"Be givin dis one dat leather bag dere. Anna, iffun ya dunna mind, maybe da symbol of Gozreh ta, ya? Me spices are important but da blessing of da food is important ta!". Salt points at his spell component pouch.
Grok laughs at you, As much as I'd like to split a few sroat skulls as well, it ain't worth getting keelhauled over! Ever seen what's left of a man after a keel hauling? It's enough to make me look like some fetching Chelish courtesan and that's saying something! I like yer style, so I'd suggest you keep talk like that to yourself, especially around the rest of the crew. The Cap'n don't take kindly to such things and it's a bad idea to p!$$ him off. Just helping ya out here boy.
[/ooc]Charlotte,[/ooc] Grok looks somewhat disappointed when you say that you're only decent at singing, Pity, I love some singing. Still, any music would be good enough to liven up this ship. Best of luck to you, girl!
Rosie looks at you with a smirk, All in due time, all in due time. First we need to get back down before people start to get suspicious.
Mr.Plugg plays at thinking for a moment, Hmmm, go fetch a mop and start swabbing the decks. You are to work with Cogs, Conchobar and Sandara. That should be sufficient to do a decent job. Get to work!
Temerith finished the ropes and began the process of climbing down. He dodged quickly from near broken ropes, hopefully new ropes would be acquired soon.
climb check
climb check
Ignatius extends a friendly hand to Grok. "I like your style as well, so I'll take that advice to heart. Just remember, some fates are worse than a keel hauling. The name's Ignatius Hank, by the by." After that, he heads to the bilge for some smashing of vermin.
Grok looks at you askance, Blessed food eh? And materials in this bag, they're for cooking? This should be interesting. See if ya can make some Mwangi crawfish chowder, extra spicy for me, will ya?
Janus waits calmly in the corner, waiting for everyone else to leave.
Salt takes his holy symbol and spell component pouch with a simple, "Thank ya," and retraces his steps to the galley.
As you finish climbing down the rigging to the deck, Mr.Plugg approaches you, You and the bend go down to the mid-deck and head towards the back of ship and get some new rope from the Quartermaster to replace from of these frayed ropes.
Grok takes your hand with an iron grip and shakes it, There aren't many fates worse, friend. Name's Grok by the way, which I'm sure ya know already. Best get ta work before Plugg cops an attitude! As you climb down the ladder into the bilge, the stench of brackish water assaults your nostrils and the air feels sickeningly damp. Your eyes take a moment to adjust to the gloom and once they do, the bilges are apparently not well-kept. The room has a foot or two of brackish water and the walls and ceilings are covered in thick cobwebs that could easily entangle a small bird. A single bilge pump rests in the room and the bilges apparently serve as the Wormwood's brig as well, as you can see the walls lined with six sets of manacles, one set clapped to a scrawny old man with a scraggly beard. Boxes and crates lay haphazardly in the brackish water.
As you walk into the galley, you see that the drunken cook has finally caught the chicken he was chasing as you walked through. He lovingly pets the black-feathered chicken as if it were some purebred Galtan Lapdog, cooing to it, obviously drunk. Who's a good girl? Yes you are! Yes you are! The chicken simply looks at him with a vacant stare, occasionally cocking it's head to the side.
Ignatius whistles low, seeing how bad the entire area looks. "Quite a nasty bilge." He pushes past some thick cobwebs, keeping his eyes open and aware for anything nasty, as nasty was likely down there. Keeping his voice down, he looks through the various boxes and crates as he speaks to the man. "Old-timer? What's your name?"
Temerith hurried towards the quartermaster
Janus waits patiently as his fellow new crew mates receive their equipment. He watches with an unblinking gaze as the odd female with multi colored eyes and her imposing friend leave to perform their respective duties. His face takes on a truly pitying countenance as they pass by. A female of such beauty onboard this ship, why the crew will ruin her looks before too long. Such a pity she will probably be used up by the time I get to help her see. Such a fair canvas for such beautiful work that could be done. Such a shame. He nods respectfully towards the two as they pass.
