For discussing your booty...
Please post a quick hello once selected
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I'm a hired hand...but I'm a damn good one. I've led many a crew through many a perilous journey. Every man I've led has sworn to follow me to their graves if necessary. But they know it will not come to that. Not on my watch. Not ever.
A ship to call my own is all I've ever wanted...to make my own way in the world. No more errand running for petty lords and spoiled rich people. And I came close....so damned close. Alas it was not meant to be.
All I have left can be carried in a sack. But it's enough for a start. Enough to start over again.
But not tonight. This is a night to drink and erase the past from my memory. Tomorrow is the day for a new beginning. A fresh start. A new day.
Here's to tomorrow! Gregor raises his cup to the barkeep and drains it on one hearty gulp. Keep 'em coming!
"Aye Gregor, a drink to tomorrow always be fittin' and I'll drink ta today as well!", The Moon raises a glass in toast from the other table, then tilts it back and slugs it down.
"Let's find us a ship, a good Bosun I be an just needin' a captain to lead the way. Skills I 'ave at sailin' and siege engineerin', show me a cannon and I'll show ye an enemy ship with a 'ole in its side", boasts the Bosun, "but keep tha sharks away, they already ate me leg and I fear it just be an appetizer for their greedy gullets."
Tucked away in his clothes is a set of lockpicks, the only item the Moon retains after being press ganged into crew on the Wormwood.
An aging maid whirls in a tight and practiced spin as she passes Gregor's table, her hips tiltling just far enough away from the tables to avoid any grasping hands...no doubt an action that she'd grown accustomed to in the Formidably Maid. Being one of the more notorious drinking establishments in Port Peril, the Maid often catered to some of the most unruly pirate crews in the shackles, many at port simply to find themselves a salt wife.
The maid nods to Gregor with a suggestive smile that shows teeth touched with the dark brown of a narcotic snuff known to be a quiet commodity among the enterprising pirates of the Shackles. Long as that coin keeps clinkin', handsome. Best grog this side o' the Eye, right? She lets her rhetorical question hang in the air as she skips back to the kitchen with an empty tray.
A surly old seadog guffaws, and then sets his tankard down with a heavy thud, sloshing its contents. An' wha' in tha' 'ells ya' got ta' be so 'appy about, eh? Say ya' need a ship, do ya'? An' wha's so special 'bout ya' ta' make yer stinkin' hides worthy of anythin' more than a raft tied together wit' waxy seaweed?
"Oye, ye old sea dog, I's been ridin' the waves since I was a wee lad, me home is on tha seas. Even if I try to stick to the land, she calls to me and I ca'not resist." Rapping his knuckles on his peg leg for emphasis, the Moon continues, "Even after tha shark took me leg as a boy, I still loved tha sea. Maybe it's pirate blood in me veins, maybe Besmara chose me at birth, I don't be questionin' tha whys, I just be following the salty air and the sunset over tha waves. If'n it be true sea dogs ya want then look no further than tha Moon."
Louly looks around as she enters the Formidably Maid.
I can't imagine ever finding a more wretched hive of scum and villainy, she thinks to herself. If I can't find out more about the Daunting Mermaid or my father here, I don't know where I can go.
Oooh, and that looks like the perfect place to start, she thinks as she makes her way to a handsome young man at a table. Plopping herself down, her bright white teeth contrasting her dark skin as she grins at the sailor, Howdy, sailor, buy a girl a drink?
Bendrauss, stepping into the Formidably Maid allows his eyes to adjust to the dim light inside. He sniffs as he takes in the vagrants who deem themselves pirates. " 'Spose this be as good a place as any to start looking for pay" Ben unconsciously checks that his flat dagger is still hidden in his bracer and pushes through the crowd to the bar. "Barkeep! Black kelp beer if'n you have some!"
Several eyes track up at the new arrivals, taking in the newcomers and seeming to immediately identify them as threats or marks. Rarely is there a classification in between the two among the scoundrels that frequent the Formidably Maid.
The barkeep, a dark-skinned man with a shaved pate and a multitude of gold rings adorning his face and ears, grunts from behind the half-height counter. Got it, if that's yer likin'. Ain't gonna' be cheap though, fella'; ya' got somethin' against our good 'ol grog, then?
Ben swipes his drink from the bar"Ah, it's but a last taste of home before hire'n on with a crew in the morn. By days end I'll be back at sea, back in the mothers embrace. By years end I'll be loaded with the finest silks and goods to be sure!" "And then it'll be a ship of my own." He then tilts his mug back and drains the dark brew. Wiping any foam from his mouth he casually leans against the bar and begins to watch the crowd for perspective employers.
The Mwangi woman smiles as she sits down next to the grizzled sailor. Is he a pirate? He seems old enough he might have known my father...
"Thank you," she says, scooping up a mug and quickly quaffing it. "I'm Louly ."
The barkeep nods, his face a sickly snarl that could only be barely seen as a smile. Outta' Drenchport, then? Best place ta' get it, that's for certain. But, out here, ya' gotta' pay for the trip, like anyone else. We'll be settlin' up ba'fore yer leavin'.
