Fipps, already having had a taste of Culder's fist, does nothing as the Captain steps around him and force-feeds Aretta a super-sized knuckle sandwich. Bansion drops in a bloody heap, her teeth no doubt loosened again by the tremendous blow.
Sandara Quinn casts a quick spell from above. "That'll stabilize the viper," she says, disdain obvious in her tone. "No doubt Scourge'll have me patch up his lil bootlickers soon enough..."
"Aye--that I will, Red," comes the despicable bosun's voice from the stairs. He strides across the deck, a few daring or curious crewmen trailing in his wake: his assistant Patch Patchsalt (a pink-haired, leering gnome female), Crimson Cogward, a bloodied Jape, and the Mwangi woman Shivikah. Behind them are Vincent, Jordan, and Tilly.
Scourge demands some answers, especially from Sandara and Culder (who have no business being in the bilges). He asks Fipps for an explanation. The fat pirate--caught between two people he fears equally (Scourge and Culder)--does the only thing he can, given the circumstances: he faints dead away.
More pirates arrive by the moment, including some officers: Riaris Krine's lanky assistant Kipper, and the ship's surgeon and carpenter, the "Stitchman." Giffer Tibbs and Rosie Cusswell peer down at the proceedings from the dark staircase, and even Cut-Throat Grok--her greataxe in hand--has left her store to see what the trouble is.
Mister Plugg pushes through and peers down into the bilges, frowning at Culder. "What the hell you doin' down here? Speak up!"
"Why don't we move this out to the deck and get some light on the subject," Jordan suggests. "Might be good for the whole crew to find out what to expect when they work the bilges."
Attempted murder Mister Plugg, that's what. Aghon vocally steps in as soon as the question is asked. Here I was mindin' my business, working hard, like I always do, and these two barnacle turds, he points at Aretta and the now unconscious Fipps, drew blades and attacked out of nowhere. I barely had enough time, and blood to get up the ladder and call for help before they cut me up but good. I was at death's door no doubt. Would be dead if it weren't for Sandara and Culder showin' up to save my arse. I don't know about you, but I know Cap'n Harrigan to be a right sort a fella, and I don't think murder in the bilges is high on his list of acceptable behavior.
That's the whole truth, and I'd let you subject me to any kind of magical interrogation you want to corroborate it.
Culder's breathing is a bit heavy as he pushes down his rage. He can't help but smile looking down at the two unconscious attackers. After Aghon offers his explanation, the even bulkier than normal rigger adds, "tha's righ', Aghon callt fer help 'n' when I got t'th'bilge hatch they was at him with cu'lasses. I dropt in with naught but me fis's 'n' stopt 'em from breakin' Harrigan's rule."
"Heard yer chummer screamin' from way up in the riggin', did ye?" Plugg asks Culder, and over his shoulder Scourge smiles wickedly. His grin vanishes, though, when the First Mate tells Culder to get back to his post and keep out of 'lowly swab business' in the future. Scourge turns his frustrations on Sandara, ordering her to use more of her healing magic on the wounded .
Once Aretta's regained consciousness and slapped Fipps awake, Scourge offers his own observations about the bilges dust-up. "Seems to me Jape, Fipps, an' Bansion were the ones damned near killed in this assault. Got a gripe with Aretta, Red? Had your big lug o' a friend sneak down and beat 'em within' an inch o' their lives? That what happened, huh?"
"Seems ye've got the way o' it," Aretta tells Scourge as she checks to make sure she's still got all her remaining teeth. She elbows Fipps in the gut and adds, "Ain't that right?"
"Uh...yes, ma'am!" is all Fipps can blubber.
Sandara, of course, hotly denies the accusation...but enough members of the crew noticed her awkward attempt at sneaking belowdecks that Scourge is successfully able to plant a seed of doubt in the witnesses. In the end, Plugg decides it's one of those 'he said, she said' deals and orders everyone back to work. Scourge, however, promises that there'll be a reckoning of sorts at Bloody Hour. He assigns Sandara to the bilges as punishment and tells Aretta and Fipps to help Vincent with the rope work.
Vincent kinda falls into an awkward silence when he finds out that his partner is replaced withe Aretta and fipps
"Mr. Plugg, sir, I think you have Culder all wrong," Jordan speaks up. "I know its not my place, Mr. Plugg, sir, just being cook's help and all, but I did some hunting in my younger days, spent some time reading the sign left by men and beast."
