"All's well now that those two are down and we are all still alive, yet what to do with the surviving opposition?
I'm no heartless man, but i wouldn't shed a tear to see Plugg or Scourge squirm in a cauldron meant for Grindylow supper."
Alabaster kicks the body of Plugg, and then picks up his cutlass.
Nice piece o' steel here. What say ye, Cap'n Silvermane? Ye wanna be takin' 'is sword as well as tha ship?
The priest surveys the survivors, and grins.
We be victorious! We be tha' favored o' Queen Besmara, an' let all tha seas know it!
Isaac cheers with the rest of the crew as the battle has been won. He slaps Alabaster on the back for his good work. Knowing that order needs to be taken, he decides to take command for now. "Alrigh'! E'eryon'! Loot th' bodies, bin' 'em, and lin' 'em up! An' this may be odd; bu' heal 'em to th' minimum! I wan' 'em conscious whil' we be passin' judgmen's." He takes off his black overcoat and puts on the tattered Chelish Imperial Navy greatcoat, just for a slightly new look.
Isaac watches as Arhiel brings Maheem forward to him. He glares at the man. "Is tha' tru'? An' how can we be so sur' o' tha'?"
As he sees Zuld drag off the corpses, Isaac approaches him and speaks in Aquan: "Hol' fer a momen', Zuld. Thes' peopl', we need to be passin' judgmen' on 'em fer their crimes. An' fer tha', we need 'em aliv'. This, howe'er..." He approaches the headless corpse of Jape and kicks it with the toe of his foot. "...ye may tak' this one."
Isaac smiles at Alabaster as he takes the offered cutlass. He gives it a few test swings. "Aye. Thinkin' I migh' tak' this." He looks at everyone. "Be sur' to look fer magic amon' th' items!"
Arhiel casts 'detect magic' and scans all the items on the fallen and the taken (including Maheem and Jape before his body and head are taken by the Grindylows.
She'll collect all (except from Maheem - just making note of his), and make a pile of them plus anything else that looks valuable.
Isaac sees Arhiel casting magic and gathering some of the items. He decides to help out, gathering what loot he can.
After everything has been gathered (but before the enemies are brought to consciousness), Isaac looks around at the crew. "Good job, e'eryon'! We be makin' Besmara proud! Now, befor' we be passin' judgmen' on th' bilg' rats, th' 'Man's Promis' be needin' a Captai'. I be suggestin' we be votin' on th' matter. All are welcom' to nominate someon'. I be nominatin' meself. To mak' thin's fair fer e'ery possible candidat', I be passin' on me vote, since it woul' only be fer meself. If I be votin', then it be fer anot'er. Whoe'er be chosen as Captai', I'll gladly be followin' 'im or her. To th' death, if need be."
Zuld scowls when Isaac holds him off. "Than penphusai thibodi. Khontai mi lodsad thibomi! Laephuakkhaochao mikhuaammuansun bomi." Nonetheless, he drops Syl to the deck with a thud--eliciting a slight moan from the unconscious pirate--and calls his kin over to Jape. There they set about making a bloody (and noisy) feast that leaves you all rather queasy.
Most of your unconscious foes aren't carrying anything that seems of particular value, but Conchobar is carrying a wand and some sort of oil in a stoppered flask that register as magical in Arhiel's sight. Master Scourge also has two small, stoppered bottles containing magical fluids, as well as some valuable-looking mundane gear, and Mr. Plugg (naturally) has a veritable treasure trove: his cutlass is magical, as are the contents of a flask in his pocket, three crossbow bolts he carries in a small quiver, a pair of copper bracers he wears, an amulet made of coral shaped like a sea turtle, and a set of iron shackles he's tucked into his belt to restrain those who might resist his discipline.
As the crew gathers your defeated enemies into a line, you see that they've all managed to hang onto life, if only just. Sandara crosses over to pray over them, bringing them (just) back into consciousness. Despite their weakened and vulnerable state, Mr. Plugg roars in rage and curses and spits at you when he's awakened.
- a masterwork handax with notches carved in its shaft
- a corked, dark green bottle containing some sort of oil
- a leather snuff box with a diamond stud, worth about 100 gold pieces, and containing a small mound of dark powder
- a silver wedding ring worth 25 gp
- 14 platinum pieces and 29 gold pieces.
