Diabolito seems quite sad when one of his fellow shanghai-ed folks found their death in the sea. It is with the mention of the fishing contest that the druid perks up. He just simply watches, though with a gristly intent look upon his face. He almost seems ready to jump up and down in excitement as Cog is almost pulled down to face a shark in its home turf.
When Malak pulls the sharks and the crew member out of the water, the light in his eyes come back for the first time that he hasn't really gone after the booze, although he absent-mindedly sips on it, seeming to not even realize what he's doing.
It is when the job of cooking his spiritual allies that he works his hardest, knowing that the only way to properly show them respect is to give them his utmost attention. In the galley, he motions for Kroop to wait as he prays over the sharks and then, before the real cooking begins, the dwarf rips a chunk free with surprising ferocity of his own sharp teeth. It seems as though he is quite familiar with such a motion, and without even missing a beat, he wipes the blood away from his lips, the soft flesh already stained as he begins to diligently toil away on the feast.
The last of her repairs brings Maera near the galley, where the smell of the feast Kroop and Diabolito are preparing is quite pleasant. Knowing well enough that she isn't to enter the galley without expressed permission, she nevertheless cranes her gaze inside, and clucks her tongue at the sight of the disheveled kitchen workspace. "Gods above, Kroop. My mother would die again from shame if she caught sight of this. You must be quite the cook to do your work in here," she stands closer to the doorway, and adds, "Still - if you can get the Captain to approve of it, I'd gladly sort this place out for you. Clean it up, and organize it proper. I don't mind at all. I'm sure it'd make you and your cook mate's life here a lot easier..."
Kroop looks over to Maera and chuckles, "I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise nothin' lass. They will let you know if I do manage to convince Scourge to let me borrow you for the day."
Diabolito's care and concern for the shark is very clear to Kroop and he nods, obviously impressed with the dwarf's skill at getting the food prepared.
Doc's day is rewarding and he learns more about ships than he actually knew before.
Zak works quietly and has an easy day of it.
Cog smiles to Nissa and chuckles, "You are much better bait than me, though I don't think that it would be fer sharks."
Malak finishes his work without any issues, except he is exhausted afterwards. The dwarf works beside him and upon hearing his threat, he chuckles, "Lad, you may be made of hard stuff, but you will have a hard time lifting that mainsail." The dwarf finishes his job looking as spry as when he started and simply shakes his head, chuckling as he walks off.
Bloody Hour and Rum Rations
Everyone is divvied out their rum rations from Grok. As she moves about, Captain Harrigan comes out to look over the crew and has a big, wicked grin on his face, an attractive woman hanging on him that Diabolito recognizes very clearly. "Bloody Hour tonight is going to be...painless. It seems that our crew is finally learning their place." He nods to Ambrose and Diabolito and then the pair begin bringing out the feast.
"Last night a member of my crew decided to be very...opportunistic. Tonight, we get to enjoy the spoils of that decision. Feast! We have shark to dine upon. Let the strongest of the ocean fill you with strength for the days to come. And while we feast, I believe we have some entertainment." With that, he turns and nods, and Caulky brings him a chair, which he sits in to watch the evenings festivities.
At this point, Scourge and Plugg walk up to the group, both smiling. Plugg opens up a dialogue, "We are hoping to have a bit of a wrestling match this evening. No weapons, just our man versus one of your group. Your choice. Are you in? A good fight will no doubt help the morale and I think we can all agree that that is important to keep the ship afloat."
Scourge pipes in, "I've got a hundred gold on our guy. Are ye in?"
|
Malak grumbles as he is too tired to refute the dwarf. As the day progresses he continues with his labors. Once the night comes around Malak boasts about the catches from the previous evening. Feeling prideful as the captain hosts a feast on the maindeck and praises his tasks. Malak is about to drink his rum when he realizes how tired he is, thinking the rum may not be a good recovery option he approaches Doc. "Heya, Doc, you think you could help me out mate? I am roarin' tired from the past few days and this rum ain't helpin' me any. Got any nifty remedies?" After exchanging with Doc, the half-orc returns to the feast. Malak hungrily and happily tears into his prized food. He is enjoying himself until seeing Plugg and Scourge tottering around. Listening closely he hears the issue challenged and looks around at his crewmates. Bah! Like there is any here that could best me! This could be easy pickings! Malak springs up with a surge of enthusiasm and delight in his eyes. His chairs clatters to the deck behind him and he pounds a fist on the table. "HA! A test of might ye say?! Well, how can I tell ye no? I can take 'em. Can't be no worse than the Kuru or makos I have faced recently! Anybody object? Nah, don't think so." Malak pulls his shirt off and ties his azure bandanna around his head once again. The brute begins to stretch his arms and chest, flexing his giant figure and beating on his chest. Letting out an animalistic roar, Malak smashes his fists into the table with absurd, and unnecessary strength, ready for any challenge.
