While Hetty is fine with being put in a boat and let go she is interested in offering her services to the Drake.
"How do we know we can trust you?" Marnir quips when the witch offers her services. "What use can you be to us, aside from acting mad and surrendering to our enemies at the first opportunity?"
Hetty shrugs. "I was the last one standing Captain, not the first to submit." She does feel that one was unfair.
"Once I swear to serve I keep my word. I have my magic, I can raise the dead to serve you, or stop any undead raised against you. I can even heal a touch, but it's not my strength."
She looks thoughtful. "I can also tell you that taking a Free captains ship to be sold in Port Peril will raise a few hackles. Coming in with a haul and a new name is one thing. Looking like you made it preying on Free captains could get you in trouble."
The magus thanked both of his healers, put away his blade, and discarded the use of this coat. "Much too hot for a ship and it's just not my color."
Feeling much better, he turned to the mad woman, "Maybe you can be of help. How much do you know of how Free Captains behave? Do you know the players and the politics at Port Peril?"
Hetty raises an eyebrow. "How do Free captains behave? Like any group of ruthless, ambitious pirates do. Kerdak Bonefist has been Hurricane king for many years now. He's still very hale for a man of his years, but there are those on the council who are starting to think about who will be the next Hurricane king."
She scratches her chin thoughtfully. "Tessa Fairwind is probably the favorite. She's smart and successful. Good looking for a human as well, which she's happy to use. Arronax Endymion might be her main rival, but he's from Cheliax, and there's always whispers he's still on their side?"
"Hask was mostly in Avimar Sorrinash's camp. He's a blood thirsty animal that one. Hask liked working for someone who was happy to kill everything in his path. Sorrinash is a werewolf you see, he runs Ollo and talk is that his pack hunts the people there for sport."
She can give you more gossip on Port peril if you wish, mainly she paints a picture of a city where the undercurrents are starting to get stronger.
You can be a free captain once you've shown up and been recognized by the Hurricane king. The more powerful free captains have fleets, and their own island in the shackles to run. They are the ones who make up the Pirate council under the Hurricane king.
Markizio made mental notes of all Hetty was saying for Port Peril was where they were headed. Information and politics were key there.
He turned to the others but looked at his captain, "I'll still lop off her head if you want but she may be more useful as an ally. I think she can be trusted."
tag?
Jane, sitting on a rail by now, pipes up. "Which one of our first mates should get their own ship? We could settle that sailor with a new first mate to watch over."
Marnir nods at Hetty's information, before scratching his chin as her ponders her fate. "Alright. That's helpful information. So long as you behave, and follow orders, you can stay on the Drake. But any sign of treachery, and the first mate here will have your head off. Happy?"
Marnir nods at Hetty's information, before scratching his chin as her ponders her fate. "Alright. That's helpful information. So long as you behave, and follow orders, you can stay on the Drake. But any sign of treachery, and the first mate here will have your head off. Happy?"
Markizio nods in agreement, "Happy."
He then looks about, "Oh you mean if she is happy. Well, she better be because she gets to keep her head."
Some of you can't help but smile as your ship glides into the chaotically busy harbor of Port Peril. When you left is was as the lowest form of crew, pressed into unwilling service. Now however you are back, with your own ship, and a growing name as well.
While arranging a berth and provisioning takes some of your time, your crew is eager for their pay and freedom to lose it all on the pleasures of a big port. You however need to send a message to the Hurricane King, along with the standard bribe of 4 plunder before you can really relax.
Marnir calls a meeting of the officers once they arrive in their berth, before any of the crew disembark. "We need to get an audience with the Hurricane King, along with a pile of loot so he takes us seriously. I suggest we gather as much nice jewellery as possible, and maybe some fancy rum, then take it to him ourselves."
"Does anyone know anything else about him? What he likes? Something that might turn his eye and get special favor?" asks Niobe nervously. She twists a strand of her hair around one finger. Having spent several days traveling with the ship, the crew have become accustomed to her mermaid form, but it's obvious that Port Peril makes her a bit nervous.
You don't get to see Kerdak Bonefist when you go to visit him at Fort Hazard. You are told he's too busy to deal with you right then, but you will contacted in the morning. The bribe is happily collected of course.
