A philosophy we both share it seems. Though I must admit I do not favor rushing the stroke. I don't mind not getting in the first swing, so long as the final hit is my own.
He surveys the docks behind and the Armada approaching.
I will not be saddend by leaving this hole. As much as I had a good time in this city you have to work damn hard to enjoy the place, teaming with Hellknights and worse. It doesn't look like it's going to be any more pleasant either. A new frontier might be just the change we are looking for?
His familiar jumps off his shoulder and flaps up overhead then dives at the water, coming up with a small fish in it's mouth.
Looking out over the docks of Westcrown, Darius can't help but agree with the elf.
"Indeed. It seems we both want out of this Gods forsaken city."
Maybe this elf isn't as bad as I'd thought. Verdict's still out on just how good with a blade he is, though.
Devising a possible plan to get past the navy ships with minimal violence/destruction, Sath wracks his brain to determine the best place on the outside of a ship to disable it without destroying it...
Sath takes 10 on a Profession(Sailor) to determine weak point on naval ships= 10+10= 20
The elf walks over to the edge of the railing, wondering just how long it took to get underway, then took some time to survey the ship, especially how the dock officer had taken his joke before.
His immediate concern was whether the ship would get out of the bay, if not hhe'd have to swim ashore.
If it DID get out....well that song bird was a very attractive woman. Of course he would introduce himself.
He scanned those aboard, tryinf to take note of what weapons were being worn and how people moved. His fun loving temperament always invited cchallengers from would be alpha males.
The thug on the docket is dumbfounded when elf jams the hit of his blade into his throat. He squirms slightly but he's been in too many violent situations so he clearly understands when someone has the drop on him. "125 gold that's what the Capt said." He is relieved when the hilt is removed and the elf drops a bag of coin in his hand. He turns to look at the back of the elf who is already half way up the gangplank. He growls.
We'll meet again..ears.
Sath barks a warning and the Captain reacts. "Cast away you dogs!" He points to the crowded deck. "if you're not useful on deck, or can wield a weapon get out below deck and out of our way."
He points to Sath.
"Sawbones. It's gonna get hairy the mess serves as cutting room.' he points to his feet indicating where the room is located.
The elf strides over and looses his bow, walking back to the warrior he had met. (Darius)
I have a couple of good area spells prepared if they get within bowshot. Do we have anywhere specific they like shooters on a ship, if it comes to blows? The crows nest offers a good view but makes for a obvious target. Any suggestions on who to target with a spells, besides the man behind the wheel?
On the foredeck another voice yells. ”C’mon git yer scurvy arses aboard or we be leavin’ ya on the docks here in Westcrown. Let that General Vourne with his armada take ya.” The strange looking man bulging with muscles and strange tattoos covering his bare chest bellows. ”You up there cast off.”
The ship gets underway and the crew hoists sails, in an efficient manner, they handle themselves with some skill not as clumsy as most merchant ships.
The strange looking bare chested man walks to the edge fo the foredeck as the ship gets underway, he looks to see who is standing there. he points to human (Darious) and the elf (Ariel). "Get to the hold and bring up some bolts for those ballista.
You realize that you're actually on a merchant ship which has limited naval siege weapons.
"We fast, but we ain't got much to keep 'em at a distance, only been boarded twice under the Captain." He smiles. "We're still sailing they ain't." He jingles his necklace made of teeth.
Darius looks up into the rigging at the elf's inquiry. "Rigging gives you the best vantage, but as you said makes you a target. If you want to cause them the most trouble, taking out their pilot is definitely the best choice, but if you can incapacitate their boarding parties between ships, well, they won't do much good in the water," he says with a slight chuckle.
As the boat begins to move, Darius actually appears to relax, despite the panic that seems to be spreading among the crew. "But I wouldn't get all wound up yet. The ships are still a long way away, and it is unlikely they will spare any ships to chase a few run-a-ways when they could be put to use securing the harbor of Westcrown. And if they do," Darius looks at the elf appraisingly, "then I guess you'd better be ready to put live up to your claims. The name's Darius," he says as he offers his hand to the elf.
As the man issues his first order, Darius says, "Sure thing," and heads for the stairs down.
The elf raises an eyebrow at the command to simply ferry ammunition, not the glorious role he imagined for a warrior mage, but he had never been in a ship battle so he figured it was an opportunity to learn.
