Ah, I see. I guess that's my fault for suggesting you could take your bunk down here... I'm sorry Victor. She says. But it's not likely that the pump would be making noises at night. When someone is working the bilges, yes, but as we sail through the dark, no. I myself am not entirely sure what would be causing any unnatural noises, and only thing on the other side of that wall should be where Butchy's got his animals all penned up. Never been down there m'self. can't stand the stench of the animals. she grimmaces, then glances at you, a soaking wet rat-man and looks sheepish, not meaning to be insulting. Sorry...I didn't mean. . .
Thoyoitu
As you search the crew's bunks and Cannon Hold you hear a noise and stand stalk-still. With no place to hide, you trust your dark feathers to let you blend into the shadow. And there you see one of the last crewmen you would hope to, THe shapr eyed pilot, ever ready and aware of her surroundings, and not likely one to be easily fooled. She walks in heads to her lockbox, opens it up and fetches something or another. Then locks it up tights and strides out.
After the close call you are so nervous that you almost miss the poorly affixed floorboard under one of the cannons. You pry it up to find what looks to be some kind of secret compartment. You wouldn't have time now, perhaps some evening, you may have a chance to investigate.
Well, now, that is an interesting notion, and quite a feat of magic and mechanics, I'd wager. I myself have always thought that some day, some clever mage or artificer may develop some technique, or perhaps with some ancient relic of past epochs there may be the key to sir-travel. But until then, I have been content to resort to such humble methods as ships on the sea and carriage by land. But have you any knowledge of such a thing? some in sight? Tamerand asks.
Thank you. she says as you move the last of the meats. She begins her next task for Butchy, chopping sprouts. Aye, wise. You may seem decent enough, but you know what hobs are like, mean and selfish at best to murderous sadists end even worse. she says, eyes darkening, seeming to dwell on experiences she'd rather not, reminding you of the cruilties inflicted by members of the tribe you left. Not all are, but many. Now the captain, an' his night shift are Drow. Scheming and manipulative they are, so if there's something I find suspicious, I figure it's safest to avoid it.
Pyre looks at Tamerland, "So what is it you hope to find in the north Mr. Elsterson." Pyres eyes narrow as he asks the question.
Pyre
Oh, well at this point, My good Nagaji, I am headed home to turn a profit with the goods i have procured from the southern continent and set up arrangements for continued distribution. Keep the capital flowing as it were. He then smiles and leans in asking, once again, And how about yourself, good sir? This is a rather long adn perilous voyage from the southlands for a leisure cruise
Rosalyn gets up and bows.
"It's time for me to do my morning excises, if you will excuse me."
With that she leaves and heads to the top deck, wile the crew is eating and its not so full. She makes up her long spear, Then taking her time she go's through a number of slow positions gradually speeding up as she repeats them. Her long spear, thrusting and swinging around. She seems locked in the moment and movement.
he stares at her for a moment, not sure what to say at such times. he could never quite understand his own people, but at least he'd know what was expected of him... not many, but most he corrects her the vast majority, actually. We're not so much indoctrinated by violence as enculturated by it. Each tribe of hobgoblins is a band or a company or a regiment or army, strict, demanding, corrupt but hierarchical and any status one hopes to achieve is won through military prowess... and scheming.
What's more, we use the "might make right" philosophy indiscriminately and when you add that to our propensity for rapid expansion you get a culture which is dependent on the acquisition of slaves to feed the war machine and expand again in order to gain more slaves in an endless cycle... he explains.
I'm telling you this because I wan't you to imagine growing up in such an environment... from the moment you're weened you train or you're whipped. You figure out how to be a sycophant to those above and to bully those beneath you very quickly or you're beaten. You learn to praise your race and denigrate others as lesser beings, and you learn to fight for the cause of supremacy or you're branded a coward and treated little better than a slave, yourself.
Now... you've grown up there, in that place... now be different from them. It's almost impossible.
The drow are the same. The captain has been kind to me and I judge every person on their own merit, but cultures and people gain reputations for a reason, and if the you and the passengers aboard this ship are in danger from the captain or crew, I would know of it.
Will you help me?
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As Rosalyn walks away,"Then I'll make arrangements for word to be sent home, and for a list of available goods and services to be sent to you in Helioss. Was their anything of a particular nature that is in great demand in the Central Kingdoms? And off hand, do you know of any exceptional arcane school near port? Though I am of an economical persuasion, I'm truly a mage at heart".
