"We are pleased to see you. You're all safe now. If you would, we would like to escort you to our flagship and current operational base. After we make sure you are well, I'd like to request a favor in return for our service here."
Gremory speaks in a warm tone with a smile to match. Her voice softens, as she calls Sandra over to check
Ixrul examines the women for illusion and transmutation magic.
None.
Daliya eyed the new...recruits...customers...prisoners? She wasn't sure. Still, if they were here, and they were helping them, she could give them a quick examination. It might not be worth going to much effort if they were infected with something terminal, after all.
new...recruits...customers...prisoners?
"So, if I might ask, how did you girls end up on this god forsaken island?"
"Well, we came to join with you, of course. We had heard you were throwing a gala, and me an my girls were looking for a change of profession, if you catch my drift."
"We can all cook and clean, and are experienced in hosting parties and feasts. We're all trained singers and dancers as well, if the need arises. I'd hoped to give you the pitch under better circumstances, but things being as they are, my intentions are still the same. We just want honest work, and honest pay. Give us that, and I assure you we will make ourselves invaluable to you now, for making sure this gala runs smoothly, and for any future undertakings of the sort."
"My name is Audessa, if you're curious. Audessa Reyquio."
"Yes! Uh-" Krom clears his throat. "Yes, I'm sure our commodore would be willing to work something out."
"Well then. Thats what I was alluding to before. Somewhat takes the fun out of it. I havent gotten to negotiate with someone in months. Did you happen to overhear the hags discuss why precisely they took you captive?"
Ixrul spares Krom a cursory glance.
"That would be agreeable. I will require that you all submit to a zone of truth from our cleric, however."
Ixrul pulls out a gem and Creates a Soul Gem from the hag.
"If you'd like sir, I can double-check the results. I'm very proficient in discovering lies. I considered a career as a lawyer once upon a time."
Daliya considered this. "I thought lawyers were the ones doing the lying?" she asked.
"No, its always the other guys's lawyer that is the liar,its always the truth when yourself is on the line"
"Exactly. You see, Ace understands. It is a complex dance of words."
"I see." Daliya said, considering. "I think I'll keep assuming all lawyers are liars unless they happen to be my lawyer, in which case I'll expect them to be an exceptional liar."
"Any lawyer willing to represent a pirate must be either an exceptional liar, or exceptionally stupid."
"Anyway, why don't we escort you lovely ladies back to the ship? I'll personally ensure that the men behave themselves."
"Well then. Thats what I was alluding to before. Somewhat takes the fun out of it. I havent gotten to negotiate with someone in months. Did you happen to overhear the hags discuss why precisely they took you captive?"
"As near as I can tell, they assumed we were already part of your crew."
You escort them back to the ship, and neither Zone of Truth nor Discern Lies vets any falsehood. Ditto Sense Motive.
Ixrul hires them, then inspects his island.
"Are all preparations due to be done on time for the feast?"
"Well, now that the hag is gone, does anyone know where everything else, like the tree-ents has gone to?"
Everything is on track to be done well before Feast time. You can spend time preparing extra things (exotic entertainment, different varieties of food and drink, etc.), cementing alliances (and sending invitations should you want someone besides the Pirate Lords here), raiding or adventuring elsewhere in the world, or we can just fast forward a month and a half or so to the Feast.
Daliya voiced her opinion that more forms of food and entertainment would be wise, as would anything that could make further alliances outside the Pirate Lords. There would be time for resting and plundering later.
We will invite Pierce. When asked about his wife, he will say "That... fine... woman is no doubt far too busy managing her island. We had best not interrupt her important duties."
"Oh yes." Gremory glances at the commodore deadpan.
You end out the invites, and have impressive attendance, with many Free Captains (including Merril Pegsworthy and Pierce Jerrel), your other invited guests (in particular, Tessa Fairwind) as well as a few unexpected guests. Among them the Master of Gales, three people you don't recognize...and Barnabas Harrigan.
Gremory takes advantage of her glamored armor to look instead of metal, like a pimped out dress. Gloriously red, falling just short of tacky. She makes a point to greet just about everyone worth note.
But especially Harrigan. She wants to see, and more importantly size up, the big man in charge.
