With shouted orders and some discussing , the crew of the Shrike set to repairs, tearing down broken and burnt sails and rigging, hauling up replacement from the stores below.
Men continued to heave at their oars in longboats, striving to pull the grounded ship free from the reef. Their progress is slow but noticeable.
The senior crew leads a team to investigate the wreckers ship, finding that the wrecker spoke true; all hands were flung into battle, no one was found on the securely anchored Cutthroat
It seems a fairly well run ship, full up of stores, rigging and sails ship-shape. In the hold, some of the wrecker's ill-gotten booty is found.
One of the sailors who had accompanied them pipes up , Beggin' yer pard'n, Cap'n. Mite be an ideer ta pull da Shrike off'n da reef wit this here ship..."
Done with the wrecker's ship, the senior crew appropriate a longboat from The Cutthroat and get rowed over to the huts Diana noticed.
The crude huts mains seem to serve to store more of the wrecker's booty: spices, timber, leather and an accumulation of ship's equipment.
One hut contains a crude alchemical lab, and the last hut appears to be the domicile of the slain wrecker Captain!
An attempt to 'civilize' the hut was made, a handsome divan stood in one corner and various bolts of silk were draped here and there.
Under a thin layer of sand under the bunk, you find a sea chest.
By another hut, you discover an empty barrel, containing an object wrapped in oilcloth.
Jaina investigates the hut...
"...huh."
And emerges later with a sea chest under one arm and an oilcloth-wrapped object in her other hand. "Check these out."
Diana helps out the search, maintaining Detect Magic for both the search of the ship and the huts. Good eyes Jaina.
Unfortunately, Isaac's eyes fail him. However, when Jaina manages to find the items that are hidden, Isaac smiles. "Nic' fin', Jaina. Ye mus' hav' been good at scaveng'r hunts."
Jaina shrugs. "Grew up in the Gibbet. You learn to sharpen your eyes, or you lose them."
Carefully unwrapping the oilcloth, the pirates are greeted with the sight of a golden statue of a wasp, matching the Calistrian High Priestess' description of the Golden Vespal.
A quick check of the sea chest reveals no traps or locks. Cracking open the lid reveals a number of items resting on a layer of coins.
a mithral daggers set with aquamarine gemstones
a flag showing the colors and grinning skull and crossed manacles of the Shackles (detects as magical to Diana's enhanced senses)
a leatherbound book
320gp in assorted coins
The flag is enchanted. Diana explains with excitement as she studies it further. But analyzing such is not one of my strengths I fear.
Edward steps over to Diana.
"Mind if i have a look?"
Edward takes the flag, allowing the material to run through his hands, sleek as silk...but seemingly stronger than the toughest sail canvas...
You are holding one of the storied Shackles Ensigns
Once per day, a Shackles ensign can be hoisted and
unfurled on a ship to impose a sinister sense of doom upon
an opposing ship’s crew. It takes two full-round actions to
raise the flag. All non-pirate creatures (defined at the GM’s
discretion) within 300 feet who are able to see the flag take
a –1 penalty on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving
throws, and skill checks for 1 minute. This is a visual mind-
affecting effect. In addition, all allied creatures aboard the
ship flying the Shackles ensign gain a +1 luck bonus on attack
rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, and skill checks
for 1 minute.
You are also pretty sure that flying this flag will improve initial attitudes of fellow pirates who see it, the opposite for those opposed to piracy.
Edward's eyes grow, and he looks up at the others.
"A literally awe inspiring find, this is one of the fabled 'Shackles Ensigns'. Hoisting one of these is said to lower morale of any who oppose piracy, within a fair distance. 300ft give or take."
"Naturally, this works opposite for any who fly the flag.
And i suppose disposition would work equally so."
Isaac whistles in amazement. "Very nic' fin', indeed," He then looks at the statue. "An' we found' th' Vespal. It be lookin' lik' thin's be lookin' up fer us." A frown then takes over his face. "Iff'n only it wasn't in exchang' fer th' liv's o' som' o' cre'."
The wreckers ship is a Keelboat
It's smaller than The Shrike, but right now in better condition.
The shrike will sail, but as the carpenter might say, "Don't be sailin' 'er in a blow! Best get'er back to port so as to patch 'er up right!
By the end of this day , the Shrike will be back afloat , taking in a bit of water, but ready to sail!
Isaac scratches his chin before turning to the carpenter. "Coul' we be usin' bits o' th' wreck'rs keelboa' to help reinforc' th' hull til we be gettin' bac' to por'?"
The carpenter scratches his chin, then his neck, "Well, Cap'n, I've gone an' patched 'er up on the inside as good a can be, but can't on th' o'side on account of all the waves and reef an' such...Gotta ge'er to a drydock and fix 'er up proper!"
Isaac nods. "Very well. We be makin' fer por'. Bu' firs'..." He turns to his officers. "I be wishin' to sen' our dead off. To honor 'em."
