IC Area - Chapter Five - "Stormy waters ahead!"

[apn]

Previously on Days of High Adventure...

Delvers Klarrrrchur Deathaxe, Will Darness and Firdle the Adequate were hired by a man called Rathmere to serve as hired muscle/crew for a Trade Delegation from the Sonan Ie islands to Khazan. However, persons or parties unknown attacked Rathmere with a deadly poison and the Delvers instead set off into the jungles near Jepistra on the 'claw' of the Dragon Continent to find a cure. They managed to do so after becoming embroiled with a clan of Dhesiri (Lizard people) and saved Rathmeres life.

Unfortunately, the trade fleet had left and signed up what ships they could to serve as escorts. They turned out to be a trio of Pirate ships who intended to sink the Sonan Ie delegation at sea after looting the vessel!

Rathmere arranged for the 'Horizon Flower', an airship of the Sonan Ie Exploration Fleet to get them onto or near the Trade Fleet. On the way they were attacked by giant crows and Illkin (Urucks and Goblins) and encountered a clan of Vampires who lived in secret deep in the forest jungle. They lived by preying on Pirate vessels who would not otherwise be missed and the Delvers aboard the Horizon Flower (now very damaged) managed to limp on to catch up with one of the trio of escort vessels, the 'Sea Fox' which was adrift and perilously close to running aground.

Sneaking on board, Klarrrrchur and Will (Firdle had left the party due to family reasons) found the ship had been overrun by Ghoulish undead! In the hold of the ship, fledgling Delvers Akki the Jagged and Udhaav, a tinker/mage had unwittingly signed on to be part of the 'muscle' to escort the Sonan Ie ship to Khazan and found themselves serving on a Pirate ship as virtual prisoners! Worse, they discovered the reason the Pirates and some of the sailors had been changed into the walking dead. A 'Deathstone', an artefact of great and terrible power had been placed in the hold to corrupt those who were already awful people and make them worse. How it got there, who made it and why is not yet known, but this kind of magic is ancient, and powerful beyond the means or knowledge of most modern Wizards.

Klarrrrchur and Will managed to get to the hold and joined up with Akki, Udhaav and a string of sailors they'd rescued. They then proceeded to 'take back the ship'. They were lucky in the fact that the Captain, a Wizard already, had taken so long to figure out what was happening to him that he never discovered his true power. However all seemed lost as the Ghouls and the devilish officers of the Sea Fox greatly outnumbered the Delvers and hapless Sailors... until more Vampires, seeking to attack a Pirate ship, turned up.

After a brief battle where the Captain failed to rally his crew and found himself and his officers cornered, they chose discretion as the better part of valour and left. The First Officer 'Black Jack' McMarne and the Ogre Bosun leapt overboard into shark infested seas and the Captain transformed into a mist and escaped. The Vampires let the Delvers leave in return for handing over the Deathstone and one of the Vampires, a former Delver called Lucia, joined the crew. Turns out not all Vampires are bloodsucking monsters - just most of them.

With repairs ongoing through the night and the newly rechristened Crimson Avenger setting off after the Sonan Ie ships (the main trading vessel and too much smaller, faster support ships), the crew of the 'Avenger see something that sinks the heart of most sailors - a brewing tropical storm...

It was fair to say there were...

Stormy Waters Ahead!

-=DOHA Chapter Five=-

[apn]

'Winning' the ownership of the newly renamed Crimson Avenger might have been the easy part...

...figured the Delvers Will Darness, Klarrrrchur Deathaxe, Akki the Jagged and Udhaav, Mage and Tinker...

"Storm Ahead!" yelled Felix, the youngster up in the crows nest. Lanterns swayed in the growing winds and the sea became noticeably choppy. The ship bucked, swayed, rose and dived with every moment before the drizzle turned into light, then heavy rain, lashing the ship and all aboard who hurried to complete vital repairs.

At least they wouldn't have to finish swabbing the deck down for all those Ghoulish entrails that the battle had left behind...

