D&D 5E Spell & Crossbones

[Kobold Stew]

Jim leans against the closed door as this conversation take place, interested at the possible response. He is surprised at her confident declaration that this might be done in a month, but says nothing.

First he had shown bravado with du Tourbillon's wine, and now this woman does so with his tobacco. I do not think this man is often treated so, he thinks.

 

[Hannerdyn]

Hugo Van Haan

"Gentlemen. Heren. I am Badouin, Messiuer du Tourbillon's man, at your service." He bows in a manner revealing former military service, though his demeanor is rather cheerful and wholly non-military. The man speaks in a thick Tamil accent, "I understand you are to determine whether I pass muster for this expedition. I have ten languages at my command, am well read in texts on natural sciences and philosophy, served as a gunner for the Great Mughal Navy eight years, and naturally I am experienced in maintaining ship's accounts. May I?" He gestures to an empty chair.

Hugo stands and offers with an upturned hand the seat Badouin indicates. "Please... I am Hugo Van Haan" he says with a plunging bow limber enough to near bring his belly and beard to the wood floor. First, he nods to Old Zef, "this is my grandfather, he needed an escort to be outside today," he smiles and bears whatever response the old man employs. "Now tell me, is one of those languages Mandarin, Heren?"

 

[Quickleaf]

A few sidelong glances come from sailors lost in their drink. La Gloriosa is a ship name any would recognize, though only the brave, mad, or desperate would seek her out. Badouin takes the seat offered by Hugo, nodding politely to Old Zef. "Yes, I have Mandarin, though my writing is out of practice. One of my teachers came from the Kashmir region and was adept at the language. Is my knowledge of Mandarin the extent of your testing to see if I pass muster?" He asks with a grin.

*         *         *​

du Tourbillon listens to Katarina sagely, recognizing the keeness of mind underlying her considerable bravado. He cannot help but chuckle quietly thru the cigar smoke, as Katarina pegs his strategy: high-balling of his shares in order to gain concessions. Something she has said, however, strikes a nerve for the man, evidenced by a slight twitch of his eyebrow and lip. Still he remains silent, listening attentively. There may be an air of self-importan to the man, but clearly by his treatment of his purser and his face-to-face negotiations with Katarina and Barrington, he is not a completely pompous ass. At mention of completing the treasure hunt in a month, he does widen his eyes, glancing at Barrington, obviously finding this difficult to believe.

"Well, Madame, you certainly have fire! If my past associates had you on their voyages, they would be sitting with substantially more gain today!" He pauses to tap his cigar, studying the future captain of this expedition. "I am man of singular vision, Madame du Corazon, and once you understand this about me, I am no mystery at all. For me, hunting sunken treasures is about answering a question. Profit, yes, but always with a question to find order from chaos. Perhaps that is why I sought out your group. Gold and glory are not your only motivation in seeking Lè Gloriosa, is it? That is how I know you will succeed. And why I would not wish to lose you to competition."

"As for terms, if 6 shares for myself is fair, I have two more conditions - along with those already discussed - I must insist on. Firstly, if you engage in privateering you will not target ships flying un drapeau français; were I to be accused of financing attacks on my own nation I would be labeled a traitor." When he says privateering, it is clear he is using it as a polite term for piracy. "Secondly, that if any of the treasures of Lè Gloriosa are in imminent danger of falling into the hands of one of the four colonial powers, that you ensure they do not by any means necessary, even destroying or sinking such treasures. There are a great many things, I am led to believe, that have sunk with her which could tilt the balance of power in the West Indies. Sommes-nous d'accord?"

OOC: un drapeau français is French for "a French flag." Sommes-nous d'accord? is French for "are we in agreement?"

 

[Hannerdyn]

A few sidelong glances come from sailors lost in their drink. La Gloriosa is a ship name any would recognize, though only the brave, mad, or desperate would seek her out. Badouin takes the seat offered by Hugo, nodding politely to Old Zef. "Yes, I have Mandarin, though my writing is out of practice. One of my teachers came from the Kashmir region and was adept at the language. Is my knowledge of Mandarin the extent of your testing to see if I pass muster?" He asks with a grin.

