Dieredon serves the others he was press-ganged with with a wink and a nod.
During the 'show' Jack noticed how much enjoyment Scurge was getting, 'Ye 'ave some serious issues Scurge. This is how ye gets yer thrills ain't it? Mmm I wonder if ye send a prayer or three ta Zon-Kuthon. Ah look what ye did ta tha poor man and fer what, a loaf o' bread or sommat.' Jack found the whole thing sickening but compelling and he was unable to turn away.
Alfonso eyes the rum warily. "What, uh... Anyone know what year this vintage is?"
Jack laughs and tells Alfonso, "Yhere's only one way ta find out!" Full of bravado, he takes a big swig and immediately regrets it, as his senses are assured with the eye watering strength of the stuff!
He manages to down it, bur is rewarded with a caughing fit, and he turns a funny color before regaining composure. He gasos, "Unmistakable. Single estate chateau paint-thinner. Grizzle will love it."
The one good thing was the rum had such a powerful taste he could eat the mush without thinking too hard on what it was...
As he was munchin on whatever dinner was, Jack worked some of the kinks out in his neck. He was feeling better for the workout but it was clear the work would grind them down in the end.
A beautiful woman with fiery red hair and a tricorne hat sits down next to the press-ganged carrying her own bowl of fish stew and rum ration. She downs the ration in one go, and has a look on her face similar to Mad Jacks. She coughs violently but keeps the liquor down.
"Pretty sure this is supposed to be watered down. Wow."
She takes a breath to steady herself and says, "Greetings, boyos. I remember ye from the Formidably Maid. Quite a showing with that goat there. Don't suppose you could tell me how it turned out though. My mind went fuzzy right around the bar fight."
She grins and says, "But where are me manners. Name's Sandara Quinn. At your service. And I come bearing gifts."
She then hands Alfonso his lute and Mad Jack his Holy Symbol.
Diredon sees the woman hand the items to his friends, but he is too busy serving the crew to ask about or attempt to discern her intentions.
Jack tips his non-existent cap and with a genuine smile he replies, "Much obliged Miss Sandara Quinn. Did ye taste Nutmeg this morn? Oh aye ye did! Oil o' taggit in tha stew if I'm nae mistaken." Jack made a face which eloquently explained his thoughts on the matter. Brightening he winked, "As fer tha fight, I think tha goat won. Some fool tried ta relieve Grizle, it kicked off good 'n' proper then. Anyway all tha noise frightened tha goat and it sped around tha tap room knockin' folks over lik tenpins."
He accepts the symbol gladly and puts the chain over his head and tucks the symbol under his vest for safekeeping. Quietly he tells her, "Name's Jack Miss Quinn and I reckon ye've done us a powerful good turn. If any 'o them louts give ye trouble, well I reckon it'll be the lest we could do ta sort it out fer ya."
"My lute! A thousand thanks, Ms. Quinn. You're already the nicest person I've met on board, though the standard was set rather low. Tell me, were you press-ganged, or are you a more permanent fixture on the ship?"
"RUM!" Grizzle yells, diving at the bottles. "Gimme here!" He says, downing as much as he can.
"Foosh? Thassle be foin fer now lads. As loong as oive had some o this stoof first, it'll be jus like home!"
"Thanks for tha lad." Grizzle whispers to Mad Jack. "Ah can get too sober, na good fer me."
Treggor keeps a steeled look for the entire display, then goes down to eat with the rest of the crew.
He partakes of the rum silently, watching and observing those around him. Most notably, looking for allies and enemies.
Fumeiyona yaban hito... Shikyo murmurs as the man is keelhauled to death.
When the food and rum is passed out...Shikyo scarfs his stew down ravenously and sniffs at the rum. Eventually he passes the rum to Grizzle You take. Is good? he says questioningly.
"Bless yer soul lad." Grizzle says, downing the drink. "Good, fer me. Most of ye landlubbers be too weak-bellied to try it." He looks the man up and down, "Where are ye from?"
Minkai. Land of Three Fires. the Tian man says, with barely a trace of his former thick accent.
Shikyo realizes he'll need allies if he is going to survive this. I am Shikyomaru Kuro, I am honored to meet you. Master Dowāfu he uses the Tian word for dwarf.
Sandara seems genuine when she says, "I was pressed, same as you. I actually was looking for a ship anyway, but this wasn't what I had in mind. And I appreciate the offer of an alliance. Truthfully, it's what I was hoping for. Scourge hates me since I very forcefully told him no I wasn't interested in him last night. Would have been gentler about it, but he was insistent -- and handsy. You might have noticed the black eye."
"And since he actually seems to hate you at least as much as me, well, enemy of my enemy and all that."
Sandara smiles as she says, "The quartermaster has your things, but they've been claimed by the ship. The quartermaster seemed nice enough, but a bit superstitious. She parted with these trinkets when I told her they might have an elven curse on 'em."
"I'm a priestess of Besmara, the Pirate Queen. Come to me if you need a bit of healing."
