Skulls and Shackles pt 1: The Wormwood Mutiny (IC)

[PallentisLunam]

Ahh, Port Peril. Jewel of the Shackles. Not so secret hideaway of pirate Captain Kerdak Bonefist, The Hurricane King. And also, it just so happens, the location of the Formidably Maid, a pirate tavern through which seven aspiring privateers happened to pass last night.

Each of you remembers the evening a bit differently. Each of you were busy participating in whichever revelries pleased you best. However, as you awake all thoughts of wild laughter, rich food, and heady perfumes are driven away by pounding headaches. The slickly taste of vinegary wine fills your mouths. The hard, rough planks beneath your cheeks are unfamiliar. The room pitches and sways gently but the feeling makes your stomachs roll and twist.

Where you are is mostly dark, but enough light filters in through cracks in the wood to see by. Clearly you are in the belly of some ship or another. The hold appears roughly seventy-five feet long and thirty feet across. Sixteen wooden pillars, in two rows of eight, support the deck above from about midships running aft. A mast spears down directly through the center of the vessel and another one rises from near the stern. The seven of you lie between these two massive columns of wood. Even in the darkness you can make out footlockers lining one wall of the hold and bundles of cloth piled against the other. Nearby is a heavy looking trapdoor bound with bronze bands. To the fore is a set of stairs leading upward.

Almost as if on cue the sounds of several heavy booted feet can be heard stomping across the boards overhead and the flickering orange light of a lantern spills down the stairs. The lantern proceeds its bearer into the hold and its bright, unshuttered light causes everyone's eyes to ache painfully.

Six rough looking seadogs fan out to either side of their officer and tap their hands with heavy looking batons. The leader steps forward and an expression which might be mistaken for pain but which clearly is an attempt at a smile deforms the man's face. He cracks his whip loudly over your heads and screams in a booming voice that causes your heads to throb all the more, "Still abed with the sun over the yardarm? On your feet, ye filthy swabs!
Get your worthless carcasses up on deck and report for duty before Cap'n Harrigan flays your flesh into sausage skins and has Fishguts fry ye up for breakfast!"

[Ravenica]

Anika

The little red head sits up slowly. rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. For a moment she stares at the stump at the end of her arm as if not quite comprehending what she was seeing. After a brief moment the dawning of understanding is replaced with panic as she gropes the floor around her. "Dolly, Where is Dolly?" she blurts, rising quickly to a shriek, "WHO TOOK DOLLY!" She jumps to her feet, tears of fear, and maybe rage misting her eyes, hand balled into a fist.

[HappyMerecat]

Thellan

Thellan winces with the pain of whatever happened last night, the sudden bright lights and the sounds of shouting and the whip. His hand goes instinctively to his waist to feel the dagger stashed there. He grins, despite realizing he has been 'recruited'.

He staggers to his feet. "I must'a had much more fun than usual last night. I don't recall a thing."

[aberratio ictus]

Alistair Notelgamore, esq.

Alistair awoke to a world of pain. A throbbing head, stiff and hurting limbs, cramped fingers - that was when Alistair noticed he had been robbed. The familiar feeling of the ring on his finger was missing. The signet ring, it was gone. Clumsily, he got on his hands and knees, then struggled to get up on his feet.
As he noticed, he was clutching the locket in his hand. It seemed he had, even unconciously, made sure it wasn't taken from him. Quickly, he fumbled to put it away.

They hadn't taken his clothing, luckily. His fine riding boots, even his well-made fashionable jacket. Except for - no, right at the place where his head had lain, he found his Navy Bicorne. Alistair put it under his arm for the moment.

He had just began to take in his surroundings, noticing six other, very different people around him, when a group of rough looking sailors arrived, the crack of the whip took him by surprise, so he flinched at the sound, but not as much as the wailing of a little girl nearby, who... cried for her doll?
A little overwhelmed by the situation - were they prisoner? Hostages? Slaves? - Alistair started to walk towards the stairs, deeming it best to go with the flow at the moment.

[Nomrom]

Beniel

Beniel slowly starts to come to, a massive headache booming with pain as someone stomps around noisily nearby. "Oy, some of us are still a bed this morning. There's no need for all that noise right now," he moans loudly. By the size of his headache, last night must have been quite a good time indeed. Shame he couldn't remember any of it.

Beniel had just had time to open his eyes and begin to take in his surroundings - a ship, apparently already at sea, of all places - when the door slammed open, and the man with the stomping boots stormed in with a gang of dangerous looking pirates demanding they get up on deck and report for duty.

"Report for duty!" Beniel though to himself. "What in the hells did I sign up for last night? There has to be some way out of this; I'm not cut out for physical labor." Regardless of his thoughts, Beniel could tel these men were not ones to mess around with. "Best do as they say for now," he though as he slowly staggered to his feet. "Maybe I can find a way out of all of this once I'm out of the captain's sight."

