The raising of the Bonded Cackle - RPLOG
Participants
Date
3/4/479
Log
The tide pitches and rolls against the docks, the wind howling through the masts of the docked ships, whipping anything not tied down into the air. No sane being would be out today, the rain comeing down in sheets that made sure nothing remained dry for long, but yet a few beings brave the weather, the flag of the Jolly Rodger snapping about in the howling winds as its captain stands before the gangplank, the burly Leopard bracing himself against the gale force as he clutches at his hat, waiting to see who would respond to his summons.
Rokarion yawns idly as he walks towards the shipyard, petals dancing around in the wind. The young being is clad in his swashbuckler attire, the best clothes for an insane adventure, as he stops in front of the leopard, "Good afternoon, good being. I suppose you are the brazen captain who is hiring for people to go sailing in this weather? May I ask which nation do those ruffians come from?" he asks with a smile.
Fenris, as Franklin, swaggers down the quay in his Braevalean finery, hat jammed down low on his head to keep it from blowing away. The burly platypus stops at the foot of the gangplank. "Permission to come aboard, Captain?" he roars in a thick accent over the wind and rain, his duckbilled face set in a pleasant smile, despite the foul weather.
Zuri walks up alongside Rokarion. The small pegasus being lets out a little snort as he looks up at the leopard and offers him a big bright smile. "Hello hello!" He peers at Franklin the Platypus as well, and offers him an excited and energetic wave. The little guy seems to be a bundle of energy today.
Under the water that were drenching the docks was also falling onto the large snake which was slowly making her way to the Jolly Rodgers, coming for a contract, without being aware of what it'd be about. Zera idly peers at the shipment, while cursing the winds. They were certainly strong and would omniously call for a potential storm.. She notices the other sellswords present and simply greet them with a wave, waiting for the time being.
Bazalt makes his way along, wings Stretched up and over his face to keep hiself 'safe' from teh rain. The Dragon nods to the Leopard as he gets close, sighing. "this is teh Boat for the... job, right?" he asks, sounding rather unhappy, mostly due to teh weather. "I'm going to be terrible...bows and arrows dont do well against Wind." he grumbles, Tail lashing out behind him. Boy this was one Grumpy Dragon.
Wishing he were sane, Samm clambers aboard the vessel, gripping whatever he can for support. The wolf's fur is soaked and plastered, the scent of booze ever present. He didn't want to be here, but when Solacious tells you to do something, you do it. No matter how much you want to be in a tavern, draining a keg. The knight mutters and stands before the captain, giving him a salute. "Samm Al..." he pauses and gulps. "Samm Alveriss, reporting," the being finishes, looking a bit sick.
While she'd normally favour her robes, given the situation Cassidy had opted for something less likely to become overly heavy should it get wet. As such, she shows up in a leather long coat with similarly made attire worn underneath it. Adjusting her hat, she nods to the captain at the gangplank and glances out towards the sea. "Rough weather for sailing, is it not?"
Natska adjusts the brim of her hat as she follows Cassidy to the waiting ship. Despite the poor lighting the crimson plume in her hat nearly shimmers, and the jaguar's expression is calm and focused as she takes stock of the other freeswords ahead of them. "I hope none of them throw up on us," she murmurs, then nods at the captain.
The cpatain grunts, the burly lepoard draped in the attire of a seafaring being. Light, breathable cotton clothing adorns his form, a belt of heavy pistols draped across his chest under his heavy leather coat. "No nation I'm aware of, they're just pirates. Blood thirsty bastards lead by John Straw the butcher." With that said he hooks his thumb back at his ship, the old ship groaning in the winds as its crew prepares for cast off, hurrying about her decks. "Get on board, we are going to need all hands on deck so I hope you know what you are doing. Pay will be given once we have Straw's head."
Rokarion nods at the captain, "So, kill John Straw. What about his crew? Capture, kill, or either?" the plant being asks as he gets onto the vessel, "Well, at least it is a good distraction. Good thing the Freeswords allow anyone to accept their contracts." the jasmine says to his amphibian companion.
