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Tessa snaps at the slayer, her rapier whipping in her direction. She points at her "That's enough of that. Two of the crew are seriously injured and this isn't the time for jokes."
Turning serious, she starts splitting everyone up into pairs. "Go into twos, search the ship. Stay together. Call out at a moments notice of trouble."
Pointing at Polli she commands "Polli, you stay."
Once everyone was gone she lets Polli explain what she saw. Her jaw is tight and she is visibly frustrated that someone has already been seriously injured on her ship. She strides over to Polli with a fierce fire burning in her eyes and she roughly puts her hand on the sylphs shoulder. She looks at the Sylph, boring into her eyes and lets the fire calm down before she speaks. She blows out a breath and says in a a calmer tone.
"There is no Scourge or Plugg, I'm not going to lash you in front of the crew Polli. While you may be at fault here, this isn't the time for your grief or sorrow and we as of yet do not have all of the facts. I need you to pull it together and help us figure out what's going on here. You're too valuable to put aside. I need you right now, can you do this for me Polli?"
"Sorry, cap'n," Val answers snapping to attention, "only, I didn't mean it as a joke, ma'am... My mom was trained to read things like this; she could look at blood and tell you where the person got cut, by what, and whether it would've killed them. It's not a skill I learned--didn't think I'd need it as a sailor--but with as many of us as there are onboard maybe someone would recognize something if we let them take a look at it. Ma'am."
"Yes, Captain." Polli responds, her own current self loathing pushed down for the moment because she has to in hopes they are still alive. "Okay, two men taken... How, why, and where..." she'll cast detect magic to see if there were any residuals left and look at the blood to guess if it is enough for a fatal wound.
As the crew begins their canvasing of the ship looking for any sign of the two missing sailors, Ambrose looks out over the sea at the sliver of the sun that's appearing on the eastern horizon.
"Cap'ns," he calls out towards Tessa and Harmony. When they come to his side, he points down the side of the ship. In the new light of the day, they can see wet and slimy clawed hand and footprints up and down the side of the Siren.
It's another hour before the crew reports what everyone feared. There's no sign of the sailors on the ship. They're gone.
When Polli "confesses" to being responsible for the two missing crew members Donomsail is ready to speak up in her defense. "After all," she says quietly to any who might be able to hear her, "weren't we both on watch las' night? Weren't we both distracted?" As she is about to speak up she stops herself as she realizes that she is trying to save Polli from something that won't happen. Meantime Tessa's suggestion is an excellent one. "Needin ta be lookin' fer 'em. If'n I'm lookin' right here it came from tha water, most likely went back tha way 'gin." With that she goes towards the rails looking at the water and realizing that in all likelihood it is way to late to see them bobbing on the surface.
"Ah Gozreh, dit kan gebeur as dit gebeur. Ons het so pas Azadi 'n 'verloor. Ek wil nie meer verloor nie. Ek weet dat ek geen spesiale jagter is nie, maar as u ons kan help om hulle te vind, sal ek doen wat u van my vra. Ek weet, minnares, dat u die wind en die golwe lei en net vra of u dit kan gebruik om ons te bemanne."
Right after her prayer she hears the cry from the other side of the ship she catches sight of the marks on the side of the ship. Sadly she has nothing to offer.
Polli gives Donomsail a tiny smile for her defense, but only after Tessa decides not to punish (though she does believe something should be done to maintain discipline). Before that point, she avoided even looking toward the tiefling to attempt to keep anyone thinking exactly how the cleric was thinking. One being punished was enough, and Polli was determined it would be her.
"A... sahuagin. See the spacing of the claw marks. Think mermaid, but with a horde of sharp teeth and a deep hatred of all that is not them. And they can keep sharks as pets." she looks at the marks for a long time imagining... "We should double our watches and..." she says softly, her eyes flitter up to Donomsail "... we should rearrange the roster... based on ability more than desire." her voice heavy with a weary abhorrence to her own failure. "Suggestions, Captains, nothing more"
”Would these creatures still be lurking around? Could we try to find their home and rescue our crew members, like we did with the gobto-pussies?”
Ambrose looks up at Marisan's question. "Sahuagin lair in deeper water than those pests. And they can range quite a fair distance from their homes." He shakes his head sadly. "I'd wager those poor souls are gone."
"So... two crewmen lost and dangers as long as we're in the region." Harmony says calmly, ignoring the fact that most of her officers have neglected to wear any clothes on deck. "I agree Polli, we will redouble the watch. I suggest we rig the boarding nets at night as well. Ambrose, do you have any spare pans we could use overnight? Weaving them into the netting should give us a warning of sorts..."
