Bud shifts forward inside the reach of the boarding pike and attacks the marine resisting him. "Die, you devil worshipping scum!"
Round 1, Init 11
AC = 17
HP = 20/20
Weapon Equipped = Longbow
Condition(s) = Aspect of the Falcon
AC = 16
HP = 24/34
Weapon Equipped = Meatpaws and Teeth
Condition(s) = Animal Aspect- Bull(+1 to Strength)
Nim presses his attack on one of the pikers, straight ahead and over Magilla's head, but not until Magilla threatens him, bringing a little more distraction to the fight. "Mags, right!"
Moments later, Magilla brings his own attacks against the poking piker.
Cargas: 11
Gezza: 11
Nimrod: 11
Sicarius: 18
Budos: 24
Antagonist: 23
Cargas' answer turns out to be "no" as he puts the marine down with a single blow to the head, the man collapsing into a puddle of blood on the deck.
Another goes down with a scream in a burst of fire from Gezza's blast as Brood leaps across to the other ship. A third drops moments after Nim wings him with an arrow, a minor scratch that's forgotten as Magilla's paws descend on him, preceding a descending darkness.
In the front of the ship, Budos has a little more difficulty, his opponent batting aside the half-orc's attack as he steps back and drives his boarding pike into the former captain.
The final marine jabs at Cargas again, adding another rent to the dwarf's flesh.
Gezza winces a little internally as the Marine goes up into a cinder. "Surrender Chels, and you'll keep your lives! All we're looking for is plunder, sweet plunder! Hells, if a couple of you fancy a life of adventure, you're welcome to join!" He shouts!
"These dogs're worse than Harrigan," Brood mutters as he storms up the boat and slips around the central mast, coming face to face with Offal's remaining assailant. "Time's up," he growls as he strikes out with his cutlass, slashing high at the Chel's face.
HP: 27/27
AC: 22 (17 T / 15 FF)
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +4/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep)
Arcane Pool used: 2/6
Tidewater Hydraulic Push (1/day): [ ]
Besmara's Blessing (1/week): [ ]
Spells Prepared:
Cantrips (3) - acid splash, flare, read magic
Level 1 (2+1) - magic missile [ ], monkeyfish [ ], shield [X]
Level 2 (0+1) - frigid touch [ ]
Ongoing Effects
shield (1/4 minutes): +4 AC
arcane pool (2/10 rounds): +1 to hit/damage
arcane accuracy: +4 to hit
Rounds 2, Init 7
"Oh, another good poke, that one!" Cargas says taking another hit. "Let's see if you stand up better than your dandy friend." He steps up to the next goon.
to hit; (two handed, PA, FFocus,FE):
damage.
WarAxe attack (two handed, PA, FFocus,FE):
[ dice]1d20+7+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+4+6+2[/dice] damage.
Bud flinches at the pain, but surges forward and strikes again at the remaining marine.
Round 2, Init 11
AC = 17
HP = 20/20
Weapon Equipped = Longbow
Condition(s) = Aspect of the Falcon
AC = 16
HP = 24/34
Weapon Equipped = Meatpaws and Teeth
Condition(s) = Animal Aspect- Bull(+1 to Strength)
Nim walks across the railing, nocking another arrow, and waiting just long enough for Magilla to pass Cargas to take his shot. The ape roars as he swats at another pike.
Edit:
"Those burning below! We've got the remaining two, we should get below and free those captives!"
You make quick work of the remaining Chelish marines and realizing the battle is lost as her men tries to return from the still-burning Vorsfang, the captain cries out, "Mercy!"
Behind her, you can still hear the cries from below the hold of men in the attached ship.
"Mercy? Mercy?" Cargas swings his gaze towards Gezza, he of the red fingers.
"HEY-YO GEZZA!? ARE WE DOING MERCY?" Cargas holds off with the axe, but wants to be sure.
Gezza strikes a thoughtful pose. "Mercy? Very well. Order your men to stand down and drop their arms and we'll show mercy."
Nimrod forces Magilla to follow him across the Chelish vessel, to study the Vorsfang, and its integrity. With the sound of men about to burn below, the half-orc and ape focus on crossing over to save those locked below.
If the way looks clear, both Nim and Mags cross over onto the deck of the Vorsfang, and assess the likelihood of rescuing its sailors.
Smoke clouds the air as Nim and Magilla leap to the burning Vorsfang, where the defeated -- both physically and now emotionally -- Chelish marines continue to surrender and transfer back to the Famished Mane.
