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The town of Drenchport, well it certianly earns its name with its near constant downpour of heavy warm rain blowing in off of the Eye. The town is small and mainly built from washed up floatsam and recovered wrecks giving it a motley appearance with only a few larger residents made from stone.
It's early evening and most of the crew have retreated to the Drowned Dwarf, an inn of ill repute on the edge of town. Inside it's warm thanks to the fire pit in the centre of the ground floor though the smell of mold and damp is present even here like it is in the majority of the town. Tonight a pig roasts over the pit and a serving boy keeps the spit turning.
The captain, dressed in his best clothes, his beard recently trimmed, is sitting at the head of a table and the majority of the crew are either seated at the table or nearby. You can tell by the captians scowl that if his mood doesn't improve soon he's going to kill someone just to aleviate his boredom.
Lorelei is seated at the table and fussing with her green streaked blond hair that is currently pulled up into a messy ponytail. She was in a hurry to get dressed for dinner since she lost track of time while swimming earlier and didn't leave herself much time for her hair. Though she supposes that she looks presentable enough to be seated here and while she's think of her clothing, she fiddles with the ties on her white blouse to make sure that it isn't exposing too much skin and that it isn't hiding her symbol of Besmara that she wears around her neck.
Whispering to those seated next to her; What has the Captain is such a foul mood this evening? And I wonder what can be done to improve it before there's bloodshed.....
The slender pretty human female, currently mindlessly drawing images of dolphins on a random sheet of parchment she had procured, seated to the aquatic half elf's right side replied, "Hmmm, I hadn't noticed." That wasn't a surprising remark coming from Uraisa, as she tended to not focus on minor details such as the Captain's moodswings. That hadn't made her the most popular crewman since joining the crew over a week ago. She had already been on the receiving end of several tonguelashings for her lack of attention.
Earlier today, before the rain set in, she joined Lorelei swimming. The half elf was one of the only people she had ever met that could swim as well as she. That automatically earned her respect in Uraisa's eyes, and she had migrated to her side as they were seated for dinner. The fact that the seat was far from the Captain wasn't completely lost on her.
"I wonder what's wrong with him now," she asked Lorelei, seeing the scowl that was clearly etched on the large man's face.
"More'n likely someone caught his eye and rebuffed his advances, you know how the Cap'n gets."
This from the half-orc seated at the table with Lorelei and Uraisa. Slender for a half-orc but fast and clever, Grutsnick leans back in his chair, attempting to soak up the heat of the fire.
"I hope that boy doesn't ruin that pig, it's been far too long since I've had anything but hardtack and I've a fixin' for fresh meat."
Grutsnick looks around with a scowl
"Or as fresh as this pestilential hole can produce at any rate."
"Miss Ellsworth do you need a fresh drink?"
Ever since the slender woman had come on board Grutsnick had tried to look after her. A fellow worshiper of Gozreh, though of a darker bent, Grutsnick had made sure no crewman had stepped out of line around Uraisa or risk his anger.
Lorelei he knew of old and trusted her to look out after herself.
We should use her honeyed words instead of my scimitar to find fresh blood for the crew, it would take half the time and far less cleanup.
"That would be great. Thank you very much, Mr. Grutsnick," she smiled as she reached her tankard to him. She had made the acquaintance of the half orc fairly quickly after boarding, as they were both followers of Gozreh. He had taken to treating her as if he were an older brother. As he seemed happy in that protective role, she allowed it to continue. She hadn't met many half orcs in her day, but he seemed to be a pleasant enough fellow. He had a bit of a dark side and a fiery temper, but she planned on working with him during the voyage to try and blunt that rough edge somewhat. There's a diamond in there under that little outer layer of coal...
Jarret shifts uncomfortably in his seat at the table, his gaze fixated on the fire. He could feel it draining the moisture from the damp air and at once he nearly panicked as he felt his skin pull taut. Suddenly his throat was just as tight and a swirl of emotions lurched upward from his core, threatening to ignite his fury. Gripping the empty tankard, his eyes darted around the room until following Uraisa's hand to her dolphin covered parchment. Smiling now, the tightness in his throat had left as soon as it came. He studied the lines of the young girls face from across the table and couldn't help but feel as though he'd seen her somewhere before this place. Pushing his tankard aside for now he leaned forward.
