[Game Thread] In a Sea of Betrayal

[Avner]

Light blasts through your opening eyelids as your feel a bucket of salt water suddenly douse your entire head as it pours down your shoulders and soaks your dirty clothing. The armoa of sea water, mildew and body odor assults your nose. You feel the sores on your wrists as you are suddenly reminded of the shackles that chain you to a steel rod above you to which you are fastened and the harsh rocking of the ship forces them to dig into you as you try to stay stead being flung this way and that like a fish on a line.

"Risssh and thine my pretthies!" you hear a fat voice wring out from above you with a lisp that makes him sound as if his tongue were too big for his mouth. The monotone voice of the seaman makes you wonder if he is to lazy to open is mouth to annunciate or too dumb. Either gives you a clear indication that you would not have felt much better about the man before he dumped water on your head.

"Get ready you lathy tarts it is almost time for ye to row!" he calls out.

As you look around you notice that you are part of what can be best described as a chain gang all fastened to the same pole in the belly of the ship. Next to each of you his an oar. You hear the sound of cranking and the shuffling of chains as your shackles are fastened from the ceiling to the floor giving you enough give to move the oar that has been pulled into your lap.

"Get ready.. I will tell the captain it is time to test out you barnacles." he calls out as he walks back up the stairs to the top of the ship. You are left for a moment to take it all in and those around you before he comes back.

The surrounding is an odd one. Men from all lands fill the hold, a man from Avalon, two Castillians, a tall man with red hair who had to be from the marches, a woman who was very long limbed and lanky with chestnut hair and an angular jawline that seemed to mark her beauty, tone of worked muscle showed her capable and of foreign descent and finally a woman set in seaworthy clothing all are chained to your line. Across from you is another filled with a man from Montaigne, a Vodacee woman, an Eisen, an Ussarn and another man of foreign descent. The group on the other side of the ship seemed worn and wary as if life had beaten them down.

The woman in the sailing garb looked back at the rest of you. "So you live, welcome about my ship! Although presently I am having a bit of a disagreement about that." she explained. "I am Captain Valentina." she addressed them.

[Attitude]

The Love Boat “Ugghhhh…” Will let out a groan of pain. The freedom they’d given him to row also gave him the range of motion he needed to check out the tender spot he had on his head. He had originally thought that the people who attacked him were after him for something he’d done, but now he realized they were just press gangers filling their quota. "So, you live. Welcome about my ship! Although presently I am having a bit of a disagreement about that." she explained. "I am Captain Valentina." “Your ship?” William asked. “I can’t say much for the accommodations, captain. Where are they taking us?”

[Solid Snek]

Father Sebastian With a groan, Sebastian rouses himself. Creator above, he had the worst headache of his life, and Sebastian had developed awe-inspiring hangovers in a past life. Even still, he grins, as if the whole scenario is funny. In a way, it is funny... a priest on a slave ship is a humorous sight, and Sebastian suspects that unlike the others, he almost deserves to be here. Well, he deserves to be in prison. "Is it just me or... am I not in my quarters at the Church?" He looks around at the others, gathered from all walks of life. How wonderful that their captors are equal-opportunity slavers. "I must say, I don't think I agree with the decorations." Normally, Sebastian would already be scheming a way to escape, but his usually cohorts are nowhere to be found... he needs to size up what the other "slaves" are capable of. Thankfully, to be on a rowing team, at least half are musclebound or at least athletic. Sebastian surmises that once one reaches a certain size, breaking a jawbone with a good punch is simply a given. That takes care of fighting their way out. Now, the only hurdle left, how to free all these tall, strong warriors from their chains? He starts by checking his clothes for something either thin enough to pick his shackles, or long enough to possibly swipe a set of keys from someone passing by. Then he studies the bar everyone is chained to. Surely it is strong enough to withstand the strength of everyone chained to it, but perhaps they will be lucky and an idiot will have installed it. As talking helps him think, Sebastian asks Valentina a rather pertinent question. "So tell me, my dear Capitana... did you have this particular decoration installed?" He rattles one of his chains. "Or did your loving employees do this to make sure you were comfortable?

[DBCowboy]

Lachlan MacQuarrie The blond curls of the Marcher rolled with the head that slowly rose in waking before the eyes sprang open in consciousness. In a burst of movement he rose suddenly...or attempted to do so before the chains stopped him short. With a growl like unto a caged animal he struggled with his manacles to no avail. Desperate, angry eyes fell upon all in turn, searching for release before he demanded, "What ship is this and where are we bound? "

[Preacherwolf]

Tonto III With a head splitting like he'd been drinking all night with Vodaceean women, and a pain in his chest like he'd gone twelve rounds with a bull Tonto roused. He felt the chains on him and took a quick look around his surroundings, the ship, the prisoners before his memories flooded back to him. Cabeza! The fiend! He tested the chains futilely and looked around for a way to break them, but alas he was trapped. The women in sailing garb came in and introduced herself, "Good day Captain Valentina. My name is Tonto Gol Peado Por Elamor The Third, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, I am sorry to hear you're having a dispute about your ship but would you kindly unshackle me this instant. I have a man I must kill today!"

