Sea of Death Campaign Thread

Tabby’s tale told him two things. The first is that she was safe amongst the pirates, or at least as safe as a young girl could be provided her uncle was still around. The second was that the man changed suddenly and not for the best.

“I am sorry for you loss and in a world where I’m not pirate I would say to go to Ashenport and try your way into the Ivory Guild mentioning an indication from an Emrys Goldenleaf. You could become a merchant yourself, work without so much as leaving port.” Something he hoped she would remember after he left. Provided the mission went well that should be enough to give her a new start. “Well, no use talking about what cannot be. May I ask if your uncle changed after meeting the captain or should I ask you if service on the crew is for life?”

The question came as the image of the undead filled his mind. It wouldn’t be strange if Richards’ mind was broken by magic. A punishment from the fake Hailstorm? Emrys hoped not. An enemy that can cause madness wouldn’t make an easy target for abduction and the mission didn’t need more hurdles – it was challenging enough as it was already.

Wade will ask further about the Deathlocks.

Wade:

Both the Captain and a large number of the Deathlocks appeared seemingly out of nowhere a little more than a year ago and quickly began recruiting other pirates under one banner. No one cares to get close enough to the Deathlocks to find out too much about them, but many suspect that they are what is left of Hailstorm's old crew... or perhaps his old enemies. It isn't clear whether the Captain (somehow) caused their condition himself, or if some other entity/artifact is what animated these wretches into some foul semblance of life and the Captain simply commands them.

Emrys:
"Like you said, no use talking about what can't be," Tabby replies.

She pauses when Emrys asks about her uncle. She seems a little bit hesitant, but eventually she answers.

"I'm not sure what happened to my uncle for sure... it was after we hit a rough patch and were forced to anchor by an island that wasn't on the map so we could make repairs. My uncle and a few crewmen went ashore to explore the island, but he was the only one who returned from the expedition. I don't know what happened to him or the others, but he was different when he got back, and it wasn't long before he sought out Captain Hailstorm."

"I... I don't know for sure if the Captain will let anyone retire from the crew or not, if I'm being honest. No one has been brave... or crazy... enough to ask him."

It took all of his skill to act deceptively unsurprised when Tabby said that her uncle sought Hailstorm before seemingly going insane. At least about that we won’t have to worry, he told himself feeling little relief. Her answer about retirement made him think if succeeding in capturing the target wouldn’t be enough to end the band. Plenty there seemed to have entered a crew only to survive.

“One last question and I promise you to never bring the matter up again – would happen to be able to point the location of the island, just so I can make sure to never step on it if I can help?” This time his words had no hidden meaning. It would be less than ideal to end in the place during a hurried escape with a prisoner under arms. “To your health, young lady. And I have friend to find, hopefully not drunk.”

His toast made, Emrys followed Tabby’s indications in search of Yevelda. To her he would ask about the crew, about the most dangerous and the most amiable crew members. Names it would help to keep in mind. Maybe someone capable of revealing details about the captain’s cabin and its security was amongst the latter. Wouldn’t that be some luck, the halfling thought taking a sip from his mug.

Notes: In case the party wants to speed the game the DM can assume that if Emrys find Yevelda he asks about the other NPCs, if she found a dwarf named Merigar on board, and about particularly noteworthy members of the crew (the most hostile/dangerous, the most amiable, the ones who clean the captain's cabin, officers, etc). Personally I would enjoy roleplaying the meet with the half-orc, but I don't want to bore anyone else ion doing so. Also, what would Emrys know about the plague Tabby mentioned?

Tabby thinks for a moment, then nods.

"Do you have a map and something to write with?" she asks. "I don't know if I can give you the exact location, but I think I can show you about where we were."

Once she has marked your map, she smiles and hands it back. Then she fills another mug and hands it over to Emrys.

"Now go see your lady friend... I'm sure she's starting to get thirsty with all the arm-breaking she must be doing in there."

It turns out that Tabby's prediction was correct, Yevelda is in the tent giving those who dare try their strength against her hell, with several of the failed contestants nursing very sore arms on the opposite side of the tent. She smiles when she sees Emrys enter with the ale.

"Nice to see ya, Captain... well, former captain now," she says. "How are you and the crew gettin' along so far with the new co-workers?"

