A good deal of the crew seem less than happy to volunteer to go over as a “probing party” but after a brief awquard silence a few go over and begin checking the upper deck. By the time this occurs, Sunny’s ship has arrived.
Once over they check the weather deck and report back, There is no one hiding up here, would you like us to check below?
Sunny orders graple's thrown. Arainges her crew to stand by on deck and cover Captain Noro's boarding party with x-bows. A couple of the crew she has ready with axes..... to quickly cut the grapple lines, just in case.
Next she gathers a dozen of her best and finest, the lot of them quickly climbing Sunny's Mizzen mast... thence across the Mizzen Top-sail spar into the enemie's riging and down onto their aft castle. Placing two people at the enemy wheel, two each covering the stairs leading up to their position she gives a wave to Captain Noro and those gathered on deck. Leaning on the railing she calls loud enough for Noro and the others to hear... but not necessarily for any one below,
"Sorry fer takin' so long. Still, we've secured their wheel an' aft castle. What is it ye be thinkin' of next, Captain?" (^_^)
"I've an idea fer whut t'is I want ta' be doin', m'self." She offers Captain Noro a cheerful wink. (^_~)
"If my ship was being pursued by handsome pirates, and I lacked the strength for a direct fight, I would wait below deck. Sharp knives in the dark can level the playing field... Which is why I suggest we do not play their game. Ideaaaaa! We move some heavy crates over the hatches and wait them out. Why use steel when hunger and thirst can be our weapons?"
Suny nods at Arjun's idea though she does signal to Captain Noro.
"I has gots a idea as well. Mind if I give it a go Cap'n?" She asks. (^_^)
looking to the probing party, no, stay on deck where we can see ya.
looking to sunny, just don't ruin the cargo. she says, giving her permission to try her unorthodox tactics.
Suny salutes Captain Noro and then scampers over to the railing facing her ship. calling for some coils of ropes to be tossed over she sets about having two of her vrew hold the length and thence lower herself down over the rear to whre she can peer in through the windows of the aft cabin.
While she is trying to be quiet...... maybe she doesn't take the time to make sure she doesn't cast any shadows of herself into the room fomr the brightness of the outside she tries to see what it is that she can see.
A twang of a crossbow rings out a Sunny’s attempt at stealth ends with a thud.
the bolt strikes her, breaking the pane of glass. Sunny does manage to see several shadows darting around the dark. She counts at least 7 to 10 crew members, including the one who just shot at her.
You can climb back up the rope, or try to swing on over through the broken window and into the ship.
Suny winces at the imact of wood into tanned Elf... but dos little more than nod as she climbs up/gets hauled up the rope by her crew.
On the Stern Castle she indicates to Arjun to go ahead with his idea of 'Battening down the hatches' while she gives orders some of her crew to swing across to the prey with ropes, nails, tools and timber.
Thence to cast off/with-draw grappeling lines and back her ship off and away from the target.
With instructions to the crew on the target ship to now lower over the now free side of the vessel and nail thier balista/gun ports shut. >:)
Mean-while her own ship is taking up position across the stern of the enemy vessel. Suny's gun/balista-ports are wide open.
She leans over the stern and calls down.
"Ye dun't be bringin' a cross bow ta' a balista fight!"
"Surrender... an' we promise not ta' blast stone from rudder ta' Fo'cs'le!"
When some of Captain Suny's crew look at her in... puzzle-ment. She grins, taps her nose and whispers... "...Much."
Arjun points to a few crewmen and barks out orders. "Circle the hatches and stick anything that pokes it's head out. The rest of you get some crates from our hold and stack them on top of their hatches." He looks around and rubs his chin in thought. "Do we have any smokesticks?"
good idea Noro agrees with Arjun, and makes sure the crew moves forward with that plan.
Noro then makes her way over to the enemy ship. I would suggest you surrender your cargo and take this opportunity to leave here alive. There is no shame in surrendering to The Iron Maiden, many do so, and you can even have the chance to live to tell the tale.
she tries to coax the enemy into surrender as she circles around the cargo hatch.
You hear some murmuring below, but no attempts at surrender.
As the smoke sticks are sent below, they quickly fill the air with an acrid odor. Coughing and hacking can be heard coming from the hold. And yet still no one surrenders. About half a minute later breaking glass can be heard coming from the side of the ship, and smoke begins to make its way out, through the now broken panes.
"The impertinence." Arjun shakes his head. "I have no desire to drop into a dark mass of knives and desperate men. I think we should get the ship carpenter over here to nail down planks over the hatches. We seal them inside the hold, and sail it to the nearest port. We can sell the boat with a shipment of slaves already packed!"