"More than likely, Culder spotted Red here sneaking around and figured to catch her, but got set on by the bilge rats or heard Aghon screaming. Don't know that Culder gives a whit to what happens with Red, but he gets along with Aghon, considers him a friend. With how hard it is to hear from the deck, I'm surprised we were able to hear anything at all, but check those three."
With that comment, Jordan begins pointing out the bruises forming, bloody swords, and the wounds on Aghon. "Now, you're a savvy man, I know sir, but the only reason Culder'd have used his fists is respect for the Captain's rule. If he'd wanted these three dead, he'd have bust their skulls in. And they never laid a blade to him."
Leaning in a bit conspiratorially, Jordan adds "If you ask me, sir, it looks like a play for some revenge on the riggers for not getting as much glory on that expedition you sent us on. Think on it. They can't get in the ropes, so they start with Aghon. Culder was just a lucky break, or so they thought until he started swinging, 'cause they didn't know better than to mess with one of your riggers. You ask me, we've them in the bilges that think themselves the type to match the riggers. Sure as we're having donuts for breakfast, it was them bruised bilge rats that started this. But you're a savvy man and probably saw all that at first glance without me needing to say a thing."
They were the ones damn near killed?! Aghon lashes out, not caring a wit for any future discipline. You listen to Jordan, and maybe think on it again. You see bloody cutlasses, and these gashes on my torso and leg? You see that? How you think I came about those, fightin' bilge rats? You think Red came down here lookin' for some kind o' vendetta and Culder just jumped in swingin', just cause? How you figure those cutlasses got bloody when they never touched Culder? Figure they was just swinging, missin, and accidentally hittin' me every time? You're a smarter man than that Scourge, ain't ya?
Plugg, Scourge, and (perhaps more importantly) the crewmen who've gathered listen to the words of the cook's mate and Aghon, taking in their salient points to form their own opinions about the incident.
Mr. Plugg pretty much ignores Jordan's words until he mentions the captain's rule about no killing other crew members. "Aye, the big lug's smarter than he looks, I'll give ye that. I'd give him a pass fer stoppin' them bilge-rats from killin' each other but...I ain't in charge o' discipline an' punishment, now am I?" He pauses a moment to give Scourge a meaningful look. "If I were, I'd lash the rest o' them involved within an inch o' their lives!"
Scourge grimaces at the words before speaking. "Them two been at each other's throats since the moment we brought the new meat aboard," he says, gesturing toward Aghon and Aretta. "I'm a-thinkin' there be punishment enough in me whip fer all o' them. Mayhaps that'll help keep the Cap'n's order fresh in their thick skulls, eh? Now all ye lumps o' roguery--back to yer posts on the double!"
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we only get one influence right? or are things a little different right now?
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When supper draws near, Jordan tries to sweet-talk Caulky Tarroon into letting him carry the meal to the officers but she'll have none of it. "You know the rules an' so do I. Stick to your job an' I'll stick to mine, OK?"
"Sail!! Sail 40 degrees off the starboard bow!" The excited cry comes from "Barefoot" Samms Toppin in the crow's nest. Even Captain Harrigan seems to have a spring in his step as he's fetched a spyglass and peers out at the horizon. Soon excitement spreads through the crew: the sighting is confirmed! A prize at last within grasp!
Captain Harrigan orders Scourge to belay any Bloody Hour punishments, as he'll need the crew in fine fighting form within the next day. He estimates that the Wormwood will catch the other vessel some time the following afternoon, and a cheer goes up from the entire crew. Supper is gruel and hardtack, supplemented by some fish portions caught fresh by Mister Banner and fried up nicely by Master Kroop. All things considered, the attitude aboard the ship has swung 180 degrees since the incident in the bilges a few hours earlier. Tilly visits Aghon and sings away the fatigue from his long and trying day in the bilges.
Ye know lads, with a ship comin' up, t'would be best for us riggers to get proper sleep. We'll need every hand trimmin' sails and line to make our approach I reckon. I don't know about these other deckers, but riggers ride together! Jarvis says, putting a little oomph into his words. After giving his little speech, he'll retire early and get the rest he clearly needs.
during the night I would like to go find giffer and ask her what the rules about looting is, such as what goes to the ship/the crew as a whole, and what were allowed to keep for ourselves, mostly I'm trying to see if we're allowed to keep what we find or it all goes to the captain regardless of it's a book, a potion, a blade, gold, or a magical implement,
if I pass by Rosie at any time vincent will just say "I'll try to look out for you before the fight tomorrow, if you come see me before the raid I'll be able to grant you some limited magical defense, its not a whole lot but it'll help protect you from blades, arrows, the likes"
and before I leave the room, he'll walk over to aghon and whisper to him "I would especially watch out tomorrow, a ship filled with confusion and fighting would be the perfect time to get rid of people you disagreed with, probably be best to keep your allies within arms reach for the raid"
and then he'll retire early
Giffer's happy to explain the Wormwood's current looting system to Vincent.
