Alestone shouts back up
"I think I see lanliss but 'e's wrapped up by a 'pider bigger 'an me."
If possible Alestone will grab a memento from Duo before grabbing the rope and getting the hell out of dodge.
"Let's get outa 'ere, they're both done for."
Aoro shakes his head.
"All it took was two deaths and a flaming ship but sanity and common sense finally finds a hold."
He checks to see that Syl is still out and helps Sunny if she needs it before getting on the boat himself. If Syl made one more move then an extra body on the death toll would not bother him at all.
Alestone, Aoro, and Sunny flee back to the longboat. They find that Syl is still laying unconscious in the boat where they left her and begin rowing back to the Wormwood.
As their distance from the burning ship increases, the sight of a large black cloud in the water is visible. Moments later, the suckered tentacles of a massive octopus or squid (you never really get a good look at the body) rise out of the ocean and begin to tear the battered ship apart. It isn't long before the flaming wreckage sinks beneath the waves, swarms of spiders and other vermin clinging to bits of debris in an attempt to avoid their inevitable fate. The three of you hear the screams of the cultist as he is dragged below with the ship, still yelling for his uncaring demon lord to save him.
Your arrival at the ship is greeted with grim looks, even from the friends you have on the ship. Syl is hauled out of the boat and tended by Sandara and Stitchman while Plugg and Scourge interrogate all three of you about her condition. None of them seem to have seen the confrontation, due to the distance from the ship, and either with lies or truth, they are unable to do much more than scowl and yell.
Captain Harrigan, however, is quite displeased with you returning empty handed. It's obvious that any favor you might've curried with him up to this point is lost. Dark clouds seem to linger over him while Plugg and Scourge interrogate you all, and the only words out of his mouth that evening occur afterwards. "Six lashes o' th' cat for each for incompetence." With that said, he retreats into his cabin and isn't heard from for the rest of the night.
Alestone, Aoro, Sunny, and Syl are all tied to the mast and lashed with six strokes of the cat. Syl glares at the other three, but doesn't speak a word. The ticking of the clock can be heard, even felt throguh the post and the thing seems to tick in time with the lashes. Even after the lashings, the mood on the ship is definately sour. No games are held that night and most of the pirates head to their bunks below shortly after dinner. The rest that stay awake push away any attempts to communicate. The captain's dark cloud seems to hang over the entirety of the Wormwood.
The next several days pass by with increasing hardships in the work routine. The jobs assigned to the three are the worst ones that Plugg can think of. Alestone greets the bilges more than once, Aoro is pulled from the kitchen for menial and tiring tasks in addition to his galley duties, and Sunny is assigned to work on the deck, adjusting the lines and sails over and over again. Even the weather is oppressive, as a heat wave sweeps in, making the work that much more miserable.
You all have been floating for days. The oars are a small comfort here in the sea. There are no landmarks to go by and without anything more than the stars to navigate by, the best you can do is guess where the nearest land might be. All of you are dehydrated, starving, and suffering from sunstroke. It might be the delirium that you're all suffering, but a ship appears to be heading for you.
Ratline, the lookout for the day, calls down. "Ship, ho! Looks ta' be a small boat!"
Calls go out and the ship is ordered to approach the smaller vessel. As it nears, a longboat is ordered down and several of the crew and told to go fetch the newly found one. Most of the crew watches as the longboat sails out, hooks the other boat, and rows back to the Wormwood. Three people are hauled on board, each of them suffering from malnourishment and sunstroke. Harrigan orders them to be brought below and given food and water. "They're either ta' be pirates, slaves, or shark bait, and any which way, they need ta' be brought back ta' shape."
The three are brought below decks and hammocks are strung up for them. Aoro is told to bring food to them, while Sandara is relieved of her duties to tend to the newcomers.
"Name's Sandara Quinn," she says to each as she starts to tend to them. "I'll be yer nursemaid for th' time bein'. Just rest for th' moment." She smiles warmly down at each as she speaks.
"They was HUGE! An' tha' fangs on 'em were THIS BIG!" *Waves arms about madly* (o_O)
"An' I done got bite'd! SEE!" *waggles said affronted appendage at any one who even comes close* (O_o)
"Huge, HUGE! Spideys they were! With fangs...an' legs...an' furzzy stuffs...an' HUGE glowin' eyes in'a dark!" (@_@)
Torque silently looks the woman and nods his head. So where are we right now? He fealt terribly weak after that debacle on the ship.
