Skull & shackles (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

You now have two captives, both bound. Two corpses, and a tense situation with half the crew eyeing the other warily down below.

What are you doing now?

Marnir gathers everyone round. "Way I see it, we have two choices. One - dump all these bastards in the sea, pilot the ship to the nearest port, sell it, and get on with enjoying the profits.

Or, two - we keep the officers tied up, take on any of the crew who want to stay on without murdering us, drop the rest off in the nearest port, then live as our own masters on our own ship."

Marnir looks around at the faces of the people who have become his friends and shipmates over the last few weeks. "What say you?"

Jane looks at the officers. "I'm tempted to give them some of their own medicine and sell these rats ashes excuse for officers into slavery. Just as they were gonna do to us." Jane shrugs at the rest of the crew. "as for the rest. If they don't get in our way. Let them be."

"Either terminate Plugg and Scourge now or get some value from them...make the rest of the crew swear allegiance to us, their new masters, with a promise of a fair share of any booty we take!"

Chorley struts around triumphantly on the deck of the Man's Promise.

"Quickly, let's take account of what the two dead possess as well as what's in the boat Plugg was attempting to run off in!"

Kung listens to the others speak, considering the situation. They all so much smarter than me. Best to let them decide. He hears talk of selling the ship, and frowns. "I like working on ships. Like it best when it's a good crew. These good people, like working with them. We should keep the ship; we can be better pirates than Plugg." Did I say that, with my mouth? He looks up, and sees people looking at him as if he'd spoken. "Sorry, was trying to think quietly."

He lets the conversation continue, and hears talk of slavery. His frown deepens. Mum was slave; Kung too, before the leg. "Slavery no good. Kung okay with kill and steal, but slavery bad." He hears the conversation stop and looks up again to see eyes on him. "Kung talk again? Trying to think inside. You talk, Kung stay quiet." He waves away the attention.

Again he listens as conversation turns to the fates of Plugg and Scourge. Plugg was never good; bad to Kung, bad to crew, bad to Owlbear. But never saw anybody so scared when we capture Scourge. He probably safe. "Kill Plugg, send message. Scourge help make rest of crew loyal; let Scourge live." He barely even pauses this time. "Kung know, Kung no shut up. Hard to think quiet sometimes."

No matter what, ship needs new name. Man's Promise: Kung only half man, and she dwarf, she gnome. "If we keep, we need to rename ship."

"Did it again. I leave you alone, go count loot. Forget about my loud thoughts; sorry."

You do get advice from Fishguts as the most experienced Pirate aboard the ship. "Kill'em both. Too much bad blood with the pair among the crew. If you don't someone will and that leads to more trouble."

Sandara agrees with Fishguts. "Aye. They betrayed the code by meaning to sell free pirates as slaves! Best you do it yourselves, show the crew you can deal hard as well as fair."

Both agree that the crew who don't wish to serve aboard should be let off at the next port, and fresh crew recruited.

One more piece of advice from Fishguts. "Rickety Squibbs is along this coast." He squints at the distant coastline as the light grows slowly brighter in the dawn. "Best get the ship squibbed as soon as possible. Rickety always has a few sailors looking for work as well."

Squibbing:

Most ships that sail the Inner Sea region, such as the Man’s Promise, were crafted by hand in shipyards throughout Avistan and Garund. Though ships of the same type are similar in attributes and size, they each
have their own look and lines, which the practiced eye of an experienced sailor can recognize in the dark by the silhouette alone.

Successfully stealing a ship and hiding it from its owners requires more than a name change and a new coat of paint—there must be a complete rebuild of the superstructures and rigging in order to change the way it looks. Such an overhaul is superficial in nature and changes none of a ship’s characteristics, but it does give a ship a different appearance and lines so that even someone familiar with the original ship can only determine the falsehood after several minutes of careful study.

Changing the identity of a ship in such a way is not cheap and must be done in secret or word would quickly get out of the ship’s new identity. Powerful Free Captains with their own home ports are able to do such
modifications in their own private shipyards and dry docks, and captains with access to skilled carpenters and shipwrights among their crews often make such changes far out at sea away from the shipping lanes or
while beached on some distant shore.

