There was a sound of confusion and then a solid thunk followed by the coppery smell of blood. It splashed onto the floor, seemingly gallons of it as the crew struggled to keep the cow steady. The cook, Shalia, was gently petting the unconscious cow as its blood leaked down into buckets. One filled, than another, than another. Shalia would use some of the blood in her cooking while the crew would soak bits of bread or other things in it and use it as bait for fishing.

Slaughtering the cow was the hallmark that they had hit the open seas. For a few days the crwe would get fresh meat, a rare treat on the open waters, before it was transitioned into salted jerky.

So far the trip out of Absalom has proceeded without any incidents. They hugged the coastlines of Andoran and Cheliax. They didn't stop but just keeping the coast in view made everyone feel safer as it was unlikely a pirate would be bold enough to strike so close to shore. Then it was time to cross through the Hespereth Strait, under the giant Arch of Andoren and into the open waters of the Arcadian Ocean.

Anyone unfamiliar with geography would assume the boat would turn and set sail south but everyone familiar would know this would be suicidal. The infamous Eye of Abendago, the permanent hurricane caused the waters to be stormy and dangerous and then the ship would pass dangerously close to the Shackles, the island chain home to numerous pirate ports and so-called "Free Captains" that preyed upon shipping all up and down the coastline.

No, it would be crazy to turn South, instead the ship headed West to go far around Mediogalti Island and the Shackles until the Arcadian Sea turns into the Fever Sea, so named by the hot and humid climate before swinging back East towards the Vidrian coastline and their eventual destination, the capital city of Anthusis.

Up on deck Captain Sorina was gazing out at the horizon with a grim look on her face. Next to her, the First and Second Mate, Bosun, Helsman and Wizard were all in deep discussion.

First Mate (Marcino): "No question about it, sis. We're being stalked."

Bosun (Rosie): "No idea what kind of ship it is but the way it is cutting it isn't just a coincidence. It's following us."

Helmsman (Aldus): "You know Captain that it's not trying to get ahead of us and the wind is bad from that angle. Unless they're stupid or lost they're not trying to catch us, they're trying to keep our position."

The wizard sniffed and rolled his eyes.

Wizard (Dimitri): "Yes well the ability to transmit messages via magic is so mundane that almost anyone can do it. You don't even need a wizard, you could even just have enchanted objects that can pass notes back and forth."

"You know what it means, sis."

The captain nodded at her brother and the others.

Captain (Sorina): "Yes, it means that we will be sailing into an ambush. One ship behind us, one or two in front of us and we'll have nowhere to run. There is little chance we can shake them on the open seas so if we continue we only have to hope that they get bored with us before we are taken. No, there is only one course of action."

The rest of the officers nodded grimly. They knew what was going to happen but they needed to hear the captain say it.

"Prepare to turn the ship due south. We're going to cut around the Eye of Abendego."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Within minutes of turning south uncertainty and anxiety rippled through the crew. Everyone who had ever sailed these oceans knew cutting south was the worst thing possible. The storms around the Eye were notoriously dangerous and even the Free Captains that sailed the route regularly would occasionally encounter monster waves or wrecking winds. That wasn't even counting the pirates.

Even the guests who had no experience on these oceans could tell that something bad was on the horizon. As if echoing the mood, the skies went from clear blue to dark grey and in the distance one could see them get darker still. It was as if the gods themselves were issuing a warning: TURN BACK! GO AWAY!

And yet the ship continued its course.

OOC: Pausing here for introductions. You can go into as much or as little detail as you want. How you've spent the first two weeks as they sailed through "safe waters", the sudden change of course and the realization that their route had just transitioned from "safe and standard" to "reckless and dangerous" in just a matter of hours.

Midshipman Rookward looked up from where he was helping secure the rigging.

"Well, that's not good." He muttered.

Unfortunately he was middle-management, and had no control over the actions of the captain.

Therefore, right into the storm they went and there wasn't a blasted thing he could do about it.

"Shaka! No! NO! Stay! Stay!" Came the oddly sing song high pitch voice from close by where the cow had been killed. Sure enough, everyone would come to know that voice and who Shaka was. Not too many Goblins and thier wolf mounts where on the ship after all.

Shaka, a large black wolf whined like a puppy at her tiny green rider, as he climbed off her back. "Here, here...who's a good girl? Yes, you are the bestest Shaka ever! Yes you are!" The goblin produced a treat from his pocket, and the wolf stared at him, panting and wagging her tail. He tosses it in the air, and she does an impressive leap before snapping her razor sharp teeth around the chewy delight and landing gracefully on the deck.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:48, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Oivind had only been on deck to enjoy the weather making sure to stay out of the way. He watched the slaughter of the cow with little interest as it happened in all honesty he was bored as a traveler and wished he could have been doing something, but alas he wasn't for signing up for a long haul with the crew.

As the ship changed course he took notice and when the skies darkened he smiled he wouldn't be bored for long now. The Ulfen tightened the belt to his sheath that held his great axe to his back. It was already peace tied while on the ship, but he wanted to make sure he wouldn't lose it in the upcoming storms.

Nenelethas was a paying customer, or his trip had been paid for, if not by him, then by a nameless benefactor and regardless of that, he knew that he hadn't agreed to sail south, not like this at least. Or had she done that... That backstabbing, no good...

He considered approaching the captain with his advice, namely that if they were being ambushed they shouldn't turn to the south, but turn once more and come about on the would be spotter ship. If they took that ship out the ambush would be blind and they could either sail right past it or at a minimum not be caught between a rock and a hard place.

But she'd likely already thought of that, meaning that this ship was not likely fitted for such combat and what was worse, it was likely not fitted for the Eye.

Instead, he began pacing around the edge of the boat, at least on the portions of the deck he was allowed to walk freely. He watched the water, the deep blue ocean and the white crest of waves as they slapped against the boat. The motion soothed his anxiety, at least for a bit.

For Pearl being back out on the water was everything.  She had been on solid ground far too long and thanks to a friend she was back on the water.  Her friend was friends with Coryn having apprenticed together for a bit of time until, well we won't get into that right now.  Pearl was enjoying the free ride to god knows where, for it didn't matter to Pearl, she was on the water and not working, just relaxing.

For the days she spent most her time at the bow of the ship just looking out over the water.  By night she tried to speak with as many of the crew and other guests as she could.  Her honeyed tongue often had warmed some of the crew up to her and had their tongues flapping about this and that.  She learned a number of juicy details from some of the crew and even of the officers.  Pearl couldn't let her wiles go to waste, not for one moment. Staying sharp meant staying alive.  One could never know what one could find out...

Looking out now at the giant Arch of Andoren, Pearl knew the direction they were heading.  It would be west for south surely meant death.  Pearl hadn't seen nor heard the conversations of the officers but when the crew began to pull on lines and the sails filled differently, Pearl knew something was up and sure as shit, the boat turned to the left heading south.  Turning to look towards the helm, Pearl caught a glimpse of the trailing ship.  She couldn't see the markings on it so didn't know if it were friendly or pirate, but the Captain seemed to have an inkling.

Pearl saw Nenelethas too up on deck, she wondered what the man was thinking.  She knew he was a VIP as well for she never saw him working and she knew that he too had his own quarters.  When the wind picked up and the waves became choppy it was just a little taste of what was to come for in the distance she could see the sky growing dark and that too meant that there were storms and even choppier waves.  She moved down from the bow and headed towards Nenelethas.  "What be yer thoughts on what its happ'nin?"  Pearl asked when she got close enough that he could hear her.  "Seems ta me that we be runnin' from that ship behind us.  I know we haven't talked much, names Pearl, and yours?"

Nenelethas had noticed Pearl early on in their stay but had not introduced himself yet, so her introduction and initiative was more than a well timed distraction.

He answered her questions in order, saying, "They must think it's a pirate ship or they wouldn't be running. And the captain didn't try coming about on them, so if they had caught us, I guess that was certain death, because heading south is only shy of that."

He let that sink in for a moment and then said, "I'm Nenelethas, You can call me Nen though. I am sorry we haven't spoken before now. Seems like we may have a shorter ride aboard this vessel than we'd agreed to."

Doing his best to change the subject, but ultimately failing, he asked, "How have you enjoyed your journey so far? I have found the officers and crew to be quite pleasant and open about their lives. And our fellow VIPs, much the same. It is amazing to think of how many different paths brought us all to this moment on board this ship, headed now for the Eye."

Knowing that they were about to get orders to trim the sails Xao had to get organized with the rest of the Riggers. While others had to put away whetstones or ropes that they had been splicing or the group that was playing cards, she had been leaning back in the sun with her cat stretched across her lap. He was an odd creature, mostly black with a tuft of white on his chest, a broken tail that meant when he wasn't thinking about it the tail curled into a large loop against his back giving everyone a solid one-eyed-wink. Previously he had been stretched across Xao's legs on his back with his paws over his head in all his 15 pound glory. "Okay you lug. Time to get up. There's work to be done and I don't think the Cap is going to take 'there is a cat on me' as a reason for laggin about." She says while while moving to stand up. He rolls lazily and gives her an sleepy annoyed look before stretching and flashing his arse to the world. She gives him a scratch behind his torn ear. "Go catch a rat and earn your keep." She then heads over to receive direction as the cat sashays away he can smell the blood from the cow carcass, rats are good, but beef is better.

