Jane, you are stripped of everything but your clothing and taken inside. Then up several levels and locked in a storeroom with a guard watching over your. (Red star)
Tidewater Rock is a fortified tower house over 70 feet tall, built upon the same stone shingle that makes up the western shore of Windward Isle. The tower house is composed of reinforced masonry walls atop a 10-foot-high stone base filled with packed dirt.
A stone stair rises 10 feet to the heavy front door, and at all times but the greatest ebb of low tide, the shingle below the castle is a swirling morass of tide water. At high tide, the waves lap at the very lip of the door stoop, making assailing the castle virtually impossible.
Interior floors are built of heavy oak beams 2 feet thick, and the tower roof is sheathed in lead tiles. Ceilings are 12 feet high. Doors are of strong wood but only a few have locks.
All the windows except one (in area B11) are narrow arrow slits, some of which are set into deep alcoves providing a broad shelf area that can be
used for seating or storage. Lighting is provided by these arrow slits during the day and thick tallow candles in wall sconces at night.
The entire castle has a feeling of cramped security but still manages to convey a sense of comfort and safety for those who reside there.
The party is then invited in and take up to the top level to dine with Lady Smithee (Yellow star). This is room B11 and has the only full sized window in the tower.
The meal is a feast of boiled crab, butter-simmered sturgeon, goat cheese, and hard bread, washed down with copious amounts of ale and rum.
You can present any proposals you might wish as you chat over the meal.
Widow of Iron Bert Smythee, Lady Agasta is of legitimately noble birth, albeit a far-sprung offshoot of a long-exiled Galtan family. She was once a rare beauty, but now in her middle years she has filled out her big-boned frame into a stocky matron, though she still remains a handsome, if rough-edged, woman.
She maintains a commanding presence and rules Tidewater Rock like
a countess on a Galtan estate, not afraid to give a misbehaving servant or unruly guest the rough side of her tongue.
Marnir greets Lady Smithee as the officers of the Drake arrive in the dining room. "My thanks again for your kind invite Lady Smithee," he says, sitting down at the table. "And you are very gracious to have laid on such a feast."
Marnir reaches out to grab a plate of crab, then remembers himself. Polite company, I'd better use my manners he thinks, before asking Markizio to pass the steaming platter over. He begins to eat, much more delicately than normal, and opens up conversation with Lady Smithee. "As I said before I am captain of the Unbound Drake, a privateer of increasing reputation. The Drake is also allied with another vessel by the name of The Best Revenge, a former Chelish merchant liberated from her previous master. I come to you, Lady Smithee, with a proposal - we would like to use Tidewater Rock as a home port for our little fleet."
He waits for the lady's reaction, or for his officers to add their two coppers' worth.
Jane smiles at the guard, "Do you tie up all of your women before taking them to a dark and dreary room?
Kung looks at the spread of food in front of him and smiles. He immediately digs in, standing up at his seat to reach across for dishes he likes and largely eschewing the use of any utensils that seem unfamiliar or unnecessary.
"Food good, as good as Fishguts or better, maybe."
He listens intently, but has an intuition that his own ideas about the nature of any arrangement here might not be helpful, so reserves his comments to the tastiness of the crab instead of any strategic or tactical thoughts.
Still trying to assess the potential gains of 'cracking the rock', Markizio pays close attention to his hosts and his captain as he outlines his proposal.
The only thing that Markizio saw from his brief time here was the harbor and the view of the shipping lanes. But if they were going to be in the harbor, they would have to kick out the inhabitants of the small keep. Was there some place else for the officers and crew to stay at?
Did 'kicking out the current inhabitants, mean killing them?
Too many questions running through his head prevented the magus from enjoying his meal.
He cracked another crab leg and listened to their host.
------------
, and too many thoughts on his mind is right :)
Lady Smithee will not give up her position as Lady of the rock, however she does make an interesting counter offer.
She proposes a counteroffer, marriage under Shackles law to Marnir.
A Knowledge (local) check identifies this somewhat outdated tradition. 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.
This was a particularly beneficial arrangement in the turbulent politics of the Shackles, as a Free Captain could marry a rival captain for a set period of time, thus ensuring that her rival’s fleet would not take action against her own.
If love developed under such an arrangement, the marriage could continue indefinitely if both parties agreed to it. If you are agreeable to such a proposal, Lady Smythee promises to marry the PC “for one year certain,” with the future of the arrangement beyond that time to be
determined at a later date.
The benefit to you in this arrangement is lordship of Tidewater Rock and access to its resources and strategic position for that time period.
