"Oh no, I enjoy sharing my passion with others. It's just my notes on the Ghol-Gan empire. You would notice Akai's eyes seem to spark and come alive, and he talks quickly with much enthusiasm and passion. "I've been trying to connect a few critical pieces together for the past several months, and I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough. In fact, the reason you see me before you today is that a man who owns an ancient treasure from them contacted me, and I bought passage down here to see it myself. But I find the people down here care more for their ale and wenches than these books, but one can hardly blame them."
He picks up his mug and drains it of ale, grinning broadly. A intelligent one with a friendly face. I never would've guessed my time here could actually be enjoyable.
"But..." Akai gently pats his katana, resting in its sheathe. "I find this tends to reinforce the idea I am not a scholar to be played with."
He then turns towards Idonias, looking him up and down.
"One like you must have seen his fair share of beasts. Do tell, please."
"Good evening, gentleman." he says with a wide smile. "You know, you remind me of my Gran. She was part sea hag. I'm Mitabu Red"
Kelysch looks thoughtfully at the dark-skinned man. "Sea hag. Hmmm. Is there such a thing as a male sea hag? A sea codger? My Old Mag never mentioned them in her stories...uh...err...greetings, Mi - Ta - boo Red. I'm called Kehlysh."
At Quilin's warning, Zaketta offers an apologetic shrug while chuckling at the parrot's lewd jest.
"I beg your pardon, friend. Just thought that such a fine bird deserved a treat; I like the cut of his jib. Where did you happen to come by him?"
Grinning like a grog-guzzler, Zaketta turned to Moon and gave her salty old companion a big hug and an affectionate smooch on his bristly cheek.
"No hard feelings at all, Bosun - at least, not between us. If I see any of the rest of those damned bilge rats, I'll have their guts for garters. But I guess that the Pirate Queen already accounted for them, may they rot in the depths forever. It's your good luck that she only wanted a nibble from you, I suppose.
As to this notion of yours about us finding a likely bunch of blaggards to throw in with, I'd say that's the best idea I've heard in a long time. I'd also say that you're buying, Bosun, but it looks like I've got me a breezy suitor."
Zaketta cocks an eyebrow at the plucky halfling's pass and gives a half-amused snort.
"More striking than the sun, eh? You've got this much right - I'm apt to strike someone, that's for sure." Zaketta gives a fierce smile and pats her cat-o'-nine-tails.
"You're a sweet-faced lad - Durvin, is it? But I think your friend might find the likes of me to be more than he can handle. He'd certainly not find a 'peaceful' night, at any rate. He did, however, offer to pay for my drinks, and surely you can do as well as your mate. What do you say, little man? The two of you treat me and my friends -" Zaketta throws an arm each around Quilin and Moon - "both the old and the new, and together the five of us might discuss a... closer association. One that might be profitable for the bunch of us, and a merry cruise besides."
Zaketta gives Gregor another hard look, trying to puzzle out why he seemed familiar.
"Well, Master Arcadis? Are you willing to entertain the notion of throwing in with me and my mates?"
Zaketta pauses for a moment and turns to the gnome:
"Begging your pardon, Quilin, I don't mean to speak for you, but if I'm to ship with a new band of scoundrels, I must have a mate with such a spectacular bird."
Glancing back at Gregor and Durvin, Zaketta gives sly, challenging wink.
"Unless you two are scared to follow a woman's lead? I prefer to have men beneath me, though most of the sea scum in these parts would have it the other way around. A taste of this usually changes their minds a bit." [Zaketta gives a sharp crack of her whip.]
"The Bosun'll tell you I know my way around a ship - I'm a regular Tessa Fairwind, and I've never heard of her crew complaining! And I know for a fact that ol' Moon here can get more out of a crew than men with twice the teeth and half the ballast!"
The would-be captain patted the Bosun's stomach with an affectionate laugh.
"So, mates, what do you say? Shall we throw in together, for fortunate or famine? We can work out the particulars over grog and a game of dice, for tonight I mean to drink 'til the Bosun stops looking so damned ugly!"
At Quilin's warning, Zaketta offers an apologetic shrug while chuckling at the parrot's lewd jest. "I beg your pardon, friend. Just thought that such a fine bird deserved a treat; I like the cut of his jib. Where did you happen to come by him?"
