Skulls and Shackles: Overhauled and Overboard (It's Dead, Jim.) (Inactive)

Game Master DavianGrallus

As the crew begins to work through the darkness, fighting the water as it shifts up, down, and side to side in the bilges, many so far become extremely fatigued. Your arms hurt, your stomachs grumble, and your eyes strain from the darkness, should you not be able to see in it.

The water, itself however, despite it being a small amount, begins to level out of the bilges as you fight against the now clean water thanks to the dragonling's casting. Sandara, impressed with this intuition, begins to do the same with her own spells.

"Seems these idiots took out the pumps and just want us to move water from one side to another and not even get it out of this room. This is a pointless exercise and does little. Don't bother working at all or you will just tire yourself out."

She said before they start working as she walked over. Using her wings to point it out.

Stretches and snaps her teeth shut and sighs. "So that explains the discrepancies."

"Well Sealith, pointless or not, I'd rather do this than that." Tossing another bucket-full, Grim jerks his head towards the orc's corpse.
I wonder what they poisoned us with anyway? Something colorless, easily soluble in a drink, and presumably fast acting.
Craft Alchemy to identify poison?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Knowledge Local to see if something matching that description is readily available in the Shackles: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Zarrus walks over and picks up a bucket and begins to pick up the water and move it. Then looks at Sealith and says, "Idiots? I thought it was wise to refrain from insults?" as he chuckles.
He then stands up and stops chuckling. "But, my guess is that they want to see our willingness to follow orders. Anyhow, I don't mind a little exercise."
Zarrus goes back to moving the water over.

Rolls as I forgot Profession sailor: 1d20 ⇒ 10 Profession sailor: 1d20 ⇒ 2 Profession sailor: 1d20 ⇒ 7 Profession sailor: 1d20 ⇒ 19 Profession sailor: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Tim works dilligently, happy to continue the kind of work he's grown up doing:

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Profession Sailor 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Profession Sailor 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Profession Sailor 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Profession Sailor 4: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Profession Sailor 5: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"I was tellin' the truth 'bout Captain Harrigan, but-" Sandara gives a small giggle "I'm afraid the work isn't honest. And this isn't Captain Harrigan's ship. Come on ya' damn loons- time to go up and above. It's at least past noon now, Scourge has won his bet for sure now."

Sandara moves past the others through the dim lighting of the "bilges" and climbs up the ladder. Unlike the method requested by Mr. Plugg, the trap door flies right open, and a orange tinted light pierces through the darkness, relieving many of your eyes as she does so.

With two fingers in her mouth, Sandara whistles, and a far away sounding roar of laughter can be heard by all of you- Sandara gives a few small laughs as well.

"And HOW many of 'em worked, our dear Sandara of Besmara?" An unfamiliar voice calls out.

Sandara laughs as she calls back out "Five! Only one of 'em caught on ta whatchya were doin', Plugg!"

"F#~$! Which one was it then?" Mr. Plugg calls out in an echo.

"Your favorite new found pet, er, damn it... What's yer name, love?" Sandara calls down the ladder towards Sealith.

"So we've been played." Grim says coldly as he climbs the ladder. "Tell me, is the Orc actually dead or was that part of the plan?"

After Grimsby climbs the ladder he'll take a minute to look around.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Zarrus looks at Sandara as she reveals this surprise and raises his eyebrows and tilts his head.
He then follows up after Gimsby and takes a moment for his eyes to adjust whilst above. As the laughing insues he joins in, laughing so hard that he begins to roll on the floor and smack the boat with his hand. Then yells out "Paaahhh!!! Boy and girls that was the most hilarious hazing I've ever seen! Literally nothing is funnier!" His voice fell flat towards the end as he rose up back to his feet.

He then turns his head left, then right, his eyes scanning everyone and off the boat. Attempting to find Harrigan and more importantly how far away from land they are, if at all.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Vic just looks around uncomfortable with all the laughter, he takes a position behind sealith

Looking up at the woman she shook her head. Grabbing Vicent she pushed him up the ladder and climbed out after him. Knowing some people were put out about the whole ordeal.

"Humans call me Sealith." She stated simply before looking around at the others. She could see exhaustion on the others and watched Vicent step behind her. Hooking her wings onto her shoulder she would say. "It seems we were their amusement for the day along with getting a judge on who had some sailing sense." Looking to Sandara she studied her for a long moment with her eyes.