Franklin taps the brim of his hat in salute, first to Zuri, then to the captain. "Come along, lads and lassies," he grins, "There's work to be done." He swaggers up the gangplank and takes up a spot near the bow, apparently eager to watch the launch and be underway. "Ever a pleasure to be aboard a fine vessel," he says, "Always up for a bit of excitement."
Zuri grins. "It'l be more than a good disctraction, it'l be fun! Ships are awesome!" The pegasus strides up the gangplank and quickly makes for the prow, perching up to look ahead in anticipation.
Grunting in answer to the captain's grunting and orders, Zera not-so-quickly gets aboard, actually curious of what would occur,given their target... Surely it must pay well. She asks, 'What about that guy's crew? Did he went on murder spree recently? Torn apart royal vessels? He dispose of treators expeditively? When we'd expect to make eye-contact?'. Her visage shows an obvious annoyed expression as she adds, 'And i'm *really* forced a lend a hand? I could always 'support' your crew by other means.'.9
Bazalt walks up the gnag plank and sighs, this wasnt going to be easy.. at all.. he just nods to those he passes and sighs, atleast he knew some of the people here.. and how they fought.. but..this was likly to get nasty. "This.... will be an intresting experience." the dragons says, folding his wings up tight agaisnt him and Squinting as his face is hit by Rain. So much damned water...
Samm grimaces and starts to climb aboard. "I'm a soldier, not a mariner," he gripes. "We don't... ugh, we don't learn this stuff," he grumbles. The Solacious knight scowls at Franklin and his apparent eagerness. He must be mad, the wolf decides. The soldier looks to the captain. "Where do ya want those of us without a clue?" he asks, gripping the railing tightly. Ships, dammit. Of all the places Angus could have sent him, it had to be a damn ship in a storm. A shop on the way to deal with John Straw, even. Solacious must hate him.
"Hopefully, Natska," Cassidy remarks, stepping on the ship and glancing towards Samm. "I have not seen you in a while. Or your brother, come to think of it. I hope you have been holding well."
"Fun," Natska says. Then grins. "As fun as fighting criminals to the death on a stormy sea ever gets." She looks up at the sky for a moment, smiling wider. "I like this weather today, though. It calls to me." She follows the others up onto the ship, ready to set out after their prey.
The new 'crew' is inspected as they step past the captain, more eyes focusing on them as they get the attention of the crew. Everyone had their place, everyone had their orders as a rag tag assortment of beings from all places move about to get the ship underway. "I swear Boot strap is smiling." Mutters the captain under his breath, giving the shout to cast off as he comes up the gangplank. "You want to keep his crew alive, that's your own order. They won't be thinking the same when we confront them. If you can't lend a hand get below deck and stay out of the way." With that the ship is underway, pulling out of the docks slowly, fighting the roar of the wind and the pitch of the tide as it turns its bow towards the open sea, setting out into the heart of the storm.
Rokarion follows along the pegamander towards the ship's prow, "Hmmm, then I guess we should book another ship holiday to Andrussya if you love ships that much." the plant being responds as he glances across the deck, watching for the crew members and the sell swords, giving the beings he recognized a gesture of acknowledgement.
Franklin taps his hat again in salute to the captain's order, then joins in with the busy sailors, helping to haul lines and get the ship under way. The big platypus might have been on this ship his whole life, the way he mixes and blends with the crew, despite hus obvious foreign origins. There is just something about the pleasant monotreme that just lets him squeeze into appropriate holes in the crew's formation. The big guy also does not seem to be dripping wet like he ought to be. Maybe its those fancy clothes of his?
Zuri looks up at the clouds as the rain patters off his clothes and face, with a little smile. He tilts his head to nod at Rokarion. "Yea, we should! But right now it's business time." He looks about at the sailors as they busy themselves. "Mmm... I'm still not quite confident enough to do the whole help-sail-a-ship thing.. I think I'll stay here." He returns to enjoying the rain for now, waiting for the ship to pull away from harbor and onto the open sea.
