On his turn the Lore Warden, staying within 10' of the captain strikes at him again.
Seeing the Captain being well in hand, Thomas moved to one of the other sailors. Getting into a flanking position, the Rogue went for the sweet spot.
Having ripped the sword from the captain's hand just before, Stanislav now rips the life from him as his steel buries itself deeply in the chest crushing bone and severing blood vessels. Thomas quickly closes the distnace to the sailors on the other vessel his darting blade striking the prepared sailor with little effect. Odenkirk manages to charges another sailor and in his mighty rage almost cleave the man in half. Stepping carefully away from you the remaining four sailors drops their bows and begs for mercy. "Please... please stop.
Stanislav moves to the other boat to secure it and calls out to his captain. These men are our prisoners. If they cause no trouble they can expect to be put off the boat with our cargo. He he declares as he begins to disarm each.
Vank steps up to the nearest sailor with contempt. "Coward!" he shouts as kills him. "The rest of you better promise more, promise us everything we ask."
"Slaves are valuable, are they not? And these four...three...are in good health and fitness. I am sure we can find some coin in them somewhere. What about the boat? Have we looted it thoroughly? They have food and water at the least, and more armor and weapons to add to our collection."
We shall take the entire boat Robert, if we are able to toe it.
"You check the boat I'll deal with the dead."Vank says as he starts to organise the dead. He lines them up on the captured ship and stripping them of anything useful and putting that in a pile. Once he has done that he gets out his dagger and start marking their chests with his tribe's symbol, a fist holding lightning (where that isn't possible he finds somewhere else).
Stanislav watches Vank do his work. After the second man is marked he asked the hobgoblin Would it be acceptable for me to mark one for you? You are a strong warrior and I would pay my respects to your tribe.
Vank pauses for a moment to think the smiles at stanislav showing all together too many teeth "Sure, why not. If we can't drag the ship with us mind if I mark that too?"
Another body falls to the deck as Vank slays the sailor. Odenkrik moves to strike another down but is stopped by Stanislav's appearance and words. He huffs heavily as he lowers his weapon. Shaking his head as if to clear it he tiredly looks at Stanislav. "It will be a difficult tow but can be done. It'll cost us time, how much do you have?"
By normal standards Vank's work is stomach turning, however stripping the bodies of the dead and alive yields its spoils. Mostly items of standard quality issued to a sailor or marine but the captain is a little better off and thus carries a little gold and a finely crafted longsword hammers into the blade are the words: "Our lord protects and guides."
Would anyone mind if I took the breastplate and shield? It would be nice to replace my "issue" equipment.
Take it Robert. I myself prefer lighter armor.
Nadine scoffs at the idea of towing the boat. "This boat and its crew are useless to us. Kill the sailors or simply tie them up and sink the boat. We will be rid of them and on our way."
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"I doubt we need to bring the patrol boat along. If we're voting, I say we burn it."
And the smoke would be seen for miles. Better to just skuttle it.
Nadine's eyes light up as Robert mentions burning it. "Oh a show!" But Stanislav's words bring her back to the tactical situation. "Ah, yes, that would be more prudent. We should sink it and send these men to their watery grave."
"We could leave it. Either it will sink by it self or found with what is left of the bodies on top. It will scare any coward who hears about it." Vank says grinning.
Making a decision Stanislav leads the group through the new boat, removing anything of value to them or their crew. He then gets everyone back on their boat.
Then taking an axe he moves into the hold and punches a fist sized hole in the bottom. He watches for a moment as the water begins to rush in. Satisfied he quickly runs back to the primary boat and recommends they back away from the sinking vessel.
Odenkrik smiles a bit sourly as he quickly separates you from the sinking vessel. Once calm settles in among the sailors and their captain they return to guiding it further north away from Talingarde.
Giving the breastplate and shield to Robert and offering the masterwork sword to Vank, Stanislav says Add what gear we do not need to what we already have under the tarp.
"I don't need a puny sword, you keep it."
After cleaning his blade, Thomas went back to his spot at the front of the ship and continued reading his book.
