Radval listened attentively as both of Percival and Jaina discussed the matter, he almost felt like he was back with the order of wizards again, but there was no talk of spells and arcane here, but what troubled him is why they assumed he'd be a pirate? Its true that he had found himself in the company of sea raiders even when he did not desire it, did that mean he would become one though? Like Kaven....NO, not like him, never like him, even if I did become a pirate... And for a brief moment the thought of sailing on a ship, and enjoying the salty air without anyone trying to boss him around entered his mind and for that very brief moment it did not seem so bad.
The young sorcerer scratched his hair lightly before giving both of his lecturers, inquisitive looks "What do you two hope to gain if you freed yourselves?" He asked finally.
Radval's question causes Jaina to think. There was a list of things she hoped to gain from being freed; a sturdy bed, a stiff drink, perhaps even good pay...
Oh, what's the use? Even if I did get all those things, that still doesn't make me a free woman.
"And what makes you think there's freedom to be had for us?"
She sits up in her hammock, rubbing her rat-bitten leg. "When I was properly starting my life on the sea, I met an old salt in some dockside dive." She shrugs. "A rather unremarkable man; broken nose, greying hair, missing teeth, but he had eyes like he'd seen Hell and left a piece of himself there."
"Well, after we made introductions--" She gestures to the myriad of small scars on her arms. "--we hit it off. Gave me some pointers on how to properly throw a punch and break a chair or two over some drunk scab's head."
Jaina gets a faraway look in her eyes. "He also told me something that let me see just how much freedom every man, woman and child in the Shackles has."
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Percival rolled his eyes for a moment. He couldnt help it.
You think the shackles are bad? try living in Cheliax with mother who wants nothing more than to increase the family status by any means... I could be married to a woman as old as my mother on my return. There is about as much freedom here on the sea as anywhere else, no matter what a Talden will tell you. But Negative nancy with the fiery hair over there is right about one thing. Plenty of places to travel to seeking fame fortune and plunder. Remind me to tell you my plans of when i have a ship of the line of my own."
He said with a laugh but with a good natured smile. He certainly wasnt trying to make the fiery lass's words seem ...wrong.
I do know the first thing i would change though if i were in charge, The lash. There are other ways to punish. Save the cat for the murderers and theives I say.
Randall lifts his head from his hammock and looks at the others "Radval, don't let these others get you down. A man's, or woman's," he nods at Jaina "destiny is their own to make. The God's don't care one whit about what the likes of us do, so it's up to us to make things happen. Each new day is an opportunity waiting to be taken, even here, you just have to keep your eyes open."
He sobers, slightly "You think I'm a fool because that's the part I play. If I can bounce back up after every beating, then Plugg and Scourge cannot win and perhaps others will see that as well."
Jaina arches an eyebrow at Percival.
"At least with an arranged marriage, you know you have the power to free yourself from it. You recognize it for what it is, and can take steps to correct it, be it through running away or murder." She crosses her legs.
"As for the Shackles, have you ever wondered why they're called that? It's supposed to be a joke, two giant middle fingers thrown up at Cheliax. A place where a man's shackles may be broken." She snorts.
"When was the last time you saw a merchant vessel sail these waters without an escort? Such instances are rare, are they not? Those captains only make the voyage if they're desperate and foolhardy. In fact, I'll wager that almost every other ship that gets plundered by an up-and-coming band of pirates is a pirate ship itself here. And that plunder was, in turn, stolen from other pirates. It's rare to find a captain who has the guts to range out from the Shackles and seek plunder in new waters."
She sighs again, lying back in her hammock. "By the time a captain takes the helm of his own ship, the waters of the Shackles are all he knows. He knows when the best plunder can be taken, he knows the regular sailing routes. It becomes routine, sailing here and then going back ashore to complain about the lack of new booty for another month."
She looks back at Percival, her eyes focused on him now. "He becomes shackled to this place. If he really wanted better riches, he'd have sailed beyond the horizon a long time ago."