- his cat is masterwork quality
- a light crossbow with 10 bolts
- a leather drinking cup
- a purse of 100 silver pieces and 200 gold
- keys to (presumably) everywhere on the ship.
STABLE
Arhiel will make note of what everything is... and wait for the vote to conclude before announcing the 'haul'.
"Manners, you, manners."
Edward conjures a large copper bell, the size of a small bucket, still held in 1 hand. Walking to behind the cursing corsair, he holds it over the man's head and gives it a few firm whacks with the hilt of his rapier.
[Cue a scene from any cartoon, a cacophony of sound through his ears]
Assuming the man's not in best of shape to speak, Edward raises his hand.
"What's a voting without competition? I'll be your competitor, my friend.
Rest assured, after all we've been through, i'd risk my life for you as well."
Arhiel lifts up the shackles of compliance and with a little grin says, "These are Plugg's own shackles of compliance... I think a little of his own medicine is just what the doctor ordered here... " She slips the manacles on the bound man, and assuming the keyring contains the keys for the device as well, takes them too.
"Shut up, Plugg and stay still and comply with our orders, or we'll feed you to the grindies and let them eat you alive, starting with your fingers and toes.. "
Between Edward's clanging bell and Arhiel's command backed up by his own magical shackles, Plugg snarls but holds his tongue.
The rest of the crew appear quite interested in the idea of voting for a captain. "Anyone else want t'nominate someone?" Sandara asks.
"What we nominatin' people fer?" a voice calls. Turning, you see the cook, Ambrose Kroop, puffing his way up the stairs. When he reaches the top, he does a double-take when he sees your group, then another when he sees Plugg and his cronies bound, and then lets out a joyful whoop before grabbing Jesal around the neck and hugging him hard. "Yeh did it!! Yeh actually pulled it off! I can't believe it! Ohohohohohohohohoho won't ol' Harrigan be pissed when 'e hears o' this!"
Once you've all explained what happened--and why there are grindylows chowing down on Jaundiced Jape on deck--Ambrose nods, looking thoughtful. "Ne'er heard o' votin' fer a pirate cap'n before, but I s'pose there's a first time fer any recipe. Right then...where do we be standin'?"
"I support Edward's claim," Sandara says quickly, going to stand by the young man's side.
"An' I support the f+@!ing Silvermane, no questions asked," Rosie says with a grin from the rail where she's cleaning off her ax.
"I, too, support Isaac," Shivikah says quietly.
Samms glances back and forth between the two, then to Alabaster. "What're ye thinkin'?" she asks him with a chuckle.
Giffer clears her throat. "I...much though I like ye, Isaac, I be supportin' Edward in this."
Alabaster looks grimly at Samms.
Tha Silvermane's be tha favored o' Besmara fer generations. Me vote be goin' at Isaac, Samms.
He looks over the gathered crowd and raises his cutlass.
Iffen yer wantin' ta stay in her graces, ye mighten be wantin' ta cast yer vote tha same!
Arhiel sighs... "Tough decision, but I think Isaac's shown more leadership since we started this... so my vote has to go to Silvermane. 'Sides, is name is more captain-y too.. though that isn't a real consideration, just an afterthought."
Assuming the man's not in best of shape to speak, Edward raises his hand.
"What's a voting without competition? I'll be your competitor, my friend.
Rest assured, after all we've been through, i'd risk my life for you as well."
Isaac smiles at Edward and nods. "Well then, me frien'. May th' bes' man win." He puts his hand out to shake Edward's hand.
Between Edward's clanging bell and Arhiel's command backed up by his own magical shackles, Plugg snarls but holds his tongue.
Isaac chuckles at the sight of Plugg brought low.
"What we nominatin' people fer?" a voice calls. Turning, you see the cook, Ambrose Kroop, puffing his way up the stairs. When he reaches the top, he does a double-take when he sees your group, then another when he sees Plugg and his cronies bound, and then lets out a joyful whoop before grabbing Jesal around the neck and hugging him hard. "Yeh did it!! Yeh actually pulled it off! I can't believe it! Ohohohohohohohohoho won't ol' Harrigan be pissed when 'e hears o' this!"
