Bad News (Chapter One) [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

Locus

2011-08-23, 07:35 PM

8 Desnus, 4720

The six of you are led into a very well furnished office, dominated on the far side by a massive wooden desk. The carpet beneath your bare feet is plush and thick, covering a circle in the center of the office, and the windows behind the desk are open, allowing the salty, fresh morning breeze to enter the room. There are knickknacks everywhere- maps line the walls and souvenirs of naval campaigns and battle are scattered across shelves and tables.

An imposing man in a very ornate uniform stands behind the desk and glowers at the six of you- and he isn't alone. Aside from the half-dozen guards that marched you in from the stockade, another four are standing at attention to the sides of the room. Not that they're terribly useful- you're all stripped to the waist (except Izzie, who was modestly given a coarse shift to wear) and manacled at the wrists and ankles in heavy bronze chains.

Two nights ago, while Bad News was chasing a packet ship across Seven Isle Sound, she was ambushed by two of the King's Ships. Despite a fierce defense, Bad News was boarded, taken, and her surviving crew imprisoned in the hold of the RS Splendid. It took most of the next day under sail for the ships to reach Ashbarrow Redoubt, one of Itonia's coastal forts and a base of naval operation.

You all spent last evening in separate cells, not being tortured per se, but certainly being roughed up real good by the King's Finest. After that, it was a sleepless night on the bare stone floor before being roused at daybreak and brought here.

“I am Commodore Haleth Jalemhorn,” the man behind the desk finally speaks. “You may be wondering why you are all still alive, as the punishment for piracy is death.”

He gestures to the open window. Through it, in the courtyard, you can see Salindus Fairtide dangling from a gallows, gently swinging in the wind.

“As you can see, there are six more nooses awaiting necks. And if it were up to me, they'd have been occupied yesterday with the other one.” He gives a grim smile and cracks his knuckles. “But there's still plenty of today left.”

He makes his way around the desk with a slight limp, his boots clicking on the bare floor as he does. “However, given our current state of war with Nubinum, and ships and sailors being in demand, orders have come down from the top regarding a slight change in policy. Captains convicted of piracy will be made example of, and their crews and ships pressed into service for with the King's Ships. Cut off the head, and the body reforms, or some nonsense like that.”

Jalemhorn licks his lips and frowns as he reaches the front of his desk and sits on it. “Now, no captain in the navy would volunteer to pair his ship or squadron up with such an undisciplined crew, and that's to be expected. However, and I don't understand this one bit, you'd be released as a privateer- a dishonor to our navy, if you asked me, to sack and disrupt enemy shipping.”

He works a small scroll from his jacket and consults it, “you'd be monitored by men of the King, of course, and half of the prizes you take would go to the King's treasury. But you'd be working towards a parole of sorts- if you do your duty, you will be pardoned at the conclusion of the conflict. Or, if you don't accept, we'll hang you beside your captain. What say you lot?”

stack

2011-08-23, 08:14 PM

Drake stares at his lifeless captain. I'll gut those lily-livered worthless sons of... His hands flex open and shut, straining against his manacles. His brain strives with his temper for control of his tongue.

We all knew this could happen. All pirates die on the gallows or the deep. Not much for retirement. Wouldn't have it if it where.

But I won't forget. No, there will be reckoning. His face cools, forming an emotionless mask. The others recognize the signs of his deadliest mood, no smile, no joke, not even a scowl.

"You hold all the cards. That's one course I'll not follow the capt'n on. I'll fight yer war, fight it good." Maybe not for you, not for long. I won't forget you though.

Izzie, you better hop to it. Won't leave you swingin' too. Keep your head little wench.

Irony

2011-08-23, 10:12 PM

Captain... Izzie looks noticeably distraught upon seeing Salindus hanging like that. Not the first family I've lost to the government. Probably not going to be the last. Luck spares me again while I watch yet another brother die.

