The whole beginning of this Adventure Path is really difficult to keep momentum, I know. Sorry it feels so slow! Jacques will just keep chipping away at the various crew members' morale. :)
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Jacques nods at Bonnie pleasantly, which is difficult considering the obvious chip he carries on his shoulder, but he manages not to look quite so menacing in the cheery post-duel atmosphere. "I am everyone's type," he says after a moment's thought. "Everyone who hates their current situation on this ship, that is. We are trapped under the boot of petty tyrants, who must be stopped for the benefit of all of the crew."
In the aftermath of the fight, Jacques sidles up to Bonny Blades, who he thinks seemed to enjoy seeing Plugg getting embarrassed by his "pet"'s defeat. "I do suspect Master Plugg is becoming desperate, to resort to such blatantly unfair tactics against Raginhild, no?" He gives her a sideways look. "You wouldn't put up with that if it were you in the circle, way?"
Zenj'ya: Jacques accepts the weapon with a nod and the ghost of a smile. "I am in your debt, bonhamie. This weapon was left to me by my granddam; it is how I learned to fight. Her spirit guides me through it. I have been naked without it."
He shrugs at Zenj'ya's admission of lying. "It matters not to me, the truth is what you make it. Perhaps in fact you did save the ship from a terrible curse. If my weapon was not returned to me, I would have done everything in my power to harm those who kept it, and my magic can be terrible when I am roused. You should not fight yourself about it." A look of annoyance crosses his face when Zenj'ya asks about his attempts to influence crew members. "I have twice attempted to convince Shivikah to join our cause, but I cannot seem to break through her guard. Perhaps Bonny Blades will be more willing to listen. Raginhild was going to speak with Owlbear after their fight, which I may have helped by cowing him during their conflict. We shall see."
Jacques intones a threatening cry at the Owlbear. "You have not yet seen everything that Ragnhild the Brutal can do! How would you like to lose your other eye? Surrender while you still can!"
Jacques looks appraisingly at Ragnhild. Truly, the Owlbear is huge, but Ragnhild has hidden depths to her. He wonders if there's a way to help her win the fight. I could attempt to unnerve the Owlbear on her behalf, he thinks.
"Is it not pleasant for you to speak the language of our people?" Jacques asks Shivikah. "For me, it makes me think of my grandmother, and her power over the spirits of the Shackles."
Jacques seeks out Shivikah, again trying to impress her with his tall, dark, and ominous bearing. "Bonjour again, monamie. I was hoping we could exchange some stories about our times before we came to this ship. It is a great thing to hear and speak in the language of my ancestors. Will you not indulge me?"
Jacques channels again , waiting to see if it finishes off the rodent before doing anything else.
Jacques channels again, keeping his pointèd stick at the ready, and swiftly conjures another decoy.
Jacques spits as the rats jump out and one catches him on the arm. He squints and channels negative energy throughout the bilges, instinctively protecting his two allies from the flesh-ripping power of the netherworld.
Then he steps forward into the darker corner of the room, where he hopes the creatures cannot surround him as easily. He waves his hand and intones words in a strange language, and suddenly a mirror image of himself appears beside him, disguising him somewhat in the gloomy chamber.
Jaques glares at Plugg, his hatred for the man deepening, and he gratefully accepts the stake from Zen'ja's outstretched hand. He stumps down the ladder to the bilges behind Ragnhild, and despite his sour mood he finds himself matching the beat of the barbarian's tune with his steps.
Jacques nods brusquely, but speaks up: "I do not have a weapon with which to fight these vermin. Let me grab a knife from the galley that I may use to 'chop chop'?" he asks.
Jacques rolls his eyes. He begins trying to ensure the galley has meals for the day while Kroop sleeps.
