Nissa will spend her day time action trying to cement the good will of Grok, the quarter master. Nissa isn't exactly sure how to talk to people so far below her standing in a completely natural way; however, she does like and respect the other woman's moxie. Her version of shooting-the-sh** is telling outrageous stories of Vudrani gods and heroes screwing each other over and getting into fights. She even offers to reenact some of the best fights scenes . . . but it would not be the same without her urumi.
Thankfully due to Maera's rousing performance the night before, her conversation goes quite well, but more importantly is Nissa's conversation.
"That sounds pretty entertaining. Perhaps one day you can show me...or even the entire crew, they would appreciate the entertainment. What is an urumi, though?" As she is completely clueless as to what the odd, proud woman is speaking of.
In a nonchalant tone, Nissa continues, "My urumi? Oh, it is the sword with which I was brought. It is long and remarkably flexible. Some have even used it as a belt."
Grok drops below her counter and shuffles some things about, "I had no idea what it was, so I put it with the recently acquired clothing," with that the metal 'belt' is dropped onto the counter top. "No one knew what it was, so it won't matter if it goes missing," her head down beneath the counter where she can't see anything, taking her time, as if she is implying something.
The warning rings of The Bloody Hour go out once more and as everyone lines up, the lot of your is sure that at least three people will have to receive lashes, and all three of the goons that you put out this morning are in line. And all of them are left to their own devices, not a one receiving a lash.
Despite how it looks that no one is receiving punishment, Scourge grabs Nissa by the arm and drags her to the mast and nods, two men come up and grab Nissa, as Scourge pulls out a whip and gives her three quick cracks, rending her shirt and her flash.
As the whipping occurs, Plugg calls out, "We don't appreciate the loss of rum...especially by magic. We drink our rum on this boat...not waste it."
Nissa takes the hint and her "belt."
She is surprised and furious by her beating. How dare these Asprushya lay hands upon her sacrosanct person!? She was a daughter of Khiben-Sald (many generations removed)!
She screams. She is not ashamed of her scream for it is a scream of outrage not fear. These unclean ones would not break her. She would never drink their poison.
For once, Ossok glances away when Nissa is given the whip.
That one does not deserve this. Those who try and cause violence go unpunished.
When it comes time for her rum ration, Nissa will look at Scourge and pour hers out on the deck.
She is proud beyond all reason after all.
Nissa will try to influence somebody else, but I''ll have to think of who. Between her, Maera, and Aramis' aid another she is convinced she can turn the crew to their side.
Maera is both horrified and enraged by the results of today's Bloody Hour; she might be carefree, and at times, capricious, but she ultimately has a kind heart, and obviously no taste for traditional pirate justice - especially the biased kind. Be patient, she is forced to council herself. Water is patient, water will wear away any rock, given time. The best thing to do is to keep winning friends against their common enemy, so that when the time comes for revenge it will be swift and unexpected, like a flash flood.
While considering who best to try and chat up tonight, Maera proceeds to drink her rum in her own way, adding water to dilute it. She is, after all, drinking her ration, but she doubts that excuse will hold up to Plugg and Scourge if they catch her doing it. Finishing her drink, she spies the gnome who dresses like, well, a bard, she admits with consideration to her own clothing. Flashy or foppish, when we dress in such a manner, we want to be seen. So, let's give him some attention tonight.
"So, is this to be the only two options for entertainment? Bloodshed or ballads? How do you stand it?" she asks Conchobhar, knowing the penchant for gnomes needing stimuli. "I suppose I could mix things up with a bloody ballad, but I don't know if that'd be pleasing for a man of such taste as yourself."
|
After eating some grub and downing his rum Malak will try to see if there are any games going on. Around his fellows he'll let them know of his approaching Syl. "I don't think there will be anything more to worry about there anymore. I must admit, I'd feel mighty better if I could get my falchion back. Or even my lucky dagger and it's sheath. But I don't care bashing them bloody with my fists." Malak will approach Syl again tonight. He'll try to find out how she for there, if the others she was with this morning will be a threat and if she needs help you keep them from coming after her. "Ye know, might be safe to say that you'd be better off in matters and view at my side than those other fools. I leave you the choice, but be smart about it. Next time I might not stop at one fist."