Izzie looks at Drake. One left I guess. One left to trust. Still one reason to fight.

"Yeah, I'm in. You already destroyed the only reason I would oppose you."

Rising Phoenix

2011-08-23, 11:43 PM

Father thought Undine's Brath Father! Father !Father! the word was a scream of anguish in his head! He wanted to return to the sea, the womb of the world, and gaze into the dark abyss that was his mother. He wanted to become water and wind, forget this feeling of grief and pass through the wake of swift flying birds and diving dolphins. The sea, he must return to the sea. To become of it and ride the albatross into the stars afar...

Despite his grief and his puffed and bruised face, Salt still smilled as if nothing had happened. He never cried, but the little decapod in the now cracked glass honey jar hung by his side shone dimly blue and wasn't moving. Sad it had written all over its container Sad!Sad!Bad! Bad! Man! Man! Man!.

"I will join your war" finally said Salt smilling ever so slightly "But let him return to the sea. A man who lived on her waters must return to her. Noble or cretin. King or peasant. Slave or soldier. We all belong to her and must return to her. He was of the sea. He IS the sea. Let him go back."

Fox45

2011-08-24, 12:24 AM

Daron looks down at the manacles that bind his hands. He offers to trade these chains for bonds of loyalty. We flirt with Desna and now she laughs. There's only one way out of this alive. He looks to the body of Captain Fairtide and lets out a sigh. Captain, I'm sorry but I'm not ready to follow you into the Boneyard.

"Alright, where do I sign?"

Gamblerjoe

2011-08-24, 07:43 AM

Liang

As the guards shove Liang and jerk his chains around to direct him he flops around loosely, staggering but never losing his footing. Liang remains silent as he is escorted into the office and while the man speaks to them. His closed lips are stuck in a goofy ear to ear smile and his eyes look like two small slits.

Liang offers a silent prayer for his fallen captain. Another body returns to Gozreh's creation, and another soul returns to his domain. Nature refuses us peace in life so that she might reserve it as a reward for our souls. Revel in it now Captain; the winds will blow strong with your memory.

As his captors continue on, Liang simply smiles and nods like a happy-go-lucky child. To the leader's ultimatum he replies "Anything for another drink."

Lycar

2011-08-25, 04:30 AM

Renoiar

This doesn't bode well... thought Renoiar glumly as they were led to the officer's office.

But when he heard the offer, the offer to become a commissioned privateer to hunt down the ships of the very people who betrayed his family, all he could do was to stop himself from laughing out loud.

"So we are supposed to do what we have been doing anyway. Just become more discerning in our choice of... prey. Excellent. I'll do it."

Locus

2011-08-25, 10:37 AM

As he listens to your answers, Jalemhorn manages to look genuinely disappointed that none of you chose to hang. “Very well.” He turns to one of the guards, “Have them escorted to their ship. Have Merker meet them there.”

With some prodding and poking, you're herded through the door, into a winding maze of corridors and stairways and finally outside. Ashbarrow Redoubt is a sprawling complex of forts and buildings protecting Ashbarrow Bay and the mouth of the Flat River, which is a major shipping waterway deep into the heart of Itonia.

You appear to be in one of the larger citadels, atop a small hillock which gives an almost unobstructed view of the bay. At the mouth of the river, barges and shallow-keeled river transports are unloaded into warehouses and sent back up the river, moving easily against the very weak flow. The beaches and shore and full of wharves and drydocks, moorings for smaller boats and naval supplies. In the deeper water offshore, you see at least two dozen ships waiting at anchor, including the familiar shape of Bad News.

After a slow and exhausting trek (have you ever tried walking any distance in leg irons?) you find yourselves by the water, on a narrow sandy beach beside a tiny pier. A good sized skiff is being rowed into shore, apparently heading in to ground nearby. Jalemhorn is waiting for you, flanked by an almost impossibly lean elf on this right, and a rather dumpy looking human to his left.