But not everyone has access to those sorts of resources. As a result, a side industry of sorts has grown into existence at remote locations throughout the Shackles and just beyond its borders, where captains can find discreet craftspeople willing to do the work quickly and with the promise of silence for the right price.

I'm not sure if this goes here so I spoilered it

Jane frowns. "Killing in the middle of a fight is one thing. It's just.. but killing someone, once they are bound, is another. We would be just as bad as them if we did that." Jane looks around. "Anyone know of any deserted islands to put these two on?"

Marnir looks sternly at the two bound ex-officers, then at his friends."If we'd failed, they'd have murdered us without a second thought," he says, pointing at Plugg and Scourge. "I don't want to be part of a crew that's kept in line by fear, but no crew will listen to leaders who are weak or indecisive. These two can't be allowed to live, but I'll not see them subjected to some heinous pirate execution. I vote we behead them, clean and quick. Then we can get on with charting our own course."

Kung hears the advice of the crew, and agrees with Marnir that clean is best. He turns briefly to Jane. "That's why I'm here." He approaches Plugg and draws his greatsword. "You don't deserve even this good." (Administering coup de grace)

Damage, greatsword, power attack: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 + 3 = 19
Critical, greatsword, power attack: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 + 3 = 11
Sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Fortitude DC 43 or die

He moves over to Scourge, where he hesitates just briefly. He thinks back to some of the punishments administered by the former Master-at-Arms, and hesitates no more.

Damage, greatsword, power attack: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + 3 = 14
Critical, greatsword, power attack: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1) + 6 + 3 = 15
Sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Fortitude DC 41 or die

(All this assumes Kung is not stopped. He's moving with purpose, and his intent is obvious. Someone could intercede if they want.)

Marnir is surprised to see Kung act with such sudden and deliberate conviction, but makes no move to stop him.

Jane turns away and calls to Data.

Sandara and Fishguts watch approvingly. "While we're up here alone." Fishguts adds seriously. "Best you pick a Captain and officers now. Don't be chattin and arguing things in front of the crew. Make it plain who's in charge before anymore trouble gets started."

Captain, First mate and boatswain are needed at a minimum. It's two days to rickety squibbs on a NW course."

In the ships boat Plugg was trying to escape with you find supplies, and a small chest with some of the booty won from taking the Man's promise.

"Ah, ye'll be needing that." Fishguts tells you. "Squibbing a ship is costly business." He looks at you all. "And yer going to have to pay off the crew who want to leave. Sailors talk and a Captain who's known for shorting his crew soon won't have one."

Fishguts is a veteran pirate and is good for all the details on rules and customs. At least when sober.

"We'd better get all that locked away," Marnir suggests, pointing at the supplies and the treasure chest, "before some enterprising soul decides to make off with it. Then I suppose we should find out who's in charge here. Any takers?" he asks, looking round.

Jane looks around. "A Captain decides what needs to be done and does it. It's a first mates job to keep him civilized." she looks around at those gatherd. "Kung might be a decent captain... but i think he might suffer under the pressure. Ghilda might make a good Captain. I can back up either as a first mate though."

Kung looks askance at Jane. "Kung handle pressure fine. Me no good at making people listen, so no good captain, but great under pressure." (or so he thinks) "Marnir best at making people listen, maybe Marnir make good captain."

Are there in-game rules that affect the roles of captain, first mate, and boatswain?

(Now that Kung has a Rogue level, social skills are now class skills. He could start putting ranks in those skills with his next level. Assuming the +2 boon he got during the Owlbear combat transfers to this new ship, that offsets his Cha penalty, so he could actually become effective (from a dice standpoint) in a leadership role. I never envisioned the character that way, but I could make it happen.)

(Now that Kung has a Rogue level, social skills are now class skills. He could start putting ranks in those skills with his next level. Assuming the +2 boon he got during the Owlbear combat transfers to this new ship, that offsets his Cha penalty, so he could actually become effective (from a dice standpoint) in a leadership role. I never envisioned the character that way, but I could make it happen.)

If you guys need a captain, Markizio has delusional dreams of grandeur. :)

"I think Ghilda would be a good captain, she'd get her pirate goddess on our side too. I've never led more than a small raiding party before but if people want me in charge," he slaps Kung on the back heartily, "then I'll do my best to lead us into fame and fortune!"

