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Post by houndle on Jan 11, 2023 1:10:50 GMT -5
Will Darness
"I will do the job if you think I'm worthy," Will salutes his captain, " though it's little enough I know about mate-ing. "
Will salutes again and stumbles off in search of something to ease his headache.
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apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524 
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Post by apn on Jan 11, 2023 17:55:22 GMT -5
As Klarrrrchur handed out roles to the crew some of the sailors started to climb and unhook the torn sail.
It was a big old piece of canvas and required as many strong hands as could be found, including the Captain and queasy first mate as the sail was lowered and covered the majority of the deck.
The very early morning with a mild/warm breeze and thickening sea mist wore on. Tintagel and a few sailors, one a former cobbler and another a tailors apprentice, directed, guided and sewed, patching with thick cord and cursing as the deck was swamped with water occasionally, causing them to rise, aghast, as they knelt in seawater.
The chicken broth came out again, slightly better than before thanks to finding a stash of the Captains personal supplies including a spice selection.
"Beggin' pardon sir" said a Sailor named Harrit. "Just that we need permission an' that ta raid th' supplies. We's got weeks of food stashed. Mostly salted jerky, hard tack (salted biscuit) an' peas n taters. We's also got beer but figured wait on your word fet that seein' as we's got things ta do an' ways ta go."
He shuffled about. "Was wonderin', me an' some o th' lads. We's thankful an' all fer the efforts an' savin o'er our lives an' all, but are there plans fer pay or shares fer th' crew on this voyage? We was promised not ta be chucked o'er board by the last lot an' that Bosun kept us cowerin'. Not all th' lads wants ta be sailors an' not got th' stomach fer it, but dangle some coin at them, might change minds right enough." he says, fumbling with his cap in hands.
Other repairs took place as hammers, nail, wood and saw were put to use. Mostly railings and split wood from things unlashed and falling about. The Crimson Avenger would be ship shape with some effort and in the meantime ploughed on through the waves at reduced speed, missing the main sail for now.
Will leaned over the rail, stomach churning. No sleep, rolling motion leaving him queasy... maybe he wasn't cut out for a life on the waves. Klarrrrchur took to it right away and the other two Delvers were as green looking as Will.
"Enough noise to wake the dead. I should know." said a female voice behind his shoulder. Will gasped and turned.
Lucia stood with a sea cape and hood over what looked to be mans sailing attire - loose white shirt and knee length trews, feet bare. She looked to where the sun would normally be. "Without sunlight shining down I can be of some use during the day, but will need to retreat at some point."
She stood beside Will at the rail and looked out over the choppy seas. "When I was like you the world was waiting to be discovered, full of potential, adventure, treasure and fame to be won. That fiend took it away from me even whilst he slaughtered my friends. I'm not a monster, nor were those who took me in, that you met. It's just... I'm thankful for the chance to continue my dream and want to thank you, all of you. The other thing is..."
The shadow from the cape covered her face but those eyes glittered from within.
"I fed yesterday, and do not feel the need for sustenance. I can.." she grimaced "drain rats and the like, keep the ship free of the vermin. After that...?"
She left the question unanswered and turned, sniffing the air.
"Hmmm. Smoke." she muttered.
The waves crashed on against the side of the Crimson Avenger as the grey sea mist around them thickened a little. Up in the crows nest one of the sailors (Felix was below, sleeping) called out. "Smoke!" he yelled, pointing.
Down here the mist was enough to block vision and Klarrrrchur pulled the telescope, looked through it and stifled a curse. Not much use to see down here where the mist was thickest. Up there it would be clearer.
"To port! Towards Khrayyt!" yelled the sailor from the crows nest.
Fergal frowned. "That be hours, a full day sail or so I reckon Cap'n. Mayhap in th' storm the Sonan Ie fellas were caught out some an' set for th' Island. There's a few bays there, but dicey, what wi' them Dragons lookin' for legs ta snap on. Deeper in are said ta be ancient ruins, settlements an' th' like. I've 'eard tell o Lizard people, the Dheshiri an' such, but none coma back ta tell o'em."