Notes: I'm more than happy to play out the meeting between Emrys and Yevelda, but I would also understand entirely if the rest of the crew would rather move on and continue the adventure.

(Ooc: this is very interesting, I am not participating because Areleo is not the talker at all. He would be doing physical exercises to stay fit and ready for a fight.)

Quote from ZelocktheDragon >>

(Ooc: this is very interesting, I am not participating because Areleo is not the talker at all. He would be doing physical exercises to stay fit and ready for a fight.)

 (Maybe in the tent arm wrestling with Yevelda?)

(Sure!)

He handed Tabby the map on his cartographer tools and thanked her.  Finding Yevelda was easy enough after reaching the arm-wrestling tent. The half-orc was not exactly hard to spot and surprisingly enough, considering his height, she noticed him without delay. It was enough for the halfling to take mental note of never complaining about her aloud. They needed allies, not an offend acquaintance.

“I honestly feel relieved to finally be able to tell everyone to stop calling me captain.” Emrys started with a smile and rather honestly. He was an amateur navigator at best, with no reason to be proud besides avoiding a storm once. His command was but a cover history and its title always felt underserved. “I was a merchant first and a sailor second. At this point I think the only one I won’t get along with is Bart, for obvious reasons.” He pointed to the new cape.  “But if you were so kind as to point me towards friendly faces and list the ones I should be careful about - you know, the officials and the most unfriendly, dangerous type on board – I would be really grateful.” Only then the warlock took notice of why he brought the mug. ”This is for you and, by the way, do you know what happened to our former crew?”

Yevelda glances at Areleo as the Triton enters.

"Hey, you mind taking over for me a while?" She asks the aquatic giant. "I have a feeling you're the only one 'round here who can put on a show of brawn as good as I can. And you'll probably get a good bit of coin in the process..."

Sure enough, Yevelda scoops a pile of silver coins into a sack, before getting up to follow Emrys for a chat.

(Areleo... if you want to take any arm wrestling challenges, it's a simple contested Athletics check for each challenge. There are several pirates around taking bets on these matches, any time you win someone a bet they'll toss you a silver coin for doing them a solid)

"Oh, and mighty thoughtful of you to bring a drink," Yevelda adds with a smile as she takes the ale and downs it in a single gulp before slamming the empty mug on the table. "Anyhow, most of your crewmates will give what they get from you... so treat 'em good an' you'll get the same back. As for the brothers an' the cook, I hear the cook got a job right away by popular demand and the boys made it through their test by the skin of their teeth. It's amazing how much can be accomplished by dodgin' and running."

Areleo shakes his head in confirmation of the dual.

Athletics: 

Roll #1: 26

Roll#2: 26

Roll #3: 10

Roll #4:  9

4 pirates step up to take Areleo on, each one makes an Athletics check:

Pirate 1: 7

Pirate 2: 9

Pirate 3: 12

Pirate 4: 20

Quote from Mister_Whisker >>

4 pirates step up to take Areleo on, each one makes an Athletics check:

Pirate 1: 21

Pirate 2: 11

Pirate 3: 19

Pirate 4: 8

 Pirate 3 manages to pull off a surprise victory. Each of the other pirates are soundly bested.

A number of pirates toss Areleo a silver coin after each victory.

You receive 4 silver pieces for the first victory, 7 for the second, and 5 for the third.

As her crewmates gather information, each in their own separate sphere, Sae moves fluidly between the various groups of carousing pirates.  She wears her helm and is ready to use it to read surface thoughts if she sees an opportunity where it might be useful; but most of her attention is focused making her feigned slide into drunkenness appear natural and on chatting with whatever pirates will speak with her and filing away any information gained as her griots had taught her since she was a small wood elven girl and only had the most starry eyed dreams of actually being selected to join the Taure Tavarii.

As Sae weaves her way through the groups of pirates, she seems to attract the attention of one particular individual, an orcish man whose heavily scarred face looks like it has been prematurely aged by a difficult life.

"Nice hat, little lady!" he calls out drunkenly, referring to Sae's helm. "Why doncha' come chat a while? I'll even getcha' a drink er two!"

Sayyida is getting tetchier and tetchier so chooses not to engage with anyone.