“You made it. Let me introduce two of your new crew members.” he gestures to the human, “This is Farth Halmot, of the King's Treasury.” Farth couldn't look more disinterested if he tried. “He'll be making sure your take it...properly logged and handled. Unpleasant business, but one can never take chances, hmm? There are lots of dishonest people out there, we wouldn't want any misunderstandings to happen. And this is Merker. Think of him as our representative among the crew. He'll make sure the ship is run according to Itonian principles. And he reports directly to me.” Jalemhorn finishes with a smile. Merker doesn't even blink at his name. “We've also emptied some of our cells to replace the crew you've lost recently, but they are already aboard, as are your personal effects.”

He clasps his hands neatly behind his back as the skiff runs aground on beach. Two of the rowers jump out and run the boat up higher out of the water.

“If there are no more questions, I'm sure you're all eager to get home.”

Rising Phoenix

2011-08-25, 11:18 AM

You must give him back to the sea!! He desperately thought as they began to drag them out of the room. He tried to protest, but the movement of the others dragged him out too. He though of screaming then... but what good would it do him? He's powerless and another bruise or whipping would hardly help him at all... He slumped his head and walked down to the shore silently, never complaining once. He still had the faint smile of his on his lips, but his familiar's light was near non existent... Maybe the gulls will eat him and carry him to sea . The thought was morbid, twisted, but it was also a weird kind of hope.

The sight of the sea lapping at his feet hardly improved his mood, but he did raise his dead to listen to what Jalemhorn had to say.

Oh Stripes and Tip will like the taste of you he thought vengefully. Stripes and Tip were the two sharks he most often had conversations with and frequently fed them scraps. One, Tip, is an oceanic white-tip the other, Stripes, a tiger shark Of course it will have to be an accident... but I am good with accidents. At his side the squid turned red and rubbed its tentacles.

"I have a question" he finally said with a smile and friendly voice "Are any of you allergic to any foods? Any dietary preferences? Vegetarian by choice?" he gestured at the Elf " Not-a-problem. I know some fantastic sea weed salads and soups that involve no animal parts. As the ships cook I need to know things like this. Keeps up the morale, scurvy at bay and prevents unforeseen...erm...accidents"

stack

2011-08-25, 11:18 AM

As they shuffle to the pier, Drake whistles an obnoxiously catchy sea shanty, a petty revenge for his state.

Seeing their new watchdogs. "What's the matter Jalemhorn? Don't trust us?" Trust this: I will have you on my blade.

He holds out his hands as far as his manacles will allow. "Won't be sailin' far in these. Not exactly gonna escape with all your guards about anyhow. Besides, we're all chums now, right?" He gives a big, stupid grin that makes no attempt to reach his eyes, while casually ignoring the treasury man who would be looking over his shoulder for the time being.

Lycar

2011-08-25, 01:59 PM

Renoiar

Renoiar resents the way he is being treated like a common criminal, chained up like... well, like a captured pirate. But then again, he can't complain. He lived a lot longer then his enemies back in Nubinum would have liked him to, so even if he had been hanged he would have been ahead.

And now? Now he is being sent out again, a privateer, meant to hunt down the ships of his former homeland. Some people might balk at this but for Renoiar it was a chance to meet old enemies and settle some scores.

After all, it were the merchants most of all who backed the new potentate and his father, who chose to put friendship and loyalty above... expedience one might say, he paid a high price for it. And the merchants profited from their loss.

Yes, he would relish the chance to hunt down and attack ships running under a certain flag especially. And then, to get the sweet, sweet prize: The head of the ship's captain...

But then he gets ripped out of his daydream as they reach the beach and meet their future watchdogs.

(Good old Drake, always have your priorities straight, don't you.) he thinks to himself as Drake requests to have his shackles removed.

When Salt finishes his speech, Renoiar feels compelled to to put something right. "With which he means, nobody will die from food poisoning. Or any poisoning at all as long as he has a say about this. He is very scrupulous about this, our Salt. For him, everyone on board is part of the crew. And he takes good care of them."

