(Please ignore the railroad tracks that make up the on ramp to this adventure path)
After a long and thirsty day going about your business in Port Peril, you find yourselves in the Formidably Maid, a watering hole in the city known for strong drinks and rowdy crowds. The food is good, if a bit overly seasoned, probably to cover the cheap quality or spoiled nature of whatever kind of meat that is. The spiced rum goes down smooth with a slight burn. There is drinking and carousing late into the night.
The crowd is wide and varied, including a half-orc woman with a short sword in the place of one of her hands, a blind teifling with bells hanging on ribbons from his horns that jingle and tinkle as he dances around the floor with the confidence of a sighted man, and a dark skinned human, dressed all in black with a sneering smile that could easily be mistaken as the grimace of someone having a limb sawed off.
The night goes by without incident, although towards the end of it things have gotten hazy...you haven't drank that much of the rum have you...?
*Fade to black*
Chapter 1: Press Ganged!
You all wake up the following morning in a dark hold. Most of you have vague memories of ringing laughter, heady excess, and scents of stewed meats and perfume linger in your nostrils. By contrast, this morning you are met with a pounding headache, the sickly taste of cheap wine, and a hard wooden floor swaying softly in the way a ship does after it is beyond the breakers and out on the open sea. Hammocks sway gently above your heads.
Intelligence or Nature DC 10:
The grogginess and headache, that oily taste in your mouth. These are clear signs of Oil of Taggit poisoning. Someone must have slipped the poison into your stew or the spiced rum. The spices would have hidden the taste well enough.
As you gather yourselves and consider how to respond to the situation you find yourself in, you notice most of your personal effects have been removed while you were unconscious.
Az'el - Most of your items were taken from you, although you managed to hide your money pouch well enough that it was not found. Your 10 gold pieces are unmolested. In addition the small vial of poison you normally keep on yourself is still there, as is your playing card set. Finally, whoever turned over your pockets apparently felt that no one should be left completely defenseless, and so they hid a dagger in your belt should you need it.
Berry - they didn't leave you with much more than the clothes on your back. Your money pouch is gone. But at least your flute is still in place. As is your water pouch...so you won't die of thirst, hopefully.
Darvas - Your money belt somehow escaped notice, but unfortunately your weapons were not so fortunate. They removed your rapier and the dagger at your belt. It was fortunate that whoever searched you was not raised by your father though. Apparently they were not aware of the advice he gave you when you were a boy to always hide a spare knife in the top of your boot just in case you found yourself in situations like this. The thieves kit secreted in the pouch sown into your pants leg just above the knee also went below notice.
Latimer - You were very nearly stripped down to your skivs, both of your hammers are gone, your shield...everything. Even your holy symbol. But as you start to rise you feel something shift in your pants pocket and feeling in there you realize that your holy symbol wasn't stolen...just removed and put somewhere safe. Apparently they don't mind stealing from a servant of diety, whoever they were. But they draw the line at removing the link between that person and their god.
Kirun - They didn't find your money pouch or your dagger, but otherwise you too have been relieved of all your possessions. Even your lute. And here you thought they enjoyed music aboard ship.
Doc - Your book of formulas and inventions escaped notice, although the leather strap holding it closed has been loosed, so apparently it was at least opened. It amuses you slightly to imagine that they looked at it but couldn't make heads of tails of the complicated calculations inside and so just left it be. In addition you managed to keep your smaller hammer and your thieve's tools, but everything else is missing. You were also smart enough to secret your money in multiple places across your body before going to such a seedy tavern. As such you managed to keep ahold of a little more than half of it, 6 gp.
(OOC: You will each find on your character sheet a new container added to your inventory labeled stolen items. There are opportunities for you to reclaim some of these through the gameplay, so they are kept on your sheet for us to keep a record of what you had. But for now, you do not have access to them.)
Heavy bootfalls announce the arrival of several people into the hold, and the harsh light of a lantern painfully spears into your eyes, doing nothing but cause your headache to pound at double time. Holding the lantern is the dark clothed stranger from the Formidably Maid, his oily smile a bruise across the bottom of his face. In his other hand hangs a whip that he snaps above your heads as he screams:
"Still abed with the sun over the yardarm? On your feet, ye filthy swabs! Get up on deck and report for duty before Cap'n Harrigan flays your flesh into sausage skins and has Fishguts fry ye up for breakfast!"
6 rough looking pirates accompany him, all armed with saps.
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Berry is used to wake up on his own time and way later and way more comfortable, only the headache seems familiar to him. A new day with new adventures, he thinks to himself and smiles, a bit sickly, before taking a look around. When the ruffians arrive, a sinking feeling rises in his stomach. Or does it sink? Or rise or both at once? With the whip cracking in his ears, his body gives in and the evening before’s indulgences rush through his head and spread out on the hold’s floor. As unpleasant as this is, at least the headache got somewhat more bearable. “Report? Where?” He croaks with a bitter taste upon a realization. “You poisoned me,”he glances to his sides, “… us. You poisoned us!”He spits. “What do you want?” He asks bitterly as he can’t see his belongings… This figures, he thinks. “And robbed us!” Slowly, he gets up like a beaten dog.
