The water finally stops coalescing at Beryl's hand, forming a light blade pirate-looking weapon of water that he uses to try to hit the rats with as he moves towards them.
Melli glares at the single rat she managed to skewer, then shakes it off her rapier. Instead, she tries to poke threateningly at the swarm, trying to herd them toward McClaren's much more effective tankard.
Or not. The swarm doesn't seem to react much to weapons - or she's just doing it wrong.
Ellie tries to skewer another rat, but she appears to have managed to stick her blade right between two of the tiny creatures instead of through one.
Despite her flashy display, Tempest's electric attack has no appreciable effect on the swarm. Veronica, MacLaren, Beryl, and Ellie, though, manage to clear out enough of the swarm that it starts to disperse. From below the hatch to the bilges, sqeaking and scratching can be heard, though no new rats emerge from the hatch.
"There's more down there - we'd better make sure we take them out as well, to ensure everyone's safety. I definitely don't want another swarm of rats to come up as we're sleeping."
"And Mac, here. Take this mace. That was some decent fighting from someone using a mug and a makeshift club!" Veronica hands MacLaren the heavy mace she's carrying with a grin. "But this will probably serve you better."
She then steps up to the hatch and easily lifts it open.
The bilges are blisteringly hot, and oppressively humid. As Vernoica descends, and her eyes adjust, she can see another writhing mass of rats near the bow of the ship, but perhaps more concerningly, a lone rat the size of a small dog is in the stern. It looks up at her as she hits the ground...
After Vernoica opens the hatch, Tempest wastes no time jumping down into the hole, ignoring the ladder entirely. Maneuvering herself into position, she blasts the swarm, leaving the big one for the others.
The rat swarm seems unaffected by Tempest's spell.
"Thanks," says MacLaren to Veronica.
As Veronica and then Tempest rush to the attack, the cleric of Cayden Cailean decides he should do the same. He moves down to the bilges and bashes the big rat with his new mace.
Beryl moves down to the bilges, and then shoots a blast of water against the swarm. He moves his arm all the way back, feeling at home in the bilges - a place usually filled with some good water. The aquakineticist smiles as the ball of water forms, and as it lets his finger he wonders if it would suffice against so many rodents.
Melli drops through the hole and looks around. Seeing something that might actually be worth stabbing, she drops into a fully-committed, textbook lunge at the gigantic rat.
---=== The Bilges ===---
The large rat deftly dodges MacLaren's strike, but leaves itself off-balance enough that Melli is able to land a brutal, and fatal, attack. Meanwhile, Beryl's water blast streaks through the swarm, knocking a few of them off kilter, though the remainder stand strong. Locking on to the nearest warm-blooded creature, the horde swarms over Tempest and Veronica, biting and scratching and crawling and writhing...
"Nice going, Melli!"
The cleric steps up to the rat swarm and attempts to help Tempest and Veronica.
His brass tankard smashes through a number of rats, crushing them.
Yechh... I'm going to have to clean that off.
Swearing out loud at the pain of the bites, Tempest dives out of the swarm and swats away any rats still on her. She grits her teeth and moves to a better position, unleashing another blast through the swarm, around Veronica.
Beryl moves out of the way when he sees Tempest positioning for a new instance of her color sprays. As he stops, he turns around, water accumulating in his hands, and shoots a new blast of kinetic energy.
"Nicely done Melli! Now we just need to take care of the smal..." Veronica gets cut off as she's overrun by the writhing mass of rats.
She does her best to move away from the nauseating bites and scratches, but the attacks have left her a bit unsteady and unable to fight back.
Not wanting the others to shoulder all the danger themselves, Ellie drops down into the bilges as well and strikes at the swarm.
Unfortunately she's not able to hit even a single rat.
Meliandri turns to see the rat swarm starting to bite - no, eat Veronica and Tempest, and starts stabbing wildly into it.
---=== The Bilges ===---
Brother MacLaren and Beryl manage to crush a good number of rats with their respective attacks, but Tempest and Ellie fail to follow their example. Veronica finds herself unable to act, in lieu of preventing herself from vomiting. Luckily, Melli is able to swoop in and save the day, skewering enough to cause the horde to break up and scatter.
The group finds themselves alone in the uncomfortably hot, humid bilges. With all the activity, any more time spent may well lead to heat stroke. And Plugg is expecting them to report back at some point...
Seeing that Veronica and Tempest are injured, Brother MacLaren will pull out his holy symbol and channel the power of Cayden Cailean.
"Courage and luck."
