[Game Thread] The Wormwood Mutiny

[Cidolfas]

Kaelan doesn't bother to hide the frustration on his face. "As you wish, First Mate Plugg." The young man responds while inclining his head slightly. In his mind he goes over the various ways to tamper with the man's food, from simple spit to things far more unsavory. Spinning on his heels smartly the would-be pirate finally grins once he is out of sight of the others. It would not do to clue the others in on his thoughts until he learned who could be relied on, and who couldn't.

Once below decks he finds the cook straight away. Kaelan knew that before he could do anything that he has to watch, learn and bide his time. Finally in front of his new overseer, the youngest Crimsonblade gives his most charming smile. "Well met, master cook. I've been assigned ta' be your assistant. Though I daresay preparing food isn't my specialty. What can i help you with?" It burns the soul of the rogue to be so subservient. But at the moment it appears he has little choice in the matter.

 

Dice Diplomacy:

1d20+7

(13)+7

Total = 20

[zevonian]

Skyfingers heads off to his assigned post. The knot work goes well enough, and he finds himself talking to the crewmates around him in between ropings. "You work well. Are there ones here who are injured. I would dare say that those whilst working under a captain's orders, on a ship like this, should be tended to first. I would like to think that Beshaba would find this acceptable."

When he spoke her name, his hands were visible, and he looked out to the waters, not to any crewman in particular.

When his knotting was finished, the little man was absolutely exhausted.

ooc Short post as I've got limited site access. Will be going the Influence route with today's RP. If anyone is hurt, take 10 on Heal check at a later date gives me a 17., if needed. But for simplicity sake, I'll channel energy to tend to the injured if more seasoned crewmen gather them together. Beshaba be praised. Sailor check: Dice profession sailor: d20+8 (7)+8 Total = 15 healing: Dice channel: d6 6 Constitution: Dice con check: d20-1 (5)-1 Total = 4 .

[RedMoon]

Jeska remained silent as she was given her instructions. Running messages wouldn't be too difficult (probably), and it would give her a good opportunity to look around the ship and gather information. Hopefully she could find out where her equipment was, maybe learn a few names and faces. They had at least one potential ally on the ship, so perhaps she could find some others. She would have to accomplish her assigned tasks in fairly short order, though - She didn't want to attract too much attention to herself, either by failing at her tasks, or exceeding expectations. No, this was the time to try and keep herself in check, to practice patience, control and diligence. It probably wouldn't last long.

So, she reported to her assigned duty, and began her work running messages between various people on the ship. The contents of the messages themselves might prove to be just as informative as the rest of her investigation, she hoped. Time would tell. It seemed she wasn't alone in her duties either, so she decided she might as well attempt to get to know her "co-workers" at the same time.

"Been on this ship long?" She asked, having to keep her questions short to prevent her tone from getting unpleasant. "Anyone I need to watch out for?"

 

Jeska is going to perform her duties and attempt to influence whoever she is working with, assuming that the person she's working with isn't Nori. If the messages she is delivering are written, and not obviously sealed or protected for privacy, she will be reading them to get a better understanding of how everyone and everything works together. People who might be angry at each other, people who might be sympathetic to the whole slavery thing, etc.

Dice Acrobatics:

1d20+2

(11)+2

Total = 13

Dice Constitution:

1d20

16

[TheChuck]

Nori moves about the ship like he had been Which is true.born on one. Even not being familiar with this exact ship is no impediment, as all ships of a size are essentially laid out the same. His small frame allows him to pass through tight spots and scamper around heavier traffic areas without difficulty, and he delivers all the messages in a timely manner. He even takes the time to show Jeska the shortest routes from place to place, and though he doesn't know anything about the on-board politics it is easy enough to simply be polite but neutral to everyone. It wouldn't do to try to make friends with the one person that would alienate him from everyone else on board.

OOC Nori works diligently. I didn't add the +4 to my rolls, but it didn't matter.

[Tripod]

 

The Camel worked hard, not feeling the drag of physical labor at all and getting everything done in a timely manner. Mr. Plugg had yelled some obscenities at him and the others that worked with him, as it seems he was not the only person working on the rigging. Rigging work had to do with the sails, rope work and manning the crow's nest. The Camel's first duty of working on the rope work went easily and he had the help of a small, flamboyant gnome. "Oh, um, hi there. Conchobhar Shortstone, as youer service. The esteemed Captain Harrigan hain't been forthcoming in telling the smallfolk like us where our destination lies. Otherwise, the ship hain't so bad if ya avoid the Plugg and his comrade Scourge." The gnome wore a wide brimmed purple hat with a feather plume on the top. His left eye was adorned with an ornate eyepatch and he wore his facial hair in an impressive mustache that curled upward at the ends.

