Garavaen watches carefully, throwing Ri'el a quick glance, then turning back to keeping a watchful eye for any threats. I'd think that any additional expenditures are the sort of thing we should all be discussing as a Council, 'Captain' or no...
Rickety looks at Ri'el and Astein with a broad grin, "You all really are new to this trade, ain't ya? ALL the upgrades's useful, lubber. We can fit em all, but I'll give ye a rundown." He starts his rundown as another man from his crew takes the helm where he waits for Rickety's word to lead them in. "We can add crew quarters so ye can hold more crew, but it'll reduce cargo space, that'll run ye 2000 gold, Armor Plating can be added for 3000 gold, a broad rudder can be added to help ye steer f'r 500, we can add a concealed weapon port midships, but it'll cost ye cargo space that'll run 100 a port, we can add keel to her, makin' her a bit longer, 1000 gold, and has to be done when we squib 'er, can't be done later. Ye want a figure'ead we can do that f'r 100-1000 dependin' on the design. We can increase yer cargo hold f'r 1500 gold, enchant yer helms wheel f'r 1000, do the same f'r yer hull f'r 4500 per square foot of hull. Lessee, what else...Ah! Magically treated sails f'r 500 per 5 square feet o' sail, put in a movable deck f'r 4000, set ram on her f'r 1000, set ye up with silk sails f'r 1500, or give her a sturdier hull, but that'll reduce hull too f'r 1000. Rickety watches the faces of the party as the info hits and cackles a bit. Now, figure out what ye want, and we'll figure out the payment, and my pilot'll take ye ta port.
Considering the options available to them Davina leaned in and whispered to Ri'el's ear.
Rickety taps his foot waiting for the officers to finish talking, and then points a finger at Astein, "Well, ye got the coin for what yer wanting? Once we settle payment, we'll get her into drydock."
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Ri'el nods to Astein and spares a moment plant a kiss on Sandara's cheek before tearing himself from her side to take his place beside Astein at the gunwales. He leaves his crossbow behind keeping himself unarmed and in plain sight as he addresses the longboat's crew.
"Hail the greeting-party!" Ri'el calls out in reply as the ladders are lowered for the longboat's crew to climb aboard.
"This here is Captain Astein and I am his first mate Ri'el. Welcome aboard the the Besmara's Bounty. Least that what we call her, but as you can tell from the name plate, the lady sometimes gets a little confused and refers to herself by another name. We're in need of a doctor to cure her schizophrenia. Also, as you can see, the lady's had a few wild nights in the rougher parts of town and is in no shape for the ball, so we're also in need of a beautician to give her such a makeover her own mother wouldn't recognise her. " He pats the gunwales as he speaks, leaving no doubt as to what 'lady' he is speaking of, and what services he is requesting for the ship.
"Good sir, you strike me as a spry go-getter who would know the local scene well. Perchance you might be able to direct us to the right professionals for the job? For fair remuneration, of course."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+12
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+16
Rickety listens to the proposal for the plunder, and nods, "I can see clear to offer ya 800 gold coin for the lot of yer hold. That'll still leave ye 1700 gold short of the price. How're ya plannin' ta make up the difference?"
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"You're a good man, Rickety, and a hex on anyone who says otherwise!" Ri'el proclaims with a grin. [b]"As for the balance, we'll make it up in coin once we pawn off some of the spoils from our recent ventures. There's a couple of enchanted weapons there that should fetch most of the remaining coin we need, if you'd direct us to the trading post?"
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"Actually, then. This should cover the balance.." Astein presents them with the Tidewater Cutlass, he explains and demonstrates its magical powers. "Such wonder should be worth 1700 gold to anyone who follows Besmara's way. I'd think it will make us even. If you won't take it direct, then we'll sell it off and give you the balance on delivery."
Davina had been standing close behind the captains, she wasn't entirely comfortable here but was determined to help in some manner. She had been considering the problem and said, "If that's not going to work for you maybe we can come up with something else we can do to help around here and earn some of the money?"
Rickety scratches his head looking at the cutlass, "Aye, it be a Tidewater Cutlass. A good number of em were made at one point or'nother. Alright, call that makin' good on yer payment. Ricket nods to the pilot, and then leans over the gunwales and lets out a loud whistle. Soon, a couple of smaller boats come alongside the Bounty, and ropes are tied. Between the rowing of the smallships and the pilot's navigation, Man's Promise makes its last legs towards tow piers that extend out into the river from a long building of roughcut wood planks with large openings to allow passage within. Ropes, pulleys, and other equipment common to a boathouse hang inside. Once at the mouth of the building the ship is hauled up out of the water by several large oxen. The Peccarine slides into the dock and ties off.
