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While Malak keeps working and aiding other riggers he tries to strike up any conversation about the rest of the crew. Starting with Tam. "Aye! Ye know where we be headin'? I know ye be Scourge's ole' pally boy, so figurin' ye know sometin' of use. Like if I am gonna get to raid any ships and soak the deck in some blood? Really would like to run my sword through a fella' again. Just like me ole crew did. Or help the crew bringin' in some plunder 'n booty? Eh, that is what we doing right?"
Whilst performing her duties, she pauses to help out Ratline, who Scourge has seemed to give him hauling rope as his task, which can't be the easiest thing for someone missing three fingers. She drops in behind him briefly, with a small smile to give him some aid, and her song helps the rigger find a wellspring of strength from within.
As the evening grew late, Zaketta slipped off, feeling secure in her magical disguise, to explore the ship. After pondering for a few minutes, she set off to locate the armory and see how it was secured.
When it comes time for a change of leadership, we'll be wanting some weapons for the rest of the crew, she thought to herself.
After finishing her exploration, Zaketta returned to her hammock for a little shut-eye, but not before she called upon Besmara's blessing to give her insight into the weather they would be encountering in the near future.
Perception (?) = 23 (taking 20)
Stealth (extra +1 from Guidance)
Casting Read Weather
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The next day, Zaketta counted herself lucky to be kept out of the storm by her assigned duty. Rat-catching wasn't glamorous work, but it was important for keeping the food stores secure, and if nothing else, it gave her an excuse to move about the ship quietly. She made sure to bring a small but sturdy sack with her to hold any unfortunate rodents that she encountered.
Hmmm... This might be a good chance to go where I'm not wanted...
Sneaking - trying to get into the officer's quarters under the pretense of hunting rats.
Stealth for catching rats - with Guidance for extra +1
Stealth (?) to sneak into the officer's quarters with Guidance for an extra +1
Bluff + Tap Inner Beauty for the "rat catching" cover story (though I will gladly roleplay this out with anyone I encounter)
While doing his rounds, Doc catches sight of Nissa talking to the gnome swab known as Giffer. He stops by to check on them. "This rain is something else isn't it? How are you two fairing? Not letting the rain beat you down I hope?" Doc says with his trademark grin.
The dwarf seems almost energized by the entire process of the rain, his mouth opening, as he stares up at the sky. This seems to be the closest to a bathing ritual the dwarf has had in quite awhile, and it naturally has him refreshed.
Seeing the big Mwangi, he motions to her. "You, lass! Get your arse over here! Ain't enough hands, as is, to get these turtles down to the galley, and I don't think we want the Cap'n or any of the rest of the lot to be missing decent chum cause it rotted on deck!"
His tone is stern and he seems not willing to take any guff, either from someone he's met or not. His hands seem to naturally find the patterns necessary to take the turtles from their natural habitat...down to the galley..then to the stomachs.
Day 7 Night
The officers make a brief appearance and Diabolito is called out for passing out and being slack, getting swatted several times with a heavy rope, but it is nothing compared to the sting of a whip. Almost as if it were a reprimand versus an actual punishment.
Rum is still passed out, but avoiding the drink will be quite easy as the officers disappear to their quarters as soon as Bloody Hour is taken care of.
The movement of the storm makes it almost impossible for Aramis to remain standing in the bilges. When the rum rations are passed around that evening, she pours hers over the side at once before sitting heavily, exhausted, covered in bilgewater, and reeking of the same.
Nissa will come to Aramis rescue with her favorite spell. No one can be happy reaking of the bilges!
When rations finish going out and the officers retreat downstairs, Doc waves down Malak and leads him to one of the quieter corners of the deck. Doc flashes a mischevious grin at Malak and starts talking, "I've got something I think you'll like. I've been spending some of my free time trying to get my extracts, which usually only work for me, to work for others. I think I've done it, but I need to test it to be sure. Are you up for it?" He fishes out a small flask with a cloudly white substance and extends it to Malak. "The officers are gonna be swimmin' back to shore with fright when they you coming", Doc says with a laugh as he waits expectantly.
Once he finishes up with Malak, Doc pulls out another of his vials and spends a moment re-preparing it. He tracks down Zaketta and hands the vial to her. "Here Zak, give this to whomever you can get to go explorin' with you. It should have the same effect as the trick you pulled last night. I'd come myself, but I'm not to adept at talkin' my way out of blunders, I'm certain I'd slow you down." As he's walking way, he turns around and adds "Do be careful when you're roaming about, don't want them havin' another occasion to make Scourge's day."
