Variziel also grins. "Aye, it'll be a good game, I think. But I don't know how to play, no. Will you teach me your wily ways, lady?" he asks with a mock bow and flourish.
"I do believe we where about to find out how soundproof this ship is.
As the cyclopi spirit left his body Temerith carefully searched through his mind for a spirit that was more...suitable considering the circumstances. He needed a spirit who was more in tune with the ways of piracy the Drowned Cyclops was fine for say intimidation but it's knowledge of pirates was lacking... Time to cast the reel for another spirit. Temerith opened himself up to the Lost and let his spirit partially empty to make room for hopefully a capable advisor...
Venturing back on the deck, you look around for a suitably large group of pirates to play music for.
Your eyes wander to a rather large group of pirates, some gathered in a circle looking down at the deck and cheering loudly while others stand around chatting, only occasionally looking at whatever spectacle has captured their fleeting interest. Two pirates from the crowd, however, are gazing squarely at you, chatting with each other. One is a rather homely looking woman with sun beaten skin and dressed in a fisher's overalls. Her head of graying black hair is shaved to a boyish cut and her broad, calloused feet are bare. The other is a tall, shapely woman with pale skin, her waist-length black hair arranged into plaits held by tiny ivory skull beads and draped over a set of extremely revealing garb which seems a caricature of traditional female pirate garb. Her icy blue eyes stare at you as she talks, laughing at some comment made by her compatriot.
Sandara laughs heartily, Wily ways? Ye flatter me boy! Now, if we could only find Jacques, he could explain it better. If ye want to get right to it, I'll try my very best, but Dead Man's Hand is fairly new to me too. So...?
"Trollop's the Shackles' word for pute or salope." Charlotte whispers back, knowing that Little Sister is familliar with the terms. One doesn't haunt a pirate-in-becoming for years without learning a little salty language, and Charlotte has no issues with swearing in front of the little one. "Although I think you have a point that it'd be a lot better used describing candy. What do you say we pay these ladies a visit? Suffice to say, I expect you to behave quite well." Charlotte suggests, employing words Little Sister knows are a playful code for "go ahead and wreak some mischief."
Spotting the two women indicated by Little Sister, Charlotte approaches the group, taking a moment to check what the big attraction is before approaching the two women, keeping her eyes on them with confidence.
"Mesdames." She greets them, full of mock grandeur. "I couldn't help but notice how much I seemed to be pulling your attention. Might there be some words I ought to be privy to?" Charlotte questions, all smiles and false politeness.
Jesal has failed his first day on the job, been beaten and is worried about being roped into an ill planned mutiny. He is going to bed.
Well, I guess ol' Iggy can try his hand at it. At least that'll help show people he's got the experience to oversee it tomorrow.
"Oh, I'll take the risk and just let you explain. I'm sure we'll catch on quickly enough once we get to the table." Variziel chuckles and continues walking with the woman.
The tall lady does a courtly bow and replies in a sultry voice that drips with a cultivated air of nobility, Enchanted, milady. Oh, but where are my manners? My name is Sylvia, though the crew has taken to calling me 'Slippery Syl', considering how many times I've escaped the gallows. My friend here is Samms, and she is pleased to make your acquaintance, aren't you, Samms? The barefooted woman nods her head, Yes Syl, I am very pleased! Syl scowls at Samms and speaks in a voice dripping with venom, That's LADY Syl, you pathetic ingrate. Apologize or I will drop you in the ocean with a pretty set of shackles tied to a cannonball. Do you understand? Samms eyes go wide at this and she replys in a quivering voice, Y-yes Lady Syl! I apologize! P-please have mercy on me! Syl lands a solid, backhanded slap across Samms' face, Good girl, you live today at least. You see, um what was your name, sometimes you have to teach these riffraff who their betters are. You have no idea how many corpses I had to make to get my title, or how irritating having to shake the Riddleport Gendarme was once they found out about my 'indiscretions' in Korvosa, which may or may not have involved the captain's sister being smothered in her sleep and her highborn fiance having a fling with a woman who, just coincidentally, was there to console him in his grief. But as for your question, no, there was no conversation you should be privy to. I was simply remarking to our colleague here about another woman being onboard. Why do you ask?
