questions you can come to Dhaavan or myself. That being said, all upgrades and changes to the ship can be brought to either of us. Of course with all of this we need to discuss the costs involved and what we choose to purchase now and what will possibly be purchasing in the future. Who should we talk to about selling items that we acquired recently?
Rickety looks you over and then says Sounds fair enough, though we are a small village and if you have larger or more expensive items to sell it might be difficult finding a buyer. Now as for the ship, give me a few moments to look her over and I can work up a price for ye.
With that he begins slowly walking around the deck, not stopping at anything in particular. He trails his hands along the wood and murmurs constantly, almost as if he is talking to the ship. After about 30 minutes of inspection he returns to you and says Well the squibbing will be about 2000 pieces of gold, Absalom weight mind you, none of that Chelish crap. In addition there are a multitude of modifications I can make to her if ye like. She is a fairly fit ship and seems to have decent lines to her but there are some areas that will help if I spruce them up a bit. Also if yer interested I can add a few smuggling compartments for 500 pieces of gold each. Them come in real handy getting past customs folk to offload without having to pay the heavy tariffs at some of the ports. All in all, it'll probably take about days to finish her up all nice like. I'll give you a few minutes to mull it over with yer mates.
With that, he walks back over to the side where his men are waiting below, standing out of earshot to give you all some privacy.
At the discussion of costs, Dhaavan says to the Officers, "Well, Mates by Jiro's count we got about that 2-grand in goods what i can get sold off maybe for a premium if i can manage it. Then we got a couple grand in raw coin to pick up supplies. By the sound o' it, I think we'd be served by havin' a couple smuggler's compartments installed so the total'll hit 3 grand?"
With a shrug, Dhaavan adds "Dunno if we'll be able to unload any o' the more expensive items, but I can try to see what I can get for say the ring, Shackles, maybe try make a straight trade to Rickety, that pike could almost cover the whole thing if we want ta try sell it off? and i can see what i cna do about the price, tho haggling on a job can be risky in terms of quality work'san pissin off who yea want ta work for yea." Dhaavan can go try to sell things and convince Rickety to maybe make some trades with us for the work.
Edit
Dhaavan will ask Rickety, regardless of the party decisions about haggling and such, "So there some kind Market district here where we can try unload some o' our goods, maybe merchants what'll trade goods o' various sorts? We got a couple hundred in goods what we gotta convert so something harder to pay ya"
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Aye Dhaavan that sounds like a fine idea. If he will accept items as well as currency and gems we can make him a fine offer. I would even go so far as to offer him the items half price in exchange for his services. (normal selling price) perhaps you and I can sit with him once we here have agreed to go ahead with the squabbling and talk about other improvements to the ship. I know I would like to see some improvements that maker her handle a bit easier. (broad rudder, rapid deploy sails). Once those are completed along with the set of smuggling compartments we should be good to set sail. There should also be money for mundane supplies and raw materials as well. If we can sell some of those items.
"If we can't sell any items here because they are too expensive for local sale, I'm willing to 'loan' my remaining share to the ship for the squibbing on condition that I get paid back later when we can sell those items at a larger port."
Seijiro shrugs. "Not like I have a lot of personal expenses to worry about. I think we ought to consider keeping the pike if we can afford to as it might come in handy during boarding operations. If not, I suppose we can always sell it, but I have a feeling the sheath and the pike are a bit beyond what this small port town can afford."
I nod politely at the man.
"There are some incidental goods and gear I would like to purchase in town, if possible. Though I will happily go with anyone who needs assistance," I volunteer to anyone listening.
"The compartments you mentioned sound like an excellent improvement; but do we need to decide on them - or any other improvements - now, or can we wait a day or so for them to offload goods and gear and be in a better position to determine what we can spend?" I ask Mister Squibbs.
"Also, sir - it occurs to me that we know little about your town at this time. While it is certainly filled with your staff and folk - are there men for hire here; or is it a fairly closed port?" I add, curious to know if we can find new men, and what types.