Harmony's monkey appears behind Tessa and tugs on her bare legs, he's holding [read 'swamped by'] her shirt, which he offers with both wiry arms, before scampering up Harmony's arm to perch on her shoulder and receive a petting.
"And officers - this is a working ship. Basic clothing is required, thank you." Harmony adds. The rebuke isn't particularly stern but she meets Val, Marisan and finally Tessa's eyes individually. "We need to set an example."
Sandara meanwhile is setting to, getting the crew back to their work. She and Harmony exchange a brief grin, which fades as the seriousness of the situation sinks in.
Tessa isn't about to be scolded on her own ship. Her hangs open a little, overtaken by surprise. She grabs Harmony's shoulder and pulls her aside. "A WORD." she asks without asking.
Turning to face Harmony she says "Vi, I love you, but when someone rings the alarm I am not going to take precious time to put my hair up when every second matters."
Pointing to the bell she says sternly "You said when that bell rings that it was was my area, so I don't expect you to be standing over my shoulder second guessing my decisions when trouble is afoot."
Tessa, clearly frustrated, crouches down and takes the shirt from the monkey and tries to smile, rubbing its head. "Thank you, little one."
Standing back up and stepping closer now, she lowers her voice so only Harmony can hear her. "Also, I don't appreciate being addressed in front of the crew in such a manner. If you wish to tell them to get dressed, that's your prerogative, but exclude dressing me down along with them. You are not the sole captain of this ship. If you want to tell me to get dressed as well, fine. But please do it in such a way that it doesn't diminish me in front of them."
Tessa turns from Harmony without waiting for a reply and marches off to search the ship, frustration evident as she slides into her shirt.
Val looks down at her pants and partially-fastened bodice, then over at Tessa and Marisan in only their panties.
what... why am I... you know what, if she wants to group me with Sufjaa and the Cap’n that’s just fine with me...
She straightens her bodice and simply answers, ”yes ma’am.” Then she begins closing the rest the bodice’s clasps as Tessa pulls her co-captain aside to confer. Moving over to Marisan she offers, ”we better head down to my quarters so I can get my hat and boots and you can get your clothes...”
Harmony accepts the rebuke without comment and the matter passes, at least temporarily.
Later, once things die down, Polli will go to the captains and suggest "The bilge. Both the crew and myself needs to see a punishment for... " she stops for a moment, then after a deep breath "... For the deaths of two sailors while I was responsible for. If lashing and thankfully not dismissal are not on the table... Assign me to the bilge for a week. I'm an officer so the crappiest job on the ship will seem at least the minimum required."
Marisan rolls her eyes at Harmony. "Clothes are overrated," she mutters, but complies with the request to get dressed.
There's not much else to do for the lost sailors, so the ship returns to her regular rhythm. There are a few accusing looks directed at Polli and Donomsail, but no one says anything to either one directly. After another full day with the wind behind her, she reaches the edge of the main shipping lanes.
Once the morning meal is out of the way, the captains find Ambrose on the main deck looking out over the calm blue water.
"So what's it to be, Cap'ns? Two hours that way," he points to the west, "will put us right where we'd want to be to waylay us a loaded down trade ship. While two hours that way," he indicates the north-east, "will take us to Tidewater Rock."
When it's time for dealing with the aftermath, Captain Steele listens to Polli's plea for a week in the bilge. "Did you abandon your post to go below decks? Did you send the other two away? Did you fall asleep?"
"You were not there keepers, Polli. It's not like you through them overboard." she raises her eyebrows realizing she hadn't asked that question. "You didn't, did you? Okay."
She then turns to Donomsail and says "This isn't just on Polli, you were with her as well. There will be no lashes, but there must be accountability. I concur that having the officers on bilge duty seems entirely reasonable, but I don't think a week is necessary. Today and tomorrow will be sufficient."
She calls Marisan to the Captain's bed that night, but the loss of her crew has her a bit more melancholy than usual. She just wants to lay next to her and work out the thoughts in her head, silently.
- - - -
The next day when they are discussing direction, Tessa instructs them to continue west for two more hours. "We're going for the trade ship, Ambrose."
Marisan obligingly spoons with Tessa, providing comfort.
The next day, she is up on the deck, rallying the crew. "Keep your axes and boarding pikes handy! We are likely to see action later today. It is time to start making a name for the Siren!"
