Taken aback by Kung's strength, Marnir follows the big man out of the chamber. "Let's get it back to the Drake then," he says with a smile.
Welcome to book three of Skull & Shackles.
By the conclusion of “Raiders of the Fever Sea,” you should have acquired considerable plunder and Infamy and begun making a name for yourselves as pirates of particular disrepute.
But in order to gain official recognition as Free Captains of the Shackles, you must travel to Port Peril and present yourselves to the Hurricane King of the Shackles, Kerdak Bonefist.
To prove themselves worthy of a meeting with the Hurricane King, however, you must have at least 10 points of plunder in your hold and an Infamy score of 20 or higher.
Before you can relax and enjoy the port, you must petition for an audience with Hurricane King Kerdak Bonefist to receive a letter of marque and thereby become “legitimate” pirates—at least in the eyes of
other Free Captains. As long as the your Infamy score is 20 or higher, gaining an audience is relatively straightforward.
A DC 15 Knowledge (local) check is enough to know the traditional procedure: You simply need to send a messenger to Fort Hazard, the Hurricane King’s seat, along with a bribe of at least 4 points of plunder. Bonefist won’t even deign to respond to so-called “pirates” who have not reached an Infamy threshold of Despicable. As long as you pay the requisite bribe, the Hurricane King will agrees to grant you an audience the following evening.
So, you've emerged from the depths below Mancatcher cove, burdened with plunder and magic items. Your crew has dealt handily with several probes by the Sahaugin while you were dealing with the rest of the tribe.
What are you going to do now? Head straight to Port peril, or are you heading for Tidewater rock to rest and reprovision?
Once on the Drake, the magus goes to his cabin and pulls out another flamboyant shirt with wide sleeves, "Much better. Much better."
He then looks over all the treasure and announces to the crew, "Extended stay at our next port of call! And with money to spend!"
Amidst the cheer of the crew, he turned to the officers with a big grin on his face, "So who's keeping what and waht are we selling?"
-------
"This is going to take a lot of sorting, but it looks like we've made a tasty profit," Marnir says with a wide grin. "Let's set a course back to the Rock to make sure everything is OK there, then it'll be time to sell our booty and make some gold!"
"Kung like rock. Little out of way; not much. Make ship look mighty before go Port Peril."
Jane finally transforms back into her human, non ghost, self. "Remind me never to go swimming again... I am completely useless in the water. Sorry guys."
"Not a problem Jane, we all have our strengths and weaknesses," Marnir replies. "Set us a course for the Rock. It's time for some proper food before we delve into Port Peril's politics."
A few days at the Rock begins to restore the spirits of the crew after their recent harrowing experiences hunting for Captain Wolfe's treasure. Marnir oversees the restoration of the captured Thresher - it's battered and uncared-for condition requiring substantial remedial works by Jana and her carpenter's mates.
While the ship's crew is at liberty at Tidewater Rock, a woman is spotted wandering the edge of the lagoon, on the south side. By itself this is nothing unusual, as there are, of course, an entire shipload of pirates at the tiny isle; but nobody seems to recognize or know her, and no other ships have come to the port. She wears a long aquamarine-colored robe and has lustrous black hair that cascades down her back. She seems carefree, even though she also has a spear that looks like some kind of hollowed and lacquered kelp strand topped with a six-inch-long obsidian blade secured by a gray stringy material, and she has a rough gray jerkin - almost like a fold-over vest, really - over her robe. She bears a large oilskin bag double-folded in the fashion used by divers to keep water out, secured to a slim chain belt wrapped around her waist, and her forehead is encircled with a thin green bronze circlet with three small pearls set in the front, matching a necklace of small white pearls that rests just below her throat.
She looks like a young human with an olive complexion, shining eyes and a bright smile that she flashes often. She is lean with a swimmer's build and she seems to enjoy watching birds fly overhead as much as she likes to kick her feet in the pool or draw whimsical shapes in the sand. When first spotted she is walking barefoot in the sand near the lagoon, but later she is at the edge of the lagoon dangling her feet in the water while the tide is up.
Ok. Crew is rested. Fate of the Thresher decided. Money spilt among yourselves. Strange woman roaming the beach. What is the party doing now?
Markizio, happy to be at the Rock again, raises an eyebrow at the sight of the girl that he hadn't seen before.