Quillin's smile fades and he scowls suspiciously at the woman. "Now why would you be asking a thing like that? It won't do to pry too deeply in a fellow's past. Folks end up in the Shackles for all kinds of reasons." Quillin continues muttering to himself as he finally receives his mug and quickly downs it.
"What do you say, little man? The two of you treat me and my friends -" Zaketta throws an arm each around Quilin and Moon - "both the old and the new, and together the five of us might discuss a... closer association. One that might be profitable for the bunch of us, and a merry cruise besides."
Smudge squawks and flutters up to a rafter after being dislodged by the friendly woman. "Bloody Bones!! Bloody Bones!!" the parrot cries from safety. Quillin lets out a guffaw, "That's his favorite. Stay up there, ya squab and just hope Kitty Softpaws don't climb!"
"What's yer name, Mate?" he asks the boisterous woman next to him. "Sorry to get a bit moody. I spent a while in Ilizmagorti and those Red Roaches or whatever they call 'em put me on edge. That's where I got Smudge, but I'd rather not say more about it."
He peers down into his empty mug, "Watch this," he snorts conspiratorially to his neighbor and then waves his hand over the mug with a few arcane words. "Oy! Look at this filthy mug."He shows it around so everyone can see the stinking muck and mold at the bottom of the mug. "What kind of establishment you running here?! Look at the filth in this mug! I'm not paying for this. Bring me a clean cup this time and I'd prefer you NOT clear your bungs with the cleaning cloth first!"
That'll be all the rum in this joint 'fore I stop lookin' the scallywag, but if any gullet can down that it be yours Zaketta." proclaims the grinning Bosun with a raised mug.
Watching as Quillin enchants his mug and plays his prank for some free drink, the Bosun guffaws at his antics and raises his mug again, this time toasting the gnome.
"I'm likin' the idea of puttin' up a crew from this motley lot, some true piratin' types they be", with a nod to Quillin, "though I don't be understandin' them cat types, I thought they hated tha water?
"Barmaid, bring us some rum, a full bottle at tha least, me coin will cover it." With a swipe Bosun Moon clears the empty mugs from the table, sending them clattering to the floor.
Besmara's blessin', I'll sail for thee Miss Flynn, an let Besmara find us a full crew to take on tha seas. Now, 'ow 'bout a ship?"
With glassy eyes, the Bosun looks about the Formidably Maiden for someone that looks the part of being a ship's owner. His gaze falls on none that fit the part, just a plethora of down on their luck pirates, buccaneers, swashbucklers, and scoundrels.
"Aye, this lot be land locked like us." scowls the Bosun, "Too many tales of taking the skin boat to tuna town and none with an actual ship to speak of."
You lot puttin a ship together? Might be that you need another hand?
I recently lost me ship due to some pirates. Good men they were before the Silver Sword fell upon us...or at least that's what the hull told us. I escaped with a few o' the lads overboard. Unfortunately, none o' the rest made it.
When he hears Moons proclamation, Well I guess it's the streets for me until I can get me on a ship then. Don't really like the land meself, always feels like me legs gone squid-like...
Halfling bard - buccaneer archetype (what else)
This cocky halfling dresses as an exotic parrot and uses a rapier and a rapier like wit to insult his opponents.
ST=10/IN=12/WI=12/CO=13/DX=15/CH=15+1
This baby faced brigand also surprises everyone with his knowledge of off color sea shanties. I also plan on taking advantage of your generous stat points to fill in my multiple odd statistics.
Kelysch takes the purchased drink from the barkeep and raises it in thankful salute to the mwangi fellow.
"All these folk've gathered here, looking to sail; ourselves included. No one here owns a ship, it seems...strange. Like someone is watching us."
He glances around at the walls and ceiling suspiciously.
"Are you a sailor, Master Red? A pirate? A pathfinder? You're far from home. You must have seen a lot of the world. I've never been outside these docks and streets....at least that I can recall."
Seijiro looks glumly into his cup... then shrugs and shakes it off, smiling to himself. Nothing to be so melancholy about, lad... you'll find another ship and be at sea again soon. He looks over at the folks at the other table getting up a crew and raises his mug.
