"You looking for something?"
"Everything. And I got nuthin after they took my stuff. The only thing they want to give me is that blasted rum. You'd think a pirate captain would want his sailors sober and carrying weapons, not rum-addled and empty handed. What do you make of that?" While he chats Budos keeps looking around the store.
"Look, wish I could help. Our type, there aren't a lot of us on this ship, and we gotta stay together. But I just give you your stuff; it's the captain's now," she says, patting one of the lockers. "I'll get accused of stealing and you saw the punishment for that. You get some money and I'll be happy to help you out. Until then, I'm afraid there's not much I can do."
She seems to take a liking to you, Budos, grinning toothily, and is happy to talk as others work, while she occasionally doles out items to other sailors who aren't as broke as you.
---
The day eventually winds down, several of you exhausted from your labors, and you assemble on the deck for your rum rations and dinner -- the smell of pork overwhelming even the ocean's brine for a few minutes as a glorious pig stuffed with dates and other dried fruits is brought up, the finest meal you've had yet since you've been on board.
After dinner, Plugg, Jaundiced Jape and Fipps Chumley lead the big man you've all seen with a bit of tar and feathers -- Owlbear Hartshorn -- onto deck, and he stretches as he gets a rare bit of air.
"How about a bit of sport to celebrate?" Plugg announces nastily.
"You lot like to fight, from what I hear," he says with a smirk, gesturing to the five of you most recent recruits. "Let's see what you can do. I dare you to take on ol' Owlbear here, bare-knuckle fists or wrestling, no magic tricks," -- the last bit comes with a glare at Gezza -- "and the last one conscious wins.
"And this'll make it a little more interesting," he says, tossing down a heavy purse, "though I think my gold will be perfectly safe on Owlbear."
"HOOT HOOT!" Owlbear calls out, bringing rough laughter from much of the rest of the crew. He flexes mightily, the scene no less impressive for the assortment of chicken feathers stuck to his skin.
Gezza makes a mock bow. "I'm honored to hear you're terrified of my phenomenal magical prowess, Mister Plugg. I work so hard to ensure that my reputation grows."
"Bare knuckles or wrestling, what about these?" Budos clacks his chompers loudly at Plugg, "Can I bite 'em? I tell you if he tastes like owl or bear."
As before, Sicarius tosses the alcohol with a disdainful frown and glance at the cup's contents.
Later, as Plugg hauls Owlbear up out of the hold, the elf rolls his eyes at the so-called entertainment and grunts, "Not interested."
HP: 9/9
AC: 14 (14 T / 10 FF)
CMD: 15
F/R/W: +2/+3/+2 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep)
Arcane Pool used: 0/4
Besmara's Blessing (1/week): [ ]
Spells Prepared:
Cantrips (2) - acid splash, flare
Level 1 (0+1) - magic missile [ ]
Ongoing Effects
"We're looking for a little fun, not you trying to rip his throat out, you bloody half-breed savage!" Plugg replies.
Cargas jumps to his feet, his fists boxing the air.
"What's the matter, Plugg, you need a bird to fight for you?" Cargas chaps, limbering his body for a fight. "Maybe after the 'bear and I finish, we can see you wrassle your dingalong, I got money on the smarter head."
He offers a hand to shake Owlbear's wing. He steps back and is ready to fight.
Owlbear looks confused at first at Cargas' outstretched hands, but after a few moments reaches out to grasp it.
He backs off, testing his footing on the deck as he waits for Cargas to attack.
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"Ha, this one might take you TWO punches!" taunts Budos and laughs a big toothy guffaw in the direction of 'One Punch'.
Turning to the crowd, Budos stares directly at the sadistic jerk.
Nimrod sulks a little, for his tiredness and for the lack of substantial intel on the halfling lass. He takes to the deck, expecting arm wrestling and broken glass again. He sluggishly sweeps up his rum, sucking it down, and returning the cup without looking back.
The halfer-orc ambles over to the steps, deciding to understand the dynamics of the night's entertainment so he won't be out of the loop the next morning. He feels relieved as the dwarf steps up to spar the Owlbear. This should be interesting...
