D&D 5E Spell & Crossbones

[Queenie]

OOC: Hah The storm seems to be following the trade winds from NE to SE. If it follows the trend of such storms, it won't hit Nassau, which sits on the edge of the trade wind belt.

The sailor blinks, swiveling his head so Katarina can see the heavy lines in his sun-scorched face. His muttering dies off as his milky eyes focus on her. "Storm, methinks." His perspicacity is followed by a long pause. "Carried across the Dark Sea from the Sahara. An omen." Though he can't see much the sailor stops rocking and strains his eyes at her as if in recognition. "Me eyes ain't what they used to be, but your voice reminds me of the pirate captain Blackheart..."

"Your eyes see fine enough, I think," Katerina says, eying the man, "Though I am unsure of the origin of the storm, it is there."

She crouches down in front of the old sailor to be closer to his level, and says in a soft voice, "Aye, your ears do not fail you either. Blackheart was my father." She pauses and searches that old face for recognition. "Did you know him?"

 

[Hannerdyn]

Hugo turns his attention to Gvido. "Godspeed man, just look at you! I've eaten beets with less color... and more salt!" he shouts this last bit, throwing his head back in a full belly laugh.

 

[Quickleaf]

Nodding slowly, as if acknowledging another reality beyond the dark tempestuous sea takes extreme effort, the ancient sailor says, I was lookout many a time when the Spanish attacked. Knew most of the captains in Nassau, I did, even back when they called it Charlestown. Blackheart wasn't bad for a Spaniard...he called me Papa Ojo...cause my eyes used to be better then..." His voice drops low and be resumes muttering to himself again.

OOC: Papa Ojo mean in Spanish, roughly, "Father Eye."

 

[Kobold Stew]

When Polly arrives, Jim looks up with a smile. "Just a minute," he promises, and reaches out and squeezes her hand.

Barrington stands, and takes the reminder of the bottle of sack (still 2/3 full; he's not been drinking, now that he has an appointment at dawn the next day) and walk over to the table where Hugo and the others are.

The Captain has gone outside, and he's making a final bid. He places it on the table as an offering for anyone not watching the arm wrestling.

"Well, it seems I've angered your Captain, and it's clear you all are loyal to her, despite her rough edges. That's admirable. I believe I'm good on a crew and that you can use me. I also believe that she perceived offence where none was intended. If any of you can talk her round, or if you feel I can be of service to your expedition, I expect I'll be here again tomorrow night.

"You should know that there are rival expeditions. You saw me speaking to an agent of one of them, and if I'm not sailing with you, I expect to secure a place with one of them. As I said when we were alone, my goal is La Gloriosa. Nothing more, but nothing less. I'm telling this to you as straight as I can."

He holds a level gaze, then looks down at the bottle and nods. "Enjoy. I don't expect an answer now, but I hope our paths cross favourably."

With that he returns to Polly, and takes her outside. If there is a storm brewing, he is too distracted to notice it. He does not know if she has a destination in mind, but is willing to accept it. If it takes them past the Seahorse, he'll look at the board idly, but he's not wasting time. He has an appointment in the morning, and plenty to enjoy in the meantime.

[sblock=ooc]If needed, he'll make an insight check on Polly to ensure she doesn't mean to rob him blind. Otherwise, whether he sleeps or not, he'll make his appointment in the morning.[/sblock]

 

[Queenie]

Nodding slowly, as if acknowledging another reality beyond the dark tempestuous sea takes extreme effort, the ancient sailor says, I was lookout many a time when the Spanish attacked. Knew most of the captains in Nassau, I did, even back when they called it Charlestown. Blackheart wasn't bad for a Spaniard...he called me Papa Ojo...cause my eyes used to be better then..." His voice drops low and be resumes muttering to himself again.

OOC: Papa Ojo mean in Spanish, roughly, "Father Eye."

Katerina looks critically at the old man for some time, imaging him younger, stronger, and being with her father. Then she smiles faintly, "Yes, my father was a good man. I hope it is alright if in his stead I too call you Papa Ojo. If he trusted you, I shall trust you too." She reaches into a pocket and removes a couple of gold pieces. She pushes them into his weathered hand until he makes a fist around it. "Please Papa, have a meal on my father Blackheart and myself. Take care of yourself."

She stands erect and looks back out over the sea. "Stay safe from that storm, though I do not think it will make land." She kisses him softly on the cheek as she wonders about this curious man.

 

[Quickleaf]

[SBLOCK=Barrington]After James Barrington shares parting words with the gathered ship officers, Polly takes his arm for a stroll thru Nassau. As he passes the "Seahorse", Barrington notices a familiar name amidst the missing persons, hiring bulletins, and public execution announcements: An ad from Captain Read Wallace of the Winchelsea for seamen skilled at diving. This helps verify the authenticity of the expedition at least.

All smiles, Polly makes small talk then inquires, "Is it true, that y' sailed under Mr. Hornigold? I couldnae help overhearing. That would make y' a privateer then? Have y' killed a man, James?" Polly points that her home is up the hill, and James soon realizes they're heading in the direction of old Nassau Fort, the only section of Nassau with a wall still standing, and the Stuffed Swan Inn, which is on the way.

A group of rum drunk pirates with their arms about each other comes around the corner, laughing to some coarse joke as they stumble by, leering drunkenly at Polly. Something in their beady eyes as they round a building corner doesn't sit right with Barrington. A boom of thunder rolls off the distant clouds.