After concluding business, Desula offers a hearty hand shake and leaves the group to pen the message. As he passes Rosalyn, "Jab, Jab, eh...bad elf joke, sorry"
He spots the Captain and exchanges pleasantry with him before asking, Will you be returning to the homeland after this trip? I'm going to have a letter I need delivered, and was hoping your capable hands could steward it home.
Victor chuckles as Hezala apologises
" No worries, that's the least of our concerns as a ratfolk. I do assure you, your accomodations for me is luxurious . i'm just concerned about the current conditions of the ship"
victor thinks for a moment
"is there a quartermaster on the ship?"
Goandi
Hmph. I doubt there's a danger here, but alright. I gotta keep up with my duties here, but I'll help how i can. I can keep butchy and everybody distracted if you want to take a look through the backs of the stores. That's where I sometimes hear those noises at night. I don't know what they are from, different than animals, and i ben to check but they was all sleeping. Yea can go look around there tho.
As you move to the back of the stores, there are a few stalls for horses, kennels for some animals, goods are stored in shelves above, and in the back looks like a pen for livestock. Roll perception to see what you determine from exploring, or you can take 10.
Des
Tamerant tells you that there are some spellworkers, but magic is dangerous and there aren't any "schools" as such in the Central Kingdoms. There are a few sages that teach, but there really aren't many. SOme manage to learn on their won, but for the most part are raather limited in their spell knowledge, and most are very clever and quite dangerous before you take your leave.
Oh, Aye. Likely after tis voyage. Got a few orders ta fill and such a'fore retuning, but I can help yea out mate! the captain says, falling into undercommon. Sommat for a sweetheart eh, some white-eyed vixen back home? Or yea got serious business? Always so serious on the continent. 's why i'm out here and keep no stakes aside form trade. But I can take care o yea mate! jsut need to bring him the letter and he seems willing to take it for you. Better if you can offer payment upon receipt or perhaps some cash to be made on the way.
victor
Hezala breaths a sigh of relief, loath to be impolite. Indeed there is. He's also a Drow and don't get up till evening. But I can introduce yea to the bosun. If you have heard something it may be worth mentioning to him.
She will guide you to the bosun whenever you are ready to speak with him. Oye, Dress that line yea dog! How many time I gotta tell ya what Ship-Shape mean? he yess from the forecastle, overlooking all the riggers and deck-hands. Damn passenger liners. can't maintain discipline worth a damn here he grumbles with a sigh.
Ah Hezala! What can i do ya fer? And you, li'l rat-kin. Need sommat? He asks, glancing at you only momentarily before taking a look again over the deck to keep a weather eye out.
I'll roll it
"Well Mr. Elsterson I too am returning home. I was visiting distant kin in the south. This is no leisure cruise, I assure you." Pyre doesnt like this human but he may be useful to his people. Trade wasn't the easiest to come by in his village and was mostly from primitive tribes or highway men. New trade of well made goods might make this trip worth while.
"So tell me what exactly do you trade in? Or are you more of a man that has a bit of everything? Pyre asks raising a scaly eye brow.
Thoyoitu naps until sundown.
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'Same reason I left, the seriousness I mean. Besides last girl I was wit would put me to a vicious mauling if she saw me again. Maybe I get some fresh air like you, and I'll go back to try her again. Otherwise, this is a business venture that hopefully makes everyone quite rich. I'll arrange for the contact to pay you when it arrives and a few coin to get ya started. Otherwise its greatly appreciated. Des reply in undercommon and gives the Capt a firm handshake as he heads below deck.
Des swings by the galley to see what Butchy has cooking for dinner, before retiring for the evening to pen his report. The smell being still incredible Dez asks, "Where did a handsome devil like you learn to cook so well?"
Victor addresses the bosun respectfully.
"quartermaster! When have the ship's pumps last been serviced? I fear there might be something wrong with them."
Victor realises he looks somewhat unpresentable in his current state and asks another question
"also, does the ship have a distillery or the means to set up a distillery? I would like some fresh water. "
My primary business is acquisitions. explains. I'm a supplier. Where there is demand for a product, I aquire it and get it to distributors. I make the deals that some shop-keep can't and get him the rare goods that he wants to sell. You see it's all about volume.
That said, were there to be products of particularlar rarity and value, then, of course, I may go straight to a buyer. But my time is expensive and I wouldn't waste it on some particular product. I'm not a vendor, i set up big deals! All kinds of things!
