----------------------------------- Day 7 ------------------------------------------
The winds are raging and the heavy rains rock the ship back and forth. Back and forth.
Back and forth.
It is hypnotic as you lay in your beds, trying to grasp on to the last bit of sleep. The warm cot engulfs you in dreams of comfort and bliss. Suddenly, the top door slams open as a wet and miserable looking Mr. Scourge climbs down the ladder.
"Wake up you barnacles, the rains are heavy and tomorrow there be a full on storm for sure. Mark my words you lazy crabs better work your asses off today. Besmara is crying hard out there and I can barley hear anything so we are doing roll call here." , Mr. Scourge blares as he takes out his whip and begins to crack it along the side haul. Mr. Plug follow behind him silent and stern faced as ever.
All the sailors form a ling against the haul and wait anxiously for their name to be called off.
Mr. Scourge begins to bellow out the list.
"Erzi and "Barefoot" Samms Toppins. -Rigging Repairs. Be mindful to not beat up retards Erzi.
"Ratline" Rattsberger Slippery Sly -Lonegan Line Work
Gilligan, report to the cook, and don't serve us anymore of that feather s@~+ soup.
Kai and Jack Scrimshaw -Repairs
Arius and Tilly Brackett -Man the Bilges. You won't be able to f*$+ up ropes down there Arius.
Dreanor and "Badger" Meldar -Rat Catcher
Velius and Shivikak -Swab the Deck"
He reads off the other names and chore duties, after the list ceases he takes a deep breath and says
No Horsehitting around today, if you do lashes not knot bashes tonight, the storm is going to to be coming on full swing. This is where you earn your sea legs boys!
Erzi and Barefoot climb out of the dry haul and faced with down-pooring rain. The winds are not horrible but the constant rain help frustrate the situation by making the beams and poles slippery.
I know I've worked with Barefoot before and gotten a "cool"/firmly neutral response when trying to chat her up. Today I'm going to focus solely on work, given the bad weather.
If Barefoot wants to start any talk, about the "fight night" last night for example, I'll respond.
The rain continues to rage on as you are repairing the different cranks and pullies, noticing how hard you are at work, you get a couple of nice smiles from Barefoot and nods during your time. However, she understands that you are focused on your work so she doesn't start up any conversation.
Gilligan reports to the cooking, and he notices Fishguts is awake for once and trying to cook a stew.
"Boy! Tis a good ting you com, we be needen some fis and it a ell of a storm out tere, te rains are comin down and we need some more fis. Go outside and get me some good fis." Fishgut begins to hum a toon to himself and start dancing around with his chicken as he liberally throws spices at the pot.
Hey do you ever think we'll make port so we can get something more than fish? The crew has to be tired of it by now. as I walk out with fishing pole in hand
Gilligan gets on to the deck and no more that a couple of seconds later he is drenched. He tries his hands at the pole today but with the never ending water dripping into his eyes it is difficult to see and he begins to get frustrated.
With only two fish caught by mid day, he begins to loose hope that they will have a decent supper. Out of nowhere, Mr. Plugg voice howls from behind him.
"GILLIGAN WHAT THE HELL ARE YER DOING WITH A DAMN FISHING POLE IN THIS RAIN, YER HOG'S HEAD?! YER NEED NETS T' CATCH FISH! I SHOULD THROW YER IN THE STOCKADE AND LET OWLBEAR DO YOUR JOB!"
Mr. Plugg throws a pile of knotted nets at Gilligan and storms off. Gilligan begins to untangle the knots but the rain has made the ropes wet and difficult.After an hour of trying to untangling the knots he gives ups and starts throwing the nets in the water to hopefully look like he is doing something.
At late afternoon he heads down stairs with only 5 fish caught.
Boy Tis all you brougt today? Wat you be doing in the rain? No matter, we'll ave to supplement the food wit a cicken. Ambrose says as he ggrabs a chicken and a cleaver with lightning agility. With a quick swoosh the chicken's head is off and he turns to Gilligan Pluck te cicken quickly
O and about the port, we never buy fis, tat seems dumb wen we can just fis for tem. Toug yer need to get better at it
Mr. Scourge walks over to Kai and Jack Scrimshaw. Bile Blowfishes, I need you t' repair t' haul on t' port side. Don't muck it up, hop t'
I don't want to muck this up, especially with the weather. I focus all my attention on staying alive while doing my work. Besides... I don't care for Jack.