The pair are able to get the lower holds open, and 14 sailors -- clearly rough men and women, even beyond the smoke staining their skin and clothing and causing them to cough -- pour out and escape back to the other ship.
You're barely able to get free, cutting the Vorsfang loose, before it begins to sink below the surf.
Bud keeps his axe blade ready and stands next to the defeated marines. "Oye, captain, are these swabs worthy of bilge work, or do you have another plan for them?"
Gezza considers. "Keep them over there for the moment. Put our dear apish friend on them. He ought to be able to encourage them to behave. Then let us see what surprises Besmara has for us onboard this ship, shall we?"
A sooty-faced Nim makes his way alongside the rail of the Famished Mane, before nocking an arrow, and keeping Magilla at heel, ordering the marines to disarm, while at the same time separating the fourteen sailors, who may or may not have the energy to lash out at their recent captors.
"That's no way to die. Burning to the bottom. Not sure how we'd be able to keep crew on both sides of that torture." He gives Gezza a shake of the head, clearly uncertain how to proceed.
"Looks like we've got another ship to deal with, eh? We try and return to squib it, or scuttle it here and now?"
Gezza calls the officers together. In a low voice, he says "First we figure out what we have. Let's not build a fleet yet. See if there's anything of value on here and let's leave the marines on it once we strip it. The sailors have the option of joining up or we can drop them at the nearest port."
Brood watches the Chelish dogs closely, stalking behind them as they line up and lay down their arms, his cutlass still shimmering with his additional weave of arcane magics. He waits for Offal to come over to the Mane and take up a watchful presence as Gezza had ordered, but then Nim sends Magilla and Brood shrugs to himself. Hmmpf. I guess that works too.
With the actual ape in position, the elf then joins his captain and the other officers back aboard the Murder.
"Sounds like a fine plan, Gez- Captain. Though I'd rather we just slice the throats of the remaining Chels, if you're still in a merciful mood maybe we leave them with their longboat intact and some extra holes in the hold as a parting gift?"
Cargas puts up his axe, apparently showing mercy.
"You guys wanna check the below? I'll stay up here and keep an eye on things," Cargas offers, taking a look around at the new boat, prisoners, and others.
Given time, he will slowly ask everyone not of the MM the same questions: "Where are you from? Where were *you* headed? Why were you out here?"
"Aye, aye, captain." Bud starts searching for goods and valuables to scavenge from the captured ship.
Perhaps the biggest item you see of value is two light ballistae with 48 bolts, which might look good mounted on the Murderin' Murder. Below, Budos finds the ship's arsenal and stores .
Most of the Chelish Marines ignore Cargas, though the captain is less circumspect, apparently not all the fight taken out of her yet: "We sail from Eleder, you pig, to put an end to pirates such as these, and you. You may have won this encounter, but crossing the empire isn't smart. You'll be wishing for a long drop off a short rope before the excruciations are even halfway done. Surrender now, and perhaps you'll find mercy."
The 14 sailors you rescued from the Vorsfang are much more effusive and happy to answer your questions.
"I'm from a little village on the Archipelago," answers the first you question, a slight blonde woman who's glaring daggers at the Chelish sailors. "We left home in search of riches to take home, and that eventually brought me here, eh?"
The others give similar answers to the Ulfen woman, who you learn is named Hrista: All various sailors who had taken up a life of piracy.
During the search and questioning, Fishguts comes up and stands by Gezza, looking over the haul.
"She's a fine ship you've captured, cap'n, but even if you want to take on all the survivors of the Vorsfang, I don't know that you have enough men to keep her. What you did to Plugg and Harrigan could just as easily be done to you, after all," he says sadly.
Brood scowls at the Chelish captain as she hisses back at Cargas. "Mercy? Is that what you call being locked in the hold of a burning ship?" His eyes flit from the sharp, curved edge of his cutlass back to Gezza and his fellow officers. His scowl remains the same, and his posture doesn't change, yet there's still something in the look makes it plainly clear he's asking for permission to cut the cruel captain down with one quick stroke.
"We sail from Eleder, you pig, to put an end to pirates such as these, and you. You may have won this encounter, but crossing the empire isn't smart. You'll be wishing for a long drop off a short rope before the excruciations are even halfway done. Surrender now, and perhaps you'll find mercy."
Cargas shakes his head, leaning down on the handle of his axe.
