Being once again lumped together with the group of sailors he met on the deck of that harrowing ship Morgrym sees that they are all a tad tense about the selection as they move to collect their gear he wispers to them as to not be over heard "I cant help but notice ye lads arnt happy to be joinin the crew o that ship, is there something i should be knowin? my axe will swing for ye if ye be needin it"
Davina, staying near the dwarf for safety replies as quietly, "Scourge and Plugg desire us dead, or in my case in their bed. They have made several attempts on us in small numbers but nothing we could prove to the captain. I hoped we would be left here, as it is we have gone from the wok to the fire I believe you say here?"
"Then know me loyalties will lie with you, ive no issue with being a pirate if thats the path my life will take, but no cold blooded murder can we agree on that?" Morgrym already begins noting everything he can remember aobut these men, he assumes away from their captain they will be less subtle about their attempts on his new friends lives and he will see that those attempts fail.
Garavaen grumbles, "They like want you dead too, they just have plans to use you up first. And don't worry, I'm probably high up on their list of potential entertainment after their two little friends went missing yesterday morning.... though I imagine they'd have a different sort of cruelty in mind."
He turns back to loading his sack, Sure am glad I had the foresight to gather up every bolt I could yesterday. I'm going to need 'em... and soon..., then pauses and says, grimly, "I thought this war started yesterday, but it looks like it's coming now, instead... only thing that makes me feel a mite better is that the numbers aren't quite as against us as I might have feared... though I suppose taking two pawns off the board helped with that. Still, if anyone's got armour or weapon still in stores since we were pressed, go get them now -- whether you steal 'em or buy them back with the coin from the captain, we need be ready."
Arenya barely sleep that night, her mind still racing over the events of the previous day. Their first proper fight with another ship and it captured at that. She remembers the fighting and how well her friends did, working well together. Some close calls, but that's not differrent from any scrap back at the docks. It's good to have good friends and those who have your back. Stop it Arenya. Don't get too trusting too quick. No sense setting yourself up for disappointment, but can't be denied it's a good start.
And the treasure. That's more gold than I've ever seen in my life. Such valuable items and of magic too. Perhaps I'll come across a nice bow later. That would be nice. Now get some sleep or you will be useless in the morning.
The next morning Arenya rises, feeling the magics within her rejuvinated ready to take on their new task. Well this is going to be interesting to say the least. We will have to be doubly careful to watch our back. She spends the morning talking with the new crew of the man's promise, atleast the ones that are friendly to them.
She has a word with the old crew of the Man's promise now under Plug. Now look here you lot. I know this might seem a bit scary but you'll find this could work out well if you keep your head down and due your jobs. We stick together and we survive to be rich or else you end up swimming with rest or your mates.
Seeing that he is the only member of the group that looks prepared to take a hit and wearing the armor to take it Morgrym also take that amulet that thickens his skin and he looks to his companions "I'm only one dwarf, ill do me best to keep ye safe but you all should concider getting some heavier armor. Where do we bunk? I wanna get a good look before nightfall"
"That's a good idea master dwarf." Arenya turns to one of the sailors she thinks she may have made a bit of an impression on, with a warm smile and a friendly tone she addresses him. "Hey there. I'm sorry I don't know your name. I'm Arenya and this is Morgrym, that's Ri'el, Garavaen and the pretty one that will you get you into all sorts of trouble you will be begging for is Davina. Oh an the shirtless one is Astein. Would you like to give us a tour of the Man's Promise? I'd love to get a good bunk before they're all taken." she finishes as she offers her his hand in a gesture of friendship.
Garavaen shakes his head at the paladin's suggestion, "Thanks, no. I'm not one that wants to sink like a stone if knocked overboard. This, I can swim in. Plate is much less buoyant, I'm told."
Looking to Morgrym, "I do not believe that armor would be good for me, it is hard to cast spells when I wear any." Davina gives Arenya a rather confused look, "If he wanted trouble, why would he come begging to me for it Arenya?" Looking more thoughtful, "You have a good point, a tour might be wise."
The Rahadoumi sailor looks at Arenya, and shoulders his gear, ignoring the proffered hand. "Crew's quarters be in de mid deck." He says as he makes his way to the ship.
