Duty Session 230: Still Coast Pirates

    The hunter's guild is looking for willing adventurers to go deal with a pirate problem. Longboats are waiting and one such 'adventurer' is here, who has decided to leave behind his vest and sticks to simply his white, low cut v, flared cuff shirt, black leather pants, and riding boots.

He stands on the dock, watching the longboats bop up and down, before looking off further down the dock to see how else may be coming along. For Vafrum, this was not his speciality. He didn't care much for... Getting his hands dirty, but with times changing and plans brewing... Well, you sometimes just have to get your hands dirty.

Goldenblade is here for the pirate chasing. She was supposed to be working on the roads project, but it's ticking over all the better for her not micromanaging it, so she's been encouraged to ... find something useful to do while they get on with the building. This is all useful, but she's a bit distracted, it seems, and not paying good attention. On the other hand, it helps clear the trade lanes, something she's been trying to encourage.

    The skeleton legged necromancer was a willing adventurer, maybe in this case he was an adventurer more willing to go out and nab undead monsters versus being here, but here he was instead. Setsuna smiles at the group on the dock, giving a nod of his head before he looks around for a moment then turning back to forming party. " So did I miss the sign ups to play the peg legged pirate? I feel like this would be the best role for me." HIs hands fidget as he tries his best to joke, but something in his eyes say he is very distracted.

Yarr harr fiddle dee dee, bein' a pirate is alright with me! Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free, you are a pirate!!

...Is what someone who isn't Prophylaxis would say. As-is, these particular pirates have been a thorn in his side for far too long for him to /not/ want to utterly ruin their day. Again. The doctor is dressed... for a /swim/ as it turns out. It seems he fully expects to get soaked to the bones today. Which, given they're going to be heading off to a ship at sea, is probably not the worst assumption. "You know, I still think setting the damn galleon on fire from half the sea away is a decent plan. Why don't we just... do that?"

(Because it'd mean there wouldn't be a duty to do, obviously.)

So another day another job and Gwen had work todo sadly she knew she couldn't reach the region that was going to be hit by the wave, so she took to the task? Dealing with other issues such as bloody pirates. So she was here forming up with the rest of the group and debating her swimming outfit or not for this run, she will think against it for now. She seems to be ready as she looks the crew over and grins. "I might have an outfit for you if you want to play the role, Setsuna."

She also grins at Goldenblade for a moment. ^R
"Good to see you my friend and so Vafrum your order should be done some time tomorrow."

She also takes a look at Prop and thinks for a moment "Hey you still selling your book I'd like to get a few copies for my guild."

    Merek is standing at the docks while he comes upon them, taking a moment to adjust that dark attire which he wears, then he nods from the hood while he checks on his weapon, "Alright, I am prepared for the mission and all," he would note.

    Vafrum gives a wave to Goldenblade, "How goes your road? I hope the hired help I sent your way is doing their part." He eventually sees the others coming as well. One Necromancer with a bum, skeleton leg. Then another fellow dress for a nice dip. Then over to Merek with a gentleman smile. "Greetings my dear sirs! Hopefully this adventure will not take us to long."

The charismatic human male then goes to step into one of the Longboat, only for a brief moment would someone maybe spot that tribal tattoo along his neck. Might remind someone of a dinosaur or at least some reptile predator.

Once Gwen arrives, he smiles to her, "Oh excellent! I look forward to seeing and testing it out." He extends his hand to her to help her up on the Longboat; An offer he doesn't seem to give to anyone else.

Once everyone is onboard, off the ship goes to chase down the pirates! However it seems they are traversing weaving waterways and will need to get a sail up in order to aid in going in the proper direction.

"Someone, figure which was we need to go-- and others help me get the sails up, along with see if we can either catch a proper wind or alter its direction." That is something Vafrum is going to try and do.

Use those sails and wind power!

Goldenblade huhs to Vafrum. She's kind of out of it, which is not a place to be at sea, but she agrees, "Ah, yeah, they're doing fine. They had me check the plan, then said I should help with the pirates so they can have goods to ship along the road. Just getting me out of there, I think." She sighs. "Still, a nice day for a boat trip, yes?"

As to the question of where we are, or where we're going, Goldenblade is the wrong person to ask. She keeps turning the map around, and she's done 1-1/2 rotations already and still hasn't found an orientation that works for her.

