Time: Day 5, dinner
Graskkator shrugs slightly
"The sea is in my blood, and I have been land bound ever since the Lily Marie was... retired. All in all the danger doesn't cause me much concern, I doubt this trip will be worse then some I have undertaken in the past."
The Orc grins wickedly
"Words like rivers of blood and hubris could be included in my past travels, so this is no worse. The important point is acknowledging what the dangers are and take the correct measure to insure survival."
With these words he grabs a large chunk of meat and rips off a large bite chewing contently.
**********************
Time: Day 6, sunrise
Getting up early Graskkator walks up on the deck and takes a deep breath, then he calls out to Mr. Kerbouchard
"Is everything in order, any news?"
To which Mathruin Kerbouchard informs him
"Captain, from the time Mr. Swurn and I spent studying the maps, I believe I can make up the lost time. I have made the new course corrections and we should be on schedule from here on out. Other than this, nothing new to report."
A smile spread across Graskkator's weather beaten features and he calls back
"Excellent work Mr. Kerbouchard, have a double rations of ale today,the both of you."
After this Graskkator spends the morning sitting on the railing watching the sea, carefully cleaning it before applying oil to protect it and waxing the leather strips, half way through the Doctor turns up with his message Graskkator nods absently to the doctor who then informs him that he had replenished their stock of magical potions.
"Good work Doctor, take a seat and look out there and tell me what you see."
The Orc inquires in calm voice.
Time:Noonish, Day 6 (Dantares, One-Eye)
Rodrigo turns and calmly observes the ocean. "I see nothing unusual captain, waves, sky, clouds. I see the ocean. What do you see?" he asks.
Elwood continues about his daily chores as he has through the first week of the voyage. The equipment of war is ready, though hopefully not required. He keeps a daily inventory of the gear and takes care to prevent rust due to the salt air.
"Aye Captain, same ol' same ol' to report, let me know if anything is needed, otherwise I'll continue with my scheduled tasks."
The big man cheerily continues his work.
Mathurin will keep a sharp lookout for anything unusual.
Day 5 dinner-
"Why Mr de Arcadia, all voyages are potentially fatal. The sea is something I have had in me as long as I can remember. There is nothing else like the feel of the wheel in your hands as you keep the ship on course. Feeling the current move the ship, the wind gather in the sails and the men at their posts. I know there is risk, but the benefits outweigh that in my estimation. I wouldn't trade this for the world."
"How about you? Why did you come on such a voyage?"
"Yes of course all voyages are potentially fatal. I was being a little over dramatic however only a little, how many journeys have you heard that have returned from beyond the Mistwall?"
"Doing what you love and are good at are good reasons to do something. I come out of service, long ago the Maitre Mer gave me back my life so that I might serve. This life is no longer mine to go where called, when I have resisted men have died so I no longer resist. The fact I was called suggests we are in danger or at least will be. But I am getting too morbid, can I refill your glass?"
Gjurn, as his usual style, sweeps in with a flourish, motioning everyone at the table to stay seated. please, don't get up. apologies for being late. William was having a most enjoyable time chasing a ball of paper, and i couldn't bear to stop him. Very humorous, he is. he finishes scratching william's chin and feeling the pseudodragon purr.
upon hearing Mathurin's question, Gjurn replies simply The ocean is my lover. I like to be upon her whenever I can. This isn't the first voyage ive been on that has "faced certain doom".
Stepping up on deck in the morning, Gjurn sees rodrigo chatting with graskkator. Nodding to them as he passes, Gjurn goes up on the poop deck with william taging along. Pulling out a small ball, Gjurn begins to bounce it off the deck, encouraging William to catch the ball.
So far, his efforts to get William to play this game are for naught. William flies about the rigging, zipping between lines, flying up high and diving, just to pull up at the last minute before certainly smashing into the deck. William flies about, and upon passing something that catches his attention, he flies circles around the spot, watching, and calling out with a shrill roar.
Time: Day 6 (Mr. Dantares, Captain One-Eye)
The captain keeps silent for quite some time wrapping the strip of leather back around the hilt of the blade in deep concentration then he nods towards a spot on the sea, where rings spread in the water.
"The mark of life, usually fish close to the surface breaks in can cause rings to appear on the surface how ol' Grey skin, our clan shaman she used to tell us that on a day as today we should be careful. She told us that long long ago a captain more Ogre then Orc set sails to look for a wife worthy of him. On the sea he came across a flock of Merfolk and one of them a young mermaid barely able more than a child captivated his eyes. The girl, we call her Sea Song for her voice and emerald green hair, tried to escape with her flock, but they were caught in fish net made from the hair and sinew of slaves were too strong and caught them all."