The next morning, as you await on the Drake a large Half-Orc swaggers towards the Drake. He seems to have bought a crowd of cronies to admire his performance.
"Right then. Those of you who are true pirates know me. I'm Tsadok Goldtooth. First mate to the Hurricane King himself!" He gives you a sneer to let you know you're not included among the 'True pirates'.
His cronies naturally laugh heartily at Goldtooth's wit, you can see that many of the gathered crowd however do not. It seems Goldtooth is not a popular figure.
"Now of course true pirates when arriving to become Free captains are sponsored by an established Free captain. Of course if you think highly of yourselves you can apply without a sponsor. But in that case you need to be tested." He smirks sadistically at you.
Tsadok’s first test is to see whether you are passable sailors, not just “fancy jackets” who found themselves in command of a pirate crew. One of you must swiftly climb to the top of a nearby ship’s foremast and complete the tricky task of unfurling and setting the sail from the top
yard without assistance, before one of Tsadok’s crew does the same on the mizzenmast. Flight magic is illegal, and the contestants must unfurl the sails themselves, not conjure creatures to do it.
"Now of course true pirates when arriving to become Free captains are sponsored by an established Free captain. Of course if you think highly of yourselves you can apply without a sponsor. But in that case you need to be tested." He smirks sadistically at you.
Markizio scoffs at the challenge, "This is what passes as pirate test in this port? To be a true pirate, you need to know the shipping lanes and the ships that carry the best treasure with the least amount of guards. You need to know to strike fear into the shippers in order to get their booty with minimum casualties. You need to reward your crew well and earn their loyalty. In other words, you need to be smart."
He looks again, "This test is for monkeys. Anyone can do this but it won't make them a good pirate."
tag?
While he waited for the half-orc to respond, he whispered to the officers, "Kung? Anyone else want to do this? I'll do it if you all want me to..."
tag?
"I can do it... pretty easily," says Niobe to Markizio, "but maybe I should stay in reserve in case there's a test with swimming."
Jane smiles. "That should be easy for any of us to do." she looks around as everyone else is a little hesitant. "Do you guys want me to do it?"
Marnir stands impassively before Goldtooth, deliberately appearing unimpressed by the half-orc's posturing. "Go ahead then, test us," he says nonchalantly, before turning to the officers.
"I don't think this is going to be as easy as he makes out. I'll do this one - I'm not the best fighter, I can't answer clever questions, and I don't swim as well as others. And he didn't say anything about not using magic that doesn't make us fly."
Kung looks more than willing to make the climb to the top; the brash arrogance of the larger half-orc instinctively inciting his will to prove himself. Markizio's nomination has him starting to move to the mast before Marnir has a chance to speaks up. His Captain's voice arrests his movement, though, and he joins the circle of officers.
Nodding at Marnir's suggestions, he defers. "Marnir smart. Show that good captain willing to do least work of crew."
The ship used for the challenge is the Stingray, a brig moored at a neighboring dock, with two tall square-rigged masts. Competitors must climb 60 feet up the mast’s rigging to the top spar. Climbing the mast requires a DC 10 Climb check for the lower 45 feet and a DC 15 Climb check for the upper 15 feet.
Contestants must then make their way along the yard, which extends 30 feet out from both sides of the mast, untying sail as they go. Contestants can use accelerated climbing (–5 penalty on the check) to increase their climbing speed from one-quarter speed to half speed.
Moving along the yard requires a DC 10 Climb check, or a contestant can walk along the yard at half speed with a DC 15 Acrobatics check (or move at full speed with a DC 25 Acrobatics check). Climbing or balancing requires one skill check per move action.
While everyone is watching the race the rest of you can make Perception checks please.
A bald sailor, one of Goldtooth's lot is loitering near the stay holding the line securing the yard Marnir is working on.
He is making to untie the stay, loosing the yard and making it swing as Marnir is up on it.
Kung sees one of Goldtooth's men lingering near the stay holding the line that secure's Marnir's line, but doesn't think much of it, and returns to watching and cheering for his Captain.
Niobe notes that one of Goldtooth's sailors is loitering near the stay. She nudges Markizio and says, "Why is he over there? He'd get a better view of the action from over by the ramp."
Jane easily sees what's going on. "Don't know.. We should keep an eye on them.
