Port Peril, a City where anything could be had ...for a price. The Guard turned a blind eye to any nefarious doing as long as the coin was good. Many a person started a career of infamy ...or ended it...in the Pirate City.
It was here that you find yourselves, brought together by fate on the eve of a day in mid spring to a particular dive bar on the wharf of Crescent Harbor's seafarers district; The Formidably Maid. A favorite for down on their luck travelers and the night trade.
The familiar swaying of the lower decks of a ship was the first sense you felt. Your head was pounding and your mouth feels like a herd of Yaks moved through it. The cloth hammock hung between posts felt rough to the touch. You realize youre not in your normal attire. Someone has taken all your gear, and your clothing, putting you in a woolen pair of pants and a linen shirt. Your small clothes were still your own as you took stock opening your eyes to the lantern lit hold. A single stair case went up and a man was moving among several hammocks checking each of you. He was dressed in brown leathers and had a belt with a few knives and other odd tools. a Hat was upon his head and he would look and nod as he moved among the hammocks..
The smell of sweat, the sea, and tar and wood rose to meet your awakening consciousness. Memory started to come....You remembered the night before...and passing out.
The Man smiled as you looked at him and he said Welcome To The Sweet Trade. Welcome to The Wormwood.
"I was even working to sign up aboveboard and all. What's with the Shanghai of the willing?"
Lily stood up shakily at first but managed to get her feet under her. The back of her head was throbbing, she was struck from behind. She was tall, almost six and a half feet. Her curly blond hair got in her eyes, they had even robbed her of her hair tie. Her dark red eyes smoldered rage but she did her best to restrain herself. Lily would almost pass for human if it wasn't for the grey pallor to her skin and the large lower canines protruding from her mouth.
She smelled brimstone, she was where she needed to be for now. But if she found out who had knocked her out, she swore to Asmodeus they would die by her hand. "Lemme guess out ta sea already?"
The strong smell of wet rope, the scent of the sea, the mixed aroma of sweat, blood, and body odor announced to the young Wizard's confused senses that he was not on land.
Abel opens his red-rimmed blue eyes to the blackness of his situation. Viewing the strung up hammocks, recognizing the rocking of the room, and easily noticing that he was not in his scholarly robes, the young Wizard takes in his surroundings.
Abel's blue eyes widen a bit at the menacing presence of this obvious Pirate! He notices that there are others in his current circumstance: a tall 1/2 Orc female (whom looks to be a bit pissed), a 1/2 Elf (who has addressed said pirate), and others still hidden in the darkness. Before the confused, flabbergasted, frightened youth can even poop his pants; the pirate actually grants a boon.
The Wormwood?
Abel wonders if this particular pirate vessel would be interested in any ventures concerning The Ghol Gan Empire....
I would have liked to have gotten that map from Harbly Quarne before joining an expedition!
The gentle rocking of the hammock mocks the insidiousness of the half-elf's new circumstance. With difficulty, Ellie pulls herself into a sitting position and looks around. A crew deck? But this isn't the Kiss... Slowly the man's words register in her brain. The Wormwood? What in nine hells... She realizes with a wash of fear that her clothes are not her own. With practiced fingers she touches herself all over, inspecting for injuries or signs of abuse. Nothing. So it could have been worse, she supposes.
She struggles out of the hammock and onto her feet, running her fingers through her blonde hair to give it some semblance of order. "Thanks, but I already had a crew. I'm going back to port."
The Man moved among you as you started waking, leaning over to look into your eyes, reaching to your wrist to feel your pulse.
he glanced at the half-Elf with obvious Garundi blood and with a smirk he said Take it up with the Cap'n
as he passed the Half-Orc he nodded. Ya got it right
then turning to Ellie he laughed and said Missie the next Port we see will be at Cap'n Harrigan's whim and not yurs.
then he backed up and said you'll find a barrel of water to yur left against the wall o the ship. theres some tin cups hanging on the hooks and a spoon to scoop the water outta the barrel. You'd do well to get yurself a drink. Once the others have woke up, Ill call Master Scourge to take ya upstairs to see the Cap'n. and well if they dont wake up, hahah the fish'll eat well.