(Make a perception check to learn more about Conch if you're interested)

 

While you and this "the Camel" fellow have both been assigned to working the ropes, you soon realize it means very different things for the two of you. While the dark man climbed up the sails and had to work the ropes up there, you are tasked to sitting on the main deck to tie knots and haul the ropes around yourself."Hard work bu' they feed us an' bed us, so it ain't the worst, s'long as ya don't go about blabbing all the time," said a man of medium build. He spit on the deck after he spoke and scowled, glancing back to the rope he was working on to continue tying it. He wore a bandana over his bald head and his face looked like it hadn't smiled... ever. His voice was a growl that sounded like the creak of the ship's planks. A halfling woman walked by with a mop and bucket. "Keep spittin' on my deck, Crimson Cogsward, an' ya'll have a face full o' me boot ye jelly boned thumb suckin' crud bucket! she roared, in complete defiance of how pretty she looks. Her brown locks fell to the middle of her back and though she was curvy, it was all muscle. She wore a red scarf around her neck and a hatchet at her hip, the first person you've seen armed that wasn't one of the main ship officers. The man, called Crimson Cogsward, got so flustered he dropped what he was working on and started after the woman before Master Scourge snapped his whip and got him to go back to work. His neck was bright red when he returned, leaving little mystery at how he'd earned the name.

 

The smell of rum assaults your senses as you make your way into the galley. Down in the kitchen you see a large man whose girth is a mix of pure muscle and alcohol induced fat. He wore a dirty white shirt, a chef's hat and a stained apron around his belly. The man hiccuped as you walked in and smiled a gap toothed grin and waved you in. "Well met indeed! C'min, c'min... Ya came in just in time... ta learn ta cook! I got everythin' I need today, so we'll see what we can do!" On the table next to the cook was a half drunk bottle of rum and a... chicken? A live black feathered chicken clucked as it walked around the counter, enjoying a scratch or pet here and there from the cook. "Name's Ambrose Kroop! Some call me Fishguts, but I don't care. What's yer name?" Through the day Kroop shows you a few things and you get the idea that he really did need help. There was a lot going on between chopping, dicing, peeling, etc that whatever caused his reputation to be "Fishguts" lies from him being unable to do everything at once.

(no check needed!)

 

Running messages was not the worst job anyone was assigned to on the ship and afforded you time to see more of the ship than some of the others. The messages being run were from the officers like Mr. Plugg to some of the others, like the Master Gunner or Ship's Mage, though no sign of Captain Harrigan was to be seen. All the messages were folded over and sealed with wax, so snooping would be very difficult, but not impossible (DC 20 Stealth check with a minus 4 to every check during the day segment). The pretty redheaded woman with tattoos, Sandara Quinn, responded to Jeska's comment with a sly smirk across her face. "There's a few people to look out for. That guy, there," she said with a point to a fat balding man, "is Fipps Chumlett... he's a bully and part of Master Scourge's little cabal of folks. There's a lot of politics around here, unfortunately."

[Cidolfas]

The young man begins working diligently alongside Fishguts while make small talk with a man who likely lacked much social interaction in his position. "Name's Kaelan Crimsonblade, future pirate captain at your service." Those words are shared with a grin that hints that he is joking and a slight bow. From there he plans to start his inquiries about the ship and its sailors. "So how long you been on this fair maiden," he begins while gesturing to the ship around him. "Seems like quite the crew they've assembled as well. Captain Harrigan must certainly know what he is doing." He continues to work while speaking, trying to remain charming while also showing off a solid work ethic.

[mountainbound]

"Conchobhar, pleased to meet you," Gemel says, and at once the dervish's mind races. "That's an interesting name -- reminds me of something I once read about an emerald island. It was the name of a king. Anyway, where I'm from the islands are all sand. No green in sight! The taupe islands you might say. But tell me, how did a dandy like yourself come to be a part of this ship?" As he speaks, Al-Muqtadir studies the immaculate gnome, "And how is it that you get your mustache to be so... perfect?"