He had gotten to know most, if not all, of the household members of... Marnir's wife and this woman had not been among them. At least he thought so.
He turned to the other officers, "Anybody know her?"
tag?
The magus straightened out his wide-sleeved shirt and approached her, "Hello there? And you are?"
tag?
PLANNING
Once rested, or rather with new, clean clothes and rested, the magus gathered the officers of the Drake.
"I think it's time we moved on to bigger things. We should get our letter of marquee from the Hurricane King. Think of it, we can become 'Free Captains'!"
he scratched his head, "Thing is though, I'm not quite sure how to get the Hurricane King's ear. I seem to remember something about a letter and a bribe, of course, but I'm not sure..."
"Have any of you heard about this or know someone who has gotten the letter?"
tag?
-------------
Jane, seeing this new lady on the docks, thinks nothing of it and sneaks by to go check out the town for good gossip.
@Markizio
"Hi!" the woman says sunnily to Markizio. "That's a lovely coat!" She stops kicking her feet in the pool and stands up, somewhat wobbly. "I'm Niobe. I was just enjoying the lagoon!"
Apparently unconcerned with the sand, she posts her spear to one side and extends a hand to Markizio.
"I got here yesterday - I've been visiting lots of the islands of the Shackles. I like this place, it's big enough that you can't see one side from the other, but small enough that the sea is always close by."
@Markizio
"Hi!" the woman says sunnily to Markizio. "That's a lovely coat!" She stops kicking her feet in the pool and stands up, somewhat wobbly. "I'm Niobe. I was just enjoying the lagoon!"
Apparently unconcerned with the sand, she posts her spear to one side and extends a hand to Markizio.
"I got here yesterday - I've been visiting lots of the islands of the Shackles. I like this place, it's big enough that you can't see one side from the other, but small enough that the sea is always close by."
"It's not a coat; it's shirt."
He looked at the shirt again, "It is nice though. However, what are you doing here? This is a private island. Have you talked to the Lady of the Rock yet?"
------------
"Oh, no, I haven't talked to anyone yet. I saw the ships! Which one were you on?" she says.
Her disposition seems positively sunny, and she has a pleasing voice.
The chance to rest and eat at Tidewater Rock is welcome, and Marnir joins his officers to plan their next move. He listens to Markizio's ponderings. "I've no idea how we go about approaching the Hurricane King. Bribery seems to be the order of things in these waters though, so that's probably our best plan. Maybe we should make our way to Port Peril next and see what we can learn there."
Reports of an unknown woman roaming the Rock finally arrive at Marnir's ears, and he sees Markizio approach her. He follows the bosun down to the lagoon, and sees him engage her in conversation. He listens in for a few moments before approaching.
"He's on mine - the Unbound Drake," Marnir says pointing at his ship, currently a hive of activity as the carpenters and riggers work on upgrades and repairs. "I'm Marnir Saltvig, captain of the Drake and Lord of Tidewater Rock. Who are you, and how did you come to be here?"
The woman nods to Marnir and shifts to include him in the discussion as she says, "I'm Niobe. I swam here." She looks to Markizio and says, "I'm a little confused - you said there's a Lady of the Rock, but he says he's the Lord of Tidewater Rock. Are there two different Rocks?" Then she waves a hand dismissively. "I guess it doesn't matter much. Hello, my lord!" she continues, facing Marnir once more. "By the way, there's a Chelaxian ship looking for your Unbound Drake. About three days east of here, checking the various islands - it's called The Dominator. Pretty big one! Um, I didn't get a good look at how many masts, though. Last I saw her, she was on a patrol between Firegrass Isle and Haeken's Redoubt."
She leans easily on her odd spear and smiles again. "I guess your adventures have gotten infamous enough that the Chelaxians want to have a chat with you, too."
Markizio was about to answer when the captain stepped in, "Yes, I'm with him. I mean I'm on his ship, part of his crew."
He moved to stand closer to Marnir but tried not to seem threatening to this woman they had just met.
He added, "And yes, the captain here is the Lord of the Rock but there's also the Lady of the Rock who's in charge when we are out at sea."
he was about to continue to explain when he gave up, "Anyway. I guess what we want to know is what you want here. Did you come here to trade?"
She leans easily on her odd spear and smiles again. "I guess your adventures have gotten infamous enough that the Chelaxians want to have a chat with you, too."