Some hours pass after you have separated yourself from the troublesome regime of Talingarde when Odenkirk approach you, "This' be it, we caught the great wind and it is taking us north. A mighty battle that was, but dangerous."
"Dangerous, yes. But you have shown yourself to be quite the potent warrior, Captain."
"That wasn't dangerous, there was only eleven of them and we had the surprise, our mutual employer only deals with professionals."
Stanislav only looks at the captain letting him come to a conclusion as to who is more dangerous.
Nadine smiles looking back and forth among the men. "My, my. This should be fun. Are the pants going to come down, boys? I would be quite interested in that!"
Her tone turns more frosty. "Captain, let's get back on course."
Vank looks at Nadine blankly for moment then settles down to watch the crew sailing the ship. While he watches he cleans his sword and then resharpens it.
Odenkirk nods approvingly when Robert praises his skill this however vanishes as Vank speaks. Nadine's words brings a smile to his lips. "Yer' right right lass, we best be sailing north before something important dangles in the wind." With that the captain leaves you and takes the ship further north.
A few days pass as the journey continues along the coast. You sail during the day and rest during the night. Much of the comfort you experienced in the cardinal's manor is now gone. The open sky is unforgiving and more than on rain shower has plagued your sleep. There is little shelter on the Frosthammer and now room for a roaring fire. What little warmth that might be is gathered from a metal brazier mainly used for cooking.
When it is raining Vank try to find a little shelter against the rain and wind and hunker down in these times he can often be heard having a conversation with himself in Goblin. In better weather during the day finds a place on the rail and watches the crew and horizon. Some of the crew will find this unnerving as his eyes will follow a single sailor for an hour at the time noting quietly everything he does. In the evening in good weather he'll spare with Stanislav and anyone else who joins them them sets about maintaining his sword and armour.
Nadine continues her brewing on the deck despite the rain and winds. Sailors hold blankets over her and her cauldron for hours with her snapping at them if they shift too much. The red, fireless glow and the bubbling liquid filled with...things they don't want to know, keep them moving quickly as her sharp commands.
Stanislav spends his days hiding from the sun under the canopy he erected. He sleeps fitfully and barks at people who disturb him in the hours of daylight. At night he prowls the deck. He is friendly to the point of being gregarious and flirts with Nadine lightly. He is helpful to the crew as he can be and serves as an excellent lookout. He takes pleasure in waking Vank up just before sun-up to spar and fights shirtless working up a good swear every morning, stoping only with the breaking of full day.
As the weather worsened, Thomas put his book away, curled his cloak about him, and watched as the others and crew went about their business. He kept an especially watchful eye on Lady Nadine, making sure to come to her aid at a moment’s notice if necessary.
The crew aren't terrible pleased with the current passengers but voices not this opinion to neither you nor Odenkirk, their body laungage screams it however. Staying well clear of Vank and however he might spare with they almost interrupt Nadine when she begin brewing over the brazier they you for warmth and cooking. Odenkirk shakes his head and they back down. You notice as you make your way north that the weather is steadily getting colder, not freezing yet but that might come. The wind is somewaht unpredictable but the crew and captain quickly adepts to the changes. On night when Stanislav is keeping the lone lookout company he notices something to port, a slight movement in the water perhaps some 60 ft away.
Initiative:
Vank 13
Stanislav 13
Robert 12
Nadine 12
Heroes 10
Thomas 7
Moving quickly but quietly to where Thomas sleeps Stanislav wakes the man and tells him Something approaches in the water. Arm your self and wake the others.
Nothing happens as you quietly moves to and wakes Thomas.
With Robert awake Stanislav moves to Vank and wakes him as well.
Vank picks his weapon and stands looking around.
Effortlessly Stanislav glides along the deck and while Thomas has done nothing yet he fares better with his next attempt to rouse the group. Vank copies his silent movement and while he sees nothing arms himself ready to fight what might come.
Now that he has his bearings Vank goes to Robert and wakes him quietly.