Spurred by the Captain's words, the group bids goodbye to the merchant and follows his directions. They turn onto a street, a row of non-descript houses, with the exception of one that has a large shingle hung out above the cobbles...and that is also painted a vibrant green color.
The door is unlocked and opens into a finely appointed sitting room, a soft jingling rings from further into the building. Shortly , a nearby door opens and a grey-haired gentleman enters, wiping his hands with a white cloth. He takes in the crew of The Shrike with a knowing gaze, "Welcome, how may I assist you?" he asks, his voice a testament to his Taldan heritage.
Jaina keeps her mouth shut and lets the more qualified officers handle the talking.
Isaac removes his tricorne in the shop and holds out his hand to shake the other man's hand. "Ay'. Mayhaps ye can. Me nam' be Cap'n Isaac Silv'rman' o' th' Silv'r Shrik'. Ar' ye bein' Doct'r Haneilius Fitch?
The man nods, taking Isaac's extended hand in his own, giving Isaac a smile, "Indeed, I am Doctor Fitch. Ah, a Silvemane, are you? Seeking to redeem the name? How do the Gods favor such and endeavor?"
Isaac chuckles. "Well, I be tryin' to pu' th' family nam' bac' on top. An' so far, th' Gods seem to smil' on me an' me cre'. Bu' bac' to th' reason we be her'. Ye wer' th' doctor on th' Brin' Banshee, ay'?"
The good doctor nods along with Isaac, clearly charmed by the Captains' manner, but when mention of the Brine Banshee come about, his eyes first narrow in suspicion, but then return to normal as he smiles, "Ah, The 'Banshee, such a ship! Indeed I was the ship's doctor for many a year, until I retired here to Ollo."
He pauses, a small smile on his lips as rememberances wash over him. He blinks then turns and crosses to a nearby cupboard. Pulling open one or two drawers, looking for..."Yes...here it is!"
He brings over what looks to be a leg bone, in a glass tube, surrounded by some sort of liquid.
Placing it on the nearby counter, The Doctor says, "This tibia previously belonged to Vargus Brack, one of my old shipmates. Vargus was grateful to be rid of it—he’d have died of gangrene if I hadn’t amputated his leg. It’s a good thing I kept it as a specimen, since he was an officer aboard the 'Banshee when she last sailed. Vargus and I were good friends—he came to visit me the last time the 'Banshee was in Ollo, as he always did when he was in port. He mentioned in passing the course the 'Banshee would be taking, and said he wouldn’t be back for some time. The 'Banshee had an abundance of riches aboard her, and together I believe we can salvage them. Are you interested?”
Isaac blinks as the doctor pulls up the bone in a jar. "Ay'. We be int'r'sted in salvagin' th' Banshee. I jus' be wond'rin' ho' woul' th' leg be helpin' us?"
"It's not turned into a magical wand, for raising ships, has it?"
Edward says quasi joking, but also curious.
The good doctor rubs his hands together, grinning, "Good....good. " but shakes his head to Edward, "Not quite. You see, although I know the Brine Banshee's course, we do need magic to find out where she went down. "
He picks up the preserved tibia, and pokes at the air as he talks, "Now , I'm aware of a magical ring that can be used to find a corpse, provided the wearer possesses a piece of the body!"
"You might ask, 'But Doctor, where does one find such a ring?" he says, holding up the leg bone, "Well, I'll tell you. There's a pirate captain, who I know for a certainty, wears a ring just as I describe, it's called The ring of the iron skull"
"With that ring, and old Vargas' let, we'd be able to find The Brine Banshee and claim her riches!" he says, his eyes gleaming with Pirate-like avarice.
And will you be coming with us good doctor to seek out this ring and then on to find the Banshee? I ask because it will change my opinion on your share you should receive of what treasure we recover.
Doctor Fitch smiles and nods, "Indeed, I will! Though I'm old enough to not be much use in a fight, I'm thinking that you all look more than capable, hence my proposition! So, what say you? " he exclaims excitedly, extending his arm for a traditional pirate arm-shake.
Satisfied and certain of Doctor Fitch's honesty, Isaac extends his arm and clasps the Doctor's arm. "Ay'. We be havin' a deal. Now then, shall we be goin' soon? Befor' th' wer'wolv's be gettin' us? Unless ther' be anythin' ye need?"
Diana still looks dubious. Equal shares, after we pay the crew and ship upkeep alright with you good doctor?
The Doctor blinks, then says, "Erm..ah..but of course! " he says in response to Daina's pointed questions.
Taking a deep breath, he look to Issac, "Ah, you refer to our dear 'Lord' and his crew? I wouldn't worry, he and his fellows prefer more domesticated prey, they never trouble other pirates such as yourselves." he says soberly.
