Bjorkus tore into his meal and downed his rum ration as if he had been starved. He'd seen too many fights started over grub and it was safer to be done with it and eliminate any temptation. He leaned back and used a bone from the fish to pick his teeth when the goblin tugged on his fur.
"What is it?", he rumbled with a raised eyebrow. "Can't ya see a bull's eating."
Chubwart asks the Large creature to lean over. If he does, He whispers in his ear. Chubwart and you be powerful warriors. I spoke to Zogmogot and she allows Chubwart to make you honorary gobgob warrior. Tis great honor! We get plan and kill all of the longshanks and then eat them. I be new captain and cowman be Gobwart's First Mate! He laughs evily then continues. I watch you back and you watch mineses. Understood? Gobwart spits in his hand and offers it.
Barely having the strength to walk after working all day at the bilges, Opal struggles to stay awake at dinner. She casts Prestidgitaion upon herself a few times to clean up and get rid of the smell and leaves behind the scent of a fresh summer's breeze. She then casts another cantrip to cause a refreshing breeze to follow her for a bit.
She looks over at the man a bit suspiciously when he offers to cast something on her food, but figures that nothing worse could happen. She gives him a nod okay and when he casts his spell upon her food, she casts one of her own upon him to rid him of the smell of the bilges as well so that her appetite won't be ruined.
She will speak quietly to him. "Thank you. My name is Opal, what can I call you?"
Bjorkus regarded the murderous little goblin with curiosity. On one hand, he was likely half-man, on the other his kind often went unnoticed and would be able to get to places a bull like him couldn't touch. In the end he didn't have much choice. He'd need allies if he ever wanted to be free again and better to pick from those in the same situation as himself than from the veteran crew.
The minotaur spit into his own massive paw and extended it.
"You got a deal Chubwart, under two conditions. One, we don't kill all the longshanks. We could never run a ship as big as the Wormwood with just the two of us - we're gunna need help. Two, we don't eat the ones we kill - human gives me gas."
Kal chuckles softly, seeming to relax a bit as he picks at his food. He nods in acknowledgement and answers her as quietly, hoping not to draw any undue attention. "And thank you. I was beginning to think I'd need to jump overboard to get the stench off. I'm Kal. Are you... alright?"
"I think I will be fine after a night's rest. I've just never had much endurance."
Bjorkus regarded the murderous little goblin with curiosity. On one hand, he was likely half-man, on the other his kind often went unnoticed and would be able to get to places a bull like him couldn't touch. In the end he didn't have much choice. He'd need allies if he ever wanted to be free again and better to pick from those in the same situation as himself than from the veteran crew.
The minotaur spit into his own massive paw and extended it.
"You got a deal Chubwart, under two conditions. One, we don't kill all the longshanks. We could never run a ship as big as the Wormwood with just the two of us - we're gunna need help. Two, we don't eat the ones we kill - human gives me gas."
You smart honorary gobgob. One: We Don't kill all the longshanks in case we get real hungry or if we want to eat later to have farting contest for entertainment! Deal! Two: No eating all the longshanks we kill...wait what about gnomses? They might tasty!
Kal nods and continues picking at his food half-heartedly. After a bit, he speaks again. He seems honestly curious. "Does this... happen often, in cities by the ocean?"
Bjorkus considers the question.
"I've never had gnome..."
The bull minotaur stops muses long enough to introduce himself.
"The name is Bjorkus. Tell me Chubs, do you see anyone else among the ones captured when we were that might be good honorary gobgobs? The more eyes on your back the better."
Opal nods tiredly. "Yes, it is a fairly common occurrence. Most just try to take this sort of thing in stride and make the best of the situation. Some also try to jump ship the minute they reach the next port."
Kal falls silent, considering Opal's words and finally finishing off his bread. Looking down at the rest of the fish, he grimaces. "Think they'll get upset if I don't finish this?"
Bjorkus considers the question.
"I've never had gnome..."
The bull minotaur stops muses long enough to introduce himself.
"The name is Bjorkus. Tell Chubs, do you see anyone else among the ones captured when we were that might be good honorary gobgobs? The more eyes on your back the better."
Me remember pretty pale lady with pink eyes that talking to that ugly longshank there. He motions with his head toward Opal. Not many get call to be gobgob. Only powerful warriors like ussses. No mean I can't let them serve though. If theyses will join, Chubwart will lead! He mighty leader. Chubwart puts his foot on a chair and his arm on his knee (Captain Morgan Style) at the thought of having so many followers.
Bjorkus grunts.
"The ugly longshank is stronger than he looks. He was keeping up with us pretty well on the race up to the crow's nest. He may be a furless skinny piece of meat but it'd be worth having him on our side. The girl is soft but she's got magic. Did you see how she drifted down when she lost her grip on the rigging?"
"Try to get their attention."
Opal gives a little shrug. "Not sure. Maybe the cooks will be offended if you don't like their cooking. I know it doesn't take like much, but you're not likely to get anything else tonight, so you might want to try to finish it anyway."
Kal sighs and nods. "I suppose you're right. It's not so much the flavor as it is... well... I'm just not used to cooked things, is all."
He begins picking at the fish again, managing to make slow but steady progress.
Chubwart puts his hands behind his back and starts whistling. He meanders over to Opal. Good eve fair maidenses! How be your night? He bows graciously. Would youses and this ugly...{cough,cough}Chubwart mean to say strapping longsh..{cough,cough}...manses like to meet my cowman friend? He points to Bjorkus. His name is Bajadorkus or sumthin'. He powerful warrior and serves Chubwart.
Kal watches the goblin approach, his eyes following its every movement. When the wee fellow addresses Opal, Kal tries to hide his amusement as he waits for the pale woman to respond.