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Thank you Jiro and your point is well taken. W will have to see what this place offers for selling goods before we can make our final decision. It sounds like we have a week to wait anyways so we might as well make the most of it. Once we get settled with Rickety I think crew and officers should head down for a day of revelry, rest or relaxation tomorrow.
Once the meeting is broken up but before everyone heads into town, Variel will go with Dhaavan to speak with Rickety again. fter Dhaavan is done asking about the market, Variel will add, That is unless you deal with more than straight coin and gems for payment. If you would accept items as well then we have more to offer and would be willing to hire more of your services as well.
Rickety looks over you all and says happily Aye I'll take things in trade as well. I do kind of need to know what ye want done before I start doing it as I take my payment in advance. Unfortunately I had someone try and run on me after a job a while back and therefore need to get my money or trade up front. I'll give ye a fair price for your goods but only so far as the squibbing and mods go. I don't buy things outright, just trade me services. Anything more than that and you can head to the Commons and see about trade there.
Others can say if they want something else done, or disagree, but as for trading how this sound, Ring of swimming, and Shackles of Compliance totaling 5780 to trade for the 3000 in work we need? I'll roll it, and we can change it if need-be.
"Well, if yea take a trade, we appraised these items here, and these shackles and magic ring come to about the 6000 we'd need to pay for the Squibbing and get two compartments for smugglin installed at the same time. Them chains make a prisoner or whomever is locked in em real compliant, so if yea get a body what tries to run again, yea can make an example of em usin the magical o' these chains ta have em dance for their crew or whatever strikes yer fancy. Then the ring, o'course is for swimmin' and even a land-lubber what's like me can keep afloat wit' it."
+2 from Variel's aid
"We do got a few magical goods what we can unload if yer interested, depending on the Pricing for getting some nice sails what are easier ta use, a new rudder, an some internal re-workin to fit more people an cargo."
Dhaavan Hand-picks one or two of the biggest, meanest looking Rahadoumi, their leader Hajen, as well as Shivikah, and Jak [ooc]Don't want to leave the boat totally unattended, to come out with him to the market. "Mates, Any you care to Join me, he asks the other officers. Gonna go do some Hagglin'" At the market, he chats with the folk and sells off the mundane items they've collected. All are under 600 gp and while the total is 1,915, he's aiming to get close to 2,500 as he can =P.
He also encourages Jak "Yer Skrimshaw may fetch some coin out there too, and it'd have a nice effect, methinks, to have a few of us standin around and yea sittin there carvin with one o' the wicked blades what we found." handing Jak
He brings the goods to the market and sets up shop, as it were, with the Rahadoumi soldiers standing guard with the imposing Shivikah, Jak sitting there carving with a wicked blade, as well as either of the ladies and party members. He chats amicably with villagers and talks to them about the goods he's brought of wide variety and offers to sell it all off.
to haggle.
He's also got his needles and is willing to do a few tatts while he's waiting for potential buyers, and chillin out, looking bad-ass with his crew.
Infamy Time!
Dhaavan tells the story as he drinks, and it's certainly a rousing tale, perhaps very impressive (depending on wether or not i get my drinking bonus) and then put out a call for recruits to join up with promise of excitement and more important, the kind of plunder what we are throwing around!
The Rum we would drink gave us a Cha boost, so in this situation could we drink and take the damage, but get a temporary boost to our Charisma, cause that will help my Infamy check somewhat too
Cha: not sure of the damage, but I'll take it, whatever it is
This gives me a +2 to my Infamy roll due to +3 cha taking me from 19 to 22
DC15+8 = 23
As Rickety is looking over the ship I will approach the others.
Though I am discrete, if Rickety overhears me, I don’t mind much. I’m not trying to hide things from him, but I don’t want to be rude and say things outright if I can help it which may offend him.
”The man has offered us much in the way of improvements, but I suggest simply buying some gear to improve the ship. Carpentry or Shipbuilding tools should be relatively easy to find in such a place... If we get that gear and I am able to improve the ship with the designs we wish to use, I can do that later; and at far cheaper the cost.”