"Ellsworth is it? I cant help but feel we've met previously."
"It is indeed, Mr. Rigby, but Uraisa will do nicely. I'm not certain whether or not we have crossed paths in the past. I've visited several cities in the last few years, so we could easily have done so. You might have seen me swimming, as that is generally my favorite way to kill the hours before shoving off from port," Uraisa explains to the newcomer to the ship. "Or maybe doodling," she offers helpfully, noticing he was admiring her sketched dolphin.
He'd most likely toss me over board if I ever said aloud how adorable it is that he watches over Uraisa the way he does, just like I'd toss him overboard if he ever tried that crap with me. She needs it though since she seems too nice and trusting and that can get a person in trouble around these parts.
Turning her gaze back to the Captain, I don't know, I've seen him before after failed wenchings (smirks at the memory) and his mood seems much more dire this time. I fear someone is going to find themselves in a great deal of trouble before his mood improves. Hopefully it won't be any of us though.
"Trust me, Lorelei, his bluster is not something you want to observe up close. It's not so much the yelling, but the spittle that makes it so unpleasant," Uraisa adds under her breath, hoping the Captain did not pick up on the tenor of the conversation. Noticing activity picking up around the table, Uraisa stowed her sketches in one of her waterproof bags.
"Both are admirable ways of passing time, Uraisa."Smiling, he trails off in his memory searching for a connection fruitlessly. Rigsby shrugs and relaxes his posture."I also have no need for titles my dear, and Jarret will suffice."
His eyes trail off to Lorelai,thoroughly tracing her form before reaching her lips. As she began to speak he adjusts, eyes following her gaze to the brooding captain as she spoke her concerns of the man's mood, Jarret smirked. A man in command should lead with the utmost of confidence, not with wearing the weights any strong man must carry for all to see. As if seeking pity or perhaps charity. Jarret froze, realizing he had lost himself in his own thoughts. Content with silence for now,He sat confidently but with eyes wondering around the interior, favoring the fire and Lorelai.
The sea is the only spray in face that I enjoy. I tend to stand far back from the Captain when he is on one of his tirades. Leaning in back in her chair to stretch out for a moment...At any rate, I am tired of just sitting here. I sure hope that pig is done soon, I worked up a large appetite with all that swimming we did today.
Lorelei lets her eyes roam over the males at the table, giving each an appraising glance. Shame that Grutsnick doesn't want me choosing a swain from the crew, but at least I can look and appreciate what I see.
"Has anyone heard of our next job? I've no desire for combat but my purse is feeling the bite, and unless we've pay coming my grog will begin to taste of water."
It is too bad she put away her drawings, the little fish has skill and beauty is all too often lacking in these parts.
"Don't worry Miss Ellsworth, his breath is far worse than his bite, just be thankful you didn't have to trim that beard and risk the badger he keeps in it."
Almost spits out her drink at the badger comment.
Nope, haven't heard a thing yet and I also find my purse beginning to feel quite light. I hope whatever job he's lining up next will be a high paying one.
"Well met then Jarrett, pleasure to officially meet you, for maybe the second time, she laughs. Turning to the others, she nods in agreement at both points: the pig smelled delicious, and her changepurse was also getting quite bare.
"He has a badger...where?" she adds incredulously, before looking at Grutsnick, and noticing he had made a joke. "Oh, of course...I'm a little slow on the uptick sometimes," she laughed at herself, turning beet red with embarrassment.
"I never joke about that badger Miss Ellsworth, it's like to grow angry with me and then where would I be?"
Maybe the badger bit his arse, that would certainly explain his mood.
"But in order for the badger to bite his arse he'd have had to put his beard next to his...nah, I reckon even the Cap'n ain't that talented."
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"Bah! Lads, I be sick of these shores!" the Captain roars coming to a stand "Tomorrow morning we be setting back out into the great blue, I be aiming to find me a Chelish ship to plunder so don't forget ye arrows and blades!"
