IC Area - Chapter Four and a Half - "High Seas Peril!"

[mosker]

Udhaav

Pause. Sigh. Mutters "Overthinking's relationship to thinking is..."

"Yes," I say with forced confidence. "Into the ocean. Let's just make sure we make a hole sufficiently high enough that it doesn't flood the hold."

ACTIONS
1. Looks for a barrel of tar, similar substance, ostensibly to use in patching any holes in the ship. More immediately, to cover the holes in the box.


"Don't need a fish folk civil war on my conscience. Still have burning calf nightmares...

...Overthinking again. Oversleeping would be a nice luxury too"

[apn]

The plan to ditch the box (and its contents) is sound but the waterline is pretty much above most of the hold!

To break through would require a lot of effort, noise and something tall to stand on... for most people. Akki has a head start though and only needs a barrel.

However, the noise above seems to have escalated and the clash of blades can be heard!

The pairs efforts to sift through the contents of the haphazard hull are somewhat distracted by what sounds like cries of rage and clangs of weapon! Udhaav does indeed find (amongst other things like dried food, pickled food, cheap booze and more besides) several barrels of tar/pitch, useful for the most part in waterproofing repairs.

OOC Start on the hole crash and bang or risk going up the ladder to see how bad the ruckus is on the deck?

[gringnr]

Akki


Overhearing a fearsome commotion, Akki says to Udhaav, "Well, my comrade in captivity, it seems things have taken a turn for the worst topside. It may be quicker to just go up and chuck this overboard. I can unlock the door with a simple spell. I'm not sure what we'll be walking into, but perhaps we'll be able to find a way out of this mess.What do you think?"

[mosker]

Udhaav

"Are we safe or are we trapped? That's the question. I've got the spell too, but best save what little kremm I have. Let's do it on my signal."

Actions:
1. Coats box with tar, using the dryest rags and other pieces of cloth possible to wrap the sticky mess up, avoid getting much tar on hands. Quantity and quality are irrelevant (I'll try to start with the cheap stuff, start to lose nerve, grab anything I can.

2. Signals to companion.

[apn]

The trapped/intrepid/petrified (delete as applicable) Delvers coat the magic/accursed/deadly (Delete as... you get the idea) box in tar and move to the next part of their cunning/crazy/brave plan (you did get the idea, right?)

Except...

There was screaming, crashing about, blades clanging, grunts, calls, sounds of combat and more screams like someone was being bitten. The pair glanced at each other then at the steps leading up to the hatch onto the deck.

Then both sets of eyes turned to the door in the wall of the hold.

Thudthudthudthudthud... BANGBANGBANGBANG! on the door!

"Let me in!" screeched a voice on the other side!

OOC apn rolls 2d6 = 2 +6=8 (23 IQ L1SR Udhaav AP38 total)

apn rolls 2d6 = 6 +4 10 (22 IQ L1SR Akki AP43 total)

Both delvers come to the same conclusion. There's someone absolutely terrified on the other side of the door... or it's a trick of some kind!

[mosker]

Udhaav

Big cringe at that sound.

"Overthinking again. But it may be connected. ^#&@^#@" [OOC: Not any known kin language, profanity is what Udhaav apparently muttered in pain-infected sleep as legs healed and that one word carried over into waking consciousness]

"Safe or trapped, this is a temporary situation. Let's at least be ready."

[OOC: Was working under the assumption that the hatch was locked only from the outside]
Actions:
1. Positions self, motions for Akki to be ready to strike from both sides whatever comes down the stairs once the hatch is opened.
2. Puts on 'magical combat' game face.
3. I gesture at Akki's weapon, effectively saying You're going to be the one in meelee combat--if that's what it comes to--it's your call.

"Open when ready."

[apn]

OOC To be clear...

The hold has two ways in/out.

1) There are steps leading up to a hatch in the ceiling which opens onto the deck of the ship. This is locked on the outside.

2) There is also a door out of the hold into a corridor where several rooms (including crew quarters) have doors off the corridor. There are also steps leading up to a doorway on the deck. This door is locked. This is the door where bangbangbang LET ME IN! is coming from.

Both will open with the application of a Knock Knock spell.

[apn]

"arrrrgh!" BANGBANGBANGBANG! on the door.

