Errol regards Salty's throw "Well there goes tonight's dinner! Gods am I glad I'm not eating that." a cheer and a laugh erupt from the rest of the crew.
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Brayan:
Mr Stokes immediately stops reading and looks up at Elenia. "I am the quartermaster of this ship not a magic tutor. My spell book is not your concern. Please do not ask about it again. Good night Miss Caledor." Errol fusses the monkey stoking its chin and offering it a finger full of rice. "The game is Liar's dice. last man, woman or dwarf in takes the pot." Errol hands a set of dice to anyone who lacks their own. The game begins and the players cast their bets in turn. Elenia loses her dice very quickly and is knocked out after just 6 hands. Errol is out soon after, Salty plays fearlessly but ultimately loses his dice to tactical betting by the others. Joan is clearly very skilled at this game but loses a couple of long hands and is knocked out 4th. Nayli holds on with 1 dice for a long time but eventually is knocked out. That leaves Morven vs Brayan on the last hand Morven plays first with a bold call of 2 2's and beats the elderly dwarf taking the pot.
"Well played Morvan. Thank you all for the game. Keep the dice all of you I'm sure we will play again." and with that he climbs into an empty hammock.
Feeling tired you all eventually go to bed the crew quarters are cramped smelly and noisy with sounds of snoring. In the morning you eat a bowl of porridge supplied by Salty and seek out light duties until your watch starts.
Errol picks the dice up and offers them to Salty "Please, be my guest check mine. Its not in my nature to cheat when I have the skill to beat you all fair and square. he shoots you all a grin. "Is 1 silver a good enough bet? I never play for much more but this keeps things interesting. Errol takes a dull Silver piece and places it on the center of the paying area. Brayan looks at Joan "I've been a carpenter for years. Being on these accursed boats is the only thing that had changed. Times have changed work is hard to come by on land and I like begging just a little less than the open sea. he reaches into his pocket and takes an equally grubby silver piece out, placing it alongside Errol's. "As for swimming it's a fair offer, but Dwarfs were not built for swimming just as Elves were not built for mining and humans were not built for dice games.
The game starts and Errol asks "We now know why old Brayan went to sea but what foul tragedy befell all of you to force you into the hard life of a seafarer?
Errol smiles at salty "Aye Lucky indeed, we've drawn first watch."
"We watch for pirates!" Errol pauses "Na. There's no pirates. Clouds and rogue waves is about all we need to look out for. As for Preaching I'm sure you'll find plenty of open ears, people of faith are always popular at sea." Finally turning to Joan. "Plenty of time for games. We eat together, sleep together, share the blame and revel in the rewards. How was the captain by the way?" The ship casts off from the dock to a cheer from assembled people on the dockside the sails unfurl and a stiff late afternoon breeze takes them and moves the boat easily away from the harbor and breakwater. with the fair wind the ship sails smoothly running parallel to the coastline. With everyone still on the deck an old voice cracks out the opening words to a song. "When I was a little lad or so my mammy told me, to me." the rest of the crew immediately answer: "Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe" so the voice continues "That if I did kiss a troll, my lips would all grow mouldy," again the Whole crew sing: "Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe. Way, haul away, we'll haul away together
This continues with a new crew member adding a new verse before the chorus each time. "For once I met an Taldor lass, she was fat and lazy,
I have known a Kyonin Elf, she damn near drove me crazy,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away together
Cruel Abby was the Queen of Galt before the revolution,
And then she got her head cut off, it spoiled her constitution,
I knew of a Honourable Gnome, he was struck with Bleaching,
And now you cannot trust the lad, for your purse he’s reaching.
"Hello again. I have been told to let you know you all are on my watch pattern."
Errol greets you all warmly. "Pleasure." At the mention of Mr Winter, Errol laughs. "The Officers? There's Mr Stokes - you met him. keeps himself to himself mostly. Stays in the hold, reading and counting. Mr Gleambright - the gentleman you saw on the dock, he is the bos'un. He'll work you hard, but he works just as hard, if not harder. Then there's Toby... Sorry, Mr Winter. He hates being called that though. Promoted from amongst us, you see. Most of the over officers buy their commission, but he is still one of us. As for how well he cooks, well that depends on if you're on his good side or not. But yes... Salty, I'm sure he will teach you something, and he is willing to learn a thing or two as well.Then we come to the Master, Ms. Avalon. She's difficult to read - plays her cards close to her chest. Just marks your name down and the next you know, you're getting ten lashes from the Captain's hand." Errol points to some of the scars across his shoulders. "That's one right there. The Master gave it to me. I can't remember what for now.... And that brings us to the Captain. You will meet her soon enough. I don't know if she is just vindictive or likes to keep a close hold on the reins. Either way, I'd keep your head down when she's around. It doesn't pay to be known by her." Errol doesn't flinch as the monkey sits on his shoulder "Well hes a friendly fellow isn't he whats his name? Ah by the way I wouldn't leave your gear on the bed we share them in shifts. bags are safe though i can personally vouch for all of the 'old' crew we will be living on top of each other for a long time don't hold grudges or make enemies" he looks pointedly at Elenia.
"Ahoy Shipmates! Glad yo see you made it. The dice game will have to wait I'm afraid, cargo is about to be loaded." standing in front of you is Errol the man from the docks. he had a broad smile and seems genuinely pleased to see you. "Stow your gear in theses." he points to the hanging bags "Doubt you will need your Armour and weapons but take a knife if you've got one it's always useful to have on you." Errol is a shortish Human of Mwangi Descent he has a long deadlocked ponytail and a scruffy beard he is now shirtless and bootless. you can now see he has several scars lining his torso along with several other tattoos.
@Joan: Questions relating to the desk guy will be answered shortly.
For those wishing to RP in the recruitment thread (purely optional): ...The crowd has formed into a rough queue before a desk where a smartly turned out man sits and questions potential applicants one by one. The mood is generally jovial. Loose groups have formed in some places along the line with their occupants joking and telling stories. You flinch reflexively as a hand is placed on your shoulder.
“Ahoy Shipmate fancy a drink? Its bloody cold out here.” He holds a waterskin out in your direction although you are confident that its contents are not water. ”Name’s Errol, by the way if you make crew come and see me for a game of dice ok?” You regard the cheery man; Errol appears to be a dark skinned human wearing a stripy shirt with torn sleeves. He has a myriad of tattoos, cut off trousers and lose fitting boots with no laces in them. A voice interrupts you from across the quay... ”Come on Mr Oaks leave the line alone you don’t know where it’s been.” The voice belongs to a gnome dressed in a similar smart fashion to the man at the desk, with him are two scruffy looking humans. ”Right you are Mr Gleambright, Right you are”. and with that Errol gives you a wink and runs along to join the shore party. Now you stand facing several other bewildered hopefuls... |