The magus spit on the sand, "Chelaxians. Nothing but thieves and bullies who think they own everyone, including the Shackles. You know they still think they own Sargava?"
He moved closer to Marnir, "We're not afraid of them, are we captain?"
"I just like to travel," she replies. "Oh! I'm sorry if I was trespassing! Most little seafront communities don't mind the occasional traveler." She gestures in the director of the ships and says, "Will you be setting sail again soon? Ships are so fascinating."
To Markizio she adds, "I agree with your appraisal of the Chelaxian navy. They're greedy and ruthless and they think they are so clever."
"We're just a bit wary out here, had a recent fishman problem that required dealing with. So excuse us if we seem a little stand-offish," Marnir adds by way of explanation. "You're welcome to stay a while if you wish, though we do have business in Port Peril sooner rather than later. Do you have any experience aboard ship? We're always looking for veteran crew, particularly now we've acquired another vessel."
The mention of the Chelaxian vessel hunting for them is unnerving, though Marnir does his best to keep it hidden. "We're not afraid of them, no," he replies to Markizio, "but we'd do well to be wary. We're no friends of the Chelish navy, and if they're looking for us then they obviously want to put us down. The faster we can get the Drake and the Thresher ready and out to sea the better. They'll think twice about tangling with us once we're official Free Captains."
Kung has been listening as Marnir and Markizio question the strange new woman on the Rock. His mind hits on something she said, and he keeps turning the idea over and over again trying to get it to reconcile with other facts. Long after the conversation has moved past that simple statement, Kung blurts out his question.
"You swim here? Long swim. You no look like fish-man woman. How you do?"
"I've been on a ship a few of times," says Niobe to Marnir, "and I know a jib from a jackstay. If you've three functional fighting vessels, you might be able to tackle the Dominator yourself. It would certainly be an impressive addition to your reputation with the Free Captains."
She turns slightly to address Kungrusdak, and says, "I'm a very, very good swimmer. Some people shoot lightning out of their hands, others summon angels and demons. I swim like a dolphin. It's not so far-fetched." She gives another winning smile.
Time to start things moving. You only have two ships at the moment. The Best revenge is off working, and you are a little short on crew with No Gods, No masters taking enough to get her a working ship.
So you have the plunder to head to Port Peril and pay your way to Free captain status, a large Chelaxian warship prowling close around looking for you. And a little more infamy would help your cause.
What are you doing now?
"Then if you want a job, it's yours," Marnir says, stretching out his hand to shake Niobe's. "Once we're squared away, I think we need to show these Chelish bastards that we're not afraid of them."
"Ghilda says she is heading off once we reach port, something about being needed elsewhere by her pirate goddess, so we'll need a new one of those. Markizio - think you're up to the task?" he asks.
You're in luck it seems, barely a day later, after getting the crew division sorted, and having a farewell party for Ghilda. A sail is seen approaching the Tidewater rock.
It turns out to be The Best revenge coming in bold and saucy. Captain Norva waves cheerily as she sees you in port. "I was hoping I'd find you here Captain." She grins, looking much younger and happier than she did when you first met.
"I've picked up some juicy news on a couple of fat ships heading north soon, the sort that would be much improved if some kind souls were to relieve them of all that heavy, valuable cargo."
"Very well timed Captain," Marnir says cheerily as Captain Norva comes ashore from The Best Revenge.
"We've come across some juicy news of our own, thanks to our new crewmate here," he states, pointing out Niobe to Captain Norva. "Apparently a Chelaxian warship called Dominator is displeased with our recent successes and is hunting for us." He bares his teeth in a snarl. "We're not going to let those devil-worshipping bastards stop us, are we?"
Norva leans back against the railing of the Unbound drake Her face growing pensive. "Better be sure Captain. The Chelaxians won't let this one go. Little ships and merchants yes, but taking a fleet warship? That's a direct prod in their pride. They'll put a price on you and your ship for that."
She shrugs and grows more cheerful again. "Still, it's not like they had tender feelings for you now is it? Three ships, if we're smart and lucky we can do it!"
She holds her hand out for you to shake.
Kyra has been listening also, she looks a bit worried. "Was hoping to ease into it a little more." She sighs. "Still, if you have to go big you can't beat kicking the devil kissers in the man berries!"
She too nods and holds her hand out in agreement.
