Jacques peers at the items for sale and frowns. "What do you ask for this wand and these scrolls?" he asks, looking in the metal trunk.
Torgal drunkenly weaves through the crowd to stare at the contents of the chests with the other scallywags. "That'sha nishe shtick you got there," he observes loudly, words slurring together. "Can't be the shtick that'sh got Shcourge all plugged up though - it'sh too shkinny for shuch t' shtop up shuch a big arshehole!" Laughing, he passes the quartermaster a pouch of coins and pulls at one of the rolled-up scrolls of parchment. "Thish one feelsh nishe though..."
Rosanne will take the MW Thieves tools. She doesn't need anything else at the moment.
Jacques buys the scroll of magic missile and the scroll of scorching ray, assuming he can afford it. Also the tanglefoot bags. "I hope we do not cross each others' paths again, mon ami," he says to Grok. "Or if we do, it is in better circumstances."
Tobias was too slow in purchasing the masterwork thieve's tools, so the young sailor bought a common set of thieve's tools instead.
With no haggling needed, Grok only asks for 80% of what the items are worth thanks to your friendship to her on this trip. She seems very sad to see you go off with Plugg as captain and is near tears.
Minutes later, all the crew chosen boards the Man's Promise and Plugg explains the situation to all. "You filthy swabs are coming with me back to Port Peril to sell this hunk of junk for Captain Harigan where we will wait to rendesvous with him while he collects the ransoms for our captured VIPs from the Rahadoumi." Everyone is given jobs to get the ship moving away from the Wormwood and it is not long before the Wormwood disappears over the horizon.
As the Man's Promise gets underway Mr. Plugg gathers everyone together for a minute to lay down the rules. "Now I just want everyone to know that just because there's a new captain, it doesn't mean anything is going to change. If fact, that lackadaisical Captain Harrigan won't be here to go soft on anyone. Do your jobs and do them well, I don't give warning or second chances. The whip is for children. If anyone messes up its the Cat." The Cat-o-nine-tails, held by Master Scourge, is a good deal more painful than the whip.
Jacques: 3 Swab the Decks: Automatic success due to previous successes.
Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones.
Tobias: 2 Rat Catcher: Automatic success due to previous successes.
Catching rats and other vermin belowdecks.
Torgal: 1 Man the Bilges: DC 12 Strength check and DC 12 Constitution check to avoid fatigue
Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges.
Rosanne: Turtle Hunting: DC 10 Profession (fisherman) or Survival check provides enough food.
Hunting leatherback sea turtles with harpoons, treble hooks, and nets.
Fipps, the new Master at Arms, keeps a close eye on everyone, regularly checking that you are doing your job. Any slip ups are reported instantly to Mr. Plugg.
Tobias sings throughout the new ship as he creates an new version of 'Tobias the Ratslayer', seeing how the young sailor is on a new ship.
This new ship is less occupied as The Wormwood, occasionally Tobias runs into other members of the crew, going about their duties. The Ratslayer tries to make conversation with Crimson Cogward.
"Hey, Cog! Righteous party, wasn't it?"
"At least these bilges ain't gotten so filthy yet," Torgal observes loudly from below the deck. "Probably smell nicer 'n th' captain's quarters e'en."
Jacques performs his duties sullenly, his eyes often searching for weaknesses in the new officers' discipline.
Tobias does not get caught slacking as he talks to Cogward. "A deserved celebration after that battle. The way they're treating us here, I'm itching for another fight."
Rosanne keeps quiet the first day on the new ship, watching who is doing what and seeing where the lines are being drawn?
Everyone completes their jobs satisfactorily, much to Plugg's disappointment. You think he might invent problems just so he can punish someone.
Rosanne and Fishguts serve the crew with Plugg and Scourge getting the best parts of the caught crabs. They and several others eat in the Captain's Quarters.
As night falls, the sails of the Wormwood disappear over the horizon. Mr. Plugg does not believe in crew entertainment or rum rations, and anyone caught above decks after dusk without leave gets six lashes with the cat.