Aoro lingers while serving the food, he wanted to get a sense of these newcomers. He was always in need of allies and if they were enemies it would be best to know quickly so that they end up as shark bait. He did not need anymore problems.
Takes the food from the person that is handing out the food, and just stare at them... Food? water? wait what? whom are you what are ye plans for us?
looking around after getting off the longboat, everything to me seems blurry and out of focus.
"Thank you Miss Quinn but, if you would parden me asking, Were be we and what day is it?"
After Drake asks his questions Gene speaks up again "Seeing as were not in chains and the look of the crew, I'd wager our current fate is much better then what it could have been. That said what be the price to keep in our current state of freedom?"
"It's 18th of Sarenith, 4712. How long were ya' on that boat? It must've been for at least a few days given your condition." the look on her face shows a hint of genuine concern. There is the holy symbol of Besmara hanging around her neck from a leather thong.
"From th' speech that Captain Harrigan gave upon your discovery, it seems he means to either press ya' into th' crew or make slaves of you." Her face turns dark for a moment, "Or use you all for shark bait..."
"Probably th' first if you all don't cause trouble." She smiles softly in an attempt to lighten the discussion a bit.
Torgue's jaw tightens at the slaves or shark bait comment. Only if he wants a scar that will remind him of me whenever he looks in a mirror. If we are to be crew however, that is more acceptable.
Sandara Quinn has been largely busy with taking care of the three newcomers. Today, they are introduced directly to the crew, although small encounters with most have already happened.
"Welcome ta' yer new life as a pirate on me fine ship, th' Wormwood!" the captain seems to be slightly intoxicated as he speaks. "I lik talk, but not yer talk. 'Member that and we'll get along jus' fine!" He seems to be directing it at not only the new people, but perhaps reminding the existing pirates of it, even glancing at one point at the group of Alestone, Aoro, Sandara, and Sunny.
The captain retreats back into his cabin and Mister Plugg and Master Scourge begin to hand out jobs. The last one that they come to is Aoro. "Come wit' us," Scourge demands and he and Plugg practically drag Aoro below decks, down to the hatch into the bilges.
They search the sorcerer, stripping him of weapons and his spell component pouch. "Safety first," Scourge mockingly tells you as they finish. Mister Plugg grins as he looks onward, and Scourge gestures for you to head down into the bilges. You remember hearing that both Fipps and Syl were assigned to the bilges today.
Sunny still bounces and salutes to 'attention' at the Captain's commands/comments.
Aoro does not resist in anyway. Plugg and Scourge had the subtly of a raging barbarian. At this point their were only a few crewmembers not in his pocket and two that happen to be on that list, one a known murderer and holding a grudge against him are sent below with him. While he was disarmed no less, well he knew were this was going. He attempts to keep a dagger hidden regardless.
"I do hope this wont effect tonight's dinner."
He keeps his normal carefree expression on.
Torque tries to find Alestone or that bouncy elf girl.Something is wrong here. I have no real idea about the relationships on this ship but the tattooed man is in trouble. You should head down and try to find him.
Master Scourge frisks the sorcerer, discovering the hidden dagger, which he takes and tosses aside. The dagger sinks into the wood of the deck with a *THUNK* several feet away. Master Scourge clucks his tongue at Aoro before shoving him down into the bilges. "Play all nicey-nice, now." and cackles at his own terrible joke, before slamming the door shut. The sound of barrels being moved can be heard above.
Fipps and Syl are both awaiting Aoro in the bilges and the first thing that he notices is that both of them are carrying poorly concealed daggers. They've already started to work the pumps and grin at Aoro when he looks over at them.
Torque punches a rat senseless and then gets his dagger from his hammock if he can and heads down, making sure to wait until Plugg and Scourge leave before shoving the barrels aside and opening the hatch.
Sunny, who up until now has been energetic and exceedingly happy to work hard at any task given her does eventually sigh and wave off working at her duties for this day.
"I dun think they spidey stuff be all gone..." She says to those in the crew she's working with and pads off seeking Quinn's soothing touches.
Aoro puts as much distance between him and the other two. He keeps an eye on them waiting for them to make the first move. It was only a matter of time and he was going to be ready when it came.
----------------------
Shaking his head, and goes about and does the repairs, but watches the tattoo'ed man get pulled off.
I am going to wait and watch a while and then when I see mr plugg come up the stairs I am going to wait a little while longer then go down the stairs to see what is going on.
after Plugg leaves I try to move the barrels so that they are out of the way of the hatch other, then that I am just going to sit back and wait to hear what happens, while I am waiting I perpare a potion of true Strike
Alestone will collect Aoro's dagger from the deck after the morning meeting.
