apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524 
|
Post by apn on Oct 19, 2022 9:23:07 GMT -5
Akki the jagged glanced about. Aside from the old looking human fellow clutching a - what looked like - tinkers satchel of tools and whatnot, the rest of the crew appeared, for want of a better word, Piratical.
An Ogre lumbered across the deck, sneering at the 'fresh meat'. The newcomers had been assigned quarters in the hold and hadn't been told much. Signed on to protect the Sonan Ie Trade Delegation by Rathmere the Ridiculous in the port town of Jepistra, the lure of coin and need to seek adventure seemed less appealing now. Though the adventurers held no ambition to be Peasant Road Sweepers that profession seemed the safer bet at this very moment. They were indeed about to experience...  "TRIM THAT SAIL JORKENS!" roared the brutish first mate Ugrahh, who appeared to be a scarred, wart encrusted pale green skinned Half Troll. He'd smiled a snarling fang toothed grin when the Delvers had tramped on board the ship. Hired at short notice by Rathmeres' aide after the once Pirate had been struck down, the 'Scurvy Wastrel' hadn't seemed too promising but the need was high and time was short. A deal was struck with the Captain - a man named Gabbins - who was somewhat at odds with the scurvy dogs that served as crew with fine clothes and kept up appearance.  He was no gentleman though. He'd smiled, dripping with insincerity then sneered, flicking a head to Ugrahh to get them out of his sight and the ship had made ready to sail. Now in the hold - their quarters for the time being - and with the CLACK of a bolt sliding across the door to lock them in, the two Delvers wondered what they'd let themselves in for... and how long they might last. OOC You (Udhaav/mosker and Akki/gringnr ) are in the hold of the Scurvy Wastrel, a battered, well used three mast ship built for fighting and not much else. All around are boxes, crates, barrels and bundles of supplies tightly bound with twine with a small scrawled note on each in barely legible scrawl. You'd been told to "Get down there an' make a note o what we got" with a wax tablet, quill and rough shove down the stairs by the brutish First Mate Ugrahh. "Nick owt an' yer overboard as soon as we lose sight o land." had been the threat.
Aside from the rats that scurry about, you are alone apart from each other as you slosh through the shallow water in the hull (and needing to duck the low (for Akki) beams and ropes).
|
|
mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 300
|
Post by mosker on Oct 19, 2022 16:45:15 GMT -5
Udhaav
"Well," I mutter, "where do we start?"
ACTIONS
1. Casts Detect magic and does a sweep of room. If anything shows up, start the inventory there. If not, pick the crate that looks the oldest.
2. Motion to Akki to see if he can hear anyone by the door, or heading away from it or...
OOC: Is this the proper way to handle things in terms of dialogue, etc.? It seems fairly consistent with I read. More importantly, do Akki and I know each other well? Or not even enough for him to understand what I was signalling.
|
|
|
|
Post by gringnr on Oct 19, 2022 19:16:29 GMT -5
Udhaav "Well," I mutter, "where do we start?" ACTIONS 1. Casts Detect magic and does a sweep of room. If anything shows up, start the inventory there. If not, pick the crate that looks the oldest. 2. Motion to Akki to see if he can hear anyone by the door, or heading away from it or... OOC: Is this the proper way to handle things in terms of dialogue, etc.? It seems fairly consistent with I read. More importantly, do Akki and I know each other well? Or not even enough for him to understand what I was signalling. Akki "What have I gotten myself into?", wonders Akki to himself.
ACTIONS 1. Akki puts his ear to the door, and tries to determine if there is a guard.
|
|
apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524
|
Post by apn on Oct 20, 2022 8:02:54 GMT -5
OOC All you know in terms of each other and what is going on is that the guy who set you on (Rathmere) was struck down and his aide/assistant (one of them) had to hurriedly figure out 'Plan B'. Unfortunately that sees the two of you currently locked in the hold of what seems (very much) to be a Pirate Ship. You have not been formally introduced, just kind of chucked together.
Your posting format is correct - Name of character, dialogue, actions kept separate to make it easy to read (for me!). Thanks!
Udhaav surreptitiously casts a 'Detect Magic'...
Unfortunately the range and duration of the spell isn't very long with the human mages' level of skill. He walks around, peering over boxes, barrels, bundles, mounds of food, spares for the ship, repair tools, junk - the Pirates aren't very tidy - and not much in the way of...