With those handed out, Doc heads down and opens up his lab to begin tinkering with the demon rum and Maera's rum. Lets see if I can't whip up a brew that will ease the poor dwarf off this gods awful stuff
Doc's work with the rum is both fruitful and disappointing. He easily finds the point where it no longer poisons, but can also tell that it will not feed the dwarf's addiction. He also realizes once he is given a bit of time to think about the spell and things he has learned in the past that there is no hope that Maera's spell will work on the rum.
At mess that evening, Zaketta casually joined her new friends (and old) and spoke quietly of what she had managed to learn about the ship.
"They've stashed the arms in the Officer's Quarters. The room itself has a firm lock, but they seem to leave it open during the day. The weapons are behind a barred door with a mighty fine lookin' lock. If we want to arm the crew, we're going to have to get past both of those locks. I don't suppose any of you did any thievin' before coming aboard? Knows your way around a set of picks?"
"There's also some red-headed woman I didn't recognize, though she did seem familiar. Seems like I might have seen her in the Formidably Maid the night we were shanghaied? Do any of you remember anyone like that? Anyways, she was there both times I stuck my head in - seems like she's planted herself there and not apt to move. We'll need to do something about her if we want to get at those arms."
As usual, Zaketta drank "sloppily" to keep herself from being poisoned by the rum, though she was beginning to look rather glum about it. It's a damn shame that they spoil a spirit like this for such infernal purposes. The Pirate Queen will surely punish them for that.
As Zaketta wiped her face with the back of her sleeve, she gave an extra warning to her friends.
"I got a feeling in my bones, sent straight from Besmara herself. This weather is only going to get worse - you had best be careful these next few days, or we might see one of us go overboard."
Zaketta thanked Doc with a wide grin when he offered her his special potion.
"You're a good bit cleverer than the average Leech, aren't you, Sawbones? I'll make good use of this, you can count on that. And thanks for looking after my ol' mate Stormwhiskers. Besmara's blessed me with a kind of healing touch, but truth be told it's more for pain than it is for true ailments of the body. It's a good thing we've got a proper doctor like you on board."
Zaketta takes Aramis aside and holds up Doc's vial.
"With this, you can manage the same trick as I did last night - make yourself like some other poor swab on this crew. I thought maybe the two of us could go sneakin' about this evening and see what other things we might find. What do you say?"
Bluff w/ Guidance ('Rum Trick')
Stealth for explorin', +1 from guidance
Perception 23 (Taking 20)
Will wait to decide what to explore once I get a response from Aramis
Diabolito looks for ways to still get a taste of the rum without continuing his addiction, like cutting it 90/10 with animal blood, for example. Also wanting to check and see how much blood a tankard of the blood/booze mix would need to be to still have an alcohol smell (but not feed the addiction). Or if there are any natural remedies for such things.
Diabolito hopes for a fruitful time.
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Malak follows the large man. He listens intently to what Doc says then shares in the grin. "Aye, I see how you think Doc. I will wait 'till I know the time be right. For now, any ideas how to make this bilge rum tast any better? I am about fed up with the stuff." After his exchange with Doc, Malak roams the ship. Seeking some sort of entertainment, which of course means a physical challenge. Then Malak finds a spot where many people can hear him and see who is speaking. "Oy! Who feels up for some bets? Or a little game? I feel like throwin' things, so how 'bout we play hog lob up on the deck? Anybody in? How about you, ye great looking pile of ogre dump? Or you?" Malak says pointing to Jape, Fipp, Maheem, and Cog.
Maera makes her evening rounds, giving Tilly her rum, and making good on her promise to Grok. Seeing how hard today's been on Aramis, she sings a short tune as she passes, lightening the woman's fatigue.
After the quick meeting and rundown from Zak, she decides to do a bit of poking around herself, and see if she can find where Owlbear is kept.
He begins by sitting down and offers up his arm.
JIC
Nissa will spend the evening organizing a story circle among various helpful crew members including, Conchobhar; she will then invite Shivikah to join. Nissa's hope is that the combination of friends, good stories, and happy feelings will pull the tall woman more into their network.