Marnir spends a few seconds channeling magic into his limbs, before stepping forward to look up at the mast. He plans a route and sees a need to alternate sides as he unties the stays.
"See you up there," he says with mock friendliness to Goldtooth's lackey. At the signal he launches himself up the rigging, ascending like a Shackles monkey. He arrives on the yard with ease, untying the inner stays quickly before stepping out onto the footrope to release the outer ones.
Marnir works quickly and efficiently, his calloused fingers having no trouble with the worn, salt-crusted ropes. The sail unfurls appropriately as Marnir shuffles along the yard to the other side, moving carefully and resisting the temptation to show off or taunt Goldtooth.
Markizio also sees the sailor and turns to Niobe, "I don't know but I don't like it. Let me go check this out."
He yelled encouragement to his captain and sauntered over to the lone sailor, "Hey, what are you doing here?"
As Markizio approaches the sailor looks over his shoulder, he'd been reaching for the stay line to untie it, now seeing he's been discovered he draws his dagger and makes to cut the line blatantly.
What are you doing.
As Markizio approaches the sailor looks over his shoulder, he'd been reaching for the stay line to untie it, now seeing he's been discovered he draws his dagger and makes to cut the line blatantly.
What are you doing.
Markizio sprung into action, "I knew you were up to no good!"
He called out to his captain, "Watch out captain, things are about to get interesting up there."
He then drew his blade and sliced at the offending hand.
-----------
The man curses foully as Markizio cuts him nastily.
He drops his dagger and whips out his cutlass. No one else seems interested in the matter, in fact most remarks seem to be betting on the outcome of the fight. It's treated as a normal part of the proceedings.
A circle forms with wagers being shouted as blood is drawn by both men.
Markizio can go again.
Markizio looked at his brand new shirt in shock, "Ah shit! You... bloodied my shirt. You're gonna pay for that."
With blade already out, the man goes into full fighting mode, which for the magus meant that magic came into play.
Chanting arcane words to energize his blade, the magus struck back.
It seemed like lightning bathe the blade and then the sailor as the energy was transferred to his body in a deep cut.
-------------
critical?
HP 51/59
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18
Conditions: shocking burst on blade
Melee (+1 keen falcata): +9 = +1(magical) +5(base) +3(STR)
Melee Damage (+1 keen falcata): 1d8+4 = +1(weapon) +3 (str), 17-20, x3
5/6 arcane pool
Spell used: n/a
Kung's eyes are drawn away from Marnir out on the yard arm as Markizio starts slashing away at another pirate on the ground.
Jealous that Markizio started a fight before he even had the idea to (Markizio so smart!), Kung quickly pushes to the front of the ring, where he proceeds to taunt the other pirate. "Don't mess up shirt! Bad mistake. Now you in trouble!"
When he hears wagers being offered, Kung begins collecting as many as he can in support of Markizio.
Marnir looks down as he hears Markizio's shout. The sail beneath him flaps in the breeze and he catches a glimpse of the first mate drawing his weapon on one of Goldtooth's lackeys. Confident that Markizio wouldn't have started a fight for no reason, he yells down in encouragement. "Show him how the crew of the Drake fight, first mate!" He starts to make his way back across to the mast to support his crew in the fight.
Out of range to do anything really useful. Jane looks at Kung "10g on our first mate!" using a loud enough voice to get the attention of the other crew.
When Markizio nearly guts him the sailor hurriedly backs off. Much to the disgust of those wagering on the scuffle. Marnir wins the test of seamanship handily. The other sailor performing professionally and not taking any risks.
Goldtooth looks disgruntled at how easily you won, even more you can hear the whispers and taunts coming from the crowd at his back, showing how unpopular he is.
The Second Test: A Friendly Game of Cards.
Tsadok’s wants to see how much talent and luck you possess in his
second test. A small table is set up on the aft deck of your ship, and one of you must gamble against Tsadok in a card game called Bastard’s Fool.
Bastard’s Fool is a popular game on pirate ships, and is played using a deck cobbled together from several partial decks. Even a down-on-his-luck sailor who doesn’t even have a full deck of cards can play Bastard’s Fool, as each player brings whatever cards she has, and combines them with other players’ cards to create a new deck. Bastard’s Fool is a bluffing game similar to poker, but Tsadok adds an additional “Port Peril” rule to the game: the winner of each hand must drink a ration cup of Gutburn rum. Each player starts with a stake of 100 platinum pieces. You must supply your own stake; Tsadok has brought
along a moneychanger to exchange currency or plunder if needed.