”It is only something to consider, of course,” I say with a polite bow.
I will be informing the others that I am going to be heading into town to purchase some supplies.
I intend to take with me the following two members of the ship – Owlbear (who I believe is fairly friendly to me, all things considered) and Ratline – (who I have crafted a peg-leg and hook-hand for while on the ship during the trip; hopefully he is also friendly).
I am counting on Owlbear to act as “muscle” and I am eager for Rat to aid me in a particular mission.
When I reach town to buy my gear, I shall have at least Rat with me to make the following known to the citizens:
Greetings! I am looking specifically to hire out a apprentice to aid me in crafting.
Hopeful Qualifications: 3rd level expert (give or take) – specialty in Craft: Ships. I’d prefer a decent intelligence, and I’m hoping to hire a Halfling.
Preferred: experience as a sailor and shipbuilder; knowledge of Crafting: Ships or Shipbuilding; some combat experience on a fighting ship a bonus; alignment negotiable, but must be relatively good person – experience/knowledge with Cheliax culture a plus!
Average Rate of Pay: A trained hireling is 3 SP a day – if he is 3rd level, I’m willing to pay more. Perhaps as high as 1-2 GP a day as well as food and lodgings and a possible cut of loot. Salary is negotiable!
Providing own gear preferred, but not required.
Contact: Doctor Flynn; medicine man – recently arrived in town.
After a day in the market, It's time for the Crew to get some much needed R&R, so we take our plunder and get rowdy! At the commons (where i assume there would be food and drink to be had) Dhaavan will have himself a glass and while his crew celebrates their freedom, he recounts in vivid detail, Leaving out a few parts their epic tale. "So there we are, makin a run to the shipping lanes where we run across a Rahadoumi merchant-ship, chase her down and come up and grapple her. Over the rails me mates go slicing through a mess o' soldiers and me, I'm callin mad birds from the bowels of hell itself what go tearin through teh ship! We take the helm in seconds, and slays their captain in short order too. SHip was ours right like that." He says with a snap of his fingers.
"Seein that they lost their captain and helm some soldiers make for the boats, but we don't let none just run from the fight, no, cause it's our ship now, and our landing boats!" Dhaavan laughs. to the crowd, tryin ta get em into the stories he's telling. "But that ain;t the half o' it. No we end up at an Island o' dead
"Well there we are with this new boat, and we decides to come here to get it outfitted right and what happens? We on out way and are slammed by a vicious storm! It lets up after a night of no sleep and hard work and two o' our mates is missin, taken by a tribe o' Grindylow what are living on an island nearby. So we goes there to fix up the boat so we can make it the rest o' the way to port, and slaughter the littel bastards what thought they could take some o' our own and live!"
"Now this island ain't just inhabited by them goblin-octopi, no it were an island o' dead which we find out when we gets there. Trekkin across it we finds two wenches what invite us into their tent and when we throw some light on the subject, they come screaming out at us withered and dead lookin' bitin and clawin so we cuts em down. Sickening and vile ghouls. There was another one, a man what gave up on live on that gods-forsaken island and hanged himself. SO there's his body hangin there and lo and behold, when we run it through just to be safe the corpse attacks us. Vile undead things were dust by the end o' that day."
"After seein them animated bodies we keep on truckin expectin' ta run into them Grindylow what took out mates. Track em to there cave we do, and trek through the murky water as the tide comes in when we get ambushed by a Devilfish what's guarding the Grindylow i guess. Barbed tentacles, the things tries to drag us under into the drink, and after that?" Dhaavan's eyes widen as he looks around at those gathered. "We walk up into the lair and see our shipmates strung up, the halfling missing an arm and a leg, and, it may seem hard to believe, but i swear it..." All of the sudden he stands up on the table "And there's a giant Grindylow right there in front of us! Our Captain, Variel, charges up and goes toe-to-toe with this thing with a mouth big enough to swallow yer head whole and goes cuttin it up right fierce. It's mother, a sea-witch cuts down our mates into the water, and goin down ta catch em there's two more animated bodies, swimmin ones! It were bloody madness it was!"