Nim watches the elf toss his liquor, and hears him decline the invitation. He gets up, and wanders over to stand alongside Brood, as the fight begins.
"A good thing the others were busy getting the fight organized. Easier to empty a cup..." The halfer-orc taps the side of his nose. "No worries, I'm not here to rat out anyone, especially someone who looks as able as you in a fight. Name's Nim." A green hand is extended, in anticipation of shaking red.
Round 1
"Plugg, this is how you hold yer fists," Cargas demonstrates boxing style. "Not using your open-handed sissy style, like you're slapping yer ass. You punch, you do. You should watch too, OnePunch, maybe you won't cry after I hit you next time."
Cargas puts his dukes up, snapping up the initial advantage to level a blow at Owlbear's chin, a known weak spot in humans. However, he feels the strength of his punch drained out of him...the rum ration sapping his strength.
Unarmed attack:
to hit; (fav enemy, fatigue)
damage.
Despite the rum, Cargas' blow hits the big human -- not quite in the chin as he'd been aiming at, but a solid blow nonetheless -- knocking the air out of him momentarily.
"ATTACK OF THE OWLBEAR!" he cries out as he brings his fists down in response, hammering Cargas' head powerfully enough that the dwarf sees stars momentarily.
The crew again laughs at the big man's cry, several nodding approvingly at the blow.
Owlbear appears to be blind in his left eye and very slow.
OH: 6
Round 2
Cargas takes the hit, a smile on his lips.
"That's a good peck, 'bear," Cargas roars. "You should be teaching Plugg to fight too."
Perception
Sense Motive
Cargas levels another fist at Owlbear, trying to tenderize a kidney, then dances to Owlbear's left, hoping to stay away from his good eye.
Unarmed attack:
to hit; (fav enemy, fatigue)
damage.
"Come on, you f!!&ing moron," Plugg yells as Owlbear takes another shot from the dwarf.
With a snarl, he grabs a stout spar and tosses it toward the big man, who looks confused for a moment but then bends down to pick it up, brandishing it as a club.
yells Budos, Bud keeps yelling,
Suspecting more cheating, Budos steps forward and stays alert for scummy swabs acting on Plugg's orders, ready to intercept them as necessary.
Bluff
Round 3
"Plugg, I knew you had no honor." Cargas reaches into his shirt to draw his knuckles to even out the fight. "Don't you worry yourselves about me. I'll fight as they fight."
Sleight of Hand
Brass Knuckles:
to hit; (fav enemy, fatigue)
damage.
Bluff - Stepping left again
Owlbear swings the club -- shouting "OWLBEAR SMASH!" to more laughs and appreciative cheers from the crew -- but Cargas is able to duck under the blow, as he keeps to the big man's left side.
Plugg laughs out loud at Budos before sneering at him, but doesn't react in any other way, leaning forward to watch the fight continue.
"Careful," Sandara mutters as she moves behind the big half-orc. "He's still got the power here to make sure you're punished if you get involved."
Nim perks up when he sees a dull glaze over Owlbear's left eye.
"Dwarf!! You keep dancing right of Owlbear's nose, and he'll have one hell of a time keeping an eye on you!!"
This is getting interesting...
Sicarius gives Nim an appraising look before taking his preferred hand. "Sicarius. Most just call me 'Brood' though." He shakes his head and gives a slight thrust of his
chin at at Nim's empty cup. "Better to take the lashes than swallow that rot. Better still to avoid both though." He adds this last comment with an unapologetic shrug, then frowns at the fight once more, shaking his head disdainfully at the whole production.
As the fight intensifies and both combatants draw weapons, Sicarius' posture stiffens as he's about to intercede. Bud's shout at Plugg draws his attention though and he catches the half-orc's eye from behind Sandara's shoulder. He gives him a stern and quieting look before turning back to Nim.
"The dwarf already knows. See how he moves?"
When Bud calls cheating on the esteemed Mister Plugg, Gezza shrugs. "Pirates." He says by way of explanation. Still, he cheers on Offal, calling out loudly, "Go Offal! Break his beak!"
"Go Offal! Break his beak!"
Cargas boxes his way to face Gezza.