Having said this, he goes on "As for the Itonian principles for state sponsored piracy, sorry, 'privateering', I'm afraid I'm woefully ignorant of the subject. I am certain Mr. Merker will redress the situation post haste. "

"As for the bookkeeping: I assure you that you will find Mr. Drakes accounting to your satisfaction. No wait, let me rephrase that: I am certain you will find Mr. Drake's bookkeeping to be quite nice. As in the old meaning of the word: Scrupulously precise." he adds with a sweet smile.

Renoiar isn't exactly sure why he takes an immediate dislike towards Mr. Halmot. Maybe it's because the Nubinam treasurer was among the traitors. Maybe it's something subconscious.
And maybe it's just a failed Sense Motive roll. Anyway, Renoiar would like to gauge their mood, his Sense Motive score is +5. I assume this is one of the rolls the GM has to make.

stack

2011-08-25, 02:17 PM

Drake turns away from their captor and looks out to the ship. Be good to get back on board. Can't sleep ashore anymore. Need to move, be free.

A thought strikes him. "You have, of course, provided us with a flag, so that we may properly display our allegiance while acting in the stead of this great nation? Must obey the laws and customs of war on the seas, as an upstanding officer such as yourself is surely aware."

I doubt they left our supply of false-flags aboard. Rather not get sent to the bottom by one of 'our' ships.

Rising Phoenix

2011-08-25, 09:09 PM

Renoiar
When Salt finishes his speech, Renoiar feels compelled to to put something right. "With which he means, nobody will die from food poisoning. Or any poisoning at all as long as he has a say about this. He is very scrupulous about this, our Salt. For him, everyone on board is part of the crew. And he takes good care of them."

"Food poisoning?(!)" says Salt with a modest amount of surprise and continues in evident mock offense "I would never... I... I take offense at your unkind words Renoiar!"

Locus

2011-08-25, 10:14 PM

"The keys are already aboard. When you're on your ship, feel free to take them off. However, pirates will always be manacled in my presence, regardless of this privateer nonsense." He looks Drake up and down once. "And yes, we've been through your collection of colors. And, as much as it pains me, I must admit it is a rather complete collection. A Blue Ensign and the Jack of the Fjords? You appear to be all set without our help."

Halmot almost answers Salt's question before Merker silences him with a sharp jab to the stomach. The blow comes so quickly it catches everyone by surprise- Halmot is already doubling over with the wind knocked out of him before the guards even twitch.

"Do not talk with them," he hisses at the portly man, barely audible over the waves.

Sensing there are no more questions (or perhaps not interested in talking with out any longer) he gestures to the guards, who force you all to slog across the beach and pile into the boat, where you are joined by Merker and Halmot. The boat is shoved back into the surf and slowly rowed into the bay, heading towards Bad News.

When the skiff finally reaches Bad News and is lashed alongside, the crew above tosses down a large hemp net, allowing the eight of you to climb aboard. Once on deck, Merker stalks off below decks, dragging Halmot with him. Kazmuk Silverforge, the Yeoman's mate, and Elsbeth Monara, the Sailing Master's assistant, greet you. Kazmuk hands out the keys to your shackles and directs the crew to haul the boarding net up.

Elsbeth speaks up as you all focus on removing your chains, "It will be at least another hour before the tides are fair enough for us to make sail. We had your personal effects brought to your cabins when they were returned and it's good to see you all are alive. But where is Salindus?"

Rising Phoenix

2011-08-25, 11:28 PM

Salt smirks at the anger of the elf Well aren't you jolly for frolicker... I don't think that even my infamous extra sour sea cucumbers could sour your mood more

"
Elsbeth speaks up as you all focus on removing your chains, [COLOR="Red"]"It will be at least another hour before the tides are fair enough for us to make sail. We had your personal effects brought to your cabins when they were returned and it's good to see you all are alive. But where is Salindus?"

