'We haven't seen her sail into battle yet. She may have some surprises yet' Thurden laughs at the thought of what Suny's ship might look like running down it's prey.
'Always useful to have the devil's colors if we can't fight or flee. Make the poor navy saps think we're just another pirate hunter.'
'
"Aye," Reijo admits. "We'll keep the devil's mark handy fer such an occasion."
@Noro, While in the fighting pits many are eager to hear of your stories as you become a bit of a small celebrity. Your celebrity is increased by your stature as a Pirate Lord. While others seem eager to hear of your exploits, you dont seem to garner too much info beyond the fact that the Hurricane King has been seen getting his ship well provisioned.
@Thurden, your gambling friend is Dirk Smithers, he is a middle aged man who worked as a carpenter before running afoul of Chelish pressgangers.
Post moving us forward to come tonight.
The appointed hour comes for your introductions to the HurricaThene King. Those who choose to attend follow a winding path up a hill overlooking the harbor. (I'll assume you attend unless you tell me otherwise)
Perched atop the hill sits a fortress home, both practical and opulent, it is a fitting residence for a pirate king. Arriving before the entrance you note the sturdy doors nearly a foot thick of solid oak, reinforced with iron.
A page stands ready dressed in an outfit that would be more at home in a Taldan court than a land of pirates. The page looks you once over and before stating, Ah yes... Our newest lords and ladies. His Eminence welcomes you. His voice has an air of arrogance as he addresses you, leaving little doubt that he views your station as far below that of his master. Please... come this way. he says as he beckons you inward.
Dimitrious will enter with the rest of the group he will remind his captain to show the letter to the king at an appropriate time
Suny skips along draped in her finest, bestest, newest-est silks netting and coloured ribbons. A tri-corn (With a feather!) perched at a jaunty angle upon her blond mop. She and her crew wander along defferentially behind/besides Captain Noro and company to show who has 'Seniority'.
She offers the fellow at the door a proper curtsie before following on.
(^_^)
Noro is still a little bruised from the fighting pits but she is sort of cleaned up.
she is not exactly well dressed, but it appears that she put shoes on for this.
she is carrying a bottle of good rum she purchased with her winnings from the fighting pit.
looking to the rest of the group, no stealing, got it? she orders rather sternly.
Suny simply blinks at Captain Noro's command. A tilt of her head indicating she might not quite understand Noro's meaning. However Suny quickly nods an agreement, more than happy to follow what ever it is that Captain noro has to say.
(^_^)
"O'course, love."
Noro's newest captain winks at her stern order.
"Cross me heart," he reassures her. "I ain't no bloody fool."
Intense blue eyes narrow, honing in on the snooty page as an eagle eyes its prey. He refrains from bad behavior, thankfully.
Dressed in his usual dark shades of red, blue and brown, the handsome picaroon seems better groomed than most freebooters. He saunters along with Noro's group into the Pirate King's keep. Nonchalant puffs of smoke waft from his billard pipe.
Thurden follows Reijo like a short, unkempt shadow. He largely keeps to himself, speaking infrequently and only to his captain.
'What do you imagine there is worth stealing in there?'
The page leads you through the doors and down a hallway with oak walls. The record is certainly maritime, but also elegant and stately. After about a minute of walking the page stops before a large wooden door. He bows slightly to two footmen who in turn open the thick door.
Looking into the room you see what appears to be Kerdak Bonefist’s office and at the center of it lies a large table upon which sits a map of the shackles. Behind the table stands a tower of a man with a black beard and an equally black tricorne hat. Noticing you he becomes you forth with a gesture of the finger. A stern look on his face for a couple seconds until it melts into a smile, putting his demeanor somewhere between overbearing and hospitable.
Noro takes the lead, entering first. she tries to figure out who this other person is, wondering if she recognizes him from somewhere.
She approaches but stops at a respectable distance. I believe you requested our presence, sir Noro tries to ask respectfully.
Suny skips into the building. The tanned Elf lass' head turning to look at eveerything.... Sometimes semeingly almost trying to look at every thing all at once.
