The druidess backs out of the conversation slowly and returns to where Rosanne waits. "I think he's got this well in hand, don't you?" The elf woman murmurs softly by Rosanne's ear. "We need more crew of course, and to sort ourselves out as officers. But it's a good start." Her eyes then open and almost sparkle. "Maybe you should take over the kitchens? I'll need to set up there to make potions. Or would that seem too forward and obvious?" The elf muses.
Ardym offered his hand to Tobias, “The ears gave me away, didn’t they?,” a smile coloring his words, an obvious joke given his full appearance. “I’d happily board another ship if it meant keeping ours safe. I’m just happy to be leaving Rickety’s, Cap’n. As is Monkey, I’m sure,” Ardym added with the prodding of the simian on his shoulder.
Ardym offered his hand to each of the others in turn, “And glad to not be the only freshwater joining the crew. Good to see you again, Warren.”
When she is done the pirate extended her hand to seal the deal, ”What say ye Captain?”Welcome aboard The Blood Price, Lady Payne", Tobias grins, shaking the pirate's hand confidently.
”Aye, aye, Captain, I’ll grab my gear and meet you aboard!”
"Well, Lady Payne. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but Rickety still need to work on the ship. Best's not to be in the way", Captain Tobias padded the lady pirate's hand. "Let us rest, get to know each other, old crew and new. This is a time of fellowship, because once The Blood price is back in the waters, we'll be busy."
Maurine shrugged, I guess I’m stuck on this rock a little longer. Aloud she agreed, ”But of course.. I have been remiss.” She points to the parrot, ”This here is Silent Rob.”
Captain Tobias smirks as the watches the avian companion. "Let me guess. Silent Rob actually talks your ear off."
”die captain” the parrot squawked.
The pirate raised her eyebrows, Yep, don’t get him started.
"How-dee, Silent Rob", the godling answered.
Warren is glad to be included "Aye Captain, I'll say it looks like we accompany you on some well-deserved shore leave. I can be charming when it comes to haggling and negotiating, and the blessing of Besmara increases my natural charm. Maybe we can increase the ranks of the crew with some of the faithful and increase the Queen's favor at the same time?"
"Funny thing, you mentioning Besmara's Favor, Mr. Redmont", Captain Tobias said with a knowing smile. "You will all be briefed fully after we shove off. While I have your ear, please tell me, Mr. Redmont. I've never known an oracle of Besmara. Can you tell us more about your spiritual connection with The Pirate Queen?"
"But first, Mr. Redmont. Let us shake hands." Captain Tobias says as hew extends his hand.
Warren extends his hands, though they appear to be burned like a piece of paper and very fragile, he smiles and shakes his new captain's hand with enthusiasm.
"I connect through the waves and water with Besmara, where as before I tamed fiery powers within my own nature. She allows me to walk on and manipulate water, and I summon creatures that seem to please her. It appears she loves those who take chances and turn to the sea, so I was able to survive a burning wreck and return to her. Fortune now favors me and I can curse our enemies with bouts of misfortune."
He whispers conspiratorially "Grab a piece of any ship, and Besmara will let me unerringly track it."
Earthsong listens to the newcomers with interest and amusement, noting the parrot and monkey as well as Toby's interest in the servant of Besmara.
"For the record," she tells Rosanne in a quiet undertone, "I'm not Besmaran and have no interest in conversion, so hopefully that's not a problem. I respect the faith but it's not my calling."
Ardym nodded in agreement with Earthsong, “Like most people in these waters, I’ve met a good amount of people who worship her. Most have been good people. A few not so much. I’ll pay my respects as needed but,” he held up his left hand to show to a golden seagull with blue circles on its wings, “I plan on sailing to the Sea of No Shadows when my time comes.”
The movement of his arm appeared to annoy Monkey and she screeched a couple of curses directly into Ardym’s ear. “Godsdamnit! The bird uses words. Why can’t you learn to do the same?”
"Because your monkey IS using words. Just not the ones you're using." The druidess comments with a sly smile. "Though a string of curses isn't the first thing I'd teach an animal to say, I think."
”Shagging right” the parrot enthusiastically agreed.
The druidess looks at the parrot, one eyebrow raised, and then to Lady Paine. She sighs. "And people wonder why I stick with plants for the most part." She jokes.
”Hmm… I can’t argue with that,” Maurine said as she eyed the bird on her shoulder.
Warren suddenly realizes again that others are not as excited about Besmara as he is. He looks surprised and sad "Sorry, I will not try to convert you. But I have found that believing in something is usually better than believing in nothing. I will try to see if I can convert the crew to the Queen, and encourage you add you beliefs to their experience. And, although my faith is strong, I always welcome other viewpoints about the divine."
Warren may have said he was open minded, he may think he is open minded, but you have dealt with fanatics before, and you doubt he can be convinced. He has drank the grog, as the pirates would say.