"Yeah, I have no love of pirates, but less love of Chelish dandies exploiting this land of treasure and of people. You Chelish like them slaves, don't you? You like stealing from the lands and sailing the loot away, do you?" Cargas asks. Then he spits.
"I'd rather be a pirate than a bunch of dandies like yourselves. You don't have the right to sail these waters."
Gezza nods to the chef. "Haul off the loot from the ship and remove any weapons. Lock these damned Chels in their hold once it's done. They attacked these fine sailors, let these fine sailors decide if they're to die or not. Any man jack of you lot are welcome to join the Murderin' Murder and her crew, where we don't kill in cold blood... WE WAIT UNTIL WE'VE WARMED UP A BIT!"
Bud hauls the loot to their ship, happy to be plundering evil doers like the Chelish marines instead of simple fisherfolk. "Aye, captain, the loot is secure, and I think I'm warming up a bit." He punctuates his sentiments with a backhanded slap to the former Chelish captain. "We could lock this one in the bilge for her extra insolence to you?"
Nim looks cross at the Mane's captain. "You know that you're arguing yourself and your ship to the depths below, right? The only way your empire knows we bested you today is by your tongue and your crew's. They aren't here to support you, either."
The half-orc helps move loot, then starts taking inventory of new weaponry which can find its way down to the quartermaster quarters.
The remaining crew of the Vorsfang cheer at Gezza's words, all happy to join up and be able to sail away with their lives.
"We'll take you up on that offer," Hrista says, apparently assuming the mantle of leadership among the newest crew members after a brief conference. "As for them, we're split down the middle. Some of us think they deserve the same fate they'd planned for us, but some of us don't want to see anyone die that way. Me, I say lock them below and scuttle the ship, so they won't be chasing after anyone until they limp home and explain what happened. Maybe the devils'll do them in for that."
Gezza nods to Hrista. "Very well. As you were the ones harmed by them, your wish will govern. Lock them below and cut their ropes. If they want to get home, let them work for it. And if you do, Chels, I suggest you spell my name properly. G-E-Z-Z-A. Thank your dark gods you've been shown more mercy than you lot deserve. Murderers! Let's cast off!"
Brood looks ready to slice the Chelish captain's head free from her shoulders, but shrugs at Gezza's decision and sheathes his cutlass. He sees to the lockup of the devil-worshippers and the scuttling of the Mane once the booty is secured aboard the Murderin' Murder.
---
Later, in the officers' quarters, Brood looks to Gezza and the others. "Any reason in particular we left those Chels alive? Seems to me we left a potential problem in our wake that some spilt blood would've prevented."
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"And if you do, Chels, I suggest you spell my name properly. G-E-Z-Z-A. "
Cargas attends to Gezza, happily helping by toadying like a pro.
"Yeah, you dandies! Don't you forget his name! He's raises his red middle finger to you all. And don't you think he's soft because he looks it, either! Under that frail exterior and lack of physique is a cunning and noble captain! Don't ye all forget it!" Cargas nods as the sentences are handed out.
He assigns the new crew to positions where they are needed and is ready to be off.
Gezza smiles at Brood. "Dead Chels tell no tales. If you want a reputation, you leave someone alive to tell the tale. Besides, if we slay every sailor who follows his officer's order, are we any better than Harrigan and Plugg? If you wish to lead, say the word and I'll let you murder your way across the sea. If not, I'm not ready to kill for the sake of it. Not yet."
"Any reason in particular we left those Chels alive? Seems to me we left a potential problem in our wake that some spilt blood would've prevented."
Nim nods. "Yeah, I'd have been fine not having to worry about marine fleets seeking retribution. If we're trying to build ourselves a name, there are better ways."
"We just nearly doubled our crew. They've got tongues they can wag." When Gezza offers up the captain's quarters though, Brood just frowns and shakes his head. "That's not necessary. I'm not saying you were wrong, even if I disagree with the course we settled on. But in my experience, mercy like what we gave those dogs just leads to gettin' bit in the ass. Chum for the sharks doesn't hold a grudge." He then sighs, shrugs, then leans back in his chair, "I'll follow your orders, so long as we're not pressganging anyone. And when you want someone dead, all that needs to be done is for you to say it. Not just to drop bodies for the sake of dropping bodies, but when violence breaks out, putting the other guy down quick and hard is how you'll keep you and your crew alive the longest." Sicarius then looks around, his brow still furrowed by his perpetual scowl and takes a breath. It wasn't often he spoke so much, after all.