Terry will take the chance to get some fresh water in him while the chance presents itself, heading to the barrel and using the scoop to fill one of the cups, before sipping to see if it seems okay before downing the contents of the cup.
Really bad sign when they feel they have to Shanghai you when you're looking to sign aboard. Took all my stuff, too. This is going to be a very bad trip. I hope they provide a way to minimize the loss it looks like I'm taking.
"That won't be me."
Destinie's head jolted upward as if she remembered the danger she was in. Twisting her head back and forth, she realized that she's far too late for that now.
That's what I get for letting my guard down and trusting a pirate.
She slowly turned herself around to get a better view of her surroundings. To the others, she appears as curvy woman of average height. Her most prominent feature is her white hair that extended down to her shoulders.
She had enough of her bearings to pick herself back up on her feet, though she had mind to place a hand on her feet to steady herself.
"I'm guessing we have no say on the matter, huh," she groaned.
By the gods, what was in that drink.
Seadreamer grouses as he rolls to his feet and sways with the deck.
I was looking for a ship, but getting hired this way was not what I was looking for.
Hearing the mention of water, He wobbles over and fills a cup and drains it.
He then takes another cup and drinks it slower, then hangs the cup.
He then looks over at the other inductees and offers a hand for any that might need it to stand.
Brunhild woke up, blurry eyed and with a headache. How much had she drank? She only remembered two drinks. The shipwright groggily sat up, looked around and heard Welcome To The Sweet Trade. Welcome to The Wormwood. Her heart plummeted. This was bad. She wanted to join up with a ship. To be forced like this? Robbed of all her belongings...it meant one of two things. That this was a pirate ship, or a slaver ship. Maybe both. The fact that she wasn't chained led her to believe that it was the latter. She hoped so, at least.
Taking Seadreamer's hand, she got to her feet. She thought about speaking to him in their own tongue, but decided against it. She had nothing to hide, just yet, and didn't want the humans or half-elves to think so. "I would say well met, but it doesn't seem like the right circumstances. I'm Brunhild, daughter of Lief, of Clan Seatamer. May I have your name?"
Agreed, this is not the time for a well met, but I am Seadreamer, of the Stonebeard clan recently from Janderhoff.
He shrugs, and stretches and offers his hand to anyone else looking like they need an assist in getting to their feet.
From what I can see, not a slaver, but a pirate, and getting Shanghaied is not the way I envisioned getting back to sea.
Abel holds his tongue, as the Pirate grabs his arm to check his pulse. His blue eyes never leaving his.
I feel like my head will explode; so, yes, I am alive.
The Pirate retreats to yet another bunk for his wrist checking duties. The young Wizard's blue eyes then follow the voices coming from the others in and around the room.
Looks as if they scored a windfall in volunteers!
At the mention of water, the Rahadoumi swallows a bit of dry spit that he found just hiding. Taking the hand of the friendly dwarf, Abel wobbles a bit over to the barrel. He cautiously takes a tin cup, fills it with the ladle, and drinks it down.
Turning to the friendly dwarf, Abel smiles in appreciation.
Abel of Rahadoum, at your service. I last recall waiting at some Inn for a contact. Unfortunately, I may have imbibed a bit more than I could handle.
The Garundi human stands just under 6'. His jet black hair (cut short) matched his full beard. The borrowed clothing seems to be a bit on the bigger size on his academic-looking frame. He refills his cup, sipping it as his blue eyes continue to follow the Pirate.
I am an explorer. Anyone know if this berth is heading toward any ruins of The Ghol Gan Empire?
His voice sounds a bit wishful....
