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This one is the rough one of the games ending. I absolutely adore Mateo but I have no idea if any DM that I've seen on this site could replicate the relationship he has built with Syl or have my trust enough to let me indulge and play the personality he is without falling into the temptation to just f@!& him over entirely. I don't think Mateo exists outside of Fern's storytelling the way he is now, so I am going to step away from this game. It has been a pleasure playing with you all. <3
Mateo returns to find everyone staring at him, his eyebrow arching just a little bit in question before he gives a friendly wave and makes his way upstairs. His words were delivered and Rickety knew how things would play out however he wanted to play it. His dragon was resting and needed protection. Any would-be heroes would have the Devil to dance with. Throughout the day, Mateo would come downstairs for drinks, meals, and drinks. He would chat with those that wished to, especially the especially brave if foolish girl who had teased him earlier. Most of the time would be spent with Syl, washing her with a cloth, maintaining her weapons, patching her clothing, and teasing her relentlessly so she was motivated to rise from the bed and either stab him or kiss him. There was no mention of Rickety or what he discussed with the man and, if pressed, would only give a sly grin. The next morning, was dressed far more subtle and reasonable. His ridiculous get-up had been saved and packed away, saved for a night that morale was low on the ship and he needed to showcase his mighty thighs again. His clothes were washed of the dirt and mended, holes stitched back together after being handed to the local seamstress. In his trademark hat and with his fancy yet subtle eyepatch, Mateo would come downstairs and sit at the table with his compatriots. He drinks a cup of coffee, freshly brewed, and savors how the warmth resonates through his body. His eye lingers on Rickety for only a moment before passing over towards Captain Pegsworthy. He tips his hat silently to the man, looking towards Lanni and waiting to hear what the negotiation would be.
The man stands there with an angry scowl, arms crossed, exuding an aura of menace that keeps his workers out of his fiery range. Mateo moved up to stand beside the man, his hands resting on his belt as he looks over the Good Intentions. The team was working their very best, shifting and changing its appearance while maintaining the original ship's seaworthiness and speed. For a long moment, the two would simply coexist. Mateo was well-aware of the man's slowly growing ire beside him as he bounced on his heels, looking back at Rickety at long last. "Thank you for not calling your men onto her and us. You are a consummate professional." Mateo was earnest in his thanks, his good eye returning to the men at work. Some of Pegworthy's crew passed nearby, talking amidst themselves. Clearing his throat, Mateo would speak. "I wish to repay your kindness with what you seek; closure." "Now before you get carried away, I want you to know that I've verified nothing. I just can...sense these things. I am a man of violence because I enjoy the art of it. Syl...she learned to love it because it was how she survived. With that said, I feel I'm qualified to help explain it as you seem a logical man." Turning towards him, Mateo would continue. "First, I want you to think of the circumstances. You are Rickety, the most prominent and trusted squibber in the Shackles. Countless pirates turn to you to hide their ill-gotten goods. None would betray you because your connections and wealth are immense. You are a danger, not in battle, but in influence. Yet for some reason, my Dragon killed your son." "The son of Rickety, one of the most powerful men in the Shackles without having a target on his back. This place must've been his personal kingdom, the prince to the king. Amidst the pirates, one could forget their place. One could believe that no harm could ever come to them because they were the prince. Who would strike down a prince?" Mateo said softly, shrugging. "What the prince wanted, the prince could take. Beloved by his father, his antics unseen, he would try to take something he should not...someone they should not." "This woman is fearless, murderous, and I fell in love the moment she plunged a blade in between my ribs. Yet she feared this place. She feared you and it is not because you have a bounty on her head. Perhaps it was because you were a loving father who didn't know better." Mateo turned, his smile that he had worn throughout the conversation gone from his face. "If your son was still alive, I'd bleed the answers from him. I'd make him confess and I'd cut his throat in front of you so you'd have your damned closure. I was not there but I know what I feel; your son was a monster. He just met a more dangerous one. He deserves whatever fate Pharasma has for him." "I don't care if you call off the bounty or not. In fact, I welcome it. They'll be skilled, dangerous, and I get to watch the ambition bleed from their eyes when they witness who they're dealing with. I will kill each and every one of them Rickety, every single one. And if for some strange reason should your people succeed, I will come here and I will collect my pound of flesh from you and those you care for. You do not scare me because I am in love." The straight-forward stare disappeared into a mirthful grin as he clapped the man's shoulder, nodding. "Now that that unruly business is done, I hope you have the answer you want and that you understand your choices here. I cannot wait to see the workmanship you and yours make! Have a good day."