Crew sleeping arrangements have also been organised by Master Scourge. While Rosanne can take the second bunk in the Cook's Quarters with Ambrose Kroop in the other bunk, Sandara and Rosie have been put in the Officer's Quarters with Master Scourge, Fipps and Conchobar where they can be watched. Mr. Plugg and Owlbear are in the Captain's Quarters. The rest are confined to the Crew Berths with several of Plugg's toadies keeping watch throughout the night.
Tobias laid back in his hammock and stewed, along with the rest of the crew in the berths. The ladies being forced to sleep in the officer's quarters made the young sailor's blood boil.
Right before sleep, Tobias talked aloud to the darkness. "To all of Mr. Scourge and Mr. Fipps's toadies, please deliver a message, will you? If any of the female members of this ship have had their liberties taken from them by force, I will kill Mr. Scourge and Mr. Fipps in turn."
"Good night." And Tobias turned in his hammock and went to sleep.
Rosanne just goes to sleep, she knows it's going to get nasty before we reach Port Peril and wants to be well rested.
With the rum rations gone, Torgal cheerfully offers anyone who wants some ale - or some wine, though the dwarf does not hold back his judgement of those who prefer a “fancy piss”.
Jacques catches Maheem by surprise and attempts to menace him during the evening. "Better not stray too far from your little friends," he says. "They won't be able to protect you when what's coming hits, but if you forsake their company and stay out of our way, you may yet survive."
Jacques discussion does not go well with Maheem, the man responding in kind, "It's you who'll need to hide behind their friends."
"Worry about your own liberties rat. Hahahah." Comes a hidden reply in the dark as Tobias goes to sleep.
The sound of Master Scourge's whip cracks just inches above your heads to wake you the next morning. The crew scramble up on deck as he barks orders. Again they give you the jobs no one else wants. Only Fishguts believes in mixing it up and not doing the same thing every day. He seems to be drunk a little less than usual since he has met Rosanne.
Jacques: Swab the Decks: Automatic success due to previous successes.
Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones.
Tobias: Rat Catcher: Automatic success due to previous successes.
Catching rats and other vermin belowdecks.
Torgal: Man the Bilges: DC 12 Strength check and DC 12 Constitution check to avoid fatigue
Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges.
Cooking: DC 10 Profession (cook) or Intelligence check.
Assisting Ambrose Kroop in preparing the day’s meal.
Fipps, the new Master at Arms, keeps a close eye on everyone, regularly checking that you are doing your job. Any slip ups are reported instantly to Mr. Plugg.
Those that you are friends with seem concerned and tell you as much as they wonder what should be done if things turn violent.
To their friends, Jacques snorts. "Do not be worrying yourselves. Stay close to us, and we will prevail if it should come to fighting. Our enemies' days are numbered."
Rosanne spends so much time pondering how she could add ground glass or a fatal poison to the officers meals she almost lets it burn and just manages to save the dinner.
"Best go light on the booze Fishguts." She whispers during a quiet moment. "I don't think this voyage is going to end without bloodshed."
“Oh, it’s sloppy work,
mucky work,
disgusting as can be.
I’m so glad
it ain’t my job
t’ lick th’ captain’s ass!”
Torgal’s song seems to cheer the dwarf immensely as he works in the bowels of the ship.
Swab - Rat Catcher
Tobias tries some new areas of the ship to find his prey, admiring the build of the ship. The Captain should get good money from the right buyer.
Tobias finds Tilly Brakcet as he's doing his rounds.
"Tilly, are the ladies alright? I heard where they're forcing you to sleep." The young sailor tries to sell his concern to the tough-minded pirate.
.
Tilly seems a little worried for her own safety and privacy. "I dunno what's happening in there but I hope they don't decide I should be watched that closely. I don't want any trouble but that Scourge is a pig who won't take no for an answer."