Brunhild took a sip of water as she considered the other dwarf. Seadreamer. An odd name. She knew that some clans went by their given name and then the clan name. Hers had a given name, and she was Liefdottier until she earned a name for herself. It seemed like Seadreamer had earned his name, but had kept his clan name rather than his given name. She was snapped out of her reverie by Abel's question.
"Nay...never even heard of it. And I'd recommend forgetting about it for now. We're captives on a ship where it doesn't seem like our lives hold much in the way of value. I think it's best to keep our heads low, look out for each other, and get up on deck without incident. This ordeal is going to be painful as it is, can't see any reason to make it worse."
Shaking his head ruefully
She has the right of it. I am thinking the drinks were spiked hard to put me down.
Seadreamer looks to the human pirate, to see what directions he is going to give.
The barrel of water makes Ellie realize how thirsty she is. She grabs a tin cup and drinks deep. The cool water helps to clear her head. Wait, but that means... Are we at sea already?
Listening to the talk around her, it seems she's not the only one spending her first day aboard the-- what did that man call this ship? The Wormwood? "You too, huh?" she asks Destinie. "No, I guess we don't. I just hope all my belongings are on board somewhere."
The last one to awake was the Tian woman who swiveled out of the Hammock and placed her bare feet on the cold wood floor, looked around at the others and scolwed. Not one with much to say ...she stood on unsteady legs and moved to the cask tied to the ships wall and drank down some of the offered water.
The man checking everyone looked at them nodded and said Ill Be right back... and he went upstairs.. They found themselves alone in the belly of a ship for a few minutes.
Spurting water out of his mouth (when he overhears the 1/2 Elf female speak about "belongings"), Abel fugitively begins roving his blue eyes about the dimly lit chamber.
Once the Pirate departs up the stairs, closing the door behind him, the Wizard begins casting Detect Magic.
Anyone seen a Book about here? I really can not stress how much I need it back.
The frantic Rahadoumi begins searching about the floors; especially where he was laying.
I am a Wizard. Newly graduated from The Occularium. It is a college of wizards in the city of Manaket in Rahadoum.
He explains.
I study the Way of Poleiheira. Poleiheira adherents are wizards who wish to emulate the explorations and discoveries of Arustun and partake in great odysseys as they seek to imitate his achievements. These adherents bond to a book in tribute to Arustun and his extensive journals—known as the Poleiheira. This allows them to record their travels as well as any lost magic and lore they encounter.
He looks up hopelessly.
Should I let them know that I am a Wizard? It may; or may not be beneficial.
The youth glances about the others gathered about.
I must admit that this situation has me a bit rattled. This is actually my initial assignment.
He grins innocently.
Brunhild looked at Abel with pity in her eyes. His desperation to find his Spellbook was clear to see and it was painful to behold. ”It might be. But if I were ye I’d prove yourself to them first. Once they trust ye, ask for it back in a way which makes clear how it would benefit them. But for now? I’ll keep me eyes open. But I suspect that it’s locked up, as would be everything else taken from us.”
It was only now that she realized her lack of items. She frantically searched... then realized that she wasn't even wearing her clothes anymore. Nothing was left. She huffed in frustration before looking at Ellie.
"I doubt it. They probably saw some value in our stuff or else they would have let us keep it. That and they didn't want to risk a caster to cause some trouble." She glared at Abel, then growled.
"There's no way I went out to one drink. Someone must have tampered with our drinks."
Aye, someone spiked the drinks. I also only had one while waiting for someone.
He sadly looks around.
Well, Lets just see right now what our fine captors have for us, and then go from there.
As for your spellbook, I strongly suggest that you don't let them know as they may just toss you overboard.
Seadreamer continues to look around.
Terry has another cup of water, slowly. "Nah, they aren't going to do anything but keep us fed, watered, and working until they have cause. Don't rock the rowboat 'n' hope you get to stay dry. I'm Terry. Hope we're all still doing this well in a week."