Goandi.
You take a good look around, skirting the livestock pens and see the back wall is covered in pitch and appears to be buid of thick boards, awkwardly re-enforced due to damage by animals kicking. But there are really no openings there or doors, and you don't feel any kinds of draft. The air is rather stagnant. On the other side must be the pump, but you've not been to the front of the ship so you can't be entirely sure.
Des
Butchy looks at you. . . Um, dunno. Just put stuff in that smells good is all, make it taste good. Don't over cook, but cook enought that tough thing gets tender. The half-ogre shrugs, Just cooked it and keeps making the things that have good tastes.
Victor
Bosun, not quartermaster. He be a drow, and be sleeping. But I keep my ship in order and there ain't nuthin wrong with my pumps, bilge-rat. And if yea need water, ask yer friend, he says pointing at Hezala. He scoffs, We all gots more important things ta be doin than makin yea up a...distill'ry HE seems to be unaware of how one would make a proper water-purifier, adn on top of that he seems insulted that you'd suggest he'd let his pumps fall into disrepair.
" ahhhh yes." victor is slightly down at the reply he received.
"I shall consult him when he's awake then"
He turns to Hezala, and asks her
"I hate to bother you again, but where can I get fresh water?" he continues in a more hushed tone
"the ship have any large glassware? Your boss seems doesn't quite know what a distillery is.i think it would to be our benefit to set up one"
Victor
Hezala makes a Greece at the bottom and motions for Victor to follow. She walks below and grabs an effort bucket. She reaches into her shirt and grasps a pendant she has on a again and whispers. She raises a hand over the barrel and water begins to fill it. I can create small amounts of fresh water, but I don't care to run people baths for people or use my Lady's gifts like that, so I was hoping the bosun would be more helpful...
"lady? To whom do we owe this gift of fresh water to?" victor's eyes brighter up a a mention of a strange goddess is heard
"I'll consult the quartermaster if he be available.I would really like to get a distillery set up somewhere abroad the ship. It would really take a load off your shoulders and would allow you to save you lady's gifts for something more important."
Victor picks at his damp clothes.
"besides, I wouldn't want to incur the ire of your lady by washing my clothes with her blessed water."
hmmm
he thanks Lela and tells her he's going to search for access elsewhere before attempting to make an exhaustive sweep of the lower deck.
"We should talk more later. We may be able to help each other. Pyre says before nodding goodbye and heading on deck. He will spend the day watching the crew and the sea roll by.
Hezala chuckles. That's jsut the name by which i refer to my goddess. She's just a patron of travelers, doubt you've heard of her following. And it's not that she'd be annoyed, but more, I'd hate for people to be asking me 'Oye, run me a bath!, My hands are dirty, Clean this room, Wash my feet, I'm thirsty! making fun of the common sea-fearer accent. But Its no trouble. I'm sure if you spoke to the Bosun, he could make sure you get the supplies you need. I avoid talking to the drow whenever i can. and I'd avoid making too much of a to-do about the pumps and bilges and such... she adds in a whisper.
Goandi
You leave Lela's company and make your way to the front of the boat. You hit a wall, when you get to the back of the pump room and can find no entrances. Your sharp senses do tell you that the wall in the back fo the Bilge Pump is about 10' away from the back fo the Livestock's coral, but you can find no way into that space. . . Tis a puzzlement.
Anybody else have other plans for the morning or the rest of the day?
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"Simplicity itself is your recipe, why change something that works. Catch you around dinner." Des grabs a biscuit and saunters to his cabin to compose the letter in his cabin. He spend a few hour detailing his reports and focuses on opening future economic ties to central kingdoms.
Focus hazing after awhile, Des needs some air as the sun begins to crest into the horizon. He'll finish the rest later, beside got a couple days at sea to finish it. He heads out to see who else is on deck as night begins, looking for other interesting passengers. Seeing the sails still unfurl, he thinks"Who drives this thing at night?"
He heads up the stairs to see who is driving this boat.
"why not speak to the drow?" Victor asks, slightly puzzled.
"i'd like to speak with the man er-elf soon as he wakes i suppose."
Victor continues questioning about Hezala's patron.
"well i've been a traveller most of my life.shouldn't you enlighten me on the graces of your lady then?"
Rosalyn once more heads to bed, taking her Armour off and going her Rapture before slipping into bed.
