As the new comers quickly scramble up the ropes and mast striving for the nest, whoops and hollars from below cheer them on. The cheers grow even louder as Viriel and Sasha glide almost as if they were flying up the ropes and to the crows nest, Viriel reaching the top just ahead of her.
Then Grath tangles a foot into one of the bolt ropes above the first sail and swings down hard against the mast with a wet thwack. There is a communal moan from the crew as many have experienced that admixture of pain and humiliation before, but then a jeering laughter raises amoung the more hardened members taking Grath's pain as sport.
As he hangs limply in the wind, a woman with loose locks of red hair and a tri-corn hat pushes through the group of slackjawed sailors and reaches up, barely brushing the goliath's hand that hangs down by the mast. A nimbus of teal light travels from her chest where a skull medallion hangs up her arm and into the body of Grath.
Cure Wounds: [9
Arloch - Perception DC 12:
A holy symbol of Besmara, not unlike yours, hangs at this woman's neck with small teal sapphires peaking out the skull's eyes. It would seem you have found your friend of Besmara.
Plugg snears at Sandara as she backs away as Grath jolts awake as if dowsed in cold sea water.
He then turns and locks eyes with Jonah, staring hatefully at the beddraggled man. "Scourge! Why did you bother to grab someone so obviously broken and weak? I won't have a lazy crew member that doesn't follow orders. Fix this and then we will give him another run at the mast."
Uncurling his whip from at his side he smiles coldly. "Aye Sir. Should have known it would be you, yer Highness. You have the look of someone who has been on a ship before so I would keen that you would know better. But listen close..."
The whip lashes out, cracking at Jonah's feet, Scourge is still intentionally missing to intimidate.
"...when someone that is your senior gives ye an order, ye say Aye, and you snap to." The whip cracks again to punctuate the word "snap". "And right now, everyone on this ship is your senior. You don't get to choose what orders to follow. Savvy? So snap to and climb that mast. Now!"
With a final flick the whip is not an intentional miss, and swings directly at Jonah's chest.
Attack: 11 Damage: 6
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Ringer reaches the crow's nest slightly behind the other two, but also a good showing. All eyes now turn to Jonah. The crowd's jeering gets louder, they are clearly hoping to see the man with the mechanical arm swinging from a rope just like the Goliath.
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Up in the crows nest Sasha gives a nod to the half-elf and the kenku "My name is Sasha, I wish we would have met under better circumstances, but now, well we're literary in the same boat so I hope we can count on each other." She says just before looking down, seeing the pegleg being harassed. "I don't think we can help him right now, but perhaps later." She says, although looking distraught over the unnecessary cruelty of Mr. Plugg and Scourge.
(DM: Jonah's personality works more with being an obstinate mule of a man, if you'd rather he snap to it and follow orders let me know, I understand that stubborn characters can sometimes be annoying for DMs)
Jonah raises his mechanical arm, and the lash bites ineffectually into the unfeeling appendage. He allows Scourge to uncurl the whip, and holds fast, no doubt expecting another blow to arrive at any moment.
"You need swabbies, don't you? Take an honest look at me, and think about which job I would best be suited for?"
In all honesty, Jonah actually does seem like the type of fellow who would be at home among the rigging, were it not for that sullen, dead look in his eyes and his slumped posture. He has the air of a once great man brought low by tide and time. Especially the former.
"At any moment, one of these shoddy limbs could pop right off, and you'd have to deal with me falling onto the rest of your crew. That wouldn't be fun for anyone involved. Now, again, I'd like to have a mop, Mister Scourge. It would be a pleasure to work under you."
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"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Vireil nods slightly, avoiding large gestures that might be noticed by the pirates on deck. "My name is Vireil." In a slightly Elvishly-accented Common, her voice is high pitched and taut, though she looks slightly calmer now, out of a whip's reach. "I think the best thing each of us can do right now is to avoid those whips, perhaps gain the trust of soms of them. Then..." She trails off.
Then what? Vireil wasn't sure. She didn't really have a goal. Living under the threat of a whip held by someone who took her against her will is unacceptable, but there doesn't seem to be an alternative here. For now, she should observe, lay low and perhaps gather her gear back, if she can. An opportunity for better life will surely present itself eventually.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Aye, we need swabbies. But a man tha t'won't follow orders is liable to get me killed when it comes time to plunder. And tha sire will nah stand. Yer Lordship needs to be taught his place on this boat. Lads, string him up. I think this boy needs a steep in the tea for a spell."