It rains heavily as Kai and Jack Scrimshaw get wooden planks from the quartermaster. Cut-throat Grok gives a wink to Kai after there third trip, working diligently to get it done.
During your time, Jack Scrimshaw says a couple of interesting things throughout the day.
"Hopefully after this storm we will actually get t' plunder a vessel, we be goin' south t' Bloodcove, where thar will most likely be some tradin' from the north."
"I lost most o' me savin' on that fight ayeterday against your lad Erzi."
"Mr. Plugg be pretty loyal t' Captain Harrigan, you better watch what you say on this ship. Mr. Plugg has an eye on Sandra Quinn"
He says a lot of other things but those are the ones that stick. By the end of the day Kai finishes his job and doesn't "muck it up"
Arius and Tilly Brackett start getting mops and head for the bilges. Mr. Plugg walks over to Arius and says "Don't have t' much fun playin' in t' water, spawn o' Asmodeus." He sticks up his nose and walks triumphantly away. It is vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges and the heat can be suffocating. Tilly is an average women with a quick wit and she is pretty sarcastic and sardonic.
Cleaning the bilges is tough work but you peruse it with easy and make for good conversation with Tilly.
"I have been on this ship for almost a month now, I was one o' t' first recruits o' swabs off o' Hell Harbor. aft when he had a skeleton crew. Only officers were on t' ship aft then, I came on with Aretta Bansion, Fipps Chumlett, Jaundiced Jape, Maheem, Slippery Sly Lonegan, Tam "Narwhal" Tate." However I never got along with those folk, especially since Mr. Plugg tried t' make me his cabin lass, but found out I was too sassy for his hammock. I guess I was too sassy for your group too, especially that Kai character, he be quite t' bilge swiller. But you seem alstarboard, though you look kinda weird, though tiefilin' our pretty abundant in Hell Harbor. You from thar? Nevermind, you were in Port Peril when you got press-ganged.
Ezri was pretty benevolent towards Owlbear, you could even say noble. I didn't bet, thought it was inhumane t' use Owlbear as a tool t' get an upper hand on you and your buckos. You were pretty nice too, splittin' t' gold with Ezri."
Shivikak is a tall female Mwangi (Black) standing a foot above most men, she is toned, athletic and bald. Her canine teeth are silver as she hears her name pared along with Velius, she sighs heavily. She grabs a push broom knowing it will be a long day removing water from the deck. Master Scourgecomes towards Velius and says " I heard your some sort o' magi, but never t' less ye flea ridden landlubber, try not t' get wet, HAR HAR HAR."
The storm continues to rage as Velius makes sure large puddles don't form on the deck, it takes a lot of effort but Velius and Shivikak are able to get the job done. When He comes inside he quickly cast Presdigenation on himself. The cold soaked clothing instantly dries and he looks as he did before the hard work in the rain. Velius smiles to himself. The door opens and Master Scourge comes in dripping wet, finishing up his rounds and calling people in from the rain. He looks at Velius in amazement and disgust, his eyes grow wide, "What t' hell Velius! No good black magic and wipe t'at barnacle infested s&&$ grin off your face or I'll whip you for insubordination."
Master Scourge gathers everyone inside and Ambrose “Fishguts” and Gilligan serve the chicken and fish stew. The line gets pretty big and the ships officers are given the strew first. As Kai gets ready to be served, Mr. Plugg cuts in and motions for Tam "Narwhal" Tate, Aretta Bansion, Fipps Chumlett, Jaundiced Jape, Maheem and Slippery Sly Lonegan to cut in front of him. And says, “we need the most experienced to get there food first.” After they all get through the line Gilligan frowns as he notices that he doesn't have enough for his friends. Fishguts whispers to Gilligan "Get some tack from down stairs, it will give their bellies a little bit of satisfaction." Gilligan fetches the tack from down stairs and hands it out to the rest of the crew that did not get served.
Mr. Plugg yells out, “No games and rum rations tonight, there is a storm a brewing. Go to your hammocks and get sleep.” The crew goes down stairs.