When the orders come down Xao exchanges looks with the rest of the Riggers. These were not the instructions that they expected. When all she gets are shrugs from the others she sets to work just as hard as she would have if the orders were what was expected. "Ours is not to question why. Eh?" She jokes with one of the other crewmates.

"That fokkin poem is gonna be the death o' me yet." Rafe mutters, then, "Come on ye lazy louts!  Put yer backs into it!"

Kalia has no love for Marcino, both because of passes he's likely made at her and because on many occasions she ends up doing a lot of his work. This was especially true over the last couple weeks, at least on the work part. Thankfully though do to his new 'exploit' she's not had to worry about his passes to much. So she could concentrate more on doing his job, and hers. Maybe that will get her noticed by the Captain, or put her in a position to move off on her own.

She'd spend a lot of time with Dimitri too. As a Summoner the knowledge he was gathering interested her, so she would do what she can to befriend him, and learn from him.

She'd stay back from the conversation on the deck, but listen in on it nonetheless. Frowning gently on where it was heading, even she knew that any of the options it seemed was a death sentence. "Death by pirates, or death by an endless hurricane. Better the risk we choose for ourselves." Kalia said with a simple nod to herself, though it was loud enough someone could have likely heard her.

Then with that, she goes back to her duties.

The skies grew darker as the hours went on. Day after day went as they hugged the coast and cut between islands towards the south. Soon with the setting sun it was even possible to view the dark blurry stain on the horizon that was the Eye of Abendego. The endless hurricane was hundreds of miles across allowing it to be visible even from this vast distance.

The crew was worked overtime to secure the ship against the storm. Already the winds were picking up and a light drizzle started to pour. It seemed like the ship itself was bucking against the direction as once one section was secure another would come loose.

The ship began to pick up speed from the whipping winds and the crew began to grow nervous. Many knew that heading south was a death sentence but the captain kept her resolve.

"There! On the horizon! And there! See what awaited us!"

Sure enough their stalking ship had been joined by two more, spread out evenly across the horizon to the North racing their way towards their ship. They were no longer just content to stalk the Sorina's Revenge but had full sails blowing and two of the ships were gaining on them although still miles away.

With grim determination she kept their course, turning Southwest to hug the coastline of the Mediogalti Island and then escape the pirates by using the wind and storms of the Eye to lose them in the Arcadian Ocean once again. A dangerous plan but given three pirates heading towards them the surprisingly more prudent course of action, if they could stay ahead and stay intact.

"Captain, those two ships have speed on us, if they manage to close I have an idea." Kalia said as she walked up to the Captain. "If they do manage to get close enough I could bring forth Drakar and he could burn out their sails. That would give us the edge we need to flee." She offered, as she looked to Dimitri the ships Wizard for verification on Drakar's ability.

"Okay, Nen. So far I have enjoyed myself, but it will all be for naught if that ship catches us."  Pearl didn't comment on his other thoughts though, as she had some of her own about the crew.  "Have you been on a ship before?  You know I was born on the water."  Pearl said with a wink.

---

As they kept their course towards the storm and the winds picked up.  Pearl watched as the crew frantically prepared the ship for the storm.  Deciding that standing around doing nothing was fruitless, Pearl just chipped in.  She knew what needed to be done and just put her skills to use.  "Here, let me help you with that,"  she said to one of the riggers she had spoken to before, Drammin Na Ket, wasn't who everyone thought he was but she wouldn't say a word about it.

In reply to Pearl McCalister (msg # 15):

Nen nodded and said, "This is my first ship of this size, but I've read a number of accounts of naval expeditions in my studies. And some included descriptions of encounters with pirates like those that are chasing us now. If we give them our cargo, we'll survive, if we fight them we might win but likely not now that they outnumber us three-to-one."

He paused and said, "You were born on the water? That must have been quite the scene. I find you quite interesting Pearl, I am sorry we haven't spent more time talking."

"Should we escape this mess unscathed, I should very much like to learn more about you."

Zug Zug Bob had been his typical, jovial, if stupid by human standards self. Perhaps most surprisingly, he didn't complain about doing whatever work he was told. It was the little things that impressed him, like people that actually knew what they were doing. Oh. And a boat that didn't sink.

When it came to sailing south towards the storms, Zug Zug was oblivious to the danger. He seen the wind and choppy waters as a good thing. The ship could go faster. He seen the darkening skies as a good thing too. He could see in the dark. Other ships? Psssht. They were just wimps! If they got too close this ship would be faster and make them all splashed with water and be funny. Like chasing a horse and getting covered in dust.

Zug Zug finished covering some barrels of stuff with tarp like he was suppised to, wrapped the rope around extra tight like the bossy halfling told him too, and then wrapped it around a hook like he was shown. When he was done, Zug Zug produced Fish, his turtle, and held the reptile with both hands so it could see the sky and the water. That the creature was squirming around for dear life with all limbs, tail, and head dangling out of it's shell was another fact completely lost on "Bob."

"Shaka...come!" Vander said, leading the wolf below decks. She would not be of much use of the ships began shooting at them, and he did not want her accidentally hit by a stray bolt of cannon fire.

 "Stay...stay here." He said, petting her and making sure she was near the entrance to the ships hold, thus surrounded by cover, but not down below entirely and this out of his field of view.

Vander then drew his bow and prepared some cover for himself. He was not sure if the wind would ruin his shots, but he planned to make sure those pirate scum paid in blood for ruining his and Shaka's trip.

The winds were whipping at a pace that made it hard to talk to one another and the Eye of Abendego was still at least a mile away.

The other ships however were closing in fast. The one in the middle, the largest of the three, seemed to be going supernaturally fast as it's sails were full of the wind even when they shouldn't be.

What follows is an hour of frantic flight as the Captain and the helmsmen try to keep distance from the other ships but it soon becomes clear it is a lost cause. The largest ship approaches and a magic cannon shot thunders, the noise warped by the wild winds. Using magical energies to propel a solid iron ball it splashes harmlessly into the water between them but the messae is clear. The ship is flying a flag of a skull and crossed daggers that the helmsman recognizes as the flag of Captain Harrigan, a notorious pirate captain of the shcakles.

Helmsmen (Aldus): "Captain, we should surrender!"

The Captain keeps silent, staring hard at the approaching ship and the two trailing behind it.

Helmsmen (Aldus): "Captain, if we resist he will put the whole crew to the sword. If we surrender he might let us live."

Captain (Sorina): "Might? Might!? You want me to surrender on a hunch!?"

Bosun (Rosie): "Aldus is right, Captain. Even if we beat back one we'll likely take damage and the other two will catch us and sink us for sure. Even if by some miracle we do survive we'll likely be sucked into the Eye if we don't make for a safer course."

Captain (Sorina): "That's it! The EYE! We'll head into the Eye and they'll have to break off pursuit!"

This immediately sends a rumble through the crew and other passengers. Even someone fresh to the sea would realize that heading into the Eye of Abendego was absolutely suicidal. The crew that had been frantically grabbing at lines and manning the sails all start letting things go slack as hands start to drift towards weapons. There was no way the entire crew and passengers were that loyal to the a merchant captain. There was no way someone wouldn't object to sailing straight into death itself.

All eyes cast about to wonder who would break the tension first. In the end it was the First Mate, Sorina's own brother. His blade suddenly appeared in his hand, pointed at his sister's torso.

First Mate (Marcino): "Sister, this is madness. I can't let you do this!"

Sorina's eyes flash with anger. She doesn't even bother replying, instead lunging forward. Marcino is caught by surprise and while he tries to steady his weapon it misses its mark, sliding off her armor and the two begin wrestling with the hilt of the blade. The rest of the crew erupts as everyone starts drawing weapons or diving for cover.

OOC: Decision time! You get to make one of three courses of actions:

1) Raise your weapons & magic to defend the captain

2) Raise your weapons & magic to mutiny and remove Sorina from command

3) Dive for cover and try to avoid getting caught in the middle

You do not need to make this decision as a unified party, instead just react as your character would. PM me if you have any questions.

Also we are not entering combat at this time so dice rolls and initiative orders are not necessary.

Oivind sees the fight break out and wanders over to watch. "Don't let her dog you like that stab her." the Ulfen shouts while holding onto the rails. "Bahh, captain get under his guard and beat his brains out."

The warrior didn't care who won. He knew he was likely dead from either the eye or the pirates though he'd prefer to die in a glorious melee himself he doubted his ability to take command of the ship on his own.

He does however draw his great axe using it to help steady himself in the wind as he watches. "One of you better hurry up." he shouts loudly over the wind as he begins watching the others to see what the crew does.

Vander stared in shock at the crew fighting itself rather than the enemy shooting at them. They where all crazy. He needed to get Shaka and go.

He started heading over to one of the lifeboats, fully prepared to lower it and leave. Granted he paused, thinking the others might die out here, but what could he do to help them? He could not fight the whole crew. Certainly not with the cannons still shooting at them. Maybe some people would  help...he went down below to gather what supplies he could. If he saw some of the people he already knew, like Ridella Greenbow, maybe he could convince them to leave with him.