Dimitrious will send an eyeball to scout about below
Sunny simply gives orders to maneuver her ship a little bit.......
While this is happening she has a freindly conversation with captain Noro and others on the deck of the recalsatrant vessel.
"Say Cap'n Noro? Whut draft an' tonnage ye think this tub be about?" She ponders the dimensions of theri catch quite out loudly.
"I has got me ta' thinkin'. That there island we did just play around? Tha' waters on'a Westerly side? They spread out in't nice wide invitin' shallow now, don't they?" Sunny continues to wander about the captive ship's deck.... absently wandering over/around the sealed deck hatches.
"Y'know. Maybe we can run some ropes an' chain under her hull.... have her 'tween out two fine ships, as it were, an' take our prize over ta' said same shallows." Sunny arches her back and basks in the bright sun-shine of the day.
"Then, t'would be a simple matter a... oh, I dun't know... blowin' a hole in their hull an' lettin' 'em settle in't a coupld a dozen fathoms fer a bit. Nothin' too long. Ten minutes might even call it a stretch? Then we give our crews some work out as we haul tha' lot back ta' surface an' let all'a stuff, y'know, dry out?"
Sunny eyes how far along her ship's change of angle has gone. Once adjusted she orders one of her catapult teams to blast a corner off the end of the captured ship's main cabin.
Nothing too much, just five or so feet of deck space and maybe a stern lantern mounting....
Once that's done she leans over the aft/fan-tail and peers down.
"Well... that's done let a tad bit a light in on yer plight, hey mateys?" She calls down.
slamming her fist on the railing, as she gets more impatient, Noro swings over to the captured ship.
you lot are relly starting to piss me off, I am offering ya yer lives and a chance to continue makein a living. but yer just makin things worse fer yourselves.
flipping open a hatch Noro tries to peer down below, guess its time to stir up the hornets nest. she says as she gets ready to make her way below.
Noro open the hatch and sees before her, peering out of the darkness about 20 faces. Ten men, six women and four children. The men and a couple of the women hold makeshift weapons. One of the men holds a fine crossbow. Two of the women try to comfort and hide the children. The man with the crossbow aims it at you and states, Let us be.
Suny leans a little more precarously over the stern to see what she can see inside the ship's great cabin....
Noro looks over the people and crew.
We are only after the cargo. tell me what yer carrying, and we will make a deal. I really am not in the mood to kill anyone today.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you really want to work with the captain. Because if you don't, you will work with me, and I will start with the children."
At the sounds of discussion (Depending upon what Suny has seen down in the main cabin) she turns and looks towards the conversation.
Suny’s look into the hold reveals various boxes and barrels in a state of disarray. It looks like whomever placed them did not stow them properly for sea. Especially the heavy seas of the region.
The man pointing the crossbow looks at Noro with a mix of anger and fear. We carry goods to start a new colony. Food, building supplies, and a little live stock. Nothing of particularly high value.
He looks at her very closely trying to size her up. Unsure of what to expect at this point.
Sunny gives a littel bounce of glee, "Oh! Tha's won'er-fullest!" She exclaims.
"Whut a right fortuitous chance this be! Why, Captain Noro herself were jus' on'a look out fer folks like yer selfs!" Sunny gives Noro a friece hug before turning her attention once again to the potential settlers. Leaning forwards she asks,
"If'n ye is rilly interested, there be a place not too far from here whut's all open an' new an' wiff lots'a space fer peples ta' be makin' homes an' goin' fishin' an' doin' all kinds a that settlin' stuff." (^_^)
She then simply grasp the edge of the hatch and acrobatically flips herself down inside next to the fellow with the x-bow.
Extending a sun bronzed arm she asks, "Does we have an accord?" (^_^)
Arjun narrows his eyebrows in thought. "Hey, Captain. Do you reckon we could use a colony on our new island?"
The smartest theft is taxes.
the lady speaks true. we can help set ya up. in return you provide a point for us to resupply. and help with new crew as needed.
The man looks at you for a few seconds trying to see if you are simply messing with him. But when you seem genuine a look of thought crosses his face. You have a place in mind. We so did we, but if you are offering safe passage and are willing to protect us, I don’t see why we should turn you down. Rubbing his chin, he continues The name is Captain Billious Oscar. If you would be so kind to come to my cabin, I’ll have you point out your island on my chart. If it is suitable for settlement as you say, we’ll set up home there.