I want to seek out the quartermaster for a word in private:
"Ayy, Grok. Found a heavy mace down below in t' bilges, back when we... err, "handled" t' dire rat problem. I've stashed it in me footlocker fer now; if y' rather it be in yer lockup, go ahead an' take it. Meant to tell y' sooner."
I'd also like to save some tack for Owlbear, if he didn't get any.
”“
Grok turns to Ezri with a slight grin and says Oh such a naïve young lad, keep it, but don’t tell anyone that you got it and make sure it is hidden in a better spot then your foot locker. Here take this stuff too and stash it in your locker, but if they do an inspection you’re on your own.” Grok then precedes to hand you back a sack with a majority of your stuff, minus your weapons. She also includes 2 potions which she implies will heal you up just fine in a pinch and 2 flask of acid. ” It was such a nice thing you did for Owlbear, but you have pissed off Mr. Plugg for sure. “
Ezri thanks her and quickly goes down stairs to drift asleep in his bed after he stashes his stuff in his locker.
”---------------------------------Day 8-------------------------------------------“
It feels like you have just gotten to sleep when a large clap sound hits the boat and the slight rocking from yesterday’s rain has now been transformed into a massive Teater Tauter. The foot lockers slam into the stern of the boat as another wave hits. The door to the top cracks open and Mr. Plugg, grabbing onto a rope yells, ” MOVE YOU SONS OF WHORES OR ELSE BESMARA WILL TAKE US DOWN TO THE DEPTHS. I HAVE NO LOVE TO DIE WITH YOU FILTHY BOTTOM DEWELLERS. EVERYONE IS RIGGING TODAY, PRAY YOU CAN CLIMB AND WALK ON A ROPE. LISTEN FOR YOUR NAME BECAUSE I WON’T REPEAT MYSELf
"Ratline" Rattsberger and Ezri -Upper Rigging Work
Gilligan and Conchobhar Shortstone -Rope Work
Kai and Crimson Cogwald -Rigging Repair
Rosie Cusswelland Eris –Line work
Velius and Tilly Brackett -Lookout“
The other names ramble out of his mouth but you register none of them after your name is called. The ship begins to pour out pirates on to the deck. Everyone is in a mad dash to get to their position and begin stabilizing the ship. The wind howls with and thrashes water into your face.
I prepare Air Bubble and Alter Winds, you know. Just in case. When my work allows, I stare up into the clouds and watch the lightning at play...
Up the ropes I go... Oh Besmara, please don't smite me....
------------------Events that Transpired on Day 8---------------------
The Storm was in full effect and the crew of the Wormwood were presented a difficult task in the midst of this tempest. During the day shift Rosie Cuswell was thrown overboard but was lucky saved by Eris with some help by Velius Praeses. Ezri saw the situation but was unable to help his companions due to the mast being too slippery and trying to navigate in time.
They pulled up Rosie Cuswell and QM Grok came to help them out. However Mr. Plug came to assess the situation. After hearing about what happened he order everyone back to work and to suck it up. Grok told him Rosie should have some rest but he refused and an argument broke out between them. They left the other pirates and apparently hashed out the feud in the officer cabin. The crew continued to work into the night only stopping to get biscuits and a 5 min break.
------------------Events that Transpired on Day 9---------------------
The storm was fierce but it eventually broke late early in the morning. Despite the turn of events, everyone still had to pull another shift and all the PCs passed out from exhaustion. The benevolent Captain Barnabas chose to punish the crew on the following day. Everyone quickly retired to their beds and welcomed the release into slumber.
------------------Events that Transpired on Day 10---------------------
The day was uneventful until the bloody hour where all the PCs got six lashes from Master Scourge, almost all of them falling unconscious. They again welcomed the full nights rest.
