"No, I've never been to Taldor; the closest I've been to it is the western part of the Inner Sea while serving aboard a merchant ship," Capricia replies. "Actually, I'm from the pirate port of Little Oppara, about 50 miles southeast of this town, as the gull flies. It was founded by a couple of disparate Taldans: a minor noble named Danziel Maxeme and a pirate lady of Taldan descent named Ianetra Chareoth. Story goes they crossed swords but then fell in love, and Lord Maxeme built Little Oppara in the opulent style of the capital, only in a smaller, more piratical scale, to please his new wife. Little Oppara looks like a Taldan outpost and holds to much of that nation's culture, but ultimately it's just another Shackles pirate town with the veneer of civility painted over it."
Wesh relaxes a bit when Capricia says she's not from Taldor. It didn't mean she couldn't still be an informant, but it did lessen the likelihood.
"I see. You seem well-read. Anything in particular bring you all the way to Lilywhite?"
"I see. You seem well-read. Anything in particular bring you all the way to Lilywhite?"
"A series of incidents, circumstances, and ships I guess you could say. I was considering hopping a ship and heading home, since I'm so close, but...this Jemma Redclaw's treasure seems too good an opportunity to pass up."
The pretty redhead doesn't seem inclined to go into greater detail about what brought her to Lilywhite and instead asks Wesh to tell her a bit about himself and order whatever he'd like on the menu.
Wesh kept his meal order simple: flank steak with rye bread. And plenty of beer as well.
The rogue measures his words with Capricia carefully, all too aware he could be tying his own noose.
"I didn't come to Lilywhite specifically for treasure, I came for work. Combining work and treasure seemed like a good plan. I'm originally from Taldor, but decided I would try my luck elsewhere in Golarion." Wesh decides mentioning Taldor generically was better than specifically mentioning Oppara. Enough detail not to raise suspicion, but not too much so as to completely give himself away.
Since Wesh had already decided that night could be his last free night, he decides to make what he thinks is a bold move and broach a topic that had been nagging at the back of his mind for much of the day.
"I must admit that I saw you with you two others besides the group that accepted the Captain's contract. Tobias and Carlsson were their names, I believe. Do you have any particular attachment to the pair or one or the other?"
As Wesh finishes speaking, he decides taking a long draught of his beer is a good plan. That way, he can avoid Capricia seeing any embarrassing facial expressions he might make at her answer.
Capricia raises an eyebrow when Wesh mentions Tobias and Carlsson by name. He's a sharp one, she thinks.
"Ah, no--no attachment to either," Capricia replies. "Carlsson was a would-be suitor or drinking partner who I waved away with my weapon. He proved to be smarter and more persistent than I'd anticipated, for he came back later with his mage friend, Tobias. When I laid down my falcata on the tabletop to refill my glass from a pitcher, Tobias used magic to make my unattended blade float over to him, allowing Carlsson to swoop in without fear of me gutting him. Luckily for me, neither had particularly bad intentions for me--just a couple of happy-go-lucky pirates or Cayden followers looking for someone to join them in a game of chance. I'll be more careful about leaving my weapons unattended in the future."
As Capricia speaks, Wesh mostly nods in acknowledgment of her words. He had already spoken more that day than he normally did in a week so it was both refreshing and exhausting at the same time.
"I'll try to remember not to joke around about your sword. I know I hate it when someone smudges or otherwise mishandles my blades."
The conversation seems to taper off, so Wesh finishes the beer before him and says, "I think it's best if we both retire for the night. I'm sure the Captain will have plenty for us to do. Till tomorrow, I bid you a good night, milady Capricia."
With a final nod, Wesh excuses himself to find his room. He steadies himself on the inn's bannister to avoid giving away the fact that he was a little more than tipsy after downing that last drink.
I'm glad I decided against entering that competition...
After finding his room, Wesh removes his four blades and collapses onto his bed, not bothering to remove his clothes. Yes, tomorrow was likely to be a very busy day indeed.