AFTER FIGHT
Markizio was still appalled at the violence without provocation. He knew he had fought an experienced fighter and counted himself lucky to leave with but a scratch. But his shirt was ruined.
He spied money changing hands and lots going to Kung; he joked, "Hey big guy, I hope you're going to buy me a new shirt with some of that money!"
CARD GAME
Markizio did not like card games nor drinking particularly too much. "I may not be the best gambler or drinker of us so I think I'll pass on this one."
He added, "I'll remain around of course and be very vigilant for any funny business going on. These pirates have already proven that they are untrustworthy."
"So who will do it?"
Circling up with the others, Kung speaks of his obvious strengths in only part of the game. "Kung drink more than all, but not good at cards, only if lucky. Kung not smart."
"I've, um, never actually played cards," admits Niobe as she huddles with the rejoined crew. "Oh, Markizio, your shirt," she says sympathetically. "Now we have to hit that ship laden with silks and satins."
Marnir climbs quickly back down the mast and stares ferociously at Goldtooth, making it very clear that he isn't happy with the underhand tactics employed by his man. "Thanks first mate," he says to Markizio as he walks back along the deck. "Feel free to cut the bastard down next time."
On hearing about the next test, he shakes his head. "I've never been successful with cards. Drinking maybe, but not cards."
"Nobody good with cards. Who best at think fast and learn new game?" Kung looks over his shoulder at the other crew, and returns his attention to the group. "Not much time. Kung good with drink; this maybe not so bad like rotgut? Rotgut okay too; Kung like. We have spell for secret talk?" He looks at the Unbound Drake's new mermaid. "Niobe smart. Maybe Kung hold cards so Niobe see, and Niobe say what card Kung play?"
_____________
Jane shrugs. "While I might not be the best option, I think I do have a good chance at cards."
Marnir climbs quickly back down the mast and stares ferociously at Goldtooth, making it very clear that he isn't happy with the underhand tactics employed by his man. "Thanks first mate," he says to Markizio as he walks back along the deck. "Feel free to cut the bastard down next time."
On hearing about the next test, he shakes his head. "I've never been successful with cards. Drinking maybe, but not cards."
Markizio looks about, "Captain I think you may the best suited for this game as well."
He looks at Kung, "You're strong and can drink almost as much as Kung here. Yet you are persuasive and with a strong personality. Those are all good traits of a bluffer."
He added, "Heck if you wanted to, you could give yourself a little extra magical boost. Maybe a spell that makes you more perceptive..."
----------
"I'm the captain here, I'm not supposed to do all the work. That's why I have all of you," Marnir says with a mischievous grin. "But if I'm the best pirate for the job..." he adds with a shrug.
Jane sneaks up behind him and whispers. "We have our own talents."
The cards are dealt, both players ante up, Goldtooth makes a bet, Marnir smiles back and goes all in. Goldtooth blanches and tries his luck, matching the bet. He loses. The party is 100pp richer.
You see several of his crew rolling their eyes behind Goldtooth, it seems his delusions regarding his skill at cards are well known.
Each hand, gamblers receive a starting hand and place their initial bets. They may then discard some of their cards and draw more to improve their hand, and bet again. Once all bets are matched, the gamblers reveal their cards and the best hand wins.
To simulate an actual game of Bastard’s Fool, each player rolls dice, trying to get a score as close to 20 as possible without going over. At the beginning of the hand, each player pays an ante of 1 pp and secretly rolls a d20, representing her starting hand. A round of betting ensues (minimum bet is 1 pp; maximum bet is a player’s entire stake, called “all in”). To represent the discard and draw, each player may then secretly roll another die of her choice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, or d20) to improve her score (the larger the die, the more cards drawn). This is followed by another round of betting. A player can fold at any time instead of betting—in this case, the opposing player wins the hand. If the total of both dice is 20 or less, that is the gambler’s score.
If the total is over 20, the gambler’s score is only the highest number
on a single die (representing a poor draw). The highest score wins the hand. On a tie, no one wins. The pot remains on the table, and a new hand begins, with bets added to the existing pot.