“You helped us a lot. A drink is the least I could do.” Emrys said with a kind smile, completely hiding the fact that bringing her a drink was actually Tabby’s idea. If everything goes well, I’ll find this kid the best job on the Grey Coast. “And, damn, do I get relieved knowing everyone is fine. I mean, mostly everyone. I haven’t got news about ‘Naut since they took him from the group or about Merigar.” A comment that hoped to prompt Yevelda to speak if she heard anything about the hydrozoan or the dwarf. “By the way, you may want to avoid walking on this island.” He continued taking the marked map. “Apparently it was here that Commander Richards went crazy. And speaking of the devil, he said something about we taking a good number of his men. Do you think we got in the crew just as it became too weak to keep afloat? I mean, how many ships and men are even on this side?”

Worded like that, his question about the crew’s number should be quite unremarkable. Simple worry about survival. Finding information about Hailstorm’s quarters would take some more time. He would need to observe its surrounding area to catch who does the cleaning. Whoever it was, Emrys would make sure to treat specially well.

Yevelda takes the map and looks at for a moment.

"I see," she says with a frown. "Anyhow, I think your iron giant got swept up for the Captain's personal crew after their display against Bart. Now, this is just a bit o' speculation on my part, so don't take it as gospel, but somehow I think the Captain had something in specific he wants the gooey-one to do for him. Not sure about your dwarf friend... I haven't seen him since we got here.

"Anyway, I think there are about eight or nine ships, 'round 30 to 50 men on each, but I don't know the exact numbers. The Captain keeps most of the tactical info on a need-to-know basis."

Quote from Mister_Whisker >>

As Sae weaves her way through the groups of pirates, she seems to attract the attention of one particular individual, an orcish man whose heavily scarred face looks like it has been prematurely aged by a difficult life.

"Nice hat, little lady!" he calls out drunkenly, referring to Sae's helm. "Why doncha' come chat a while? I'll even getcha' a drink er two!"

 "Not a bad torc yerself!," Sae shouts back, making a gesture around her neck so the orcish gentleman knows she refers to his necklace but 'can't think of the word for it jush now'.  "Sure. why'n hell not?  I could usea drink.  We maya got lucky and beat Bart, but he wuzzna mush of a pushover ash we made it look.  Not that we ever couldnt'a handled him or anythin' like that, but we figgered we hadda put on a good show an' do it slick."  As she speaks, she walks over to him with the carefully calculated wobble of one who thinks they're concealing thefacct that they're starting to get drunk.

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

Quote from Mister_Whisker >>

As Sae weaves her way through the groups of pirates, she seems to attract the attention of one particular individual, an orcish man whose heavily scarred face looks like it has been prematurely aged by a difficult life.

"Nice hat, little lady!" he calls out drunkenly, referring to Sae's helm. "Why doncha' come chat a while? I'll even getcha' a drink er two!"

 "Not a bad torc yerself!," Sae shouts back, making a gesture around her neck so the orcish gentleman knows she refers to his necklace but 'can't think of the word for it jush now'.  "Sure. why'n hell not?  I could usea drink.  We maya got lucky and beat Bart, but he wuzzna mush of a pushover ash we made it look.  Not that we ever couldnt'a handled him or anythin' like that, but we figgered we hadda put on a good show an' do it slick."  As she speaks, she walks over to him with the carefully calculated wobble of one who thinks they're concealing thefacct that they're starting to get drunk.

The orcish man does his best to smile invitingly, though the scars around his mouth make the look come off as almost a painful grimace. When Sae gets over to him he puts an arm over her shoulder and bellows:

"Bring a round o' drinks this way! The lady and I are gettin' thirsty!"

A scrawny pirate lad (likely a cabin boy) rushes to accommodate the half-orc, collecting two mugs from Tabby and scurrying back to hand one to each of you. The hulking pirate chugs the ale as if there's no tomorrow (and, in this line of work, there might well not be). As you sit and chat, the pirate starts to brag...

"Yes, I'm one of Hailstorm's personal crew... work with him on his very own ship. Ain't too many he would trust enough for that now days... but ol' Norwald was always a good and faithful servant to the Captain, an' the Captain knows I'm just the man he needs at his side..."