Seadreamer here, and agreed. Lets not rock the boat until we know where we stand
Just then the sounds of footsteps on the stairs between decks echo and coming down the stairs are several pirates. The First wearing all black and carrying a whip, which he suddenly cracks as he comes onto the crew deck. He has a blood red bandana tied around his head, and his dark eyes look malicious and hard as he eyes all of you. he wears a skull amulet around his neck and a black trenchcoat that reaches down to his knees. He has brown leathers under the trenchcoat. hes got a sword earing ring in his right ear and a normal round one in the other. A thick beard covers his face and as he smiles several gold teeth can be seen. A Hand Axe and a Punching Dagger are in his belt.
behind him The first man that was with you comes in and behind him coming down the stairs are a half orc carrying a scimitar, a saucy red head with a rapier in her belt, A gnome with a mean smile holding a gnome hook hammer over his shoulder dressed in green and a red headed halfling who stubbs her toe and says Damn Fargin wet stair.
The first one smiles evilly at each of you and saysSuns over the yardarm ye filthy swabs. Get onto the deck and report to duty afore Capn Harrigan flays the skin from yur bodies and gives ye to Fishguts to make into sausages for dinner.
Brunhild looked at the group and wondered if they practiced their evil smiles, followed by wondering what the hell was wrong with her for that to come to mind. With a deep breath she pushed the thoughts away and made her way to the upper deck, doing her best to not look scared, but at the same time avoiding eye contact with the piratical trio.
Abel swallows hard the last gulp of water from his tin cup. His blue eyes never leaving the descent of the Pirates into the chamber, he replaces the empty vessel to its proper place.
They have a fire sale on Pirate costumes? I swear Gold-Teeth is right out of the "So; You Want to be a Pirate!" manual.
The young Rahadoumi just nods following Brunhild up those same wet stairs.
Does this man enjoy being cruel? Ellie suspects so. There are many ways of motivating new recruits, but threatening to torture them to death is... not common. That being the case, she keeps her mouth closed as she heads up the stairs, fearful of what might happen if she lets the wrong word or tone slip.
Seadreamer looks quickly at the pirates, then checks his gaze.
He then concentrates on the stairs as he makes his way up to the weather deck.
He looks like he enjoys using that whip a little to much
Earlier- Just then the sounds of footsteps on the stairs between decks echo and coming down the stairs are several pirates. The First wearing all black and carrying a whip, which he suddenly cracks as he comes onto the crew deck. He has a blood red bandana tied around his head, and his dark eyes look malicious and hard as he eyes all of you. he wears a skull amulet around his neck and a black trenchcoat that reaches down to his knees. He has brown leathers under the trenchcoat. hes got a sword earing ring in his right ear and a normal round one in the other. A thick beard covers his face and as he smiles several gold teeth can be seen. A Hand Axe and a Punching Dagger are in his belt.
behind him The first man that was with you comes in and behind him coming down the stairs are a half orc carrying a scimitar, a saucy red head with a rapier in her belt, A gnome with a mean smile holding a gnome hook hammer over his shoulder dressed in green and a red headed halfling who stubbs her toe and says Damn Fargin wet stair.
The first one smiles evilly at each of you and says
Suns over the yardarm ye filthy swabs. Get onto the deck and report to duty afore Capn Harrigan flays the skin from yur bodies and gives ye to Fishguts to make into sausages for dinner.
Now-The group files up the stairs behind the majority of the pirates and comes to the middle deck. The first thing they see is a Man chained to a mast, Hes a big man. His face shows the lackluster appearance of one with a dim mind. Hes got feathers partially sprouting out of a good part of his body. The Halfling to your front says Thats 'Owlbear' Pay him no never mind. Hes Pluggs Boy. Keep your head down and maybe you'll never have to face him.