I didn't have anything to add to the dream, though I'm not sure how to mechanically represent that he'll set aside extra food for Zenj'ya as requested. :)
"Impressive death magics my brother," he says in Polyglot. "I had not taken you for a magician. Now I know better." He sighs heavily. "Your Granddam's falchion. I do not know where it is, although I have a guess. When we strike, will you be able to use this masterwork handaxe? Or must it be your ancestral arms? Is there anything else you see here you desire?" He waits for Jacques to speak before continuing. Jacques narrows his eyes at the unnatural conversation, but calms himself quickly. "My granddam's weapon is an estoc, not a falchion. These are thrusting blades, not slashing blades. I have never used a handaxe, and I do not think any of the techniques I have studied would translate. If you cannot find my ancestral weapon, I could use a simple dagger, or a rapier." When he continues, he frowns. "I have been trying to turn the crewmembers who attacked us, for I suspect they have been punished by Scourge for failing to embarrass us. No one has opened up as yet, but I will continue trying to impress them that ours is the faction it is best to support. I do not think breaking into the captain's quarters or the quartermaster's office would be wise. It might be better to try to befriend the quartermaster. Do we know anything about them? If they were to be turned to our side, that would certainly benefit us."
Jacques sidles up to Jape after the bloody hour. "The masters of the ship do not seem to appreciate you. Could it have something to do with the attack you made on me and my friends?" He leans closer and murmurs, "Understand this, if you oppose us again, it will go much worse for you. But think about this, I am a good ally to have if things should turn on this ship." He squints and draws upon his ungodly magic, healing Jape for some of the damage he sustained from the whipping.
Jacques sets aside a choice cut for Shivikah and then motions to her when she comes by for her ration. "This is for you, if you will tell me about how you wound up on this ship," he says to her, his deep voice sounding at once both interested and a little dangerous.
Jacques glares at the empty galley and the sound of snoring from Kroop's room. What would happen to me, if I were to sleep through the day? he thinks resentfully, but tries to bury his annoyance and get the work done in the interest of making allies for his future mutiny. Fortunately he is familiar with the galley's layout and found a large cookbook, so consulting it he attempts to make something tasty and practical. It is almost like casting a spell, is it not? he thinks.
That evening, Jacques greets Shivikah with a traditional Bonuwat saying in Polyglot. ”Blessings of our ancestors upon you. Would you object if I sat beside you on your place?” He tries to draw her out, speaking about his appreciation for his grandam, the life on the sea, and his dislike for the captain. He asks her directly about her feelings on these topics, if she is willing to discuss them.
Hope everything resolves okay!
Jacques nods sympathetically. "Ah, you have been stolen as well," he says in his deep voice. "Being a pirate is not so bad, but losing yourself, it is like death. You and I, perhaps we are alike in many ways. We are lucky to have your skill with the cooking here!"
Jacques nods his understanding of the task Kroop has set him, and gets to work trying to catch the creatures.
"Is this sufficient?" he asks Kroop, when he returns with the catch. "Do you mind if I watch you work? You seem like you have a good amount of experience with these things, and I would learn from you if I can. How did one such as you wind up here of all places, I wonder?"
I'll use Influence every chance I get, yes.
Jacques really needs a finesse weapon if we're going to keep getting attacked by fellow crew members. ;)
In the evening, Jacques approaches Narwhal while the small man is recovering from his punishment. "You have seen what happens when you oppose me," he says without preamble, "and how the cochons who lead us reward you for your service. But you will find I can be a useful friend to have on this ship, if you do not challenge me. Murmuring slightly as if casting a spell, he channels positive energy to heal Narwhal (and possibly Jape and Conchobhar, if they are nearby).
Jacques politely nods to Kroop. "How do you do, Fishguts? I am called Jacques. I am glad to have you back, I did not do so well without your guidance yesterday." He looks around at the galley. "Do you mind if I poke around in here? Not that I would accuse you of anything, of course, but I imagine there's all sorts of useful things hidden in here, maybe that someone thought would come in handy if ever the officers happened to lose control of their ship somehow?" He looks carefully at Kroop to see how he reacts to this suggestion.
Jacques also proceeds up to the deck, though with a long, appraising look at both Ragnhild's ascending form and that of Zenj'ya. Allies formidable, he thinks.
Jacques, still unarmed, does the same thing. He steps back, draws upon his connection to the netherworld and washes over his enemies with dark energy. Then he conjures another decoy.
"Stand aside," he commands again with authority, his eyes still glowing menacingly. "Stand aside and no one need know what you have tried to do."
Jacques, sensing that while Fipps might step aside for him, the thugs are unlikely to let the rest of them go, fixes an evil glare on the towering bully and draws upon his dark connection to the netherworld. Spiritual black waves immediately wash over his opponents as he briefly concentrates, though somehow they do not affect his allies.