[thegoldenfedora]

Grayson Wilkes

His mind addled much more than normal fun when he starts up drinking, Grayson laid there for quite a while before sensation began to kick in. First the smell of brine and wood, then the screaming for a doll and before any other sense good kick in, pain from his leg shoots to him startling him awake.

He opens his eyes and takes in the surroundings, mentally forcing the old pain to the back of his mind. He had worked on enough ships in Port to know he was on one now, what he didn't expect was the sudden rocking of the sea and as he tried to stand the motion through him forward and he stumbled back to the ground with a grunt. He was at sea, he could feel the monster inside him stronger than ever it had been when he was on land. "Besmara you crafty wench" he mutters under his breath.

Grabbing one of the ropes he hauls himself to his foot and peg, thunk. He takes note of the others in his situation, noticing the Cheliaxian uniform with disgust mixed with an age old fear and he instinctively​ tilts his eyes down so as not to be noticed by the man. That's when he saw the little redhead crying for her doll.

Dark memories of being whipped just for crying or throwing a fit come to the surface and despite his desire to remain unnoticed he puts a hand on the girl's shoulder "Easy there, we will find your doll. But I'm sure she would want you to stay brave without her." He steps in front of her facing the people who had taken them. And watches the officer head forward without a word. He waits a moment to see if any one will put up a fight.

[Ravenica]

Anika


As the big man puts his hand on her shoulder she flinches a bit but quiets down a little, and follows his lead.

[aberratio ictus]

Alistair Notelgamore, esq.

It... was a little surprising Alistair was the only one who actually followed their captor's orders. They probably weren't as used to following orders as he was - alternatively they simply hadn't gotten their wits together again, yet.

He turned around facing the broadshouldered and peglegged man who had positioned himself in front of the little red-haired girl.
"Is this your daughter?" Alistair asked, very calmy, which even surprised himself. "For her sake, I suggest you comply for the moment." He inclined his head to the left, indicating the whip-wielding sailor, before turning around again and making his way towards the stairs.

[Nomrom]

Beniel

Beniel lets out a low groan as he struggles to find his footing - the heavy drinking last night did not mix well with suddenly being awoken on a moving ship. Seeing one of his fellow captives start to head upstairs, he starts to make his own way to the stairs and up to the main deck, moving as slowly as thinks the men with batons will allow him.

[thegoldenfedora]

color=darkcyan]Grayson Wilkes[/color]

Grayson nearly jumps at the Cheliaxian's remark to him, wishing he hadn't brought attention to himself so quickly. His hand instinctively reaches for the bandage that covers his brand making sure it is still there. He keeps his eyes averted from the officer, but gives a slight nod to the man.

He looks down at the little redhead and gives a half smile that tries to hide his own weariness and anger with the situation. "Let's go see what's up there" and he turns to follow the young man who had already begun heading up, pausing to let the child go first.

As he passes the man with the whip he pauses for just a moment, his arm flexing with power as he momentarily thinks about grabbing the man by the throat and hurling him into the others. But the moment passes with the knowledge that now is not the time and he let's his arm relax as much as he can with the severity of the tension in the room.

One day, I'll know the taste of your blood, and he shudders wondering if that thought was even his own.

"Watch your eyes little one" he whispers to the redhead as he himself braces himself for the incoming sun.

[PallentisLunam]

The thugs grin cruelly and grumble menacingly to each other. When Anika cries out one of the takes a step forward and raises his club to strike her but when Grayson quiets the halfling the pirate satisfies himself with a sneer and shoving the two of them hard in the back, towards the stairs.

There are a few mean cackles and crude shouts when Alistair steps forward. One of the older pirates leans forward out of the line. His skin is weather beaten and cracked.
He beard is scraggly and streaked with grey. His teeth are rotten and his breath is foul. "Them navy duds won't keep you safe here boy. 'nd that attitude'll get you stuck sooner rather than later. Mark my words," he says.

The other pirates spread out and circle around behind those who have yet to move towards the stairs. The officer with the whip grabs Thellan by the upper arm. His grip is like iron and with a sharp twist of his body the pirate flings Thellan towards the stairs. "Move, you dogs!" he roars cracking the lash high over everybody's heads. The pirates begin to push and shove in earnest and the group of new recruits is herded up from the lower hold of the ship.

Since it is a clear day the middle deck is brightly lit by a blazing sun beating down through two large wooden grilles fore and aft of the mainmast. The deck itself is about the same size as the hold below, although it obviously does not extend all the way to the rear of the ship, and is mostly empty except for more than a dozen pigs which are caged against the port side hull. Far away near the stern a narrow staircase leads upwards. Much closer to hand, almost directly beneath the bowsprit a second set of stairs leads yet further upwards. Between the two stairways the foremast runs up to the deck above and down to the hold below. Chained to this mast is a hulking brute of a man who bears the marks of a recent tar and feathering. He stares menacingly at the passersby until the officer strikes across the face with the back of his hand.