Nissa will approach Jack the boy who keeps smiling at Maera. "I heard that you carve? I have always believed it to be a beautiful art form. Can you show me some of your work?"
The dwarf seems quite excited for the rum rations, gleefully drinking down the second one of the day. He heartily laughs as he staggers about after downing it.
Doc is obviously displeased as he watches as Nissa gets punished while the lot from the morning row avoids any punishment.
As people start to line up for rum rations, he notices the proud and rebellious look on Nissa's face and comes up behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder as she moves to get her ration. After they both have rum, he says "Will you walk with me for a moment before enjoying your ration, Nissa?"
As he guides her off to the side, he continues speaking, saying "I thought of a saying among the Tian-Min that you might like to hear, it goes: Even the wisest of men may step on the tail of a sleeping tiger, but only a fool steps a second time to test how deeply it slumbers."
"Something to think about anyway!" he says with a grin, giving Nissa a pat on the back before walking away.
Doc finds spot off to the side and digs out the vial he emptied that morning carefully, and attempts to appear to drink the rum while instead pouring it into the vial.
Doc sees Nissa has struck up a conversation with the boy who does scrimshaw and heads back to join her. "Did I hear you two mention carving? Aboard one of the vessels I sailed upon had a first mate who spent his free time doing scrimshaw. I was always amazed at the amount of detail that can be put into such carvings."
Aramis watches the Bloody Hour with fury in her eyes. With every lash, she yells out various curses and threats, but she find herself physically unable to carry them out.
She takes her rum ration with a heavy sigh, and downs it in one gulp. Sheimmediatel wishes she had another, just to help ease the days. She laughs a little as Diabolito swaggers around, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good t' see one o' us is in a good mood, eh? Maybe ye should try talking' ta someone while ye're so cheerful." With that, she winks and goes to join Nissa.
"I'd've taken the' lashes for ye, if I could," she says in a low voice, then grins and turns to Jack. "Aye, let's see some o' yer work, Scrimshaw. Me pappy used t' like th' art, 'imself. I'd like t' see sme more."
@Malak: Though blood ran down her back, Nissa does not seem to flinch. She steadily meets the half-orc's eyes. "Good. Each one who submits or who joins us is a small victory. Once we accumulate many small victories we will take back what is ours and more." She leans in closer. "Grok is quite reasonable. Give her an excuse to aid you -- in private -- and I think you will succeed."
@Doc: Nissa listens to the doctor respectfully. One should always give an ear to an expert. "Thank you for your council, doctor. I hear you. However, I have some experience with tigers. A tiger that has acquired the taste of man, should never be shown fear, or you will end up in his belly. But even a man-eater can be made to know fear. Not even Ravana dares show his face in Suyuddha's palace."
@Aramis: "Thank you my friend, but I would not have you bleed in my place. My people have a saying: एक राजकुमारी तो उसे लोगों को नहीं हो सकता है कि ग्रस्त है. Pain is often the price of greatness."
A princess suffers so that her people might not.
Smiling, "We must do this again soon, m'lady."
Nissa gives Jack an encouraging smile. "These pieces are exquisite. When I have access to gold again, may I commission some pieces from you? An artist deserves a fair wage after all."
"Indeed," she smiles widely, pleasantly surprised to find another bard on board, and claps her generous applause. "Perhaps the next time I perform for this rough lot you'd do me the honor in making it a duet."
Bidding Conchobar good-night, she checks in briefly with her allies to see if they need anything, before seeking rest below.
Later in the evening Nissa will approach Sandra and Ossok, though probably not at the same time.
@Sandra: "Priestess, would you be willing to offer healing to Aramis and myself?"
@Ossok: "I have seen you heal broken flesh. Can your magic also repair rent clothe?"