He stops and turns, then moves back to where there are more than a dozen barrels packed together.
Something. Something magical.
Meanwhile Akki the Elven Rogue leans in - and down - to listen at the door. Even crouched he's around six feet tall!
He listens in...
OOC apn rolls 2d6 = 6 +3=9 + IQ (12) L1SR IQ passed. Akki listens...
"...a move? The other ships in on it or what? That stuck up snooty swine got it comin' I reckon. We need ta get in quick though, be sure ta get our share cause them others are..." said a couple of voices, trailing off before they moved out of range.
Meanwhile Udhaav climbs over and around barrels. It's dark in here, the light coming from a hatch high in the ceiling which is criss-crossed with bars and the occasional sailor walking past.
Distant shouts can be heard over the lap of waves, creak of wood, rattle of ropes and crack of sails.
Akki turns to see the human clambering over and around some barrels. Has he found something of interest?
The spell tails off and Udhaav considers casting it again. He doesn't need to. What looks to be a small box, like a snuff box, is on the floor of the hull in the water that sloshes about. It's giving off the vibe of being magical... and something else. Udhaav shivers, like someone danced on his grave.
The box is a couple of inches square like a miniature chest. It looks like it would flick open easily enough to reveal whatever is inside... Question was, given how uneasy Udhaav feels, does he want to pick it up and/or open it?
|
|
|
|
Post by gringnr on Oct 20, 2022 15:42:48 GMT -5
Akki
ACTIONS
1. Akki backs away from the door, and toward Udhaav. "I can't be sure, but I could swear I just heard talk of a mutiny", he whispers to the Wizard. "I like being locked in here less and less every second. Well, I guess this'll go faster if we work togeth- what's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
|
|
mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 300
|
Post by mosker on Oct 20, 2022 17:55:47 GMT -5
Udhaav
"Death by drowning is supposed to be easier than death by fire," I say near in a whisper bordering on sotto vocce unsure if I want to be heard. Then a bit louder: "I always thought that a given, but what's in here could worse than both combined. Or our best hope--at least in the short run. That's all I know."
ACTIONS
1. He takes a piece of twine from the cargo, wraps it around the box, applying a simple knot. It will be easy to cut through or perhaps even snap with enough force, but it's tight enough to keep the lid from flopping open if the latch comes undone. He then places the box a few feet away from the hatch, positioned so if the box did open, the contents would face whatever's coming in.
2. He then starts with the nearest barrel, in an almost overloud voice reading the note attached to it, checking the contents, and making a note on his wax tablet with some appropriately droll commentary.
|
|
apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524
|
Post by apn on Oct 21, 2022 4:39:13 GMT -5
Fishing the box out with a piece of twine takes a few minutes.
Without physically touching the small box the tinker/mage puts it near the door.
OOC There is a door into a corridor and steps leading up to a roof hatch (which is shut).
Where the snuff box had been the water looked darker. Oily even. There was also a strange, unpleasant smell where the tiny box had been.
Distant shouts from the deck can be heard. "Trim that sail or I'll flog ya an patch it when it tears wi' th' skin off yer back!" roared a rough voice.
OOC
Udhaav
apn rolls 2d6+8 = 6 +5 + 8 19 fail
Akki
apn rolls 2d6+9 = 6 +3 + 9 18 fail
At this stage both delvers are yet to find their 'sea legs' and the constant rolling/rocking of the ship is making them feel queasy. Udhaav gags a little as he squints in the poor light and starts to scrawl on the wax tablet. 'Water Barrels - large - 17', 'Water barrels - small - 29', 'Cloth bundles - large - seven' 'Salted meat bundles - 15' and so on.
OOC Both characters are feeling 'queasy' at the moment. Fresh air will ease you to 'ok' because you were so close to making the L1SR on Con.
Akki sees the small box the tinker/mage had fished out - like a snuff box - that was dropped or hidden amongst the barrels. Odd how the human had found it but then seems intent on taking inventory for this band of cutthroats. Might be a wise choice if the brutes come back and find their inventory has not been taken...
Cutthroats they were it seemed. How anyone in their right mind could hire them escaped the Elf but perhaps time was short and the need desperate.
