Dimitrious will land outside the city and sneak his way into the city. looking for info on the possible chelaxian offensive.
Captain Suny does her best to keep her crew 'Trim' and focused as they journey Northwards.
Organising teams and 'Games' on deck of crew who aren't currently ocupied with duties or chores.
(Though keeping in mind a ship, even 'At peice' is still a busy place and so allowing crew 'Free time' to fish, lounging in nets draped over the side are also accpeted as 'Thyings to do.)
Captain Suny, herslf, sees to her ships 'Adjustments' so as not to cause her seniour Captain's, nor herself or crew, any troubles when they get to Corentyn and Port Indomitable.
Acrobatics:(+19 to jump),
Appraise:,
Bluff:,
Climb:,
Craft(carpentry):,
Diplomacy:,
Disguise:,
Intimidate:,
Knowledge(engineering):,
Knowledge(local):,
Perception:,
Perform(dance):,
Profession(Captain):,
Profession(courtesan):,
Profession(fisherman):,
Profession(sailor):,
Sense Motive:,
Survival:,
Swim: (Innate 'Take 10'),
Suny will enjoy partaking of 'Normal' crew stuff. Engaging in a shift on look out in the crow's nest. Helping with changing the ship's appearance but picking up tools and working along side crew. Joining in the nights fun and froliking with off duty crew.
Being fair and freindly to mediate between any crew disputes. Though she knowns that, some times, she has to draw the hard line and be 'The Captain'.
(^_^)
The deck of the Blood Vengeance bustles with activity as the crew of Commodore Reijo tends to the hard work of sailing this fine sunny morning. The Chelaxian frigate's appearance remains quite Chelaxian today, in the event they need to appear Chelaxian. Yet the jolly roger is ready to fly at a moment's notice as well, as needed.
"That l'il picaroon can fly, too? Bloody useful lad, he is." Puffing away at his pipe, Reijo gruffly marvels in the morning light as Dimitrious takes flight.
The commodore dons his usual fine yet motley attire of dark reds, blues, and browns, though a Chelaxian captain's tricorne now sits atop his head. Peering through his spyglass, the commodore observes his left and right flanking wingmen, captained by his bucaneering old buddies Jim Reed and Havanaw Jack. He wonders about that creepy fella Havanaw brought along, and hopes to himself that he doesn't have to find out the hard way whether he really can deal with devil-spawn as promised.
Casting his spyglass ahead, he peers first at Corentyn.
[b]"Ah, the aptly named Fort Indomitable," he says aloud without looking down to his first mate nearby.
His gaze then shifts further to the horizon, in the direction Dimitrious spotted some distant ships...
Thurden stands on the deck groggily pouring over a supply manifest, squinting into the distance occasionally to work out some numbers in his head. The dwarf has spent less and less time below decks as he's settled into his new role, largely turning the running of the galley over to a surly half-orc named Thaisk, who managed to win over Salt with his disposition and his palate.
'You've seen me turn into a bird that could throw fire from it's talons before.' Thurden snarls at Reijo.
He makes a few last marks in the ledger and hands it off to a passing crew member. Thurden scowls at the horizon in the direction of the Chelish city but doesn't speak.
Before the ships or Dimitrious have and opportunity to approach near the city, a squadron of four ships comes into view on the horizon. Their black sails emblazoned in red with the symbol of Cheliax leaves little doubt as to their alliegence. Perhaps on a routine patrol or simply transiting these waters, they make for an imposing sight. Perhaps a sample of more to come. Due to Dimitrious’s high vantage point he is able to spot the ships well before yours are spotted giving you sometime to decide how best to deal with the situation. Change course to remain out of sight? Prepare for battle? Set up a ruse using your Chelish ship?
Dimitrious will return and give the ominous news to Capt Noro
Reijo smirks at his first mate's annoyance.
"Relax, Waterwerks. Ye ain't got no cause ta be jealous of li'l Creepy. I'm sure yours is bigger." He smirks at his own humor.
"Oi, what's this now eh?" Commodore Reijo gives pause as he catches a signal from the Admiral's ship after Dimitrious's report to her.
"Speakin' o' flying, matey... wanna go fly over and see what that's about and let me know?"
Thurden nods and he takes a few running steps in the direction of the flagship. Leaping into the air, his solid dwarven frame and stained garments transform into the winged shape and grimy feathers of an unkempt seagull.
The gull quickly wings it's way over to the Malevolent Grace and searches out the Iron Maiden before landing near her. After a moment the gull again becomes a dwarf, 'Reijo wants to know what's going on.'
Noro weighs the options carefully. signalling the others for a conference to formulate a plan.
I suggest the Vengeance hoist the Chelaxian colors, the rest fall back. convince the enemy ships you are also chelaxian. get them to lower their guard.
I believe that there is a chance we can take them, but we will have to get the first salvo in and it will have to count. any suggestions?
"Cap Reijo shold totally be a Chelaxian na'er do well." Cap Sunny agrees.
"Yer own ship should quick like adjust yer ballast n' cargo ter give y;self a list. Run up yer tatty-est sails t'boot. Get all'a yer crew below decks. Have a bunch draped in ropes. T"give y'self tha' impresion of ye all be taken as slaves." Sunyy continues.