He holds an arm out for Darius, After you friend, you know ships, yes? And I am Adriel Mistleaf, son of the Whisperwood and student of Rolibar de Naren, Eldritch Knight and fellow drunk. The weapons await and if they don't get close, well we can always spar to see who buys the ale.
"Aye. Stick with me and I'll show you the ropes. And don't worry, we just need to get enough to have enough for the initial volleys, should it come to that. We should be done well before they get in range to board."
Embrianna overhears a bit of Dirk's conversation with the captain as he offers his services and decides to offer her own as well. May as well offer what I can. I would much rather be doing something useful than be stuck below decks with a bunch of fearful passengers
"Captain? I've some experience at patching up people on ships as well. If needed I can head to the mess with this young man here and help as well."
Embrianna holds out her hand towards Dirk and peers up at him from under the brim of her hat. "My name is Embrianna."
Besmara's blessing the ships overflowing with surgeons, watch out boys they're gonna want to pop every one of yer boils." He chuckles clearly being underway has him in better spirits. The crew within earshot roar.
"I'd like t'head into the sickbay wit 'er." The crude comment is met with another wave of laughter.
The captain looks through his long spyglass judging the distance. then he looks up ot the crows nest."EYES...looks 6 miles out...that what you got?"
Astrianna momentarily pouts as the attention is shifted away from her, but she soon turns and squints at the masts in the distance. "My, they're serious about this. Glad I'm getting out of here." Slightly disappointed all of the men appear to be preoccupied with the ship and each other, she decides to give her own brand of assistance.
As everyone begins to scurry about the half-elf begins to clap her hands in time, shouting at the top of her impressive lungs. Her voice sounds deep and coarse, as if decades of sea salt had washed down it.
"Raise the dead with yer voices ye dogs, to the free open sea with ye! O Haul away Joe!
Away, haul away, Oh, haul away together,
Away, haul away, Oh, haul away Joe!
Once I had a halfling girl and she was fat and lazy,
Away, haul away, Oh, haul away Joe!
But now I've got a elven one she nearly drives me crazy,
Away, haul away, Oh, haul away Joe!"
The half-elf claps, sings the work shanty, and stamps her feet, giving an encouraging slap to a sailor or two as she walks about. The bard knows enough to stay out of the way, seeming to flit about between sailors.
The lovely song lifts the spirits of the crew there's even an occasional off rhythm stomp by crewman trying to keep in time. The breeze is fair, but favors the sleek advance guard coming down river over the heavy merchant vessel.
The Captain yells to the bare chested foreigner, "Get the Cheliax flag hoisted."
During one of his trips back above deck, Darius asks one of the apparent veteran crew members and asks, "You happen to know our heading?"
Bri laughs along with the sailors, well used to the humor of those stuck at sea for days on end. "I'm sure you would, but I be looking for a sailor with a gangplank worth walking who knows how to handle their cannon."
Embrianna will stay out of the way of the working sailors, looking over the folks who boarded with her, being sure to look over the fellows especially. Interesting lot that seems to have boarded with me. At least this is unlikely to be a boring cruise. If it goes well, perhaps I should see if the captain is looking for any new additions to his crew? I could certainly use a new job.
In response to Darious. "Aye, where the Captain takes us." he laughs then slaps the man on the back. "Initial stop is Corentyn to drop off the passengers." He trails off after that.
The men scurry up the rigging getting ready to drop the last two sails, folks one of the deck coil and coil rope. "Missy if y'can give me a hand wit these ropes that be useful." She begins to show how to coil and stow the lines. "See 'ere this line is frayed, needs mending or it'll snap under strain."
Bri nods at the female sailor. "Sure thing. I know a thing or two about mending ropes and riggings."
Embrianna helps to mend the ropes, both with her skill and then with a bit of covert cantrip use when no one is paying much attention.
"Not bad...not bad." Inspecting the mended rope with her calloused hands.
"Well, I should be decent at rope work by now. Mended fishing nets as a kid and then moved up to shipwork as soon as I was old enough."
Two hours pass and the captain paces the stern, he eye piece extended. "EYES...did that lead sloop break off and is giving chase...i mark it at 5 miles what do your eyes show."
One of the four ships broke off a fast sloop to give chase. You see the second wave of ships behind that initial front advance. obviously the main armada bound for Westcrown.
Your ship is a lot heavy with the passengers and and baggage. you figure you'll be caught in 4 hours time given the current wind conditions.