"Shaka, come!" He said, and the wolf followed.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:19, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

It was at that moment that Kalia would move, when she would let her namesake be known, be seen by all! With a clap of her hands, and un utterance of a few simple words there was without hesitation a young red dragon on the deck of the ship! With a loud thunderous roar from the red dragon, Kalia begins to speak. "Stop this madness both of you! At one end of us we have the Eye, and the other we have Pirates! If you do this now, RIGHT NOW, the only one that loses is US! All of us! This will end RIGHT NOW!" Even then, the dragon stomps its front right foot down as flames seem to tease its mouth. "Neither one of you deserves to lead if this is what you resort to instead of finding a way that will work. Because look around you, all of them men are starting to leave their stations, as we get closer to the eye. Doing so RIGHT NOW is just as if not more suicidal than going into the Eye itself!"

"We do not need to sail directly into the eye, but merely give the illusion of us doing so. That should accomplish what the Captain wishes, while at the same time reducing the risk to the crew greatly. There will still be some risk, obviously, but not as much as if we had sailed into it." She explained. Then she looked to Dimitrii. "Do you have the spells to accomplish the task once we get close enough?"

She then moved over to Drakar's side and began stroking his head gently.

[OOC: I have both Intimidation and Diplomacy, if you want either or both rolled let me know. It's kinda what she's trying. Stop the fighting before it starts if she can and then provide a better plan.]

It is too late for negotiations. Even as Kalia is summoning her eidolon she is sprayed with blood as the crewman next to her gets his throat cut by the woman next to him. The entire ship erupts into combat and between the mutiny and the storm even a summoned dragon barely registers.

The die has been cast, one must pick a side and hope that the victors take mercy upon those that lost or refused to pick.

Though he disagreed with her vehemently, now was not the time for a mutiny and he didn’t trust Marcino whatsoever. He waved his hand and a ball of ice shot out slamming into the first mate’s knees and slowing him in the fight for his life.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
OOC: I only somewhat regret not using my Hydraulic Push this round. That’s a crit for 10 damage and Marcino is slowed by 10 ft.
22:12, Today: Nenelethas rolled 5 using 1d4+4 with rolls of 1.  Ray of frost damage (double this).
22:11, Today: Nenelethas rolled 27 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 20.  Spell attack vs First Mate

---

This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

Rafe looks on incredulously.  Really?  NOW?!

This was the worst mutiny he'd ever heard of.  You don't mutiny in between the monster and the whirlpool either do it BEFORE you get anywhere near the problem, or you take out the idiot that made the stupid decision AFTER the decision was proved stupid.

The only thing that a break in the chain of command would do right now was ensure EVERYONE would be dead or worse.

He took up a defensive stance between the crew and where the captain and the mates were...discussing.  The crew didn't GET an opinion while there was work to be done.

"Whatdya lookin at, ya fools?  The captain said 'hurricane' so we go 'hurricane.'  End of discussion! NOW, BACK TO YOUR POSITIONS!!!"

She didn't know it was even possible for things to get worse, but sure as shit, they sure did.  With blades drawn by the crew Pearl had no choice but to draw her own at that moment.  She would defend herself if it came to that.  She hoped it wouldn't though as she found the immediate distraction of the chaos to duck behind one of the sails that were coming down.  She then began to climb up hoping that she could be away from the worst of the fighting.  If all else failed, Pearl would just dive out into the open waters.

"Fine. So be it." Kalia said slowly, darkly. "Drakar, defend the Captain, put down the mutiny." Then a grin played at her lips. "End all mutineers. If they put a blade to the captain on someone loyal to her, end them, and KILL HIM, ESPECIALLY!" Kalia commanded, pointing to Marcino.

Drakar in an instant flanks Marcino on the opposite side of the Captain and begins to bite and claw him! Kalia on the other hand casts a spell on herself (Mage Armor) and then begins tossing fire at Marcino one after the other as if it was nothing for her (Elemental Wrath: Acid Splash: Fire)! "I have waited a long time for this, for how you treated me."

Zug Zug actually understood this! They were acting like orcs! Well...the stupid orcs. Putting Fish away (down his shirt), he grabbed the nearest chunk of wood heavy enough to function as a greatclub, turned, and glared menacingly at the closest idiot that looked like they wanted some. "Zug Zug say Stoopid Hoomans! Too puny like elfs! No fight like Orc! Orc Smash! Orc no fight Orc! Orc fight biggest boat! Take biggest boat! All other boats puny!" He was trying to explain to whomever that they should attack the biggest ship. But these people were all stupid and didn't understand him. Instead they were trying to fight each other. It made no sense.

Zug Zug made a sad face in confusion.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:32, Thu 11 Feb 2021.

Oivind, Vander, Pearl and the other passengers all stay out of the mutiny. As passengers they were treated as cargo and nobody questioned why cargo didn't suddenly pick up a sword or bow to help or hinder.

Rafe and Zug Zug try in vain to redirect attention but the crew is already attacking one another and as they aren't taking an immediate side they are largely ignored.

Drammin Na Ket tries to shoot the captain with a crossbow but his run through by the captain's steward.

Dimitri looked like he was going to hold tight but when some of the crew turn their blades and crossbows in his direction he panics and lets loose a fireball, blasting Fattias Carter and Shon Everlasting overboard and singeing half a dozen others.

Crewman Thorn Ertum is stabs the Apothecary who responds by lashing out and cutting Thorn's throat.

Rigger Kimes Pellegrin pulls a blade and goes for the wheel but Helmsman Aldus Thornton and his steward Ezekiel rush to stop her. In the resulting fray Ezekiel is bumped overboard instantly disappearing beneath the waves. Aldus forgets himself and rushes to the side to try and help but Kimes runs her sword through his back and the tip punches out of his chest.

In front of Rafe, The Brat is about to stab Kal'yne when suddenly a bolt pops through his neck. Looking up Rafe sees overhead that Bertrand Sardonus is clinging to the rigging with his legs, hanging upside down to fire and reload his crossbow.

Up on the main deck Marcino frees his blade but is blasted with a gout of water and then charged by a small flying red dragon. Attacked and pressed he is forced to turn his attention from Sorina and face the two threats. He stabs Kalia's dragon opening a vicious wound but the distraction allows Sorina to draw her own blade and the two lock up.

Captain (Sorina): "You're my brother! How can you do this?"

First Mate (Marcino): "How can I not? You're trying to kill us all! Better a possible death by the pirates rather than certain death going into the Eye! It's just a ship! It's just money Sorina. Our lives are not worth this!"

He growls and lunges and she parries, anger rising.

Captain (Sorina): "Just a ship!? IT'S MY SHIP AND I'D RATHER DIE THAN LOSE IT!"

She feints left and Marcino's defense goes wide to intercept but he realizes too late her action and she buries her sword into his chest.

---

The largest pirate ship is getting very close now. It will soon be upon them. Even if they wanted to there would be no escape from being boarded.

OOC: Next round! If you would like to do something here are some ideas I thought up, but by no means is this all encompassing. Do what you want but some thoughts are

- Protect a specific NPC
- Attack a specific NPC
- Run to your quarters and hide your valuables
- Try to launch a rowboat to escape
- Start firing ballistae/crossbows at the enemy pirates (or spells or whatever)
- Loot a dead body
- Barricade yourself in your room
- Drop your weapon and prepare to surrender to the pirates

Nenelethas was shocked with the blade emerged from Marcino's back. He'd expected Sorina to disarm her brother or disable him, not kill him outright, but the heat of battle can't be tamed.

He saw the chaos all around him and noticed he was the only passenger still above deck and wondered how bad he'd messed up thrusting himself in the middle of this. There was nothing he could do now, except continue to use his magic to protect himself and the captain from any would be mutineers.

OOC: Nenelethas will do his best to protect the captain and himself.

With the chaos in full on the deck of the ship, Pearl saw a chance to take out Bertrand Sardonus as he hung upside down trying to reload his crossbow.  A simple cut of the rope he was using would send him to his death.  She thought about it for a moment and then realized that the man could be the one to take a blade in his chest before her and so decided that she would spare his life.

Instead, Pearl made her way back down the rigging to the rowboat and jumped the remaining few feet down into the little boat.

In reply to Pearl McCalister (msg # 31):

Vander had gotten supplies from the hold, but did not find his bunk mate, Ridella Greenbow. Maybe she had leapt off the ship already, or maybe she was up fighting the crew. Sad as he was, he could not wait. Shaka's welfare met more to him than a friendly stranger.

Even as he slung what supplies he could nab, he and his wolf noticed someone else already in one of the rowboats. Seems like someone had come to the same conclusion he had...however he noticed they had not prepared.

"Oi! You, overtall!" He called down to Pearl, even as he and his wolf headed down to the boat. "We gots lots of food and water to share. Gonna need that wherever we ends up, yes yes?" The goblin pointed out.

Hopefully that would persuade her not to draw a weapon. The three of them would need that boat...
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Fri 12 Feb 2021.