Next the odd Mwangi man and his talk of blessing the food and mwangi spices. A good meal would be nice right about now. A few morsels sitting in his stomach would probably be the difference between a steady hand and a bloody mess on his operating table. Ahh but the fun times I will have here
Janus waits patiently still as the halfling and her new friend pass the Mwangi as he leaves. Ahh interesting, they do seem to pair off so quickly. Maybe they take comfort in the bonds they form. Such mercurial bonds, so easy to break. They will need to be stronger. He waits still, wondering what these two are here for.
Variziel sighs. "Sounds fine, Mister Plugg. Quartermaster's to get a mop, I presume?"
Once he's been told where to fetch a mop, the half-elf makes his way to a spot with the rest of the swabs and begins mopping. At least it's something I know how to do... "So, how did you all get here? 'Shanghaied' like me?" He looks up and gives a small smile, raising an eyebrow.
"Oi, Kroop! Dis one being here as da cook's mate. Whatcha be needin?" Jesal says loudly after watching the buffoonery in front of him.
Tha name's Magpie, Jakes Magpie, young sir. Ya coming' to take me to me keelhaulin'? It's a right shame 'dem b@$tards is keelhaulin' me just cuz I wanted some rum to dull tha day-to-day humdrum. Well, dat and da fact I may have helped meself to some o' the latest booty. And that I may have 'misplaced' some gold from tha quartermaster's stash. What's an ol' salt to do, pass up an opportunity fer treasure just 'cause it ain't mine? I'll tell ya right now boy, back in my day...
As the old man drones on and on talking, your keen ears hear a soft skittering sound behind you.
As you and Rosie rush to the quartermaster's room, the hideous Half-Orc takes on a slightly annoyed look, More newcomers? I take it that YOU need somethin' as well? Woman can't get a break to drink some rum for nothin' on this ship! So what do ya want? Be snappy about it, I don't have all day! I've already provided provisions for around twenty people today and I'm ready for my break! Rosie steps forward, I want me fiddle and we need some rope for the riggings, ye f&ckin' piranha faced sack o' whale sh!t!
[ooc]Charlotte, noted. There will be opportunity soon, so don't worry!
Mr.Plugg rolls his eyes, Yes, yes, of course the quartermaster's. This isn't some sparklepants wizard college with mops that fly around and swab the decks themselves. Run along now and get to work. You can hear the condensation in his voice as he speaks. Cogs looks at you and mutters something under his breath and Conchobar pretends to not hear you. Only Sandara Quinn answers you, Of course, boyo, ye didn't think we joined on this p!$$-bucket o' a ship by choice, did ye? There's not a but a shred o' honor among the pirates on this shop an' that's just shameful. All of us should abide by the Code, but as ye can tell, these are some right dirty b@$tards right here! Still, I suppose it's better than bein' a landlubber, eh? In case ye didn't catch it earlier, the name's Quinn, Sandara Quinn, priestess o' Besmara an' aspiring pirate. You're Variziel, right? Pleasure to meetcha boyo! Sandara extends an open hand in your direction for a handshake.
Kroop dives his considerable girth under the nearby table with his chicken, startled by the noise, ARE YA HERE TO FINISH ME OFF, YA SLACK-JAWED NANCY? I KNOW THA CRAB KING SENT YA TO PUNISH ME FOR ALL HIS SUBJECTS WE'VE EATEN ALL THESE YEARS! WELL, I WON'T GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT, YA EVIL CRUSTACEAN AND... oh, yer me new mate, ye say? Ya didn't have to scare me like that with yer yellin', boy! Ah well, forgive and forget, eh? The name's Ambrose Kroop, former star chef and aspirin' merchant, relegated to bein' a ship cook for the past sev'ral years. And what's yer name boy? Kroop crawls out from under the table, his ill-fitting clothing revealing far too much skin as he gets up. He adjusts his floppy white chef's hat on top of his tangled, greasy black hair and looks at you with bleary brown eyes, waiting for a reply.
The inquisitor shakes his head throughout the whole process. "You made a stupid move stealing from those folks."
Ignatius turns to the source of the sound, motioning the Magpie to be quiet. "Shush, Magpie. Maybe we'll find a way to get you out of this, but right now, you need to be quiet, 'cause somethin' is down here with us, savvy?"
As you turn around, you look around looking for the source of the noise. Your eyes rest upon a dark colored spider the size of a small dog crawling across the wall to your left, about ten feet away from you. Magpie cries out, Kill it! By the gods, kill that thing!!!
