We might want to get off the ship and get it clear before we anger a big shark, no need to have two ship wrecks.
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"I think we need a bigger boat."
"Is it true that most people get attacked by sharks in three feet of water about ten feet from the beach? Ardanto asks, shading his eyes with his hands as he peers at the creature in the water.
Ardanto looks over the assembled supplies and tools, trying to act knowledgeable on the amount required and the skills needed. He steals glances and fleeting smiles with the Lady Vanderboren when ever he can.
"In essence you are correct, we wait for low tide, patch the ship, bail her out and re-float her on high tide. In theory it is that simple, in practice there is a lot that can go wrong, including the ship rolling as she re-floats, shipping water as she sails back or a hundred other things. Also who has not heard of a ship wreck that has not become the lair of a sea hydra or other beasty?" Ardanto sets about getting the ship ready to travel with gusto, eager to be seen as useful to Lady Vanderboren as he can be. "So we have a list of tasks, get the Sea Wyvern, secure enough tar for the defense of Far Shore and recover the weapons cache. I suggest that order makes sense as well."
Ardanto will see to the assembling a crew, volunteers from the original crew and the press ganged pirates. He also ensures we have enough equipment, spares and skills.
Ardanto listens, unusually quite for once, before breaking his musing with "The treasure of the Jaguar people is not going anywhere, but I agree we should look at getting the Sea Wyvern and more importantly its cargo first."
Ardanto eyes the bat/god thing suspiciously, all to aware of stories and tales about accepting favors from powerful being. He waits for every one else to speak while he keeps watch.
Ardanto also rushes over to help the others, looking for danger, unable to understand Olman and unsure that an attack is not to follow.
Diplomacy +13 (+1 Cha,+9 Rank, +3 Class Skill) Ardanto does his best to try and explain that if the pirates successfully pillage Farshore then they will have a base of operations near to the tribes with which to raid them and plunder or enslave them. He implores the elders to consider sending aid in time for the raid so that they can foil this plot and protect the tribes in the process.
Ardanto spends his time split between drilling the crew and his new conscripts with the milita, visiting with Lavinia and getting to know the locals. He takes a day off to look over the captured ships, seeing if they can be salvaged.
Glamered Platemail +1
Ardanto sets about the task of sorting out the scum from the not so scummy pirates, getting reports off his crew and the locals over which pirates require hanging. He asks if Guard can run his detect evil over them and also goes to see the local priest if he can aid in identifying any that are liars (detect lie?). Need any rolls?
Ardanto is happy to stay for a few days before heading back into the jungle. "A few days would give us enough time to trial these pirates and assess just how big a hole the colony will be in when the real pirates attack." He looks at the others, "Shall we say 3 days from today we head back out to the village? That will give me enough time to start organizing a trip back to the Sea Wyvern, I can build a list of what we will require and they can start on assembling the supplies while we are gone."
Natives:
Militia training:
The Sea Wyvern:
Improving the palisades and watch towers:
Ardanto attempts to keep the conversation pleasant as he replies to Lord Meravanchi, "a very good point Lord, one of our companions has the ability to see into a persons soul and tell if his heart is black, tainted by his deeds." he looks at Meravanchi senior as he speaks, wondering if the Lord should also be checked for a black heart. "Then we will have testimony of the good people of Farshore who can identify those that were enthusiastic in their attack or committed atrocities." "Those that we deem can be redeemed will be stationed with my crew and if they step out of line they will join the others on the end of a rope. You put a group of men locked up in a small space for a prolonged time and you learn a lot about their character.""And if his Lordship wishes to have an input into the whole trial process, I would be pleased for him to be part of it."
Ardanto asks to speak, taking the stage regardless of if it is offered to him.
Adding an action point to underline my determination:
Ardanto tries to clean him self up as best as possible before meeting Lavina with the others.
Ardanto nods his agreement with first Daurros and then Finn. In response to Finn he adds "If the colonists agree to allow the pirates to live, it will not be leniency they will be getting, but a chance to earn their redemption through hard word and pay back this colony for their losses. These burnt building will need rebuilding, coastal defenses constructed and men to man them. Unless we are going to recruit the local tribesmen and their undead relatives, I see every prisoner as an extra member of the milta. If the town decides to put them to death, then at least my conscience will be clear and the blood will be staining their memories. But let me worry about that, we need to see what else we can do to prepare them for the next wave of pirates. Shall we go an talk to Lavina?" Ardanto looks a little to eager to be reunited with lady Vanderboren after months of dreading their first meeting.