She sounds like she's speaking from experience.
"But perhaps these are just the ramblings of a cynical, flame-haired b**ch, and I'm wrong. There's a part of me that hopes every day that I'm wrong."
Rubbing his temple after he heard the long and varied opinions of the three people he fought beside today. Radval has always seen the shackles as the perfect place for pirates, he didn't think that in someway they could be slaves to their own supposed free seas, but if you did leave these seas as a pirate you were asking to be pursued by the law I don't know if true freedom exists or not, but for now I'll take freedom from these pirates if I can acquire it Resolving that this is what he should focus on now, he went to a free hammock and laid in it himself, his eyes still wide open.
"Insulting yourself will gain you nothing" He said offhandedly as he stared at nothing in particular.
Jaina lays back in her hammock, staring at the ceiling.
"Point taken, Wisp."
After you successfuly defeated the rats in the bilges, you kind of celebrate your little victory. Your new friends Sandara, Rosie and Ratline join you, participating in the chattering and exchange of stories.
On the far end of the deck, you can notice some of the other sailors, among them Tonchobhar and Crimson Cog, looking at you jealously and unfriendly.
On the next day, all work as normal and nothing unexpected happens.
Only after the evening meal, Mr. Plugg brings out the guy called "Owlbear", for "a bit of sport" as he and his fellows say. Mr. Plugg’s “pet,” a simpleminded, hulking brute called Owlbear Hartshorn, is usually kept belowdecks in the middle hold and you saw him there now and then while passing through.
Mr. Plugg, pointing at your group as you sit together on the deck: Oi you lot there, all new sailors who defeated a bunch of rats so gloriously! How about you take on a real foe? Mr. Hartshorn here likes a good fistfight and searches for some entertainment. Any one of you landlubbers able to serve him?
He grins deviously while there is a sudden silence and the whole crew on deck watches your reaction. Then the other sailors begin to cheer, keen to see a good fight.
Randall looks up as Plugg addresses the group, then looks at his friends "Jaina, I believe you're up. This should be right up your alley, just go easy on him and make it look good. The crew expects a good show and we wouldn't want to disappoint."
At the beginning Radval thought this display useless and without real purpose, but a few moments later he saw opportunity; everyone was too busy focusing on Plugg on his minion, which meant there would be fewer eyes worrying about where he'd be off. Grey irises shifted from left to right, before Radval skulked between the crowds and made it to the curtain of a nearby shadow Plugg's room should be empty, lets see what he has in there Radval dove into the way that lead to Plugg's cabin, his sense recklessness unbound on this day.
Jaina sizes up Mr. Hartshorn, specifically looking to see if he has any weaknesses to exploit. For that matter, something nagged at her... was he really doing this of his own free will?
Something was definitely nagging at her. She was never one to turn down a good scrap, but if Hartshorn was being bullied into this, this wouldn't sit well with her at all.
"Why not?" She rises, cracking her knuckles.
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Percival shook his head then grinned, This probably wasnt going to be pretty.
Is there really going to be a fight with no betting? I've got what 3 to 1 odds on the flame haired one, surely this brute can handle her?"
He called out to the others though he too was keeping a close eye on things... this had to be some form of a set up, he was buggered to see what it was though at the moment.
Owlbear seems to be a simple man. Also, he seems to be blind in his left eye and very slow. You can take advanteage of this by making a DC 10 acrobatics or bluff check to avoid his blows.
Plugg tosses down a purse and the sailors build a ring, about 20 feet in diameter.
I bet 100 gold pieces on MR. Hartshorn here. No magic or other tricks, just a plain fistfight untill one is unconscious. Begin!
Blind in his left eye. Slow on his left side. Attack from that angle. Shouldn't be able to fight effectively that way.
Jaina cracks her knuckles and attacks from Owlbear's left side.
Something is bothering Jaina, though, causing her to pull her swing short of its mark.
