Kroop's features sag as he speaks, his voice betraying an inner sadness, How did I get me meself into this mess, ya ask? Well, I once was a cook of some fame in Port Peril, a chef really. All the rich n' powerful came by to eat my food, even the Hurricane King hisself! Well someone didn't like that, and sabotaged a meal I had prepared for the Hurricane King, leavin' me destitute. I fell to gamblin' and drinkin' and soon was in debt up to me ears. My sister, who lived with me, turned to 'servicing' some of the pirates until she came up missing. I quit the drink long enough to search for her, but when she washed up dead by the docks with a slashed throat, I drank even more. One day, the Wormwood was ashore and Harrigan was at the Formidably Maid gamblin'. I had lost all me money, but at that point, I didn't care. So I bet Harrigan my life... and lost. Rather than kill me, he forced me to serve as the Wormwood's cook for life. Thing is, I've been drinkin' a lot lately and Harrigan says if me quality keeps slippin', he'll throw me to the sharks. And ya know the sad fact, Mr.Salt? I've got to the point where I don't care. All these years aboard the Wormwood have worn me down, Mr. Salt. I hope ya can make it out before it does you too.
As you attempt to move past Syl, she thrusts her dagger at you...
Stabbing you in the left shoulder as you move past her, pain lancing through the wound.
Ther's rum, so it sownds guud ta me, Mr.Rhuun. Now only a krushed wyndpip on Scourge and it'd be purfekt, wunnit? See ye then! And with that, Pgruk Clambors down back to deck. Rosie stands, looking nonplussed, Well sh!t, that was easy, lad! That f&ckstick's got less brains than a Hell Harbor doxy has chastity! I don't think they get very much motherf&ckin' dumber, do they?
Wincing as the blade digs into her flesh, Charlotte makes a break for it away from Lady Syl, running as fast as her legs can carry her.
I'll get you back, you bloodthirsty nag! Charlotte thinks, clamping her right hand over her shoulder as she runs.
Ogruk may be dumb but he is powerful, easily worth three or four normal men in a fight I would say and with you and Maheem that gives me five supporters... Soon I'll be adding another man to the list as well for you see the other crew member here that is worth three to four men in a fight be that Varizel... Like a fisherman I know that if I want a truly delicious fish I need to bust out the best bait, not whatever happens to be in my chamber pot. I know what will motivate that man, for I possess something that no other living swordsman could give him... I reckon that Charlotte be not worth recruiting she seems to put her faith in the Markborn, however Janus, Salt and mayhaps Sandara are still up for grabs. However there be a problem with recruiting them, first I simply know nothing of what motivates that man Salt and what the shadowmen of Nidal want has always been an enigma... As such when dusk falls my friend I want you to find that Salt and get him roaring drunk. Then coax his history, desires and motives from his loose tongue. Once I know Salt I should be able to place the proper bait on the hook and reel him in... I will deal with Janus and see what can be done about turning Sandara to our side.
Salt looks at Kroop blankly as he tells his story, incredulous. "Dis bein a pirate ship, den dis one no bein soft wit his words. Ya created da mess you bein in by givin in to dem vices. Ya need to be quittin da bottle and maybe you be gettin off da ship wit da rest of us."
He adds a bit more gently, "Dis one bein here ta help iffun ya be needin it."
Charlotte hightails it for the quartermaster's, suspecting that Lady Syl won't dare attack her in the presence of one of Harrigan's most trusted men. However, she makes sure to stomp the hallway's planks quite hard as she nears the kitchen, to try and alert the people inside.
"I don't think you want to do this, Syl!" Charlotte shouts out as her enemies give chase.
"My mother's a sea hag, and she watches over me with a scrying spell! If you kill me, she'll find you, and you have no idea what she'll do to you people!"
Variziel pauses as he hears the sounds of combat from around a corner--What's going on? and then hears Charlotte cry out in pain. He dashes around to see the mist, but seeing what looks like another person with a dagger in hand, he darts in. Use Kerean's Equalizer, striking the tendons of the wrist to disarm, followed by an adapted form of Zarr's Quick Retrieval to snatch the knife as it falls. This in mind, he levels a chop at the woman's wrist as he prepares to catch the dagger with his second hand.
As you run, Syl attempts to follow, nearly blinded by the heavy mists you have brought up. She almost passes you, but notices you at the last minute and swipes her dagger at you...
Slashing a large swathe of your abdomen, releasing a large portion of blood which stains your clothing a deep scarlet. You barely cling to consciousness, your vision blurring and your limbs weak. Any extraneous movement, you feel, could make you black out. As a last ditch effort, you attempt to bluff Syl...