"Me an' my ship'll turn an' run right quick away from them. Swinin' wide an' then comin' back in't tha' fray."
Suny outlines her plans with more detail having explained the more technical elements.
"Cap Reijo will has Cap Noro's seemin' damaged ship in tow. Bring their lead ship in close fer a freindly Chelaxian chat, like. Heck if'n Reijo can convince tha' biggest Chelaxian Captain ta' be takin' Cap Noro's ship as a prize an' boardin' her? That'll be one big fish handed ta' Cap Noro right easy." Suny pauses, allowing her mind to catch up with her explaining.
"That way Cap Reijo can keep manuverin' ta' be in'a right place ta' attack tha' ship a his choice. Meanwhile, me an' mine will be comin' at ye from () an' throwin' heaps a conufsion amongst tha' pigeons." She grins brightly.
"Does we has an accord?" She asks, even as she begins giving rders. No time to waste as the enemy draws closer.
'You're gonna have to write most of that down, but it sounds like it should work.'
*Blinks innocenlty* "Writs... ?"
Shall I have the cannon loaded with chainshot, Captain Dimitrious asks with the slightest of smiles
Commodore Reijo swaggers into the conference after the others have already begun to plot. Hearing the story and then Suny's plan, he looks at Suny with newfound respect in his eyes.
"Ye've got a keen mind fer strategy, lass. I must've rubbed off on ye."
He scratches his chin in thought a moment before giving his nod of approval.
"Aye. Let's do it."
The Chelaxian ships were a bit far off for Dimitrious to get many details, but he surmises that the four ship are roughly the same size as Reijo’s. Built for speed first and battle second. Noro’s is a bit larger with more space for cargo, but less speed. Suny’s is the smallest, but has its own advantage in its non reliance on the winds.
With plenty of time to prepare for the ruse, you are able to make a solid presentation.
As the ships close three hang back slightly as one prepares to come along side. As it approaches it closes up a set of signal flags. You understand them to be asking you you are and identifying themselves as the Barbazu. While not overly wary of you it does seem that they are following some sort of procedure for coming across an unexpected vessel.
Now that she is closer you can see that the self identified Barbazu is of the same class as the Blood Vengence. Her guns are ready and she seems prepared for battle but not expecting one. One her main deck stands a detachment of around twenty Chelish Marines.
Commodore Reijo gives the command to reply to the signal flags. He instructs that they identify his vessel what it was called by the Chelaxians, not the Blood Vengeance.
Tightening his Chelaxian attire, straightening his tricorne, and lighting up his pipe, he prepares to look the part of legit Chelaxian captain. He's sure to recall the name of one of the higher ranking Chelaxian officers to use as his own name now, with the story that the former captain was killed in battle. With twenty-something of his more trusted sailors dressed as either slaves or Chelaxian sailors above deck, he had earlier instructed that their chains be easily loosed, with their fellow crew mates armed with spare weapons to quickly toss to the "slaves" should battle ensue.
With her best look outs on the high mast, Suny prepares her crew.
The toughest lassy's are formed up with pikes and other pole arms to better resist any boarders when her ship runs into its chosen target.
Her more dexterous crew are moved up into the rigging with their own ropes and grappnels. The better to swarm across into the enemy's rigging.
Her most adventurous galls are assembled on the 'Lee-ward' side of her ship. Again with grapnels and 'Launching x-bows'. All stripped down to pretty much nothing but clmibing gear. These gals are ready to imbibe potions and join Suny in the water over baord.
Suny looks to her First nmate where she stands next to the 'Helm'. Trusting the lass to bring her ship around in such a way as to catch the Chelaxian's "Up close and personal" with Captain Reijo.
'I'll leave the lying to you and your silver tongue.' Thurden claps Reijo on the back and falls in with the 'slaves'.
"The fiery devils won't like yer sparks. Make sure to serve 'em up, or worse, when the time comes."
Reijo can't help but crack a smirk as he nods approval to the grumpy first mate's plan.
Reijo remembers that there was recently a change of command on the Barbazu, but for the life of him he can not remember the name of the new captain. He does remember the nick name of the old captain however, "Red Eye", on account of the fact that his eyes used to get bloodshot when he was angry, which was often. Based on his history with devil kind, Reijo and Thurden are aware of their immunities and resistances.
The Barbazu draws near and the wind near you is filled with a booming voice, No vessels were scheduled to encountered on this patrol. Come alongside for verification. The voice was clearly carried by magic and the Barbazu comes to a course to make it easy for you to come alongside. It seems at least for now that they are buying your ruse.
Captain Suny continues to maneuver for the ruse.
Continuing to give orders to her crew in regards to the coming kerfuffle.
Dimitrious will wait for a signal from Captain Noro as to if she wants to attack or continue the ruse.
He will blend into the shadows
Reijo follows what's expected of a Chelish captain by the books... for now. He gives the order to his crew to do as the magical message states. Before preparing to greet Red Eye's successor, he looks at Thurden with a questioning expression, "Can ye send a message back?"
A smirk comes over his face then, as Reijo immediately thinks of something Thurden might want to say back to them.
'Not unless your message can be delivered by monkeys or lightning. You could try shouting or semaphore?'