The Orc stops for a moment and inspects the handle carefully then places it back on his lap and picks up another strip of leather and starts waxing it carefully before continuing.
"That night the captain and his crew feasted well on the flesh of the Merfolk, all were slaughtered and the feast continued for two days for the Captain had drunk too much and had fallen into a stupor just hours into the feast. The crew didn't care much for the captain's quest and at first they were satisfied with hearing her singing and watch her, but then they forced her to feast on the flesh of her own and when she spilled the flesh back up they laughed and found new things to enjoy themselves with."
The Orc spits into the sea and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
"When they returned to port the captain married the girl that very night and soon after she spawned five eggs, the captain was furious, and smashed one before she was able to swift his rage from them to her. But in time the egg which she stored under the clan's harbor hatched , but the younglings were neither Orc nor Mer but something different and once more the captain's rage roared and he took Sea Song's eyes and fed them to her before running her through with his saber."
Graskkator slowly begins to wrap the leather back around the sword.
"With her dying breath she laughed at the captain and told him they were not his children but the bastard children of drunken beasts and their heart were as black as the beasts. She cursed the captain and gave him the name Captain Blackheart and told him he would never rest again as long as her and his lines were extinct. He laughed and spat her in her dying face and told her that he would sail to the day he died."
The Orc laughs scornfully.
"Captain Blackheart thus sealed Sea Song's curse and when he next set to sea to raid and plunder he never returned nor was his ship ever seen again and her children? No one knows. However on days like today, when sailors relax their guard and think the gods and the weather are with them and the wings sings in the rigging, one must be especially on guard for it is said that in the rings in the water were there should be no whale or fish should be is a sign, a sign that the children of Sea Song are hunting and if a sailor is not wary he will be gone by the time the sun rises once more, his flesh feeding the curse of Sea Song."
Captain One-Eye finishes the story as he finishes cleaning his sword and grins to Dr. Dantares
Time: Day 6 (Dantares, One-Eye)
"I see. I would like the opportunity to study such a creature, if they truly exist. It seems more likely that the rings are simply a natural phenomena, fish surfacing, wind, or something else mundane. Have you ever encountered a child of Sea Song?" Rodrigo asks in his usual monotone. He seems to have completely missed the entertainment value of the story and its underlying warning against being lax.
"That was an amazing story my friend. I'd also appreciate hearing more of your tales if ever you have the time. And who knows, the Uncharted Edge may hold the makings of future ones too eh?"
Elwood has a far away look after the story by Graskkator. He's silent for a moment or two, then pats his belly and grins at the other crew mates, "Anyone else hungry?"
Time: day 6 noonish (Captain One-Eye, Dr. Dantares, + crowd?)
Graskkator looks at the small crowd gathered slightly surprised and gives a nod to Mr. Whalend
"Quite possible I have a few more tails of the sea to share but not today I think, seems we already have enough slackers here."
Turning to Dr. Dantares he grins broadly though he almost seem to be speaking more to the bystanders
"It seems that way doesn't it and besides no one has seen or heard from Blackbeard in nearly two hundred years, surely he is dead by now right. Not like he hunts in the mist or that you should fear hearing a strange bell from a ship unseen in the mist and fog right. Perhaps you will even get a chance to study the children while they drag you into the depths and feast on your flesh."
Graskkator scowls fiercely at the other crew members while sheathing his sword.
"Get back to work you lazy dogs! What do you think this is a pleasure boat?"
When the crew have cleared back to their work Graskkator turns back to the doctor.
"In all seriousness that is what I see when I look out there."
The Orc nods to the sea
"Memories of what was, duties that is and a grave beckoning with false promises of rest."
Rodrigo blinks. After an uncomfortably long pause he says to the Captain, "Perhaps I can see more than just waves..." If anything his expression is even more rigid than usual as he turns on a heel and walks back to his quarters. Once inside with the door shut, he sits down on the edge of his bed, head in hands. A single icy tear slips down his cheek. Memories...a catalogue of pain. Duty...is it even real? The grave...a yawning chasm to hell. Is this where I sail?
The captain watches Dr. Dantares leave and watches in deep thoughts until the good doctor is out of sight
"hmm seems like the ice broke."
He then gathers his things and heads off to put them away before continuing his daily work.
Graskkator walks around the deck without spotting anything unusual.
Elwood continues with his daily tasks on what seems a normal day at sea.
Mathurin continues to steer the ship and keep her on course.
As Mathurin watches the waves and the weather he notices something out on the horizon.
"Captain! A moment please."
