Diabolito keeps climbing.
Doc watches the debris hit Diabolito and is pleased when he brushes it off without any problem. Picking up another piece, he takes a look down again thinking about where to toss his next bit of garbage. After a few moments he decides to take a shot at Aramis, not wanting her to feel left out.
"Think fast, Aramis!" Doc calls out as he tosses the item her way.
Woops, I think I gave her a bit too much warning. he thinks as the piece misses her completely.
Diabolito is getting very close to the deck, he thinks with just a bit more effort he can make it!
Nissa takes aim at the dwarf.
As Diabolito gets ever so close to the ship, Nissa clocks him twice with refuse...his grip on the rope is in danger!
The dwarf spits the garbage away and struggles to climb the rope, just inches from his destination!
Aramis laughs as the junk sails past her by a wide margin, flipping an obscene gesture to Doc. Unfortunately, in doing so, she throws off her own balance, falling behind.
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Malak picks up and handful of trash to start throwing at Aramis, throwing anything he thinks could be heavy enough to stop her. He looks at the pirate lass and howls like an animal. "You bes' be ready to swim wit' sharks lil' one! Ye' won't be gettin' pass me!" With that Malak picks up a bigger chunk and heaves it at Aramis with both hands from over his head.
Botting us forward!
Maera makes it to the deck of the ship in a mere three rounds, quickly moving faster, having figured out her means aboard very swiftly.
Diabolito continues his trek upwards...
Climbing aboard quickly, but just slower than Maera.
Aramis continues her progression, getting tagged once by Malak, she attempts to hold on...
And continues her climb.
The group continues to throw garbage at her, now only having one target.
Forcing Aramis to try and hold on that much longer, being ever so close to the deck.
Again, she grits her teeth, throwing out cusses and insults as the group longs hits upon her.
And finally she drops her feet onto the deck!
"About bloody time, Ah spected better out a you. Next up...Ms. Priss and Doc Whale, git in tha boat!"
Nissa's disdainful look could freeze the ocean at the very intimation that she could be, in any fashion, prissy.
Doc ignores the comment on his girth and hops in the boat. As they head out to range, he digs out a flask and drinks it down.
Once in position, he grabs his grappling hook and takes a stab at getting it up on the boat.
After getting it up on the railing, he immediately sets to climbing up, trying to keep an eye out for incoming from above.
Diabolito grins widely, his sharp teeth glistening in the light on deck, as he hurls debris at the Doctor, feeling its a good chance to test his skills.
Doc looks up just as the debris tossed by Diabolito hits him squarely on the shoulder.
For a moment he starts to lose his grip, but quickly recovers. Laughing, he shouts back up at the dwarf "Nice shot, I suppose I had that coming!"
Eventually, everyone takes their turn with the climbing exercise, but Maera's quickness to figure out a way up is never matched, though Malak does come close while Raging up the rope. However, seeing the barbarian frothing with rage leap onto the deck is enough for Riaris. "One day ye bastards will 'ave to board ah ship. When ye do...ye'll lead the charge."
Everyone may now take a nighttime action.
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As the "training" ends, Malak seems to be in no condition to relax. His blood boiling and senses on edge, it seems that he would be likely to end anybody that would try to approach him in the wrong way. The barbarian stomps across the deck staring down any of the NPC's that are hostile to his group of allies with eyes that could burn through the staunchest of them. When night comes upon the ship Malak seeks to assert himself in dominance of something after losing the challenge during their training. He sees a group of the hostile NPC's gathered together. Standing up from his chair he motions for Syl, Maheem, and a couple others to come watch. Malak positions himself near the group. "Oy! Any of lily-livered bilge rats wanna put some money down on sometin'? A bout of wrestlin'? Or maybe ye thinks ye could best me or the little devil, Diabolito, in a game of Heave?" Malak says Diabolito's name louder than the rest of his challenge to get the dwarf's attention.
Diabolito raises an eyebrow, the look on his face showing he'd rather eat a live, whole bilge rat than play a game of Heave.
Aramis' pride stings as praise is heaped on Malak, but she grins jovially, clapping the big half-orc on the shoulder as she walks past. Noting the look on Diabolito's face, she laughs, clapping him on the shoulder as well. "Ye don' look too 'appy wit' tha' suggestion, matey. 'Ow's about you an' me 'ave a drink or two, eh?"
The watersinger smiles pleasantly to herself, not bothered in the slightest that Malak seemed to have made the strongest impression on Riaris. Maera is just happy enough to tread the middle ground between proving herself capable, and still keeping her head down to avoid the full ire of Scourge and Plugg. In such a good mood, she decides to entertain their allies this evening to further cement the good feeling towards their group.
Most everyone had seen Malak climbing onto the ship earlier and no one really wanted to mess with him. He is left without a competition that night, though a certain lady did come up to him with offers...
The following days go by without incident, in fact, due to their standing with the crew, their days are fairly easy, only Scourge and Plugg giving them nasty looks from time to time, even most of their minions seem to begrudgingly give the group acceptance, most of them at least.