Klarrrrchur stood on the bridge with Will, Akki, Udhaav and Lucia the Vampire who'd just joined the crew.

"What does that mean?" she called out over the howling wind. "Do we... go below and hope the ship doesn't sink, or find a cover somewhere to ride it out?"

The Delvers needed to catch the Sonan Ie Trade delegation which was in quite some danger. They had a head start and would be somewhere out in the storm ahead. The advantage the Crimson Avenger had was that she travelled reasonably light with a bare minimum of crew (now the Ghouls had gone) whilst the Sonan Ie Trade ship was a Merchantman of somewhat prodigious size and girth. She'd be able to ride out most storms but her escorts - the small sleek 'war' Sloop type vessels - might be forced to find shelter nearer the coast.

The wind howled and Felix called out again, though his words were lost. Difficult to see in the gloomy grey mist between night and dawn but there appeared to be a line from the sea, some distance away. The wind seemed very violent there and one of the sailors - Bort Meggins - called out "Waterspout Cap'n! We need ta stay well clear!" as he pulled hard on ropes with others.

"Course cap'n?" asked Fergal, one of the rescued sailors and a dab hand at the wheel. The aged sailor looked like an old boot having stood too long in the sun but he seemed less fearful than the others. "We go inta land too soon an' we'll get chucked on the rocks. Have ta ride some o' it out sir!" he yelled...

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“Those not required on deck get below,” shouts Klarrrrchur, “those that remain make sure they secure themselves with a safety rope, we not want ya washed over the side!”

“Tack into the wind in a north-westerly course, try keeping the land in sight to our east Mister Fergal!”

“Felix get doun from there before it gets any worse, and use a safety line!” He shouts up to the lad in the crowsnest.

Actions:

Actions of Dwarf: I presume with ship safe of Ghouls, etc.that he would have removed his plate armour and is now in his leathers. I also presume the Dwarf would have ordered a reduction of sails so they not going at a reckless speed before the storm envelops them.

OOC: Uncertain of the Sonan Ie fleet's intent, are they sailing though the straits between Khrayyt and the main land or going around it to the west? And by storm before us, I guessing the wind is blowing south and we moving towards it or perhaps going east to west or visa versa?

[gringnr]

Akki

"I don't know much about sailing<" Akki shouts over the worsening storm to Klarrrrchur, "but I'm willing to help in any way I can! What would you have me do?"

[mosker]

Udhaav

More than just a death stone, kept things...what?

Addressing the assembled non-essential: "Who's been here the longest? Who can read--charts? Books? Your officers are gone in many ways--good riddance--but I bet this ship ran on more than your sweat and corrupting magic? What are there strengths, weaknesses? Anything that helped her sail, fight?"

To Tintangel, half smiling: "Gods of the sea appear intersect your studies? If we can't appease, we certainly don't want to make them angrier. And what have you learned about seamanship?"

And to Lucia, "All I know about..." about women, vampires, aristocracy, pirates "is not to make assumptions. We're all in this together. How--?" Implication of can you help?

Actions:
1. Keep asking questions, keep reading, be ready to drop everything on the captain's command.

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“Two able bodies at the helm Master Akki,” shout Klarrrrchur, “the wind will rise and Mister Fergal will need yer strength. I've been in many a storm!” States Klarrrrchur though he refrains from mentioning that he had been thrown overboard in the last one he had experienced, and had to swim to shore, “but most can be easily sailed though if it not become to hectic!”

“Darn waterspout, if we can sail around it at a goodly distance then it will present no problems!”

[houndle]

Will Darness
 "I wonder if something is causing that waterspout," says Will thoughtfully . "Perhaps we should go and investigate?" 

[apn]

The youngster in the crows nest shouted "What? I couldn't hear! It's really loud up hhhhhhhhhhhere!"

Hearts leapt in mouths as the youngster slipped, clinging on with his fingers to the mast whilst the ship bucked and flailed about and the wind howled a gale!

Fergal spun the wheel and shouted "TRIM SAILS!" as he wiped seawater from his face.

