"As I understand these things,a few fabrics could be used as a divination focus." Not that Daliya had such magics herself, but the Captain might.
Ixrul sits down next to Sefina. "It's possible, but divination on objects is not reliable. I think the safest thing to do would be for you to reweave your shawl."
"If you want, I'll stay with you until it's done."
Sefina nods and cries some more.
"...I suppose I'll keep things moving while you enjoy your stay. Someone needs to keep this crew in line after all."
Krom sighs. "Yeah, alright. I guess we have other things to worry about."
About a month after your mostly successful gala, you receive a missive from the Pirate council, summoning you to attend. It is with this letter that it becomes clear how favorably your ability to handle a crisis (and throw a party) was received: rather than only your captain having a seat on the Council, as you may have assumed, ALL of you will receive a seat, and the voting rights that come with it.
Out of 30 total seats (the letter explains), you now hold 5. You're not a majority, but you are now a VERY significant power in the council, and hold a large amount of sway over where the future of the Shackles pirates may sail.
The council will meet 7 days hence, and your attendance could very well shape future events.
Daliya raised an eyebrow at the news she had been given a seat. It wasn't something she had ever expected. Still, she would defer to Ixrul in most matters. She didn't care enough about most of the policies likely discussed to do otherwise.
"Five seats? Hah! I'm sure Harrigan will be thrilled to hear the news!"
"Though there's something I've never quite understood: What kind of things does the Pirate Council vote on? I guess we'll find out soon."
"Heh, they actually let little ol' Ace on the console, I cant wait till I re-introduce myself to Harrigan, oh, he would think Im joking"
Gremory grins quietly at the news. "We would likely resolve territorial disputes and punish those who would work against us. I imagine this would be our duties in part."
"Ace, avoid reminding Harrigan that you were a crew member on a ship that was stolen from him. He dislikes us enough as it is."
"And why should we care how much he dislikes us? I think we're past the point of making amends."
"While quite true, we should take care to let him leave the worse impression upon our arrival. Actively stirring controversy wouldn't befit those of our new station. We can let him ruin himself wth some patience. Although, I would still prefer he have an accident sometime before he becomes a real thorn in our side."
You may note that Harrigan will not be at the meeting; he isn't ON the Council as you are the ones who beat him out for that honor.
The chances of you meeting him there are slim to none.
"Because we're going to have to kill him eventually, and I don't want him to think we perceive him as enemies in the hopes he'll expect us not to be prepared."
"Hm, well when you put it that way..."
We will go to the meeting
The Pirate Council chamber is sparsely populated, but there are still quite a few Pirate Lords in attendance.
Among familiar faces are Tessa Fairwind, Arronax Endymion (rumored to be in Cheliax's pocket, though nothing has been proven), the Master of Gales, as well as the three who judged you (Avimar Sorrinash, Cerise Bloodmourne, and Mase Derimar).
In addition to the Storm King, Kerdak Bonefist, there are 4 Pirate Lords you may not recognize in attendance filling up some of the other chairs.
I all, only 11 of the 32 chairs are filled, leaving 20 free (the last, at the far end of the table from the Storm King, is reserved for Besmara herself should she ever choose to attend). You may seat yourselves anywhere you choose.
Gremory is going to go ahead and take a seat comfortably next to Tessa Fairwind, having interacted the most extensively with her thus far. That, and it may be much too soon to try cozying up to Bonefist himself.
Krom quickly sits down next to Gremory, looking just a little nervous.
Ixrul casually takes a seat next to Gremory, and nods Ace towards the seat to his right.
Daliya took a seat as near the group as possible.
Tessa looks happy to see Gremory.
"You made it! Finally. Everybody else here are a bunch of hitches in the rudder."
Ace sits with the group as well.
Ace looks around,looking around at the fellow free captains, trying to remember if he had read/heard of any of them.
Tessa looks happy to see Gremory.
"You made it! Finally. Everybody else here are a bunch of hitches in the rudder."
"A pleasure to see you miss Fairwind. Can I call you Tessa? I'll try to keep things interesting. We'll have to catch up when we're done. But priorities call. What is first on our list?"
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Tessa makes a moue of disappointment, but sighs and turns to Bonefist.
"I think that's all who's making it. Shall we begin?"
Bonefist waves her to go on.
"First on the docket then! I champion that the fleet of Ixrul Morcrom get a full share of the tithes from Sargava instead of the usual one quarter. They've proven themselves more than capable of being four members. Initial votes?"
The vote goes around the table.
"Aye." says the Master of Gales
"Aye." says a pirate you don't recognize.
"Nay." says the Storm King, quickly followed by a chorus of "Nay" from Cerise Bloodmourn (who gives you an apologetic look), Avimar Sorrinash, and Mase Derimar.
