Chisomo spends the evening on an informal patrol. Plugg and Scourge were getting more and more violent and petty, and they'd been willing to sic thugs on people they didn't like for quite a while. I'm not used to being used as a guardian, but the time to strike has not yet arrived.
Noticing Chisomo patrolling, Lucille bumps into her feigning drunkenness.
We should set informal watches, I will do third shift, assuming you do second, just poke me awake when yours is done she whispers quickly.
Maheem looked up in surprise at the kind of conversation Lucille decided to start, but he seemed more than happy to oblige. "Funny enough, that was what happened to our land when several faiths had a civil war that nearly tore the nation apart... with Sarenrae as the main culprit," Maheem scowled. "Her faith clashed with that of Nethys and Norgorber, so we decided our kind would not be a part of the gods games any longer. It may have hampered our ability to handle famine or disease, but I think it was worth the trade. After all, we fared the best when Aroden died."
When Lucille offered healing, he instinctively pulled back... eventually relaxing back to a neutral position. "I would rather not receive any divine healing, thank you, even if yo seem to agree with me." Regardless, he seemed comfortable enough around you, especially with the tales Randall told him.
Grok nods in reply. "I'll see what I can get ya." A few minutes later, she returned with a Climber's Kit.
"Besmara's a fickle woman, so it'd be hard to know which side she's on. I on on the other hand will make sure no one else gets killed. Besides, if we have our own ship, we'd treat each other much better than in here."
She can hear Scourge and Plugg in a conversation with one another... but stop when they see you stare at them before moving away.
There is no sign of anyone getting attacked overnight. Whatever plan was concocting (if there was even one to begin with), it did not happen that night.
The day begins anew, and everyone has been assigned the same tasks as before. Tasks, as Badger revealed, that were specifically made to exploit their weaknesses.
There was one change of things. Djir was sent to rigging for the same job Randall had, who was assigned the bilges by himself.
Any weapons that weren't hidden from view were taken away from him.
"You'll get help eventually, but I better not see you do anything funny down there."
Evening:
Lucille chuckles at Maheems answer.
There are Rahadoumi in the Abyss acting as relatively well regarded mercenaries and trading contracts, Lady Shamira seems to prefer them, on account of a mutually and deeply held belief of "F*%* Saerenrae in particular". Its not first hand knowledge though, never been there myself, and while Nocticula and Shamira are open for business, it would be utterly foolish to "trust" demons.
Next day:
Tying and untying
knots in the ship’s ropes and moving heavy coils of
rope from one part of the ship to another, requiring
a DC 10 Profession (sailor) or Strength check. The PC
must also make a DC 10 Constitution check to avoid
being fatigued at the end of the shift.
Arkhan sits smiling untying knots.
Randall surrenders his visible weapons to Plugg before pausing with a perplexed look on his face. His eyes go wide in astonishment "Wait...what? You can see me in the bilges from here? Can you see through wood? Because that would be "
Lucille makes the classic mistake of confusing flour and salt.
Fishguts, I f+**ed this dish up, ill take any punishment on me.
Honestly, I may as well get punished, so noone thinks I am Pluggs or Scourges clunkey, also, this is a fairly easy job normally, if I perform too well I probably get punted into the bilges or the rigging.
1 rank +3trained +1 wis +2 racial +1 guidance
Djir probably looks pretty foolish as he clanks his way out on to the deck, kitted out in a climbing harness, but he's got other worries than looking silly - like getting up the mast without dying...
The day passes slowly for Chisomo, her stitches getting much less attention than the movement of Scourge and his chosen few.
Maheem shrugs before answering. "We do acknowledge their existence... and I've heard of more than a few of us wanting... that kind of experience, but those lords would eventually want favors one way or another."
He looked over to the group in general before continuing. "I actually got shipwrecked near Quent. Those people weren't too bad, but my luck ran out shortly after my next ship ran afoul Harrigan. I figured it was best to blend in with the people in charge. I don't like their style... but they're at least not too religious if not a bit superstitious."
Sure enough, Jape and Fipp arrive not to long afterwards for a hand. While the two definitely look like they can provide the muscle for help, they are not too thrilled with working with you.
"Best get outta our way, lest ya strain yerselves with yer weak arms."
Jape grins as he stands aside and watches you too.
Randall notices the bared steel at Fipps hip and takes a step back as he waves the other two towards the pump "Have at it gentlemen, far be it for me to get in the way. I'll be over here when one of you should need a rest." Randall steps over to stand by the lantern hanging overhead. He will begin whistling a little tune "A little music to lighten the mood."
They sure do want their favors, and you are right to mistrust them, or me for that matter.
Lucille says
I do wish to propose an offer, I understand that you do not wish to receive "divine healing" in order to not be indebted to any non-mortal power. This is completely sensible and sane, especially given whom I represent. I would prefer you to be alive though, and if you are bleeding out unconcious in combat, I would rather do something about that, without violating your free will.