"Keep going!" the pirate orders.

The next set of stairs leads to a rather cramped cabin strung with four hammocks and four footlockers are press up agaisnt the outer walls. Two narrow open doors allow unfettered sunlight to pour into the small room. The new crew members are forced roughly out onto the main deck where yet more pirates line the rails and hang from the rigging their eyes bright with anticipation. As the group emerges from the depths of the ship there are hoots, cries, and cheers. Cruel lopsided grins full of rotten or missing teeth leer at the new recruits from all sides.

Spoiler: DC 10 Perception Check

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As you climb your way through the innards of the ship you notice that your tongue is thick with the aftertaste of oily nutmeg.

Spoiler: DC 15 Craft (Alchemy) Check or DC 10 Knowledge (Nature) Check

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Nutmeg is a key ingredient in Oil of Taggit. This must have been slipped into your food or drink last night.

Spoiler: DC 10 Intelligence Check

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As your mind clears you realize that you recognize the face of the pirate officer who has been hounding you out onto the main deck. He was at the Formidably Maid last night. His companions refered to him as Master Scourge.

It is quite plain that the ship has been sailing for some time as all around is clear blue sea, far from any shoreline. The jeering of the pirates suddenly falls silent and all stare up at the poop deck where two figures stand. One of them, a broad, muscular Garundi man with a shaven head, a long beard bound with gold rings, and an eye patch, clearly the captain, leans forward on the railing observing his new recruits. The other is a younger, balding man with a long black ponytail, wearing an officer's coat and carrying a well-used cat-o’-nine-tails. The captain speaks.

"Glad you could join us at last! Welcome to the Wormwood! My thanks for ‘volunteering’ to join my crew. I’m Barnabas Harrigan. That’s Captain Barnabas Harrigan to you, not that you’ll ever need to address me. I have only one rule: don’t speak to me. I like talk, but I don’t like your talk. Follow that rule and we’ll all get along fine. “Oh, and one more thing. Even with you new recruits, we’re still short-handed, and I aim to keep what crew I have. There’ll be a keelhaulin’ for anyone caught killin’ anyone. Mr. Plugg! If you’d be so kind as to make pirates out of these landlubbers, it’ll save me having to put them in the sweatbox for a year and a day before I make pies out of ’em.”

With that the captain turns and walks away leaving behind the man with the cat-o'nine-tails who looks down at the new recruits and smiles unpleasantly. "Ur'right, you sorry salts! First things first, I need a new rigger." he says as he descends the stairs from the poop deck to the main deck. "Up ta the crow's nest with tha lot of ya!" he shouts flicking his wickedly barbed tool in a threatening fashion.

Spoiler: Climb Checks

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The mast is 60 ft up.
A successful climb check lets you move one quarter your speed. An accelerated climb check lets you move half.

[theasl]

Gale wordlessly follows the orders as well as she can for her condition - she's been conscripted before, so she knows the drill. As the group comes on deck, she notices the taste of Oil of Taggit in her mouth...not that it was really needed for her, she'd have been out by the third drink anyways. The last group didn't need it, and they were nice enough to let her keep her...wait.....the gun. Where's the gun? Gale spots a familiar face. Scourge. He'll pay for this. Then the crew starts herding the group over to climb up the mast - fine, that's easy. Gale starts scrambling up quickly.

[Nomrom]

Beniel

Beniel glanced around nervously at the assorted pirate crew jeering at them. As the man the captain had called Mr. Plugg snapped his cat-o'-nine-tails, Beniel slowly approached the tall mast. He warily looked up to crow's nest all the way at the top. "Alright, you can do this. You're as strong as almost anyone you know," he thought, trying to reassure himself. Without any more hesitation, he began to ascend the mast and found himself easily making his way at a steady pace to the top. He only had one scare, nearly all the way to the top, before reaching the crow's nest about a minute later.

[Ravenica]

Anika

Blinking as she steps into the light the little girl follows the crowd, she wrinkles her nose at the ucky unfamiliar taste as she pushes her way between people to the front so she can see.

She glares at Master Scourge, as if trying to make his head explode as the Captain makes his speech.

She squeaks a little as people push past her to follow the order and looks incredulously up at the heights, then back to the scoundrels in charge to see if they are serious. Hesitantly deciding that defiance could lead to bad things she moves to the rigging to try and climb it. Her stump provides little aid as she grapples with the ropes, rising to not even the height of a man three times and falling back to the deck. The last time she falls she whimpers and looks up at the men in charge. Tears stain her cheaks but she doesn't quite keep the look of annoyance out of them well enough to fool more than a casual observer.