"Good to see you too Elsbeth." Salt says genuinely pleased "I hope these... 'gentlemen'... treated you with respect? And I dare hope they didn't take or alter my maps... those things are bloody dear to make...As for Captain Salindus he..." his voice turns slightly sad and lower in tone "......he...... I am sorry........ he is... gone....father" He couldn't say hanged.

stack

2011-08-26, 09:57 AM

"Good to see you too Els. How stands the crew? Looks like we still have a few wounded from that mess." He shakes the blood into his hands and stomps his feet as the chains fall off. He stretches as he takes stock of the ship.

Deciding it's best to tell everyone at once, and not waiting for the others, he climbs up on a crate and calls out, "The captain's dead. Hung as an example to all us miserable miscreants. We've gone legit to save our necks. This ship is now a privateer in the service of Itonia. We have our skins, enjoy them. These two will be our chaperons. Nothing untoward is to happen to them." Yet. He speaks with a half-smile, one that makes his thoughts very clear to the ones who know him well. We play the game till we can change the rules.

"Silverforge, get over here and meet your auditor. He'll be double-checking our books. Won't be a problem. I'm getting dressed. Naked without my blade." He strides off to strap on his armor and rapier.

He calls over his shoulder, "Daron, let me know if you need a hand with the wounded."

After getting equipped, Drake will check in with the members of the crew and briefly interview the newcomers.

Rising Phoenix

2011-08-26, 10:19 AM

Rising Phoenix

2011-08-26, 10:26 AM

Roll: Profession Cook [roll0]

Fox45

2011-08-26, 10:49 AM

"You can just stick to your books. I'll be alright once I get a drink, or two." He turns to address the crew once his shackles are removed. "If anyone needs me, I'll be in my quarters." And with that he walks off towards his cabin rubbing his sore wrists.

Gamblerjoe

2011-08-26, 03:37 PM

Liang

Liang finally breaks his silence once aboard the ship. He adeptly makes his way to the keys and unlocks his manacles as if they hardly hindered him in the first place. He helps the rest of his mates out of their bindings and welcomes them back to Gozreh's domain.

"It feels good to be back out here. Those dungeons are no place for honest folk like us." Liang smiles jovially. "What got to me wasn't the lack of wine or the love taps, it was being cooped up away form the fresh air, the waves, and the albatrosses."

He wastes little time before checking on the rigging and sails. He makes sure the ship is in proper order and completely seaworthy before checking on the liquor supply.Profession (Boatswain): [roll0]

Lycar

2011-08-26, 09:30 PM

Renoiar

Renoiar is just as happy to get rid of the shackles as any other pirate or noble and he stares after their new watchdogs as they disappear under deck, rubbing his chafed wrists as he does so.

Interesting. As far as watchdogs go, the fat one is a lapdog. But Merker... that one is a pitbull. Dangerous. Professional. Not one to be underestimated.

"Drake, don't worry about the books. This paper-pusher Halmot is a pushover. But watch your back around Merker. Jalemhorn was pretty disappointed he didn't get to see us dangle, so don't give him any excuses to change his mind."

"Right. So they filled up our crew complement with whatever dregs they could scrape out of their dungeons, eh? Well, I better get to work then." he says and immediately goes about inspecting the crew.

Fortunately there are still quite a few familiar faces there, people who know him and people he knows. And who know they can depend on each other in a fight.

But the new fish? Better get a good look at them and then decide how to address the matter of drilling them into fighting shape.
So Renoiar wants to look at the new crewmen and evaluate their morale, skill and, if possible, loyalty. I suppose a hiiden Sense Motive roll is in order?