She pauses
What if we make a contract, you pay me a nominal sum, for example 1 gold per healing, in return, I declare all possible debts accrued from the healing as paid for, in my eyes and in the eyes of those that empower me. My later mother told me that such arrangements are frequent with Rahadoumi mercenaries in the Abyss.
Diligently, Djir sets to work climbing up the mast, Cevanna flitting about him, advising him where to put his hands...
vs DC 10
-1 str -2 meticulous +1 guidance +2 Climbing kit +4 working diligently
vs DC 10
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Having attained the safety of the crows nest, he belays himself to the masthead with his vest for safety, and keeps a sharp eye on the horizon:
1 rank +3trained +1 wis +2 racial +1 guidance
Arkhan looks up from untying knots to yell at Djir.
Keep a weathered eye out!
Torin offers Sandara a wry smile and leans back against the rail while he talks to her. "Oi, but I don't think things are going to turn out well if someone doesn't die." he remarks, "I just figured you might have a preference is all. Wouldn't want to upset a pretty little cleric."
Caught as a rat catcher again and with politics stirring Torin does sneak away from his task on occasion as he tries to get a feel for who was on what sides. He certainly didn't want to be caught in the middle.
"You would think that, but it's not the same reaction from everyone," Sandara acknowledged, though she did smirk a bit. "A lot of superstitious folk wouldn't come near me when I converted outta fear of upsetting Besmara herself. But there's others that see me as a challenge to tame. Though most don't give a damn, and I think Bes is on the same boat."
Randall manages to have the first reaction. The google slice on the second page shows where you are relative to your attackers. Also, please mark your conversation as spoilers for the time being.
Hmmp. Paranoid to already assume he's with us. Just have to hope he can last long enough for me to get there...
Chisomo gives a quick look around to see if any of her friends and allies are nearby enough to signal, then slips away quietly towards the bilge.
"Can't say I haven't been expecting this, but don't you boys think two on one is a little unfair? Tell you what, I'll wait here while you go and get a few more people" With a twist of his wrist the dagger stored in his wrist sheath slides down into his palm. Now armed he sees the looks of surprise on his attacker's faces "Not what you were expecting, eh" He looks Japes in the eyes and says "Hey Japes, have you heard the one about the half orc and his fat bumboy? It's hilarious." He proceeds to tell a hilarious story about the two of them. Once he delivers the punchline he steps up to the half-orc.
"Fighting fair's for losers?" Fipps scoffed. "Not that anyone'll care once we're done with ya, right Japes?"
James did not answer even in his usual silent self as he breaks down in silent laughter.
"F**&ing casters."Growling, Fipps stepped forward and brought out his knife, aiming to gut the bard.
Fipps puts all his weight into his stab, driving the knife deep into Randall's stomach. It takes every bit of your endurance to stay alive, but you do so... barely...
Meanwhile...
Randall hisses in pain as the blade bites deep into his stomach. Dancing to his side he slices at Fipps, drawing his blade across the man's chest. He pauses his whistling to hurl an insult at the fat man "Damn, if you'd lost some weight that might have missed".
Chisomo hauls at the door with all her might, staring a silent challenge into the eyes of any of Randall's assailants who dare meet her gaze.
Meanwhile, oblivious as mayhem proceeds in the bilges, Djir (having belayed himself to the mast for safety), sets Cevanne to watch, and pulls a book from his pack... He studies the spoils of the con that had sent him fleeing Port Peril intently; he has much to learn.
Torin was having a hell of a time catching rats, and without giving it his all he was finding it hard to show anything for his work. [b]"Well, that bode's ill."[/b[ he reasoned as he went about it all the same. Fully expecting a punishment waiting for him.
Lucille continues messing up her dish.
For his credit, Randall manages to hit his own strike on Fipps. It looked like it took him by surprise as he took a step back in pain. But he at recovered enough with a roar as he sought to finish the job.
It is a slash this time, yet it is deep enough that the shock is enough to drop the bard. The big man smirks as he looks down on the man bleeding out. "Mister Plugg sends his regards..." Just when it looked like it was curtains for Randall, both men look up to see the roof open. Fipps' eyes open up to see his old foe return. Growling he stood back up. "Jape!, we can't have any witnesses."
The half-orc had been able to get those laughing fits out of him and the two grouped around the opening, waiting for the monk to pop down.
Meanwhile, everyone else is none the wiser.
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Two of them. And the knives mean it's nearly even. She glanced down at Randall, letting her anger fuel her, but not rule her.
"Come on then. As you say: there are no witnesses"
1 rank +3trained +1 wis +2 racial
The sun shines kindly upon him, keeping him warm, as the winds whistle in the rigging... Djir though, is engrossed in his book, while Cevanne keeps the watch.
Randall continues to bleed out.
(-5 hit points)
Yet both attacks miss, although Jape came rather close. Thankfully, Chisomo's defensive stance is enough to block the half-orc's strike.
No one else could here what was going on.
Arkhan sits on deck untying knots....
Chisomo met the murderers' attacks with ferocity, slapping aside their stabs and slices before closing on Fipps with brutal blows beneath the protective shell of his ribcage.