"Because your monkey IS using words. Just not the ones you're using." The druidess comments with a sly smile. "Though a string of curses isn't the first thing I'd teach an animal to say, I think."
"She isn't even really my monkey. Imagine my surprise when the nearest port was smaller than my thumbnail in the distance and suddenly this thing," he gave the monkey a few good scratches under her chin, "popped out from under some spare canvas in my boat."
Ardym paused to look around the room. "Maybe we should get a table? Maybe entice some others over for a spot aboard the ship?"
The druidess looks at Rosanne, towards a room with a bit of longing, but takes a seat.
"I have no interest in conversion of anyone. Everyone needs to find their own path. I have mine, and it should be enough for me for all the years to come." She tells Warren.
She does smile a little at Ardym's story. "That is how it goes sometimes, for druids, hunters, rangers, and many others. The right animal finds you, when the time is right."
"I have no interest in conversion of anyone. Everyone needs to find their own path. I have mine, and it should be enough for me for all the years to come." She tells Warren.
The bard gave a slight smile and sighed, ”I’ve found many a sailor willing to convert once the seas get rough and the winds start to howl. Unfortunately their conversion only lasts until the sun shines again.”
"Oh no. The winds are howling and the seas are rough. What ever shall I do?" The elf woman says mockingly before laughing a little.
"It is my hope that is an issue you can address someday soon, Ms. Earthsong", Captain Tobias smiled knowingly, raising his mug ina toast to the druid.
"In time. In time. I have other diversions first." The elf woman raises a mug and looks at Maurine, Ardym, and Warren. "But first...to new comrades in arms."
Maurine raised her glass in return and saluted her new comrades, ”Comrades in arms!”
Arrr Comrades, Silent Rob added as he flew from Maurine’s shoulder and landed on her raised mug. His beak quickly dipped into her mug stealing a sip of her grog. Just as quickly the bird jumped from his new perch to the relative safety of the table.
"Is there anything to do around here?" The druidess looks from Maurine to Ardym to Warren. "I need to do a bit of work setting up in the kitchens and hope to watch the squibbing to pick up a thing or two, but this seems to be a rather small outpost."
”There really only be two things to do around here. Drink and die of boredom,” Maurine responded as she took another swig from her mug.
"I guess I'll spend the time gathering what I need and in the kitchens then. I do have some concoctions to put together." The elf woman muses.
”What sort of concoctions? Are you an alchemist or poisoner?” she inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Herbalist. Why does everyone think of alchemy first? I am not going to blow anything up." She looks over at Toby at that. "I don't make poisons either. Just potions. The druidess explains.
”Too bad… I always liked the idea of going out with a bang,” she gave a sly wink and took another drink from her quickly emptying mug.
That admission gets a laugh from the druidess. "Worst I've done is boil over a few things, sorry to say. I told the captain I'd work on supplying us with potions. I can make some with mininmal investment."
”Potions… hmmm… that could come in handy too,” the bard admitted.
”Handy too,” the parrot echoed.
"Only of magics I can duplicate though. Still...a few roots, nuts, berries, and I can make a healing potion easily enough. I have ideas for others over time as well."
"Well, there's one thing we can do", Captain Tobias said before starting a sea shanty about The Blood price and it's crew.
Warren heads to the tavern to recruit after invocations and blessings to Besmara.
”Join the blood price and the Queen of all pirates, Besmara!!”
Rosanne has been quiet, still trying to wrap her mind around the changes in her life. From a shanghaied captive plotting for her life to now being a ships officer was a big jump.
Adjusting to thinking about crewing the ship and making a name for it took some work. She cuddled up to Earthsong and just listened for now.
Maurine began to tap her feet in rhythm to the Captain’s song joining in on the chorus.
Ardym let a smile form as he held his mug up with the others. So far, things were looking like calm waters and it was more than he could've hoped for.
The undine had never been much of a singer and it showed when he attempted to join in on the chorus. Words crashed together. Notes were strangled. Shelyn wept. Ardym cleared his throat and said "I promise, I'm much better in a fight and among the rigging."
Earthsong enjoys Rosanne moving right up beside her with a warm open smile and passes her a drink. Then the druidess picks up the refrain from the captain's song and joins in readily, adding a line here or there about their adventures.
Hearing the tale of the Blood Price in sea shanty form seems to interest at least a few customers.
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The patrons hearing your tales are suitably impressed.
The next day, after having spent some time with the crew, the crazy bird tried to share some of their tales.
Maurine quick jumped in and tried to help the fowl.
Warren holds another recruiting session, bringing the three newest recruits with him. The three recruits are prompted to tell the crowd how excited they are after only one day on the job.
He also shares stories of the Blood Price and recounts those he has heard from his new crew, but he feels he isn't telling it right. Maybe the captain's name wasn't Plugg.
Earthsong on the next day will visit the ship and pay attention to the work done squibbing it while trying to set up in the kitchens to begin potion mixing.