Locus

2011-08-27, 09:13 PM

Salt- when you check your maps, you find them to be in good order, if not perhaps the order you left them in. Nothing seems to be altered to missed, but someone obviously searched your workspace for something.
Consulting your charts, you know setting the ship on a northerly course will send you in the general direct you need to go. More than that will be actually plotting a course, which is a Prof(Sailing Master) check, please :)

Liang- the ship itself, too, is in good shape. Everything seems to be in order. The liquor cabinet, on the other hand, has seen better days. And fuller days. In fact, you can't remember the last time you could see the back of it for lack of bottles in the way.

Drake- after your impromptu speech, the crew manning the decks seems a little glum. You can see them whispering among themselves, and you're pretty sure word will travel fast to those not present.

Daron- a few of the crew check in for some minor care, and there are some nursing some rather large injuries that you'll need to treat.
I'm going to need two Prof(Surgeon) checks per game day (starting today) for the next few game days to provide some long term care and get these people back above decks with no last injuries.

Drake and Renoiar-
You two work the crew, mingling and trying to get to know the new members as best you can. They seem a hardworking, earnest bunch, some chatty, others sullen- but every one of them fits in- knows an existing crew member, fought with you in a tavern brawl one time, or speaks with such gall about the authorities. Except for one. Something just doesn't seem right about Marn Silverhollow. He's nervous. He served on ships you've not seen in years, and was present at events you're pretty sure he wasn't. But he is doing his duty and seems to get along with the rest of the crew.

As you all make ready to sail, you find yourself merely waiting for the tides to change. You all find plenty of tasks that need doing, and soon it is time to depart.

The boat will get underway with my AM post tomorrow. If you have anything else to do before leaving, you have until then. If we don't hear from Izzie before then, her mate will make the roll for her, and we'll move on. I also need that Sailing Master roll or the mate will make it :)

stack

2011-08-27, 10:07 PM

Right, best see to the chest. Doubt they left us with anything. Be lucky to find two coppers to rub together. Better have issued supplies.

Drake goes over to the chest, keys in hand, quietly opening it and inspecting it's contents or lack thereof. After he stalks the deck, impatiently hunting anything that may slow their departure.

Best keep eyes and the new hands. Especially Silverhollow. Can't have loose cannons. Or worse. We have enough loads already.

"Els! Elsbeth! We need a full report. How are we stocked? Weapons accounted for? Munitions? We need to know what we have before we get into any trouble."

Drake will pass word to the old hands to let him know anything unusual about the newcomers, especially Silverhollow.

Now let's get out there so we can pay them all. No crew is loyal with empty pockets, none mutinous rich. Gold will smooth out any conflicting loyalties here.

Renoir better not be getting ideas about making himself captain. That I won't stand for.

Rising Phoenix

2011-08-28, 12:06 AM

Salt felt immediate relief to see that all his maps were in safe. He had hand drawn most of them and each of them held many memories...

Well they want us to sabotage their enemies... We can play along with that... hmmm where should we go? I guess one of their nice fat trading vessels should be ripe for the taking...

Knowledge Geography to figure out which areas are used as trading roots by the enemies: [roll0] and a profession sailing master check to get us there [roll1]. Add +2 to both these checks if the equipment aids in any way

Fox45

2011-08-28, 01:26 AM

When Daron reaches his cabin he immediatly got to his stash of ale. Grabbing a tankard and filling it to the brim before he chugs down the amber liquid. With the tankard empty he refills it and drinks another one before he pauses to relish the feeling of the alcohol in his belly.

Daron then gets about to preparing for buisness as usual, right after he changes his clothing and filles another tankard to drink while he attends to the injured crew members.

"All right what seems to be the problem?"
"Does it hurt when I do this?"
"Oh don't worry you'll look good in an eyepatch."
"It's scurvy. Yes, I'm sure. Well if you would eat your vegetables you wouldn't be in this mess."