Zera cautiously peerts back at the captain, trying to get a feel of what the feline's personality is. She also give a graze at the deck and crew, getting a rough idea of how it worked. Given the ship was standitng and workintg, and with altl that wind and weather around, she go below deck, going around there to see what she could glance and work at, also taking some time to check onto her weapons.
Bazalt nods to Roka and when told to get Below deck, does so, tail flicking. Atleast he'll get outta the rain! "Any Ideas about this?...I'm new to ship and water based fighting..." he says to any that might be headding down with him (and likly talking to hiself if going down alone). "Boy... this wont be easy..." he mumbles.
The Solacious Knight doffs an imaginary hat to Cassidy. "The usual, fighting wars and chasing down criminals in the name of Solacious," he says. "And drinking." The wolf raises an eyebrow at the comment about his brother. "Really? He's usually in... in the spotlight..." he says, pausing and gulping again. Seasick already! A new record! "I'm sure he's fine. Or captured by Thera'Dorians. One or the other," he says, shrugging. He looks to captain and nods, immediately heading below deck. Maybe there will be booze... Wouldn't that be nice. The knight eyes Grumpdragon McGrump and hmmphs. "Try not to die," is all he says, going through a mental checklist of things he needs to prep for the upcoming fight. Like a barf bag.
"Maybe," Cassidy murmurs, glancing out over the rainy horizon. "Terrible weather for a boating trip indeed," she adds before nodding at Natska and moving below deck. "Might as well wait down there til the action begins, hmm? Less rain and less likely to take a bullet."
Natska looks over at Samm and raises her eyebrows, then smiles at the wolf and gives him a small wave as he heads below decks. "You know, Cassidy, I would think that a proper ship's captain would have enough crew to handle his ship and only need us Freeswords for the fighting..." she murmurs, before Cass starts heading down. Then the jaguar taps her hat brim and nods at the captain before she crosses the deck and takes up a spot near the mainmast, feet braced for the wheather, her eyes closing as she tries to get a feel for the storm's wind.
Tezky arrives at the dock just in time to see the boat pulling away. But after so long of wanting to experience nautical life, even for one trip, that's not gonna stop him. He takes a swan dive from the dock and gets up to the boat quick enough to climb on and up deck before it picks up speed. He arrives at the deck and waves to the captain. "Sorry I'm late sir. Can I still be of service? I've been doing lots of learning about nautical work, and I was hoping to try it out." The burly otter is wearing a soaked forest green tunic with a matching headband bearing the Heavy clan emblem.
Zera
Tezky's arrival gets a lot of attention, long knives and pistols drawn from many of the crew memebers close to where the otter jumped on. Their bloodshed halted before it started by a quick command by the captain, the Leopard stepping up to size up the Otter. "...If you can't help stay out of the way till the fighting starts." He answers the otter before turning back to the task at hand, keeping the pitching, bucking ship from turning over as it crashes against the heavy waves. "It's the early season, most ships are undermanned at this time." The captain comments as he shuffles past Natska towards the wheel
Below decks is not much better, there the entire ground pitches, the only light visible a few lanterns strew around haphazardly. There are bunks, hammicks for the crew memebers, some occupied some not, but whatever booze and food they had on board was secured before the storm
Rokarion yawns and nods at Zuri as the ship finally goes into full motion. Strangely enough, the double flower that makes up the plant being's hair begins bloom, must be that time of the day, enhancing the jasmine aroma that ever accompanies the young being.
Franklin seems to be right at home aboard the bucking ship. He has tied himself with a safety rope, but does not seem to have much need for it. He must be cheating somehow.
Sighing, Zera facepalms, given how much of the lower deck was. Certainly not the comfortable kind. But it'd have to do. She tries to ask some of the crews for whereabouts of the ship before she seeks up for other sellswords for discussions. Best know what others can do if she'd want to live another day.
