File: 1355520765883.jpg (36.03 KB, 400x300, fort.jpg)
The room is dark and acrid. The dank, uncomfortable walls of your concrete cell close in on you from all sides. You can hear the idle chatter of the guards. You're to be executed tomorrow for crimes against the state.
Your room is bare, save for a pile of moss in the corner. It'll have to suffice for a bed… you have an important appointment to be ready for tomorrow, after all.
…
You awaken with a jolt as the whole structure groans under stress. You know you're deep underground, but some part of the surface fortress has collapsed. There are shouts down the hall and the guards around your cellblock charge off.
After a few terrible moments of waiting, a gryphon almost entirely cloaked in cloth wrappings makes his way down the hall. He barks an order too unclear to make out, and his subordinates sprint past your cells and down the stairs into what you can only imagine is the fort's arsenal and vault.
He comes to a stop in front of your cells and mutters something completely unintelligible. Probably some foreign language.
"Want out?"
Your room is bare, save for a pile of moss in the corner. It'll have to suffice for a bed… you have an important appointment to be ready for tomorrow, after all.
…
You awaken with a jolt as the whole structure groans under stress. You know you're deep underground, but some part of the surface fortress has collapsed. There are shouts down the hall and the guards around your cellblock charge off.
After a few terrible moments of waiting, a gryphon almost entirely cloaked in cloth wrappings makes his way down the hall. He barks an order too unclear to make out, and his subordinates sprint past your cells and down the stairs into what you can only imagine is the fort's arsenal and vault.
He comes to a stop in front of your cells and mutters something completely unintelligible. Probably some foreign language.
"Want out?"
>>251904
>>251907
>>251911
He gives a solemn nod and pulls out his scimitar.
In a few lightning flashes, he tears through the cast-iron door and chains. You could've sworn they were stronger than that…
"Your weapons are probably in the arsenal."
He points to the stairs.
"I don't care what you do as long as you make a scene getting out, but if you need a ride off this rock, make for the Pillager's Fancy. It's the one filling the Port Authority with cannonballs right about now."
He heads back for the stairs up, not waiting for his crewmen.
Without your catalyst, you are gagged. Without your weapons, you take a -3 to combat rolls. You'll want those back.
>>251907
>>251911
He gives a solemn nod and pulls out his scimitar.
In a few lightning flashes, he tears through the cast-iron door and chains. You could've sworn they were stronger than that…
"Your weapons are probably in the arsenal."
He points to the stairs.
"I don't care what you do as long as you make a scene getting out, but if you need a ride off this rock, make for the Pillager's Fancy. It's the one filling the Port Authority with cannonballs right about now."
He heads back for the stairs up, not waiting for his crewmen.
Without your catalyst, you are gagged. Without your weapons, you take a -3 to combat rolls. You'll want those back.
>>251939
>>251940
>>251934
You enter the arsenal. Up ahead, you see a steel door and bars. There are three obviously-aggressor ponies - the subordinates from before - engaged in battle with two armed guards. One of those guards has the key to the door. Beyond the bars, you can see not only your gear, set off to the side, but some four or five hundred bits, leaking out of sacks.
>>251940
>>251934
You enter the arsenal. Up ahead, you see a steel door and bars. There are three obviously-aggressor ponies - the subordinates from before - engaged in battle with two armed guards. One of those guards has the key to the door. Beyond the bars, you can see not only your gear, set off to the side, but some four or five hundred bits, leaking out of sacks.
>>251968
As you stumble past one of the guards, he uses the opening to kick you into the subordinates, knocking you and two of them down.
You are helpless.
>>251974
This guard isn't playing games. He wrestles you down and physically throws you to the ground. Your head makes contact with a sicking CRACK, and he follows it up with a stab in the gut before ganging up on the remaining subordinate with the other guard, two to one.
You are helpless, and have two wounds left.
>>251973
You open the cell and get your gear back. The room is also full of crates of flintlock pistols and swords, but they would take time to open. There are bags full of bits, holding one hundred pieces each, but they would slow you down considerably. You would take a -1 modifier for each bag you take with you.
As you stumble past one of the guards, he uses the opening to kick you into the subordinates, knocking you and two of them down.
You are helpless.
>>251974
This guard isn't playing games. He wrestles you down and physically throws you to the ground. Your head makes contact with a sicking CRACK, and he follows it up with a stab in the gut before ganging up on the remaining subordinate with the other guard, two to one.
You are helpless, and have two wounds left.
>>251973
You open the cell and get your gear back. The room is also full of crates of flintlock pistols and swords, but they would take time to open. There are bags full of bits, holding one hundred pieces each, but they would slow you down considerably. You would take a -1 modifier for each bag you take with you.