[thegoldenfedora]

When the pirates threaten the officer, Grayson smiles an inner smile, hoping that his previous captors and current captors would tear eachother apart. He calmly meets the gaze of the brute with a mixture of pity and resolve. He couldn't tell which feeling was stronger, knowing only that he wished the man a better life while at the same time that would do his best to drop him without hesitation if the need arose.

The moment passed and they came to fresh air. Despite his trepadation of the ocean, it felt good to breath the ocean air again after staying on land for so long. He listened intently to the captain, recognizing a man who was not to be trifled with.

As the group of captives moves to the rigging Grayson looks up at the crows nest, swinging against the sun. He watches some begin to work their way up, then he looks down at his missing leg as if to say "you have got to be kidding me" but seeing a one handed child try to climb shows him just how serious their captors are.

He grabs at the ropes and hauls himself up, letting his peg leg dangle behind him, he crouches down and leaps up the line, creating a rhythm of catching himself and then throwing himself higher and higher into the air. He reaches the top flawlessly and takes a moment to survey the ship they were now stuck on.

Spoiler: Ooc

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with my rolls it takes six rounds to reach the top, more of there are any movement penalties you want to add
perception (1d20-1)[15] followed by a craft woodworking (1d20+5)[23] to get an idea of the shape of the ship

[aberratio ictus]

Alistair Notelgamore, esq.

The jeers and insults weren't exactly unexpected. Alistair resolved to suffer them stoically, and try to keep his composure. He noticed a weird aftertaste in his mouth, but that was the least of his worries at the moment.

He shortly considered replying to the older sailor with whatever witty repartee his addled mind would come up with on such short notice, but decided to simply remain silent for the moment, and walking on.

When he finally set foot on deck, he recognized the bearded pirate that had woken them so rudely. He had been at the Formidably Maid last night, a man creatively called Master Scourge.

Alistair took care not to react to taunts and threats made in his direction once he stood on deck, alongside the other six, surrounded by a chaotic horde of sailors.

Intently, he listened to the Captain's speech. Wormwood. Barnabas Harrigan. Not that that meant anything to him, but it was good to know, he assumed... if he was really to... serve under him?

The realisation had only begun to set in when the man called Mr. Plugg ordered them all up the mast.

Alistair couldn't stop his eyes from widening a bit when he looked up at the rigging leading to the crow's nest.
He had been a Lieutenant in the Navy, an officer, he hadn't had to climb around riggings, he had never done that before, that was for simply sailors, and... well, he was just that on this pirate ship, it seemed.

Mr Plugg flicking his barbed tool was very convincing though, so Alistair stepped up, and as the others started climbing, tried to do so himself.

He set his foot on the rope and tried to step up, but his boot slipped and Alistair, stumbling, fell face first into the ropes without getting as much as a single foot off the ground. He tried to ignore any sounds coming from behind him, got back on his feet, tightened his grip and actually managed to get about eight feet off the ground before he fell again. Luckily, Alistair landed on his feet, not hurting himself in the progress. He tried again and again to get up the rigging, but his awkward fumbling grasps and general ignorance on where to put his feet prevented him from climbing any noteworthy distance. Finally, he overreached, slipped, and fell to the ground again. Sweat dripped from his forehead. "Asmodeus help me." he desperately mumbled, under his breath.

Twice, he tried to get back onto the ropes, and failed, before finally succeeding and climbing up, now a little further than he had gotten last time. But that probably only meant he would fall harder this time.

[PallentisLunam]

Depending on their nature the onlooking pirates do one of three things. Some of them carefully watch Gale's rapid ascent, even to the point of cheering her on or expressing concern when she nearly falls three quarters of the way up. Some of the pirates content themselves with laughing uproariously at Anika and Alistair's ineptitude, many comments are made about the Chelish dandy who can't handle a rope. And finally others appear entirely disinterested. Of course as with most things on a pirate ship there is a fair bit of betting that spontaneously breaks out.

When Anika falls down and begins to cry Mr. Plugg snarls and kicks at her viciously, however he is distracted by the cheers of the pirates when Gale reaches the crow's nest and doesn't follow through his eyes shifting skyward at the last moment. A strong hand takes advantage of the disturbance to grab Anika's collar and slide her across the deck just out of reach of Plugg's boot. There are a few harhar's and shouts of how Sandara is too soft.

A young woman, dressed in loose fitting pirate clothes with a beautiful mane of fiery red hair crouches next to Anika. "Tears won't win ya much sympathy from this scurvy lot, love," she whispers. "But friends can help ya out." The woman smiles and presses a small, familiar bundle into Anika's hands and standing up she leans nonchalantly against the gunwale holding a finger to her lips.

"A'right! Enough!" Mr. Plugg shouts. "Yew four! Get back down here!" he orders.

"'Ey boss! This one just hid behind the mast!" one of the pirates shouts shoving Salazar towards Plugg.