"Marnir - you are a natural leader, aye! I prefer to honor the Pirate Queen by supporting our new-found ship and maintaining her and its course to glory! I propose we rid ourselves of the taint of these two dead dirtbags by gathering the crew topside and tossing their bodies over, along with the whip and cat-o'nine-tails that symbolized their cruelty and stupidity."

Chorley finds a loose gold tooth near Scourge and brandishes it to the gathered friends.

Captain runs the ship and makes the decisions.

The officers are the specialists, Surgeon, Gunnery, Navigation etc.

First mate is the second in command and in charge of carrying out the captains orders.

Boatswain or Bosun is in charge of all activities and sailors on deck.

Master at arms is in charge of discipline, often combined with another role such as Bosun.

So you have Marnir as captain? Fishguts as cook. First mate and Bosun still to be decided.

On the matter of plunder you have 2 units. One will be needed to pay the crew, those staying and those leaving at your next port. As a unit of plunder roughly equals 1000 gp you can use magic items and your own gold to add more units.

A little note about the captain, just because one of you is the captain doesn't mean the others have to jump at his say so, you can discuss things among yourselves. Just not in front of crew.

Jane looks at Kung, "that would make it hard, I think." she listens as the others talk. "Marnir as Captain, Ghilda as First Mate. she turns towards Kung. "With your big build, you would be able to make people listen and do what those two say. Bosum for you." she smiles as, by now people are looking at this tiny woman, "As for me. I'll tell you where to go and keep a lookout as Navi. And sometimes sneak."

Marnir smiles warmly at his friends, honoured that they would choose him to captain their new ship. "If you want me, you'll have me. I promise to be the best skeppare, as we call longship captains in the frozen north, that I can be," he says, as he embraces everyone in turn in an enthusiastic bear hug. "I agree with our navigator here," he glances at Jane, "Ghilda would make a fine first mate, and no one would be able to keep the crew in line like Kung."

"Fishguts! Do you have an idea how much Rickety would charge for a full squibbing of this ship?"

Fishguts grins and salutes. "Well Mr Mate, from my booze soaked memory Rickety charges around 2000 for yer basic squibbing."

In other news. Kyra, the Rahadoumhi officer captured with the Mans promise and tentatively on your side, offers to serve as your Navigator and sailing master. Explaining it bluntly. "There is no one back home who would pay any ransom for me. And I'd have to work for years to be promoted on one of our ships."

Kyra is a 3rd level Ranger, with water as her favored terrain, and good ranks in Profession sailor and Knowledge Geography. What she is not saying is that there is a stigma regarding sailors captured by pirates and released without ransom. They aren't trusted as there is always a chance they could be working as a spy for those pirates.

"Then we'd welcome an extra pair of reliable hands, miss. You know this ship better than the rest of us, so if you want to take up with us as sailing master, we'd be honoured if you'd show us the ropes!" Marnir says, laughing heartily at his own nautical joke.

"More seriously, we should get below and address the crew. They need to know who's in charge now, and what their choices are."

As expected it's tense with the crew, the news you are heading to port and those who wish to leave can eases it a lot.

Still it's a tense two days to Rickety's Squibs, you make sure that there is always one of you on watch at all times.

Rickety’s Squibs refits and modifies the lines and profiles of ships without changing a ship’s size, characteristics, or deck layout, providing both discretion and a new identity for a price. These rebuilt vessels are referred to as “squibs.” In fact, “It’s like as not to be a squib,” is a common saying among the pirates of the Shackles for a ship of suspicious origin.

Rickety’s Squibs lies in the estuary of a nameless river on the Slithering Coast. The river mouth is concealed from passing ships by a protruding headland, so that it is difficult to find if one doesn’t know
where to look, and the facilities are hidden under the eaves of the encroaching jungle, further warding them from prying eyes.

Rounding the tall headland reveals a hidden cove at the mouth of a wide jungle river, its sluggish brown waters staining the waters of the blue sea like an ugly bruise. A series of docks has been built upon this
estuary, with buildings concealed beneath the overhanging limbs of the jungle beyond. A wooden watchtower stands upon the promontory of the headland, carefully concealed among the trees to provide a clandestine view of the seas.