Then clapping his hands, he says, "Now that the deal has been struck..." he begins, and walks over to a map of the nearby Shackles on wall. "Now , the Pirate we're seeking in one “Milksop” Morton, who regularly sails his sloop Dryad’s Grave between the Smoker and Shark Island. Fortunately the Dryad’s Grave is due in Ollo within the next week. If we can accost the ship before it makes port, we can obtain the ring and then be on our way to find the Banshee!" he says pointing to a space of open sea near Ollo on the map.
Jaina can't help but snicker at the name of their quarry.
'Milksop'? Gods above only know just how he earned that moniker. Couldn't be 'Murderous' or 'Malicious' or even 'Mad'. Bloody Milksop.
Isaac walks to the Shackles map. "So, we be settin' an' ambush ther'. Eith'r tha' or we be hailin' 'em an' tryin' our han's at diplomacy. Anythin' ye be knowin' abou' "Milksop" Morton or th' Dryad's Grav'?"
I wonder if there is any chance of this “Milksop” Morton lending us his ring. It doesn't sit well to just take it from him unprovoked. I suspect he will fight. To not do so would cost him a lot of crew morale. Would be nice to at least know he is a scoundrel who mistreats his crew or is guilty of untold evil deeds.
You've heard of a pirate named Morton who is unaligned to any of the Pirate Lords and has no Letter of Marque. He preys on other like him so to not anger the Pirate Lords. Could be the same man.
Dr. Fitch shrugs, "I don't know much more about the man, except that he possesses the ring and where he sails. As for parlay, I won't dismiss the idea, though the thought of a Shackles pirate lending out his plunder? Stranger things have happened!" he says with a chuckle.
Isaac nods. "So, it appears we be havin' som' waitin' to do. Mayhaps we shoul' be goin' to our ambush spot to scou' it ou'."
The Doctor smiles at Isaac's suggestion, "A capital idea! Ah, to feel the sea spray on my face again! Here, let me fetch my bag..." he says, picking up the leg-bone and stepping into a back room.
There's the sound of some rummaging about, then the Doctor returns with a well-worn travelling bag hoisted over one shoulder. In another hand is a well-made Doctor's satchel, no doubt brimming with doctorly supplies.
"Come , let us not tarry any longer! Adventure awaits!" he exclaims, indicating the door with one hand to usher everyone back out into the street.
He then turns and locks his door, placing the key in the pouch on his belt.
"Lead me to your vessel, then! What do you call it?" he asks.
Isaac smiles as he leads Dr Fitch. "This way, Doctor. I be leadin' ye to th' Silv'r Shrik'."
As the group heads for the harbor, the Doctor arches and eyebrow, "The Silver Shrike? Suitably fearsome, I daresay! Come let me gaze upon it!"
Soon enough he was on the dock before The Shrike nodding his approval, "A fine ship, indeed! " he says, giving the senior grew a grin.
He then turns to Isaac, and asks formally, "Permission to come aboard, Captain!"
Isaac gives a hearty laugh. "Permission grant'd! Welcom' aboard!"
The good Doctor laughs with Isaac and makes his way on deck, introducing himself to the sailors he found there, looking very much the part of Ships-Doctor as he dispensed advise on the various bruises and cuts any of the sailors were sporting at the time.
Seeing Sandara glaring at him from the gunwhale, he leaned in and whispered, "Now then, would she be the Ship's Doctor?"
All around the ships crew made ready for sea, to be honest, not much left was to be done. The crew had also heard the wolf howls and in their nervousness had made sure the Shrike was ship-shape and ready to sail at a moment's notice.
Edward can't help but clearly hear this, and he strolls over towards his sweetheart.
"Hello beautiful. Something is bothering you about that new doctor?"
Sandara serves Edward with a withering glance, before returning her ire-some gaze back to Dr Fitch.
After a moment, she says through clenched teeth, "New Doctor, is he? Well, I am the Ship's Doctor...and he ain't needed!".
Sandara serves Edward with a withering glance, before returning her ire-some gaze back to Dr Fitch.
After a moment, she says through clenched teeth, "New Doctor, is he? Well, I am the Ship's Doctor...and he ain't needed!".
Isaac leans in closer to Dr Finch. "Ay'. She be our Ship's Doct'r. Sandara Quinn."
Hearing the crew's fears of the wolf howls, the Captain begins barking orders and aiding in getting the ship ready to go. "We be needin' to leav' no'! Befor' Sorrinash an' his cre' be findin' us!"
Edward knew his words were a poor choice, though they left him before he had a better way of asking, even though the response confirmed what could be guessed.
Edward looks sideways at Isaac and the doc.
"He's not the new doctor. He's a doctor. Nobody's replacing you. The reason Isaac brought him aboard...."
Edward fills her in on the conversation about the corpse tracking ring conversation.
Sandara crosses her arms across her bosom, somewhat mollified by Edward's explanation, nodding along with the pertinent ideas of his story.
She nods, still frowning, "Well,'e bet'r keep 'is place, 'is all!" she exclaims. Then her eyes widen as the man himself strides across to stand before her.
