Devil-spawn and Demon-taint: A Fiendish Take on Skull & Shackles (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

Plunder isn't the problem, availability of shops is... I got money to burn now, but no shop! That said, I'm in favour of cutting to the main game and cracking the rock :)

As we have said, we are a little short on loot and equipment. I have some nice stuff, but could use better and I know that Cedrick could make do with better equipment as well.

I do not mind hitting the rock, but would like to try our martial prowess against some other boats first to buff up some.

What do you want to buy? - purchases could be made on Rickety's to the order of 600gp per individual item.

M/wk Agile BP is over the limit, as is a Silversheen Katana - yes, Cedrick is going to go all Highlander. Likewise I will later need to buy a decent bow, and that's going to be over 600 too... that said, chain shirt and falchion will do for now, can cause chaos with that :)

I need some normal equipment. Was there anything to be gotten from the ship? Backpacks? Pouches? Rope? ect?

Ship had marine related stuff - regular sacks, rope, mundane items; but nothing specific to venturing forth (like backpacks, etc).
Looking for a port with a better blacksmith would also be an option.

Nachni would vote for both some plunder and seeking a larger port before trying to crack the rock. Let's make sure we're ready.

But ready for what? We don't actually have any real information of what is going on there or what it is - could be a cakewalk for all we know :)

Pulling out a map, Cedrick takes his bearings from Ricketty's to The Rock.

"We can sail from here to The Rock, putting in at any likely ports along the way if we feel so inclined, and can keep an eye on the channel for any quarrelsome vessels. Whilst I expect us to act with some degree of decency and discipline, no doubt other vessels might choose to take umbrage with our presence and not act in such good graces. We don't go about starting fights, except with our enemies, but by the Gods we will finish any. A curse be upon the godless Rahadoumi, a plague be upon the Qadirans, and torment upon Harrigan and his allies."

At Cedrick's inspiring words, Fish whispers an aside to Deader, Sounds like there will be souls and bodies aplenty. Stroking Spot, I need to collect for my bounty.

Why don't we do both? The Rock is a bit of a sail from here, so let's chart a leisurely course towards it, taking the time we need to really get a feel for our ship and crew. There's a good chance along the way we'll spot something juicy. *Edit ninja'd by Cedrick

When there's a moment to speak to Cedrick alone, You've mentioned disciple a few times, and now decency. What are you looking for, or rather expecting? Charon is not greedy, but souls are currency, food, and power.

"We are men, not animals, and I expect the conduct to be that of civilised people. This ill-disciplined carry on that we saw upon Harrigans vessel is not to be copied, and we wont have the men fighting one another at sea. There was no code upon that last vessel, and the enforcement of grog drinking was a joke. This will be an affair for sharp well drilled fighting men, the martial and mental equivalent of any that wear their nations uniform upon the sea, and the ship shall reflect that we take ourselves seriously and with professionalism. We shall be spick and span, and immaculately turned out, not some barnacle covered hulk crewed by baboons and resembling a floating brothel. The men will be paid correctly, and they will be expected to earn that pay through honest work to a proper standard. There will be no lollygagging about."

"A firm hand, a fair hand, they can expect both"

DMVoV, is there an expected crew pay/ship maintainence mechanic?

Ah. Okay then. Fish is obviously somewhat unsure of to put this, Cedrick's forcefulness and determination being a bit intimidating, but gamely presses on. I don't really know much about how navies properly run their ships, so I'll just follow your lead on that. What I'm really wondering is how this applies to the rest of us, and prisoners. More particularly, if you'll have objections to me collecting souls when I can. People seemed upset by my slave inquiries, so I thought it'd be best to see how others felt about souls. Do you think the crew would mind?

"If they surrender then they will be afforded proper courtesies, opportunities to join for the right sort, ransoms sought for others, and even some clemency shown to the destitute. If they don't come nicely then may your wretchedness and Deaders morbid curiosities with them be the dark talk of the oceans and all who sail above her waves and dwell beneath them. Let them know when the masts of The Revenge blot the horizon they'd best be considering parley and pay should they be enemies to our cause, and that it is best to be our allies"

"Swallow the souls for all I care, but take them from those foolish enough to argue the toss with us. It will set the right tone for our fearsomeness, but not upset any gentle sensibilities of our friends."