An older dwarf with a large bulbous nose that has been broken too many times across the bridge and a tall half-orc with gold shod tusks step forward and roughly grab Jonah from either side. An old appearing half-elf female with shaved stripes running through her close shorn black hair begins winding a rope around his shoulders and waist. The rest of the crew cheers in excitement as it seems a dunking is about to begin.
Mr. Plugg looks on with a disinterested stare. Rescue from the officer in charge of crew member punishment does not appear to be forthcoming.
Grapple check with Advantage from help action: 22
(OOC: If you would like to resist and attempt to break the grapple you are welcome to. Not sure how far Jonah wants to push this being outnumbered and only armed with a hidden dagger.)
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Deket is slow to wake up. He should knew better and not drink too much so fast, but that liquor was good and he was thirsty. Then he noticed the dumb tongue and started to recognize where he was. Before he could make anything more the men entered the hold were they were put and moaned.
"Oh c'mon.. not again... "
After reaching the deck, the red skinned tiefling, wearing a trench coat welcomed the salty and fresh air of the sea. While the captain talks he made inventory of what they had left to him. When he discovered that in his boats he still had his daggers he thought that they weren't too cautious or worse, they didn't really care. He couldn't do anything with that, thought, not against an entire crew, but he felt better knowing that he could defend himself in case the menace of the captain about killing other crew members were taken too seriously by others. What was the name of the ship again? His head was killing him. He shacked it, and the two horns that grew from his temples and went making an elegant wave backwards cast some shadows in the blue-pale skin of the bigger one. He had put himself near him, just in case.
When Mr. Plugg orders them to climb up the crow nest he imediatly jumps over the guardrail and from there he jumped, grabbing one shackle, to impulse himself towards the forestay and climb from there.
The kenku hooks a thumb at himself and vocalizes a few peals of a ringing ship's bell.
"Ringer!", he says in a gruff voice.
Looking over the edge, down to the confrontation down below, he takes pity on the old crippled fellow and calls down in a bassy roar, "Stir yer stump, lad! Seas are gettin' rougher by the minute!"
Jonah feels something stirring in his dour, rundown chest (Bardic Inspiration, 1d6).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"It seems there are more rules than was stated." Vireil comments on what they see down below, in a clearly disapproving voice.
Shifting into a position in which she can comfortably sit on the nest while looking down, she observes the crew. How each of them reacts to the spectacle? It's not only about who's willing to watch her back, but also, whom does she want watching it? She's looking for anyone who does not seem like the rest of the lot. Anyone who seems to be sympathising with the man being punished, anyone looking away, anyone who seems to be faking cheers... And, also for those who seem to enjoy it the most - the ones to stay away from.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Self imposed will save: 6 (Damn, I guess we're doing this)
Jonah's eyes widen as Scourge mentions the punishment. He had expected the lash, or the sweatbox, but the sea... His face pales, his already wide eyes no longer staring intently, but darting about in panic. He reaches out at the ropes wrapping about him, gripping them tightly... but then releases him. His breathing, though still panicked, reaches a somewhat regular tempo, and he tries his best to keep composed. The humiliation of turning back now would be worse than what the sea has to offer.
"Do what you have to do, I won't be broken. Not by you, not by the sea, not by no one."
Jonah's voice is measured and slow, hiding deeper fear. But he keeps true to his word, and does not break. Not yet, that is.
(Due to Jonah's past with the sea, I'm giving him disadvantage on will saves against it, if that's alright. For the time being, at least, he fears it more than it fears him.)
Arloch loudly gasps at the sight of Grath slipping and winces as his body thuds. On instinct his body tries to push him to help and heal the man. But his mind stops him. They don't know about his holy symbol safely in his pocket. He couldn't give himself away just yet. However he breathes a sigh of relief noticing the woman who clearly seems to be a priest as well. He would have to find a chance soon to get her alone.
He turns to look away when men start to grab Jonah. He couldn't watch, and all he could think of was what they may do to just a holy man. So he calls to Mr. Plug, "Eh, Sir...Mr. Plug. May ye dismiss me. If your cook is as a drunk as you say I'll need all the time I can get to feed all of yours and th' Captain's men."
If needed he'll roll to Persuade him as he's wanting to get away from the majority of the crew. He sure doesn't have a bonus so straight roll, but it's worth a shot.
The sailors make quick work of trussing the recalcitrant recruit and hoisting him overboard. The rope snaps taught just as the waves like Jonah's back.
"You are new to the crew, and we have work that needs doing, so we cannot take the time on this today that I normally would. But, here is a taste of what is in store if you defy me anymore. boy."