Az’el slowly rises to his feet letting out a groan, he rubs his temples while looking down and closes his eyes for a moment before looking back up to the dark clothed man barking commands at the group. He would squint his eyes due to the bright lantern light, trying to get a better look at the dark figure and the other six pirates while patting himself down, realizing he is missing many of his belongings. “Who.. are you? And where are we? Captain Harrigan” Az’el would ask, rather puzzled before spitting on the ground, trying to clear the nasty taste from his mouth.
He then turns to look at Berry before glancing at the other party members “They want us to report up to the deck so they can most likely put us to work, but I do not know who they are or where we are. That is a good point though, about being robbed.. considering I no longer have my belongings. I also have the worst headache and if you all are feeling anywhere close to how I am feeling right now, then I believe the Fey in our being poisoned as well.
Kirun awakens and wonders if its some strange nightmare as he clutches his head. He slowly gets to his feet. The harsh light causes him to wince and he keeps his eyes closed. Instinctively he reaches for his lute and find it gone. It was then he wanted to strike out ate these ruffians, but he was mollified to find that he still has his hidden dagger in his belt. At least having a weapon is better than nothing. There is a strange oily film in his mouth and he does he best to spit it out. Oh what I would not give for a pint of blood.
He squints trying to get a better look at the ruffians and then he smooths out his fine clothing like a bird preening itself. "It seems I am in agreement with my newfound comrades, now its rude not to introduce your selves. Who are you and why have you abducted me from my night of revelry?"
The dark skinned bald man tries to wipe the sleep from his eyes. "Not again..." he moans.
Feeling something in his pocket, he fumbles with it for a minute, and then realizes what it is. Again, under his breath, "Well, at least there is that."
Trying to stand up, the man looks about. Shaking his head at those with questions, he simply looks for an exit to the top deck to find out what the day really has in store for him.
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Latimer Trumador Human cleric 1 : Lost Mines of Phandelver
Doc Ward hadn't had a good night sleep unaided in years, mostly because of the aches and pains that come with an aging body, sometimes he felt as old as he looked. He mostly felt the need to be able to snap out of sleep on a moments notice in the case of an emergency. So sleeping so soundly made Doc aware that he had something extra in his system, but since the sleep was deep, might as well enjoy it.
The crack of the whip however ruined that idea. Eyes opening made the realization of a pounding head and awful taste in his mouth hit him. "Huh? What? What is this?" Looking around Doc couldn't make sense of where he was. "What is the meaning of this?" he shouted. He starts to notice his things are missing. He never carried he real valuables incase of a pickpocket or mugger, but he normally carried some skeleton set of his tools incase he needed them, and now they were gone. Well he found his notes and a a few odds and ends, but not want he needed to cure this headache.
Captin Harrigan's name isn't familiar to Doc, "I'll go up on deck when I'm good and dam well ready."
The dark haired man with the whip growls as his lantern is suddenly smothered in a mist of green that appears in the glass chimney.
"Jape, Narwhal, go roust em out. Aretta, get me that flint of yers and light this back." He removes the glass chimney from his lamp. As the green mist falls away he presents it to a light skinned human that has fished a flint and steel out of her pocket and has started some sparks to get the light going again.
Meanwhile a half-orc and a dwarf push to the front of the group and advance slowly on the party menacingly with their saps at the ready. They allow Latimer to pass by without incident as he appears to be complying with orders.
[OOC: No fancy formatting this time. Posting from my phone which makes getting to the text formatting bar a challenge. Right now Jaundiced Jape and Tam "Narwhal" Tate are advancing in you guys in an intimidatimg fashion, but initiative hasn't been called for yet. You do not have to jump right to combat unless you want to. ]
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Berry blinks in disbelieve after Latimer who appears to be only slightly inconvenienced by their dilemma, or simply is more realistic in judging their situation. But his attention is quickly caught by the two aggressively advancing figures, Jape and Narwhal they were called, he mentally notes. “Keep your shirts on, friends,” Berry calls out to them, “No need to get all worked up this early. A fellow just found his head, uh, legs heavy after a long night,” he justifies himself and reaches over to pull up Doc with a stronger grip than his lean stature suggests and a quick powerful flap of his set of growing dragonfly wings, “Berry,”he murmurs and locks eyes with Doc while helping him up. Then he turns to the dreadful haired man, “Reporting for duty? Up on the deck, you said? On my way, sir!” He bows apologetically while backing down from the two pirates but moving to follow Latimer, while dodging the pirates to his best abilities. After he passed the dark haired man, perhaps already on the stairs and with his back to the other pirates, he summons a slight breeze of air that menacingly flickers the re-ignited lantern light as if a draft threatens the light to go out again.
Doc nods appreciation to Berry after helping him to his feet. He starts to straighten his clothes and brush off what little can to make himself slightly more presentable. Though this was mostly for show, Doc didn't care what he looked like, he was much more practical then that, more he was searching himself for what he did and didn't have on him. The note were a surprise, a welcome one at that to find he still possessed, despite the damaged latch. The little hammer was a surprise, they clearly wouldn't have missed that in removing his tools and kits from him. "Well you took my old tools, and my medical supplies, so which is it I was forced to be here for? Well? There were a establishment worth of patrons and you only took a hand full. So you either didn't care who you took and stupidly though an old man was a good option, or you were more selective in which case I'm here for skills I offer. So which is it?" He looks around at all his captures in turn. "Bah, you lot wouldn't know would ya? Out of my way, let's see if this captin of yours shows any more sense." Doc starts to follow Berry to get to the deck.