"Aha! I knew someone would try something. Why you're going to get it now. You can expect 6 lashes with the cat later." He hurries off to tell Captain Plugg before you can say anything.
Syl also seems to have worsened her attitude towards you. Perhaps someone's been getting to her too.
As the sun goes down the shift ends. Master scourge has been eyeing Tobias every time he was in view and now calls out that there will be a bloody hour tonight. "You were warned about slacking. Hold him boys." Several of the hostile pirates surround Tobias and drag him to the main mast where Captain Plugg waits with his Cat-o-nine-tails ready.
Tobias falls unconscious from the lashes and they let him collapse to the deck. "There will be no warning or second chances here. Next person to mess up will get 12 lashes." Captain Plugg says.
Sandara rushes up to Tobias when the lashing stops. "How dare they do this to you." She says angrily. She asks the rest of you help to take him below deck and to the cook's cabin. She requests Ambrose let Tobias lay on his bunk for a minute.
"Yes go. Be careful. i'll try to keep everyone busy with food for a bit."
In the Cook's cabin, Sandara tells you to lay Tobias down on Ambrose' bed.
She grabs both of his shoulders, calling on Besmara to heal him.
Tobias groaned when we was brought back to consciousness. Looking up into Sandara's tearful face, Tobias sighed. "Aw damn! I died and went to Heaven. I'm staring up into the face of an angel.."
Sandara smirks. "He's seeing things. Perhaps Besmara's magic is malfunctioning."
She goes right back to being worried. "This is not going to end well. And I prefer to live. And I hate having them watching over me as I sleep."
After some time Ambrose Kroop comes back to the room too. "Everyone's full. likely going to make us go to bed soon. Ridiculous. I don't know if any of you noticed but we changed course as soon as we were out of sight of the Wormwood. Instead of going north to Port Peril, we are heading north-east. And I think I know why. I believe Plugg will claim this ship as his own. There is a seedy, isolated dry dock on the Slithering Coast west of Bloodcove called Rickety’s Squibs. For a price, old Rickety Hake completely refits ships into “squibs,” providing new identities by changing ships’ lines, silhouettes, and general appearance to be unrecognizable to their former owners or anyone else familiar with them." Kroop doesn't say how he knows of this place but if Plugg (or yourselves) used it to refit the Man's Promise, it would be much harder for Harrigan to track down.
Rosanne is taking note of who sleeps where in the hold. Especially Plugg & Scourges lackeys. She lays down in her hammock but isn't sleeping yet.
Jacques finds Syl during the night while they are eating and bares his teeth at her. "I don't know what they said to you, but I promise you it can't be worse than what will happen if you work against me and my friends. I have very... unpleasant... plans for those who oppose me."
"Well, I'm for rescuing the ship before it makes for the Slithering Coast, and you know, killing Scourge and Fipps," Tobias whispered to the others.
"How many can be counted on?" Kroop asks.
"The ship could do with a new captain. But who would they follow easiest?" Sandara shares.
"The ship could do with a new captain. But who would they follow easiest?" Sandara shares.
"It would be a tough fight, but we have the ship's cleric on our side. I will bear the heavy mantle of temporary captain. I have a record of fair treatment, and an Ace of my sleeve." Tobias continued to whisper.
Torgal just nods, his songs having fled from his mouth at the blatant cruelty on display and now only bitter vapors remain.
Tobias looks around to his friends and allies. "Me'hearties. Tomorrow, our Fates come as one. For good or ill. But with Besmara's blessing, I hoping for good. And I'm proud to stand with such fine company. Yo ho, Me'hearties. Yo ho." The young sailor whispered.
"Yes, a little more time is wise. Tell your allies carefully in passing tomorrow so everyone will be ready. Try to avoid the attentions of our enemies as much as possible." Sandara advises. Kroop also nods, saying that he is ready to aid you.
The sound of Master Scourge's whip cracks just inches above your heads to wake you again. The crew scramble up on deck as he barks orders. No surprises that you are given the same jobs as before that no one else wants.
