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Rounds 1&2
Round 3
for Round 4
for ________________________________________
As the Wormwood closes on her prey, Mateo begins to realize that his long-term plans for keeping his friends from Scourge's wrath need to take a back seat to keeping them alive during the imminent battle. He takes the time to speak briefly with the other three members of the crew who'll be part of the same boarding team. After introducing himself properly, Mateo apologizes for his aloof behavior that morning, stating that other matters were weighing on his mind. "I bought a crossbow from Grok, so I should be able to snipe a bit as we near our foes," he tells them. "Once the ship's been grappled, I'll be one of the first over the rails to see if I can cut a clear path for others to follow."
Mateo manages a brief nod in reply to Amara's inquiry as to whether he is ready to take on the world today. Almost immediately, though, Mateo distances himself from the priestess, Vex, and Cadj--the closest thing he had to friends on this ship. Scourge had tried to have him murdered last night, and Mateo had honestly expected one of the crew to slit his throat while he caught a few hours' sleep before the impending battle. He was a man marked for death, it seemed, and he didn't want to drag his shipmates down with him. Amara and Vex could likely talk their way out of any difficulty; Cadj was likely valued for his magical abilities. If he kept his distance from them, perhaps they'd be safe. In all truth, Mateo wasn't even certain what had transpired down in the bilges. His two crewmates--both cronies of Scourge--had turned on him and tried to murder him. His training had failed him. Not only had he not seen the ambush coming, but his battle training had abandoned him as well. Had he somehow, against all odds, won the fight though sorely wounded? Or had his would-be killers prevailed, leaving him in the bilges to bleed out? Had Sandara healed him...or had her goddess actually intervened? Mateo had no idea. What was indisputable was that a blood-red skull-and-crossbones--Besmara's holy symbol--was now branded on his left wrist (though Mateo had hidden the sign beneath some bandages for the time being). He hadn't mentioned the attack for fear of putting bulls-eyes on the backs of his friends as well. Yet somehow his wounds were now fully healed. And then there was last night's vivid dream...or vision. Besmara now either favored him...or claimed his life to do with as she pleased. The goddess's words echoed in his ears even now: "Keep that spine straight and those eyes sharp love. And when it all seems lost, keep the faith!” Keep the faith? Mateo thinks. I never had faith in you to begin with! He'd paid some lip service to Cayden Cailean over the past few years, but he hated pirates and everything to do with them. Yet Besmara--at least the version that had appeared in his dream--had seemed gay and light-hearted, not black-hearted like Scourge, Plugg, and most of the Wormwood's wicked crew. Then it dawned on him: these latter scoundrels weren't devotees of Besmara: they were godless, sinful, immoral men. Mateo took a deep breath and, in that moment, willed himself to become what he hated: a pirate. He would be a pirate, true enough, but he would not truly be serving Captain Harrigan, Mister Plugg, or Master Scourge--his heart and sword arm would serve Besmara. As soon as he could escape the Wormwood and its crew of blackguards, he would. Mateo's eyes again fell briefly upon Amara as she incurred the wrath of the maimed strix crewman whose name he didn't know. Mateo considered stepping in but then opted to let the little lady fight her own battles...for now, at least. Mateo still had lingering trust issues with the priestess, due to the similarities (both physical and in terms of their ease to manipulate others) between Amara and Jetsam, the lovely informant whose dubious tip had led directly to his press-ganging aboard the Wormwood. He rubbed the bandaged wrist where the holy mark was hidden. Besmara had marked him, though, and it was a secret that wouldn't keep forever. He decided to have a talk with Amara after the coming battle...if they survived (which didn't seem a certain thing, since Scourge had told them they'd be the first ones over the rail). Today, though...I finally embrace being a pirate. And pirates say '*$#% the rules!' Instead of working hard at his assigned task, Mateo decides to visit Grok's office for some last-minute shopping before the blood starts to spill and the $&*# hits the fan.
OK, I believe Mateo is now updated for 2nd level. Here's a list of changes: hp: 6 (avg.) +1 (Con) +1 (FC) = 8; now 20 total
Quick Question: We got all our starting gear back at some point, correct?
Amara (female human cleric of Besmara) has belatedly posted her interest in the Game 3 Discussion. We can probably use the healing, but is seven players too many? If so, I'll volunteer to drop out, as I'm in several other forum PbPs.
I vote for Option #1. #2 is interesting but I don't see how you could believably carry over the Influencing done by Vex (and maybe Cadj).
Hiya crewmates, both old and new! Glad to be setting sail again!
Still around, still loving pirates! And I think you hit on the right solution: Option #2. I'd definitely consider re-upping for another tour of duty on the Wormwood, but I have some questions. The Big One: How are you going to mix the two different storylines? For example, in Game Three Mateo fought Owlbear and was the victim of the ambush in the bilges. In Game 1 it looks like it was Aviz and G'nosha. Not to mention the whole Influencing NPCs aboard the Wormwood business--I'm pretty sure Amara and Vex did most of that for Group 3. What happens if they drop out of the game?