'A woman of Besmara then. That is indeed interesting.' Her claws closed as she stood there looking around carefully. Her stern look just another part of having a dragon like face.

Maybe if my profession sailor check had yielded that although this is something to do while sailing, the ship itself was all b*!%%~#@, I wouldn't look like such an ass.
Making an ass of myself with simple oversight* certainly doesn't make for a good first impression. Maybe the poison or the threat of death by the whim of an ill-tempered pirate has dulled my senses.
"Perhaps we could be of some actual use now, or would you rather we move ocean water from one side of the boat to the other?" Thomas asks, curtly.

Sandara calls out Sealith's name to Mr. Plugg, who gives a nod to her as she appears upon the large ship's return "Aye, well, I'll be having a reward for 'er once you get 'em up here. Come on come on, you didn't save me any money, you dragon kin you- but I'll still reward chya for meetin' me expectations."

A man is shoved by Plugg, carrying just as wild a smile as him, though he stands a bit stronger and fit with with no whip in his hand "Yes.... And the rest of you- well, I'll be havin' a reward fer you as well. Yeh made me a whoooole lot of gold just in these past few hours."

As the boats slap sides, a rope ladder is dropped over the larger boat and Scourge puts a boot on it's rail, gesturing his arms wide "WELCOME, ladies and gents, to the Wormwood! So sorry about yer friend dyin'.... he'll be havin' a nice sleep with the fishes. As for the rest of yeh, well.... We'll see just how worthy ye' are of our ship in a few more moments. Come, come."

Sandara makes her way up the rope ladder first. One of the raucous laughing crew members attempts to give a squeeze after her as she pats herself off. She gives him a rightful punch in the jaw, and in a snap, a few other men take the man to the central sail post. "Yer' lookin' for the whip then, are yeh? PLUGG, gimme that damn cat. If I've told 'em once I've told 'em a thousand g!* d$%n times, I'm not f~~@in' available if ye ain't a damn Captain.

And our Captain has said hands off the Woman of Besmara, ain't he?"

Thomas Grimsby makes his way over to the ladder, climbing aboard the actual Wormwood. Careful not to be fooled again, Grim watches Scourge carefully as he speaks, looking for any telltale signs of a lie.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Zarrus follows Thomas up the ladder a couple steps behind.

Vic follows closely behind sealith looking around and sighing as he wishes he had his cards for the hundredth time since he woke up.

Sealith would watch the other's climb and would judge the angles. She could easily fly away if she wanted but she would honor the fact they captured her for now. Time would tell how long that lasts.

Studying Vicent's wings she wondered if he could even fly. Wet as they were probably not at the moment and they didn't look like they had the muscle to do so being fragile butterfly wings. Once everyone was up she would climb up after them.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Looking around at the crew as she came over the edge and stood tall. Her eyes carefully scanning and learning faces as well as looking at the ship itself to get a gauge on it.

Profession Sailor: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Emelyne's eyes cooled to jet black. Foolish girl, of course they wouldn't want us to move water from one side to the other. Should have seen that coming.

She pushed the auburn hair out of her eyes after she climbed up the ladder. She could feel the wind on her face and smell the sweet sea air. It was nice to be out of the "bilges". She looked at her new comrades, those in the hold with her. What appeared to be Two humans, what seemed to be a half elf, a fairy type creature and a dragon.

Huh.

She was grateful for her more human like appearance. Auburn hair like her mother, her ears pointed could pass for elf if she could bluff her way out of it, and few things that spoke of her tiefling father. The only traits she had were tiny horns, mostly hidden by her curls, only seen if really looking for them, and her eyes if she ever got overcome with her emotions.

Tim would follow up the rope ladder, feeling foolish that he failed this test of basic knowledge. He would steel himself, knowing that he would have to do much better in order to survive on this ship.

At least there are a couple of sane people aboard the ship. The dragon looked to be rather wise and strong while the....dragon...fly?...appeared to be meek. Tim knows to be wary of those that appear weak, as they are most often underestimated.