The pilot glanced at Will at the rail stood with a cloaked figure. "Might yet be time fer th' First Mate an' others ta find their sea legs, get some kip, if'n there's fightin'. I seen you lads in action. No quarter asked, none given. Bonny fighters all, an' I thought I seen good uns tills I met you."
Meggins on the deck, helping with the sails and holding them down whilst hands of others sewed, looked up. "The weapons chests are there Cap'n. Best locked so none get funny ideas fer now, but I'm bettin' th' lads are up fer a fight if'n it comes to it. Been talkin we 'as, an' we reckon we owes ya."
========
Below deck in the Captains Cabin Udhaav and Akki studied scrolls, books and the like.
The wizards staff of the previous Captain, still wrapped in sheets, was propped against the wall.
It was magical, of that there was no doubt, but also held some risk. Takes told of the staff takin' o'er the wielder were well founded...
OOC Just a general flavour post. I can imagine sailing is all about finding things to fill the time with, catching up on sleep or swapping stories, cleaning, mopping, swabbing, sorting, tidying and so on after a storm has tipped everything up and shook the ship about.
Rest be assured that action is just around the corner...
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Post by houndle on Jan 12, 2023 3:15:58 GMT -5
Will Darness
Will murmurs vaguely comforting words to all and sundry and concentrates on keeping his breakfast down.
OOC just confirming I'm still here...
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Post by nialldubh on Jan 12, 2023 7:57:26 GMT -5
Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:
Klarrrrchur addressed the crew once more, “I know some of you never asked for this life and I promise you once we reach a safe haven that you can leave with or thanks and blessings. Full pay for those that serve on the Crimson Avenger and... naw, double pay and rations fa two weeks to see them on their way, with a cutlass at their side and a new pair of boots from the finest cobbler in toun!”
He then turns to Harrit, “break open the good food and share it amongst the crew, they will need their strength in the days to come. Be frugal with the liqueurs, I not want the men too stupefied for work. Life on the sea is dangerous business and any that risks the lives of others, will be thrown to the sharks.”
Actions:
Actions of Dwarf... Once he organises the men he climbs the rigging to the crowsnest to have a look...
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apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524
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Post by apn on Jan 12, 2023 9:14:17 GMT -5
OOC You might have skimmed over the part where Lucia asked Will what happens when she runs out of rats to drain dry, houndle.
The new Captain addressed his crew...Klarrrrchur said his piece and those sailors on deck (OOC Most of them - holding the sail down in place and keeping it taut where required so half a dozen can thread it together and patch where required. I can imagine repairs of that kind needed to be as strong as the original otherwise the sail would be destroyed the next time it filled with wind) gave a cheer, their spirits raised and a feeling that they might be able to walk away from the voyage with coin in their pocket and a weapon at their side! With that the Captain scurried up the ropes and clambered to the crows nest. Down at deck level the sea mist was thick and cloying. Even only a short distance up the mist thinned as the sun burned it off and would clear it up in an hour or so. After the storm it looked to be a fine day brewing... Leaning against the mast with a steadying hand from the sailor in the 'nest Klarrrrchur plucked the telescope from his sack and clicked it long, then looked about. There. A thin black line on the horizon to the sailor beside him but the telescope zoomed things in. A war sloop - one of the Sonan Ie escorts - was afire and adrift, some way out and presumably having been en route to the island of Khrayyt. Too far away to make out details but the sails were aflame and it had reached deck, with burning fragments dropping all the time. She listed slightly to one side suggested she was taking on water. Where the Sloop was and beyond the skies were clear and the sea a sparkling azure colour. Inviting, aside from the massive tail fins that occasionally broke the surface and were visible even from here... Klarrrrchur did some quick mental calculation... OOC apn rolls 2d6+16 = 6 +1 + 16 =23
L1 Pass - The Sonan Ie fleet might have been far enough ahead of the storm they decided to head towards Khrayyt to berth in one of the bays there. Though the island was volcanic based the build up of sand over the eons made it a much safer prospect than picking out a safe harbour along the coastline of the continent as the very real probability of smashing against rocks made it safer out at sea, even in a storm.With that in mind it might well mean the rest of the fleet was somewhere in the vicinity of the island. No indication of what had attacked the escort but Klarrrrchur could hazard some guesses. That gave the Dwarf a choice. Continue North along the coastline or head west towards the burning ship and the island, some way beyond. How safe would they be when two of the hired ships that were there to protect them were crewed by evil creatures of darkness? Either option would mean quite a few hours of sailing and might give his crew chance to rest. Will looked as haggard as Klarrrrchur had seen him and the other two had not emerged from the Captains Cabin...
