"I could tell you that you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth..."
"You would probably be right" - Helgash chuckled.
Then she laughs.
"I made an enemy of Mr. Scourger right at the outset when I slapped that repulsive pig in front of others. Your group seems to be on Plugg's s@@+ list, which means Scourge is your enemy as well. On a ship like this, you need to have allies. I figured I'd tie my fate to yours. If so, then I will help where and when I can. It was definitely in my best interests to not have you eaten by the Reefclaws."
"That makes sense to me" - he nodded in agreement - "Not sure exactly what we did to be on Scourge's shit list, but it feels like that would happen no matter what..." - he grumbled - "In any case, thanks again for not letting me become Reefclaw bait" - he raised his mug at her - "Allies it is"
----------
During the day, Helgash keeps an eye on Shivikah, checking to see if there is any backlash from the fact she seems to be more 'on their side'.
At night he again finds a way to stick close to Sandara.
For influencing, you can use Diplomacy. Bluff, or Intimidate. Whichever skill you use, it follows the Diplomacy rules for changing attitudes.
"You seem to be especially dangerous, but you also seem to be just another hand, like the rest of us. Why are they keeping you in the crowd instead of letting you lead the charge?"
"You are so much better than those others. Why do you sully yourself hanging around those three?"
"So, what is the plan for after all of this? I mean, you didn't choose this ship either, right? There has to be plans for after, then, right?"
"Plans?" Tilly laughs.
"These are my plans; the open sea and a ship to work on."
Realizing Ioney was having some luck cracking Syl's shell, Onnello decides to approach one of the other riggers he knew didn't like him. Approaching the dwarf known as "Narwhale" Onnello, putting his best foot forward, asks him, "So, "Narwale" is the nickname the result of that nose of yours or because you dwarves are shaped like one?"
"Keep it up, halfbreed! There are ways to make people disappear without drawing punishment."
@ Helgash - You successfully make Shivikah helpful. As for her being friendly with you, you do not notice any real change in how she is treated.
The dwarf barks a dismissive laugh.
"You got a smart mouth, scrub, we'll see how far it gets you later."
He then storms off. Later, you see him whispering with Sly, Jape, and Fipp and throwing glares at you.
"You are so much better than those others. Why do you sully yourself hanging around those three?"
"You seem to be especially dangerous, but you also seem to be just another hand, like the rest of us. Why are they keeping you in the crowd instead of letting you lead the charge?"
"Because being alone makes you bait, and unless you've missed it, your friends don't like me."
"I'll see about getting them to lay off ya', but they aren't going to stop with the others, especially the tall half-elf." Syl replies to Ioney.
Day 13: Conchobar
Day 14: Conchobar again
Day 15: Finish up Conchobar
Day 16: Ratline
Correct, don't do anything for Day 17. Also, your results are correct. I will update the list on the Caimpaign page.
"So, I understand you were also an entertainer before joining the ship? I could really use some help adjusting to this life. There's so little of what I did everyday that seems to apply here. How did you adjust? Do you have any tips for the latest crewman to lose his line of work?"
"Cogward? I get that this kind of work lets you help people meet Pharasma, and I am glad that you've found your calling. Can you give me some tips how to be one of the ones sending people to Pharasma and not one of the ones heading to meet her?"
"I'm trying to follow your advice and get friendly with more of your crew. I think Aretta's warming up to me. I know Fipps is going to take a lot of work, so I should try to work with some of the others first. Any recommendations?"
"Hello, Maheem. Syl was telling me we should talk, get to know each other a little better. I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I'm ready to ignore her 'friendly advice,' ya know?"
"I remember hearing that one of the easier ways to make some money is to ransom officers and nobles back home, maybe even the ships themselves. You're saying this crew doesn't do that? We just skip that income stream? Why?"
"I need to thank you for the help, or guidance, or whatever you want to call it. I think I'm getting more of your team to not hate me. At this rate, I should have options about who to hang with. My world is expanding, and it is thanks to you."
"I have a silly question. Not because I'm wondering IF it happens, but because I'm wondering how anyone gets any privacy. I mean, we've got quite an assortment of people here, so there has to be SOMEBODY sneaking off for a little one-on-one time. I can't believe that gnome hasn't tried, at least! Where do they steal privacy?"