Ardanto knows full well that the colonists and possibly several of his own party are going to want to hang the pirates, but he looks at his depleted crew, the two captured ships and how the colony almost failed against this rag tag bunch and wonders if the prisoners could be made to pay for their crimes in other ways. He tells the pirates as much, "well you sorry lot, you know full well that the crime for piracy in a civilized land is to be hung by the neck from the local gallows." He pauses to let that notion sink in before continuing "but we are far from civilized lands and I don't see any gallows yet, just plenty of trees that could make a nice big one," he gestures the surrounding jungle. "So while I am all for a good hanging party, I am going to put my neck on the line to try and save some of you. Now while there is no guarantee that some one as charming and devilishly good looking as me can pursued these colonists that you are worth more alive than dead, I am willing to give it a go.." he cuts off any murmurs by emphasizing the first word of the next line "BUT! if these noble people agree to allow you to live, then you are mine in body and soul, you will work your debt off and show total loyalty and respect to the words of me and of my officers. Earn my trust and I will set you free with a fat wage for your services, try to mutiny, disobey or piss any of us off and you will wish you had gone to the rope in the first place." He glares at all the assembled prisoners before finishing, "so think it over while I go an see if their thirst for justice can be swayed by my staggering charisma." Diplomacy +13 (+1 Cha,+9 Rank, +3 Class Skill) Ardanto will ask everyone he can to find magical healing for Velous, he knows at least one or two potions of curing were divided amongst the party (he gave his to Tavey to given to the unconscious man). He will buy the potion/curing if required, refusing to give up hope that he can save his gunners hand. He also tries to organize a plot of land for Deven to be buried in holy soil, so at least one of the fallen crew will rest in peace. He wonders how many man he has to lead to their death before the blood staining his hands begins to show. He finds Avner and escorts him to his relatives care as carefully as he can. Finally meeting back up with Lavina he greets her warmly once more before trying to get her position on the prisoners and a general feel for the mood/blood lust of the colony.
Ardanto gets the second pirate ship towed back to port and secured, he plans to dry dock it and repair it at some point. But before that he needs to take a stock of the crew and round up the prisoners, he checks on each crew member individually and on the fate of any who have not survived the skirmish. Any unwounded survivors he instructs to search the two captured ships for pirate treasure, hidden crew members or anything of interest. He also casts an eye over the captured pirates, starting an assessment of those who are pirates by virtue of their circumstances and not due to blood thirst or inherent evil, [ooc]Lacking any real skills in sense motive, this is just a cursory examination of their general demur now they are prisoners.
Ardanto leads his crew aboard the ship to try and save it Profession-Sailor +10 (+0wis +7 Rank, +3 Class Skill)
Ardanto looks at the burning ship, convinced now the sails are burning that he will catch it, but not convinced he will be able to save the ship when he gets there.
"....Pete were his name...." Pirate Pete? You are having a laugh!
While Daurros threatens to incinerate the retreating ship Ardanto starts yelling orders for his crew to set sail and give chase. Throwing himself fully into aiding the mean to prepare for a hasty departure in pursuit.
Ardanto rushes to where ever the fighting is the most fierce yelling a rallying cry as he goes "Yield to surrender you pirate scum and you may yet get to live, try and flee or fight and I'll put you all to the sword or rope!" He will take quarter of any that do surrender, figuring that he will need some new crew members when they retrieve the Sea Wyvern.
Ardanto meets Lord Manthalay's look with a nod of acknowledgment "a relative of yours is around here some where m'lord, Avner Meravanchi," he gestures towards the beech. "The ape demons of the jungle extracted a terrible toll on his mind and you will find him perhaps more quite and withdrawn than the last time you may of met. Once the battle is truly won, I shall see to it he is escorted to be your ward." He turns back to Lavina, "If you will excuse me, I have a boat to capture." Ardanto then takes off at break neck speed back to the docks to aid the crew.
