Vexas fidgets nervously, not prepared to contribute to breaking the tension, or gaining the upper hand verbally. Worse, he's afraid the fighting could break out again.
Given the tension and delicacy of the situation Malakar lets those better at words handel it going forward however not wanting harm to come to whatever is in the crates he looks around for a crowbar or pry-tool and readies to dive in after the boxes should they be loosed.
When the boats are securely tied off to the dock, Fenna orders all the oarsmen off.
"Alright, everyone out of the boats. Nobody goes anywhere yet. Wait on the pier until we see what's inside these crates!"
She calls over to the bluish guy from the water to provide crowd control. He looks dangerous enough to keep the group of oarsmen in line.
"Make sure nobody slips off just yet. I'm going to open the crates!"
Since there is no crane to off load the crates to the pier, Fenna starts with the one in front of her where it sits. She chokes up in the handle of her boarding pike enough to use it as a short tool. Fenna uses the spike at the pike's end like a crowbar to loosen and pull off the lid.
Most of the crew’s eyes widen at mention of the City Guard. You hear several crewman mumble, ”I thought we paid the guard off.”; “Look what they did to Curtis and Good ‘Ol Jeb. They dead now.” “Can’t go back to the Brig, rather be exiled.”; “If we found guilty of slavin’, we be hanged for sure.”
At hearing the crewman discuss dissension, the main crewman spits out, ”They all lyin. Guard isn’t comin’ and if you don’t wake up and shoot these guys the The Consortium will have all our heads.
At mention of the term The Consortium, the crew’s eyes grow even wider; then determination shows on most of their faces. Ropes are cut on two of the three attended crates and those crates fall into the Andoshen. You hear screams decrescendo as the crates disappear from sight. The remaining knife wielder, instead of cutting his rope, completely succumbs to all of his fears and attempts to run through the sails and rigging, but he gets tripped up immediately and gets entangled in the ropes. The other unattended crate also dangles precariously from its rope.
The crewman near Vexas takes point-blank aim at Vexas and fires his crossbow. The Halfling ducks and the bolt barely misses as his hair briefly flutters above his head from the velocity of the passing bolt.
Two Crewman fire their crossbows at Brannart. The seasoned warrior easily deflects the missiles.
Sho takes a bolt right in the chest and it takes her breath away. Luckily the second bolt fired at her missed by several feet.
Nymbleth dances around and avoid two bolts directed his way.
Malakar, you quickly notice that one of the oarsman has a crowbar in a tool belt. He quickly hands it over to you after you demand it.
The oarsman, after making sure the boats are securely tied, offer no resistance and listen to Fenna’s demands.
Fenna, standing in her boat, opens the crate. Looking inside, she finds a girl of maybe 10 years old, staring up in wide eyed fear, ”I want my mommy, she whimpers.”
After seeing Fenna open the crate to reveal a child Malakar feels justified in his jump to action. Even more so when he sees one of the crates be cut loose. He jumps to action again diving into the river toward the nearest crate. He makes some noises underwater razor is trained to understand along with some motions.
[ooc]I want razor my check permitting to try and push the crate back against the current so it doesn't get away. Malakar himself with try to get the crate open and swim its occupants to shore or at least get them to the surface and act as a living life preserver if he can't swim with them.
The moment Merrek sees a crate drop he heads for it, determined to save those stuck inside.
Oh no, no no no no no.
The halfling feels a panic he hasn't felt in a long time when the crate, brimming with life, drops into the drink. A con man he is, but so much weight in life can only be ignored by the truly evil.
He turns back just in time to dodge a crossbow bolt from his current dance partner, in one motion turning sideways and thrusting his rapier in kind.
Unfortunately the crew member was expected exactly this. He takes another step to work his way back to the gang plank. He threatens with his sword in the air the whole time, forcefully turning the crew member around strategically so that his back is facing Brannart.
There's a lot of them. But they are taking heavy losses and should rout soon.
Brannart resumes carving a path through the crew, stepping over the one he dropped before and heading for one who cut a rope.
"Every man who jumps in the water to save those kids gets exile. The rest of you die. Is that what you want?"
He swings his longsword, while staying on his guard.
Yraelzin slowly shakes his head at the slavers' refusal to surrender. So be it. Assuming a dramatic pose, he shouts. "Great Razmir, let me be thy vessel and strike holy terror in the hearts of thine enemies!" A halo of awe-inspiring light surrounds Yraelzin's head.