Upon coming to the great door and its impressive opening Suny politely stands behind her senior captain... Peering out form behind Noro's powerful frame.
Though, upon the impressive figures smile Suny herself breaks out in her customery incandescant grin. (^_^)
(^_^)
Dimitrious enters bowing respectfully to the king
Thurden stands to the back, listening with arms crossed over his chest.
Welcome to my home, he says before erupting forth with a booming laugh. It’s deep bellows both welcoming and offputing. I am hosting your fellow lords and ladies tomorrow but before the formal meeting, I wanted to become aquainted with the newest members of four council. Tell me, what if note have you done recently?
With the end of his question he motions to some compfortable yet imposing chairs along the wall. Please have a seat.
Suny nods and happily skips over to the offered seat and jumps onto it. Spending a few moments wriggling about as she settles, legs crossed and feet tucked up. (^_^)
Suny looks politely to Captain Noro and Master Dim to start the conversation since Captain Suny is always aware of how poor her own speaking skills are.
Dimitrious will look to his captain making sure it's ok for him to speak.
Well my lord as you know doubt know we successfully tamed the isle of empty eyes and I dare say went above and beyond what was asked of us. On our return we had an encounter with a chelish ship which was taken with minimal trouble. We did however find this letter aboard in the previous captains quarters
I believe this is something best suited to be addressed at the council.
I should add that we managed to capture that Chelish ship as a prize and pressed much of her slave crew into our service. Still this letter is troubling, but I do have my suspicions as to who Commodore H might be.
Having hung her hat upon the back of her great chair Suny listens and watches the conversation flow around her. Should any questions/looks be passed her way she nods gravely.
"Aye... Is a letter. Is got squiggles on it." She nods seriously. "Is right problem-at-tic, them squiggles..." (¬_¬)
When Thurden asks him what's worth stealing, Reijo's answer is delayed until after entering the elegant hall. At which point he looks down at his first mate with a wide-eyed glare, his eyes nearly audibly asking, "Ye bloody serious? Just LOOK at this place..."
...
"Cap'n Reijo, at yer service."
The salty sailor in dark blue and red nods to the blackbearded man before them. Motioning to the dwarf beside him, "Me First Mate, Thurden."
He keeps fairly quiet for now, letting those with better social skills take the lead. He hangs back, puffing his pipe, admiring the office.
When Noro mentions capturing the Chelish ship, Reijo touches his hat and nods his head.
Reijo scans his memory at the mention of this Commodore H.
The Hurricane King takes the note and examines it. Bernard, you are needed, he bellows in a voice deep as the sea. A young man well dressed comes rushing to his side. The young man examines the letter, and whispers in his master’s ear. The king’s face becomes a bit of a scowl. Turning to Noro, You say you have suspicions, what are they?
Noro looks the Hurricane king in the eye, Harrigan. possibly turned traitor to the shackles and the council.
Noro takes a swig of rum, probably still bitter over the mutiny and blames me.
Thurden nods at the loud man when Reijo introduces him.
As the conversation continues he leans in to his captain and whispers 'You getting any of this? This is common, right?'
from where she's perched upon her seat, legs crossed and sipping at her mug of rum, Suny tilts her blond head.
"Here. I dun't remember no mutiny." She absently scratches behind a delicae ear.
"There were a lot a disagreement wif...um.. What where his name? Nasty bugger. Lashy thing...?" Suny's thoughts trail off as she tries to remeber details. She shakes her head.
"Any who. He were tha' one wantin' ta' steal tha' ship. We jus'... y'know, lookin' after it, like." Suny beams and nods, happy that she's remembered the more salient points of the past correctly. (^_^)
Reijo searches his memory for the name Harrigan...
"Aye," he softly grumbles to Thurden from the back of the office. Thurden understands the captain is intent on taking a back seat and taking in the conversation, for now.
The Hurricane King ponders the information given to him. He walks over to a tall desk that is built into the wall, opening a small drawer. Placing the letter into the drawer, he turns back to you saying, This will have to be discussed at the council. If you wish you may stay here for the night, if you have not made other accommodations and if you wish to be off your ship.