"What's the big deal with following Fipps, anyway? Is it just he's got a good line in with Plugg, or what? Nothing wrong with sticking to the boss's good side! It's just that Plugg doesn't seem like the sort to encourage loyalty, ya know? He's more a fear me than a work with me kinda guy."
Day 13
Night 13
Day 14
Night 14
Giffer Friendly
Day 15
Giffer Helpful
Night 15
Jack Scrimshaw Friendly
Day 16
Jack Scrimshaw Helpful
Night 16
Ratline Friendly
** spoiler omitted **...
Ioney, you have a permanent +3 bonus from the fact you use your little ditty to remove fatigue from the crew.
During the following days, Nivian does her best to befriend more members of the crew - but it seems the lines are drawn. It becomes harder and harder not to step on someone's toes while trying to align interests with others.
In the end, she manages to get on helpful terms with Tilly, Rosie and Conchobar, but alienates Grok, Scrimshaw and Ratsberger into being unfriendly towards her.
** spoiler omitted **
You had the DCs wrong.
Your first check for Giffer failed by 5 or more so she became unfriendly changing the DC to 20. At that point, did you want to continue? You also forgot to add your permanent +2 to all your influence rolls (for beating Owlbear in that fight).your 2nd roll for Jack was only DC10, but that doesn't matter. You made your roll against Ratline by 5 or more, so he goes to helpful.
Let me know if you want to keep the attempts against Giffer after you made her unfriendly.
Yeah, unfortunately your first attempt was only an 8, so even with the +2 you failed by 5. No real effect though as even if you made her hostile to you, her end attitude stays the same.
Day 17
At this stage of the journey, you and your allies, and Scourge and his followers have become more polarized. Scourge has also wholly convinced Mr. Plugg that you are trouble, no matter what you have done. Mr. Plugg begins making more appearances at this point, taking a personal interest in you, soundly abusing you, carefully noting each mistake for punishment, and generally bullying and trying to humiliate you.
In addition, everyone except for Helgash, the ship's assistant cook, are given the worse possible day jobs, Sebastion and Nivian spend an inordinate amount of time in the bilges (by far, the worst job), but never together (normally the bilges are assigned to three crew). If not in the bilges, they are scrubbing the deck. Onnello is constantly assigned Mainsail duty, the most back breaking job for riggers. Your allies (anyone with a helpful attitude towards the group) also get the shit jobs. Ioney is almost always scrubbing the deck (Plugg says that gives him the ability to move about as the Captain wanted). Bilge duty is one you and the other two crew members assigned are always Scourges toadies.
Sebastion will go after Jack Scrimshaw (I know, he's indifferen, but he was Sebastion's first convert, so...[/ooc]
At first, Jack looked annoyed with Sebastion's interruption, but at Onnello's question, he brightens.
"I saw a pod of dolphins today and it inspired me to do a carving of them." He says excitedly.
"Take a look."
He holds forth a piece of driftwood almost two feet long. Though he is at the beginning stages, the first outlines of the dolphins are apparent. The waves are beautifully crafted.
"I ain't ever done somthin' like thay before. Mostly I jus' bring out what the wood gives. Mayhap I'll give it a go'" Jack replies thoughtfully.
Ioney will spend a few moments working with Slippery Syl.
"I get at least part of why you don't like the new recruits as a group, but, you know they are just trying to figure out how to make it on this ship, how to survive and maybe even thrive in this environment. It is new to most of us, scary to some."
Nivian approaches Barefoot Samms Toppin in the evening - the rigger had seemed distant the last few days - where Nivian had been busy talking with others.
But friendships needed tending, so she fetched some extra rum and approached the rigger :"Hej, been a couple days since we had a chance to hang. Especially since I seem stuck on bilge duty recently. You think I did anything to anger Plugg? Can't be that I didn't manage the boarding part can it? Maybe you could give me a few pointers for rope climbing so I can do better next time?"
Ioney will spend a few moments working with Slippery Syl.
"I get at least part of why you don't like the new recruits as a group, but, you know they are just trying to figure out how to make it on this ship, how to survive and maybe even thrive in this environment. It is new to most of us, scary to some."