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Malak laughs at Cog's challenge. "Mate, come on. This won't be worth any gold to nobody." Malka sits down across from Cog and puts his arm on the table. Taking a firm grip on the man's hands, everybody can see there is definitely a difference in size and strength here. "Whelp, where are the bets at? And who is going to come after I trounce this poor fella'?" After letting people put bets in and converse, Malak waits for a count. Letting his strength coil in his arm like a deadly snake ready to explode. When the count finishes Malak unleashes the strength, squeezing tighter on Cog's hand and forcing the arm down with ease and swiftness.
As the hand smacks against the table Malak stands up throwing a fist in the air. "Told ya mate, 'tis no mere feat to beat me! Now who wants some more??"
Aramis sighs gratefully as Nissa's spell clears the grime and filth from her clothes. "Thanks fer tha', lass. Small comforts in rough times an' all, eh?" Maera's song puts her in a better mood yet, and by the time Zak comes around, she's feeling strangely cheerful for someone who's had a rough day.
Her face splits into a grin at the mention of the plan. "Aye, lass, tha' sounds like a right spot o' mischief, eh? Why not, I could use a bit o' fun on this shoddy vessel."
With a disguised Aramis in tow, Zaketta (now disguised as Aretta Bansion) leads Aramis off to parts of the ship that she has yet to explore.
I'm not sure which locations there are, exactly, so I'll let the GM randomly determine which spot we go to investigate
Cog gently rubs his arm, then reaches into his vest and pulls out a handful of coins, dropping five on the table, he nods to Malak, "I don't agree that it was so...easy. But you got me this time. I'll be back for more," he says as he pulls shards of glass from his arm.
"You are right... it was not a nice trick, and for that I am sorry," she replies honestly, figuring that going too deep into their reasons wouldn't matter much to him, nor would that Doc has already been punished for his cleverness. "We were not friends then. Now, I would like to make up for it, and be a good friend to you. We can talk about things you like... or I can sing pretty songs for you. It must be very quiet and lonely down here at night."
Day 8
When the bell is rung, it seems that it is much earlier than usual and it is clear that the wind is howling a lot louder than it was the day before. When the crew begins to arrive on deck, it is very clear that storm is pounding the ship.
All checks on the main deck are at a -2, perception is at a -4. Everyone has to make a DC 12 Con check after their job rolls to make it. Everyone must work diligently and you receive no bonus.
Malak and Diabolito:
Mainsail Duties – Profession Sailor/STR check (DC 10) + CON DC 12 to avoid fatigue
Nissa and Maera:
Line Work – Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10) + CON DC 12 to avoid fatigue
Zak:
Rope Work - Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10)
Aramis:
Rigging Repair – 30ft climb + Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10)
Doc:
Lookout – 60ft climb + Perception DC 10
Against the odds, Aramis manages to hold her own in the storm. Battered by the wind and rain, she finds herself easily able to keep her grip on the rigging as she carries out her repairs, tying knots and pulling ropes taut in the foul weather. Unfortunately, the effort is exhausting, and by the end of the day, she's weary and irritable.
Morning brings quite a howler, the likes of which Maera hasn't seen since her formative years, aiding her father and brothers on their fishing ship. But despite all its bluster the storm holds little fear for the watersinger; she simply braids her hair back tightly, rolls up her sleeves, and jumps right in. On a day like today, she knows all too well that everybody needs to be doing their part or the ship is like to founder.
When there is a break in which the crew is gathered all together, she sings snippets of bold sea shanties to keep everyone strong against the elements.
When Doc recieves his orders, the color fades from his face. He lets out a half-hearted laugh and says, "I'm not sure sending the fat man with glasses up to keep lookout is going to provide you with the desired results." Before anyone can respond one way or the other, he heads over to begin his climb.
Looking up at the rigging, he thinks for a moment, There's no way in the hells I'm going to make it up in this weather. If I'm lucky I'll fall and still be conscious, but I may end up going overboard in this slop. Better prepare the best I can. Doc stops for a moment and centers himself, he begins breathing slowly, and after a few moments stops entirely.
Looking up again he thinks I wonder which god is supposed to keep people from falling to their deaths. Maybe Besmara in this situation? Whichever one you are, I do hope I've not offended you terribly in the past.
Doc begins his climb and at first seems to luck out, making steady progress. The motion of the boat and wind seem to be happening such that they don't interfere terribly with his climb.