Mateo went quiet for a bit as the two spoke together, his one remaining eye focused upon the man for a moment. There was no expression there but the rapier in his hand remained out and ready. The declaration was very clear there; step closer and get an opportunity to explain to whatever divinity you worship how you messed up so badly. Yet it never got there, Rickety rushing off after making his declaration. The swashbuckler seemed to relax, realizing that he would not need to kill every ally of Rickety's and create a slaughter. He liked quite a few folk here and it'd be a shame to murder them or be murdered by them. "Ah, she's still feeling spiteful. Guess you weren't stabbed hard enough." Mateo muttered with a smile, confident thanks to how injured she was that she wouldn't knick him hard with a dagger. He would rise and turn, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "I need to take care of some things. If anything happens to you, know that I'll burn this place down and salt the earth so that not even the jungle will want to claim it." The words were spoken softly and endearingly, his lips finding hers as he notioned for her to rest. He would sheath his blade, walking out of the room to the stairs until he could join the others. "Eventful indeed, Atia, eventful indeed." He scanned the room for a moment, frowning slightly. "I'll be back." He had a man to speak to and Rickety didn't seem to be in the tavern right then.
The door burst open and there was just a momentary tension in Mateo's shoulders, muscles flexing and ready. Underneath the brim of his hat, his single eye stared deeply into Rickety for a long, long moment while the man looked past him at the injured woman upon the bed. Still sitting for a moment, Mateo turned his head on small tilt. "So...how shall we do this then?" His voice was a thing of utter calmness as he slowly rose up from his seat. He didn't move any closer and he didn't threaten the man either. He simply maintained his calm demeanor as he stared daggers at Rickety.
Her grip was strong, the grip of a survivor, and it brought a gentle smile to his face. He quietly listened to her as she spoke, his head just tilted enough so his good eye could stare back at her. Blooded, worn down, and battered, she still looked as beautiful as she did in the midst of violence. Yet he could see that in her eyes, the dragon was quelled. What was before him was the woman. Turning towards her, his head tilted curiously at the gentle voice that left her. Taking her hand in his more tightly, he pressed his lips tightly against her pale skin for a long moment. "My dragon...I'd duel the psychopomps if they tried to take me from you. Only your blade can send me away." Mateo whispered gently, smiling against her skin. "Please...rest. Captain and the others are dealing with...interlopers at the docks. If things go poorly, I will momentarily take my absence. Till then though...I am yours." He gave a kiss to her knuckles, leaning back into his seat. The warmth of his smile slowly died as his feet resumed their rapid tap and his blade rested across his lap.
There was a gentle chuckle from the man seated before the bed that Syl laid in, though he didn't turn to look at her. He stayed entirely focused, lightly tapping his foot in anticipation. He hated the waiting. It was the worst part of any violence. "Don't tell lies. You loved it." He murmured back. His feet would push along the uneven floor and move him back towards the bed, close enough for his arm that was was secured to his buckler could reach back and take her hand in his. A gentle squeeze, a small moment of intimacy. "You rest mine. I'm here. Nothing will happen to you."
Settling Syl onto the bed, he would smile at her very gently as he pushed back the dark hair that covered her face. Finding a cloth, he would rinse it in water before washing at her wounds and stripping her armor off of her form. It was a meticulous task but it kept his brain focused. Mateo cared much about his friends but he rarely stayed around long enough for bonds to grow. It was easier to attach and pull away, savor the moment and let it go. Lanni was supposed to be that, an interesting man who piqued his interest. That changed when they ended up on Harrigan's ship together. He did not expect to meet his dragon there, a woman who reflected the adoration of violence. She was brutal, vicious, unpolished, a survivor. She knew only herself but determinedly, he wanted to be with her. The fact that she nearly was gone made his hands ache. The thought of the loss made his vision blur but the swashbuckler couldn't tell if it was from tears or from rage. His thoughts were disturbed as she moved, groaning softly in pain. His lips met her forehead, his brow furrowed to keep the fearful look from spreading across his face. A smile forced its way across his face as he whispered into her ear. "My love, just rest. I won't leave you. I'm right here. I'll keep you safe." Whether she heard him or not, she would calm down and finally still. Her chest rose with shallow but easy breathes, calming Mateo down softly. Standing up, still mud covered and covered with insect gore, he would grab the shabby chair from the desk nearby and drag it over. Spinning it on its legs, he sat down and slouched back with his sword drawn. Those blue eyes lost their soft shine that they had when he stared upon her, almost becoming grey and cold as he stared at the doorway. He wasn't sure if Rickety had heard Des. He wasn't sure if he would send men for them. It didn't matter though, Mateo was watching the door. The swashbuckler waited, waiting to see if he'd have to kill everyone that wasn't with them or not.