Kirun knows when he is outmatched "I must say your names lack flare, but I guess I will head up to the deck, perhaps then you can explain yourselves."I suppose I should feign obedience until I get a better sense of the situation I am in. I must find my lute and hope these scoundrels have not smashed it into kindling. Kirun then follows the others with a straight posture and the look of disapproving noble.
Darvas sits up as he wakes from his slumber, his hands on his head a moment as he seems to still be drunk.. after a moment he realizes its actually the boat moving with the motions of the water and he is no longer in the mainland.
As his mind pieces together some fragments of what happened and he hears those around him reply to the dark skinned man Darvas takes a moment to focus himself and look around to see whats happening. As Berry mentions being robbed Darvas quickly starts to pat himself down moving his fingers across his clothes and sighs as he finds what he is looking for but has the sense to keep his fingers moving to see what else he still has without drawing to much attention to his pockets.
Drugged he thought, he felt small at that moment, always so carefull and on top of details but bested by this ruffian. As he hears the others calm themselves and comply he nods to slightly agreeing with the idea of it being the best option at this time.
The lean triton then gets himself to his feet. It seems we have little choice in the matter.
He had heard Port Peril was rough but he did not expect to be taken like this. Darvas then moves out to follow the orders given, trying to look around as much as he can to get an idea of what he has stumbled into.
Az’el let’s out an exhausted sigh and simply shrugs his shoulders while following the others to the deck, trying his best to walk past the pirates and keep some space between them and himself. When he would get to the deck he would glance around, looking for any clues that may fill them in on what was going on, such as if the ship were recognizable from the port.
As you step out on deck you are meet with the bright morning sun of a cloudless sky. The talk of the sun already being above the yardarm was apparently hyperbole as you would guess that it has just passed 8 in the morn and there is still a nights chill in the air. Though the empty sky above you and think blanket of moist air around promises to deliver a scorcher before the day is done.
As you gaze across the port-aft side of the ship you see Port Peril disappearing below the horizon. You are already a ways out to see. Perhaps that is part of the plan, to not rouse you until it was to late for you to hope to make it back to shore by swimming before they caught up to you in a jollyboat. You would guess that you were just over 10 kilometers from shore by now (around 6.5 miles). As you take in more of your surroundings you see 4 others also apparently brought on board in a similar situation to you. Their clean and presentable clothes betray the fact that they are not regular members of the crew. Amoung their number is a human man standing apart from the rest seeming more sure of himself and his position. A royal blue scarf is tied around his head, where the hair is either not there or shorn very short (Crimson "Cog" Cogward). A human female with long red tresses flowing out of a tawny brown hat with a wide brim. A holy symbol of Besmera is promiently displayed on an amulet around her neck (Sandara Quinn). A halfling female whose bare arms display thick cords of muscle no often seen on such smaller folk. (Rosie Cusswell). And finally a gnomish male whose fopish appearance and ink-line thin mustache looks more like images you picture when told stories about swashbucklers than actual pirates you have seen in real life (Conchobhar Shortstone).
The rest of the crew is gathered around in a loose circle, some leaning against the rail or hanging in the lines and rigging.
As your eyes adjust to the light and take in the scene they naturally travel up to the two men standing on the foredeck obviously waiting for your arrival to address the crew. One is a muscular human man with dark skin, muscular and nearly as thick as a tree. His shaven head gleams in the morning sun while a gold bands glint in his long dark beard. His one eye scans the assembled crew. This is clearly the captain.
The other man is also human, but cuts a very different figure, a younger balding man with a ponytail. He wears a long coat to ward against ocean spray and grips a well worn cat-o-nine-tails.
The taller man addresses the assembled crowd. “Glad you could join us at last! Welcome to the Wormwood! My thanks for ‘volunteering’ to join my crew. I’m Barnabas Harrigan. That’s Captain Barnabas Harrigan to you, not that you’ll ever need to address me. I have only one rule—don’t speak to me. I like talk, but I don’t like your talk. Follow that rule and we’ll all get along fine.
“Oh, and one more thing. Even with you new recruits, we’re still short-handed, and I aim to keep what crew I have. There’ll be a keelhaulin’ for anyone caught killin’ anyone. Mr. Plugg! If you’d be so kind as to make pirates out of these landlubbers, it’ll save me having to put them in the sweatbox for a year and a day before I make pies out of ’em.”
Without waiting to see if anyone has anything to say, or more likely assuming that everyone has the good sense after that speech to not say anything, Harrigan departs the foredeck unceremoniously leaving "Mr. Plugg" at the head. He hops over the railing of the foredeck and falls nimbly infront of the gathered crew. "Alright, plenty to be done and you lot know yer assignments. Get to it before the cat has to persuade ye!"
The assembled crew departs, including the other four new hands...leaving you 6 with Plugg. The man from earlier with the dark smile and the whip stands nearby.
"I am Mr. Plugg, first mate of the Wormwood and your commanding officer. If you need something you come to Master at Arms Scourge,"he nods down the the unpleasant man in black that came to rouse you from your drugged slumber, "or myself. If you bother the Captain...If you look at the Captain...I will put you to the Cat until your back is minced meat."