He will lead whomever will follow to his cabin where he will offer a bottle of wine. It is not the finest thing you have ever tasted, but it is a more than decent vintage. My best wine aboard. Let us drink to an accord. He will drink with whomever accepts his offering.
Sounds like a plan, a pirating we go
Arjun is pleased to see a mutually beneficial agreement. After all, you can rob the dead but once.
"Let's escort the newest citizens of our island to their new home. THEN we go a'pirating."
Suny proceeds to 'Happy dance' amongst the folks. Liberally dispencing hugs and cheer to all. (^_^)
"Yay! We's gon'a be such greatest freinds!" Even offering to help re-secure their cargo and ease the passenger load by sharing some of her ship's spaces with peoples.
(^_^)
Noro works out a deal with Capt. Oscar, also hoping to claim a share of their cargo to compensate and payment for our help.
She also informs them of the additional inhabitants of the island so to not frighten them too much.
greed, escort these folk to their home, then we pick off a merchant vessel, preferably a Chelaxian or even a taladorian vessel. then we make haste to the pirate council.
Before heading back to her ship (And any new folks and stuff being transferred around) Sunny will take a small amount of time to maybe talk tactics to the 'New' captain amongst their midst about how the htree ships should best work together to capture more prey as they sail back to the island.
"Now, we know ye in't rigged right fer fightin'." Suny indicates herself and Captain Noro, "But... it dun't mean that them's we's gon'a a'cost is havin' any ideas about which of our ships be doin' what." (^_~)
"So. Stay in a formation an' try an' put y'selfs in'a position ta' maybe 'stealin' they's wind, like." (Actual nautical term for one ship moving into a position such that their sail area 'blankets' or 'stall's' the wimds flowing into the target ship's sails) She gives Captain Oscar a reasuring, freindly thump on the arm.
"If'n ye has some one who can read flag sign? That'd be grand havin' them pass on'a messages hey?"
"Why... by time we make it ta' home'? Ye an' yours 'll be havin' more new shine than ye know it." (^_^) Suny skips off with a giggle. Easily swining/scamping back to her own ship and crew.
Captain Oscar agree to give a “portion” of their supplies as “compensation” as he thinks it is his only choice but he balks at the idea of aiding in piracy. Me and mine simply want to live and let live. We will help you with your island, but helping take ships is a bridge to far.
It takes only a couple days as you escort the settlers for you to settle upon a much larger ship. Her sails are black and bear the red symbol of Cheliax. It is hard to say at this distance, but she is definitely a warship of some sort.
Within a few minutes of spotting her, it is clear by her changing aspect that she had turned towards you.
Ready the cannon with a chainshot
Sunny scrambles down her ship's rigging.
"ALL HANDS TA" STATIONS!" She cries, even as she leans off herr stern castle's railings to peer towards Captain Noro's ship trying to read the message flags being hoisted aloft. Captain Suny takes a bearing on the lay of the wind as she does so.
"Half SHEETS! Prepare fer ACTION!"
Acrobatics: No problem getting down :)
Appraise: Not really the best skill here, perception or profession sailor would be better. But it is apparent that it is a Chelish Warship of some sort.
Suny gives a quick speech, motivating her crew who seem eager to fight such a worthy foe.
Knowledge Engineering: The best place to hit a ship like this depends on what you are trying to do. Getting a while beneath the waterline is always dangerous. Demasting her could also be useful. Targeting the crew can also work. I’ll roll your profession rolls into one nice tidbit of information. You know these waters fairly well. The Chelish warship likely has a deep draft and there is a lot of shoal water to your west. You could bait them into it and perhaps run them aground. But that would require a bit of a ruse.
Noro takes the helm. We need to move to flank, we need to cripple her take out sails and rudder.
she tries to pilot her ship to tactically compliment Sunny.
1) Assuming Captain Noro wants to damage the enemy's sails and go for boarding actions then Sunny will first try helping by 'Going around'. Taking shots at the stern castle and the stearing before boarding on the opposite side to Noro.
2) If we think her crew compliment of Marines and sailors is too much for Noro's and Suny's crew combined... we coould start tacking and try to run her aground, given Suny's local roll and knowing about the shoals to the west. Once she's stuck, we can reduce her to a more managable size.
Thoughts?
"Fire chain shot at the masts and prepare to ram. Our best advantage will be to get on their deck as quickly as possible."
Seeing Captain Noro's vessel move towards their target, Captain Suny calls orders to her own crew.
"Luff sails! Prepare to come about!"