At the goblin's approach, Opal ensures that she is upwind of him, altering her Breeze spell if needed. She glances over at the 'cowman' and then back at the goblin before turning to Kal.
"Well, I don't suppose it would hurt to meet the others in the same predicament as us?"
Good, Good...follow Chubwart. Ha! The mighty Captain Gobgob adds to his crew! How clever is Chubwart?! He smiles as he leads the two over to Bjorkus. Honorary Warrior Cow...meet...what's you namses?
Kal finishes off the last of his fish and tilts his head in acquiescence at Opal. When they approach Bjorkus, he glances at the goblin as the wee one tries to introduce them, and answers, "Kal." Giving the minotaur a nod, he addresses him. "You climb very well... I thought I might catch up to you, but alas... I've never climbed anything like that before."
Bjorkus snorts and rolls his eyes but returns his gaze back to Kal a moment later.
"You are skilled... for a furless human."
Opal manages to walk over to where Bjorkus is sitting, though she is quick to sit back down before her legs give out.
"I'm Opal. I must say that all you climb a lot better than I do. I'm lucky to not have gotten hurt on that fall down."
A laugh escapes the young man at the bull's response, but he cuts it off quickly. "Ha! Most of us are furless, in case you'd not noticed. In fact, I've never met one who wasn't..."
He looks over at Opal, his face schooled. "How did you manage that, by the way? You seemed to fall very slowly, but you didn't say a word..." The corner of his left eye twitches slightly.
Bjorkus raised a brow at Opal's comment and Kal's follow up question.
"Not lucky. I know magic when I see it.", the bull minotaur accused.
"Oh, that's just a talent I have. Can only do that one once a day though so I'm really glad they didn't make me climb back up there again. I do have a few other things I can do though. You don't object to magic do you?"
"Not at all. Magic is very useful", he added with a rumble.
"Indeed." Kal turns back to the minotaur. "This one"—he indicates the goblin—"says you serve him. That's a tale I'd like to hear told, if you're willing."
Bjorkus snorts again before looking around for anyone that might be listening in.
"We have an agreement - one we thought you might want to be part of."
"What do you think of this life? The servitude?"
Chubwart and Bjorkus make pact to watch each other backses. He say we need more to join group. Will youses oath with ussses?. Chubwart looks around to make sure no one is paying attention. If not, I bite off magic woman's fingers while she sleeps and cut Longshank's throat with dull knife! Or just pee in their dinner!
Kal narrows his eyes slightly at Chubwart's new version of the minotaur's name, but his momentary amusement is wiped off his face by the others' words. He lowers his voice. "I'm told this happens frequently in your cities by the water, which would indicate that these people have had some practice at it. I'm not saying I like the uhh... 'bilges,' but..." He shakes his head slowly. "It seems unwise to do anything but go along with it."
He seems as if he wants to say more.
"I'm not saying with arm ourselves with oars and try to take over the ship", Bjorkus rumbles.
"Just keep an eye out and protect each other."
The bull minotaur nods and says the last part solemnly.
The young man is silent for a moment, his eyes roaming across the room before glancing at Opal and then returning to the minotaur. He nods back. "That seems harmless enough. Very well." Looking down at the goblin, his voice lightens a bit. "Chub...wart, was it? I've heard only tales of your kind before today... but as you've access to the... food... might I ask a favor?"
If he agrees, Kal crouches and whispers:
As Bjorkus ingests the surprisingly strong rum, he also feels really tired as his bones ache. But he feels this serenity and almost wants to be nicer.
Flush with success from his triumph during the climb and now moderately intoxicated, the hulking bovine sauntered over to the other group of new recruits to introduce himself.
As he lumbered up to the woman he'd heard was a priestess of Besmara, he offered her a nod of his horned head in greeting.
"Evening. Any tidings from the Black Lady you care to share with a bull down on his luck?"
The woman smiles at you while taking a sip from her ration. "You and your friends are something else. You should see the way Scourge scowls at you, he really doesn't like you. Which means I do. My name is Sandara Quinn." She extends her hand for a shake. "We should all be friends. You see on a pirate ship, it's not what you know but who you know that helps you get by."
"Bjorkus", he replied as he shook the woman's slender hand.
"Is that Besmara's advice or your own?"
"Both. Who are your friends and did you know them before you became esteemed guests on The Wormwood?"
Chubwart grins at the ugly longshank. Of course! Kal under Chubwart's protection now. While Kal is still leaning over, Chubwart pats his head as a master would pet his favorite animal. Teeth finishes his rum ration then heads over to the games.
With as exhausted as Opal is after the day's work, she will try to make her way to a bunk after drinking her ration of rum.
"Both. Who are your friends and did you know them before you became esteemed guests on The Wormwood?"
"They were just foolish enough to be caught in Scourge's net like I was. I've never met them until today."
"What about you? How did you come to be a part of the Wormwood?"
Chubs walks around the ship, observing the other pirates entertaining themselves. Some are arm-wrestling, there's this halfling woman telling a story about some mythical beast. In the mess hall if you can call it that, crew members are playing a drinking game where they down half-pints of rum in a single swig. The last pirate standing is the winner.
"You know, the usual. I'm drinking at a bar, minding my own business possibly trying to find a bloke worth taking home when I pass out from the taggit oil in my drink."
"They got you with the taggit oil too then?" Bjorkus says with a rumble of displeasure.
"I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to returning the favor..."
Now thoroughly exhausted after consuming her rum ration, Opal stagger off to find an unoccupied bunk to climb up into and sleep it off.
Wow, that was some really strong rum. I really need to just sleep this off. Hopefully no one bothers me while I'm sleeping."