Once Grask comes over:
"I have noticed what seems to be sails behind us. We may have a ship following the Paradiso. It is there if you look closely enough."
Mathurin will point out the exact spot that the ship appears on the horizon.
Sails on the Horizon
Evasion and Pursuit
On the wide, open sea, one ship can spot another from
miles away, making it virtually impossible to surprise
another ship. If both ships want to engage in combat,
the ships close with one another and begin ship-to-ship
combat normally. If one ship wants to avoid combat,
however, a chase ensues. At the GM’s discretion, a faster
ship can always catch a slower ship, but even slow ships
can take advantage of favorable winds, currents, or coastal
terrain to make good their escape.
When two ships first encounter one another, the
pilots of the two ships must make three opposed sailing
checks. Whichever pilot wins at least two out of three of
the opposed checks is victorious. If the pursuing ship
wins, it catches up to the f leeing ship and ship-to-ship
combat begins. If the f leeing ship wins, it escapes. If the
result is a tie, the pilots should begin a new series of three
opposed checks.
Will either Mr. Kerbouchard or Captain Grasskator please make three Profession (sailor) checks.
Elwood gets the crew ready for combat if it comes to that, but doesn't interfere with the tasks of the sailors if escape is the option. He makes sure weapons are at the ready and that the men he identified with ranged weapon skills are prepared to pincushion the opponent before boarding actions take place.
"Aye, Captain, we have flight arrows that we can set to fire and put into their sails if they get to close and we have both chain shot and blast shot for the cannons if we want to soften up their ship or their crew."
Upon hearing that there is another ship on the horizon Rodrigo will spend several minutes preparing his extracts and then make his way to the deck, ready for combat.
Lucille spots the ship behind them and calls down to let the crew know.
Hearing the cry from the look out, Gjurn jumps to his feet and looks aft. Spotting the white smudge upon the horizon, he approaches graskkator from behind.
Appears that BLACKBEARD has taken offense to your comments, GraskKator.
Walking up to Mathurin, Gjurn bows slightly to the half elf. If i could perhaps help with this he states, putting both hands upon the wheel.
Graskkator looks up at the request from Mr. Kerboucard and heads up when Miss Bluth shouts out that a ship is approaching, pulling out his spyglass he set it to his eye and studies the target.
"How long till it catches up to us Mr. Kerbouchard? and plan a course to keep us out of their reach then show it to me and implement it afterwards. Finally figure out out what kind waters we are in when and if they catch up to us, will there be any isles, reefs, shores, whirlpools, sea monsters or free for all brothels to help us?"
Before waiting for an answer he shouts out
"Miss Bluth I want your eyes glued to that ship like a sailor's eyes to a pair of bared t@!& and I want to know everything there is no know about that ship, how big is it, what type of ship is it, how many cannons or other weaponry, how many are on board, are they hostile, what flag do they fly."
He looks to Mr Markley
"Mr. Markley, how fast can you detail a boarding party? How fast can you implement your plan for moving the cannon fast and how long would it take you to assemble a catapult?"
He then turns to Mr. Swurn
"If he has then he can walk ashore from the bottom of the sea where I will dump him and now Mage get to your own work and figure out what are our magical options for fight and flight and are you prepared to counter any magic an enemy ship might have?"
Graskkator walks down to the cabins and opens the door rudely to the Doctor's cabin
"Doctor a ship has been sighted, in case it is hostile prepare to recieve wounden and prepare materials to fix leaks, holes and damaged masts."
The he heads to Mr. Hawkswood and informs he he should keep ready to prep the cannons and make sure the ship is ready for a firefight. When done he seeks out Mr de Arcadia
"Make a plan for countering any outbreaks of fires and pumping water from the hull if they are breached if things should come to a point. While these bastards might just be merchants taking the same route we need to have these things ready anyway.
"Captain, the gear for boarding is different than the gear for repelling a boarding crew. We can have both ready in a several moments, I've the equipment here on deck ready for deployment, but we should take positions and arm ourselves for one type of action or the other."
Pulling a boarding pike from one of the brackets around the mast, Elwood presents the weapon to the captain.
"These will help us cut their grappling hooks and hack off their boarding gaffs. I recommend each crew mate keep a boarding axe on them as well, they can be used to chop off the grappling gear and drag any burning materials from the deck if they attack us in that manner."
"It's too late for putting a catapult together, siege equipment takes time to assemble, but myself and three other men could move the cannons back and forth rather quickly."
With your permission, I'll get several men ready for handling the cannons, and several others ready to launch flight arrows upon your signal. Shall we get a fire pot ready and launch fire arrows into their sails, or target their crew and leave them short handed?"