And try and give all the indications her ship has lost its nerve and is leaving Captain Noro to the Chelaxian's tender mercies....
" 'Cause we can be doin' somethin' they can't do..." >:)
As you get nearer to the Chelaxian vessel it’s size becomes more apparent. It is a ship of the line.
-plagued by bad luck
The Chelaxian warship turns its broad side Noro’s and unleashes a torrent of chain shot toppling her masts.
Suny is able to maneuver around the stern of the Chelaxians, and is able to shoulder her ship into the rudder of the Warship. With a loud crack, one of the chains controlling the rudder snaps off and dangles. The warship will have trouble putting on a left rudder.
Captain Sunny continues with her plan, moving her ship around to come at the Chelaxian vessel and hence catch the enemy crew in a cros fire. (^_^)
While scraping the stern of the Chelaxian vessel, Sunny tries to see what she can see of their Officers,
Sunny, however, plans on using her rudder spanging maneuver to do something... different...
She plans on climbing her own rigging and using a rope to swing down and onto the enemies Aft-castle. Using herr Ninja tricks to alternately go invisible and drop smoke grenades/rounds in which to firght and harrase them.
As Captain Sunny's ship rounds the chelaxian Man-O-War, Sunny places her hat upon her Second in comand. Thumping the lass on the shoulder,
"Jus' like we talked about, hey?" She exnourages her Leutenant before scampering off to carry out her tricksy scheme.
(^_^)
Noro unleashes a slew of Tien curses, (many of witch are inappropriate for children).
turning to the crew, we need to get to that ship, flanking with Sunny. Arjun, line up a shot. we ain't goin' down that easy.
hoping to get enough movement to get in closer. and take advantage of the Chelaxian ship damage.
Arjun does his best to line up a shot.
Suny scampers on the the Chelaxian warship with a practiced grace. Onboard she begins to attempt to cause some mayhem and finds that her distractions come to some effect. The officer of the deck, a dark haired middle age female officer with a stern look on her face, is at first shocked, but quickly orders the bosun to ring a dark gong.
Within seconds of the gong being run, four host devils apear on the deck. The Chelaxian Officer turns to them and states in a calm succinct voice. We have an intruder onboard, find them.
At about this moment, a well aimed shot from Arjun comes barreling down the Chelaxian ship, fore to aft, sending splinters of wood flying along its path. A few of the splinters even fly across the officer’s face, trickles of blood mark their path.
The Chelaxian warship turns hard to starboard (the only way it can turn), unmasking it’s guns, firing them at Suny’s ship. It is hard to tell how much damage was done aboard.
This maneuver however opened an opportunity for Noro’s ship to close, she uses he ship’s remaining momentum to bring her ship just shy of the Chelaxian warship. Grappling hooks could be thrown over at this range.
Dimitrious will cast Black Tentacles on an area that will get the most cannon/ballista gunners.
Within seconds of the gong being run, four host devils apear on the deck. The Chelaxian Officer turns to them and states in a calm succinct voice. We have an intruder onboard, find them.
Suny takes note of the captain's actions and orders,
To which she spends a round or some to:
All, basically, to add a semi-solid/real illusion of herself over her self as she appears (Since she's been using 'Vanishing trick' and the smoke of battle to stay hidden) besides the magic metal noise maker. SO as to totally make people looking at 'her' magically to not really know what they are looking at. All the while getting into poosition so as to.
It's the Captain and all the sailors/soldiers around herself that she IS trying to keep tricked and hence when they try and attack her, she can use the semi-solid illusion as over/bonus to AC.
"Now, dishonest peoples? Ye can all-a-ways trust 'em ta' be dishonest. Honestly. T'is tha' honest peoples ye has ta' be worred about..." XD
"Here I is! Ya done founded me! Ye can be all goin' home now!" She waves cheerily, to effectivly 'Unsummon' the four nasty, smelly, pointy demon things with their own Master's wording of the order they've been given.
Before turning and;
(1) attacking said magic item to hopefully cut one of the ropes holding the metal plate in its frame. OR
(2) Simply pushing the thing over so that it can't be struck effectivly untill righted.
OR
(^_^)
Suny is a tricksy Ninja!
Noro yells to the crew, prepare to board! ordering the grapple hooks to be deployed.
Noro gets herself in a position to leap onto the enemy ship.
biting down some Barbarian chew, Noro's teeth turn blood red mixing with her saliva, dripping down her chin, Once close enough...
Lets take her! she leaps to the deck of the Chelaxian ship.