Fishguts looked at Ambrose for a bit and shook his head slightly. "You don't wanna flee a pirate ship." he said quietly. "The Free Captains don't agree with each other on much, but a runaway's as good as dead - they offer good gold for heads, as a way of... encouraging... people to stay in line. Have a drink... and forget whatever you're thinking. I'd hate to lose my new helper so soon."
-----
Cut-Throat Grok, as it turned out, was a rather tough-looking half-orc bearing a notched greataxe. "You don't know much of misfortune, you bilge-sucker." she said, sounding amused. "You want stuff, come during the normal hours. Lay a hand on anything of mine without permission, and... well, you saw. It's not complicated." The evening's events were pretty hard to forget.
-----
The crew up on deck, meanwhile, hurled a few small objects at Lucas as he attempted to perform. "Do you think you're funny?" one of them called out. "Do us all a favor and keep your ugly yap shut." Apparently, his performance hadn't gone over particularly well... and it didn't look like the listeners wanted to hear anything more.
-------------------------------------------
Eventually, the three of you headed off to sleep - the bell to wake up and gather on deck had only just finished tolling when four of the other pirates appeared, blocking the way out of your sleeping area. "In a hurry?" one of them said, laughing shoving Atsadi back. None of them had weapons drawn - and behind them, you could see a few others sailors looking on to see what happened.
Ambrose gives Fishguts a sour look, but nods after a moment. It was wise counsel, even if it wasn't what he wanted to hear. Even if he managed to escape, no port would be likely to harbor him. Eleder was downright friendly with the Free Captains, and Bloodcove would be even worse, what with the blood-sucking Aspis Consortium parasites running the place. It sounds like the only way out is to sail out myself. Realizing the enormity of such a task, Ambrose takes the other man's advice and takes another long drink.
"I suppose we shall be together for some time then," he says, setting his drink back down. Looking for a napkin to wipe his mouth with and finding none, he reluctantly drags his arm across his lips instead. "Surely there is something else you would prefer to be called than 'Fishguts'."
Day Two:
Fort save:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14
Waking with the bell, Ambrose rubs the sleep from his eyes. He dismays at seeing the poor state of his boots as he pulls them on. All of his clothes are dirty and worn nearly to tatters. He would be able to set about cleaning and mending them once he got a chance to prepare the appropriate spells, but until then he was no better than an empty in the Korvosan gutters.
As he dismounts from his hammock, Ambrose finds his way out blocked by a group of unfriendly types. "Oof!" He grunts as he is almost bowled over by the shoved man, a large tattooed sort who would no doubt respond with violence. He exhales a long stream of smoke through his nose, trying to keep his temper in check as he waits to see how the scene would play out.
Waving a hand to Lucas, Atsadi doesn't achieve much better results with Grok. He furrows his brow and eyes the greataxe. "I'll remember that, thank you." He carefully extracts himself from the orc, shaking his head and heading to bed.
Waking up groggily, Atsaid shuffles toward the deck. He doesn't even see the pirate until he's shoved backward. He stumbles backward, nearly falling over before looking up, a grin spreading over his face.
"Oh, good morning!"
He glances over his shoulder to the man he's bumped into and nods his head once followed by an abrupt blink of surprise as he steps back from the smokey reaction. Cracking his knuckles, his voice is rough and with a peculiar accent when he continues speaking. "Sorry, Smokes. It seems we have a couple of unfriendlies who want to get their faces smashed in."
He looks back to the four and folds his arms. "We need to get upstairs, didn't you hear the bell? Or do you prefer to fight than work? I can oblige. These numbers are not too fair though, eh? How about you come at me one at a time."
Tiefling Gestalt 2: Warlord (Privateer)/Bard (Archaeologist) | HP: 18/18 (0 NL) | AC: 18 [20] (T:14 [16], FF:14) | F +4 / R +7 / W +2 [+4] | CMB: +3 CMD: 17 | Init: +4, Per: +5, SM: +5, Darkvision (60 ft.) | Arch. Luck used 0/7 | Active Stance: Inner Sphere Stance (+2 dodge AC, +2 morale Will when armed with two weapons)
Lucas sighs a small sigh to himself, Ugh, this ship. Almost enough to make a guy give up on this life, head inland, and try something else. Almost, anyway.