[PopCultureBard]

Dalora Unlike most, Dalora hadn't been taken by alcohol-induced slumber or a cowardly blow to the back of the head. When faced with the half-dozen rowdy press-gangers in a dark alley, she elected to take the least painful means out. Beating down a small group of pirates was fine, but bringing down a slave ship from within? That's heroic, and heroes are exactly the kind of thing she is in the market for now. She watches the other rouse, trying to gauge each person's level of discomfort from the clarity of their swearing. There is a measure of calm to the Castillians that she finds almost disappointing, having often heard that the passions of those people could rival those of her own. "We all have the same view." She leans as forward as the chains will allow, unable to add a sweeping arm gesture to emphasize her point. Her eyes lock with those of the desperate Marcher across from her. "Those answers will come. What you should be asking is where we are going to take this ship when we get these chains off." The woman to her left makes an introduction that pulls Dalora's eyes away from the man she's trying to keep focused, losing focus of her own to the surprise. "Hmm. You seem to be the captain of that seat and this chain." She tugs the chain, listening to the clink of metal links as the web of metal shifts above them. A month ago she was boarding her very first ship and now she was trapped in one that might be her last. "So mutiny, then? And I'm going to venture the guess that you want your ship back." She flicks her hand dismissively between them as best she can given the limitations, committed to an unspoken plan. "Say no more. I, Dalora Nikiamara, will help you with this."

[Avner]

The Captain jingled her chains at Sebastian as she met him with an amused smile. "Love I'm just as enamored with the new decor, compliments of the Atabean Trading Company I am afraid." she explained to them. "I am afraid I am not here of my own free will or I would free you. As Dalora has stated I am the victim of mutiny." she explained as she looked around the ship.

"This ship was known as the Savage Rose, but I lost her when the Atabean Trading Company conspired against me. I refused their offer to take up slavery on their behalf, you see any true pirate values freedom above all and taking that away, even for a pretty coin, well it ain' the way." she said with anger filling her eyes.

"As far as where they be taking us I can only expect the worst. Across the sea to a new set of chains and shackles to never be seen again."

[DBCowboy]

Lachlan MacQuarrie "NO!" the Marcher as much as commanded as replied to Valentina, rage and desperation once more driving him to struggle against his bonds. Futilely for all the strength of his well muscled frame. But he was not without reason and as the iron remained in place while blood began to flow from his wrists he slowed in his struggles and finally stopped. Tired but not defeated. With a curse he took his seat once more, and whispered a name, "Marcella". Afterwards he was quite for a spell as he recovered and gathered himself. Finally he addressed those seated near, "It seems we each share a common misfortune and a desire to see it righted, lest I am mistaken," he looked round. "I know not when opportunity will come but come it will. Much like you, sir," he nodded to Tonto, "I have a man to kill. One who has wronged me beyond reason and sent me to this Hell." "So if you mean your words, to take your freedom," he turned to Dalora "I pledge to seize the opportunity beside you. I am no sailor but I will learn to manage sail and sea if that is what it will take to return to my wife." "I am, Lachlan MacQuarrie, and tho my lands are taken and MacQuarrie manor razed I still draw breath. And I will yet see my enemies rue the choice not to slay me when they had opportunity to do so." His eyes fell upon the poor souls seated across, bereft of hope, and squared his jaw against such a fate.

[Solid Snek]

Sebastian "Never to be seen again? With a flock of faces this beautiful?" Sebastian asks. "Truly, a sin of the worst kind." He turns around as much as possible to look at Lachlan, Dalora, and Tonto. "Yes, yes, I'm glad to see you all bond over murderous impulses... but perhaps all that is best left to future deliberation, post-liberation?" Having found no tools nor mechanical exploits in the chains or bar, Sebastian moves on to other potential plans. A distraction? Draw the fat guard while one of the warrior-types knocks him out? Hmm... then how would they get the key, assuming it even worked? Perhaps he could swipe the key if the man passed nearby... Sebastian does have some range of motion, so as to better work an oar. But then again, the chains will rattle as he moves. "I have a few plans... but all of them are quite bad. Suggestions, ladies and gentlemen? Perhaps the rotund fellow who just left would be open to seduction? I'll admit I doubt I'm his type, but I do have a way with words." He means it as a joke, but honestly the theory isn't any worse than any of his other plans. "Lure him close a swipe a key or a lockpick? Please, please... don't all shout at once..."

[Attitude]

The Love Boat Will tested the irons that kept him in place. Sadly, they seemed well suited to their task. Wouldn’t you just know it? he thought to himself, life was really looking up with the news he received from the Vodacce witch and then, pow, this happens. The Avalonian thought about his living arrangements back in Carleon. Had he stayed in one place too long? Was this what happened when he did? He didn’t think that was the case, but he always had a hard time keeping track of that. In fact, despite what Francesca had said, he was still skeptical about his supposed curse. Oh well, things seemed to be heating up emotionally, William decided a little levity might be in order. “You know,” he announced to all assembled, “when I was a lad, my preferred method of getting out of work I didn’t want to do was to do it so poorly, I was excused from it. Maybe we should row this boat in a circle until they let us go.” The Glamour Islander punctuated his suggestion with a grin.