I'm fine with it being a mistake; lots of stress, a recent betrayal, it could lead to interesting events <3
The last wasp died on the end of his rapier, the smell of their ichor filling the air. The others escaped with their meals or empty handed, fluttering back into the jungle. Whipping his blade to spill the excess gore off of it, he cleaned it quick with a cloth before kneeling down beside Syl. She breathed still, slowly and painfully, but she breathed nonetheless. The intensity bled from his face as he pushed her hair back behind her ear and smiled. "The fun is not over yet, my dragon." Mateo whispered to her, wrapping her in his arms and pulling her to his chest. The commotion coming from the dry docks was entirely missed as he slid his fingers through her hair and kept her close to his chest. It wasn't until he heard Lanni speak that he let out a sigh and slowly released her. He stands up and when Destinie speaks, his eyes flicker to her. "Rickety and who?" He asked quickly, his stare telling more than his words did. They had to keep his dragon's identity a secret, lest this whole squibbing become a massive and deadly chore. "Get those hiding in the tavern to help you move him inside. I'll take care of her." Perhaps the old man would be unconscious and miss the slip. Maybe someone would recognize how she fought? It was better to be safe than sorry. Mateo would slip his arm underneath Syl's, helping lift her up as he turned his attention back towards Lanni. With a dip of his hat, he would go to ensure she got rest and was left unbothered.
She was still bleeding there under him, still so bloody and still. She hadn't moved yet, her breathing erratic and shallow. A rage billowed up in him, his muscles tightening as he looked at the surrounding insects. "I'll kill them all. I'll kill every last one of you." He hissed behind clenched teeth. The first one that launched itself towards him would not expect a sudden kick in the face, knocking it off-center for him to drive his rapier deep into its body.
The shout that comes from Mateo is too earnest to be faked as he rushes to stand over her body, he sees Destinie coming in and takes the lead, provoking the wasps to try and strike at him.
Standing over his fallen love's body, Mateo grits his teeth like a mad dog and nearly snarls. The rapier twirls in his hand as he regards each of the cold, insect creatures with a hateful gaze. The first one that lashes out at him has their stinger parried up before he thrusts his blade upwards, aiming to pierce through its body from tail to head.
Parry & Riposte:
Mateo had been humming his song when he realized there was a discordant tune, one that interfered with his shanty. Frowning, he then heard the sound of screaming echoing from up ahead. His good eye caught sight of the birds buzzing around the dock, the realization that they were much much bigger than birds. He would step out into the settlement to notice that what were birds was truly massive wasps attacking and taking whoever they could for themselves. His eyes scanned the horizon, looking only for crew members to rescue, when his sight settled on his beloved. Bloodied, fighting for her life, the sight filled him with awe and satisfaction...until he saw her fighting defensively. She was being pressed, so much so that she needed to fend them off. His brow furrowed, an angry glare filling them. If anyone was going to kill her, it was going to be him. "Right." Mateo muttered, drawing shield and blade as he rushed in across the way. He charged across the battlefield, uncaring about his safety and well-being, as he went after the closest one of the fluttering wasps. The creature turned to strike at him but not before he lunged out with his blade in a powerful, thrusting strike.
Even vulnerable, Mateo prepared himself for the others with his blade and buckler in hand. "Protecting our investment, love? Sorry that I left you to take all the fun!" He said with a wide, wicked grin as he struck.
