Oh, yer not looking so good, oh well, gulp number two! Sylu gulps down another mouthful of the rum, which feels like liquid fire. Unfazed, he hands the bottle back to you, laughing, Come on boy, it'll put some hair on yer chest!
Iggy strokes his chin for just a few moments. "Well, first, we are gathering the loyal together. I've spoken with Shivkah and she's already on board with the game. We need to be prepared for the day that things change. If those above are as eager as most in our...profession, they'll get hungry for more."
He smirks and begins to pace, as he speaks. "And when they do, there will be a battle and also a recovery phase. And during the recovery phase is when we strike. We, of course, have to make sure that we're not facing the head of this operation in battle, but I think two of the three are something achievable."
He stops pacing. "There is one kink in the plan, though: an arcanist named Temerith. He claims that he is blessed by some mysterious group of dead called the Ocean's Lost." He spits in contempt at the name. "His plans are poorly thought, he has as little respect for the Banshee Queen as our captain does, and he will get those who follow him killed, and may get all of us killed in the process. At the very least, we lose all chance of escape. And I will not lose this advantage."
"So, Giffer, can I count you in on this game? Because I only see two sides to this: either you're on the side blessed by Besmara...or you're not."
The mark on his cheek glows momentarily as he stops speaking.
"So... how many of us does that make, and who do we need to approach? There was that Cog fellow, I believe. He was press-ganged with us, wasn't he?" Charlotte asks Iggy, trying to jog her memory. "Hm... Still, I can't help but wonder when we'll get our chance."
Eh I be, little something wrong with my mind if you take my meaning... Now for the sake of appearances in case anyone comes about asking about my little "head" problem lets be looking like were "busy". If ye catch my drift.
"So far, I have talked to Fipps and Shivkah and have swayed them, for certain. Definitely need to talk to Cog. I'm not sure who all else we have got on our side. I know that Variziel seems to be with us, but as far as Janus and Jesal?...I think we need to grab them and have a sit down. I have no doubt that our local Besmaran priestess is on the boat for this. Who all have you spoken with?"
"I've had a run-in with that Syl gal, but knife-happy as she seems, I wouldn't accept her help even if she offered it. Then there's that big lug of a half-orc, but I'm pretty sure he's loyal to Harrigan. Finally, of course, there's Giffer here. Glad to have you on board."
"Well, alright!"
Variziel nearly drops the bottle as he finishes his second slug and hands it back to Sylus. "I think that... that might need to be all for me..." He clutches his stomach, which feels like it's decided to fend for itself against the rest of the half-elf's body.
"Ahh but my friend, I am always busy. Now do sit down and start telling me of your... problem." Janus waits to hear the real reasons behind Temerith's visit and where he fits in to the man's scheme.
Temerith speaks in a low, serious tone and keeps eye contact with the shadowman as he speaks.
Let me get straight to business, while you have been on this ship others have been plotting... "a change in management". These "discussions" have had a rather unfortunate side effect of me fowling up with the one who is most likely to make my life "unpleasant" if he becomes captain. As it so happens Mr. Hank is also of the same opinion that Mrs. Charlotte has concerning you... Although in the markborn's case he is likely to throw you overboard if he gets his way if I am reading him correctly.
The wind is blowing in a way that is unfavorable for the both of us and while we both stand at different points upon the spectrum of morality I am at heart a pragmatist. The Markborn are not a sign of gentle change and those that have come before in history were not signs of gentle change, hence the reason captains often killed them if they got on board the ship. Killing Hank however it not an option, however replacing him as the potential new captain is certainly a possibility.
I myself have drawn too much ire to do that...unless Mr. Hank screws up majorly, however I won't bank on that possibility. Instead we need to select a man who has so far remained for the most part politically neutral and is quite likable by the standards of most, the half elf Variziel is our best bet... However certain things need to be done, however convincing him to take up the mantle of captain shouldn't be to hard. He is young, eager and I suspect a little hot blooded, with a little prodding he will accept the mantle of captaincy... Under our "expert" guidance of course.