>>251994
With a growl, you claw at the ground and kick up a cloud of dust, using the grip to propel yourself through a combat roll into the lockup, then to your feet. You turn back around to see most of the other suckers coughing through the dirt you kicked up. Suckers.
You are no longer helpless.
>>251991
You try to get back up, but one of the guards kicks you in the head as you're bent over. Fortunately, he doesn't have time to follow it up with a stab, because the remaining aggressor attempts an attack of opportunity. They lock blades and each lay into the blades, trying to force them on their opponent.
You are still helpless.
>>251989
You move the bags outside the cell, but don't start carrying them.
Then, you rub your talisman and it flashes in a most crepuscular fashion. Dark pits open up all around you, and from the deepest pits of the damned plane of Tartarus, tendrils of black power climb out and ensorcel you.
You have auto-crits for three turns.
With a growl, you claw at the ground and kick up a cloud of dust, using the grip to propel yourself through a combat roll into the lockup, then to your feet. You turn back around to see most of the other suckers coughing through the dirt you kicked up. Suckers.
You are no longer helpless.
>>251991
You try to get back up, but one of the guards kicks you in the head as you're bent over. Fortunately, he doesn't have time to follow it up with a stab, because the remaining aggressor attempts an attack of opportunity. They lock blades and each lay into the blades, trying to force them on their opponent.
You are still helpless.
>>251989
You move the bags outside the cell, but don't start carrying them.
Then, you rub your talisman and it flashes in a most crepuscular fashion. Dark pits open up all around you, and from the deepest pits of the damned plane of Tartarus, tendrils of black power climb out and ensorcel you.
You have auto-crits for three turns.
>>252015
The guard forces the blade down on his opponent, killing him bloodily. He then sweeps his blade around and catches you in the side.
You are helpless, and you have three hits remaining.
>>252018
The guard turns around just in time to get caught in the throat by a gruesomely dark hoof. He doesn't have time to cry out in warning before he's cooked from the inside out. Shadows seem to seep out of his armor.
The remaining guard, turned, takes the chance to finish off one of the gryphon's subordinates. Just one of them left, and he's reeling on the ground.
>>252023
You have all of your previous items, and turn your attention to the gold. Using your expertise as an engineer, you quickly devise a way to hold one of the bags of gold without having to weigh yourself down, by rigging up a pulley using your shoulder.
You are now carrying one hundred bits, and will not take a penalty for this bag.
The guard forces the blade down on his opponent, killing him bloodily. He then sweeps his blade around and catches you in the side.
You are helpless, and you have three hits remaining.
>>252018
The guard turns around just in time to get caught in the throat by a gruesomely dark hoof. He doesn't have time to cry out in warning before he's cooked from the inside out. Shadows seem to seep out of his armor.
The remaining guard, turned, takes the chance to finish off one of the gryphon's subordinates. Just one of them left, and he's reeling on the ground.
>>252023
You have all of your previous items, and turn your attention to the gold. Using your expertise as an engineer, you quickly devise a way to hold one of the bags of gold without having to weigh yourself down, by rigging up a pulley using your shoulder.
You are now carrying one hundred bits, and will not take a penalty for this bag.
>>252039
He dodges and brutally bashes you as you stumble, off-balance. You fall to the ground, yet again.
You are helpless.
>>252036
Fortunately, attack left an opening for you to get up. You slide back and steady yourself against the wall. Probably should get to your weapons.
You are no longer helpless.
>>252046
Just as the words leave your mouth, the black power surrounding you bursts into laughter. It seems the black demon granting you his strength has a sense of humor. The laughter is crippling, and pulls you to the ground, as your whole world shakes and your eardrums near the bursting point. You can't focus on anything and just set your head down in an attempt to steady the shaking.
You are helpless.
The guard takes the chance to finish off that last subordinate, and finally turns and notices you're covered in black shadows.
He dodges and brutally bashes you as you stumble, off-balance. You fall to the ground, yet again.
You are helpless.
>>252036
Fortunately, attack left an opening for you to get up. You slide back and steady yourself against the wall. Probably should get to your weapons.
You are no longer helpless.
>>252046
Just as the words leave your mouth, the black power surrounding you bursts into laughter. It seems the black demon granting you his strength has a sense of humor. The laughter is crippling, and pulls you to the ground, as your whole world shakes and your eardrums near the bursting point. You can't focus on anything and just set your head down in an attempt to steady the shaking.
You are helpless.
The guard takes the chance to finish off that last subordinate, and finally turns and notices you're covered in black shadows.
>>252051
You've got your gear.
>>252054
The guard takes another slash at you. He's about to finish you off, poised to stick a sharp piece of metal in your eye, when he hears,
>>252052
"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!"