Isaac smiles at Kroop as he celebrates. When Harrigan is mentioned, his smile falters a bit. "Oh, righ'... Him. We may nee' to be careful fer now."
"I support Edward's claim," Sandara says quickly, going to stand by the young man's side.
Isaac nods at Sandara, having no hard feelings.
"An' I support the f*@!ing Silvermane, no questions asked," Rosie says with a grin from the rail where she's cleaning off her ax.
Isaac smirks at Rosie and gives her a wink.
"I, too, support Isaac," Shivikah says quietly.
Isaac nods in thanks at Shivikah.
Giffer clears her throat. "I...much though I like ye, Isaac, I be supportin' Edward in this."
Isaac smiles. "No offens' taken, Giffer."
Alabaster looks grimly at Samms.
"Tha Silvermane's be tha favored o' Besmara fer generations. Me vote be goin' at Isaac, Samms."He looks over the gathered crowd and raises his cutlass.
"Iffen yer wantin' ta stay in her graces, ye mighten be wantin' ta cast yer vote tha same!"
Isaac nods at Alabaster as he casts his vote. When he speaks and raises his cutlass, Isaac raises a hand. "Easy ther', lad. This vot' bein' to decide' th' bes' fer th' crew. I be sur' Besmara be satisfied wit' either Cap'n'."
Isaac looks at the crew. "I be sayin' this. If I be Cap'n, me firs' loyalty be to th' crew. Ye shall all hav' ye shar'. All o' ye will be respected. Ye shall know th' tast' o' freedom an' success. Th' Shackles, they be a jewel. Full o' riches an' opportunity. An' ye shall hav' it all."
Jesal smiles broadly at the cook's exuberance although he tries to awkwardly extract himself from the embrace, "Dis one bein happy seein ya too."
He then frowns, "Ah, dis one not be thinkin of Harrigan. Be changin the name on da ship, dis one thinks. Bein makin some other changes to her appearance too. Bein da first order of business for da new Cap'n. You be votin, Kroop?"
Samms chuckles at Alabaster's exuberance. "Well, I s'pose 'tis hard t'argue with a claim like that...e'en if the cap'n himself denies it. My vote, too, goes t'Silvermane."
"Aye, lad, a good squibbin's what we need," Kroop says to Jesal when the other mentions changing the ship. He then leans in conspiratorially toward the druid. "Now, as t'votin'--well, see, that's the thing, m'boy. I figure I gotta, but I don' be knowin' these two gents all that well. Which way d'ye lean?"
"Dis one be promisin Isaac long time ago. Bein up ta ya ta be makin ya own decidin."
Jesal goes to stand next to Isaac.
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Edward already figured the course of this event, before it started.
In the rather lighthearted tone they others met him, he holds two hands slightly raised.
"Well, it seems congratulations are in order, captain Isaac."
The others (the team) probably figured out, this whole challenge was more of a positive display meant for the boost of morale, and Edward was fine with not being being captain anyway.
"Though it seems i am a winner in the end after all. That in itself is a boost to my own resolve.", his eyes slightly sideways at Sandara, a corner of his mouth unable to stay straight, as it's curling into a smile.
It's true that with Jesal and Kroop, who pauses but then nods decisively, heading over to Isaac's side, the numbers are clear. Cog shrugs. "Pharasma's cold tears, I think ye'd both make fine cap'ns, but it looks like me vote don't matter much at this point. All 'ail Cap'n Silvermane!"
Cheers go up from the crew who voted for Isaac, and even Sandara and Giffer glance at each other, shrug, and then add their voices. There is, officially, a new master of the Man's Promise!
When the cheers subside, Cog strides over to your bound prisoners on deck: Fipps, Aretta, Syl, Tate, Conchobar, Scourge, and Plugg. "What about this lot, eh?"
"I say we toss 'em to the grindies or dispatch them quick and easy, they made their choice and I wouldn't trust any of them even if they swore allegiance... but that's just me."
"I second that motion."
Isaac smiles as the crew cheers for his new position. He simply looks out to the open sea. 'Ma... Pa... I finally be Cap'n o me own ship... I hop' ye see me... an' are proud...'
When Edward offers his congratulations, Isaac shakes his hand and nods at the bard.