"Did he now?" the pirate officer almost purrs. "Hold him boys!" Plugg barks. On command two burly sailors each grab one of Salazar's arms. Turning his back to Mr. Plugg they pull the arcanist's shirt over his head and the pirate officer lashes out cruelly with his cat-'o-nine-tails. "Let that be a lesson to you. My word is law on this ship, and when I give an order you obey or suffer the consequences."

Spoiler: Rolls

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To hit: 25
Damage: 4 nonlethal.

When the rest of the new recruits finish descending from the rigging Mr. Plugg orders everybody into a line. "You," he says pointing the now bloody cat at Gale, "you're our new rigger, which means you're mine now." Turning to the rest of the assembled newbies he eyes everybody up. "You, half-pint," he barks at Anika, "your people love food, and you won't take up much room. You're our new cook's mate. Down ta the galley with ya!" Looking at the remaining five newcomers Mr. Plugg's face splits into an evil grin. "The rest of you are ta be swabs under Master Scourge. Now get ta work! All of ye!"

Like cockroaches under a light the pirates all rapidly disperse about the ship. Mr. Plugg climbs the stairs to the poop deck with heavy clomping steps while shouting orders to those pirates who have scurried into the rigging. Gale is promptly ordered to begin repairs on various bits of rigging.

Spoiler: Gale

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The rigging in question is 30 ft up. Once there you must make either a DC 10 Profession (Sailor) Check or a DC 10 Dexterity Check. These checks represent a full day of work.

Master Scourge also begins handing out assignments to the sailors under his command. Alistair and Beniel are set to work repairing damaged sails. Salazar and Thellan are ordered below deck to hunt vermin. And Grayson is ordered down into the bilges. There are several mean snickers and knowing looks at this assignment.

Spoiler: Alistair and Beniel

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You each must make either a DC 10 Profession (Sailor) Check or a DC 10 Dexterity Check. This check represents a full day of work.

Spoiler: Salazar and Thellan

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You must each make either a DC 10 Stealth Check, a DC 10 Survival Check, or a DC 10 Dexterity Check. This check represents a full day of work.

Spoiler: Grayson

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You must make a DC 12 Strength Check. This check represents a full day of work. You must also make a DC 10 Constitution Check to avoid being fatigued after this vile and sweaty work.

[Ravenica]

Anika

Squeezing Dolly tight she stifles a squeal of joy, grinning from ear to ear at the woman and nodding at the motion for silence.

She jumps as Mr. Plugg addresses her but nods eagerly at the orders, though the moment his attention is directed elsewhere she sticks her tongue out at the back of his head. She runs for the hold clutching Dolly with her stub and all her might. With only a quick glance back slips below deck with nary another word to try and find the galley. As soon as she is out of sight she mutters, "When I find which one took you, they'll pay Dolly, I promise!" For a moment anyone nearby hears a strange voice responding, "They could never separate us for long Anika"

Spoiler

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Perception to find it?
(1d20+9)[28]

[aberratio ictus]

Alistair Notelgamore, esq.

When Plugg kicked at the crying little girl, Alistair gritted his teeth. He was dangerously close to stepping in and making this situation a lot worse for himself, but luckily, a young woman dragged the little girl away, out of the reach of the brute's reach. He sent a subtle, approving nod in her direction, but wasn't sure whether she had noticed or not.

Standing at attention, Alistair listened to what Plugg had to say. During the whipping of the man who hid behind the mast, he remained motionless. It wasn't the first time he witnessed a whipping, it was a common measure of discipline on Chelish ships as well.

Finally - he was made a swab. The lowest of the low. Well, he couldn't exactly expect a position of command. So he was going to work for Master Scourge, wasn't that lovely?

Walking to the damaged sails as directed, Alistair cleared his throat and adressed the man who shared his assignment, a short man with a spotty beard and an obvious scar.
"Alistair." he said, calmly, and offered the man his hand while walking, making an attempt at a disarming smile. "It seems we are stuck here together, for the time being. Might as well, well, work together, wouldn't you agree?"
He surely hoped the man was of the same opinion.

[theasl]

Gale takes a moment to get her bearings atop the ship, looking around to see if she can see anything interesting or figure out where they are (and, of course, with a small forlorn hope to spot her old ship), before she descends. She follows the whip-man's instructions wordlessly and with a practiced efficiency, though she is a bit rusty; it's better to keep her head low and just do what they want her to - and it's good to be back working on a ship, despite the...unfortunate circumstances.

Spoiler: rolls

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before she gets her instructions:
perception (1d20+9)[27]
knowledge geography (untrained) (1d20)[14]

profession (sailor), working diligently the rest of the day (1d20+11)[12] (-4 if you rule that the above checks count as sneaking)

edit: wow, nat 1. I guess Gale hasn't worked on a ship for a while...