2 Prof(Surgeon) rolls[roll0]
[roll1]

Gamblerjoe

2011-08-28, 01:59 PM

Liang

The sober monk laments at the absence of liquor. "Damnable imperial lap dogs." He skulks back to the deck of the ship and begins barking orders to the crew.
"Afterguard! Inspect those sails from top to bottom!"
"Seaman! Make sure we have enough lanyard!"
"And you three bilge rats swab the deck!"

Locus

2011-08-28, 08:22 PM

Salt, after some time with his charts and maps, plots a three day course- taking Bad News across the shipping lanes to the northwest.
Using charts, tools, etc is figured into the DC on my end :)

In short while, the ship is prepared and ready to leave. However, in her grief, Izzie appears to have, in her grief, locked herself in her cabin and refused to come out. (Un?)Fortunately, Nesteruk the Impatient is more than willing to take the ship's wheel and set you on your northerly course.

12 Desnus, 4720

Four days later, after a slow start and a very disappointing discovery of the half-orc helmsman asleep at wheel, Bad News finally arrives. It's a cloudy day with a good amount of wind, but you've hunted here before and the prizes have been numerous.

"Sail ho! Two masts at full sheet!" comes the call from Kyras Halfarrow, posted high above in crow's nest.

stack

2011-08-28, 09:46 PM

Drake calls back, "They have a flag?"

Then he calls below, "Sails sighted, get yer worthless hides on deck an' ready for action." He grabs the nearest sailor, "Go find any officer not on deck, get 'em topside."

He heads to the rail facing the oncoming ship, hand coming to rest on the hilt of his rapier. Either we fall into the deep or make a proper crew. Let's see how we do.

Rising Phoenix

2011-08-29, 12:58 AM

Spells:
0: cure minor wounds, resistance, detect magic
1st: mage armor, cause fear (DC 15)

Makes sense for Salt to alter his normal selection considering his expecting trouble...

Can Elsbeth fight effectively?

Salt was in the kitchen when he heard the ruckus.

"Elsbeth kindly mind the maps while I am gone" he says as he walks onto the deck.

"What do we have here?" he asks Drake

Perception check to make out the flag and any other details about the ship. If there's a telescoper he uses it.

[roll0]

Action once trouble is iminent casts mage armor oh himself raising his AC to 15

Gamblerjoe

2011-08-29, 09:51 AM

Liang

Liang hears the call and heads above deck. He takes command of the sailors working the sails and rigging and ask for a report from Tam Pennybolt. "How's the wind blow, Tam?"

Lycar

2011-08-29, 02:06 PM

Renoiar

Renoiar goes to work drilling the new crew immediately. Although he finds that the replacement sailors are of surprisingly good quality, the new men still need to be trained in combat tactics.

Originally the training he received was meant for him to direct small infantry or cavalry troops, but they translate surprisingly well to shipboard combat too.

"All right men, listen up! Many of you know me, and I know a many of you. This speech is not for you. For the rest of you, there are some things you need to know:

The most important thing is: We are all on the same ship here. This means, no matter if we like the other guy or hate his guts, we will work together, no ifs, no buts."

"Look to your left. See that guy? In the next fight he could be the one who saves your sorry hide from a nasty disembowelment. Look to your right. That guy might help you get to the surgeon and keep your guts in if the guy from the other side got a lucky swing in. And that means: You will damn well do those things for them!"

"This may come to a surprise for many of you but on this ship, we value our crewmates. Make no mistake: We officers and the mates are still your superiors when it comes to orders. And we do not take kindly to insubordination. We are pirates, remember that. Okay, so technically we are privateers now, but, well, same difference."

"But when the time comes to fight, I want to see each and everyone of you alive at the end of the day. Maybe not unharmed, such is our lot in live, but we will do our darndest to prevail, be it in high seas or in battle. And to that end we will train tactics people. We may be pirates but that doesn't mean we can't fight in a disciplined and effective fashion. It doesn't mean we cant mop the deck even with Nubian marines! Because we totally did that already, right men!"

And so on... after his speech training starts immediately. And all the while Renoiar muses.