When Marisan heads to the captain's quarters, Val sets out to find Jack Scrimshaw. Once she tracks him down she approaches him with a smile and says, "hey, Jack, I hear you're quite the carver... I'd like to have you carve something for me, if you would? I'd be really grateful..."
As soon as Jack offers anything that could be construed as agreement, or even interest, her eyes brighten and she tells him, "come with me to the officer's quarters so I can show you what I want."
She removes her bodice and drops it on the floor, smiling coyly at the boy. "I think to fit on a bone or tusk I'd have to have my arms close to my body, right? Maybe something like this?" She poses with her left arm raised straight up and bent at the elbow so her hand is in her hair, and her right arm down with it's hand reaching up to softly lift one of her full, heavy breasts. "How does that look?"
While Marisan is making preparations on deck, Val heads up to the sterncastle to check on the ballista and make sure they are properly stocked with bolts.
"Sure'n I'd be happy to carve somethin' for you, Valeria," Jack answers with a grin before following her to the officer's quarters.
Jack's face turns bright red as Valeria removes her top. "Uh ... I ... um ..." he sputters out as his eyes look away but continue to look back at her nervously. "Yeah, uh ... I could ... that'd be fine." He takes one more good look at her and then beats a hasty retreat from the cabin.
She continues posing while he uncomfortably does a bit more studying and then she adds, ”and I’d like an inscription on the back... ‘to remind you of me on nights when your bed is empty’ if you could, please?”
Once satisfied with the readiness of the ballista, Val seeks out Tessa and asks, ”Beggin’ your pardon, Cap’n, but I didn’t see a ballista crew on the duty roster... do you know who has any experience using them, or should I ask everyone and see?”
Feeling just as responsible for the loss of the two crewmates Donomsail spends several quiet hours in contemplation of how to keep a similar incident from happening in the future. When she is given the same punishment as Polli Donomsail actually smiles, "'Tis fair." is her only comment.
Later, working in the bilge with Polli she brings up the subject that is on both of their minds.
"I unnerstan' yer guilt, sure'n I do but we all need ta get used ta the idea of losin' crewmates. Those two donna be the last ones. Much as I hate ta say it we need ta be prepared fer mebbe one day losin' one o' us what started on this journey tagether. We never know when Hyjarth and Tourithia will send us all on separate paths."
On the second day of sailing around the shipping lanes, at a couple of hours after dawn, Simms cries out from the rigging. "Shhhiiiippp off the poooort booooow!" There's a buzz of excitement on the deck as the crew drops their tasks and many rush to the railing to catch sight of their possible first target.
A moment later and there's a cry from the rigging again. "She's turning and running, Captain!" Simms calls out again.
well... that could certainly be fun... I better check with Polli first though and make sure she's done with him, or doesn't mind sharing... besides, he's got carving to do right now...
"Yes, I suppose you're not likely to forget these, are you..." she answers with just enough of a shimmy for her chest to sway hypnotically from side to side. She steps in close to him and softly but firmly instructs him, "be a good boy and go get to work. I have plans tomorrow night but the following night after dinner you report back here to show me what you've accomplished. Is that understood?"
"NO I didn't..." Polli snaps at the overboard comment, only realizing she was be baited to her normal irritation. Her mouth sets into a firm line of acceptance of the order even if she still does not agree. Being in charge meant being responsible for any and all problems.
As Tessa turns toward Donomsail, she tenses and narrows, ready to... well do something, but holds her tongue. As they are dismissed, she pauses in thought, considers trying to say something about respecting the way Tessa handled this, but those are words and words will never be Polli's strength, so she simply nods and leaves.
Polli wipes her brow with her sleeve as she listens. Her answer to getting used to those around her dying is a simple "I can't..." she offers a sad smile, deciding not to fill in details from her extended lifespan, but she does add "I will try to not let it affect other, happier, portions of my life though."
Polli is on deck, letting the wind tear around her to effect arrows, and waits to be of use. Which in no way shape or form is by helping steer the ship.
Tessa shakes her head no. "Actually, no. I don't think I've discussed this with yet with Marisan either. Go ahead and ask around while I hunt her down and see if she knows the answer."
"Everyone ready yourselves!" she commands as she strides to the helm and takes the wheel.
Siren's first foray in these waters would have none other than Captain Steele at the helm! Tessa takes the lead and shouts orders to her crew mates as she spins the wheel and turns sharply to port. "Of course they are, wouldn't you!" she laughs loudly.