    Setsuna nods towards Vafrum and introduces himself, " Setsuna Kibo, it's a pleasure sir. " As he carefully steps into the boat he looks over at Gwen, " You know , maybe not a pirate outfit, I spend more time in the woods and tombs then around the sea. " Contemplating for a moment before he adds, " Though something mixed with leather and bone would be fairly decent I think." As they continue out to sea and directions are asked for Setsuna raises his head to the sky, blocking the sun out of his eyes, " Well if the sun is there, then west is there and that must be North." The necromancer emphasizes this by pointing south. Yes it seems he was indeed contributing to the best of his ability.

Gwen seems to be in a very good mood a she'll fall in with the rest of the aprty. "We'll we will see what happen reight Vafrum also I'd like to talk business with you at that time too." She has plans it seems like. Though she's distracted thinking about a few things like thsoe pants and how they will turn out and she has issues trying to read the map and is totally of no use on this...

Ah, calm seas, gentle winds. Prophylaxis could really get used to life like this. The salty ocean breeze fills his lungs with refreshing breath, and his head with gentle fuzziness. "You know, we could just take it easy out here, eh? Go for a nice, relaxing sail? Though I suppose we should probably get around to dealing with those pirates at some point." But maybe not immediately? Prophylaxis fills the sails with a gust of wind, so they'll be getting where they need to go pretty quickly, just...

...Well. Where /are/ they going, exactly? Has the rest of the party decided on that yet?

"Mmn?" He says to Gwen, then shrugs. "My book can be found in basically any place that sells paperbacks. If you want one of the special editions, you'll have to put in an order for one."

    "Vafrum Fonias." He gives back in introduction to the others as he goes to continue to help with those sails, only to find that navigating seems to be the real problem.

The man raises a brow at the trouble everyone is having, and tries to see if he can help, but alas, like everyone else. It turns into a comedy of errors, where poor Prophylaxis gets to watch as no one is really sure WHERE they are going.

RIP

Eventually, somehow, they do find the pirate ship after bumbling around and to their surprise, they seem to be celebrating. As the group sneaks their way onboard, they will need to find a means to get past the pirates.

For Vafrum he spots his opening, but dancing with a pirate maiden, singing along with the song (or trying too) and thankfully has a fairly decent singing voice, before he slides over to the Kobald. "My good man! Do you think you could aid my fellows and I with a little... assistance."

He then leans in and whispers. "... I'll make it worth your while with a better future and two percent cut on the business once it is operational... Which is probably more and stable than what you get amongst these blokes, Hmm?"

    Merek tries to look into the maps to know what way they are going, the man doesn't manage to do a lot with that, while he nods a bit, "Well, it won't be easy to deal with that," he notes to the party while he nods.

Goldenblade is tired and sleepy by the time the ship is in sight, and huhs as she's awakend. "What? Who? What ship?" Oh, the ship we're supposed to be after. How we're supposed to sink these pirates when they've got a full on ... what, a galleon or something, and we're in a logboat, she's not sure. Looks like it's sneaking aboard and doing something sketchy.

Luckily, there's always a sober one in the pirate crew, and he's usually the lowest one among them. So, when everyone else is drunk, the lowest man on the totem pole is left to manage things. On the other hand, a handful of coins changes hands, and the kobold is more than happy to let her pass.

"Prophylaxis," the doctor replies, now reclining lazily on the ship's deck near the swelling sail. He seems to be in no particular rush to go scurrying off after the pirate ship just yet, so he's not... /too/ bothered by his crewmates' antics. "Good to meet you."

But soon... They manage to navigate their way onboard! Somehow.

There's a party aboard, though. Prophylaxis frowns at the celebrations, because apparently he's just that kind of person. But more seriously: "Are we sure we found the pirate vessel? This could very well just be some kind of pleasure cruise. Are /we/ the pirates?"

No. This is definitely a pirate ship. There are enough flagons of grog being swilled around by burly, peglegged sea dogs to indicate that much. Prophylaxis feels very little remorse for lightly spiking their drinks with a dose of sleeping powder (stolen from the local goblins in Karluin, no less).