You round the corner and can see this area is loaded with supplies to include quite a few Pigs in pens Chikens running around. Ahead two new Pirates sit on crates repairing ropes. Ones a femaile Halfling with wild looking hair and the other is a very big man grinning...or is that leering...at the group.
As the others introduce themselves Lily grunts her name between gulps of water. "Like the flower," she says dully. After assessing the indentured servitude she growls, "No articles then."
As the halfling advises to keep her head down she instinctively ducks her head before realizing it was meant the figurative sense. She hurries up the stairs.
Abel's eyes float out over the rail to the blue expanse of the sea at every angle. The Rahadoumi makes his way to the indicated area of the Middle Deck, along with the other new recruits.
The Wizard sighs.
He quickly removes his gaze from the man chained to a mast. Instead the Wizard looks up at the skies to possibly plot their current location.
Abel then returns his attention to the route up the ladders.
He mentally keeps counts of the Pirates present and seen, since his eyes opened....
After some deliberations, she decides tell them her name to them. After a beat, she sighed. "You can take that up to my parents."
The threat from the bearded man earned him a glare from her, but other than that she complies to his order, going through the floor and taking a look at the other pirates (except for the leering man). She puts up a brave face, not wanting to think that she would be a pushover.
Choosing simple compliance for now, Terry moves as instructed. He notes the middle deck has the livestock, and that apparently the crew considers one of their own as part of the animals . . ..
He tries to note any doors or doorways visible as he passes through the deck and up the ladder.
Abel wakes up from his prophetic vision to see only wooden, wet walls and sweaty, mean-faced sailors.
I must have been really day dreaming there! Better stay more alert to my surroundings!
Seadreamer tries to keep a low profile as he shuffles up onto the weather deck.
He glances around to try and see what he can see.
Lthe group didn't get a lot of time to take in the deck with the supplies before a slight crack of the whip got their attention.
upstairs ye swabs. Cap'n is waiting for you it doesn't take long for them to climb up the ladder to the main deck out through the hole in the deck with it's cargo doors open. The one to the rear was open too and they see the two pirates who'd been working on the rope climbing up.
60 feet above the deck is the crow's nest with a woman on lookout wearing red and eating an eye patch. Clinging to the ropes like it was a natural thing to do is a Slave...a Ratfolk.it seemed the whole crew was above decks.
The Captain was an imposing figure he stood by the ships wheel on the poop deck towards the rear of the ship,next to a small bald man who some had seen and had identified himself as the First Mate Mister Plugg, last night. The Captain was of Garundi descent. His skin the color of mangrove roots. He was easily 6'6" and had a patch over one eye.his left hand ended in an axehead and his right gripped the rail. He was heavily muscled but moved with precision.
He looked down at the crew.he glanced at the first mate who said all here except magpie and those in the bilge, Owlbear,Fishguts and Cut-Throat.
The Captain nodded ...turned and spoke in a booming voice that brooked no insolence.
“Glad you could join us at last! Welcome to the Wormwood! My thanks for ‘volunteering’ to join my crew. I’m Barnabas Harrigan. That’s Captain Barnabas Harrigan to you, not that you’ll ever need to address me. I have only one rule—don’t speak to me. I like talk, but I don’t like your talk. Follow that rule and we’ll all get along fine. “Oh, and one more thing. Even with you new recruits, we’re still short-handed, and I aim to keep what crew I have. There’ll be a keelhaulin’ for anyone caught killin’ anyone. Mr. Plugg! If you’d be so kind as to make pirates out of these landlubbers, it’ll save me having to put them in the sweatbox for a year and a day before I make pies out of ’em.”
I guess they are getting worse and worse. Lets see what they have in store for us.
Ellie blinks in the sunlight. He knows we were pressganged. Probably ordered it himself, the bastard. She looks around at the other pirates and wonders how many of them, too, were brought aboard against their will. If there was any way off this ship, they would've done it by now.