Ardanto is completely taken aback by Lavina's affection, the darkest parts of his mind had convinced himself that she had hoped he would be better off dead, the lighter side had prayed she would miss him. It only takes Ardanto a brief moment to get over his confusion and then he returns the hug, lifting her slight form off the ground. Smiling down at her he whispers Reluctantly he releases her from his grip as Finn speaks, but gently keeps one hand on the small of her back, reassuring himself off her presence, lest this be a dream. Nodding a greeting at the Jade Ravens Ardanto takes stock of the situation, "Does the town have something that passes as a jail or cell where we can hold the prisoner until he speaks?" he enquirers, "I have a few questions I would like to ask him." Thinking out loud he continues "like what in the name of the all that is holy are pirates doing out here in the middle of nowhere."
Ardanto turns a corner and comes face to face with Toxim, with a smile he nods, "this all seems a bit too easy? When do you think the huge dragon will swoop in or the ground will start spewing abominations?" he asks with a chuckle. "I am heading deeper into the village, see if I can find anyone else to rescue, shall we go together?"
"I am Captain Ardanto!" Ardanto beams as he wipes his sword on the body of a pirate, "these are the brave crew of the Sea Wyvern, fastest ship this side of the world," he says with a flamboyant sweep of his arm towards the crew, "and those good fellows you see about you are the Millennium Falcons, Mistress Vanderborn's personal trouble shooters." He grins at the nearest of the colonists, "but now is not the time for introductions, there are fires to put out and there will surely be other pirates to kill." He turns to the crew, "go and seize their ship and ensure that none escape, if you can, bring us one back alive." He then turns back to the stunned colonists, "why are you still standing here, grab buckets and containers and put out those fires!" he orders. Ardanto then jogs off deeper into the village looking for any one else that may need his aid, chuckling softly to himself that the leader of the pirates died of fright at his approach, blissfully unaware that it had anything to do with his flying companion.
Six hour round trip, that shows how big America is compared to England. I can reach every airport in the whole of England in about 4 hours.
Ardanto surges forward enjoying the feeling of wind rushing through his hair, a faint part of him is aware, that he is leaving the crew trailing in his wake, but the frill of battle fills his veins and the nagging voice is silenced by a louder voice screaming "Kill them all and let the gods sort them out!" He rounds the last building, smoke stinging his eyes and smoke causing him to cough slightly. The dirt street stretches before him, leading onwards to the hard pressed defenders and the pirate attackers. An elated feeling washes over him and he suppresses the urge to yell in triumph as he pumps his arms and sprints the remain yards to the pirate. Grinning, he is aware that the pirate hardly has time to realize he is there before he is upon him. With a final triumphant bellow he crashes into the midst of the melee smashing the first attacker with a furious swing of his sword. Longsword +18 (1d8+15 17-20)
*Critical confirmation:
With Guard already off before we land, who are you including as you other haste targets? Aranto trusts his companions can deal with the church and leads his men towards the outclassed group of defenders .
"Do we know who these ragged savages are?" he asks trying to get a better view of the carnage, straining to see a friendly face amongst the defenders, maybe some one from the Blue Nixie or perhaps the Blue Nixie herself? Perception +1 (+1 Rank) He grasps Finn's shoulder "Remind me to thank you later for pushing us to leave the native village when you did. He gives his companion a grin before turning to the crew. Ardanto uses the time that the boats take to close the distance to issue orders to the crew, trying to inspire them to join in the defense of Farshore. Diplomacy +13 (+1 Cha,+9 Rank, +3 Class Skill) "Men! If these savages win, then we are stranded on this accursed island, with no way of getting back to the Sea Wyvern and sailing to your homes and families. But if you need more of an incentive, I'll personally give you 100 gold to split between you for each of those murderous dogs you bring down." "Tavey, you have a special job, take this flask and make the dying man over there drink it! Be a hero and save his life, then get him back to the safety of the docks. He indicates the fallen man surrounded by glasswear to his cabin boy. "You, you and you!" he points at three of the crew, the ones he trusts least to face a man in combat "See if you can rescue whoever is trapped in those burning buildings." He grins at the rest of the crew, "Who wants to live forever? Come on you dogs there are vermin to put down!
