Deep Water and Shoals - A Swashbuckling Campaign

[Uriel]

Seeing that there is no emergency, and that the 'All- Hands' was to get the Grace under full productivity instead, Nico relaxes his mood, if not his activity.
Artimus scampers up into the rigging, as the Monkey has taken to the Tars that make that their sepcialty, helping chase loose lines and learning knots and loops from them in turn.
Nico looks about for the Captain to see if there is anything that needs the attentions of a Mage especially, else he will throw in where needed.

 

[Bob Aberton]

(OOC All: Sorry about not posting again...I was waiting for some other people to chime in first...Anyways, skip ahead four uneventful days later...)

All,

CALYPSO'S GRACE was as good as her captain's word, and, four days later, Malachi's last sight shows you to be just 60 miles from the coast of the Dim West.

However, the captain seems on edge lately, and there is good reason; the waters around Standishtown are fearful places to sail. The shores are lined with rocks, the water is shallow and full of racing currents, and the Standishtown shore is famed for its fogs, "so dense you could carve it with an old rope and build a wall out of the pieces."

Malachi,

As dawn breaks and you come on deck to take a morning sight, you see the captain pacing the deck, looking out over the horizon, at the tiny black dots of land residing there.

"Well, Mr. Legba," he says. "Our life is in yer hands now more than ever." He looks over the water again and shakes his head. "There's a fog coming...I c'n feel it in me bones."

(OOC Malachi: Profession: Navigation check, please.)

Malthas,

Standing your "trick" at the wheel, you can hear the captain asking Malachi about your position. You can also hear the concerned note in his voice. From sailor's talk, you know you are headed for dangerous waters.

Nicodemus,

While standing your watch, Mr. Ames, the second mate, comes forward.

"Alright, men," he says. "tally on the anchor davits and break it out. Mr. Arfaliunium, take two men and fetch up the buoy-rope, slip-rope, and anchor cable. Jean Orleau, fetch forward the deep-sea lead."

Preparation for landfall has begun.

 

[dead_radish]

Malthas studies the seas ahead. He calls out to Malachai. "You know these waters, m'friend, or shall I take her where it seems best?"

 

[Tonguez]

"whadeva sems bes' t'you Malthas" Malachi replies to Malthus' question "Ahm no too fomiliar wit dhese waters - Calypos guide us safe t' port"

he takes a site against the horizon noting all available landmarks and scans the waters for signs of reef and rip before turning back to the Captain to give his readings

(Navigation check 18+9 = 27 woohoo!)

 

[Uriel]

Nicodemuz nods 'Aye, Mr. Ames. You Lads...' Nico picks out 2 of the Sailors and goes about the assigned tasks.

 

[Bob Aberton]

Nicodemus,

With the help of Jean Orleau, Luc d'Erville, and a hearty chorus of "Cheerily Man," the anchor cable, a hemp rope as thick as a man's thigh and half a mile long is raised out of the ground-tackle locker. The much lighter slip-rope and buoy rope, and then the 300 pound anchor-buoy soon follow.

After being brought up on deck, the anchor hawser is shackled on to the anchor, the buoy likewise to the buoy-rope, and the ship is made ready to face the knife-edged rocks of the Standishtown Shoals and the lee shores of Cape Standish.

Malachi,

According to your morning sight, CALYPSO'S GRACE is 35 miles southeast of the Standishtown Shoals, and fast closing upon those fearsome shoals. Your chart marks a few of the larger ledges and prominent snags, but it's quality is none the best, and perhaps you should warn Captain McCrenshaw to proceed slowly.

(OOC Malachi: I sent the usual email just now, FYI...)

All,

Meanwhile, off to the North-west, a long, low cloud appears in the sky, moving with a strange, boiling motion out to sea, and the CALYPSO'S GRACE.

A few of the older shellbacks look up and shake their heads grimly, then go back to work about the deck.

 

[dead_radish]

Malthas steels himself, saying an uncharacteristic prayer to Calypso under his breath.

OOC: Prof (Pilot) check: 9+8=17.

 

[Tonguez]

"38'45 Wes' 65N Capitan" the half-orc frowns at the number of reefs, islands and banks between the ship and the habour mouth

"we hav t'ree (3) paths to choos t'get to dhe 'arbour chanal - t'anks and praise t' Lady Calypso - your order sar?"

 

[Bob Aberton]

(OOC All: Sorry about not posting...connection difficulties yesterday, and forgetfullness the day before )

Malthas,

Captain McCrenshaw takes a look at the compass, then frowns at the approaching fog.

"North-West by West, Mr. Swifthand," he says. "Mr. Ames! Sound the depth."

All,

The deck falls silent as the first wisps of fog begin curling over the tip of the bowsprit.

Soon the entire foredeck is shrouded in mist; nothing can be heard except the creaking of ropes and the monotonous voice of the leadsman, calling out the depths.

"No bottom at 30...No bottom at 30...No bottom at 30..."

Suddenly the foggy shape of the leadsman straigtens in excitement.

"By the deep 12, and sand!" You all know that the CALYPSO'S GRACE draws about 4 fathoms, or 24 feet of water. There is just 12 feet of water under her keel right now.

"All hands on deck, All hands on deck!" shouts Mr. Lang, flinging open the fo'c'sle companionway.

"Double lookouts in the bow and masthead," the voice of Captain McCrenshaw calls from somewhere aft in the fog.

CALYPSO'S GRACE plows on, through a maze of rocks, reefs, and ledges, blindfolded in the thick fog. Now you are playing "Standishtown Roulette" in earnest. Even the lookout at the tip of the bowsprit can see a bare 25 feet ahead of him.

 

[Uriel]

OoC: here are my spells, as I haven't updated in a bit.
Cantripsetect Magic, Dancing Lights, Mage Hand, Mending.
1st: Animate Rope X2, True Strike, Magic Missile.
2nd: Alter Self, Locate Object, Cat's Grace.

IC: Nico will step up to the Captain and offer to cast a Spell to help steer clear of the Rocks.'Skirtin' the Teeth' is what it's called, an My Mates on a Ship a few years past taught it to me.'

OoC:I will cast Dancing Lights, which will last 1 Minute. The lights will skim the water, 10 ' wide, at a distance of 20 feet. I assume that if they touch any Jutting Rocks, they will be unable to move forward <they can't move through solid objects>, and hopefully the lookout can use that as an aid. I hope this helps, as I had thought up this use for DL when I concieved the character.<Crosses fingers>. I will offer to cast it at whatever moment the lookout feels is best, as it only lasts a minute. Mental Note: Create DL scrolls...