Letting a little more of the rope slip through his fingers, the prostate body of Jonah sinks into the waves, bouncing in and out of the bracing water as the ship sails along at pace. The lesson only lasts a few moments, but even during that time keeping your wits about you and breathing at the appropriate time to keep from inhaling an ocean is a challenge.
Its over shortly after it began, to the apparent dismay of some of the more bloodthirsty crew members.
Jonah is lifted back onto the boat and left in a tied up heap of rope on the deck. Scourge bends down near him, a noxious waft of bad breath spilling from his mouth. "Once you get yourself free and get these ropes stowed properly you can go down and clean out the bilges. And don't you ever tell me what work duty to assign you again or I will flay your back til you think you were on a ship in the lava seas of Gehenna. We'll let you try climbing the mast again tomorrow, after you have thought on the virtue of following orders."
(Viriel, from your vantage so high up it is hard to tell who is who and get a good enough read on body language to know intention, but you do get a sense of two individuals. There is someone in a tricorne hat and flowing red hair that has set themselves entirely apart from the whole ordeal. They lean against one of the gunwales, and it looks like they aren't even looking in the direction of the altercation. Another individual, apparently shorter than most of the crew with long brown hair blowing in the wind walks over to the first. They seem engaged in friendly conversation, entirely ignoring what is happening 20' away from them on deck {For player reference this is Sandara Quinn and Rosie Cusswell} ).
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Sasha nods at Vireil and Ringer giving them a quick smile. "Yes, we must bide our time. But I swear on the Seawraith that I will forge my own destiny, and so will you." She says confidently to the half-elf and the kenku. As the punishing continues on the main deck she let's out a sigh. "They are making an example out of him, he could die, but if he survives he would prove to be a valuable ally." She says and gives Ringer an approving pat on the back as the kenku seemingly inspires the pegleg. Could she do something to help him she wondered.
As the climbers make it back down from their race, they are addressed by Mr. Plugg again.
"Well, it seems we have a right fit crew of monkies here, all swingin' in the ropes. You three were up there first...so you are mine. You were a fair climber too...but just didn't quite make the grade, so Scourge will provide you with your assignments. Right then. All hands dismissed, get to work!"
Plugg has indicated that Viriel, Sasha, and Ringer will be joining the riggers while Deket and Jonah will be staying on the deck with the swabs.
::
OOC: Now for the day's assignments. It seems each day Plugg and Scourge select assignments seemingly at random (literally by a roll of the die), not particularly caring if someone would be better at one thing than another, just caring that the work gets done. An assignment is only specifically selected for you if you draw their ire, and then it is one of the ones that is less pleasant, typically requiring a fortitude save to avoid exhaustion. (This is what has happened to Jonah today). So, we'll roll some dice to see what tasks everyone is doing, and then I need a post for Arloch meeting Ambrose, and then you guys can go about the Day 1 RP...which we can talk about more in OOC if you have questions from the player's guide.
Sasha: Rigger: 6
Viriel: Rigger: 6
Ringer: Rigger: 5
Rigging Repair: The ship's rigging frequently gets damaged and must be repaired, requiring DC 8 Acrobatics or Athletics checks to reach the rigging 30 feet up, followed by a DC 10 Sleight of Hand Check.
Line Work: Hard work hoisting and lowering sails, requiring a DC 10 Strength or Dexterity check. The character must also make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to avoid gaining a point of exhaustion at the end of the shift.
Upper Rigging Work: Work in the upper rigging, 50 feet up, requiring DC 10 Acrobatics or Athletics check, followed by a DC 10 Sleight of Hand check.
Rope Work: Handling the ship's ropes, including coiling them, stowing them, and securing them to cleats and single and double bollards, requiring a DC 10 Dexterity Check.
Lookout: A climb to the crow's nest 60 feet up, requiring DC 12 Acrobatics or Athletics check followed by a DC 10 Perception check.
Mainsail Duties: Tough work raising and lowering the mainsail, requiring a DC 12 Athletics check. The PC must also make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to avoid gaining a point of exhaustion at the end of the shift.
Deket: Swab: 5
Jonah: Swab: Assigned manning the bilges
Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges (area A11), requiring a DC 11 Strength check. The PC must also make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to avoid gaining a point of exhaustion at the end of the shift.
Rat Catcher: Catching rats and other vermin belowdecks, requiring either a DC 10 Stealth, Survival, or Dexterity check to catch and kill enough rats, cockroaches, and beetles for a good day's work.
Swab the Decks: Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones, requiring a DC 10 Strength or Constitution saving throw. Failing this results in the PC gaining a point of exhaustion at the end of the shift.