"Yes, ma'am," Val answers with a tug on the corner of her cap. Then she sets out to question the crew about their familiarity with ballista, and with bows and crossbows in general. As she does so, she studies each one's body language and mannerisms to determine if any of them are bragging, or downplaying their ability, for any reason. Once she's completed her survey she reports back to Captain Redbush with a list of those who seem most capable.
Val does her best to relay the captain's orders as the Siren gives chase, and from time to time she points out to the crew slight changes to the sail positions or heading that could gain them some precious speed. The thrill of the hunt has her grinning all the while.
When Polli finds Jack, he's busy trying to free up a tangled pulley-block.
"Oh! Uh ... " he says looking around nervously and then back at Polli. "I'm sorry about ... I mean I know that you're with Donomsail now and I wasn't trying to ... I ... uh ... I'd already started working on that before ... well ... before." He looks down sadly. "You can keep it."
Pursuit Score 0
Pursuit Score +1
Pursuit Score +2
Caught!
The chase continues throughout the day, but in spite of some skilled seamanship demonstrated by the crew of the Truewind. Tessa's navigation has closed the distance.
Combat Begins!
Round 1 of 3
There's a hew and a cry from the crew at the same time as Simms cries out from above, "Incoming!"
The sound of shattering wood echoes across the deck as a large catapult stone crashes through the planks of the main deck.
Having completed her survey, Val returns to Tessa and reports, "I've spoken with all the crew, Cap'n. Sadly, none of 'em are real familiar with a ballista. Still, if I can get two for my gunnery crew I can teach them to reload while I fire, and I'll need help repositioning once we know which side of the ship we'll be coming alongside. Jack Scrimshaw seems good at following instructions, and Mah Thu The, one of the other crew that joined up at Rickety's, seemed interested in working with me. If it's alright with you I'd take the two of them, ma'am?"
As the Siren closes on her prey, Val studies the person who seems to be the captain of the other vessel. Looking down the sights of the ballista she takes aim and fires at them...
Val switches ballista while her crew begin reloading the one she just fired. Once again she takes aim and fires at the person who appears to be the captain...
Polli stands at the bow, letting the winds protect her combined with a casting of mage armor.
Then as soon as she thinks she is close enough she will cast scare on the opposing ballista gunner.
Nice SHOT Val! Excellent!" she cheers loudly as she continues to guide them in closer.
First Round: Donomsail, having no spells that will reach the other ship, moves instead to Val and casts Bless on her and all within range. "Gozreh gee hulle almal 'n goeie oog. Mag u wind help om die boute waar 'n 'te laat vlieg as dit wil, help ons ons almal om aan die ander kant van die geveg bymekaar te kom."
Cast Bless: Range 50 ft.
Area The caster and all allies within a 50-ft. burst, centered on the caster
Duration 1 min./level
Bless fills your allies with courage. Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects. Bless counters and dispels bane.
Second Round: Donomsail moves to where the missile hit the deck. Surveying the damage she tries to take care of it, not trying to fix the entire hole as she is certain that that is beyond her ability, instead she focuses on fixing the individual boards.
"Gozreh donna het ons skip laat sink in haar eerste geveg, hoe verleentheid as u lojaal so gaan. Help my om hierdie gat hier te herstel."
It will heal a total of 20 points of damage.
Marisan takes two potshots with her longbow as the ships close. Both arrow stick harmlessly into the hull of the other ship.
Valeria takes charge of the port ballista and fires a bolt towards the man on the Truewind's deck that seems to be giving orders to everyone. The man falls to the deck and out of sight. Tessa continues to guide the ship in closer to the Truewind while Donomsail calls down a blessing upon everyone.
Polli assaults the enemy catapult team with a spell of fear and the four sailors scatter, heading belowdecks. Marisan sends an arrow of her own towards the other crew, but fails to find a target. Harmony cheers on the crew with humorous suggestions as to the recreational activities of the enemy crew.
Round 2 of 3
Valeria moves to the starboard ballista and takes aim on a sailor that's yelling at at other crew members and directing them to the catapult. Her missile strikes him, but he remains standing. Tessa continues to bring the Siren in closer. Donomsail attempts to repair some of the damage to the deck.
Marisan attempts another shot with her bow, but archery, alas, is not her strength. Harmony continues her commentary.
The enemy crew set about reloading their catapult with at least a dozen figures swarming about the weapon.
Round 3 of 3
Marisan misses for a third time. She scowls and drops into a defensive stance.
