"No offense friend, but what we need in a first mate is experience. Can you run the ship on your own, how adept are you at navigation and how well do you know these waters?" Flik asks Aurlin.

Aurlin turns to face his first obsacle in his daring grab at the first mate position. " Let anyone who thinks that they are more worthy step forward and make their claim," he finish matter'o' factly and waits for a response.

Hoat steps forward, cracking knuckles the size of a halfling's fist.

"Well now, little man.  Ye seem to be good at talkin' and walkin', that's fer sure. But there's more t' bein' 'Mate than makin' a few jokes an' dancin' a jig.  What makes ye think yer more worthy than Hoat Hundemar?"

Blackmane simply smiled at Hoat and looked on at the pair with interest.

Aurlin turns to regard the towering seven foot tall human, taking special note of his wicked looking halbred. 'Hmmmmm, obstacle two is a mite bigger!' Having no desire to confront the obviously skilled warrior, but knowing that if he wanted the first mate position he must show no fear, Aurlin decides that showing a brave front in front of such an impressive figure could actually work in his favor.

"Well my good man Hort,"he says calmly while walking towards the warrior, "I couldn't say that I am more worthy than yerself, seeing as we havn't had as much bonding time together as I would normally have liked," he says with a hint of sarcasm."But I can tell you that my talents extend far beyond my witty banter and dancing abilities."

He waits patiently for the captains imminent intervention--so he thinks--, but he gathers his wits and readies for a show of strength just in case. If the big one proposes some sort of challenge, he doubts that it would be opposed. Confident he could at least give the big one a run for his money, he cares not regardless as this was one of the most fun(tense) moment of his young life. 'Now this is an adventure!'
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Wed 01 Feb 2006.

"Well, we can't sail without a first mate and, honestly I'm intrigued to see who would be the better man out of you two."

She gives the two men a broad smile that could melt a man's heart...and strike fear into the most hardy of warriors.

When the captain smiles at him, he can't help but find her to be quite striking. He banishes such thoughts instantly knowing that he had more pressing matters at hand, 'Looks like a fights unavoidable................gotta look like it is what I wanted all along.' He takes his bow from his back, and reaches for an arrow......... or so it would seem at first. He however removes his quiver as well, tossing both to the ground. Knowing he had just relinquished his greatest advantage, he suppresses a cringe and puts his hands to his side, in easy reach of both his rapier and daggers.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Wed 01 Feb 2006.

Deciding that bloodshed is immient Zorlax snaps out of his daze. He addresses the two would-be first mates.
"Let any man who would be first mate stand before me and answer 3 simple questions. The person who answers correctly will have my support for first mate." Tired of seeing fellow adventureers fighting and causing delays, Zorlax motions for Hoat, Aurlin, and Flik to stand before him on the main deck. He will remain above them on the poop.

I already said that not only was I uninterested in the job, I wouldn't be fit for it. I just want to make sure the person who does take the job can handle it. I'd hate for us to sink because the first mate didn't know about a reef or something. So I'll ask the same question of Hoat as I did Aurlin. Can you run the ship on your own, how adept are you at navigation and how well do you know these waters?"

Hoat laughs loudly raising his hands.

"Hey now! No need to draw blades...I was only thinkin' of a friendly wrestlin' match."  Hoat points at Zorlax, "But mayhap that one has an even better idea. You c'n keep your pointy little sticks in their sheaths fer now, little man.  how bout a battle o' wits?"

Aurlin is indeed interested in gaining Zorlax's support for the position, he just wishes that it was proposed before he got himself in such a predicament.

Listening as Flic tries to garner some information on the prospective first mate, Aurlin thinks it strange that the warrior also had enough wit to save such usefull information until after it was requested by the captain.

As Hort laughs, Aurlin reaches for a dagger to throw at the man while he redies himself for combat. He is about to unsheath his weapon and let fly, when--just in the nick of time--, Hort proclaims that blades arn't neccessary. Aurlin is immensly pleased that it wasn't going to come to combat with the undoubtedly skilled warrior, but he takes great pains to mask his approval. Feigning a sigh, and saying with false dissapointment,"a battle of wit's you say?"
Aurlin takes a moment, as if considering the offer, ."although I was looking forward to crossing blades with you, I suppose a test of wits will do."