Seeing that the captain won her immediate fight, Zug Zug's mind was made up for him. When the chief wins in a power struggle, its always best to be on their good side. So with that in mind, Zug Zug Bob took a quick glance around for whomever looked like they were going to step up and attack next. He made a beeline for that poor individual, running with all the speed he could muster, and came out of nowhere with a flying, roaring spear (like Goldberg) to take them out. "AAAAHHHH SPLAT!"

Oivind sees others going to life boats and shrugs. He was still enjoying watching the brawl though he's standing out of the way with his axe drawn to discourage anyone from bothering him. When he sees Zug tackle a sailor. "Yeah crush him."

It was when he noticed the captain kill the first mate that he finally entered the fray pushing his way through to take a stand near her. "The captain won. Get away from her or perish." the Ulfen has fire in his eyes now and brings his axe down on anyone who gets near him.

Well he was right.  The mutiny had, in fact, killed them all.

And he wasn't going to sit around and wait for death or worse to claim him.

He was going to fight until the bitter end.

...which in this case meant running for his gods-damned life

He sprinted for the guys in the lifeboat and began helping as best he could

"Hope you have room for one more boys."

"Drakar I know you are hurt, but we must protect the Captain!" With that, the dragon moves to protect the Captain, with Kalia pulling her morningstar out to defend herself, Drakar, and the Captain.

"You, Nenelethas, get on the opposite side of Drakar from me." She said, flatly.

"Captain, we have a pirate ship almost on us. We have to consider options now, this mutiny has made going to the eye a none option before they reach us." She said.

In reply to Vander Wargrider (msg # 32):

Even as Pearl had begun to hide in the little rowboat that little goblin and his wolf jumped down inside and began speaking to her.  There goes any hope of hiding, she thought to herself.  "I wasn't thinking much past the part that I didn't want to be on the slaughter boat.  It seems the others are hell-bent on fighting or heading into the eye and I for one ain't doing it, self preservation is my...."

Before Pearl could finish her sentence the rather good-looking Rafe came towards the boat as well.  With a sigh of resentment, Pearl says, "Sure, why not."

Vander frowns and looks into the bag of supplies. "Food and water gonna be thin spilty four ways." He grumbles as he begins to lower the boat. "Better be quick before every smarty on boat figure out they should be on this boat."

Up on deck there is a scramble as the fight finishes. The mutineers throw down their weapons or are foricebly disarmed. Vikos Cullwood rushes the captain with a knife but gets broken in half by Zug's tackle before his throat is cut by Crimson Cog.

The captain and crew have just a couple seconds to begin getting the ship back under operation when a strange figure suddenly appears in the middle of the deck. A Varisian looking woman with a crossbow in one hand and a cutlass at her hip. Then another stranger appears. Then another.

Captain (Sorina): "We're being boarded! To arms!"

The crew doesn't even  have enough time to turn around before it feels like the storm is raining pirates. Dozens upon dozens start appearing on deck. Somehow they've strung ropes between the rigging and are climbing over and down. Grappling hooks appear as if by magic all along the deck and as the two ships pull closer pirates by the dozens start leaping over the railing. A few pirates even seem to have been swimming! Dark faced Mwangi with murder in their eyes climbing up the sides. Despite the wind and their water they have no problem keeping their footing.

There is a scream and then battle commences, and the killing starts.

OOC: Oivind, Zug, Nenelethas, Kalia: you can each pick a single NPC to "protect" to ensure they survive the battle and be a potential ally/crew member in the future. Choose wisely (or randomly :D).

---

While combat erupts on the deck above, the others begin lowering their boat. Pearl, Vander, and Rafe start lowering the boat into the water. While doing so three of the other crew try to board as well: Andrea Nichols (the Ship's Steward), "Narwhale" Tate (Rigger), and Sophie Cullen (Crew) all try to enter at various points before the rowboat hits the churning rolling water.

OOC: Vander/Pearl/Rafe: You as a group get to decide if you want more people in your little boat or not. The boats can easily fit more people but at this point you probably have no idea about the intentions of capabilities of these other people. It is fine to put your trust in other PCs, but NPCs can and will break your hearts...among other things.

To Pearl, the boat was too full once the goblin and his pet wolf jumped on.  She could hear the battle go anew as shouts of boarding rang out.  Inside she only shrugged, it wasn't her boat after all.  As Andrea Nichols, the bosun's mate, tried to board, Pearl, shot her daggers and backed those daggers up with one in the hand.  "We are getting full and this be our ship now.  You disagree I can put ya right in the drink where the sharks are certain to kill ya unless ye drown first.  If ye agree then get aboard."  As long as she nods her head or agrees, Pearl will let her on.

When Narwhale tried to come aboard, Pearl played it all out again.  This time though, Pearl, wouldn't let Narwhale on. "Am I right boys?"  Pearl said over her shoulder to Vander and Rafe.

Finally, as Sophie Cullen tried to board, Pearl looked to the others to include Andrea Nichols, and waited for a response before continuing.

Rafe personally would have told each of them to go find their own boat...but since he wasn't here first, he deferred to those who were.

"We don't need to be on this long...just long enough to survive." he says philosophically as their numbers doubled.

In reply to Pearl McCalister (msg # 40):

Vander gives Pearl that overwide toothy smile only a goblin head could produce. The wolf by his side barked once, and the little green man hugs the beast. "Shaka says, aye aye Captain Pearl!" He does get his bow ready in case its needed.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Tue 16 Feb 2021.

Zug Zug takes Vikos's knife on the sly during the chaos. When the strangers start arriving by witchcraft, Zug Zug blurts out in his native Orcish, "There lies but one path before us! Kill them! Kill them all!" Whomever was closest and easiest to defend, be it the Captain (because she might reward him better) or Ratline (because the old man actually liked his jokes), Zug Zug went berzerk next to. He swung his hefty chunk of wood for the fences, literally trying to bust the head clean off of any enemy stupid enough to try!

If neither option worked or a good opportunity presented itself, Zug Zug turned into Zug Zug Bob and instinctively decided Hell with it-- and charged the woman in black with the crossbow who showed up first. Why not squash her with a SPEAR!!! too?

Oivind left Zug to defend the captain.[Language unknown: "Hioset rea Cafoun whi leman ek wer tednceter unpe Illouttin iemaca treau icac."] He yells as he charges a pirate near the apothecaries mate. He didn't see the apothecary so he figured the mate should at least be able to stitch up wounds when this was all over.

"Stick close to me ma'am. if we survive we'll need your skills." Oivind swings his axe like a mad man with sweeping attacks in front of him to keep pirates away.

ooc: protecting Sandara quin.

Nenelethas saw that the captain was protected by Zug Zug and that Sandara was being guarded by Oivind, so he kept an eye out for anyone else he could protect with his magic.

His eyes landed on the young Ship's Steward Yana. He'd had a chance to get to know her and he would hate to see such a promising young woman felled by the blades of a pirate. He shifted to her side and began producing orbs of water and rays of ice to keep the invaders at bay.

OOC: I'll protect Yana Risaid

Well screw this. I'm not getting paid to die for this ship. She thinks to herself. Without a thought for the captain of any of the rest of the crew she hustles up the rigging to  the yard on the mainmast just below the crow's nest. There she wraps a line around her forearm so that she won't fall from anything short of capsizing. There she watches the pirates landing and start taking out the crew. They were pretty systematic about it, it was almost pretty to watch if it wasn't so deadly. She directs her attention to the other ship to see who on that side seems to be in charge and if there is a way over to the other ship.

"Good job Zug, protect the Captain. Make sure she stays alive! Captain, I'm moving on to see where our crew needs help the most!" With the Captain protected by Zug she moved on, and moved to protect the Bosun Rosie Cuswell. She'd talked to the woman many times, and their desires and leaning's leaned to the same place, being a pirate. "Stick with me Rosie, you, me, and Drakar will take them down!"

Then she yelled out. "You are not welcome on this ship! I Kalis Tyrnddare, the dragon mistress of the mistresses of the winds command it!"

[OOC: If you want an Intimidate let me know, because that's whats she's doing with Drakar.

Of course, Drakar has the same skills she does, so he will intimidate them too!]

(Pearl/Vander/Rafe)

The six people in the rowboat lower themselves into the water and immediately realize their mistake. The rolling waves hit the tiny boat and slam it hard into the side of the ship. The force is enough to knock Sophie Cullen right over the side and then another wave slams the rowboat into the side of the ship crushing Sophie in the process. It takes every ounce of strength and concentration to avoid the rowboat capsizing let alone even thinking about reaching for an oar. The boat rises and falls with the waves and slams into the side of the ship a third time. This time above the sound of the wind and the roar of the waves is the sound of wooden planks cracking.

The rowboat finally escapes the side of the ship and drifts out into the waves but the damage has already been done. One side is splintered and the waves are starting to crack the boat apart. There is a mad scramble as some go for oars, some just try to hold on and others consider trying to jump back into the water to swim back to the ship. The damage rowboat drifts parallel to the waves and a giant wave crashes into the boat cracking it apart. The crew on board can only grasp about in desperation as they are dragged into the angry waters and the dark oblivion beneath the waves.