In addition, Lady Smythee is nothing if not traditional, and gives her new spouse a dowry upon their marriage, her farglass and her late husband’s “iron shirt”, though in the event of a divorce, she expects them back, of course.
Farglass
Aura faint divination; CL 5th
Slot none; Price 6,400 gp; Weight 1 lb.
DESCRIPTION
This telescoping brass spyglass functions as a normal spyglass and allows clear vision to the horizon 3 miles away at sea level. From atop a typical crow’s nest or 70-foot-tall tower like Tidewater Rock, this vision extends to over 10 miles. Once per day, the user of a farglass can activate a clairaudience/ clairvoyance effect upon any location seen through the farglass’s lens. As long as the location is kept in sight through the lens, the clairaudience/clairvoyance sensor can move with
the location. This effect lasts for up to 5 minutes.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, clairaudience/
clairvoyance; Cost 3,700 gp
Aura moderate transmutation; CL 9th
Slot armor; Price 23,850 gp; Weight 30 lbs.
Description
This +1 breastplate is made of bluish metal and decorated with wave motifs. It allows the wearer to continually utilize the effects of the spell water walk. If a creature puts on the armor while underwater, the wearer is borne toward the surface at a rate of 60 feet per round.
Construction
Requirements Craft Magic Arms and Armor, water walk;
Cost 12,100 gp
Kung's eyes perk up, and he looks to Marnir with a combination of shock and bemused interest on his face.
"If we marry Rock," Kung wonders aloud, revealing that he clearly thinks of the Unbound Drake officers as a single whole, "is that same as crack Rock?"
He quickly looks over to Lady Smythee, realizing his slip, and hopes she doesn't understand what he may have revealed of their original intent.
"Marriage? That certainly was not being considered," exclaimed Markizio.
He looked at his captain, "Are you up for this? The benefits seem real enough with very little downside that I can see."
He looked at the armor, "And that breastplate sure would look good on you..."
Marnir nearly chokes on a mouthful of ale when Lady Smithee proposes marriage, but tries to cover it as best he can in the name of politeness.
"I can certainly see the benefits of a marriage, my lady, but I am not from around here so if you could explain to me how this arrangement would work under Shackles law I'd be grateful."
Marnir listens carefully to the explanation from Lady Smithee, punctuated by helpful asides from Kung and Markizio. He weighs it over in his mind before asking "What would the Drake's role be in this arrangement?"
The Lady nods. "The Unbound Drake is your ship as always. While we are married Tidewater rock is your keep to use as your harbor. But I have no say in how you use your ships at all."
She smiles wryly. "Obviously I hope for some trade to come our way, and a few luxuries would be nice. The people here are fiercely loyal, both to my dead husband, and to me. Were you to bring further misfortune to Barnabas Harrigan all here would rejoice."
Marnir nods before replying. "If you'd allow it, I'd like to take a few moments to confer with my officers. What affects one of us affects us all."
With Lady Smithee's permission, Marnir draws Kung and Markizio over to one side. "What do you think lads?" he asks quietly. "Sounds like a good deal to me."
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Ghilda finds some playing cards and sits down with Jana..."Let's play 21...care to wager?" Ghilda slugs down a bit of brandy.
"Hit or stand?"
Jana hits...
And stands..."Nice one, Jana!" Ghilda flips over her cards, showing 18, and has to stand.
Jana hits...
And again...
"Busted - sorry!"
Jana stands on 17 with Ghilda's four showing.
"Uggg...I busted...nice job."
After knocking back another sip of brandy, Ghilda looks to Jana and asks, "If this pirate life treating ye well?"
Marnir nods before replying. "If you'd allow it, I'd like to take a few moments to confer with my officers. What affects one of us affects us all."
With Lady Smithee's permission, Marnir draws Kung and Markizio over to one side. "What do you think lads?" he asks quietly. "Sounds like a good deal to me."
Markizio nodded, "As I've said before. We're getting a hell of a deal with very little downside. After our reputation is well-established, perhaps we can move to something better. I don't see this place as a long term solution, especially with our growing fleet."
He concluded, "I say do it."
Jane.
You have Data with you, and have been given some food and ale to eat while you wait.
Kung simply nods at his captain with a friendly smirk and a raised eyebrow.
"Right then," Marnir says looking abashed, "looks like I'm getting married." He returns to the table and sits down. "Lady Smithee, I accept your proposal. Let's get wed."
We'll draw the blinds over the wedding night. :)
You now are the Lord of Tidewater rock and your infamy and disrepute rises again. You have a good harbor and a wonderful view of the shipping lanes to and from the Shackles.
How long are you planning to stay at the rock before setting out to sea again?