The scream sounded quite desperate now! "LET ME IN! THE CREW HAS GONE CRAZY!" screamed the voice. "SOMEONE LET ME IN!" they screamed whilst banging on the door.

There was a pause then "Oh no... stay back! STAY BACK! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?"

BANGBANGBANGBANG! on the door again!

OOC I'll move things on later on if gringnr doesn't get chance to update

[mosker]

Oct 31, 2022 17:40:50 GMT -5 apn said:

OOC To be clear...

The hold has two ways in/out.

1) There are steps leading up to a hatch in the ceiling which opens onto the deck of the ship. This is locked on the outside.

2) There is also a door out of the hold into a corridor where several rooms (including crew quarters) have doors off the corridor. There are also steps leading up to a doorway on the deck. This door is locked. This is the door where bangbangbang LET ME IN! is coming from.

Both will open with the application of a Knock Knock spell.

OOC: Got it
Udhaav
I position myself near the door leading to the corridor, signalling to Akki that's the one to open on his mark.

[apn]

OOC I'll assume Akki readies a weapon and makes ready to open the door. When Udhaav nods, Akki casts his Knock Knock spell and...

The door spills open with an uttered spell by the towering Elf!

A sailor/pirate falls in onto his face, his cries and clamour silenced by faceplanting for the moment though he scrambles to his feet and cries out, looking about. "By all that's holy... SHUT THE DOOR!"

Akki pokes his head out in the corridor and with the stray light beams from gaps in the wood sees forms shambling down the corridor. They are dressed like Sailor/pirates, move like them... but... when the light catches them they cringe and there is something of a ... blue tinge to their skin.

Akki sees three of them barrelling down the corridor towards where the door to the hold (and the Delvers + Pirate/Sailor/Faceplanter) are...

[gringnr]

Akki

ACTIONS:
1. Eyes widening, Akki slams the door (does it open in or out).

"Help me move some of these boxes in front of the door! Quickly!"

[mosker]

Udhaav

Actions:
1. Sees if I can move the barrel of tar on my own. If not ask: for help after a couple of boxes are by the door.

"Spill this, if we have to: slow them down." And in small voice, "And if it comes to it, ^#*! help us, torch it."

[apn]

The sailor is on his back, scrambling away from the door as Akki pushes it closed (OOC it opens inwards)

Udhaav casts about and finds a large barrel. Too heavy to lift he tips it on its edge and wobbles/weaves/shuffles towards the door. Having documented most of the hold contents he knows this one contents thick black gunge that requires warming up before use. Pitch for waterproofing basically.

The sailor clambers to his feet wiping sweat from his eyes "Don't let them in! They've gone mad! Something..." inching away he starts tripping and stumbling over boxes and the like to find somewhere in the hold to hide.

Udhaav grunts as the barrel finally gets near the door and Akki - who has all on leaning hard against the door and jolting as something on the other side drives a shoulder into it - turns and helps with the barrel.

Weighing more than an adult the barrel shuffles a little with every driving charge against the door but a plank of wood jammed against the door and up against a spar in the floor of the hold sees the door more secure.

Akki and Udhaav glance at each other then at the hold. The sailor peers over from behind a box. "Who... are they gone? Who the heck are you two?"

He fits the profile of sailor/pirate. Bad skin, missing teeth, unkempt, strong body odour, lank hair, a few dodgy tattoos and some scars.

The door bangs again but it sounds more half hearted. It may hold... for now.

[gringnr]

Akki

"Thank you, comrade", he says to Udhaav. Looking at the pirate, he says, "Your terror seems genuine enough, but you've no reason to fear us. Do your best to keep it that way. Now tell me, as plainly as you can - and quickly! What's happening up there, and is there any way we can make our escape, or at least get to a part of the ship that isn't beset by maniacs? As to who we are, we just hired on... unfortunately, it seems."

[mosker]

Udhaav

Actions
1. I look at the sailor, trying to assess needs: bandages, something soft to eat--decidedly not anything that can be used as a weapon--and begin rummaging through the supplies for stuff to give to the newcomer, tossing it gently, underhand when appropriate. I'm carefully listening, holding on to the key question:

"So whatever is happening up there--this madness: why do you think you were spared? How are you different, and how might we assure we also remain unaffected?"