As you speak your lie, she stops in her tracks, eyes wide in terror, Your mother was a sea witch?! Look, no harm, no foul, I just made you bleed a bit! It was just a spot of fun, honest! I'll... I'll be going now! Come on you lot, let's go! Syl and her retinue run with haste up to the deck, obviously unnerved by the revelation. You breathe a sigh of relief as you stand in the cool mist, which provides no succor for the pain you feel, nor the dizziness that you feel could overcome you in a moment's notice.
Your 'investigations' lead you to a tall Mwangi woman with waist-length hair bound in pleats by tiny skull beads who by the name of Shivkah, who is supposedly an ex-slaver captured by the Wormwood and, ironically, forced into slavery herself. That is, assuming the scrawny little pirate you intimidated was telling the truth.
Kroop's expression brightens up, Indeed it be me own fault son, I know it is. But now... now I think I can kick it, boy. Ya've shown me a kindness I haven't seen in many years, something that just gave me more hope than I've felt in years. Thank ya for that, Mr.Salt. Just do me a favor boy: stay the way ya are. Don't become savages like these b@stards on this ship or a sloppy mess of a man like I am. Well, hopefully WAS on that last bit, yeah?
Rosie takes in all you say, listening quietly. She replies, That lad Salt doesn't look like the drinkin' sort to me, Temerith! If he's a d@mn milkdrinker, what do you suppose we do then? And how do you intend on 'cracking' that scarred up freak? Somethin' tells me he won't fall for the usual f&ckin' coin or cleavage persuasion. As for Sandara, you didn't see her eyein' that Markborn like he's some spawn of the Pirate Queen herself? If yer looking for support, boyo, I think it may be wise to avoid those already supportin' him, as it would take probably more time than is wise if we intend to get off o' this f&ckin' ship before she spreads her legs for one o' the big pirate lords, ye know?
Janus walks through the strange mist on his way to From. Seeing the wounded form of Charolet he gets a worried look on his face. "What has happened here? Are you alright lass? Have you done this boy?"
"Nnggh... That crazy nag!" Charlotte wheezes, bleeding profusely. "I... Uh..." She staggers from a moment, dripping copious amounts of blood onto her clothing and the floor.
In a last ditch effort to stay conscious, Charlotte clamps both of her hands onto the deep cut in her chest. I swear if that leaves a scar, I'm going to tear that sow a new...
Focusing the last of her power, Charlotte invokes the ocean's purifying powers, wincing at the familliar sting of ethereal saltwater cleansing her wounds.
Dazed out of reality for just an instant, Charlotte collapses against the wall, as her injuries slowly stabilize into deep cuts rather than the deadly wounds they were an instant ago.
"I'll... whoa... I'll be alright, I think. It's that Syl woman, she had it out for me. Pretty sure she's too scared now to try something again, though."
Still rather woozy, and not willing to trust the sawbones with her health just yet, Charlotte applies her own brand of healing some more, rendering her wounds more bearable.
Then, she realises that she's given away the existence of her magic.
"Ah... merde."
Iggy approaches the tall Mwangi, keeping his hands palm out and his sleeves rolled up to show nothing untowards going on. "Shivkah, I'm betting? I hear through the souls on the ship that there's trouble brewing. And that bit of trouble, I'm hearing, is something you're familiar with? I'd prefer to nip it in the bud with as little trouble as possible. Because we've seen what Scourge and Plugg and them think of trouble, aye?"
As Temerith considered her words he suddenly smiled like a shark Jesal Salt even if he not be the drinking sort must have some way to let loose, something that forces him divulge information... Wait I have an idea, mister Salt seems to be a decent man owning up to his own mistakes even when he got whipped for it... As such to get to the heart of Salt we go through the only friend he has on the crew and that is how we enter Salt's heart. I'll need to grill the cook over an open flame so to speak but he will either by trickery or fear divulge every single detail about Mr. Salt and that cook can certainly be plied with drink...
Temerith stroked his white beard thoughtfully and pondered the shadowman and then a thought struck him... As for the shadowman I have realized something, I don't need to kill Scourge, Pluggs and Harrigan... I need to capture them alive and unlike Mr. Hank allow the Shadowman to indulge in his darker vices, you see by his very nature Mr. Ult has alienated Mr. Hank due to his vices. I by contrast am willing to morally flexible with the shadowman and offer him many opportunities to indulge in his desires do you think that Mr. Hank will be so generous?
As for Sandara I will admit the chances be slim unless of course Mr. Hank screws up majorly in which case that Besmaran is going to jump ship right quick... However I need more allies and I need to ensure that Mr. Hank does not get more of them, tell me of the pirates in this crew who can be swayed by promises of gold, drink, fear, glory or revenge...