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Post by houndle on Jan 12, 2023 10:19:13 GMT -5
Will Darness
OOC I did spot the paragraph but assumed it was part of the scene setting. However...
Will holds out his arm towards the disturbingly cute vampire.
"Help yourself," he groans. "Some experts say a bloodletting is good for you. It could hardly make me feel worse!"
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apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524
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Post by apn on Jan 12, 2023 13:04:57 GMT -5
Lucia laughs out loud and covers her mouth, conscious of the fangs.
"No, no thank you, I'm fine as I am feeding off the ... the denizens that prowl in the corners of the ship. Thank you though. I will hope to ... feed..." she spits "from those who have less moral fibre than yourself but that depends on where the ship takes us."
"In the meantime..." she pulls her hood further over her face and glances up. "I feel the sun, eating at the mist and soon at my flesh. Time to depart. When the sun goes down I will rise and set to at any task the Captain or yourself demands. I intend to earn my keep and the respect of the crew."
She turned to leave and paused "I know the sailors view me as a monster and to be avoided, but it's no worse than how I view myself, what I have been turned into. Perhaps one day I can come to terms with the undead status I have and learn to live again." She smiles again and is gone with a whirl of the cape and fast feet to duck down into the door and below decks just as the first peep of sun breaks through the early morning mist.
"Hey, mister First mate sir, beggin' pardon an' that." said a sailor. He was middle aged, missing some teeth and with a few old scars on his leathery skin. "Me an' th' lads was thinkin'... You fellas are great wi' swords an' that, how about we get some kinda harpoon an..."
He peered over the rail and Will took a firm grip to then peer over and see what at.
A shark, somewhere around twenty five feet long, cruised alongside the ship, fin breaking the surface occasionally.
"Just one o them things'll be eno' ta feed us a while. Assumin' they can be eaten that is." said the sailor. "Make a change from broth."
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Post by nialldubh on Jan 12, 2023 13:40:31 GMT -5
Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:
Klarrrrchur pondered any Human survivors in the war sloop. More to join their crew but he also noted the shark fins and wonder how many had taken their chances with the sharks.
“Here,” he says to the watchman, he gave him the telescope, “pass that onto the next man who replaces you!” He starts down rigging, “relay every half hour the status of yonder war sloop and explain yer duties to the next man to replace ya!”
He climbs down the rigging again pondering their predicament.. He walks to the aft deck. “Mister Fergal yer been awake through the night and you should get some rest but before ya do, come join me and my officers in the galley. I want a quick discussion on future events!”
Actions:
Actions of Dwarf...
OOC: wanted to mention the Dwarf is not assigning any ship duties to Akki and Üdhaav. He wants them to have enough time to study and learn what magic spells they can. I not assign bosun as with so little crew, it seem inappropriate but when there is many, perhaps 30 to 40 sailors he will consider it. Perhaps Akki will look intimidating by then?
Learning spells: See page: 101 dT&T 'Learning on the Fly.'