Perception Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (15)+5 Total = 20

[zevonian]

Blabbing? If I speak, it will be of importance. One day you will know that.

The thin man had no verbal response to the now crimson colored comrade after the outburst. Comrade. He dwelled on the word as he tied what he liked to call Balmer knots. Where did he first here that term, how many people did it now apply to? This was what he now mulled over.

The day continued and Skyfingers continued his grueling work. He asked little beyond his initial queries. Names of folks he was working beside, ship's doctor and destination, if they had one of either, and any injuries that needed to be tended to...these were all he concerned himself with as he tried to keep up with the pace required of him.

[RedMoon]

Jeska examined the messages carefully, growling in irritation when she found them to be sealed. Opening them unnoticed would be delicate work, and she was certainly not the most delicate person. A bit of prodding at the seal was all she managed before giving up, not wanting her tampering to be discovered. A fit of frustration almost encouraged her to shred the messages, but, she supposed that wouldn't really help her position, so she (barely) restrained herself. She would have to obtain her information other ways. Fortunately, their ally from earlier seemed at least willing to provide some information.

"Thank you. I'll be wary of him." She thanked her co-worker. It was interesting to know that there were various factions on the ship, and it spoke of at least some dissension or disagreement in the ranks. Or at least various cliques that didn't get along with one another."Which cabal are you part of?" She pressed further, hoping to gain some more information about who might disapprove of Plugg, who she had already determined to be her enemy.

[TheChuck]

Nori curses quietly to himself when he hears the tail end of the words from Sandara. Truth be told he knew there would be cliques aboard the ship; most all ships had that. He had only ever been on one ship where everyone seemed to be on the same team, and that was because of the leadership and efforts of the captain. I guess I'll have to pick a side at some point... he thinks to himself ruefully. I just hope I pick the right one.

[Tripod]

 

"Been three years now... tha capn' sure knows what he's doin' but tha doesn' mean the rest o' us do. He ain' no friendly fella but he keeps us fed and full o' plunder so it ain' the worst thing..." Fishguts replied before turning and clucking at the big black hen on his shoulder. Between swigs of rum Ambrose Kroop seemed to know what he was doing, even if all he was doing was dumping pieces of chopped seafood into a thick broth and heating it. An hour or two later a new person appeared in the doorway, a tall half-orc woman with a nasty jagged scar across her throat. "Grok!" he cried, waving. "C'mere an' meet my new mate, Kaelan. Fancies himself a captain one day!" Grok's smile looked like it could curdle milk but it was far and away friendlier looking than anything Plugg or Scourge have given you. When she spoke her voice sounded like someone chewing gravel. "Ah, heard about the new folks. I'm the Quartermaster so if you need anything, you're to be askin' me."

 

As you spoke with "Conch" you would notice his eyes kept flitting downward to a lovely sort, a halfling woman with a hatchet on her hip. Well, lovely except for the stream of profanity that came spewing from her mouth as she and another, a human man with a red neck, yelled at each other. "Oh this little thing?" he asked twirling his mustache with a glint of humor in his eyes. "A bit o' whale fat from a box I bought in Port Peril on this most recent trip... which brings me to the other question. Well, you see.. I got picked up a few weeks back in much the same way as you unfortunate folks... volunteered? I think that was the word our... illustrious captain used.

 

Sandara shrugged, "The 'keep to yourself and stay out of trouble' cabal. I don't have no love for Mr. Plugg or Master Scourge... or pretty much anyone, but I can tell you we're not all bad on here. Fipps and his buddy Jaundiced Jape, you'll know him as the yellowed orc walking around stuck up Scourge's bum like a bit of leftover leaf after a bowel movement..."

 

The rest of the day continues without any sort of problem.

 

Sorry it's been so long on an update, hopefully I'll get back to more regular posting from here on out. Also, sorry for the short update for Zev and Chuck, but that's all I could think off right now. We'll go another couple of posts, I don't want to stifle roleplaying, of course! Then we'll get on to the night time.

[mountainbound]

"Whale fat, you don't say?" He pulls at his own beard. "Do you perchance have any? I mean... would one such as I benefit from such a thing?" The dervish notices Conch's eyes drift down to the hatchet-wearing woman. He had to admit, she was attractive, though her skin was far to fair for the Camel's linking. Al-Muqtadir can't help but wonder how many trees she had felled in her day. "That woman down there, who is she? And who's that she's yelling at?"

