Charlotte laughs along at Sandara's implications.
"No, it's nothing of the sort. Pretty long and complicated story, actually, and I'd hate to bother you two with it, but suffice to say I owe someone the kind of debt you can't pay back with gold, and the best way I could repay it is to become high and mighty in this world until I can ask the Pirate Queen herself for her help with it. It's a long shot, but I'm not gonna let that stop me. As for who I owe a debt too, let's leave it at 'my little sister'."
A whisper can be heard floating on the breeze. The words are unintelligible, but it sounds hopeful and happy.
Ah, I see. A debt owed to a sibling is a serious debt indeed. Ye wouldn't be botherin' me with the story, but if ye don't want to talk about it, then that's fine lass. Perhaps another time then?
Jesal hangs his head in shame and tries again, changin up a few things and trying to follow the Kroops' instructions better.
... and makes it worse the second time.
Variziel flushes at Sandara's reaction. "No, no, I'm not engaged, and you're no... doxy, or Calistrian hussie. It's... a good friend, back where I grew up. She wants me to write back when I can. And I will, once I find my journal..." The half-elf sighs. "Assuming they didn't just throw it overboard."
You can tell that Variziel hesitates a moment talking about the girl as a friend, almost as though he himself isn't sure whether she's just that or not. Poor guy.
Janus favors Jaz with a smile."Thank you for this. It should make my job easier by half. I do wish I had more time to spend, but now I really must be going. Maybe my duties will bring me around again and we can talk some more. I do believe I would enjoy that, and I look forward to tonight." With a flourished bow Janus will make his farewell and head to the sawbones. Odd that they would have a room devoted to medicine. Might be an interesting change from having to work out on deck.
I am working, now leave me to it unless you want to start replacing ropes.
bluff check
"Why won't you just die!" The inquisitor grumbles, knowing this is just not a matter of irritation but something that could be possibly stall his goal of being free.
His frustration grows, like the storms in open water. The club swings in a swirl, thundering down towards the arachnid that was becoming the bane of his existence.
Kroop frowns deeply, Well, this won't do Mr.Salt, this won't do at all. When we bring the meal to the officers, ye jus' keep yer mouth shut and follow me lead, ok? The cap'n can't find out ye were the one who messed that up. Best it be blamed on me...
Sounds like there's more to your story, but I won't pry.
That may be true, but in my country it is rude to speak without looking a man in the eye. That's the sign of a coward. Are you a coward? the man asks in a deep voice with sharply accented Common.
As you swing your club in a fury, your blow connects to the spider's head with a satisfying, squishing crunch, caving it's head in and scattering chitin, brain matter, and foul fluids across the room. The old man Magpie shouts at you, It took ye long enough, ye useless fishmonger! I've seen jellyfish that could fight better than ye, boy!
With a flourished bow Janus will make his farewell and head to the sawbones.
"Oh really...Then maybe you'd like to take a closer look at my cheek, keelhaul. Because I don't think it's quite the brightest idea to be insulting of those marked by the Banshee Queen."
He lightly taps the dead spider and wipes it off in the bilge water. "In fact...I think that unless you want to find yourself with a few unfortunate marks...well, I think you're going to clue me in on where you put that stash...After all, Besmara holds worse things in store than death..."
"Here's to hopin' you can write to your friend soon, Variziel."
Charlotte resumes her fiddling and observing.
"Sure wonder how this impromptu trip is going to turn out."