"Now, to business. We have multiple roles aboard ship to fill...so I have devised some tests to determine who will fill which best. First off..." He pauses for a moment, letting an appraising eye scan across the entire group of you. It stops on Doc. "Old man...I doubt you will be any good climbing rigging or hauling rope. And you've seen enough years, you have to have learned something about cooking to survive this long. So you are the cook's mate now. Report to Fishguts when we dismiss here. You'll do what he says and fill in when he is...unable. I hope you came make something more passable than the rot he has been preparing for the past few weeks."
"For the rest of you, you'll either be riggers or swabs. Riggers report directly to me...Swabs to me by way of Scourge. To determine which is which all 5 of you will climb to the crow. First two there will have the honor of being my riggers."
He watches you all expectantly. "That's not a request...it's an order. Go!"
He points to the crows nest some 60' above the deck.
(OOC: It's a race to the top. The Crow's nest is a 60' climb, each round you can make it half your movement speed up with an acrobatics or athletics check of DC 10. If you fail by 4 or less then you make no progress that round. If you fail by 5 or more then you fall from your current perch, taking 1d6 falling damage per 10 feet fallen, round down, minimum 1d6. (Fall 0-15' 1d6, Fall 20 - 25' 2d6, so on and so forth) If you fall you can make a dexterity saving throw DC 10 to try to catch yourself in the riggings before you hit the ground, on a success you only lose 10' of progress. If you choose to take the dash action you can climb another half your movement speed, but the haste increases the DC to 15.
Please make all appropriate rolls and stop when you fall and are unconscious or when you reach the top. Plugg also stops you if you fall 3 times and are not yet unconscious. If you reach the top include how many rounds it took you. During the trial if your character decides to stop we can RP that out as well.)
Kirun looks to the crows nest and then nonchalantly climbs to the crows nest. Kirun does not bother rushing either and takes 2 rounds. Then he climbs back down "So Mr. Plugg I have done your test now. I want you to know I am a trained musician and I ask for the return of my lute. With my songs I can stave off the boredom the crew must be experiencing. So please return my lute. I am sure its of no use to you"
Kirun used his natural Spider climb ability natural to all Dhampirs. He has a climbing speed equal to his walking speed.
Persuasion Check to convince Mr. Plugg to to return his lute.
Berry hesitates looking up to the crows nest to judge the distance, That's like a really tall tree but it should be easy enough, he thinks and suddenly notices that one of his mates is already halfway up. He jumps into action and races after him (Athletics DC 10 and 15: 24 and 19, each times 15 feet), though half the way up he realises that the other climbed already to the top. Left with no chance to beat Kirun at this point, Berry climbs more safely the second half of the mast (two Athletics DC 10 for 15 feet each: 16 and 14) and arrives at the top after 4 rounds, or actual three rounds but having dallied the first. After he was clearly recognised for reaching the top, he jumps off the Crow's nest head first and dives towards the deck. His wings flap rapidly during his dive and, even though he clearly isn't airborne, they help him to slow the fall in just the right time to land safely on deck only moments after Kirun had climbed back down.
Listening to the captain he takes a bit of offense to the term landlubbers. Darvas didnt think it was wise to speak out to the captain so tries to asses the ranking members of this crew.
It seems this Scourge was the master of arms, yet he managed to drug Darvas. It seemed like he wanted to be under his charge for now, he wasnt sure if he was going to take revenge or try and learn from this man. He just knew he didnt want to stand out to much right away.
He starts his ascend slowly, trying to get a sense of his footing again after his slumber. Doing just enough to get up. As he gets a bit higher he instinctively leaps a bit to gain a momentum making good speed up the mast but realizes he might be doing to well.
To counter himself he tries to slow down but is not in full control of his movement yet and misses a grab, luckily he manages to hand on with his other hand to just stay in place. Looking down to see what the others are doing a moment. Seeing Kirun walk up by some kind of strange unnatural magic holding him to the mast without any effort. Making a mental note of it
A bit more carefull he then finishes his journey to the top, only doing enough effort to gracefully climb up without speeding to much.
Only doing regular movements to get into Scourge's group
First check: Acrobatics 10 to get to 15ft Second check: Acrobatics 23 to get to 30ft Third check: Acrobatics 7 to stay at 30ft Fourth check: Acrobatics 13to get to 45ft Fifth check: Acrobatics 10 to get to 60ft
The Dark Elf would squint, looking up at the crows nest and a faint smirk would be offered upon his face. He would then simply start slow with his climb to the top of the nest before dashing the rest of the way with great speed. (Acrobatics rolls vs DC 10/15 :12, 19, 21, 19)
Once at the top he would shout down toward the party, Mr. Plugg and Scourge. “Oh how I do enjoy a challenge!” before climbing back down to stand with them all once more. “Well, I was looking for a crew anyway, so I guess it all worked out.. though the poison and taking my things was a bit unnecessary.”
He would shrug before resting his hands at his sides with a chuckle, Az’el would also offer a nod of respect to Berry, Kirun and Darvas. “Something tells me you will be a better cook than who they currently have.” as he nods to Doc as well.