Aurlin picks up his dropped bow and quiver, slinging them back over his back
This message was last edited by the player at 12:19, Thu 02 Feb 2006.

As the two candiates stand before Zorlax he asks his first question.

Think carefully of the questions before answering, they are meant to test your mind's nimbleness as well as your general knowledge. Your first question, Hoat, is in a gale which sail do you reef first? The royals or the stays?

Aurlin, How many ropes and men do you need to properly keelhaul someone?"

Zorlax's eyes glitter as the two answer his first question.


OOC: If anyone one else wants to take a shot at theses questions, I'll see if the DM will ante up a little XP for a correct answer. Just PM them to me.

Not a confident sailor, Aurlin listens carefully as Zorlax asks his first question. Thanking the gods for his luck, he at least knew what keelhaulig was, having witnessed such an event last time he traveled by ship. He was traveling to Amn in hopes of finding work with the shadow thieves, and while on-board, a crewmember got a little to mouthy with the captain.

Trying to remember the details of the process, he doesn't want to delay so steps forward and says, " Why you would need the rope to be long enough to reach the ships keel from the deck," he pauses, thinking that that is probably not enough, so he adds, "so as to properly drag the doomed sod under the ship. And as fer the manpower, I suppose it depends on who ye be wanting to Keelhaul."

Zorlax taps his chin with his finger as he ponder's Aurlin's answer. He pauses waiting for more from the blue lookout, then adds. I'm thinking of your average man as being keelhauled, and how many ropes and men are required. Your answer so far is correct, but it dragon steps the answer. Please be a bit more specific.

Zorlax glances at Hoat who seems to be in deep thought. Maybe he's giving Aurlin enough rope to hang himself. Zorlax chuckles at his own pun.

Hoat pulls on his beard before answering,

"Well now, mage, I been more a galley sailor, but I c'n take a guess.  I don't think I'd rightly want royals flyin' in a gale - seems like you'd want less sail near the top o' the mast to keep it from splinterin' at the base.  So then, I'd reef them royals first.  Ye' didn't say which stays, but as I recall they be good in strong winds.

Fer keelhaulin' all ye need is one rope under the belly o' the ship, an' two men t' pull, one on each side.  Though as the man says, if the sod bein' keelhauled like his meat, or gets caught on somethin', ye might need an extra hand er' two t' yank him free."

Zorlax nods at Hoat's answer and smiles at his second. Are you trying to help poor Aurlin out with his question? Maybe this question will get you thinking. Your second question Hoat, What seperates a cat's head from a cat's block?

Dissapointed that his 'dragon step' was indeed noted, it looks like the position would be harder to gain than he originally thought. With Hoart however filling in the details of his question, Aurlin concocts a cover. He turns to Hoat and says, "Thank you for the assistance Hoat, but I could have filled in the details myself."

 Seeing that Hoat seems to have more sailing knowledge than himself, the prospect of gaining Zorlax's support seems unlikely. Not one however to give up, and hearing Zorlax's attempted insult, Aurlin turns to the mage and says "Poor Aurlin indeed, maybe some recognition of some of my 'other' skills would be neccessary.......... "  he leaves the statement open and waits patiently for his next question
This message was last edited by the player at 07:29, Sat 04 Feb 2006.

Hoat grins with great, yellow teeth, and replies to Zorlax quickly.

"Th' answer you ware lookin' fer is 'anchor' I believe.  Though in my galley days, we'd run our dragon-ships up on th' beach.  We didn' use no anchor cuz' it gave us more time fer lootin'"

Zorlax gives Aurlin a level stare. Your threats mean little to me, gensai. I seek only to get the best first mate for this ship. A position of command deserves no less than the most qualified.

Your second question, what does the wax on a lead's chain reveal?
Zorlax snaps out the question almost like a threat and eyes the rogue as Hoat belts out another answer. Zorlax nods to the fighter and waits for Aurlin to answer before asking his last question.

Zorlax gives Aurlin a level stare and their eyes lock. He listens to the mage offer his petty excuses for the insult against his intelect and offers no response apart from a insincere smile.