Grok lets out a mischievous laugh, Oh trust me, it's soundproofed fairly well! And every sroat aboard this ship knows to avoid my quarters unless they're the cap'n. Well, let's get to work, ya hear? Grok leads you to her cot, scarcely large enough for one person.
After about an hour of explaining the rules of Dead Man's Hand to you , Sandara holds up the Osseous Queen card, Now ye got the basics? Good. Now what people don't teach ye is how to cheat. After only a few hours watching people play, I figured out how to. Here, let me me show you...
"Ah, well, you see, a little seabird let me know that some rather unsavory words were spoken about me right around here, and I don't take too well to this kind of gossip behind my back. With all due respect, mesdames we're all pirates here, and I understand you might not like me too much, but if you've got an issue with me, please have the decency of saying it to my face."
"Alright, let's have a go, then, shall we?" Variziel grins as he rolls a card off his fingers and catches it from the air.
At the table, it's quickly apparent that while the half-elf is cunning and quick, he isn't a very good gambler. Frowning, and taking a chance, he attempts to slip an extra card out of his sleeve into his hand...
...and curses inside his head as his fingers fumble over the unpracticed movement. Well, we may be starting a fistfight if anyone notices that...
Syl's eyes narrow at you, Watch your tongue, girl, or I will cut it from your disrespectful mouth! Samms turns to Syl, Lady Syl, please calm down! The cap'n wouldn't like it! Incensed, Syl grabs Samms by the throat and slams her against the mast, drawing her dagger and putting it to Samm's face, If you feel that way, let's start with you then, shall we?! Before you have a chance to respond, feel something brush past you swiftly and suddenly, an iron mug of rum flies off the deck, striking Syl in the head and knocking her to the ground. Samms eyes go wide and she shakes uncontrollably, By Gozreh, what just happened?!
You stand surrounded by a ring of the Wormwood's crew, ready to prove your strength. The crowd parts and you see your foe, a massive beast of a man, fatter than even Kroop the cook, even having a sizable padding of fat on his shaven head, but with muscle tone that can be seen even through the fleshy rolls. A small Halfling with lanky limbs, long greasy hair, and a face reminiscent of a bilge rat, stand between you two. He raises his arms up in the air, Tonight has been a rather exciting night, eh boys? Magpie keelhauled and a newcomer made officer! Well, get ready for more excitement, because our newest officer here, Mr.Hank, has decided to test his salt against Fipps in a bout of wrestling! Can the newblood beat our own Gobbler of Goblins? Let's find out! Boys, have at it! Fipps yells as he charges at you, the smell of his breath like rotten fish, LES SEE WHAT YER MADE OF BOYO!
The tubby brute manages to get the best of you, throwing you to the ground and using his weight to pin you. The Halfling come over and counts you out, We have a winner boys! Fipps has won! But give Mr.Hanks a hand too boys, he put up a hell of a fight, yeah? All the pirates hoot and a few clap for you. Fipps stands up and offers his hand to help you up, Ya did a good job for such a thin little thing boyo! A good match, ya?
As you palm the card, you eyes look around, seeing if anyone noticed. Noting that no one has jumped over the table at you, it can be safely assumed that no one noticed. You stare at your hand.
Iggy chuckles, feeling the smell of rotten fish really overwhelm his chances of taking the tub of lard down. He takes it like a man and accepts the hand up. "Aye, a damn good match. So you're Fipps, huh? Please tell me they have a rougher, tougher name for you than just plain Fipps? I mean," the Markborn pauses for a moment, pulling his hair back, neatly tieing it out of his eyes and exposing his mark.
"See this on my cheek? I might not have won the match, but I'm assuming you've heard of Markborn? What do you think my kind did to earn that name? I'll give ya a hint..." His voice lowers to almost a whisper, as it's almost conspiratorial. "It was enough to make the Magpie give up his secrets."
Variziel breathes lightly, thinking of this game as a duel and knowing that he just feinted. Can't give away my intentions, or let slip that I'm setting up a killing ground, as it were... He then looks down to see if he picked the right cards from his person.
He frowns slightly, trying to remember whether this is a fine hand or not. Hopefully it's good enough...