"Hmph, not at all!" Hugo's wide grin made his eyes squeeze shut. He takes a seat across from the newcomer, leaning forward. "Should we sail together I'd like you to teach me, if you could be so troubled.... Tell me, have you sailed the Bengal? And what of the African horn? Have you met pygmies?"

 

[Quickleaf]

"Oh yes, sir. I sailed the Bengal on many occasions. Emperor Bahadur Shah took great pride in his Navy, though in truth mostly we were responsible for transporting missionaries and rescuing ships lost to storm. Mangrove swamps, hidden reef, tsunamis, Indonesian pirates. Not unlike your waters here!" Badouin undoes his jacket to ease back into the chair, apparently tired from a day of physical labor. There is the tell-tale sign of gunpowder smoke staining his left hand. Were it not for du Tourbillon's introduction, you would never have pegged him for ship's purser.

"I have on a few occasions sailed the Horn, but I suspect you shall be more interested to hear of my single journey around the Cape. Sailors do not lie about the storms of the Cape, Meneer Van Haan. If your captain does not object to idle pursuits, then I shall be happy to share my knowledge of Mandarin and trade tales of our past voyages."

OOC: Hugo or anyone else at his table can make a Wisdom (insight) check to appraise Badouin's bonds, flaws, ideals, or personality traits, or some other thing you wish to assess about him.

 

[Unsung]

Still standing, Teague's shoulders are hunched and his back is crooked. He clutches the empty mug in one knob-knuckled hand-- his other hand on one of the sacks tied around his waist, unconsciously resting on the Aztec coin he carries, that no one else knows about, or so he assumes.

Teague sees much with his one eye. He does not turn his wizened face from the good doctor, still waiting to hear the man's answer. It would be as well that the other man win such a bet, for Teague has had enough of monsters for one life. Now he looks past the man's eerie, piscine visage. The Latvians-- are they as good as their boasts? [Wisdom (Insight) check to determine how trustworthy the mercenaries would be, 1d20 (8) + Wis (+3) = 11]

Now along comes a Gentoo man-- from the captain's meeting with du Tourbillon on the veranda. Apparently this...Badoon? Baduin? is to accompany them on their ship, assuming they found a ship, and would be keeping a close eye and tight hold on Captain Katarina's purse-strings, which makes him a lucky man. He and the Dutchman, the dwarf, van Haan, seem to be a match for each other in volubility; impressive.

Teague blinks slowly, in which span of time he decides whether or not to trust the little man... [Wisdom (Insight) check to perceive Badouin's Ideals, 1d20 (8) + Wis (+3) = 11]

[OOC: ...The die just really wanted to come up as 8. Kinda weird.]

 

[fireinthedust]

Doctor Varlock, still silent, is listening to all that is going on and making his own judgements. The thought of bringing along this accountant, and whether or not the financier's assistant is "up to snuff" makes little difference to him. Only the thought of the sea, and of the captain who the good doctor owes a life debt, in trouble.

Looking up and locking eyes with as many of the others around the table as will meet his stare, Doctor Varlok makes his presence known.

I see little profit in testing the accountant of our patron, using games of trivia. If he is a learned man, he could answer any question put to him, as he could if he were a liar. We shall find out soon enough, when we set sail. If he is up for this journey, he shall survive the journey and our company. If the good Lord determines it is his time, or ours, however, then whether he speaks the languages of the far east, or Latin and Greek, too, it will make little difference. For my part, if he is of use to our patron, then let us hope he has no need of my medical services on our journey.

OOC: Edited! Ignore the convo; sorry for the delay, really, really big week so far. Lots of stuff going on.

[/COLOR]

 

[Quickleaf]

[MENTION=51930]fireinthedust[/MENTION]

OOC: You're having Doctor Varlok reply to a conversation he is not there to hear. The veranda - where Barrington, Katarina, and du Tourbillon are - is a patio outside of the tavern. I understand that the Doctor is spooky supernatural, but that strains credulity I'll postpone replying to this until it makes more sense (such as du Tourbillon rejoins the rest of the group inside the tavern) or you elect to edit it. I didn't think the narrative was that difficult to follow. Am I wrong? Is saying "veranda" like saying "gazebo" for some players? Who knew?