"...won't know what 'it em! Arrrrgh!" came a distant call with laughter...
OOC Continue to take inventory between you or check out the box? Perhaps Akki wants to explore around the ship, or you could look in the recesses of the hold for any useful items...
|
|
|
|
Post by gringnr on Oct 22, 2022 1:22:39 GMT -5
Akki
"I could do with a bit of fresh air," Akki.says to the Wizard. "What is that box, exactly?"
ACTIONS
1. Asking will help Udhaav with the inventory, cautiously investigating anything unusual or interesting.
|
|
mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 300
|
Post by mosker on Oct 22, 2022 7:34:34 GMT -5
EDIT: Now "powder" instead of "power"
Udhaav
"Anything but fresh air. Could be our best chance against--" I point up "--could be a better chance to do their job for them. It's magic and death and I'm out of mine here. Oh f&@^@ it"
ACTIONS:
1. Shakes the box very gently to get an idea of the weight shape or anything of its contents. Shlosh like liquid? Swoosh like powder? One object? Many? Or nothing? And check for leaks.
|
|
apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524
|
Post by apn on Oct 24, 2022 7:11:19 GMT -5
OOC apologies for the slight delay. Sometimes work/need for sleep/girlfriend/son suck my time up. Not a bad thing but can't be helped...
The box seems to be decorated with runes.
Between them the tinker mage/Elven Rogue can figure out that...
OOC
apn rolls 2d6+15 = 2 +6 + 15=23 L1SR Udhaav
apn rolls 2d6+12 = 5 +1 + 12=18 Akki
L1Sr - the magic detected was emanating from the box. What was inside it was magic... of a kind... but not the traditional sort that a mage would recognise. Confusing!
Current AP totals:
Udhaav 22Ap, Akki 24
The box rattles when shook. Whatever inside is a single thing, solid, small and sounds like that a pebble or rock might make. Why it was in a magic box with runes etched in it was another matter.
Whilst there were no leaks, there were - when one leans in closely - tiny holes made in the wood of the box. Also, when leaning in close there was a very strong sense of nausea and sickness. A smell wasn't causing this. It didn't smell of anything.
What was inside the box was something.. old, dangerous... evil. Someone had put it on this boat for reasons unknown right now. Problem was the Captain and the crew weren't exactly nice people either. Maybe someone had placed it here to ... sabotage the water supply of the ship? Checking the water barrel - which has a metal twist to secure it - reveals the barrels nearest where this box was were oily, dark, and smelled funny...
Being in the hold at the same time as this box with whatever inside might not be the healthiest place to be for two Delvers with poor constitutions to start with! Being upstairs with a gang of cut-throats might be just as bad!
|
|
|
|
Post by gringnr on Oct 25, 2022 19:51:42 GMT -5
Akki
ACTIONS
1. "I'm curious. You seem to fear that thing. Why do you handle it so roughly?" he says to Udhaav. Glancing down at the place where the box was found, he says, "It seems to have ill effects on that which is around it. Perhaps you'd be better off leaving it alone? Besides, since we were hired to protect the Trade Delegation, shouldn't we be more concerned about the possibility of mutiny? If these sea-rats decide that Rathmere is their enemy, it's only logical that we would be deemed enemies as well. This hold is beginning to feel like a cell. Should we continue the inventory, and hope to be let out, or try to escape and warn any others who may be pledged to Rathmere's service? The latter makes more sense, I say. Though I guess we don't know if the others are still loyal, for that matter. We'd best find out - if we can locate and identify them. What say you?" he asks, looking at the Wizard.
2. Akki begins looking about for any possible means of escape, as well as any tools or objects which might prove useful.
|
|
mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 300
|
Post by mosker on Oct 25, 2022 22:29:11 GMT -5
Udhaav
"Because apparently I still haven't learned my lesson about playing wi--being curious. It's also powerful, potentially deadly--are those air holes? water holes? If it gets wet, catches on fire... It might also be valuable and right now, I'm grasping at straws.
"But I'm not alone, not in immediate danger, and need to make myself less of a liability.
"Not alone." I nod gratefully at my companion. "And we got a wee bit of time before something...something something something."
"Let's keep doing the inventory looking for things that will make us a less appealing target if/when things go south. Things that float, things that are sharp, things that might be of greater interest to whomever comes to visit than slicing up my beef jerky-like hindquarters."