Magenta stands up as the darkness around her dissipates, exploding violently as it begins its journey back through the spirit world.
You no longer have auto-crits.
Chip is helpless with one hit remaining.
You've got your gear.
>>252054
The guard takes another slash at you. He's about to finish you off, poised to stick a sharp piece of metal in your eye, when he hears,
>>252052
"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!"
Magenta stands up as the darkness around her dissipates, exploding violently as it begins its journey back through the spirit world.
You no longer have auto-crits.
Chip is helpless with one hit remaining.
>>252083
You press your hoof into the chestplate of the guard and empower it. Black energy courses through the platemail, and rapidly rusts, and falls off, much to his bewilderment.
Attacks against the remaining guard get +1.
>>252084
Which you follow up with a crushing smash to the torso. His ribcage crackles satisfyingly, and he collapses, dead or close to it.
You have won the battle.
You are in the arsenal. There are three dead subordinates and two dead guards near you. There are four bags full of one hundred bits each near you. There are crates full of guns and swords.
Now that the battle has subsided, you can take a better look around. Roll for spot.
You press your hoof into the chestplate of the guard and empower it. Black energy courses through the platemail, and rapidly rusts, and falls off, much to his bewilderment.
Attacks against the remaining guard get +1.
>>252084
Which you follow up with a crushing smash to the torso. His ribcage crackles satisfyingly, and he collapses, dead or close to it.
You have won the battle.
You are in the arsenal. There are three dead subordinates and two dead guards near you. There are four bags full of one hundred bits each near you. There are crates full of guns and swords.
Now that the battle has subsided, you can take a better look around. Roll for spot.
>>252110
You are sure you hear something, but you can't pinpoint the source.
>>252111
You make a perfect trail to the arsenal, but run out at the cage door. Looks like they've moved most of the powder up to the fort for the defense effort…
Speaking of which, a huge chunk of ceiling falls out and smashes into the floor with the latest impact. Guess the battle isn't quite over yet, though it's hard to tell so deep in the fortress.
>>252115
You're back on your feet, but you're bad condition. No condition to look around at all. You just feel like laying down, but you know you've got to get out.
You are sure you hear something, but you can't pinpoint the source.
>>252111
You make a perfect trail to the arsenal, but run out at the cage door. Looks like they've moved most of the powder up to the fort for the defense effort…
Speaking of which, a huge chunk of ceiling falls out and smashes into the floor with the latest impact. Guess the battle isn't quite over yet, though it's hard to tell so deep in the fortress.
>>252115
You're back on your feet, but you're bad condition. No condition to look around at all. You just feel like laying down, but you know you've got to get out.
>>252135
You waste your time looking for the source of the noise inside a bag of gold.
>>252134
You quickly determine the source of the noise. It's coming from one of two crates set off to the side in the back. Curiosity didn't kill the goat, so you crack it open.
Inside, you find a gagged and bound unicorn. She looks to be some sort of spellcaster, and you suspect that they're not in the cells because they're destined for underground slave trade if you don't get them out.
You waste your time looking for the source of the noise inside a bag of gold.
>>252134
You quickly determine the source of the noise. It's coming from one of two crates set off to the side in the back. Curiosity didn't kill the goat, so you crack it open.
Inside, you find a gagged and bound unicorn. She looks to be some sort of spellcaster, and you suspect that they're not in the cells because they're destined for underground slave trade if you don't get them out.
>>252183
You take the -2 penalty.
It is the way out.
You are on the first floor of the fortress. There are ponies in uniforms running left and right, and huge sections of the fortress have collapsed, but there's a straight path to the door. As long as you don't start attacking anyone, you suspect the guards won't have the time or spare attention to notice you.
>>252184
>>252186
You hear him alright.
>>252187
Your telekinesis has seen better days. You manage to get a few nails out.
>>252189
You're upstairs!
You take the -2 penalty.
It is the way out.
You are on the first floor of the fortress. There are ponies in uniforms running left and right, and huge sections of the fortress have collapsed, but there's a straight path to the door. As long as you don't start attacking anyone, you suspect the guards won't have the time or spare attention to notice you.
>>252184
>>252186
You hear him alright.
>>252187
Your telekinesis has seen better days. You manage to get a few nails out.
>>252189
You're upstairs!
File: 1355526301972.png (35.85 KB, 1350x836, Port Southridge.png)
>>252204
You manage to get the lid open…
>>252205
But Sándor, ever eager to help his mistress, bursts out of his rope bindings! He climbs out. You'll both want to collect your gear as you leave.
>>252210
You can't make heads or tails of the town's layout, so you follow Chip.
>>252209
Right away, you spot the Port Authority by the seaside. It's being turned into laser cheese by a ship that you remember must be the Maiden's Fancy. Hopefully all that gold will buy you a ride.
