Thoyoitu raises his arms in the air, as if to cue the applause and cheers, and whisper back to Desula, "Thanks for the endorsement. I'll try..."
Akryat looks at Pyre and nods, but then glances back and forth between him and the Tenguin. Clearly he's taking stock of the situation, his crew of nine including himself, Rats cut up, an orc severely injured, versus three Drow still clinging to consciousness, the tattooed Bosun, and uncouth woman. He looks over the Party, a tough looking Lizard with a Greataxe, an opposing rat, the hob and his wolf, and finally a small army of Tengu. Te Pilot sails on, knowing that if she tries to come about, the Hob’ll cut her down and fix the wheel to keep the captain from catching up.
Akryat sees boys, although clearly shaken by Desula's speach, all getting ready to fight bless their black-hearts, then he stares down Thoyoitu, giving him a slow-clap, scimitar in hand. Well, well, well, nice trick there, Mister Living-Legend. I see what ya did there. Waitin out the fight till the captain were gone and we were worn out afore takin the ship. Clever, real clever, like a dagger in the back. Ya say yea don’t want no more blood let. Only way that happens… His fist tightens around the scimitar, and he looks into the distance at the lifeboat bobbing in the water, We sail on, right now, full speed.
The previously silent little woman pipes up, He’s right. If Tavian or the Butcher get back on board we’ll be killed for sure. We threw him off his boat, and he’s a shark in frenzy right now. They’ll make it to an island, there’s tons of them around here, don’t you worry. We’ll stand down she says taking a queue from her leader, if yea keep sailing on. Promise. Right boys?
There is a general nod of agreement among the Pirate Prisoners. Looking over the Pirates, they're anxious and poised. You realize you're dealing with people with nothing to loose. Captain gets on board they're dead, so you either sail on or they'll fight for their lives like cornered animals, and fight to the last, and do some SERIOUS damage.
Victor looks around aimlessly as he hobgoblin orders continued sailing ahead.
"back to salting corpses I suppose"
Victor mutters to himself.
Thoyoitu walks up to Akryat and extends a hand to shake, "Sounds good to me, partner."
kicks over over one of the fallen drow and relieves him of his cutlass, he obviously won't be needing it anymore. He steps up to Akryat, his face passive, his voice emotionless this looks like it would suite you better, captain. I'll have mine back now. he offers one blade while extending a hand to receive another.
Nekare`'s hackles rise and she bares her teeth, though she does not growl.
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Des helps some of the wounded drow and tatted humans, he spys for Hezala and calls her over. I've seen you with Victor, your a doctor or healer right. Can you help these men?
Once he's seen that the men are taken care of, he walks to the pilot and Akryat. SO! I doubt you'll be taking us to our planned port. Where will we be going now?
"I'll see what I can do" victor mutters but he keeps his distance from the crew as he checks them.
Akryat, take the deal and shake on it. Hezala says, coming up to the deck. Akryat almost looks like he's going to say something, but then she pulls out her Holy Symbol, You parlayed wiht these folks and they accepted the terms you set. Buchanan won't stand for it if you turn on a Priestess of the Dread Lady. tells the hobgoblin, practically scolding him.
She adds, And you know he will, Tickle can’t keep his mouth shut
Immatake e’ceptiontathat! . . . Butits true one of the rats blurts out with an apologetic shrug as his twin face palms.
Lets see what we can do to heal these folks. . . She lets warm waves of positive energy wash over all the injured, sealing wounds and healing injuries Victor, we can see to the wounded. There is a stock of Healer's kits in the sick-bay that we can use. she says to Victor.
Aye, we have an accord then. the hobgoblin says, handing goandi the Scimitar, shaking Goandi's hand, and then taking the Cutlass, as a symbolic gesture, being totally unarmed for a moment, giving Hezala a look to kill the whole time.
one of the two ratfolk with the enemy crew rushes up to victor, Howzitgoin' Cuz? watchatalkinbout wi'saltin corpses? he asks Victor with great interest. The other rat following close behind shaking his head.