Unfortunately, his luck runs out once he's made it most of the way. The wind shifts direction just as the ship crests a large wave, causing Doc to lose his grip on the rigging and fall to the deck. Well, I guess that answers that, he thinks as he plummets towards the deck.
Diabolito fights the good fight against the demon rum and wakes up, ready to focus on the awful storm approaching as his skin still feels clammy to the touch and he shakes ever so slightly from the withdrawals. His color does seem to be getting back to normal as he works the mainsail.
Sandara is working on the main sail and looks as if she is having a tough time of it, but she moves over to Doc, handing Rosie her rope, which makes the halfling woman actually have to strain her muscles, but not something she can't handle. Before Sandara moves away, she clutches something around her neck and a duplicate of her appears right beside Rosie. She whispers something to Rosie and then darts over to Doc.
Whispering to Doc, she then closes her eyes and begins praying for something.
The rain makes the area wet enough to fool the spell to allow her to summon a watery creature...a squid begins to materialize on the deck as she begins to cast another spell.
A wave appears beneath the squid, lifting it up.
"I can get you up there. Be careful coming down." She then beckons the squid to lift the man and take him up to the top. Assuming there is no struggle, the squid lifts Doc up and carries him to the crow's nest, leaving him there, before disappearing. Just as a few people start to react, she winks and the squid vanishes. Leaving Doc where he needs to be, and everyone else confused. Then she quickly rushes back to her ropes to take over for the image she had created to help Rosie, just as the image fades out of existence.
Nissa works side by side with Maera.
The noblewoman is struggling. The storm is more than her equal today.
During your previous nighttime explorations the pair finds several rooms that are locked, though they do stumble upon the sleeping quarters of Grok and Kroop, sneak up behind and see Maera chatting with Owlbear, and find what is no doubt a treasury, because it has the nicest lock of all on it. The captain's quarters is locked tight also, finally there is a small room with a cot that is not locked in the officer's sleeping area. It is set off to the side and it does not look as if it is very well used, giving anyone who looks upon the impression that it is for show. Probably the Captain's Girl's room. Between this excursion, the previous one, and the time the group has spent on the ship, it seems to be fairly well searched. There is a door opposite the armory that is locked, as well, but it is behind the redheaded woman, she seems to sleep against it whenever she is sleeping in the room, or rest her head against it while she is reading.
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Malak rolls out of his hammock and onto the floor at the sound of the early bell. His instincts kick in and he immediately assesses the feel of the ship. Hearing the groaning of the wood, the smack of waves, crack of thunder, and pounding of winds and rain. He jumps to his feet tying his bandanna around his head, ready for some battling of the seas. "Show a leg mates! Let's keep this damnable barnacle bucket floating!" Malak rushes up to the deck for an assignment and begins working in a rage filled mind, determined to do all he can. Trying to do all he can to completely keep the mainsail in proper form. "Blimey! This is a helluva storm! Watch ye'self lil' devil! Hate to see you go overboard matey!" Malak says to his companion as he watching the little dwarf working away with him.
Doc gets up after falling a considerably shorter distance than he'd imagined he'd climbed. I could have sworn I had made it further up, that fall should have hurt considerably more than it did. Perhaps Besmara was watching over me, I'd best talk to Zak or Sandra and get an idea of how to properly show thanks just in case.
As he gets up from the ground he nods at Sandra's words, and watches as she begins to cast.
Doc recognizes the spell being cast but is still a tad bit surprised when a squid of unusual size appears and begins attempting to pick him up. He gives Sandra a bemused look as she begins to summon a wave to lift him up. He returns a smile as the squid begins carrying him up to the crows nest.
Once up top he braces himself tightly and does his best to scan the horizon while consciously ignoring the ship below.
Well hell, I'd best warn Malak that he'd better watch out. Here I am prancing about the crow's nest. he thinks, chuckling to himself.
Zaketta became keenly interested in the red-headed woman's mystery room when she and Aramis finished up their explorations.
"I'm dying to know what's in there, but it doesn't seem like that girl's going to move easily, eh? We'll have to think of something clever if we want to see what's inside."
"In the meantime, let me tell you about this scheme I've been hatchin'. Seems to me that with disguises like these, we can cause more than a little mischief for the officers..."