"Count Seijiro in if you're getting a crew together. I'll be wanting a new berth myself, and a finer deck hand you'll never find. I've got no ambitions of being a captain myself someday, but I can climb rigging like a cat." He glances over at the cat folk and gives a little bow. "No offense meant, good kitty.
"Tuna Town! Tuna Town!" Smudge parrots above.
Quillin squints at the others, "What's the big hurry with getting back to sea; cramped quarters even for a gnome, all that bloody hard tack- it takes me a month just to get regular again, the storms, the stinks. meh, i'll stand land-side awhile, thank you very much. Although, I do sleep like a baby on the water. Well, sweet rum will help with that as well. Where's that rum?!"
"I went to sea because I love it, not because I had to... maybe we differ there, eh? I love the creaking of the ship as she rocks over the waves, her ropes taut, her sails snapping in the wind, and everywhere the wide horizon. Nothing like it, no there isn't."
Listening to the stories of everyone gathered at the table, Karn nods slightly, as if affirming something to himself. With the stories going around there has to be someone here who can tell me a bit more about this blessing. Realizing that he had yet to tell his story, Karn clears his throat before saying, "Truth be told, I don't have the years of experience of some of you. My origins are from Magnimar, to the north. However, all the sailors I tell my story to speak of something called Besmara's blessing. I only recently began learning of the goddess and I am in Port Peril to learn what I can of this blessing and the strange events that have been occurring around me as of late. On my way here, the ship I was aboard was attacked by pirates, but some type of magical power protected me from the same pirate blade I now wear at my hip." Karn thumbs his rapier for emphasis. "I am here to further my studies of Besmara. If she truly does have a destiny for me, as all the Old Salts say, then I will not be one to avoid the will of such a divine power."
Taking Mawj's silence as a "no". Zarque walks over and sits at the table with Seijiro and Akai, "Mind if I join you? I happened to overhear that you have a contact about a Ghol-Gan treasure. Just so happens that I am here for the same reason. I have been studying ruins for awhile now and friend of mine put me in contact with Tino. I was supposed to meet him here tonight but he has yet to show."
He waves his longspear in the air, "Some bitter over here, pl..." He looks back at the others at the table, "Maybe I should refrain from appearing like a target, anyway you two look like your from Tien Xia, I have heard a bit about the place but its hard to get into the good libraries around these parts."
Seijiro nods towards Zarque, again impressed at the variety of races in the tavern this night. "Welcome, friend, and yes, Akai-sama here did speak of his studies of Ghol-Gan. I'm afraid I'm ignorant of what that is myself, but it sounds interesting whatever it is. Ruins, you say? Even more interesting... and treasure too?"
Seijiro's eyes light up a bit when he mentions treasure, then he pauses to take a long draught from his mug and then peers at Zarque again. "I am from Minkai, the flower of Tien Xia." He gives Akai a little wink. Then he whispers to Zarque, "Though truth be told, all of Tien Xia is a flower compared to Port Peril."
Finishing his mug of mead, Mawj turns the vessel upside-down and places it on the bar in front of him. "Mawj feels it is time for a song." The salt-stained catfolk reaches into his vest and withdraws a small reed pipe, small and simple with only two finger holes. He blows once, producing a soft, high note. He clears his throat. "Mawj is not a bard, by the way. He simply enjoys song." His voice is brassy and rough, but he manages to hit most of the notes along the way.
Farewell and adieu, to you Nexian Ladies,
Farewell and adieu, ye ladies of Nex;
For we've received orders to sail for old Taldor,
But we hope in a short time to see you again.
We will rant and we'll roar like true Taldan sailors,
We'll rant and we'll roar upon the salt sea.
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old Sellen;
From Escadar to Oppara is thirty-five leagues.
"Indeed, then again most places are nicer then this port. I come from Sandpoint myself."
The barmaid arrives with some beer and Zarque takes it, nods politely and drinks a swig. "I hope Tino isn't getting us into too much trouble with this hunt of his. I wonder where he is anyway?"Looking towards the door hopefully, then turns back to the table.
"So what languages do you speak Akai? I speak Polyglot, Draconic, and Elven, and Common of course."
"So, mates, what do you say? Shall we throw in together, for fortunate or famine? We can work out the particulars over grog and a game of dice, for tonight I mean to drink 'til the Bosun stops looking so damned ugly!"
