Satisfied that the deck is clear, Jordan moves towards the officer's quarters, waiting till he's sure everyone is asleep.
Once it seems the last person is asleep, Jordan will slip inside the quarters, and make his way towards the officer's storage and look through it.
Aghon is blissfully asleep with his hammock pulled up as close to Sandara's as she would have allowed him after their little spat earlier in the day. He is completely unaware of... well... anything really. Certainly not aware of his buddy Banner sneaking in to possibly steal from him.
[dice=Stealth through the room]1d20+8
Piled in each locker is an assortment of sacks, crates, and even small chests. You assume it's the officers' shares from the Gravedigger haul and the capture of the Man's Promise. It'd be easy enough to steal a few handfuls of gold or maybe a piece or two of jewelry without the theft being readily noticeable.
There's nothing incriminating to be found: just pirate booty.
Pleased but a bit disappointed, Jordan decides to adjust some of the piles. He'll do his best to identify Aghon and Sandara's loot, instead choosing to steal from one of the other officer's loot, moving a bit of coin from a second bag or box into the one he's taken from.
His mischief concluded, Jordan notes the locations of the hammocks before returning to his own bed for the night.
Jarvis heads straight to his hammock, collapsing into it with a heavy sigh. In moments, with his eyes drooped and his jaw slack with sleep, a light snore escapes his tiny mouth.
Culder eats with Barefoot once she's done with her taste testing. "How were it?" he asks about the new duties, "Any real danger in it 'r ye jus' eatin' extra?"
After dinner he gathers up some scraps and finds a quiet place to brew another one of his pungent mutagens.
"Barefoot" gives Culder a wry smile and says, "I think it's safe enough...so long as Banner ain't really pissed you voted for Crimson or is entertainin' thoughts of mutiny."
There are some early morning fireworks inside the officer's quarters around daybreak. Jordan's 'wealth redistribution' is discovered...by Aretta herself and by Crimson. There's quite a bit of finger-pointing, vague threats, and talk of a similar incident back on the Wormwood. Some folks are inclined to believe this shows a thieving pattern in Aretta's behavior. Ms. Bansion, however, claims it's all a set-up. Her eyes fall upon Sandara and she claims, "I bet Red's responsible!" Then she spies Aghon and loudly announces she's found an even better suspect: him!
"Well, sure as Fipps ain't missed a meal in the last decade, 'tweren't no one outside this cabin what did the deed," Scourge snarls. "No way anyone could come in, zig-zag 'twixt our hammocks, an' take some gold outta one bag an' throw it in Bansion's!"
"Unless our ratling stowaway from the Wormwood's now skulkin' about this ship," Sandara points out. This thought gives all present momentary pause.
"Why would I do somethin' so stupid?" Aretta asks her fellow officers. "Stealin' from me own mates, puttin' the loot in me own bag, an' hopin' that no one would notice? It's obviously a set-up!" She again points a finger at Aghon. Scourge concedes that the woman has a point and promises to investigate the matter further.
************************
As a result, Scourge is in a particularly foul mood at breakfast this morning. A light sprinkle of rain dampens the crew's spirits as well. After a modest meal, Scourge gives out the day's work assignments.
Special: Build Some Stocks This does not bode well.... Scourge approaches you and asks if you can build a set of stocks near the mainmast for holding pirates for Bloody Hour and other punishments; he doesn't take "No" for an answer. This is a DC 15 Profession (carpentry) check and will likely take multiple days to complete; you also need to make a successful DC 8 Constitution check to avoid becoming fatigued at day's end.
Co-Worker: Scourge. He's initially busy setting up rope restraints so Bloody Hour can resume in all its gory glory that night, but eventually he helps out a bit with the construction of the stocks, fetching, wood, nails, bolts and the like as needed.
Hauling Rope and Knot Work...Again!: Tying and untying knots in the ship’s ropes and moving heavy coils of ropes from one part of the ship to another, requiring a DC 10 Profession (sailor) or Strength check. The PC must also make a DC 12 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.