As the Man’s Promise sails past the headland, a checkered flag of yellow and red is raised above the tower on the promontory, and an answering flag of blue is hoisted upon a yardarm at the docks ahead. A number of humanoid figures emerge from the shaded buildings and gather on a pier.

A small, single-masted longboat soon sets out from the boathouse on the estuary to meet the Man’s Promise, and its crew hails the PCs, asking them to drop anchor to discuss terms.

Now would be a good time to have sorted out what treasure you're keeping, and what you are selling for funds.

Rickety Hake is a short, stoop-backed old man with a leathery, weatherworn face; watery blue eyes; and a halo of frizzy white hair. Once he is allowed aboard, Rickety gets right down to business, inspecting the
ship to see how much work will be needed to “squib” it.

"Six days and 2000gp will have you a nice 'new' ship my friend." Is his quote for the services he provides.

Rickety can also install hidden 5-foot-square smuggling compartments in the bulkheads of a ship for an additional 500 gp each (a DC 20 Perception check is required to locate such compartments in a search) with no increase to the time.

Markizio sighed and gave himself continuous instructions. Don't want to seem too smart. Don't make fun of the way they look. And for Besmara's tits, do not pull a joke on anyone.

The Pirate Princess knows it took a long time for a ship to come by so any way to get on the ship was worth it. Heck, rigger would be just fine and I'll even start practicing with a mop. A swab it is if need be.

Don't mention your last crew

He tidied his clothes once more, made sure his long hair was plastered back, and smiled. His cutlass rested easy on his hip hanging from a broad leather belt. His white shirt was impeccable, even his boots shined.

As soon as he got his chance, he walked up to those that looked like the officers, "G'day, madames and sirs. My name is Markizio and I offer my services to your captain and crew. I was born in Port Peril and have been around ships all my life."

Don't mention your last crew

He smiled again, "I'm a pretty good rigger and can certainly hold my own in a scuffle."

Here comes the one that seals the deal...

"And I even dabble in some magic..."

"Captain Marnir Saltvig,"Marnir says to Rickety by way of introduction, vigorously shaking his hand, "master of the ... Well, we don't have a name for her yet, but we will by the time you and your men have finished with her. We're just reviewing our funds at present, but I wonder whether there might be any leeway in your price?" he asks politely. "We're going to have six days while you work, so if there's something my crew and I could help with during that time maybe the cost of the work might be a little less?"

I'm going to throw a Diplomacy check in, just to keep things moving. GM, if I'm being presumptious please feel free to chastise me.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

I'll finish negotiating with Rickety, then approach Markizio

Marnir casts an appraising eye over the young man waiting on the dock. He has the bearing of an experienced hand, but seems overly concerned about his appearance. Marnir walks up to him and shakes his hand.

"Marnir Saltvig, good to meet you. Sounds like you've the kind of experience we're looking for."

"Marnir Saltvig, good to meet you. Sounds like you've the kind of experience we're looking for."

Markizio beathed out in relief, "Aye, c'tain. I have done plenty of jobs aboard a ship."

He tried to gauge their crew, "So what type of work would you be needing most?"

"Is there a story that goes along with the ship?"

"We're in need of someone to take charge of training the crew in boarding actions, and preventing us from being boarded more importantly. I think people round these parts call them master-at-arms, though we don't call them that in the north. Can you do that?" Marnir asks expectantly.

"There is a story to go with the ship, but I'd rather not discuss it with strangers if it's all the same to you. I'm sure it'll come out over a drink some night if you stick with us though." Marnir tries to keep the conversation good-natured, but is clearly reluctant to tell the story of their mutiny to a man he's just met on a dock he's never visited.

Kung steps out onto the docks, walking with a wide swagger as he adapts to the unmoving footing underneath him, his wooden peg-leg clattering on the wooden decking as he regains his land legs. Not sure if better or worse; like the roll of ship at sea. Fully decked out in all of his gear, it's clear that regardless of title, he's the ship's enforcer. With his greatsword strapped by his side, a large boarding pike looming over his back, and various smaller blades and handles poking out around his person, the somewhat short half-orc still manages to give the impression of a man standing tall.

He positions himself near the gangway, eyeing some of the departing pirates with an intense dislike that perhaps obscures a bit of relief to see them go.