Durvin seems amused by the woman's easy words, "Sure, I'd be willing to throw in some coin towards drinks and discourse. You might find, that despite his sorry appearance, my mate Gregor here can assuredly handle himself under a woman. I myself, though, enjoy the nest, as there is something exciting about being on top." Bandying his words playfully back at her.
"I think the lot of us would make for a phenomenal crew, and would almost write the songs for me, so that I could share of our exploits." He looks to the bosun, "However, Milady, I doubt there is enough rum in port to drink until he's not ugly." He gives the bosun a playful chuck on the shoulder.
Looking to Quillen, he asks "Is it true the birds can mimic just about anything?" He peers at Smudge and let's out a whistle sounding close to the kind you hear transmitting orders about a ship's deck. "I myself always fancied those cute little monkeys you see scurrying about the lines. I feel that just watching them shows the fluidity someone can move about the rigging if they just followed their techniques."
"I think the lot of us would make for a phenomenal crew, and would almost write the songs for me, so that I could share of our exploits." He looks to the bosun, "However, Milady, I doubt there is enough rum in port to drink until he's not ugly." He gives the bosun a playful chuck on the shoulder.
Baggs give Durvin an odd look, then looks over the gathered group drinking in the tavern, trying to think of how short many of their lives might be, That is yet to be seen matie...it takes more than a positive outlook ye see. Living among the scum and pirates of the shackles is not to be taken lightly, they as soon slit yur throat as see ye succeed. But the sea is me luv...as are many of the ladies ye see in each port. breaks into a short tune...
There was a young lady who lived by the sea
She had the bandiest legs you ever did seeeee!
But when she did lay down on that soft bed
She would keep you up all night until your eyes were red!
Yar, har harrrrrrr, laughs himself into a coughing fit....
Head spinning and groggy Gregor thinks to himself. By the gods I feel as though I've been drinking for the past three days!
Seeing Gregor sway a little, Buy me a drink friend?!?!
To women and the sea!!!
I'd love to join yer crew! Idonias says, getting drunker and drunker by the second. I don't know quite how much longer I'll be awake though. But there's nothing I want more right now than another ship. Mine got sunk earlier today by the bastards of the Diamond Cutlass. I had to swim fifteen miles to get to shore.
Idonias downs another goblet of rum. This is a strange group of singers and liars, from what I can tell. Lots of false faces and tall tales. Just my kind of people. Here's a story for ya.
I had been kicked off my ship, the Naked Maid, for causing too much trouble. So I found another to take me in, and to be honesht, I'm just a little too gone to rememebr what she was called. Not that it matters anymore. We were sailing over the deep ocean, hundreds of miles from land. I think we were closer to Mwangi than anywhere else. he says, nodding at the Mwangi man at the bar. Now, I know my sea monsters. They've been hunting me since before I was born. There was a mighty storm abrewing, and I had a string feeling that it was no normal weather. I suspected some meager monster to come flailing out of the water, trying to capsize us. Unforunately for me, I wasn't so lucky.
After the storm had been gong for an hour or so, things were gettin tough on the ship. We lost direction, and a mast had fallen from the unnatrual winds. The men were scared, and so was I. I readied my trident, knowing somethign would strike at any minute. I heard screams and crashing wood behind me, towards the prow. By the time I turned around, the captain was gone from his post and so was his wheel. Then, the shape lurched backwards, and I turned again, stumbling towards the stern.
Ever seen a kraken? I never thought I would. I don't know why it wanted us. I guess it doesn't matter much at all. A tentacle swung overhead, taking out all the masts at once. I saw three men pulled off into the water before they could even react. I know when a cause if futile. I started sprinting towards the other end of the boat, trying to get away. Another tentacle slammed down along the length of the ship, shattering the deck. We were going down.
Then the monster laid eyes on me. It didn't want anyoen getting away. It was bigger, faster, and smarter than me. But I was luckier. I jumped off the prow, and it reached for me. I tossed my spear at the monster's tentacle. The kraken snatched the spear, and I plunged into the sea.