Co-Workers: None
DAYTIME SHIP ACTIONS
Work Diligently: Gain a +4 bonus on any one check for a job’s daily task.
Influence: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and attempt to influence a single NPC.
Sneak: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and briefly explore one part of the ship (the PC can make a single Perception check or other skill check with no chance of detection).
Shirk: Take a -2 penalty on all checks for a job’s daily task and take time exploring one area of the ship. The PC can take 10 on a single perception check or other skill check, but must make a check to avoid being discovered.
Line Work: Hard work hoisting and lowering sails, requiring a DC 10 Profession (sailor) check or Dexterity check. The PC must also make a DC 12 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.
Co-Worker: Barefoot Samms Toppin. At some point during the day, she points out that the Man's Promise seems to be sailing too far east to be making for Port Peril.
DAYTIME SHIP ACTIONS
Work Diligently: Gain a +4 bonus on any one check for a job’s daily task.
Influence: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and attempt to influence a single NPC.
Sneak: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and briefly explore one part of the ship (the PC can make a single Perception check or other skill check with no chance of detection).
Shirk: Take a -2 penalty on all checks for a job’s daily task and take time exploring one area of the ship. The PC can take 10 on a single perception check or other skill check, but must make a check to avoid being discovered.
Mainsail Duties: Tough work raising and lowering the mainsail, requiring a DC 10 Profession (sailor) or Strength check. The PC must also make a DC 12 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.
Co-Worker: "Ratline" Rattsberger. The ugly halfling points out that the ship's sailing too far east to be making for Port Peril. He also asks Jarvis's opinion of what may have happened inside the officer's quarters that morning.
DAYTIME SHIP ACTIONS
Work Diligently: Gain a +4 bonus on any one check for a job’s daily task.
Influence: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and attempt to influence a single NPC.
Sneak: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and briefly explore one part of the ship (the PC can make a single Perception check or other skill check with no chance of detection).
Shirk: Take a -2 penalty on all checks for a job’s daily task and take time exploring one area of the ship. The PC can take 10 on a single perception check or other skill check, but must make a check to avoid being discovered.
Turtle Hunting: Hunting leatherback sea turtles with harpoons, treble hooks, and nets. A DC 10 Profession (fisherman) or Survival check provides enough food. A failed check results in a day in the bilges as punishment the following day.
Kroop's not drunk and asks you to meet with him after supper.
DAYTIME SHIP ACTIONS
Work Diligently: Gain a +4 bonus on any one check for a job’s daily task.
Influence: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and attempt to influence a single NPC.
Sneak: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and briefly explore one part of the ship (the PC can make a single Perception check or other skill check with no chance of detection).
Shirk: Take a -2 penalty on all checks for a job’s daily task and take time exploring one area of the ship. The PC can take 10 on a single perception check or other skill check, but must make a check to avoid being discovered.
Loving a challenge, hating the idea that the contraption might be used on his allies, but without any other recourse, Aghon sets to work gathering all the necessary materials and setting to work.
vincent begins to get the feeling that scourge is trying to set him up
vincent begins to get the feeling that scourge is trying to set him up
Jarvis puts his back to work alongside Ratline.
Honestly, I'm not 100 percent sure. I think Scourge actually has the right of it here. I've been around this lot for a bit. I've not seen any of them move silently enough to pull off what seems to have happened. I know Aretta has been pretty aggressive towards the lot of us new blood since we came on board. Dunno rightly why. It's clear someone wants us not playin' nice together. Which doesn't bode well. We should all hang together, we're thin enough crewed as it is. No reason to divide up beyond that, ya know?
"Aye, been so since soon as we was outta Harrigan's sight," Culder confirms to Barefoot. His voice drops to a whisper as he adds, "Could be Plugg's claimin' her for his self, but jus' as likely Scourge be leadin' th'wrong way so as t'have no fears o' Harrigan 'n' his lady mage when he mutinies..." He can't help but seem in higher spirits as he spends the day working along side her and he rushes through of his duties to help her as well.