The usual jovial nature of the Master-at-Arms has all but vanished and focused, intense man stands at attention, awaiting his captain's orders.
Gjurn snorts at Graskkator. I already have done all that, on day ONE. Perhaps if you had taken me up on my offer, you'd have realized that, instead of waiting for a ship to come upon us to ask me that question. Be that as it may, I am prepared, I have scrolls upon me, and a couple potions, along with spells in my head, I am prepared to help ensure the survival of this ship. Now, since my duties are completed, until the unknown ship is close enough for me to actually affect it, I will continue to assist Mathurin in piloting this ship, since here is where I can lend my skills.
Listening to the two the captain narrows his eye dangerously
"Mr. Markley, I did not ask you if there was time I was asking how much time each option would take. As for preparing you can do so alone for now, I do not want to exhaust the crew before then by having them pull extra duty until we know which way the wind blows."
The Orc then wheels on Mr. Swurn drawing his sword and pointing it at the mage.
"One more word of insolence or questioning of my command and I will have you thrown in iron and or into the sea. You are ready that is excellent report what you are ready for and what you are not ready for in terms of magical attacks."
When his door bursts open Rodrigo is in the middle of preparing his extracts. "Yes Sir. I'm already preparing." Rodrigo replies to the captain's orders. Once his extracts are finished he will make sure that all the lumber and tools he might need are readily available and unpacked.
Where? Dantares cabin
"Excellent do you have any further suggestions?"
Gjurn nods yes yes, thrown over board. I understand.
Looking at Mathurin, Gjurn asks Did you understand what he said?
Mathurn is busy studying the ship behind us and doesn't hear Gjurn.
With superior sailing skills and the help of everyone, the RSS Paradiso deftly catches the wind and speeds up, leaving the other ship far behind and out of sight.
Slapping Mathurin on his back, GJurn praises him. Job well done lad. Very very good. You are truly a remarkable sailor. Well done indeed.
Letting go of the wheel, Gjurn goes about the crew, congratulating them on their speed and efficiency.
Walking about, Gjurn comes across Graskkator. Ah, Graskkator, well done. You've done a fine job in encouraging the crew to greatness. Very impressive. Well done lad. well done Turning he steps away, giving a slap on the back to another sailor.
Pausing, Gjurn strokes his moustache, gazing towards the wake of the ship. Muttering to himself, he wanders over to the rail, and leans against it, thinking.
Regardless of the escape, Elwood still answers the captain's question regarding the timing for building siege equipment.
"Captain, it will take around a week to build a simple siege engineer, provided we have the materials and I make no mistakes along the way. It's possible I could complete it quicker, but very unlikely. I'd be glad to discuss the merits of the various engines we could build. It would be a good decision to make before we reach Last Port as we'll want to purchase siege ammunition for whatever equipment we have crafted."
Graskkator nods
"Find out what is the best option, though I personally enjoy the versatility of the Ballista, and find out what it will cost us in materials."
Graskkator then narrows his eyes at Swurn and looks to Mr. Villette
"Mr. Villette take Mr. Swurn into custody and place him in the hull for the night, he will appear before captain's mast tomorrow."
Time: Day 6, dinner.
Mathurin enjoys his extra ration of ale.
"Well, that was a bit of a chase today. Not much for keeping up with us though. We should keep an eye out for them as we may encounter them again.
"If I may Captain, what is your intended action for Mr. Swurn?"
Time: Day 6, dinner
Graskkator leans back in his chair and studies Mr. Kerbouchard carefully for a moment before responding
"It depends on what he has to say for himself, however I don't think a punishment of ten lashes is going to make him behave.
Time:Day 6, dinner
"Just because it won't make him behave doesn't mean it shouldn't happen if that is your standard punishment for that sort of behaviour. I would suggest that his problem appears to not knowing his place or his fellow crew. He believes himself to be better than the rest of us put together. I would suggest reducing him back to an ordinary sailor. Working along side the rest of the crew and sleeping with them he might learn how excellent they are."
Time: Day 6, Dinner
"Your suggestion is taken under advisement Mr. de Arcadia."
The Orc comments in a neutral voice.
Time: Day 6, Dinner
In responce to Graskkator's response a huge grin crosses his face. "I am the fool sometimes. Sorry Captain, I might see if any of the crew can teach me to cartwheel as that might be a smarter fool's activity than opening my mouth"
TIme: Day 6, Dinner
The Orc grunts, bares his teeth briefly then nods
"No need to apologize, whatever I choose it will be my choice since it is my responsibility, however I do appreciate your recommendation Mr. de Arcadia so there is no need to apologize, truthfully I had already considered it."