>>252214
You follow Chip, too.
You may follow Royal Boulevard for an easy slope, or head straight down the mountainside and use the coast.
You manage to get the lid open…
>>252205
But Sándor, ever eager to help his mistress, bursts out of his rope bindings! He climbs out. You'll both want to collect your gear as you leave.
>>252210
You can't make heads or tails of the town's layout, so you follow Chip.
>>252209
Right away, you spot the Port Authority by the seaside. It's being turned into laser cheese by a ship that you remember must be the Maiden's Fancy. Hopefully all that gold will buy you a ride.
>>252214
You follow Chip, too.
You may follow Royal Boulevard for an easy slope, or head straight down the mountainside and use the coast.
>>252241
>>252245
You don't need to to get to the cliff. Now that you're at it, you need to roll to get down.
>>252243
You stumble down the cliffside, sliding and rolling. You can't seem to maintain your balance with all your gold. You finally dust yourself off at the bottom, one wound worse for the wear. At least the gold made it.
>>252247
You drop off the gold, but it doesn't do you much good. You take one step and then roll most of the way. You take one wound.
>>252246
You expertly navigate your way down to the coastline.
>>252245
You don't need to to get to the cliff. Now that you're at it, you need to roll to get down.
>>252243
You stumble down the cliffside, sliding and rolling. You can't seem to maintain your balance with all your gold. You finally dust yourself off at the bottom, one wound worse for the wear. At least the gold made it.
>>252247
You drop off the gold, but it doesn't do you much good. You take one step and then roll most of the way. You take one wound.
>>252246
You expertly navigate your way down to the coastline.
>>252275
>>252276
The spirits of Tartarus are feeling ill-inclined to join you for long walks on the beach.
The core rules don't say you can Tartarian Blessing yourself, but I allow it at a DC of 8, and you get one additional turn of autocrit for each over 8. e.g.: 10 = 3 turns, 9 = 2.
>>252280
You're not encumbered by your gold at all.
>>252276
The spirits of Tartarus are feeling ill-inclined to join you for long walks on the beach.
The core rules don't say you can Tartarian Blessing yourself, but I allow it at a DC of 8, and you get one additional turn of autocrit for each over 8. e.g.: 10 = 3 turns, 9 = 2.
>>252280
You're not encumbered by your gold at all.
>>252309
>>252311
He waves his hand in front of the cage. "Unicorn. Fix my hand."
It's all kinds of bloody. It looks like it was crushed by something, but it's hard to tell what.
>>252313
I am really regretting that typo now. It's the PILLAGER'S Fancy.
Nonetheless, the Pillager's Fancy is the smallest of the three ships. It's an old Galleon, which is nearing ancient in age. It's a brighter wood than the other two as well, though you can't tell which kind.
You're six minutes away, and you can see small figures boarding the Pillager's Fancy as the other two ships start to pull out to sea.
>>252311
He waves his hand in front of the cage. "Unicorn. Fix my hand."
It's all kinds of bloody. It looks like it was crushed by something, but it's hard to tell what.
>>252313
I am really regretting that typo now. It's the PILLAGER'S Fancy.
Nonetheless, the Pillager's Fancy is the smallest of the three ships. It's an old Galleon, which is nearing ancient in age. It's a brighter wood than the other two as well, though you can't tell which kind.
You're six minutes away, and you can see small figures boarding the Pillager's Fancy as the other two ships start to pull out to sea.
>>252319
He gives a toothy smile. You notice he has golden crowns on pretty much everything in his mouth. Even his tongue has a stud.
"Maybe Cap'n was right about you. You ain't so bad. Good thing we kept you 'n here 'n not with Redcoat."
>>252321
Four minutes away. You can see tethers being cut, and anchor being drawn.
He gives a toothy smile. You notice he has golden crowns on pretty much everything in his mouth. Even his tongue has a stud.
"Maybe Cap'n was right about you. You ain't so bad. Good thing we kept you 'n here 'n not with Redcoat."
>>252321
Four minutes away. You can see tethers being cut, and anchor being drawn.
>>252328
>>252327
You should probably hurry. Two minutes, and the stream of figures has stopped. They're about to shove off.
>>252330
He smiles. "It's fine o' you t'be curious, sweetie. Redcoat was one o' us, and he decided he wanted a promotion, the 'pirate way'. He's in the brig 'til Commodore decides wha' t' do wi' him. He likes to cut things."
Still with the grin, he gingerly moves his claw from left to right along his neck.
"See? Y'don't wanna be with Redcoat."
>>252327
You should probably hurry. Two minutes, and the stream of figures has stopped. They're about to shove off.