Temerith turned around and looked the idiot right in the eyes and let his own glow with the ghostly light of the Ocean's Lost. I have endured the rite of the Ocean's Lost, their guidance and wisdom fill my veins before them you are nothing but a piece of flotsam.
intimidate check
As you walk into the surgeon's quarters, you see the an old man with wispy white hair and sun-beaten skin criss-crossed with scars performing surgery on a woman with tanned skin and long black hair, her mouth gagged with a piece of leather to bite down on to, unsuccessfully, take her mind off of the pain. The man's blood-encrusted tools work with a feverish pace on the woman's leg until he finally amputates it at the knee. He moves like quicksilver, packing a small amount of salt into the exposed flesh and stitching it up with haste. The man speaks to her in a calm, clear voice, Shhh, my dear, shhhh. Pain is an indication of failure, of weakness. If you would have done a better job in that game of Knivesies, you wouldn't have had to go through this. But the pain purifies you, it excises the weakness from you even as I have excised the flesh from your beautiful body. Make your suffering, your agony, into a source of strength. Rest now, and awaken anew. The man turns to you, his cold wintry green eyes focused intensely on you, And who are you, my son? Have you come seeking aid, or are you the disciple Plugg has promised me? Be not afraid... speak. The man's manner of speech and and demeanor seems very out of place in the Shackles, marking him as a foreigner of some sort.
Janus checks the man over with a practiced eye, looking for the tell-tale signs of clothing pinned to flesh or a tattoo of the Prince's chain, maybe a scar that shows the signs of being reopened time and time again.
"Well met sir, I am in fact the disciple you have been promised. I am Janus of the house Ult, from far Nidal. What would you have of this humble crafter of wood and flesh."
"Dis one be thankin' ya then, Kroop. Ya be da first man on dis crew dat bein decent." Jesal follows the veteran chef.
"Thank you," the half-elf whispers to Sandara with a grateful smile. To Charlotte, he nods and says, "Aye, I hope so too." He pauses and gives a small grin. "Am I saying that right? 'Aye'?" Giving a small laugh, he continues, "I've been trying to pick up some of the nautical language I've heard. So far that and 'shanghai' are the only ones I think I've got."
Magpie eyes widen and he sputters nervously, B...bbb...but it can't be! Ye were born with the Mark?! Oh forgive me, sir, forgive me! Some of the stash I hid in these crates down here and some I hid in me mattress on the mid-deck! Have mercy on an ol' salt! Magpie blubbers and cries like a frightened child, but given the reputation the Markborn have, ranging from conjuring up monstrosities from the deep to condemning their enemies to an eternity of torment as a ghost, it is understandable.
Aye, me too lass! No matter what, at least we've got some decent company right here, yeah? Charlotte says as she gives you a playful elbow nudge.
As you turn around, you spot a massively built man with coffee colored skin, a completely hairless head, and strange golden colored eyes, a scowl etched across his face, So you're not a coward after all. How very interesting. The name is Maheem, former reshkalek of Rahahoum. I don't know what the Ocean's Lost is, but I do recognize power when I see it. Perhaps we can trade information?
As Quarne begins to open his mouth to speak, the woman moans in pain at her recent amputation, and he rushes to her side, taking out a large syringe from his white leather vest and injecting her with it in one swift motion, whispering to her softly, Now, now Tilly, it's rude to interrupt a polite conversation. This should help relax you. As Tilly closes her large brown eyes and drifts off to sleep, Quarne turns to you with a pleasant smile, I apologize for the interruption, dear boy. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr.Ult. My name, as I'm sure you know, is Habley Quarne, surgeon and gentleman, at your service. So, Nidal, you say? How fares that benighted realm of late? I hear so little of my father's homeland. This also makes me wonder, why are you here in the Shackles? Home a bit too tame for you?
The cook looks at you through watery eyes, Been a long time since I've been called decent, Mr.Salt. I'm nothin' o' the sort, just a shored-up failure o' a man. I was once the cook in some o' the best establishments in the Shackles, but now look at me, boy. I'm a worthless sod who spends his days drinkin' his sorrows away by the bottle. Ye though, ye've still got a chance to make somethin' o' yourself. We serve the food soon, so remember what I said, ok?
Sandara flashes a smile at you and laughs, Ye got the 'aye' right, lad! We'll break ye o' yer landlubber ways and make a pirate out of ye yet!
"We will see what Besmara's will is." Ignatius says simply, as he uses the sea dog's emphasis down in the bilge as a guide to what he might find.