"And what makes you think I care what happens to you or me or the markborn? My very existence offends them oh my, how ever shall I avoid offense? My morals are corrupt and monstrous, tell me why oh why should I care? You wish to save your own skin, well then we only have to make sure we are either too valuable to keelhaul or too dangerous to remove. I for one think without a proper carpenter this ship would have sunk ages ago. I can make sure it sinks easily, and that is our security my new friend. We make it so they know if they try to drop us over the side they would lose more than they would gain. As for a captaincy... well there is a lot of confusion during a mutiny and well people die so easily."
That has some merit but leaving our own skins up to whoever dies in the mutiny could be a bad idea... As for why Variziel should be captain over other candidates it is simple, Mr. Hank might get it into his head that despite our value or lethality that by killing us he pleases his goddess... For pleasing her she will send him replacements that are more in line with his morality, Variziel by contrast has no such "safety net" real or imagined. Furthermore his "supporters" if we play our cards right will be more loyal to US then him, we give him the illusion of power and we play him like a strung fiddle...
Your plan sounds reasonable, dear boy. As I already told Charlotte, I'm in. I may not be a warrior, but I have other ways of helping.[b]
You barely can resist the urge to vomit as the room seems to spin all of a sudden. Sylus lets out a hearty laugh, [b]Oh, don't be such a landlubber Variziel, be a man! He snatches the bottle from your hands and takes another massive gulp. Whooo, that's the stuff! Now boy, are ye sure ye don't want one more? It's 190 proof, good stuff boy! Don't make me call in the favor ye owe! I could call it in and make ye replace old Tibbs cleaning out the loo! And that, dear boy, is a real sh!tty job! He stretches out his arm, offering the bottle to you and cackling like a madman, clearly amused at his joke.
"All...alright," Variziel stammers, taking the bottle. He draws one last swallow from it... and manages to give one more grin before slumping against the wall, quickly losing his grip on consciousness.
"We very much appreciate whatever you can do. I'll try to make sure the higher ups keep well away from the game, and hopefully all will go well."
The Markborn looks to the pair. "So now, we have to figure who all needs to be spoken to."
You quickly lose consciousness, but regain some hazy, dreamlike level of awareness a moment later after emptying the contents of your stomach, the ungodly powerful rum burning your throat as it makes the journey back out. The rest of the night is a blur of barely remembered events.
"You may be underestimating how persuasive I can really be, but you make good points. We shall see where this little game takes us in the end."
The First steps in this game are simple, I can count Maheem and Rosy as allies and Ogruk needs a little push to join us full swing... So far I have convinced him that Scourge wants him dead, which may not be that far from the truth from what I have seen of the man... However Ogruk is not believing that his dear captain is insane... That needs to be remedied, or we need to somehow demonstrate that Scourge has convinced Harrigan that Ogruk is a threat to him. Any Ideas?
"Now all that remains is grabbing the rest of the crew into the game. We also need to speak to the Mwangi fellow Jesal, as well as Variziel."
Sighing, he rubs his eyes. "We also need to get to our newest sawbones. I don't much like him, he doesn't follow Besmara, but he at least has sense in his head. And if we're to have a solid chance at succeeding, he's a lynch pin."
The Markborn looks at Giffer. "If you know of anyone, let me know. For now, lets return before we garner suspicion"
As you lay down in your cot and nod off, another day in the Shackles comes to a close.
You awaken to the sound of the morning bell ringing and Scourge's unpleasant voice, Get out o' bed, ye slugs, or I'll see yer backs layed open!
Strangely enough, as you look around, Variziel is nowhere in sight. You don't recall seeing him turn in last night either. Where could he be?
Temerith got out of his cot groggily and motions to Janus to come closer...
Iggy just stares at the empty cot as his eyes drift open. He begins his morning preparation of reading a small tome of Besmaran teachings, as he just shakes his head. "That boy is going to fall overboard if he keeps having nights like that."
He shakes it off but looks around for signs of the young swordsman, after completing his devotions.