The next few days and nights pass in a haze of feasts and celebrations. The crew of the Drake are able to take some much needed shore leave, limited as it is by the confines of the Rock and Windward Isle.
Marnir spends some time getting to know the inhabitants of the Rock and watching the shipping lanes through the farglass.
Markizio relaxed and practiced with his blade and studied his spellbook.
All in all, the calm days after the wedding were a welcome break from pirating.
After the perfunctory wedding, Kung returns to the ship with Markizio and Jane, leaving the Captain to his wedding night. He brings news of the new arrangement to Ghilda and the crew. "We crack Rock, no fight! Captain Marnir have words of gold. He hero with no battle."
"Kung wouldn't mind some battle."
In the days following the wedding, Kung continues to sleep in his berth on the ship, having grown used to the motion of the water underneath. He eschews the rowboat, deciding that he'd prefer to swim, so swims back and forth between the Rock and the Unbound Drake each day.
He continues to drill the crew each morning and evening, spending time sparring with his fellow Master-at-Arms at each session, but leaves the rest of the day free for the crew's own enjoyment. Having found the keep itself to be small and of little interest after a quick exploration, Kung spends his days getting to know the rest of the isle.
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Ghilda won't mind some time on shore. She meditates every morning and explores the keep and the new island. Ghilda shudders every time she thinks of Marnir and his wife alone at night...LOL what a moron - a 19-year old pirate married, to some widow?...
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After the perfunctory wedding, Kung returns to the ship with Markizio and Jane, leaving the Captain to his wedding night. He brings news of the new arrangement to Ghilda and the crew. "We crack Rock, no fight! Captain Marnir have words of gold. He hero with no battle."
"Kung wouldn't mind some battle."
"I move that from now on, one of either Jane or me must be involved in all decision-making - look at the mess you swabs have caused." Ghilda still laughs quietly thinking about what must have transpired during the negotiation and afterwards...
Kung looks confused, not quite understanding why Ghilda is so upset about Marnir's marriage. "Kung understand; Kung want fight too! Fight fun, fight help heart and bones stay strong! But we lose many crew if we do this fight, so wedding better."
Suddenly, a look of understanding washes over Kung's face. He looks at Ghilda with wide eyes, then turns to Markizio with a look of astonishment. "Ghilda want marry Marnir! Ghilda want marry Marnir!" The first time he says it quite low, but the volume raises each time he repeats this until he's nearly bellowing the phrase as a chant, with mirth rippling through his voice.
When he calms down, he tries to reassure Ghilda. "It okay; only Shackles wedding. More business arrangement than romance, and only one year. You can still win Marnir later."
Markizio snickered at the conversation but decided to keep his opinions to himself.
He merely raised his eyebrows at Ghilda, "It really was a very good deal. What downside do you see to this... arrangement?"
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Still chuckling on occasion, imagining the goings-on during this betrothal, Ghilda says, "Clearly the majority of you (minus the calming sensibilities of Jane and me) felt this was a good idea. I see the benefit of a new base, for sure! I just hope poor Marnir doesn't get his heart broken LOL"
"Do we have work to do on this island, to make sure there are no nasty surprises waiting for us when we come back from our ventures?" Ghilda clearly is anxious for some action.
"One wife at a time please!" Marnir smirks, before bursting out in loud guffaws. "As Kung says, it's a marriage for sake of business. Beneficial for both parties - not like that!" he adds before any lewd comments are thrown in.
After another 4 days the Best revenge comes in on full sails, having received your message drop and responded as fast as they could.
Captain Wintarius whistles in shock when she finds out you're now the master of the rock. "Besmara's blessings must be raining on you Captain!"
Captain Wintarius has some heavy chests transferred to the Unbound Drake. Repaying you 1 point of the plunder you loaned her to get outfitted.
"I've been running some of my old routes." She reports to you. "Plenty of people want things shipped without having to go through those nasty, intrusive customs men. They know me and since the Baradin's aren't taking their fee I can charge them a better price. So business has been good."
Captain Wintarius looks a lot less harried than she used to, she's clearly relishing her new role
Marnir receives the call from the lookout and goes out to the jetty to meet Norva as she comes ashore in one of the Best Revenge's launches. He ushers her inside for a drink and they sit together.
"Sounds like you're having a profitable time of it, captain," he says as they discuss recent business. "Any news from your contacts? Any big prizes ripe for the taking?"
She nods. "Remember what I told you about the Dominator? Well she's been sighted patrolling the trade routes along the slithering coast. Naturally when the news got around some merchants decided it was a good time to ship the richer cargoes."