Desula
To Desula, Akryat says, Ideally I'd like to meet up with my captain, but as your Witch there said, I parlayed and stated my terms. So we go where the conniving bird wants. Akryat says still glaring at Hezala.
Thoyoitu
So cap'n Tenguin, Could this humble crewman kindly request that you set a course for our Captain and ship would be sailing? Just so we could rejoin our crew after our imprisonment, or do you have another destination in mind?
Victor laughs nervously
" well the nobleman who came round here left bodies below deck.i was supposed to preserve them, well before you came along at least. They're in the sickbay . I'm going there right now to grab some healers kits. The wounded take priority over the dead."
Desula
He glares at you, and snatches the wineskin, taking a long swig, sitting in silence for a moment, feeling the wine in his belly. cowardly bastards could see in the dark and jumped us. Simple as that. We'd just sold off a ship and were gonna hitch a ride wit some mates ta get back to our territory. Simple as that. I was fixin'a get some information bout that, but I dunno if yer bird boss man would tolerate my preferred methods. akryat is angry, but deflated and resigned, fuming below the surface.
His attitude toward you doesn't seem to be slipping further, considering your Drow and caught against his crew.
Thoyoitu sits down with Desula and Akryat, his posse within eyesight, "What methods, huh? Way I see it, we just left two men dead in the water, so I'd love to hear how much worse it gets. So look, you say you've got somewhere you can go, right? Tell me about it, and maybe I can see about dropping you off with your mates, okay? You just need to assure me that we won't be ambushed, and that you won't take any prisoners with you. Promise me that, and I can get you to your port safe and sound, then we split our merry way. Sounds like we all win this way...especially you. So what do you say, pal? Tell me where we're going."
Goandai crouches down to calm Nekare` who still has her teeth bared and is now making a nearly inaudible rumbling sound from the back of her throatand tell us about this demon you've been keeping company with
Victor
The tattooed human doesn't need healing as he was paralyzed, and the Drow effuse to be touched. But you are able to help mend the orcs's and ratkin's injuries as well as Akryat and the human valets.
The two rats will follow you around and watch fascinated as you work, babbling nearly incoherantly. Well one does, the other follows his twin in general silence.
The tengu will get to work. Among the survivors, there are 2 Drow that get out of the light, asap, and the tattooed bosun who isn't sure about his position at this point. Passengers are Tamerand and two valets, and another aristocrat. There are three short humanoids that, upon closer inspection appear to be a halfling, Fink, gnome, Tilly, and an angry dwarf. Then there's an Orc, a Half-orc, and human that are working together on the deck. And there's Akryat dinking with Desula, the Wolf-woman massaging her temples in a corner, Lela looking sideways at, and Hezala tending to the wounded.
You don't see the four dark-skinned humans, and there's no way there were so few Drow on board, and you don't see the drow quartermaster.
Thats who's on board.
you heard your priestess. I'm bound by the code, and Buchanan, my cap'n'd skin me alive if I broke parlay to appease the Dread Lady and Nanna Sati, the Wolf-Seer, wouldn't let me out o' line anyway. Sommat about destiny an crap. Akryat is clearly a Sea-reaver. Chaotic follower of a violent pirate god, the tengu have heard stories of settlements whipped out by reavers, and seeing the pirates fight lends truth to the rumor. But his captain seems to feat this Dread Lady goddess. Hezala would be the most forthcoming.
As for port, there's an island I Say can navigate us to, a free-port where we can likely meet him or at get a ship.
as for the Drow, my interrogation methods are messy, and loud. But effective you catch a sadistic glint in his eye as he smiles at you.
"Very well. We'll get you within seeing distance of this port, then you and your men can take the lifeboats to shore and we'll continue on with this ship."
Aye cap'n. We'll remember what yea've done for us Akryat tells you, with a toothy smirk. He stands up and shouts across the deck, Alright yea skurvy swabs, you heard the Bird-Man! Get us underway, we make for the Port of Shakrags! So lets get this damn dingy movin eh? get ourselves out o' these nice folk's hair.