Startled by the crews resistance Nymbleth hurries his shot and misses. Desperate the tiefling rushes in to close the distance.
Merrek watches as the crates fall into the water. Knowing he only has moments, he swims to the closest one and attempts to keep it high in the water and stop its downriver trajectory.
Merrek takes hold of the crate, but it is much heavier than he expects it to be and temporarily loses control in the current and accidentally braces against the crate prematurely dropping it deeper in the water.
Vexas , after dodging the bolt, shows off some fancy footwork while brandishing his rapier. After a riposte, his blade penetrates the man’s throat, and he falls to the deck with a gurgle.
Brannart moves fast to the crewman who was doing all of the talking. The slaver’s dagger is no match in defending against the veteran’s sword and is cut down in a single swing. After his death, Brannart makes another speech regarding the slavers’ potential redemption.
With their leader down and their attacks quite innocuous, the crewman still standing drop their weapons and listen to Brannart. Nymbleth fires a warning shot and the masked man near the stern mentions Divine Wrath for effect.
"Get in the water. Save. Those. Kids."
Brannart advances on the nearest crewman, slowly but deliberately.
Vexas begins moving towards the sinking crates. I'm... not the best swimmer... he mutters to himself.
With the crew subdued Nymbleth reaches downs and takes a vial from his belt. In one swift motion he removes the stopper and consumes the shimmering contents. His boots an gauntlets begin transform, becoming part of his body, turning into flippers.
He waddles to the side of the ship and jumps into the water to help rescue those in the crates.
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a fish scale)
Effect
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration 1 minute/level
Saving Throw Fortitude negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
Description
You cause webs to grow between the target’s fingers and its feet to transform into flippers, granting a swim speed of 30 feet along with the standard +8 bonus on Swim checks and the ability to take 10 even if distracted or endangered. You can also use the run action while swimming, provided you swim in a straight line. This transformation causes any boots or gloves the target is wearing to meld into its form (although magic items with a continuous effect continue to function). This spell does not grant the target any ability to breathe water.
Yraelzin chants a spell in honor of Razmir and points a finger at the nearest slaver. The slaver looks at the masked man with upraised eyebrows and wide eyes, then looks to Brannart, "Look, I'll do whatever you want, just keep the the crazy, masked Jolly Tar away from me."
Nymbleth, in his new form, along with Vexas and Sho jump into the Andoshen looking to rescue anyone in the crates.
Vexas seems to find his way along the current and reaches a crate while Sho misses the mark and struggles to keep her head above water as she is swept away with the current.
The rest of the crew jump into action, seemingly knowing exactly what needs to be done. Some of the slavers pull new rope from storage and reset the pulleys, while others jump overboard with the other ends.
They quickly reach the crates and make the appropriate knots along he crate to fasten it tight. Within short order the crates are being lifted onto the ship and the remaining dangling crates are being lowered onto the deck.
Brannart sheathes his sword and pries open the crates when they were on the ship. If there are children inside, he helps them out and looks for blankets to give them.
"It's okay. We'll get you back to your families."
He turns to the crewmen. "The masked guy? He's nuts, but I won't let him harm you. Still, you will face the courts for your role in this. Cooperate, tell us what you know of this Consortium and their contacts, and I will argue for exile. It's better than death... and better than slavery."
Sho initially gets the wind knocked out of her from the jump, but she quickly recovers and swims to one of the crates.
Fenna reaches into the crate to pull the girl out.
"We'll find your mom sweetie. Grab hold and we will get you out of here."
She settles the girl on the boat to wait. "I'm going to get everyone out of the other crates and then we'll go. Wait here."
She takes a moment to look up at the group of oarsmen on the dock to make sure they've seen first hand what she was telling them was no joke.
Then Fenna transfers to the next boat to open the next crate.
Once the crates are lifted aboard Nymbleth swims back to the dock and re-boards the ship helping to open the crates. ”Best we tie this lot up,” he says gesturing at the crewmen.
Brannart shrugs. "I really don't see a need to tie them up. They have surrendered. Laid down arms to spare their own lives. Think they're stupid enough to push their luck? After we showed quite clearly that they cannot defeat us? They want to live. That's their incentive to not resist or try to flee.
Still, take their weapons if you want. Or tie them up if that's really what you want to do.
I did alert the Guard on the way here, they should be here soon."