Turtle hunting goes well, and takes Jordan's mind off of recent troubles. Having some success at hunting, he decides to take a stroll around the ship.
Once the coast is clear, Jordan makes his way down to the secured storage at the bottom of the ship. Given that the door is locked, Jordan brings the necessary tools to see if he can't find a way inside and see what is so important that it has to be kept locked up.
The work day is dull, a light drizzle making the tropical humidity worse than normal. In the rigging, Culder's come to know that Barefoot is an experienced sailor, if not a particularly strong one. His subtle assistance may just have kept his gal from Scourge's discipline, as the relentless humidity saps the woman's strength and ability to focus this day.
Jarvis makes further inroads befriending the ugly but reliable Ratline, who quietly makes inquiries about maybe joining 'Culder's Gang' if Scourge's cronies make his life any more unpleasant. He confides that his vote for Banner for quartermaster has made him some enemies.
Down on the main deck, Scourge is a happy man. Poor Vincent is failing again at his assigned task and Sandara is sweating profusely and may be close to passing out as she, alone, swabs the entire deck with a heavy holystone. When the wicked taskmaster suggests that maybe he could look the other way and allow Red to take a break in return for unspecified future favors, the cleric of Besmara glares at him, grits her teeth, and goes back to scrubbing with a vengeance.
Aghon's progress in building a set of stocks is also partly responsible for Scourge's good mood. While fetching some wood in the main hold, Scourge interrupts Jordan's clandestine attempt at picking the lock on the door to the secured storage hold. He doesn't spot the sneaking cook's mate but foils his attempt at a break-in.
As the day draws to its end, the sprinkles have turned into a light but steady rain, and the wind has picked up out of the northwest. A few of the more experienced pirates mutter that it might be a stormy day tomorrow.
"Aye, there might be a storm brewin'," Plugg concedes. "I've taken steps to minimize its effects on our new vessel by sailin' east a ways: The storm'll have to blow o'er land afore she hits us, an' that should weaken her some. But make no mistake, tomorrow'll likely test yer mettle some. So eat up an' get what sleep ye can, lads an' lasses!"
Scourge then stalks forward, grinning as he points to Vincent. "What a pitiful effort ye put forth again today," the bosun growls. "Come to the mast an' take yer punishment. The whole lot of ye no-good rogues could stand a reminder o' what Bloody Hour's all about, I'm thinkin'. Fipps! Jape! Lash our third-rate wizard to the mast, if ye please!"
for
for
for
for
Vincent puts up no fight when taken by jape and fipps, knowing that he doesn't have much of a chance to escape, he attempts to maintain as much dignity as possible as he's jostled by scourge though he thinks about digging himself a deeper grave, and figures he can't let that 3rd rate mage comment slide, and just smirks at him and says "try to be plain with me, is this because I talked about your wigs or are you frustrated that ever lady here still wont even spit in your direction?" he doesn't care about volume, if someone else hears it they hear it.
after the first crack of the whip Vincent snorts loudly and says "why don't you give that to fipps or anyone else for that matter? I'm sure most people here could hit a helpless man"
once the cat-o'-nine-tales hits he doesn't even have time to yell in pain. instead it dies in his throat, and an ugly gurgling sound comes out as he goes down hard.
once scourge has had his fun and Vincent finally comes up he just gets up and limp away, attempting to stand up as straight as possible and maintain any sort of dignity and pride that he has left at this point
Culder can't help but smile a bit at Vincent's flippancy.
good man, Vincent... wish I could say so now but you'll have to wait for a drink on me when we get to port... or, at least until Scourge is dead...
As Jape and Fipps start grabbing Vincent, Jordan speaks up, making sure to put some distance between him and the crew in case Scourge's wrath gets turned on him. "With all due respect, Cap'n Plugg, but with the weather turning sour, isn't running the ropes day in and out punishment enough for the finger wiggler? As sorry sailor as he is, a live body's more useful than a dead body during a storm. We whip him now, he might not be able to make it through the storm."