Tempest breathes a sigh of relief as the rats scatter, and again as the healing energy washes over her. Though, she does notice that some of the bite marks still seem puffy. She raises a leg to show Brother MacLaren, "Thank you for that. But, uh, does this look infected to you?"
"Even if it's not, it will be on this ship." Melli kicks at the giant rat. "Do we know someone who could look at it? I bet you get keelhauled for being too sick to work around here, and I've seen enough of that."
"Ugh, I hope not. But anyways, it's disgusting down here. Not to mention, hot as hell. Maybe we should head back up to the berth, and someone can take a look at my leg?"
"It might be, Tempest. Takes a while for disease to show itself, usually. I'm not very skilled in the healing arts, but maybe Sandara can help.
Or you might be lucky and it will clear up on its own."
He heads up to the crew berths, cleaning off his tankard with repeated castings of Create Water.
"Hold up a minute. I have something to say to this dwarf here and I hope you all can help him see reason - or help me see reason if I am out of line. Which might be the case.
Beryl stole a cookbook out of the galley. At least, that's my guess from him not wanting Kroop to see the book. Having this book would make my job easier, but it doesn't help Beryl at all.
Even so, he's decided against letting me use it.
I offered to keep his name out of how I got it. That isn't good enough for him.
I offered to make him good on the value of the book if he doesn't get it back. That isn't good enough for him.
He claims he has the right to steal tools from my place of work - which is not stealing from me but pretty damn close - and then dictate unreasonable terms for their return.
He wants me to keep the book secret from Kroop, which would be nearly impossible working side-by-side all day, and would entail me continually lying to Kroop. And if it's a book Kroop has used before, he could recognize the recipes.
Beryl, I had a lousy day in the galley and will be facing punishment tomorrow. I want every advantage I can get to not screw up again - and that book is one such tool. I suggest you reconsider, because right now you are making it harder for me to do my job.
If you let me use the book, I will as I said tell Kroop that the book just turned up, and I will make you good on the value of it in the event you don't get it back."
Beryl helps clean up the wounds and clothes with his clear water kinesis, trying to get rid of the filth the best possible. He interrupts it when MacLaren starts speaking.
Whow, whow, hold on, mate... - he says, eyes wide open, looking around - ... No one stole anything, huh? All these things we're carrying here, between of us, we simply found 'em and put tah' use. That's all!
He washes out a wooden box, then sits on it.
Sit down, kid. And calm down. - starts the Dwarf, almost didactically - First thing, though... 'Ye never kiss and tell. Look around 'ye.
He opens his arms.
'Tis not a leisure ship, nor a church. You look like a good chap. Good heart. 'Aye know this isn't what 'ya planned for life. Not what many of us planned. But now... 'Tis our reality. A pirate life. And 'ya know what? - he gently points at MacLaren's holy symbol - I'm fairly sure tha' Lucky Drunk would be okay with a little white lie. Pirates do a lot worse, here's tah' hope we don't. I'm also sure he and me' girl could share some mugs and good laughs!
The Dwarf taps his own holy symbol of Besmara, before continuing.
Did 'ya notice you were dragged here with me and tha' girls? Yeah, I know 'ya wanna trust Kroop. Maybe he's trustable, who's tah' know? But right now, he's an officer in this vessel. Even if his heart'was on the right place, who's tah' say he wouldn't drink his eyes off and let his tongue do tha' work to the wrong people? I'm sure that boyo upstairs with the whip is dying fah' a piece of me' hide. - brief pause - You're here with us because we're yarr' your true friends. Yarr' new family.
He now stands up, gesturing at the others around.
Our life changed. We didn't plan tah' be here, but looking at them... T'seems they were made for this life. Those rats didn't have a chance! The bullies who tried tah' rough us? I didn't even have the time ta' speak a word before they hit tha' ground. I know I'm just a walking glass o'water with an awesome beard, but these women are clearly the real deal. - he finally smiles - Swallow yer' pride, me' boy. Book's not far' sale, tis' yours if 'ya keep your mouth shut. I just gave 'ya one condition, and I swear t'won't hurt. Follow me. Follow us! If we all stick together, we may make out o'here... Or may even find better currents tah' sway our planks.
—-=== The Bilges ===—-
A cursory glance at Tempest’s bite isn’t enough to tell Ellie if the bite is bad, so since it wasn’t presented to her for inspection she says nothing. Instead she looks around the bilges to ensure they are, in fact, quite alone now.
—-=== Crew Berths ===—-
”Hmm. Beryl’s right, ship’s cook isn’t to be trusted. Nine hells, half the time I see him he can barely stand.” She turns to the dwarf. ”That said, if we’re to get off this ship we need every advantage we can. Better food puts the crew in better spirits, and if they know it was us that gave it to them… when I get my gold back I’ll buy the damned thing off you if it’s gold you’re wanting. How much?”