Alestone is loathe to return to bilges, being his first day on deck again but he also worries about Aoro. Sunny's a good barometer for trouble though, maybe I should try followin' her once she heads below decks, hopefully Aoro won't 'ave been drowned by then.
Sandara Quinn sneaks off with the rest and meets with the little group below. "You all got th' same feelin' as me offa this? Let's see what's goin' on down there." She moves to help with removing the barrels.
"What? Ya' 'fraid o' us, little sorcerer?" asks Syl after a few minutes.
They both pull knives as the sound of scraping barrels from Drake and Torque moving them can be heard above.
"Time's up, then!" Syl shouts. She and Fipps both draw daggers.
Torque will Bless The group. (+1 Hit and Saves vs. fear for 2 minutes)
-----
Gene watches the events unfold. As he works on his daily task.
After the first meeting with Sandara, Gene has for the most part kept to himself.
He got the feeling today Pluggs was up to something but, with his skills in a fight being what they were he decided to wait and see if his help was even needed. Thinking the man should be able to handle himself if a fight started.
Aoro cast his spell while moving away from them and closer to the hatch if he can. A pair of silver fish hits Syl.
"I wonder who that can be. More on my side then yours I wager. Not that I need them for you. But then again trying to kill two members of the crew in less then a week. Poor Syl is going to get it. Hey Fipps if you change sides you can spare yourself the punishment. No need to share Syl's fate."
seing that Tourge here, I nod towards the hatch you might be better suited to open this then me sir, Btw thank you for coming with me off the lady's call your help here will be vauluble.
Torque nods and grunts. Seems some asses need to be kicked, I will ask Gorum for a prayer. The rest of you work the trapdoor here.
Sunny bounces too and does what she can to help lift the hatch.
"Rrrrrgh!" Is about all she can add, her whip chord thin brown arms doing nothing to budge the recalcitrant lid. :P
Sunny heaves at the lid, but it doesn't budge, merely thumping slightly, something that echoes down in the bilges.
The pirates both draw daggers and rush the sorcerer.
Both cut him badly and the water in the bilges begins to turn a dark crimson as Aoro's blood starts to stain the filthy waters.
Sandara moves over to the hatch, grabs ahold next to Sunny and heaves along with at the door.
However, much like Sunny, she is unable to budge the door enough to open it and the thing slams shut again. "Curse it all! Aoro! We're comin'!"
Aoro steps back from the two pirates and casts. The silver dart fish streak out and hit Syl square in the chest. She yelps as they strike and her blood begins to mix with Aoro's in the waters. "Curse you, mage! Yer th' reason that that elf b@$!@ ain't feedin' th' sharks!"
Up above, Torque prays to Gorum for a battle-blessing and a feeling of strength and power settles over the group.
"Hey-YA there Syl!" Sunny calls down through the hatch cheerfully, "Looks like ye be wantin' more of me charms whut ye got t'other day!" (^_^)
As the hatch flips up Sunny giggles and simply 'pin drops' down the short distance into the bilge.
"Ain't no fear! Sunny's !"
watches the elf girl and just shakes his head... intresting.. I am making sure to keep my extract in hand with my sickle in the other.
.......
Gene moves closer to the group keeping s look out for trouble.
Sunny heaves at the door and flings it open before dropping into the bilge.
Syl snarls, steps forward and swings at Aoro, while Fipps moves up to Sunny and slashes at her with his dagger. "Ain't non o' yer business, elf!"
Sandara rushes down into the bilges and ignores Fipps. He lashes out at her with his dagger.
Sandara accepts the blow and rushes to Aoro's side, just far enough away from Syl to be able to avoid her blade. She prays to Besmara and touches Aoro, his wounds healing.
"Rrrraaarrr!" Sunny simply throws herself at Syl.
*GLOMP*
Torque will drop in and strike at Fipps. Time to carve some of that lard off of you.
Unfortunatly, Toruqe stumbles with he lands and misses.
Aoro blacks out for a moment but recovers with Sandra's healing. Wasting no time he recast his spell at Syl, a pair of silver fishes coming at the woman.
"Told you little tool. You were played by a fool from the start. Then again you choose to side with one."
Aoro begins to utter arcane syllables and Syl takes the opportunity to swing at the sorcerer. The blow is enough to bloody the sorcerer badly.
Torque leaps down from above, but his weapon misses his opponent entirely.