Prologue: A Night on the Town
(Please ignore the railroad tracks that make up the on ramp to this adventure path)
After a long and thirsty day going about your business in Port Peril, you find yourselves in the Formidably Maid, a watering hole in the city known for strong drinks and rowdy crowds. The food is good, if a bit overly seasoned, probably to cover the cheap quality or spoiled nature of whatever kind of meat that is. The spiced rum goes down smooth with a slight burn. There is drinking and carousing late into the night.
The crowd is wide and varied, including a half-orc woman with a short sword in the place of one of her hands, a blind teifling with bells hanging on ribbons from his horns that jingle and tinkle as he dances around the floor with the confidence of a sighted man, and a dark skinned human, dressed all in black with a sneering smile that could easily be mistaken as the grimace of someone having a limb sawed off.
The night goes by without incident, although towards the end of it things have gotten hazy...you haven't drank that much of the rum have you...?
*Fade to black*
Chapter 1: Press Ganged!
You all wake up the following morning in a dark hold. Most of you have vague memories of ringing laughter, heady excess, and scents of stewed meats and perfume linger in your nostrils. By contrast, this morning you are met with a pounding headache, the sickly taste of cheap wine, and a hard wooden floor swaying softly in the way a ship does after it is beyond the breakers and out on the open sea. Hammocks sway gently above your heads.
Intelligence or Nature DC 10:
The grogginess and headache, that oily taste in your mouth. These are clear signs of Oil of Taggit poisoning. Someone must have slipped the poison into your stew or the spiced rum. The spices would have hidden the taste well enough.
As you gather yourselves and consider how to respond to the situation you find yourself in, you notice most of your personal effects have been removed while you were unconscious.
Az'el - Most of your items were taken from you, although you managed to hide your money pouch well enough that it was not found. Your 10 gold pieces are unmolested. In addition the small vial of poison you normally keep on yourself is still there, as is your playing card set. Finally, whoever turned over your pockets apparently felt that no one should be left completely defenseless, and so they hid a dagger in your belt should you need it.
Berry - they didn't leave you with much more than the clothes on your back. Your money pouch is gone. But at least your flute is still in place. As is your water pouch...so you won't die of thirst, hopefully.
Darvas - Your money belt somehow escaped notice, but unfortunately your weapons were not so fortunate. They removed your rapier and the dagger at your belt. It was fortunate that whoever searched you was not raised by your father though. Apparently they were not aware of the advice he gave you when you were a boy to always hide a spare knife in the top of your boot just in case you found yourself in situations like this. The thieves kit secreted in the pouch sown into your pants leg just above the knee also went below notice.
Latimer - You were very nearly stripped down to your skivs, both of your hammers are gone, your shield...everything. Even your holy symbol. But as you start to rise you feel something shift in your pants pocket and feeling in there you realize that your holy symbol wasn't stolen...just removed and put somewhere safe. Apparently they don't mind stealing from a servant of diety, whoever they were. But they draw the line at removing the link between that person and their god.
Kirun - They didn't find your money pouch or your dagger, but otherwise you too have been relieved of all your possessions. Even your lute. And here you thought they enjoyed music aboard ship.
Doc - Your book of formulas and inventions escaped notice, although the leather strap holding it closed has been loosed, so apparently it was at least opened. It amuses you slightly to imagine that they looked at it but couldn't make heads of tails of the complicated calculations inside and so just left it be. In addition you managed to keep your smaller hammer and your thieve's tools, but everything else is missing. You were also smart enough to secret your money in multiple places across your body before going to such a seedy tavern. As such you managed to keep ahold of a little more than half of it, 6 gp.
(OOC: You will each find on your character sheet a new container added to your inventory labeled stolen items. There are opportunities for you to reclaim some of these through the gameplay, so they are kept on your sheet for us to keep a record of what you had. But for now, you do not have access to them.)
Heavy bootfalls announce the arrival of several people into the hold, and the harsh light of a lantern painfully spears into your eyes, doing nothing but cause your headache to pound at double time. Holding the lantern is the dark clothed stranger from the Formidably Maid, his oily smile a bruise across the bottom of his face. In his other hand hangs a whip that he snaps above your heads as he screams:
"Still abed with the sun over the yardarm? On your feet, ye filthy swabs! Get up on deck and report for duty before Cap'n Harrigan flays your flesh into sausage skins and has Fishguts fry ye up for breakfast!"
6 rough looking pirates accompany him, all armed with saps.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Berry is used to wake up on his own time and way later and way more comfortable, only the headache seems familiar to him. A new day with new adventures, he thinks to himself and smiles, a bit sickly, before taking a look around. When the ruffians arrive, a sinking feeling rises in his stomach. Or does it sink? Or rise or both at once? With the whip cracking in his ears, his body gives in and the evening before’s indulgences rush through his head and spread out on the hold’s floor. As unpleasant as this is, at least the headache got somewhat more bearable. “Report? Where?” He croaks with a bitter taste upon a realization. “You poisoned me,” he glances to his sides, “… us. You poisoned us!” He spits. “What do you want?” He asks bitterly as he can’t see his belongings… This figures, he thinks. “And robbed us!” Slowly, he gets up like a beaten dog.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Az’el slowly rises to his feet letting out a groan, he rubs his temples while looking down and closes his eyes for a moment before looking back up to the dark clothed man barking commands at the group. He would squint his eyes due to the bright lantern light, trying to get a better look at the dark figure and the other six pirates while patting himself down, realizing he is missing many of his belongings. “Who.. are you? And where are we? Captain Harrigan” Az’el would ask, rather puzzled before spitting on the ground, trying to clear the nasty taste from his mouth.