---

(Zug Zug/Kalia/Nenelethas/Oivind)

On board the ship the crew makes a valiant attempt to defend themselves but the battle is over before it even began. The crew of the Sorina's Revenge was out of position from the brief mutiny and the pirates seized the opportunity to blitz onto the ship unchallenged. For every one pirate engaged, two more drop down or climb aboard.

Kalia roars out a challenge only to watch a bolt of lightning shoot out from the other ship and blast her dragon eidolon apart. Looking back she sees a woman with a large hat to keep the rain out of her eyes holding a staff that is crackling with charged electricity.

Zug Zug clobbers a pirate. And another. As he looks around for a third he grows a bit confused as to why everything has gotten so dark and why his hands are so slippery. Probably just the storm. He spies another pirate and swings...and misses. Misses by a mile in fact. That's weird. Zug Zug rarely misses. His brain gets even more confused as he watches all the pirates around him suddenly double in size...no...he's falling over. Why is he falling over? Why is there all this red pouring out of him. Who's blood is all his hands and the deck? He tries to push himself back to his feet but everything is going cold and numb. The last thing Zug Zug sees is the glint of a cutlass swinging towards his face.

Nenelethas puts on a display of magic using water and ice to keep the pirates at bay. This works for a few seconds until the pirates back on the other ship take notice and he is hit with a half dozen crossbow bolts that take him out of the fight. He drops to his knees in time to see a large muscle-bound pirate that stands a head taller than the rest of the crew stride forward. With one giant hand he picks Nenelethas up off the ground and his other hand grabs Yana by the hair. She struggles but a quick slap from the muscle-bound freak causes her to limp and Nenelethas passes out to the sensation of being dragged across the deck.

Oivind starts swinging like mad but Sandara gently puts a hand on his shoulder, lowering his axe arm. "The fight is over. The only thing you can do now is piss them off." To make her point she pulls the cutlass off her belt and tosses it down at the nearest pirate's feet. She gestures for Oivind to do the same.

Kalia is still reeling from seeing her dragon exploded when a pirate tries to run a blade through her gut. Rosie suddenly appears, axe in hand knocking away the lethal strike. She raises her axe up to strike back but she glances around and with a sigh she tosses her axe down and puts her hands up. "We surrender. You've got us." She looks back at Kalia and gives a slow nod, indicating that it was an order to put her weapons down and surrender.

---

Up in the crow's nest Xao is able to keep out of sight. Crossing over to the other ship seems insane given the way the waves are rocking the ships back and forth. Even if she could make the jump in the wind and rain the violent waves would shake her loose and drop her either to the deck or the ocean and either one seemed a death sentence. All she could do was wait and watch as the pirates quickly surround and subdue the crew below.

The ship is still heaving up and down from the waves. The waters are so violent that the pirates weren't able to even keep their ship attached for very long for fear of the two ships slamming against one another. Many of the pirates headed back to the other ship and steered it away while the Freecaptain assessed his prisoners.

The survivors of the fight were brought up to deck and lined up as best as they were able although half of them looked to either be already dead or soon to be dead given the blood mixing with the rainwater. From the side of the railing a trio of Mwangi pirates threw a rope over which other pirates used to haul the rowboat wreckage and its survivors up out of the water.

Sandara Quinn (Apothecary): "Please! I beg you! Let me heal the dying!"

Sandara Quinn is kneeling alongside the other survivors and is frantically looking around for the man in charge but nobody seems to pay her any notice as they're too busy trying to take control of the ship and keep it from being tipped over in the storm. Finally she stands up and holds aloft a carved wooden symbol of Besmara and a pulse of healing energy bursts out of her. A groan of relief passes through both the pirates and the captured crew. The nearly dead have their wounds scabbed over and their eyes flicker over. The nearly drowned start coughing up lungs full of water. She looks around with relief but her celebration is cut short as a pirate clips her with his cutlass hilt hard from behind, knocking her to the ground.

"AND WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO DO THAT?"

A bald pirate holding a cutlass with an ornate skull hilt basket strides over her and kicks her again.



"You do anything like that again and I'll run you through. Now get back in line."

He kicks her again and again as she crawls back into position among the other captives. The pirate crew gets the ship under control and both ships start sailing away from Eye of Abendego. Even with their ships pointed away from it, it seems as if the Eye is trying to suck the pair back in as the storm just seems to be getting bigger and closer despite sailing away at full wind.

The captured crew are lined up with a dozen pirates with loaded crossbows standing over them. The pirates look mean and seem to be just itching for someone to do something stupid so they can pepper them with bolts.

OOC: Pausing here while I prepare a list of the living and the dead. All the PCs are alive in one way or another. Everyone (except for Xao) is kneeling or lying down in the middle of the deck. The captain did survive. Everyone else has a 50% chance of surviving so I'll be doing that for a little bit. Feel free to sneak a post in but we're still in "cutscene" territory.

About 30 survivors are corralled while the pirates dump the dead overboard. A quick glance would estimate maybe a half dozen pirates lay dead while a good half of the ship's crew was killed. Except for the captain the only other officer to survive was the Bosun (Rosie Cusswell) and a couple of ship's mates and stewards. The bulk of the survivors were made up of the crew and a few passengers that were able to offer up enough gold quickly enough to avoid being killed or tossed overboard.

The pirates would normally be cheering and celebrating their prize but panic is spreading. The Eye of Abendego is getting closer and closer.

One of the pirates guarding the prisoners lowers her crossbow in horror. "The Eye...it's chasing us!"

The pirate crew is racing around frantically trying to coax as much speed out of the ship was possible. Out across the waters the two farther pirate ships appear to be gone, either swallowed by the storm or having long since fled. The main pirate ship, the one that had just cut ties, was a few hundred yards behind the Sorina's Revenge but it was already being ravaged by the storm. Sails were ripping loose and flapping, riggers were being plucked from the ropes by the winds and sent sailing out of sight. Some of the crew looked to be trying to dump anything heavy overboard to get more speed but it was all for naught. The Eye had it in its grasp. The rear half of the ship started to lift up and out of the water and there was a brief flash of magical light on the ship before it was ripped apart by the storm. As the ship is torn apart a crack of lightning briefly illuminates what looks to be the figure of a person flying in the winds, motionless and unaffected by the storm but then lightning fades and the figure is lost in the darkness.

A flash of light appeared on the deck of the Sorina's Revenge as five pirates materialize out of thin air. One of them, the woman with the large brimmed hat, was holding what appeared to be a crumbling piece of parchment. Immediately the largest of the five, a tall, heavily scarred and heavily muscled man with an eyepatch began bellowing orders.



"Peppery, magic the sails. Plugg, take the wheel. Grok, secure the prisoners down below. Riaris, start dumping the cannons if they have them. The bloody storm will do us in like it did the Wormwood!"

Pirates leap to attention and a large half-orc woman takes charge of the guards and the prisoners are all herded below deck. The captured crew can only wait in darkness below deck, listening to the howling winds and the roaring waves. The ship continues to rock up and down which forms the only real measure of tracking time in the gloom. Hours passed by but slowly the ship started to rock up and down less, slowly the howling winds die down from a roar to just a fierce wind. The hatch is thrown open and sunlight, actual sunlight, pours down. It is still windy and in any other sense of the word the ship was still in rough waters, but it seemed finally the danger of the Eye of Abendego had passed.

"Alright Grok, bring them up. Time to deal with prisoners."

The large one-eyed pirate, presumably the Freecaptain in charge, is leaning heavily against the railing. As the prisoners are brought up they see the destruction the close encounter with the Eye had wrought upon the ship. The rigging is in tatters. Half the sails are missing and the other half are ripped apart. There are a lot fewer pirates than were originally on board the ship and the ones still here are battered, bruised, and bloody.

"Which one of them is the healer?"

The bald pirate with the fancy cutlass shoves Sandara out of line and the Freecaptain limps on over to her.

"Alright lassie. Do your thing." For a large man his voice is surprisingly soft and gentle as he coaxes clerical healing from the former Apothecary's mate.

The pirates all crowd around as Sandara lets loose another healing blast. Once again there is a sigh of relief all around and the pirate captain stands up a little straighter as he gives her a nod and motions for her to rejoin the line. The pirate captain stretches and his shoulder gives a loud pop. He rotates it a few times before turning back to address the captured prisoners.

"Do you know what just happened?"

Unlike before where his voice was soft and tired now it was hard and full of barely contained anger. He had played the part to get what he wanted but now his real emotions were coming forth.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED?" It seemed a rhetorical question but when nobody answered he grabbed Ratline, the halfling rigger by the collar, lifted him up off the deck in one clean motion and then punched him so hard in the chest the little crewman went flying a few feet back, landing hard on the deck and rolling.

Silently the captured crew began shaking their heads, trying to answer but not daring to speak up.

"Three ships. Five hundred men. I just lost everything. EVERYTHING! Everything over this blasted piece of shit. Who's the captain? WHERE IS THE CAPTAIN THAT DECIDED TO TURN INTO THE BLOODY EYE OF ABENDEGO?"

Most of the crew were frozen in fear but Scourge, the former Second Mate and one of the mutineers quickly piped up. "Right here, captain. To the right o' me."