"Everything we takes goes into a big pile--not literally but figuratively. Some o' the officers--I think it's the Lady Mage an' maybe Kipper--figures the total worth o' the haul. Then it's converted into shares. Us basic crewfolk gets one share apiece; officers get a double share; the Cap'n gets a triple or quadruple share...I ain't sure which. Some items worth more than a share end up in Grok's storeroom, where you can buy 'em once you've got the gold."
"Oh yeah--don't get killed tomorrow!"
Aghon nods and agrees with Vincent. You've got the rights of it. I'll try and keep a few friendly faces around. And I'll sure as hell be stayin' as far away from Aretta and her cronies as I can. Imma go see about getting all my gear back. Sleep tight. After that Aghon will seek out Plugg.
Mr. Plugg sir, He'll begin deferentially, before we got brought aboard here I had a bit a gear, armor, a trident and such. If it's to be a fight tomorrow, I'm not half bad in a scrap... Provided I have some protection and a good weapon. You think I might be able to get my armor and trident back, afore we goes toe to toe with this other crew?
During Jarvis' speechllll, Jordan comes up behind Fipps when the pig faced man is alone.
"Evening Fipps," Jordan says. "Quite a fall you took earlier. What was it I heard, you fell down the stairs?" Clicking his tongue, Jordan adds "No no, don't turn around, just keep watching the decks. Tell me, Fipps...do you like gold? 'Cause here's what I'm thinking, a little arrangement as it were. Y'see, my friend Aghon had a bit of an accident today too, and I was thinking, well, these two blokes keep getting themselves hurt, maybe they just need someone to look after them. So that's what I'm asking you to do, is to watch his back tomorrow. I'll even make it worth your while, to the tune of...shall we say 50 gold added to your purse? Don't say anything, just nod if that sounds good to you."
Culder spends an hour brewing another of his pungent tinctures throughout dinner time. When Aghon passes by he looks up and says, "fin' yerself a few feet o' rope. Yer still sh!t at climbin', so t'morra I'll lash ye t'me back 'n' carry ye across. Stay close t'me 'n' keep me standin', I'll keep ye safe best I can."
After working his half-shift in the rigging he grabs as much sleep as he can.
Plugg starts to nod when he hears the question about getting armor and weapons back...but then he notices who's doing the asking.
"Ye ain't gettin' squat 'til we're damned well on top o' that fat prize!" he snarls at the cleric. "I ain't takin' the blame if you or Bansion turn up dead at dawn with a hole in yer heart or belly! No--ye'll get yer things back tomorrow, just before we catch our prize. Now git some sleep an' be ready to heal yer crewmates come tomorrow's battle!"
Amazingly, dumb ol' Fipps actually hears Jordan creep up on him at the last second, jumping and fumbling for his cutlass. When it becomes obvious the cook's mate's only come to talk, he calms down, agreeing to do what he can to watch Aghon's back.
Aye, aye sir. On my way to my hammock right now. After leaving Plugg and catching Culder's orders to get some rope and keep the Cap'n healed up and in the fight, Aghon heads below and looks for a length of rope suitable enough to keep himself lashed the good Cap'n.
"Good man," Jordan says, patting Fipps on the shoulder. "It's amazing what we can accomplish when we all get along. [b]"You'll find the gold in your locker after the raid tomorrow...as long as Aghon survives."
Leaving Fipps, Jordan checks his gear and prepares for an early night.
Morning dawns, bright, sunny, and full of potential: there’s prey to be run down and plundered! As the morning passes, a few more details about the ship the Wormwood chases come to light. Its name is the Man’s Promise; it’s almost certainly a Rahadoumi trading vessel out of Azir (aka Port Godless). While the Rahadoumi in general are an educated people and quite capable in battle, they almost certainly won’t have any divine healers aboard their vessel, giving the Wormwood an added advantage.
”We’ll keep our beloved Red in the back lines,” Master Scourge announces, ”to slip forward an’ heal our own when she be needed.” As an afterthought, he adds, ”We also have that ‘Aplomb’ guy, or whatever his name be.”