Lucas scans the room, looking for anything that could conceivably be used as a weapon in a pinch. Standing behind Atsadi, he tries to defuse the situation. “What's the matter, fellas? Not jealous of the lofty stations of cook, swab, and rigger we've attained in our lengthy service, are you?”
Lucas will be entering Phantom Storm Stance (aka Phantom Sun Stance) on the off-chance there's anything nearby that can serve as an improvised thrown weapon.
The following items are so common aboard the Wormwood that the three of you can easily access them at any time: barrels, baskets, blocks and tackle, candles, canvas, grappling hooks, hemp rope (any length up to 200 feet), lanterns, leather drinking vessels and waterskins, sacks, simple tools or hardware (especially carpentry tools such as hammers and nails), and any other simple items that I deem appropriate - you're free to ask. Many of these can serve as improvised weapons.
"I think you've got an attitude problem." the one who seemed to be the leader answered. "So why don't you shut your f*cking mouth instead of talking like some prissy landlubber who thinks he's better than everyone else?" They hadn't moved to attack yet - but given the expressions on their faces, they were mere moments away from starting a bare-fisted brawl.
A snort welcomes Lucas's reply. "He simply asked you scallywags a question. Let's get this over with then, hmn?"
Seeing Lucas looking around for a weapon, Atsadi grins cruelly. He takes a deep breath and stretches his back, feeling the prickling around his gums waiting to be called forth. He recalls Plugg's words the last day, however, and denies his heritage the call. Blood would be shed, but he would not kill.
Initiative:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
He gives a shark-like grin and widens his eyes, sticking his tongue out at an angle and giving a deep, roaring warcry. "Rejoice! Battle awaits!" Not bothering to glance over his shoulder to see if he would be facing these four alone, he simple steps forward and pounds one hand on his chest. "Come then!"
He slips sideways and down, curling his hands into fists and raising them up. When he has a chance, and as long as it seems the four are willing to fight and not simply back off, he will lean out with a series of straight jabs before mumbling an oath in Arcadian and lashing out with an overhead elbow strike.
If a fight is starting, Atsadi will slip into Black Seraph's Glare stance and use Guard's Oath on his first target.
Guard's Oath:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9; Nonlethal Damage:1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 + DC 14 Will save of foe is Cursed and unable to move within Atsadi's threatened area without provoking an attack of opportunity. Would this supersede the fact that you can't take opportunity attacks while fighting unarmed without Improved Unarmed Strike?
If the attack hits and inflicts damage, he also makes an Intimiidate check to demoralize. Demoralize/Shaken:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Tiefling Gestalt 2: Warlord (Privateer)/Bard (Archaeologist) | HP: 18/18 (0 NL) | AC: 18 [20] (T:14 [16], FF:14) | F +4 / R +7 / W +2 [+4] | CMB: +3 CMD: 17 | Init: +4, Per: +5, SM: +5, Darkvision (60 ft.) | Arch. Luck used 0/7 | Active Stance: Inner Sphere Stance (+2 dodge AC, +2 morale Will when armed with two weapons)
Lucas gives an expression of bored indifference, right up until the ‘landlubber’ comment. That’s when he finally gets mad enough to take it out on these guys. As he picks up a carpenter’s hammer someone left out, he snaps back, “‘Landlubber?’ Go choke on a merrow’s dick, you clown,” and ‘throws’ a projection of the hammer. It’s certainly not his first choice of a weapon, but it’ll do to channel his knowledge of the Oncoming Storm. Lucas dimly remembers a story he once heard of an Ulfen god who did this sort of thing.
Move action to pick up the hammer, which I will assume stats out as an improvised light hammer unless you tell me otherwise. I’ll then use a swift action to declare a pinhole gambit, and throw the hammer at the fellow Atsadi attacked, using Slipstream Strike. Attack is -4 for improvised weapon, my +2 Charisma mod as a luck bonus for the gambit, +1 Point-Blank Shot. Precise Shot negates the penalty for melee, and Slipstream Strike offsets the cover Atsadi would otherwise provide.