He then turns to look at Berry before glancing at the other party members “They want us to report up to the deck so they can most likely put us to work, but I do not know who they are or where we are. That is a good point though, about being robbed.. considering I no longer have my belongings. I also have the worst headache and if you all are feeling anywhere close to how I am feeling right now, then I believe the Fey in our being poisoned as well.
Waiting for a moment when no one of the arrivals look at him, Berry snaps his fingers and snuffs out that annoying lantern light with druidcraft.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Kirun awakens and wonders if its some strange nightmare as he clutches his head. He slowly gets to his feet. The harsh light causes him to wince and he keeps his eyes closed. Instinctively he reaches for his lute and find it gone. It was then he wanted to strike out ate these ruffians, but he was mollified to find that he still has his hidden dagger in his belt. At least having a weapon is better than nothing. There is a strange oily film in his mouth and he does he best to spit it out. Oh what I would not give for a pint of blood.
He squints trying to get a better look at the ruffians and then he smooths out his fine clothing like a bird preening itself. "It seems I am in agreement with my newfound comrades, now its rude not to introduce your selves. Who are you and why have you abducted me from my night of revelry?"
The dark skinned bald man tries to wipe the sleep from his eyes. "Not again..." he moans.
Feeling something in his pocket, he fumbles with it for a minute, and then realizes what it is. Again, under his breath, "Well, at least there is that."
Trying to stand up, the man looks about. Shaking his head at those with questions, he simply looks for an exit to the top deck to find out what the day really has in store for him.
Latimer Trumador Human cleric 1 : Lost Mines of Phandelver
Doc Ward hadn't had a good night sleep unaided in years, mostly because of the aches and pains that come with an aging body, sometimes he felt as old as he looked. He mostly felt the need to be able to snap out of sleep on a moments notice in the case of an emergency. So sleeping so soundly made Doc aware that he had something extra in his system, but since the sleep was deep, might as well enjoy it.
The crack of the whip however ruined that idea. Eyes opening made the realization of a pounding head and awful taste in his mouth hit him. "Huh? What? What is this?" Looking around Doc couldn't make sense of where he was. "What is the meaning of this?" he shouted. He starts to notice his things are missing. He never carried he real valuables incase of a pickpocket or mugger, but he normally carried some skeleton set of his tools incase he needed them, and now they were gone. Well he found his notes and a a few odds and ends, but not want he needed to cure this headache.
Captin Harrigan's name isn't familiar to Doc, "I'll go up on deck when I'm good and dam well ready."
He looks at Latimer, "help me up would ya?"
He raises his hand out for assistance.
The dark haired man with the whip growls as his lantern is suddenly smothered in a mist of green that appears in the glass chimney.
"Jape, Narwhal, go roust em out. Aretta, get me that flint of yers and light this back." He removes the glass chimney from his lamp. As the green mist falls away he presents it to a light skinned human that has fished a flint and steel out of her pocket and has started some sparks to get the light going again.
Meanwhile a half-orc and a dwarf push to the front of the group and advance slowly on the party menacingly with their saps at the ready. They allow Latimer to pass by without incident as he appears to be complying with orders.
[OOC: No fancy formatting this time. Posting from my phone which makes getting to the text formatting bar a challenge. Right now Jaundiced Jape and Tam "Narwhal" Tate are advancing in you guys in an intimidatimg fashion, but initiative hasn't been called for yet. You do not have to jump right to combat unless you want to. ]
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Berry blinks in disbelieve after Latimer who appears to be only slightly inconvenienced by their dilemma, or simply is more realistic in judging their situation. But his attention is quickly caught by the two aggressively advancing figures, Jape and Narwhal they were called, he mentally notes. “Keep your shirts on, friends,” Berry calls out to them, “No need to get all worked up this early. A fellow just found his head, uh, legs heavy after a long night,” he justifies himself and reaches over to pull up Doc with a stronger grip than his lean stature suggests and a quick powerful flap of his set of growing dragonfly wings, “Berry,” he murmurs and locks eyes with Doc while helping him up. Then he turns to the dreadful haired man, “Reporting for duty? Up on the deck, you said? On my way, sir!” He bows apologetically while backing down from the two pirates but moving to follow Latimer, while dodging the pirates to his best abilities. After he passed the dark haired man, perhaps already on the stairs and with his back to the other pirates, he summons a slight breeze of air that menacingly flickers the re-ignited lantern light as if a draft threatens the light to go out again.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Doc nods appreciation to Berry after helping him to his feet. He starts to straighten his clothes and brush off what little can to make himself slightly more presentable. Though this was mostly for show, Doc didn't care what he looked like, he was much more practical then that, more he was searching himself for what he did and didn't have on him. The note were a surprise, a welcome one at that to find he still possessed, despite the damaged latch. The little hammer was a surprise, they clearly wouldn't have missed that in removing his tools and kits from him. "Well you took my old tools, and my medical supplies, so which is it I was forced to be here for? Well? There were a establishment worth of patrons and you only took a hand full. So you either didn't care who you took and stupidly though an old man was a good option, or you were more selective in which case I'm here for skills I offer. So which is it?" He looks around at all his captures in turn. "Bah, you lot wouldn't know would ya? Out of my way, let's see if this captin of yours shows any more sense." Doc starts to follow Berry to get to the deck.