 

[Fenris]

Hugo stands and offers with an upturned hand the seat Badouin indicates. "Please... I am Hugo Van Haan" he says with a plunging bow limber enough to near bring his belly and beard to the wood floor. First, he nods to Old Zef, "this is my grandfather, he needed an escort to be outside today," he smiles and bears whatever response the old man employs. "Now tell me, is one of those languages Mandarin, Heren?"

The feather pillow under Old Zef disappears as a few gallons of sea water appear over Hugo's head. As he sputters it off Zef pipes in. "It appears my grandson is all wet." he laughs "He certainly is wet behind the ears, though it appears you are not" he nods to the Indiër. "I am Jozef, though everyone calls me Old Zef. Boatswain, crank, and misanthrope." Zef adds. He stands as if to greet the newcomer, but only adds a new feather pillow to his chair before he sits down again. "Though I think the dokter has the right of it. You will prove your worth on the sea, or you won't. Sink or swim as it were matey."

 

[Queenie]

du Tourbillon listens to Katarina sagely, recognizing the keeness of mind underlying her considerable bravado. He cannot help but chuckle quietly thru the cigar smoke, as Katarina pegs his strategy: high-balling of his shares in order to gain concessions. Something she has said, however, strikes a nerve for the man, evidenced by a slight twitch of his eyebrow and lip. Still he remains silent, listening attentively. There may be an air of self-importan to the man, but clearly by his treatment of his purser and his face-to-face negotiations with Katarina and Barrington, he is not a completely pompous ass. At mention of completing the treasure hunt in a month, he does widen his eyes, glancing at Barrington, obviously finding this difficult to believe.

"Well, Madame, you certainly have fire! If my past associates had you on their voyages, they would be sitting with substantially more gain today!" He pauses to tap his cigar, studying the future captain of this expedition. "I am man of singular vision, Madame du Corazon, and once you understand this about me, I am no mystery at all. For me, hunting sunken treasures is about answering a question. Profit, yes, but always with a question to find order from chaos. Perhaps that is why I sought out your group. Gold and glory are not your only motivation in seeking Lè Gloriosa, is it? That is how I know you will succeed. And why I would not wish to lose you to competition."

"As for terms, if 6 shares for myself is fair, I have two more conditions - along with those already discussed - I must insist on. Firstly, if you engage in privateering you will not target ships flying un drapeau français; were I to be accused of financing attacks on my own nation I would be labeled a traitor." When he says privateering, it is clear he is using it as a polite term for piracy. "Secondly, that if any of the treasures of Lè Gloriosa are in imminent danger of falling into the hands of one of the four colonial powers, that you ensure they do not by any means necessary, even destroying or sinking such treasures. There are a great many things, I am led to believe, that have sunk with her which could tilt the balance of power in the West Indies. Sommes-nous d'accord?"

Katerina listens respectfully while the man speaks, alernating between enjoying the fine cigar and caressing the monkey on her shoulder. She continues to watch his eyes and body language as he speaks, to look for any clues to chinks in his armor. He seems genuine and not trying to trick them, though she is ever distrustful.

"Your terms seem fair, though of course I have a question, or really a clarification. What if one of your French ships targets us first? Surely you would not expect us to not defend ourselves? If we take this on, I believe we shall be very much of one intent, meaning, there will not be other side activities on our agenda. We should not be seeking out any war with anyone." She sits up straighter in her chair and adjusts her legs. "I do understand the delicacies of the matter, Senor. I would also imagine you would not want your name associated with these activities?"

"As to your second request, I can guarantee," her grin grows wide, "That will shall do everything in our power to make sure any and all treasure stays in our own hands." She looks to Barrington over her shoulder to see if he might have anything to add.

The smile fades slightly. "Yes, I believe you know that I have a very personal reason for doing this. The others I already know have their own reasons too. Whether it's gold or knowledge or something else entirely, we are committed here. I cannot and will not fail."