"Relief and thankfulness grows in proportion to the punishment they were spared"

"The Rahadoumi cargo was a good one. There are other cities and towns whose shipping paths pass through this area, are there not? I agree with you about avoiding fights for the sake of fights, but fights for the sake of treasure are another story. A girl has the right to live in comfort after all."

The rest of the evening you plot and think on your path ahead... but mostly look forward to the actual act of piracy beginning.

Unless you really, really want to do the book-keeping, I'll just take wages out of plunder directly.

Night passes and come morning Pegsworthy waits at the dock as the sun threatens to rise across the land. Rickety and some of his men are manning ropes, ready to release the Revenge into the waves - and your meager crew stands to attention on board. An Easterly begins to build, giving good portents to your maiden voyage upon the blue.

Rickety wrings his hands and Pegsworthy hefts an expensive looking bottle of Sargavan wine in his hands "Iffin ye had a thought to words... now would be the time Cap'n."

Thanks.

Deader walks up the gangplank ahead of the rest, his smile and relaxed demeanor fading with every step as a serious and calculating expression overtook it. He walked down the line of sailors correcting small imperfections in the way they stand and presented themselves, taking a hat of one and pushing it into his hands, pulling another forward half a step to straighten the line, then he took up his position at a right angle to the head of the line, blowing a quick muster on his whistle and barking "Captain on deck!" as Cedrick made his way aboard.

Nachni fidgets waiting for the ceremony to be done. Her thoughts have turned to plunder, treasure, and the prospect of a fleet of ships to bring all of hell down on her mother and sisters.

I wonder how rakshasa souls taste?

Like curried cat hair

"I am Captain Dragonne. As The Revenge is born anew so too are we. The shackles thrust upon us by others are now removed and we board this ship of our own free will, as free men on honest terms. None are pressers, none are slaves, none are snatched unwillingly from their lives to serve aboard with fate unknown and loved ones left in the dark. Each and every one of us has a chance now to sign the fresh articles and sail to their glory, to their destiny amongst the waves, to the promise of a well run ship of fighting men set upon the task of plying our trade, chasing down enemies who may have wronged us, and settling the score with those who may yet offend us"

"Not only will some of us have our revenge, but all of us will grow rich on the spoils of our pursuit, we will not seek quarrel with the innocent, no, we don't need to - for the quarry we chase rolls deep in ill gotten gains, and their friends lay about filled to the brim with riches. Upon these seas there are many desperate men seeking to prove their worth and they shall meet us, and we shall enjoy selling them up afterwards for profit and gain!"

"I make no secret of it. I served in the name of His Majesty, the Emperor of Taldor, and though I have been ripped from the service of that fine nation, I shall ever hold her dear in my heart, her enemies boil my blood, those who fly unfriendly pennants to that glorious nation are fair game, and those who fly the crown of Taldor will not fear our masts. Our men will be trained and disciplined, our ship always turned out in finest order, she will be the pride of any fleet and her men the sharpest and best dressed in the shackles."

"Let us go forward, make our marks, and sail into history like the legends before us!"

"Captain Pegsworthy, the honours if you please"

The general Gist

Will do up the ships rules shortly - but yeah no drunkeness, fights to be settled ashore, no cowardice, and terms for the odd bonus here and there. And yes, they will wear fine navy uniforms ala British Navy

And he's the ruler of the Queen's navy!

Cedrick's words are rousing and heartfelt... though he finds the audience's reaction a little bit mixed. Seems they are caught halfway between hurray we're not being treated like crap anymore and huh, I ain't got no love fer Taldor. The climax of the speech is given a huzzah and raised arms, but sharp ears pick out a few phrases as well:
"...this mean we's gots behave now?..."
"...hope he ain't got nuthin gainst brothels..."
"...we still get rum though... right...?..."

Though as with a fine meal, the general consensus rounds out with a firm desire to see if the proof is in the pudding.

Pegsworthy to one side keeps things brief and to the point "Fair winds, following seas and ships low in the water off your bow." before breaking the bottle of wine across the prow of your ship. Rickety signals a loosing of rope at the same time and the Revenge is loosed to ponderously make it's way out of the dry dock and into the isle proper.

Sailors break ranks to orders and move about with lines, sail and urgency as you set her disposition ready to catch the breeze and set you sailing out to sea... and your destiny.

Kroop comes to see you not long after heading is set and intimates "Fine speech... I'll be in the kitchen, but let me know iffin ye want to bend an ear. I've been floating around here a while."

