The Seas of Blood - The Price of Fame (Chapter One)

[Phoenix]

Lukda shakes her head slightly at that.

"I'm headed back to the ship," she tells Phineus, "to watch out for sabotage. I think to trust in the honour of a pirate, gentleman or not, is the height of foolishhardiness."

Though her lemon satin gown would suit 'swishing' far better, Lukda's exit from the Dyke and Wheelbarrow could only be described as 'striding'.

The large form of Phineus wavers a little in his seat as his eyes attempt to focus on Lukda. "Yeah...Sabnotarg, them damn fishes..."

Something in his mind clicks, forcing his brain to completely ignore what is happening around him, effectively having him pass out. At the same time something upstairs begins to move his legs, causing him to stumble out of the tavern and after Lukda. Later the next day he would swear that the 'Ale Horseman' took him home from the tavern that night...

 

[Bront]

Fontane smiles broadly a leans forward in his seat to whisper across at Swoops and wink. "That's the beauty of the game, the rules are so simple that even an old man like meself can play."

Leaning back in his chair once more, Fontane takes a heavy mug of ale from one of his crew and sips from it gently, his eyes burning with a cunning excitement that he cannot possibly hide.

"At the end of the ninety days, the ships meet at Haven's Den. Only the gold and treasures onboard at that time count towards the total. The only valuables that count towards the total are coin, jewelry and gemstones. Easy?"

"I expect though that overly aggressive actions between our ships is against the game though, we are gentlemen after all."

At the snap of his fingers, one of Fontane's men drops a map of the Tirian Coast upon the table between the two Captains. Quickly it is weighed at each corner by a tankard, allowing the two Captains to see every inch of it clearly.

"If you accept, which if I know you Swoops, you will. All that is left is to pick our destinations, North or South, since there be no point in going the same way. What say you?"

"Sounds simple enough, and fair enough as well," Captain Swoops says, looking into the older Captain's eyes. "I think we'll head North, and let you head South. But there is one final arangement, when shall we start?"

 

[Phoenix]

"Sounds simple enough, and fair enough as well," Captain Swoops says, looking into the older Captain's eyes. "I think we'll head North, and let you head South. But there is one final arangement, when shall we start?"

There is a twinkle in Captain Fontane's eye as Swoops indicates his agreement to the challenge. "Methinks that this is Day 0, so if you think that you can get anywhere tonight, feel free."

Rennie tugs at Fontane's pant leg, then whispers in the Captain's ear as he leans down. "Oh yes, and unless your curious at any stage in the game..." His eye twinkles once more, "...I wouldn't think that you'd be crossing the line with less than a million gold crowns, cause that'd be what I'm aiming for."

At the sound of 'million' several tables stop and gawk, only fueling Fontane's widening grin. There are whispers about the inn and quickly the entire tavern is quietly waiting for Swoops' response.

 

[Bront]

"Only a million? I'm shocked you think so little of me." Captain Swoops says with a confident smile. "Just try not to get yourself killed rounding up money for me."

Swoops spits in his hand and offers it to Fontane.*

*This is a common sailor form of acknowledging and committing to an agreement.

 

[Phoenix]

"Only a million? I'm shocked you think so little of me." Captain Swoops says with a confident smile. "Just try not to get yourself killed rounding up money for me."

Swoops spits in his hand and offers it to Fontane.*

*This is a common sailor form of acknowledging and committing to an agreement.

Fontane laughs heartidly, spits on his hand, and clasps Swoops'.

"Deal."

With nothing more said the old Captain stands, smiles, and walks from the inn with his crew following behind him. Now Swoops and his crew were left to contemplate their legend.

 

[Ferrix]

Tossing what spare change he won down on the table, a'Shelys gives a hearty handshake to the dwarf that brought him into the game, "well played," beckoning the waitress over he buys a round for his fellow players and rises from the table.

Striding past Swoops he nods his head, "see you on the boat Captain." And makes for the ship, "might as well get started tonight..." you hear him say as he exits the inn and heads for the Moon Goddess.

 

[IcyCool]

Bart finishes up his tale, then bids his audience good eve. When he stands, Captain Smith scampers up to his shoulder, and he gives Captain Swoops a nod. "I'll see ye on the Goddess Cap'n." With that, he stomps out and down the road to the docks.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Ramses Waveborne

Ramses waits until Captain Fontane is gone and moves up to Captain Swoops and puts his hand on his Captain's shoulder. "I Dunno Cap'n I trust him no farther than I can fly. Why are you acceptin' this game?"

Squeeks runs down the rafters starteling a few of the patrons and runs over to Ramses and begins begging for table scraps.

 

[Bront]

"Because the sooner we can get him off the seas, the safer they are for inocent folks." Jonathon says to Ramsies. He then grins and says, "Besides, it's not like me to back down from a challenge."

Jonathon steps over to he bar to settle up for the crew. "Tell me, good friend" he whispers to the bartender, "Have you got any leads to follow on anything heading north? I know you'd love to see Fontane put in his place as much as any other."

 

[Phoenix]

"Because the sooner we can get him off the seas, the safer they are for inocent folks." Jonathon says to Ramsies. He then grins and says, "Besides, it's not like me to back down from a challenge."

Jonathon steps over to he bar to settle up for the crew. "Tell me, good friend" he whispers to the bartender, "Have you got any leads to follow on anything heading north? I know you'd love to see Fontane put in his place as much as any other."

[sblock]Diplomacy (DC 13) +29 - Exceptional Success
[/sblock]

The bartender looks at Swoops and mutters with a smile and a chuckle, "Damn you Swoops. Fontane paid me good gold to send you on a goose chase given half the chance, but bugger the ol' coot."

"The merchant vessel Waverunner is usually in the waters north of here, the Captain pays Fontane good protection money in these waters for escort, but since's he'll be off searching for gold to the south..."