Squaring Sail

The rope trick hung in the air...strangely. But we all climbed up and crawled into the space regardless. Braeden stayed outside "keeping watch". I swear, if she goes through my things...
 
Martin started things off. "So everyone one board (save us) is a pirate. We are expected to then captain it while the pirates 'definitely don't do pirate stuff."'Is anyone else worried?" He and Adrienne filled me in on what they party had already shared amongst themselves: everyone crewing The Crying Jewel was a pirate now. Those that hadn't chosen to work for the Royal Fleet had been executed.
 
Adrienne pulled out maps and a compass, and we all looked on. The sail would be at least a month east -- maybe two -- and the most direct route would take us next to the shores of Umiel. Umiel, of course, is currently at war with Alnia. We would not be received as honored guests, to say the least.
 
Plove, the Umielian island west of the continent, remains neutral in the ongoing politics. We could stop there on our way east.
 
 

Working onward

The discussion turned towards settomg pir course -- by vote -- first northeast to Plove, then southeast to Syr'naa, then east until we reached our destination of Otaru.
 
It's fine. As long as I'm done with the Knights, I can deal with anything.
 
Since we had decided, we needed to decide the rest of the ship's roles. I swallowed my pride and spoke up as we debated:
 

Captain: Braeden Adrienne

First Mate, 2nd in command to the captain: Nell

Bosun, technical officer and repair: Braeden

Quartermaster, navigation and supplies: Adrienne Martin

Surgeon, typically a cleric or healer: Khalida

Cook: (of course) Yum

Cannoneers, as the ship carries many and we could learn how to use them: Skhug

Lenna will be lookout up in the crow's nest

It was Martin, actually, that spoke up for me. He had some knowledge out of books, and had heard of captains and first mates and the need to cover each other's weaknesses. "The first mate will deal more with the crew --" and at Adrienne's distaste for the crew it was settled.
 
I am first mate of The Crying Jewel to acting captain Adrienne.
 
There was ironic talk of a counter-mutineer, the one who would act in the best interest of the group if things went south (for whatever reason). I have no idea what they mean by this, but this title of "Zebra" went to Braeden.



 
As we talked belowdecks, Braeden hung with the Gedrimmauk. The bugbear revealed he couldn't swim, but was otherwise a good mate.
 
Now is as good of a time as any to list the crew of The Crying Jewel:
 

Khonulad Vorkal, former captain

Jacobus York, male human, acting captain

Advyre, female elf, first mate

Kavas Murulgath, small male triton, bosun

Lokarai, female tiefling quartermaster

Clirec Draziros, self-contained surgeon and cleric

Jau Bovasath, cook

Alavain Ballas

Gedrimmauk, bugbear helmsman

Globmaw

Ivu, male kobold

Lasher, shady whip-wielding kenku lookout

Rik Kempers, bandaged male human, newest on the crew

 
 

"What is a zebra?"

Khalida brought Braeden up to speed on the new rank and file of the ship. Braeden was uncomfortable with Adrienne as captain, finding her in the alchemist's new captain's quarters. She had little interest in being a bosun, or working in any capacity. Showing interest in Gedrimmauk though, it was decided that Kavas would continue to function as bosun, where Braeden would work with Gedrimmauk and Kavas on handling the ship's helm (and relieve each other at the watch changes).
 
 
 

To Plove

Eventually, finally, we squared away on The Crying Jewel:
 
Adrienne made sure she met everyone in the crew, "for letters of recommendation". There was little trust, and the crew remained tight-lipped. She did get to speak with Ivu and Rick (together) -- so the two could be mates already -- as well as Clirec (the cleric).
 
Braeden got her sea legs, eventually even trying the belowdecks.
 
Khalida's surgeon quarters were next to the captain's quarters, so she made sure to listen in on the captain's conversations. Unfortunately for her Adrienne caught on the ruse.
 
Lenna introduced herself to the kenku Lasher (the bird she would be working with), who spoke only with the words Lenna used herself. "It was all very unsettling. And it -- he -- has a weird neck-and-back injury."
 
Martin met Locarai, the reclusive tiefling quartermaster. Voted "most likely to pirate" Locarai got her to talk: she doesn't like our group or Detaia, her hometown.
 
Nell took it upon herself to follow up on Adrienne's interviews, asking the crew what was going on with the captain. Finding it harmless -- conversation about the future of the crewmembers' lives -- she returned to working with Advyre and the crew as a whole.
 
Skhug found the ship's cannons "delightful". Globmaw shares his passion -- a gunner as well -- and the two had a proper time.
 
 

A pirate's hymn

It took us three days to reach Plove, dogged the entire time by our Royal Navy escorts. They left on the afternoon of the second day at sea. While underway we all took time to get to know the crew, and all was quiet until the third day.
 
Around lunchtime Yum and I heard a woman singing, up on the deck. But it wasn't anyone's voice we recognized -- and the sea chanty this lady was crooning seemed pretty ghostly: "Beware the ship of blood and tide".
 
The the ship lurched to port.
There was panic.
 
Braeden and I raced to the main deck, the rest of the group on our heels. Adrienne yelled behind us: "Beat to quarters!"
 
The crew on the main deck stood lifeless and staring sternward. Braeden saw Gedrimmauk on the helm, his slack arms turning the ship hard to port.
 
I couldn't feel any of the creatures who scorn the divine -- celestials, fiends, shapeshifters, or undead -- but it didn't matter: the singer revealed herself to be a woman, feathered and corpse-like, with wicked teeth and glaring eyes.
 
Ampheria, the Harpy of the Biting Shoal.