Parry & Riposte:
"Yeah, don't eat what can talk. Gives weird shakes to those folks. Ask the Pallid Princess's folks..." Mateo muttered as he found a patch of dry ground to set himself up on. "I'll take last watch. Night folks." Settling onto the leather bedroll, he'd grimace a little. The bed had broken him in, going back to sailing would be rough the first few nights. The next day, Mateo readies himself for the long walk. He gives a friendly little wave to the naga boy, taking the lead and whistling a little shanty as they began the trip back to Rickety's after Lanni's séance concluded.
"Camp would be most pertinent." Mateo says in agreement, looking between his comrades for a moment. "I...I think beside all these dried corpses would be bad, right? That'd be...not good?"
"So what will it be? I will not let the child suffer, one way or another." Mateo said, eyeing the brush carefully. They had seen the hunters that lurked here, who said that they were not being watched even now. He pulled out a torch, setting it aflame to give them some light as darkness began to overtake all.
Mateo didn't turn his attention towards Joran or Terry as they put up their opinions, his focus entirely on the scared child that was before them. His eye flickered towards them, watching them carefully before he gave a shrug. "I don't think a ship is much of a home for it either. We cannot guarantee its safety, its survival, or assuage their fears. If I was gone and my child was left behind to wither away, I would wish for their pain to be swift and merciful." There was no glee in the swashbuckler's voice, not like when he fought against the grindylow or even the antkeg upon the island. This was, to his mind, a true act of kindness rather than an enjoyable kill. "As always though, I stand by what the crew chooses. Officers?" He turned his head towards Des, Seadreamer, and Lanni, waiting for their opinions.
Mateo becomes as still as a statue as their captain speaks to the tiny naga. He gives the slightest nod towards the wizard's word, his blade half-drawn but not fully brought out.
"That was a solid strike Joran, a real fearsome blow. Surprised the thing didn't keel over just from that first strike." Mateo said as they made their way forward now, his weapons sheathed and a soft whistle leaving him as they left the allosaurus's corpse for opportunists to savor. As the trip moved on, the smell of old corpses filtered in and a frown spread across his face. The sight of many of these creatures, dried out and desiccated, brought a frown to his face as he stayed his blade. It seemed that nature had had its way with them and there was no more need for violence. "How...unfortunate. Seems like there will be no fight left here." The splash of water caught his ear and Mateo would turn, following behind the oracle and wizard towards the edge of the makeshift dam. He would approach the side, staring down into the water to see the young naga looking up at them with fear in its eyes. "A child." Mateo said softly, letting out a deep sigh. He shook his head, looking down at his rapier, before becoming resolute. "I'll make it clean and painless, if need be. It'd be a shame to let it suffer the same fate."
"Oh that...an admirable trait for certain. One must make sure the progeny continue..." Mateo said, patting the allosaurus on the head before he looks over at Joran. "You alright, friend? You seemed partially chewed on there."
Mateo leaps up and stabs it between the beast's ribs, striking clearly into its heart. He watches as it stumbles a step before. It hits the ground hard and the swashbuckler stands back for a moment before stepping closer towards this beast. It laid on the ground, breathing hard, and the man would move closer but above the danger of its snapping jaws. "There there, you did well. You didn't expect this fight." Mateo muttered softly down to it, running a hand along its head. "Go ahead. Time to move on." The beast shuddered and then went still, the swashbuckler would stand up and brush himself off. He watched the other dinosaur rush off to join its herd, his smile still on his face before he gave a shrug. "Heroes? Eh, debatable. This beast is just a predator, much like us. It could've been hunting for its family, now doomed to starve. Heroes are entirely based on perspective." Mateo would mutter, taking out his dagger. He dug at the beast's jawline, taking out four of its teeth; the biggest ones and the smallest ones. "We ready to go? The Nagas aren't going to kill themselves...hopefully."
Mateo would roll out of the way of the dinosaur's tail, striking once more for its deeper innards. The Allosaurus was bigger than anything he had hunted before but he could visualize where the most precious organs would be inside of the beast. Now it was just finding the moment to strike.