Once the crews have been sorted and the planks withdrawn. The Wormwood heaves to, and starts to pull away from the Man's Promise. Scourge starts to rind the bell for muster, and the crew assembles on deck. Plugg is atop the aft deck addressing the group.
"Welcome to the "Man's Promise." My ship. I run a tighter ship than Harrigan does, so be aware. You will all have the same job you did on the Wormwood, but will be expected to work much harder. The key on this ship'll be discipline. Any rules broken'll be punished with th'Cat, and not th'lash. Crew quarters is middeck, I'll be in th'Cap'n's quarters. Badger, Fipps, n' Shivikah ye'll be afore in the officer's quarters." He looks at the heroes, "An ye'll be takin' Crimson and Sandara with'ye.
"We'll be settin' sail now, an' ye'll work till the sun's goin' down. No entertainment on me ship, so anyone caught above decks after dusk'll be gettin' six wi'the cat."
With that, the Man's Promise starts to take sail for Port Peril. Scourge, Plugg, Fipps, Shivikah, Giffer, and Badger, along with a few of the Rahadoumi crew all adjourn to his cabin, where they meet in private.
Garavaen sighs, "Can't say I've a good feeling about this.", and heads belowdeck to his quarters.
Looking noticeably worried about what Plugg says, "I agree with you Garavaen, I do not think this is going to end well at all."
Arenya frowns. Just when things were looking up. "Best keep your voices down. He had it in for us earlier, now there's nothing to stop him. We best be doubly watchful and doubly on our guard."
The next morning, work begins in earnest, as the crew is given their jobs.
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At chow time, as each of the party is fed, Astein whispers to them. Meet in the bunks after the meal.
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"Waters have been troubled since Harrigan gave Plugg license to choose who he wanted to crew this ship. He's always had it in for us, and I have no doubt he's planning to get rid of us first chance he gets. My guess is that he still needs us to crew this ship for now, but once we get near or hit shore, he will try to have our throats slit in the night, and in the meantime, he'll either try to pick us off one by one like he tried with Garaveen or otherwise weaken us somehow. We need to stay close to each other all the more now, and I'm not just saying that because I like being around you."
He puts a hand on Sandara's arm and looks her square in the eyes.
"On the one hand, I hate that you're in this danger, and I'll do all I can to see you get through this unharmed. At the same time, if this is it for us, there's no one I'd rather spend my last days with. Whatever happens, whether or not we get through this, I don't regret a single day I've had knowing you."
Later that day, when Astein passes his message around, Ri'el makes sure to pass the message on to Sandara.
His smile quickly fades as she speaks, and he starts nodding as his suspicions are confirmed, "Glad you're here too, I'm thinking we'll need all the friends we can get, what with that piece of month-old troll dung in command and his stupid, petty grudges... And thanks for pointing that out... I was too worried about a knife in the back to notice. We'll need to tell the others, 'cause I can't imagine letting him follow through on his plan ends well for any of us.. 'Specially when he's already sent his cronies to try to kill me once..."
He picks up the line and starts working again before anyone can call him out for having stopped, then adds, "And if they were willing to do that under Cap'n Harrigan's nose, I'm thinking it's best if all us friends stick together as much as possible and watch each other's backs.. Both on and off duty...".
He smiles again as his agile hands tie another complex knot, "So it's a darned fine thing you like me, since I'm thinking we'll be spending a lot more quality time together the next few weeks"
Garavaen makes his way up to the Officer's quarters and finds the 6 hammocks hung there. The two rooms closest to the quarters are closets that hold the officer's goods. There really isn't much there, and you get the impression that they probably keep anything valuable to them on their person. Apparently trust only goes so far on this pirate ship.
After the meal, your group, Rosie, Sandara, Crimson and Conchobar all gather around....
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When the group gathers, Astein makes certain they can't be overheard. "Ambrose has been around these ships for longer than most, and when sober he has a good idea of what is going on. He likes and respects the Captain and has no love lost with Plugg and Scourge, but he does what is ordered as we all do. Things are a bit different now, however. According to Ambrose, and I'm sure some of you have noticed as well... it is clear that we're not headed to Port Peril as the Captain ordered... Ambrose is pretty certain he knows where we are going."
Clearing his throat and looking around again, Astein continues.