Nissa leans over to Maera and whispers, "They will cheat. Let us be mindful."
"Of course. This would likely be no contest if they didn't," she remarks, frowning slightly at Malak. For all his enthusiasm, he seemed wearied. With a aggrieved sigh, she pulls the half-orc back briefly, chiding softly, "Do try to keep your head about you. This might take more than just strength. They already know well what you're capable of, and we'd be fools to think they won't try and use it against you."
Following this, she sings a quick round of "The Rocky Road to Absalom," no doubt leaving the sea reaver in better fighting shape.
Aramis works, but while she's doing well at the various maintenence and repairs around the ship, her heart just isn't in it. The ship's wearing her down, though her brave face never falters for an instant - if anything, she seems more defiant and angry than ever. Every minute, her thoughts return to one thing and one thing only - Soon's I get me gun back, there'll be some changes 'round 'ere.
As evening settles, Aramis picks at her meal absent-mindedly - it reminds her too much of her mother's cooking for her to avoid the comparison. But, Malak had caught a whopper, and Diabolito had done a fantastic job of preparing it, so she eats it anyway. When the wrestling match is suggested, she begins watching with a little more interest. "Sounds like a mighty fine idea. Tell ye wha', cap'n, why don' we make it interestin'? Malak can 'andle yer guy, an' I'll fight tha' trollop on yer arm!"
Seeing the situation, Doc grabs his flask and takes a drink before beginning.
Doc gathers the group and begins to talk slightly too loudly, within earshot of some of Plugg & Scourge's crew.
"I can't help with the fatigue Malak, but I have just the thing for you. One swig and you'll be slipperier than an eel and twice as ornery. There'll be no contest, I promise."
Once the group finishes talking about the potion, Doc gets ready to head down. Doc pats Malak on the shoulder and grins, "I'll be back with the champion's brew in a minute, just you wait."
Leaving the group, he heads down in the most conspicuously inconspicuous a fashion he can manage. Once below decks, Doc bides his time digging out his mutagen, hoping some of Scourge's men will be along shortly to relieve him of it.
Nissa will help with the bluff, if only be standing in the way of sight lines.
Maera catches on quickly to Doc's theatrics, and attempts to look as if she's disapproving of the idea of their group trying to hedge the odds in this fight to further convince Plugg and Scourge of the legitimacy of the 'brew' and seek it out.
Diabolito will also try to do some work, grinning as though he's aware of such tactics and approves of such hedging of bets.
Thankfully, Maera and Diabolito look in awe of what Doc is preparing. Plugg watches him go below deck and follows him.
"I'm sorry, can't have you cheating like that." With that said, he snatches the flask from Doc and storms off, his constant look of malice never leaving his face as he goes, he doesn't see the near imperceptible grin on Doc's face.
While this occurs beneath the deck, Aramis makes her remark to the captain and he simply scoffs, ignoring her challenge for his girl. "Swab, stand down. Tonight is for revel, not to get yer arse spanked. Lay a hand on my Caulky, I'll lay a hand on you. And my hand hits hard." The girl smiles up to the captain before looking down to Aramis with a glare that could melt ice.
With the group seemingly ready, Malak is lead to a circle of crew members all hooting and cheering for what is about to come. Something no one is prepared for.
Scourge leads a hulking man into the circle. The fellow is wears only a collar with a chain on it and a pair of pants that have been cut short. He also appears to have been tar and feathered recently, remnants remaining all over him, as well as random pieces of crab shell.
Plugg cackles as he hands the big man a flask which he seems to struggle to open, proving himself not to be very bright. The man finally gets it opened and chugs the contents.
Then Plugg calls out, "Tonight we have the joy of a wrestling match: our own Owlbear versus the new rigger...Malak."
The circle closes around the two of them and the fight begins.
Malak gets the jump on the larger fellow.
Malak notices that the brute seems to favor his right side and is fairly sure that he can try and dodge or trick the big man to miss. As a move action you may use Bluff or Acrobatics to try and avoid any blows the big man actually lands.
Diabolito cheers his friend on, yelling at the tarred and feathered individual Malak is fighting.