As you all make your way on board the true Wormwood, you are greeted with open arms by Plugg's deviant smile at Sealith, while Scourge gives a boasting laugh after them "Ya see, Mr. Plugg, you always think you got a good pick... and everytime, my boys straighten 'em out! Useless, small, weaklings! Except maybe that dragon. Bet you could probably use her as a mount, hm?"

Several workers near Scourge post up and chuckle behind him as Mr. Plugg waves him away "You there, Sealith-" he says as Sandara gives a few cracks of the nine tails to the man who had felt her up "You'll be rewarded for yer insight tomorrow mornin', and the rest o' yeh will be rewarded for keepin a sinkin' ship a float! Ahahahahaha, I didn't lose all me gold. No, you lot are a bit tough, aren't chya? Well, we'll save that for tomorrow. Tonight... you'll see what it means to reap the rewards of being on the Wormwood. You'll dance, you'll live, you'll participate in festivities....

And ye'll realize just exactly why Captain Harrigan is Captain! We're bout to pull into port at Port Peril- I'll be expectin' yeh to behave until then. When Sandara's done whippin' the s&@+ out of that s$@+ head, you'll be.... introduced to a few others. The rest of it is a bit touch and go, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

Scourge begins to go below deck on the ship with a few others as Mr. Plugg continues on and about. No one else stops working as they begin towards Port Peril, most likely looking for a replacement of the dead orc in the now fully sunken barge they had been dragging behind them.

Anger flashes in vics eyes as scourge refers to sealith as a mount, its dark and cold and lingers for a while even though he still looks cowardly he looks as if he had the chance he would do some very choice things to scourges face. He continues to stay behind sealith however for cover

Useless, small weaklings eh? Well we won't have to worry about them underestimating us. Thats good, it gives us a much needed advantage. I could play along for now, but I'll be damned if they don't regret it. Thomas would play the part so graciously laid out by Scourge. If it's weaklings they think they've got, than its weaklings they'll see.
Grim would appear to look more wide-eyed, fearful and frail.
Disguise?: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Zarrus looks at Harrigan as Harrigan speaks. Just getting a good look of what he looks like. Then he notices Sandara whipping the horn dog, he then stares at her for a while to see what she looks like and is about. He then looks at Scourge and Plugg in comparison to Harrigan to see their strength.

Perception on Harrigan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Perception on Sandara: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Perception on Scourge: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Perception on Plugg: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Sorry for making you have to describe everyone :D I just like to have an idea of what they look like.

Thomas, I would need a bluff roll against Scourge's sense motive!

Zarrus never a problem <3

As Sandara finishes whipping the man at the post, she hands the whip to Mr. Plugg See to it he ain't breathin' if he ain't learned not to f&@&in' be touchin' me. I swear I'll offer him to a shark instead a keel haulin' just to teach the rest of these boys a lesson. You over there-

Sandara waggles her finger at the rest of you in line "Come on- time for yer assignments before we let chya have some fun."

"Aye, Aye ma'am" Mel mumbled. She was just eager to get a move on and what ever it would take to be reunited with her missing effects. She missed her hammer, she missed clothes that didn't look like they'd been taken off the half dead.

They did take over this ship....maybe... She picked disdainfully at her rags, thoughts welling up.

Shuddering she asked, "When will we be getting our effects back? Or at least the semblance of real clothing? I feel naked in more than one way in this state."

Sealith stretch and put her hand on her horns focusing on her god given gift. Water flowed over her head and face washing away the salt water.

While she could see them perfectly clear in the "bilges" they had been, the others probably hadn't.

Water started to flow down her hide flowing over the silver white wings, dirt and sea water sliding down her body. Methodical as she was, washed off one wing before lifting it up and away to reveal her back. Muscles rippled under the water as she walked, her tail swaying back and forth showing that she was very much a predator in form.

It looked at first as she walked she was high stepping but in fact it was just the way she walked. With talons similar to that of a raptor or wyvern, she had to step a bit higher as her back claw drug on the deck.

While the others had clothing her top was topless due to having nothing designed with wings in mind. Reaching down she untied the skirt and wrapped the fabric around her arm. The water moved sliding down her spine between her wings and down to her tail, which was thick and looked like a weapon all on its own.