Hauling Rope and Knot Work: Tying and untying knots in the ship's ropes and moving heavy coils of rope from one part of the ship to another, requiring a DC 10 Athletics check. The PC must also make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to avoid gaining a point of exhaustion at the end of the shift.
Runner: Passing messages to the crew and officers of the Wormwood in all parts of the ship except officer's cabins (areas A4 and A5), requiring a DC 10 Acrobatics check and a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. Failing the constitution saving throw results in the PC gaining a point of exhaustion at the end of the shift.
Repairs: Things constantly tear and break aboard the ship and need repairs, whether sewing sails or splicing rope all day, requiring a DC 10 Dexterity Check.
Arloch: Cook's Mate: Amrose is drunk today - 6
1 or 2. Cooking: Assisting Ambrose Kroop in preparing the day's meal. If Kroop is just drunk no check is required. If Kroop is insensibly drunk, this requires a DC 10 Intelligence (Herbalism Kit or Cooking Utensils) check.
Fishing: Catching tonight's supper using the ship's nets. A DC10 Survival check provides enough fish. A failed check results in the following day being spent in the bilges as punishment (See Man the Bilges under Swab Tasks)
Turtle Hunting: Hunting leatherback sea turtles with harpoons, treble hooks, and nets. A DC 10 Survival or Animal Handling check provides enough food. A failed check results in the following day being spent in the bilges as punishment (See Man the Bilges under Swab Tasks)
Bull Session: Drinking with Ambrose Kroop and listening to his stories. The cook's mate must drink an additional rum ration, but is able to take an additional ship action during the day, and all checks required as part of daytime ship actions are made at advantage. (Note: This result treated as Cooking if Ambrose is insensibly drunk on this day.)
Special Occasion: Captain Harrigan is celebrating something today, and apparently asking what is a good way to get yourself tied to the yardarm overnight. He wants one of the ship's pigs butchered and cooked for dinner. The PC must make a DC 10 Survival check to slaughter the animal, then help Kroop to clean, cut, and prepare the carcass. If Kroop is just drunk, no additional check is required. If Kroop is insensibly drunk, this requires an DC 13 Intelligence(Herbalism Kit) check.
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Arloch, the excitment on deck resolved and all hands dismissed for their duties, you head down to the galley at the aft of the ship. As you enter you find a cramped and chatoic kitchen holding two work tables, several wooden cupboards, and two small stoves against the port wall, as well as virtually every cooking utensil imaginable swinging free on hooks against the walls and a frightening array of meat cleavers. The kitchen is a madness of dirt, food, and knives, and presiding over it all is a rubinesque human with a cleaver in one hand and a bottle of grog in the other and a rooster perched upon his shoulder. He appears to be set about preparing a near feast. He meets your eye with the bleary jaundiced and blood-shot gaze of a man drowning in sorrow and alcohol.
"Zhur-oh good, I told Plugg I needed some'n's helps ins the kitchens. Tolds him I did. I told him. Names Ambrose it is. But you can call me Fishguts. The whole crew does they do. Zhur-listen. Cap't wants a proper meals tonight for his off'ers. So you's needs to go out and slaughter me a pigs right?" He points back into the middle hold where cages hold some 18 large hogs. "Zhur-here, takes this cleavers, and brings me a fat'un. Needs to keeps the capt'n happy or the rums will be gones, right?"
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Sasha gives Mr. Plugg a quick nod and quickly climbs up the rigging to distance herself from that despiccable man and to take care of her mainsail duties together with Vireil. Athletics: 14 Con save: 14
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jonah laughs bitterly as he is dipped into the water, still not blinking even as the salt stings his eyes. His half-drowned shouts can be heard even from over the side of the ship, gleefully (and pointlessly) heaping abuse on the waves.
"Come, come, you bi—glbrgbh—ou think you can f—bgbhlahblbh—ake my le—abblbblblgbb—stard!"
Eventually, his beard dripping with seawater, his eyes stained red from the salt, Jonah rubs his arms where the rough ropes have bit into them. Wordlessly, he receives a bucket and stalks belowdecks. He surfaces frequently, stinking to high hell, as he repeatedly fills and empties his sloshing bucket.
Athletics: 16 (assuming his arm doesn't provide a bonus, since it's a two-hand job)
Constitution: 7
(Forgot to roll with advantage, but Jonah is focusing fully on his work. He doesn't like playing their games, but he works hard.)