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Gregor raises his cup to his new tablemate and is impresses as she downs her drink a half a second before he finishes his. He raises his hand to order two more.
You do look like you can handle yourself well enough...but no man with honor would allow a lady to drink alone in a place like this. I'm called Gregor, and I intend to continue drinking until I forget everything that has happened in my life up until this moment. Since I have a memory like a steel trap and an uncanny ability to handle my liqour it should take a good long while....
The door to the bar opening, a fairly attractive, and clean, man steps into the common room. Clothed in what appears to be an a coat of thick leather with a rapier belted at his waist, it is obvious that this man isn't one of the usuals that visit the Formidably Maid. He looks around the room. Fair bunch of folk we have here. Just the type that might be able to provide some answers. With that, he moves into the room, his gait betraying some familiarity with the motions of the sea. Taking a seat and motioning for a bar maid he says, "I'll have some rum, please." Not the greatest tasting mess of a drink, but gotta follow with what I was told.
A young man, looking most likely to be a fishmonger, quietly enters and makes his way across the room to the bar. His head and face are completely hairless, his skin bearing a wet sheen like lamp oil on water. His oddly luminous eyes are a little too large for his narrow face and small nose. His expression shows no emotion.
He wears a loose robe, stained, weathered and smelling of sea salt and fish. A dagger is tucked behind the knot of his sash, and he carries a small bag made of fishnetting over one shoulder.
He makes an awkward gesture to the barkeep.
A bottle of rum," he says flatly, as if reading the words from a page, "and I need to speak with a captain about getting on to a ship."
Strange, he's here to forget, when I come for someone who remembers. Still, he says he's got a memory like a steel trap, so maybe he can help me.
"Hello, Gregor, I'm glad to meet a man of honor. I'm actually come in search of someone, a man who used to sail out of this port, named Adamar Voulge. I'm hoping to find someone who knew him or of what happened to him."
After his rum arrives, the coated man takes a swig, his face scrunching up at the taste of the liquor, an obvious indication that he was not too familiar with the drink as a whole. Scanning the room, he notes a group group consisting of a darker skinned woman and a bearded man talking. Taking one more swig, he moves over with his bottle, stopping at their table and giving a brief nod, reminiscent of the usual greeting etiquette of one form Magnimar for those familiar with that region. "Greetings, my name is Karn and I just came into port. Mind if I sit with you a spell?"
Bendrauss upends his empty mug letting the last drips dribble onto the counter. " Another beer if'n you will. I've coin enough. Don'cha be worry'n 'bout that. When he catches the barkeeps eye he motions toward the table where all the newcomers seem to be gathering. "Who might they be?"
Karn's rum proves to be a bit strong...the first drinks of the night usually are; and it burns as it finds its way down his gullet. The warmth that follows it ignites his belly, then makes his head feel about ten pounds lighter. The serving woman wheels away with a smile, after indicating that she'd be at his call if needed.
The gold-adorned barkeep's eyebrows raise at Kehlysch's entrance, and he actually has to stammer our his greeting. It's obvious that he doesn't get many of Kehlysch's unique but alluring appearance in a dive such as this. Rum, ya...a whole bottle it is. As for a captain...careful what ya' wish for, friend. He offers a wink with a bloodshot eye. May jus' get it, right?
The barkeep nods at Bendrauss, then shrugs. Sure 'nuff they're more needin' work, like yerself. Fine place ta' get it, if you're willin' ta' get the hands dirty.
"Suit yourself," Louly says, glancing at the newcomer to the table and returning his nod.
She seems distracted, her eye caught by another sailor. I'm sure I can find someone else who might know my Voulge another night, she thinks.
"Actually, I just remembered something I have to do," she says with an apologetic grin. She gets up, sauntering across the bar to a dashing young man.
"Hi there, buy a girl a drink?" she says with a wink.
Bendrauss flushes, barely noticeable on his dark skin. Who's this now? Surely she will be more entertaining than a table of deck hands! Clearing his throat he downs his next beer as fast as he can. Ben attempts to casually adjust his sword belt and begins to head toward the young woman. Damn! Forgot to pay! Awkwardly he stumbles and turns around to lay two tarnished pieces of gold onto the counter. "Keep 'em comin barkeep." Again attempting to be casual he makes his way through the jostling crowd to the woman. "'Ello lass, they call me Bendrauss."
Kehlsych lifts the rum bottle to his lips and hesitantly turns it upwards. The second drink burns every bit as much as the first.
"She never explained why they would drink this, but they always did in her stories...it tastes like fire and water at once."
He turns and looks around at the patrons scattered throughout the common room.
"No captains are here," he says with a thick-tongued mumble as the potent drink sears into his brain and the room starts to swim before him.
"...swim...yes..." he says as he staggers out into the night.
Bosun Moon swigs down his cup of rum and reaches for the bottle to pour another, but his drunken grasp wavers and he knocks the bottle off the table, amazingly it doesn't shatter as it bounces off a chair and rolls across the floor.
