Mark Sweetman's page

Hey mateys - many apologies for the radio silence for far too bloody long. Work has been... probably the hardest stretch I've ever done. I'm writing this at 11:20 pm staring at probably another couple of hours work before I can contemplate seeking slumber.

Much stress and pressure, plus our lads are getting larger and interesting in their own ways (good, bad and indifferent). None of this of course is an excuse, but I've nary been able to find the headspace for much creative of an eve - which has obviously driven into the PbP space as well.

I'm not sure when / how I'll come out the end of it, but owe all you good sorts better than I've been giving you of late. I'd like to say give it another few weeks and see how I'm travelling... hopefully the door falls down a tad to more level and stable footing.

Cheers,
Your Stinky Halfling Matey

Apologies for being a bit out of circulation over the last week - we lost a team member from work, so it's taken some adjustment and mental reconciliation.

Arms wide and grin wider Dibbets calls out in advance "Eh there ye big nugget, ye ha' a bit o' fun like?" before listening in as Corliss fills in their intellectual companion.

Only fair the scraggly half-man's only bringing up the 40 next year ;)

Can confirm am still present - this week has been wild at work, but am headed threadwards now.

Echoing the words of the Cap'n BD, 2020 is indeed (in the vernacular of her majesty) our annus horribilis. Ride them waves and keep your head and heart above waters, we'll keep the kettle on the stove and have a warm cup o' scottish blend wi' a tot ready for ye whenever you're passing through.

Sure :) #helping

A short round of appreciative applause to Revka on that last quip. From henceforth I think we should adopt 'the Carpenter fellows' as shorthand for the Order of the Nail.

A quick message to confirm that I still exist - work has been debilitating-ly busy (not that it's an excuse) and I have been exceptionally lax. I'll show up in thread in the next hour or so and will give myself a percussive back of the head wake up call tap to be more consistent in engagement moving forrads.

With a stern look Dibbs shushes Kaul "Nei matey, nei way o' tellin if yer bloodyin citizens or bastards eh? Best we make scarce an hit tha feckers that matter eh?" musing and stretching his neck "Tha said, we could do wi' a distractin like. I ken fog up an we ken slip away softly softly cheeky Kauly?"

Dibbets raises his eyebrow as the fleeing fellow is far less interesting than the dancing coin. He shrugs "Nei tha weirdest thing we seen roight?"

Nodding agreeance at Dingus' sage words Dibbets adds "Aye, they seem a mite on the limp side... not sure'n iffin theys gots it innem eh?"

Taking the challenge and wanting to divert at least some of the attention from the rest Dibbets shrugs "Well nae, mebbe ye off'rins dinnae look that distractin like. I done drunk, smoked an chewed on most sh1te ye might have on offer... most recent I gots me head addled by none other than tha Tears o' Leng... Whatcher got that could match that high eh?"

At the words of Kaul's exclusion Dibbs looks inside, then at Kaul, then down at himself and raises an eyebrow... but keeps the derogatory commentary to himself for now. Showing no disapproval of Kaul's murderous intent, Dibbs keeps mum and lets the tall'uns speak for the group.

With a whimper, Gethric tosses the oversized chicken leg into the murder-floor and slams the door shut again.

Dibbs nods and sighs as the words mesh with his lingering vision of dread malaise "Aye laddie, thats a few shivs short o' full sail. Well..." cracking his neck and scratching at an itchy part of his back-tattoo "we'll hae tae see bout puttin a fix in onna Brotherhoodies. Anythin tha might help us track doon an squish tha Spider feckers? - tattoo, secret handshake or tha like?"

Sorry for the radio silence lads - epic home schooling week with the bairns as the wife started a new jobby. Will be in thread once the wee terrors have abated for the eve.

I'm down with Urbane as well... lets us foller up on Dibbs hooch quest as well :P

Muttering under his breath to no-one in particular "If we have to start calling these things dragons when the thing upstairs apparently ain't... I'm gonna start calling myself a giant" but he keeps it to himself and just seeks to follow... oversized chicken leg in one hand and oversized fork held in the other.... like some kind of deranged miniature diner.

Dibbets winks at Dingus as the eccentric sorcere joins him aloft, adding "Ye might regret that decision afore we's done." before proceeding to become skyclad under the Freeport sun. Clothes ceremoniously laid to one side in a pile Dibbs lifts the top of his newly acquired beverage and takes in the scent. Letting the aroma sit on his palate for a moment he pauses to gather himself.