When Cog brings up the prisoners and Arhiel and Edward voicing their thoughts, Isaac says, "Here be how we be doin' this. I will take in Arhiel and Edward's votes. Howe'er, ther' be som' tha' will punished differently based on th' severity o' their crimes.. Wit' tha' said, le' us begin."
Isaac looks to the four cronies. "Ye hav' been attackin' us since we were press-ganged. Ye hav' tried to kill us." He shakes his head. "Ye ar' at the bottom o' th' ladder in my attention. Ye shall be given to th' grindies." He looks to the crew. "Howe'er, as a personal though', I woul' sugges' tha' ye shoul' hav' a chance to surviv'." He points to the island. "After we be finished wit' our business on tha' isle, ye all shall be marooned. Ye will hav' to try an' surviv' on it wit' th' elemen's an' grindies, usin' not'ing bu' yer wits and skills." He once again looks to his crew. "Howe'er, shoul' th' crew disagree wit' this, then ye shall be given to th' grindies righ' away."
Isaac approaches the gnome. "Ah, Conchobar. It would appear ye hav' thrown yer hat wit' this lot. Ye really haven't don' anyt'ing, except fer tryin' to aid Plugg an' Scourg'. Wha' shoul' we be doin' wit' ye? I be thinkin'... to th' Isl' wit' th' ot'ers." He looks around the crew for other suggestions.
Isaac looks at Scourge. "Scourg'. Ye hav' assaulted us and tortured us. Alabaster, didn't he be beatin' ye wit' knotted rop' an' be breakin' yer hand? Ther' also be one ot'er crime." He turns and approaches Arhiel. He keeps his voice low to avoid embarrassing her. "Lass, he be makin' ye uncomfortabl'. I be leavin' his fate to ye, if ye wan'."
Isaac finally approaches Plugg. He glares down at the former Captain. "Well, well, well. Plugg. This is wher' it ends. Ye hav' intimidated, beaten, an' tortured us. Edward, Sandara, didn't he whip ye both wit' th' Cat?" He turns around and takes a step away. "Y'know, ther' be a tradition amongst th' Sil'erman's. It be started by me great-grandpa, Sebastian. Y'see, before' he was a pirate', he was an Admiral fer th' entire' Chelish Navy. Until th' Queen betrayed 'im. When he became a pirate', he punished Chelish Cap'ns by cuttin' off their lef' han's, tyin' 'em to th' mast, an' settin' th' ship an' 'em on fire. Now, I don't wan' to los' th' ship. Howe'er..." He turns around and draws Plugg's cutlass. "...I will be doin' th' ot'er custom. Remov' his shackles and hol' ou' his lef' arm!" When the crew has his left arm (and Plugg) secure, Isaac places the cool steel blade on his wrist before lifting it and brings it down!
Afterwards, Isaac turns to the crew, particularly Edward, Sandara, and (oddly) Rosie. "Take yer shots! Exact yer vengeanc'! Then, we shall end 'im!"
When Plugg is otherwise secure, Arhiel removes and hangs onto what should be ship's treasure - the manacles that induce compliance. then she turns to Scourge, who's still bound and kicks him hard in the balls. "That's for eyeing me like I'm some kind of doxy for your pleasure. If I were of a mind, I'd cut 'em off and feed 'em to the grindies and let you watch while they eat 'em."
She turns to Isaac and says simply. "I think you should keep him bound, cut off his tongue so he can't make his own deal with the grindies. Then cut him so he'll die soon even if he should get loose, and feed him alive to the grindies, since it seems they prefer their food that way."
She shudders slightly at the idea of Scourge's potential fate, but stands resolute by Isaac's side the whole time she is stating her preference.
Syl spits at Isaac's feet when he pronounces his sentence, but none of your crew say anything. Fipps Chumlett, however, starts thrashing and bellowing in a tearful rage.
"Yeh silver-haired bastid!! I told yeh I'd not get in yer way, an' I was more'n ready t'watch you lot take that oil-head down! Me blade only came out 'cause o' these slimy sea-spawn attackin' me! Bastid! Is this 'ow you keeps a bargain?!"
Scourge screams in pain and cringes in fear when Arhiel pronounces her sentence. "Please, I never...aagh!" A follow-up blow from Shivikah silences him.