Edward nods.
"They certainly deserve no less. Many of them have been with us a good long while."
When said ceremony would start, Edward conjures up a violin, playing a formal but respectful tune.
, tries at least, as he dismisses the thing after hearing its initial gods-awful tuning.
And so the victorious crew of The Shrike, captured wrecker ship following close behind, sails hard...or at least as hard as the bruised hull of The Shrike can stand...for Quent, where both drydock and Calistrian High Priestess await!
The weather is fair, and the moment the ships reach deep water Sandara calls all who can to the ceremony to inter their fallen comrades to Besmara's grasp, blessing them on their journey to prevent them from returning as accursed draugr. She smiles at Edward's attempt and encourages any of the crew to step forward and say a word or two about those now missing.
Soon enough, Quent lay in sight and after a familiar interlude with one of Quent's pilots, the two ships ease up to dock...a bit of a crowd forming as word has spread that someone had captured The Cutthroat!
Once The Shrike bumped the dock, the carpenter with a lazy salute to Isaac, "I'll be off'n checkin' 'bout the drydock, Sir! "
At the funeral, Isaac steps forward. "Thes' be good men an' women. Whos' liv's wer' fill'd with th' spiri' o' adventur' an' their hearts burnin' wit' fire. It has been me honor to hav' been their cap'n. May Besmara be embracin' 'em in Her crew."
When the Shrike arrives in Quent, Isaac nods at the carpenter. He then turns to his officers, holding the wrapped Vespal. "Shall we be returnin' this to its rightful own'r?"
*nods*
"Might as well, yes. Maybe hit up a tavern for gossip and a drink when we've done so."
Ya' don't have tae' say the word tavern twice, me boy! - says the Dwarf, still with an austere expression due to the funeral, the face marked from intense tearing, but already thinking on chugging some rum.
Aye captain. That was what we agreed to, no? And I believe we will need to hire more crew even if we decide against crewing our prize ship. What will we do with her? And while the Shrike is being repaired perhaps there are improvements we can afford to make improvements to her to strengthen her hull against rocks and reefs. We came too close to loosing her captain.
Isaac nods at at his officers. "Ay'. We be returnin' th' Vespal. Then we be hittin' th' tavern. Mayhaps we be usin' our status wit' th' Calistrians to ge' mor' crew membe'rs. Whil' gettin' th' crew, we will also be gettin' som' mor' armor fer th' Shrik'."
The senior crew disembark from The Shrike to the Shackles equivalent of a hero's welcome. Lot's of backslaps and 'Huzzahs' , seems that The Cutthroat was not a popular ship around Quent.
Finally, you're able to extricate yourselves from the crowd, promises of free drinks being called to you as you leave. Seems a tavern crawl may be necessary later.
As you approach the Temple of Calistria, only a few younger boys and girls tag along with you.
Ascending the steps and entering the cool interior, you're greeted once again by a pretty acolyte, "Greetings, what services may the House of Stolen Kisses grant thee?"
Isaac holds up the Vespal. "We be havin' a gif' fer yer Mistress. I believ' the' ye wer' missin' this. Can we be seein' 'er?"
The acolyte does a passable job of maintaining her detached attitude, but Issac cannot help but discern a small widening of her eyes.
Whether it was due to the sight of the Vespal, or Isaac's impetuous reveal of it in public....who is to know.
Keeping her composure, the acolyte nods then says, "This way..." and leads you a familiar path towards the High Priestess' offices.
Again you are bid to make yourselves comfortable as she leaves to fetch the High Priestess. After a moment, just as before, another acolyte brings in a tray of sweets and other delectable treats, and offers each of you a chilled beverage.
Whether a beverage is selected is made moot by the quick arrival of the High Priestess, bursting into the room. Clad only in the sheerest ofrobe, designed to be more revealing than concealing, her exposed skin glowing from exertion and a fine sheen of sweat; Calistra's Highest had obviously been performing her Holy duties.
Her face burning with intensity, she strides up to Isaac, the air about her redolent with perfume and musk, demanding "The Vespal....you have it?"
Isaac is eating a sweet when the High Priestess comes in. When she asks for it, he puts his sweet aside, cleans his hands (making sure there is nothing on them), and grabs the covered package. He removes the cloth to reveal the Vespal in all it's glory. "Her' ye go. I be hopin' it be meetin' yer satisfaction an' standards."
Jaina shifts from foot to foot, her eyes darting uncomfortably about and her knuckles flexing to try to relieve the itch in them.
Never was one for Calistria... too shallow and petty. If I wanted to do whatever I wished without a care for whom I hurt, I'd pay service to Besmara.
The High Priestess's breath catches in her throat as she reaches out for the Vespal, a sigh escapes her lips as her long , slender fingers take up the statue.