Just a quick note for Amara and Vex: It looks like while Changing Tide's on hiatus from his second game, one of the players will be taking up the GM's mantle. According to this thread, they're looking to add two players as well. Sounds like a perfect fit to me. :)
I'm not going to ignore you and I don't hate you, and I'll likely still be on these boards if you opt to go the hiatus route. However.... As much as I hate to potentially be the person who kills this game, I think it might be best--for you--to end it. Your school work is much more important and should be the higher priority.
Merry Christmas, my fellow scurvy scalawags! Here's hoping you all find lots of wondrous plunder & booty beneath your Christmas yardarm this year! Holiday Posting Schedule: It looks like I'll be unable to post for the next two Sundays/Mondays (12/25 & 12/26, 1/1 & 1/2, though I may be able to sneak in a brief post on 1/2). I should be able to post as usual on the weekdays in between.
Quick Note: I've got a full schedule of real-life errands tomorrow and won't be able to post again until Friday. The GM can bot my character if needed.
Spoiler: Mateo doesn't answer Sandara for a while. When he does, he's frowning at her. "I don't buy that for a minute, and I don't think you do either. If so, your actions aren't in line with your words: If you're just another scrubber, why intervene when those two bastards tried to kill me? Maybe my 'place in the world' was supposed to be face-down, floating in the bilges...." Just then comes the faint call from above about sails spotted on the horizon. Mateo gives a bitter laugh and asks the redhead, "So, what's the protocol here? Rush up on deck to assemble or keep to our assigned daily task? Can't help but feel that whichever I choose is gonna result in a whipping for me tonight at Bloody Hour."
Mateo: "Sure thing," Mateo replies with a smile when Sandara offers to help him with the never-pleasant work of pumping the bilges. He sticks out his hand and says, "I don't think we've been formally introduced, what with me being half-dead when I was dragged aboard and then trying to get over that foul rum thy serve us every night since. Name's Mateo, and I'm in your debt." As he and the priestess get to work, Mateo chats a bit with the woman, who he knows has been on the Wormwood at least as long as he has. "Any idea why Scourge wants me dead? Not because I called him on his cheat during my fight with Owlbear? And what the hell is wrong with this crew? What sort of pirate dares call a priestess of Besmara what Kip called you?"
Mateo:
"Thanks--your timing is impeccable!" Mateo gasps as he goes from death's doorstep to fully healed in an instant. "Kip and Fipps here were just about to murder me...on Master Scourge's orders. Question is: Are they gonna push their luck now that the odds have evened?" Mateo readies an action to hack at Fipps again if the men's answer is "Yes."
Readied Action (if needed): for
Lame-ateo: "Not sure what you boys have against me," Mateo growls at his attackers, "but it looks like it's kill-or-be-killed...and I ain't ready to die just yet!" Mateo again swings the cutlass at the wounded pirate, hopeful of taking him out of the fight. for
Down (But Not Yet Out!) in the Bilges: Mateo reels from the kick to the kidneys but sucks it up and tries to press the attack against the armed pirate. for
Mateo Actions v. 2.0: Mateo calls out that he's under attack in the small hope that someone above will hear him and actually give a damn. Then he grabs a cutlass from out of the bilge water and takes a hack at the pirate armed with the cutlass. After taking his slash, Mateo weaves a bit [oo](5-foot step)[/ooc] so his attackers won't be easily able to flank him. for
Mateo Actions: Mateo realizes this isn't just another Scourge-ordered beatdown--these two bastards mean to kill him. He screams for help at the top of his lungs: "Murder! Fire!" in the hopes that someone in the lower hold will hear and help out. Then he swings a fist at the pirate who sucker-punched him. for
Mateo's Checks:
I'm on an every-other-day sort of schedule 'til I pass my kidney stone, but I'm still lurking.
As the GM and some of you may know, I don't have home internet and post from my local library. Well, I went to the ER last night and found out that I have a kidney stone. The doctors are hoping I'll pass it within a week. Right now the pain's not bad, so my tentative plan is to visit the library briefly every other day to catch up/stay current in the games I play on these forums. If the pain gets as bad as I'm told it might, that's subject to change. So if I disappear...that's the reason. I'll try to post an update when I can. The GM may bot my character as he sees fit.
Quick Note: I'll probably be offline for the next couple of days (jury duty tomorrow (at the least); holiday Friday). I hope to catch up on Saturday and will give an update then if I actually get picked for a jury.
Hoping that the dolphin stays between him and the other reefclaw, Mateo tries to swim up to the reefclaw that had been attacking Amara, hoping to put the damaged creature out of its misery.
for
Mateo silently gives thanks to the dolphin for its timely rescue. Spear in hand, he considers his next move: Try to deal with the reefclaw that had attacked him or maybe try to finish off the injured one above that had been clawing Amara?