Simple man. Possibly doesn't know what he's getting himself into. Might not be a fair fight.
Seeing a chance to turn this against Plugg, Radval approached one of the pirates that were a bit further from the fight but still completely focused on it "Plugg isn't planning to pay if he loses" He whispered the lie to the man, before disappearing amongst the crowd "Plugg won't pay up" Spoke those words subtly to another pirate and left him just as he did the first. Radval stepped to one more "Plugg is playing you he isn't giving you anything if he loses"
Jaina seems to shake her fist at Owlbear, in truth she is missing by some meters. She is able to dodge his following attack easily though.
The crowd of sailors cheers on or the other loudly, bets are placed and exitement grows. Some look at Radval as he whispers in their ears.
Staying in Owlbear's blind spot, she starts punching again, this time in a flurry.
Her first one comes up short...
...but her second one swings more accurately.
Jaina again easily dodges Owlbears fist and in return lands a hard blow in his face. The crowd cheers, but Mr. Plugg is seemingly unpleased.
Jaina keeps on attacking from Owlbear's blind spot, nimbly trying to dodge his clumsy swings.
This is too easy. It's like I'm fighting a toddler.
The thought makes Jaina uncomfortable, but not enough for her to relent in her blows.
Seeing how it doesn´t go well, Mr. Plug waves to another sailor, who throws a club to Owlbear. Flamehair here seems to be a real hero, let´s raise the stakes somewhat!
Unfortunately for you, the crowd cheers agreement and seems very excited to see some blood. At least some of them, like Crimson Cog.
Meanwhile Sandara stands next to Radvall.
That poor fellow. Plug holds him like an animal. Probably he is not the brightest lantern onboard, but still deserves better than to be pressured into such fights only for the amusement of Plug and his gang. What do you think?
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"A club? That's no longer a fistfight by any rules, I suppose that purse of yours is forfeit then eh Mr. Plug?"
The noble began with a scowl. He didn't like where this was going at all,He eyed the large simple minded fellow with the club calculating how difficult it would be to step in and disarm him if need be.
Radval's eyes widened "I thought he was just another one of his men" He answered, before turning his attention to the fight once more, and found his hatred for Plug growing with each passing moment, but Radval's malice filled thoughts were interrupted when he unintentionally pushed by a cheering pirate Those idiots, he plans to rob them blind and they cheer for him, what would they do if he were to fling them from the ship crown him as their king??! Radval's fist clenched hard as anger took its place by his ever strengthening loathing towards the man that started this whole charade, his face only showing this as a small frown.
Jaina snorts as one of the other pirates tosses Owlbear a club. Won't change anything. Just stay in his blind spot and he can't hit a damn thing.
She shrugs before beckoning Owlbear to take a swing. "Well, come on now. Don't be shy."
She readies herself, preparing to dodge his clumsy swings again. Hey, might as well put on a show...
Neither Plugg nor the crowd seem uncomfortable with the club in owlbears hands and nobody listens to your complaints. The fight goes on and on, nobody landing a serious blow, but more and more it becomes visible that Jaina is by far superior. Seems like she has to make a decision, beat him down heavily and maybe kill him or just beat him to the ground?
The cheering didn't show any sign of stopping, and that worried Radval, he knew that when it came to pirates a vast amount of mirth could transform into an equal amount of anger if given the proper incentive, and normally he would have welcomed that...but he didn't want the people he fought alongside...his eyes shifted towards Jaina, Percival, Randall and Lilly, or the people he got to know...grey eyes went towards Sandara who was standing next to him to get caught in the blast of anger of these pirates Good thing the morons didn't listen to my lies... Radval tried to see how the fight was going but with all the pirates coming in front of them he had a shifting view of the battleground at best.
The wild swing from Owlbear finally convinced Jaina to bring an end to the fight. No honour. Typical for a pirate. Two can play at that game. She approaches from Owlbear's blind spot again...
Now, a monk's stunning blow is commonly described as being a technique that needs focus, long hours in meditation to unlock the body's mysteries, good aim and a strong arm. The monk must strike one of the body's key pressure points to send her opponent reeling, giving her enough time to prepare a more directed assault.
Jaina opted to forgo all that and just punch Owlbear in the nuts.
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This is ridiculous, I have seen better fights between street urchins. Your big fellow is outclassed by my girl Jaina, Mr. Hartshorn is it? drop the club and join us for a drink and a rousing song or two lets save the battle for those ships we close on eh?
He was tired of this fight, and truth be told, Mr. Plugg had to have an alterior motive somehow involved in it. Percival just couldn't see it yet. Jaina's combantant was obviously a few eggs short of a dozen, no sense in the large fellow getting hurt to show plugg up.
Lilly watches the fight, Eyeball perched on the rail beside her. She cringes everytime a blow lands. I hate this useless violence. All for entertainment...I don't see it.
After the last hit, Owlbear seems stunned, then drops the club and begins to cry, trying to back away. He get´s shoved back into the ring though by the bloodthirsty and cheering crowd. But some faces also watch intently while cheering, curious on what happens next. Mr. Plugg is sneering, obviously not pleased with the development here. It seems the waits for Jaina to finish the fight and kill Owlbear, just like maybe he wanted to see Jaina dead.
The world seems to stand still besides all the cheers and noise and shoving in the crowd, all eyes centered on Jaina.
You (Jaina) can see the ring of people around you, some of your friends among them, some others that look at you hostily, many who seem amused and are cheering. In front of you is Owlbear Hartshorn, you tries to flee, but cannot escape the ring. You need to decide, to kill or not to kill.
Jaina simply watches Owlbear be thrown around. The poor man had surrendered and wanted no part of this. She shoots a baleful look at Mr. Plugg.
She looks back to her pocket, where she put her ration of rum. She takes it out, looking Owlbear in the eye.
Then she walks over to the man and holds it out for him to take with a smile on her face.
"You were a good opponent, Mr. Hartshorn."
In the confusion, Randall steps up and scoops up the bag and tosses it to Jaina "This is yours, I believe" ha says before approaching Owlbear Hartshorn. "Good job, mate" he says jovially before casting a spell that causes some of the bruising to fade from his face.
Turning to Jaina, he does the same.
Jaina catches the purse of gold with one hand while Percival hoists her other hand up high.
She shrugs and pockets it.
The crowd is silent for a moment, but then cheers even louder, fiddles are taken out and a party begins on deck, as the last rum rations are drunk and everyone seems pretty happy.
Not everyone though. Mr. Plugg scowls at you and leaves with some of his friends.
Owlbear Hartshorn stares at you first. He seems pretty scared and can´t believe you won´t hurt him any more. After receiving the healing though, he is really relieved. He falls to the floor in front of Jaina and kisses her feet, calling her his new best friend.
He clearly isn´t a man of many nor sophisticated words, but he´s quite strong and surely a loyal friend from now on.
You spend the rest of the evening on deck, having a good time.
In the next days nothing special happens and you go after your everyday work as usual.
Jaina cringes when Owlbear starts kissing her feet. Was he really so poorly treated that being nice to him causes him to latch onto that person? He's a simple man, but... heavens, even she wouldn't drive a man to this point.
Besides, he has no idea where my feet have been today.
She offers Owlbear a hand. "You don't need to do that, Mr. Hartshorn. Here. Let me help you up."
"Lets go" Said Radval to Sandara "Plugg is going to look for revenge and he won't care who he crushes or who's on the receiving end of his wrath, its best if we stay out of his sights for a while" He continued before walking off, hoping that the red haired woman would listen to his advice, his eyes skirting towards his companions as he approached the stairs that would take him away from the deck and the cheering that boomed across the ship.
After helping Owlbear to his feet, Jaina notices Radval heading back below decks and turns to follow him. She wasn't in a partying mood, and she needed a rest from the fight.