As a word of warning he offers, Regardless tomorrow night is the council, do not show up too plastered.
Noro will fill in those that may not know about Harrigan before retireing for the evening. all about being press ganged into his service, and the later mutiny that Noro helped lead.
I suggest we stay here tonight, might do us good to have a decent night rest for a change.
Noro retires to her room provided, taking the wine, and after a sip or two, and finding it tasty yet not too strong she finishes the bottle before retireing for the evening.
Suny nods in agreement with Captain Noro's words. Skippiong and bouncing off after her alloted guide once the vening's meal, drinks and discussion are completed.
(^_^)
Dimitrious will turn in for the night passing the bottle of wine to whomever wants it
Confident in the strength of his new ship's security system, Reijo nods and accepts the proffered room.
He listens intently to the start of Noro's account of the party's experiences with this Captain Harrigan. After the first couple of minutes, he realizes the story might go on for a bit. The handsome if gruff sailor then suggests to Noro, "Say. Why don't we grab a bite while we listen to yer tale? My treat, love."
He seems to be indicating just the two of them...
'He didn't say anything about tonight.' Thurden takes the offered bottle. He takes a long drink and makes a sour face, smacking his lips for a moment.
'Not bad, think we could dig up a few more bottles?' He asks Dimitrious.
Not bad, think we could dig up a few more bottles?
I would assume the pirate king would have plenty of wine and rum, I however do not drink...anymore
Confident in the strength of his new ship's security system, Reijo nods and accepts the proffered room.
He listens intently to the start of Noro's account of the party's experiences with this Captain Harrigan. After the first couple of minutes, he realizes the story might go on for a bit. The handsome if gruff sailor then suggests to Noro, "Say. Why don't we grab a bite while we listen to yer tale? My treat, love."
He seems to be indicating just the two of them...
Noro looks to her newest officer, she shrugs why not. its not like yer gonna try anything ungentlemanly, right?
Noro goes with Reijo for a bit before retiring for the evening.
The next morning the halls are filled with the sounds of cleaning and polishing not long after sunrise. How much of this noise you sleep through is a factor of how much you drank last night. As you arise and make your way out of your rooms you begin to see some faces you recognize, some from the race and some from the feast on your isle. There is an air of excitement and a sense of reunion, friends not seen in sometime. Occasionally you note a cold shoulder or daggered glance amongst the pirate lords but nobody resorts to open hostility. To cause a fight to break out in the home of the Hurricane King would be folly.
Midday passes with the arrival of more guests until mid afternoon when all are assembled in a great hall. The feast prepared focuses on the seafood of the shackles but has land fare as well. Each table is adorned with a platter of exotic fresh fruits from plantations in Varisia. Tradition holds that no business be accomplished before the first course is started and the guests are choosing their seats.
The previous night, Reijo gives Noro a knowing smirk. "O'course not love. I'll be the perfect gentleman."
And he does exactly that while listening to Noro's tale of Captain Harrigan. He also tells a tale of his own, if Noro shows interest, of how he gained his first captaincy some years ago...
"...An' they 'lected me their new cap'n that very same night," he concludes with a self-satisfied smile.
Come the new morning (Late) finds CAptain Suny wandering the halls slightly bleary eyed and 'Muzzy'. It doesn't take long for her following crew to catch up with her tanned, natural self and wraping her back into her silken dress.
As the day lengthens her demeanour returns to its usual bright, happy self. (^_^)
With others arriving Suny happily skips up and greets them in her usual "Hey-YA there!" way.
Captain Fairweather's arrival elicits a 'Squee-glomping' from Captain Suny who then proceeds to chatter away at great length on all the great fun times and adventure she's been having romping and pirating along side captain Noro.
Suny spends all her time in the prescence of Captain Tesssa. (^_^)
Dimitrious will stay near his captain
Noro listens to the story with some interest, though there is a look of some disbelief in her eyes. though she says nothing about that, letting Reijo embellish all he wants.