She takes a long drink of her wine. "So there are a number of fat prizes sailing the lanes now or in a few days. Of course there's also the chance you'll run into a Man-o-war!"
She gives you the names and courses of three she's heard are carrying profitable cargo."The Truewind heading home to Absalom with furniture made out of exotic hardwoods. Fetches a lot further north. The Kurstav Heading to Nidal with armor and weapons. Always a market for those. And the Devils brand heading home to Cheliax with copper, silver and gems. A fat prize but that damned ship carries undead in a cage to unleash on attackers who get too close."
Markizio adds his opinion, "The Devil's Brand. That's our target."
He smiled, "I always like loot that's easy to fend and unleashing undead on people? Now that's just plain wrong."
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Ghilda welcomes back Norva and the rest of the Best Revenge's crew. As the plunder from Norva's ship is moved to the Drake, Ghilda exclaims, "Well done, captain - it seems that your information may be even more valuable! Any repairs to sailor or ship needed? Please provide me a report on any needs as soon as possible." Chuckling even days after Marnir's marriage, "You might want to know that Capn' Marnir here is a kept man now - got himself betrothed to the lady of the Rock...hilarious, but lucrative, it appears." Ghilda gives Norva a look that is universally known as silly men.
To Marnir, "I think Markizio's right - let's deal those devils a blow...I hope some day we can strike the bastards really hard, but taking this Devil's Brand will demonstrate our intent, yet again."
"Kung, Norva! Please ensure all personal weapons and crewed weapons are in tip-top shape!!"
Speaking with Jane, "We will need holy water if we're taking on the undead - let's get busy on that."
"Aye, sounds like we're going to strike those devil-loving Chelish bastards again. And I am not a kept man, first mate," Marnir replies to Ghilda, "I am the one doing the keeping!" He laughs loudly and takes another pull on his ale.
Kung's eyes light up when the Devil's Brand is mentioned. "We good with undead. Kung ring bell again!"
Jane perks up when she hears her name being called. "Sorry, was lost in a day dream of chains and damp rooms. But, yes, we can make some holy arrows. How many vials of Holy water can you make a day?"
"Sounds like we've got a plan then," Marnir says, raising his tankard in a toast.
He looks over to Norva. "What if we bring the might of the Drake and the Revenge against those Chelish bastards? We'll have no trouble taking down those devil-lovers working together."
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Ghilda locks herself away with 24 flasks of water, converting them over three days to holy water.
Emerging with a smile on her face, Ghilda tells Jane, "Here you go! 24 flasks of holy water! 'Besmara-bombs', if you will...we can throw these or use them on arrows!"
Ghilda awakens on the day the party will leave Tidewater Rock refreshed, and ready for combat.
Markizio agreed with the plans being discussed, "Yes, it will be good to sail alongside our ally."
He then remembered, "I have a special ray that works really well on undead abominations. If you see a golden ray from my hand, do not worry because it cannot hurt the living but cause havoc among the undead."
Jane sees the 24 vials of holy water and picks up 16 of them. She starts to go down into her workshop to make 16 raining arrows.
So, setting off, The Best revenge sailing alongside you.
A Profession (Sailor) roll from Marnir, and a Knowledge (Geography) from Jane please. This is for intercepting The Devils Brand.
Marnir sits down with Jane, and with Norva and her navigator, to plot a course for intercepting the Devil's Brand. The ships set off together, hunting for their prize.
Jane starts to look through the maps and plots out a good course for them to follow.
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Jane sees the 24 vials of holy water and picks up 16 of them. She starts to go down into her workshop to make 16 raining arrows.
Ghilda moves from station to station on the ship, giving encouragement to the crew. "Let's be ready - big prize coming!"
Ghilda will also attempt to assist on the geography check, if possible.
"Yeah, that seems like a good place to find the Devil's Brand."
With the information supplied by Captain Wintarius, Marnir makes his best guess as to where The Devils brand is most likely to be. Jane lays a fast course and you make for the Slithering coast at your best speed.
Besmara smiles on you as you make the coast on the second morning to see a large galleon on the heading Marnir guessed. She flies the colors of Cheliax and her figure head shows a bound man with an unholy symbol burnt into his forehead.
The Devils Brand immediately raises all the sail she can and makes for safety as you and The best revenge close.
Captain Trock.
The shout from the lookout in the tops turns Marnir's head, and he sees the black and crimson sails of a Chelish vessel off the Drake's port side. "All hands on deck! Weapon crews to their stations!" Marnir roars as he feels the surge of anticipation for the coming fight and hauls on the wheel to head towards their prey.