Fipps bellows out a loud, if somewhat unpleasantly phlegmatic, laugh, Nah, Mr.Hank, Fipps fits me just fine. Some of the boys call me the Gobbler of Goblins, after what I did to terrorize some of them d@mn squirrelly little Squidwhistler Goblins, but I prefer Fipps boyo. Not going to disrespect me mother by taking another name, savvy? At least I didn't get a name like Ratline, the little half-man over there. That's a right laugh, isn't it?
Everyone looks at their hand for a moment, then Sandara smiles coyly and lays down her hand.
Not a bad hand, eh boys?
The 3 pirates lay down their hands as well.
Sandara laughs merrily, A tie, Variziel! Would ye look at that! So what did we win, boys? The one-eyed pirate sitting across the table from you replies, Well, ye two'll get some doubloons from these numbskulls and ye'll each get one favor from me in the future. That's far more valuable than mere gold. Sandara replies, Sounds good to me! The other pirates slide half of the coins on the table your way and half to Sandara.
diplomacy check
Good shot, sis. Charlotte chuckles inwardly.
"Oh my! Where did that come from? Who threw this mug!? Are you alright, Lady Syl?" Charlotte asks, feigning ignorance as to the projectile's source.
Charlotte offers Lady Syl to help her up, figuring that having the trollop apparently unrelated to this assault will definitely rile the haughty woman amusingly. If the pirate accepts her hand, Charlotte makes sure that Lady Syl gets a feel of her sharp nails as a covert warning.
Variziel gives a low whistle at the tidy pile of gold coins, and pockets them without counting. I do know that much from my time away from Rivadria...
"Now, I have to ask: are my winnings of any value with the quartermaster? Could I use them to get some gear back?" He poses the question to the group. After that, he also turns to the pirate who owes him a favor. "And can I know your name, so I know who to call in times of trouble?"
The one eyed man leans forward and replies to your query, speaking as much with his hands as his words, Yeah, Grok'll let ye buy some stuff. Just remember, as a newblood ye can't buy weapons. Now that Markborn fella's the exception, seeing as how his former job was to clean the bilges of any vermin and now he's a bonafide officer, so he can carry weapons, savvy? After you ask your second question, the man replies with a smile that reveals his unnaturally white teeth that combined with his short white hair contrast his deeply tanned skin, The name is Sylus, Sylus Cortizo of Port Peril, son of Captain Horace Cortizo. As he finishes his sentence, you catch a glimpse of his good eye, the emerald green iris flashing red for a moment before returning to normal.
"Well, hey, gotta respect a mother. Any lady that can handle givin' birth is someone who can certainly kick asses if people get out of line, aye?" Hank grins. "I'm bettin' you've heard of my mum, since she's a bit famous. Her name was Esmeralda Hank."
He grins. "That's a woman who'd string me up by my toes if I didn't keep her name. So, what brings ya onboard with this motley crew, Mr Fipps?"
"Are you okay?" Charlotte asks Samms, who seems rather shocked. "How could she just pull a dagger on you like that? That's insane!"
Charlotte pretends to look around for the source of the thrown mug. "Who threw that?!"
Oh $hit, did I just totally copy over the text I had saved on my phone with that new post? Crapola! I just committed P.U.I., posting under the influence? Removing that post from Gameplay!!!
Variziel nods and grins. "Variziel Dawnshadow, great-grandson of Free Captain Adrian Bloodsword." He watches as he lets slip the name, wondering what effect it might have on the pirates. He also offers his hand out for a wrist clasp.
Ye got to be $hittin' me boyo, Captain Hank was your mother? Damn fierce woman, Esme was; she'd keelhaul Asmodeus hisself if he got her riled up! Served on her crew for ten years I did, aboard the Banshee Queen as the bosun. Now that I think about it, I remember the day you were born. It was a d@mn stormy night, right after Esme scuttled a bloody Chelaxian warship. I remember now, I swaddled yer naked arse with me own shirt, and saw that Mark on yer face! Truly boyo, ye made Esme the happiest woman in the Shackles you did. I left shortly after ye were born, on some fool notion to find some 'honest work'. Worst mistake I ever made, it was! Look boyo... I heard about Esme's ship turning up missin' a few years back, but if I were ye, I wouldn't give up on finding her just yet. Woman was tougher than nails and about twice as sharp. If anyone's still kickin', it's her, ye hear? Fipps parts your shoulder three times with his meaty hands, trying to lend assurance to his last words.