After a few days of simple assignments, Malak is sent down to the bilges with two of Plugg's cronies. "Enjoy...Bilge Rat..." Plugg says, as each of the other crew members from the abduction is given their least favorite task...that will leave each of them exhausted.
As the three of them head down towards the bilges, Scourge is standing, leaning against a wall. "Before ye get down there...we need to make sure you ain't carrying no weapons..." this seems very odd, but as it were, Scourge is armed and Jaundiced Jape and Narwhal are flanking Malak at this moment, and Malak has been warned time and again not to cause TOO big of a stir until the time is right, which this does not appear to be.
Nissa narrows her eyes. These unclean ones are up to some treachery.
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Malak skulks his way to the bilge after being handed the duty, having Jape and Narwhal next to him does not make the situation any more bearable. As they walk some can hear the half-orc mumbling some muddled curses under his breath. Once they get under the decks and Malak spots Scourge there is a boiling heat that starts to build in his chest. I could pull out meh dagger 'n gut the three of 'em now. The blood 'n bodies oughta be 'nough to get the message. Then Malak remembers the discussion he had with his allies while harvesting the reefclaws. "A shark gets the net if it doesn't kill all of its prey." Mayhaps that lil' devil be right. When Scourge barks at him and Malak takes note of their preparedness he merely nods and grunts at the comment. He only has one weapon on him at this time, so he pulls out the dagger from under his bandanna tied around his arm. The barbarian slams the dagger into the frame of the ship next to him and locks eyes with Scourge. "I ain't too fond of bein' groped by your crusty hands mate. This is all I got." The half-orc winks and shows a grisly smile, but not a sign of his previous rage. Full-well knowing he needs to trust the plan of his friends. "Now what am I doin' down 'ere 'sides gettin' personal time wit' me best mates?"
"Yer cleaning the bilges...there are three pumps that need to be worked. One fer each of ye. Now get down there and work," Scourge says as he walks away, dagger in hand.
The two cronies head down, one leading the way, the larger of the two, Jape, following behind Malak.
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Malak begrudgingly makes his way into the bilges with the other two scoundrels, well-aware of how unpleasant this will be. Pumping the bilges. 'Course I be the one they pick. Make the big 'un work a pump. If'n I don' get me dagger back t'will be a mistake to take it. As Malak makes his way down there he recalls the last time he was he only one of his friends to be around Jape. And how Malak had left him in a bloody and bruised mess. While working the bilge the half-orc tries to entice and intimidate Jape, reminding him of the beating before. "Aye, I 'member bein' sent down 'ere before. Ye friend, Plugg, had us killin' some bilge rats. Mighty funny, Jape, I 'member thrashin' 'em jus' as bad as I did yer face, 'scept 'em rats 'erent as ugly as ye. Ha! Matter'fact, few of 'em might be ye pops and ma! Ammiright?" While the barbarian seems to be telling a joke, he is trying to remind Jape of his strength. Making strong punches into the air while recounting the story. He keeps an eye on the two of them to see if it is having any effect, knowing that he easily outmatches them in strength. While watching them, Malak tries to work hard, as always, determined to do his best work and finish it with ease.
Jape doesn't even respond, but at the look towards each of the two others, Malak can clearly see daggers hidden on them and so when they go to reach for them, he can easily react first.
Malak gets a moment to respond while the two cronies go to move on the attack.
Combat Ensues
Malak may act in the surprise round!
Malak getting the jump on Jape, quickly pulls the weapon free of the other man's belt, which leaves the man very, very concerned looking.
As Malak grabs the weapon, Narwhal moves up behind him, driving his own knife into the half-orc pirate.
But apparently the site of seeing Malak respond first causing him to stumble and fail to hit pay dirt.
Jape attempts to respond in kind, trying to wrench his weapon free from Malak's hand.
But the dagger isn't gripped properly in his hand when he swings it.
But the swing is still enough to throw off Jape's attempt at grabbing his weapon back.
Malak is up!
Jape stumbles back slightly, but as he does, he lashes out a kick...that misses terribly.
But draws a quick slash from Malak...
As Malak makes his attack, Narwhal follows up, hoping that his dagger can find purchase this time.
"Scourge and Plugg won't have you survive this day, bru..."
He comes up short, getting very, very quiet when he sees Malak's dagger driven into Jape's stomach, the look on the yellowish half-orc makes it clear that he is not going to be speaking...ever again.
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Malak pulls his dagger from the gut of the pirate and shoves the limp body to the side. The barbarian laughs and spits on Jape's body. "Wha'd I tell yer two? He shudda known better then to send jus' the two o' ye. Now, thar be only one." While speaking to Narwhal, Wavecrasher turns slowly to show an inhumane smile and his fiery eyes. The dagger hangs in his hand loosely, blood still dripping off the tip. Then Malak lets loose a howl and tightens his grip right before going into a ferocious and swift lunge at the dwarf. The huge half-orc looming over him as the dagger comes in, poised for killing.