Kirun knows when he is outmatched "I must say your names lack flare, but I guess I will head up to the deck, perhaps then you can explain yourselves." I suppose I should feign obedience until I get a better sense of the situation I am in. I must find my lute and hope these scoundrels have not smashed it into kindling. Kirun then follows the others with a straight posture and the look of disapproving noble.
Darvas sits up as he wakes from his slumber, his hands on his head a moment as he seems to still be drunk.. after a moment he realizes its actually the boat moving with the motions of the water and he is no longer in the mainland.
As his mind pieces together some fragments of what happened and he hears those around him reply to the dark skinned man Darvas takes a moment to focus himself and look around to see whats happening. As Berry mentions being robbed Darvas quickly starts to pat himself down moving his fingers across his clothes and sighs as he finds what he is looking for but has the sense to keep his fingers moving to see what else he still has without drawing to much attention to his pockets.
Drugged he thought, he felt small at that moment, always so carefull and on top of details but bested by this ruffian. As he hears the others calm themselves and comply he nods to slightly agreeing with the idea of it being the best option at this time.
The lean triton then gets himself to his feet. It seems we have little choice in the matter.
He had heard Port Peril was rough but he did not expect to be taken like this. Darvas then moves out to follow the orders given, trying to look around as much as he can to get an idea of what he has stumbled into.
Once out of the hold, Latimer tries to get his eyes to adjust and look around to get a better understanding of their predicament.
Latimer Trumador Human cleric 1 : Lost Mines of Phandelver
Az’el let’s out an exhausted sigh and simply shrugs his shoulders while following the others to the deck, trying his best to walk past the pirates and keep some space between them and himself. When he would get to the deck he would glance around, looking for any clues that may fill them in on what was going on, such as if the ship were recognizable from the port.
As you step out on deck you are meet with the bright morning sun of a cloudless sky. The talk of the sun already being above the yardarm was apparently hyperbole as you would guess that it has just passed 8 in the morn and there is still a nights chill in the air. Though the empty sky above you and think blanket of moist air around promises to deliver a scorcher before the day is done.
As you gaze across the port-aft side of the ship you see Port Peril disappearing below the horizon. You are already a ways out to see. Perhaps that is part of the plan, to not rouse you until it was to late for you to hope to make it back to shore by swimming before they caught up to you in a jollyboat. You would guess that you were just over 10 kilometers from shore by now (around 6.5 miles). As you take in more of your surroundings you see 4 others also apparently brought on board in a similar situation to you. Their clean and presentable clothes betray the fact that they are not regular members of the crew. Amoung their number is a human man standing apart from the rest seeming more sure of himself and his position. A royal blue scarf is tied around his head, where the hair is either not there or shorn very short (Crimson "Cog" Cogward). A human female with long red tresses flowing out of a tawny brown hat with a wide brim. A holy symbol of Besmera is promiently displayed on an amulet around her neck (Sandara Quinn). A halfling female whose bare arms display thick cords of muscle no often seen on such smaller folk. (Rosie Cusswell). And finally a gnomish male whose fopish appearance and ink-line thin mustache looks more like images you picture when told stories about swashbucklers than actual pirates you have seen in real life (Conchobhar Shortstone).
The rest of the crew is gathered around in a loose circle, some leaning against the rail or hanging in the lines and rigging.
As your eyes adjust to the light and take in the scene they naturally travel up to the two men standing on the foredeck obviously waiting for your arrival to address the crew. One is a muscular human man with dark skin, muscular and nearly as thick as a tree. His shaven head gleams in the morning sun while a gold bands glint in his long dark beard. His one eye scans the assembled crew. This is clearly the captain.
The other man is also human, but cuts a very different figure, a younger balding man with a ponytail. He wears a long coat to ward against ocean spray and grips a well worn cat-o-nine-tails.
The taller man addresses the assembled crowd. “Glad you could join us at last! Welcome to the Wormwood! My thanks for ‘volunteering’ to join my crew. I’m Barnabas Harrigan. That’s Captain Barnabas Harrigan to you, not that you’ll ever need to address me. I have only one rule—don’t speak to me. I like talk, but I don’t like your talk. Follow that rule and we’ll all get along fine.
“Oh, and one more thing. Even with you new recruits, we’re still short-handed, and I aim to keep what crew I have. There’ll be a keelhaulin’ for anyone caught killin’ anyone. Mr. Plugg! If you’d be so kind as to make pirates out of these landlubbers, it’ll save me having to put them in the sweatbox for a year and a day before I make pies out of ’em.”
Without waiting to see if anyone has anything to say, or more likely assuming that everyone has the good sense after that speech to not say anything, Harrigan departs the foredeck unceremoniously leaving "Mr. Plugg" at the head. He hops over the railing of the foredeck and falls nimbly infront of the gathered crew. "Alright, plenty to be done and you lot know yer assignments. Get to it before the cat has to persuade ye!"