    Setsuna sneaks on board with the others and grins seeing the drunken sailors. What do you do with a drunken sailor but make them an offer they can't refuse. So he walks up to a couple of the pirates and begins to chat, "Gentlemen I can see from your fine tailors that you are indeed important people and I have a deal for you. Have you ever heard of product testing, I pay you to try things for free. So free stuff and you get paid. So let me just show you this product." The two sailors are lead back to the ship for a moment before he tips them over the back of the ship. "Sorry a requirement for this testing is that you are dead." He says as he walks back to the others, he would pick the corpses up later.

things just well take a long time her being distracted. She's very embarrassed but as they make her way in with the party Vafrum is trying to talk one of the pirates down. To be honest it's a damn good deal for one like them, one that would not have them at the business end of an Adventurer likely ever again. She will too try to help as she'll pull whip and whispering "Not to mention get some very snappy new clothes to go with such an improvement on your life...if you take my friend's generous offer."

    Merek looks to the drinks, while he begins to palce a few explosive little potions within them. They are enough to distract, not to cause anything for all of the pirates.

    After discussing the monster brewer, which Gwen and Vafrum seem to focus on. Then everyone else doing their part, they all manage to get to the next stage in this little adventure.

Behind them there may be a few explosives going off cause of Merek's antics, but they do need to solve this next riddle that is blocking their path before the pirates are no longer distraction by the boom-booms.

Vafrum takes note of a mechanism that seems to be pressure sensitive and goes to push against it lightly. It doesn't budge. He tries a bit more pressure and then his pupils almost seem like they go to slits; But maybe that was the lighting as he just /punches/ it.

There is probably other things that will need to be found to unblock the way as well.

Goldenblade creeps belowdecks with the rest of our crew after a moment's disorientation, and when we come to a locked door, she knows what her role is. After an elbow in her ribs. "Oh, right," she says, and pulls out some tools. "Stupid trick locks," she complains, but once they've worked out that a switch needs to be pressed to allow her to try and pick the lock. But she at least hasn't forgotten the how of it. It's a knack, really. A twist of the wrist and .... *snikt* "There you go," she says, and begins packing up her lockpicks and stuffing them back in her beltpouch.

    Apparently the switch doesn't like to be punched or maybe his hand doesn't like hitting a hard surface. Vafrum quickly has his eye twitching, before stepping back a few steps and has to shake his hand.

Yeah. That will teach you Vafrum to punch a switch.

... Probably not.

    Setsuna once had a wife and she would swear day in and day out that this guy was unable to see things right infront of him. This is important right now as he is confident he can find the switch, or button or whatever to help the group progress. However today may end up proving his ex right as he walks up shaking his head, " I have no idea where the button is. "

Ah yes, locked doors. Truly the most terrible of obstacles for any and all adventuring parties. Prophylaxis frowns at the rusted old thing and gives his chin a tap before fishing out a vial of what looks to be a simple grease. Why he has a vial of grease is a mystery better left unanswered, but he applies it to the worst of the lock's rusted mechanisms. The result will be substantially easier to pop open, but...

"I wonder," he thinks aloud, "How did any of these pirates even get into their own ship, with locks like this one on their doors?"

    Merek assists with the door, while he begins to use the gauntlets which he wears to swing along into it.

Gwen has an idea she has a pretty good idea she's going to look for the switch and she does a pretty job of it, it seems Gwen is now paying attention and thanks to a little magical useage she's able to help find the switch.

    Locks picked, switches found, and triggered. With a few clicks and clacks, the door at last opens and the group moves onward. Vafrum still rumbling about his hand and seeming to curse its failure to do what he wanted it to do.

Vafrum looks over to Prophylaxis. "Probably drunk stumbling their faces into them." he says trying to straighten himself up.

Speaking of stumbling into something, they run into a man who seems to have misplaced something? Searching for something? Either way, he realizes that they are there.

His first reaction is to pont and go "You are not suppose to be down here!" Then a pause, before a lightbulb clicks above his head, "Wait!" He then quickly moves over to the group, before getting down on his knees in front of Prophylaxis, "I won't tell anyone you are here though! I swear on me mom's life!" Before he quickly goes over to Setsuna, "But you have to help me!"

Then the man looks over to Merek, with pleading, puppy dog-like eyes. "Or they will make this ol' sailor dog walk the plank!"

He places his hands on the ground, fully bowing to the group, sweat drops clear as day over his head. "The Captain lost their prized possession ye see. I been sent to find it, but I can't find it no where!"

Vafrum stares at the man on the ground, his brow raises. "... Well, we have a room full of crates." He looks to the group, "How hard can it be to find one trinket?"

Goldenblade isn't really paying attention to the pirate once it's clear we're not here to fight him. Why does she even care what a pirate wants, or whether he gets into trouble? We're here to kill or capture them, she thought? Or stop them from pirating, anyhow. Anyhow, she's not great at finding things at the best of times, and as distracted as she is, she's pretty useless. Like, not really even looking.