There is a resounding cheer from his crew. Apparently they are rather fond of Shakrags, but not boving fast enough for the Hobgoblin Did I say stand around grinnin like idiots, or get a move on? Now GET A MOVE ON and the crew of pirates start working the rigging to pull a little more speed out of the Wyr'enshaad.
Well you got us under control, but I don't know about Old Tavian's crew he adds, pointing out the Bosun as well as glancing at the pilot, as the drow have already shuffled off.
Akryat tells Goandi, The "Demon-girl" yer talking about is a Tiefling gal, you know horns, tail, the whole deal. She's Cap'n Buchanan's Master-at-arms, and a sadistic cut-throat b~&!!. Terror o' the seas, one of the only folks near scary as Buchanan himself. he's got a lusty look in his eye that fades. She's gonna rip me up for gettin nicked by them black-ears, oh man. Best celebrate my freedom in Shakrats while I got a chance
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I'll handle Tavian's Crew, but no torture unless pushed Akryat. I'll get them to help as best I can, and make this easy for everyone.
That was easy, now lets see if I can get other side to fall in line.
Desula walks to the Bosun and the Pilot, past the shuffling crew. Well, today has been interesting. My name is Desula, and I've been talking with the Pirate Akryat. I'm trying to make sure we can all come out of this situation unharmed and at port. Can I get your assistance in calming our crew and keeping the peace. If its any consolation Hezala has bound Akryat to an oath to the Dread Lady to see us safe to Shakrats.
The pilot raises an eyebrow, That wolf-woman killed one of my mates, so other than the Drow, all that's left is me my boss and the Bosun. If we get paid and get the Pirates off our boat, we ain't gonna fight ya tho' I dunno about the Bosun. But there really ain't may of us left.
Around the Ship, the Rats get skuttling up the rigging while the Orc are hauling sails and lines with the Dwarf, and the Human and Halfling get to work on the less physical work. The Tengu again get to work while the Bosun still stares out at his ship, becoming agitated at things not being done quite. . . right.
victor pauses as he works on the corpses
"say. who are you two ratfolk anyways?"
speaking to the two ratfolk twins
you seem quite smitten/skeered shitless of her... where's this captain Buchanon now? doesn't sound like he was taken with you either.
Akryat raises what would be an eyebrow Course I am, Miss Devis violent and intimidating and well, What else would ya want in a women he says as he takes another swig. Makes sense considering general goblinoid standards of attractiveness. Buchanan and Devis and most of the crew is still on the Albatross's Lover, our ship. We were selling off a prize we took, and were going to sail back to our terratory in the Stormshores to meed up with them.
Victor turns around looking for the rats
"hello?"
Victor
The rats glance at each other and one starts babbling Ibetickle! Thissir here's m'brother Squeek. Buthe ain'nofun, nononatall never. he days nodding vigorously. Welikesta cutup stuff! The rat is jittery and absentmindedly playing with his little knives.
The other rat, Squeek nods adding This idiots my twin, and we sailed with Buchanan's crew. How bout yourself? Who are you?
Desula
Thinking n it for a minute, you figure it's not likely that these folk worship the Dread Lady as she's a Pirate Goddess, aside from Hezala. Tavian mentioned venerating the Deep One, god of sea-monsters, and the prisoner/pirates are Reavers.
Sorry, I'm Bessie, Bessie Longshank. Now, the Bosun likes the ship. Think he was on the Wyr'enshad before Tavian took it. Not real talkative, not real likeable, but if you put him in charge he'll warm up to ya as much as he does to anybody. she says. Then with a sigh, asks Can't believe we're sailing with Reavers, or that Tavian took em without tellin any o' us that they were in the hold... We fought with Buchanan's crew a few times, had a couple Parlays and made a few deals on occasion. Taking his people must'a been part of Tavian's game. Would have been nice to know Akryat and his crew could were just underfoot is all.
"name's victor. I'm an alchemist and I've been helping the ship as a doctor . I'm a real pack rat, through and through. Can't stand to lose friends you know, it's a terrible enough affliction to lose your warren already."
Victor babbles in a way that combines the speed of tickle and the fluency of squeek.