Gezza looks at Brood and nods, slowly. "Alright. Noted, all of you. If you want to, we can send a couple fire arrows back there and let them burn before they sink. But they surrendered. I won't kill them as can't fight back. It's not in me. Unless they're mad dogs who need to be put down, I won't kill the defenseless. I figure a man's got to have a line, and that's mine." He sighs, the burdens of decision-making weighing on him.
"Now, let's see who's worth keeping as crew and make sail for the closest port. We'll put those who aren't worthy or willing ashore, and then we hunt again. Savvy?"
Cargas nods with Gezza's orders.
"We don't need to kill nobody unless we have to. Besides, I want them to come back after us, it would be funny to beat them again and send the dandies back to their dandie home crying," Cargas hurhurs.
Cargas rubs his hands together, ready to get to work.
"Let's get to sailing. Where to, Capt'n?"
"Let's consult the charts. Ought to be a port near by, eh?"
Bud starts tinkering with the new siege equipment as he learns the slight variations on the Chelish units. "You know, captain, we can only use so many of these and they may fetch a good price at the right port."
Sandara nods as Gezza asks about ports.
"We'll want neutral ports, like Bloodcove and Senghor on the Mwangi Coast, or Crown’s End in Sargava; any of them would at least turn a blind eye to pirates like us, if not welcome the Murder," she says.
Bloodcove is a small city, Senghor is a metropolis, while Crown’s End is a small town. Senghor doesn't tolerate slavers, but that's hardly a problem for you.
Cargas awaits orders, happy to set the men to tasks and to port so that they may celebrate their victories in style.
"C'mon now Capt'n, where we going? I can't barely read them there maps, you know that."
Cargas waits on Gezza.
"Bloodcove's closest," Gezza decides, "so let's head there."
You head back east, passing Rickety's Squibs, and continuing on. As you get close -- about a day out from port -- you see a fishing trawler riding low in the water, heeling several degrees to port. It is obviously taking on water as its sails flap loosely from the yards and a fishing net drags in the water over the starboard side.
You can easily see a breach in the hull on the port side just above the waterline, and the waves are slowly swamping the ship. The davits that held a small dinghy at the stern are empty, indicating that the crew abandoned ship. There are no signs of damage or battle other than the breach in the hull.
You notice the shape of a dinghy deep underwater, slowly sinking.
Brood angles nearing to the listing vessel. "Might be some grateful crew aboard, or some grateful booty. Either way, neither bunch cares to sink to the bottom so it's probably worth a look."
Sicarius calls out as they pull up nearer to the trawler, "I thought at first they'd gotten away, but it looks like that's their dinghy there, sinking faster than this heap."
"Maybe we could save the ship and bring it back to Rickety's for a nice profit?"
"Bloodcove's closest," Gezza decides, "so let's head there."
Cargas bellows, setting the crew to work.
* * *
Cargas eyes the fishing boat and looks at the Capt'n.
"What are we going to do, Capt'n Middlefingers?" Cargas asks Gezza.
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Gezza stares at the derelict. (Ship, not Cargas.) "Bring us close enough to rope 'er. Let's see if they left any plunder aboard when they fled, shall we?"
Nim takes in a moment to enjoy their lock on Bloodcove as a destination. Small city should be fine, should be interesting to see how we can take to shore, without appearing to be obvious pirates...
...
Nim flicks a finger from his brow, pointing to others in the crew to get the ship alongside for a closer look.
The half-orc confirms to himself what Brood's already indicated. "How long you figure it's been like that?"
Nim and Magilla ready to lend a hand with recovering items or peoples still aboard. They are also wary of watery waylayers. "Any sign of squidies?"
When the boats pull together Budos leaps to the sinking ship and quickly starts searching for trapped survivors and loot.
As Nim and Budos cross over and begin looking around, they notice telltale signs of a battle, which appear to have been hastily cleaned up -- too quickly to smooth some of the broken wood or remove the bloodstains on the deck.
You're not sure if it's squids, but something bad definitely befell this ship!
Gezza climbs across as well, peering about. "Well, lads. It looks like something tried to clean up, which means it was smart, and probably had hands." He pitches his voice loudly to carry to the Murder. "Listen up! All hands on alert! Stay in pairs onboard and keep yer eyes open, lads! Something might be lurking and we don't want to do its job for it, do we?"
He looks at the others and conjures mage armor on himself. "Let's look belowdecks. Be ready."