Jacques: Swab the Decks: Automatic success due to previous successes.
Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones.
Tobias: Rat Catcher: Automatic success due to previous successes.
Catching rats and other vermin belowdecks.
Torgal: Man the Bilges: DC 12 Strength check and DC 12 Constitution check to avoid fatigue
Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges.
Rosanne: Cooking: DC 10 Profession (cook) or Intelligence check.
Assisting Ambrose Kroop in preparing the day’s meal.
Fipps keeps a close eye on everyone again, regularly checking that you are doing your job. Any slip ups are reported instantly to Mr. Plugg.
As the day moves on, there are dark clouds on the horizon headed towards you. Captain Plugg is worried about another storm and pushes everyone to work harder than ever.
Swab - Ratcatcher
Rather than give into the oppressive aura around The Man's Promise, Tobias belts out songs of a bard would sing to inspire courage, great ship songs, occasionally mixing in Celestial, not giving one single fork for anyone who doesn't like his singing.
As the young sailor slays rats around the ship, Tobias comes around to where Cog is currently working to change his tune to songs about rising up today against oppression, shooting meaningful glances at his fellow pirate as he sings.
Rosanne is steady at her work. She chats quietly with Ambrose about his experiences as a cook and aboard ship. Learning all she can.
Torgal puts minimal effort into his work - maybe in an effort to draw the "captain's" ire rather than one of his less sturdy companions? Whatever the case, he makes sure to take plenty of breaks so as not to be too tired for the evening's "festivities".
You all keep your heads down, completing your jobs without trouble except for the usual verbal abuse when Master Scourge decided you deserved it. The clouds grow into a storm that it seems the Man's Promise must surely weather. So far only the wind has picked up.
Your messages to your allies were successful and they wait for your word. As the day ends the Man's Promise anchors and hopes the storm will change course and pass them by.
Fishguts would bring out dinner.
The officer's would eat separately.
After little more than an hour to eat curfew would be called and everyone must go to bed.
Tobias has been feeling the storm all day, riling him up. After dinner, the young sailor gets on deck in front of everyone and attempts to balance his rapier handle on his forehead.
While he playfully occupies himself, Tobias begins to tell his tale.
"You know, Wraithborn, isn't even my real name. I understand you mortals take last names because a lot of you don't live in tiny villages where everyone knows you, so there would be no need for a last name otherwise. I chose Wraithborn, because I was born onThe Sea Wraith. A famous ship to be sure. Perhaps THE most famous."
"Yeah. As me mum told me, I was born during a particularly bad bout of Chaos in The Maelstrom. She really would have preferred to man the wheel, but her First Mate did a fairly good job. You see, I'm not from around these parts. I'm not even from Golarion. Am I saying that correctly? Golarion? I'm what you would call someone of the aasimar variety. I got a bit of the higher planes in me blood. And SO much more. But I'm getting off topic. My apologies.
My mother doesn't have a last name either, but she has many titles. The Black Lady. Sailor's Doom. The Sea Banshee. Oh! She HATES that one. Don't call her that in her presence unless you want a swift kick off her ship!"
"Now if any of you have be paying your intentions to my story, you've likely gleamed who me mudder is. Besmara. The Pirate Queen herself. So. I guess by definition. That would make me Tobias. The Pirate Prince."
With that, the godling snatches his rapier from his brow, and makes a theatrical bow. "Ah thank you."
Several of the pirates snicker and other's laugh in disbelief. "Your a goddess' son? Haha and I'm her bloody first mate!" Fipps says and brings more laughs from others. "Go back to your mama's chest boy! You ain't got nothing special just because you're some aasimar. Whatever that is haha."
Tobias smiled. He knew most of them wouldn't believe him. It is an amazing story, true though it may be.
"Laugh it up, boyos. For the Last Laugh comes quicker than expected." The aasmiar winked.