Sandara smiles, "You beat me to the offer. I was going to come and find you when you went below decks, but seems you found me first. Yes, it would be my pleasure, just don't do anything too rash, please. I won't always be here for you." She smiles and runs a finger along the brim of her hat, only to have a rush of pure energy rush through you, a light shimmer pulsing from her a pair of times.
Executing a very proper bow, Nissa replies, "Blessings, priestess, upon you and your goddess.
Sandara smiles, "Try and stay out of trouble, Nissa. If they go too far, I will not be able to heal you. As I have said...there is a time and a place...and we have to bide our time to find our place."
|
|
Malak smirks at Syl's words, "Apparently you don't understand the name Wavecrasher." Then Malak walks off in search of Grok.
Malak greets his companions to tell them of his news and see how much they've accomplished before retiring to a hammock.
To Nissa, Aramis sighs. "Ah've made far more trouble on this ship than ye, lass. Don't seem fair, 's all. I'll take yer rations, though, if ye don' want 'em. Th' rum's somethin' fer me ta look forward to."
To Jack, she seems brighter at once. "Say, now, these're good!" Aramis takes one of the figures without asking and looks it over with genuine admiration. "Better 'n my pappy's, and 'e'd been doin' this since afore I was a twinkle in 'is eye. Tell ye wha', I don't 'ave any gold, but I'll give ye a kiss fer one of 'em, eh?" She grins and winks at him.
Aramis approaches Grok, sitting next to her heavily. "Lissen, I know ye don't owe me nothin', but I 'ave a favour t' ask. I know I'll never 'ave me musket back, but I was wonderin', if I come see ye tomorrow, could I maybe hold it one las' time? It was me pappy's, ye see," she continues, planting her elbows on her knees and staring at the floor. "We was shipwrecked 'bout four years ago, an' I ne'er had a chance t' say goodbye to 'im afore I washed up on shore wit' 'is gun. Long as I 'ad it, it was like me pappy was right there, y'know? I'd jus' like th' chance ta say goodbye an' all, since I didn't get one afore this mess. Jus' think it over, eh? I'll even tell ye this: I kept it loaded, so ye may want t' be careful wit' it around fire an' all." With that, she stands and joins her compatriots, trying to find out what they've accomplished.
Malak and Aramis have both had a very long day and it is unfortunate, but finding Grok isn't on the deck tonight and apparently finding her is not as easy as one would have imagined.
Day 3
Malak-Line Work – Profession Sailor/DEX check (DC 10) + CON DC 10 to avoid fatigue
Diabolito-Cooking – Sober = autopass (Still requires you to work, but you can't fail)
Doc-Repairs – Profession Sailor/DEX DC 10
Ossok & Aramis-Swab the Decks – STR/CON DC 10 to avoid fatigue
Maera-Hauling Rope/Knot Work – Profession Sailor/STR DC 10 + CON DC 10 to avoid fatigue
Nissa-Man the Bilges – STR DC 10 + CON DC 10 to avoid fatigue, May spend extra action to search bilges
(Wo)Manning the Bilges:
Nissa works the bilges furiously, refusing to be broken by her circumstances or her captors.
With nothing else to distract her [like a lovely redheaded cleric] she has time to clean and find a few other items of interest: a suit of leather armor, three heavy maces, and a handful of silver coins (12 to be exact).
Since Tilly Brackett is on the same job as her, she gives a quiet word, hoping the repair some of the damage. "I heard what one of our group said to you... just wanted you to know he didn't mean any harm by it. He's rough around the edges, but he's no scoundrel," she assures. "Besides, even if you didn't look the sort who could mind herself, we lasses look out for each other on ships, eh?"
Nissa will use her magic to clean off what she finds. Aramis or Maera might enjoy the armor, and as for the heavy maces, some weapons are better than none.