Brother MacLaren was quite calm as he said his piece, and he remains calm now. But he pointedly does not sit down when Beryl tells him to.
"Beryl, I do not accept your condition. It would be nearly impossible to keep the book's existence secret from Kroop, working side-by-side with him all day every day. That is far, far more than a little white lie. That is a constant deception and beyond both my wishes and my abilities. I will not make you a promise that I cannot keep. It is not within your rights to impose conditions on giving back what you took from my station.
I've given you my offer. As I already said, I will not tell Kroop that I got the book from you - I will tell him the book just turned up - and so I really don't see how that could possibly implicate you. The place is kind of a mess, all sorts of things could turn up - I'm working on it. That is a little white lie that I am fine with. And I will make you good on the value of it afterwards if you don't get it back. If that's not good enough for you, then I suppose you do not count me among your 'true friends'. I am sorry for that."
He nods to Ellie.
"I'd buy the book off of Beryl if I could. I would like to avoid getting flogged for doing a poor job. And so I told him I'd make him good on the value of it, since I don't have the coin right now."
Beryl shakes his head towards Ellie, responding with haste.
Like I said, book's not for sale. I'm not trying tah' make a profit... Just trying to keep our hides safe. I don't trust the cook like MacLaren. Maybe the drunk chicken man will prove us wrong, but 'til then? I ain't risking. - he says, bluntly honest - 'Bout yarr' possessions, as well as anyone else's... Grok had been buttered already. She is not tae' be trusted either, but if 'ya talk to her, she will likely return tha' rest of yarr' belongings! As you know, she already gave me sum' of it that I returned to you all.
He then turns to MacLaren.
Well, t'seems 'ya may need some more time to come together with me' terms. It doesn't matter if 'ya tell him I was involved or not... As I said, look around. They see us all as a group. They know we talk. If 'ya say something and old Kroop either betrays 'yar trust or simply speaks too much when drunk, we're done. And I value too much me' hide and the girls' hide tae' risk it because 'ya can't keep it from him. Plus, honestly, he's probably only half of the time there, and on the other half he's poorly moving around with his head full of rum.
At this point, the Dwarf isn't smiling anymore, neither in the mood of negotiating anything. He simply won't risk it. If needed, he may just get rid of the book offboard just to avoid the risk. He leaves the room back up deck.
"Then why not just leave it back in the galley for Kroop or me to find? If you don't want the book for coin, and you don't want any of us implicated, just leave it there tonight amidst the clutter. He'll never know it was taken.
I'll know to look for it when I am back, and Kroop will see me uncover it.
It would save us all a lot of trouble, and I'd get to do my job better and avoid floggings, and there would be no conceivable way of linking it back to you."
"Just give him the damn book, Beryl." Tempest says forcefully. "I understand being paranoid, but this is taking it a bit too far. MacLaren already said he won't say anything. If the galley is as much a mess as he says, then there's no reason to believe he didn't just find it. And there's literally no reason for anyone to believe it was removed and returned, because it's a damned cookbook in a kitchen. It's where it belongs. You would run more of a risk being found with it outside of the galley."
She steps forward and leans down, just a bit, to be at eye level with her friend, "I know you have our best interests at heart, but you are being unreasonable."
She turns to MacLaren, next, "And while I may not be the best one to chastise for lack of subtlety, bringing this up in an open space, where there may be wandering ears, in front of the entire group, rather than handling it privately, is rather tactless."
Oh, I will, I will, Tempest. Eventually. I trust me' boy here will be able to swallow his pride at some point! And don't worry, I won't be caught with it. - says the Dwarf, shaking his head in agreement. He holds up for moments, waiting to see if anyone else has anything to say.
Tempest's face darkens, "Swallow your own, first. You have made an unreasonable, outrageous demand, and have flatly refused the attempt to come to a middle ground. Maclaren offer is reasonable. Your demand is not. Tell me, who is being the more prideful."
I disagree, Tempest. I didn't ask fah' much, and had been freely offering my help to anyone. At tis' point, however, all I heard was offenses and accusations, and then a half-baked attempt of middle ground. - he speaks, not much in the mood for negotiations, and his tone is far from his usual cheery - There's nothing outrageous about simply asking for things tah' be kept quiet, and yet the priest can't even be bothered to try.
Ellie furls her eyebrows in confusion. ”What ‘term’ isn’t met? You don’t want him to rat on you personally, he says he won’t. You want him to follow us, he just risked his neck in the bilges with us. Even used healing magic on those two afterward. Done and done.”