Charlotte awakens, finding her hair braided in a clumsy way. Oh, sis. Had fun overnight, I see.
Stepping out of bed, Charlotte shakes the loose locks free and allowing her hair to flow straight over her shoulders again.
A quick create-water-aided washup later, she grabs her violin and heads out to deck, nodding to Iggy on the way and wondering where the young swordsman went. Great, he's gotten himself in trouble already.
Not again. Please, Desna, Cayden, anyone, hear my cry. Not again.
He looks down and groans at the sight of the sarong, then quickly checks his hand. He gives a sigh of relief or curses under his breath , then blinks again and presses the back of his hand to his forehead, taking stock of his surroundings. "Where... am I?" he asks aloud, half testing his throat. It's a tad raw, but working. Smells like Aunt Belinda's. He blinks. I don't have an Aunt Belinda. What did I drink last night?
Janus stands and stretches out like a cat from a nap, body arching and undulating in ways few would think to move. "Oh promises promises scourge, you know just the things to say to keep me in my nice snug cot. You can join me if you promise to let me flay a little back." he shouts back up to Scourge, a momentary smile flickers a crossed his lips at the laughter of some of the crew. One can not threaten one with a good time, some day he will learn.
Noticing Temerith's furtive waving Janus draws nearer to his new... friend?... ally?... co-conspirator? Whatever he was he could have just done his whispering words on the wind trick to better avail and with less sign of undo things afoot.
You glance around, searching for Variziel, but to no avail. Judging from the look of his cot, he had prepared it, but never actually slept in it. Next to his cot, you see a strange golden hourglass with shimmering sands and what looks to be miniature desert settings, a palace in the upper half and an oasis in the lower, as well as a strange sky and a miniature sun that lights the inside with the colors of dawn. What a strange thing to be sitting beside his bed!
Temerith carefully made it look like he was a old silver coin to Janus and he whispered as he passed the coin...
Keep within at least a hundred feet of my if you can, my "whispering" can go anywhere in that distance, so long as wood doesn't block it... It can however circumvent that if there is an open path. Understand?
"Huh? The swordsman? ... If he keeps accepting any drink they offer, that one's going to get himself in deep trouble."
Though she's curious to investigate the strange object, Charlotte decides that not getting the whip is probably more important. She reports on deck as soon as possible, fiddle in hand.
Soon, she thinks to herself as she lays her eyes on the ocean beneath the rising sun. And it'll be thanks to you, old friend, she nods to the vast expanse. Oh, how she longs to go for a swim.
Jesal will awake and head to the kitchen, keeping an eye out for a momen t alone.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"You do realize most of my day is spent in a small wooden box of a room with a wood door on it right."
Hence the reason you should leave the door open so long there is a path to the intended target within the spell's range it will find it's merry way to the target. Think of it this way, with the door open you can operate like a chelexian medical theater...Zon Kuthon style.
Spoiler=Variziel] The strange woman smiles and laughs merrily, You really WERE drunk last night then! I told you about a great deal of things, Master. Oh, and your things? Let me get that for you! She snaps her fingers and all of your gear appears on the bed next to you. Now, let me paraphrase what we talked about last night to jog your memory. My name is Y'shara, Shara for short, one of the esteemed daughters of Sultan Mat'aamet Ibn Asad Ben Daoued, one of the rulers of the Djinni. I was given as a gift of respect to a rather cruel magelord captain from the Shackles that did my father a great service, then passed down as an 'heirloom' to a string of pirates as each died of age or battle. Then, I met your great-grandfather, Adrian Bloodsword, a rather dashing man the likes of which I had never seen before. I served him until he gave my vessel, the hourglass, away on his deathbed as a sign of respect to a former foe of his that had become his greatest ally. You already met his offspring, the Dhampir Sylus? He inherited his father's dark heritage, but has managed to overcome the worst of it. Still, he has succumbed to the darkness a few times and suffered greatly for it. Ever wonder why he wears that ring on his neck? Ever wonder why his laughter has the tinge of desperation to it? Back on topic however, we discussed your family, where the woman you seek is, and similar things related to your past. Do you remember any of it now, master?[/spoiler]
Everyone walks on deck, seeing the familiar faces of Scourge and Plugg awaiting them. Plugg's face shows quite a bit of anger. He speaks in an agitated tone, All right you lot, I have no time to p!ss around with pleasantries today. Charlotte, Janus, report to the Captain at once, he would like to speak with you. You there, Salt is it? Go to Kroop, he has a task for you. Sparklepants, grab the bend and get to work on the rigging. Mr.Hank, come over here, we need to talk. The rest of you, Scourge will give you your orders. Get a move on, this isn't some Varisian circus, you imbeciles!
