Claire thinks the stash is either going to be locked away in the back of the hold - you know there is a door with a padlock on it at the back of area 26 - or perhaps the crew/guard quarters.  The crew appear to live in the aft- or mid-sections of the lower deck from what you have seen so far.   That's still quite a few doors to check.

Vaclav tries to remember back to what he read about the Guild in his books.

History: 23

History 13.

Vaclav agrees with Claire about the likely locations where equipment would be stashed.  However he recalls reading a small passage in an old tome a few years ago which was titled "Best Practices for Captains of the Inner Sea" and was considered compulsory reading in the Guild a good score or so years ago.  That book certainly suggested that valuable items were best kept in the "high security storage hold, next to the brig on the lowest level of the ship."  

Being trained as he was, Nos Heliwr might know something about gear lockers, etc. on ships, but he would certainly know something about human nature.

INT   5

OCC Generally speaking the captain of a ship would not need to stoop to selling a slaves property, their sources of income would be far more rewarding than the paltry sums the sale of such stuff would garner.  On the other hand, letting the Bos'un (Boatswain mate)  handle that and portioning it around to the crew would prove an incentive for them to go along with slaving, not to mention giving the Bos'un a means of controlling the rest of the crew - 'Do wha' Oy sez or ye ain't gittin' no gold' (silver, copper, whatever).  That said, the likelihood that our gear would remain aboard for any great length of time would be vanishingly small, it is evidence of a crime after all; thus one could conclude that we all arrived onboard more or less at the same time and that the ship hasn't reach a port where the selling of such stuff is practical or profitable; might be where we're headed is a good place.

As the coalescence of the party begins to gel, Nos Heliwr will convey his thought in a manner that minimizes the risk of retribution from grumpy miscreants of whatever stripe.

OCC Most galleys, at least those of the ancient World, would hug the coasts (galleys were not really seaworthy when it came to deep water storms - even modern ships have trouble, I know, been there, done that) and at night they would anchor in a shelter cove, river estuary or some other lee shore.  That might be a opportune moment for our intrepid heroes.  Just some random spark flashing off in my brain.

Vaclav looks over at the newcomer, answering in a similar accent. "Ah, you must be the newcomer. We're slaves on this ship, cheap rowing picked up on the side. You'll learn quite quick how things work." 

"To row this boat gently down the stream," Claire snaps at Ralfi, before sighing.  "I'm sorry.  This situation has me more than just a little bit tense.  I didn't mean to take it out on you, since we're literally in the same boat."  Turning back to the others, she spreads her hands slightly. "So what is our plan?  We have to get out of these shackles to search the rooms on these ships to begin with.  And some of them might be locked.  I don't suppose anyone has any skill at picking those?  Or barring that, freezing the locks with some of that magic?  I'm sure we could somehow manage to salvage a bit of water if we tried - then we could attempt to break out of our manacles."

Disconsolately, Claire pulls at her manacles again, testing their strength without much real hope of a change.
(Strength check: 16)

Sadly Claire has no luck breaking the chains on her wrists.  Though she does think persistent efforts might succeed. However those who have been here a while know the guards periodically check for such damage to the manacles. 

OCC When are the guards and/or our friendly sadist around? In other words have we (anyone of us) discerned when might be a good time time do suspicious (from the scum running the ship's point of view) scheming, i.e. working on plots, plans and permutations there of and, perhaps, picking locks?

Vaclav gives Claire a bit of a pained look when she tries to break the chains. "Just a bit more time, wait until port. In the mean time if anyone could get a good look at the guards keys to these chains then I might have an easy way out. If not then we might need a harder plan."

Salazar

Pink's tough.   Gave the chains more strain than I probably could.  She'll be good to keep around.  Nimble fingers and the magician may be useful too.  New guy's awake.  Poor sap just got here.  Well, if he gets involved with us, he may not be a captive long.  Dead or alive.

"So.  I may be able to bust through some chains.  But it won't be quiet.  I can also help... uhh, limit the guards' effectiveness, but I'm not doing anything until I find out that I won't die immediately after.  I think we should wait until we're in port to actually try anything...  though I would like to prevent this chafing from getting any deeper.  These folks keep mine far tighter than they need to be."

Over the few (many?) days you have been on board the ship you have begun to discern a bit of a pattern.  It appears you are not needed as rowers all that often, perhaps only when there is a need for delicate maneuvers, or when the winds drop and the ship needs more speed.  Those are the only times you are called up to the oar deck.  The rest of the time you are manacled down here in the hold.   

Meal times are seemingly a bit random and only once or twice per day.  You're fed gruel and slop that looks grey and watery, with bits of unidentified things floating around.  You would probably rather not know what was inside it.

Night times are nearly always quiet.  The ship does indeed appear to usually drop anchor in the evenings, probably in some sheltered cove or similar, and as yet you have not landed in any ports for a few days.  You're probably due in one in the coming days to restock.

"I might be able to," Claire says with a look of distaste.  "I have the feeling they didn't kidnap me because I looked like I could swing an oar around.  If I feign feeling unwell, I'm sure some of these bastards will jump at the chance to take a closer look.  I might be able to spot a key on them that way… although I can guarantee you I won't enjoy it," she says with a wince.

Over the next few days, Claire takes the time to observe the guards.  She singles out the ones that seem more lecherous than most, who eye her head full of pink hair with more than casual interest, and makes sure to "injure her ankle" while shuffling along while one of said guards is on chain duty.  Should a guard be so eager to "examine" said "injury," she takes that opportunity to scan the guard for where he might be keeping his keys.

Deception if a guard falls for it: 9
If a guard does fall for it, Perception for keys: 21.  If Investigation, add 1 to the roll.

Nos Heliwr looks at his budding cabal, “As I canna swim the briny deeps very well, I would be suggesting we make our move when that move could reasonably see us off this tub.”

“Given an opportunity I’ve a good chance t’ work the locks on ‘r chains; only need time when the guards are not around.”

One of the guards has indeed taken a bit of a shine to Claire, she believes.  So when he's down in the hold dishing out gruel later than day, she takes her chance and tries to feign an injury.

Guard's Insight (+0): 1.

Claire appeared to have picked a good target as this one is seemingly besotted with her.  His keys are jangling away in front of him within reasonable and easy reach. 

What do you do?

Salazar

Seeing that Claire has him utterly distracted, Salazar reaches for the keys, attempting to snag them, hide them under his clothes, and then pin them against his body so they don't make noise.

Sleight of Hand: 7

Claire grabs the guard by the arm suddenly, chains rattling.  This is not so much to attempt to grapple him, as to distract him as Salazar tries to make a move.  "I don't know what would have happened to me here without someone like you to look out for me," she says plaintively to the guard.  "This whole experience has been so... so cruel," she continues, purposefully using her strength to try and hold the guard in place under the guise of a prisoner's desperation.  "You're the first kind face I've seen since I've been captured.  Please tell me, what's to become of me?  What ever will I do?"

(do you need a strength or grapple roll?  LOL.)