Mateo was ready to leave, sullen almost at the fact that the carnage couldn't even be witnessed. Nature was having its way before their very eye. Yet what Seadreamer and the others had suggested was reasonable; they didn't need to fight. And then Joran charged it. Mateo watched the man leap into the fray with his greatsword in hand, aiming to nearly cleave the animal apart. His shocked expression turned into one of excitement, his grin growing wider and wider. Mateo shouted, drawing shield and rapier as he rushed into combat to strike against the monstrous thing. He rushed up as it turned to see what was happening, his smile wild and mad. He never had a chance to kill something so big before. He swept low and ducked underneath a claw, assuming his defensive position before taking a mighty lunge at the allosaurus. While he was excited for the fight, he had no interest in becoming a preliminary meal.
Possible Parries:
The ground shook underneath him and Mateo would begin to grin wider now. A massive beast erupted from the treeline, crashing out towards its prey. The smaller ones fled but one stayed behind to fight, swinging that mace-like tail through the air with destructive force. The allosaurus was undeterred, breaking through and biting down onto its prey with terrible force. "How beautiful..." Mateo whispered, crouching down to watch the hunter hunt. How often did someone have the chance to see nature in action while not dealing with its predations? He hears Lanni and looks over, the dangerous smile plastered to his face. "It'd be an amazing battle, no doubt. Instinct versus talent, man versus beast. An ageless battle." Mateo said with a sigh, standing up and brushing himself off. "But we're onto better things, yes? I don't have to kill it...but I'd like to..."
Mateo happily walked with his comrades along the riverbed, enjoying the stroll through the jungle. There was less insects and even though the stench of decay lingered here, there was not that scent of unnatural rot lingering through it either. The sun beat down on him but his hat helped protect his pale skin. When they came around the bend, his eyes widened to see the majestic beasts there drinking from the water. He had never seen such a creature before. He had never killed such a creature before. With Lanni's question though, the swashbuckler deflates a little. Caution was acceptable but how often would they have the chance to slay such a beast. He settles down but anyone watching can see the hopefulness in his eyes as he watches and listens for trouble.
"Thank you." Mateo said with a nod towards Atia, walking out the tavern with a sashay to his hips...almost. He steps outside, stretches, and waits to be told where to go. Jungles were not his forte; towns and back alleys were.
"I found him when I was older, stronger, better. I pierced his lungs and as they filled with blood, I took my eye back. Then I took his other eye." Mateo said softly, reminiscing happily about the back-alley murder. He turned at her last comments, chuckling softly and nodding before making his way out and into the sun.
"Mmmm...Cricket is it? A fitting name. Shame for the reason." She kept this smile upon her face, one saying "excuse me please? I'm not responsible for my mistakes.". He remained close to her before taking off his hat and placing it on the nearby table, throwing his long hair over his shoulder. "You remind me of myself. Can I show you something?" "See, in Cheliax, slavery is quite legal. Halflings being the targets of choice. Easy to intimidate, easy to control. When I was a boy your age, there was a known slave hunter by the name of Jasper Silvereyes. A real dangerous sort, colder than death itself. I met him." Mateo begins to narrate, smiling as if remembering a treasured memory. "He was a halfling! A halfling that hunted his own! A real son of a b$++*. He didn't stand any taller than you, a short little man carrying himself like death despite the fuzzy toes and chubby cheek. It was ridiculous and like you, I couldn't help but laugh. I laughed hard, I cried, even as he tried to intimidate me..." Mateo would reach up and lifted his eyepatch, revealing the ruined skin underneath. The scar of a blade stared underneath his eye and slipped upwards and deep. The flesh was gnarled and dark, his orbital cavity empty. The scar resumed along the top, exposing the skull underneath before ripping through his eyebrow. If she turned to look away, the gentle hand that had lifted her chin would tighten to hold her gaze. "He cut me so fast that he took my eye right through my eyelids. I screamed and writhed but no one helped me. Blood-covered, I was taken by the guards and thrown into a cell before I could reach Calistria's temple. By the time my parents collected me, the damage was too much." The smile had remained on Mateo's face as he spoke but there was an intensity in his remaining eye, one that bored through her. "So heed my lesson...because even a cricket knowns when to be quiet. If you're not one of the most dangerous people in the room, figure out who is." He would release her and recover his eyepatch before putting his hat back upon his head. "I believe I saw you speaking to Captain Lanni a few days ago. You're joining our crew, right?" Mateo said with a pat on her shoulder. "I am Officer Mateo Nikas. I'm here for your morale...and I decide who joins me in the front for boarding. Be seeing you, Cricket." The man would turn away from the girl, tipping his hat towards the other with a mischievous smile on his face. Not surprising, his bottom looked marvelous in the skirt.