I got plenty of stories of my own, but I wouldn't want to bore you. I'd rather let my actions tell the stories. and I let the reputation of the Iron maiden fill in the rest.
she swigs her rum, keeping pace with Reijo. She tries to flirt a little with him, but it is obvious that she is not very "lady-like" in such things.
Noro takes her seat as close as allowed to the Hurricane King. expressing her gratitude for the place to stay.
A course of lobster tails served over a lemon zested tomato bisque arrives in wooden bowls. The bisque is well prepared, clearly by a competent chef, and far more flavorful than what is normally seen at sea.
Once the meal is started in earnest, the Hurricane King stands up and makes a bit of an announcement. Greetings ye wormy lords and ladies. Who is to say we can’t be proper nobility, just ‘cause we’re pirates and don’t have propper breedin’? I hope this isn’t too fancy for the lot of yah. If it is, just wait till after the feast, you’ll find plenty of grog to go around.
A few of our number have some news to go around, we will start with Captain Fairweather
Tessa perks up from her enjoyable conversation with Sunny, she stands to address her peers, As many of you know, I have some business partners with assets in Cheliax, what they have relayed to me is a bit troubling. It seems that the fleet is preparing to sortie, there is little known about their destination or timeline. Only that stores are being brought on board and some minor pressganged has been used to fill out ship compliments. Reports have between 30 and 40 ships preparing to get underway.
Looks of concern or confirmation appear across the faces of those present, the Hurricane King stands once more, We may have more news on this issue, would Noro or one of her fellow officers please give the report you have to me last night.
"Now I doubt ye could ever bore me, love." Reijo gives his captain a flirty wink of his own.
He does not seem to mind her lack of lady-like manners. Noro may pick up cues from their conversation, in fact, that the salty sailor finds her aggressive manner a rather attractive quality...
Reijo gruffly enjoys the lobster, and gives an approving look to Thurden. "Ye should have a word with the cook," he mutters to him.
Being new to this particular crew, he relaxes and lets Noro or one of her more long-time mates tell their tale.
Suny listens with interest as people speak. Giving her support and full attention first to Tessa and then Noro. (^_^)
Noro stands, durin our journey here, he happened upon a Chelaxian warship. we managed to overtake her and size her and her crew. of course the ship came with an added bonus, We intercepted a message from the Cheliax admiralty. someone known as "Commodore H" will be coming from the North pushing toward Port Peril.
The ship we intercepted was a scout to observe shipping activity. I have my suspicions as to the true identity of this Commodore H
Noro pauses a moment here to let the others speculate and when prompted to reveal her suspicions, Captain Harrigan of the Wormwood
Thurden takes his first spoonful of the bisque and his eyes widen at the taste. He hunkers over the bowl and begins quickly slurping up the pleasing soup. He catches Reijo's eye and nods at his suggestion. He then turns his attention to the lobster, eyeing other diners over his plate, trying to judge who might not eat their entire portion.
'We could eat like this if you give me free reign of the treasury to stock the galley' He says to his captain with a smirk.
Reijo finds himself next to Ethan Gregory, First Mate on the Banshee’s Song. A small fast ship, but not one capable of taking on bigger prey in a fair fight. For this reason the Banshee rarely fights fair. He hasn’t heard of you, but does seem somewhat impressed at Noro’s story.
Noro’s story goes decently. There are a couple gasps, and a couple laughs when she mentions her suspicions, but for the most part there is silence then murmurs.
Thurden finds his lobster cooked nearly to perfection and his search for an unfinished bowl is in vain. As the lobster is finished the next course arrives, various fowl make up this course. Arrayed in a rainbow of color. The various tastes match the colors displayed.
The talk transitions from briefs to the votes on the nights agenda. The items up for vote are announced during the main course and will come to vote during the desert. Between diner and desert there is a bit of time for helping push votes in one direction or another. The items up for vote are:
Issue #1: Increased Shares for the Island of Empty Eyes
Summary Normally, a new pirate lord earns only a quarter share of the tithes from Sargava, but some of the pirate lords (Arronax, Delemona, the Master of the Gales, and
Tessa) are impressed enough with your work that they think you might warrant full shares.