With an elaborate bow, Dr Finch, introduces himself, "Dr Finch...at your service! I am but your humble servant, Doctor Quinn. If I have given offence , I ask for your forgiveness. My words and actions merely habit from many years in your position. ".
Sandara, looks at the other Doctor, impressed despite her pique, grumbles, "Yer welcome ta the Shrike. ". Then she stands and strides off, yelling at some unfortunate sailor who was pulling a lanyard in a very unsafe manner.
Dr Finch glances wryly at Edwards, "I think I dodged a cannonball there, eh?"
Spurred by the Captain's orders, the Shrike's crew got the ship out into the harbor and back to sea in record time.
Soon, catching the brisk breeze, the Shrike set off into the waters surrounding Ollo, hoping to catch the Dryad's Grave in her next transit of the area.
Fortune favors the crew of the Shrike as after a day of sailing, about mid-day, the crow's-nest calls out, "Sail ho!" pointing to the south-east.
Dr Finch steps up to the gunwale and pulls a telescope from his satchel, "Might be her...she sees us too! She turning to intercept...flags raising...requesting parley!"
Jaina's hands tighten into fists. OH BLAST AND BUGGER IT ALL!
First time back at sea in what feels like forever and we're going straight to PARLEY?
Dr Finch glances wryly at Edwards, "I think I dodged a cannonball there, eh?
Looking at his lover walking off, then back at Finch, he slightly nods.
"I would say so, yes. You're lucky i spoke with her first.
Best go find a hammock or bunk to sleep in, right?"
Diana stands at her usual place at the rail and under the open sky. She studies the horizon and confirms the spotted ship. Aye, I see her coming about. Is there anything she might have to say that we care about? Diana asks as she starts begins to play her long lasting buff spells.
magic circle against evil - 70 minutes
defending bone - 7 hours
delay poison - 7 hours
Resist Energy Fire - 70 minutes
Hearing the call from the crow's nest, Isaac runs over. Standing next to Dr. Finch, he pulls out his own telescope to see if he can get a better view of the other ship.
Isaac takes a long look with his spyglass, as the other ship begins to maneauver towards the Shrike. As it passes a-breast of the Shrike, he sees the figure head, a leaping satyr and finally the name of the ship emblazoned on the stern....The Dyrad's Grave.
The good Doctor nods at Edward's excellent advice, and with a wave strides to where Isaac stands, stating quietly, "If that's the ship we're lookin' for, Captain, should have a satyr at the bow.". He then nods and makes for below-decks to find a berth.
Isaac closes his spyglass. "Ay'. Satyr at th' bo'. Nam' on th' stern. It be Th' Dyrad's Grav'." He gathers the officers along with Dr. Finch. "Alrigh'. Th' Dyrad's Grav' be fas' approachin'. We be needin' a plan an' fas'. Shoul' we be tryin' diplomacy an' parley firs'?
Diana stands at her usual place at the rail and under the open sky. She studies the horizon and confirms the spotted ship. Aye, I see her coming about. Is there anything she might have to say that we care about? Diana asks as she starts begins to plan her long lasting buff spells.
** spoiler omitted **
After running up signal flags to indicate that a parley was desired, The Shrike and The Dryad's Grave begin to jockey through the mild surf until they come along side one another, about 100 ft apart .
The Captain of the other ship, yells across the gap of rolling water, "Ahoy! I be Captain Morton of The Dryad's Grave, where ye be bound for, if ye don't mind me askin' he asks , quite conversationally.
Diana stands with the siege but does nothing that could be considered unfriendly.
, Edward tries to get a read on the other captain.
Before Isaac responds, he approaches the side of the ship, eyeing the opposing Captain to try and get an idea of his attitude and thoughts, as well as trying to spot any potential dangers.
Both Edward and Isacc get the sense that the other Captain is very relaxed and brimming with confidence.
The other ships complement of sailors appear to be doing the regular sort of sailor-y things sailors do when coming along side a strange ship a sea.
Jaina starts pacing back and forth on the deck, eying up the other ship's crew.
Isaac calls out to Captain Morton. "Ay'! I be Cap'n Isaac Silv'rman' o' th' Silv'r Shrik'! We be actually be lookin' fer ye, Cap'n Morton! Mayhaps we coul' be gettin' our ships clos'r so we can be talkin'?"
Captain Morton smiles at the mention of his name, and signals his acceptance of Isacc's suggestion.
He shouts towards his wheel house and the two ships slowly close the gap until a mere 50ft separate the two vessels.
Once again at the rail, Captain Morton yells across the waves, "It's good you've heard of me....it will make things easier! You see, this bit of ocean... it's my territory. I'll have to insist that you pay my toll for safe passage! "
As he makes his demand, a pale grey creature flies from the Dryad's Grave's rigging to alight upon Captain Morton's shoulder.