The captain then turns and punches a member of another crew laughing madly his full belly swaying as he stumps forward.
"Now show these limp cocked bastards whats what!" he cackles and he rushes into the forming fray.
"Come Miss Ellsworth, let's get you to a safe spot in the corner."
Grutsnick shouts to Lorelei, "I think you were right about the badger!"
"Some days I hate being right."
Lorelei stays on the edge of the fray, but doesn't hesitate to throw in the occasional punch to help out a crewmate when need be.
"At least we aren't bored anymore."
Uraissa, a relative newcomer to the ship, was a bit taken aback by the display. "Grustnick, is this a regular occurrence," she asks, ducking behind the half orc. Peeking out from behind him, she sees Lorelei land a punch to a random ruffian. What kind of operation have I taken up with?
She tries to make sure that no participant actually pulls out a dangerous weapon, seeing no reason this should escalate from what was apparently a regular exercise for the group into a murderous situation.
Grutsnick shrugs.
"Happens all the time if that's what you mean."
Lorelei drops back to add; "Don't worry Uraisa, this here is just a friendly type brawl. It's how us pirate crews socialize with each other. Though to be honest, I can think of another way I'd rather be socializing with them since Grutsnick has somewhat limited my options" One of these days I should surprise him in his bunk just to see what he'd do. I bet it'd be amusing....... Lorelei begins to smirk at Grutsnick for no discernible reason.
"Actually Miss Lorelei I'd say it's the Cap'n has limited your options now. Though I'm sure one of these fellows wouldn't object anyway."
"Eh, there are always other ports and other ships. Besides, anyone I could best in a fight isn't man enough for me anyway and those blokes are losing this fight too easily."
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Yells echo throughout the Drowned Dwarf's common room as the brawl begins in earnest but judging from the serving wench and proprieters reaction this doesn't seem to be that uncommon an event. A large man, maybe with a little orc in him looking at his bulk, makes a charge for the captain and is stopped in his tracks by a heavy headbutt from the captain and with a cracking sound the bruiser drops, presumambly with a broken nose.
As Grutsnick looks around he can see a few knifes and broken bottles being brandished by both sides but with the sea-witch on the other crew and Lorelei on yours an occasional knife wound isn't going to be particularly serious. Judging from previous performances like this, the fight will rage for ten or twenty minutes before settling down and both the captians will shout their crews a drink. Its tradition in the Shackles.
Jarret brawls like a man possessed, absorbing multiple blows without phasing. He cheers loudly as his captain bests his opponent but doesn't have a chance to clap before he hurls a charging crew member over his shoulders in a fireman's carry. The man lands heavily on the table as Jarret retrieves his tankard just in time and skirts his way to the corner where Grutsnick, Lorelai and Urasia had gathered,Ducking under wild swings, taking just as many, and delivering a few powerful blows of his own on the way. He smiled confidently, despite his face being a little red on the right side from a strong jab, he didn't seem to mind." The Captain has a thick skull" Rigsby jests. "If He fills my tankard up once this brawl ends, I'll serve him with my life." He stated, chuckling as he watched the brawl.
"I guess that I'll be earning my keep again after the dust settles on this brawl." Looks at Jarret, "The Captain's not the only one on the crew with a thick skull, you've taken a few good blows yourself."
"Let us hope the Cap'n and Black Jarret never butt heads. The impact is like to kill us all."
"Um, yes," Uraisa nods in agreement. I'm going to try and avoid both of them unless a fight breaks out!
Hmmm....I get the feeling I'm going to have to help Uraisa toughen up a bit. Ah well, maybe I'll just have to start taking her out on the town with me when I go tavern hoping. Though I bet Grutsnick will have a badger of his own when he finds out.
Lorelei begins laughing. "Don't worry Uraisa, before you know it you'll be right at home in a tavern brawl just like the rest of us. We'll have to show you how to throw a solid punch though."
"Don't you worry Miss Ellsworth, we'll look out for you."
Poor little fish. I hope she's cut out for this life. Best we get her out before she becomes like me.
I wonder if baby badgers make good pets. I'd love to find one for ship's mascot after that comment by Grutsnick.