Barring any bumps in the night you all are awoken come the morning by a loud, incessant, annoyingly crisp bell coming from the docks outside. Sneakily peering out the 2nd story portholes you spy a double score of rapscallions in some sluggish manual labor near 2 small boats on the short pier. The boats are marked with the visage of a black crow haloed by a delicate crown..
Wesh slowly opens his eyes at the sound of the bell. His head throbs from drinking too much the night before. The bell isn't helping.
Still blurry-eyed, Wesh sits up on the side of his bed and looks out to see where the sound of the bell is coming from.
He almost decides to lay back down and wait for his splitting headache to go away, but ultimately decides against it. He had signed a contract. It was time to start fulfilling it.
You would think people would know not to disturb others' sleep, Wesh thinks as he stands up. It's just common decency.
After washing up with the inn's amenities, he straps on his short swords and makes his way downstairs. He grabs a quick breakfast at the bar as his headache finally begins to subside.
Standing up, he makes for the inn's door and goes to seek out the Captain to learn his duties for the day.
Capricia awakens when the bell sounds, quickly washes up a bit, and tries to find Wesh or another crewmate to help her carry her bulky sailor's chest down to the boats; failing that, she'll drag the thing clunking down the stairs and to the boats herself.
Dhavyn awoke slowly, consciousness drifting towards him at a leisurely pace. He struggled to open his eyes, but they finally popped open and he blinked several times to try and banish the sleep from them. He made a small noise of complaint as he forced his body to move and begin stretching. He climbed out of bed and washed himself thoroughly. Then he dressed and headed downstairs to see about breakfast and then the 'chores' the captain had referred to.
Barnabus speaks little that first night, as he is battered from the fight in the bar though he does buy Dhavyn all the drinks he wishes fr his helpful magic. He retires early to let his body cure him from the non-lethal damage that he suffered. The next morning, in better spirits, he reports for his chores after a big breakfast.
Dain wakes up with a parrot squawking in his ear as always. Cleans himself, breakfasts and ambles down to see what chores await him?
They tie off the small boats, which look like a dinghy and slightly more ornate captain's gig and leap to the docks with agility. In addition to Lanteri and her accountant, there is a young man who might be the most handsome being you have ever seen, who says something like "Well, you're either very eager or didn't sleep a wink." his voice a cool breeze. A fourth, obviously Chelish dark mistress introducing herself as Iulia looks you over, tapping a wet quill to a rather large checklist. "We were expecting f*~$ing more." she states simply.
Lanteri breaks in as Barnabus approaches "Easy now, that was only first bell. Ah, here comes another...*gasp* he even looks sober!"
As you wait around making idle chatter more and more of the crew make their way to the pier from town. It's getting close to 10 sailors in all when Lanteri addresses everyone "Listen up. I want this repair and resupply to be quick but thorough. You all have tasks for the next few days and I expect nothing short of excellence."
She starts rattling off various tasks which, to those who know about sailing, find rather drill and ordinary.
Iulia calls you all over and fills you in on your specific duty: you are to aquire a new carved wooden masthead for the Magpie Princess. The more she speaks, the clearer it becomes that she indeed has a supernatural talent with curses "Just shut the f@+@ up and listen a motherf%+~ing moment. I'm going to give you these 250 f#@&ing gold coins, and if you think I'm giving you even a copper more, you need to go the f*#% home, get a sharp f%~@ing stick, and cram it up your pointy nose...'cause the f@!#ing brains inside are f!%& useless." she crosses a few things off her list and writes in others, her sharp, jet black locks slashing the morning air, "Did you f@*@ing say something?"
Wesh listens to Iulia without reacting to her cursing. Growing up in Oppara, he had long since grown numb to any form of swearing. It simply didn't have any effect on him anymore.
I guess my childhood prepared me to be a pirate better than I thought.