OOC: Roll that Insight check For either Polly, the drunk pirates, or both! However, a poor check with Polly will mean she senses that Barrington is suspicious.

[/SBLOCK]

*          *          *​

[SBLOCK=Katarina]The ancient sailor's milky eyes go wide at the gentle kiss upon his cheek, and his shaky hand closes around the few gold pieces. "Well blow me down!" He exclaims with the last bit of lucidity he has that evening, touching his cheek. "Aye, Blackheart, wasn't bad for a Spaniard...safe from the storm...aye, the storm...winds from the Sahara crossing the Dark Sea, I reckon. Won't make shore... no..."

A boom of thunder rolls off the distant clouds.[/SBLOCK]

*          *          *​

Arm Wrestling Match

The crowd awaits Varlok's repartee as Gvido begins to falter.

OOC: It's Doctor Varlok's turn to come up with an insult & strategy if you'd like. If not, Gvido can keep tossing out insults no problem. 1st round - Tie! (Gvido 13 vs. Varlok 12+1 for great description) 2nd round - Varlok wins! (Gvido 13 vs. Varlok 23) 3rd round...

 

[Queenie]

Katerina squeezes the man's hand, then slips away. She considers going back inside but instead heads for the Seahorse board to check it for information.

 

[Quickleaf]

OOC: Funny question: Am I misspelling "Katerina"? Over in the Rogues Gallery I see you have it "Katarina" but in the thread you're using "Katerina" so I'm not sure.

Once attached to the ship sharing its name, the Seahorse is a weathered figurehead with chipping bits of turquoise and gold paint revealing the aging pitted wood beneath. It is tied to several barrels of rocks and one of the veranda posts outside Blackreef's Tavern. Numerous wooden planks are slotted in chiseled sections, creating more surface area on which dozens of bulletins are posted. Many so faded so as to be illegible. However, the newer bulletins are clear enough and give a broad taste of Nassau.

[SBLOCK=The Seahorse]

~*~*~*~ The Seahorse ~*~*~*~​

Missing! Butcher Rolf Swinerton: Ms. Jane Swinerton is offering forty-five crowns (45 electrum pieces) for information regarding her husband Rolf who has been missing for three days.
Missing! 32 Plantation workers: Madame "Mambo" Asizwe is offering a livres tournois (1 electrum piece) per worker returned in a fair state to her tobacco plantation.
Seeking! Competent physician's assistant: 8-month minimum commitment. Inquire with Dr. Jim Flichard at the Camory estate.
Seeking! Seasoned divers: Able seamen preferred. Inquire with Captain Read Wallace of the Winchelsea.
Help! Goblins stole my rum: Three goblins stole several crates of quality Gilboan rum from my shop. Five pounds (5 gp) and a bottle to whoever gets my rum back! -Moray the provisioner.
For Hire! Arnaud and his Buccaneers: Skilled buccaneers seek culinarily-inclined captain. Inquire at tents on Northwest Point Beach near Lake Killarney.
Blacklisted! Kristups Gruendemann: Don't hire this gnome as ship shantyman! He'll try to convince you he knows of a treasure in the sea caves, but it's bollocks! More trouble than he's worth, matey! -Anonymous.
Public Execution! March 14: On the morning of the 14th nine Spanish navy men shall be hung by the neck until dead in the square for seditious acts while surrendr'd, by order of Blackbeard.
Contest! 7th Annual Tree Frog Licking: On the afternoon of the 17th. Register with Peachy Nobkins under the big palm tree on the hill. Volunteer healers also needed.[/SBLOCK]

 

[Kobold Stew]

[SBLOCK=Barrington]After James Barrington shares parting words with the gathered ship officers, Polly takes his arm for a stroll thru Nassau. As he passes the "Seahorse", Barrington notices a familiar name amidst the missing persons, hiring bulletins, and public execution announcements: An ad from Captain Read Wallace of the Winchelsea for seamen skilled at diving. This helps verify the authenticity of the expedition at least.

All smiles, Polly makes small talk then inquires, "Is it true, that y' sailed under Mr. Hornigold? I couldnae help overhearing. That would make y' a privateer then? Have y' killed a man, James?" Polly points that her home is up the hill, and James soon realizes they're heading in the direction of old Nassau Fort, the only section of Nassau with a wall still standing, and the Stuffed Swan Inn, which is on the way.

A group of rum drunk pirates with their arms about each other comes around the corner, laughing to some coarse joke as they stumble by, leering drunkenly at Polly. Something in their beady eyes as they round a building corner doesn't sit right with Barrington. A boom of thunder rolls off the distant clouds.

OOC: Roll that Insight check For either Polly, the drunk pirates, or both! However, a poor check with Polly will mean she senses that Barrington is suspicious.

[/SBLOCK]

Barrington is enjoying his conversation with Polly. "I've been called many things, Polly, and, aye, Privateer has been one of them. I'd still prefer if you just thought of me as Jim," he smiles as he speaks, and asks her about the road they're walking. She's telling him about the days of Governor Nicholas Trott (as they've been told to her), and he offers that he's met a justice with the same name in Bermuda.

As they mull over coincidences, the gang of pirates pass by, and Barrington sizes them up.

[roll0]

 

[Queenie]

OOC: about how far is it from the Seahorse to Northwest Point Beach? Also, in the OOG thread we discussed numbers for the crew. Even though we don't have a boat yet, can I assume those numbers hold? I believe it was around 50 for the type of ship we need for this adventure? Also also, would Kat find it odd that 32 Plantation workers are missing? Like, is that a common occurrence?