As she moved to her other side, following Sandara she would step to the side and turns looking over everything. By human standards she has an attractive body. If you liked wings, claws, teeth, hide and scales, probably more so. There were a couple of scars on her body but nothing of major note.

Vic likes wings claws teeth hide and scales interestingly enough and getting a good look at sealith now less occupied with panic he blushes a little and looks away his antenna bobbing a little before looking to sandara upon Emelynes question "I would like my things back as I can't do much without them..."

Bluff to appear meak/wide eyed: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Seeing the Dragon undressed in last light of the day, Grimsby felt himself redden. I'm curious by nature, sure, but gawking at a woman in broad daylight seems a little too bold, even for me. "Ahem, err, you mentioned assignments Sandra?" Careful not to stare he makes his way passed Sealith and over to Sandra.

Sandara sighs as she looks over Sealith "Yer askin' for a grope, looking that like Miss Dragon. Come on, this way then."

Sandara guides the group through the ship, starting at the lowest end first "These are the real bilges. Disgusting, filthy, and unlike that old slave barge, we're a bit stuck with 'em. Now, yer askin' about getting your stuff back, hm? Hmmmm.... I suppose I could help yeh, so long as you lot help me first."

Sandara moves the group back up the ladder with a grinning display over the room filled with cheap hammocks "This'll be your quarters. You'll sleep here and get woken by the damned bell in here, and I'm sure you'll do plenty of other things as well. What chya won't want to do is get caught down here during work hours- you won't have a good time if yeh get caught doin' that."

Sandara works the group for the next hour, showing them the cargo hold in the mid-deck, and the different job stations on the main and upper deck. She points out the offices of different officers, and where they can find their stuff.

"Like I said- I can probably help ya' deal with the shop keeper.... But first.... You're ta do me a favor."

Map will be linked in discussion thread- rooms etc. will be labeled in roll20!

Sealith looked at Sandara quietly before in a calm sure voice. "For every unwanted advance they will carry a scar they will remember the rest of their lives. Even if it isn't given now they will carry it until death." Her statement wasn't full of bluster or conceit, but the surety that she would see it done. "If my hide isn't taken care of it will crack and it becomes a liability for me. I would rather it be taken care of."

Studying the ship as she went, taking in the sights and also taking notes of length, placement of rooms in relation to exits. Possibly any secrets she may be able to see in each room.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Sealith would also take stock of various crewmembers she saw trying to make judgement calls on who would be easier swayed than others into starting "friendships" on a pirate ship.

When the tour was over Sealith will comment. "Twice you have asked that we do a favor for you in return for something but not once did you say what that favor would be. Enlighten me on what you consider a favor for individuals to receive their gear back, even if only partially?"

Zarrus would walk around with everyone, attempting to remember all of the places and people that Sandara introduces and shows us. He would keep quiet and keep his arms folded. After Sealith's question he would look at Sandara intently until she replied.

Grimsby would follow in suit with Zarrus, keeping his arms clasped behind his back formally, carefully scanning each room for oddities and secrets.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
N%*&!, help me perceive

@Thomas I can feel your angah.... makes you STRONGAH.....

Sandara gives a small smile to Sealith "Tomorrow Mr. Plugg will be giving you a choice of job. I want you to pick cook, and talk that fat son of a b$%~! Kroup into cooking a real meal, instead of hard tac. I sail with a proper damned Captain now, so I'll be havin' real food, thanks."

She points to the others "And the rest of ya', I'll watch you carefully. I want you to make this ship feel lively again, like Besmara would have it. Plugg only cares fer death, and the same goes twice for Scourge. With Harrigan entertaining himself in the quarters, I'll be in charge of bringin' the rest about.

Ya' make this ship more lively, and I'll talk to Grok about gettin' yer stuff back. Your free to talk to her directly.... But I don't think a cut throat will take good opinions of essential slaves on the ship, now, would she?"

"It is interesting for you to request someone as tall as me to cook. You may find it not to your liking follower of Besmara. We will see. It might help us all if you tell us a bit about the crew so we know who won't try to slit our throats to start. Do they not actually try to see the skills people have first?"

Sandara gives a small smile "Not always. And sometimes when they do, it was just cause someone was havin' a lucky day that they got their assignment.... only to be keel hauled within the next 24 hours. As I said, yer free to do what you like.