Wesh glances around to see the others from the day before. None of them had decided to dodge on the contract they had signed either, it seemed. Perhaps thieves weren't the only ones who possessed an unconventional sense of honor.
When Iulia finally decides to ask a question rather than continue with pointless cursing, Wesh takes notice (even if she did include one last curse with her question).
"Were we supposed to say something?" Wesh asks, partially to gauge just how off her rocker Iulia was and partially out of genuine curiosity.
She looks away from her list, "No you are to do as you are f$#@ing told or I were personally see all you little f*%$ing S&#% stains rot at the bottom of the f&%$ing ocean, do I make myself f&%$ing clear, go get the masthead, and don't f*&$9ing return without it. She turns on a dime and strides away, the sound of her swearing follows her as she yells at various sailors. Many of the sailors are moving up and down the dock doing different chores.
Dain.
Capricia refrains from smiling but her eyes show amusement when Wesh asks his question of Iulia. Once the group's started back into town to hunt down a new masthead, she tells him, "Classy one, that Iulia. I'll be giving her a wide berth. I can't stand people who swear incessantly to sound tough...'cause then you can't tell when they're swearing because they're angry or because there's something urgent you need to be aware of."
She politely says "Good morning" to the rest of her new crewmates and checks on Barnabus's health, bringing up the idea of pitching in funds to purchase a healing wand while the group's still in port.
As Welsh moves down the dock he bumps into one of the sailors, "Hey, you one of them hired muscle guys an't you. Just wanted to let you know, don't pay Iulia no mind, heard her chewing you out but she's got a sweet side if you can find it. By the way, we heard you going to get that new masthead, word to the wise the Captain as her a thing for birds and crowns if you know what I mean," he points up at the crowned birds on the ship and move on about his business.
Dhavyn was fine with things right up until the mouth like a sailor woman started going off on them for no reason. He blinked several times, eyes a bit wide. He'd heard coarse language before, of course - you can't go on a ship and not hear some! But she used it way too much!
He got the gist of their mission, however. He shook his head after she walked away and turned to go after the new carved masthead.
"Well. She was delightful, wasn't she? I look forward to many more tongue-lashings from her on our journey." There might have been a bit of sarcasm in that...but only a bit.
"So lads," Capricia says as they walk along the streets of Lilywhite, "which among us is going to do the talking and try to get us a good deal? I'm not the greatest at reading folks and knowing the right thing to say. How about you, Wesh?"
As the group walks away, Wesh considers the words of the sailor who bumped into him.
Probably best to get the Captain exactly what she wants.
"I'll do the talking if everyone would like me to," Wesh says. "Though I'm sure any support you all could provide would be appreciated. That sailor who bumped into me said the Captain likes birds and crowns, so we should try to get one with as many of those as possible. I believe Hartha's headstones will be the only place that can make one."
Dhavyn nodded to Wesh. "That is good information to have, though the name of the ship would possibly imply that as well." He paused. "I am good at talking with people normally, though I thought we were going to pick up a masthead? Are we expected to go shopping and find a masthead?"
"That seems to be the what the lady with the limited vocabulary was hinting at I believe." Dain agrees, ambling along happy to let someone else do the shopping.
You wind your way around 40 or so tightly packed grocery stalls, finding at last Hartha's Headstone. This small square building has no sign advertising its name or type of business, but the door and support posts are heavily carved with images of gravestones, religious symbols, sea monsters, and sailing ships.
An old dwarven woman looks up at you over her glasses, the smooth aroma of some spiced tea overloads the nostrils "Well, who's dead?" she inquires.
Wesh hesitates for a moment. Dead? No one, I hope.
Then he remembers that Hartha's normally makes tombstones, and he feels stupid.
He tries not to let it show when he says, "Actually, we're in need of a mast. Preferably one with lots of birds and crowns. Do you have one that might be suitable? If not, would you be able to make one?"
"A Masthead is what's wanted I believe. The Princess crow is the ships name so something along that line would be nice." Dain adds helpfully.