"The term, Ellie, is that I don't let Kroop know I even have the book.
I don't think I can do that. Maintaining that deception is not within my abilities or desires.
So let's just let it go. I'll do the best I can without the book."
You all have good points. I'll think about it, mates. - says Beryl, scratching his beard, and clearly unconvinced about MacLaren.
---=== Crew Berths ===---
As the conversation winds to a close, the group is able to return to their daily tasks. While Brother MacLaren likely needs to return to the galley as swiftly as possible to make the day's meal with whatever he has available, the others need to make their way abovedecks where Plugg is waiting.
He fixes the lot with his usual look of disdain as they approach, "Well? Is it resolved?"
No question of what was down there, or what you had to do. Just a question of if the issue is resolved.
Having thoroughly failed as a fisherman, Brother MacLaren is nonetheless able to scrape together a reasonably satisfying meal from various root vegetables and dried beef.
Veronica gives a curt nod at Plugg's dismissive question, and his look and tone makes her recall the poor boy who reported on the situation.
The guy got pretty much the same treatment, I think he deserves some thanks as well. It's a good thing we took care of the rats when we did.
---=== Day Action: Influence: Jack Scrimshaw ===---
Veronica looks for Jack, and hands him a cup of transmuted mead with a smile.
"Here, as thanks for your warning this morning. Plugg might not care about the safety of the crew, but I do. You wouldn't believe the amount of rats we had to hack through today, and if you hadn't noticed them when you did, they'd probably be coming for us at night, and it wouldn't be pretty. You did as all a favor, and deserve some thanks!"
"It was rats. Lots of them." Tempest answers contemptuously, "And yeah, they're dealt with."
She doesn't wait for a response before heading back to her assigned duty. Her annoyance is palpable, getting the better of her as she tries to work. Between the extra duty, her own failures to affect the second swarm, the painful swelling from her rat bites even after healing, and then getting dragged into Beryl and MacLaren's fight, she finds herself unable to calm the raging storm within, threatening to tear her apart.
Stepping away from her rope work for a moment, she nudges Giffer, perhaps a bit more forcefully than she had intended, "I need to work out some aggression. Help me put the screws to Tilly, would you?"
She moves over to where Tilly Brackett is working, and begins making a show of force. She avoids outright threats or bullying, but plays on Tilly's rough-and-tumble attitude to puff herself up and boast about her own exploits, particularly with the most recent battle (though avoiding any mention of the rats resisting her spells).
After seeing two of her companions take nasty bites in what she thought was an empty part of the ship, Ellie decides she needs to be better protected. She visits the quartermaster’s shop. ” I’m one of the, ah, new recruits, and I hear we can ‘borrow’ some of our things. I had a very well-made armored shirt lined with wood, and if I’m likely to face anything else that’s liable to try to eat me I’d like to have it.”
---=== Day Action ===---
Beryl seeks Ratline Rattsberger. The halfling does have a face resembling that of a rat; yet, the Dwarf smiles, recognizing he was also far from being good looking.
Ahoy, mate! - he greets, before approaching - 'couldn't help but notice 'ya going around. Mate, 'tis has been a long, long day already.
The Dwarf stops, for a moment, then following.
What about yours? What's your story? Heh! Talking about stories, I remember one involving a very smart halfling, just like 'ye! So, lemme see, there was also a ring...
Beryl tells the story to the best of his skills; the talespinner wasn't attractive or charismatic, but by the gods his wits helped him greatly.
Melli tags along with Ellie, also eager to re-acquire her armor. "I'd also be interested in some armor. I had a set my size that you probably have now, unless Rosie's gotten a hold of it already." She winks winningly. "I'm not sure where my coin has gone, but I had some of that as well when we 'joined up', so I may have already paid up."
---=== Veronica ===---
Jack still seems a little shaken, but is thankful for Veronica's kind words, as well as the gift of mead. He turns out to be a friendly sort, overall, and enjoys chatting.
---=== Tempest ===---
Giffer seems uncomfortable with the request, but goes along with it, especially once it becomes clear Tempest means Tilly no harm. Tilly, for her part, seems to enjoy trading stories with Tempest and Giffer, and warms up quite considerably.
---=== Ellie and Melli ===---
Grok frowns at the request, but nods, "I'll tell you two the same as I told the dwarf: Everything that comes aboard belongs to the Captain. I can't go handin' it out, else I'll end up gettin' keelhauled. However, I can provide a loan. If you get ordered to return it, though, it better be back here before the next bell. You understand?"
