Silently watching the spectacle unfold, Mumbata just nods as the order to climb is given. At one point he slows, but thanks to the distraction from Mugwort he is able to keep climbing. A few seconds later a large pineapple comes sailing over the rail and just barely misses the large witchdoctor.
After a few breathless moments, Mumbata heaves himself over, his ivory white teeth flashing in the sun. On deck he could see Plugg scowling. He would take any victory he could find out here.
Standing near the Halfling the one legged wizard surveys the crowd.
Currently Lorn is on deck having survived her ordeal with the rope. Rhialla is currently in the water. Everyone else is on the boat awaiting their turn to row out and do the same as Lorn and Rhialla have.
Mumbata has been so kind as to go a little bit a head of everyone and go ahead and roll. IF others wish to do so feel free to.
"Ah, vital work I see."
Verifying that his gear will be proof against the inevitable wetting Ryzern begins the slow filthy climb.
. .
Stunned to silence the one legged man reaches the Wormwood unscathed. Perhaps
Sylvestra's turn comes up to climb the rope, she grabs hold and begins her ascent, though the flying fruit quickly catches her hat, Sylvestra falling off to retrieve it. With a splash, she nabs it and easily swims back to the rowboat.
Her second attempt goes poorly still. Though she manages once again to avoid the fruit, she once again has trouble ascending. Finally giving in, she simply holds her hat and falls back into the water.
She chooses not to come back up right away this time, tucking her hat into her belt, instead she swims a little deeper, letting her magic fill her lungs. She swims into the water, letting it's feeling soak into her body. The freedom of the ocean, a welcome respite to the days aboard the Wormwood, from Plugg and his bullies. She swims long enough to realize she has been down below far longer than many could hold breath.
Sylvestra surfaces on the far side of the rowboat, clambering back aboard. Taking up the rope once again, with a smile for Riaris, her third attempt takes her up to the deck.
Rhialla takes her time swimming back and climbs the rope again, enjoying the feeling of slatwater in her hair after al this time aboard.
Climb
Reflex
Her climbing is flawless, in fact, so perfect that she completely loses sight of the garbage being hurled at her. Caught in the ribs she tumbles back into the water.
"Cmon girl ye've died twice t'day! Ye ain't got permission ta die till the captain gives ya the order! Now back up that rope!"
Once again beginning the climb the determination clear in her eyes, she stalks up the rope, shifting and dodging, and the last second barely avoiding a hurled piece of melon to make it up the rope with a dazzling grin.
Soaked to the bone, breathing heavily and looking completely exhilarated.
Siera waits for her shipmates to make their tries shimmying up the rope, watching Lorn with worry and Rhialla with unfeigned interest.
Tha's how ye do it, girl!
Then her muscles spring to action as she jumps from the small boat into the ship's hull, twisting the rope around her arms. After planting her feet firmly onto the dirty hull, she pulls onto the rope with strong arms, her legs springing to her side as a bucket of refuse is thrown at her previous position.
As each of you take turns crossing the gap you find it's not terribly difficult and all of you manage to succeed eventually the only failure being the front heavy firebrand. Even the other gangpressed members seem to revel in the thrill of shimmying across the rope and soon you all find yourselves back on deck with Riaris looking fierce but happy (if such an expression were possible).
"Good now next time ya do it there'll be crossbow bolts flying at yer pretty little heads and sharks beneath yer back and all of BEsmara's own chaos erupting on both sides. Ye got the idea t'day but soon the captain will be givin ya the final test."
Left to ponder her words you continue your daily duties.
Sandara Quinn - Helpful
Rosie Cusswell - Friendly
Crimson "Cog" Cogward - Indifferent
Conchobar Turlach Shortstone - Friendly
Barefoot Samms Toppin - Friendly
Giffer Tibbs - DEAD
Jack Scrimshaw - Indifferent
"Ratline" Rattsberger - Indifferent
Tilly Brackett - Friendly
"Badger" Medlar - Unfriendly
Shivikah - Indifferent
Aretta Bansion - Hostile
Fipps Chumlett - Hostile
JAundiced Jape - Hostile
Maheem - Hostile
Slippery Syl Lonegan - Hostile
Tam "Narwhal" Tate - Hostile
You have about three days after this even where things pick back up again and get more intense on the wormwood.
In other news congratulations on Level2
It appears the boarding training, even if somewhat simple, awakened something behind Siera's eyes. Feeling no longer like a cornered rat in a drowning boat, she takes both to her daily tasks and carousing nights with renewed gusto.