Mateo froze when he heard the laugh burst through the room, his body tensing for just a moment. The grin upon his face grew a little wider now as he turned towards the source of the laughter. The merry intent of death was in his eyes until he came across the sight of the young girl. He stared for a moment, his smile faltering just a little bit, and the hand on the hilt of his blade stopped. He strut over towards her, his hat hiding his face in a veil of shadows as he approached. The tension in the air thickened as he stood before her. No words were said as that crisp blue eyes stared down at the girl for a moment that was just a few seconds longer than comfortable.
Mateo had a presence about him, one that didn't need threatening words to be said. It was in the air around him, a stillness like a sneak ready to bite and ensnare its meal. He would reach out, a finger underneath her chin, to lift her head as he quirked his own to the side. The menacing smile remained even as he looked her over. "I do look pretty ridiculous, don't I?" Mateo asked in a low voice. "You...are braver than most and for such a young age. I respect that. What is your name, girl?"
The next day, Mateo came down in what could only be considered a crime against all things fashionable; his leather boots washed off, the black fishnet shirt clinging to his lithe and muscular form where it was visible underneath the finely made leather armor. The cape was sadly missing, the magical one he had found having been collected by Syl and washed off to show black and red of Cheliax. The crocodile-skin belt was tied off on his form, the massive brass buckle polished to a gleem. The leather skirt was improvised with cut slits to allow his shapely, thick thighs the space to maneuver. The dragon earcuff, made of black marble and brass metal, was affectionately placed on his ear opposite of the finely made eyepatch he wore. The orange knee-high socks stuck out just barely above his boots, though it seemed that he had "borrowed garters and had them connected. He came downstairs brimming with confidence and a devilish smile that was just a bit too wide. The smile didn't promise violence to his crewmates, not even slightly. No, what it showcased was a man that was eager for someone to f#$+ around and find out. It was an outfit that practically called for someone to pick a fight with him. Mateo knew the rules; he couldn't murder someone for no reason. If they picked a rough fight, he would give it happily. He would step up to the table, putting a leg up on the table and showcasing the hairless yet fantastically sculpted leg for all to see. He looked over his comrades for a moment as he grabbed a piece of cheese and bit down eagerly into the savory meal. "Mmm, good choices. I feel far less hot...well...no. I feel like I'm not burning up as much." He said with a wink, throwing back a drink before nodding to the others before he shouldered his backpack. "C'mon, lets meet with Lanni." The dangerous man leaned against the tavern wall, quietly humming songs as Lanni led his strange seance. There was an air of violence and blood in the air, one that called him towards savagery.
He stops at the top of the stairs, stares back down it, and clears his throat. "An extra-extra tip if they do not let the gnome help. Apologies, captain." Mateo clarified before finishing his ascent to the room.
"Disgust you? And they're not dead?" Mateo asked with actual shock, a sly grin coming to his face as he thought it over. "Was that the decision to be made? The chance to ruin them and kill them but it meant killing me too? Or did you realize being with me gave you the chance to watch it all fall to pieces...if it did?" The question was at her but it was more for himself, his head shaking as he lifted his hand upwards. "Don't answer that, I want the surprise to last." He lifted his arm and threw off more of the mud from his body. With a disappointed glance, he looked downwards at himself. "Could you do me a favor love? I need your skill with a blade real quick." At Rickety's, a young wench would drop her plates as Mateo walked in wearing his scabbard, weapons, and his hat and nothing else. He walked with a sense of pride in his steps as he made his way to the stairway, mud-covered butt in all its glory. Turning to whoever was in charge of baths, he would give a nod. "I require bathwater please. Thank you. Oh, a tip if you could grab a fresh change of clothing from the market. Something that suits me. Much thanks." The man would tip his hat to his shipmates and make his way towards his shared room.
The strange look that came over Syl earned an equally strange look from Mateo as he stopped and slid an arm around her shoulder, pulling her in closer to him. "You alright? You always get a weird look when you're watching them?" Mateo says softly, nudging against her. "Do they upset you?"