Later and over a bottle of rum, when the ships day is done see if you can find a Halfling called Rosie if she ain't with me. And whatever you do while around Rosie don't compliment or support the quartermaster, unless you desire to face an angry halfling with an axe...
"It is as it has always been, the umbral court holds sway over the land and the Prince of Pain holds sway over our hearts. As to why I am out here, one should always bring the Midnight Lord to those who do not yet understand him."
"Dis one won't be forgettin'!" Jesal exclaims. He'll see if he can take a few moments to glance around the kitchen for anything worthwhile.
A seedy ship like this ... I'm going to need protection, both friends and steel. Let's see what's about.
In several of the crates, underneath mundane goods and layers of straw, you find numerous pieces of jewelry, a few bags of coin and several miscellaneous items. There is a pretty good haul here, definitely enough to warrant a keelhauling for the thief. All of these goods would be impossible to haul out during the daytime without being caught, though you suspect that it might be possible during the night, if you were suitably cautious.
The man's scowl does not clear from his face, but his tone takes on an amused air, Over rum, you say? Sounds good to me. What was your name again?
The man smiles at your information, That is wonderful news, Mr.Ult. Even better, you seem to follow the Midnight Lord's teachings, do you not? Some among the Wormwood's crew may respect the virtues of cruelty and pain, but they don't understand like we do, do they? You see, they are as animals, quick to strike with the lash, but unwilling to receive it in kind. Ah, but listen to me chatter on! You were sent here to help, were you not? Let's get to work then. Quarne makes a gesture for you to come over and stand next to him, right next to a table with numerous surgical instruments, Tell me, do you have extensive experience with the chirurgical arts?
Charlotte chuckles.
"Well, there's at least one good looking fellow on this ship, I'd say," she replies, winking at Variziel.
"Although that one they sent down to the bilge isn't too bad either, rough edges aside."
Suddenly, with a dissonant sproing!, one of the strings on Charlotte's fiddle snaps, electing a sharp swear from its player.
Charlotte leans against the ship's ramp and holds the two ends of the brokne string together between her index and her thumb, rubbng the two fingers together gently and murmuring a faint incanation in aquan.
Temerith Rhuun, and I am not joking about the halfling. They may look like children but you should always regard them as deadly, lest they smash your kneecaps and leave you crippled.
Once the bilge is cleared of nasties, Ignatius will make his way back up on deck to help with swabbing.
"Haha, I hope so," Variziel laughs at Sandara. He also flushes at Charlotte's comment, and is grateful when she speaks of another. "Ignatius, was his name? Seemed to know an awful lot about piracy as well. Seems that everyone here knows more about it than I do." He grins. "Well, Swordlord Ordant always said I was a quick learner. Guess that's a good thing here."
Jesal will grab a butcher's knife and squirrel it away
Sandara stares at Charlotte's violin, oblivious to everything around her. She whispers softly, Was that magic, lass? I can channel Besmara's power, but not to do anything like that! That looks... useful indeed. How did ye do it?
Maheem's face settles into a grimace in an attempt to smile, Very well, I'll keep this in mind about the little anklebiter. Best we get back to work, eh?
As you head back up to the main deck, Mr.Plugg approaches you, Done already and not dead? Did you give Magpie a few hits while you were down there? Worthless old sod. Ah well, at least we get to see his mangled corpse tomorrow after the keelhauling. So meat, you think you can run to the galley and tell Kroop and his new assistant to bring up today's lunch? I hope so, since your legs apparently aren't broken.
"I was trained by the best school in Nidal. I have learned how to cause pain, how to cease pain when it has become to much, and how to tell when this has become so. I can mend, I can break, I can rebuild what is left, and if nothing is left I will replace with what I have on hand." Janus continues to study the stitchman's work. Noting the detail and the craftsmanship of every line and incision. With a wicked smile forming Janus speaks a few words in shadowspeach."She will need a replacement, and I think it will show that Mr. Plugg eactly what the teachings of the Midnight Lord are all about."
Ignatius chuckles, seeing Plugg come up. It is no surprise to him that Plugg is a brutal sadist. "Dear Mr. Plugg..." the sea dog speaks slowly, as he pushes the sweat soaked, salt stained hair from the mark on his cheek. "The Markborn have talents that are much, much worse than any broken bone or shattered spine. Your keelhaul captive will long remember today."
He lightly strokes a hand along the length of the club, hefting its weight and examining it in the sun, checking for cracks or chips, warped spots, but all the while still speaking to Plugg.
"Sounds simple enough, boss. I'll make sure they don't add anything funny for you and the other officers." The man known as Black Spot heads down to the kitchen, club still by his side.
Quarne smiles, I think you will do just fine, my boy, just fine. What did you have in mind for the replacement?
Plugg lets out a sadistic chuckle, Oh my, that sounds entertaining! Hopefully it was something creative at least. Now, off you go, fetch those insipid little cooks so they can deliver our lunch.
Iggy grins, once his back is turned to the evil Plugg. Seeing the majority of the group, he nods to Variziel and grins at Charlotte and the lady folks, working to cover his mark only once he gets to the stair. Must remember to ask who the rest of those folks are.
Once he gets to the cook's area, he grimaces, seeing the chickens and all and the mess that should be a proper galley. "Plugg and the rest are getting antsy for the food. It about ready, chef?"
Seeing one of his shanghaied fellows, he gives a pleasant nod and smile, obviously looking over the man, knowing that anyone without tools will go with the easiest available.
Spotting a familiar bulge, the Markborn shakes his head and extends his hand. "My Mwangi friend, I'd suggest leaving that here for now. Don't want a bad result from a simple oversight." The words of the man are definitely not a request.
Janus will begin drawing up plans in charcoal. Taking 20 to get it just right. Total of 30 on the craft check to make out the plans.
"Ahh yes a leg, see here where it will slide in seamlessly, the hooks will hold it in place. Oh they will not impede her by any measure, but the salt spray will cause the new wounds to sting every time she moves. Oh and see how we can build it to compensate for the difference in weight, that way the barbs will be so flush they will not tear too deep and cause infection. Oh and we can place here a release so she can remove the leg, maybe incorporate the release with a small pull mechanism that will put pressure on the nub so as to trigger all those poor poor nerves. Make it so every time she has to remove her leg it reminds her of the loss more fully."
After winking back at Ignatius, Charlotte leans in and whispers to Sandara and Varisiel. "The seas looks out for their own," Charlotte replies, "I just asked them for this little favor to help me on my way. Surely, the pirate queen's power has helped you fix something before, no? Please, though, keep it on the down low. The last thing I want is these dogs forcing me to waste everything I've got keeping their moldy bathtub of a ship afloat."
Temerith continued to replace the frayed ropes, hopefully these pirates have decent drink...
Getting caught by Iggy, Salt pulls the knife, "Issa bein dat obvious, ya?" he sighs handing the blade over, embarrassed. "Dis one be returnin da favor den ... unless ya be starvin, ya might be skippin lunch. Not so good."
Ignatius's smile is gentle as a calm tide. "Patience, good friend. Learn that trick over time, but for now, be cautious." And with that, Iggy puts the knife back on the counter. "Even the ocean bides its time for the opportune moment."
His stomach growls. "Even if it is bad, no food in the belly is worse, yes?"
Variziel nods at Charlotte's comment after having also nodded to Iggy as he passed. "It is a neat trick, and I agree, a lot like this one would most likely abuse it and the possibilities it presents. I won't say anything if neither of you do." He winks to the ladies and continues swabbing. Wonder what the other two think of our chatter. He glances over at Cogs and Conchobar, still mopping.
"Ya jus mighten wanna be waitin for dinner. Dis one can guarantee dat issa not poisoned or gone bad, though."
Jesal helps Kroop gather the food together to bring out to the men.