As midday nears and passes and the Wormwood relentlessly cuts the distance between itself and the Man’s Promise, Scourge and Plugg begin calling the crew to the armory (area A4a) to equip them for the inevitable battle. The new blood, however, are eventually allowed to visit the quartermaster’s shop and finally regain the equipment taken from them when they were pressganged into service. As the moment of truth looms, the Wormwood’s officers gather the crews into smaller groups to give them assignments for the coming battle. Peg-legged Riaris Krine, who gave you all boarding lessons earlier, gathers Culder, Aghon, Jarvis, Vincent, and Banner together, grinning at them as the fivesome reacquaint themselves with their old weapons and gear.
”Been itchin’ to get your hands on those an’ put ‘em to good use, lads?” she asks. “You five have been picked to secure an’ guard our target’s longboats. The ship’s wheel’s on the aft deck, just below the sterncastle. You’re going to grapple over, kill the guards there, take the wheel, an’ guard the ship’s boats. If anyone tries to use ‘em to escape, you lads kill ‘em. Don’t move from the wheel until the fighting’s done, or you’ll have to answer to me. Oh yeah, as we get close, our Lady Mage is likely to make things foggy. Just stick to what I told you. You five can handle this task, right?”
She puts Culder, her star pupil, in charge of the boarding party, grinning rather maniacally as she pictures some of the carnage the big man’s likely to inflict upon the sailors of the Man’s Promise. ”You’re probably worth five men in a fight by yourself!” she comments, but then she turns her attention to Vincent and Aghon. ”Magic can turn the tide in a hurry, though. Today we’ll see what you two bring to the table, eh?” Turning to Jarvis, she says, ”That goes for you as well, Master Tar-Toes. Take care an’ be smart—we’d hate to lose one o’ our best riggers an’ song-singers!”
When she sees that Banner’s now armed with a bow, she takes him aside. ”You might be instrumental in your team’s success, iff’n you can ‘cull the herd’ aboard the other ship’s sterncastle before we grapple an’ lock up with her…assumin’ you’re done with your other task by then. You see, the Captain likes to chum the waters a bit to draw in sharks right before he tries to take another ship—makes our foes less likely to try to escape overboard. He’ll probably order you an’ Kroop to slaughter a few o’ the ship’s pigs beforehand and toss ‘em into the drink. You might ask one or more o’ your mates to help with that task so you’ll be ready for snipin’ when the ships draw near.”
When she’s done speaking in private with the cook’s mate, her shark-like grin returns. Raising her boarding pike above her head she yells, ”Yo-ho-ho! Let’s lay low our foes!” clearly expecting you all to take up the chant.
Quick peeks from behind the cover you have reveals at least a half-dozen Rahadoumi sailors guarding the other ship’s sterncastle. They have light crossbows readied and wear small blades of some sort sheathed at their hips.
Jordan pulls Culder aside to help him with the pig slaughtering. On their way back through the kitchen, Jordan sticks a hand out. "If y'don't mind, Ambrose, I think I'll borrow your grapple this day. Gives me a little more comfort than the regular ones."
Once outside and taking cover, Jordan explains how Kroop's Steadfast Grapple works to Culder.
"Use this to get a hook in quick, and get the lads over as quick as you can. I'm gonna try and clear as much deck space as possible for you before you get there."
after reviving his things back vincent now realizes that he won't be able to climb the ropes. upon this realization he goes to the strongest of their group, culder "excuse me captain, but if you remember the last time the people on this ship tried to get me to board a ship i was the subject of some humor for a while, do you think you could help me board the ship when the time comes? I'd be happy to enchant your weapons temporarily"
then another though comes to Vincent's mind how many of you require armor?, I can provide some magical force for about two hours, but only to about two or three of us
Feels damn good to be back in leathers. Feel slightly less exposed at least. Jarvis thought to himself as he flexed his limbs in the comfortable set of armor. As was his custom, he left the feet free so he could stay nimble on slippery decks.
Hunkered down next to the forecastle gunwale, he looked to his shipmates. When we hit that ship, I'm going to be belting some fighting songs, keep your spines straight and your fury up. Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast. No sense draggin' this out, neh? He says as he drops a bolt into his crossbow. Poking up just enough to rest the shank of his weapon on the gunwale and sight in on the enemy, he finds one of the deckhands with his head up just too high and squeezes the trigger, letting the first quarry streak through the air.
as the ship gets closer, vincent mutters under his breath the arcane language taught to him from childhood and then casts mage armor on himself
"It ain' worth riskin' one o' ye fallin' in th'sea jus' t'get there a few seconds earlier." Culder says when additional questions arise about boarding. "We're d@mn near gonna ram 'em we're closin' so fas'. E'ryone use magic 'r bows while we close, 'r else stay down; when we get side by side Jarvis'll star' singin' 'n' I'll star' killin'- ye all stay close by me."