"It's a big ask, and it's going to rile up the Chelaxians like kicking a nest full of angry wasps, but they won't stop coming for us anyway, and we may as well make some gold out of it," he says.
He looks both Kyra and Norva in the eye in turn as he shakes their hands, reaffirming his trust in them and their crews.
"Let's get provisioned, get the crews readied, and get ready to trounce some Chelish lapdogs. Normal rules apply though, we're not here to murder them - just to take their ship and their gold. But if they come at you, feel free to cut them down!" he says with a sharp-toothed grin.
He turns to Niobe. "Can you work with Jane, our navigator, to plot a course to intercept Dominator? Then we'll set off."
Markizio pulled his captain aside and asked the officers of the Drake to join them, "Are we sure we're up to this? This Dominator sounds like the real deal and we are just starting our fleet."
He added, "I didn't see a lot of confidence on the other captains of our fleet. What do we know of this warship? How is it armed? How big is it?"
He concluded, "Perhaps the fat merchant ships are more doable at this time. However, if this is your decision then count me 100% in."
"We won't know if we're ready until we try, though you're right to be wary. It's a big task, which I think is why Norva and Kyra aren't as confident as we might want," Marnir says, acknowledging Markizio's concerns. "But I think with three ships, a proper plan, and the element of surprise, we've got a fighting chance. You're right about our ignorance though," he adds.
Marnir turns to Norva, Niobe and Kyra. "Does anyone know much about Dominator? Any idea how big she is, or her crew?"
Norva can tell you a lot about the Dominator She's seen Chelaxian warships in port, and has been listening along the coastal ports for news.
"It's big, bloody big Captain! She's been stopping in ports to stock up often since she's so overmanned. Sixty sailors is her full crew, and I hear she's carrying that, plus a hundred Chelaxian marines, along with some Paracountess b+#*# as captain. They don't hand out captains hats to any inbred noble, if she's in charge she's the real deal."
She sorts out the information she's picked up through her friends and connections in the various ports. "Ten light Ballistae on each side, two standard catapults fore and aft. Silk sails, broad rudder, a ram. She's a warship built for battle and it shows."
She grimaces. "And now I've gone and given myself the shits again."
Kung listens to all of the strategizing. His mood and interest rising and falling as his fellow officers' confidence goes up and down over the potential threat of the Dominator.
"Kung happy take any ship, but no good if captains and crew no believe in fight. If no believe can win, lose fight every time."
"Cap Norva, where juicy fat ships? Maybe we go take fat juicy ships and get more crew, help with Dominator."
"Holy shit!" Marnir exclaims as Norva describes Dominator. "Maybe she is too big for us. 160 souls, 14 big weapons..." he muses.
"Maybe we should leave our gutting of those Chelish bastards for some time in the future then. Kung's right - soft merchant ships first means more gold and more crew for when we can't avoid Dominator any more."
Markizio breathes easier, "Agreed. We'll get her in the end but we'll do so on our terms."
"Now, where were these fat, juicy merchants..."
Niobe nods as the flurry of action begins. She shakes hands with her various new companions and adds, "I have some magical talent; I have a strong connection with the sea, and maybe I can help with getting an idea of what's in the waters nearby. Scrying and swimming at high speed are both possible."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Late in the day, she corners Markizio and says, "Sir... I need to speak to you about quarters for a moment." She looks a bit embarrassed, then says, "This, uh, isn't my natural form. Usually I would sleep underwater... but aboard ship that might not be practical. I don't have to be in the water, so I could sleep in a hammock, but the crew might find it a little... odd? Or I could sling a line below the ship and have a hammock towed underwater, but that could also be a bit unusual. I um... was wondering what you would recommend, sir, seeing how you're the first mate." She rubs her pearls nervously in one hand. "In my natural form I um... have a tail?" She gives a nervous smile. "The fishy kind?"
... I um... was wondering what you would recommend, sir, seeing how you're the first mate."[/b] She rubs her pearls nervously in one hand. "In my natural form I um... have a tail?" She gives a nervous smile. "The fishy kind?"
First Mate Markizio was just getting used to his new position when he was corralled with his first decision, "I too have the ability to change shapes but I must admit that I cannot grow a fish tale. Maybe you can teach me sometime."