"My love, the beast was mad. It couldn't truly fight properly. What we fought was a ghost of itself, a beast to be put down. It was not satisfying." Mateo said with a faint sigh, shaking his head. The heat of the jungle and the intense drought had driven her mad. Some called it getting your brain boiled. He heard the tales of it happening to sailors marooned on the sandbars for too long. When she asked about Atia though, he'd give her a nudge and a little devious grin. "You scandalous wench. Of course I'll tell you every detail." And so, as the group went on, Mateo whispered sweet nothings explaining the way that the maddened naga had ripped into the woman's flesh, chewing on her like tough meat, and how Joran dug his claws into the mess of flesh and muscle to tear her spine apart like the apex predator he was becoming. When there was mention that there may be a venture into the jungle, Mateo gave a shrug and a grin. "Better then sitting here and getting drunk, I suppose. Can't be worst than Bonewrack Isle, yeah?"
Mateo sees Rickety approaching and smoothly steps away to slip his arm around his dangerous beauty, walking her away from the scene. It was a firm but loving grasp on her shoulder, one that only tightened if she tried to look back at the scene. When there was the offer of five hundred more gold in the hold, there was a quiet cheer from the man. "Your generosity is most appreciated, friend! Most appreciated."
"Lanni, collecting trophies is unbecoming of us. We kill because we must...and its fun...but mostly because we must." Mateo lightly chides, his face unable to stop from splitting into a grin though. These were officers on the ship and some of the newly hired crew were wondering their contracts.
"It is the scales, my friend, the scales are remarkably good at deflection. Probably to redirect fangs and claws as well as arrows and such." Mateo says to Seadreamer as he wipes his own blade clean. The creature was dead and limp upon the ground as the town begins to slowly emerge to witness the bloodshed. His eyes lift and scan the crowd, catching sight of his wicked dragon. He gives an apologetic smile before moving down the muddy river to where Terry, Lanni, and Durzol were. He helps move the unconscious man back onto the shoreline, clapping Terry on the back afterwards. "Well done friend. Now that will be a loyal crew member." The swashbuckler said with a wide grin, his eyes looking back over towards Atia, Des, Joran, and Seadreamer stood. Their wizard seemed like she was still standing, she'd manage. When Lanni starts doing...Lanni Things...the swashbuckler would move to crouch beside him. One could see it possibly as disrespectful to crouch low to the gnome's level but Mateo tended to enjoy being eye level with those around him. It was a thing of respect and was also the best way to watch when the life left one's eyes. "You got anything, my captain?" He asked, quirking his head in curiosity. "She say why she was all riled up?"
"It fights so fiercely! Do you think it is truly mad?" Mateo shouts back to his comrades, looking upon the creature with a look of pity. This beast was not truly there then and that meant it could not fight with all its power. It was a mad beast, like a boar charging the huntsman. Killing it was a mercy then and the battle lost some of its luster.
"C'mon Mateo, you're embarrassing yourself here. It is a snake with a woman's head, it shouldn't be so bad." The swashbuckler muttered to himself, staying on its flank to drive his blade at the slithering flesh once more.
"Come here, you ugly b+!!@! She ain't into you desperate types! Come and have a real bite of me!" Mateo shouts, twirling his blade and a sinister grin.
Parry & Riposte:
Emerging from the water would come Mateo, flanking on the other side of the massive naga. He rolls onto the dock, catches his breath, before kipping up with a show of grace and power. He lands and immediately lunges to strike the creature once more.
Mateo strikes at the creature but it moves in just the right way for his attack to bounce off of its hide. He recoils back and prepares himself for a counter-attack.
The silt and mud stings his eyes, giving him only moments of vision in the mucky water. His eyes stay closed usually, instead focusing on the disturbances of the water around him. Something large and full of heft moves quickly, striking out, and the swashbuckler moves to strike at the core of it.
Whatever it was, it just barely moved out of the way of the swashbuckler's deadly lunge before he returned to protecting himself defensively.
"Well, I'm not quite invested in rescuing..." Mateo started saying before Seadreamer leaps into the water. "...untested blood." He watches the man disappear underneath the wave and grimaces that his clothing would be hideously stained by the muddy waters. "Right then. Carry on, I suppose." Mateo would mutter for a moment before jumping off as well into the water as close to where the bubbles were rising up from poor Roger. The muddy water obscured his vision terribly as he settled onto the bottom and moved towards the large creature that was preparing to feast. Once close enough, he would try to stab forward.