That first night after the boarding training the rigger drinks merrily with the new recruits, feeling a strong bond with this misfit crew. Her mind goes back to the many tales and songs heard from many a seaman in many different ports. With a surprisingly strong and booming voice, Siera starts one of her favorite songs:
To the mast nail our flag it is dark as the grave,
Or the death which it bears while it sweeps o'er the wave;
Let our deck clear for action, our bows be prepared;
Be the boarding-axe sharpened, the cutlass bared:
Set the ballistas ready, and then bring to me,
For the last of my duties, the armory key.
It shall never be lowered, the black flag we bear;
If the sea be denied us, we sweep through the air.
Unshared have we left our last victory's prey;
It is mine to divide it, and yours to obey:
There are shawls that might suit a sultana's white neck,
And pearls that are fair as the arms they will deck.
There are flasks which, unseal them, the air will disclose
Andoran's fair summers, the home of the rose.
I claim not a portion: I ask but as mine
'Tis to drink to our victory - one cup of red wine.
Some fight, 'tis for riches - some fight, 'tis for fame:
The first I despise, and the last is a name.
I fight, 'tis for vengeance! I love to see flow,
At the stroke of my sabre, the life of my foe.
I strike for the memory of long-vanished years;
I only shed blood where another shed tears,
I come, as the lightning comes red from above,
O'er the race that I loathe, to the battle I love.
Mugwort, finally getting the hang of life onboard, keeps himself busy and watches out, always keeping an eye to watch the others and hoard his secrets.
Rhialla watches, greatly impressed with Siera's skill as she practically dances across the line. She flashes the powerful warrior woman a grin, seeming not to care that she was dripping wet.
As other’s friendly to her little group were put through the test, she openly expressed support, joining in the camaraderie and carousing over the next few days while keeping near those of the group more imposing or capable in combat.
She could feel Besmara smiling on her as she bided her time, getting atrue feel for the ship and the crew.
Who are we missing? Mumbata, Sylvestra, Lorn, and Ryzern?
Lorn embraces the new-found camaraderie. She works diligently during the day, well, most times anyway. Lorn is too focused to complete the tasks assigned to socialize much, probably due to still recovering from the previous night's activities. After hours, she participates with the other crew members preferred games, even trying her hand with the master of the barrel thingy. Of course, the dregs of rum quaffed before hand, while bolstering her confidence and challenging the mean-looking half-orc numerous times. several times, did not improve her "superior" sea legs. "Roguey w-waves, did me in. one morish time.... Is it cheating to lean against the deck while standing on the barrel? WhaddayameanIfelldown? DidIwin?"
Yeah, Lorn imbibes. Free pummeling to all who accept her challenge is her drunken battle cry. She is not obnoxious just persistent. I suspect she awakes the next couple of mornings sore, bruised and hung over, not quite sure how she wakes up in her hammock with no memory of walking there. She volunteers to cook to avoid the sun, the bos'n and commiserate with Fishguts. Fortunately, she paid attention to Rorgrim and makes use of the found cookbook. What could go wrong?
Just a note none of the women look that hot on your boat. Even Rhialla is covered in grime after a few days at sea in hard work.
Before I update I'll answer Mumbata's question. With enough stealth and an appropriate disable device check you can in fact switch things between lockers easily.
Times up!
Wheel of murder turn turn turn, tell us the victim that we shall burn....
Three days later it seems Mr. Plugg has start to take a.....personal, interest in you. Which is to say now where once you merely had the creatively cruel but ultimately classical bully in master scourge you now have the clever sadism and cleanliness of Mr. Plugg to deal with.
He works you hard, and in jobs that you least like with grand consistently. On this particular morning Lorn is assigned to the bilges. Peculiarly they take the time to search her for weapons removing any and all from her person before sending her down there admonishing her for being armed on the ship and if she's caught again it's a whipping offense.
They send you down there with Slippery Syl Longenan and JAundiced Jape.
As you work down in the bilges to the best of your abilities the ehat and spiders take their toll...
Rhialla's eyes narrow as she watches the trio descend into the bilges.
"Those %@!%%^ers,"she hisses quietly to her friends. "They're still armed and she isn't, they're gonna try to kill her."
"Curious that no weapons are permitted, now. Still, perhaps you are right. Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt in such cramped quarters like the bilge." She leads the way down the ladder into the muck, slime and sauna that is the bilge.
Mugwort sees them strip the halfling of her weapons and send her down with the two thugs. He scowls, remembering the bilge and its nasty spiders. Something in the goblin seems to twitch, some formation of care or goodness, and he spends the day near the bilge opening, keeping an ear out...
Tap...step...Tap...step Ryzern approaches the bilge bound group a broad smile on his face and a small piece of leather in his hand.