He scratched his chin, "Well, first things first. You were offered a place here based on your abilities and that doesn't change knowing that you're not really what you look like now. In fact, it might make you more desirable as a crew mate."
He added, "The first thing we need to do is to tell everyone about your true self and pity anyone looks at you funny."
He chuckled, "Heck, Kung is both ugly and has a peg leg and we all still love him."
He concluded, "After everyone knows what you are then I guess the answer to your question becomes easier. Just sleep where you feel most comfortable."
"Well, I'm just a little shy about it, because sailors tend to have funny ideas about, um, mermaids," Niobe says to Markizio. "I can't keep this form long enough to sleep as a walker, so I have to work out something that lets me sleep with my flukes and fins."
Jane listens in. "How is she powered.. If by wind, I'm sure we can disable her at night and just harass her every so often. Wearing her down until she breaks."
Marnir gathers as much information as possible about the merchants that Captain Norva has sighted, and he spends some time working with Norva and Kyra to formulate not only a plan of attack but how the treasure will be shared. "I'd like to write you up a deal," he says to Kyra, "the same as Norva and I did when she took on The Best Revenge. Fair division of loot, and support for actions against larger ships. Like when we take down Dominator at some point. Agree?"
Kyra nods to Marnir "Aye Captain. Truth be told I would've asked if I wasn't sure you'd play straight with me. It's a good deal and I'm happy to sign up."
She grins a little guiltily, "And being a pirate has been a lot more fun than running cargo on the same route year after year."
Norva has perked up since the Dominator has been taken off the target list. "That's right, it's a ladies right to change her mind, and her occupation. The change is good for us."
Getting more serious she turns to Marnir "Right then Captain. First on the list is The Baradin's venture. Flagship for my old employers little fleet. While sticking it to the Baradins always warms my wicked little heart, this time there's good reason. She's carrying spices, always a good market for those up north, and of course being a Baradin ship she has a little extra hidden away. Pesh and the like. Even locked up airtight there's still a chance of someone smelling it's stink, so you carry it with spices to cover the stench."
She takes a long swig of her rum and sighs happily. "The other is an Aspis ship The Southern gem. She carries silks, furs, leathers and ivory for the desperate dressmakers of Cheliax. Got to have to most novel and expensive dress for the new season you know!"
She looks at you and then checks the sun. "Both are about equal in value, both are carrying cargo that's easy to shift. no questions asked. The Venture leaves Seneghor in five days time. The Gem will be about a week away, leaving from Bloodcove. The Baradin's are cheapskates and only carry four marines at most. The crew are never paid enough to put up a fight, show them you'll be merciful and they'll stand down. The Aspis like to stock their crews with thugs, so they'll fight. Neither has more than a catapult and a couple of ballistae for defense."
She grumbles at an old grievance "Bloody merchants! Can't carry too many weapons Wintarius, too expensive, and they take up valuable cargo space."
"The Southern Gem."
Markizio spoke like this was a decision that had already been made.
Think about it. We have already taken down merchants but taking down the Aspis Big Boys... that will certainly enhance our reputation."
He added as an after thought, "Besides, I can't wait to get my hands on those fabrics. I'm sure I can find a talented seamstress to make me some new outfits."
"Hahaha!" the half-orc bellows. "Always the shirt!" Kung pulls Markizio close in a side-hug that ruffles the poofs at both shoulders of the magus' current outfit.
"Kung agree. Sound like Aspis better fight; no fun take ship with no good fight."
"I'll go whichever way the captain wants," says Niobe, "Though I feel like Baradin's Venture sounds like an easier target and it's handy to be able to stick it to someone that one of our allied captains really hates." After a pause she adds, "...though if Markizio wants a new shirt, well, he has really great fashion sense, so..."
Jane thinks about her new abilities. "If we can catch them unaware... I might be able to surround their ship with fog, sneak over ontop of that fog and cut their lines in ghost shape."
Marnir mulls over the choice, listening to his officers. "The first mate is right - taking on the Aspis is a bigger deal than a Chelish merchant family." He sees disappointment on Norva's face, and responds. "Don't worry Captain. If we get chance, we'll take down the devil-worshippers too!"
"Well Captain, you don't need three for a merchant, if'n you take the Gem and take Kyra along to help her lose her cherry. I'll take the Venture. Always nice to go see old friends."
She gives you a grin while Kyra goes red and glares at her in shock.