Mr. Plugg's eyes are filled with hate as Isaac pronounces his sentence, and he clenches his jaw, refusing to utter a word of rage or fear even as several members of the crew wrestle his left arm out the restraints and hold him fast against the ship's rail.. He can't hold back a horrible scream, though, when Isaac severs his left wrist, and he slumps to the deck, cradling his stump. When Isaac gives the word, Rosie and Cog surge forward, getting in a few blows and kicks of their own, but the former boatswain quickly loses consciousness. Sandara, Giffer, and the others just watch the proceedings coldly, while Kroop looks slightly green. As Rosie and Cog step away from Plugg, Zuld swarms up to Isaac and burbles in Aquan.
It takes the crew just a few minutes to rig one of the ship's boats to transport their former shipmates to the island; soon, your bound prisoners are huddled in the center of the boat, and your crew looks to you for instruction.
When the sentences are carried out, Arhiel's bluster turns on her and she gasps softly, then runs to the forecastle, where she might have a bit of privacy behind the wheel and collapses there weeping silently, her arms wrapped around her legs pulled up to her chest.
As Fipps makes his plea, Isaac's eyes widen. He then sighs. As Fipps is about to be taken, the Captain holds up a hand. "Hol' fer a momen'." He approaches Fipps. "Yer righ', Fipps. I mad' a bargain wit' ye an' wit' everythin' goin' on, I hav' forgotten it. Me apologies. Allow me th' chanc' to mak' thin's righ' wit' ye. Their sentenc' shall not be yers. So, I'll allow ye to decid' yet fate. Ye can swear yer loyalty to meself an' th' crew. Or we can be droppin' ye off at th' nearest port wit' a small bit o' coin to help ye on th' grounds tha' non' o' this reaches Harrigan. Pleas' accep' me apologies."
Isaac is about to carry out the sentence until Ahriel leaves quickly. Having a guess as to what's going on, he turns to Alabaster. "Keep an eye on 'im." He heads to the forecastle to see Arhiel. He squats down to her level. "What's wrong, lass? Does it hav' to do wit' Scourg' an' wha' ye said? I be assumin', but I'd be likin' to hear it from ye. Jus' so ye kno', he's still aliv'. Sentenc' hasn't been carried yet." He looks at her. "I can of'er ye th' chance to chang' his sentenc'. Y'kno', if ye regre' it tha' is."
Isaac watches stoically as Cog and Rosie beat Plugg. When Zuld approaches, Isaac points to Plugg and responds in Aquan, "This one, ye may tak'. Tak' 'im off th' ship an' ye may eat 'im. Wai' abut fer th' ot'er one."
Arhiel struggles to stop weeping and sniffles... then looks up at Isaac, her eyes full of tears, her expression distressed. "I've... I've never said any words harsher than what I said there, and I can't help but think, despite all he did, that I was too severe... I can't ... I just can't be the arbiter of a man's death, not matter what he's done... it's too much..." She coughs back a choking sob and looks deeply into Isaac's eyes... "Would it be wrong to soften his sentence? He deserves death for being Plugg's and Harrigan's willing ally, but I feel like it's too much... Maybe just castrate him and put him off with the others to live or die as fate would have it? Or let someone else make the decision, not me?"
I'm afraid that I'm going to eat an alignment change. I am chaotic good
"Arhiel...have you never been to Riddleport? The way of kicking his sack of marbles has a certain flair, i've seen there."
Edward, Sandara, didn't he whip ye both wit' th' Cat?"
"That he did. I'm letting Sandara have her go first, while i go over the things they do to traitors and rapists in Riddleport.
You'd be surprised how sacred the 'women of company' are to even the most foulmouthed sailors.".......
"On the other hand (pun intended), have the ugly swine bend over a barrel and i'll have a go with that special cat-with-9-tails."
Edward's purpose here is a tied Plugg bent over a barrel, bare assed to whip him sore, for utter humiliation. He hands Sandara the whip for her to finish it, should she want to.
At which time, he conjures a lute to play a cheerful song about punishment and the fury of a woman scourned, in contrast to what Plugg is going through.
Edward would know of a final humiliation, the guy being named 'Plugg', his favorite 'toy' being that whip, but that would probably upset the women and make the others frown.