I crossed my fingers and hoped the beast would have enought to do at the ship to not bother chasing me. I swam without stipping for two days. By the end, I was nearly dead. And, lucky for the Naked Maid, they were sailing in the area. They pulled me up out of the water, and I don't anyone's ever been happier to welcome someone on to their ship.
The door to the Formidably Maid opens slowly as a man in long sea sprayed leathers walks in. Taking a look around the room he spots the bawdy drinkers, stopping off at the bar to quietly pick up a bottle of rum he heads over.
"Room for another lads? After that long at sea i need a seat to stop my swaying!"
Pulling up a chair and gesturing around "These glasses won't be filling themselves..."
Smudge gives out a loud shriek imitating a Bosun's Call in response to the halfling's query and then blows a raspberry.
Quillin snorts, "Monkeys are damn dirty things. I don't want anything that flings its own feces near me." Just then a wet dollop splashes down in front of him from the rafters.
"Watch it, you fancified chicken!" he yells at Smudge followed by a plethora of Polyglot curses.
Seijiro listens raptly to Idonias' story and smiles at the end of it... "That's quite tale my new friend, quite a tale, and with a fair ending... though some may say 'what the sea wants, the sea will have,' you sure did cheat her that day, that you did."
He glances over to Gregor's table and speaks out, a little louder than he normally would without the fortitude of the drink, "Don't count us out, folks, just because we don't share a table. We're all here looking for shipmates and a ship to crew on."
He fingers the single gold earring he wears a moment then waves the barmaid over to refill his cup, and Idonias' as well in gratitude for the tale told.
I've always had some sort of luck with the monsters of the sea. They destroy everything around me and I slip out unharmed. Idonias sighs. Some say Besmara's got her eye on me. They say it's a blessing. I'm not so sure.
He takes the drink and nods at Seijiro in thanks.
Overhearing the conversation at the other table, "Besmara is a fickle mistress to be sure. I say she has her eye on all who ply the seas, but sometimes only to watch them sink."
Standing with glass in hand, spilling a little as he wobbles upright. "A rougher bunch of scallywags and buccaneers i ain't never seen, but I'll drink to our good fortunes. Cheers."
After an inordinate amount of time, Ralo returns to the table greener than usual. He grunts and knocks his mug off the table.
"No more for me. No more ale. Bring me bread and cheese, and by all means, keep singing, but please...not too loud."
Idonias looks at Ralo and laughs drunkenly. I'll take some bread and cheese too, but don't stop the ale!
Zaketta smiles warmly at Quilin when he apologized and giggles with delight at his clever magic trick.
"No offense taken, friend. A man has a right to his secrets. Besides, they're best saved for a later night of debauchery, after we've found ourselves a juicy prize and have divided the spoils, eh? What I'd really like to know is how you did that with your mug - I wouldn't mind knowing how to trick my way into a few free drinks!"
Zaketta clinks mugs with Moon as he heartily endorses their compact.
"That's what I like to hear, Bosun! The lot of us will make waves in this port, that's for certain! And don't you worry about a ship - Besmara will provide for us. Until then, I say we roll the bones to pass the time."
Zaketta produces a small dice cup and plops it, face down, on the table.
"What do you say, lads, shall we have a wager?"
Zaketta smirks at Durvin, delighted by his saucy tongue.
"I'll bet you're ripe for a game or two, little man. I'll stand you this wager: a drink for each toss, mine against yours. The loser swallows both mugs!"
Zaketta jerks her thumb at Gregor.
"I don't think your friend will last, though. Seems he doesn't hold his drink as well as you'd expect of a sailor."
"Aye, dice be just the thing to complement our rum."
Grabbing the bottle, Bosun fills the mugs around the table.
I'll take tha first roll and may Besmara grant me a fumble so tha rum can be mine!"
Finishing of the drink that Seijiro had provided, the young lad was already feeling a little tipsy. But sitting among such spirits as these, he decided to leave caution tot he wind just this once. "Lass, if you don't mind, how about another for me and my table!" Then, turning to those at his table, he continues, "All good tales to be sure. Shame I don't have much to match it. Like I said, I'm not an experienced sailor by any means, but I've seen my fair share of ship time. though really, by fair share, I mean the voyage here. As fer the voyage just told. Like I said, I am still learning about the wonders of Besmara's gift, but it sounds like the Pirate Queen snatched you form the sea's clutches she did." With the change in his speech pattern, it is obvious that the drink was starting to affect him as he leans in the direction of anyone talking at the table. "What do tha rest of you know of Besmara? I hear tha name thrown about, but I am always willing to hear more."