"Better stand down, big man! Malak here'll make you wish the feathers were the worst of your worries!"
|
|
Malak brings his heavy fists up and begins circling the huge man toward his left side, keeping in mind to watch out for any attacks. "Best put in your bets lads and lassies! This will be a good one. Ha! Lemme see what you can do you ugly bugger!" Malak walks closer, shuffling his feet while bouncing on his toes. Malak then shifts his weight onto his back foot to bring forward a powerful left hook, all of the half-orc's might mustered behind it.
After throwing his punch Malak bounces back five feet, moving quite agile for such a big man. Ready to respond to his opponent's move. His fists moving back and forth in front of his face. "Come now! You feathered because you weak?! Best be scared, you're not going to win this bout boy."
Moving forward, the big man looks like he is about to swing, but instead clutches his stomach. Looking like he is about to be sick.
Plugg yells out, "Get him, ye stupid lug!"
|
|
Malak sees the opportunity to finish this quickly. "You best start fighting back, ain't gonna let up on your chum-lookin' face!" As the man is wrenching, the sea reaver steps in and brings both his fist together and into a heaving uppercut. The half-orc swings with such force he lifts himself off the deck.
The chains, tar, and feathers on Owlbear give Maera a moment of pause, but when she sees the man double over slightly, which she assumes must be the result of Doc's scheme, she smirks and shakes her head with a measure of pity. Tough luck for you, mate.
She sets her rum ration aside, hoping to use the commotion of the brawl to swap it with Tilly's empty one, and begins an energetic song for the fight.
Nissa is disgusted by "Owlbear's" condition. This man needs the attention of Irori's chosen. Don't these Asprushya know that the mad were cared for by the gods? They are a sign of mortal finitude and divine providence. This more than anything else she had seen disgusted her.
Gods, looks like they've got tha' poor bastard all broken an' beat. Ain't seen such a sorry sight in years. 'Opefully Doc can fix 'im up alright afterwards. Aramis watches the fight intently, cheering when Malak lands his first blow. "Come on, matey! Take 'im down! Punch tha' owlbear right in tha' beak of 'is!"
The poor man runs to the far side of the circle, looking like he is about the retch, hiding and cowering from Malak's onslaught. "OUCH!" the yelp of pain seems very delayed, but he looks as if he has taken a beating already.
|
|
Malak spits on the deck in disgust and grumbles. "This man don't even have the right mind to fight! You 'spect me to beat a man who is already done?! Not even worth my time, to hell with you! Give me my money, he is done for." Malak says while gesturing at the circle of people around him and looking at his fellows for support. Malak hates the idea of ending a fight with an opponent still breathing, but even more he despises taking a fight that won't challenge him. The whole idea of fighting this man further infuriates Malak even further, bringing him to the point of wanting to charge Plugg for setting up such a farce.
Scourge kicks the gold and avoids Malak and more importantly avoiding the Captain's gaze, knowing he was supposed to be entertained and instead...he got this.
Any other night time actions...now is the time. Next day will post tomorrow morning.
After the "fight," Nissa will approach the three-fingered halfing. "Are such things common on board this ship? Does this entertain anyone? It does not seem right to me that those who deem themselves strong should make a spectacle of those they think to be weak. It is no proof of strength, nor is it wise. For what is overlooked is often the most deadly."
|
|
Malak picks up the gold and glares at the disgusting duo of Plugg and Scourge. Instinctively on edge about their next actions.
Malak feels it best if he tries to play by the book for a little while. He walks over to Owlbear and hefts him up. "Sorry chump, the deal was sealed 'fore it ever began. Maybe you'll be able to give me a real challenge another day. Name be Malak Wavecrasher, hold on to that." Malak gives the hulking man a soft punch in the shoulder and hands him five gold coins from the bag. Something about the big man reminds Malak of himself when he was first consumed by rage and used as an animal against his former captain's foes. Ain't no pirate meant to be a slave to anythin' but the seas. Freedom and survival are what we go for. This man, he survives, just as I do. Malak then strides over to Doc and shakes his hand. "Mighty nice trick ya'll put in there. Here, put this in the chest and make sure it be safe. I have me a feelin' that those two gonna want some revenge on me." With that Malak strolls away, popping his neck and knuckles.
Malak tries to approach Tam again. "Ay! Were you part of that mess of a scheme? How you let your mates get treated like toys and slaves?! You ain't a real pirate if'n you lettin' them do that. A real pirate wants freedom, for his-self and his crew. Now, I suggest you think real hard before you start giving me lip, else I will be finishing what I did to him on your runty arse." Malak grabs Tam's shirt and locks eyes with him, letting the dwarf see the fury in his red-orange eyes.