Rickety walks with you off the ship, with the cutlass in hand as his people start to board, and haul the plunder off the ship. "It's goin' to take some time with her. About 6 days or so, give or take, and we'll be workin' round the clock. Ye're all welcome to stay in the Commons for free, but yer food, drink or equipment'll be comin' out of yer own pockets mind.
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"Thank you. We will be happy to pay for our own supplies, and I imagine we will need to stock up before we depart as well. If there is anything we can do to expedite the repairs, do let us know!"
When the party has a moment to themselves, he heaves a sigh of relief.
"Well, that went reasonably well, I think!" he says with a grin.
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As they depart Astein asks, "Is there a mage of any sort in town? We may have need of purchasing and selling some magic."
He nods to Ri'el as well. "So we have a week here, I need to take some time to study new magics. I'm sure others have tasks to attend to as well, but we also need to get a full crew ready to sale in a week. I'm sure we should be able to find some worthy sailors that are looking for a berth."
Davina nodded in understanding of what she did and didn't have to pay for and said, "Of course sir, that makes perfect sense." She looked to the others and said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I should change." She slipped away then and retrieved her dress from before, changing into it, and returned to the deck and asked her friends, "I'm not sure what to do here, do you have any suggestions?"
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Before people disembark, Astein calls the crew to deck.
"This place is a pirate haven, which means two things. First, be on your guard... you're as likely to get your throats slit here as anywhere else. Travel in pairs or trios. Second, we need some of these people to slit throats for us. We're taking on crew so if you see anyone promising who is looking for work, point them to Ri'el."
"Now we're just getting started on Besmara's Bounty, and there will be plunder a plenty to be had and coin will flow. In promise of that, I'm awarding every one of you a month's base-pay. We haven't been sailing that long - so consider it a bonus. We may not hit land again soon, so you all need coin in your pockets now. Line-up and get your coin now."
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Ri'el nods. "I'll make my way around the commons and put the word out. As for finding reliably folk, I'll need Sandara's help."
He notices that he gets more than a few arched eyebrows at his statement.
"Hey! I really do! She has access to some spells that I don't that will help in this endeavour!"
"Not that I mind her company at all," he adds with a cheeky grin.
Rickety leads the new officers, as well as the rest of the crew to A once-grand building with broad wings extending from its ground floor at the end of the docks, its octagonal dome topped by a cupola. It was obviously a fine villa in its day but time and the harsh sun and rains of the Slithering Coast have faded its paint and cracked its boards, leaving it a gray ghost of its former self. A painted board above the veranda names it as “Rickety’s Squibs.” Smaller, less grandiose hovels and sheds clapped together of flotsam and jetsam surround the larger
building and merge into the jungle behind it. Rickety shows you accomodations in the main house that are a bit shabby. The building houses a taproom, a small market, and a chow hall. The one thing that is a small mercy is the jungle canopy drapes the house offering some shade from the otherwise, merciless, sweltering heat. The browning leaves on the trees, and wilting of many of the plants is evident of just how merciless the heat can be.
Ri'el and Sandara start to talk to some of the locals, finding that other than a few people, most live in the huts that surround the villa.
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Before they disembark Astein grabs Ri'el and mentions to the first mate: "We both know you're better with people than I am. I think as we work together to gather crew - and really in general, it is best if I am a the dark and brooding Harrower captain and you do the actual recruiting. Once we find some people, I will cast Harrowings to make sure they are good fits to join the crew. That should add to the mystic we're able to create as you are the front-man and I am the figurehead for our Counsel."
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Having finally gotten his freedom, making port with ship to belong to and most importantly with both his ladies (Sandara and Thali) by his side, Ri'el finds himself in a positively good mood, and sets off in high spirits to speak to the locals at the huts. He tries to focus on the most able-bodied ones, but also keeps an eye out for ones who are quick and sure with their hands and feet, and attempts to persuade them to join the crew with the promise of a fair treatment and an even share of the spoils.
Despite his high spirits, however, Ri'el is a man who has known much loss in life, and is slow to let his guard down around people. He thoroughly quizzes those who express interest by inquiring about their background and general attitudes towards others, and makes mental notes about those who appear evasive or seem to have something to hide.
Davina entered the small town and found it to be very different from anything she'd seen before. There were a very few people here, mostly the work crew and a few families, a couple of stores, and the commons, and many of the people seemed just as shady as those at her previous port of call had. If there were more ships here she'd be worried about being abducted again. She stayed near Crimson as the crew entered the commons, he'd been nice to her and she found him to be kind of handsome, they found a place to sit together and eat and as they did she asked, "So where are you from Crimson and what was it like growing up in this part of the world?"