Hezala looks at you, confused for a moment, um, because he's a drow... And, well I guess I've never met him, but drow are, well dangerous, and. Hmh, guess it makes sense to talk to him... It just always seemed like the bosun was the non-drow that he liked
She seems to be about to tell you about her deity, but is saved by a bell!
There is a flurry of movement on the ship. Thoyoitu, your crew seems to be gathering themselves.
A shout rings out, cutting through the din, Battle stations ya dogs! They coming from below! you look into the water and see snakes beneath, occasionally a sharp looking shared of coral pierces the surface.
Party, where do you want to gather? You may take a single action. And roll init!
Wakes to the sound of a shot, and starts getting her Armour as fast as she can.
Victor trips on his own cloak and stumbles in the panic of the bells.
" perhaps later" he mumbles.
The enemy is below the water and going to be attacking... Somewhere... From somewhere
It's still midday, so Rosalyn, you likely would be in your gear as normal unless you weren't too bed before lunch.
Victor's tail reaches up to check his crossbow is still there (and it is) as he runs over to the side of the ship. He peers into the dark waters below. He squints, trying to identify the snakes.
Thoitu wakes up from his nap, alerted by all the noise. He looks around at all his people, "Arm yourselves with whatever you can find and stay together! Find a safe spot and stay there unless it stops being safe! I'm going to go see how my other friends are, maybe they can help to defend us." If that doesn't count as his action, he puts his gear on.
You can't see what the enemy is yet, but you can toss a Dungeoneering check.
Thoyoitu, your group will be busy, so you would join the party. Does anyone have a preference to location on the ship?
Prepared casters, (Des, Go, Ros, Vic) can you list your prepared spells and extracts?
Pyre quickly grabs his ax and waits on deck by victor
Rosalyn taking a nap in the sun, is awaken buy the sound of a shot, and reaches out to strap on her Springbow and make up her long spear. Then her wings spring out and she takes to the rigging, seeking to get a vantage point as high as she can in them. Looking around at the see.
Goandai cuts Nekare' free and the two of them begin their ascent.
Init
Nekare`'s init
Figure I'd give you a better tactical position as a peep action since you didn't specify that you use your plague potion.
The shadows cut through the water, the ship sailing right into their midst. You per over the edge to see what the threat may be, and all but to late weepy realize that the abominations are upon you in droves!
Below there is a crack and sloshing noise, then the cries of battle. Freakish blue-skinned humanoids pour over the railing, gaping mouths with rows of uneven needle-like teeth gnashing. Oversized skulls teeter on small bodies, tentacles rather than legs allow them to climb the barnacled sides of the ship with ease. They point sharp coral-tipped spears at you and engage the crew, shouting in an odd language.
Fighting erupts on all decks, Tengu and human clash with the creatures. The 6 of you find yourselves together with four of the small creatures, and an octopus surrounding you!
Pyre, you are up! Then some grindylow will go once my flight lands. Then the rest of the party.
No map for this one, cause I'm not home...
The Grundy are all in your range pyre, so you can hit whomever, but you are surrounded ATM.
Hmm this should be interesting. Pyre thinks. Then swings at the nearest enemy.
Pyre's axe swings hard and the Grindylow is caught flat-footed. It cannot evade the wild swing and the blade bites into it, Wounding it.
Enemy group 1
The Grindylow are surrounding the party and are about 5 ft away.
One grindylow gives a command, and then moves through the group, up to Victor and Thoyoitu, tentacles lashing about...
success
and it raises its coral spear.
A moment later the octopus crawls behind him, flanking the rat-kin and tries to grab him with its tentacles
hit
grappled
The grindylow then drives its spear down, sharp piece of coral flashing as it moves.
hit
For
A second Grindylow moves in, launching a spear at Rosalyn hit
For [ooc]
But it's a weak throw that doesn't quite pierce her armor.
Then it moves up to trip Desula, drawing another spear.
Swift
Des trips and falls over lashing apendages
Recap
-Pyre engaged and Wounded Grindylow 3
-Victor is grabbed by an octopus, flanked and took 3 damage after DR from Grindilow 1
-Thoyoitu is prone and threatened by Grindylow 1
-Des is prone with Grindylow 2 threatening him.
Grindylow 4 is flat-footed and not yet engaged, and 3 is preparing to attack Pyre.
Instead of taking a 5' and full attacking, the Grindylow have moved to threaten and avoid getting flanked without getting to take an AoO on whoever tries to flank them.
Rosalyn, Desula, and Goandi are up now.
Thoyoitu