Samms shakes uncontrollably, tears streaming down her tanned face, S-she could have killed me! She's crazy! Syl told me about how she had escaped the gallows in four port cities, after she left trails of bodies in each one. She's a hell-spawned butcher, she is! When she wakes up, please don't make her angry or she'll kill you too! Although the event drew a fleeting bit of attention, a chorus of no's promptly issued forth and most of them turned back to whatever it was they were doing. Of the ones still looking on, they seem more interested in seeing what unfolds than anything else.
Sylus' features set into a grimacing smile, Captain Bloodsword, ye say? Fate is a whimsical harlot, isn't she? Yer great-grandfather and my father were blood-foes, boy, with enough hate to set the Shackles aflame. Bloodsword believed in the Code and becoming a legend, my father was only interested in gold and conquest. The two had a hell of a feud and one day it just stopped. My father never told me why in all the stories he told, despite me askin'. All he would say is during a duel, he remembered something important, something he had forgotten, said he owed a blood-debt to the Captain because of it. My father was fairly cryptic he was, but all of those Prophets of Kalistrade typically are and him doubly so. Now, I owe ye a debt. Almost enough to make ye believe those bonehead priests of Pharasma with all their talk about fate, isn't it? Sylus clasps your wrist, a symbol of the debt he owes you.
"Thanks for the warning, Samms." Charlotte replies, leaning in to whisper to her fellow lady pirate. "I'll try to keep it in mind, though I wouldn't mind sharing a few more choice words with her."
"Blood feud? Interesting. Hope we won't have the same, Sylus. You look like a fine friend and a dangerous enemy." Variziel shakes his wrist and grins. "But shall we play again, or get some rest before another long day?"
Please be careful, you seem nice enough and there are too few on this cursed ship that can be said of. I'm about to carry her back to her cot so she's not so angry come dawn. I'm see you at sunrise. Samms replies, hauling Syl up and dragging her belowdecks to her cot.
Sylus smiles, Nah boy, no blood feud between us. I'd prefer to have more allies than enemies, savvy? I'll be getting some sleep soon, so no card game tonight. Best rest up anyway, the officer's moods usually sour the day after a keel hauling, so thirsty are they for more blood. You'll likely need all the stamina you can get.
Saluting Samms, Charlotte props her feet up on the table and begins playing her violin for the assembled pirates, adding to their drinking and laughing with a joyful seafaring jig.
Taking 20 on yee old tertiary perform check.
Bluff check to convince the spirit that Temerith is really willing to do what he says,
The hardened Markborn smiles and pats the man's shoulder in response. "Strange to think it, but there's nothing more honest than doing what's in your blood, and you, Fipps, are a natural sailor. I think, once we find the really good rum, we should share a toast to mothers and sailing, aye?"
The man grins and chuckles at the thought of such an experience. "It does make me wonder what our mums would think of each other, if they met? Would it be like two sharks fighting, you think?"
Aye boyo, to our dear mothers, the men they made us, and the sea which made it all possible! One thing though, I'm not referring to yer arse as Mr.Hank. How's Iggy sound to ye?
Sharks yeah, but workin' together in a blood frenzy to tear some poor landlubber apart for a misplaced insult about women pirates, boyo! Fipps chuckles.
Iggy laughs heartily and lowers his voice, making sure they're not being watched by other "officers". "Honestly, Mr. Hank is something I'm not too keen on wannin' to be called. I mean, heck, unless we're around the higher ups, Iggy is fine by me. With how Plugg and Scourge can be, I wouldn't be surprised if they look for any excuse to get out the whip and cat. I really don't want it to catch either of us either of those two options, savvy?"
He smirks. "'Sides. If I ever meet your mum, I don't want to have her tan my hide cause I got you special attention from those two. Worse thing to do than insult a pirate women is to do something to her kid, ey?"