"They must go through a lot of locks," Prophylaxis sighs with a sad shake of his head. "Or maybe that's the problem. They don't go through /enough/ locks. That's why they're still using ones that look like they could predate most of the crew." Pirates! They're not exactly the most intelligent sorts, but they can at least be earnest.

Like... this poor bastard who seems to be in some truly dire straits. "...Uhh-huh." Prophylaxis nods and pats the old sea dog's shoulder. "Alright, friend. Why don't you tell us exactly what it is this prized possession looks like and we'll see if we can't fish it out for you, eh?"

The trouble... This pirate is both colorblind and utterly unable to describe what the damn thing looks like without the heavy use of piratisms. What is a scallywag's skyrigger and what does it have to do with a whale poker!?

Prophylaxis certainly doesn't know.

    Setsuna looks at the crates and then at the pirate asking for help and then at the creates and then at Vafrum and then at the crates and sighs heavily. " Ok but I charge extra if I have to lift anything over 50 pounds." Taking a few moments he just stands there looking at boxes trying to figure out how to do this smart. Taking a packet of graphite from his inventory he begins to dust for prints, hoping the one with the most prints end up being the prize.

Gwen gets down to the cargo hold as she fins an deck hand who isn't looking for a fight, given she's not a full on muder hobo she'll hear him out. She sighs and ponders. "I'll start looking then." She'll star using her physical ability to move things crates and the like also popping them open to look for the Captain's special item...she might not find it but she can enable her friends to do so.

    Goldenblade may find the pirate realizing that she is ignoring him, so he clings to her outfit still begging for her to help like a sobbing babe.

Eventually the party finds the item or several parts of the item. How it got scattered around no one knows, the point is they all found something and it apparently created a golden monkey.

You know, body connecting to the legs, head connecting to the body. It's a strange little statue.

They get off to the next area, where a pirate looking for a fight seems to be waiting for them. This one doesn't seem so-- helpless or willing to talk.

Vafrum rubs his chin. He looks to Goldenblade to the Pirate, back to Goldenblade. "Hey chum!" He says to the pirate, "I bet you several gold coins that you can't beat our friend here." He motions to Goldenblade. "My friends may even chip in to raise the wager. If we win though, you make off like a pup with your tail between your legs. If you win-- you get the gold and we scoot off to the plank. Savvy?"

The Pirate growls-- It's hard to say if that means yes or no, but they'll find out soon enough! If well, the pirate survives.

    Merek uses his alchemy while he assists with the person that requests for them. The man nods a bit to everyone, "I picked a wonderful day to be alchemist," he mentions, amused, while he makes a way along with the party.

Goldenblade grumbles as the pirate guy continues to cling to her. She shakes him off, then blinks as she realizes what Vafrum's saying. Well, she came here to fight pirates, and so both swords come out, flames licking along the blades, and she lays into him with a startling ferocity. It's like she's got a grudge against him. Flames and sworda and those golden blades that she takes her name from, and it's like a food processor, making pirate cutlets.

    The pirate at the door was dealt with by Goldenblade. The group moved on to meet the first mate, who met them with weapons ready and a glee on her face.

Magic was used, weapons, and fancy moves from the group.

This eventually leads to the First Mate fleeing overboard, after telling the group where the treasure map is. Needless to say, this treasure leads them to not gold, but some shark hide.

Vafrum was very close to were fang'ing, thankfully does not. Though he might have, if another battle would become available. Instead he peers at the hide and hrms. "... Hopefully this sells for enough." He mutters to himself, before turning to the others, "Great work everyone!"

Then there is a pause, "Now... How do we get back to our longboat..."

Goldenblade ehs as we discover the first mate and she asks us to dance. "You picked the wrong Blade Dancer to dance with," she snorts, and both blades out, she moves like ... well, a ballerina, but in a Jackie Chan movie, all grace and flames and chop-socky, though with swords rather than improvised weapons.

Whatever other qualities the mate may possess, the ability to hit Goldenblade when she's in full defense mode is not one of her skills, and Goldenblade keeps her occupied while the rest of the party uses ranged attacks and magic to take her down. Finally, the mate has had enough, and takes off. But leaving them with some loot. "Well, better than nothing, I guess?" As to how we get back to the longboat, she points to the same exit the mate used.