Zuri leans into the plant being, enjoying the quiet before the proverbial storm that will soon be once they catch up to this pirate ship. He luckily remembers his own training aboard another ship, and makes sure both himself and Rokarion are secure with a rope much like the other sailors around them.
Bazalt Sighs and frowns slightly. "well... It'll do..." he sighs and nods to Cassidy. "been a while hasnt it.. " he says, looking somewhat.. grumpy nad unhappy. "So much water though...Regretting this.. " he mumbles. "wings might help in teh fighting though...Right?..." he grumbles, not really talking to her anymore.
Samm gives a quiet, mental sob at the lack of booze before settling down as securely as possible and gets to work prepping his gear, sharpening weapons and checking armor. Maybe he can bum a dagger off someone, he seems to have lost his... Was it that drunken bet? Or maybe that other drunken bet... coulda been during a bar brawl... He looks around idly for additional supplies. Waste not, want not...
Cassidy leans against the wall just below the way down. "Yes it has," she says, glancing up towards the deck. "Let me know if you need me, Natska," she calls up before looking back towards Bazalt. "I'm surprised to see you out here, given your past reactions to water. Are you going to be well?"
Natska does her best to tune out the sounds of the ship, just seeking to keep her balance on deck and drop into the right state of mind for math. Some big, complicated math... but what good would a lightning caller be if they didn't have some rapport with the storm? The jaguar kneels down, then, and begins tracing numbers on the deck with her finger.
Tezky raises his paws at the inquisition he's presented with when he arrives on the boat. "Thank you, Captain. I'll do my best to help the crew. I'm not really much one for combat outside of defense." He ties on a harness line and helps out where he can, mainly doing heavy lifting. By the way he operates, he's only ever read about maritime work and not actually done it before, so it's done with more technical work and not so much intuition. But he's thorough. He waves to Bazalt and others he may know when he arrives.
It takes a few moments, the spell slowly forming as the wind does die down, visibly hitting an invisible buffer of wind that Natska had created. Which gets a lot of attention from the crew, stopping in their work to stare at it for a few moments, muttering a little nervously at the entire thing before the captain gets them back in line before he turns to Natska. "Thank you, for your help. But please, make us aware before you do such things. Old Boot strap may not take this sitting down." With that he's off again to make sure everyones working, most of the crew giving Tezky a wide berth while still letting them do their thing.
From there it's easy going, the only sign of the storm being the roll and pitch of the waves below them, the ever present thunder and lightning visible on the horizon. Then the call goes out, The look out up on the main mast shouting as he spots another ship!
Rokarion purses his lips in annoyance as the salamander ties him for protection, "Not necessary." he comments before leaning back and resting until he is needed. The plant being's leafy ears perk up as the call is sounded, "Looks like our daring play is nearing its climax."
Franklin steps away from the lines and the work of sailing and prepares for a bit more active work. The burly Platypus retrieves a long handled club with its head wrapped in leather, that he swings a couple of times to limber up. Then he goes to stand by the railing, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes.
Zuri pokes the plant being playfully. "I just don't want to lose you out in the open seas." He blinks as the weather apparently shifts, and it takes the pegasus a moment to realize the ship is being magically shielded from the inclement weather. He giggles. "Well, that saves me from messing with the weather myself, at least for now." He pauses as the call is heard, then nods. "Seems like it.." He flicks his wings experimentally and taps the hilt of each of his weapons. "This should be fun!"
Rather loud feet stomping sounds can be heard as Zera rushingly runs onto the upper deck, checking that her Zweihander is readily available, before she yells, 'Where the enemy ship is coming from!?', as she readies up her crossbow, aiming wherever the target would be.
Bazalt sighs and frowns "dunno.." he shrugs to Her and glances at SAmm. "This.. either bodes well or.. not at all, but since I usually use bows.. this isnt going to be easy for me..." he frowns. "As for why I'm here, Cash.. crown... It's a living you know, take waht you can get... even if you dislike teh...situation the job uts you in, beggars cant be choosers.. all that.." he sighs again.