The pirate captain growled and strode forward, crossing the gap in two large strides. He grabbed Sorina by her hair and dragged her across the deck in front of the other captured crew. He stood over her, putting a boot on her chest and crushing her slighting against the decking as he eyed the other captives.

"Each of you have a crossbow bolt aimed at the back of your heads. If you try to stop me. If you try and so much as move. If you look away, by the hells if you even blink you will be shot dead. If you survive this, remember what happened here and now. Tell everyone you meet what happens when you try to run and fight a Freecaptain of the Shackles."

Over the next hour is the most brutal act of violence anyone of the crew had ever witnessed. With his bare hands the Freecaptain broke bone after bone in Captain Sorina's body. When she would pass out he would drag Sandara from the line and throw her next to Sorina's mangled body, ordering her to be healed so he could inflict more pain and suffering. When he tired of breaking bones he pulled out a knife and began flaying her alive.

By the time Sandara ran out of healing magic Sorina had nearly died half a dozen times over. Her clothes were so saturated with blood that it was almost impossible to tell where her clothing stopped and the flesh she still had on her body began.

Finally when his thirst for vengance had been satisfied and Sorina was barely recognizable as a human being anymore he lifted up her dying frame to show off his handiwork to both his pirates and the captured crew.

"She risked everything, cost me everything to try and escape from me. What kind of man would I be if I didn't grant her that wish."

With a cruel laugh he carried her broken form over to the side railing and tossed her overboard. Her form was immediately lost in a cloud of blood and the pirates near the railings edge quickly began pointing towards the shark fins that started popping up. The Freecaptain watched the water for a few minutes before walking slowly back to the line of captured crew leaving bloody footprints in his wake.

"Now then. time for proper introductions. I'm Captain Harrigan. That's right, the Captain Harrigan. Whatever this ship used to be called doesn't matter anymore. It is now mine and it is now called the Wormwood. You are now trespassers onboard my ship but consider it your lucky day because it just so happens I'm in need of rebuilding my crew. As I understand it, some of you were bright enough to try and stop the former captain of this ship from killing everyone so today is your lucky day. Right here, right now, as a one time only offer, you can pledge yourselves in service to me and join my crew. Turns out we've got a few job openings available. If you're ready to serve a real captain on a real ship, just stand up and pledge yourself."

Almost immediately nine mutineers that survived stand up and pledge themselves to Captain Harrigan, going so far as to cheer him for what he did to Sorina and cast curses at her memory. Captain Harrigan gives an approving nod and motions for them to step to the side so he can focus on the dozen or so remaining captured crew.

As they were escorted below deck, Zug Zug glared at the half-orc wench ushering them around. [Language unknown: "Osadis tr oer conresrea m annde Rea Eneven, nceameent'hatven? O rome elntfi on tholl el il u aliear thiartlin e t tervenere condayain? T k deriv tineveone wh he te rosesa sietil ntcon ekst?"] Zug Zug snickered in a shunning, dismisive fashion.

Zug Zug wasn't suicidal. He took every opportunity to test the limits of what those with crossbows would let him get away with looking at. What he did do was take note of every mutineer, and satisfied his slowly burning rage with how he was going to feed them all to Onovono's favorite fish...
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

Though his injuries from the boarding had been healed he was still scarred from the memory of being pierced over and over again with bolt after bolt from the crossbows of the pirates. He watched silently as the Captain was tortured afraid of a repeat of his earlier injuries but nearly equally afraid of the image of her torn body lingering for the remainder of his days.

He looked about for the others he'd met but his vision was blurry and the only faces he could truly make out was Sandara's and Harrigan.

He'd been a passenger, on his way to a new life. Now that was over. He had skills he hoped would be useful enough to keep him alive, but for now, he knew he was lucky to be clinging to survival, much less the hope of a prosperous life.

He considered the offer of joining the crew while the mutineers professed their loyalty. He was loathe to be lumped in with that group, but he had to survive. He waited until their speech had quieted and then he stepped forward. "I pledge to serve Captain Harrigan on the Wormwood," he spoke, but he heard a voice that he knew was his own but sounded eerily different than it had a few hours earlier.

He hoped this offer was real, and wished for a way out all in the same exhale of relief of having spoken.

Oivind watched the display and shook his head he was mainly angry about the bald pirate's treatment of Sandara for it was uncalled for the captain had lost this battle. Torture was for cowards, though, if he wanted to seem powerful he should have fought her like a warrior. This was his goal however non stop raiding and it seemed this was the quickest way to achieve that goal.

"I pledge..." he says stepping forward his eyes on the captain. "If you'll return my axe I'll use it in your name." Oivind nods his head to the captain and crosses his arms waiting to hear from everyone else.

Congratulations Rafe.

You Lived.

You followed orders, you kept the peace, you even tried to run and save your hide.

And none of it mattered.  You were still on the wrong end of a pirate sword being told serve or die.  And those gods-damned mutineers had the gall to look smug about it.

No.  They don't GET to be right about this.  One way or another, their days are numbered.

There was, however, the problem of the smug prick who beat the shit out of the Captain for an hour straight for no other reason than because he could.  He WANTED to break the man's knees and behead him while he screamed in confusion, but to attempt such a thing was suicide.  You lived, dammit.  Don't throw your life away now.

But that still left the problem of what to say to this asshole.

"I pledge..." Rafe said quietly, "my service to the Captain of the Wormwood."

As the little rowboat was battered and in the end broken to pieces before Pearl could get away, Pearl could only watch as the winds of the Eye began to batter even Sorina's Revenge.

As the fighting up on deck seemed to have stopped, Pearl wondered if the wreckage of the little rowboat would be seen.  She hoped so, for if she were rescued it would give her another chance.  Since she hadn't fought the pirates they may not treat her the same as the others.

As she was brought to her knees as a captive, Pearl wondered if being rescued was a good thing or not.  Pearl looked around at who was left and took a measure of who she would speak with when she had the chance.  Down in the hold of the ship, Pearl felt like a rat in a box that was being tossed by a bunch of orcs.  It was rough and many times she had to catch herself from toppling completely over.  Minutes turned to hours and finally, the tossing decreased and then ended.  When the hatch was opened and sunlight poured in, Pearl covered her eyes briefly to adjust to the light.

What she saw of the boat once she came to the deck had her jaw drop.  Pearl saw that there wasn't many crew left of the pirates as well and it seemed that there weren't any other ships near either.  Ushered to once more kneel and witness the brutal beating and execution of the former Captain, Pearl watched on.  She didn't even blink, as ordered, and just looked on.  Honestly, Pearl didn't care, either way, she was alive and that is what mattered to her.

When the Captain had said that he needed to replenish his crew with the prisoners and the mutineers had basically slobbered all over the chance, Pearl gave a smirk, she wasn't surprised by their actions.  Pearl watched on a more and more said they would join and she wasn't surprised for the other option was death for certain so when there was a pause, Pearl raised her head and said, "I pledge my service to you, Captain."  She wanted to say more but figured she could work her wiles later.  Now wasn't the time to kiss up and make enemies when she didn't have to.

When the rowboat had gone under, Vander had clung to the wolf. Shaka in turn had used her animal strength to swim them both to the surface. Just in time to be netted and plopped back on deck by these scum.

He had a crossbow to the back of his head, and watched the entire scence play out. However, he had to hold Shaka's muzzle closed and lean her head against his body. He would whisper sweet words in her ear to keep her from snarling and leaping to attack the pirates and thier foul master.

As a result, he said nothing to the captain. He was a passenger, not one of the crew. If he pretended to be a crewman no doubt one of the others would mention as much. Despite that, why would anyone trust him even if he did swear? It would make no sense...but then, the pirate captain was not fully sane.

More and more of the former crew began to stand up pledging themselves. Some did it eagerly, some did it reluctantly, but they did it all the same.

In the end the only ones still kneeling were Zug Zug, Vander and the other former passengers. Cascannon, an elven emissary from Spire Keep, cleared his throat to respectfully get the captain's attention.

"Dear Captain...Harrigan was it? I am honored by your offer to serve among your crew but I think you will find me to be a poor crewman at that. I am not a sailor by trade, I was only aboard this ship to book passage to the South. I am well connected though and I am sure my government will offer a hefty reward for you...<ahem> rescuing me...from the storm that nearly sunk the ship and..."

Harrigan sniffed loudly, hawking up a ball of phlegm and spitting it directly in front of Cascannon who fell silent.

"So you ain't serving? Am I hearing that right?"

Cascannon gave a weak smile and shook his head.

"I mean no disrespect but I think you'll find I'm far more valuable as..."

thunk

Whatever Cascannon was going to say was interrupted by a steel bolt piercing through the back of his head. Harrigan stepped forward, hooking a boot under Cascannon's falling form and with a powerful kick shoved the body towards the railing where two pirates didn't even break stride when they hooked their arms under it and tossed the body overboard.

Captain Harrigan stared down at the four remaining kneelers. His eye bounced from Zug Zug to Vander to Jarrod to Amithel.

"I'll say it again. You either work, or you go over the side. Choose now."

"I pledge to serve!"

Both Jarrod and Amithel leapt to their feet, nodding their heads like they were on springs. Harrigan turned his eye back to Vander and Zug Zug.

