Grauchi goes to the tavern and tries to listen for interesting stories of treasure, dangerous places or other legends of the area.
On the night they arrive, she'll spin yarns of their incredible adventures.
The next day, Sassarra will be looking for good deals to sell their loot.
They take you tales well. That along with taking down the ghost ship, a fearful tale, had greatly grown your infamy; gaining the title of Disgraceful.
Selling all your plunder took a while, but you end up with a fair amount for you and your crew.
You feel you may be ready to make an alliance with the lady of Tidewater rock.
Grauchi is looking for a magic item merchant, to possibly trade the more expensive magic items for new, more useful ones.
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Skrelznit is hoping to find a Belt of Giant Strength +2. Failing that, he will search for a set of Studded Leather +1 and Gloves of Reconnaissance, when he's not regaling tavern crowds with tales of his exploits.
We should also buy some feather tokens out of party funds (I'm thinking 6), and a wand of cure light wounds.
Grauchi is picking up a nice and shiney quick runners shirt, a Black Dragon's dragonhide breastplate Armor and an Amulet of Mighty Fists. He keeps looking at a wand of magic armor, but can't seem to figure out how to use it reliably.
He also returns his amulet of natural armor to the party stash. He can't wear two amulets together after all.
Grauchi feels strengthened by his new items, or is it his inner self that's matured? Probably not..
"Captain Sassarra, what feather tokens do you wish to purchase? I think we also have some time to train the crew here. Perhaps we should train to lookout for each other? Or Aid each other in coordinated maneuvers?"
"Set course for Tidewater rock!"
You find fine waters and seas clear sails. sailing into the Rock's waters you dock without trouble.
Sassarra will dress well for the occasion, as they were meeting a lady. Of course she was still armed and armored, but mithral goes with so many different outfits. As they prepare to greet their hosts, she leaps over the side. while before she would have had trouble, the winds carry her gently over and to the dock.
you can see signs that there was a fight recently at the docks; half dried blood leads out into the water. But you see no signs of the fight heading closer to the tower.
A guard calls down to you. "The Lady saw your ship coming. A meal is being set for you meeting."
Looking closer Skrelznit sees how tired the guard looks. He sounds sincere.
"There was an attack from some sahuagin last night. We forced them back into the sea, but Mardus was badly injured before he was found ... and the one who saved his live was torn to shreds."
"Cursed shark-breeders!" she exclaims in Draconic. The anger is common to all sea-going folk. "I'm sorry to hear about your people."
As you enter the keep you see a badly injured man laying on a cot.
The Guard speaks up again. "Mardus has not been looking good."
Sassarra will chuckle at Skrelznit's joke, "Consider it a gift from your hospitality."
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Skrelznit moves along with the group, arguing privately with Sassarra.
These healing hands don't come for free, Cap'n-k-k-k. That pinkskin owes me, maybe a few gold, maybe a drink-k-k. He gots to...
Skrelznit looks back at the injured man, realizing too late that all hoo-mans look the same and he should have made a better effort to identify him for later.
Aww, never mind-k-k-k.
He shrugs along, glumly.
She whispers back in the dragon's tongue, "Trust me, I think we'll get a good deal out of having a friendly port. I'll cover this."
Mardus recovers some after Skrelnit's healing. His wounds close up, but he looks sickly.
Mardus, in a raspy voice, thanks Skrelznit.
Entering the dinning room you find the table set just as well as the 1st time. Lady Smythee stands up. "You have quickly made your self known. Truthfully, I did not think much of you. Many free captains set sail, but few last long.
She smile.
"But I keep my word, and a Shackles law marriage will benefit us both. Sit, eat; best to close new bonds on a full stomach." With that she sits herself.
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Skrelznit thinks about what he noticed about Mardus' illness.
He whispers to Sassarra,
It's the crab-cancer-k-k-k. He'll be sprouting claws and extra legs within a week-k-k-k. I knew a guy who heard about it once-k-k-k. I'd stay away-k-k-k.
At the table, he salivates at the fine food offered, but waits for the Captain to sit before seating himself.
As the Hostess sits, she will also sit. "Oh, I definitely see the appeal in having a friendly port. Especially one with such fine cooking."
The Lady nods. "And the Rock benefits from having a ship out there growing its legends."
As the conversation continues, Sassarra tries to figure out what Lady Smythee is looking for in a marriage.
Maybe it is a human thing, but Sassarra does not fully understand why Lady smythee, who has a very good slandered of living, would want to draw attaching to her self by connection herself with new pirate attacks.
Under Shackles Law, two parties can agree to a mutually beneficial marriage relationship for a set period of time. During that time, each party enjoys the full benefits of marriage to his or her spouse and concomitant resources. Once the agreed-upon time period is up, however, either party can choose to divorce simply by stating as much, and each party returns amicably to his or her own holdings with no further strings attached.
Normally a rival captain will marry each other. So they don't have to fear each others ships (or even whole fleets) attacking them.
Like other political marriages, it can result in love, or just be only political. But unlike many political marriages, you can get divorce,
"lordship of Tidewater Rock and access to its resources and strategic position for that time period." The lady reply's.
"You will also hold my dowry, a magical farglass, for the length of marriage. On my end your actions will remind people of the power of Tidewater Rock; and its Lady. It will also grow the resources we have access to."
She looks to be eyeing Sasarra's scales.
*Well, this will be new.* she thinks to herself. She will stand, step over and offer her hand to Lady Smythee. (kneeling was for landlubbers) "That sounds delightful. Will you be my wife?"
"Yes, you will do fine." Lady Smythee waves to her Sergeant.
The Sergeant stands up, and with a unhappy grunt, quickly preforms the ceremony.
After the short ceremony Smythee returns to her seat, but as she goes to take a bit to eat; one of the guards rush in.
The guard, looking out of breath, tries to speak. But little more then the words "boats" and "we are" is spoke before a loud boom shakes the tower. Pulling in a last hard breath the guard speaks, "Boats have landed, and we are under attack."
With that the guard falls down; an arrow can be seen coming from his back and a blood trail leading down stairs.
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Skrelznit's eyes roll up into his head and he takes on a faraway look.
Looseal, show me.
Looking out the window, a odd cloud of fog looks to be covering much of the water and ending very close to the tower. The gate looks to have been blown open and a few are fighting their way in.
Moving much closer to he fog, Looseal can also see that some more of the attackers are fighting members of your crew at your ship. But your crew is holding their own well.
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Skrelznit breaks out of his trance with a start.
Cap'n-k-k-k!
He looks to the newly married Lady Smythee and curtsies awkwardly.
And you too, ma'am-k-k-k.
Turning his attention back to Sassassara, his excitement returns.
The ship is under attack-k-k-k! Some sort of fog cloud-k-k-k!
Turning back to Lady Smythee, he says,
They've blown the gate and are starting to enter the town-k-k-k!
He jumps on the table, heedless of the plates and glasses, ready to follow his captain.
"Defend the Rock!" she calls with a shout.
Zaaka pops his spikes with a gleeful grin and hurls himself down the stairs. "Die invaders!" He'll attack the first invader he see.