"Aye." says an elegant woman pirate you don't recognize...though this is quickly followed by a further chorus of "Nay" from three other pirates you also don't recognize (a fat, toothy woman, a cigar chomping man, and a lounging halfling).
Finally you receive an "Aye" from Arronax Endymion
"Nine Ayes, seven Nays. The Ayes have it. Arguments?" Bonefist asks, opening the floor to speakers wishing to sway the vote. When no one else immediately speaks up, he does so himself:
"These pirates have proven themselves worthy of their seats, aye, but I've seen NOTHIN' that shows they should get special treatment. The Island of Empty Eyes is supposed to be a probationary island, multiple years of trials before they're considered full and proper members in good standing. There's no reason they should get special treatment against decades of tradition."
The elegant woman you don't recognize that voted in your favor speaks up.
"Are we pirates, or are we a bureaucracy? 'Probationary periods', 'trial memberships'? Ridiculous. We earn by the sweat of our brow and share our power only to gain more for ourselves in turn. The proving period has always been a method to curtail the influence of the rising stars in the pirate world. I think they've proven themselves enough."
Endymion likewise speaks up, close on her heels. He seems agitated and jumpy, but speaks with measured tones "I care not for their proving, though I think they're worthy myself. It's simple fact that we can ill afford to alienate allies at this time. I see no way slashing their tithe benefits all of us. Split twenty ways the three quarters tithe from Sargava is but a pittance to anyone one of us, but could serve to make their crew stronger when needs we must call on them to defend the Shackles from foreign encroachment."
Everybody looks comfortable at this line of speech, but nobody speaks up further.
"The motion passes. The Devil's Pallor fleet will receive a full tithe from their island." Kerdak says. While he was in opposition to the motion, he doesn't seem particularly put out by its passing.
"Second to nominate a motion?" Kerdak prompts.
Cerise quickly stands up, beating Avimar Sorrinash and the cigar chomping man to the punch.
"I vote we redirect funds from the Sargavan Tithe to erecting statues of our glorious Storm king, Kerdak Bonefist in his honor. Placing the striking visage of our tremednous leader in every port will only embolden our allies and intimidate our enemies, securing our position immensely."
All in favor?" she asks.
A chorus of "Ayes" erupts from everyone at the table...save one. The Master of Gales waits for the chorus to cease and utters a single, resounding "Nay".
Krom utters a slightly less resounding "Nay" after the Master of Gales.
"As much as we might all enjoy seeing the Storm King's image towering over every port, I think we have more pressing needs for those funds. As you've said, Endymion, when the time comes to defend the Shackles, we'll need all the strength we can muster. Should we really be throwing away the opportunity to strengthen our fort and fleet, all for the sake of a grand display?"
"Nay," Daliya agreed. "There are more important things to spend the money on. If we must have such a statue, then make it Besmara, and see if we can invoke Her blessings on our efforts. As mighty as the Storm King is, and as much as his visage could grace any port, better for us all to stay on the Goddess' good side."
"Nay." Gremory offers no sign of enjoyment of her vote, though she elaborates with clear diction. An opportunity like this hasn't come around since she had been a tiefling.
"A display of faithfulness to Her name would no doubt be welcome in the face of so many fair-weather followers. Yet, I find myself at a disadvantage I am afraid. Are there no other projects such efforts may be directed towards?"
So we'll begin with a show of solidarity...
"Nay" Ace looks around, "What my crew-mates said."
After thinking for a moment, Ixrul speaks up.
"Nay. It should be conserved, added to a war chest. I've heard... intimations ( ). A war is coming, and the imports and expertise required to construct such a statue - as superb as it may be - represent both a means by which enemies could smuggle agents in and money that could be spent on defense."
"Besides, better to exert influence over the populaces our enemies may depend on - hire bards. A great statue may be seen as far as the horizon, but song and story stretch far beyond."
Aroonax does not need much swaying, he changes his vote almost immediately after he realizes he wouldn't be alone in the opposition. Tessa likewise (though somewhat nervously) changes her vote, leaving the final count at 8/8.
Cerise slumps and Kerdak looks furious. "No consensus. The motion is tabled."
"Next." Bonefist calls out, clearly seething.
Avimar Sorrinash stands up.
"I wish to claim rights of salvage for the Isle of the Black Tower. Ollo is the closest island to it. 20% of the value of whatever is found there will be mine."
The Council seems largely in Sorrinash's favor on this: Endymion, Tessa, Bonefist, the Master of Gales, Hardluck, and Cerise Bloodmourne vite Aye, while the rest vote Nay (leaving the vote at 6-5).