Variziel was taken aback by the speed with which some women seemed to be dashing from the quartermaster's--Is she in a bad mood, I wonder?--before finding Charlotte clutching her stomach. Seeing the blood, he moved forward quickly and caught the swaying woman, holding her steady. "Charlotte, what happened?"
The half-elf's eyes widen as he hears her whisper some form of incantation and her wounds close a little. He continues to hold her against the wall as she continues to heal herself, wondering at her ability. "You... You have the gift of magic? Amazing!" He then realizes he's still holding her and lets go, stepping back as he hears Janus's voice.
Variziel turns to look at the Kuthite. "No, of course not! I just found her like this a moment ago. But I think I know who was responsible..." He frowns, making sure to hold in mind the women who rushed past him. "I think our Mister Hank will have his troublemakers."
"Oh good then. I though I was going to have to put her out of her misery and cover for you my boy, no offense madame but I see potential for this boy. If we are on the same page though, well then it is a good page to be on now is it not. Stop gawking at the lady, act as if have never seen someone heal themselves."
The half-elf gapes at Janus for a moment, unable to speak. "Put her out of her misery"? What on Golarion...
Following Charlotte stares blankly at Janus for a moment, before slapping him forcefully and stomping off. "Monstre!"
Shivkah stands with her back to you as you talk. After you finish, she turns towards you, speaking in a husky, but cold, voice, And what trouble might that be? I don't appreciate threats, Mr.Hank. I would presume that whatever imbecile told you of me would have informed you of such.
Sounds about right, but that Janus fella still creeps me the f&ck out. There are a few people I talked to last night that may join up. A Half-Elf woman with grey hair shaved in stripes named Badger Medley seems a bit p!ssed off at her lot in life. That Gnome lady with one eye seems terrified of moving around all these bloody longshanks on this ship, no offense boyo. I don't know her name or nothin', so you may need to ask around. Then there's that wierd fish guy, Xion. Acts like some kinda d@mn priest, but he seems more like an assassin to me. Folks say he's a sodding Malenti, but if so, he's pretty docile for one o' the shark folk. Just look for the blue-skinned guy wearing the black metal mask covering the bottom half o' his face. He don't talk much, so I don't know what he's all about. Tread carefully around him, boyo. I can keep an ear open to see if there's anyone else open to our plan. So, which o' them are ya going after first? I'd say Xion would be more useful to us, if ya can crack him that is.
Iggy looks around for a moment, making sure the officers aren't watching
"Shivkah, it is not a threat. I simply want to make sure that if there is trouble on the ship, that it doesn't make it to Harrigan, savvy? You seem a smart sort, and from the imbecile who told me about you, I'd assume you'd prefer NOT to end up like the Magpie?" He lets that hang, his mark glowing momentarily.
Now in the clear, Charlotte seeks out the quartermaster, relaying the Captain's request for some drink. Should the latter inquire about Charlotte's wounds, she will claim that Lady Syl and her cronies attacked her, but not mention healing herself.
Stepping into the quartermaster's, Variziel waits behind Charlotte, hoping that this will be less complicated than most of the goings-on on-board seem to be.
Shivkah ponders this for a moment, then calmly replies, A fair enough point, Mr.Hank. If you're not Harrigan's little lapdog, why did you seek me out?
As you two walk into the the quartermaster's room, you hear Grok's tuneless whistling, a poorly performed whistling of 'The Lusty Cleric and the Busty Lich', a completely tasteless and bawdy pirate medley about a sexual encounter between the song's namesakes. She turns and notices you both, Charlotte and Variziel, what can ol' Grok get for... d@mn, what happened to you? she asks Charlotte. After Charlotte explains, Grok replies, That Syl's a crazy a$$ b!tch, let me tell ya! Ya might want to get that seen about. That Janus'll fix ya up right, d@mn fine man that he is! After fetching the alcohol, Grok also brings a cup of rum to Charlotte, Here girl, it's not much, but it should help with the pain. Run along to Harrigan now, best not to keep him waiting. Grok then turns to Variziel, And what can I do for ya, Variziel? I heard from Sylus earlier that ya got some gold, impressive for a newcomer. So are ya wantin' to buy something?
"Thanks, Grok." Charlotte nods. "I'll make sure Syl gets what's coming to her."
Charlotte drinks the rum down with the kind of speed one wouldn't expect of a woman her size and tucks the captain's bottle under her arm. She takes her fiddle out of its case and readies it along her arm, then walks off back to the captain at a determined pace, fiddling the first few chords of "The Lusty Cleric and the Busty Lich" along the way.