"Weren't a picnic, I'll tell ya that. I bounced from ship ta ship trying ta make my way, but navy ships ain't a way ta make a livin'. I joined up wit the Wormwood thinkin' ah'd make my own fortune, but, well ya saw the piece ov work wot Plugg was." Crimson gives a crooked grin in Davina's direction, "Seems like me luck might be lookin' up finally. What with the new ship and its officers."
Ri'el and Sandara find about 6 men that would be suitable crew for the Bounty.
Davina turned her head away as she blushed and took his hand as she leaned against Crimson. The soft feathers of her wings tickled his neck and she said, "It seems that way to me too." She let go of his hand and took a deep breath as she twirled around, her skirt and hair fanning out as she did so. Her foot caught on a rough spot of the ground just as she stopped and she began to fall as she felt her ankle protest the sudden motion.
Crimson reaches out a hand to steady Davina, "Didn't come all this way ta watch ya hurt yerself on a rock, luv. Steady now.
The time continues much the same way, the scorching heat beating down on the jungle, and only the browning leaves that cover the manor offer much relief. A few of the workers greet you in the mess hall, those men who worked the night shift and are grabbing a meal before heading to bed before it gets too hot. "Got ya'self a right foine ship there ya do. She'll be cuttin' water for ya in no time. Sweetest lines in the Shackles, she'll have, just ya wait an' see."
Davina practically fell against Crimson as he caught her and managed to stutter out, "T-t-t-thanks," as her skin flushed in embarrassment. She stayed close beside him as they walked and looked around the place with great interest, "You know, I've never seen a place quite like this before, it's very interesting, and very different. It even seems different from Port Peril, much smaller, but not as rough, it's also a lot hotter."
As night began to fall Davina made her way into the common area to start asking around about her sisters. She knew that the people here would likely start drinking, especially the ones who had gotten off of their shift, and someone may have heard something. Her questions were pretty much the same across all of the people she spoke with, "I'm looking for someone and I thought surely the people that live here might have heard of her. Her name is Nisha, her face would look a lot like mine but her wings are bat-like, she has a long spade tipped tail, black hair that seems to suck in the light around it, and a pair of small horn on her brow." Her disappointment in any negative answers was obvious but she said, "Would you kep an ear open for her, and if you see her, tell her Davina is coming for her."
One of the men that Davina talks with taps yellowed teeth with a nail, his eyes looking up and to the left. "Sounds like yer talkin' bout the 'Red Temptress'. She's sailin' on the Sea Witch. Sounds kinda like what shes' supposed ta be."
The man laughs at Astein's enthusiasm. "All in a day, man, all in a day." He looks at the group, like he's coming to a decision, and then looks at Astein again, "Tomorrow's our day off, and we're goin' to be playin' some ninepin down by the river. Got some beer cooling in the water overnight. Might be about the only thing cool around here."
"Sounds like a good way to spend a hot day. Might be I'll join you."
Astein later tells Ri'el about the invitation and will go with the first mate if Ri'el goes. He won't go himself, however. Can't trust too much in a place like this.
Davina was excited for the news, it was the first step forward since they got found the diary on death trap island and it was a good sign. "The Red Temptress, am odd name for her but I suppose? What is this ship you call the Sea Witch? Do you know where she calls her home port?"
When the game is mentioned Davina was curious, so many things that were new to her on this side of the world, she wasn't entirely sure how to handle it sometimes. This game intrigued her though and she said, "I might come and watch, especially if I can find some shade nearby."
The group convenes on the spot that the workman indicated, and you see a group of people under the shade of some jungle trees. They've got a ninepin set up, and from the raucous cheers, it seems the game is already underway. When the workers see you they beckon you over. A thin, muddy river runs shallowly nearby, not really enough to swim in, but still enough that you can see a few casks in the running water, being splashed over.
"Come on then! You can join in the next round, if yer money spends like everyone elses. Till then, we've beer, n rum coolin' in the river. Just let us know ya want a slosh."
Garavaen smiles, then calls back, "I've certainly got both a thirst and a coin or two."
Davina found herself a place in the shade of a tree where she could lay down and relax while she watched the game. When she found one she spread her wings wide and leaned back against the trunk trying to catch what breeze she could to help her keep cool.
Astein is somewhat disappointed that the "river" is little more than a creek. Wide swaths of cracked mud are exposed along the banks. The drought in the area has clearly taken its toll.
About 6 other locals are there setting up the pins again, waiting for the next bowler. Two others are pulling on a rope, presumably tied to a keg cooling in the water. The rope jerks taught suddenly, and one man is pulled down with a splat into the water just around a curve in the river near Astein. A woman screams in pain and pulls back hands burned raw by the rope. Almost immediately screams from below indicate that the man who fell is not alone in the water.