"ya don't understand. Scourge is makin' anyone that throws in with ya have a very rough time. Mosta the crew sees ya likes lepers now. Work is hard enough withourt Plugg makin' ya have the shit jobs every day." Syl replies, but then she claps you on the shoulder.
"Don't ya worry though, I've got your back."
Ioney looks at her in mock shock, then at his hands, and the knees of his pants. "You don't say? I hadn't noticed anything unusual about the work assignments . . .."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+1+2
Nivian approaches Barefoot Samms Toppin in the evening - the rigger had seemed distant the last few days - where Nivian had been busy talking with others.
But friendships needed tending, so she fetched some extra rum and approached the rigger :"Hej, been a couple days since we had a chance to hang. Especially since I seem stuck on bilge duty recently. You think I did anything to anger Plugg? Can't be that I didn't manage the boarding part can it? Maybe you could give me a few pointers for rope climbing so I can do better next time?"
Toppins looks around to make sure no one overgears her.
"It's nothing to do with what ya done, deary. Scourge has convinced Plugg that your group is poison to the ship. They are probably looking for ways to get rud of the lot of ya."She gives you a wink though.
"But you have allies as well. I'm one of them. Captain Harrigan may be a bastard, but he wants a full crew, so Plugg and Scourge are limited for now."
Late that night, Ioney is shaken awake. As your eyes open, you see Syl gently shaking your arm. She gives you a shushing gesture to keep quiet and bends down to whisper.
"Come on, get up, we have to talk! But we have to get outa here away from prying eyes."
Late that night, Ioney is shaken awake. As your eyes open, you see Syl gently shaking your arm. She gives you a shushing gesture to keep quiet and bends down to whisper.
"Come on, get up, we have to talk! But we have to get outa here away from prying eyes."
"'K?" He sounds uncertain at best, but Ioney goes with her.
Sebastion watches as they go up the stairs and then hops out of his hammock. Noticing Helgash is also awake he nudges Onnello awake.
"Something's up." He says in a lowered voice.
"Syl just led Ioney on deck, I don't trust her at all. Wake Nivian too."
He grabs his dagger and heads up after them.
"Why would he just follow her without letting us know?" - Helgash grumbled, then grabbed his dagger and followed after Sebastian.
When you get up on deck, Syl heads to the side, away from the entry to the hold below. She motions you over. As you approach, her demeanor instantly changes. She suddenly grins slyly.
"I sure hope the rest of your group are as easy marks as you are."
You hear a noise behind you and Maheem steps out from behind where the Jolly boat is lashed to the deck.
"So pretty boy," Syl continues, "Maybr you can scream? But the night watch is me and Maheem, good luck with that."
Maheem blocks your retreat and Syl moves up meancingly.
"Perhaps a long swim is in order?"
Before I roll initiateive, let me jnow if you are going to talk any. It might delay them for a round or two.
You begin to go on deck, but when your head clears the hatchway, you see the big Rahadouni, Maheem, step out from what must have been a hiding place behind Ioney. Syl no longer looks friendly and is menancing Ioney. AS you pause, you feel Helgash coming up behind you.
As you go to follow Sebastion, you see him stop at the top of the stairs.
As Syl turns (figuratively) and Maheem steps out, the Varisian's shoulders slump and he suddenly looks very tired. "That's the problem with trying to make friends. You have to extend trust, and sometimes the people you choose to trust turn on you. Still the reward is worth the risk, when you get it." He closes his eyes and holds his hands out at his sides as he invokes the power of his ancestry, with himself at Ground Zero.
Glitterdust spell-like ability
Nivian slowly opens her eyes when Onello speaks to her. The Dagger in her hand is visible only briefly before vanishing in her clothes again.
She had always been a relatively light sleeper, but nobody who knew her would describe her as a morning person.
But the situation seemed urgent. She sits up, then stands and follows Onello - with shaky steps, but a steady pace. "What is up?", she manages to whisper as they reach the stairs, but the situation above deck provides ample information.
Ioney wastes no time, trying for a surprise. Maheem is caught unawares, but Syl was waiting for him.