He looks on as Marnir negotiates for the squibbing of the ship, smart enough to not intrude where his assistance is only likely to harm. Remember Shivikah; you no make friends when you make friends. He nods his head as he sees the new captain begin signing on some new help. Is that guy really sailor? Looks more like polished dandy; too clean for sea. Have to trust Marnir; if he hires him, guess he's good.

"We're in need of someone to take charge of training the crew in boarding actions, and preventing us from being boarded more importantly. I think people round these parts call them master-at-arms, though we don't call them that in the north. Can you do that?" Marnir asks expectantly.

boarding actions...

"Boarding actions are my specialty actually. So you want me in charge of ship security, the fighting prowess of the crew, and justice? I can do that. You got yourself a new master-at-arms."

He added, "While I'm not as ugly as some of the master-at-arms I have seen, any straggler will soon learn to fear me."

"There is a story to go with the ship, but I'd rather not discuss it with strangers if it's all the same to you. I'm sure it'll come out over a drink some night if you stick with us though." Marnir tries to keep the conversation good-natured, but is clearly reluctant to tell the story of their mutiny to a man he's just met on a dock he's never visited.

Markizio nods at the captain, "Well, whenever you are ready, I'll buy the first round."

Inwardly, he was happy that the captain was not forward about the information. You know what they say about loose lips...

It might pay to have Markizio and Kung switch roles. Markizio as Bosun and Kung as Master at arms. He'll be doing that anyway. Not many on the ship want to cross Kung.

Marnir. Rickety insists on full pay up front sadly.

The little village itself.

A2. Docks
A pair of docks reaches out into the muddy waters of the estuary.
Three small dinghies are moored here beneath canopies made of wooden poles and dried palm fronds.

A3. Boathouse
Two piers extend out into the river from a long building of roughcut wooden planks with large openings to allow passage within.
Ropes, pulleys, and other equipment common to a boathouse hang inside.

A4. The Commons
A once-grand building with broad wings extending from its ground floor stands at the end of the docks, its octagonal dome topped by a cupola. It was obviously a fine villa in its day but time and the harsh sun and rains of the Slithering Coast have faded its paint and cracked its boards, leaving it a gray ghost of its former self.

A painted board above the veranda names it as “Rickety’s Squibs.” Smaller, less grandiose hovels and sheds clapped together of flotsam and jetsam surround the larger building and merge into the jungle behind it.

A5. Dry Dock
A massive, wedge-shaped wooden ramp rises directly from the river. It is large enough to hold a ship of the line and has huge mooring points to allow such a ship to be stabilized in place. Wooden scaffolding is erected all along its sides to allow workers easy access to all points of a ship and its hull.

Drought-Stricken: Rickety’s Squibs has been under the effects
of a severe drought for the last month.

Guests at Rickety’s Squibs are put up in the somewhat shabby accommodations of the main house, which does at least have a taproom, a small market, and a functioning chow hall that serves the entire settlement.
The shade of the jungle canopy here is welcome, as the heat is merciless
and many of the trees are wilted with browning leaves that show the effects of an extended drought.

HIRING CREWS AND SHARING PLUNDER

At some point, the PCs will no doubt be interested in acquiring more sailors for their crew. They may do so at any port or settlement, or upon the successful capture of another ship, by making a DC 20 Bluff (to trick sailors on board), Diplomacy (to convince people to join the crew),or Intimidate (to press-gang new crew) check.

Each such check takes 1 full day, and a successful check results in
1d4+2 new crew members for the PCs’ ship. You can use the statistics for the shipmate on page 294 of the GameMastery Guide to represent these sailors.

Unlike many other NPC hirelings, pirate crews do not have a daily wage. Instead, they are paid shares of the ship’s plunder taken in acts of piracy, when that plunder is sold.

Rather than try to recreate the complexity of share amounts for historical pirate crews, the PCs should simply deduct 1 point of plunder from their total each time they attempt to sell plunder. This represents the shares of the plunder paid out to the crew, regardless of the actual amount of gold received for its sale.

This Adventure Path assumes that the PCs follow these guidelines to keep their crew happy and well paid. It is left to the GM to decide how a crew reacts if the PCs do not pay them plunder on a regular basis.

I'll add this to the information in the Campaign info section.