Sandara has taken a position halfway up the rigging and lets the wind blow through her red hair as a look of fierce anticipation lies upon her face.

Ultimately, you've three rough paths you might follow to get out to The Rock:
Straight West along the southern edge of the Shackles isles
Bear South to open water first, before bearing West.
Take her North and into the midst of the Shackles islands and beat a more tortuous path.

Lets cut west, there's islands as we travel that way, so we can skip and hide (all the better to ambush) and might see something interesting.

Lets cut west, there's islands as we travel that way, so we can skip and hide (all the better to ambush) and might see something interesting.

Agreed.

Perception(Obi): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Profession(sailor): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Knowledge(geography): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Perception(Shadow): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 <-- apparently Shadow is enjoying the wind currents and not really paying attention (although unless it is invisible, ships should not be hard to spot.)

I. That every man shall keep his watch night and day; and at the hour of eight in the evening every one shall retire from gaming and drinking, in order to attend his respective station.

II. The lights and candles to be put out at eight o'clock at night: if any of the crew, after that hour still remain inclined for drinking, they are to do it on the open deck.

III. That Man shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.

IV. To desert the ship or their quarters in battle or show cowardice, shall be punished up to and including death or marooning at the Captains fancy.

V. No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrels to be ended on shore, by sword. The quarter-master of the ship, when the parties will not come to any reconciliation, shall accompany them on shore with what assistance he thinks proper, and turns the disputants back to back, at so many paces distance; at the word of command, they turn and engage immediately - he is declared the victor who draws the first blood.

VI. That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, shall receive Chelish’ Law (that is, 40 Stripes lacking one) on the bare Back; that Man who struck a fatal blow against his fellow shall be assigned to service with ‘The Silent Crew’.

VII. That Man that shall smoke Tobacco or its likeness in the Hold, without a Cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall suffer the same Punishment as in the former Article.

VIII. That no man shall go on shore till the ship is off the ground, and in readiness to put to sea.

IX. If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death.

X. If any time we shall meet a Marooner, that Man may sign his Articles with the Consent of our Company as shown by an open vote, with a casting vote held by the Captain in times of a draw. Any Marooner not declaring himself such at time of signing articles, but later discovered, shall be assigned to ‘The Silent Crew’.

XI. That each man shall be apportioned fair and just wages for his service as determined when his articles are signed, and indeed a portion of bonus drawn from the spoils of plunder.

XII. The fund of all payments from spoils of plunder under the articles is the stock of what is gotten by the expedition, following the same law as other pirates, that is, No prey, no pay.

XIII. Compensation from spoils shall first be made for provisions and victuals and the surgeons medicine chest to keep all in ready supply.

XIV. A standard compensation is provided for maimed and mutilated buccaneers. The loss of life shall be afforded twenty golden sails payable to next of kin as specified, the loss of a limb preventing future service shall be compensated to the sum equivalent of the above, the loss of other limb or eye that does not prevent future service shall be afforded ten gold sails and the furnishment of a hook or peg at the ships expense. The exceptions for this rule is where the loss was as a result of punishments.

Cedrick has heard the whispers and sets to put them right...

"...this mean we's gots behave now?..."

"Only among one another, for the good of the ship and her morale and discipline, when we board a vessel different rules apply - and I expect some terrible behaviour, as a lesson for those who refuse to yield. On shore do as you like"

"...hope he ain't got nuthin gainst brothels..."

"As long as the ship doesn't become one, nor one started on the ship, no, fill your boots."

"...we still get rum though... right...?..."

"Indeed, but it wont be shoved down the necks of those who don't want it, but nor is it a ration to be kept and traded. If you wish for its sweet kiss then it will be provided. Just mind you dont get roaring drunk lest you be called upon for battle"

Fish too keeps her eyes on the bird. If Shadow spots something, we'll get details.

Deader takes his leave once the articles are posted and goes down to the bilge to meet with the Silent Crew. Today they would be given a voice.

He called the ghoul out from underneath the tarp that covered the corpse of Son. They didn't have a conversation. They didn't need to. Deader relaxed the constraints on the once-living sailor's mind and pressed the captain's articles into it, adding additional articles unique to the Silent Crew.

Those on this ship sworn to these articles are your allies and will be treated as such for as long as the articles are held in good faith. Allies will not be viewed or treated with cruelty or creatures to be preyed upon.

You will obey any and all orders from any ship's officer as if they were your Master, holding only your Master's orders above those of an officer.