>>252330
He smiles. "It's fine o' you t'be curious, sweetie. Redcoat was one o' us, and he decided he wanted a promotion, the 'pirate way'. He's in the brig 'til Commodore decides wha' t' do wi' him. He likes to cut things."
Still with the grin, he gingerly moves his claw from left to right along his neck.
"See? Y'don't wanna be with Redcoat."
>>252344
You perform a splendid faceplant as
>>252340
>>252343
Sandor and Alys charge past you, seemingly charged by some telekinetic force urging them on. It's so powerful, in fact, that it causes you to roll along on the ground.
>>252339
Even you're caught up in the rush. You feel a little bit faster.
You arrive at the ship and it's already parted from the dock. You see the gryphon that freed you with a claw on the forecastle. He waves.
You can make it if you jump!
>>252352
He waves a finger warningly. "It's the tongue for talking, not the teeth."
You perform a splendid faceplant as
>>252340
>>252343
Sandor and Alys charge past you, seemingly charged by some telekinetic force urging them on. It's so powerful, in fact, that it causes you to roll along on the ground.
>>252339
Even you're caught up in the rush. You feel a little bit faster.
You arrive at the ship and it's already parted from the dock. You see the gryphon that freed you with a claw on the forecastle. He waves.
You can make it if you jump!
>>252352
He waves a finger warningly. "It's the tongue for talking, not the teeth."
>>252356
You miss the jump absolutely miserably, but as you're about to hit the water, a pegasus hits you in the side and propels you up onto the deck.
"Nice haul. That was to save the gold, though, so don't get sentimental."
>>252357
You are not so lucky. When you fail, no one seems interested in your lack of gold.
>>252358
Alys tries to support you with improved telekinesis, but it just slows the descent to a stop. You're hanging mid-air as the ship pulls out into the harbor, but it's still close…
>>252361
You grapple onto the side of the galleon, and get a round of cheers from the smarmy lot. The gryphon pulls you to your feet.
You miss the jump absolutely miserably, but as you're about to hit the water, a pegasus hits you in the side and propels you up onto the deck.
"Nice haul. That was to save the gold, though, so don't get sentimental."
>>252357
You are not so lucky. When you fail, no one seems interested in your lack of gold.
>>252358
Alys tries to support you with improved telekinesis, but it just slows the descent to a stop. You're hanging mid-air as the ship pulls out into the harbor, but it's still close…
>>252361
You grapple onto the side of the galleon, and get a round of cheers from the smarmy lot. The gryphon pulls you to your feet.
>>252370
He points at the goat. "Over there, with Mellow Marsh."
There's a gray pegasus standing next to Magenta, appraising his haul. It's the one who saved her.
>>252367
They all cheer and chuckle, "Well have some fine ale tonight! You won't believe the haul! This town was fat."
The gryphon gives a serious look. "Hey, are they your friends? We could stop for them."
He points at Alys and Sandor, still suspended mid-air.
He points at the goat. "Over there, with Mellow Marsh."
There's a gray pegasus standing next to Magenta, appraising his haul. It's the one who saved her.
>>252367
They all cheer and chuckle, "Well have some fine ale tonight! You won't believe the haul! This town was fat."
The gryphon gives a serious look. "Hey, are they your friends? We could stop for them."
He points at Alys and Sandor, still suspended mid-air.
>>252381
They stop the boat and idle back slightly by oar. Then they throw a rope down to Alys and Sandor.
>>252379
You're too pre-occupied staying out of the water! You're riding him, remember? You can climb out now, though.
>>252381
You eat it. Tastes metalic, but it's definitely genuine.
>>252383
He laughs. "The Commodore 'd have me 'ed!"
They stop the boat and idle back slightly by oar. Then they throw a rope down to Alys and Sandor.
>>252379
You're too pre-occupied staying out of the water! You're riding him, remember? You can climb out now, though.
>>252381
You eat it. Tastes metalic, but it's definitely genuine.
>>252383
He laughs. "The Commodore 'd have me 'ed!"
>>252377
"Ah, I see well no worries then, he helped me back there in the prison. I thought he got left behind."
I then held out my paw to shake hands(or talons) with the gryphon
"I am sorry for not introducing myself, I am Chip. A ship builder back in Torrolund and I am offering my services to you Ms?(or Mr.)"
"Ah, I see well no worries then, he helped me back there in the prison. I thought he got left behind."
I then held out my paw to shake hands(or talons) with the gryphon
"I am sorry for not introducing myself, I am Chip. A ship builder back in Torrolund and I am offering my services to you Ms?(or Mr.)"
oh fuck oh fuck!!
>>252507
Let the unicorn do her job, ah I remember this feeling after a good fight or pillage back then.
I then give the unicorn a look, sizing her up.