Seeing how the days chores goes smoothly for her Sasha decides to find new rigger allies. She notices a human female without shoes that at least not seems hostile to her presence. "Smart choice to go barefoot in the riggings. I'm Sasha, perhaps I can help you with that." She says offering the woman some help while striking up a conversation about the Wormwood and it's crew, and particularly the womans view on the ship's officers.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Deket sighs... he would have rather being on the ropes, but delivering messages wasn't that bad after all. He taps Jonah's shoulder once the man is lifted on board again, helping him take off the ropes. And without a word he just nods him in respect. It will be time to talk later.
The messenger duty is a good one to start to know the officers and the important people in the crew, which sometimes are not the same. Deket tries to take good mental note of the names of the officers and as many members of the crew as he can. After a while he starts smiling and calling the members of the crew by their names and treating them with a small degree of familiarity, as if they were old acquittances.
Athletics : 2
Con save: 11
Edit: HAHAHAHA These rolls.... It should be acrobatics ,not athletics and the result is five higher but... I mean... not that it matters haha
however the hangover takes the best of him and after a few tentative talks with the members of the crew he feels sick and throws up the remnants of the contents of his stomach over the board. Feeling the legs tremble and with a constant headache and nausea, he knows better than to call it sick, specially after seeing Mr. Plugg's idea of indoctrination. Somehow he manages to pull the day, but some messages are delivered a little bit less fast as they should have been.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ringer nods at the conspiratorial mutterings from his fellows and climbs down, only to be sent up. But sent to the job he'd want if he had his choice!
Acrobatics: 18
Perception: 8
He nearly flies up the mast, making up for his earlier slips and settles in to the kenku's nest, doing his best to stay alert and not draw the ire of the crew.
As the new comers quickly scramble up the ropes and mast striving for the nest, whoops and hollars from below cheer them on. The cheers grow even louder as Viriel and Sasha glide almost as if they were flying up the ropes and to the crows nest, Viriel reaching the top just ahead of her.
Then Grath tangles a foot into one of the bolt ropes above the first sail and swings down hard against the mast with a wet thwack. There is a communal moan from the crew as many have experienced that admixture of pain and humiliation before, but then a jeering laughter raises amoung the more hardened members taking Grath's pain as sport.
As he hangs limply in the wind, a woman with loose locks of red hair and a tri-corn hat pushes through the group of slackjawed sailors and reaches up, barely brushing the goliath's hand that hangs down by the mast. A nimbus of teal light travels from her chest where a skull medallion hangs up her arm and into the body of Grath.
Cure Wounds: [9
Arloch - Perception DC 12:
A holy symbol of Besmara, not unlike yours, hangs at this woman's neck with small teal sapphires peaking out the skull's eyes. It would seem you have found your friend of Besmara.
Plugg snears at Sandara as she backs away as Grath jolts awake as if dowsed in cold sea water.
He then turns and locks eyes with Jonah, staring hatefully at the beddraggled man. "Scourge! Why did you bother to grab someone so obviously broken and weak? I won't have a lazy crew member that doesn't follow orders. Fix this and then we will give him another run at the mast."
Uncurling his whip from at his side he smiles coldly. "Aye Sir. Should have known it would be you, yer Highness. You have the look of someone who has been on a ship before so I would keen that you would know better. But listen close..."
The whip lashes out, cracking at Jonah's feet, Scourge is still intentionally missing to intimidate.
"...when someone that is your senior gives ye an order, ye say Aye, and you snap to." The whip cracks again to punctuate the word "snap". "And right now, everyone on this ship is your senior. You don't get to choose what orders to follow. Savvy? So snap to and climb that mast. Now!"
With a final flick the whip is not an intentional miss, and swings directly at Jonah's chest.
Attack: 11 Damage: 6
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Ringer reaches the crow's nest slightly behind the other two, but also a good showing. All eyes now turn to Jonah. The crowd's jeering gets louder, they are clearly hoping to see the man with the mechanical arm swinging from a rope just like the Goliath.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Up in the crows nest Sasha gives a nod to the half-elf and the kenku "My name is Sasha, I wish we would have met under better circumstances, but now, well we're literary in the same boat so I hope we can count on each other." She says just before looking down, seeing the pegleg being harassed. "I don't think we can help him right now, but perhaps later." She says, although looking distraught over the unnecessary cruelty of Mr. Plugg and Scourge.
(DM: Jonah's personality works more with being an obstinate mule of a man, if you'd rather he snap to it and follow orders let me know, I understand that stubborn characters can sometimes be annoying for DMs)
Jonah raises his mechanical arm, and the lash bites ineffectually into the unfeeling appendage. He allows Scourge to uncurl the whip, and holds fast, no doubt expecting another blow to arrive at any moment.