Val moves back to the port-side ballista while Jack and Thu The begin reloading the starboard one. She smiles at how effective the weapons are proving, though she can't shake the feeling that the gods have cheated her out of slaying the Truewind's captain. Pushing that thought aside, she studies the man directing activity at the catapult, takes aim, and fires at him once again.
Sorry, just realized I was looking at the 2E version of the spell (and misread it as well). In that case
Donomsail realizes quickly that it will take more time than she has now to mend the hole and moves to ready her boarding action, going over what she had learned from her one and only previous boarding attempt."Hou spring, hou styf vas, lig bene om oor die reling te kom. Wees voorbereid op 'n hobbelige land, 'ter wille van Gozreh, wees gereed vir 'n geveg!"
Harmony moves to join Tessa at the wheel.
"I'll hold us here." She yells into her fellow Captain's ear. "Go get them!"
She keeps up the rousing exhortations to the crew, compelling them to great piratical deeds!
"Marisan, if being bigger is acceptable?" Polli holds out her hand but will hesitate. Unless if no barking No's are directed her way, she'll cast enlarge on the already large warrior woman.
Then as they get even closer, Polli will target some enemy sailor who looks determined to try and repel them, then after a few words of arcane power a small thunderstorm will surround them.
Polli enlarges Marisan, turning her into an even larger force to be reckoned with.
Round 3
Marisan fires once more at the enemy crew, but fails to find a target. Valeria sends another bolt from the ballista screaming towards the man she sees giving orders and down he goes.
Donomsail readies herself for an aggressive response from the other crew and Harmony continues her inspiring monologue while taking over at the wheel for Tessa who moves down to the main deck, readying herself for the battle.
Polli sends a tiny electrical storm to strike at one of the enemy crew, knocking her to the deck.
There's crash as another catapult stone crashes through the deck near where Harmony is standing. Right after that there's a jarring shudder as the Siren slams into the side of the Truewind. There's a cry of challenge as your crew makes their way across to the enemy ship.
Boarding Combat Begins!
Round 1
Once Donomsail gets on the other deck she immediately looks for whoever seems to be in charge and casts Command on them.
"I command ya ta halt where ye be!"
Val jumps down from the sterncastle to the deck and moves towards the railing where giant-Marisan is waiting, drawing her bow as she goes. Quickly studying whoever looks like they might possibly be in charge of the soldiers who will greet their boarding party, she takes aim and fires before the unsuspecting soul is prepared to defend themself.
Marisan is a bit unbalanced by her sudden growth, and her first attempt to leap across to the other ship comes up short. Fortunately, her increased reach allows her to haul herself up from the edge of the ship, but the delay prevents her from attacking right away. "Come and get me!" she shouts at the enemy sailors she now towers over.
When Harmony takes the wheel she says with a wry grin "I thought you'd never ask!" before she goes bounding down the ship. As Harmony roughly brings her alongside and crashes into Truewind, Tessa should have lost her balance and fell, but she re-balances and springs across to the other side of the ship and engages in combat.
Valeria scans over the nearby enemy sailors, looking for someone in charge. Eyeing a woman with fully inked sleeves on her arms gesturing and commanding others with a scimitar, she draws and fires. The arrow draws a line of red across the woman's upper arm and she turns to glare at the slayer. More gestures and commands follow.
Tessa leaps across the narrow gap with a nimble jump and plunges Wayfinder into the first sailor with a weapon she encounters, dropping him to the deck. Donomsail spies the same woman that Valeria did and with a magical command, the woman stops in her tracks, turning her eyes - filled with hatred - on the cleric.
After a failed attempt, Marisan lands on the deck of the Truewind with a shudder of wood and the ire of the nearby crew is turned to her. Two of the sailors behind the others lift bows and each fires an arrow at Valeria, both striking true.
Two other enemies each slash at Tessa with their cutlass. It seems like this might be their first time using their blades as she easily parries aside both attacks and stabs one of her attacks with a fatal thrust.
The remaining three enemy sailors surround Marisan and slash at her huge form with their blades. However, training is sorely lacking on this ship as only one strikes the muscular woman.
Donomsail glares back at her and then starts to chant.
"Gozreh, bring die kettings na vore, die een voor die een aan die regterkant."
Two chains appear one to attack and the other attempts to put her on the ground.
On a successful hit or combat maneuver check, the target must attempt a Will save (DC 16). If it fails its save, the creature is shaken for 1d4 rounds.