Goldtooth manages not to go into a rage at his lose. Smiling tightly as he announces the 3rd and final test.
A pirate needs to be able to fight, so Tsadok’s third challenge tests your combat abilities. This test takes place on your ship—any damage to your ship or property as a result of this test is your own problem. All of you can compete in this test, in which you must defend your ship from one very large, very dangerous boarder. You can position yourselves anywhere on your ship that you choose, but any crew must go ashore for the duration of the test—you must prove that you alone can defend their
ship. There are no other prohibitions on your actions.
Creature: Once you are in position, some of Tsadok’s crew wheel a large, covered cage onto the dock adjacent to your ship. Tsadok uncovers and opens the cage, revealing a hideously ugly and obese marsh giant called Fishpork—a favorite at several of Port Peril’s fighting arenas.
Tsadok orders the brute to attack the you, and retreats back to the mainland to watch. Tsadok cares nothing for Fishpork—either the giant kills you, or you kill him.
Goldtooth manages not to go into a rage at his lose. Smiling tightly as he announces the 3rd and final test.
Markizio claps his captain's back, "Good job. Heck if I knew it was going to be that easy, I would have done it."
The magus shook his head, "They still want to test us."
Markizio taunts them back when the giant is wheeled in, "So which one of you is going to tell that ugly sod's mother he was killed, eh?"
He turned to Kung, "He's got you beat bossum. He's way uglier than you are."
When things were getting serious, the magus took his place and cat a couple of protective spells before the brute was loosened.
"You all ready? Let's take this down quickly so he won't mes the Drake."
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HP 59/59
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18
Conditions: AC=24 and blur
Melee (+1 keen falcata): +9 = +1(magical) +5(base) +3(STR)
Melee Damage (+1 keen falcata): 1d8+4 = +1(weapon) +3 (str), 17-20, x3
6/6 arcane pool
Spell used: shield, blur
"He's got you beat bossum. He's way uglier than you are."
Without any hint of irony, Kung replies with challenge in his voice. "You take back, or Kung tear shirt. Kung ugliest!" Oblivious to the giggles from the last crew members as they leave the ship, Kung continues muttering to himself. "Kung fix Fishpork. Beat all ugly out of stupid ugly giant."
HP 75+14/75
AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+6 armor, +3 dex, +1 natural, -2 rage)
Fort: +12, Ref: +11, Will: +7 (+4 vs. spells/-like abilities, superstition)
Conditions: rage
Melee (+3 furious greatsword): +15/+8 (+6 BAB, +6 str, +3 enhancement, -0/-2 power attack, +2 rage)
Melee Damage (+3 furious greatsword): 2d6+20 (+9 str, +3 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 rage)
Ranged (javelin, amentum, 50'): +9 (+6 BAB, +3 dex)
Ranged Damage (javelin): 1d8+7 (+6 str, +1 whetstone)
15/15 rds Rage remaining
________
"He's got you beat bossum. He's way uglier than you are."Without any hint of irony, Kung replies with challenge in his voice. "You take back, or Kung tear shirt. Kung ugliest!" Oblivious to the giggles from the last crew members as they leave the ship, Kung continues muttering to himself. "Kung fix Fishpork. Beat all ugly out of stupid ugly giant."
Markizio tries to soothe Kung, "Easy big guy. Save it for the ... the Fishpork over there."
He then realized what Kung had actually said; he raised his eyebrows "Wait, did you just threaten my shirt? Uh, uh, you don't get to threaten my shirt. A man's clothes speak for himself and I like mine to speak loud and clear."
With the giant's step reverberating the dock, "We'll talk about this some later..."
Niobe says, "Let's save it for the giant! Here, let me help..."
"This is the stupidest game I've ever played," Marnir quips as he easily figures out the game and wins all of Goldtooth's money. He stands, scoops the pile of coins into his pouch, and strides away with the barest hint of a swagger.
The next challenge is more of an issue, and the stench of the giant wafts across the deck of the Drake. "You're right, first mate. I don't want that giant rampaging over my deck. Let's bring it down quickly, eh?" Marnir summons his magic, touching Kung and causing his form to shimmer, then sending out a jolt of energy to enhance his officers' reactions. He draws his axe, and makes ready to fight,
Jane watches as the game starts. "Well, that's quite... interesting."