Clutching the figure to her bosom, she looks down at the stylized wasp as if regarding a new-born babe. Looking up , her eyes glistening with tears, "Ah, well done, Captain, well done. I'd not thought to lay my eye upon her again!"
Blinking, regaining her composure, she gently hands off the Golden Vespal to one of the acolyte, giving her a murmured command. The acolyte, terror in her eyes at carrying such an important relic, slowly makes her way out of the room.
"Now, then you've rendered a service for me....remind me, what service did you ask in return? Dindreann coyly asks.
Isaac smiles at Dindreann. "Well, we be needin' evidenc' an' information on Chelish spies in th' Shackl's fer Cap'n Tessa Fairwind."
Gareth crossed his arms and shook his head in agreement as Isaac mentioned the information requested.
Diana smiles at that exchange, feeling the rightness of the scene as the effigy is returned.
Dindreann reaches out and gently brushes a bit of powdered sugar that had fallen onto his shirt from the sweet he'd been eating, "Ah yes. Such nasty business... but information can be more valuable than gold." she says, reaching out to another Acolyte who had discretely entered the room.
Taking a rolled up parchment from the Acolyte, she offers it to Isaac, "Seek this man out in Drenchport. He made the claim to one of our acolytes that he had knowledge of a spy operating in the Shackles."
The document provides details on one Jaymiss Keft , a half-elf scrimshander. He spends most of his time by the fire in the Carver's Hall in Drenchport.
Isaac smiles as Dindreann brushes off the powdered sugar on his shirt. "Thank ye. It would' be rath'r ridiculous to hav' tha' as I board enemy ships." He then takes the parchment from her. "Thank ye. We really be appreciatin' it. Is ther' bein' any oth'r information or th' lik' tha' we shoul' be privy to?"
Something pops into Isaac's head and he jumps on it. "Actually, ther' was one oth'r thing. We be lookin' fer th' Brin' Banshee as well. We be hopin' ye kno' som'thin' sinc' she be seen aroun' Quent."
Dindreann arches a pretty eyebrow at Isaac's question, "Ah, now why would you be asking about the Brine Banshee? Perhaps, it's reputed speed and maneuverability? " she asks, looking about the room.
She plucks a sweet from the nearby tray, popping it into her mouth, eyes half closed as she savored the taste, then turning back to Issac, "I'll grant this boon, given the import of what you did for we poor Calistrians." she says with a wide smile.
"I know of one Haneilius Fitch, lately of the port of Ollo. He was The Brine Banshee's doctor, but is now retired. He claims to have the means to locate the Brine Banshee, but is looking for someone to bankroll his expedition."
She opens her hands wide, "There, I think we've satisfied our obligations. I wonder what avenue you will pursue next? The mysterious spy, or the missing but not forgotten ship. Do return to tell me your tale, once it is finished. My temple is open to you all this night, as before, should you wish it." she says, then with a smile for each of you, slips out of the room.
Diana appreciates the information and withholds judgement of the practices of the Calistrians. To me that would be an empty life; to so often do the act without the emotional bond that is meant to go with it.
Fitch, last seen in Ollo. - Gareth loudly takes a "mental note", grunting after doing so, then looking at his companions.
'seems we might have a lad tae' see, me mates. - he finally completes, feeling his throat starting to dry a little - Som'thing 'ay take we can do by the first bright shine of tha' sun, I reckon.
Isaac smiles at Dindreann. "Thank ye fer ev'rythin'. We be greatly appreciatin' it." At Gareth's comment, the captain nods. "Aye. We be restin' her'. Ye all hav' earn'd it."
The night passes, more restful for some , and dawn breaks over the town of Quent foggy and grey. As the sun attempts to burn away the moisture in the air, the senior crew of The Shrike are roused by Acolytes, who lead them to hot baths drawn for them.
The acolytes remain to 'assist' with the cleaning duties, but do remove themselves when their services are not desired.
Thus rested and cleansed, the crew of The Shrike are rejoined in a small anteroom, where is must be decided what avenue to pursue: the retired doctor in Ollo; or the spy watcher in Drenchport.
Isaac tells the acolytes that he is fine with cleaning himself. When he's all freshened up and ready, he meets with his officers. "So, wha' shoul' we do? I be puttin' forth th' idea to go aft'r th' Brin' Banshee."
Since we will be doing both, the order does not mater to me captain.
Jaina bluntly refuses to let a single acolyte touch her as she tidies herself up.
"Brine Banshee sounds as good as anything else. Let's set out."
Edward too declines the acolytes' help.
"Ship hunting sounds fine.", he says as he stretches.
A path chosen, the senior crew of The Shrike leave the House of Stolen Kisses much refreshed, stepping out into the humid morning air.
Few stir in the town at this hour, but the docks are a-bustle. You can see The Shrike further down the harbor, being hoisted up out of the water, the Carpenter shouting commands and getting to work.
Still floating at her berth, The Cutthroat lay awaiting her fate...