Your description of this "Xion" interests me and I be betting he is a "priest" or at least a Disciple of Dagon, the sharkfolk have always been a bloodthirsty lot and among the deities that they venerate the true standout be Dagon, the Shadow Under the Sea and the Patron of Ydrius the Damned... Such a being is useful if controlled and knows that he is replaceable. This Badger lady however be a person I want to recruit, anger is an emotion that is easily manipulated and with my silver tongue she will become a weapon to strike against my enemies.
"Yes, that'd be great," Variziel says, growing a little more comfortable at the orcish woman's conversational tone. Good to find one more person who isn't out to kill, maim, or humiliate me. "I'd love to have my sword back, but I'm guessing that's not entirely allowed? Unless you could make an exception..."
"I'm a Markborn, first and foremost, son to the cleric and Free Captain, Esmerelda Hank. You see any respect for the Banshee on this floating death trap? If ol' Harrigan cares as much about his treasure as much as he lists for more, a new ship'll arise on the horizon. That's the way of the Shackles; you and I both know that. You're strong and capable, but if Harrigan gets to you, then you'll be dead before you have a chance to deal the just desserts to the two we all dislike the most. So I'm trying to look out for those of us who remember a ship is a fancy wooden bucket in a salt bath without its crew. I'd also like your skills, in that Temerith decides to do something stupId that'll get us all killed. So, where do you stand? Do I have your support? Or will force my hand on the duty Harrigan gave me?"
Iggy lets this hang for a few moments. If he gets her agreement and support, he extends a hand to clasp her forearm. "And the name is Iggy. The only Hank that's earned the last name is me mum, Esme."
Janus stares after everyone as they head to groks "Why does she tease me so?"
You walk into Harrigan's quarters, drink and fiddle in hand. He's still standing over the map, scanning it diligently. Took ye long enough, girl, Harrigan intones, So what was so d@mn important that I was forced to wait? He then looks up, noticing your bloodstained clothing and the remaining portion of your wounds, I told these imbeciles no infighting! Who's the fool that dared ignore me orders? Speak, girl!
Ya put me in a tight spot, Variziel. Ya're a nice enough sort, but the Captain frowns on newcomers being armed. I technically can grant you permission to get yer sword back, but still, Harrigan would likely give me a tongue lashin'. Tell ya what, how much gold have ya got? After hearing how much gold you have, Grok replies, Alright, how's this sound: ya give me 15 gold for a 'liscence' to reown your sword, assumin' ya don't act like a fool with it. Then, if ya survive the first battle and you're proven as one of the crew, I'll give ya back 10 of that 15 gold. The 5 gold I'm keepin' as a 'handler's fee'. Sound fair enough?
Shivkah swiftly replies, Your ancestry, while impressive, is utterly useless except in a battle of words. Your own skills are what make you useful. As I have not seen them, I withhold judgement of them. You have my support, Iggy, but know this: if you falter, do not think that you shall not be discarded. Power is the only thing worth my respect, no matter how it is exercised: skill at arms, skill in the art of murder, skull in leading the weak and shiftless, or skill with the magics of gods or men, it's all the same to me. You understand, where I'm coming from? The Ruby Prince helps those who help themselves, wisdom gained from the slave boats of Okeno. Remember that, practice it, and live by it, and you may yet earn my respect.
"My apologies, capitaine. Trouble found me on the way to the quartermaster. It was Syl and her followers. She ambushed me in the halls with three others, didn't get to see their faces well. Tried to cut my heart out; I was lucking to be good at scaring people off and that that lad Variziel happened to be around."
Then, suppressing a smirk, Charlotte adds: "Said you wouldn't know, too."
"That sounds fine by me, Mistress Grok. Thank you for your trust, and if Harrigan isn't happy with you, let him know it was my request." Variziel takes the sword and belts it on, feeling much more comfortable with the familiar weight of a blade on his hip. "If I could request one more item--I had a small bag, oiled to prevent water damage, and inside were some writing implements--a journal, pen, and ink. I have seven gold pieces left, and I'd give them all for the bag."
Iggy chuckles and smirks slightly, pushing the hair from his eyes as he turns to walk away. "Maybe this evening we will find a good way to test those skills out. Hopefully you are at least as strong as Fipps." And with that, Iggy goes back to the Captain, to report his "findings".
Temerith gazed at the sky and saw that dusk was fast approaching, he examined the deck briefly from his perch. His eyes busily scanning for those mentioned and for Ogruk...
perception
Syl, ye say? I saved that d@mn harlot from the gallows and she repays me with betrayal. Nobody ignores MY rules on MY ship! I'll get Plugg to find something 'creative' to punish her with. A mere lashing is too simple, but a keelhauling would be too much, for now at least. Nevermind that for now, give me a happy tune, girl!