------------------Events that Transpired on Day 11---------------------
Finally as sign of good news, they could see costal shore line. The wormwood had to navigate into some tricky water around coral but came out smooth. Captain Barnabas, desired crab for dinner and gave the order to Mr. Plugg to find some people to fulfill it. Mr. Plugg chose Ezri, Velius, Erius and Barefoot Sam Toppins to go hunt for crabs near the coral reef. Barefoot decided to stop by the QM to get some gear, Ezri, Velius, and Erius thought that they required none. They took a rowboat out and headed for the reefs The task seemed simple, spot some crabs and swim after them, Barefoot showed them how and Ezri was the first to try, spotting a crab near the coral reef. He successfully got it but was suddenly attacked by a lobstrocity. Quickly, Ezri went to the surface to call for help and alert the others. He found another lobstrocity had followed him to the surface and was biting chunks out of his flesh. Velius jumped into the water and started to swim to Ezri; Barefoot and Erius thought that would take too long and used the rowboat. Barefoot and Erius got to Ezri in time and began fighting off these lobstrosities. Eventually they killed them and fried them up for supper along with a bunch of other crabs. Captain Barnabas was well pleased with Velius who got the killing blow on one of them and was given back all of his belongings (except his weapons).
Later that night Erius became wrestles after the meal and was looking for some fun. Nobody was playing heel but Rosie Cuswell was always up for some gambling in the form of an arm-wrestling contest. She bet Erius 5 gold and a favor, Erius thinking he had this in the bag, hastily agreed. She sandbagged him pretty hard and quickly won. Grok, who was nearby, was thrown 5 gold by Rosie who asked to rent out the QM area for the night, which Grok did easily agreed to. Their Rosie took her favor from Erius.
------------------Events that Transpired on Day 12---------------------
They stayed an extra off shore to teach the new crew members how to board a vessel . There they met Master Gunner Riaris Krine who swore more than Rosie Cuswell, if that were possible. She sent the pirates two at a time to climb up from a row boat to the Wormwood while other pirates threw cabbages at them. Ezri, Velius, and Erius all did pretty poorly and after three attempts, were done. During the night Sandra Quinn told the group a little about the situation in the Shackles. The current year is 4714.
The Shackles sits just north of a nation called Sargava, a mineral rich land that used to be a colony of the Chelaxian Empire, which is farther north. Over a 100 years ago, the Chelaxian Empire’s ruler died sending the empire into a 30 year war, the house that came out on top was that of Thrune but one of its beaten houses still had control of Sargava. Sargava knew that House Thrune would come after them and went to The Shackles’ pirates for help. Twice an armada was sent to reclaim Sargava, but every time, the shackles pirates were able to stop them due to the Constant hurricane north of the Shackles which allowed ample time to prepare. The Eye of Abednego has always been a key defense in protecting the Shackles and Sargava from the Chelaxian Empire. The last time the chelaxian’s tried was in 4660, nearly 50 year ago.
Sargava pays the Shackles tribute every year to keep up the protection force. However, many other ships come from all over to trade with Sargava, thus creating a lucrative business for the pirates.
After Sandra Quin’s tale, they decided to go to sleep.
___________________________________Day 18__________________________
The captain has just laid out his order. Mr. Plugg will take a skeleton crew to Port Peril (the capital city of the Shackles) and will meet up with Captain Harrigan there.
The Crew that has been assigned to the Man's Promise is as follows
Sandra Quinn
Rosie Cuswell
Barefoot Samms Toppins
Giffer Tibbs
Ambrose “Fishguts” Kroop
Jack Scrimshaw
"Ratline" Rattsberger
Crimson Cogwald
Eris
Kai
Ezri
Gilligan
Velius
Dreaner
Tilly Brackett
Conchobhar Turlach Shortstone
"Badger" Meldar
Shivikah
Owlbear Hartshorn
Aretta Bansion
Fipps Chumlett
Maheem
Slippery Sly Lonegan
Tam "Narwhal" Tate
Cut-Throat Grok
Mr. Plugg is acting Captain and Master Scourge is his first mate.
Once you gather your things and head over to the Man's Promise, the planks are kicked off and the ropes are untied from the Wormwood. The ships drift apart and the Wormwood set sail. Master Scourge lines up the new crew
Mr. Plug begins to speak Hello, my new crew, I am your acting Captain and Master Scourge is first mate. Tam "Narwhal" Tate is Boatswin and Master-at-Arms. No more lackadaisical Wormwood—all crimes are now punishable with the cat instead of the
whip. Tonight I will decide who will be acting officer.