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Post by gringnr on Jan 12, 2023 14:22:22 GMT -5
Akki
Akki wobblingly wanders the ship, his mood lightening by the hour. The events of the past day or so have been drawn into focus, and he is beginning to make peace of a sort with what has occurred. [/b]
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Post by houndle on Jan 13, 2023 1:43:33 GMT -5
Will Darness
Will exercises his powerful brain.
"If Lucia can do the "turning into a bat" thing she might be able to reconnoitre for us when it's safe for her to do so, " he suggests diffidently. "She could also vary her diet with mosquitoes and things.
"Harpooning a shark... not much like swordplay but may be a useful skill to practise in advance of going into battle."
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apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524
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Post by apn on Jan 13, 2023 15:42:21 GMT -5
The Sailor grinned. "I'll mention ta th' lads ta fashion sommat like a big 'arpoon ta stick one o them things wi'."He wandered off rubbing his hands and thinking about shark steak. Klarrrrchur called Fergal over who passed the wheel to another man in the wings and made sure they were to follow the course laid out by the crows nest. The old man rubbed his eyes but seemed enthusiastic enough. "Cap'n, I'll not lie, me old bones can't take standin' like they used ta. I need to rest me head." OOC I presume Klarrrrchur wants to address the officers in the Galley?
You have, lets say, 7-8 hours between now and getting close to the burning sloop. Your speed is reduced whilst sail repairs are underway but that can't be helped.
I presume the following:
Will might want to try again at getting sleep
Akki...? Learn a spell, or at least start the process?
Udhaav, same, I'll read up on the learning on the fly section thanks for the reference nialldubh 
Klarrrrchur - rested, ready to go, able bodied. How does he pass his time? The weapons locker is still locked and the ship, whilst secure, may need some more repairs internally. The storm has died down and the Crimson Avenger is making progress albeit reduced right now. You have lookouts that are keeping an eye on surroundings and a ship with stocks for a month or three at sea. Shark steaks might extend that but trying to wrestle a twenty five foot shark onto deck might be a challenge, as might keeping out of the mouths of the hundred footers that cruise around...
Once we've had a 'this is what I'm doing to fill my time' the next post will have zipped along to somewhere near the stricken sloop...
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Post by gringnr on Jan 13, 2023 21:01:24 GMT -5
Akki
The tall Elf finds Udhaav, the man he began this adventure with. Thrust together by chance and need, he had felt a liking for the Wizard immediately. There was something... trustworthy about him. "I wonder", thought Akki to himself,"if he could teach me a spell or two?"
Actions
1. Akki looks for Udhaav
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Post by houndle on Jan 14, 2023 1:22:18 GMT -5
Will Darness
Will attends the management meeting after which he intends to get some sleep - unless Klarrrrchur's plans dictate otherwise.
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mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 300
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Post by mosker on Jan 14, 2023 9:03:12 GMT -5
Udhaav
Heads to the deck, gets close enough to the rail to feel the spray of the sea, lets the cold salty water wake him up from fantasies of saving the day and the lives of his far more accomplished comrades with a sexy [OOC: albeit still only 2nd level] spell, or even another imaginary time--the fabled fifth age, was it?--when the one he's chosen was more potent...
Actions:
1. Commits self to learning Teacher
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Post by nialldubh on Jan 14, 2023 10:21:16 GMT -5
Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:
With the main officers and heroes conglomerated in the galley, Klarrrrchur gives his speech:
“Many miles towards island of Khrayyt is a burning war sloop, one of the escorts to the Sonan Ie fleet. It is uncertain if it is on its own or other of the fleet attempted to take shelter in one of the island's coves!”
“It is as Mister Fergal states, a near full day's sailing to the sloop, if still there when we get to its location having perhaps sunk to the depths!”
“Master Helmsman Fergal, I be also grateful for your opinion?”
“Quartermaster Meggin can tell the crew of our intent once we have come to a decision.”
Actions:
Actions of Dwarf...Have a galley table littered with maps, charts and paperweights...
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