Ardanto is also in no rush to get to Farshore so he does nothing to convince the natives either.
Ardanto seems pleased to finally have a common agreement with his old friend after their differences of view on the voyage. "As long as you promise to wait until I am actually dead before you experiment on me, " he quips. "Nearly dead or mostly dead will not do." After a thought he asks, "Perhaps I can converse with the honoured dead? Maybe spar with them? They must have generations of battle knowledge between them." He shows no obvious disgust for the undead, seeing them, as Guard pointed out, as no different form the war-forged. Despite his request, he follows the others to the elders.
Ardanto is intrigued by the dead, wondering out loud if they are mindless or if they are instead capable of thought.
Despite his sudden humour, he has got visibly more stern and withdraw as the journey has continued.
Coming back down he asks the falcons: "How's that for 'Sandals of levitation'?" Ardanto is impressed and gives a clap as Guard takes to the air. "Not bad old friend and they look a darn sight better on you than Finn's clown shoes look on him." He winks at Finn as he speaks. Ardanto practices with his new sword, getting a feel for the weight of it. He takes this opportunity to teach the crew some more combat tactics, happy that so many of them seem to have made it to safety.
He passes the time in the village, keeping himself occupied and busy, seemingly reluctant to carry on the journey to Farshore.
Ardanto smiles at Guard the mirth not reflected in his eyes. "I doubt the gods like us that much, I think instead they are toying with us like a cat with a mouse, pushing us to breaking point." He takes another bite of food muching on it thoughtfully, "when the day comes that I meet my maker, first thing I am going to do is punch him on the nose." On the subject of Lady vanderborn, Ardanto again fakes a smile, "I doubt she misses us as much as she misses the cargo, after all, she made it clear just how much she valued the cargo over us." He glances pointedly at Avner every time he says the word Cargo. After the ceremony, Ardanto is intrigued by the mummies, but being only able to order a drink and loaf of bread in Elven, the whole conversation is lost on him. He sits, trying to look respectful while the others do the talking. When Daurros explains the outcome, he nods, "more gods and their whims. Tell me Daurros, why can they not take their own statue back to their own god?" He doesn't expect an answer that makes sense, "the thought does occur to me, that surely it would be an honor for the villagers to take the idol to their gods shrine, so why place that honor on strangers they were calling thieves less than an hour ago?"
"Maybe I can get a decent change of clothes and a good drink of rum at Farshore at least."
Boots of Levitation are indeed awesome, but sadly these are sandals of levitation that smell of demon monkey. Does Ardanto strike anyone as the type of person who would be seen wearing monkey sandals? Large sized Monkey sandals at that? So after he wrinkles his nose up at the though of wearing them, he is more than happy for Finn to take them as long as he can put up with the occasional snide comment from Ardanto regarding Finn's attire. I would not say no to a couple of the potions though, they are worth their weight in gold with this groups lack of mid-combat healing. I also do not have a resistance bonus to my saving throws, but that again depends on if the cloak looks okay as opposed to being a smelly rag? It is also a pity that the scimitar is not a longsword, I have too many feats invested in longsword to use anything else.
Ardanto tries to enjoy the hospitality, but again he badly covers up his melancholy mood. He notes that he is not the only one watching Avner, part of him is glad that Karkalla is also, but another part of him wonders what is brewing inside the mans head. He offers to take a watch on the wall for the chief as payment for the bounty he has provided.
Ardanto stays behind with Guard, seemingly unwilling to head through the big gate and what ever fate lies beyond it. He covers it badly with bravado and boasts to the crew about having a feast of native food at the gate guards home village. He takes one reluctant last look back at the jungle, almost daring something to emerge from the undergrowth and challenge him before following the others through the gate. Despite the spell allowing him to understand the natives, he stands to the side and observes the others, especially paying attention to his nemesis and his reaction around the natives.
Ardanto suppresses a grin as he watches the conversation unfold, especially at the description of "broke" for a ship wreck. Then the thought of the ship wreck makes him scowl for a second and he glares back at the jungle, daring something to emerge. "Hey Avner, you have a way with people and is your family not big in Farshore, perhaps you should speak to them on our behalf?" Ardanto asks as politely as he can.
Unless any of the items look fashionable or bad arse, then Ardanto is not interested.
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