"I would break his beak, but Plugg won't step into the ring," Cargas points his finger in the direction of Plugg. "And his thing really isn't a beak so much as a crag! ... a peak! ... a promontory! ...It is a peninsula! I think the lookout worries more about crashing on Plugg's facerock than a shoal."
Nim sets his cup down, looking at it with a touch of worry as Brood mentions rot. "Well, all things in moderation I guess. Won't argue though- lashes are for courtesan eyes only. Don't need them across my back, so the swill will do for now."
The halfer-orc winces as Bud baits, and Offal offends. He leans in to continue his talk with Brood. "It's like they enjoy the pain... Why draw them out like that? I figure, keep your head down, and earn your unwanted passage, at least until we get the chance to go ashore and stay ashore."
"The dwarf already knows. See how he moves?"
Nim lowers his brow to study the dwarf circling the big man. It's only then that he sees Cargas has slipped on his brass knuckles. When nothing hostile comes from open acknowledgment of weapons on the new recruits, the halfer-orc nods to himself, taking note.
"The dwarf has some pretty big words lodged in that skull of his. I'm impressed. Looks like you're reading him better than I did. Thought he was just keeping his distance, but he's moving into the blind spot every time..."
He waits to see what else transpires, now that weapons have entered the fray.
Budos takes the advice of Sandra and refrains from further jibes, but keeps watching for more pirate tricks. "You got this, just a few more punches."
Owlbear lets out a cry of pain at the last blow from Cargas and backs away from the dwarf, only to be pushed forward again by Jaundiced Japes and Fipps Chumley.
They push him forward a second time as he hesitates and he again hefts the club, taking a tentative step toward the dwarf.
At the same time, Plugg smirks.
"A weapon, dwarf? This is supposed to be a little harmless entertainment. You'll be facing the whip for that, little man."
As usual the malevolent glee in his voice is all too apparent, though his comments do draw some quiet notes of protect from a few of the assembled crew, comments that are quickly stifled at glares from Plugg's usual entourage.
The captain and other officers merely continue to watch from the upper decks.
"A weapon, dwarf? This is supposed to be a little harmless entertainment. You'll be facing the whip for that, little man."
Cargas shrugs, looking at the club in the Owlbear's hands.
"Sure, Plugg. May I just ask that you swing the whip, that way I know I won't feel a thing?" Cargas retorts.
Round 4
Brass Knuckles:
to hit; (fav enemy, fatigue)
damage.
Bluff - Feint left
Sleight of Hand to hide the knuckles on Budos
Budos doesn't speak directly to Harrigan, remembering the only rule from the first day, instead he looks at the gathered crew for support.
Bud jeers loudly at Plugg and celebrates with his crew mates. "Ha, even the toughest among them only takes three punches! I'm not even sure this is actually a pirate ship, no weapons, no loot, and no warriors. It seems were nothing more than swine traders." In the jubilation following the victory, Budos doesn't finch when Cargas hides the brass knuckles on him.
Nim frowns as the Owlbear backs off, and gets shoved back into the fray. That's not a sign of a warrior with blood in his eyes. That's a sign of a beast under the lash.
When the Offal smashes the Owlbear again, Nim almost speaks out. His eyes dart to Harrigan, then to Plugg, and he remains silent. It's like a dogfight. Smaller version of the gladiator games, larger version of a cockfight.
Before Cargas charges in with his second brass-knuckle laden haymaker, the elf calls out, "Offal! You're dwarf enough to win without those knuckles aren't you?" The elf shoots Owlbear a concerned look, not wanting to see the pitiable man brought to any more lasting harm that what Harrigan and his thugs have already done. He considers interfering and distracting Cargas with a flash of light, but decides not to act, obviously conflicted.
---
As Bud opens his mouth to shout, "You give the big-" Sicarius rolls his eyes and raps the man sharply in the side with a quick, sudden jab of his elbow. "Quiet. The so-called games are all going to be rigged, do you not get that? If you're dissatisfied with that, suck it up and settle it when we get to shore. You'll never settle anything if you're left chumming the waters."