"She's the queen of sea monsters, and her damn beasts have been hunting everyone around me since the day I was born. More than once have I narrowly escaped the attacks of her creatures while everyone around me fell to their jaws and claws and tentacles. I respect but I've got no love for her. For some reason, she keeps sparing me. I'll never know why, I don't believe."
Turning to the young lad Karn, "I know something of the Pirate Queen, come over here so i can freshen your glass and teach you a turn." Holding up the remains of the bottle Morvius pours himself a glass, which he then deposits on the floor of the tavern before refilling his drink and speaking with a fevour in his eyes, "One for the Queen and one for me, thats how She likes it. Take heed that She favours not the loud and annoying cries of the faithful, a man gets what he deserves through cunning and skill so a minor gesture to the Goddess will get you naught but a minor look. If you are blessed you will find yourself aboard the Seawraith with Her as your Captain once you finally shuffle from this life of plunder. With luck she will take Morvius once his time is done." His outburst done he drinks down his rum then slumps to his chair, refilling his drink once more.
Durvin smiles brightly at the parrot's reply, then laughs at the following exchange between it and the gnome.
"You worry about the filth borne by a monkey, yet you would most likely sail with folk ten times worse." He gives a playful raise of the eyebrow at some of the others in the bar, such as Baggs, Ralo, and Bosun Moon to name a few.
He nods at Seijiro's call, flashing an easy smile, "Worry not, I'm certain there's enough here to pilot a fleet of galleons, if we were to group our funds. Then again, how would we buy rum and games if all our coin is spent in goods. Therein lies the road to piracy, the only way to afford all the luxuries of the open sea, sometimes leads to having to take it by force."
As if reading his mind, Zaketta produces a set of dice, as his smile beams "The clatter of dice on the table is almost as welcome a sound as the snap of wind-filled sails. I would love a game, but perhaps to ensure there are no 'misunderstandings, perhaps there is a set of dice we could borrow from someone not financially vested in the outcome of their rolls?" He broaches the subject lightly, as presuming someone would cheat is near as bad as calling them on it in game. In an effort to keep the peace, he adds "I would hate for you to risk misplacing your own dice during drunken celebration, and to be safe, we could use the house set."
Ha, the house set be just as likely to be bent as any others laddo. Let's see ye both throw a few and see if they be weighted...
"Indeed, then again most places are nicer then this port. I come from Sandpoint myself."
The barmaid arrives with some beer and Zarque takes it, nods politely and drinks a swig. "I hope Tino isn't getting us into too much trouble with this hunt of his. I wonder where he is anyway?"Looking towards the door hopefully, then turns back to the table.
"So what languages do you speak Akai? I speak Polyglot, Draconic, and Elven, and Common of course."
"I hail from a small village near Qiang Tan Mountains. You know the area, Seijiro-sama? We were poor, but I have yet to find a place that rivals the beauty and tranquility of it."
He sighs wistfully, pushing away his empty mug. What I wouldn't do for a cup of jasmine tea right now... Yawning, Akai looks about, motioning for another mug of ale.
"Strange, my friend has not arrived yet either. I'll visit him tomorrow if he doesn't show. I hope I didn't waste my time down here. "
Akai procures a ribbon from his pockets, swiftly and expertly tying his hair into a bun, as if from years of practice.
"That is quite an impressive repertoire of languages, my friend. I am not so learned, sadly. I speak the language of my land, Tien, and I dabble in Cyclops, but only so I can understand their musings. I'd be rather hard-pressed to speak it openly. Perhaps we can share our notes and writings one day? The best knowledge is often attained from your peers."
Seijiro looks over at Akai and smiles humbly. "Ah, Akai-sama, no need to call me -sama, I am no lord or samurai... just Seijiro will do for me. And I'm not familiar with the Qiang Tan Mountains. I am from a small village not far from Hiyosai in Minkai. It was nice enough, but nothing rivals the sea for beauty."