He wheels towards the arachnid, grumbling. "Shut it, Keelhaul! I'm not blind!"
I would advise you be quick, Rosie may simply ignore the Captain's no kill order she has a rage that puts Rovavog to shame.
intimidate check
"Aye, Variziel's my name," he says, smiling and shaking her hand. "Swordlord in training, or at least I was, and also an aspiring pirate. Honor and a code, you say?" Variziel pauses in his mopping for a moment, considering. Perhaps pirates aren't the rotten doggerels I'd taken them for, nor the lawless villains that the Rivadria's family took them to be.
"Could you tell me more of this code, and of Besmara?" Variziel asks, resuming his swabbing. "She's something of a god of pirates, yes? I'd like to learn more of this life; after all, I'm here to learn of how my great-grandfather lived."
Charlotte notices Variziel nearby, speaking to a female swabbie. Curious, she listens in on their conversation without a word.
Jesal sighs and says, "Dis one bein named Jesal, but ya can be callin me Salt, jus like all da others."
He looks around the kitchen and the the greasy man, and sighs again. "Whatcha be needin me ta do?"
Grok's eyes go wide, I meant nothin' by it, honest! Here, let me fetch that rope and fiddle right away! Grok hurries and pulls the items out of a nearby locker and crate, handing them to you in haste, See? No harm done! We good now, friends?
Sandara's lips form into a smile, Never heard of a Swordlord before, but I'm always eager to spread the word about the Code and the Pirate Queen's teachings, 'specially to a handsome elf-child like ye! Ta start off with, the Code is sorta like an informal agreement between all who practice the art of piracy, at least in the Shackles anyway. The Code is fairly simple: respect yer crew, leave your grudges behind on the shore, good work earns a good share o' the loot, and ye honor yer parleys. From what I have seen, and heard, the cap'n of this ship honors none of 'em. As for the Pirate Queen, Besmara is goddess sea monsters, strife, and piracy. She protects those who honor her by protecting them from the terrors of the sea and helping steer their ships towards gold and glory. Some landlubbers would say that she is a fickle goddess, but only because they have never known the love of the sea, never known a pirate's life. The freedom to do as ye please and live a life on the waves, that is true freedom, Variziel. Ye know it don't ye? Ye feel Cap'n Bloodsword's blood in your veins, calling you to the sea. Don't deny it, I heard ye earlier and I could tell ye heard the call of the sea, the call of freedom, glory, and loot. Even if ye don't know it yet, ye will. Just give it some time!
Pleasure to meet ya, Mr.Salt! What's all the sighs fer boy? This be the easiest job aboard! Today, we'll start ya off with somethin' simple: Buttered Shackles Crab Cakes with a side of Fishguts Stew! Now let me just show ye how to do it...
"Those are wise words, Sandara."
Charlotte says, pausing between two songs to approach the two swabbies. As she does, a few notes pluck themselves off the strings without Charlotte touching the instrument.
"There are pirates, and then there are just plain rats. You'd to well to listen to her words, would-be Swordlord. If you're looking to follow in your old man's steps, he'd want you to do it right."
Charlotte extends Sandara a handshake.
"It's an honor to meet a cleric of the Pirate Queen herself. Ain't nothing I revere quite as much, save for the sea itself."
"Oh, I feel the call," Variziel whispers, taking a moment to glance out to the open waters. He turns as Charlotte walks up and smiles. "Aye, I'll listen. And I'll try and do as Besmara requests. But what's to be done about our fine captain? Seems none of us care for him."
Ignatius makes his move and swings at the nasty arachnid.
"Don't you worry about that. The sea has her ways of dealing with troublesome folk."
Suddenly, Charlotte stumbles, placing her forearm on Variziel's shoulder and leaning on him, apparently for balance.
[DiceWhichever check]1d20[/dice]
"Crabba whosa? Ya, ok ... be gettin ta work now "
Jesal starts off slow, misreading spices and struggling to find things in the kitchen. Stirring and tasting, praying and cursing, he finally ends up with a monochromatic pile of foul smelling sludge.
[I]This isn't good .. well at least I can prevent anyone from getting sick[/b]
He casts purfiy food and drink once complete. He will do this every time he is serving something in the kitchen from here on out
"Gozreh special right here!"