Disturbed after listening to the Zorlax's second question, Aurlin frantically searches his mind for even the vaugest reference to wax on lead chains.
'Rats, cant talk my way around this one'
He is silent for a fair amount of time and it looks like the rogue has nothing to say to this difficult question, but he is then struck by an idea.

Desperate, and seeing no other way to avoid answering the question, he turns his back on the mage and adressess the captain. " Captain! Zorlax has not properly accounted for his insult and explained exactly why he reffered to me in such a manner. I care not, but I also will not answer any more of his questions. If you need someone to organise our raids, and gather information for jobs, then you would do well in considering me for the post. If you would like another sailor to enhance your own superior skills, then you know where to turn."

Knowing his move to be a bold one, his nerves are starting to shaken and a slight magical breeze picks up arounde his person. While it would be overlooked out here on the open seas, when it occurs in-doors it is often regarded with a fascinated curiousity by onlookers. It is however an annoying curse to Aurlin, a 'gift' from his Gensai heratage that occurs whenever he is nervouse or irritaded......... and it only ever served to worsen his nerves further.

Flik looks on slightly amused by the 'game'. As a cleric of Tymora and an avid 'gamer' Flik can easily recognize a gamble of any type and Aurlin has just made a bold one. The playing field was shifted in Hoat's favor, possibly by design. So far Hoat has shown himself to not only be the better sailor, but also the cooler head. Aurlin is teetering and needed to react quickly before he lost more ground, perhaps Zorlax was hoping to provoke just this sort of response pulling Aurlin's strings to see what the rouge could come up with to worm his way out of the situation. A more cautious gamble would of been to force a change in the rules of the game or the field being played on, but Aurlin threw caution to the wind, so to speak, and pre-empted play entirely by trying to force a disqualification. Maybe any other game that came to mind either didn't give him enough of an advantage or wouldn't turn out favorably. Then again his unspoken challenge to Hoat before this game probably would not of turned out favorably as well. Hoat would be the standard choice out of the two, but Flik has a soft spot for gamblers and as the little drama presses forward he can't help but start to like Aurlin more. Flik continues to watch, still with holding judgement, after all Hoat hasn't really made any moves yet, he's guarding his cards carefully. Perhaps the sailor is a gambler too.

Zorlax, unimpressed with Aurlin turns to the captian. I think the gensai has made his choice. The questions are secondary when compared to the cool-headedness of the answerer. I think we know who I support. With that Zorlax makes his way down the poop ladder and into the comforting darkness of his cabin. He hurrys once he gets to the door. He enters locks the door and begins a systematic search of Buck's belongings.

OOC: We did room together. ;)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:04, Sun 05 Feb 2006.

Aralanthalas chuckles to himself as the spectacle seems to be drawing to an end. He then steps forwards and starts to speak.

"If I might speak a few words... something a first mate needs as much as knowledge of how to work a ship, is respect from his fellow crewmates. And after watching this... show... the one I would most respect in that job would be the mage."

"I must admit you do have a point Aralanthalas," He quickly and quietly mumbled "jeez it that a long name," And then continues as if he had not muttered anything "But, first he didn't say that he wanted the job. Second he doesn't seem like the type who would always be on deck keeping an eye on things making sure the vessel worked smoothly. Sure delagating authority is often necessary, but how easily can he be roused from his books if there is a situation that needs to be handled. The time lost in getting him on the scene to settle whatever the problem might be could cost the crew and the ship a lot. Finally although he seems to have a lot of knowledge about sailing, has he ever put that knowledge to work practically? To know how to do something in theory is a whole lot different than doing it in actuallity. For example in a shell game, theoretically the pea has to be there, but in actuality it's often not."

Bored now... mumbles the captain.

"Alright, Hoat seems to have the skill and the strength to keep the ship together and the crew working hard but we also need someone with personality and the 'Doc' here is more in tune with that. I need Hoat at the rudder and sails so he can't be where a first mate should be when he'll most likely be needed. I reckon we need to start up a new position. Flik is now second mate as well as ship's surgeon. Hoat is first mate."

She looks for an argument from someone.