"Gotta hear you say it. It's the pirate code and all. You gotta join on yer own free will."

Harrigan let out a cruel smile as he said those words and the pirates still guarding the captives let out a few chuckles themselves.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:49, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

"Zug Zug no no speakers a hooman funnier words!" Continuing to barely grasp the words that were being said to him, he switched to Orc, and again addressed the bastard half-breed who had ushered them down below.  He looked back up at the 'captain' and looked dumb behind his mismatched boots and dented, rusted, iron helmet. "Zug Zug smash? Hooman chief say Zug Zug smashes puny stuff?"

"I'll join you." She said, casually. "But I want to captain the Wormwood in your name." It was a risk, but she had to play her card's as she had them.

Then she grinned. "After all, how can you trust someone that mutinies? They do it once, they will do it again the moment you do something that they do not like. Sneeze wrong, fart sideways, they'll likely put a knife in your back before you know it."

"I however, tried to provide both sides with a better option. More tactful one, but neither listened." Then she shrugged. The young red haired elven womans golden eyes seemed to glint for a moment as she looked at the 'traitors' with a predatory grin.

In reply to Captain Harrigan (msg # 59):

Vander met Harrigans eyes, and thought about his own death. His chief... his former chief...had been cruel and savage as well. It was one of the reasons Vander had left the Wargriders and was now on this ship. He knew the other goblins in his tribe where not really evil, but had been frightened into following an evil master.

It was also one of the reasons Vander had shot several arrows into the back of his chiefs head. From reasonable distance of course. The chief had been very scary up close...and not so much now.

Death did seem like a good option rather than severing such a master once more. However, for the same reason, he would choose to live instead. Shaka.

He had raised her from a pup and had no doubt what Harrigans scum would do to her if he did not agree to serve. However, he suspected Harrigan would just kill them both anyways.

He narrowed his eyes and stared at the captain for a few more seconds.

"Such courage and skill, my new captain possesses.

I could I not agree to serve such a man and all his success?"

Of course, the hissing,  sing song-like voice of a goblin makes it very diffcult to determine  weather or not there was sarcasm in his tone. His eyes where still narrowed as he never broke from the captain's gaze. Even as he held Shaka's muzzle under his own chin, making sure she could not snap, growl, and leap to rip put the captain's throat.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:15, Fri 19 Feb 2021.

When Harrigan is done with Kalia, Xao will reveal herself. Despite the leather wraps on her hands she feels the friction heat of the halyard line as she slides down from the crows nest and drops to the deck. Xao stands and locks her attention on Harrigan. She walks directly across the deck to him and stops in front before giving a single nod. "Standard pirate shares are better than what I was being paid before." She observes. "I will serve the Captain." Her attitude is matter-of-fact and accepting there is no hint of eagerness or bitterness toward the situation in which she finds herself and her previous crew.

The half-orc just rolls her eyes at Zug Zug's response before replying simply.

[Language unknown: Ev ousardtho eraameera niieet? Ineoreear winice ei.]

As Zug Zug plays dumb Harrigan narrows his one eye and then gives a shrug.

"Frankly I don't really care whether you're really this dumb or not. Follow orders and don't break the code. I don't care if you can understand me or not. You work or you get tossed overboard."

---

When Kalia makes her bold claim it actually leaves Harrigan speechless for a second. He doesn't take kindly to the confusion and instead responds physically with a swift punch to Kalia's chest that knocks the wind out of her and drops her to the deck.

"You will do what I tell you to do and I don't recall asking your opinion about anything. If I tell you your job is to lick my boots then your only response had better be to drop to the deck and stick your tongue out."

Having regained his composure he lets out a chuckle and some of the other pirates chuckle as well at a press ganged prisoner trying to be put in charge.

---

When Xao Fang drops to the deck Harrigan is surprised for a second time. He glances up to ensure there aren't more coming and then takes a moment to eye Xao Fang up and down. Finally he gives her a nod, accepting her pledge.

---

Once everyone had pledged (or been tossed overboard), Harrigan walks up and down the line to give proper introductions.

"For some of you this might be your first time crewing aboard a Freecaptain's ship. For some of you this might be the first time crewing a ship period. Let me be clear I am going to work you to the bone and you will either prove your value or get dumped overboard. If you serve and you show skill and guts and enough loyalty then you might find yourself getting off of swabbing the decks and getting some real work to do but until then you're all going to serve under one of mine. When I'm not around, they are in charge and their word is just as good as mine. If you don't listen to them, well..."

He nods at the bloodstain still at his feet from where he 'dealt' with the previous captain.

"...stringing up lollygaggers and mutineers is pretty much our only form of entertainment. Hell we like to make an evening out of a good keelhauling. Now I'm going to do these introductions once so pay attention."

As he introduces the surviving pirate crew officers they pop their heads up and give a wave
or a scowl or a simple call before going back to their work:

Melvick Plugg - First Mate

Cut-Throat Grok - Quartermaster

Peppery Longfarthing - Sailing Master

Caulky Tarroon - Captain's Steward

Riaris Krine - Gunnery Master

The Stichman - Carpenter

Fishguts Kroop - Cook

Patch Patchsalt  - Bosun's Mate

Kipper - Gunner's Mate

For those who saw the flash of light, they recognized Peppery as the wizard that cast the spell of teleportation that saved Captain Harrigan, Caulky, Fishguts, and Habbly from the other ship. While there is the bosun's mate, there doesn't appear to be a bosun anymore which is a very important position to leave unfilled long term.


"For now don't worry about who's who, just know that if one of them gives you an order you drop what you're doing and do what they tell you. This ship is barely holding together after skirting the Eye so we don't have time for the usual breakdown of duties. If you're smart you'll realize this is an opportunity to prove yourself and get promoted from scum sucking prisoner to an actual part of the crew.

I have no patience for anything that disrupts our repairs. There will be no fighting, no killing, no thieving, no insubordination of any kind or you're getting lashed or tossed. Keeping your head on your shoulders and your skin on your back is going to be very easy. You do what we say, when we say it, and we all get to become rich and fat on all the gold you can eat. Har har har."

Given the way the crew erupts in laughter, even the more stern faced ones, this is apparently some reference to an inside joke. It seemed that the laughter broke a lot of the tension in the air that had been building after the captain imposed draconian justice upon the whole ship.

"So you've heard the bad news from me. Grok here will tell you what'll happen if you do right by us."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:25, Fri 19 Feb 2021.

Cut-Throat walks over with a crooked grin and claps her hands together to draw everyone's attention to her. She looks to be about middle-aged for a half-orc, thin but wiry with muscle.

"Here's the rub. Serving on a pirate ship is going to be the fastest way you ever make coin. Assuming you do right by the Captain and earn an official spot on the crew when we make port we'll sell everything in the cargo hold and every one of the crew gets a full share of the profit."

Several among the captured crew let out whistles of surprise. The just went from making a few coppers or silvers a day to potentially hundreds or thousands of gold when the ship reaches port. While the mutineers are practically giddy even some of the "loyalists" can't help but smile in surprise.

"Right now you're prisoners and forced laborers because we're teetering on the edge of a watery grave and can't afford normal civility but make no mistake this isn't a slaving ship. If you've earned your keep and we make port you are free to take your money and leave. We only want you if you want to be here. Now the Stitchman estimates two weeks of repairs and two weeks to reach Port Peril. For those of you staring daggers and seething at working for pirates, if you can keep your shit together for a month you can walk away with your life and more gold most will ever see in a life time."

She pulls out a ledger from a waterpoof pouch at her hip.

"Do your job, earn the respect of the people in charge and you'll get your name added here. This is what earns you your share and your freedom. Understood?"

Finally the First Mate steps forward and addresses the captured crew, walking up and down and giving each a proper evaluation.

"You're going to divide yourself into three groups. If you know your way around the rigging you're going to report to me. Our job is to fix those sails and get this ship moving. If you've served on a ship before you'll report to the Stichman to fix all the holes in the boat to keep us afloat. If you're useless and don't fall into either of those groups you're reporting to Patch. She'll find something for you to do based on your abilities."

He pauses as he reaches Sandara standing in line with her tricorn cap on.

"You there. You did a decent job keeping the dead from dying so you're on special duty. Report to Patch and she'll set you up as our apothecary. Any of you others have any special training that deserves attention?"

"I was a Rigger before so I report to you then. There's patching material below deck. Do you want me to get it for you or show one of these fine folks where it is?" She asks politely enough, trying to show that she's not trying to be sneaking off alone.

Nenelethas saw that Sandara had been set aside from the three groups because of her magic and he stepped forward and said, “I too am capable of healing magic and am able to bend water to my will for use in battle and other things.”

He moves his hand in a circular fashion and a globe of water forms in it. He throws it back and forth for a moment before tossing it over the side of the boat.

“I would be happy to apprentice under your mage or with Sandara if that would be helpful. Whatever you need.”