Noticing the other red head on their 'merry' boat walk next to him, caused the sorcerer to turn his face in her direction "It was kind of you to spare him" Radval's lips were still locked in a straight line, but his words didn't seem as distant and disinterested as before.
"Do not attract attention for the next few days, Plugg isn't going to take this and lay low, he's going to lash out" Radval paused, his grey eyes turning cold "And its better if he massacres those that aren't standing with us" Then he looked to his back to see if anyone else was following them.
Jaina shrugs. "I don't pick fights with anyone weaker than me. Plugg put him up to it, and he lost. I'll save my real punches for him." Jaina quickly shoots another look at Plugg before looking back at the sorcerer.
"Ms. Quinn, I presume?" Jaina cocks an eyebrow at the redheaded priestess.
"This is what I mean! Don't speak like that for the next few days!" Hissed Radval, as he reached out with both hands and grabbed the taller and more imposing woman's shoulders "I don't..." He paused, his grip strengthening slightly, before he let go entirely, his arms fell limply by his sides and then he turned away and stared at nothing in particular...some concern could be felt in the mess of anger and frustration that were in the last two words he uttered.
"Never mind...never mind..." This time only rage and frustration were present in his tone, but his eyes spoke of something else...guilt.
Jaina arches an eyebrow, surprised at Radval's surprising show of strength. "Relax, I don't plan on it. I'm not stupid enough to just up and start something without a reason."
He sounds guilty. Did something similar happen to him?
"Come on, let's go below decks. If nothing else, we'll be able to speak more freely there." She starts heading down.
A single nod was all the response Radval gave before he followed after the martial artist. His head swimming in a bog of grim thoughts and memories.
Lilly stays away from the celebration, but tries to smile, and nod at Owlbear everytime she sees him on deck over the next few days. Even Eyeball seems to like him.
In the next days, the weather becomes rougher and rougher.
After a day of heavy winds and rain, a storm well and truly hits the Wormwood on the eighth day. The ship is tossed about on the high seas and all hands are called on deck to work, including the cook’s mate. You are all called to help out in the rigging.
=Rope Work
Randall furiously hauls and coils the rope around the cleats, trying to secure it but despite his best efforts is unable to stow it away. Looking around he hopes that in the chaos no one notices otherwise "It'll probably be the lash for me if we make it through this storm.
As the storm lashes the ship, Jaina scrambles up to the crow's nest to provide a lookout for the crew.
The storm tosses the Wormwood about like a cork, but she's able to perform her lookout duties adequately, much to her surprise.
If there's one job I can't do well in the rigging, it's keeping a lookout. I get bored easily...
If we can, that would put me over the top.
The ship rocked from side to side and a darkened sky loomed over the struggling vessel as it grappled with the waves that tried to break it apart and drag into the darkness below. Screams of crew members and strained wooden planks sounded from all side, the ship was starting to sound like a jungle that had been disturbed by the arrival of a new and loud predator. Radval could barely get a grip before he slipped and fell, so after the third time he decided to give up, he doubted he could get anything done in this storm, before he could lament this any further a massive splash of a breaking wave caught the upper part of his body, the salty water burning his eyes slightly.
When he opened them once more he saw the sight of Randall struggling with ropes, wordless he walked to the man, doing his best to keep his footing steady, the last thing he wanted to do here was fall.
"I think our time would be better spent doing other things, with the pirates busy with this storm...we should have an easy time scouting areas of the ship" He whispered to the bard, hoping that the shrieks of crashing waves and screams of the strained ship would hide his words from the ears of others.
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"You boys might want to tie off to a spare rope during this blow, cant have anyone falling overboard in this mess!"
He called down to both radval and Randall, neither man looked to handling the furious motion of the boat well. He could only imagine how Jaina was holding up in the crows nest, the motion would be twice as bad up there that was for sure. He followed his own advice, tying himself off around his waist as he worked to repair the damage the storm was causeing. This was certainly going to be a long and rough day.