Temerith nodded at the quartermaster and motioned for Rosie to follow him, Temerith grabbed the ropes and went up to the mast.
The half-elf helps Charlotte back to her feet and nods. "To be sure."
Such ill mannered creatures I have been stuck with. Don't they understand you don't make an enemy of the one who makes sure you have what you need for you job. A bit of disgust flashes across Janus' face at the treatment of the quartermaster. As always he is patient. He waits for Tem and Rosie to leave. He also waits the blessedly short amount of time that it takes for the swabs to come down and ask for mops.
to look over what she has sitting out.
for remaining quiet and trying to remain unnoticed. The whole standing there quiet you didn't notice me because of all the loud people bit.
When Janus is satisfied no one else is coming he glides out effortlessly from the corner he had been standing in. He walks up to the lady Grok, approaching as sympathetically as he can."Such a mixed lot with the new group eh. The one with the eyes sure can fiddle to be sure, I wish I had a voice to match. Oh yes and the mwangi is a funny fellow, but the rest seem to be an ill mannered pack of sea rats ready to drown beneath the keel. None of them show the respect a woman of your position deserves. But it would seem you have been treated so poorly before. The scar on your throat would speak of a tragic tale, a tale of a mugging in a infamous port. Some people may think you should be pit tied or batted about like some mouse," Janus shifts his weight his weight slightly bringing himself just that little bit closer, just enough to change the mood from formal to intimate."but I think you deserve to be seranaded instead of mistreated so."
"What must I do, to bring you a smile.
What must I do, just to get you to sigh.
For I would follow any sail, no matter the mile.
Fight any foe, if only to die.
Could you be happy, merry and light.
Would it cost dearly, to have this one wish.
Just for one smile, what a wonderful sight.
For this I would wager, no matter the risk.
Just give me a sign, my comfortable dear.
Should I bring you a coin, from ever strange port.
Or range far for plunder, so far from here.
Or raid foreign cities, and strange foreign court.
What would it take, for one simple kindness.
What would it take, just to hear that cry.
My name on your lip, would ever be timeless.
How should I live, and how now I die.
But low I am broken, out here on the sea.
For darkness descends, strikes down my last breath.
No comfort I find, no kindness for me.
You will never have known me, not even my death.
The light steady tune becomes slow and heavy on the final stanza, a somber quiet falls when the tune is done.
Breaking the silence, and at once becoming it. Janus' voice carries the weight of the void behind it."My dear I hope you will at least remember me fondly, I am Janus Ult, and I am at your service. May I have your name my dear, since no other has been kind enough to ask."
Sandara reaches her gloved hand out and shakes Charlottes, A pleasure to meet ye too, Charlotte, it's always nice to meet another free spirit with a love o' the sea, a sense o' honor, and a taste for wealth! Too bad most folks only have that last bit. Sandara leans in close and whispers, Harrigan won't be quite so easy to take down. Most o' the crew's fiercely loyal to him out o' fear. That man once wrestled a Garundi wereshark and snapped it's neck. If we strike, it must be in a moment o' weakness, otherwise he would stand a good chance o' winning. Ye seem like good sorts, so please don't do anything rash and get yerselves killed, yeah?
You bear the club down on the spider, which swiftly dodges the strike The spider retaliates by lashing out with fangs that drip venom...
Which connects, barely scraping your skin. Your body reels from the toxin now coursing through your system and you try to fight back the feelings of weakness in your muscles.
Grok just notices you as everyone leaves, I didn't even see ya there! What can I do for ya, since ya were nice enough to not come in here and give me a headache like the rest of these sroats? Grok looks taken aback, How did ya know how I got this scar?! I never told anyone how I got it. Some bastard gave it to me in Port Peril when I was 11, cut my throat and left me for dead over ten pieces of copper I earned as a scullery maid. I hunted that b@$tard down years later and gave him what he deserved, a f&cking axe through his head. I've never spoken about this... to anyone before. Serenade me? I merely asked the woman earlier to sing. To be serenaded, that is pleasant if... unexpected. I would be honored to hear ya serenade me, fine sir! The Half-Orc woman's eyes tear up for a moment and a small stream runs down from her left eye, That was... beautiful! You sounded like a male version of that gorgeous Chelish singer in Hell Harbor! The name is Jazara Grok, but ya can call me Jaz. These other sroats call me Grok, as a formality. And don't worry, I will always remember ya kindly for showing me the same. Listen... if you're not doing anything tonight, do ya want to share a bottle of Chelish Heartsblood Wine and chat? Maybe have a nice roll-in-the-sheets afterwards? I warn ya though, I get a bit rough on that last bit! Grok smiles a toothy smile at the last part, awaiting your reply eagerly.