"I hope your squibbing is as solid as your stance on your price," Marnir jokes with Rickety. "My first mate Ghilda will see that you're paid." If that's OK with you Ghilda, you seem like you're happy dealing with our finances.

To Markizio

"I'd like you to split your duties with my friend Kung here," he says, pointing out the burly half-orc. "You can split the master-at-arms and bosun jobs as you see fit, and I'd like you to work together to toughen up the crew. We're going to be the new ship in these waters, and I don't want anyone thinking we're easy pickings."

Once Markizio and Rickety are happy, Marnir returns to the ship and his friends. "How are things looking here? We need to get payment for Rickety sorted, and then we need to name this fine vessel," he says, slapping the bulkhead gently.

To Markizio

"I'd like you to split your duties with my friend Kung here," he says, pointing out the burly half-orc. "You can split the master-at-arms and bosun jobs as you see fit, and I'd like you to work together to toughen up the crew. We're going to be the new ship in these waters, and I don't want anyone thinking we're easy pickings."

Markizio noted the scary half-orc and nodded. Now, that's a proper scary man-at-arms. He's probably as stupid as he's strong though.

Markizio assured the captain of his intentions, "As you say captain. I'll work with... Kung here." Is that even a real name?

He looked at the half-orc, "So, do you have experience with boarding actions? And how much will we have to work to get these sailors into ship-shape?"

Kung looks at the new officer with an untrusting eye, and listens to the man's question. Hmmm, Marnir confident. Hire on for officer already? Kung not so sure; too clean to know much. Probably learned from books.

He puffs himself up with pride to answer the questions; even with an uncertain first impression, Kung clearly feels that with this answer he can impress. "Kung great at boarding; only one to pass drills. So good, got to lead the capture of this ship; good work, fun." He thinks for a bit, and follows up. "Crew maybe needs some work. They give up after Kung kills one scalawag, and that only by accident. Them that are staying need to get stronger, be more brave." He clearly doesn't recognize the depth of details that he reveals.

He gives Markizio a thorough look up and down, not hiding his uncertainty with any success. "What you good at? You learn about ships in some college? Ab-sal-lom? How's a fancy man like you get out…" he motions his arms at the dingy backwater that surrounds them "here?"

He gives Markizio a thorough look up and down, not hiding his uncertainty with any success. "What you good at? You learn about ships in some college? Ab-sal-lom? How's a fancy man like you get out…" he motions his arms at the dingy backwater that surrounds them "here?"

Marikizio nodded, "Good, good. So you passed boarding action school, eh?" He added, "We'll work together to teach the rest of the sailors then."

If he only knew that I was born in a port slum and have been around ships, sailors, and pirates my whole life...

"I was born in Port Peril and have hired out to ships since my teens. I've been around ships pretty much all my life really."

He then added, "And no, I have never been to any college but I do know how to read and write." He twirled his fingers and smoke rose from them, "I even know how to read and do magic..." That should impress the big oaf.

He patted his cutlass, "Oh, I'm a pretty decent fencer but I think we established that."

You have a couple of easy days while work begins on your ship. Anyone who wants to can make the rolls to see if new crew can be recruited? (Hiring crew in the info section up top.)

During these two days you hear all about the drought that has stricken the Slithering Coast for the last month and have had the chance to experience the oppressive heat firsthand.

On this day, the sky is cloudless and the color of iron, promising another scorching day. The jungle wilts under the unrelenting sun, and the river is shallow, murky, and sluggish, with wide swaths of cracked mud exposed along its banks.

To pass the time, some of Rickety’s off-duty workers have invited you to join in a game of ninepins in the shade of the boathouse and share a small cask of beer that’s been cooling in the waters of the estuary.

Is anyone accepting?

It was indeed hot but things were looking up for Markizio. Hired on to newly squibbed ship was not the best of situations. The ship was literally unknown in the Shackles and would probably be thought of as easy pickings by the other established pirates.

So they would have to make a name for themselves and that's where they would rely on the strength of character of the captain. And the Ulfen man looked the part of a respected captain so that was good. The rest of the crew would have to be trained and that's where Kung and he came in.

Distracted by his thoughts of the future, Markizio was pleased when a little entertainment was being set up.

He walked over to the workers, "So what are we playing? Any money involved because I'll have you know that I cheat."