If that hits, as a result of the gambit, this jerk takes my Charisma mod as a penalty to AC (so -2) until the start of my next turn, and also, I and all allies recover one expended maneuver (PoW:E p.57), which I’ll use to recover Slipstream Strike (and I’d assume Atsadi will use for Guard’s Oath, as it’s the only one he’s used). Phantom Storm Stance means I don’t actually expend the thrown weapon, so Lucas is still holding the hammer.
Lucas snarls at the four men, serpentine eyes fixed in unblinking anger. "Walk away while you still can, or do you wanna keep this up?"
I'm taken with the idea of somebody using a grappling hook as an improvised ropedart. Any knives nearby?
Ambrose growls as the fighting breaks out in earnest. As expected, he thinks, taking a step back to give the others some room. Without any spells or his rapier, there is little he can do in a close-quarters fight. Uninterested in allowing the scuffle to escalate, he takes a deep breath and exhales a cloud of black smoke. As he does, the ambient light level drops ominously.
Only the items I listed, I'm afraid. Atsadi, no, it would not supersede that - the fact that someone provokes doesn't matter much if you have no ability to make AoO's in the first place.
Also, in general, I'll roll Initiative (and often Saves) for everyone - I find it's much easier than slowing things down to ask everyone to roll it. XD
Last thing! I hope. Remember you don't really have your armor right now, so it shouldn't be counted in your stats - and you should break down the sources of your armor by type in your alias.
Atsadi was the quickest off the draw, but cleanly missed with his strike - and his opponent promptly retaliated with an attack to take advantage of his opening before swinging back around.
That is, I believe you made an unarmed strike without IUS, there? The maneuver doesn't provoke, but the strike itself does. I think. XD
Ambrose dimmed the light a moment later - to shouts from everyone else. "Oy, he's got witchcraft!" one of them called, and two of the other pirates moved in to pummel him while the last went for Lucas.
Ambrose grunts in pain as the filthy ingrates pummeled his body. He had never taken much to fisticuffs and had no defense for their crude blows. Howling in anger, he grabs a nearby lantern and swings it at one of the pirates.
I am so sorry for the delay, this week has been crazy. Do the unarmed strikes of the pirates provoke as well? Not that it matters, I see.
Already wounded from the fall the other day , and forgetting to declare using Channel Energy to heal himself, Atsadi takes a whalloping and falls unconscious (8 nonlethal, 7 hit points after a day of rest).
Been long enough - advancing! Also... Level 1 is pretty swingy that way, huh, Atsadi? XD;
Ambrose's strike wasn't quite accurate enough to land, and Atsadi fell even as Lucas took quite the pummeling. The leader of the group laughed at that and stepped back slightly, opening his arms. "Like I thought - all bark and no bite." he said. "You wanna keep this up? Because we'd be happy to. Or you can apologize to us for having an attitude problem."
Tiefling Gestalt 2: Warlord (Privateer)/Bard (Archaeologist) | HP: 18/18 (0 NL) | AC: 18 [20] (T:14 [16], FF:14) | F +4 / R +7 / W +2 [+4] | CMB: +3 CMD: 17 | Init: +4, Per: +5, SM: +5, Darkvision (60 ft.) | Arch. Luck used 0/7 | Active Stance: Inner Sphere Stance (+2 dodge AC, +2 morale Will when armed with two weapons)
"You misread me, mister," Lucas says, still holding the hammer. "But I'm not apologizing for somethin' I didn't do." Lucas' eyes dart to Atsadi, hoping the big guy isn't hurt too badly, then back to the pirate before him. These odds looked pretty crappy, but it wasn't like knuckling under to these guys would do well for him, either. "How 'bout we all just stay clear of each other, let us get to takin' care of ship's business?" Lucas never quite wanted someone to come yell at him for being late as much as he did right now...