His blade misses it though, the mud too obscuring for him to land a solid strike.
"Ninepins? That sounds like a swell time." Mateo said after finishing his breakfast, rising up from his seat. Dressed in armor and weapons again, Mateo had slowly come to terms with the terrible heatwave that had emerged at Rickety's. He would pass by Syl, kissing her on the top of her head, before heading out into the shaded side of the jungle to play. Destinie seemed to be in a happier mood and the others seemed a little less tense about their future. Money was going to be tight with what they expected to pay but sacrifices needed to be made when you were entrepreneurs "I don't have much coin...but I can bet work on the ship versus your coin. No one wants to work in the bilge, yeah?" Mateo offered, always a betting man. He took the refresher on nine pins, explaining what he could to the others. As the other man went to collect the beers that had been cooling in the muddy waters, something emerged from the water and pulled him in immediately. "Well, this is far more interesting." Mateo said with a grin, that mad look spreading over his face. He drew his rapier and buckler both, stepping out towards the bridge. His good eye scanned the water for threats, his blade ready for violence. "Get ready everyone, I'll bring it out."
Entering into a defensive pose, Mateo steeled himself for an attack.
Indeed, this is just raw numbers at the moment. The situation can only get better for us financially. Right Fern? Only better right? Right? Yeah? Right? ...Right? <3
Correct my math if I am wrong but for 3 months worth of pay with the crew that we have comes out to be around 2214gp. We have 21 abled sailors (12 from the recruitment and 9 original crew except for Kroop) and they're worth 1gp per day. 21 x 90 (assuming that the months is the same on Golarion) comes to 1890. The normal seaman, which we have 13 of, comes to around 324gp for 90 days. We could also have some of them be Marines rather than Abled Seaman, which means they'll be better at fighting and require less pay for now. If we go with what I have written up so far, that'll leave 286gp over all. Giving 2 shares to a communal party pot, that gives each of us... About 31gp, 7sp, and 8cp. The party pool ends up with 63gp, 5sp, and 4cp. It isn't a big pool at the moment but we have a bunch of leads to capitalize on and there is, if I am not mistaken, actual pirating that we could do. Villages to raid along the coastline as well.
"Interesting, very interesting. I have not had the opportunity to try and kill one before. A pleasure, Navi Kapoor." He would take her hand in firm grasp and shake it, his grin growing as she mentions Lanni. "It is true, our gnome is blessed and cursed equally. We are...an eccentric group to say the least but very fair. You put in your work and fight hard alongside me and mine, you will have your place." "Come, let us get out of the damnable heat and enjoy some more drinks, shall we?" He says, slinging an arm around her. "Let me tell you a bit of the adventures we had on Bonewrack Isle. A horrid place full of undeath and tentacled monstrosities. It was anyway...until we arrived."
While I am greedy and will happily take more defenses, Mateo is already a pain in the ass to hit and came in with some pretty great gear. When we get Craft Magical Arms & Armor, his rapier and armor can both be enchanted.
"A rakshasa? Truly? I...I do not know what that is. It sound devilish though. Maybe...fiend-adjacent?" Mateo says, rubbing at his chin slightly. Every Cheliaxian had some experience with the devils of their world thanks to the Empress and House Thrune's infernal power. The greater details and breakdown was out of Mateo's wheelhouse though; the temple's education was only so good and the swashbuckler was a constant dropout from the dull lessons. "I am Mateo Nikas, Morale Officer and Chief Marine upon our fair ship. Your markings are quite interesting." For a moment, the instinct to charm the young woman was there. Then he imagined Syl carving off her face. It ruined the mood instanteously. "Hmm, should speak to her about that." He thought to himself. "What brings you upon our ship, outside of the sheer multitude of entertainment that exist here at Rickety's?" The sarcasm dripped from his voice. This place was a natural home for drunkards to exist within, too hot and too boring for anything else to be done.
You can have it then! I've looked into it some and I have the feeling we're going to be soon leaving the parts where poison is super effective is all. Fort saves go up real quick. Feel free to take them so you have something a little more snazzy to stab with.
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