[PallentisLunam]

At the bottom of the stairs Anika encounters the chained man again. This time he is snoring gently and does not rouse at her passing. Following her sharp halfling nose she is able to quickly find the galley, located in the stern of the middle deck. Past the penned up swine there are two doors set at right angles to each other with a staircase leading up to the captains quarters beneath the poop deck. Anika heads through the door that her nose tells her to and she is greeted by such a spectacular display of disorder that she feels compelled to pause and admire it for a moment. A pair of wooden work tables are matched by a pair of small stoves all surrounded by several wooden cupboards. Laying all around the tiny chaotic room is one of just about every kitchen implement known to man and an alarming number of meat cleavers. Also wandering freely about the chamber are nearly a dozen chicken and three goats. Two large cauldrons bubble atop the pair of stoves.

As Anika is taking the whole scene in there is a lazy exclamation from within the room and several chickens flap frantically away from one corner. "Eh, whoo'zat fannin' my door?" A large man, gone to seed and clearly inebriated hauls himself to his feet. Straightening his disheveled hat and brushing at his stained apron he blinks and rubs his eyes before looking at Anika. "Ahh, you'll be my new mate then," he says sizing the small girl up. "Well, the job's shimple. We fish. We cook. We try to stay on everybody's good side." The man lets out a massive belch and scratches himself. "The name's Fishguts. What's yours?"

[Ravenica]

Anika

seeing the sleeping man the little girl hides a mischievous grin behind Dolly's head, she bends over and whispers to him as she creeps by, "Hello Mr Feathers, we should be friends."

She quickly descends deeper into the ship, follow the pungent smell of pigs and poultry. The messy room and odours make her crinkle her nose a bit as she observes the chaos. As the large man towers over her she jumps back a bit, but as she sizes him up she shrugs off the initial fear. The mans state makes her feel more confident. She squeaks out, "'M Anika Mr. Fishguts Sir. My old cook taught me a bit, "Don't put the rat poison in the soup" he used to say and I learned good not to do that." She clutches Dolly at her side, hoping to make a good impression. She was less likely to get a beating from that horrid Mr Plugg down here.

[PallentisLunam]

Fishguts, who had started to take a drink as Anika answered his questions chokes and sputters. Blanching whiter than his apron was when it was new he wipes the back of his hand across his mouth. "Don't even joke, kid!" he says in a loud hoarse whisper. "You know what would happen if any of my food turned up poisoned? Why they'd keelhaul us both!"

Taking a moment to regain what little composure he has Fishguts takes a seat heavily and motions Anika further into the room. Glancing around the halfling can see that the entire kitchen is absolutely filthy and empty bottles of rum lie scattered about. A short while later, standing up Fishguts takes a deep breath, and a hearty swig of rum, and says, "Well, come on then. Soup's not gonna cook itself."

As the day passes Anika and Fishguts get to talking, and Fishguts grows slowly more inebriated. Finally towards the evening, the soup is ready and the cook is completely loaded. "Listen girl," he says suddenly from his corner, growing deadly serious. "It’s poison, this ship, but don’t let anyone hear you say it aloud. The hull listens, see, and the cap’n hears it all. Poison the Wormwood is, though, rotten to the core. You’ll not meet a more nasty, sour piece of work than Cap’n Harrigan in all your days at sea, and his crew’s the same, ’specially the first mate, Mr. Plugg. Vicious little sod, he is. He’d take his own mother’s liver to the butcher to make pies with, he would. But they leave me alone, mostly. They know I can’t ’arm ’em." And then as quickly as it came the moment passes. "You... you're gonna have to get the meal up on deck. Me, I'm too drunk." He laughs far too loudly for the situation as his eye lids begin to droop.

Spoiler: Ravenica

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I would ask that you refrain from posting anything that advances the plot just yet until I have brought the goings on above deck to the same point in time. I was concerned that this would take longer that theirs did. Feel free to narrate your interactions with Fishguts throughout the day and if you still want to use your action to influence the sleeping man you enchanted.

[Ravenica]

Anika

Paying close attention to where everything is, the little girl pays heed to every word Mr Fishguts says. She mulled over his exclamation about her words getting her in trouble and decided to take extra care with what she said from now on.

Doing her best to tidy up she attempts to stack the empty bottles near the door in neat little rows.

[Kvard51]

As if waking to the bellowing of a bunch of thugs hadn't been enough, they forced him up into the sunlight. And while he didn't know what that concoction was they had used to drug him, he certainly recognized the hangover it caused as an old friend. And the sun plus the hangover is why he stepped behind the mast. He wasn't trying to get out of anything, he simply needed shade.

All of those things worked together to keep his resentment over the flogging on full alert. Plugg is his name. I'll need to kill him.

And now the fool had him killing vermin? Salazar Black, who had the blood of pirates running through his veins? Killing VERMIN?! No doubt about it. Plugg needs killing...