All around the ocean drives the boat on and on. For a moment, resting in the sun-baked crow's nest, the dervish almost feels at home on the ship -- despite the fact it was his very first day, and he was conscripted to serve despite his will. But... who's "will" was truly at work? A devotee to the Cosmic Order, the Camel gladly accepted his fate aboard Harrigan's vessel, taking it as nothing less than the hand of the divine guiding him to where he was intended to be.

As the dervish resumes his duties, he sings a canticle made famous by past members of his ancient order:
"Nothing you can know that isn't known,
Nothing you can see that isn't shown,
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be,
It's easy..."

He was alive. It was a good day.

[zevonian]

"Must catch my breath."

The little man paused for a moment. He stared out at the water and inhaled deeply. Once, twice, thrice. Then he spoke quietly to himself. "Besmara, grant me sight beyond sight, so that I gaze upon those you have blessed, and those to be wary of."

He knew that someone of so called authority would get on his case for just standing there. The one with the whip most likely. But Skyfingers simply turned around and got a good look at everyone that stood by, and everyone that neared.

"Would that aggressors unto me fall from my sight. Her chosen will need me."

[Cidolfas]

“Well met Grok,” Kaelan said with a slight bow. For the briefest of moments he wonders if he would be forced to seduce or coerce her to get them all a few more supplies. He barely suppresses a shudder as images of their coupling flash through his mind. Had he already eaten the would-be pirate surely would have lost his lunch at that point.

Instead he thinks of a better idea. “I’ll be helping old Fishguts, here, but a future Captain needs all the friends he can get,” Crimsonblade says with a laugh. These would surely become dangerous waters for a new recruit if he overestimates his place. Winning their trust early would be vital. “Let me know if you be needing anything.” All the while he continues to work while knowing he could not slack off for a moment quite yet.

[Tripod]

As the day winds down, Mr. Plugg calls for an end to the day. Conch looks to the Camel and sighs, "That lovely young gem is Rosie Cusswell and she's laying into Crimson Cogburn. Looks like it's Bloody Hour."

As the crew assembles there is a man sitting tied up on the main deck surrounded by Captain Harrigan and his crew. Mr. Plugg steps up and growls at the man. "Jakes Magpie, yer here on the charge o' stealing from the Quartermaster's store. This right Grok?" Grok, a large green half orc woman with a jagged scar across her throat nods, but she doesn't seem like she's the happiest about the situation. Plugg turns back to Jakes. "Well, what have ya ta say fer yerself?" In reply, the prisoner spit on Plugg's shiny leather boot. "If Grok weren't getting drunk with Fishguts ya wouldn't have to worry about thieves!" Master Scourge shouts in anger and cracks his whip on Jakes' back while Mr. Plugg grabs the man by the nape of the neck and moves him to the front of the ship. Master Scourge and some of the other officers, people who have not deigned to meet with any of the other crew tie a rope to Jakes Magpie while Mr. Plugg addresses the crowd. "Let this be a lesson to ya, what happens when ya steal from the Wormwood!

With that, Plugg shoves Jakes Magpie off the front of the ship with a rope tied to him. For a little more than a minute the prisoner is drug under the ship. What is brought up is a mass of Anyone trained in heal can make a DC 15 check to see about how much damage he took.cuts and blood in the general shape of a person. After showing everyone, Plugg finishes the spectacle by throwing the body overboard to let the sharks eat him. Sandara Quinn moves up to the group of new pirates (The party) and nods solemnly, "This happens every day. Anyone who gets punished gets punished right before dinner."

After the keelhauling, the crew gets shuffled down to the Middle Deck where the cook serves up an appetizing fish stew, though the crew seems to like this more than they had previously (perhaps because of the efforts of the new cook's mate?). He also gives everyone a ration of rum and reminds everyone that they must drink it on orders of the Captain.

 

Now that it's night time there are a few more actions you can take. These are:
Sleep: go to bed early, eliminating Fatigue.
Gamble: participate in a gambling activity which will be described later.
Entertain: use a Perform check of some variety to entertain the crew, gaining a bonus on influence checks.
Influence: spend time trying to influence another crewman.
Sneak: explore the ship but you'll need a Stealth check to avoid being caught.
Steal: same as Sneak but with more checks in order to plunder the Quartermaster's shop or some of the lockboxes around the ship.

Also, before your character drinks the rum, make a DC 10 perception check.