Oh, aye. We had ta leave ours, find our own way. What happened that you lost your warren? Squeak asks. If ya don't mind the asking
Tickle stops licking the salt stick he pulled out of the supply and listens, beady eyes wide.
A scream cuts through the air even from below decks. Further shouts drift up along with scrambling. Lela tears up from the storage and points to the stairs, He’s dead! I just found him there and he’s been killed. . . It takes time for her to calm down enough to tell the crew whats going on. The quartermaster, I think, the drow, he’s dead. Head bashed in, I think. His body got tossed in the Pig-pen it looks. I don’t know when it happened but we have to get his body out or the pigs’ll take it apart. . . Lela was there while Victor was working on preserving the dead man’s body and didn’t seem so squeamish.
She leads back to the hold and what you see isn’t just a head-wound, but a misshapened form that looks like a humanoid bent at unnatural and impossible angles. The skull is totally crushed as the pigs lackidaisically try biting the body as their slop trough is too crowded.
Goandai steps over the paddock and into the pig pen as Nekare` yips and barks and growls scattering the pigs and sending them into the far corners of the pen. He stands over the mangled corpse, examining it closely before putting his hands under its arms and hauling it off and out of the pen.
are you certain this is the quarter-master, I can't say I ever actually met the man.
he realizes he's not sure what to do with it and lays it down, pulling away any personal effects and laying them beside it.
there's not so much to preserve, shall we send him to rest in the deep with the rest?
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Des is to walk over to the Bosun, when he hears the scream. He races over to the scene to find out whats going on. He finds the Gondai hauling the body out, What in the nine hells happened here.
Des kneels to investigate how the man died.
I'm out of my depth. Lela can you fetch Victor, the doctor?
Des takes a step back to look over to see if this was recent or a vestige of the mutiny. Also, does the body have keys?
Victor murmurs a small prayer to the father of alchemy before he begins his tail
"I was somewhat of a religious stigma back in my warren, so I never really had a place to begin with.but these doctors, the guardians and healers of the warren took me under their wing. Under them I trained to be a fighter and a doctor, I also picked up alchemy.Then fell upon us the plague of the rat kings.the doctors made a noble sacrifice, but it shattered the warren greatly. I made it out in the ensuing chaos, with only this crossbow with me.i think it's some sorta sacred weapon." victor ends his story by gesturing to the ornately carved crossbow. The scream echoes through the ship as victor perks up.
"by the gods! What in the blazes in going on?" Victor puts away his tools away and storms out of the sickbay towards the noise, making it just as desula calls for him.
"what did you call me for? I was busy enough without the noise and- oh."
Victor looks at the corpse of the dead quartermaster.
"oh dear. What a mess"
victor looks over the corpse. And shrugs
"I guess it is the quartermaster."
Turning back to the body he takes a closer look at the wounds and fractured skull. Going through all the details.
Lela stands, nervous, watching as the body is pulled out of the pen. This gear is layed out, some fine armor and a very well-made cutlass. With his experience with bodies and study of mecicine, Victor is horrified at the extent of the injuries.
Victor, you can tell by the bruising that has formed around the joints that the Bosun was tortured, fingers broken multiple times, ribs cracked and broken and what looks like internal bleeding and likely ruptured organs. The Drow's knees are both bent the wrong direction and even the femurs appear broken which is both quite a feat and excruciatingly painful. The bruising around the mouth indicates that the drow was likely gagged, and bruises along the arms indicate that he was tightly bound. Finally when there was nothing left to break, his skull was smashed likely stomped on until the skull broke.
Even though the face is not really recognizable, the dead drow has some tattooing of the Bosun as well as his gear and cloths, clearly the quartermaster.
victor pauses. then mutters slowly
"he was tortured. brusing , battering, breaking. whether the culprit got the information he or she wanted is another matter entirely. I would try, but his head is most unfortunately gone."
when? when did this happen? Victor, can you tell how long he's been dead, I'm guessing he hasn't been this way too long, and when was the lsat time anyone saw him alive?