Spoiler: Rat Killin'

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Dex Check (1d20+2)[5]

[Nomrom]

Beniel

As Beniel climbs down from the crow's nest on Mr. Plugg's orders, he can't help but feel a small amount of pride for making it to the top. He might not have been the fastest, but at least he made it smoothly. Maybe this pirate life wouldn't be so bad. Then, Mr. Plugg had nearly beaten the little girl when she failed to make it up and whipped the man who didn't even try, and Beniel knew again he would have to work to stay our of trouble. At least, for a while, he would. He was confident he'd win over the crew, just like he did any other audience. But for know, he'd have to suck it up and do his job until he was more confident he could shirk off.

As he headed over to the sails to start repairs, his newly assigned workmate greeted him with an outstretched hand. Beniel hesitated a second before returning the gesture. The name's Beniel," he replied. Any aye, if we're goin' to be workin' together, no reason not to do it right. Though mind you, I ain't done a day's worth of honest work in a long while, so I'm not too good with my hands. But I'll do what it takes to avoid a flogging, if you will."

Spoiler: OOC

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As much as it pains him, Beniel will work diligently for his daily action. He hates work, but his fear of a flogging is winning out for the moment at least. We'll see how long that lasts. Dexterity check (DC 10) (1d20+6)[11] EDIT: And that's a successful first day in the books for Beniel.

[thegoldenfedora]

Grayson's first clenches at Plugg's violence, an urge to throw him overboard and let the monster have him suddenly seems much more pleasant. For such a paltry crew, the violence seems a bit... overboard. With the girl safe in the arms of a rather attractive woman Grayson almost grins at his own joke, but then his thought becomes exemplified as a man is suddenly whipped for not climbing.

Besmara curse these whelps, are they trying to show cruelty every chance they can? his own whip scars flared with imaginary pain as he recalls his time being flogged as a child, which was infuriating combined with the very real pain of his leg. Grayson always felt that when his leg was acting up, trouble was in the air, and it never proved him wrong, but it was a little obvious at this point so he could have done without it.

He felt relief at the prospect of the little one going to the kitchen, a place that was ideally out of the way of Plugg and his gruesome whip. But the way Plugg worded the new riggers position set him on edge immediately. That didn't matter though because Grayson had to go to the bilges. He was no stranger to the place, having worked one plenty on his time on the slave ship. Already, he was rolling up the pants leg of his good leg to try and keep it somewhat clean. He finds his way down and locates the bilge pump, stripping off his shirt he works out his pent up aggression on the inanimate enemy.

Spoiler: ooc

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Assuming that it is a pump, happy to change if it's not

Working diligently
Strength check (1d20+7)[22]
Con check (d20+9)[14]

[aberratio ictus]

Alistair Notelgamore, esq.

Alistair gave a short laugh after Beniel's comment. "Do I look like I have?" he asked, with a skewed grin. "But I'll do my best, as well."

As they sat down at the sails, there was another, more experienced sailor present.

On the "Mephistopheles' Pride", while on watch, he had often observed some sailors fixing sails. While tiring work, it hadn't seemed too complicated, and after watching the other sailor for some time, he started doing some work as well.

Seeing Sandara running around on deck carrying rope, Alistair considered having a chat with her, but he wasn't too sure if Master Scourge would approve of him not working and also preventing Sandara from working. That conversation would have to wait, but he resolved to keep her in mind. She seemed the most benevolent of the pirates so far, and would make an excellent friend. And Alistair's survival on the "Wormwood", he was sure of it, very much depended on making friends fast.

While working, he turned to the sailor working with them, trying to strike up a friendly conversation.
"Don't worry, I'm better with sails than with ropes." he claimed, with a self-mocking undertone. "Although I bet the sight was fairly entertaining at least."

Spoiler: Rolls

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I'm doing the Influence action.

Taking 10 on the Profession (Sailor) Check, which puts me at 15.

Also influencing Cog (?) with diplomatic charme: (1d20+9)[20]

[HappyMerecat]

Thellan

For the first day Thellan does his best to do a good job and does his best to friendly up to an attractive female crew member.

At night he will do his best to gain entry to a gambling game of some sort. He will focus on watching others and getting a feel for how good they are and if they are cheating. If he can't get in a game due to no coin he will watch others.

Spoiler: Crunch

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Takes 10 on his job.
Diplomacy (1d20+5)[14] to befriend.

Gambling (1d20+4)[14]
Perception (1d20+5)[18]

[PallentisLunam]

The day passes slowly for those above deck. The beating sun creeps its way skyward as orders are barked and bells rung all day long. Master Scourge in particular seems to have it out for his new underlings constantly berating them and ridiculing their work, regardless of its quality. "Worthless sluggards!"