"Ah yes, a masthead. Of course," Wesh says, trying to play off his mistake like he meant masthead all along.
"Would you have one of those for sale?" Wesh reiterates to Hartha.
"Actually, her name is the Magpie Princess," Capricia corrects with an amused smile. "But yeah--a crowned bird, maybe with some hoop earrings painted gold would do nicely. We were told you were the most skilled crafter in these parts."
Dain bows gratefully to Capricia.
The dwarven woman looks around her workshop as you begin speaking, the old woman's eyebrow twitches in bewilderment, she leans back against a coffin waiting for you to finish speaking. "Masthead? Been a while but certainly manageable. I have a talent with sculpture. Crows and crowns? You mean like a crow wearing a crown.? Her eyes look off in the distance as you describe what you want. "Yes...right, sounds like a fun project. I can see it now...I'll need 500 gold and 2 weeks, with 250 gold up front." She might just be haggling, but on the other hand her shop looks busy, with a number of partially completed projects about. Regardless, you certainly don't have 2 weeks.
Wesh takes a moment to size up the woman. Does she really think we'll just roll over and accept her offer?
Regardless of the true answer to that question, Wesh wasn't going to let Hartha dictate the terms of their agreement.
"Tell you what Hartha, we'll give you 250 gold now. We'll come back for the masthead tomorrow at which point we'll call it even. Seems like a bit of trust is required on our part, so the least you can do is accept our offer and get the masthead ready by tomorrow. How about it, then?"
"Hold on a minute, Wesh," Capricia intervenes, playing a game of 'Good Pirate, Bad Pirate.' "Captain Lanteri said we have a few days before we leave port. We can probably give the good lady 2 or 3 days to complete the job, don't you think?"
Hartha looks at Welsh and laughs, Watch you tone now sonny, I will tell you what, there is a problem I've been having, as it happens. Loggers to the south have been beset by dragons, wee ones mind ye. They can't get the best woods anymore! No Kauri, no Strangler Fig...look." she holds up some not very obviously inferior woods. "Want me to screw over these ones? Want it fast and for 250? If you can get the supply flowing again, I'll make you yer burglar tart for free."
Even Dhavyn looked askance at Wesh for his not-at-all diplomatic approach to haggling. It was like bullying robbery. He shook his head. He saw the half-completed mastheads but knew he had no hand for carving himself, so that wasn't an option.
He pondered her counter-offer and looked at his allies. He gave a shrug to indicate he was willing unless someone had a better idea.
Wesh raises an eyebrow at Hartha's offer. His method might have been direct, but - with Capricia's help - it had produced results, even if they were a bit different than he had hoped for.
Always up for a fight, Wesh thinks.
Turning to his companions, Wesh says, "I'm up for killing some dragons if it means we get the masthead made for free. Maybe that Iulia will stop cursing for a half a minute if we return with the masthead and the 250 gold. Anyone else up for hunting some dragons?"
"I've never fought a dragon before," Capricia confesses, just a bit nervously. "I supposed I'd be willing to broaden my horizons a bit if we're all in, though."
She looks to Barnabus and Dain.
"Never fought a dragon either...guess I can test my mettle against them. Dragons tend to have nice treasures."
Dain shrugs and agrees to go hunting small dragons. "Beats working." Is his thought on the matter.
You begin to realize how insular Lilywhite really is as you head south. Just outside of town, the logging operations begin: a brutal dirty job of hacking away the great jungle. You meet Taryn of Taryn's Planks who is happy to hear you are willing to help with the situation.
"That's great. Truly. But I hope you know what you're up against, they have the phlegm of the damned, I tell you, the phlegm of the damned. Great balls of snot...man sized...burst forth from their portholes. They killed Jimmy's whole crew a few days past...and they were no sissies." he explains.
"Snot? Portholes?" Capricia can't help but echo. "Are you certain these things are dragons? Do they have wings and can they fly?"