Two hours pass and the captain paces the stern, he eye piece extended. "EYES...did that lead sloop break off and is giving chase...i mark it at 5 miles what do your eyes show."
At the request of the captain, David turns and scans the horizon.
Squinting at the Sloop he can barely gauge her speed, but it's enough to know that the captain said she was coming.
So as the Sloop breaks off from the Flotilla, David inclines his ear to the captain and notes that he is given a formal order to get ready for action...
"Sawbones. It's gonna get hairy the mess serves as cutting room.' he points to his feet indicating where the room is located.
David glances at the captain and salutes briskly.
”Aye, sir!” he says, and dashes off for the galley.
As he prepares to dash below, he hears someone call to him.
Embrianna holds out her hand towards Dirk and peers up at him from under the brim of her hat. "My name is Embrianna."
Pausing, he grins at her and shakes her hand.
”My thanks, ma’am… The more help the better,” he adds, then hurries below, hoping that she follows.
David rushes below to the galley and glances around at the prep table and looks for the small brazier or the common “pot-bellied” stove used to heat foods on a ship might be. While this continues he puts his kit in the corner and makes sure it is well stowed.
As soon as he finds it he gets a small fire going and puts a kettle of fresh water on to boil. Once it’s on the stove, he gets another bucket of water handy to douse any potential fires.
He takes his frock coat off and tosses it with his kit and is now wearing openly his armor and weapons belt in case they are boarded. Then he scoops up any refuse or filth on the cutting table and puts it aside as quickly and neatly as possible; clearing a space to work on any person that is wounded.
He hangs his satchel from a peg and looks through it quickly, noting that his Healers Kit and his Surgeons Tools are ready.
It’s one thing to stifle a wound if someone gets a dagger in the arm; but if they have heavy siege engines and a bolt mangles an arm or a leg… it might need to be amputated – perhaps…
His normally cheerful expression darkens as he recalls the times when he had to perform such surgeries in the past and curses mentally at the horror he had recalled.
”Right! So if those sons of whores are from Cheliax then it’s a safe bet that they can conjure up demons or devils or something… it’s also possible, if not outright probable, that they might use poisons… Does this ship have access to gear that’ll stop poisons?”
Rummaging through his kit he confirms that his medical gear can attempt to stem the threat of poison – but it’s a crude remedy at best.
As he waits for the water to boil and action to happen he glances through the selection of spices.
”Gods what I wouldn’t give for milk of the poppy…” he mutters.
As he looks about for other supplies that could be useful, he rolls up his sleeves and does what he can to stay calm.
”If it were me, and I was a demon-summoning basterd I’d likely call up something that’d have fire… I’d fly it over here quick-smart and attack our bloody sails… We can’t sail worth a gods damn if our sails our burning, and when we try to put them out… Hell; they can just move up hard on us fast,” he mutters.
He looks up at Embrianna – ”Say, lass – you aren’t a druid, are you? I know they can call up the elements of nature in a pinch… if our sails get riled with fire, are you able to douse them with some sort of Elemental creature in a pinch?” he asks her in a brisk tone as he takes his surgeons tools and puts them in a small pan and adds water to it and puts that on the stove to boil as well to help prevent any lingering disease on his tools.
His mind tacks back to the lads upstairs and his earlier question on what talents they had; or skills they possessed.
Well didn’t find out yet. But I reckon I can get answers to that question after the little tango upstairs gets settled proper…
As he continues to get ready he thinks back to the family on the dock and frowns; hoping that they managed to survive what happens.
I put a "You are Here" arrow on where the Mess is located on the Main Deck. it serves as the officers mess, the capts office. It's right next tot he Capt's stateroom.
The stress of the situation eases a bit and you can get a general lay out of the ship, not much detail as far as snooping, but you can figure out the main areas. The lwer deck and hold is packed with at lest 70-100 passengers.
The crew is actually 20 strong including the officers. Most are on deck.
The lwer deck and hold is packed with at lest 70-100 passengers.
The crew is actually 20 strong including the officers. Most are on deck.
There is a cookie already boiling water in the galley when Dirk goes below deck. Aye, I'll be having water run up. Y' the new hatchet man? Last one had the talent of a grave-robber, suppose you can't be worser. "
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Astrianna appears to be in full character now, taking on the role of a ship matron. She briefly considers changing her appearance to better fit the role, reaching up to thumb the brim of her hat. Stopping mid-way, she shakes her head I'm not on stage- focus on getting out to sea.