---=== Beryl ===---
Rattsberger seems to enjoy Beryl's story, though doesn't have much to tell about himself. Seems he grew up swapping from ship to ship to ship before ending up on the Wormwood, and hasn't had a chance to swap off again, yet.
---=== Bloody Hour ===---
For failing to catch enough fish to replenish the stores, Brother MacLaren is sentenced to three lashes.
Jack Scrimshaw is likewise sentenced to three lashes, for failing to handle his rat-catching duty by himself.
Finally, Conchobar Shortstone is called up and sentenced to three lashes for apparently spendig the day trying to chat up Rosie Cusswell instead of doing his job.
---=== Dinner and Nighttime Actions ===---
Brother MacLaren is expected to bring up the meal and serve it, himself, despite having just been whipped. Cog steps in, however, and helps him at least bring the meal on deck, and Sandara speaks, quickly and quietly, when receiving her portion, "Let me know if your back needs some healing, in case you're already spent."
---=== Nighttime Action: Influence: Conchobar Shortstone ===---
"Did that guy really ditch his work today just to hit on Rosie?" Veronica asks Samms, pointing to Conchobar. "You did tell me the guy was a bit of a womaniser, but leaving his work undone for fun is a line he shouldn't cross. I'm gonna have a little talk with him, can you come along as well?"
"Look Conchobar, if the work was just too hard today, call on us for help - we're always happy to help a fellow rigger." Veronica narrows her eyes at him "But if you're ditching your ship duty to hit on the crew, you're placing the ship, and everyone here, at risk. I catch you doing it, and I'll be the one looking to have a chat with you - one you won't look forward to."
Brother MacLaren does not protest his fate as he is led up to the mast. In fact, he theatrically embraces it.
"It's true! It's true! I SUCK at fishing! I am TERRIBLE at it! I deserve this! I deserve this lashing! Woe is me! Woe is me!"
The first lash lands squarely on his lower back and the pain is tremendous. The cleric makes a big show of screaming. It really does hurt, but he has expected this and thinks that mocking Scourge might endear him to some of the crew.
"More! I deserve more!"
The second lash doesn't land very hard.
"Harder!"
The third one is hard enough to leave the priest almost too short of breath to scream.
"That's more like it!"
Scourge is fairly low down in the hierarchy and MacLaren hopes that even the Captain or Plugg might enjoy a chuckle at Scourge's expense. But it is a risky choice, and if his attitude earns him another hit from the whip, then he will be unconscious for a while until Sandara revives him. If Scourge has to stick to the rules and three lashes are three lashes, then MacLaren will stagger away with a salute to Scourge. "Good work, sir!"
Either way, he'll make his way back to the galley to start bringing up food. "Thank you, Cog," he says to the man who offers to help.
"Thank you for the offer Sandara, but Cayden hasn't given up on me yet."
He will heal his wounds out of sight.
Once he is feeling better, Brother MacLaren will go down to visit Owlbear again (with Melli if she is willing). He's still got welts on his back and will use those to make conversation.
"Hey big guy. Look, I got to see Scourge today. Whack whack. See?"
He shows the welts.
"I make everyone laugh at him. Good time. You want some ale?"
---=== Nighttime ===---
By night, Beryl seeks MacLaren to check on him. Despite any animosities between him and the cleric, the Dwarf is still concerned with the other - and fears that his provocations during the Bloody Hour could net dire consequences. The rogneticist tries to find him at least to keep an eye, and end up following him to Owlbear.
Beryl walks slowly, approaching them as they talk, but makes sure to be noisy enough to be noticed. He isn't sneaking, but actually curious about the situation. As the Dwarf understands that the cleric seems to be making a new friend - and such an intriguing one - he decides to help, trying to use his silver tongue to boost his companion's abilities.
Oh, but what we have here, huh? - he says, hands crossed behind his back, nonthreatening - The cook and the giant? You made a friend that can keep 'ya belly full, huh, lad?
---=== Veronica ===---
Conchobar initially attempts to flirt with Veronica, though his expression quickly changes when it becomes clear that she means to threaten him. He seems at odds between his womanizing ways and his newfound fear for his fellow rigger. In the end, he simply nods dryly.
---=== Brother MacLaren and Beryl ===---
Owlbear seems unaccustomed to the attention being given him, but does his best to smile and laugh at MacLaren's antics and Beryl's jokes.
After eating, Tempest asks Sandara to take a look at her rat bites, since she seems to be the best equipped healer onboard. Following that, she steps up once more to tell a tale to the crew. Tonight, she weaves a tale of an old whaler who has a run-in with a particular pale porpoise that costs him his leg, and how his quest for revenge leads to his demise.