"… I wonder what you two are doing here in this ship Ms." I put my paw next to her hoof.
>>252504
I look at the filly.
Control yourself.
"…. yes, both me and the goat are… good. Sort of."
I then size her up.
"Depends on what kind of good you mean also."
>>252507
Let the unicorn do her job, ah I remember this feeling after a good fight or pillage back then.
I then give the unicorn a look, sizing her up.
"… I wonder what you two are doing here in this ship Ms." I put my paw next to her hoof.
>>252504
I look at the filly.
Control yourself.
"…. yes, both me and the goat are… good. Sort of."
I then size her up.
"Depends on what kind of good you mean also."
>>252557
I was lost, lost in my own world of desire, my focus on that little thing in front of me when I was suddenly pulled out of my trance by her mothers voice.
Damnit, calm yourself now, I look at the mother. Summer seas, thats a name alright.
"… well well, thats your daughter I suppose. Nice to meet you Summer seas."
I then look at the goat.
"She's a good healer I tell you."
I was lost, lost in my own world of desire, my focus on that little thing in front of me when I was suddenly pulled out of my trance by her mothers voice.
Damnit, calm yourself now, I look at the mother. Summer seas, thats a name alright.
"… well well, thats your daughter I suppose. Nice to meet you Summer seas."
I then look at the goat.
"She's a good healer I tell you."
Uggh.. this is getting creepy even for me.
>>252612
"Summer seas, what a beautiful name."
I look at her taking everything in memory, I then stand up.
"One day maybe we can play sometimes, would you like that?"
>>252617
"No worries. Both of you are safe in this ship. Well, safe within our standards of course but safe nonetheless." I give the mother a smile.
>>252619
"Im done here. Lets go."
>>252638
"Who do you mean?" I give the keymaster a look of disdain, being distracted.
>>252612
"Summer seas, what a beautiful name."
I look at her taking everything in memory, I then stand up.
"One day maybe we can play sometimes, would you like that?"
>>252617
"No worries. Both of you are safe in this ship. Well, safe within our standards of course but safe nonetheless." I give the mother a smile.
>>252619
"Im done here. Lets go."
>>252638
"Who do you mean?" I give the keymaster a look of disdain, being distracted.
>>252684
>>252685
When you arrive on the Pillager's Fancy, Mellow Marsh ushers you all to one side. It seems most of the crew has gone back to their various tasks.
"So here it is. Part of the crew, yeah? Good, good. You'll be here on the Pillager's Fancy. Three of our number didn't make it back, and you did, so that means you're solid enough with your wits to take their spots. Until you make a name for yourselves, you're bilgerats, but that'll change if you keep your wits on. Let me point the big figures for you so you know your way around."
"I'm Mellow Marsh, duty officer on this ship. You get your assignments from me. The doctor on this ship is Doc Peg: he'll cure what ails ya, and he has glass eyes and pegs for what he can't fix. Kinda creepy fellow, though. "Tough Guy" Salty Slugs runs the cannons down below, which is a cushier, more desirable job than what you've got. Big wigs are Al-Jinn, "The Unscarred" — third mate and jack o' swords."
He indicates the gryphon that broke you out.
"He's undefeated. That's how he got the name. As for second mate…"
He points to the aftcastle, "Miss Terrebonne. Stay on her good side. She's the crew resurrectionist. As long as you have doubloons and your corpse is mostly in one piece, she'll bring you back. First mate is—"
He's cut off by a miser-like goat that came up behind him.
"Me. Quartermaster Smitts. And our captain on this vessel is the 'Fullmaster'. Abilio. Don't make jokes around him."
>>252685
When you arrive on the Pillager's Fancy, Mellow Marsh ushers you all to one side. It seems most of the crew has gone back to their various tasks.
"So here it is. Part of the crew, yeah? Good, good. You'll be here on the Pillager's Fancy. Three of our number didn't make it back, and you did, so that means you're solid enough with your wits to take their spots. Until you make a name for yourselves, you're bilgerats, but that'll change if you keep your wits on. Let me point the big figures for you so you know your way around."
"I'm Mellow Marsh, duty officer on this ship. You get your assignments from me. The doctor on this ship is Doc Peg: he'll cure what ails ya, and he has glass eyes and pegs for what he can't fix. Kinda creepy fellow, though. "Tough Guy" Salty Slugs runs the cannons down below, which is a cushier, more desirable job than what you've got. Big wigs are Al-Jinn, "The Unscarred" — third mate and jack o' swords."
He indicates the gryphon that broke you out.
"He's undefeated. That's how he got the name. As for second mate…"
He points to the aftcastle, "Miss Terrebonne. Stay on her good side. She's the crew resurrectionist. As long as you have doubloons and your corpse is mostly in one piece, she'll bring you back. First mate is—"
He's cut off by a miser-like goat that came up behind him.