Jape recognized the dire situation he's in and slashes at the woman in a mix of rage and fear on his face.
But his swing goes wider than his last one.
There was still no obvious signs of anything going wrong from the deck or in the middle hold.
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The blood from Randall's wounds slows from a torrent to a trickle
With a slowly spreading smile, Chisomo continues her assault, closing within even the tight reach of the sweep of Japes's knife, then when he backs off delivering a wickedly high roundhouse to the side of his head.
The jab turned out to be much faster than she anticipated. The dagger is plunged deep into her side.
Everyone else is none the wiser. Except Lucille who hears some rumbling happening in the bilge.
Feeling her shadow tug at her into the direction of the bilge, Lucille opts to listen to it.
Kroop, ill bring some supplies to the bilge rats.
Lucille grabs some hard tack and moves over, this being a reasonable excuse in most peoples mind, although Kroop may sense that something was off.
Lucille has a flask with water and some hard tacks in her hands as she approaches the bilge door.
Chisomo hissed even more in displeasure than in pain. "We'll have to properly finish this later," she grunted, twisting away from the point of Jape's blade to hammer his exposed flank.
As Jape collapsed with a splash, Chisomo stooped to prop him up against the wall, dragging Fipps over to join him. When Lucille drew near she didn't stop her work, curtly informing her that "Randall needs healing. Long slash along his chest from this one."
She dropped to one knee in front of Fipps, stiffening her fingers before reaching out and messily tearing out his throat.
"Too bad the rats got him while we were informing the captain."
Red Mantis doesnt f+@@ around eh?
Lucille drops what she is carrying, drops down through the hallway, casting a healing spell as she does so, and pops it on Randall
No need to tear his throat, just have him fall facedown on a puddle, which the bilge is full off. She whispers before healing Randall.
He is still out. Lucille will heal him again next turn.
Kroop's face twitches, before he speaks. "Plugg ain't lookin' around right now. Whatever you're up to I'll cover for ya."
Before:
Thanks Kroop, I want to keep you out of it.
She whisper quickly
Randall sits bolt upright, gasping for breath. He sees both Chisomo and Lucille standing over him "S!$@, I must've died because I see Angels before me."
He sees Chisomo with her arm cocked back ready to tear Fipps windpipe out and he holds up a hand "Yeah, that would be kind of hard to explain." he says half seriously "I've been expecting something like this ever since Sandara and I hooked up" He looks to Chisomo and shrugs apologetically "I had a plan to douse the lights to help even the odds but Plugg sent Japes down and, with his ability to see in darkness, I had to adjust on the fly." he rubs the spot where Fipps dagger had stabbed him "Damn, they hit harder than I thought"
He gets slowly, unsteadily to his feet, and kicks the unconscious bodies, before he begins stripping them of there weapons. armor, and finally clothes leaving them lying naked in the brackish water. He drags Japes over to the manacles bolted to the bulkhead and hoists the half orc up. "If you ladies can give me hand. I think it's going to take all three of us to get that big lummox, Fipps, locked up." With everyone helping he manages to get Fipps shackled as well.
He embraces both Chisomo and Lucille in turn "Thank you for saving my life. These two were intent on killing me, with Plugg's blessing it would seem. I owe you each my life...but I've only got one of them and I'm using it now." He smiles at each of them and sighs "Now if you'll excuse me I have a shift to finish. It wouldn't do to be snatched from the jaws of death only to be flogged to death by Scourge for malingering." He picks up Fipps and Japes' daggers and tucks them in his belt "Before you return to your duties if you could take these" he indicates the discarded armor and clothes "and, somehow, dump them overboard I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, if you could send Sandara down here before the end of shift I'd appreciate that as well. Now you two should really get back before you're missed. We'll talk later when there's more time. With that he returns to the bilge pumps and begins pumping
Despite his near death experience Randall finishes his shift strong.
Arkhan looks up from untying knots for a split second, before going back to it....
You arent exactly in shape to survive a flogging Mr Randall, shadows embrace thee, lust for life, heal thy wounds. Carefull with whom you call Angel my dear.
What a surprise, my healing is more effective if I offer proper prayers
These two shall then suffer the humiliations associated with trying to conducted hallowed murder but failing comically, on my account, they are lucky that my Lady in Shadows has a sense of humor.
In the dim light, her shadow phantomimes a Mantis. Lucille notices this and looks at Chisomo with a fair bit of respect.
I will undress and disarm them, Lady Chisomo, my way of tying up people is a bit peculiar and may be far too pleseant for our purposes, I undress you bind?
She stabilizes both.
If it pleases you, I pledge upon my power to not steal this kill she points to fibbs as she undresses him
from you, but murder is best conducted with malice aforethought she pauses
we follow somewhat competing entities on account of the similarity of their interests, but I would argue that this barely ambulatory slob of fat is simply not a worthy target for you, would thee not diminish the average quality of thy kill list by including him?
My Lady in Shadows? She just outright admitted to serve the Demon Lord of Lust and murder.