The tiefling shrugs, ”Better safe than sorry I always say but we will do it your way. He steps closer and whispers, ”I’ll remind you that they professed that the guard was in their pay.”
"True. Those guards will see this scene, realize the plan is shot, and have to switch to the role of loyal constables. Claiming it was either a false accusation or all a clever ruse. But the truth will come out."
Brannart turns to Sho and the halfling.
"Thank you for your assistance, Sho. Friend halfling, I do not believe we met. I am Brannart Teskerwill. Do you think you two could find some guards? Or even a few more honest citizens?"
Quite a few of our group are outlandish enough that they might provoke suspicion. I think this job falls to the halfling, the half-elves, or me.
Having let it slip before, Merrek dives after the crate again, pushing it to the surface as quickly as he can.
Once he gets the crate there he also pops his head up above the waves and shouts "A little help here! I can't keep this crate up here on my own."
As Vexas manages to clamber on top of the floating crate he pries open the top to give any children inside a hand in getting out.
You're safe now young ones. The local authorities should be able to return you to your parents.
The halfling is busy, as is Fenna, and Sho is wounded.
Brannart turns to Nymbleth.
"Why don't you stay here and guard the crew with the others. The masked priest seems to scare them, use that if you need to. Or tie them up, I guess. If our numbers are thinned there is more risk in them feeling overconfident.
I'll go find the guards or just some citizens."
Brannart will go to the docks.
If he can find a guard quickly, he informs them, "Slavers on the Silent Asp. I and others stopped them easily and killed their leader." He adds 'easily' should this Guard even think of trying to take the side of the slavers. "We need help taking them into custody."
And if he can't find a guard quickly, or afterwards if he does find one, he heads to any nearby tavern known for generally reputable folk.
"Citizens of Almas! I need men and women of good heart, in Cayden's name. I and others have stopped a slaver ship in the harbor and need help returning the children safely to their families. Brayden Tesk of the Tamuth District is one of the parents. I expect other parents are wandering the streets looking for their kids, and you may know some of them. I need help getting the parents here as soon as possible, and taking the miscreants into custody for a fair trial. We need to know who they were working with. Who is with me?"
Nymbleth watches as the warrior leaves to get help and advises, ”Be quick.”
He retrieves a bit of rope laying on the deck and throws it to one of the slavers, ”You.. yes you ...use this rope to restrain the hands of your cohorts.”
Fenna easily transports herself between the well-tied rowboats, prying off the tops of each crate. Inside the next two crates, she finds teenage girls looking up at her. Each are wearing nice dresses which have been severely stained and soiled. They look up from sitting positions and sob. As Fenna moves to the last crate, she notices movement along the docks. A contingent of Almas City Guards are coming her way.
As Fenna pries open the last crate, a young fiery girl launches herself out of her cell with what looks like a rusty nail in hand. The girl screams and yells as she punches her hand forward.
Fenna easily blocks the attack and gently subdues the victim.
Back on the ship, crates are pried open and children of various ages and genders are rescued from their enslavement.
Brannart questions the crew regarding the Consortium. A few chime in hoping for a lenient sentence once the guard comes, ”We know nothing. They give us a job, we do it, they pay us. Probably have papers on such below in the Captain’s quarters though.”
Brannart, torn on what to do since he needs the guards to arrive, turns to disembark. Luckily the decision is made for him when he sees a contingent moving along the docks and coming his way. He believes he has a few minutes before they arrive.
The man in the iron mask crosses his arms with satisfaction. All's well that ends well. Now, to reap the rewards. He raises his voice towards the children being freed from the crates. "Young persons! One of you must be Egwenene. Identify yourself. Your father is looking for you, and the Living God has seen fit to return you to him."
Papers? They'd put this plan in writing? Brannart is dubious, worried it could be a trap somehow. He remains above deck.
"Here they come. We don't know whether it is true that some guards were paid off, or even if so whether these are the ones, or even if so whether they will still try to execute the plan or try to switch sides now. So I welcome any insights any of you have. I would suggest that we not just shoot them. But be wary."
If the guards are going to reach Fenna first, he moves down to join her. Just in case there is trouble.
Vexas back on the ships deck after dealing with things in the water...
Papers? I'm guessing they are fake manifests, stating that the crates carry some other good.
He nods when Brannart draws attention to the approaching guards, starting to shake the water off more quickly so that he may be reasonably presentable when they arrive.