Charlotte nods to Sandara. "A wereshark, you say? That's mighty impressive. I'll keep those words in mind, Sandara, many thanks for the warnings. Were it just for my own sake, I'd be tempted to chance it, but someone else is counting on me, and I wouldn't want to disappoint them."
As she says the last words, Charlotte smiles and looks down and to her side, as if checking on a child or pet.
Ignatius growls, feeling the familiar burn of poison. No! I will not die here. I will not succumb to a spider.
He swings the heavy club in a wide arc, attempting to catch the spider in a wider sweep and at least catch it in a glancing blow, hoping to keep the most needed abilities safely hidden.
"My dear, it would be a singular pleasure. As long as you know where to scratch and where to bite down hard. Ahh but alas I must to my duties, I have been made the needle hand to this ships saw bone. What was his name, Happles, Haggly, something Qualm. Anyway it seems mister Plugly is impressed with my work as a doctor and wants me to collect my things. A full demonstration he wants. So my packs are a must. Plus any bandages and such we may have gathering dust for want of a good stitcher. I could use a new saw but such things are rarely left to lie on a ship. Oh well more the pity. But fret not my dear. Tonight you and I will get together and I think this time I will make you sing." With that last he will let his tongue flick provocatively.
"Aye, I've heard of Harrigan even in my short time in the area. A dangerous man to be sure." He ponders the rumors he's heard for a moment, then looks to Charlotte, one eyebrow quirked. "I also have someone to return home to," he whispers, holding up his hand and looking at the sanctified ring there. "I agree, Sandara--when we strike, if we choose to do so, it will have to be a very opportune moment."
The half-elf sighs. "For example, plotting a challenge when we're supposed to be swabbing probably isn't very opportune."
Rhuun began replacing the frayed ropes and he examined the deck on occasion for persons of note.
perception
Aye, never encountered a wereshark meself, but let's just face it lass, that couldn't have been pretty! Who've ye got countin' on ya lass? Ye seem to be a free-spirit to me, not the type to be tied down by anything, unless that's what yer into in other things, but I won't go there! Sandara says and lets out a husky laugh. Ye didn't tell me ye were engaged! And here I made that comment to ye earlier! I feel like an ignorant doxy now! That or some Calistrian hussie! I apologize to ye for me indiscretion. So what's the lucky lady's name?
As Ignatius swings his club in a wide arc, the spider deftly avoids the move, it's eight legged form skittering around the club with ease. The spider attempts to bite him...
And connects with a bite that pumps the man with even more venom, a toxic fire running through his veins.
Grok smiles, her tusks protruding from her green lips, Oh, don't ya worry about that! A shame ya must go, but I suppose the cap'n would be miffed if ya spent all yer time down here gobbing with me! Let me go fetch ya all of what ya need. I'm sure we have a new saw somewhere around here too... Grok spends a few minutes seraching through the room's storage before heading back to you, Here ya go, Janus! All of the stuff we confiscating from ya, the stuff ya will need to help 'Stitchman', and a lovely new bonesaw, just for you. Grok brandishes the bonesaw and moves it around, letting the light gleam off of the jagged blade as bright as a paladin's avenging sword, before handing it to you.
As you examine the deck, the only prominent people that you notice are Captain Harrigan, Mr. Plugg, Master Scourge, and the others who were shanghai'd. As you absentmindedly replace the frayed ropes and observe the deck, you feel a tap of your shoulder, Shouldn't you be working, qinshek?
Oh, 'dis don't look good at all, Mr.Salt, not at all... Well, the crew won't notice if we choose not to water down their rum tonight. We'll need to fix somethin' better for the cap'n and officers though. Let's try this again, boy!