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Zaketta knew even before the bell rang what awaited them on deck. She had felt the brewing storm in her bones, and had slept restlessly as a result of it (and perhaps because so much of the evening was spent sneaking around with Aramis). Still, she did not blanch from the task ahead of her; if anything, she seemed strangely thrilled by the prospect of battling the elements.
"Now this is a proper squall!" Zaketta shouted to her friends across the deck. "Storms like these are the Pirate Queen's proving grounds - they separate the lubbers from the true sailors! By Besmara's bosomy bodice, this is how you know you're alive!"
With a hoot, Zaketta went to work, splicing, tossing, and otherwise deftly manipulating the ship's ropes as if she had been born with cords in her hands. With each new task, she cackled wildly to herself, a half-crazed grin on her face.
"Oh goddess of storm and surf, thank you for this blessing!" she shouted, eyes lifted to the dark clouds above. "Stay not your affectionate fury, but lash us with wind and rain, so that we may show you that we can manage a vessel like proper swabs!"
Zaketta began to work with an almost manic frenzy, no longer conserving her strength; before long, it was clear that she was quickly tiring, as much from the physical effort as from her emotional outpouring.
Con check (w/ Guidance bonus)
The storm is thrashing the crew about and many are failing in their tasks but a few are more than capable and are able to assist those that did fail to keep the ship from suffering damages. Doc is lucky that young Jack spots some rocks that he missed miserably, as they were in the area he was assigned to watch.
When there is a small break in the storm, the bell is rung and Kroop goes through the crew handing out biscuits. With everyone grouped up, Maera sings a tune before she finishes her biscuit, reinvigorating everyone (all fatigue is removed).
At this point, punishments are doled out for failing to help the ship. Nothing severe, as it is all done with a heavy rope, but Doc is punished for not noticing the rocks that Jack did. Malak and Nissa also receive several strikes with the heavy rope for not keeping up with their work.
Just before the rum rations can be handed out the storm starts up again, worse than before and Plugg begins calling out orders.
Shivikah shakes her head and grunts, "Long...night..."
Night Jobs
No time for anything but work, no bonuses for diligence and all checks are at a -2 and Perception is -4 (thankfully no one is fatigued).
Malak: Rigging Repair – 30ft climb + Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10)
Diabolito & Doc: Line Work – Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10)
Zak & Aramis: Upper Rigging Work - 50ft climb + Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10)
Nissa & Maera: Rope Work - Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10)
All jobs require a DC 14 Con check vs. Fatigue.
Diabolito needs to make a fort save vs. addiction.
Thankful for the brief respite so that she can lift everyone's flagging energy, Maera quickly finishes her meager meal, and focuses on the task before her. With luck, they might well make it through the night.
Partway through she senses that she's slightly out of practice in roughing the elements for so long, having spent the last years more on the land than the sea, and that this will tire her out finally. As she suspects that everyone will need her singing to keep morale high, when the crew is gathered close before the night ends she will craft a little magic into it once more. Until then, though, she sings almost constantly during her work.
"'Twas a clear morn when we set sail, and we were not far from the land. When our captain he spied a fishy mermaid with a comb, and a glass in her hand.
Oh, the ocean waves do roll, and the stormy winds do blow, and we poor sailors are skipping at the top. While the landlubbers lie down below, below...
While the landlubbers lie down below."
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Malak curses at himself under his breath, dissatisfied with his performance. After he scoffs down the biscuit and goes right back to working his duty. The half-orc quickly starts to climb. He makes his way to the rigging that needs redone, doing so with ease. However, there is a lot more work to be done and climbing around in the storm, fighting for his life to hold on, starts to wear on him.
Doc heads back to work without much complaint after the brief punishment for not keeping an eye out. I'm not sure what the hell they expected, but no time to grumble about it. Need to focus on keeping this boat afloat for the remainder of this storm.
He returns to work, this time thankfully much closer to the deck.
The storm tries its best to batter him, but he seems relatively unphased by the tossing of the boat or the long work day.
Zaketta is skilled with rope-work, but less skilled at climbing, and found it nearly impossible to make progress up the rigging in the midst of the tempest; she even slipped and fell to the deck at one point before finally making her way to the top. Once there, she set about working the rigging, but it was evident that the effort of the climb had nearly exhausted her completely.
"Besmara's not going to make it easy for us," she shouted to Aramis over the roaring wind.
Climbing:
Profession: Sailor (w/ Guidance)