Alabaster puts his hand on Isaac's arm when the captain pronounces the sentences, and nods, speaking quietly enough that only Isaac can hear.
Yer tha Captain. They need ta fear ye a bit, but not so much they start hatin' ye. These tasks are fer me ta be doin'.
He then carries out all of the violent sentences with grim determination. Any protests are met with a cold stare.
This is bein' done accordin' ta tha code o' Queen Besmara. Ye knew tha consequences 'afore ye went an' broke em. I ain't sayin' I ain't enjoyin' doin' it though.
When Isaac goes to comfort Arhiel, he nods, and stands over the man, his cutlass still dripping blood from the dismemberment.
Please, try ta move. I want ye ta. Just be rememberin', I beat both o' ye damn near singlehandedly.
Isaac nods at Arhiel and smiles. "Ye hav' a good heart. Say mor' than mos' folk." He stands and approaches the group as Alabaster is about to punish Scourge. "Hol' fer a moment ther', Mr. Cain." He walks up to Scourge. "It woul' appear tha' Arhiel had a chang' o' heart. She be havin' a good heart. A rarity in th' Shackles. Ye shall surviv'... if ye hav' th' skills an' means to. Yer new punishmen' is this: Ye will be unmanned, castrated. Ye will then be marooned wit' th' ot'er traitors."
Isaac smiles as Edward and Sandara administer their punishment against Plugg. 'Well, Edwar' seems to be creativ' wit' this.'
Salt watches somewhat impassively, his concerns resting with the ocean and those within it. He takes no joy in the revenge meted out by his comrades, but nor does he applaud it or participate.
Once the bloodiness is over, he sends his grindylow back home and suggest to Isaac to do the same, "Dis one be thinkin we be keepin dem around too long. Be lettin dem go before dey be getting ideas."
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Isaac looks at Jesal and nods at him. "I be lettin' 'em know soon. I hav' tol' Zuld tha' Plugg is free when we ar' finished wit' 'im. As fer th' res', I will le' 'em kno' their fate when we maroon 'em an' ar' finished wit' th' isl'."
When she hears Isaac proclaim Scourge's punishment, Arhiel breathes a sigh of relief, then shudders, still curled up, knees to chest, arms wrapped around her knees... What if he manages to get off this island? He'll blame me.. us all probably... and run to Harrigan or come after us himself. I hope I didn't make a big mistake, but I just couldn't... make any other choice.
After a few moments of sniffles and leftover tears... she wipes her eyes and emerges from behind the wheel, coming to join the others... she keeps her eyes averted from the 'condemned' and looks about the ship to see what more needs to be done to make her sea-worthy. We'll have to rename her too... someone said something about changing the look of her, but the name has to go too... I wonder what Isaac will want to call her. Maybe we should all have say on the name.
She looks from Isaac to the rest of the mutineers and manages a wan smile... not as exuberant as their own perhaps... but a smile, nonetheless.
Fipps sobs in relief when Isaac relents, and quickly swears himself to your cause.
Once the violent punishments are carried out (Sandara is willing to have a go at Plugg with the cat, though she doesn't have much stomach to prolong it long), and Sandara's managed to patch Scourge up enough to stop him from bleeding to death, Plugg is executed. Your crew bundles the barely-standing Scourge and their cronies into the secure storage room on the lowest deck of the Man's Promise, looking them in with a key taken from Plugg's own ring. When you've all reassembled topside, Sams looks to Isaac. "So, what be the deal wi' this island? Ye're wantin' t'go back there?"
Zuld, meanwhile, is beginning to tug Mr. Plugg's body toward the ocean with his brethren. He looks up at your group and hisses, "Longkhongphuakhao daihabkan kebhaksauaai. Oala tarodpai pasason sokkapok, thi sa thidyunai thidin!"
Isaac watches as the former crew is locked up. When Samms asks about the island, the Captain nods. "Aye. Ther' be plenty o' loot on tha' isl' tha' we couldn't bring. Plus, ther' be at leas' one or two areas tha' haven't been fully explored."