Some of the sailors gaped at Felix, others started wrapping ropes about their waist then passing onto the next man to wrap/tie. If one went overboard the next man would slow the fall. The last man tied would be to the mast.

A wave crashed over the deck and the rolling water seemed to be getting wilder, combined with strong winds and gusts with driving rain, thoroughly doused all on deck!

Fergal called out "Anyone sane will stick the land to their right in sight at all times! The Sonan Ie fellas will do the same. Them Sea Dragons in the water is no better than sharks! A bite from them blighters will see you drown in short time!"

"Been in a few 'tropicals' in me time. Ride 'em out. First few is frightenin', this?" Fergal laughed. "At least the water ain't freezin' cold."

It was true. Along the equator the water was warm and aside from the denizens that lived therein, quite pleasant to swim in.

Felix dangled and flapped about like a flag from the mast in the darkness.

Overhead, where the sun should be rising the sky was black and boiling. Lightning crackled in the distance and was followed by rolling thunder.

=========

Below deck Udhaav stood with Tintagel in the Captains cabin, hanging onto the desk as books tumbled onto the floor despite the pair trying to catch and juggle things.

One of the Sailors, hanging onto the door frame, called up "I can read charts an' th' like sir." he said. "Me name's Jorgit, Fred Jorgit. Worked on a fishin' boat, worked me way up. Spearin' Death Whales round th' Cape o' no return. We returned, but was bailin' till a Sonan Ie ship stopped ta 'elp us on board."

Lucia had answered the Wizard with a shrug. "I was a warrior. Then I got bitten and made... this... by the Vampire me and my friends were hunting down. I survived only because he thought it funny to send me back to haunt the village that had paid us to end him. Instead I escaped and the Vampires you met took me in."

"I still yearn to see the world, but sunlight means I need to find somewhere dark to sleep. Hopefully dry, and dark."

Now Udhaav heard the creak of wood and stretching of ropes whilst the Crimson Avenger seemed at the mercy of the waves and the storm.

=========

Back on deck one of the sailors slid/staggered/stumbled to the bridge and passed Klarrrrchur a telescope.

"Sir! We need ta get th' young 'un down 'fore th' waves claim 'im! D'spite 'im bein' a pest an' that, t'aint fair fer th' sea ta claim one sa young!"

Eyes turned to see the youngster clinging on, trying to climb onto the cross beam of the mast and slipping because it was rain slicked. With the rolling and rocking of the ship and the rain, it was clear he wouldn't be able to hang on long!

On deck the wave lashed sailors yanked on ropes to trim the sails and worked hard to tie anything down that might otherwise be swept o'erboard!

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“Blistering Barnacles,” cursed Klarrrrchur as he took the telescope and placed it in the sack at present, “who sent the lad up there?!”

“Eh, no Will, lets just keep a goodly distance.

Klarrrrchur raced to the rigging and starts climbing up.

“Hold on lad!”

Actions:

Actions of Dwarf... Climb the rigging.

Nialldubh rolls 2d6+73 = 1 +5 + 73 = 79 (STR and sailing talent).

[apn]

OOC L2SR passed...

Klarrrrchur slips and slides across the deck and starts to climb the rigging as Sailors lash themselves to the mast and each other.

In little time at all he's high up and swaying from side to side as the Crimson Avenger is plunged from a crest to a valley of a wave and the deck washed over.

Getting to the top of the mast and what passes for a crows nest the Dwarf calls out and Felix, dangling precariously with weakening hands, looks up and reaches out.

A couple of minutes later the Dwarf climbs down with the exhausted youngster who needs helping to his feet. Even then he's unsteady and half carried to the door on deck that leads below.

=========

The storm picked up in ferocity and the 'Avenger gamely battles on, driving wind and rain tearing at the sails whilst rain and seawater smashes over the deck.

Below, the sailors take turns with a bucket to heave and turn down the offer of dry biscuit from the self appointed cook Melbo Harrocks who shrugs and bites down with the few teeth left in his mouth.