Zug Zug pretended to be happy and ignorant, though in actuality he was sizing up the crew, looking at who he could take and who he couldn't. "Zug Zug smash. Zug Zug net fishes!" Zug Zug's brow furrowed and he squinted at the quartermaster. [Language unknown: "Mivor t Io beck niwe Me ndson po ouspl ta redatiate undousint Ne ome ore i sonta ous? M ughratand retrpr ith incknt ac i sswi wh ugh tooul ectfo alti torece."]

"Right, Stichman it is." Rafe said aloud, "Where do you want me, boss?"

And didn't that just rankle?  All that work to be midshipman undone by one ill wind.

Stichman better not be one of those whip-and-spittle types, or he'd find his tenure cut horribly short.

Vander was surprised when he did not get a crossbow bolt through the back of his head. In fact, the captain had not really addressed him at all. Nor had any of the pirate thugs, save for in general to the rest of the crew.

It could be that they assumed a small goblin and his wolf where not worth spending any time on. Which was just fine by him. Unlike the treacherous fools who cheered promises of gold and shares, Vander knew such leaders never delivered anything but to thier chosen few.

He needed to bide his time until Shaka and him could escape. If course, leaving Pearl and the others did not sit well with him. He knew that the Wormwood would have to go to shore at some point. Then he could make his move, and try to bring others with him.

That being said, he did want a job that would keep Shaka and him alive to make it to shore.

He moved over to the first mate. "I trained in healing, for both greenskins and not greenskin. Ask former ship's doctor, she vouch for me." Vander said, not sure if the former ship's doctor was alive...

Since Pearl had grown up on a ship, she had been shown the many different jobs that were required of a sailor.  So, when it was asked for them to decide which job they would choose, Pearl decided that rigger would be the best.  She would be outside most of the time and not below the deck or doing the extra physical labor that swabbing required.

Pearl made note of what the others were choosing and when it came time for her to speak up Pearl said, "I believe I would best be used in the rigging."

"I'm a summoner. I also know a few other magics. I am also skilled in the knowledge of merchants, pirates, and sailing." She said, flatly. "It's why I was the former First Mate's Steward, sir."

Oivind joins the others who can be riggers. He's been on ships most of his life and has done his fair share of sail repairs. This is the best job for him outside of battle.

Plugg takes some of what was said into consideration and ignores others.

Nenelethas is assigned as Apothecary's mate, Zug Zug is assigned to assist the cook, and everyone else (Xao, Pearl, Oivind, Vander, Kalia Rafe) are assigned to work the rigging, whether they volunteered to work the ropes or not. It seems Plugg was more concerned about just getting bodies into positions rather than spending any real consideration on who would be best where.

In the end the rest of the captured crew are assigned to the crew. Plugg had barely finished dividing up the prisoners when he cracked his whip loudly.

"What are you scurvy dogs standing around for? There's work to be done!"

What followed was mad chaos as the officers grabbed groups of crew and pirates and began assigning them tasks. There was such urgency and authority that even when there was conflicting orders nobody stopped to question things, especially not with the Captain looming over everyone, hand resting carefully on his massive cutlass. He looked like he could split a man in two with a single chop and was eager for the chance to showcase it.

The next week passes in a blur. The crew doesn't even bother getting permanent hammocks assigned as the crew is worked to the bone trying to fix the ship and keep it afloat. As the prisoners-turned-crew are allowed to roam the ship on assignment they witness first hand how close the ship came to not just sinking but splitting clean in half. This explains why the Captain and his officers were so quick to press gang the crew as half the crew was needed to just bucket water out of the hold before the ship sank too low in the water. The other half was split with the riggers trying to get the sails manned while the crew was put to work transforming whatever they could find into glue and tar to patch the holes and cracks in the hull.

Work begins at dawn and only ends when the hold becomes too dark to work safely in. Many among the crew just pass out where they can find a proper corner, too exhausted to even bother stringing up a hammock.

Of note is that with a few notable exceptions, the pirates aren't that horrible to work alongside. (Almost) everyone has a clear understanding that they are hanging on by a thread and with survival on the line working alongside one another doesn't prove to be terrible.

The two major exceptions, however, are Plugg and Scourge. Scatoria Scourge, the former second mate, instantly becomes Plugg's bootlicking lackey and positions himself as the "liaison" between the captured crew and the pirates. He forms a strong posse among the other mutineers and are quick to call out even the hint of rule breaking or slacking. It is painfully transparent but technically he is the highest ranking officer among the surviving crew as Second Mate and his ploy is very effective as he and his clique typically end up with easier and cushier jobs while the most brutal ones get handed out to those who upset him.

The other obstacle is Plugg himself as he quickly shows a malicious side when it comes to doling out punishment for infractions, real or imagined. When poor young Jack Scrimshaw passed out from heatstroke, Plugg wasted little time in getting the poor boy tied to the mast and given five lashes for shirking his duty.

On the flipside, a few of the pirates prove to be quite pleasant, even friendly. The cook, Fishguts Kroop, is a horrible lush but is quite friendly and the group quickly learns that if they need an alibi, Fishguts is willing to offer it. It helps out that he is usually blackout drunk so he doesn't even realize he is lying half the time. The other bright spot is Cut-throat Grok, the quartermaster. While she isn't friendly by any stretch of the imagination she treats the captured crew as equals to the pirates and just that act of respect both helps take some of the sting out of the days and does wonder for integrating the captured crew with the pirates.

OOC: I'll do a full write up on the new crew composition when I get the chance this week.

On the evening of the sixth day, the Captain calls all hands to the deck. Pirates and captured crew alike are barely able to stay standing after another hard day of long labor and harsh punishments but this time the Captain is smiling, grinning from ear to ear. It is somehow creepier and more menacing than his normal scowling visage.

"Do you know what today marks? Today is the end of this hell. The Stitchman has declared that he has done all he can and Plugg reports that the remaining sails have been successfully repositioned to give us half speed.

It's not much but it's enough we can finally pull anchor tomorrow morning. This hell is almost done and we can all get back to what's important in life. THE BOOTY!"

The captain lets out a loud chuckle and the pirates and mutineers give out loud cheers of agreement.

"By my calculations we're about 400 miles from Port Peril. The plan is to sail close to shore, maybe raid a fishing village or two along the way, and then when we reach Port you'll get your cut and be sent on your way. I know many of you want to run me through but frankly I don't care. Another two weeks and you'll be on your way with your pockets stuffed with gold. Just keep yourself together and working hard and this will all be behind us. Tomorrow we see if we can even make it to Port but for tonight, we celebrate. Drink heartily!"

The captain turns and pulls the lid off the crate next to him revealing Sorina's private store of liquor. High quality brandy is pulled out, bottle by bottle, cracked open and swigged. Nobody is bothering to even pour it into cups, just passing the whole bottles around. It is interesting to see such expensive bottles treated so casually but alcohol is alcohol and the brandy is particularly potent so slurred speech, unearned confidence and unexpected words of comraderie are quickly heard."</red></b>

OOC: You'll each have the chance to get to know one more NPC as part of this last party. Feel free to save your pick until I've gotten the pirate survivors listed out but if you're keen on a known NPC feel free to let me know now.

Overall the crew gets set in their roles and after a week there isn't much difference between the pirate crew and those captured and pressed into service. Still there were a few tragedies. Ommar was tossed overboard when a boom line came loose and knocked him off the ship. The crew looked for him, spending a whole five minutes but his head never came above water and the winds were still blowing fierce.

A few fistfights broke out at night, here or there, but they were quickly repressed by the quick crack of the whip by Plugg.

The ship was under sail, although it was slow going. The ship was still leaking water heavily and it only had half the sails it should but the morale of both crew and prisoners raised noticeably now that they were underway.

After the second day, the Captain announced that he was elevating Scourge to be the new bosun under the recommendation of First Mate Plugg. Plugg and Scourge had become fast friends and partners in crime, terorrizing the rest of the crew and ruling with brutal efficiency. Scourge worked the crews assigned to him twice as hard as anyone else and anyone caught lagging behind from exhaustion or injury was sent to Plugg for punishment. This resulted in a steady stream of crew getting lashed and by the end of the first week there had always been at least one person receiving Plugg's whip.

Peppery announced at the end of the week that they were making progress but sailing was going slow so they would still need another two weeks to get to Port Peril.

OOC: Full NPC list is listed, select an NPC to get inside details.

Everyone needs to make the following decisions:

1. The captured crew are divided among four factions: Pirates, Mutineers, Loyalists (to dead Captain Sorina), and "Neutrals". Assuming it makes sense, pick a clique to join. Each clique has a natural enemy: Loyalists and Mutineers dislike one another. Pirates and Neutrals dislike one another mainly because the "neutrals" are isolated and are easy to bully and abuse without friends.
   
   
   
2. Within that clique, select one NPC to try and become friends with. There is no guarantee so try to pick wisely based on the information you have learned so far. Some NPCs will automatically become friendly (marked as Green or Blue in the listing). Some might require some kind of social roll.
   
   
3. Make your "NPC information" selection as described before.
   
   
4. Decide if you want to just keep your head down and focus on your work, or work towards a specific objective during your time on board. Some objectives might be: Murdering a specific NPC, planning a mutiny, stealing from other crew members. Like #2 above, somethings might be automatic, some might require rolls.

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:00, Mon 01 Mar 2021.