Dhaavan smiles wickedly, "Yet here we are, Queen's dead, took her harpoon, and our halfling mate what the giant beastie was snacking on is sayin 'Ha! Ya think I'd let a little bite slow me down!' and the very next day he's up in the crow's nest!"
"We're lookin for sailors ta join up. Yea may not believe me but we get out on the seas, and ye'll see that what i jest tol' yea ain't nothin yet, and in a week's time when we our o' here, We'll be back Plunderin the seas an' raisin' Hells."
Dhaavan'll look around for interested lookin parties, and after his yarn hop off the table and go chat around the bar or wherever, talking with his crew, and recruiting. perhaps seeing a scarred gnome with a wild look in his eye?
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Hearing Dhaavan extoll the virtues of the group while still leaving out the details that we all wanted to remain hidden, Variel tries to get a few of the locals to join their crew. finding a couple that seem anxious for a new way of life Variel stops to talk to them. One in particular seems interested, a gnome that looks like he knows his way with weapons and how to use them.
Captain Nightstorm here. I tell you that is just part of the story. Let me tell you what else happened. That fight with the Grindylows was something fierce I tell you. But that queen didn't go down easily no way. Once she saw that her son was dead and gone she fled out of there through some secret hiding spot. Well after we finished clearing the place out of all the loot we could carry we climbed out. Wouldn't you know it but there a couple hundred yards out we see this mast sticking out of the water. Surely this is a sign from Besmara herself.
Variel pauses to take a drink before he continues his tale. Excellent stuff. Come on drink up. Can't have a good story without something to drink with it. Where was I ....
Oh right the mast. Well there was only one explanation for it. A ship hit the coral reefs and sunk. There she was too a ship just waiting for us to search her and claim her valuables. And valuables she had too lt me tell you. Gems that gleamed bright and gold coins the size of your fists. It wasnt that easy though, no way. Those valuables were guarded by a deadly sea serpent. Why I was out front leading the search underwater when suddenly from out of nowhere all I see is a mouth filled with teeth coming straight for me. I had my dagger out and managed to block the first attack. But the second got past my defenses it did. Once it bit, it stayed attached to draining the life from me. My mates were there helping out but the thing wouldn't die. From up above Flynn poured shot after shot into the beast while Jiro gave it what I thought should have been a killing blow. It still hung on to life and to me. Valeros tried to freeze the life out which hurt but the #%£¥ serpent wouldn't give up. Summoning strength and will I caused my dagger to be sheathed in icy cold. Then when I was almost at my last I plunged the dagger in rapid succession into each eye. The body gave a twitchy and I felt the teeth clamp down even harder. For a split second I thought it was still alive, but then the jaws opened and the serpent breathed its last. That night we had a fine meal of sea serpent meat.
Variel trails off then as he looks around the room. He makes sure to keep his eyes off the group in front of him until one of the asks about the queen.
Thats right I did tell you she escaped. Well wouldn't you know it but after we finished with the sunken ship we returned to our beloved ship. Just as we were making 'final preparations' the entire deck of the ship gets hit by this rock storm in the middle of the water. The damage was quite telling as we didn't even know where in blazes this storm came from. Jiro was next to me at the sterncastle when he spied the queen casting spells out in the middle of the sea. Spinning that ballista around he fired a shot that skewered her right through the heart. That was one heck of a shot lt me tell you. At that distance with that accuracy is something to be proud of. Now I will let you in on a little secret.. Variel leans in and lowers his voice...Jiro isn't even our master gunner. That position is held by Flynn. Imagine what he can do with the ballista.
Variel will lean back then, drain the rest of his drink. So tell me, who is ready to join up with my crew and sail the seas looking for wealth and infamy.
Diplomacy to have them join up
Seijiro just circulates among the crowd, nursing a drink, but never really sipping from it. He just carries it around and occasionally makes a show of taking a drink.
He joins in the storytelling now and then with a resounding 'huzzah' at particularly exciting parts, maybe an occasional minor comment embellishing the story or a riff on his harmonica.