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After about fifteen minutes the fighting begins to die down as people go back to their drinks to refresh themselves while Lorelei and the other crews Sea With, Jarred Two-Pegs, are called upon to patch up some knife and bottle wounds. You can see the Captain, now grinning from ear to ear clasping the other crews captain on the back before throwing him across a table and laughing uproarously.
"Drink up dogs! The tab is on me!" he bellows before stomping over to the bar and fetching a bottle of rum.
Now that the Captain has blown off some steam you can see his frame relax and after a few moments the crews begin chatting with one another laughing and comparing their battle wounds.
Grutsnick takes his seat and a bottle of rum
"This isn't bad, but it's no ocean spray. Won't be long before we're on ship and then the fun begins."
Jarret takes a seat across from Grutsnick after finding his own drink. " Aye, to the Ocean spray and to the real fun, respectively." Rigsby offers, clanging his bottle against who else ever raises their drinks before taking a hearty swig of his own.
Lorelei will raise her own bottle of rum to the toast and drink a decent portion of it down after the toast. "I cannot wait for some real fun to start. Shore leave can be restful, but it doesn't take long for it to get mighty boring."
Roland Red-Hand felt little need to participate in the sudden brawl started by his captain and remained in his seat, enjoying his ale. He had to duck or lean a few times in order to avoid the occaisional object or patron being hurled through the air and hadn't been above discretely extending his foot in the path of a lumbering member of the opposing crew, but he preferred combat when it allowed him to look heroic. These sorts of brawls provided opportunity for little more than a bloodied nose.
Boring, indeed. I have to say I'm surprised the captain has his sights set on a Chelish vessel. I must admit an increasing respect for the man if he is willing to risk the ire of devil worshippers in exchange for a tidy profit. That's the way a pirate makes a name for himself. Fortune favors the bold.
Bah, it doesn't matter who they worship. They are men just like everyone else and we can trounce them just like we did this scruffy lot of pirates here.
Looks Roland over, Too bad I actually respect Grutsnick enough to listen to him.
Oh, believe me, my lady, I do not fear the Chelish. In fact I relish the opportunity to remind those stuff-shirts who owns the seas. I was simply acknowledging the potential strength of our target. Risks make a man great; failure to understand those risks make a man dead.
"I've no fear of the Chelish, it's their pet devils I'd as soon avoid."
Eyeing Roland You're just Lorelei's type...perhaps if I forget to warn you about her she'll settle down some. Those swims of hers tend to put the crew on edge.
"Man or devil, I'll take anything one. I love a good challenge." Grins wickedly, obviously thinking of other challenges she enjoys....
Uraisa plopped back down at the table, and was silent for a bit catching her breath. "Well, that was surely...exciting," she mustered, breaking her fairly prolonged silence. "Obviously, you all are no strangers to bar brawls, huh?"
Grinning, "Nope not strangers at all. In fact, we are on a first name basis with bar brawls." Laughs at her own joke and then takes another deep drink of her bottle of rum.
Roland chuckles good naturedly.
I'm afraid it is a part of The Life my dear, as much as Jolly Rogers and tying knots, even if it is little more than a whole lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.
He gave Uraisa a respectful, assesing look. He had caught on to the fact that his (and many others') first impression of her was far off the mark. Scatterbrained, unfocused, and naive she may seem, she was likely the only person on the ship smarter than he was. Not the kind of person he was used to being around, but exactly the kind of person he watned around in this line of work where every day was an exercise in how one might die in a number of interesting and undignified ways.
"I'm not much of a puncher, I'm afraid. It will definitely take me some time to get used to this part of the lifestyle. I'm fine with hoisting the mainsail and swabbing the deck, but the fighting is a little different," she says, smiling with relief that that fighting had ceased.
"Not to worry Miss Ellsworth, you leave the punching to us disreputable sorts."
Grutsnick takes a pull off the rum, grimacing at the taste of cheap rum cut with even cheaper water.
Just wait 'til you experience the excitement on a ship to ship battle. It will really get your blood flowing."
Double takes at Grutsnick's comment. "Wait a minute, did you just call me disreputable?" I'm not sure if that should be taken as an insult or not....