Treggor smiled. He'd dealt with Besmarans before, usually in a good way, but none that looked so much like the fabled Queen herself. And she was off on the wrong foot with scourge... that would work to his advantage, he was sure.
"Tell me lass, what do ye think o' the captain and first mate? Honest pirates er sniveling cut-throats and back-stabbers?" he tried not to think of how many knives he'd planted in backs as he asked the question.
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Jack was anything but surprised when he heard Scourge had hit on Sandara. Grim faced he whisperes, "Aye we need ta stand together. Master Scurge strikes me as man used ta getttin his own way, he'll nae like taking no fer an answer. Still ye did tha right thing, he's a proper little sadist, did ya see him today? He was getting off on it, would be nae surprised if he offered a prayer or two ta Zon-Kuthon. Oh an' speakin o' tha quartermaster, what did tha poor wretch steal from her anyhow?"
"Tell me lass, what do ye think o' the captain and first mate? Honest pirates er sniveling cut-throats and back-stabbers?"
"Aye we need ta stand together. Master Scourge strikes me as man used ta gettin his own way, he'll nae like taking no fer an answer. Still ye did tha right thing, he's a proper little sadist, did ya see him today? He was getting off on it, would be nae surprised if he offered a prayer or two ta Zon-Kuthon. Oh an' speakin o' tha quartermaster, what did tha poor wretch steal from her anyhow?"
Sandara slowly chews her stew for a moment thinking over the questions. She looks around to make sure she isn't overheard and then says, "Don't rightly know what Jakes stole, but whatever it was, I doubt it was worth a keelhauling. As for the Cap'n, well he is Free Captain, and you don't get that without a lil' bloodshed. Some sad sot pulls a knife on ya, well, ya do what you hafta. But there's a fine line between survival and cruelty. And if Scourge and Plugg are anything to go by, well then he's tread over that line more often than not."
Jack nodded, all that sounded like how it was. The question was what to do next, perhaps it was best to get to know more of the crew. "Tis a big boat this, lotta crew. Have ya met any others worth talkin' ta?"
"Daya know anywhere we could get a weapon?" Grizzle whispers to Sandara. "If we get attacked, we don want ta be defenseless."
The answer to both those questions will be the quartermaster. She seemed a good sort. And you can buy items from her if you get your hand on some coin, or maybe get on her good side."
"And I'm sure there are things you can find on ship as well that might double as a club or shiv. Although, I'd refrain from looking too well armed for now. You'll have lockers down below where you can keep things that you don't want on your person. "
"I suppose my advice is to try to keep our heads down for now. Maybe try to get some allies."
Lute in hand, Alfonso tries to make friends on the ship by performing the roughest and meanest song he knows, which has many bawdy things to say about Sarenrae.
But the lute is a bit out of tune after spending a day in the salt air.
Grizzle wanders off, acting as drunk as he is, and goes to find the quartermaster. "Gday! How ya doin this foin evnin?"
That night, Shikyo sneaks off and investigates a part of the ship
Jack nods and replies, "Yeah ye have the right o' it. Still I fancy a bit o' a look see. Might see if some of Alfonos's luck'll rub off on me first..." With that he makes his excuses and heads off to listen to Alfonso sing. It was clear he was skilled but something was off key. Between songs Jack sidles up and asks him, "I enjoyed tha. D'ya think ye could sing me one fer the road?"
Jack bows his head in thanks and saunters off to find the quartermaster. He assumed she was on deck somewhere...
In the end Jack found her, but only on account of finding Grizzle first. When asked what the quartermaster looked like, Jack tended to get the unhelpfull answer 'the quartermaster...' Anyway he was here now and joined in when Grizzle attempted to strike up a conversation. "Evening Ma'am. I be told you're tha safekeerer of all tha things. I'd like ta earn me stuff back, but I donnae know where ta start. Can ye please set meh onto tha right path?"
At least that's what he intended to say, however the rum had gone rather gone to his head...
Alfonso plays his lute. He does well, but he can tell that the lute is just slightly out of tune. The audience laughs at the appropriate parts of the bawdy song, but he can tell he doesn't quite have them.
Ah, the curse of being an artist.
Still he notices one of the shipmates is more pleased than the others, and when Alfonso is done she comes up to the half-elf and slaps him forcefully on the back.
"Not bad for a tall, pretty thing like you, eh? I'm Rosie Cusswell. I gots more muscles than most of the crew here, and a fouler mouth than all of them put together. Where'd you learn to play, bright eyes?"
***
Dieredon sneaks off during the festivities. Alfonso providing a perfect distraction. He goes down below and finds a bag of marbles. At first he's disappointed, but then he realizes that one of the marbles is actually an Orb Arcane Focus. Clearly someone doesn't know the value of what they have. And surely a single "marble" wouldn't be missed, right?
***
Mad Jack and Grizzle ask Sandara to point out the Quartermaster.
"Her name's Cut-Throat Grok, she's the half-orc over there. Good luck."