Seeing that Owlbear is finished before it had even begun, she ceases her song, and adds her voice in support of Malak's show of mercy. "He deserves a healer's care, not this abuse and scorn," she nods to the feathered man with sympathy, who'll probably get lashes for something that's not his fault, and never stood a chance anyway.
Doc takes his time heading back to the deck, and gets up just in time to see the fight just beginning, and ending just as quickly.
He wanders over between Diabolito and Maera, and placing a hand on the shoulder of each, he grins as Malak walks over. Speaking so only they can hear he says, "I suspect, by the time that brew is done with him, he'll be slipperier than an eel, twice as ornery ... and probably in dire need of a bath. They can't say I wasn't tellin' the truth." Doc chuckles before turning to look at Plugg and Scourge.
"And it looks like Scourge and Plugg may be even crankier than that poor wretch. I reckon you're right about the revenge Malak. We'd best be on guard for the next few days," he adds with a stern look.
"Hmm, I'm going to see if I can track down Grok and get ahold of my dagger, and then I'll secure the prize money. Try not to get into any more trouble than necessary!"
That said, Doc excuses himself and wanders off to find Grok.
"Grok, I know you were kind enough to let me take that trunk out of you r way, but I seem to have misplaced my dagger in the move. Don't suppose I could talk you into digging it up for me?"
Resolving to follow up on Owlbear later, she sits near "Badger" Medlar, and regards the tough older woman with respect.
"My father always said that you could tell the best sailors by the salt in their hair, for the sea doesn't have time to mollycoddle the young. Where'd you get the nickname from, if I may ask?"
Diabolito decides to wander over to his friend, who is working quite well on the dwarf who seems to be on the losing end of a coming storm.
"Malak! You're wasting your time on this bit of shark bait? I've seen better sailing stock in those skinny waif girls back at the tavern. Maybe he should go back below ground and let a real dwarf show him how it's done."
The fierce cook wanders his way over, showing off his sharp, blood-stained teeth, cracking his knuckles as he comes over.
Zaketta watched the fight with evident interest. The half-orc was clearly a ferocious warrior; it didn't take long for him to pummel the simple giant "Owlbear" into submission. Zaketta cheered loudly at his victory, especially as she saw the clear displeasure on Plugg's face.
Zaketta goes over and claps Malak on the shoulder.
"'Wavecrasher,' eh? From what I saw, you're more like a tidal wave! That was a fine spot of boxin', friend. I haven't seen anything half so impressive since Apalla 'the Believer' went toe-to-toe with Rah-kee 'the Boa Constricter'! Especially since you put such a bee in Plugg's bonnet! Next port we put into, the first round is on me."
Seeing that the crowd is in a gambling mood, Zaketta tries to get a game of Liar's Dice going.
"Any of you swabs want a chance to win some coin back? I've got a few pretty pieces here that say that you lot can't tell a dice pip from a peach pit!"
Not sure what skills to use for gambling, but I went ahead and made some rolls for what seems like might be relevant - if I need something else, I'll just roll for whatever other skill it should be.
Sense Motive (Plugg/Scourge)
Bluff (Gambling?)
Sense Motive (Gambling?)
The old dwarf glares at the half-orc, [b]"Boy, I done tol' ye, I stand by Scourge...and Scourge by the Captain. Who can see ye right now. Mayhaps ye should stand down before you make Harrigan unhappy. Fighting gets ye in heaps of problems if ye ain't got permission." The dwarf nods to Diabolito at his comment and squirms free, storming off to join Scourge and Plugg once more.
Playing cards with a gambler is tough, but he gives you several good games. In the end, you are able to bluff your way into a small purse, earning five gold.
ADVANCE TO LEVEL 2
Doc thinks for a moment and responds, "Nothing particularly special about it, no. How much are you asking for the magic dagger, and do you mind if I inspect it?"
"Also, Grok, while we're talking about gear, have you noticed suit of studded leather armor which is... lets say tailored to a fuller figure? I doubt it'd be terribly useful to anyone else, so perhaps I could take it off your hands?"
|
|
Malak takes note of the unwanted attention, exactly what he needs to avoid at this time. The half-orc turns to the vicious dwarf allly, "Lessgo. Not worth the time, mate. Either the shark-bait will be eaten or become a shark himself, ammiright? Haha, let the sharks retire for the night." With that Malak pats the Little Devil on the back and starts down below the decks to find his hammock. After the events of the night he makes sure to grab his dagger from the chest first and slide it under his bandanna again. Need to try to get my sheath back for this thing. Might as well try getting me blade back too, but that big 'ole thing will have no place to be put. Malak can be heard grumbling in his sleep throughout the night, muttering various insults and boasts.