"There's a seedy dry dock on the Slithering Coast, west of Blood Cove called Rickety Squibs. According to Abrose, Ol' Rickety Hake makes his money disguising stolen vessels. For a price he completely refits ships into "squibs," providing new identities by changing ships' lines, silhouettes, and general appearance, to be unrecognizable to their former owners, or anyone else familiar with them..."
"This can mean only one thing. Scourge, plugg and the rest of the traitors are in mutiny against Captain Harrigan. They are going against direct orders, and mean to steal the Captain's prize... the ship we are on. Aside from us, all the crew are loyal to Scourge and Plugg above the captain, and we all know they as a group despise us. I'd reckon, that to raise the money to re-fit the ship, Scourge and Plugg plan to fit us all with slave collars and sell us off. If they're smart we'll have our tongues cut out first, so as we can't tell about their mutiny."
"I for one have no desire to let this happen to me, but the question is - what do we do about it? I know my answer will lay in the Cards, but I wanted you all to know what we're up against. You've heard about the Harrowings I've been drawing since we came together, and all have pointed to a Storm coming, and I think it is finally here."
As the Varisian goes silent, you realize that except when he's performing a Harrowing, that is the most you've heard your crewmate say since you've known him. He has always preached caution and seemed willing to take things as they came, until now.
Garavaen says, "I can't speak for any of you, but I think Eli's war comes now.... and I think we need be ready to fight. After all, if they were willing to try to kill me under Harrigan's nose, I can't imagine there's much of anything stopping them now.... except, maybe, our numbers... and they can whittle away at those with an accident here or an ambush there."
He shrugs, "I guess I'm saying that I wouldn't count on making it to port to be sold."
Very worried about what she has been told and is now hearing, Davina says, "Crimson told me that the officer's met in the captains cabin earlier, he does not know what they talked about, but they looked very smug." Looking very nauseous she continues, "From what Plugg tried to get me to do before when I was to be disciplined, I doubt I will make it more than a day or two before he forces that fate upon me." Taking a deep breath to draw some courage, "I-i-i would rather die than face that but I can not afford to, I must find Nisha and I will not let that monster get between us." Seeming far more resolved now, standing tall and letting her wings spread a bit, "If Nisha could survive what happened to her, then I can survive this. I will survive this."
Garavaen grumbles, "Any man tries to take you unwilling, I'll put a bolt where his junk used to be. After all, I'm already on their kill list."
Arenya's hands ball up into fist. Just when things seemed like they would be better. A life of adventure and excitement, with a place to call home and maybe even friends. Damn it. Besmara why must it always be so hard. Never mind. I'll just have to find a way to survive as usual.
I for one am not letting that scum get the better of us. We have a few friends amongst those who are aboard here. Let us see what aid that may amount. We do not have the numbers but perhaps we can use the element of surprise."
listening to Astein talk about the direction this shiop is going Morgrym grimly puts in his two cents "On the short list o' things in this world that i cannot abide one of those things is traitors. Im no fool but if this ship is going to end someplace that will put my freedom in danger and yours as well for no good reason then we must prepare for confrontation, Im ready at any time. All i need is to know when you all will be ready." those who take the time to notice will see that Morgrym seems to be cluching his holy symbol in one hand and stroking his beard with the other, a very serious look on his face you can all clearly tell that he is willing to act with or without yuo but is hoping for support.
Garavaen says, "You've got the right of it, lads. We know they've already tried and that they'll try again. My only worry is that not all the newcomers are against us... at least, not yet. I'd rather not waste shots on things that aren't targets."
Davina bows briefly to Garavaen then impulsively moves in and hugs him before saying, "Thank you Garavaen." Backing away she continues, "I do not want to take unnecessary risks, but I agree that if we wait a few days we may have a better idea of who will stay on the side of Plugg, and who might turn against him. After seeing his brutality in practice, some of the new comers may be more willing to consider a change of leadership. If we do wait, I just hope that we do not regret it."