"Me. Quartermaster Smitts. And our captain on this vessel is the 'Fullmaster'. Abilio. Don't make jokes around him."
>>252717
Smitts raises a brow, but Mellow just chuckles.
"I dunno, Smitts, what do you think? Which one of the two has a better sense of humor? Thirsty Umlock or Commodore Tallow?"
Smitts thinks about it for a moment, then replies, "Thirsty Umlock."
Marsh gives him a dry look and replies, "You're no fun."
Smitts raises a brow, but Mellow just chuckles.
"I dunno, Smitts, what do you think? Which one of the two has a better sense of humor? Thirsty Umlock or Commodore Tallow?"
Smitts thinks about it for a moment, then replies, "Thirsty Umlock."
Marsh gives him a dry look and replies, "You're no fun."
>>252730
"Like I said. Bilge. Unfortunate work, but someone has to do it. Unless you have some other marketable skills. If you're a blacksmith, Blue Topaz might use you for minting our doubloons with all those bits you made off with. If you've got carpentering skills, we've gotta repair the hull…"
"Like I said. Bilge. Unfortunate work, but someone has to do it. Unless you have some other marketable skills. If you're a blacksmith, Blue Topaz might use you for minting our doubloons with all those bits you made off with. If you've got carpentering skills, we've gotta repair the hull…"
>>252753
"Unfortunately, that's a skill we have in surfeit. Looks like you're in the bilge until further notice. Grunt work, but it's easy and repetitive. We'll have you at a proper station next time we stop in a town."
>>252759
"You, however, we can use. The Darklantern took some canon fire, but she's a brand new ship-of-the-line, and coated with lead and steel plates. She can take it. We're not so lucky. We docked and they got some potshots. Our prow a bit out of shape, and it needs fixing, but Rusty Wrench is over on the Darklantern. Fix it, and the job of engineer is yours. It's a good position. Lucrative. Important."
>>252765
You can't make out anything between the darkness and the dark wood. It's definitely big, but you can't even tell what race the thing is. You are inclined to think this is the good Commodore Tallow, though.
"Unfortunately, that's a skill we have in surfeit. Looks like you're in the bilge until further notice. Grunt work, but it's easy and repetitive. We'll have you at a proper station next time we stop in a town."
>>252759
"You, however, we can use. The Darklantern took some canon fire, but she's a brand new ship-of-the-line, and coated with lead and steel plates. She can take it. We're not so lucky. We docked and they got some potshots. Our prow a bit out of shape, and it needs fixing, but Rusty Wrench is over on the Darklantern. Fix it, and the job of engineer is yours. It's a good position. Lucrative. Important."
>>252765
You can't make out anything between the darkness and the dark wood. It's definitely big, but you can't even tell what race the thing is. You are inclined to think this is the good Commodore Tallow, though.
>>252773
You quickly ascend the mast. Up in the crow's nest you find the corpse of a lookout. Looks like that job needs replacing. Fortunately, his spyglass looks to be in one piece.
>>252774
"I am."
>>252775
You're having a hard time getting a good look at the front of the ship, even from the edge of the forecastle. You nearly loose your balance, but Al-Jinn is perched nearby and grabs your shoulder when you nearly go over.
"Keeping busy?"
You quickly ascend the mast. Up in the crow's nest you find the corpse of a lookout. Looks like that job needs replacing. Fortunately, his spyglass looks to be in one piece.
>>252774
"I am."
>>252775
You're having a hard time getting a good look at the front of the ship, even from the edge of the forecastle. You nearly loose your balance, but Al-Jinn is perched nearby and grabs your shoulder when you nearly go over.
"Keeping busy?"
>>252791
Mellow Marsh flies up to inspect the damage. "Yep. Saw that one coming." He grabs the corpse and throws it into the sea. "You want his job? He was out of money. Beats bilge work, and you look to be a fast climber."
You see nothing particularly strange. You get a return stare from the crow's nest of the Seaworthy. There's a pegasus up in that nest with only one wing, also equipped with a spyglass. He looks pretty foreign.
>>252792
You search the cargo hold and find some sort of cask of special reserve. This looks like pretty valuable fortified wine, probably looted from a merchant vessel or shop.
>>252789
He nods. "I was to be executed, like you. I was freed, and killed twenty guards on my way out. They offered me a job. Now I free prisoners when I go into town. Feels right."
>>252798
You can almost feel the smirk.
"That's right."
Lightning fast, a hoof shoots out of the dark and smashes the lock on your cage. In seconds, he's gone entirely, door slamming behind him.