When Zuld begins to leave, Isaac approaches him, speaking in Aquan. "Actually, Zul', we lef' som' thin's in yer cavern. We will be bac' to yer hom' to be collectin' 'em. Also, ye might' be happy to hear tha' thos' 'filthy land-dwellers' we wer' fightin', they will be lef' on th' isl' within th' nex' few days. Ye can hunt 'em an' try to eat 'em if ye be wantin' to."
Zuld snarls when Isaac lays out his plan. "Than vaovathancha ponyhaiphuakhao yunai santiphab! Nyang...khaphachao dichaithi than chak phuakhaopai bannakan. Khaphachaocha hai than doalongsivid thahakvathan daithukphobhen yunai thoa khongphuakhao konthichaaedd naimuni. Bomi topaiikaelv!" With that, he turns and he and his compatriots dive off the boat. Mr. Plugg's body follows, dropping into the water below with a massive splash.
"Well, that didn' sound too f*@@ing friendly," Rosie comments wryly. "Which o' us should join ye on th'island, cap'n?"
Isaac sighs. "No, Rosie. It be not friendly." Isaac looks at the crew. "Listen. We need to ge' th' loot from grindy lair befor' th' sun sets. Ot'erwis', they be attackin' us. So, we need to be quic’." He then explains his plan: Isaac will take Edward, Alabaster, Arhiel, Jesal, Cog, and Rosie and try to collect the loot from the grindy lair and return it to the ship. With more people and the strongest of them, they should be able to carry more of the loot. The rest of the crew will remain on the ship and keep it safe and prevent the prisoners from trying anything. Once they have the grindy treasure on the ship, they will send the main team, along with Rosie, Cog, Maheem, and Fipps to help collect the remaining loot. They killed the dangerous creatures in their way, so they should be on the safe side. After that, the main team of 5 will finish exploring the island (the crops [avoiding the flies] and the shack with the body [trying to deal with the flies first].)
Isaac looks around. "Anyon' be havin' thoughts or th' lik'? This only be a rough plan."
"No, we'd better leg & haul it.
Getting away from this island is high on my list of desired things.
It was tied with overthrowing that lot.", as he points at the prisoners.
Alabaster shrugs.
Whatever ye be sayin'. Though, I'd like a bit o rest first. I be used up a lotta me power on those dogs.
Isaac looks to Alabaster. "I be curious. How lon' does tha' usually tak'?"
"Canna be waitin. Dem grindys be comin if we be stayin too long. Be gettin da stuff and be reoutfittin dis ship before Harrigan be lookin for it."
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Setting out in one of the ship's boats, you and your landing party make your way around the island to the entrance to the grindylows' caves. Zuld and his clan snarl and reach for their spears when they see you, and stay close to you throughout your exploration of the caves, but otherwise don't prevent you from removing anything. Rosie whoops when she sees the silver bars that were used to weight down Sandara and Giffer. "Those'll be worth a pretty bloody penny, I imagine!" With the help of your crew, you're able to excavate all of the remaining treasure, as well as swinging by the tent in the woods to retrieve the plunder there. Once that's all safely on board the ship, your group of five puts back out in the boat, and, beaching it on the beach to the south, you head into the interior.
The overgrown field of crops, when you reach it, is just as silent as it was before; the thick crops obscure your vision beyond a few feet.
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Isaac is happy as they collect all of the treasure. He makes sure all of it gets to the ship safely.
Isaac points to the spot. "Ther'. Humanoid jawbon'. Half buried in th' dir'." He looks to everyone. "Do we be havin' anyt'in' to figh' th' swarms?"
As you scope out the field, you're reassured by the quiescence of the flies that as long as you don't bother them, here, they won't bother you. The field yawns before you, silent save for the occasional rustle as the breeze stirs the cornstalks...
Arhiel gladly takes one of the alchemist fire flasks... and points out, "If the flies leave us alone, I say let them be and let the new residents deal with them... "
Isaac takes a flask of alchemist fire. "I agree. Let's see wher' we can go wit'ou' disturbin' 'em." He shakes his head. "Though, tha' shack may be a bit troubl'som'." Isaac will also try to get the jawbone to investigate.
"Sounds good to me."
It only takes a few steps for Isaac to retrieve the jawbone, which doesn't appear to have any worth in and of itself...although stepping into the cornfield does confirm how dense and difficult to penetrate the field is. Isaac steps out quickly so you can all examine the find.