"Don't be silly, Allow me to carry it for you. Shall we be off now?"
If she insist Alistar will hand it to her, but if not he will continue to carry it.
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Hand me the chest, pirate! I need to make sure everything is intact!
She motions to Alistar to come closer, and hand her the chest. As she does so, she pulls a strange looking wand from her belt. It looks like a gnarly piece of driftwood, except that it seems to be perfectly formed into a spiral about a foot long.
"Ooooh... pretty..." Sunny leans closer to peer at the special stick...
Alistar hands over the chest and takes a step back.
Oh no... If that is a wand with knock she will see now that its empty. I need to alert Noro.
Alistar steps to Noro and whispers in her ear.
"If she opens the chest you need to grab her and get her inside."
He then looks on. Waiting for the worst to happen.
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She impatiently taps her foot while she waits for the chest to be handed to her. When it finally is, she gingerly sits it on the ground, and goes down on one knee beside it. She waves the wand over it, and when nothing happens, she frowns. She waves the wand over it again, slower than the first, and when nothing happens again, she slowly looks up at the group.
You know, the funny thing about the... item... that's supposed to be in this chest is that when it comes into close proximity with another of its kind, they react. Quite spectacularly, actually.
She glances up at the group, back down at the chest, and then suddenly points at the chest and snaps her fingers.
The chest pops open, and she sighs. Then, she very slowly turns her head up to face the group, and then stands.
So. Which one of you opened it? Which of you absorbed it, is actually the better question.
As she speaks, the wand that she was holding starts to turn wispy, almost like liquid and mist all at the same time, and begins to snake its way up her arm. Once it is wrapped around her entire forearm, it sinks into her skin, forming a blue tattoo that looks like an ocean wave, cascading downward toward her hand.
I don't recall Hanscombe telling you to open the chest, or touch what was inside. Now, one of you has the item he has been searching for for years. So tell me, which of you has it?
Her tone has become wary now, suspicious, and quite a bit threatening.
Initiatives:
Surprise Round, then:
Laurastine
Sunny
Noro
Thug
Pistolero 2
Harvey
Pistolero 1
Sorcerer
Alistair
Sunny leans closer, seeming quite entranced by the magic the ass has been using.
"Pretty colours...."
"The fault and blame you so eagerly wish to place should be on this Hanscombe. I wasn't present for this deal, so I can't speak on what was and was not said, but it is obvious you both know more than what was told to our crew. So now that we know you have one of the keys what's our next move? What does Hanscombe plan on doing with the keys? Perhaps a new acoord can be made. One that bennefits all of us."
Seeing tensions rising Alistar steps forward and speaks.
Laurastine, the deal with stuck with a different captain. So there for different rules, I did not wish to fight, but if I have no choice I have no choice
drawing his pistols Tell Hanscombe that if he wants his chest he can have the chest and I expect my payment for it! Now, give me my payment and take your chest. Then leave us alone.
never taking my eyes off her
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Laurastine takes a step back, visibly shaken.
It's not... It's not the actual chest he wants, Captain Dagger. It's what was inside it. You know what is was now, and you know how valuable it is.
Per--Perhaps a deal can be struck between you and Hanscombe. I'm sure he wouldn't want a crew as resourceful and successful as you lot to be killed over a... misunderstanding. I'll... I'll speak to him.
Expect my visit before your ship is done. My men here told me you had a about a week left before it was seaworthy again.
She snaps her fingers, and behind her, a group of men suddenly becomes visible. Two men wielding pistols, one wielding a cutlass, and one bald man in a dark red robe all look at the group, obviously disappointed there wasn't a fight. They all follow Laurastine as she steps away from you. Once she's about ten feet away, she waves her hand in the air, and a portal forms, opened to a dock in some far away city. She and her group step through, and the portal closes.
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Urlak steps out of the shadows beside the lodging building.
Good she's gone. Me and the rest of the crew were hidden over here, waiting for her to make a dumb move.
I don't trust her, that one. Not one bit. Her or Hanscombe.
Then, he makes his way into the building. Behind you, you can hear a group of people running toward you on the main path.
"Well scaring her away got us out of that one, but we can expect her to come back with vengenance. She is the prize in this as that tatoo is another of the keys. We need to find away to pull it from her. Perhaps a ritual or something to pass it to another. Surely there is a way. It may be as easy as killing her and then it passes to the closest soul or the one that struck her down. I don't know of the Hanscombe, but I'm sure he won't be happy with this news. So whats our play captain. Are we to wait on her and try and capture her or shall we see what we can do about getting the ship done faster and get to the sea?"