But yer on a Free Captain's ship.... anyone who truly walks free would gladly slit yer throat if the Captain asked for it. And that includes my own."

All of you now standing on the middle deck of the ship, low-light and darkness abound, a man reveals himself from behind Sandara. Standing much taller than her in basic tunic and garb, he reaches a hand down to grope her as he talks.

His voice is low and smooth, almost as if he spoke in a permanent whisper, and hovers his head just over his shoulder as he speaks in her ear "Now now... my dear Sandara of Besmara.... is that anyway to talk?"

He pulls her in close to him as he then looks over at the rest of you with a gentle smile "Excuse my pet.... I mean apprentice. She mistakes Harrigan's liking towards her as authority.... And apparently needs more scolding from Scourge... Oooooh, or myself...."

He waves a hand at you all, pulling Sandara away with him with an arm around her waist "You're all dismissed. As the "Stitchman", I can actually do that."

Sealith quietly watches this going on looking at Sandara to see her reaction even as she made a mental note. This man would eventually die. The spirits rarely acted this angry to an individual.

Zarrus listens to Sandara, consuming the surroundings and information she is divulging to us. But, once the "Stitchman" begins to pull Sandara away he would say, "Hey! Stitchman, little rude to not introduce yourself! Don't you think?" as he looks around at the rest of the crew as if they would support his statement.

Tim listens to Sandra as well. However, when the Stitchman would barge into the conversation, he would suddenly become very interested in that sail over there.

Upon Zarrus saying that, he would look over at the Stitchman, as if expecting an answer.

Vic watches the "Stitchman" Trying to figure out what importance he has and whether or not he will be an issue

Sandra's face is filled with worry, not even making so much as a sigh as the "Stitchman" feels her up and pulls her away with a wide, arrogance filled grin.

As Zarrus calls out to him, the "Stitchman" turns his tall, rather lanky body and looks at him with his head nearly upside down. He smiles, still holding Sandara close to him as she is turned away "Hmmmmmm? Didn't I say?"

You notice he has a shirt with horizontal bars of black and white, and at his side is a kit of some sort- small and compact. He takes a needle from inside of it and as he pulls you see a small, thin string like fishing wire tied, presumably, to the eye of the needle he holds. "No wonder you kept bailing out a sinking ship. My name and kit should tell you all- she's my apprentice, after all. And what does a Cleric do, Sandara?"

Sandara remains speechless under his long arm now wrapping around her shoulder. The "Stitchman" laughs "Aw, and here I was hoping to here you bark more orders about little apprentice of mine. I'm the doctor, so you best treat me right..... Lest you want a festering wound to kill you before you ever see a piece of gold...."

The Stitchman's eyes never leave Zarrus, or the group, until he turns and beings walking farther away. He slowly cranes his head back up, standing upright, and begins to fade into the low-light as he calls out "Go on up above deck, little helpers.... Funtivities are about to start.... You'll want to see what you miss if you don't play nice."

Mel made a mental note of all the things Sandra was saying, the people - the places. Mapping it out...ten meters and one right...eight and a half minutes down and across...

Upon the Stitchman making his semi-melodramatic entrance and subsequent exit, Mel shuddered to think what would it would be like to be taught by that thing in the danger of closed doors. Perhaps she would want to avoid having to go to the infirmary...

Unless that cute little apprentice would fix me up. She smirked at the thought.

She sighed and resigned herself to try to temper her thoughts. She turned her thoughts these "funtivities". These guys have a different idea of fun than us...and it can't mean anything good. Churning morbid thought after morbid thought around in her head she concluded, I have no idea what could possibly be waiting for us

"Yay, fun!" she replied sarcastically after he'd gone and sighed while turning herself to the deck and trying to brace herself for what she might see.

"He has been following us for a while. The spirits wish to see him dead. It will have to happen eventually. As for something of interest, the bilges often hold untold treasures in their murky depths. I saw some things in it." Sealith slowly flexed her wings.

"We will be reacting to a lot of things but don't let that overwhelm you. Make friends, find information, learn the ship. If you figure out clues on how to gain all our gear back then share it with the group. My focus will be making friends and looking for things on the ship when I get spare time. Luckily for us, as long as I am conscious we won't need to go to him."

By the way you didn't list what items she saw