Samm slowly lifts his head at the noise and scowls, strapping on his armor, but leaving his arms bare for mobility. He's most likely going to regret this...
The Wolf Knight shrugs the thought away and pulls on his Beating Gloves, clenching his fists and strapping his various weapons onto his person. "I really need that dagger right about now..." he mutters, hooking his shield over his back as he makes his way onto the upper deck. "Well, kid," he says to Bazalt. "In my line of experience, prepare as if you were gonna die." He grins at the dragon. "You'll live longer."
Cassidy eyes Samm before looking down at herself. "How badly do you need it? I have one I could lend you, but it's only one," she says, adjusting her hat again and stretching out. "I've got my sword, anyway."
Natska replies to the captain with a small grunt, giving every indication that the jaguar is focusing hard on her concentration; really, though, she just takes it easy and maintains her spell, at least until the enemy is sighted. Boot strap would sit wherever she bloody well told him to sit; the captain asked for help after all. When the call for the sighting goes out, she stands back up and stretches, then calls out. "Screen dropping." After a short wait, it drops, and Natska looks around for Cassidy.
Tezky looks around in the commotion over the lookout's news. "You all know this may not be Straw's ship, right? We can hardly even see it from here. Could be royal navy for all we know." He wants to be sure the gung-ho Freeswords aren't just taking pot shots at the nearest ships. This sort of thing is why he doesn't put his name in with them...
As if to answer Tezky there is a flash of light, smoke rising from the ship as cannon balls fly through the air, one taking out the railing next to Franklin and nearly killing one of the crew men. "That answer you question?" Snaps the captain as he draws the saber at his hip. "Man the guns, everyone to their stations!" Came the shout as the helmsmen turns the ship to starboard, trying to line their guns up despite the pitch of the waves.
As the other ship gets closer, there is no doubt who's ship it was, a wayward bolt of lighting revealing the flag they flew, it was the Bonded Cackle.
Rokarion stands up and nods at Zuri, "Well then, we have ruffians to deal with." the plant being says as he pats his weapons' holsters. "You know, I am half tempted to make you air drop me on their ship." Roka adds with a teasing wink, "But either way, if you want to play with the weather, be careful."
Franklin watches the rail beside him tear away with a look of surprise, then goes to work. The platypus holds his great mace n two hands and stares across the heaving, rolling water, his mouth moving as he mutters under his breath, making complex mathemagical calculations. Frost forms over his shoes, rooting him to the deck while he channels frigid water and air magic over the distant ship.
Zuri giggles at Rokarion's words. "Me, play with the weather? Whatever made you think I'm going to do that?" He flits up with a flick of his wings to peck a kiss at the plant being's cheek, then flies up into the air, held aloft by his dedication's form and mystical power. He turns to face the other ship and wiggles his snout. "First order of business, let's make sure you're a sitting duck.." The pegasus extends his senses out to the storm surrounding them and begins to gently nudge and coax the wind to change, seeking to steal the swell from the Bonded Cackle's sails.
Zera quickly checks her crossbow, making sure it wouldn't misfire before she swaps for her musket, putting some black powder in the firearm and aims up.
She shoots up before she swaps back to her crossbow, waiting to be roughly in range before firing up again. 'Have at you, smelly grunts!'.
Bazalt Frowns and Glances to CAssidy and Samm "Noted but.. Looks like we've found them.. or they've found us.." he checks his armor, knifes and bow before sighing "well. here's to hoping My Aim stays True..." he nods and Makes his way above deck, tail flicking. Now it gets Dangerous
Samm looks to Cassidy and shakes his head. "Not that important, you might need it. Besides," he says, holding up a gloved fist. "I got these if all else fails," he says, grinning wolfishly! "What I *DO* need, is a way to get onto that ship," he says, eyeing the Bonded Cackle. "Ain't no way I'm fighting from a distance," he mutters, making his way closer to the rail. Some of the rope would probably be handy, too, so he grabs a coil. "I don't have a creator-damned clue what I'm doing," he mutters, trying his best to tie the rope to something stable, like a railing or mast.