You will do your best in all ways to become, or remember how to be, an exemplary sailor.

Then Deader looked into the dead eyes of the ghoul and grinned.

"Welcome aboard, sailor. What's your name?"

Once the ship is underway, Nachni goes to have a chat with Kroop. "Definitely interested in hearing your thoughts Kroop. I'm happy to say a word if you think we need to be doing any fine tuning. All of us appreciate the kindness you showed from the start and we're glad to have you with us."

Colour me strange, but I am quite digging the whole 'Silent Crew' aspect, it is both unique, and slightly unsettling. What a fine thing for us to have! It is both a blessing, and a threat!

"Kroop is certainly a boon, we have been blessed to have such a fine body of lads and lasses"

"Hate." the ghoul said flatly.

"Yes, I know. I asked about your name.

"That is my name, jackass." the ghoul snarled, not moving, but clearly wanting to, preferably in some way that would leave Deader bleeding on the ground. "Nathaniel Haight."

"I'll let that slide, Mr. Haight." Deader said with uncharacteristic compassion. "But only this once. The other officers might not be so amiable. Either you act like a sailor and afford me the gratitude I deserve for being willing to help you, or I'll bottle you up inside your own head again and use your carcass as my puppet."

"Do we understand each other?"

The ghoul let a long moment pass, straining against Deader's commands. "What the bleeding f#&& should I be thankful to you for? If I had my way you and all your meaty friends would be staring into my eyes while I chewed your stupid faces off."

"That's the disease talking. It controls you more than I ever will. There was a time when you weren't driven by hunger. Without me, that would be all you'd ever know. I'm offering you the chance to be free of it someday. Which master would you prefer?"

Another long pause, then the creature nodded. "...you."

"Good choice." Deader said flatly. "This bilge is your home. Mr. Greedy and Mr. Buddy are your crewmen. I expect this to be the cleanest bilge in all the seas. I want to be able to see the wood through the water within one month's time's time. Once a week you'll see to it that the barnacles are stripped from the hull, and every morning the privy pots will be emptied. You are the Bosun's Mate. I expect you to act like it."

Deader tossed him a pack with clothes, a set of leather armor and a brace of javelins.

"Once you are presentable, report to the captain."

Something in Deader's litany of expectations and responsibilities triggered something in the ghoul's warped mind. Memories of life that it had buried. Anger and loss came with it, but also pride. It's face was a mess of nearly forgotten thoughts. It nodded, catching the pack.

"Yes, Sir."

"Dismissed, Mr Haight." Deader said with a nod, turning to go to the quartermaster's office.

He had one other project to attend to.

Cedrick wanders out on deck, admiring the way the ship is coming together, the wide open space and the smell of opportunity blowing in the breeze. "This is how it was meant to be"

Moving about the ship, he offers a firm but warm sense of encouragement amongst the crew.

DMVoV, the Tavernroom Talespinner trait worked for influencing the Wormwood crew, suppose it still works on the ones we have? Cedricks aim is to build these fellows up as loyal as he can.

Apologies for brevity, but I wanted to get something up sooner rather than laters.

As the Revenge ventures into open sea and the sun both sets and rises on a new crew in their new endeavor, paths are worn and the leather that binds the ship together begins to show it's color. Cedrick's efforts and words are not unnoticed or appreciated, though there is an undercurrent that remains of actions being louder.. and plunder would weigh most heavy in securing allegiance in the long term.

At times on the journey Shadow reports shadows beneath the water that seem not fish, and follow your path... but the sights are fleeting.

After some time in open water, land is spotted ahead... along with the distant telltales of civilization... trails of smoke from a village and some distant sails.

What's the night watch schedule?

Nachni can take a shift. First or third preferred.

"A village? Can anyone check the maps to see if they can tell if it is around this Rock or someplace else?"

You're still a long way from the Rock.

Boats usually run 3 shifts, 8 hours each (or 2 twelves if it's short handed). Nachi and Deader can be running the night crew. The Silent Crew is on deck.

Works for me!

"Sails eh?"

Let's go have a look at the sails

"Sails eh?"

Let's go have a look at the sails

Sails? I think that DM VoV indicates some type of civilization.

Turning to Cedrick:
Captain, should we investigate this land and apparent village?

and distant sails.

[ooc]Do we have a map and a rough location? MAP?[/url]

Ok, so I do not know how to read. I am half-oni.