Seeing the blood gushing from his compatriot, and then hearing the words of the half-orc before him...and now his own chest is pouring blood...he drops to his knees and throws his hands up, the dagger falling from his grip. "Ye win, lad. Don leave me like Jape..."
Combat is over. You have a few moments to respond before someone comes to 'check' on the commotion.
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Malak lets our a sound that resembles a half-growl and half-laugh. Then he picks up the dropped dagger and looks the dwarf in the eyes. The barbarian slides one dagger up Narwhal's chest, soaking it in blood. "Ye shoulda thought ahead. My name ent Wavecrasher without reason. I crush the sea when it gets in my way, jus' I will crush Plugg and Scourge.'N now I kill ye both, fer thinkin' ye could kill me." The half-orc finishes his eerie boast as he slides one of the daggers into the back of his neck. Knowing that the bilge is now filled with water and that he could very well be punished with death for his defense the pirate begins looking around for options. Anywhere to hide the bodies or dispose of them. Not being the best at thinking of solutions not involving his muscles, he begins to realize how helpful his freinds have become.
Unfortunately, the only pumps out are nowhere near big enough to fit the bodies of the two dead men, but at this point, he can hear footsteps.
As he looks around, his hands covered in blood, a bloodied dagger in hand, it is clear what has happened. Scourge, Plugg, and the sorceress are all three visible, though Plugg stands in the front, a look of mixed anger and glee on his face.
"Looks like we gots us a keelhaulin' comin' up! Best ye come with us now, murderer, or you'll regret it."
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"Bah! I be thinkin' ye regret leavin' two such capable' lads in me hands at this moment. Alas, I yield. A shark gets the net if it doesn't kill all of its prey. 'N it looks like ye have netted me." Malak lets the daggers dangle and fall out of his hands with a solid plop! as they fall into the bilge water.
Scourge grabs Malak and before he knows it, he is lead up to the Sweatbox and thrown in. "The Captain will decide how long ye stay in there before your keelhauling, but I'm thinkin' ye will be swimmin' tomorrow."
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Malak pounds on the walls of the sweatbox and howls streams of curses upon Plugg and Scourge, albeit they are hardly understandable through the wall and his animalistic rage. He knows he is trapped, like a slave. He's done this before. Survival is the first thing on his mind. The half-orc begins to stop thrashing in the sweatbox and sits still. Many would think this is a show of calmness, but the ones that really pay attention know otherwise. Malak's anger sits deep inside him, welling up and awaiting it's opportunity. The amount of fury he is currently holding could practically be emanating from the box.
Hour and hours pass, the rest of the crew saw Malak tossed in the box, then a few minutes later two bodies were thrown off the side of the ship and it was clear as to why he was in the box. Occasionally, Sandara takes a walk near the box and Malak can feel a wave hit him, somehow healing of some of the damage he has endured by being in the heat of the box.
Finally, the sun begins to set and the crew is called to the deck for the Bloody Hour and Malak is drug out of the box, tired and weakened from the heat, but not nearly as badly as the two who drag him expect.
Quietly, chains are attached to his arms, the Captain glaring at him.
"You are on my ship by my good graces. You are feed each day by my good graces...and today...you betrayed one of the main rules of being a part of this crew. And for that..." While Harrigan speaks, Scourge and Plugg are both pulling on the chains to ensure they are both quite tight until a cry is heard from the crows nest that interrupts Harrigan's speech.
"SHIP AHOY!!!!"
Harrigan growls an order to one of the officers and the execution is cancelled. Orders are barked by Plugg and Malak is taken back to the bilges, where he chained up for the night. Each of the crew is given shifts through the night to follow the ship off in the distance, not letting up on their pursuit, but each person has four hour shifts working and time to sleep.
As Scourge chains Malak in the bilges, he chuckles, "Well, Cap'n might not let ye git keelhauled, but yer leadin' the charge on that ship."
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Malak is thankful of the healing and it shows when he emerges from the box. He stands defiant as the pirate captain speaks, like a proud lion among hyenas.
When Scourge chuckles at the half-orc's current situation Malak lets out a deep bellowing laugh. "So be it! But, I let ye kno' I won't be dyin'. Ha, so you best make sure I don't come back, 'cuz I be comin' fer ye" Malak tests the strength of the chains when he jumps forward at Scourge baring his grin and coming almost nose to nose.
Chuckling as he shakes his head, knowing how strong those chains are gives him a sense of power. "Keep thinkin' that ye bastard, but at the end o' the day...ye'll be tha one feedin' the sharks."
When they put Malak in the cage, Nissa whispers to Maera. "If I free him, can you get him to safety?"
Luckily, he is quickly freed. The stress and the excitement have Nissa aching to battle.
Diabolito, grins, smelling the air at the almost palpable sense of blood and battle coming. "This is gonna be a great time...Without a doubt. Without a doubt..."
The entirety of the night is spent sailing, followed by the next day as well. Each out, the prey gets closer and closer. The ship ahead can not out pace The Wormwood, however, the crew is having to work double time to gain on the other ship.