Gale scurries about high above the deck all day checking ropes for signs of wear, splicing anything in need of it, and generally trying to make herself useful. Her fingers feel clumsy and her feet unsure but at least once she has shaken off the rust she can't possibly get any worse.

Down on the main deck, the other pirate working at the sails, Crimson "Cog" Cogsward, initially sneers at Alistair. "Yeah, it was just side-splitting to see all of the slack I'll have to be picking up for you." But gradually throughout the day, with nothing better to do Cog grudgingly parses out a story or sailor's joke here and there. Common to his tales and mannerisms are mentions of the Lady of Graves and a dark humor. Cog seems to be a violent man who enjoys violent things. Also upon closer interaction it becomes clear that the blue silk scarf tied around his head not only protects him from the sun but hides his missing left ear. Both Alistair and Beniel get the feeling that it would be unwise to ask the brooding sailor about this injury.

Spoiler: Influence Cog Check Results

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You have failed to influence Cog. But oh so close

As the final bell sounds Cog glances over at Alistair and Beniel's work and grumbles to himself. Master Scourge swaggers over and inspects it too. "Pah! In my day I could have mended twice the sail that the three of you put together managed to fix, but I s'pose I can't expect you to be as good as I was. Get down to the main before I change my mind and have ye flayed."

Below decks, hidden away from the scorching rays of the sun the day passes faster for some and slower for others. Thellan sulks and slinks about the hold masterfully collecting quite a haul of vermin which are quickly slain and thrown overboard. He fills the dirty, bloodstained burlap several times throughout the day and tromps up to the main to empty it over the side. During his forays above he runs into a beautiful halfling woman who is easily keeping up with the grown men in their labors and lending every credence to the phrase cursing like a sailor while doing it. Her vocabulary is varied and colorful in ways Thellan would never even have considered. Tucked into the loop of her belt is a marvelously carved little hand axe which she has an alarming tendency to threaten people with.

Throughout the day Thellan is able to chat her up and learn that her name is Rosie Cusswell. "Pirates sure are an inventive lot." she says. He also learns that she too was impressed at Port Peril, a few days before Thellan. She has spent the days since her capture clashing with Master Scourge, deflecting "his" advances (here Rosie points to one of the riggers with her axe, a rather foppish looking gnome in a wide brimmed purple hat and a white silk shirt who manages to climb with a swagger stick tucked into the back of his belt), and pining for her fiddle which is in the possession of the quartermaster, one Cut-throat Grok.

Spoiler: Influence Rosie Check Results

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Despite Rosie being friendlier than most of the other crew members you have failed to change her attitude. But once again so close.

Unfortunately Salazar is not quite so well coordinated as Thellan. Almost every time he manages to spot a rat or a roach or some other type of vermin it manages to elude him in the belly of the ship. The frustrated young magician can only manage to catch those old or sick vermin that he happens to run across. Master Scourge makes his way below decks at one point and mercilessly berates Salazar. "It's the mast for you tonight boy!" he exclaims after Salazar loses the third rat in a row and storms off. While Salazar can hear Scourge's boots on the stairs a soft whistle and a pst come from overhead through the wooden grille nearer to the stern. "Hey, mage! Catch!" the woman who protected Anika earlier, Sandara, calls and tosses something down.

Salazar's beloved book flaps and flutters through the air and with a dive he is just able to grab hold of it before it hits the deck.

Spoiler: Salazar

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In addition to having your spellbook returned you have an opportunity to acquire a familiar. Options available are a: dwarf caiman, giant isopod,
marine iguana(all found here), chicken (escaped from the galley), crab, goat (escaped from the galley), lizard, rat, or spider(all found here) You can also opt to wait and see if you can find a different familiar than those available above.

Finally, deep in the bowels of the ship, Grayson takes hold of the pull ring on the trapdoor in the hold where this whole ordeal began, and hauls open the hatch leading to the bilges. A foul stench seeps out of the black pit. "Come to gloat one last time before ya finish me off?!" shouts an aggressive voice. "You'll never hear Jake Magpie beg!"

A ladder leads down into the bilges where no light reaches. As he descends Grayson feels thick cobwebs grab at his clothing and his limbs. Despite having rolled up his pant leg when Grayson steps down into the water he feels it come up past his knee rising to mid-thigh, filling his one remaining boot and soaking his clothes with the foul reek. "Hah! Yew ain't Scourge or Plugg," the voice says from the darkness. Chains rattle as somebody shifts in them. "Neither o' them'd get their feet wet just to taunt me, an' I ain't dyin' til tonight." the man in the dark, Jake, clears his throat and spits. Grayson feels it hit him in the face. "Nah, your just the sorry bilge rat they sent down here to work the pump... Well, get to it bilge rat!" he says with a nasty chuckle.

All through the day Grayson works as Jake taunts him, spitting, cursing, splashing him with the foul frigid water. The torment is only interrupted by the sounding of the bells.