While Mad Jack comes off as a little odd, Grizzle turns on the dwarven charm, impressing the reedy half-orc in dark clothes.
"Tell you what. You two come see me in the store tomorrow, and I'll see what I can do."
***
Shikyomaru tries to sneak away but finds Scourge looking straight at him.
"And where do you think you're going so fast, sneaksy?"
***
"Thanks fer that Grok. Ef ya evar need help, don hesitate ta ask!" He says with a friendly wave as he takes one last drink before passing out in his hammock.
"Cusswell, you say? Maybe there is something to nominative determinism after all. I learned to play in the finest schools of the Taldan empire. Where did you learn your, uh, trade?"
I will hold on to this for safekeeping. It may come in handy.
Dieredon pockets the Orb of Arcane Focus.
Must piss. Shikyo says, laying on the accent very thick..
Is this a specific magic item in the DMG?
Treggor decides to share tales of his old ship and crew, to establish himself as a thoroughly salty sea dog and hopefully an authority figure. He tries to take advantage of the bard's playing to add drama to his stories.
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Alfonso mutters under his breath, "Glory hog..."
Agreeing with Grizzle, Jack tips his non-existent hat and adds, "Aye, until tha 'morro ma'am." As they leave Jack thinks to himself, 'I wonder wot I'd look like in a new tricorn hat... Used ta have one once, but lost it in a squall.'
"Cusswell, you say? Maybe there is something to nominative determinism after all. I learned to play in the finest schools of the Taldan empire. Where did you learn your, uh, trade?"
Rosie smiles at the bard.
"Been a pirate for a few years now. But at least my last Cap'n had the manners to ask first. Got pressed, same as yourself a few days before ye. That Scourge is a right bastard," she says with a snarl.
Her face softens as she continues to speak. "That there's a nice lute. Needs a tunin'. But aside from that sings like an angel. I, er, had a fiddle when I was brought on board. I'm self-taught. But I play her pretty well. It was confiscated when I was pressed. Tried to get Cut-Throat Grok to give it back, but I lost my temper and kicked her in the shins. My fingers have been aching to play," she finishes sadly.
Treggor jumps in and his stories are well received by the shipmates. They find his wild stories both funny and fascinating.
Must piss. Shikyo says, laying on the accent very thick..
Master Scourge gets a foul look on his face and points out the nearest head. He keeps an eye on Shikyomaru after that.
It suddenly occurred to Jack that a full day of deck swabbing was starting to catch up with him. It was time to turn in, better than being tempted to drink more of that paint thinner they call rum. He wondered how Grizzle did it, the thought of another hangover was more than he could bare. So he found his way to their spot in the lower deck and noted approvingly, "Ah hammocks! T'is good!" Having been long acquainted with them, he had little trouble slinging it up and falling a sleep. Of course some of the land lubbers among the press-ganged might be less enthused by the whole affair...
"Well, I'll certainly keep an eye out for your violin, Ms. Cusswell."
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In his sleep, Grizzle mumbles. "Jus leave me alone ya damn mollusks!"
After pocketing the Orb of Arcane Focus, Dieredon heads quietly back to his hammock. He knew that he would have to join Fishguts early to prepare breakfast.
The press-ganged take their places in whatever unclaimed hammocks they can find and settle in for the night. And it passes without any incident.
The next morning, is another matter.
Mere seconds after the morning bell tolls to summon the crew on deck, four pirates block the path of the press-ganged.
“In a hurry?” one says, and laughs, pushing Treggor in the chest.
You remember their names from last night. They are Aretta Bansion, Fipps Chumlett, Jaundiced Jape, and Slippery Sy Lonegan. And they seemed particularly chummy with Master Scourge the night before.
"Ah, pizzle of a bridge ya dolphin lover! O course we're in ah hurry, an ya shood be ta! Na get oot of tha way!"
"Why no, sirs--" Treggor says, tipping his hat to Aretta and adding, "--and ladies.
We be off ta earn our humble daily bread. Is there some way we cin be of service ta ya?"
"A hurry? Not particularly, except to avoid a lashing. What can we do for you fine folk?"
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Shikyo doesn't respond, he shuffles a few feet and mumbles. Anyone paying attention to him can tell he is coiled as tightly as a spring.
Dieredon rises, and he begins to walk towards the door.
If you four want fed, then I suggest you step aside. I have to attend to Fishguts in the mess.
Persuasion. When you attempt to influence someone or a group of people with tact, social graces, or good nature, the DM might ask you to make a Charisma (Persuasion) check. Typically, you use persuasion when acting in good faith, to foster friendships, make cordial requests, or exhibit proper etiquette. Examples of persuading others include convincing a chamberlain to let your party see the king, negotiating peace between warring tribes, or inspiring a crowd of townsfolk.
Treggor's words are respectful and reasonable-
"How's about ya bleed fer me, tough guy!"
But the pirates aren't. The four crack their knuckles and begin to move in for a beating.
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Grizzle: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
Alfonso: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Pirates: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6