Will, Akki and Udhaav are feeling the exertions of the day wear them down now and even Klarrrrchur on the deck above is starting to fray round the edges. Another sailor relieved Akki to ensure two men at the wheel and the pilot, Fergal calls out "Get yerssen some sleep laddie! I'll make sure we're clear o'er th' rocks an' hopefully shipshape once this passes."

He casts a glance at the whirlwind/waterspout that has formed. Much bigger and closer now.

"We should miss that..." he muttered, squinting and glancing at how much room there was between the twister, ship and the sharp rocks of the coast.

OOC All the delvers are way past their bed time now.

Make a CON check all of you, higher the better.

L1 pass - you get an hour or so sleep. Feels like your eyes are gritty and burning when you wake. Suffer -2D6 adds.

L2 - a few hours, even with the swaying ship. Aside from feeling groggy and grotty, you are functional for a few hours before feeling it. Suffer -1D6 adds.

L3 - you have sufficient sleep to get through to midday. No reduction in adds.

L4 - not only do you get enough sleep, you also get your 'sea legs' and don't need a Dex check when the ship tosses and turns.

L5+ as L4 but you permanently gain a minor talent (+1) of:

Sea Legs - The Character is at home on the sea and suffers no ill effects of sea sickness and no Dex check required to keep balance when the going gets rough. In addition when fighting on sea going vessels a check before the first round will apply +1 add per level of Dex passed. Once combat is over the bonus drops to zero and needs another check at the next fight.

Example:

Klarrrrchur passes a L3 Dex check as he swings across onto a Pirate ship. In the fight that follows he gains +3 adds for every round the combat lasts.

This will be marked on the character sheet.

[houndle]

Will Darness
Will yawns hugely.

 "I think I'll get my head down," he mumbles. " Feels like I could sleep for a week! "

Unfortunately though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. What with getting tangled in his hammock, tossed from side to side by the rolling ship, and his mind racing with thoughts of vampire ladies and ogre pirates (or perhaps vampire pirates and lady ogres) Will doesn't get much rest.


WillDarness rolls 2d6+16 = 2 +5 + 16 = 23 L1 PASS

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

"Now Felix, none of those antics again, eh?!"

“Aye a good rest is what I need,” states Klarrrrchur still concerned for the waterspout, but he trusts the old sailor instincts and sets himself off to rest.

On his hammock life is bliss, he is back at sea, and this is his joy.

Actions:

Actions of Dwarf:

Nialldubh rolls 2d6+35 = 3 +3 (DARO) +5 + 35 = 46 (Level 6 if I getting it right?).

[mosker]

Udhaav

Rocking in the captains library, trying to nap over a pile of books. "Worse things have kept me up at night..."

OOC: such as my incessant backstory reminders

Action
Rolls:
2D6 -> 10 +13 =23 1st made only

[apn]

Those that struggle for sleep with the tossing, turning, rolling, diving and lurching as well as the howling wind and driving rain find no solace wherever they rest their head.

Hammock, bunk, pile of sail cloth, a coffin (occupied - Lucia is NOT happy when someone checks to see if its cosy), a stool, corner of a room, up against a wall...

Klarrrrchur has no such issues. With a rebuke to Felix and ruffling the lads drenched hair whilst he's carried dazed below deck he ensures Fergal and crew mate are tied up and happy with a promise of warm broth from the chef below and a waterproof skin to wear, then he finds somewhere to sack down.

As the Captain he's perfectly entitled to the Captains Cabin but its a mess of books, scrolls, maps and tables and besides, Udhaav is curled up on the Captains cot bed, hugging a dusty looking tome.

Black Jack McMarnes bed has some dubious stains and smells and no one would want to find an Ogres bed in which to sleep so a hammock on the middle (gun) deck suffices. With a shrug, close of eyes and a yawn, Klarrrrchur Deathaxe finds some much needed rest.