"Shoulda invested in a damn pirate gem..." he grumbles.
Cassidy pokes her head up on deck one the cannons fire, interrupting her reply to Samm. "Are you alright, Natska?" She asks, adjusting her gloves and stepping up on deck. The rain would get in the way of her usual magic... For now at least. "I don't have any portable cannons on me, sadly."
Natska looks over at Cassidy and nods her head, then turns her attention back to the enemy ship. "Perfectly fine, love. And now we just need to get close enough to board..." she looks around at the other freeswords, taking note of what they are doing, then nods to herself.
Tezky calls up to the captain as canon balls wizz past. "Sir, he's a nautical tactition, but this group is Freeswords! He has the upper hand now, but if we get close and board them, we can do more!" He rushes about, doing his best to help keep the ship on track. He isn't quite sure what all of these magical people are doing. Despite being an otter, Earth and Fire magics were more his forte.
At Franklins calling, and his equations the torrent of rain falling upon the bonded cackle starts to change, turning into a howling freezing wind. The water turning to sheets of ice, before it starts to calm, the winds letting up but the ice still coming, it seems The Jolly Rodger wasn't the only ship to have mages upon it! As for Zuri's actions, they go uncountered, the wind getting cut out of their sails, the ship still moving under its own power as it slides through the water towards the Jolly Rodger, a swivel cannon on the front taking another pot shot at the ship, the ball hitting them broadside to cause the entire ship to shudder. "Drop the sails, they are turning to board! Everyone get ready!" CAme the captains shout, a sneer on his muzzle as he thrusts his saber towards the bonded cackles direction, crew drawing long knives in preparation for the charge.
Rokarion nods at the departing pegasus as he takes out his rapier, the runes and glyphs on it glowing with dim light as they are activated. The plant being decides to keep his sword-breaker in its scabbard and stay on the prow for now, aiming to exploit any opportunities that present themselves once the battle is locked.
Before the other ship can come to grips, Franklin decides to make one more sweeping strike with his icy magic, unleashing a flurry of hard, heavy hail on the opposing ship's deck before adjusting his cap and raising his heavy weapon. "Well, lads," he says, his mouth curled in a little smile, "Time for a dust up, eh?"
The pegasus remains where he is, hovering on account of his dedication's power, directing the winds as best as he can against nature's own yearning. He looks down upon the other ship from above, looking for the best opportunity to drop his action and charge down to join the fray once it is locked.
A quick glance at the enemy ship and after watching her shoot hitting the hull, Zera tries her best to recharge up so she can get another shoot at the deck of the enemy shipment, skillfully swapping her weapons around, even if lacking in the aim because of such. After so, she tries to grab her crossbow and, tries to shoot her charged up bolt, before putting both weapons onto the straps on her back, so she can firmly grab her sword for the oncoming onslaught.
Bazalt Frowns as he Gets abovboard "Arrows arnt gonna do alot At Range.. but.." He takes Aim and eyes the ship, waiting for a target to shoot at.. "get Ready everyone!" the dragons says, Wings and tail twitching.
The Knight growls looks up from the rope, tossing it aside as he draws his sword and shield in anticipation of the boarding, intending to slash and stab at the pirates as they come. If this goes as intended, he'll at least be able to choke one point of entry.
Cassidy draws her rapier, taking up a position next to Natska. "They'll be in for a surprise when they board. We'll see how well they swim in a storm," she murmurs, nudging her hat up out of her eyes, making sure nothing would impair her vision.
Natska nods her head at Cassidy and shifts her weight, drawing her own twin blades - the long, thin rapier and short, thick swordbreaker - into her hands. She sets her personal maths in motion, long practiced equations easily brought to mind, then waits for the melee. "Yes. I am looking forward to it."
Tezky seems to be getting nervous as people get close. He watches as the ships gets closer, wondering if the enemies would be able to see in the dark of night with only occasional thunder claps to light the scene. He draws his improved arm and tail armor tighter as they start drawing in.