He'll chat with some of the sailors in the tavern and try to help with recruitment.
As the others tell of our exploits, I am seeking the taverns and shops for the Halfling quarters.
I recall in my youth tales from my mother of the Halfling peoples fighting off slavery in the lands of Cheliax. Of course, my homeland Sargava was initially a colonial protectorate of Cheliax – but we are now free of their rule.
Even so – as Milani (the patron to those who would die to free slaves) is my mother’s goddess, and therefore bound to me by honor, it occurs to me that finding folk of like mind may be useful.
Further, a Halfling from Cheliax would certainly be learned in the skills which encouraged a fight for freedom, as well as knowing something of their Imperial Fleet and the shipping concerns between that empire and my own homeland. Of course – The Shackles straddles the briny seas between them like a gasping whore and any sailor that has sailed twixt those two ports would have had to have stabbed over the dark waters of the Besmara’s Cleft enough times that they would have lore enough to aid me in my search.
So, as I gather Ratline and Owlbear to me to move forward into that section, I bid my mates a temporary farewell until I find someone worthwhile to hire on as a mate to assist me in crafting things.
Even so, I notice that Variel is looking at gnome with some interest, and being of a mind eager to help – I encourage Conchobhar to aid the captain.
Given the disposition of our own gnome, I am confident that he and the other shall hit things off swimmingly.
I am wearing lighter clothes at this time; for it is still the summer months and I do not wish to draw undue attention to myself with suspicious gear.
Even so, with the daggers that are strapped on me; the shortsword at my side; the whip dangling from my belt; and my thumbs pressed against the brace of pistols…
Hmmm…
Perhaps it is not my clothes which shall draw attention to me at this time?
I grin at the thought and let my feet take me to shops and a place where I can find a good Halfling to hire on our little quest.
New to being a quartermaster, Seijiro will circulate around and talk to some of the patrons in the tavern after Variel and Dhaavan are done with their storytelling. He will in particular try to find and chat with anyone with any experience in accounting for supplies, acting as quartermaster or doing any kind of inventory.
New to being a quartermaster, Seijiro will circulate around and talk to some of the patrons in the tavern after Variel and Dhaavan are done with their storytelling. He will in particular try to find and chat with anyone with any experience in accounting for supplies, acting as quartermaster or doing any kind of inventory.
You are directed to the commons building and on the way you see that Rickety works quickly and already has a team of oxen pulling your ship up onto the dry dock where a group of men and halflings are waiting, tools in hand.
In the Commons is a taproom, small market, and chow hall that serves the entire village. It also gives a respite from the merciless heat of the jungle. Many of the trees show signs of an extended drought from their obvious browning and the low banks of the estuary. You are given lodgings free of charge for the duration of your stay. The accommodations are shabby but the beds are clean and free of insects which is an enormous plus. In the taproom are what looks like most of the village as it is past the evening meal and all are kicking back and having a beer or ale that is cooled in large barrels sunk into the estuary.
Eyes turn as you enter the building, a small halfling woman wanders up and introduces herself as Brandywine Applefarthing, Rickety's keeper of the Commons. She directs you to your rooms and has you settled before returning with you to the taproom. You are seated at a large round table and given drinks First round is complements of Rickety. She says in a sweet voice before leaving you to yourselves.
Your current crew goes and mingles among the villagers, extolling your adventures, embellishing their own roles of course. When Dhaavan stands up, a rousing cheer goes through the taproom, began by your crew but taken up by the villagers with gusto. Your tales are very well received and Variel gets an even larger applause as he is named captain. Once completed you get several inquiries for jobs on the ship. Three humans and two halflings ask though they are nothing special as far as sailors go they would round out your crew nicely. You spy a burly looking gnome eying you all that looks to be considering coming over.
Discussing pricing and upgrades, and having taken stock of their magical equipment, the First Mate attempts to come to terms with the Squibber, Rickety. He speaks privately with Variel for a moment an the two go to get the magic items to offer Rickety.