"You need swabbies, don't you? Take an honest look at me, and think about which job I would best be suited for?"
In all honesty, Jonah actually does seem like the type of fellow who would be at home among the rigging, were it not for that sullen, dead look in his eyes and his slumped posture. He has the air of a once great man brought low by tide and time. Especially the former.
"At any moment, one of these shoddy limbs could pop right off, and you'd have to deal with me falling onto the rest of your crew. That wouldn't be fun for anyone involved. Now, again, I'd like to have a mop, Mister Scourge. It would be a pleasure to work under you."
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Vireil nods slightly, avoiding large gestures that might be noticed by the pirates on deck. "My name is Vireil." In a slightly Elvishly-accented Common, her voice is high pitched and taut, though she looks slightly calmer now, out of a whip's reach. "I think the best thing each of us can do right now is to avoid those whips, perhaps gain the trust of soms of them. Then..." She trails off.
Then what? Vireil wasn't sure. She didn't really have a goal. Living under the threat of a whip held by someone who took her against her will is unacceptable, but there doesn't seem to be an alternative here. For now, she should observe, lay low and perhaps gather her gear back, if she can. An opportunity for better life will surely present itself eventually.
Varielky | Emma
"Aye, we need swabbies. But a man tha t'won't follow orders is liable to get me killed when it comes time to plunder. And tha sire will nah stand. Yer Lordship needs to be taught his place on this boat. Lads, string him up. I think this boy needs a steep in the tea for a spell."
An older dwarf with a large bulbous nose that has been broken too many times across the bridge and a tall half-orc with gold shod tusks step forward and roughly grab Jonah from either side. An old appearing half-elf female with shaved stripes running through her close shorn black hair begins winding a rope around his shoulders and waist. The rest of the crew cheers in excitement as it seems a dunking is about to begin.
Mr. Plugg looks on with a disinterested stare. Rescue from the officer in charge of crew member punishment does not appear to be forthcoming.
Grapple check with Advantage from help action: 22
(OOC: If you would like to resist and attempt to break the grapple you are welcome to. Not sure how far Jonah wants to push this being outnumbered and only armed with a hidden dagger.)
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Deket is slow to wake up. He should knew better and not drink too much so fast, but that liquor was good and he was thirsty. Then he noticed the dumb tongue and started to recognize where he was. Before he could make anything more the men entered the hold were they were put and moaned.
"Oh c'mon.. not again... "
After reaching the deck, the red skinned tiefling, wearing a trench coat welcomed the salty and fresh air of the sea. While the captain talks he made inventory of what they had left to him. When he discovered that in his boats he still had his daggers he thought that they weren't too cautious or worse, they didn't really care. He couldn't do anything with that, thought, not against an entire crew, but he felt better knowing that he could defend himself in case the menace of the captain about killing other crew members were taken too seriously by others. What was the name of the ship again? His head was killing him. He shacked it, and the two horns that grew from his temples and went making an elegant wave backwards cast some shadows in the blue-pale skin of the bigger one. He had put himself near him, just in case.
When Mr. Plugg orders them to climb up the crow nest he imediatly jumps over the guardrail and from there he jumped, grabbing one shackle, to impulse himself towards the forestay and climb from there.
Acrobatics: 23
Acrobatics: 24
Acrobatics: 16
Acrobatics: 8
Acrobatics: 14
PbP Character: A few ;)
The kenku hooks a thumb at himself and vocalizes a few peals of a ringing ship's bell.
"Ringer!", he says in a gruff voice.
Looking over the edge, down to the confrontation down below, he takes pity on the old crippled fellow and calls down in a bassy roar, "Stir yer stump, lad! Seas are gettin' rougher by the minute!"
Jonah feels something stirring in his dour, rundown chest (Bardic Inspiration, 1d6).
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
"It seems there are more rules than was stated." Vireil comments on what they see down below, in a clearly disapproving voice.
Shifting into a position in which she can comfortably sit on the nest while looking down, she observes the crew. How each of them reacts to the spectacle? It's not only about who's willing to watch her back, but also, whom does she want watching it? She's looking for anyone who does not seem like the rest of the lot. Anyone who seems to be sympathising with the man being punished, anyone looking away, anyone who seems to be faking cheers... And, also for those who seem to enjoy it the most - the ones to stay away from.
Insight: 18.
Varielky | Emma
Self imposed will save: 6
(Damn, I guess we're doing this)
Jonah's eyes widen as Scourge mentions the punishment. He had expected the lash, or the sweatbox, but the sea... His face pales, his already wide eyes no longer staring intently, but darting about in panic. He reaches out at the ropes wrapping about him, gripping them tightly... but then releases him. His breathing, though still panicked, reaches a somewhat regular tempo, and he tries his best to keep composed. The humiliation of turning back now would be worse than what the sea has to offer.