So sorry, the past week was pretty awful here, cut into my response time. It's a pretty unpleasant situation, but I really don't think Lucas would think kowtowing to these guys will help. I'm hoping to kind of stall for time, hoping someone's gonna come looking for us to report for duty (Bluff check below in case it's a roll for that). If that's not an action unto itself, I'll also ready to take a swing at the first man to try and attack me.
Ambrose, doubled over in pain, holds his lantern at the ready. He had no illusions as to how things would play out if the pirates decided to press things, but he would at least give things a chance to cool down.
The leader's response was to move right up to Lucas and drive a fist towards his stomach-
Melee (Lucas):1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 for Nonlethal Damage:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2Also? Lucas, you should get into the habit of marking your HP damage - lethal and nonlethal - in your quick reference bar. XD Trust me, the LAST thing you want is to be in the middle of an adventure and thinking you're much more solid than you really are - PbP's slow, and people sometimes forget. Making a habit out of keeping things up-to-date could quite literally save his life.
-and he smirked as it hit home. The pirates honestly weren't that great at unarmed combat - any true warrior would probably have laughed themselves silly - but you weren't wearing armor and they'd gotten unusually lucky with their strikes.
With that, he turned to look at Ambrose again. "And we already know what a coward you are." he said, clearly remembering the previous day's events. "I almost hope you haven't learned your lesson, 'cuz teaching it over and over would be a lot of fun. Let's go, guys. It's time for work, after all. I'd hate to have to go through the punishment for being late." With that, the four thugs chuckled and headed up top. The real question was whether or not you'd be able to follow...
Healing naturally will definitely cause at least two of you to be late. Although there's always unnatural healing if you can get some...
As difficult as it is to suffer insult on top of his injuries, Ambrose swallows his pride in favor of survival. Once the offending ingrates had left them to lick their wounds, Ambrose glares down at the large man's unconscious body. The pirates may have been the aggressors, but the tattooed hulk had brought more than his fair share of trouble upon all of them. Still, leaving the man to lie there would hardly win him friends among the others, especially if they were superstitious.
Ambrose dismisses the darkness and casts his eyes around the room, looking for a certain head of fiery red hair. Neither he nor the other tiefling were likely to be able to haul the tattooed man up to the decks on their own. That pirate priestess would be most useful right now. He calls out, "Sandara Quinn," hoping that she is nearby.
Tiefling Gestalt 2: Warlord (Privateer)/Bard (Archaeologist) | HP: 18/18 (0 NL) | AC: 18 [20] (T:14 [16], FF:14) | F +4 / R +7 / W +2 [+4] | CMB: +3 CMD: 17 | Init: +4, Per: +5, SM: +5, Darkvision (60 ft.) | Arch. Luck used 0/7 | Active Stance: Inner Sphere Stance (+2 dodge AC, +2 morale Will when armed with two weapons)
Point well acknowledged on damage tracking. I'd been cognizant of it the whole time, but this wasn't my best week.
That said, "If that's not an action unto itself, I'll also ready to take a swing at the first man to try and attack me." Between that and my being armed vs unarmed, might I have not gotten a poke in at that guy before I went down? Yeah, improvised weapon penalty and all that, but still beats going down without a fight...
Clearly. XD ...Honestly, I don't think this was intended to be that hard. It's winnable, it's just... they rolled oddly well. That swinginess should vanish in a level or two, though.
"I saw." Sandra said as she walked over, twirling her holy symbol around one finger. That wasn't the most pious act, but then, Besmara generally wasn't big on ceremony to begin with. Her symbol flashed a moment later, and a burst of rejuvenating energy swept over you.
Channel Positive Energy:2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12
...And Besmara was probably on your side right now, given the impressive amount of energy there. "No offense, but you'll probably want to get better at brawling... or at least get your stuff back." She clasped her symbol around her neck again and began moving up to the deck. "C'mon, time for work. They shouldn't bother you any as long as we're all on the job - the officers don't like that sort of thing."