Lily stood at attention chin up, shoulders back. She held both her arms tightly to her side with feet together. She kept her eyes on the captain but he was a bit blurry from this distance. She didn't know if she needed the customary aye aye, the order was to remain silent. She didn't say anything but a bead of nervous sweat dripped from her brow.
Abel's blue eyes blink back the brightness of the burning sky. The fiery reflection off the wide expanse of blue water brought thoughts of The Divine Comedy. The Rahadoumi shuffles forward to be placed below the bellowing of the Captain.
As the warm introductions (along with the short speech) was being peppered at them, Abel begins to mentally track the visible crew (excluding the names shouted out by Mister Plugg).
So, let's see how many sailors does it take to man this boat?
The Wizard also studies the position of the Sun in relation to the horizon.
Abel stifles a grin at the Captain's last statement.
At least whomever murders me; will themselves be murdered. That's comforting.
At least the crew wouldn't be able to kill us that easily. Not that it may stop them. She would keep to herself for the most part, eyeing the horizon to confirm that they are too far out at sea to swim out.
At the mention of it, Lily contemplates murdering Abel. Something about him she didn't like. No rules about not doing it if you didn't get caught. In the middle of the night while he was pissin himself, just one smack to the back of the head and then overboard.
Pirates. Brunhild thought. Better than slavers. She kept her face as neutral as possible. She wondered if they were chosen for their skills, or were rather just the easiest marks. She looked around for Narwhal. If he was here then it meant that he was a traitor who deserved naught but her ire. If he wasn't? Then she worried for his safety. She wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to see him...
Standing there, in the sun, letting it warm his neck and shoulders, Terry listened to their fate being toyed with by a man who wanted them to believe he had no heart. Remains to be seen if he's as bad as he plays, but the Shanghai's a pretty supporting act.
He waits for orders, knowing not to relax too much, but also knowing not to stiffen up the way this Lilly had.
Master Scourge cracked his whip and said to the rest of the crew...alright you all. back to work. Enough gawkin and without hesitation the crew went back to their tasks. moving off the main deck as needed.
The first mate came down the stairs from next to the Captain and said Alright ye lubbers lets see what ye can do.
Mister Plugg is a young man with a bald had except for a pony tail of black hair from a top knot. He carries a cutlass and a cat o nine tails.
Get to it. Climb up the rigging to the Crows Nest. Touch Syls hand and come back down. First up, gets a reward.
progress tracker
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"Aye aye!" Lily said with a touch too much enthusiasm.
Lily ambles up the rigging with practiced grace and speed. She easily gets four stories up in the space of a few seconds. She considers enjoying the warm sea breeze for a few moments but decides against such hubris and denies herself a moment of joy.
Usually Brunhild was fairly adept at climbing. As a shipwright it went with the job. But a mixture of strained nerves and a bad hangover from the night before left her struggling from the get-go. The fact that she was used to climbing around docked ships on scaffolding made for dwarves played a part as well, as she struggled to lift her legs high enough to make good speed with the ropes.
Abel really sighs once the First Mate orders the new crew to climb up a pole to a height of 60'!
Crap!
Abel takes a good long look at the construction of the Mast. He studies the angles, any easy foot and handholds, any ropes that could be used (or repositioned) for an easy climb up.
The Wizard then spits on his hands, rubs them together
People do that!
and begins to climb...
Sweat pouring down his face from the exertion of climbing that 5', Abel groans as he continues...
And he fails to continue upwards...
This is why I cast spells!
The Rahadoumi grins at Lily; as he is now at her eye level.
"Aye Aye!" Terry turns, grabs a rope, and starts scrambling like he was born to it, pulling himself up the ropes much faster than expected, but, somehow, slower than Lilly.
Climbing. Not exactly her strong suit.
Nevertheless, she would attempt to make the climb up towards the top.
And her aggressive efforts actually got her fairly high up off the ground. Which is good for getting to the top. It's also bad as one false move could end badly for her.