Bored. The sun had shifted, so the half-orc moved to find more shade. He was trying to stay visible, so that Marnir could point him out if necessary, but knew that he shouldn't help with recruiting any more than that. Ale would be nice too. Nothing to do on land but sit and drink. At least here. Nothing here. Better in a real port—and best at sea—but nothing here.

As he turned a corner, Kung saw a small group setting up some pins, apparently looking for players for some game. Even better, the new recruit was there. Kung smiled. "I like games. How do you play?"

While Ghilda sorts out Rickety's payment and the work gets underway, Marnir starts trying to recruit some of the sailors lounging around on the docks.

"I'm looking for any brave souls who want to make a name for themselves out on the ocean," he says, addressing a gang of deckhands who seem to be lazing about with nothing to do. "I'm Marnir Saltvig, captain of that fine vessel," he states, pointing at the as-yet-unnamed ship, "and I can offer you hard work and great rewards. Like Thorfinn the Valiant, who took an untested longship crew deep into the Steaming Sea, we will sail far and wide in our quest for plunder and fame."

Marnir tells an abbreviated version of the tale of Thorfinn the Valiant in an attempt to convince the men and women to sign on as part of his crew.

I'd welcome any attempts at aid another, if the GM is happy to add them retrospectively. I'll spend a round of raging song to use my Glorious Epic ability to add a +1 circumstance bonus to a Diplomacy check to recruit new crew.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19

"Mr. Bosun! Set a guard while I make our accounting."

Ghilda sets to sorting the loot into boxes marked with names in chalk, and wonders who the fancy lad is that is meeting her mates. She sees him with a cutlass and sets aside a slightly glowing cutlass from the loot...Perhaps, if he proves worthy, we can seal his loyalty with generosity.

"Captain, sir! Please inspect the boxes to approve the distribution. We can store what we are keeping in your cabin, and then I will take the unclaimed trinkets to Rickety. At your command."

"Mr. Bosun! Set a guard while I make our accounting."

Markizio perked up, Bosun, that's me! Mr. Bosun???

He neared the priestess, "Aye, ma'am. Count on it."

He called over a couple of sailors to him and stayed until the accounting is done. he wasn't expecting any trouble but it was a good time to check how attentive his sailors were.

Not sure who she is but she's got the captain's era.
"Ma'am, you can call me Markizio or Mark or something other than Mr. Bosun. What can I call you, ma'am?"

Chorley assumes an aggressive stance near Ghilda as she stands, drawing her rapier. "Where is Kung! What have I missed! Did the captain name you boatswain, posh one? I am the first mate, Ghilda Seaspray, servant of the Pirate Queen - do you have Besmara's blessing, posh one?"

Chorley assumes an aggressive stance near Ghilda as she stands, drawing her rapier. "Where is Kung! What have I missed! Did the captain name you boatswain, posh one? I am the first mate, Ghilda Seaspray, servant of the Pirate Queen - do you have Besmara's blessing, posh one?"

"Posh one? I think I'll take that as a compliment."I don't call you Short one, do I?

"The captain asked me to work as bosun and also help out...Kung with master-at-arms duties."

"I don't know where Kung is but you can call me Markizio and depend on me. Nothing will happen to you, Ghilda, or the loot while I'm still standing."

Ghilda calls Chorley over. "Aye, Markizio - welcome to our boat. Take this bosun's whistle - you do know how to use it?" Ghilda laughs as she kneels to double-check the boxes. "Well, we're going to sell everything in this box to cover the work needed on the ship. When the captain returns with some new blood, I trust, we will negotiate with Rickety."

Ghilda notices Markizio looking at the magical cutlass - "You like?"

Ghilda notices Markizio looking at the magical cutlass - "You like?"

He raised his eyebrows and asked permission.

He swung the cutlass a couple of times, approving of its balance. He noted the grinning skull in the basket hilt and grinned himself. After whispering a couple of arcane words, he told her, "Hell yeah, I like. Very well made and magical to boot. You all better get a good price for this blade."

He checked his own quality cutlass and weighed the money pouch on his pockets, but frowned "Wish I had enough to buy it from you..."

"Keep it, bosun - may need it soon. Welcome aboard." Ghilda smiles at Markizio. "We have work yet to do - come with me, and muster whom you need to carry that loot to Rickety's den."