Disappointed that the shiny things have walked away, but possibly relieved that there wasn't a fight Sunny listens attentively to the developments. When there's a space for her to speak she gives her ideas.
"Well.. we's knowin' we've a issue now wiff...um.. Handcombe, or whut ever his name be, so, why dun't we get tha' ship all shaped up an' go find them slaves? Maybe they's different enough to be havin' magic whut can help?" She suggests. "Along tha' ways, we can be lookin' out fer whut ever t'is doin' tha' right nasty with them other boats?"
"Is jus' a thought..."
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After a moment, the footsteps you heard running toward get closer, and then you see a group of Rickety's guards coming. They have weapons drawn, but as they approach they see only you and sheathe them.
When they finally arrive, the leader speaks.
We heard there was a disturbance and someone threatening you. What happened? Who was it? Rickety's law of parlay on this island forbids any confrontation, between customers and inhabitants alike.
Sunny looks to her companions,
"Nuffin' ta' see here. Is all good." (^_^)
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Noro seems a bit disappointed it didn't come to blows. as the guards arrive, yeah. like shunshine shays, nuttin' to worry bout. anywaysh, any chanshe I can help yer workersh? with the lack of a fightin ring, I don't mind gettin my handsh a little dirty, if ya catch my meaning.
Noro offers herself as an additional worker to help out. more to use the time to keep in shape with physical labor, as opposed to thinking anything is wrong. considering she ain't getting any other kind of physical activity.
i'll post it again later tonight
Crew, I am sure that we haven't seen the last of that Laurastine. I have a feeling that we are going to be in for a fight next time we see her. She has some magicks about her that will now be able track myself of the rest of us.
Ohlas and Alistar, Do me a favor and make haste to get some protection around here then see what you can find out about Laurastine, and our little curse as it be.
Sunny, Do me a favor and grab Urlak.
Noro, I need you to do me a favor and check to see if we can get some more crew.
Once Sunny and Urlak comes back
Urlak do me a favor and get the crew ready for a fight and make sure that they understand that it will be hard one.
Sunny, I need you to check and make sure that we have another Wizard or such to aid us. Tell them that there will be good pay
Looking at Ricktey's guards
Can you please do me a favor and grab Ricktey. I need to speak with him about a defense.
Sunny bounces with eagerness as she salutes and scampers off to carry out the Captain's orders. (^_^)
"Now.. where'd they be puttin' a Wizard 'round these parts..." She thinks to herself as she wanders about the town looking for such a personage. " A sign would be right helpful..."
"Captain I have told you all I know of the keys. I fear we will only find out more as we find them and study them, but I will see what I can gather up on Laurastine."
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Laurastine is only seen when it's a mission of utmost importance for Hanscombe.
She is skilled in both the martial and arcane arts.
It's rumored that she is Hanscombe's daughter.
What be all tha damn commotion?! Was there a fight or wasn't there, and who the hell was responsible?!
Sunny does enjoy seeing the sights of the town, though after a while she realizes she's not finding the sort of person the Captain sent her off to find. Eventually circling back to the large drinking place she wanders in and,
Does notice the large square plank with all the parchment stuck over it. She stands and looks inquisitively at all the different styles of squiggles people can put on paper.
"Now... whut's it all be meanin'..." She mutters aloud to her self.
Rickety, Sorry sir, There was no fighting luckily at this point. There was a chance for a battle but Laurastine had decided that it would be in her best interest not to battle me and my crew. I am hoping that we can avoid another fight. Do you think that we can get the ship done a little quicker? I have nothing else to give you at this point other then the protection that I can give. Do you know what/who Laurastine or Hanscombe? I ponder what do you know about them two?
Keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary
Alistar comes back late from the night of gathering information and shares what he found out before going to bed for the night.
"Laurastine is only seen when it's a mission of utmost importance for Hanscombe.
She is skilled in both the martial and arcane arts.
It's rumored that she is Hanscombe's daughter.
That is all I was able to find captain."
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Rickety steps forward, almost right into Harvey's face.
Ye mean Hanscombe sent someone here?! That damn bastard! 'e knows there ain't no fightin' allowed here!