Charlotte, flickering between curiosity and distrust, makes her way to Harrigan's station.
"Good morning, captain. I've been told you wanted to see me," she salutes.
Temerith moves to find Rosie...
perception
"So, I discussed a woman I was searching for? Who was that? And what do you know of her? And what else did we talk about?" He gives a small grin. "I think details would be a good thing, milady."
Janus walks to the deck of the ship, the whole time he slithers his way through he is preoccupied with his morning devotions. Every few steps he takes counts off a time he only knows as he slides pins of steel through the taut skin on the back of his hands, each pin that slides home brings with it a little more of the pattern he labors so diligently at. A sharp rose takes shape from the bloody pin pricks and the end of each pin a thorn along its stem.
He waits patiently as he is told to see the captain, and bows deeply to the captain when he meets.
You both walk into the Captain's office. He looks up from his table and speaks to you, Aye, I called both of ye here. Now Charlotte, I have talked with Mr.Plugg about this 'situation' that arose with Syl. He came up with something most... creative. He turns to Janus, Now, I'm to understand that ye aren't just a surgeon and carpenter, according to Mr.Plugg. He thinks ye can 'persuade' Syl to get back in line with doing her work, says ye have your ways with a knife and with pain. I want ye to head down to the bilges and break her, but DON'T kill her, after all the boys are rather fond of her swingdoor, if ye know what I mean. Think you're up the the task, boy?
After searching for nearly an hour trying to find Rosie, you feel a tap on your lower back, Oi, Temerith, where've ya been? We've got to get to f&cking work already!
Last night's events have left me drained alas, communion with the Ocean's Lost can be an exhausting experience. Now it is time to get to work and inform you of what has occurred...
bluff check
"I wouldn't have gone that far myself, captain, but if you think that's what it'll take to bring her back in line, then let it be."
Eeeegh. How barbaric. Torture? Really? Is Syl the ship's whore or something? I wouldn't wish that kind of thing on my worst enemy.
"Anything you'd need me to do today, cap'n?" Charlotte asks, fiddle slung over her shoulder.
"As you will sir, but a few questions. How long do I have; how soon must she be able to return to work; do you want visual reminders or to keep her looks intact; and do you want her to be able to lay with men after?"
Iggy heads over to the overblown ego that he's been asked to speak to. He nods and clears his throat after everyone leaves. "You said you needed to speak with me about something?"
His hands flex as he asks the question, being on this ship and in such an odd position not sitting in quite a normal fashion.
It's that rough boyo? Impressive. So, what happened aboard ye old' shithole last night?
Well Charlotte, that's how we run things on me ship! Ye break the rules, we break yer body. Simple, aye? I want ye to head with Janus here and watch for today. You will see me generosity at work." After Janus asks his question, Harrigan belts out a laugh, Well, she's our little doxy, so don't mess up her looks too bad. That said, disobedience will not be tolerated, because there's plenty o' wenches that could serve us, so make sure she feels the pain. And ye have all day, so have fun. Now, if that is all, I have some things to do.
I noticed the knife-ears isn't here. Where is he?[/b]
I have good news, Ogruk with a little bit of trickery will become my "pet" shortly...as it is Ogruk now believes that a certain "whip" has it out for him. Once were at the mast I'll tell you a little more of my plan.