"Oh there you are Lorn. Funny how people can just disappear on a ship this small. Working bilges today? Bad luck but it has to be done.. Oh this should help keep the sludge off."
The wizard pats the halfling on the back, as he does the leather dissolves into words. Words and phrases like "Strong", "Protective", "Knife proof", and others slide over her skin before fading to invisibility.
Glancing at her two assailants/companions. "Sorry I can't manage for all of you, but every little bit helps. Right?"
Finding a moment to speak with the others. "Perhaps if a distraction were to be made, a couple of us could 'check up' on Lorn, Syl and Jake. I mean, it would be terrible if the spiders were to get a couple of them."
Finding a moment to speak with the others. "Perhaps if a distraction were to be made, a couple of us could 'check up' on Lorn, Syl and Jake. I mean, it would be terrible if the spiders were to get a couple of them."
Whaddya sayin', red? That those bootlicking pederasts are gonna try somethin' funny with Lorn? Gods know they are sloppery cocksuckers, but I dinnit think even those slitherin' landlubbers would risk the captain's ragebone up their behinds to kill one of the crew. That's spitting in the face of Besmara and a waste of a good deckhand and such a pretty face. F$&+ing cocksuckers.
Siera walks with ill-concealed purpose towards the bilges, the knuckles on her fingers white from the rage.
Mugwort successfully manages to remain out of sight for as long as needed.
However it seems Mr. Plugg and the bosun are riding the rest of you hard. IF you want to keep an eye on your friend you will ahve to do so stealthily...
Lorn is wistfully unaware of the attack when it comes. When it happens she hears a sarcastic. "Look at what we have here Jape! That damned goblin missed a rat!" Just before the shivs enter her scarred back.
Pirate 1
Pirate 2
From his listening spot from the top of the ladder Mugwort can see nothing but fuzzy shapes through the heavy steam. When he hears the shout of a rat and Lorn's subsequent cry of pain and terror he's given a chance to act.
Lorn
Mugwort
Pirates
Before Mugwort and Lorn can react the pirates bring their daggers down again hoping to murder the halfling long before she can bring her magic to bear.
"Bloody rats got some magic protectin her! Slippery Syl exclaims as the daggers bounce off Ryzern's blessings of not dying.
Tumbling through the bilges in shock at the unexpected violence, only two attacks struck but not for want of effort. A cry of pain easily escapes her lips, finally a brief respite from the attack
"Bloody rats got some magic protectin her! Slippery Syl exclaims as the daggers bounce off Ryzern's blessings of not dying.
The full import of what just happened kicks through the shock and pain. They mean to kill her. With the full blessings of the officers in charge. They stripped her of any defense. Lorn Butterrum screams in outrage. Lorn Butterrum screams in defiance. Lorn Butterrum Ear-Piercing scream is heard only by Sly.
Scrambling for a bit of purchase and distance, Lorn makes the bilges work to her advantage. She seeks out the smaller spaces, 5' step away.
Mugwort snarls, his goblin instincts for foul play confirmed. He dives down the ladder, attempting to land on his feet. He lands safely on his feet and grins a feral grin as he draws his handaxe as part of the move.
Will save.
Pretty definitive.
The ear piercing scream and subsequent cry from the pirates as the goblin hacks into the calf of the other starts to get the attention of those above as you hear activity starting to move your direction
"BASTARDS!" Jape cries as he turns and tries to stab the goblin. "I'LL HAVE YER EARS YA TREACHEROUS DEVIL!"
Instead he slips on his injured calf giving the goblin further opening to cause pain.
"Treacherous is Mugwort, hm? Two against one is fine, but two against two is treachery?!? Mugwort am helping to kill rats is all. And is a big one right here!" Mugwort dives at the man and hacks again.
Crit confirm!
additional crit damage!
Surprise round= 2 pirate attacks
Round 1=2 pirate attack, followed by Lorn and Mugwort
Round 2= Syl dazed, Jape attacks Mug, Mug attacks Jap and Lorn now attacks a dazed Syl.
Round two actions for Lorn
An unexpected ally in the form of a goblin, saves her from another attack by Jape. Focusing her attention on the dazed pirate Syl, she has no intention on getting within range of his dagger, and lets out another scream heard only by poor defenseless Syl. She has no intention of letting up until he is face-down in the muck.
Hearing footstomping from the decks above, she tells Mugwort "Finish up and get out. The Captain will blame all this on you and keel haul you tonight! Not poor defenseless Halfling. Get out and hide! Much thanks!" She takes another 5' step deeper into the bilges.