He turns his attention for a moment to the discussion of dice and chuckles over the predicament of whose dice might eventually prove to roll true. Among this motley crew, most likely none, he thought.
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"Squeamish about my dice, are you? Do you take me for some kind of cheat?"
Zaketta snorts in excitement and rage, her cheeks flushed from drink.
"I'm not the sort to cheat honest men in a sporting wager - nor am I likely to cheat the lot of you, either. But have it your way, bring in the other set. Bring in as many as you want, in fact - the more the better. We'll each take a set and play a game that you can't fix with a phony batch: Liar's dice.
Standard rules, gentlemen (and I use the term very loosely): ones are wild, you have to either bid up or challenge on your turn. You lose a die (and your ante) whenever you're successfully challenged (or if you fail your own challenge). Is that fair enough, or are you lot too scared to match wits with a woman?"
Zaketta takes a long swig of grog and then slams her dice cup on the table, the tiny cubes rattling noisily before settling. Taking a quick peek beneath her cup, Zaketta grins fiercely.
"I bid four twos," she declares, then turns to Moon in anticipation of his bid.
Draining his glass and picking up a set of dice Morvius settles into his seat for the game. "More rum!" he slams down his cup and looks around the table weighing the competitors.
"The game be good by me, pour the rum and let tha dice roll!"
Bosun Moon grabs his dice cup, gives it a good shake, thunks it on his peg leg for luck, then slams the cup down on the table. With a quick lift of the edge he peers underneath, then turns his leering grin to those at the table.
"Har Har, ye scallywags, beat me four fours, if ye can!" boasts Bosun Moon, "Let's see your cups on the table Quillin, Seijiro, Morvius, Durvin, Akai, Baggs, and any ye other land lubbin' scoundrels that want ta match dice with Flynn and tha Moon!"
Seeing Morvius' fervor, Karn assumes that he is a faithful of the Pirate Queen, smiling, he too joins the dice game, figuring what he doesn't know right off, he can learn along the way.
Taking up the dice, Karn plops them in a cup and rattles them around before slamming the cup face down on the table. It is quite obvious that the man was new to the game as he tips the end close to him up to peer quizzically at his 'hand'.
"Ahem, four fours is good, but you can't beat my 6 fives."
"Six fives on five dice that is? Truly ye must be blessed by Besmara, that or a right liar!" The Moon guffaws at the new man's claim and looks to the next competitor...
With the most gentle sip of rum he has taken all night Morvius looks under his cup, "Six Sixes." without preamble he glaces to the next competitor.
Seijiro shrugs and begs off the game. "I have no dice, and the game has already gotten too hot for me, that it has. I'll watch this round thanks all the same."
He settles in fascinated to see who wins. I already would have challenged some of the claims, especially the one that claimed to have six of a kind on five dice, he thought. He purses his lips, gnawing absently on the inside of his cheek as he considers how long this would go on.
"What I'd really like to know is how you did that with your mug - I wouldn't mind knowing how to trick my way into a few free drinks!"
"Now that'd be tellin', wouldn't it? Gnomes are full of surprises, eh?" he grins.
Quillin finishes another cup, scrounges up some dice, rattles them in the cup and flips it over. He peers underneath then quickly slams the cup back down. Squinting around the table he asks, "So how many are in?"
"Yes, comparing notes is always a good thing. I would be happy to share notes with you sometime."
Looks over at the dice game, "Entertainment, always nice when the fights break out. People start flying and breaking chairs, tables, and always seem to land on my food. Good thing I haven't bothered to get any today." He said sarcastically with a touch of sincerity.
"Sometimes you might see something to remember but that's rare."
Seijiro chuckles at Zarque's comment and says "perhaps, if a fight breaks out, we'll see a bit more of Zaketta than she's shown so far. That'd be a sight to remember, that it would."
He winks broadly at Zarque, then turns his attention back to the dice game, then whispers, half under his breath in Tien.
Durvin waits patiently to see who answers Quillen's question of who is participating in the game. Knowing the totals in the end is all a part of the challenge. He grasps his dice cup, whistling a small tune into it before shaking them with his little hand barely covering the opening. After he rolls, he sits on his chair, putting him right at eye level with the table edge. This allows him to be the only one, other than Quillen, that need not hunker over to see their dice under the cup.