Victor looks for bloodstains to tell him the time of death.
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Des closes his eyes and signs with his hands and says,جادو افشا.
When he opens his eyes, they glow. He scans the room for the residue of magic spells and items left in the room. After the scan and a cursory look at what else may be on board.
His eyes land on Lela, he blinks to spell away and walks over
"Hey you alright, you look really shaken? Did you know the guy really well? Wanna talk about it?"
Victor can tell, based on the lack of muscle stiffness that the Quartermaster was killed within the past two hours. Lela was likely the only one below deck at the time, before the break out, but she was with Victor and Flint from shortly before hand until just a few minutes ago. A thorough examination of the area does reveal some spatter consistent with the quartermaster having been beaten in this room and then thrown into the pen.
Nobody would have seen him since last night.
All easily removed valuables have been taken including his keys, jewelry, sword, and other weapons. He does wear his finely made leather armor and some odds-and-ends on his person tho, indicating haste on the part of the killers.
But at this point, the keys to the stock rooms and armory are missing.
victor pokes around somemore and wipes his paws on the floorboards.
"been dead for two hours at least. Rigor mortis has just set in. also, his valuables, and more importantly his keys have been taken. In particular those to the stock and weapon rooms. So this ship currently has no access to supplies or weapons.... I saw we go to the stock room to figure this out first."
That being said, victor marches out of the pen and towards the stock room.He pauses at the door, and notes.
"can anyone not squemish about the body bring it to my sickbay? i'll see what i can do about it later."
victor also makes a note to ask Hezala about the time of burial that should be given.
Thoyoitu walks up to Victor and anyone else in the area holding a box of danishes, "Hey guys, they left the danish- Oh me god what happened?!"
"ermmmm the quartmaster's dead. and someone took his keys. i'm going to check it out right now."
victor continues his stroll and then pauses.
"you might not want to go in there."
After releasing the prisoners in the late morning, Thoyoitu consolidated his forces. Once the fighting was over, the tengu took the ship back, abandoning the First mate, Butchy, and the Doctor in a lifeboat, with the captain in the form of a huge shark.
After a tense negotiation, the crew is sailing to Shakrags to leave the pirates. The crew got underway, and sailed for an hour or two before Lela, a crewman discovered the Quartermaster dead. Those that heard came down to examine the scene after looking for clues.
Tho may not have heard the scream, but headed down with danishes, to see where everybody was.
Goandai, hands covered in blood, flotsam from the pig pen and possibly some gray matter and bone splinters belonging to the former quarter-master, reaches into the box and grabs two danishes which look and taste remarkably like k'niche. He tosses one to Nekare` who deftly catches it in her mouth and stuffs the second into his own. fanks.
He picks up the drow's remains and carries them over his shoulder to the sickbay per Victor's request before joining whatever group is at the armoury
Pyre moves to the armoury when he learns that the keys were taken.
Desula
The quarter master didn't appear to have any magic gear and there are no residual traces of any spells.
Pyre, followed by Goandi
The door to the armory is unlocked when you approach. While the stock looks to be in good shape, there is clearly a set of Boarding Pikes missing as well as a few other weapons from their racks and several sets of armor. Nothing is damaged by tit looks like whomever broke in is pretty well geared up.
Goandi approaches the armory after dropping off the corpse. Everyone else is free to do as they please.
Lela glances back at Desula, "Huh? No not really. Didn't know any of the drow and didn't much care for them. But still. . . I'm not used to seeing a body twisted like that. I've fought, quick deaths or mercy-killing them that are injured and gonna die bad. But that kind of beating, nah, don't got a stomach for torture is all. And seeing the bigs eating him. Something jsut wrong about it, and whoever did it is still on board. she says, glancing back at you. She looks at the blood and the animals, not sure if the bloodshed will unsettle the animals.
Thoyoitu follows Pyre and Goandai, Wait, what's your name? Who are you, even? What are you doing in here? talking to Pyre, who I don't think Thoyoitu ever talked to :p Well whatever. Let's just see here. We need this ship on lockdown. Anyone besides my friends that we can trust for guards?