Jacques then gestures quickly with his hand, and his eyes turn white. Strange ethereal moaning can be heard in the distance. Another version of himself appears beside him, moving in the opposite direction from him to throw off attackers. Then he walks forward to stand directly in front of Fipps. "Stand aside," he says, and he spits at Fipps's feet.
Zenj'ya: Jacques listens to Zenj'ya, his attitude slowly thawing. He nods. "Bonmohs, I agree. As you say, I will bring others to our cause." He looks around at the dreamscape in wonder and apparent annoyance. "I do not like this place, but I cannot tell you why. It creeps under my skin. But I can endure. You, you wield powerful magic. This, I respect. Return me to my own head?" He starts to command, but changes this last to a question at the final word.
Zenj'ya: Jacques visibly relaxes somewhat as Zenj'ya speaks in Polyglot. He responds in kind. "Ah. What would you know of me? Am I unhappy with my situation? Way, of course I am. Would I participate in a mutiny against the captain? Way. But I do not know how such a rebellion, if it would succeed or not, non? I think it is better to wait for now, bide my time, and endure the indignities put upon me until I can take my revenge. I will not forget what they do to me, nor will I forget those who help me." He looks at his empty hand. "They have taken my weapon, the fine estoc that Granddam Lacrimoisi left to me. Once I recover that, none of these encoolays may stand against me."
Zenj'ya: Jacques opens his eyes warily, and looks around suspiciously. "Where am I?" he asks, in his heavily weighted accent. "Have I been abducted again? I warn you, enfwahray, we Bonuwat do not take kindly to enslavers." He looks at the tea but does not drink it, as if he suspects it is poisoned. "Who are you? You are one of those who were also-- how do you say, 'impressed' into service, way?" Realizing this, he slowly sits down, but still looks on his guard, like a cat in a cage. Examining his surroundings more carefully, he seems puzzled by what he sees.
Jacques backs away, but continues to study Fipps from afar. "That one, he is going to be the problem, way?" he mutters to himself. "All of the muscle, none of the brains. Perhaps he may be outwitted and embarrassed in that way. It is doubtful he will ever become my friend."
Jacques surveys the other crewmembers of this cursed vessel, glowering at them in his resentment of his lot. He tries to identify who the biggest bully is-- probably the biggest person.
Jacques narrows his eyes still further at the whip-wielding leader of thugs. Although he instinctively tenses at being ordered around, he recognizes that it would get him a beating and that there is no point, as none of the other prisoners are rebelling. He decides to respond sullenly, but respond he does and climbs out onto the deck with the others.
Jacques narrows his eyes and pulls himself to his feet. He checks for his purse, and finds it missing. As it slowly dawns on him what must have happened, he snarls to himself. How could I have let this happen? he wonders. A child of Grandam Lacrimoisi, press-ganged into service or worse. She would be so disappointed in me. He spits into the shadows. "Mon Dieu," he swears under his breath. "Salauds sale! Les fils de pute!" He waits for more information, glaring darkly about him.
Jacques sniffs. "My magic might be used to enthrall one of these creatures, but it hardly seems worth it if they will cease to serve us as soon as they leave the tent."
I'm still here. I'll check what is happening and respond!
Jacques prefers to fight the giant amphibians safely from land, if at all. He continues following Tobias across.
Feeling himself slipping, he quickly steadies himself with his special sword-fighting footwork.
Jacques frowns, but gamely attempts to follow Tobias across the pylons.
"Many of us cut our teeth-- as you say-- by climbing to the crow's nest on the ship when we were first taken." He smiles at Tobias. "You were very spry and nimble back then, weren't you capitan? Feel like leading us again today? We will surely follow where you go."
Jacques shrugs. "But no, not I. I was raised among sailors in a port city, and I have never been out in the wild before like this." He glares at the horizon, apparently angry at the admission. "Still, I may know much that is useful."
Jacques squints at the outcropping. "You are a very good climber, mon sire, are you not? I am thinking if we scaled that rock, we would have a good vantage of the island below, non?"
Jacques nods brusquely, regarding the elves with a suspicious eye, though he does not appear hostile.
Jacques grins broadly and manfully refrains from trying to intimidate the figures on the beach. "Lucky for them, for us to find them instead of the grindylows, non?"
Welcome!
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