"I will defer to your expertise on man eaters then," Doc says, his face still expressing a measure of concern. "As an aside, have you ever seen one in the wild? I've not had the pleasure myself. I hear they are magnificent animals, at least when they're not intent on eating you," he says, finishing with a grin closer to his normal temperment.
"Also, although I'm reluctant to admit it, I'm not terribly familiar with the gods and ways of the people of Vudra. For whatever reason I've not had the pleasure of many Vudrani shipmates in my travels, and never had cause to travel there directly. If you wouldn't mind, perhaps you can enlighten me about the ways of your people, and your language for that matter, sometime."
Doc finds the repair work mindless, but simple, and decides to chat up Habbly since he's overseeing the repairs.
Doc walks up to Habbly and reaches out to shake the doctor's hand. "Habbly, it's good to finally meet you, I'm Evan, or 'Doc' as you've no doubt heard me referred to as. I always make it a point to get to know my fellow doctors. We should swap medical stories sometime!"
Doc begins fishing around in his backpack with one hand as he continues, "Listen, I know we haven't much time to chat while doing these repairs, but I wanted to let you know about something you might find useful. Before joining the crew here, I had two trunks full of useful medical implements and potions, even a portable alchemy lab. I'm sure they brought them aboard, and I doubt I'll be able to use them anytime soon, so I'd just as soon see them put to good use in your hands."
He finishes rummaging around and pulls out a key.
"This'll open the two of them up. If you can get access to them, feel free to take anything you might find useful. I'd hate to hear we lost someone for want of supplies!"
Handing the key over, Doc nods at Habbly, saying "I'll talk to you later, I'd best get back to the repairs"
Nissa taps her lips thoughtfully. "It depends on your conception of wilds or man eaters for that matter. I have ridden on a tiger hunt before. The beast was beautiful and mighty, but the nature preserves of the thakur are wild be design. I have also seen the head of one of Ravana's children -- who are also man eaters -- but I have never fought one myself."
Each time she mentions the name 'Ravana' her hands flash in a series of positions which Doc believes are mudra, but he is unfamiliar with them.
She continues, "The ways of my people would seem complicated and nonsensical for Apru . . . foreigners but I would be happy to teach you our language. Do you speak Elven? I have wanted to learn it since the night at the Formidably Maid."
The dwarf grins, slapping the 'slinger on the back. "A wonderful idea, lass!"
And with that, the dwarf tries to put on a bit of charm, hoping to make some decent friends. Taking a seat by Maheem, he chuckles. "Name's Diabolito. What's yours? Figured you'd know what else is there to do up here at night besides drink till the night takes us?"
Aramis swabs the decks, finding the work easy, but dull and laborious. She strikes up a conversation with Ossok to pass the time, finding the half-orc's company decent enough. She makes sure to apologise again for failing to catch him on the first day - she still seems to feel guilty.
|
|
Malak uses Syl's help to try and approach Ratline. "Hoy, mate. All work being smooth..? " Then Malak looks around and makes sure Syl is the only one about. In a hushed tone Malak speaks to the halfling. "Look, I am not sure who you favor but it might be better you make choices soon. Not later. Just like Syl found out. My friends ain't to be threatened. Meaning I am not to be threatened. Catch the drift? The question is, mate, are you a threat or friend? And ask Syl, you don't want to answer wrong or make me mad. I also might be yer only hopes of protection later." The huge half-orc towers over the halfling and snorts a puff of hot breath in his face waiting a response.
At some point during the day, Aramis finds herself swabbing the decks near Rosie, and looks up at her with a grin. "Mornin', lass. Seen ye 'round bu' ne'er really 'ad a chance ta talk. Me name's Aramis. I notice ye don' seem too fond o' the pig-faced, charnel-breathed bastards we have ta call 'officers', eh?" She drops a wink. Having noticed the woman's foul mouth, she hopes being a bit crass herself - something she's not stranger to - will help curry her favour. "I'm sure ye can think o' more evocative words fer 'em, eh? If ye don' want ta hurl 'em at 'em, let me know, an' I'll do it fer ye."