Culder keeps his head down, protected from the enemies' arrows. He uncorks his pungent elixir, raises it with a grin, and chugs it.
"Seems a fine arrangement to me," Jordan says, watching Jarvis' bolt fly. "I'd as much stay over here and keep at them with the bow."
Not sure whether the bolt hit or not, Jordan draws an arrow himself. Feeling the roll of the ship that he's become accustomed to, he stands straight for a moment, drawing back an arrow and sending it whistling at Jarvis' target.
The sniping of Jarvis and Jordan takes out the nearest sailor on the nearing vessel; he tumbles down a set of stairs and out of sight. A few bolts are incoming as its crew reacts. None comes particularly close to hitting the mark.
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Drawing himself up again, Jordan scans the opposing deck for the source of the bolts. Sighting a sailor reloading his crossbow, the cook's mate pulls an arrow back, sights, and releases. Ducking towards the Cap'n, Jordan grins. "Not sure there'll be too much left for you to fight at this rate. Me'n Jarvis'll probably clear the deck before your boots land."
at this point vincent will take full cover, sit down and enjoy the temporary peace for a while, and after hearing banners comment to the captain he says "I'd appreciate it if you didn't say such things Mr. Banner, the world loves to prove us wrong about things that seem easy, especially when someone acknowledges it"
"Don' worry, I'll fin' sumun t'kill" Culder answers keeping his head down.
Slipping another bolt in and sighting back in on the other ship, Jarvis lets it fly towards the target sailors.
Again the pirate archers fire true, though this time they don't quite manage a kill. A couple more sailors on the other ship join in with a volley this time, and both Jarvis and Jordan are targeted twice. Jordan's missed but Jarvis takes a bolt in the shoulder .
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Vincent will reach out from cover and use his Thunderstaff ability to temporarily grant Jordans bow the [i]shocking[i] enchantment. make good use of that while you can it doesn't last long mr.Banner then use his movement to retreat to cover again
Aghon holds up his trident holy symbol and summons a wave of healing energy.
Jarvis breathes a little easier as the healing magics wash over him. Poking back up, he takes a final shot across the water at the other ship.
Culder fidgets with his oar as he waits impatiently under cover for the moment he can spring into action.
Jordan grunts his thanks as he sights on his previous target. Gritting his teeth, he lets another arrow fly.
After Aghon heals Jarvis of much of the damage he took from the Rahadoumi sailor's bolt, the two pirate bowmen pop up and deal more damage. Jarvis's shot drops a previously wounded sailor while Jordan's put some serious hurt on another. When the electricity damage zaps their comrade, several of the sailors gasp or cry out in alarm that the pirates seem to have a wizard or powerful weapons on their side. One barks an order and no return fire is made by the defenders of the Man's Promise. A quick peek reveals that they've all taken cover, and are likely preparing for the inevitable hand-to-hand combat that is imminent.
Nice shot there Jordan! Jarvis says, flashing the other bowman a feral grin. Gottim' hunkered down at least. Should keep the last bit of our approach a little bit safer. Jarvis keeps himself low, but slings the crossbow across his back, swapping out for his grapple so he can get across quickly.
"Aye, should make it a bit easier for the likes of us." Jordan keeps his bow out, an arrow slack on the string, just in case any of the Rahadoumi sailors make an appearance.
When the arrows stop coming Culder stands up. "Alrigh' boys," he says looking at his fellow pirates, "las' chance t'magic up. Mis'er Jarvis, ye can star' up one o' yer songs as ye please."
Aghon takes the time to cast Shield of Faith on himself.
Ye'll get your shanty when we get crossin'. Otherwise, I'll run out of wind before we get a good chance to hit 'em. Jarvis says, cricking his neck and stretching his jaw out a bit.
Been a while since I've sung a fight proper like. Jarvis thinks to himself, his heart starting to race a bit.
"gentlemen, had I known you a little longer I'd be tempted to wax poetic and say something encouraging, but considering that I know literally nothing about any of you I hope you understand when I say I'll probably be the last person to get on the ship and the first one off, oh and try not to antagonize to many people Aghon, it would be best if you weren't the focus of our enemies attacks." after Vincent lets out this bit of dry humor he remains in cover, checks his spear hm, been a while since I had been forced into combat with other's of my kind, then again, there are a few who would hardly call me wholly human then slings it over shoulder and a thought enters his head did we knot our rope? that would make it significantly easier to climb