What then transpires is a roiling debauched performance of Dibbs' less than melodic voice churning out a stanza, followed by a swig, then stanza, then swig.... until the legs go out from under the halfling and he slumps into what's hopefully an enlightening dream state.

"And it's all for me grog, me jolly, jolly grog
All for me beer and tobacco
Well I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin
Across the western ocean I must wander"

"Where are me boots, me noggin, noggin boots
they're all gone for beer and tobacco
For the heels they are worn out and the toes are kicked about
And the soles are looking for better weather"

"I'm sick in the head and I haven't gone to bed
Since I first came ashore from me slumber
For I spent all me dough on the lassies don't you know
Far across the western ocean I must wander"

Without context Dibbs explains "Kauly's off nailin an eye to 'is axe... reckons it'll up 'is voodoo or summat... s'long as he doesnae come back cuddling a coconut an screechin like a bloody monkey I think we got off easy-like." pausing to scratch his arse before adding "And aye, matters at rest as best they may. As for the now... I've got an appointment wi' a bottle... probly best I do it above decks... easier tae hose down iffin I end up pukin or p1ssin mesel."

With that Dibbs tips his imaginary hat and heads back up topsides with rum and spirit-juice in tow.

Indeed - let's all be safe and sound through this admittedly pretty crappy time. I'm a week into essentially home isolation myself with two kids in tow. Wife has lost her job - though it was a pretty crappy one she was looking to leave.

Thankfully we're pretty rock solid though with no debt, good savings and I'm a government worker now so we've got one steady income rocking through. Would be good if all of the governments could get to some unity messaging though...

Heh - 'tis no worries. As much as anything I was mentally working through whether I was flanking or not :)

Dibb swills his freshly acquired bottle at Navin in way of affirmation before exiting stage left. He squints slightly at the fluid, wondering out loud "Aye, reckons so... ye think this'll be strong enough? Oh... we needs tae stop off fer some buttered rum as well now that I thinks of it."

Vision trip back on the ship for Dibbs vote

Comforted by the potential of alcohol provided in the near future, Dibbets is relaxed as Millant arrives. He doesn't dive to avarice in the same manner as Kaul, and respects Madman's slow play of the crew's findings. Stretching his spine he scratches idly at some encrusted substance on his stomach.

1 vote for reconvening at the vessel before we try either of our hare-brained cockamainy well thought out and mentally sound plans.

"Well... less head back shipwards... best we're back inna same hold afore I gets lit. Peg may've had some inklin as well eh?"

Crap and bugger BD - sending some calming thoughts across the waves and aether to ya.

I have now returned to home base... with one final piece of interestingness from the holiday. The picturesque volcano that we visited on our last day in Phil (Taal) has now erupted!

Happy New Year to all... and aye, we are lucky to avoid some of the worst of the season... but will be heading back home soon (a week). Air quality bad enough in Cbr that they are cancelling indoor events..

Net is bad which is why no posting, but will get back in the swing once back.

FYI - I will be travelling for our Christenmas journey to Sydney (hopefully dodging bushfires on the way) then onwards to the Philippines thereafter. I will be on sketchy net connection through till about 12 January, so while an attempt at posting will be made - naught can be guaranteed.

So over this time I hope you all eat well, make merry and enjoy the time :)

Sorry to hear that BD - and I can offer some platonic man-hugs of sympathy.

At the Groom and Corliss circling each other and sniffing at respective divine rears, Dibbs can't help but comment "Jus remember iffin it gets tae a p1ssin contest tae do it up-wind so ye ken gets tha Skylord's blessin as well eh?" before following Kaul galleywards "Hold up ye biggun, I dinnae wants ye thiefin all tha bestest tidbits an morsels"

A gnawing sensation is awakened in Dibb's gullet, which inspires his vocal cords to produce a poignant chord "Aye... I guess I could eats" before the wee bugger seeks ascendance on the gang plank. Pausing before he sets foot on the ship proper he mutters something indistinct under his breath and hold his hand out over the deck. A splash of salt water appears from betwixt nothingness, running over the halfling's hand before splashing on the deck.

Pomp complete, Dibbs nods, coughs a gobbet of phlegm into the water and seeks repast.

