Having caught her nemesis and thrown him in the pot, Davina looks around at the other, "I agree, I've had enough of swimming for one day."
Arenya smiles. "It will be nice to eat something other than that damn biscuit we have to eat. Hopefully a proper meal." she says her tummy grumbling at the thought.
Garavaen nods, "Between Ri'el, Astein and me, we can full the rest of the pots fairly quickly... Especially if the rest of you keep an eye out for any more dangerous beasts. Never hurts to overdeliver."
With a very few more dives, you have crab pots that are bursting at the seams, especially with the addition of the Reefclaws. The group coming back, with their bounty in tow raises a small cheer from some of the crew. As you come up the rope ladder onto the ship, Captain Harrigan is there to meet you.
"'Ats a fine haul ya have there, me hearties! Looks like we may all get ta be eatin' well tonight!" This raises an even bigger cheer from the crew, save for a few of Scourge's lackeys. "As a reward for yer haul, I'll be grantin' one of ye all the gear ye had afore ye were brought on board the ship. Who're ya goin' ta outfit?"
Davina gets back on deck and smiles shyly at the cheering over the captain's proclamation if crabs for all when disaster strikes her shift, finally having enough after weeks of wear, gives out, the straps breaking loose and the whole thing sliding off leaving her bare for all to see. Standing in stunned disbelief for an instant Davina lets out a squeak of shock and quickly pulls her hair around in front of her, her wings folded around, and uses her hands to cover herself as she flees below decks to don her dress once more.
Garavaen wshipers to the others, "I'd certainly not object to the return of my armour and rapier..."
Arenya nods as Garavaen speaks up. The an armour and sword are essential and would go along way towards keeping us safe from the likes of Scourge and his ilk.
Arenya chats merrily with the crew and sings a tale of their daring raid on the reef for crabs, all the different ways the crabs can bee cooked and how no other crew deserved such a meal as ours!
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"If you're volunteering to stand between me and people with pointy sticks you can have all the armor you want, my friend," Ri'el whispers back with a chuckle.
"Seriously, though, go for it. I've already gotten all the stuff I lost, well, the valuable and important items anyway, and from the looks of it we'll get the most value as a group out of this offer by asking for your gear."
"Now if we can just find some way to make sure Astein and Ambrose don't mess up the cooking, we should all eat well tonight."
Harrigan chortles, "Well, now that you magpies have had yer palaver, we'll make sure Grok gets ye yer gear.
The day finishes with a crab stew that Ambrose and Astein put together, and surprisingly it's actually very good. The crew seems to be in good spirits, buoyed by both the food and Arenya's singing. Shipboard, it is starting to become more routine, and your efforts to sway people away from Scourge, or for them to sway people against you seem to have reached a standstill.
Upon waking the next day, you are given your duties.
Eli: Rope work
Ri'el: Runner
Davina: Lower Rigging repair
Astein: Bull Session
Arenya: Hauling Rope
Garavaen: Bilges
On the way to the bilges, Garavaen bumps into Mr Plugg and Master Scourge, who search him for weapons, and remove them. "No need for these walkin' around th' ship. We'll be puttin' these in with yer bunk. Now get yer arse below and start pumpin' out th' bilges."
As she starts her work for the day, Davina finds it much easier, her time on the ship seems to have taught her what she needs to know to do the jobs on ship fairly well. She take s a chance at talking to one of the crew during her shift when she finds herself near Giffer Tibs, "It seems that I am finally becoming accustomed to the work here, it seems much easier now than even a few days ago. Did you have similar experiences when you started sailing?"
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Fancy new tricks notwithstanding, Ri'el realises that physical labour is still not his strong suit, and decides to work carefully at his task for the day.
Whilst running along the top deck, he bumps into Ratline and takes a moment to chat.
"Sup, Ratline! Good eating yesterday evening, huh? I daresay Astein's actually becoming a semi-decent cook! Should put him in good-stead if he ever finds a comely lass he wants to set up a home with! Well, either that or Ambrose was unusually sober last evening, though with his track record, I wouldn't count on it."
"What about you? You have a girl somewhere waiting for you to return to?"
Garavaen notes the daggers and looks at his new bilge-pumping companions. "Well, now, that can't be a coincidence..", he mutters, drawing upon the same magics within him he used to outline the reefclaws the day before to wrap the daggers in an angry red-violet flame, making them plain to see. "Lets be sure those stay in your boots and don't accidentally find their way into my back."
Arenya is disheartened for a moment when she hears she has ropes duty, though seems to be getting a hang of things. She find the work quicker easier than ever completing the job with a song on her lips and a smile on her face.