The Day's Jobs:3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 5) = 10 Ambrose, your job is simple cooking! DC 10 Profession (Cook) or Intelligence. Atsadi, your job is backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones, requiring a DC 10 Strength or Constitution check. Failing either check results in being fatigued at the end of the shift. Lucas, you're on lookout duty with a climb to the crow’s nest 60 feet up, requiring DC 10 Climb checks followed by a DC 10 Perception check. Everyone, don't forget that you can take daily actions if you want to! (See the Info tab)
The tattooed brute's eyes flickers as healing energy washes over him, cleansing the bruises and wounds from the earlier day. He sits up with a groan and frowns immediately, clambering to his feet. He sees Sandra and his eyes go to her holy symbol before looking up to her and nodding. "Thank you, Priestess. Besmara thought to humble me today. Next time I will not worry about shedding their blood."
He clambers up on board, following Lucas into the light. He narrows his eyes, but seems happy to hear the task. Something rough will keep him occupied from the failure of a battle he had had.
Strength:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
While he works, Atsadi will try vainly to strike up conversation with another crew member. Daytime action: Influence. Diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Tiefling Gestalt 2: Warlord (Privateer)/Bard (Archaeologist) | HP: 18/18 (0 NL) | AC: 18 [20] (T:14 [16], FF:14) | F +4 / R +7 / W +2 [+4] | CMB: +3 CMD: 17 | Init: +4, Per: +5, SM: +5, Darkvision (60 ft.) | Arch. Luck used 0/7 | Active Stance: Inner Sphere Stance (+2 dodge AC, +2 morale Will when armed with two weapons)
Lucas stirs as Quinn's powers restore him to consciousness. "Ugh, this ****ing ship..."
"Really appreciate both the aid and the advice, miss*," he says in response to Sandra's words. "What means can we take to get our gear back, anyway? Where I come from, we'd eventually be 'invited' to make our mark and swear an oath on a copy of Besmara's Code, then we'd be regarded as full members of the crew. But let me guess, our captain doesn't do things that way...?"
*If there's a particular term of address/turn of phrase more befitting a Besmaran priestess, Lucas will go with that.
Grinning at the eagerness Atsadi seems to share for eventually getting some payback, Lucas heads topside. Figuring the last thing he needs right now is to screw up at his job, Lucas keeps to himself and pays attention to his job.
Work Diligently, and taking the penalties to accelerated Climb.
As Ms. Quinn channels Besmara's power, Ambrose can feel a breeze blow across his wounds and gentle waves lapping them away. Thanking the priestess, he joins the others above.
Can Ambrose take the Shirk daytime action to prepare his spells? Also, I'd like to prepare a special batch of food for the pirates that beat on us, something along the lines of mashed potatoes with soap shavings in them.
Intelligence check:1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 2 = 12-2 for shirking Stealth check:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21Stealth in case it's necessary
Yes, you can shirk to prepare spells. o wo/ Oh, and don't forget that the spells STAY memorized until used, so you don't have to prepare every day unless you want to change your options.
Lucas, you can take the bonus for *one* check. I'll assume you want to apply it to your worst. XD Besmaran priests basically pick their title, and Sandra will recognize anything that's reasonably respectful and/or funny. They're a very independent lot.
Who did Atsadi meet?:1d14 ⇒ 3
After easily managing to mop and clean the decks - the day's work had been pretty easy, honestly - Atsadi managed to strike up a conversation with someone you'd already met... Jack Scrimshaw. The young boy seemed happy to have someone else on deck to talk to, and was definitely seeming rather helpful by the end of the shift.
Lucas, working diligently, managed to get his job done quite nicely. Really, the climbing was the hard part - once up in the nest, there wasn't much else to do when nothing showed on the horizon.
Ambrose, on the other hand... well, his work for the day wasn't stellar, but it was definitely sneaky. The real question was whether you wanted to risk getting found out if someone ate a bad batch of food, because they'd know exactly who to investigate first...
In between the mundane drudgery of preparing food for Fishguts to cook, Ambrose manages to find an hour to sneak off and prepare spells from his grimoire. Preparing prestidigitation, mending, ray of frost, summon monster I, magic missile, and unseen servant.
With a whole day to stew over the morning's beating, Ambrose concocts a punishment for the pirates. After considering the various potential repercussions, he decides that the risk of being found out was worth it to send a message to his enemies. He carefully considers his options, choosing a punishment to foil potential magical investigation. There were plenty of materials on hand that would make one sick if ingested but not register as poison if divined by a spell. In some cases, the effects might even be delayed significantly.
After much consideration, he elects to create a bilge-water cocktail for his enemies. Dysentery would debilitate them days after the sabotage. While the delayed response would reduce the impact as a warning, it would also reduce the likelihood of being found out. And if one of them happened to die from complications, well... s-- happens.
As the mealtime approaches, Ambrose makes up some special mugs, using subtle castings of prestidigitation to ensure that their tongues won't notice the difference. Almost as an afterthought, he similarly alters Sandara Quinn's meal, enhancing its flavor as a secret thank you.
Pleased to have met someone on board that wasn't going to kill him, other than Lucas and the priestess, Atsadi is relieved to talk shop and history with Jack.
Later that night, Atsadi tries to cozy up to Grok again. Influence:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Staying in the Crow's Nest was a bit mind-numbing, and Lucas nodded off to sleep soon after dinner was served. Speaking of, Sandra smiled with approval as she ate. Atsadi, on the other hand, was rather productive - and Cut-Throat Grok was distinctly friendlier that evening on deck, and headed down below with a hint that she might let the three of you check the wares outside of normal hours.
After a night's rest, morning came again - and with it your duties. There also seemed to be a few people missing...
The Day's Jobs:3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) = 11 Ambrose, you are... cooking. XD And Kroop is sober today, so no check will be needed. Atsadi, you've been ordered to repair some things on the ship, which will be a DC 10 Profession (sailor) or Dexterity check. Lucas will be handling the ship’s ropes, including coiling them, stowing them, and securing them to cleats and single and double bollards, also requiring a DC 10 Profession (sailor) or Dexterity check.
As they get up for tasks for the day, Atsadi will move up alongside Ambrose, grumbling under his breath. "Thanks for the help with convincing the priestess ta' other day. I uh..spoke a bit with Grok, the quartermaster? And she might be willing to let us takes a look at her wares during the evenin' if that's something you're interested in. I don't have any money..yet..but at least we can check on our gear."
Trusting in his, albeit limited, experience with ship tasks, Atsadi will spend the day talking to whichever sap he's stuck working with.
Work:Profession(Sailor):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Did we skip the night actions phase? Or did poisoning the food count as my night action? I'd be fine with that, I'm just asking.
With the cat out of the bag on at least some of his magic, Ambrose elects to subtly reinforce that perception. When he steps foot on the deck the next morning, the rips and tears of his clothes have been erased and they look cleaned and pressed as if they were new. His boots are shined and their leather revitalized, and his black hair, once matted and rangy from weeks of exposure, is pulled back into a clean and straight ponytail.
Ambrose glances sidelong as Atsadi sidles up to him. He hadn't had much cause to talk to the man; after their shared beating, it seemed that being in the same vicinity as the tattooed beast of a man would only invite further violence. But this was a choice bit of news the other man brought.
Ambrose gives a sharp nod. "Meet me in the galley after the evening meal."
Pleased to find Kroop hale and hardy, Ambrose busies himself with trying to create some semblance of order in the disorganized mess of a kitchen.
I'll take a Sneak action to explore the kitchen. There's no real sneaking, but there isn't a default "search" option available.
It looked like you guys had done night actions, so I went with that. XD
Lucas:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Lucas... did a very solid job with the ship's ropes, actually - better than anyone had been expecting. Atsadi, unfortunately, wasn't really able to convince anyone he was talking with - mostly because he was too busy doing well with repairing things, and people kept bringing new things to be fixed once they noticed. Ambrose, on the other hand, was able to sort through the disaster area of the kitchen, and eventually managed to turn up a masterwork dagger being used as a butcher's knife. There was probably quite a lot more hidden here, if one wanted to take the time to explore it on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the work day was over and dinner had been served, which meant it was night once again...