Well, if I wasn't so useful in the battle, I should be moreso in convincing these guards of the situation. Or else convincing them that they payoff is not worth the trouble we've uncovered...
Sho, as you make your way to the crates, the river around you thrives with activity as the ship's crew shows up with rope. They quickly tie knots and secure the cargo which is then swiftly saved and loaded back on the ship's deck.
A young lad in his early teens looks at Yraelzin and approaches with trepidation. A look-alike squirms farther back with a deeper fear. ”That’s my sister’s name. My name is Perrin. Will the ‘Living god’ help me and me’ brother find my sister so we can go home? He looks back at his brother who is hiding behind his crate, then he looks back to Yraelzin hopefully.
Watching the contingent of guards move down the docks, Brannart notices four separate and move toward Fenna while the rest proceed toward The Silent Asp. It also looks like civilians are following the contingent.
Four guards break away from the main contingent and move toward Fenna and the oarsman. A tall human man leading the group presents himself. He has a clean shaven face and is wearing an officer’s uniform. The longsword at his hip has a gilded hilt while the three men with him carry loaded crossbows, ”I am Sargeant Regan Wells. Explain yourselves now!”
Yraelzin nods at the boy named Perrin. "Fear not, child. My acolytes are setting free others of your ilk at this very moment. Surely your sister is with them, and then we'll return together to find your oafish father. All hail the Living God!" Not bad for one day's work. Just think, I'm already making converts and haven't even left the mainland yet!
Brannart replies loudly to the guards, so the citizens behind them can hear.
"It is good to see you, Sergeant Wells. And good to see you, fair citizens of Andoran!
Slavers! In our shining beacon of freedom! They kidnapped many children, including those of Brayden Tesk of the Tamuth District. I and others found out, tracked them to the Silent Asp here, and we rescued the children.
I had first sent the night guards to wake Bosun Raearg. But the ship was getting ready to sail and there was no time. We had to act, by Cayden, and we did.
Some of the crew threw down their weapons and helped rescue the children from the water. I advocate exile for them. Those who stood against us paid with their lives.
I am Brannart Teskerwill. My brother is Hamish Teskerwill of the Eagle Knights. I ask you to send for him - and for any parents whose children have gone missing in the past day or two."
Perrin looks up at Yraelzin with wide grin, ”Thank you weird masked Living god man. Can’t wait to see me Da. He’s gonna be mad, but sure is better than that box those mean men put me, me brother and sister in.” he nods in affirmation.
Malakar doesn't like authority and doesn't want to engage with the guards unless asked by the others. He will swim off back to the Peregrine and looks for a way to board without going onto the dock and if asked he will explain what happened to the boson and the capitan.
Sargeant Wells turns at Brannart’s approach, ”Brannart Teskerwill”, he declares as a smile forms, ”Your reputation precedes you. Your name comes up often with my generation when we discuss strategy and heroics. This kidnapping was brought to our attention many hours ago, but we were given false information by some of our own. After following false leads all day, we became wise and discovered these traitors and they now sit in cells. Our larger contingent now heads toward the slavers’ ship with the families of the missing children following behind.” he begins to turn back toward Fenna and the oarsman, “And what do we have here?, Some of the missing children I presume? And who are you?”, directing his gaze to Fenna, then looking over at the oarsman.
When Brannart mentions Brayden Tesk, one of the girls still standing in her crate says, ”Brayden Tesk, he’s me Da.”
Malakar swims up to a mooring line, climbs up, and makes it back onto the main deck of Peregrine. A crewman shocked at first, recognizes the Undine, "Out for a moonlight swim? What's all the fuss on the docks?"
Fenna jerks back to avoid the girl's nail. Raising her hands in surrender, she assures the girl of her good intentions.
"I like your style young Miss, but I'm the wrong target. I'm here getting everyone out of theses crates. Then we'll get all of you back home to your parents."
She assists the three girls from the other boats over to the original where the first girl is waiting. When they're settled she asks for names all around.
When Fenna sees the guardsmen approaching she doesn't wait to be prompted. She is mostly convinced the oarsmen truly had nothing to do with the trafficking, but their numbers still make the situation uncomfortable, especially since the blue guy took off.
"Oi! We're down here in the boat! These girls were all kidnapped and were being loaded onto that ship, the Silent Asp! Help me get them up onto the pier!"