Still here, leastways 'til Mateo gets killed by a reefclaw or drowns.
I'm going to be without internet access until Monday afternoon (though I should have a brief posting window on Sunday). Bot my character as needed.
Mateo tries to pull free from the beast's claw but finds it difficult.
Mateo manages to keep an even keel in the water as the monster attacks; his spear stab, however, goes awry.
Mateo continues to dive for the item Bastardos spotted.
Next Round:
Next Round +1:
Next Round +2:
"Kroop said alive is better--that shellfish decompose pretty fast," Mateo tells Cadj. "But he also said that unless we take forever catching them, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference." Mateo peers over the edge of the rowboat into the clear blue water. "Pretty," he comments absently. With a grin he adds, "Pretty empty of crab, that is. Then again, we probably won't find many crabs backstroking on the surface." Trading his oar for a spear, Mateo drops over the edge of the boat and sinks slowly beneath the surface.
Rolls If No Take 10:
Amara was a slave earlier in life? Had she mentioned that before? Between that little nugget and the fact that his father had trained him to track down and capture escaped plantation slaves, this arrangement didn't feel right to Mateo. Plus, tying yourself to a bad swimmer was a worse idea--they could drag you down with them if they panicked. Just then, Vex made her plea to use a rowboat and Mateo's hopes soared. "We'll see," he told Amara, turning to watch and listen to Scourge's reaction to Vex's request.
"I can, well enough," Mateo answers Cadj. "How about you ladies?" he asks Amara and, with a worried look, Vex. Lastly, he gives a wry smile to Bastardos. "You got enough limbs left to tread water?" Once Scourge is out of earshot, Mateo tells the others, "Make sure you have some sort of stabbing weapon--ones that you have to swing like a mace or a longsword don't function well underwater. Also, I'm going to have a talk with Kroop--can't recall if crabs have to be alive when you cook them or if they can be dead. Seems to me certain shellfish can make you sick if you cook them dead...clams, maybe? Anyhow, you know damned well who'll get blamed if the captain gets a tummy ache after his meal--us. I'm also gonna visit Grok's store and pick up a spear if I can. Anyone want to tag along?"
Before hanging his hammock and climbing into it, Mateo takes a moment to have a quiet conversation with Amara. "I was thinking.... Do you suppose Grok's store has any magical scrolls left over from past hoards these cutthroats looted? Might be worthwhile to invest in some if they'll help the mage, Cadj, in the future...assuming, of course, that he's willing to help us in turn."
Mateo sees another way to make Owlbear bond more with the group. "I don't know about you, but I could use some more healing after our little battle," he says in a confidential tone. "Amara doesn't usually give me the time of day, but if you were to ask...."
Mateo's knocked back a step and a half by the big man's 'playful' punch. "I'm guessing they call you 'Owlbear' because of this," Mateo says, pointing out the remaining patches where the man had been tarred and feathered in the past. "Who did that to you? Scourge? Who else? Did you have another name before 'Owlbear?'"
Mateo nods at Amara as he gets a sense of what she's up to. Though the healing energy she channels doesn't get him back to ship-shape, at least he's no longer in danger of being knocked out should someone sneeze unexpectedly. "You punch harder than a mule kicks, my friend!" Mateo says with a bloody smile. "I don't plan on going toe-to-toe with you again if I can help it!" If Scourge is Out of Earshot, He Adds...:
"I can't believe Scoureg tossed you a club! Didn't you hear the Captain's order about not killing another crewman? Maybe Scourge was trying to get you killed...or didn't care one way or another. That's just not right."
Mateo thanks Cadj for his kind words as the wizard speaks up. Mateo then takes another closer look at Owlbear before blurting out, "Well I'll be damned! I was so busy looking for openings in his defensive stance I never even noticed his bad eye! Live and learn."
WB Cadj! Enjoy your vacation, Amara!
Mateo is--quite frankly--shocked when Scourge throws him the prize money, wholly having expected the pirate to have either denied saying the battle was to have been a fistfight or just have said that he'd decided to change the rules on a whim. He turns around, looking for Amara, to present the short lady with the winnings. "As far as I'm concerned, you're our leader," he tells the Besmaran priestess. "Put this to use where it'll do the most good or stash it away for a rainy day. You might wanna count it first, though: not only do I not doubt for a minute that Scourge would cheat us, but I'm also not sure he can count higher than the number of fingers on his hands." As he wipes some more blood away from his eyes he adds, "I could also use a bit of healing, if you're able."
After being cracked on the head with the illegal club, blood pours down's Mateo's face. He withdraws from the armed man, toward Scourge (if possible). "That was a costly lapse in judgment," he tells the man. "You just got your man disqualified...while he was winning. I'll take the fight purse now, if you please."
As Mateo had feared, the hulking brute can punch harder than he can. Gritting his teeth, he throws another right at Owlbear's chin. for
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