Aghon watches as Scourge slashes the life out of Vincent, keeping his expression as flat and calm as possible. He'll stand as close to Scourge during the process as the bosun would allow, and after it's over say, Good one! Seems to me we've had enough of people failing at their jobs, and that'll send a message to the rest o' the crew. I've a thought though, finishing the stocks is going to take a fair bit o' time, and I could use an assistant what's good with his hands. In my experience finger wagglers are pretty deft with the tools. Maybe, if you think it'd be okay, Vincent can be my go-fer for a while? That way I can keep a good eye on him, and make sure he ain't shirking his end o' the ship's duties? What'd'ya say?
"This be Bloody Hour, not Barterin' Hour!" Scourge spits angrily. "An' disrespectin' an officer should get ye another half dozen lashes, ye snivelin' little spelltosser!" he snarls at Vincent.
"ENOUGH!" Captain Plugg shouts. "We got a skeleton crew an' a storm almost upon us--them be the facts! It's times like these what tests a man's mettle...or lack thereof. I'll have Owlbear help with the manual labor goin' forward, 'til we reach port an' can fill out our crew good an' proper. 'Til them, each an' every one o' ye blackguards give me yer honest best; any less an' I'll see that Scourge gets his way an keelhauls any dead weight, savvy?"
As the night wraps up, Jarvis makes for his hammock early once again. However, he keeps his eyes closed and his mind running. After it seems that everyone has bunked down, he slips wordlessly from his confines and crosses as quietly as possible to where Vincent sleeps. With a gentle touch and a whispered word, he lets some healing magic flow out.
If Vincent wakes up at all, Jarvis will just put one finger to his own lips, motioning for the man to stay quiet.
Jordan murmurs his assent with the rest of the crew.
When Aghon beds down for the night, knowing that a storm is on the horizon, he prays to Hanspur for some magic that might help them weather the storm.
A Chat with Fishguts Kroop
"I've had time to give our situation some more thought," Kroop announces. "Mayhaps duckin' behind land to lessen the effects o' the storm be part o' Plugg's thinkin', but I have some ideas o' me own. What if Plugg means to take this ship for his own an' become a freelance pirate cap'n in his own right? That would explain why we been travellin' more east than west, where we ought be sailin' if Port Peril truly be our destination. 'What be east o' the wide Fever Sea?' ye might well ask ol' Fishguts. Well...Bloodcove fer one, a fine place for addin' a few more scoundrels to fill out the crew. But there's another possibility, another place where we might be sailin'--a place called Rickety's Squibs. Fer a price, ol' Rickety refits ships--changes their lines, silhouettes, and general appearance so as to make 'em unrecognizable to their former owners an' crews. Costs a fair amount, but mayhaps Plugg & Scourge might pool their winnin's to pay fer the squib job...or maybe try to get rid o' some 'undesirables' to seize their shares to finance the job. I can't be sure o' any o' this, o' course, but Red--er, Sandara, I should say--tells me that Plugg, Scourge, an' most o' their cronies may've slipped off fer a meetin' the first night after we parted from Harrigan an' the Wormwood."
His watery eyes shift around the room as though searching for a spy in your midst. "If any still be entertainin' thoughts o' mutiny, when we near Bloodcove or Rickety's Squibs might be the perfect place to make a move."
"Perhaps we can get Plugg and Scourge to get at each other's throats a bit. Start feeding information about Scourge looking to stage a mutiny aorund there. Can't imagine those two having that much trust for each other," Jordan muses.
After listening to Kroop, Jordan again heads down to the hold, intent on seeing what needs to be kept locked and secured.
Jordan seems to have the lower deck all to himself as most of the crew sleeps, mustering their reserves for the stormy day ahead. Unfortunately, he discovers that the lock in the door leading to the secured hold is apparently beyond his lockpicking ability. Whatever's stored beyond remains a mystery...for now.