OOC Check for Akki...
apn rolls 2d6+13 = 5 +5 + 13 23 apn: DARO apn rolls 2d6 = 1 +5 6 (29) L2 pass.

Will (apn rolls 2d6 = 5 +5 = -10 adds)
Udhaav (apn rolls 2d6 = 2 +4= -6 adds)
and Akki (apn rolls 1d6 = -2 adds)

suffer a loss of adds. Lasts until you get the chance to sleep again (hopefully not in a storm).

The Bell for watch change comes too soon for Will. With a groan he turns over, shuts his eyes, sighs, stumbles to a sitting position and sags, with head in hands.

Stumbling through the middle deck he comes across various other groggy types. Some consider hygiene optional and there is a strong stench of fart and bad breath burp intermingled.

A cup of hot broth is thrust into the warriors hands by a sailor who tends a pot of the stuff. It looks wholesome at least, with vegetables, chicken and some herbs sprinkled on top.

"Less of us now. We can eat a little better seein' as th' First Mate ain't insistin' on us eatin' weevil infested biscuits no more. Want some?" he asks as he fished in a sack and dusted off some small insects.

Udhaav wakes in the Captains cabin, book in hand and looks out the window. The sun is struggling against the grey cloud and the seas are rough with white caps but not like the night before.

Klarrrrchur yawns, accepts a mug of broth and shrugs as he sees a weevil balancing along the edge. With a flick he sees it sink into the liquid and vegetable mass and shrugs. Extra protein.

The ship feels like solid ground to him now. He'd found his 'sea legs' and whilst he could hear muffled retching going on as others struggled he would be fine, he figured.

Akki, in the hold spread out on the sails and perhaps mindful that in the shadows was a coffin with a sleeping Vampire, sighs. The night provided little rest no matter how hard he tried and he'd moved several times when the sea water ran over the hatch in the ceiling to spray on the contents of the hold.

On deck the Delvers have woken to a misty morning, sea haze combining with squally winds and occasional gusts.

Fergal waves to them and addresses the Captain (but includes everyone else).

"Ship took a batterin' in th' storm, right eno' Cap'n but we're through the worst." he thumbs over his shoulder. "Anyone followin' would be coppin' for worse'n we got I reckon. I follow the coast line as best I can through th' night an' providin' we patch the sails we have a fair followin' wind."

Eyes turned to the frayed and ragged sails, some of which had torn.

"Quick job that, though we'll be reduced speed whilst they are down. I'd, ah, set th' lads to it but, ah, it ain't me place. Beggin' pardon sir, but ye're th' Cap'n, who be first mate, bosun an' Sailin' Master? Normal ships would have Quartermaster but Black Jack served that role. I reckon Mr Tintagel will still be th' Surgeon unless one o you fine gents takes th' role and, ah..."

"What role is the lassie playin? I mean, other than ta make us all nervous an' tying scarves round our necks an' that...?"

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“Ah, what a beautiful day,” states Klarrrrchur stomping onto the top deck, stretching his arms in joy.

“Aye, Mister Fergal, I must say yer doin a fine job as is, but yer be Master Helmsman and no doubt!” He turns to the rest, “how ya fancy the job of 1st-mate Will? Yer an intelligent lad though you have some unusual ideas at times, some risky, now I think if it! Still, the jobs yer's if ya want it?”

He summons the crew, those who have not been assign to night-time shift.

“Who amongst thee knows something of crafting canvas, who amongst thee knows aught about organising stores, men and what not aboard ai ship?”

“I think Bort Meggin should be quartermaster, he can speak for the crew when needed. Yes good idea, Tintagel for ship's surgeon. Well, sailing-master at present is not necessary as we shall keep the coast to starboard and navigate till we can get a more professional officer, when we make port at G'eon if no other ill befall us!”

"The females resting in the coffin? She can be in the crownest at night, perhaps due to her unusual skills, she can scout forward and perhaps to the rear to see if no pirate be following us, yes indeed, she will have her uses, indeed!"

Actions:

Actions of Dwarf...Paces and look sincere...