Tessa Fairwind is particularly in favor of this motion. Kerdak Bonefist isn’t overly impressed with the PCs and thinks they should go through the same multiyear proving period as other new pirate lords in order to earn a full share)
Issue #2: Use of Sargavan Tithe for Public Works
Summary The bulk of the funds from the Sargavan Tithe are supposed to go toward the improvement and port defense of Port Peril, as well as upgrading the Shackles’ fleet, but Cerise Bloodmourn, ever eager to curry favor, pushes instead to have a large amount of the funds go toward the creation of towering statues in all of the Shackles’ major ports in honor of the Hurricane King.
Champion Cerise Bloodmourn (argues that placing the visage of “our tremendous leader” in every port will only increase the infamy of the Shackles)
Opponent Master of the Gales (the only pirate who’s not afraid enough of the Hurricane King to openly point out how ridiculous a waste of money such a venture would be)
Issue #3: Declaration of Rights of Salvage
Summary With all the whispering and stories being told of the Isle of the Black Tower and the magical sword Aiger’s Kiss that is said to be lost inside, Avimar Sorrinash wants Ollo to be granted salvage rights over the island and its waters, as Ollo is the closest significant settlement to the isle in question.
Champion Avimar Sorrinash (asks for a 20% tithe of all plunder taken from the isle over the next 12 months)
Opponent Jolis Raffles (still bitter about a similar request he made for a different island during the last council meeting being voted down, and doesn’t think it’s fair for other pirates to succeed where he did not)
Issue #4: Funding and Support for Chelish Investigations
Summary Tessa Fairwind reveals to the council the results of her research into the possibility that there’s a Chelish sympathizer and traitor among the pirate lords, based in large part on the clues and intelligence you recently recovered.
Champion Arronax Endymion (some might think he’s a bit too quick to push for an increase in the funding and support for finding a Chelish spy, prompting several pirates to wryly observe, “Well, ain’t that the pot calling the kettle black!” or “Don’t they call Hell Harbor ‘Little Cheliax’?” or the like—comments that put Arronax into a sullen and foul mood)
Opponent Kerdak—he refuses to entertain the thought that
Cheliax honestly poses such a large threat to the Shackles. He believes that any foray will be much for show like they have been in the past.
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Issue 1: While Suny is often seen to be one who plays fair (For her rather weird definition of 'Fair') the idea of full shares being gardered from Captain Noro's island is brought to her attention by her other good freind Captain Tessa Fairwinds. How can Suny refuse the idea of a freind? (^_^)
Issue 2: Suny does listen to Captain Cerise Bloodmourn's proposal. THough when the whole purpose of what the moneys are for are brought to the tanned Elf's attention said Elf tilts her blond mop and raises a point of her own.
"Uhm... so's we be gon'a raise all'a these here big stone thingys...." She looks to the Hurrican King still seemingly perplexed about something
"An'... we's gon'a be puttin' seige weapons on 'em, like? So's tha' throwers get a better range an' what not?" She purses her lips.
"Seems like after all'a work is done. Them big stone thingy's is gon'a be lookin' all barnacly an' encrusted an' such..." She shakes her head.
"Wouldn't look pretty a-tall..."
Issue 3: Suny really has no idea or thoughts on this matter. Other than the Hurrican King receiving the shares that are fightfully his? Why shouldn't both Captains be allowed to try and rest what they can from the sea?
Issue 4: Suny is again swayed by her freind Tessa Fairwind and would be a voice to point out that walls built today can always last well beyond the builder's life time.
"So what if there be no churlish fleet a comin'?" She asks.
"Stuff we be buildin' t'day be lastin' a right long time. A'sides. There's more nasty in'a ocean than..." Suny tilts her head as Tessa whispers in a curved ear.
"Oh! Chellish is'a word!" She blinks, completely surprised.