Maera chuckles amiably, and nudges the woman back playfully. "Well, I shall look forward to that, considering the fierceness of your namesake." With that, she bids good night, making her plans for the morrow.
Diabolito grins at Malak, stopping by one of the individuals at the heave game, taking himself an unattended mug of rum, downing it like it was becoming second nature, his smile growing wide, as the man seems to be somewhat recovering from the booze, or else he's becoming accustomed to being in the same state as ol' Fishguts.
Grok chuckles as she pulls out a set of keys and opens up one of the lockers she has for storage. Pulling out a finely crafted dagger, she hands it to Doc. The balance is better than any he has ever felt and the handle is made from some form of antler, horn, or tusk. "The captain would skin me alive if I sold it for anything less around two thousand gold..." she says as she shakes her head. [b]"I can sell you a normal dagger for a very reasonable rate," she says as she pulls out a dagger that looks very familiar to him. It should. It's his.
For all those still on deck as Diabolito downs his rum, you all see him throw back a mug of rum and simply not stop, falling backwards, he seems to have blacked out.
Sandara happened to be close by when he dropped and she rushed to his side and looked for anyone else from the recently acquired crew members.
Aramis sees the dwarf hit the deck and bounds over, weaving nimbly between people. "Outta the way, ye bastards!" she yells, shoving her way past anyone who refuses to move. She starts slapping at the dwarf's cheeks, trying to wake him up, shouting back over her shoulder. "'Ey, Doc! We got a man down over 'ere!" Blast it all, if I 'ad me gun, there'd be no missin' anyone's attention!
"It is, without a doubt, a fine dagger. I don't suppose you have two thousand gold lying around back there I could borrow?" Doc says jokingly.
"And would a fair price for my dagger be buying the first round when we next hit a port?" he says with a grin, laying on what charm he can muster.
Doc starts heading back up after finishing with Grok and swears he hears someone calling out his name. He gets up top and sees Aramis over the fallen dwarf. Rushing over he asks "What happened Aramis?"
Doc gives Diabolito a thorough inspection, attempting to ascertain if the dwarf is ok.
"Was th' booze tha' did it, Doc. One second, 'e was drinkin', an' tha next, 'e 'it tha deck like a sack o' turnips." Standing and letting the alchemist do his thing, Aramis takes to clearing space, yelling at people to stand back, clearing a large circle around the dwarf.
Zaketta was just about to return below decks, her winnings from the night's games clinking pleasantly in her hand, when she hear a loud thud. Walking over, she saw Diabolito sprawled on the deck, unconscious with Doc checking his vital signs and Aramis keeping the crowd back.
"Besmara's bodice! What happened here?" she exclaimed, recognizing her old friend. As Aramis explained the situatin to Doc, Zaketta snorted in laughter.
"Ha! Serves ol' Stormwhiskers right, the way he always laid down that extra coin for the pricey drink - he never learned to handle a proper grog!"
Amidst all of her bluster and bravado, however, a faint trace of concern was present in Zaketta's voice:
"You'll set him right, won't you, Doc? There's so few dwarves that take a proper likin' to the sea - it'd be a shame if we lost this one. Do you need anything from belowdecks? Water or some of your fancy medicines?"
Further proof that they try to poison us nightly! It is like feasting in Ravana's palace.
"Hmm, this isn't good, this poison they pass off as rum is taking its toll on him. We need to do something to help Diabolito off this stuff as soon as possible"
Doc notices that the dwarf is displaying all the signs of both addiction and poisoning, probably related to the alcohol. It seems like if Diabolito were to not drink for several days, he might be able to break this, but he will suffer from not doing so.
In general, he is left alone from the rest of the crew, but he is out cold and Doc doesn't think there is anything he will be able to do about it. He is stable, but he is going to need to sleep this one off.
Presuming most people just want to sleep after this...
Day 6
Doc: Assisting Habbly: DC 15 Heal check to keep track of Diabolito's recovery.
Malak: Rope Work - Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10)
Diabolito: You are unconscious. You may roll a Fort Save during the night time action. Sorry :(
Zak & Aramis: Man the Bilges – STR DC 10 + CON DC 10 to avoid fatigue
Nissa: Repairs – Profession Sailor/DEX DC 10
Maera: Cooking – Sober = autopass; CON DC 10 to avoid fatigue from cleaning so hard.