A journal? What, do ya write some poetry or something? If ya want journal and stuff, I can just give that to ya. Don't think we could make a profit off of it anyway. Let me fetch that for ya! Grok goes behind the counter and retrieves your sheathed sword and the bag containing your writing materials. Here ya go, Variziel. Remember, don't get crazy with that sword or Harrigan will get angry and ya don't want to see him angry! Good on that?
Shivkah stares at you, unblinking, Fipps told me about your match. Said you were a 'right strong little lad', as he put it. We will see tonight if you're as good as you think you are. Oh, and I'm putting gold down on our match, so I'd suggest either bringing some gold, collateral, or prepare to put a favor on the line, as per the usual gambling 'rules', if you want to call them that, in the Shackles. Now, if you will excuse me, I'll be getting back to my duties, Iggy. Without even waiting for your reply, she turns around.
As you look aboard the ship, you see a small Gnome woman with short grey hair and an eyepatch walking nervously on deck. You also see one known as Xion, his light blue skin in contrast to the inky black leather armor and mask he wears. He sits crosslegged near the bow of the ship, almost as if he's in contemplation like some sort of Vudran monk. Your eyes shift to Ogruk as well, though he heads belowdeck almost as soon as you spot him. There is no sign of the woman Badger Medley anywhere.
Charlotte smirks at the thought of vengeance well served.
Then, placing her fiddle against her chin, she thinks for a moment. "Hm... let's see... Ah yes!"
Charlotte places the bow to the fiddle's strings and begins to play The Drowned Rat Rag, a deceptively simple tune with a lively and memorable refrain; one of her favorites when it comes to making her music remembered.
Iggy just chuckles. "I wouldn't have it any other way." And with that, he heads back to the Captain. He shakes his head slowly, as he sees what has happened to poor Charlotte.
"It looks like they've started striking on their own, Captain, while I was looking at other possible leads. It looks like they're trying to avoid me like the plague. But that makes them over eager and willing to make stupid mistakes. The others that I've found on the ship aren't problems; they're just eager to stretch their proverbial muscles."
He then goes quiet, letting the music do its good.
Janus waits for everyone else to leave before coming to see Grok. "The first mate sent me to get a collection of wood and metal to build a prosthesis, but I get an excuse to come by and see you. Any excuse to come by is a blessing I can not pass up." Janus will flirt for a bit and then collect what he needs for the leg.
in just a half hour it would be time to turn Ogruk into his servant, however it was time to see what "secrets" Xion or the Gnome possessed...
Temerith allowed his perception to slip into the Ocean's Lost and view things as they truly were...
Charlotte's music plays and the faintest bit of a smile crosses Harrigan's square-jawed face. Once he hears Ignatious' report, his smile remains as he speaks to Mr.Hank, Mr.Hank, you are free to relax the rest of the day. Tell Plugg I want to see him in here about handling the problem of these traitorous fools that dare defy me on me own ship!
must have made quite an impression for ya to come back to ol' Grok, besides the obvious impressions on your back. How DO the scratch marks feel? I know they LOOK sexy on ya, d@mn fine hunk of a man! After an exchange of banter, provocative and disgusting, you receive the material from Grok for making his hellish device.
As your mind focuses on the spell, the world seems to grow dimmer, less real to you. You search for arcana and find it on the person of Xion. His sword flashes so bright that the light nearly blinds you. You notice threads of arcana used in conjuration spells woven deeply into the blade.
Temerith walked to within five feet of Xion and then spoke in Aquan, he let the words slip out of his mouth like a calm ocean...just before the roiling hurricane.
diplomacy check to make Xion more "pliant",
Xion does not move as you speak, calmly replying in Aquan.
Iggy nods in response and heads out to find Plugg. It is with some urgency that he moves, taking his time to sidestep around the others on shop so as not to impede productivity. He gives a momentary nod to Temerith as he heads in search of wherever Plugg is, relaying a simple message.
"Mr. Plugg, the Captain wants to see you . Apparently there's been an attempt at murdet on board." He lets the information sink in for a moment or two, before adding one last piece of information. "He seems to have taken this quite personal, so swiftness might be in order."
After a little time of flirting with Grok, Janus will head to the area set aside for the doctor's work. There he will work diligently on crafting a new leg from his plans.
"Thank you, Grok." Variziel smiles and takes the journal and sword as well as his leave. From the quartermaster's, he finds a nice nook on deck where he can begin writing down some of what's happened over the past days.