Vincent becomes a little more recluse than normal, nursing his wounds, attempting to dress them as best as possible, plotting his next moves and trying to figure out what he can possibly do to help him complete his tasks as best as possible, after thinking for a while, he lets lose a deep sigh and goes to sleep, resolving to at least think of better insults, or at least say them in aklo to cover it up.
vincent sleeps like a babe when Jarvis heals him up
Culder and Barefoot disappear for most of the evening. When they return to the crew quarters the large man heads straight for his hammock and falls asleep almost immediately.
The morning is dark, as are the moods of Plugg, Scourge, and neary all the pirates aboard the Man's Promise. The dark thunderheads visible yesterday on the northwest horizon are now upon you, and no end of them can be seen in the sky above. As was the case with the storm you all weathered aboard the Wormwood, the ship's captain orders all hands on deck and assigns rigger's duties to everyone.
Rigging Repair: The ship’s rigging frequently gets damaged and must be repaired, requiring multiple DC 12 Climb checks to reach the rigging 30 feet up, followed by a DC 12 Profession (sailor) or Dexterity check. The PC must also make a DC 10 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.
Co-Workers: Tam “Narwhal” Tate, “Barefoot” Samms Toppin. Although it takes the usually sure-footed Samms several aborted starts to climb up into the rigging, once she's there she performs her job admirably. Narwhal, though he climbs better, seems to get tired as the day progresses, but he gets his work done as well.
DAYTIME SHIP ACTIONS
Work Diligently: Gain a +4 bonus on any one check for a job’s daily task.
Influence: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and attempt to influence a single NPC.
Sneak: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and briefly explore one part of the ship (the PC can make a single Perception check or other skill check with no chance of detection).
Shirk: Take a -2 penalty on all checks for a job’s daily task and take time exploring one area of the ship. The PC can take 10 on a single Perception check or other skill check, but must make a check to avoid being discovered.
Line Work: Hard work hoisting and lowering sails, requiring a DC 12 Profession (sailor) check or Dexterity check. The PC must also make a DC 12 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.
Co-Workers: Sandara Quinn, Leroy “Owlbear” Hartshorn, both of whom perform admirably in the face of the tough working conditions.
DAYTIME SHIP ACTIONS
Work Diligently: Gain a +4 bonus on any one check for a job’s daily task.
Influence: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and attempt to influence a single NPC.
Sneak: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and briefly explore one part of the ship (the PC can make a single Perception check or other skill check with no chance of detection).
Shirk: Take a -2 penalty on all checks for a job’s daily task and take time exploring one area of the ship. The PC can take 10 on a single Perception check or other skill check, but must make a check to avoid being discovered.
Rope Work: Handling the ship’s ropes, including coiling them, stowing them, and securing them to cleats and single and double bollards, requiring a DC 12 Profession (sailor) or Dexterity check. The PC must also make a DC 10 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.
Co-Workers: Rosie Cusswell, Crimson Cogward, Ambrose “Fishguts” Kroop, Aretta Bansion, Fipps Chumlett, Jaundiced Jape. Aretta puts in a half-assed effort (though Fipps tries to cover for her). Fishguts, only slightly inebriated at dawn, is quickly sobered up by the trying working conditions. Something clicks in the back of his mind, and before long he's working the ropes like a veteran. Crimson is both authoritative and affable; if he's truly one of Scourge's cronies now, at least he's not acting the part.
DAYTIME SHIP ACTIONS
Work Diligently: Gain a +4 bonus on any one check for a job’s daily task.
Influence: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and attempt to influence a single NPC.
Sneak: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and briefly explore one part of the ship (the PC can make a single Perception check or other skill check with no chance of detection).
Shirk: Take a -2 penalty on all checks for a job’s daily task and take time exploring one area of the ship. The PC can take 10 on a single Perception check or other skill check, but must make a check to avoid being discovered.
Mainsail Duties: Tough work raising and lowering the mainsail, requiring a DC 12 Profession (sailor) or Strength check. The PC must also make a DC 12 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.
Co-Worker: Giffer Tibbs. Whether it's because she enjoys the company or perhaps fears another whipping should she perform as badly as she did in the last storm, the scrawny gnome works hard but efficiently throughout the day.