"Do what you have to do, I won't be broken. Not by you, not by the sea, not by no one."
Jonah's voice is measured and slow, hiding deeper fear. But he keeps true to his word, and does not break. Not yet, that is.
(Due to Jonah's past with the sea, I'm giving him disadvantage on will saves against it, if that's alright. For the time being, at least, he fears it more than it fears him.)
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Arloch loudly gasps at the sight of Grath slipping and winces as his body thuds. On instinct his body tries to push him to help and heal the man. But his mind stops him. They don't know about his holy symbol safely in his pocket. He couldn't give himself away just yet. However he breathes a sigh of relief noticing the woman who clearly seems to be a priest as well. He would have to find a chance soon to get her alone.
He turns to look away when men start to grab Jonah. He couldn't watch, and all he could think of was what they may do to just a holy man. So he calls to Mr. Plug, "Eh, Sir...Mr. Plug. May ye dismiss me. If your cook is as a drunk as you say I'll need all the time I can get to feed all of yours and th' Captain's men."
If needed he'll roll to Persuade him as he's wanting to get away from the majority of the crew. He sure doesn't have a bonus so straight roll, but it's worth a shot.
Persuasion: 14
The sailors make quick work of trussing the recalcitrant recruit and hoisting him overboard. The rope snaps taught just as the waves like Jonah's back.
"You are new to the crew, and we have work that needs doing, so we cannot take the time on this today that I normally would. But, here is a taste of what is in store if you defy me anymore. boy."
Letting a little more of the rope slip through his fingers, the prostate body of Jonah sinks into the waves, bouncing in and out of the bracing water as the ship sails along at pace. The lesson only lasts a few moments, but even during that time keeping your wits about you and breathing at the appropriate time to keep from inhaling an ocean is a challenge.
Its over shortly after it began, to the apparent dismay of some of the more bloodthirsty crew members.
Jonah is lifted back onto the boat and left in a tied up heap of rope on the deck. Scourge bends down near him, a noxious waft of bad breath spilling from his mouth. "Once you get yourself free and get these ropes stowed properly you can go down and clean out the bilges. And don't you ever tell me what work duty to assign you again or I will flay your back til you think you were on a ship in the lava seas of Gehenna. We'll let you try climbing the mast again tomorrow, after you have thought on the virtue of following orders."
(Viriel, from your vantage so high up it is hard to tell who is who and get a good enough read on body language to know intention, but you do get a sense of two individuals. There is someone in a tricorne hat and flowing red hair that has set themselves entirely apart from the whole ordeal. They lean against one of the gunwales, and it looks like they aren't even looking in the direction of the altercation. Another individual, apparently shorter than most of the crew with long brown hair blowing in the wind walks over to the first. They seem engaged in friendly conversation, entirely ignoring what is happening 20' away from them on deck {For player reference this is Sandara Quinn and Rosie Cusswell} ).
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Sasha nods at Vireil and Ringer giving them a quick smile. "Yes, we must bide our time. But I swear on the Seawraith that I will forge my own destiny, and so will you." She says confidently to the half-elf and the kenku. As the punishing continues on the main deck she let's out a sigh. "They are making an example out of him, he could die, but if he survives he would prove to be a valuable ally." She says and gives Ringer an approving pat on the back as the kenku seemingly inspires the pegleg. Could she do something to help him she wondered.
As the climbers make it back down from their race, they are addressed by Mr. Plugg again.
"Well, it seems we have a right fit crew of monkies here, all swingin' in the ropes. You three were up there first...so you are mine. You were a fair climber too...but just didn't quite make the grade, so Scourge will provide you with your assignments. Right then. All hands dismissed, get to work!"
Plugg has indicated that Viriel, Sasha, and Ringer will be joining the riggers while Deket and Jonah will be staying on the deck with the swabs.
::
OOC: Now for the day's assignments. It seems each day Plugg and Scourge select assignments seemingly at random (literally by a roll of the die), not particularly caring if someone would be better at one thing than another, just caring that the work gets done. An assignment is only specifically selected for you if you draw their ire, and then it is one of the ones that is less pleasant, typically requiring a fortitude save to avoid exhaustion. (This is what has happened to Jonah today). So, we'll roll some dice to see what tasks everyone is doing, and then I need a post for Arloch meeting Ambrose, and then you guys can go about the Day 1 RP...which we can talk about more in OOC if you have questions from the player's guide.
