D&D 5E Spell & Crossbones

[Quickleaf]

The Winchelsea

"I see," muses Captain Wallace, clearly impressed by Barrington's off the cuff story, but not wholly convinced that he can trust the man yet. "Well, it's my good fortune then that you're versed in the lore of mermaids. I'd be doubly lucky if you are familiar with deep diving? That would kill three birds - gunnery sergeant, mermaid hunter, and diver - in one stone." He inquires mirthfully, either hopeful...or trying to tease out more information from Barrington so he can make an assessment of the man.

Frowning at Barrington's claim that he doesn't know what Katerina is planning, Wallace sighs, "Tis a shame. I'd hoped that you'd been privy to what leads dear Katerina del Corazon has. Armed with such knowledge I could prevent an inevitable rivalry from forming between our expeditions, I am certain." Is that a hint of menace in the captain's voice? It's hard to say for certain, but it's quite evident that both he and Barrington are playing their cards close to the chest.

"No matter, she is no longer your concern. We'll be the first to find La Gloriosa Mr. Barrington, I assure you. To more pressing concerns. I trust a share and a half and a position as master gunner is acceptable to you?" In the distance, out across the bay, the last of the thunder whimpers as the storm begins dying down, causing currents to rock the ship gently. "I'll have a contract drawn up and ready for your signature tonight. In the meantime, one of our demi-culverins was irreparably damaged at sea, so your first task is to hunt down a replacement for me. I've tried to deal with Blackbeard, but he claims he has none, the lying bastard. So that leaves the smuggler Komodo Roy who I know has a few. Unless," he snorts derisively at the idea, "you put stock in those rumors of L'Ollonais' buried stockpile of munitions on New Providence?"

 

[Kobold Stew]

"I'm no diver, sir. Though I'll tell you, I believe it to be a problem that the human mind can solve. Our new understandings of the world, that all of its features are governed by reason, is something to be worked out." He looks down, is he saying too much? "That I will work out, in time. That will let ordinary people like you and I breathe water as easy as if it were air. I'm sure of it."

Barrington pauses, and thinks of Prydwen for a moment, as he looks our to the mouth of the Nassau harbour.

"I suspect there will be several parties seeking La Gloriosa, sir. del Corazon is just one."

It's the mention of the cannon that makes Barrington smile. "I've no reason to believe in stories of buried munitions, sir. Let me see if I can find something here in Nassau for you today. May I have a look at the weapons you have, sir?" He appears eager. "They look like eight pounders?"

Barrington walks up to the nearest barrel, and quickly assesses its size. He stands up, faces the captain, and again clicks his heels.

"See you this evening, sir."

 

[Shayuri]

Nia frowns down at the Seawolf for a moment, then says, "I should meet Tourbillon. If I am to work with you, and you work for him, then I should meet him. I will go."

"Whoever stays should keep close watch on him. Keep his bonds in sight at all times. Keep a weapon ready. Your greatest enemy will not be de prisoner, it will be complacency."

 

[Quickleaf]

Caillou's man Teague nods to Nia Steeleyes, though makes sure not to look her in the eyes to avoid ill winds befalling his voyages. At least, such is the superstition he heard of her ilk. "If'n the Tengu King desires, I can keep watch on the seawolf. Though our shot affected him little, in hindsight. Seemed to me the dwarven mojo-worker had better luck with the fire streaming from his fingers. Might be worthwhile having him stick round in case the seawolf needs to be put down again."

 

[Queenie]

Katerina pauses in thought for some time before speaking. "Alright, yes, Nia and I will go see what the Frenchman wants. The rest stay here and keep him sleeping. We shall hurry back as we can. My friends upstairs will take care of you." She pauses again, obviously pondering, before she nods to Nia and heads upstairs herself, her monkey following her.

 

[Quickleaf]

The Winchelsea

Read Wallace cocks his thick dark brow at Barrington's musings on the nature of science and discovery. An interesting man, this James Barrington, and hopefully a profitable one too. "No doubt," he agrees to Barrington's comment about multiple crews seeking La Gloriosa. "Though I doubt most have real leads to purse." A curt nod confirms the cannons are indeed eight-pounders. "Good luck, Mr. Barrington. Until this evening." Already, Captain Wallace's brooding eyes are giving their attention to a pair of arguing deckhands.

 

[Quickleaf]

Colonial Hotel

It's still early morning when Katerina del Corazon and Nia Steeleyes enter the courtyard lobby for the Colonial Hotel. One of the few buildings still standing from the days when Nassau was known as Charles Town by the English - before the Spanish burned the town to the ground, the hotel is by far the gaudiest building in Nassau. A mix of clientele trickle thru the courtyard ranging from drunken English merchant marines surrounded by prostitutes to industrious dwarven traders making their rounds in the Caribbean.