The dour elf then turns away from the Bud and back to scowling at the fight, though Sandara catches his eye first. He offers little more than a shallow shrug before breaking her gaze to glower at Cargas and Owlbear.
Budos turns a quick, calculating glare on the elf and hisses back at him, "They whipped me bad for shirkin rum and barely none for insolence, let me keep testing them and maybe they show us something important, yea, like where the loot is at?"
Budos flinches and then clenches to keep the brass knuckles from falling to the deck.
Gezza watches the fight, but keeps a closer eye on the spectators, trying to ascertain who follows Plugg out of loyalty and who follows out of fear.
Cargas' metal-clad blow proves too much for his beleaguered foe, who crumples to the deck, the the cheers and exclamations of the rest of the crew. On the upper deck, Harrigan stares down, a wide smile on his face, one not echoed on Plugg's.
In general, though, your cries are ignored by the scowling first mate.
He shrugs as the big man falls and kicks the purse over.
"Looks like you won, so take your gold. I'll take my due, though, for your cheating dwarf. To the whipping post with you! Maybe a half-dozen lashes will remind you want we mean when we're looking for some harmless fun."
He seems utterly unconcerned at the apparent hypocrisy of his comments and just glares as Fipps and Jape step over Owlbear's unconscious body toward the dwarf.
Nim watches as the ape Owlbear falls again to the amusement of others, and moves to the prone body. He picks up the legs, and drags him off to the side. "Here, lemme get this outta your way..." When it appears the attention is resting firmly on the dwarf's impending punishment, Nim tries to subtly heal the brute of a man.
He leaves the body as soon as his healing power is released, hoping to blend back into the crowd gathering to watch the lash leech blood from the back of the knuckle-dragger.
Sicarius steps up beside Cargas as Fipps and Jape stride over Owlbear. As Nim pulls the larger man aside, the elf shoots him a brief appreciative look before his face twists into a heavy scowl for the two appraoching thugs. Recalling a circus performance he once saw in his youth, Brood throws his hands out wide like a ringmaster and looks up to Harrigan, ignorant of Nim's familiarity with such displays.
"These two have stepped into the ring, Captain! Would it amuse you and the rest of the crew for another bout? Two on two for double the laughs, right?"
Cargas reaches down to check on Owlbear before going off for his lashes. He doesn't might that he's earned them, but only that Plugg broke the rules first.
When Nimrod heals, Cargas offers a hand up to the 'bear.
"Ah Plugg, aren't you gunna do it yourself? What, your arm too sore from pleasurin' yourself to do it?" Cargas chaps, but it's clear he ain't looking forward to the pain to come. "Your hand too raw to hold a whip? HAWHAWHAW!!"
Cargas laughs until the first lash falls, then he falls silent and tries not to cry.
Budos collects his winnings without jeering any further at Plugg. His mission accomplished, he keeps a tight clutch on the coin pouch as the elf requests a second bout. When Brood directs his comments at Harrigan, Budos steps beside him and elbows the elf in the ribs "Don't talk to the Captain, direct yer comments elsewhere."
Gezza's eyes widen as the back and forth continues after the match is done. He moves to help Nimrod with the Owlbear, to half carry, half drag him back down below. When he hears Brood's challenge, he gulps deeply. 'This is going to go badly very very quickly.'
Nim's spell brings the big man around, and he sits up groggily, looking around as if trying to get his bearings.
Harrigan stares down at the elf for a moment that seems to stretch longer and longer.
"That was barely worth my time to watch, and I have better things to do than waste more time," he growls. "I need a few of you scabs to sail the course I set."
With that, he and his fellow officers move away from the railing, apparently content to enjoy some other amusement.
Plugg's seems more than content to amuse himself with Cargas' punishment, however, as the big dwarf lasts for nearly 20 seconds before the whipping renders him unconscious.
"He can take the rest of the lashes tomorrow, and the day after that if need be. Bloody hour's over, so your time is your own until the morning."
With that, he turns back to his own amusements, dismissing the mass of sailors, many of whom gather to recount the evening's events, which leads to various sea chanteys echoing across the vast expanse of the ocean.