"Greetings Harrigan. Or do you prefer Hurrican King? If the accomodations arent to your liking, I suppose we could arrange a gladiator bloodbath." Gremory holds out her hand.
Harrigan clenches his fist, face twisted in a snarl.
"Are you mocking me, you mouthy b#$!&?"
Ixrul steps in.
"A case of mistaken identity, I'm sure. Most likely misheard me when I was describing our honored guests."
"Besides, why would one get angry when there are much better things to do, like drinking?"
"Now, now. Pardon me. It wasn't my intent to make that an insult. No, I was merely trying the title out. Do you not like the sound of that?" Gremory keeps her voice level. On the surface at least, she looks calm.
Krom, decked out in his fancy new clothes, greets some of the guests.
"Pierce, good to see you again! And Miss Fairwind, it's a pleasure to meet you. It seems that what I've heard about your beauty was a huge understatement."
Then he notices Harrigan snarling at Gremory.
Oh, Grem...of all the people you could've pissed off..
He keeps watching them out of the corner of his eye, ready to step in if Harrigan gets violent.
Gurram, who was sitting some distance away and looking bored, suddenly perks up and starts watching Harrigan as well.
Daliya carried an exceptionally large glass of very, very fine brandy to the Hurricane King, and hoped he wouldn't have the island ground to dust. "I think you will find this impressive, Lord, for its smoothness and fire in the gut. Brewed in secret recipes by Monks in Varisia, this bottle was destined for a Dragon's horde before being stolen by Chelaxians, before finding it's way into our hands when the ship it was aboard sunk mysteriously and with all its loot in our hold."
Hopefully the anecdote, despite being entirely and obviously made up, the quality of the booze and the size of the mug would buy some forgiveness. This is why we got lots of it, so I suppose it works...
Harrigan clenches his fist for a moment...then relaxes it, at Ixrul's words. His face turns from a snarl to a sneer.
"You're right. The wench is beneath my notice. As long as you keep her on a leash."
Harrigan walks off to speak with another group.
The three people you don't recognize stand around observing the proceedings for a bit, keeping a careful eye on the goings on (particularly your brief altercation with Harrigan).
After a few minutes, they walk up to Ixrul and introduce themselves. The lead man talks, a striking figure with dark skin, green hair, and armor Ixrul recognizes as being made from the hide of a brine dragon.
"Allow me to introduce ourselves. We were sent as emissaries from the rest of the Pirate Council who could not or chose not to attend to observe and assess your fitness for a seat on the Council."
"I am Mase Darimar, captain of the Wavecrest. My companions are Ceri-" he is cut off by the woman to his left clearing her throat "-Lady Cerise Bloodmourn, captain of the Come What May," this is greeted by a nod of approval from Cerise, and a further nod of greeting to you "and Avimar Sorrinash, master of the Blood Moon". The only acknowledgement of this introduction is a grunt from the man on his right.
"We are pleased to make your acquaintance. What we've seen so far is promising."
"Indeed! You could have handled that brute a little better, but deflecting him without violence at all is no easy feat where that one is concerned." chimes in Cerise.
"Where's the booze?" is all Avimar growls. His companions shoot him a side glare.
Ixrul points Avimar to the beverages, then greets the other two.
"Welcome, Lady Bloodmourn and Mr Sorrinash. If you have any questions or parts of the island you wish to see, feel free to ask me."
"I believe for now we will mingle, observe, and partake of your hospitality. But perhaps we'll have questions later."
Locals
Gremory walks over to Krom with a smile, apparently pleased with how that went.
"Sir Jerrel, Lady Fairwind. I hope the trip found you well?"
"Exceedingly, darling. Though I am a bit disappointed. Where's that big hunk of a man that sued to be your captain? How did the twig ed up taking command?" Pierce says.
Tess nods her head.
"Yes, I'm curious what happened to Jrahk as well. After he was killed by Harrigan and returned I assumed nothing could keep him down for long."
"He did not die, but rather continues his travels on another plane, more befitting his... violent... tastes. And that's not a euphemism."
"Lady Fairwind, if you have any questions or would like to see any part of the facilities, please feel free to ask."