As the two hours passes she continues to keep spirits high, wanting a strong start to their journey. The woman manages to do little in the way of actual work, instead moving about the deck of the ship brightening salty faces with jokes about Chelixian wives, general encouragement, and a long-haul song or two.
The woman manages to do little in the way of actual work,
"Best get your rest, its gonna git gritty in a few hours." He scans the new folks who are chipping in, "So any of ya handy in combat?" he eyes Darious and Ariel, "Assume you know how t'use those weapons?"
He continues, "If and only if the Capt gives the word we will repel boarders." His eyes a bit shifty as he looks towards the hold.
When the mound of heaving muscle asks if they an fight, Anna gives a resounding Aye! "My pa was an elf, Mount Muscle- I can skewer a flying fish off the surface of the water from two hundred yards away." She grins at the man, tapping the hilt of the sword at her hip as well. "I can dance like an elf with a blade, too."
The man speaking appears to be the first mate and when he mentioned repelling boarders he looked at the hold which leads you to believe the ship is hauling something risky.
In addition to the first spoiler message. You think the risky cargo is a person.
Glancing towards the hold, the half-elf instinctively feels the first mate is protecting something. She clears her throat, approaching him and falling out of character. "My apologies- you are First Mate, correct? I'm Astrianna- What can I call you? Unless you prefer Mt. Muscle." She ends with a flirtatious smile.
Sath scuttles his way up into the crow's nest and prepared himself for battle...
And then looked out at the ships again...
"Captain- we have one sloop breaking off to head our way, at current speed it should reach us in about 4 hours... what would you like me to do about it?"
He cocks his head to the lady and grins, Malta Todd, Aye I'm the First Mate." He is clearly different from anyone you have seen before, definitely a foreigner from some exotic land.
Astrianna finds herself quite intrigued by the foreigner- she thought she could at least place his local geography, but finds herself at a loss. The half-elf moves a little bit closer, engaging him in a private conversation. "A pleasure, Malta. You're the perfect person to talk to about something that has been bothering me. I can't help but wonder about this sloop chasing us. Please, educate a lady, who do we have on board that is worth the effort? The commoners in the hold aren't worth much of a ransom..."
Darius sighs as he is questioned again on his fighting prowess.
"Sir, I can promise you, you'll be hard pressed to find someone as good with a glaive as I. However, if it would ease your doubts any, perhaps you'd like a demonstration?"
Embrianna will look up from her seated position as she works on the rope to answer. "I've learned how to defend myself sir, but I don't have much skill with weapons." I will leave out any mention of spellwork for now, sailors can be a very superstitious lot...
no demonstration hold yet tongue too. he frowns at the polearm fighter.
Darius looks at the First Mate confused. What's his deal. Everybody on this ship's crew has got an oar wedged so far up their ass that they couldn't bend over to strap up their own boots!
However, he knew better than to back talk the First Mate, and held his tongue and busied himself with the ballista ammunition, making sure it was secure, yet able to be retrieved quickly. After, he busied himself with anything else needing done to prepare the vessel for battle, including guiding the new crew at obvious tasks if need be.
Adriel doesn't answer with words and the question, merely steps back and runs 5ft up the nearest mast and completes a backflip and he draws his Katana while upside down in mid flip, lands in a roll and springs up from the floor in corkscrew fashion, blade leading and then resheathes his blade in one smooth action.
I have studied spell dancing a little.
The elf smiled and bowed, honestly LOVED the opportunity to show off. But it would be REAL combat that would earn him his reputation.
My magic will be most definitive if we are caught, sir. I would ask the men either side of me hold their counter charge until AFTER I have loosed my spell, lest they be caught in it
Astrianna's eyebrows raise as she witnesses the elf's acrobatic display, clapping her gloved hands together. "Bravo, bravo! Encore!" She is clearly impressed, smiling at the elf. No matter what anyone says- it's good to be part elf.
Sath spares a glance down from the crow's nest at the antics occurring below...
"Mother Sea," he intones "Please spare me from the foolishness of my fellow travellers."
The Tulita looks at the fancy woman his lips pinched together. "I doubt we are carrying any 'common' passengers, there are quite few interesting backgrounds down below." He leaves his comment at that, then he begins barking out some orders to the crew.