The assembled crew departs, including the other four new hands...leaving you 6 with Plugg. The man from earlier with the dark smile and the whip stands nearby.
"I am Mr. Plugg, first mate of the Wormwood and your commanding officer. If you need something you come to Master at Arms Scourge," he nods down the the unpleasant man in black that came to rouse you from your drugged slumber, "or myself. If you bother the Captain...If you look at the Captain...I will put you to the Cat until your back is minced meat."
"Now, to business. We have multiple roles aboard ship to fill...so I have devised some tests to determine who will fill which best. First off..." He pauses for a moment, letting an appraising eye scan across the entire group of you. It stops on Doc. "Old man...I doubt you will be any good climbing rigging or hauling rope. And you've seen enough years, you have to have learned something about cooking to survive this long. So you are the cook's mate now. Report to Fishguts when we dismiss here. You'll do what he says and fill in when he is...unable. I hope you came make something more passable than the rot he has been preparing for the past few weeks."
"For the rest of you, you'll either be riggers or swabs. Riggers report directly to me...Swabs to me by way of Scourge. To determine which is which all 5 of you will climb to the crow. First two there will have the honor of being my riggers."
He watches you all expectantly. "That's not a request...it's an order. Go!"
He points to the crows nest some 60' above the deck.
(OOC: It's a race to the top. The Crow's nest is a 60' climb, each round you can make it half your movement speed up with an acrobatics or athletics check of DC 10. If you fail by 4 or less then you make no progress that round. If you fail by 5 or more then you fall from your current perch, taking 1d6 falling damage per 10 feet fallen, round down, minimum 1d6. (Fall 0-15' 1d6, Fall 20 - 25' 2d6, so on and so forth) If you fall you can make a dexterity saving throw DC 10 to try to catch yourself in the riggings before you hit the ground, on a success you only lose 10' of progress. If you choose to take the dash action you can climb another half your movement speed, but the haste increases the DC to 15.
Please make all appropriate rolls and stop when you fall and are unconscious or when you reach the top. Plugg also stops you if you fall 3 times and are not yet unconscious. If you reach the top include how many rounds it took you. During the trial if your character decides to stop we can RP that out as well.)
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Kirun looks to the crows nest and then nonchalantly climbs to the crows nest. Kirun does not bother rushing either and takes 2 rounds. Then he climbs back down "So Mr. Plugg I have done your test now. I want you to know I am a trained musician and I ask for the return of my lute. With my songs I can stave off the boredom the crew must be experiencing. So please return my lute. I am sure its of no use to you"
Kirun used his natural Spider climb ability natural to all Dhampirs. He has a climbing speed equal to his walking speed.
Persuasion Check to convince Mr. Plugg to to return his lute.
25 rolled in game log
Here is Kirun's appearance and he is 36
Berry hesitates looking up to the crows nest to judge the distance, That's like a really tall tree but it should be easy enough, he thinks and suddenly notices that one of his mates is already halfway up. He jumps into action and races after him (Athletics DC 10 and 15: 24 and 19, each times 15 feet), though half the way up he realises that the other climbed already to the top. Left with no chance to beat Kirun at this point, Berry climbs more safely the second half of the mast (two Athletics DC 10 for 15 feet each: 16 and 14) and arrives at the top after 4 rounds, or actual three rounds but having dallied the first. After he was clearly recognised for reaching the top, he jumps off the Crow's nest head first and dives towards the deck. His wings flap rapidly during his dive and, even though he clearly isn't airborne, they help him to slow the fall in just the right time to land safely on deck only moments after Kirun had climbed back down.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Listening to the captain he takes a bit of offense to the term landlubbers. Darvas didnt think it was wise to speak out to the captain so tries to asses the ranking members of this crew.
It seems this Scourge was the master of arms, yet he managed to drug Darvas. It seemed like he wanted to be under his charge for now, he wasnt sure if he was going to take revenge or try and learn from this man. He just knew he didnt want to stand out to much right away.
He starts his ascend slowly, trying to get a sense of his footing again after his slumber. Doing just enough to get up. As he gets a bit higher he instinctively leaps a bit to gain a momentum making good speed up the mast but realizes he might be doing to well.
To counter himself he tries to slow down but is not in full control of his movement yet and misses a grab, luckily he manages to hand on with his other hand to just stay in place. Looking down to see what the others are doing a moment. Seeing Kirun walk up by some kind of strange unnatural magic holding him to the mast without any effort. Making a mental note of it
A bit more carefull he then finishes his journey to the top, only doing enough effort to gracefully climb up without speeding to much.
The Dark Elf would squint, looking up at the crows nest and a faint smirk would be offered upon his face. He would then simply start slow with his climb to the top of the nest before dashing the rest of the way with great speed.
(Acrobatics rolls vs DC 10/15 :12, 19, 21, 19)
Once at the top he would shout down toward the party, Mr. Plugg and Scourge. “Oh how I do enjoy a challenge!” before climbing back down to stand with them all once more. “Well, I was looking for a crew anyway, so I guess it all worked out.. though the poison and taking my things was a bit unnecessary.”
He would shrug before resting his hands at his sides with a chuckle, Az’el would also offer a nod of respect to Berry, Kirun and Darvas. “Something tells me you will be a better cook than who they currently have.” as he nods to Doc as well.