On her way back she bumps into Japes who she strikes up a conversation with. "Say, I yer with Scourge and Plug fer hating on us, but I've always wondered why. We never done anything to hurt ye or yours, we brought back a great meal infact and would be willing to put our lives on the line fer you. We're all part of the same crew. One day my life will be in the hands of yee or the other way round. Wouldn't you like to go into battle with a fried at your side rather than another enemy? I know me and the others would. Perhaps you should have a think on that. she finishes in a genuinely caring and friendly tone.
Bereft of your weapons, you glance about and are able to spot some belaying pins floating in the water (clubs) and a handaxe that someone sunk into a beam, covered by netting, perhaps left behind by someone slacking on duty.
***********combat*************
Garavaen
Maheem
Tam
Seeming rather hurt she says simply, "That was an accident." She does not try to speak to him further, but continues about her work to distract herself from what just happened.
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"Heh, fair enough. I can understand the sentiment. Doesn't mean you can't find a girl on a ship though," Ri'el replies as he casts his gaze over to Sandara as she hauls a large coil of rope across the deck, the sunlight playing on her perspiration-glistened skin as her crimson locks fluttered in the wind.
Realising that he was rather obviously gawking at her before Ratline, he quickly returns his attention to the rigger.
"Ahem. Anyway, I mean, keep your eyes open, you know. Hmm...that Rosie, for instance. Under all that cussing, she can actually be quite nice if you get to know her. You never know, it could work out. Or she could give you a black eye for your trouble and laugh about it with you afterwards, but that's part of the adventure I suppose!"
Ri'el chuckles mischievously as he scans the deck for Rosie to point her out to Ratline.
"I get what you mean about ships though. The feel of the sea breeze on your skin as you work the lines and ride the waves. It's a good life, though I prefer to do so as a free man rather than under the thumb of bullies-who-shall-remain-nameless who would gut you if you so much as look at them wrong."
Ri'el watches Ratline a little closer than he allows the halfling to realise, hoping to suss out how the halfling feels about Scourge and Plugg.
Ratline chuckles when he sees Ri'el staring, "Take a longer look, an ye may as well let her tongue hang out yer mouth."
Ratline doesn't appear to have a strong opinion on Scourge or Plugg. He seems to pretty much do his job and that's enough for him.
Tam moves right in to where Garavaen is standing but makes a wild swing, making you question whether or not he really can see in the dark. Maheem however makes a great guess as to where Garavaen is, but the newly recovered chain shirt deflects the knife edge with a soft skirl of metal.
Garavaen 18/18
Tam 0 damage
Maheem 0 damage
****************end round 1*************
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Astein smiles warmly as the familiar routine of the bull session settles in. He tries to steer the conversation a bit asking a few questions like...
"So what is the deal between the Captain and Plugg? Really seems like the Captian lets Plugg and Scourge have the run of things."
"The Owlbear got bested by a goblin the other day... What is the Owlbear's story?"
"Peppery Longfarthing seems alright, but that Habbly Quarne gives me the shivers..."
for
Arenya gives Jape an understanding nod and a wink before she sets off on her way whistling a tune looking out over the water, taking a moment to appreciate the beautiful scenery. That went well. Atleast he knows we don't mean him any harm and does't mean the same fer us. That's one less dagger to worry about finding its way into me back."
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Ri'el's face flushes a little at being caught gawking at Sandara.
"Ah, um, well...she, I mean umm...anyway."
Eager to change the topic, he focuses on Ratline's indifference to the conflict between Plugg and some of the new crew.
"It's a good policy, just doing your own work and keeping your head down, especially in a place like this. Don't want any trouble and don't go looking for any. I try to live by that much as it's up to me...except that sometimes it ain't up to me. That's the problem with people eager to wrangle more power for themselves, you know. They see enemies where there are none and will trample on you without a second thought for the slightest advantage to themselves, whether that advantage be real or perceived. People like that, trouble follows them wherever they go, and if you're close by you get caught in it whether you want to or not."
"Just be careful, you know. If you're not caught up in it, and don't want to be, I'd say that's a smart move. But if you do get caught up in it at any point, well, us and the others, we've got your back."
Arenya looks out over the water thinking over how different the past few days have been from the rest of her life. She wonders what the future will hold for her, the companions and the rest of the crew. Her resolve stiffens as she realises that for the first time in her life she has a chance to achieve something, to become someone!
Garavaen 11/18
Tam 6 damage
Maheem 0 damage
************End Round 2************
The simpleton? He's Plugg's plaything, really, poor fellow. I think he just needs someone that shows a little care, and things would be different.
Quarne's okay, just a bit off. Like to many people that are stitchers or "surgeons". Ain't right, wantin' to know people's innards."
Garavaen winces, The darkness was supposed to knock Maheem off-balance.... I sure hope that was just a lucky shot... though Desna knows I can't afford much more of that kind of luck! Lady, bless this fool as he gambles with his life... He then smiles grimly and chuckles wryly, "Look out, Maheem -- you almost stabbed Tam! Be an awful shame if you murdered the wrong man, wouldn't it? Not that I'd mind." He then swings again at the dwarf, bringing the blade down on the opponent that can see him, then steps to the side, just out of their reach, again.