Sasha: Rigger: 6
Viriel: Rigger: 6
Ringer: Rigger: 5
Deket: Swab: 5
Jonah: Swab: Assigned manning the bilges
Arloch: Cook's Mate: Amrose is drunk today - 6
1 or 2. Cooking: Assisting Ambrose Kroop in preparing the day's meal. If Kroop is just drunk no check is required. If Kroop is insensibly drunk, this requires a DC 10 Intelligence (Herbalism Kit or Cooking Utensils) check.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Arloch, the excitment on deck resolved and all hands dismissed for their duties, you head down to the galley at the aft of the ship. As you enter you find a cramped and chatoic kitchen holding two work tables, several wooden cupboards, and two small stoves against the port wall, as well as virtually every cooking utensil imaginable swinging free on hooks against the walls and a frightening array of meat cleavers. The kitchen is a madness of dirt, food, and knives, and presiding over it all is a rubinesque human with a cleaver in one hand and a bottle of grog in the other and a rooster perched upon his shoulder. He appears to be set about preparing a near feast. He meets your eye with the bleary jaundiced and blood-shot gaze of a man drowning in sorrow and alcohol.
"Zhur-oh good, I told Plugg I needed some'n's helps ins the kitchens. Tolds him I did. I told him. Names Ambrose it is. But you can call me Fishguts. The whole crew does they do. Zhur-listen. Cap't wants a proper meals tonight for his off'ers. So you's needs to go out and slaughter me a pigs right?" He points back into the middle hold where cages hold some 18 large hogs. "Zhur-here, takes this cleavers, and brings me a fat'un. Needs to keeps the capt'n happy or the rums will be gones, right?"
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Sasha gives Mr. Plugg a quick nod and quickly climbs up the rigging to distance herself from that despiccable man and to take care of her mainsail duties together with Vireil.
Athletics: 14
Con save: 14
Jonah laughs bitterly as he is dipped into the water, still not blinking even as the salt stings his eyes. His half-drowned shouts can be heard even from over the side of the ship, gleefully (and pointlessly) heaping abuse on the waves.
"Come, come, you bi—glbrgbh—ou think you can f—bgbhlahblbh—ake my le—abblbblblgbb—stard!"
Eventually, his beard dripping with seawater, his eyes stained red from the salt, Jonah rubs his arms where the rough ropes have bit into them. Wordlessly, he receives a bucket and stalks belowdecks. He surfaces frequently, stinking to high hell, as he repeatedly fills and empties his sloshing bucket.
Athletics: 16 (assuming his arm doesn't provide a bonus, since it's a two-hand job)
Constitution: 7
(Forgot to roll with advantage, but Jonah is focusing fully on his work. He doesn't like playing their games, but he works hard.)
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Seeing how the days chores goes smoothly for her Sasha decides to find new rigger allies. She notices a human female without shoes that at least not seems hostile to her presence.
"Smart choice to go barefoot in the riggings. I'm Sasha, perhaps I can help you with that." She says offering the woman some help while striking up a conversation about the Wormwood and it's crew, and particularly the womans view on the ship's officers.
Daytime ship action: Influence Barefoot Samms Toppin, Persuasion: 21
Deket sighs... he would have rather being on the ropes, but delivering messages wasn't that bad after all. He taps Jonah's shoulder once the man is lifted on board again, helping him take off the ropes. And without a word he just nods him in respect. It will be time to talk later.
The messenger duty is a good one to start to know the officers and the important people in the crew, which sometimes are not the same. Deket tries to take good mental note of the names of the officers and as many members of the crew as he can. After a while he starts smiling and calling the members of the crew by their names and treating them with a small degree of familiarity, as if they were old acquittances.
Athletics : 2
Con save: 11
Edit: HAHAHAHA These rolls.... It should be acrobatics ,not athletics and the result is five higher but... I mean... not that it matters haha
however the hangover takes the best of him and after a few tentative talks with the members of the crew he feels sick and throws up the remnants of the contents of his stomach over the board.
Feeling the legs tremble and with a constant headache and nausea, he knows better than to call it sick, specially after seeing Mr. Plugg's idea of indoctrination. Somehow he manages to pull the day, but some messages are delivered a little bit less fast as they should have been.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Ringer nods at the conspiratorial mutterings from his fellows and climbs down, only to be sent up. But sent to the job he'd want if he had his choice!
Acrobatics: 18
Perception: 8
He nearly flies up the mast, making up for his earlier slips and settles in to the kenku's nest, doing his best to stay alert and not draw the ire of the crew.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock