Gesturing for Lehland to keep the bag of money, Lark replies, ”I think we can carry the coins. They know I have a little bit on me and no one has hassled me about it.”
Lark looks down at the axe. ”Maybe Quinn will want this…? Anyway, give me hand hiding this stuff, will y’all?”
Once the loot is stashed away Lark will warily ascend the ladder once more and pound on the hatch with the hilt of his dagger. ”Hallo the ship! Can anyone open this door!?”
Thren gives Lark some help hiding their finds, repacking the gear into the crates and moving things around to make things look as undisturbed as possible.
You manage to reasonably obscure the armor and maces in the dustier parts of the shelves. With luck, the spiders will help ward away interlopers.
You bang and yell for a bit, and at last, you hear the bar slide open. Lee hastily remembers to dispel his extra light spell.
Mr. Plugg himself "greets" you with a sneer, but he sees the bodies of the dead dire rats floating in the water. "I suppose you did well enough," he says grudgingly, and waves for you to come up the ladder. "But how on earth did you lubbers get shut in?" His eyes turn to Master Scourge, who stands a few feet away.
"Odd, that. The clumsy lubbers must have knocked the door shut," he replies very unconvincingly, and you all have a good guess as to who might have closed the hatch on you.
"Well, it is less than an hour," Mr. Plugg says, "so job well done. I'll make pirates of you yet!" He half-smiles, pleased at having thought of a way to take credit for your deeds. "Now get back to work!"
The reedy, older voice of Quarne the Stitchman interjects, from fore of the lower deck, where he is tending to Jack Scrimshaw's leg. "Ah, Mr. Plugg... if I may examine their wounds? I still need Greenwood and Nocturne's assistance with the rope repairs, and I would prefer them to be in good condition... and not bleed all over the ropes. I'm sure it would also be poor form if Lee ended up bleeding in tonight's stew, and he also needs to finish his turtle-fishing. You will recall," he adds hastily, "We are still short-handed."
Plugg grits his teeth and nods. He says to the three of you, "You are to report to your stations as soon as the Stitchman's done with you." He waves to a nearby crewmember to clean the rats out of the bilges and throw them overboard, as their rotting carcasses do not need to make working in the bilges any worse as it already is.
Presuming you agree to report to Quarne, he examines your wounds, cleans, and bandages them.
While his bedside manner leaves much to be desired, all of you feel much better under the Stitchman's expert care (). He finishes bandaging Lark and Thren, but before finishing with dressing Lee's bites, he asks Lee to stay.
"I don't like the looks of that," he says. "I've stopped the bleeding and tried to clean everything, but there is excess inflammation. Your smaller stature means you were not only exposed to the usual contaminants rats carry but you were more deeply submerged in the bilge water than the others, and I am afraid you're at high risk for infection. Stay with me a little longer. You two should go back to the rope work immediately. I know you were delayed but we need to get this done today."
He rummages through his doctor's bag, pokes at Lee's wound some more, and pours some nasty orange stuff on Lee's wound, which stings like a b~%&~.
But he appears satisfied with his work.
"You may return to duty, but please check with me tomorrow morning so we can be sure it is healing properly."
"Thanks for patching me up Quarne." Thren says with a hint of gratitude. She still favors that leg slightly as she heads back up to deal with the rigging, but it doesn't seem to slow her down much.
Lee is poked and prodded and he's grateful for it all.
Stitchman seems to know his business and Lee compliments him:
"Mr Quarne, I have to say that I'm feeling better already." And flexing his leg, continues, "I'm feeling well enough to report to my post. Thank you for your good work on my leg."
And with that, Lee takes his leave of Stitchman and heads to the galley.
Once there, he'll consult with Kroop (and Grok if she's there), getting all the proper gear together and the instructions needed for turtle fishing. Specifically, Lee is interested in knowing how many turtles will be needed before heading up on deck.
Once on deck, he'll set up his gear quickly and get on with the fishing.
Once Lee has the number of turtles needed for dinner, he'll catch two extras before closing up shop and heading back to the galley. Once there, he'll clean and prep all the turtles per Kroop's instructions except for the two extras. They will be processed into turtle jerky per Freddie Farmhand's Taldor Cooking School Cookbook. So, I guess they are brined now and Lee will look for a good place to dry the thinly sliced turtle flesh later...
...and finding a place that's suitable but not brilliant, decides to bounce his 'turtle jerky' plan off of Kroop.
Once done with today's turtle tasks, Lee again delves back into Freddie Farmhand's Taldor Cooking School Cookbook in an effort to find some flavoring that will make the rum potable.
Bending his attention to the actual cooking task...
...it looks like Lee may have struck gold! A fruity, spicy paste but gold in it's own special way.
First Lee will use the new spice blend to flavor tonight's dinner and then he'll invite Grok back to check it out. After showing her the spice blend and letting her taste dinner, Lee will offer her a cup of 'the usual' warning, "This is important to remember. That flavor blend paste stuff is for cooking only and should never, ever be added to any other foodstuffs onboard ship." And as he says this, he'll stir a dab into his rum. Tasting and smiling, he'll offer her a spoon with a dab of paste on it.
...And with that, Lee takes his leave of Stitchman and heads to the galley.
Once there, he'll consult with Kroop (and Grok if she's there), getting all the proper gear together and the instructions needed for turtle fishing. Specifically, Lee is interested in knowing how many turtles will be needed before heading up on deck.
Once on deck, he'll set up his gear quickly and get on with the fishing...
...and enjoys some good luck.
Once Lee has the number of turtles needed for dinner, he'll catch two extras before closing up shop and heading back to the galley. Once there, he'll clean and prep all the turtles per Kroop's instructions except for the two extras. They will be processed into turtle jerky per Freddie Farmhand's Taldor Cooking School Cookbook. So, I guess they are brined now...
...and Lee will look for a good place to dry the thinly sliced turtle flesh later...
...and finding a place that's suitable but not brilliant, decides revisit the 'drying rack' question later. Maybe Kroop'll have a better idea about how one dries turtle meat.
Once that is done, he'll make a suggestion to Kroop. "Who decided to store food in the bilges? I'm going to head down there and salvage what is still edible and then dispose of what's not. Mixing 'bilge' and 'food' is not good."
Assuming that Kroop agrees, Lee will go to Grok for a lanterns, long sticks to poke things with before touching, protective clothing (boots and gloves), and a sack-and-rope combo for hauling food up out of the bilges. He will also broach the subject of ruined food. "I'm fully expecting to find a bunch of inedible stuff that used to be food down there. We'll need to account for it, verify 'ruined', write it off the books, and then dispose of it."
When Lee manages to net in an impressive load of turtles, he hears applause from up in the rigging. Standing above him, precariously near the foremast, is Barefoot Samms. "Couldn't have done better myself!" she comments before returning to hoisting the sails.
When Lee returns to the kitchen, he finds Kroop in a bad state. He seems to be half-passed out above the gravy he was making, his apron is about a hair's breadth from catching on fire, and the gravy is starting to burn.
Having heard you pass by, Grok checks in on both of you to see the situation you have walked in upon, and she hefts him out of the way before he catches fire. He sits in the corner, talking to himself. "I think you're going to have to make the turtle stew, Lee," she says.
When you explain to her your desire to turn the extra into jerky, she agrees that is a good idea and says she'll help get that process started if you make sure the captain's dinner isn't ruined.
There is a drying cupboard that is suitable for the activity in the galley. There is also a small smoker if you wish to cure it instead.
You manage, with Freddie Farmhand's help, to make a passable turtle soup for the captain's table, and add some turtle stock to the crew's fish stew for some extra flavor.
Grok groans when Lee asks about the food in the bilges, and asks what happened. When you give her the details about the enormous rats, she rolls her eyes. "I told Harrigan not to trust that meat dealer in Port Peril! That's what happens when you buy supplies on the cheap. I told him until we had a chance to properly inspect the stock, I wasn't going to let him keep it in the galley. And it's a good thing too, or those dire rats would have gotten into the main stores. At least you'll get a nice scar out of it!" she says reassuringly, as if that were OBVIOUSLY the upside of today's events. "At least your turtle catch will supply us with the extra meat lost from that trade." She is impressed.
She nods at him. "You're right about the accounting--you know your quartermastering, eh? We'll have to take care of it tonight."
Dinners shall be made, sans feathers.
Cooks shall remain unscorched, though pickled thoroughly.
The turtle jerky will continue to brine before its date with a smoker tomorrow.
Cats shall be fed extravigantly on turtle innards.
Lee will take Kroop's usual place with the tasting and serving process of the Captain's Mess.
Likewise he will take Kroop's place serving the crew meal.
If Grok wants Lee to continue to stand in, he'll help serve fresh, pure, unadulterated rum with her as well.
Once there's a lull in the rum ladling process, and he and Grok are standing alone, Lee will give her a detailed account of the 'action' in the bilges, skipping in its entirety the inventory of discovered things and giving no hint at all regarding any spells being cast. Continuing, "When you said 'We'll take care of it tonight,' did you mean the accounting? Because I don't know, totally and for sure, what is down there. I guess we could write it all off, but that seems like a waste. Plus, there's the 'disposal process'..."
Hmmm...
Take a nap or murder a rodent?
Nap?
Murder?
Nap?
Murder?
Why not both?
Grrr! Not relaxing at all.
In a fit of pique, Muffin decides to...
...and feels a vague sense of satisfaction when he abandons 3/4ths of the corpse (in a place where it will be stepped on) to go enjoy turtle innards.
Once done with the innards, Muffin will "stand watch" over Kroop (mainly by curling up on the sleeping cook's belly and catching a few winks).
Lark and Thren finish their long day of rope splicing, working hard to make up for lost time during the fight in the bilges. Grateful for when the shift bell rings, they head down for dinner and the mandatory rum ration.
Muffin succeeds in his rat duty, capturing a rat that fortunately, unlike those the mariners fought, is actually smaller than him rather than twice his size. He finds a suitable napping spot on Fishguts' apron, which comes with bonus fish smells.
Lee also works an extra hard day, not only having fought rats, but also having netted a massive amount of turtles and finished making the crew's and officers' dinner to boot. After passing off his surprisingly good turtle soup to Caulky Tarroon, he helps Grok dish out stew and rum to the masses.
Grok appears to serve herself rum for about every two or three crew who receive it and is a bit more "relaxed" by the time Lee brings up the issue of cleaning out the bilges.
"Yes, yes, I meant the accounting... look, we should get rid of the box the rats were in, at least, because there might be rat babies in there." She sticks her tongue out. "If there was any ham I doubt it's edible now. But you were right earlier, we've gotta get rid of that stuff, for all I know there's a box of cockroaches next to the box of rats. I just hate to because I always hit my head on those damn shelves." She eyes Lee. "You can climb right up into'em though. Here's what we'll do: I'll call down to you what to look for, and you tell me if it's there or not. Pass me up anything that's unsalvageable. You get the bilge door open, an' I'll go get my ledger, an' I'll be right back. You shouldn't need a lantern because Peppery casts light spells regularly in all the holds."
Lark downs his rum as soon as he gets it.
"Today felt like it was about a year long. I'm for bed."
Thren plops down with Lark and Lee after a long day, only favoring her wounded leg slightly, and tucks into the turtle stew with gusto. "Great flavoring on the stew Lee," the tiefling comments. But when she looks at her rum ration, the bard makes a face. "After spending time in the bilges, I'm not sure I'm in the mood for this stuff," Thren admits. She looks around for someplace to ditch the rum.
Lee nods his agreement with Grok's plan.
"Sounds good. I'll head for the bilges now. Do me a favor, though, and bring a lantern I can aim. I may not need it, but shooting a beam of light into a shadowy alcove or into a crate could save me from some nasty spider bite. Or something."
On the way down to the bilges, Lee will keep his eye out for something that is between a 5' pole and a 5' dowl rod...
...and may have lucked into something suitable.
Once at the bilges he'll open the hatch, making sure that there is, in fact, light down there.
Once satisfied (or not) with the illumination, Lee will wait for Grok.
When Grok arrives, Lee will descend. They will go through her list and Lee'll locate and inspect everything Grok calls out (if possible). Lee will pass up the spoiled stuff to get dumped and the good stuff to move to the galley so it doesn't get spoiled from further contact with dirty bilge water.
Thren walks around the room once everyone's settled in and mellowed a bit. She bangs her mug on a convenient surface to make enough noise to get everyone's attention. "Who's up for a song to help wind down the evening?"
Lark decides to call in a night after a long day of work and heads to bed early.
==========
Lee works on "inventorying" the bilges with Grok's semi-drunken assistance. He finds an iron rod that, while rusty, is suitable for poking. He also uses that to help him keep the ubiquitous bilge spiders at bay.
In addition to their earlier discoveries, he finds either under the water or tucked in a board or under a crate, etc. the following: a buckler, a tanglefoot bag, and 12 silver pieces. He can at least pocket the last without drawing suspicion. .
He hands up the holey ham crate to Grok, and hears her instruct some of the crew to take it to the main deck and throw it overboard. Even if there were still ham in it, the rat feces and the like is not worth trying to salvage it.
The shelving is high along the shelves of the bilges, well out of the water. It's still not a great place to keep food, but most of the other supplies he finds are mundane items: extra hammocks, wool blankets, and so on. There's some spare clothing that is not in good condition. Lee finds a crowbar stored there, probably for the purpose of opening any crates, at least if someone had not absently stuck it under some hay for storage. () Most of these items Grok calls out to him, but as Lee confirms (or not) their existence, he also organizes things similarly to his work in the galley, so if he or his friends should need such items they could find them easily.
As for food, he finds is a crate of packed cheese. This likely came from the same place as the rat-laden hams, and was clearly dodgy even before it may have been stored in a damp place, with mold where mold shouldn't be and cheese weevils all over the place. With some disgust, he also passes that crate up to Grok and it meets the same end as the ham crate--although Grok asks Lee if he wants to keep some of the weevils as fish bait.
He finds some canisters and jars of vinegar which are safe if they remain in the bilges, but can move them to the galley/cargo hold if he prefers. There are some picked vegetables which are sealed and probably safe to eat, although when they were placed there is a question probably better unasked.
When he is finished, Grok goes to fetch a night-shift crewman to man the bilge-pumps.
=========
Threnody, in the meantime, makes anyone entirely disinterested in what Grok and Lee are doing in the bilges by singing her very slightly fiend-tainted heart out. Singing a morale-boosting song of fair weather and indulging in minor vices, many of the pirates join in, passing rum and tapping their feet to the song. When she finishes, many start up other songs, taken with drowning some of their fears and sorrows in song rather than the usual rum and gambling.
Conchobar in particular claps with delight at the end and waxes poetic on the quality of Threnody's voice.
Lee stashes the buckler and the tanglefoot bag and pockets the coins.
Before Grok calls anyone or takes off, Lee pokes his head out of the hatch and says, "Lean in, I have something to show you." And if she does, he will display the hand axe that was found earlier without raising it out of the bilge compartment.
"Nice, eh? Can I let you hang onto this tonight and then maybe talk about a little trading in the morning?" And if she agrees, Lee will give her the hand axe.
Once the salvageable food is moved to the galley and the unsalvageable food is disposed of (weevils and all), Lee will head for bed.
Grok simply nods at Lee. She taps her ledger, "It's not here, so it's yours. Trading it in is just fine."
A new day begins, and you tromp upstairs for your daily assignments. The crew get to their usual tasks with little fanfare. You've had four days of clear skies, and today clouds are rolling in casting gloomy oppression over the area--but all is otherwise "normal," however normal being forced into servitude on a pirate ship may be.
Lark is asked once again to help with repairs, a portion of the deck needing resealing. He works alongside Cog today, though the other swabs are in easy distance.
Threnody is assigned to the upper rigging, which is at least less tough than hauling sail, but she spends most of the day 50 feet up in the air on slender line and mast. No one is directly beside her, but she has to coordinate with the other riggers, Barefoot Samms, Slippery Syl, and Maheem. Shortstone is above her in the crow's nest.
Plugg tells Lee that Fishguts is still largely out of commission and orders him to do the cooking today. Lee will be therefore largely be stuck in the middle deck (). Fishguts is still present, if not entirely compos mentis; Grok of course is nearby in the store (and he has time to complete the transaction he discussed with her), and Caulky will come in the evening to taste the officers' and captain's food as usual. Owlbear is out in the cargo hold doing his watchstanding. In the afternoon, Grok will take her usual "start drinking early" break with Kroop, even though Kroop really hasn't stopped drinking for awhile.
Daily action: Work diligently
Thren spends the day climbing around like a spider in its web; maybe she's got some drow in her no one knows about? But after the previous day's shenanigans, the tiefling is rather paranoid and keeps her mouth shut and eyes open. Never know when someone is going to take another shot at screwing with the new hands, after all. Besides, good work speaks for itself, though with her mind preoccupied with watching for more grief from Plugg, her work is barely adequate.
Lark fetches his borrowed tools and offers to share them with Cog as they work together. During the day Lark also shares anecdotes from the Aurora’s Kiss and encourages Cog to open up in turn. Lark hopes learn more about Cog and get him thinking about well run ships with good officers.
As she climbs about in the rigging, Thren draws her coworkers' attention to Scourge, Plugg, and Master Krine. "Any idea why they'd be so happy? Or who they're planning to shoot at, since the Master Gunner is in on this?" Thren asks the other riggers.
Lark,, Cog nods in sympathy and interest in your story, which he sees as an attempt at finding common ground. He explains he too was one of few survivors from his first ship, a merchant vessel from Varisia which was lost to the Eye of Abendego. He made his way to Port Peril, looking for work. When the press gangers came, he surrendered, "Not because I couldn't have taken them," he asserts, "But it was the best job opportunity I could find. I don't have a death wish, but we all end up in Pharasma's arms eventually, and I aim to have a life of adventure before I go."
I meant fellow riggers of the NPC persuasion. Namely, everyone you mentioned was out and about with me today, including Shortstone.
Muffin will work diligently at the ratting.
Once that is done, he'll find a spot in the galley that let's him monitor Lee and Kroop and catch some Z's.
Lee will work diligently at cooking
While cooking, Lee will make idle conversation with Kroop and with Grok. Interacting with Kroop will probably be trading stories. Very idle stuff. With Grok, though, Lee will bring up the quality of potential 'companions' on the ship and how there isn't a great number of female Halflings onboard...
...it was the best job opportunity I could find. I don't have a death wish, but we all end up in Pharasma's arms eventually, and I aim to have a life of adventure before I go."
Lark responds to Cog, ”We couldn’t find good work at Port Peril either. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Maybe our next port of call will have job opportunities that involve less flogging. The trick would be seizing the chance when is comes along.”
Threnody asks the other riggers what they think of an observation she made about the three officers talking and laughing.
"A prize to catch?" Maheem conjectures, looking out over the sea in hopes they spotted a ship they might attack.
"No, all is clear," Shortstone says from the crow's nest. "Perhaps someone simply told a particularly good joke?" Maheem looks disappointed and gets back to his section of the rigging.
"I know that look on Plugg's face--it's what he looks like before he's about to kick a puppy or sell his mother into slavery. Probably they found a new way to beat up on someone," Samms says cynically, not pleased at the thought.
"Let's hope so," Slippery Syl replies. As she climbs past Samms, she shakes one of the ropes just a bit too hard, forcing Samms to grab onto the mast to stabilize herself. Samms sticks her tongue out at Syl's back as Syl bends over to adjust a sail.
===
Lee ponders his options and, still inexperienced as far as cooking skill goes, decides to focus on his work. Kroop sits with a poultice on his head, having banged it at some point from being literally falling down drunk, but Lee notices Kroop does drink less when he has someone to talk to.
Grok comes in and out before the afternoon gab session, and upon Lee's lament about halfling women, she says, "Well, don't let Rosie being the only one here tempt you. You deserve better than that disrespectful, foul-mouthed wench."
"We'll get to shore at some point," Kroop slurs. "Plenty of fish to bait then," he chuckles, mostly to himself.
Muffin finds that despite his due diligence, the nature of a ship is there is seldom a shortage of rats, mice, or vermin, and performs his duties to keep their population to a manageable level admirably.
At some point during the day, Kroop, Bezebel, and Muffin all have a conversation with one another, where the most intelligent remarks are from Muffin, with Bezebel in second. Although Muffin still struggles with understanding that Bezebel the Chicken LOOKS like food but is not to be considered food.
===
Lark continues to plant seeds of questioning loyalties into Cog's mind.
Your shift ends, and the usual routine of dinner, rum, and going to the hold for entertainments and bed commences.
While passing through the cargo hold while picking up her rations, Thren has a sense SOMETHING is up with the officers, and as they collect their rum and stew, she sees the same three now having an in-depth conversation with Owlbear, who looks unamused but eager to please Plugg.
You and your allies have time to get together for a quick confab as desired for whatever happens… happens.
Thren tries to get Lee, Lark, Quinn, and Cusswell together at the dinner table quickly. She hunkers down over her food, eating but not really tasting it, keeping an eye open around the room but trying not to be obvious that she's keeping an eye on the group of Owlbear, Plugg, and company.
"I've got a feeling we're in for some trouble tonight," the bard tells the others. "I spotted those three," she points carefully with her spoon toward Plugg, "conferring and having a laugh earlier today. Here they are again, thick as thieves, with Owlbear. It's giving me a nasty itch behind my horns." Threnody downs her rum, not even bothering to make any nasty faces at the brew like normal. "Based on some of the comments from the riggers, some look forward to it like Slippery Syl, maybe Maheem, but others maybe aren't so keen on whatever may be coming. But I'm sure they don't know anything more than we do."
*Something is going on*
"I could probably get some info out of Grok once dinner settles and festivities begin and people are idling around. I need to talk to her anyway..."
Recognizing a good idea when he sees it, Lee follows Thren's example and polishes off his meal and rum allocation without delay.
It's giving me a nasty itch behind my horns.
With a friendly grin Lark interjects, ”I’ve got some lock picks that are good for hard to reach places.”
”I worked with Cogward today. He might get a kick out of whatever the officers are up to, but I bet he could be convinced there are better opportunities than staying with this crew. Speaking of that, maybe I’ll try for a quick follow-up.”
If Cog is nearby Lark will sidle up to him. Nodding toward the group of officers Lark says, ”This might be like we were talking about today. Something entertaining for one evening, but whatever happens, ask yourself if it benefits the ship or the crew in the long run.”
Scourge enters the room, calling everyone to attention with his bosun’s whistle. He is followed by Mr. Plugg, Owlbear, and Riaris Krine. The general din in the room quiets as all look to the officers, wondering if someone is in trouble, or otherwise why the officers are here.
Plugg gives a grin. ”We were talking, and thought it’s been awhile since we’ve had some real proper entertainment. Now, you all know Owlbear.” Plugg claps the enormous, muscular man on the back, and Owlbear steps forward a little. ”I bought him from a fighting ring in Bloodcove, and he hasn’t had a good opportunity to exercise in awhile, have you, Owlbear?”
Owlbear shakes his head at Plugg, in only vague comprehension, and replies obediently, ”No, Mr. Plugg.”
”So, here’s what we will do.” Mr. Plugg tosses a sack at his feet. It opens partially to reveal a large number of gold coins. It is close enough to him and the other officers it would be unwise to pick it up, and no one does so. ”This contains one hundred gold. Whoever can beat Owlbear in a fair bare-knuckle brawl earns this kitty. You may also wager with one another on the outcome, if you like.
”This is BARE HANDS ONLY. Each round ends when someone is knocked out or yields, and as long as Owlbear remains standing, a new contender may challenge him. No weapons, no magic, no potions or alchemy--period. I don’t care if you claim it makes your hair shinier. If I catch you with anything of the sort, you’ll take six lashes with the whip. If you kill Owlbear or try, it’s 12 lashes with the cat--in addition to Harrigan’s punishment of keelhauling for murder.” He taps his cat’o’nine tails, with its barbed strands.
Scourge waves for a few others to help him clear out a “ring” in the middle of the floor and Owlbear takes his place in the center, waiting complacently with a blank expression on his face, as if this is something very routine for him. Plugg grabs a stool and sits on it, drinking from a flask and grinning ear to ear, obviously looking forward to this “show.”
The pouch of gold sits at his feet, and a large number of the crew eye it greedily. Notably, you see Fipps Chumlett practically drool as he sets his sights upon the money, and he cracks his knuckles in anticipation.
Rosie Cusswell also gazes on the money with longing--it would probably help her buy back her fiddle.
Quinn slides beside the three of you and whispers quietly, ”I know you were worried about what they were up to, but if this is it...? I'm not keen on this sort of 'sport' nor on entertaining Plugg... but on the other hand, Owlbear will live through this, and that's an awful lot of gold...” She looks conflicted.
Plugg looks around to the crew. ”Now, who’ll go first?”
Feeling saucy.
Night action: "onlook"
Thren whispers back to Quinn. "We could all use the coin, but I don't fight for the fun of it. And I don't want to get my horns beaten into my head either." The tiefling thinks for a moment. "Wouldn't hurt to get to see how good some of my shipmates are at fighting though, for down the road."
"You may have a point regarding the beating, although I reckon smarts can be a more effective weapon against him than head bashing..." Sandara replies to Threnody. Notably she herself makes no particular move to volunteer.
"I didn't mean that literally!" Thren gives Sandara a light playful shove. "I just don't see this as a place where brains is going to beat brawn."
Lee sidles over to where Grok is 'guarding' the rum and holds out his cup. Once full, he'll start in (being aware of observation and eavesdropping):
"Are you fighting or just watching? Because I think I know how, generally, to make 100 gold tonight..."
If that catches her interest, Lee will continue:
"Here," Lee says, laying a silver on the table. "Let's at least look like we are gambling while we talk. So, you know about how things go in fights. Someone gets lucky, tags the big man just right and he's going down, right? Is Plugg going to even chance something like that? So what advantage has he visited upon Owlbear? Something that is "no weapons, no magic, no potions or alchemy" because he won't want anyone calling 'foul'. And its something that he thinks can only be countered by weapons, magic, potions or alchemy."
Lee thinks for a second. "Can you cover me while I do something rash?" And with that he drops his cup and immediately Lee scrambles under the table to retrieve it.
Once that is done (), Lee will pop back up and rejoin Grok. "So, what do you think? I'm not tough enough to seal the deal, but you may be able to mix it up with Owlbear after he's been softened up some. We figure out what Plugg's advantage is, counter it without weapons, magic, potions or alchemy, and then split the prize?"
Lee continues: "So, I'm observant and, for some things, very observant. You know Plugg, right? Is he up to something? Will he try to cheat? Is there anything I should look for, specifically?"
Lee thinks for a bit. "I wonder what he gains from this? People don't do things for no reason. Is he showing the crew that Owlbear can beat a bunch of us up? Is he showing that he's unbeatable, and is using the cash as a way to lure victims to help demonstrate? I wish I knew..."
Quinn shakes her head and replies to Threnody, "If you have something another opponent doesn't, then it's always an effective weapon."
=========
Grok, sitting on the steps to the cargo hold, stares at Lee as he begins pontificating on Plugg's motivations, then starts chuckling. "Oh kid, you overthink s&+~ way too much. I'm starting to figure out your story I think... overschooled rich kid, decided to run away to 'adventure on the high seas,' am I right?"
In spite of her ribbing she gazes at Lee fondly. "But Besmara bless you, you make me laugh, and I haven't done that on this ship in a long time. Have you looked at Owlbear? The way he's, oh, four feet taller than you? Half a head even on me? With fists larger than your head? What other advantage does he need?
"Plugg is doing this, because he likes using his 'pet', and he likes seeing people get beat up."
When Lee surreptitiously spends a minute or so "retrieving his cup" which seems to be doggedly getting away from him, he notes a number of minor magical auras emanating from officers and crew, which can be pinpointed to their equipment (for example, Plugg's weapons, Sandara Quinn's hat), but he spots nothing indicating unusual enhancements, and absolutely no magical auras from Owlbear himself.
She shakes her head. "While I could use a hundred gold, the challenge is for the crew, and I am an officer. Can't participate. I also know things the crew don't, like... "
She leans over and is about to whisper in Lee's ear...
Lark will wait for the fighting to start and then try to slip to lower deck to make a run at the crew lockers.
Fipps Chumlett steps forward, "I'll have a go! I reckon I can beat down this half-wit." He steps in the "ring" area where Owlbear waits.
Others immediately start shouting, egging Fipps or Owlbear on, and placing bets with one another. It is loud and raucous and all eyes are on the fight. Plugg signals for them to begin.
Though Fipps is not exactly agile looking, he easily moves in first before Owlbear even properly has taken a fighting stance, attempting an uppercut at the larger man.
He manages to hit Owlbear squarely under the jaw, and Owlbear yawps in pain.
But he answers with a right hook.
Which likewise connects solidly with Fipp's face, doing immeasurably helpful work at making Fipps a more handsome man.
Owlbear is bruised but still ready to take more. Fipps looks like another hit, on the other hand, would knock him out. He seems to realize this as well, and backs down, to the boos and derision of his peers, several of whom force him to down several shots of rum as punishment as he goes to sit with them.
Quarne, looking on with distaste, is signaled to by Plugg, and he moves in to check Owlbear's jaw and teeth and be sure he is ready for the next match.
He also checks on Fipps, although Plugg is less concerned about the state of the crew, it seems.
Rosie steps forward to volunteer, and Fipps even has the audacity in his defeated state to lead the laughs and jeers of the sheer stupidity of a halfling taking on the likes of Owlbear.
You realize she would NOT share this weakness of the watchstander unless she trusted you.
Owlbear 2 nonlethal damage.