DAYTIME SHIP ACTIONS
Work Diligently: Gain a +4 bonus on any one check for a job’s daily task.
Influence: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and attempt to influence a single NPC.
Sneak: Make normal checks for a job’s daily task and briefly explore one part of the ship (the PC can make a single Perception check or other skill check with no chance of detection).
Shirk: Take a -2 penalty on all checks for a job’s daily task and take time exploring one area of the ship. The PC can take 10 on a single Perception check or other skill check, but must make a check to avoid being discovered.
fueled by determination to not get whipped and a little bit anger and frustration. vincent sit down and goes to town on the ropes
Culder puts his head down and works hard all day.
He makes his way easily around the wet rigging, and gets all of his work done adequately, but for only the second time since his arrival he actually seems tired by the end of the day.
Remembering Plugg's comment about having Owlbear help out the rest of the crew, Jordan decides to take advantage of the bodyguard's absence to see if the Captain's quarters are open.
Dashing back to complete his work, Jordan doesn't quite catch his breath. By the end of the day, the cook's mate is exhausted,
Aghon works as hard as he can, and lends his hand to Sandara whenever possible to help her accomplish her tasks.
If at any point in the day Aghon's magic can be used to help anyone complete their job he'll cast it without hesitation, including if Plugg or Scourge need his clarion call to deliver orders through the teeth of the storm.
It's a rare display of solidarity amongst the officers and crew of the Man's Promise as everyone pulls together to keep the vessel afloat. Jordan manages to sneak off briefly, slipping into the captain's cabin while Plugg's at the ship's wheel. There's no sign of the key the cook's mate seeks, but he does find a map with the town of Bloodcove and a speck with the initials RS circled. The crew alternates short breaks as the storm rages through the night. Just before morning, Sandara Quinn tells Aghon she's going into the hold to get some more supplies but never returns.
Around the same time, it's discovered that Fishguts Kroop is likewise missing. After Scourge makes a quick search of the ship without finding them, it's generally assumed that the pair were swept overboard and must be considered lost at sea.
Being the trusting person that he is, Jordan will do his best to gauge Scourge. Knowing the man had no love for Red, and maybe only a professional relationship with Kroop, it still feels suspicious that those two would go missing.
Yeah...it does seem somewhat suspicious that Sandara and Kroop were the two folks who vanished. It's hard to gage how Scourge feels about the loss; it seems like he's more focused on keeping the ship afloat and avoiding the loss of everyone aboard. At the same time, he's not close to shedding a tear over the missing. Ultimately, you feel that if he had a hand in the disappearances he'd have flashed one of his nasty grins by now.
After a brief rest period, you are all summoned back on deck to help the ship weather the relentless storm; other members of the crew are allowed a short break while a couple (Aretta and Fipps) are sent to the bilges to man the pumps. Syl's up in the crow's nest, Narwhal's 50 feet up, and Culder and Jarvis are assigned to work in the lower rigging, 30 feet above the deck. Aghon, Jordan, and Vincent are given rigger duties that they can perform from the main deck or bottom 10 feet of the ropes.
The storm lulls briefly and Syl screams something from high above, pointing toward the starboard rail. You can all see shadowy forms pulling themselves over the rails via a strange combination of arms and tentacles. The invaders have the heads and upper bodies of particularly ugly goblins, but below their waists are a tangle of thick tentacles. Each carries a spear and wears a harness with a few other tools and items attached.
These creatures are grindylows, technically aquatic aberrations that dwell in tribes. Although their tentacles cannot deal damage, they can be used to hinder and even trip adjacent foes.
Seeing the hideous creatures climb over the side and not even having a weapon to hand, nor having any offensive of defensive spells prepared, Aghon decides a strategic retreat down the stairs to the hold is in order. I'll be able to provide some healing support from here, and can maybe get a chance to fire off an icicle if the window opens.
Given the work today, Jordan curses for not having his bow on him. Instead, he draws the short sword he'd been awarded, and begins making his way to the monster in front of Jarvis and Vincent.