ACTIONS:
1. Continues inventory, looking specifically for things of value, and ways to open the containers, quickly.
2. Places the box near the hatch, securely tucked in between some cargo, and moves away, clearly not looking at it.
|
|
apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524
|
Post by apn on Oct 26, 2022 7:41:20 GMT -5
Placing the suspect box on the steps at the top near the hatch (?) Udhaav turned back to the task of taking inventory.
Mostly food, water, spare sails, materials for repairs and the like.
Tools too. Interesting. Hammers, pitons, nails, twine, picks, files...
Udhaav leaned back and put the wax tablet aside for a moment. There were enough tools to get out of this place including a crowbar and if required, enough heavy weights - ingots and cannonballs - to sink the ship by repeatedly dropping the weight in place!
Akki comes over and sees what Udhaav has found. Truth told being away from that magic box and whatever was inside made both feel better but it was clear over time they would feel more queasy and downright ill. Both suffered from the rocking and rolling motion of the ship on the water and that box would accelerate the process to stomach emptying!
Staying in the hold with that box for any length of time was a bad idea.
Akki had inspected the door. His magic spell would have that open in no time.
The question of what to do then on a potentially hostile ship was another matter.
The pair continued to take inventory...
========
The Nausea grew more pronounced and encouraged both to stay away from where the box was as the hours passed.
On the top step near the hatch it sat, seemingly oblivious to the rocking and rolling motion of the ship which had (by now) caused some 'discomfort' to both Delvers.
As they scrambled over junk and found it to be useful or semi useful and worth documenting, both heard a shout.
"...well I say it is, an' you ain't gonna stop me!"
"Yeah? You an' whose army is gonna stop me stoppin' you, eh?"
"I'll 'elp im! You're a git, you are!"
The shouting got louder and involved more voices.
Akki and Udhaav glanced at each other. Putting that box away from themselves had spared them the effects to a certain degree but it seemed to affect the crew more rapidly.
OOC Udhaav ...
apn rolls 2d6 = 2 +4 6 (21) L1SR IQ (29AP total)
Akki...
apn rolls 2d6 = 5 +4 9 (21) L1Sr IQ (33AP total)
Both delvers came to a conclusion which, whilst not conclusive, suggested that the box contained something evil which might magnify the base instincts of someone who wasn't very nice to start with! Over time it would corrupt food, plants, animals, people... Someone had placed it here on purpose to sabotage this vessel. Sabotage or... influence.
One thing was for sure. A fight sounded like it was going to break out on the deck as the voices got more heated, the insults more personal and shouting drowned near on everything out!
|
|
mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 300
|
Post by mosker on Oct 26, 2022 20:56:50 GMT -5
Udhaav[Edited for clarity--to the point of excess and insulting the reader (but if our lives are at stake, I want no miscommunications: Agreed, gringnr?)]"You're a lot more skilled than I am at this," I say to Akki. "But if one of us thinks it's the right strategy to argue--just short of blows--over whose magic thing this is. We follow each other's lead--' Mine'. 'No, I saw it first!'. Let them kill each other over it." OOC: wishes I had lore talent to start telling the setup of the Judgment of Paris, with Trollish names--er random letters and apostrophes--Apfordayete, Eh'Thena, Xherra, Aerris,Xael'lyn... Actions: 1. Grabs crowbar and starts opening barrels, crates at a faster rate...looking for something. See what's hidden in the cooking oil, flour...even if it's just cooking oil, flour. (And the crowbar feels good in his hands even if he is a virtual minnow among sharks OOC: Or, looking at the other thread, someone who would be dead from spite damage alone, lest he joined a fray just trying to help the experienced adventurers).
|
|
|
|
Post by gringnr on Oct 27, 2022 21:41:05 GMT -5
Akki
The tall elf stares suspiciously at the box. "Perhaps we should make a hole and chuck it out. It doesn't seem likely to do anyone much good. Due to its... odd placement, I rather doubt that it is part of the regular inventory. The sea floor seems the right place for it, if you ask me. Would you object to such a plan?
ACTIONS
1. Akki takes up hammer and prybar, and, pending Udhaav's agreement, looks for a place to make a hole (if a sufficient hole does not already exist) in the side of the vessel and ditch the box.
|
|