[Preacherwolf]

Simply Unacceptable Across the sea to a new set of chains and shackles to never be seen again? No, that cannot be! As he listen to Dalora, Tonto began to curse. This was fantastic, the captain of the ship was locked down with them having lost her command, he was without weapons or supplies, and he was gods know where away from Cabeza. He took a deep breath as the Marshlander introduced himself "You too were betrayed by a villain. I am sorry to hear such a tale, I had thought that maybe I was the only one brought here bad chance and betrayal. After all, such monstrous luck cannot fall twice. But alas it seems I was naive in the respect." Tonto paused for a moment and then continued in the tongue of the Marshes "You have my word and as gentleman and a scholar that I will help free you from your confinement so that you may once again return home and reclaim your home and seek proper retribution from those who have wronged you" He turned to the rest of the shackled. "As for getting out of here, I may have a plan. I have some no inconsiderate skill in alchemy, with some time and a little of bit of resources I could create an elixir that explodes with smoke making our captors thinking the ship is on fire. In the confusion we can slip our bonds, grab some weapons and retake the ship!" Tonto's faced split into a bold grin and attempted a heroic pose, but the shackles prevented him from doing so, revealing a not so small hole in his plan. "Ah, of course how we get out of our confinement is beyond me"

[PopCultureBard]

Dalora As the others exchange their life stories, Dalora turns to the manacles on her wrists. She turns her hands over and checks to see if the bracelets are locked individually or closed with a pin. She scans the length of the chain attached to them to see if they are locked to a location on the benches or the walls. The chain itself, even if cheaply made, was the strong point of their confinement and without some kind of saw, it would be too much work to break the links. That means the connecting points where the chain links to the manacles or the walls would be the better target for a forceful removal. Leverage and pivot points all dance through her mind as she tries to figure out the best way to use all these bodies against their restraints. "Well, tragic backstories aside it seems we are a collection of varied folk who likely have varied skills." She flexes her fingers to keep the blood in them, testing the motion she can make with her arms. In order to let her row, they'd given her decent mobility with her arms and that might work to their advantage. "I've lifted a few purses in my time. If someone can get the man close enough I can probably grab a key just as easily." Tonto's suggestion turns her head and one brow lifts in sudden interest. An alchemist would certainly have valuable abilities in an escape situation and his presence among them boosts her confidence in their chances. "How many of you can be counted on during a fight? Are you all at least familiar with which end of a sword to hold?"

[Avner]

Captain Valentina let out a nod. "Men with power and influence have a way of making people disappear, that way is the Atabean Trading Company, and it seems more than one of you have been a victim of its temptations. For enough gold the ATC will do anything including taking perfectly honest men and making them someone elses property. " she surmised.

As they began to discuss who they were and what they were to do The Avalonean caught her attention. "You do realize what they do when they fire you from ship? You be walkin' the plank most likely with some stones in your boots. If the sea monsters don't get you the water will."

"When all is said and done ye best be wanting to be one of the ones on the ship and not off it."

[DBCowboy]

Lachlan MacQuarrie Lachlan grimaced but held his temper in check, instead acknowledging "I am galled to admit it but lest land still be in sight there is wisdom in patience while we look for opportunity." "It was well said," he nodded to Dalora, "that we appear a talented lot with many possible avenues to liberate ourselves if we but work together. If I must row for now, then row I shall, but all the while continue to see if honeyed words, dexterous fingers, alchemy or blades shall set us free. I trust the Captain here knows something of this crew and where useful items are stored aboard the ship could we but reach them." For all his initial bluster the Marcher appeared ready to weather the shackles for now. But there was still an undercurrent of stress to his words, seething just below.

[Attitude]

Goading the Captain This Valentina knows quite a bit about what is going on, Will thinks to himself. As she mentioned, this is a diverse group of people and not the typical riff-raff that get swept up by press gangs. Maybe there is something about this group. Most of them don’t seem like they would accept the lash of slavery easily, particularly the Lachlan fellow. If he isn’t what he says, he’s the best actor in Thea. He reeks of Marcher nobility. Maybe some more information can be gained from this supposed captain. At worst, it’ll paint a better picture of their situation and, at best, she may give herself away. “I do hate the odd pebble in my boot,” Will agrees with the Vodacce woman. “But at least they’d have to take me out of these chains. I can’t imagine they’d be much trouble after that.” The Avalonian finds it all to easy to let his native arrogance slip into his tone. Particularly since the return of magic to the Glamour Isles, he knew that many considered Elaine and her subjects to be particularly full of themselves. “This Atabar Trading Company,” he continues, intentionally getting the name wrong, “can’t have much starch. I’ve never heard of them.”