(We will have to elect a new captain eventually. But who should do it. Izzie is right out, she is a woman. A very efficient helmsman... helmswoman maybe but the crew won't stand for it. Salt is a fixture of the ship. And no leadership material. Liang... he certainly has the mind for it. But maybe he is a bit too... quiet. Not necessarily a bad thing. Hmm... Daron is the surgeon. He has his hands full most of the time, literally. He can't be captain and surgeon. And Drake? Hah! I bet he'd love to play captain. But he just doesn't have the spirit. Well... I could probably fill in the position. But the training of the crew would suffer. On the other hand, I already lead the fighting actions. And that is what a good captain does anyway, isn't it? Hmm... But I need to ask the others about it in a quiet moment. )

But eventually his musings are interrupted as the lookout signals approaching sails.

"Sergeant on deck! All hands, battle stations! Boarders, crossbows ready! Sergeant's Mate, check equipment!" he bellows, not giving the orders for the gun crews, they are not his men to command after all.

stack

2011-08-29, 02:13 PM

Drake crosses over to Salt, Liang, and Renoiar, "All the men armed? Good. Let's gather the officers, we need quick decisions and we can't be arguing in front of the men. I say we take a look, see about taking our first prize."

Locus

2011-08-29, 09:05 PM

"Aye, colors, Drake! She flies Merchant's Red of Octavia!" Kyras shouts back down, clearly excited.

Meanwhile, Tam hauls hard on a line and begins to bring Bad News around to bear down on the ship. "Sporadic and strong! We can catch her if she's got a full hold, but we'll be pressed while do so!"

It will take some time to bear down on the hapless merchant ship. Feel free to have a conference, but if Liang attends, Tam will be making the Boatswain checks to get you there. The better the roll, the quicker and more stable the ship will be. Nesteruk the Impatient will be at the helm.

The crew can be armed and set to fight. The riggers and boys will be almost useless in it, however. Any able-bodied soul aboard can fight, and the 'pirates' (the crew description, not the profession :P) specialty is combat on the ship. The mates can hold their own as well, but they aren't really built for it. They'll earn a PC level or two eventually to help out.

As for the guns, Bad News has 4 Ballistae on board currently- one facing aft, and two fore- one port and one starboard. The fourth can be mounted next to any of the other three to add some firepower. Any of the pirates (again, the crew type.... I need a better name for that), Renoiar, or Jask can operate them with teams of three people. It is a full round action to fire, and another full round action to reload. It takes about 5 minutes to set up or take down the mobile one. Anything you think I'm missing, feel free to ask. I'm learning about ship to ship combat here too! :)

Lycar

2011-08-30, 04:12 PM

Renoir

"Octavia you say? Hmm..." Renoir ponders the implications. Since they are privateers now, they are fighting on behalf of Itonia, tasked with hunting down and attacking Nubian ships. Since attacks on ships of (officially) neutral nations could be detrimental to the war effort, Renoir doesn't think that Merker would be all too happy.

"Gentlemen, I suggest we take a different course of action then just flying pirate, sorry, privateer colours and attacking. Rememer, we basically are Itonian auxiliaries now. Since Octavia is neutral in the war, at lest as far as we know, we can adopt a different strategy: We hail the ship and tell it to stop for inspection. Then we go aboard and search for contraband, check the ship's manifest where the cargo is intended to go. If they are supplying Itonia, they are allies and must be spared. If they supply our designated enemy however, we will seize the prize in the name of the Itonian crown."

"If we play this right, we will take her without much bloodshed as a crew already surrounded by opposing marines will be much more reluctant to offer resistance."

Renoir pauses and look between his fellow officers.

"What do you think? Think you may impersonate Itonian officers? Maybe this Merker can lend a helping hand. He certainly has the arrogance for it. How about you, Drake? Fancy yourself to play captain for this?" he asks, sounding quite amiable. But there is a hidden tension in his speech.