Skipping over the Bloody Hour punishment for our sick friends?
Following the evening meal, Ambrose takes his rum ration in the kitchen with Fishguts as he waits for Atsadi. Sipping on the rum, he considers how to approach haggling with the quartermaster.
Sandara had already returned his grimoire and material components. That left his sword and coat to be repossessed, as well as his holy symbol. Azrael had yet to appear after more than two days, so in all likelihood his familiar was also in Grok's possession.
If Sandara's indications about Grok's superstitions held true, the holy symbol would be no trouble to retrieve. And once she heard the little bird speaking the devils' own language, she should be more than happy to relinquish Azrael back to his master. The sword and coat were another story. The knife tucked into his boot was of exceedingly fine quality and should more than suffice in trade, but was there perhaps a way he might not have to trade?
The tattooed pirate wasn't quiet as he thumped down the stairs, wiping dirty hands on even dirtier pants. Upon spying Ambrose, he folds his arms and lets out a small grunt of acknowledgment.
"Evening. Nice trick you pulled with those ugly three. I want some hands-on next time. Wish'in I had something to trade to Grok but..at least we can see how much she's asking for our stuff back, yeah?"
It took a couple of minutes to find Grok, but she grinned and nodded at Atsadi's request to look around the stores. "What'cha lookin' for today, you fish-feeding barnacle?" she inquired, the insult delivered in a tone much more friendly than the words would have suggested. But then, her vocabulary seemed to be mainly composed of a truly appalling number of curse words - and that one was pretty mild as far as her mouth went.
Ambrose slowly quirks an eyebrow and blinks at Atsadi's congratulations, neither confirming nor denying his involvement. "If one looks carefully, I am certain one would find more valuables aboard this ship than one would expect." Gesturing for the walking slab of muscle to lead on, Ambrose falls into step behind.
Grok's unconventional greeting gives Ambrose pause while he suppresses his reaction. 'Rough around the edges' fails to even approach an adequate description of these people. Perhaps it would be easier to let Atsadi handle the negotiations - he seemed to have some rapport with the half-orc. But between these two it seemed like good odds they would just as like have a friendly brawl in lieu of more conventional bargaining, and Ambrose had no desire to get pulled into that. [B]"I was politely relieved of my coat when I was invited aboard. It is said that you are the one to see about reclaiming such things."[/I]
(Sorry for the delay, this week has been somewhat hectic)
The aforementioned barnacle breaks into a grin and claps his hands, glancing to Ambrose. "Me mate and I are looking for some things that once upon a time, long ago, may hap have belonged to a pair of unfortunate scoundrels dragged 'board the ship. Do you think you could help the two of us out 'ere, Grok? What would it cost to get 'is coat and my scale armor back from ya?"
Grok chuckled slightly. "Technically, all of this is the Captain's booty." she said. "But friends can get their stuff back." she opened one of the chests and pulled out the items in question. "My advice, though? Stick the scaly stuff in your locker 'stead of wearing it around. Unless you're expecting a fight, anyway. Don't want to go overboard with thirty pounds of metal on you. Quick way to see the Pirate Queen."
Aboard this ship, one should always be expecting a fight.
Accepting his coat and sword back, Ambrose smiles in satisfaction. This was going more smoothly than he expected. "There are a couple of other things as well. An Asmodean pendant on a chain. And I have reason to believe that you may be in possession of a small bird."
Letting out a sigh of relief as he takes the mail, folding it up and nodding to Grok. "That's true enough, I don't want to be going overboard with it but if we actually find a ship to do some real work on I'd like to be a bit more useful."
"A bird?" Atsadi glances to Ambrose. "You expecting your pets to have been captured with you?"
Grok twitched slightly as Ambrose mentioned the pendant, and looked like she couldn't move fast enough to shove it into his hands once she got it out of the chest. "It hasn't been mistreated." she said quickly, seeming legitimately worried about it. "Ain't nobody barnacle-brained enough to do that. As for birds... no birds here. A few critters are always onboard, though, so it might've made a nest somewhere."