Mellow Marsh flies up to inspect the damage. "Yep. Saw that one coming." He grabs the corpse and throws it into the sea. "You want his job? He was out of money. Beats bilge work, and you look to be a fast climber."
You see nothing particularly strange. You get a return stare from the crow's nest of the Seaworthy. There's a pegasus up in that nest with only one wing, also equipped with a spyglass. He looks pretty foreign.
>>252792
You search the cargo hold and find some sort of cask of special reserve. This looks like pretty valuable fortified wine, probably looted from a merchant vessel or shop.
>>252789
He nods. "I was to be executed, like you. I was freed, and killed twenty guards on my way out. They offered me a job. Now I free prisoners when I go into town. Feels right."
>>252798
You can almost feel the smirk.
"That's right."
Lightning fast, a hoof shoots out of the dark and smashes the lock on your cage. In seconds, he's gone entirely, door slamming behind him.
>>252827
With the lantern out, you've adjusted your eyes to the dark. Looks like you're the only ones in the room, save for a pony chained up against the wall in the corner. He's not moving, and looks savagely beaten. His coat looks red.
The door to the brig has a lock on it, but you examine the crack and determine that it's not locked.
>>252830
You can't seem to find anything that will hold it. You might end up having to invite her down. It's a big cask, though, no one will notice the small amount missing. You notice there is a separate part of the cargo hold that needs a key to gain access to. They must not consider protection of the wine a high priority.
>>252831
You see a buffalo on the Darklantern navigating the edges of the boat with unnatural agility. He pounds away at edges and is repairing dents from the battle.
>>252832
Your attention keeps being drawn to the place you KNOW there are issues: the prow. Still, you're having a hard time getting an angle on it. You feel slightly embarrassed when you notice over on the Darklantern, there's a Buffalo practically running circles around you doing repairs on ridiculous extremities of his own ship.
With the lantern out, you've adjusted your eyes to the dark. Looks like you're the only ones in the room, save for a pony chained up against the wall in the corner. He's not moving, and looks savagely beaten. His coat looks red.
The door to the brig has a lock on it, but you examine the crack and determine that it's not locked.
>>252830
You can't seem to find anything that will hold it. You might end up having to invite her down. It's a big cask, though, no one will notice the small amount missing. You notice there is a separate part of the cargo hold that needs a key to gain access to. They must not consider protection of the wine a high priority.
>>252831
You see a buffalo on the Darklantern navigating the edges of the boat with unnatural agility. He pounds away at edges and is repairing dents from the battle.
>>252832
Your attention keeps being drawn to the place you KNOW there are issues: the prow. Still, you're having a hard time getting an angle on it. You feel slightly embarrassed when you notice over on the Darklantern, there's a Buffalo practically running circles around you doing repairs on ridiculous extremities of his own ship.
>>252853
In your dream, you are falling, but you don't know from where.
You see a whale, and it stares at you unblinkingly. You stare into its eye, and pull a letter out of it. It reads:
"Some stay dry, and others feel the pain. -D"
You examine the D more closely, and realize it's a pit, which you have fallen into. You try to climb out, but just as you get to the lip, it becomes an oubliette, and it starts to fill with water. You'd be in trouble, but you now know how to breathe water, and you swim deeper and deeper into its depths, until you come out of a forest of hair. You're a fly on the face of that knight. He offers you to his Lady, and she declines. You're almost smashed by a swat, but fortunately the knight seems to be dissolving in a pile of magic dust. It has eyes, and it reaches up for you with its hand, picks you up, and tries to swallow you. You'd be in trouble, but when you go down the throat, you come out of a cloud, and fall into the ocean. It's made of chocolate.
>>252871
The duty officer ushers you back down to the bottom of the boat, and puts you to work on the bilge pumps. You protest, but he says it's you or the unicorn.
In your dream, you are falling, but you don't know from where.
You see a whale, and it stares at you unblinkingly. You stare into its eye, and pull a letter out of it. It reads:
"Some stay dry, and others feel the pain. -D"
You examine the D more closely, and realize it's a pit, which you have fallen into. You try to climb out, but just as you get to the lip, it becomes an oubliette, and it starts to fill with water. You'd be in trouble, but you now know how to breathe water, and you swim deeper and deeper into its depths, until you come out of a forest of hair. You're a fly on the face of that knight. He offers you to his Lady, and she declines. You're almost smashed by a swat, but fortunately the knight seems to be dissolving in a pile of magic dust. It has eyes, and it reaches up for you with its hand, picks you up, and tries to swallow you. You'd be in trouble, but when you go down the throat, you come out of a cloud, and fall into the ocean. It's made of chocolate.
>>252871
The duty officer ushers you back down to the bottom of the boat, and puts you to work on the bilge pumps. You protest, but he says it's you or the unicorn.