Gezza moves to help Offal down below to his bunk, laying him face down to avoid harming his already lashed back. He'll spend some time applying as much remedies (taking 10 on a heal check for a 19) as he can before finally sighing and heading off to find where the Owlbear is kept. Once there, he sits down near the hulking man and begins a conversation, asking him questions even if he doesn't answer.
He'll spend a half hour or so there, then head back to his bunk to get some shuteye.
Budos helps Redfingers haul the dwarf downstairs. He can't help much with the healing work, so he keeps an eye out for more trouble as Gezza applies his arts. "Looks like the sides are drawn, my new friend, and that dwarf is our heavy hitter." Bud stays with Offal while the carpentry enthusiast goes to check on Owlbear. Certain the minions of Plugg will be along quick enough to dish out revenge, the half orc remains vigilant in his watch.
When the dwarf finally wakes, Budos welcomes him back to consciousness. "I thought you were Cargas the Carcass for sure after that beating, lucky he saved a few lashes for tomorrow instead of peeling yer hide today." With a grin the big green man returns the brass knuckles. "They didn't seem none interested in taking these, or nobody noticed. Plugg gave over his pouch of coins and didn't lash me once for insolence. I'll be damned if I can figure out what game they're playing at, they whup me for not drinking rum and you for fighting a fair fight, but they pay up on bets and let us talk at them like dockside bums?" the large green forehead wrinkles in quizzical thought, but Budos doesn't continue his wonderings out loud. "Well, regardless, I figure you earned a fair share of these coins and the quartermaster told me she had my gear, I'm guessing she'll have yers as well. I'll make a trip there this evening, something you want me to bring back from yer stolen goods?"
Gezza nods at Budos absentmindedly. "Indeed, he may be, if we can keep his mouth from getting him killed before we can off Plugg and his cronies."
Watching Offal getting carted off, Nim makes sure it looks settled and boring enough to follow them down to the bunks. Watching Gezza do his work well, he pats the carpenter on the back, before leaning around him, and squeezing the dwarf's hairy anklebones.
Just as quickly as the healing burst seeps in, Nim bounds up the steps, intent on a bit more conversation, his frustration still fresh in his mind on not getting more intel on the halfling lass earlier in the day.
"Oye, friend." Budos grabs the other half orc before he can bound away. "Join me for a trip to see Grok later, a meeting of the halfsies." Bud grins and jangles the coin pouch. "We new swabs need to stick together."
Brood shrugs as Harrigan turns away, offering Japes and Fipps a disappointed shrug as well, "Maybe next time." As they come to escort the dwarf to his punishment, Brood offers quietly, "Sorry. Tried to get you an out." He watches Plugg find glee in delivering the bite of the lash and the elf can't help but think how much he looks forward to ending the cruel man.
As Budos whispers his own warning, Brood offers a tight, appreciative nod as he and Redfingers haul the dwarf off to be tended to.
---
As the evening sets in, Sicarius finds his way to the aft section of the deck and enjoys a brief window of solitude, a state all too rare on the beleagured Wormwood. He spends the sunset and twilight hour staring out at the sea, listening to the waves, smelling the air, and thinking deeply on what he'd read of Besmara and her Code.
Cargas buries his head as the whip flashes, whimpers escaping with each lash. He moans and keep his eyes closed as every burning lash hits his back.
Thinking that he wanted this, that he *earned* this does nothing to ease the pain, nor make him feel better. In fact, he begins to think he made a mighty big mistake. About the time he regrets his deeds (however justified), he passes out from pain.
* * *
**heals Cargas
Cargas wakes angrily, lashing out at the hand touching him, a elbow to whatever he sees through his blurry eyes, a look of intense anger on his face.
to hit (vs. FFooted); (fav enemy,prone)
non lethal damage.
Cargas tries to sit up after the blow, but the pain sets him back abed as he realizes where he is and what he's done. He is immediately regretful.
"Sorry...sorry, Gez. Man, do I hurt bad...I didn't get you too bad, did I? Sorry..."
Cargas rolls over and tries not to move. Pain hurts.
* * *
Cargas attempts nothing during the night as he is trying to heal up for his beating tomorrow.
"Gezza? You there? Sorry...man? Gezza?"