Dibbets shrugs his shoulders, considering his duty of care absolved "Fair 'nuff... we'll leave ye be. Word o' warnin though would be tae steer clear o' crawly... he's a roight bastich" turning to Kaul with a nod of thanks for the backup and a head twitch t'wards the exit.

Somewhat surprised by his continued blackpowder driven efficacy, Dibbets grimly reloads his pistol. Raising it t'wards the priest he squeezes off another shot...

Pistol (Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 2 = 14 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

With deliberate movements Dibbets raises his musket, exhaling and he levels the rudimentary sights onto centre mass of the pus-filled and grizzled man. Wordless he puts an unlistened to prayer t'wards the sky above as his finger slowly tightens on the trigger...
Deadly Aimed Musket: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 2 = 23 for 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
...his boomstick kicking like a rabid mule under his tender ministrations as a leaden shot is propelled with fire, smoke and fury t'wards his foe.

Channelling his inner Kaul-wrangling appeal to nuggety wisdom, Dibbets protrudes his bottom lip and fires back "What I do? What I do? What you do? I try and play, have fun, be friend... you no believe me." putting on his best hurt and sad expression before crossing his arms and turning away "Fine... I keep present, you go play with dead men.... bad friend!" punctuating the accusation with a turn of the head and blown raspberry.

Keeping his eyes from laying on the half-ogre, Dibbs hopes at least the big bugger's curiosity will see him continue to engage... or at least he'll feel the heavy footfalls as the bugger comes to crush his noggin to paste.

Muttering "Blathering barnacles... should'a used me brain afore me mouth..." Dibbs takes a breath and decides to go whole hog. Summoning all the bullsh1tery and bluster he can manage he puts desperate note to voice, crying "Oh no... they've got me... Help! They're dragging me away... save me... please friend!" attempting to cast his voice such that it proceeds along the dock and into the city proper...

Smirking invisibly Dibbets continues "Yeah, real small... gotta look hard. Over here, c'mon... ye want yer present?" trying to lead the half-ogre further away from the entrance.

All good with discussion above. I think I'll get a spoiler block together for combat so the mechanical choices (and potential modifiers) are hidden out of plain sight and can then narrative flow the actions.\

Joana - any issues if Gethric shows up in the main thread? - we could start some lo-fi RP as well?

Happy with Lore: Small Business :)

Nothing wrong with the spiritual home of Farmer's Union, the Balfour's custard tart and Giant Twins. When a wee lad I was also partial to a can of Fruita... though I realise my folly in older age.

Master Pett knows when his eldritch name has been invoked...

As an aside... just a tad of interest in your recruitment eh Joana? - just putting out a marker that while I would be honored to be picked, I could equally understand if you choose to try for greener grass.

Dibbets winks at Corliss "Few tricks o' tha trade hidin under me wee kilt eh"

Eyes a twinkle Dibbets continues "Too right Kauly, sides... I bets Navin 'ere's got a fair ideas o' what each o' tha sips is like... good tender always has a sip an sniff o' what 'es servin right"

Dibbets ears perk up as he swirls the second helping of rotgut in his glass, Navin's words having stirred an inkling of interest "Adventurous tastes ye say eh?... so wots ye got that's inna same ballpark as ol Bloodgrog there? I sucked onna teat meself in Scurvy... but alls I remember was endin up humpin Kauly's leg a while..."

14k and I think we're now 5th in prolificness among those PbP that are still active.

In other Scottish news

Leaning closer and speaking conspiratorially... though still loud enough for Kaul to overhear "Oh.. and dinnae poke yer tongue out round tha nuggety one eh?" leaving the comment hanging like an overripe engorged fruit... lacking context...

I must be going daft... could've sworn that Syncopit asked Dibbs to save one of the wasp's stingers for him... I'm not crazy right? empty room refuses to answer

Laboriously beginning the descent Dibbets replies "Wants a trophy me does eh? Pokey arse bit offa one of em."

Dibbets gives Kaul a consolation pat on the thigh before broaching "Ye mind heftin Jacint there? Might still be worth a coin or two gettin him back home" before seeing to mock up a litter to drag the dead with them.

As they get to moving the halfling also muses "We needs tae get some reccy in afore we figure tae take on the point eared buggers... plus might be worth gettin a manta glide in tae see if tha red bastard's still a prowl."

Aye, Dibbs would be up fer a suck o' tha red teat :P