Ambrose ignores Atsadi's taunt as Grok hands over his holy symbol. A man of his station does himself no favors by lowering himself at every such banality.
Sensing Grok's discomfort about the pendant, he holds it up by the chain, allowing the piece of black iron to spin slowly as he makes a show of examining it. Seemingly satisfied with its condition, he slides it into his pocket as he turns his attention back to the quartermaster. "No birds." He gives the half-orc a hard stare with his red-on-black eyes as he evaluates this information, giving a single sharp nod after some long seconds.
With his coat, sword, and pendant firmly in hand, Ambrose remembers the knife still tucked into his boot. "We may as well see the rest of your wares. The crew makes tell that even discerning tastes might find something worthwhile in the captain's collection."
Shrugging, Atsadi moves beside Ambrose, shifting the scale armor over his shoulder. "I 'spose a weapon wouldn't be a bad idea either. That is if I have anything I can barter with for one, Grok. I can't say I have much in the way of money at the moment..Maybe there's a favor or two you need that I could help you with?"
"You want anything besides your own things, bring coin." Grok answered cheerfully. "Got plenty of knives and cutlasses. Otherwise, get used to grabbing things from onboard the ship - plenty of stuff is dangerous if you're creative enough."
Silently, Ambrose considers the merits of taking the opportunity to arm the hulking brute. On one side of the scale, the man seemed to be a magnet for trouble and his violent tendencies had already caused problems. On the other, he had helped Ambrose to recover his own property at no cost. Strangely, he had not even demanded recompense for his information. Thus far, the man had proved to be more boon than burden, and it would be prudent to ensure both his future compliance as well as survival.
His decision made, Ambrose wordlessly bends down and draws his find from its place in his boot. Gripping it by the flat of the blade, he holds it out to Grok. "Perhaps you might consider a trade."
Nodding his head at Grok's words, Atsadi starts to turn to leave. "'Is fine, next time I need to fight on this ship I will make my own weapons." He pauses though as Ambrose makes his offer. He turns to the Chelaxian and flashes a broad, toothy grin.
"That's mighty kind of you, Chef. If'n you keep up with that kind of behavior, I'll end up owing you." He pauses, thinking back to Quinn's healing and the assistance Ambrose had provided in securing it. "...well, owe more anyway."
If Grok accepts the trade, Atsadi would happily take his greatsword, trident, and kukri back.
While handling his weapons (or not) and after making his thanks to Grok, Atsadi walks away with Ambrose back toward their hammocks. "Ambrose, why do you go asking after your bird? Looking to be a right proper pirate with a parrot on one shoulder?"
Grok took the blade and examined it in the light for a moment, then stabbed something nearby and grunted in approval. "Nice knife." she noted. "The trident and the bent blade I get, but are you sure you want the big sword? Don't wanna lug that ridiculous piece of metal around when you're working, and there ain't gonna be many opportunities to grab it when you're done."
The former...current? Recently renewed? ...The pirate frowns at Grok. "Ridiculous piece of metal?! I'll have you know I relieved that piece from a man half the size of an elephant and a eyes that burned. He held that single blade in one hand and another in his left! At least until we dropped his damn mast on that arm."
He flashes a sly smile to the green-skinned quartermaster. "Not too easy to fight when outnumbered and pinned 'neath half your ship. Even still! He left cannonball holes in the deck and in those he struck. Took all we had just to piece his coal-black hide and, I swear to the Pirate Queen, his blood melted half our weapons. When we finally laid the creature to rest, his entire ship burst into flames like some Asmodean-spawned devil before sinking to Gozreh's embrace."
He shakes his head sadly. "Near 'nuff of two thousand gold in his bearth we saw too 'fore it all escaped us. Good donation to the Queen though I always say. Look on the bright side, yeah?"
He holds his hands out for the sword, arching an eyebrow. "There's soul in that there blade, Grok."
I guess...bluff? Perform? Same roll either way. He's lying through his teeth in the way pirate's will brag but isn't really trying to convince her of anything specific. Bluff?:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
So not the best story-teller.