"Ye spinnin' bottle, there be a few drops left in ye I reckon." mutters the Moon as he staggers from his seat to retrieve the wayward vessel. But he's underestimated his state of inebriation, as he stands his head swims with rum and with a lurch he staggers into the table, knocking mugs to the floor. Trying to steady himself, he reaches for the back of a chair, misses it completely, and his peg leg slides in the spilt liquor, upending his balance and sending him crashing to the floor.
He lies there for a moment, eyes focusing on the beams of the ceiling to stop his spinning vision. With a grunt, Bosun Moon scrabbles to pick himself up off the floor, struggling to get his peg leg beneath him and regain his balance, or at least the seat of a chair.
Seeing Bosun's tumble, Karn diverts his course, moving over to the fallen man and offering a hand up. "Are you all righch? That was a mighty acrobatic tumble you took theresh." An expression crossing his face for a split second, the man snaps out of it and helps the man to his feet if he is allowed to. Lander said this stuff was strong, but it can't really just be one drink can it. Once the man is too his feet, Karn extends his hand. "Pleasure to meet yoooou. Tha nam'sh Karn." Where are these extra syllables coming from? Without necessarily making the connection, Karn takes another drink of the rum, his face once more reacting to the taste of the alcohol, though not as sour as the last one.
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A bit of delirium washes over Gregor...granted it's exactly what he wanted but he feels the sea air may do him some good. He tosses a few coins at the barkeep and tips his hat to Louly. She's found a younger man. Gregor thinks to himself amusedly.
He leaves the tavern and heads for the docks, the salt in the crisp night air energizing him as he goes.
As you gaze out into the darkness of a starry sky and the whitecaps just illuminated by a Desnus moon, you see another figure, seemingly of like mind, standing not far off watching the waves. You recognize him from the Formidably Maid…he had been sitting at the table with the dark-skinned woman and another. He wears a wide-brimmed hat over dark hair, and keeps a well-trimmed beard.
As you gaze out into the darkness of a starry sky and the whitecaps just illuminated by a Desnus moon, you see another figure, seemingly of like mind, standing not far off watching the waves. You recognize him from the Formidably Maid…he is the exotically attractive man who entered just before you left. He has an odd shaped head, somehow more sleek than normal, and his ears are little more than mounds that jut out slightly from his head.
Squinting away the tunnel vision, Karn closes his eyes, taking a seat across from the peg legged man he had just helped to his feet. Mumbling almost inaudible words, Karn places his hand on his own chest as he speaks. after a few moments of tenseness, he seems to calm and relax considerable, nearly sliding from his seat before doing his best to set himself upright. Looking to the man he had just helped, he says, "Perdon me. I am new ta the area and was wondering if the drink is normully sooooo strong." After his question/statement Karn simply stares blearily at the man, waiting for a response.
Bosun Moon's eyes cross as he tries to focus on the man that helped him back into his seat and now sits across from him at the table. The stranger asks him about the strength of the drinks in this tavern, but the Bosun can't tell if the man is slurring his words or if it's his own hearing playing tricks on him. Everything seems to be off with his senses and he struggles to maintain consciousness.
"Aye, I's not remember it being so, me head feels like it's been squished inta tha bottle. Maybe I's just need some dinner, tha must be it, too much rum on an empty belly."
The Moon turns to wave down the waitress, but his sense of balance spins away and he nearly tumbles from the chair back onto the floor. Gripping the edge of the table for support, the Bosun begins to fear the worst.
"Oye, me friend, I's think we's may be in trouble, no rum I's swilled ever been this strong!"
Not liking the man's answer, Karn goes silent for a moment. He had originally come here to learn more about Besmara's Blessing. The strange feeling he had followed had definitely led him here...or had he just stopped in to ask for directions? He would think about it a bit after the room stopped spinning. Instead though, it seems he had just found a place to get drunk on double strength local brew. Thinking back, he hears Lander's words muffled through the same feeling that was now making it hard to speak. Watch fer the locals lad. Some just bee looking fer a free drink, but others be looking ta take more.
Pushing his glass away, Karn nods at Bosun's response, "Mebbe some food w'll do some good." Waving to the barmaid, he waits for her to arrive before saying politely, "'Scuse me m'ss. Can ya plz bring out some food fer m' friend and I. This drink 's makin' me a touch hangry."
Louly slowly looks over the sailor, her eyes roaming up and down his body, as she smiles. "I wouldn't mind exchanging some ... stories ... in a quieter spot."
Kehlysch takes a final swig from his rum bottle, then hurls it out into the water; watching as it skips across the surface and finally comes to an awkward bob upon the surface. He speaks softly, but makes no motion to look at the stranger from the tavern.
"She told me I should...just jump in and start...swimming. Not like I could drown...plenty of food to be had...but who would wander into a jungle without a guide? Or venture into a mine without a map? I could...go alone...but I do not know where to go."
He stares out across the water, eyes reflecting the watery moonlight.
"Who. Am. I.?"
Grabbing the girl by the hand Bendrauss pulls her toward the stairs. He loudly calls over his should "Have a bottle brought to her room!"