Katerina spots du Touribillon's man Badouin, the only Tamil man in the establishment and probably in all the Caribbean, sipping a cup of coffee under a small pergola arch and scrutinizing a ledger. "Ah, sahiba! And other sahiba." He gives a courteous nod to Nia. "A very good morning to you ladies. It strikes me as a good morning to go treasure hunting, doesn't it? Monsieur du Tourbillon has been expecting you. Allow me to --" Even as he begins to stand, Badouin spots du Tourbillon making his way down the stairs, checking a pocket watch. "Ah! Speak of the devil and he shall appear."

du Tourbillon is dressed in black and white clothes that hint of his wealth without being an overt display, wearing a grey overcoat to fight the morning chill. His age, somewhere in his 40's shows after his poor night of sleep leaving bags under his eyes which still show despite the slight application of makeup to the contrary. "Madame Corazon," he sighs in relief and comes over the table where Badouin is, a slight limp in his leg minimized with the use of a black silver-handled cane. "I was concerned my missive had not reached you in time. Since you appear well, I can only presume you were able to gain the upper hand on the rogues? No doubt you have questions. Coffee?" He offers, beginning to pour a cup for himself. Glancing at Nia, he inquires, "Is this your woman-servant or another of your officers?"

None of the other hotel guests are near the pergola, offering you a bit of privacy to discuss matters frankly.

 

[Kobold Stew]

James Barrington disembarks, and begins to wander along the quayside, turning over in his head what he has just learned. Morning in Nassau brings with it a series of smells, and it seems that each hundred yards has a new odor to reveal to the nostrils. When a pier has been scrubbed, it may still be wet, but there may be a small crowd leaning on a hoist, sharing a cigarette or a bottle.

He's not going out of his way, but he does have an eye out for anyone who might be able to help him get to the smuggler Komodo Roy. His ears are open for Blackbeard or L'Ollonais as well, but the smuggler seems most likely to be able to help the Winchelsea. Barrington rubs his palm, through the improvised bandage. Sore, still. At the moment, he has no position with Captain Wallace, but fulfillment of this commission would help secure his post by nightfall. If he has had no luck pursuing a lead by midday, he will change tactics.

 

[Unsung]

The King cooed in mild frustration, as he inspected their new abode, ceiling to floor, plucking cobwebs from corners and running his hands along the walls, feeling for cracks and inconsistencies. "As you will," says Caillou in a gruff farmer's voice, English tinged with a rural French accent. Teague's stubborn superstition would likely prevent any true friendship from forming between him and a creature such as the keeteel-- let alone a practitioner of voodoo, witchcraft, or the empirical method. Nevertheless, it irked Caillou to be thought of as any man's master. Even the title of 'King' chafed him. Still, better to be irked than captured. Fear and superstition could at the least serve as a cloak.

Lorelei curtsied to each member of Katerina's crew as she entered the room. She smiled at the wary look she receives from Teague. "Shapechangers. The caravans would tell their tales, I remember. We must have a care in binding him. They are not all alike," she warned.

"Silver?" Teague growled, huskily. The kobold might know where to lay hands on some, though he was nowhere to be seen. Off in search of some way to make useful, no doubt. Safe as the safehouse might be, they wouldn't be safe enough for Magnussen until they'd left Nassau well behind.

In any event-- silver it might be, though that rule did not hold true in every possible case. "Perhaps." The gypsy spread her hands. She looked to Caillou, but the Caillou was back to his inscrutable inspection of the place, not to be interrupted. He began down the stairs into the basement.

OOC: Savage trinket: [roll0] I'm wondering if there might be some way to lift the seawolf's curse from D'avard? I know I can't prepare remove curse until next level, but could there be some ritual or quest (dangerous but not overlong) to reverse the curse? This is less about helping cure D'avard than it is neutralizing the danger he represents, but perhaps he'd be grateful anyways. Or perhaps not, but if we mean to question him it would still be a nice bit of insurance.

 

[Quickleaf]

The Safehouse

The monster bound fast in the cellar safehouse beneath the laundress’ stirs with a pained groaned. Caillou, his retainers Lorelei and Teague, and Old Zef (if he is down in the cellar and not upstairs smoking) watch as D’avard stirs, eyes fluttering open with a low growl.

Caillou pockets an old clamshell that is sealed tight and is curiously resistant to cracking. It would seem this Blackbeard accumulated many such trinkets in his years of pirating, making him something as a magpie even though human.

Straining against his binds, D'avard finds the surreptitiously wound thick cords of hemp, further strengthen thru magical cantrip, to be quite tight. Currently, he is still in human form. "Rrrr...Should have tied me to an anchor and cast me in the sea..." The dim light of the candles causes shadows to shift across the man's face as if the seawolf lurking within is just waiting for the strength to come out.

OOC: The clamshell glows faintly from within under the moonlight and resists being opened even by extreme means. About the seawolf’s curse: In my games I distinguish between “little curses” which can be removed with remove curse and “big curses” which cannot. Seawolfism is a big curse. Little curses include bestow curse, many magic item curses, and monster abilities that specifically refer to remove curse like a mummy’s rotting touch. Big curses are significant story elements, like [MENTION=11146]CanadienneBacon[/MENTION]’s PC Kid’s “Curse of Aztec Gold”, the haunting of The Coral Curse by the djab Yellow Jack, a cursed storm that plagues the Caribbean, or lycanthropy. Removing them involves complex ritual requirements and usually an adventure or quest. At least. Caillou would know the person to see about casting/removing curses on New Providence Island is Mambo Asizwe who runs a tobacco plantation outside of Nassau.