"Im all for keepin bloodsheed to a minimum, but too many days and we risk too much, if ye be wantin my vote we do this either tomoro or the mornin after. Heck these boys be traitors, kill em in their sleep if we can" Morgrym is firm of tone in his speaking and he patiently waits for his party to say thier pieces so the group can try to decide their fate and not Plugg decide it for them
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"From what I can tell, the ship would need a crew of 20 to crew the ship normally, but could get by with a skeleton crew between 12-16, which is about what we have now with the added Rahadoumi sailors. Plugg could get rid of us and still barely have enough. Provided we've read the crew right, we could get rid of the officers, and probably do the same. If some of the people following Plugg aren't all THAT loyal to him, we could do it easily."
Garavaen says, "Anyone think of a way we can lock them in their quarters and keep them out of it, then? If not, we may be better off trying to find out who we can work with. Does us no good to fight and win only to die at sea. Especially since barely enough doesn't give us any protection against casualties."
Arenya thinks over her crewmates words. "We have a chance and its a slim one. A few more on our side could make all the difference. Yet times is against us. If we are discovered we lose the element of surprise and the numbers are against us. I say we take this day and the next to shore up our position. Then we strike in the middle of the next night. We try to win some over or convince them to stay out of it. What say yee?" she finishes sounding more confident after hearing the logic of her own words.
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Ri'el does a mental count of the crewmembers on the ship that they could count on.
"If all of us and our friends make it through this, we will have the absolute minimum needed to keep this ship going. We will certainly want some of the Rahadoumi sailors standing with us at the end of this so we don't wear ourselves out before making port. Furthermore, they know this ship better than any of us. They're also likely just following whoever is in charge right now, so it is a good idea to strike before they can form genuine loyalties. Striking tomorrow night sounds just fine to me. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I reckon striking even tonight might not be a bad idea."
Garavaen nods, "Again, if we could figure out a way to lock them away while we do our work, if day strike tonight. ". He turns to Astein, " My master used to magic certain doors closed... Could you do that? "
As time rolls, the fading sun casts a red pall on the sky as night falls. The ship goes quiet as the crew begins to settle down for the night, and the breeze goes calm.
Davina makes little in th way of further comments, content to follow the lead of her companions. She does, though, keep a worried eye out for Plugg ordering her to his cabin despite her friends reassurances
Preparing for the day ahead Morgrym says his prayers to his god hoping that a guiding hand will see them through the events to come. Life at sea is certainly not something he had expected when his life began but the tales of crews working together like brothers does appeal to him. But at the same time he still wants to search for more knowledge on his earthen powers and where they come from.
Life has certainly changed and there is no sign of it slowing
taking some time after his meditations Morgrym finds Davina and asks a very blunt question "Davina, If we are to fight I need to more of the people we are fighting. What can you tell me of these officers who betray their captain? Admitedly im thrown into this mess and am sticking by you all but i hardly know you. Ive seen your captain kill in cold blood, and i can assume these men are no better but how did you all end up upon this ship? or have you all always been scalywags as ive head it put?" She can tell from the voice he seems conflicted and is looking for a reason to fight beside these people he has just met and a reason to trust them to have his back and not betray him like these other pirates seemed so easy to do
Giving him a bow Davina replies, "I would be honored to tell you what I know." She takes a seat next him and begins to tell the tale of their abduction, "We were all in the same tavern in Port Peril, I don't know what the others reasons were for being there, but I was there looking for information on my sister. A group of men offered me a seat, Mr Plugg was the leader of the group, bought me a drink, and promised information on my sister Nisha. The next thing I know, after being groped, was waking up in the hold of the Wormwood with the others."
Shuddering in horror at some of the memories, "Mr Plugg is a vicious man, and he and Scourge took an immediate dislike of us all. They are very strict, and extremely harsh. They broke almost all of the rules in trying to harass, and later to kill, us." Davina's face pales at the thought of what she is going to tell next, "At one point, when I failed at my tasks, tasks I was very poorly suited for, I was to be whipped in front of everyone, as was the punishment for failure. Plugg offered me a reprieve by servicing him for the night and if it weren't for the subtle shaking of Aretta's head, with a look of terror on her face, I would have made a serious mistake. I told him no, walked to the mast, and slid off the top of my dress before facing the mast to accept punishment." She smiles a bit at the next part, "Ri'el manage to bluff them all and convince them I was 'protected' and that harming me would bring a curse down upon the ship. They let me go with no punishment, and I have been able to avoid such a situation again."