He stops, and thinks for a minute.
'e must have some interest in ye an yer crew. I hope ye ain't made an enemy outta 'im. Corlean's a nasty sort, tha kind ta poison yer grub 'afore 'e fights ye square. An' ye say Laurastine was 'ere too? Met 'er once I did, when Hanscombe tried ta buy me out. I told I wan't givin' up tha Squibbs, an' 'e wan't happy bout it none. 'e knows how important me business is though, so 'e ain't had me offed yet.
Rickety looks around at you all, grimly.
Iffen yer all mixed up with Corlean Hanscombe, then yer in a right twisted mess. Nuthin 'e ever says is tha truth, an' only 'alf of what 'e does is what it seems, an' tha other 'alf is for money. Corlean's tha type ta only be 'appy iffen 'es makin' coin, never with 'ow much 'e's got. I wouldn't be surprised iffen one day 'e sells out tha whole o' tha Shackles ta the Chels.
'ell, 'e owns most of it anyway. A right affront ta Queen Besmara, tha way 'e owns most o tha pirates an' businesses, not ta mention tha amount o land 'e's got. 'e's jest about turned that Sweet Trade inta a business, not tha life o freedom it's supposed ta be.
Rickey, We mean you no harm and we do not want any fighting here just as you do not want any fighting. If you can help us get our ship moving a long a bit faster we will try to avoid any confrontation on your island. We are not trying to cause any issues here.
looking at his crew
I know that we are not all shipwrights, but let's help get this ship moving again shall well, I'll take a part of the crew to get it ready. Sunny and Alistar you get the rest of the crew ready just in case something happens before the ship is ready to set sail.
"Very well captain."
Alistar heads in to bed down for the night. The next morning he gets up and gives a speach to the crew to get them to help finish up with the ship.
Sunny gives her usual bouncing salute at the captain's orders before scampering off to do so.
(^_^)
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Eh, yer ship'll take as long as it takes. Like I was sayin', ye ain't gotta worry about Hanscombe fighten' ye... Iffen he wants ye gone he'll be doin' it inna... quieter way. I'd be watchin' tha shadows, iffen I were ye. An' yer crew ain't gonna be any help in tha squibbin', these ain't normal repairs. They'd jest be in tha way. My advice: see if ye can parley with Hanscombe. I worry what's got 'im so worked up though... It ain't like 'im ta be this dogged. Must be a lotta gold at stake.
Rickety stands to leave, and then turns again.
Jest so yer warned, Hanscombe's in good wit tha Red Mantis Guild... So keep yer eyes open.
With that, he heads out the door. Urlak, who's been standing silently in the corner the whole time, speaks up as soon as he's sure Rickety and his guards are gone.
Sir, I am worried. Rickety said that Hanscombe would do anything for the right price. With him searching for these keys, and them being what can possibly control the Eye of Abendego, and the Eye being the only thing keeping Cheliax out of the Shackles, I am beginning to worry why Hanscombe wants them so bad. If he is trying to give the Shackles to Cheliax, we could be looking at a war. One the pirates won't win, disorganized like they are.
Cheliax already tried to take the Shackles once, when they offered Harrigan a kingdom in return for leading their fleet through the eye. If they paid Hanscombe enough...
"No. I will not let those slavers take freedom away from others. Captain we have to find these keys. We can take the fight to Hanscombe in time. I suggest we parlay. We convince him we had no intention on absorbing the key, but now that you have why not use us. Let us hunt the others. We can do this with the plan to turn on him at the end. We keep our enemy close in the guise that we are his greates generals. This will be difficult to pull off and he may have us do things we would normally not do, but it is for the good of our and everyones freedom. I think we need to spend the day checking out the slavers here. Those people should be set free. I hear they have a uniqe dragon creature I'm interested in as well. What say the rest of you."
"Aye! Settin' folks free be tha' right thing ta' be doin'." Sunny agrees whole heartedly with Alister.
"An' we can be keepin' a look out fer more knowin' about these ships whut're all disappeared an' stuffs in our travels..." She adds
Alistar, Parlay is most likely our best option you are correct. Let's make this our first course of action, but let's also prepare for a fight just in case.
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..
*Skippy, skippy, bouncy, bouncy.* (^_^)
Sunny eventually meets up with every one ans lets them know what she's found out.