"I think some shock and awe is called for right now. So let's offer Rickety the Shackles, Sheath, and Bracers. Put the sheath on and put your cutlass in it so as to make it invisible, to give a demonstration." So variel wearing the invisible sword.
The captain approaches Rickety, carrying out the Iron Bracers of Archery, as Dhaavan has the Shackles of Compliance draped over his slender shoulders.
"Thank'ye kind for yer hospitality, first off. now for tradebased on what we'd like done, we need a new Rudder, a broader one as to improve our maneuverability as well as a set of sails, Silk ones, rigged up to be quicker workin' in addition to the Squibbing and a number of smuggling compartments. Now based on yer prices, I'd like ta offer yea the Shackles i mentioned, in addition to a pair of Bracers what magically aid in aiming with a bow, and this sheath." Dhaavan gestures to his captain's side where there hangs...absolutely nothing... In a moment, from thin air, he draws, all-be-it clumsily, Captain Variel's Tidewater Cutlass.
"Nifty thing makes any weapon yea put in it invisible! and it'll resize for yea." WIth a flick of his wrist a dagger suddenly pops into his hand, which he gives to Variel to put away, making the sheath and Dagger vanish. "So how many smuggling compatrments yea think yea can add to our order for these? I was thinking a hundred, one-twenty-five square footage in secret space? Or if it ain't to much trouble, instead o' having all that secret space while yer re-fittin the boat, movin' a few parts so we got some extra space for open storage, maybe crew bunks'd be much appreciated. That sound about right?" Dhaavan asks with a smile, extending his hand to the man to make the deal.
Not likely a godly enough check for 75% value, but we got a base price of improvements of 5000. We at least want 2 smuggling compartments. Increased Cargo-space is 1,500 and crew space would be an extra 2,000. 75% resale on our items is almost 10,000, and max upgrades would be 8,500 plus 3 smuggling compartments.
If we can't get 75% then we can drop the Crew or Cargo and get as many smuggling compartments as possible.
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Variel complies with Dhaavan's wishes and straps on the sheath. When Dhaavan reaches for the cutlass Variel moves slightly to make sure that Dhaavan's hand reaches the hilt. Once the blade was drawn and everyone could see the sheath Variel waited patiently till Dhaavan was finished.
Master Dhaavan has the right of it. These items do have a certain flair. Now what arrangements can be made so that we both are happy here?
Diplomacy aid
With a little downtime to relax, Seijiro goes to the marketplace and looks at the various goods for sale, including the magical ones. Intrigued by the circlet of persuasion, he carefully evaluates his available coin and shakes his head sadly, moving on to the next shop. His eye constantly attracted by anything sparkly or shiny, he takes quite a bit of time going from shop to shop, or booth to booth, as the case may be.
He does seem intrigued by a shop that sells spices and picks up a few packages of miscellaneous spices for Fishguts as a gift. He also arranges for some of the staples of food purchased for the ship to be rice rather than other grains... not all of them, but some, with the intention of trying to teach Fishguts how to make riceballs, his favorite. Not that he has any real knowledge of cooking, but he'll do his best to describe how his mother made them.
At a shop belonging to a purveyor of miscellaneous goods, he takes a particular liking to a young spider monkey and haggles over a price from the shopkeeper. Finally coming to an accord with the seller, he hands over the arranged coin and walks away from the booth with the little fellow perched on his shoulder, tethered by a light collar and leash. He also buys a small bag of dates, which he shares with the monkey, alternating feeding himself and the monkey with the delicacies.
Rickety looks at the items with a trained eye and says Ye drive a hard bargain ye do. I'll give ye 60% o'market value. That's as good as I can do for now. If that's amenable to ye I'll get me lads to work upgrading the old girl. What are ye calling her anyway?
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Seijiro the woman that sells you the monkey is named Chandra Bristlewick, a human wearing furs and leathers with a carved leaf symbol that you recognize as the symbol of Gozreh on her ample chest. She smiles conspiratorially at you when you hand over the money. That one's a special one my dear. He'll serve ye well over the coming years.