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Ri'el returns Ratline's grin.
"Not a worry, mate. Now I better get running, 'fore I get a telling-off or worse for not delivering these messages on time."
Ri'el gives Ratline a quick nod and wave as he returns to his running duties.
"Those extra crabs and reefclaws have worked to our advantage, making it easier for us to talk to the other members of the crew. Another friend made, and hopefully one less dagger to deal with if or when this whole thing with Plugg comes to a head."
Maheem hears the splash, and calls out, "Tam?" before taking another swing.
The dagger whistles as it cuts the air far from where Garavaen is standing.
***********End Round 3****************
Garavaen 11/18
Tam down
Maheem 0 damage
Garavaen winces, Got whipped for shooting a club that was just near to someone, now I've got and killed one of the little toads. Assuming this idiot doesn't kill me, I'm going to need to sneak to the others and get help before they keelhaul me and let the barnacles cut me to shreds.... He hears the dagger and Maheem's suddenly tentative voice, and shakes his head, ...of course, now, the priority needs to be not letting this fool kill me... He chuckles as an ide comes to him, ...then again, the fact he's a fool is certainly a help here.
Garavaen says in his best dwarf-like voice, "Aye, lad. I got 'im. Quick, lets help ourselves to his coin.", then steps to the side, hoping to attack Maheem from an unexpected angle.
for
Garavaen taunts again,"Guess you should have brought another few goons, right Maheem? Or was Tam doing all your thinking for you?", taking another step to the side, trying to circle around Maheem to keep him off balance, strkiking out as he moves. "Afraid of the dark, yet?"
for
*********end combat*******
Garavaen eyes the crates, Might be able to stuff a dwarf into one of those... and then if I can't get Maheem into another one... which, considering how disagreeable he's been, wouldn't surprise me, I'll have to weigh him down and keep him under the water... I wonder if I could jam him into the bilge pump?
The elf gets about the rather messy work, trying to keep his focus only on the task rather than allow himself to fall into the trap of thinking too far ahead and getting lost in plans. He slips one of the daggers into the sleeve of his chain shirt, ... just one more reason to be glad I got my armour back, he thinks and then he uses the other dagger to carve one of the arcane symbols that Caladrel had spent hours beating into him into a board, placing the rest of the useful gear in the water just below it. Should make it easy to find.
Finally, he starts to climb, scanning the area once he gets out of the water, Does the water look too red? Will it even buy us a few minutes? Finally, he shrugs and turns his attention to the next deck instead, Hopefully I can find someone on our side before running into Plugg or Scourge...
With that thought, he stops, listening carefully, grateful for the sharp senses of his elven heritage, before finally whispering a quick prayer, Lady, this gambler's about to put his life into your hands... again.... I could really use a cut in my favour..., trying to quietly emerge to the deck above, looking for a friendly face....[i]
The day passes fairly normally, and approaches Bloody Hour, with only a few punishments to be dolled out to the crew, it concludes quickly, and Grok hands out the evening's rum ration.
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"Watch yourself, Garaveen. Plugg and Scourge seem to have something planned for you. Maheem and Tam were also missing during bloody hour. They might have been sent to make some sort of trap whilst everyone else was on deck drinking our rum. Don't go below decks alone. We may need to set up a watch roster tonight."
"I wonder where Maheem and Tam are?"
Garavaen motions his companions to join
him the moment he can get free, the sense of urgency clear on his face.
Once he's sure that he can't be overheard, he nods at Ri'el's warning, then turns to Davina to answer her question, "They're dead. Plugg and Scourge took my weapons away before I went down there, and they were both there to plant daggers in my back. Sadly for them, there was a hand axe in reach, and the sudden appearance of a globe of darkness prevented them from working together. Won't say they didn't get a few stabs in, but in the end, I was the one left standing and they ended up floating in the bilge water. I tried to set things up to look like an accident when I realized I couldn't hide the bodies..."
He pauses and starts again, the words spilling out of him quickly as the anxiety rises again, "Between the stripping of my weapons and the shared looks above, this was well-planned... And Scourge headed below right away, and since they know what was supposed to happen, I can't imagine the accident thing will fool anyone very long. I'm sure they're off balance and unhappy to lose two of their cronies, and that might give us some measure of time while they figure out how to update their plans... But if two officers advise me of murder, they won't let me speak to claim self-defense, and certainly won't be swayed by me pointing out their conspiracy to kill me... And even if I sacrificed myself and let them hang me from the yardarm to try to buy peace tonight, one of you will be the next to end up in a dark corner with Plugg's cronies and steel."
He shakes his head, sighs, and says deliberately, almost grimly, " No, I'm thinking that this all starts now... And we'd best rally the troops and make ready for the storm... .."