Djebel Tarik

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Bluehorse
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Re: Djebel Tarik

#161 Post by Bluehorse »

Rexlin "Devil's Scowl" Dupree

Hear the boast of a raid on San Juan he grins, white teeth gleaming under his mass of freshly trimmed whiskers. He looks to Captain Lazarus with a hopeful rise of his eyebrows. He waits patiently for the captain's response but unconsciously strokes his pistol, also recently cleaned and oiled as were his other "tools of his trade" which he had lovingly tended too soon after his own bath. Obviously he was still very proud of his recent trophies and planed to keep them in pristine condition.

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#162 Post by Hotgoblin »

Iggy thanks the mage for his hospitality and for identifying the potions.Thank you for your help, but I must go meet the captain now.. Off she goes to the creek.

Hello Captain, Tarik....then nods hello to the the others.

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#163 Post by onlyme »

Geoffrey as well, looks toward the blue waters and the chance to see what pirate lives are really about.
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Re: Djebel Tarik

#164 Post by Spearmint »

"Very dapper Mr Dupre, very dapper, you can make the next dandy pirate for sure!", guffaws Captain Lazarus and Mr Simonsen at the sight of Rexlin reporting for duty in his new silken shirt, the afternoon sunlight glinting off the shiny brass buttons. The captain, sporting an equally gaudy white paisley blouson and frilled cuffs, rabbit trimmed waistcoat and tartan kilt. Mr Simonsen points to his head and nods at the assembling group behinds the Captains back. Folk slipping on their ships 'tartan scarves' and following. Cobb, Geofrrey Blood and Rexlin all carrying muskets and blades. Iggway Gweequay accompanying the group as an interested guest.

The tidal creek which washes from the west is heavily silted unlike the clear blue sea out past the reef. Its dark and muddy waters home to several large predatory 'gators' who yawn lazily while basking in the sun on the far banks. The mangrove trees and willows providing deep submerged roots which create the warren of nooks and holes they lair in for the unwary. A few drift idly on the tide, floating as deadwood to the near shore but are soon put into snappy flight by a few score stones thrown by the camp guards.

Around the corner Djebel Tarik awaits to greet his 'guests'. It looks like a couple of other privateer leaders are assembled with him. Tariks' own armed escort stand nonchalantly, one leads the giant baboon on some chained leash. It snaps and pulls at the restraints, hooting and snarling at folk who get too close but seems well kept in check by his handler. The creek is a rough L-shape and around the bend Tariks' hidden flotilla bob on the waves. The catamarans are roughly made, dugouts' from local trees and bound together with a small platform. A small cannon on thin rails pointing out over the prows. Each boat looks as though it contains several men holding a paddle, seated in placed, poised in silence. The boats have a single lateen sail, mostly tied up from flapping in the stiff breeze. A cluster of boats bob in unison, anchored together by the shore, a single one being put through its paces, guides to a slow halt by the shoreline. The mage from the wagon stands on the deck and speaks in an unknown tongue to the rowers, a menacing tone in his voice.

You look close at the grey skinned men and women, some covered in bits of lichen, some missing ears, fingers, chipped and cracked. They make a strange sight until you realise that they are all made of stone. Petrified and ancient, these rowers move stiffly but with strength, bending their backs to push the paddles through the waters. One a woman, stares with blank hollow eyes and looks at the group. It mutters in halting broken stuttering common, "I live."as if surprised at her own consciousness. The mage brings a sharp crack of the whip upon her back. It cackles with bright blue energy and sparks fly from the tip. The statuesque woman grimaces in pain and resumes the rythym of rowing, accompanied by more lashes of the whip and more exultations of terror.

"This are my new recruits, my army, my rebellion. Taken from the depths they while gain our freedom, our reward, our victory. The Iberians have no power of them for they are not flesh and blood, not mortal. They cannot die." Djebel Tarik utters as if preaching to a crowd. His men cheer and roar. "With them we can sail into San Juan and cripple the foes before she ever sets sail."

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#165 Post by Bluehorse »

Rexlin "Devil's Scowl" Dupre
Spearmint wrote:"Very dapper Mr Dupre, very dapper, you can make the next dandy pirate for sure!", guffaws Captain Lazarus and Mr Simonsen at the sight of Rexlin reporting for duty in his new silken shirt...
Just grins as his superiors jest. "Aye, aye, sirs! Thank you. You're looking fine as well, Captain Sir. So, if I may ask, what's to be our part in this grand little dance? My finger if feeling itchy for target practice, if you catch my meaning."

...

He seems mildly put off by the sight of the stone rowers but says nothing. One would guess he is too eager for battle to give anything else much though.

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#166 Post by onlyme »

Geoffrey likewise thinks little of the stones. He prepares for the travel.
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Re: Djebel Tarik

#167 Post by Hotgoblin »

Iggy is horrified at what she sees. All these stone creatures are being enslaved by Djabel Tarik, with the help of his Mage. Oh how she would love to use the whip back on him.

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#168 Post by Spearmint »

Captain Lazarus too expresses his horror at seeing these 'living' statues. They all have similar racial features and look like men and women of the 'Africanus' continent. Men and women much like Djebel Tarik himself. He pauses as if to ask how and why?

Djebel Tarik steps in. "I see brother captain you have many questions. Much can be answered..., with a smooth hand motion the pirate signals forward a man leading another chain gang of statues. He signals for him to stop and sweeps his arm at Rexlin, Geoffrey and Cobb to take aim and fire. With a nod from their captain they load muskets and fire in quick succession, shots hitting squarely the statues in chest and head. The living statues flinch a little but remain standing and unhurt despite chunks of stone chipping from their stony bodies. A second volley proving also totally ineffective to kill once more these saddened creatures.

Tarik laughs, as do a few men in polite nervousness. "Invincible, see!! they withstand the might of bullets and though chain and grape shot rip arms or shatter torso's, still they move, still they live, still they will obey orders." He walks the party further along the creek towards a waiting canoe."After we found the first one and understood it still lived, we trawled for more, from the very ocean depths where they were mercilessly cast asunder, lest the Guineamen' (name for a slave ship), sink in the storms or the Bretons impound the boats. Some great mystery in the seas still gave them life, still caused their memories to live, still drowned yet they yearn for life. So they fill my ranks and will fill my wrath upon the Iberians who enslaved me also and countless generations of my kin."

You can see a rage and also a years old hurt across the visage of the dreadlocked pirate. "Ah Captain, we both lost blood of our blood and flesh of our flesh to the depths, your own loss no less grievous to mine. Will you accompany our endeavour, perhaps your men can be spared?"

Lazarus, shakes his head, much to the relief of Iggway who stands with mouth agape at the plight of these...these...men and women folk. "I am sorry brother Djebel, I wish you all the blessings of the Brethren in your fight but it is not one I can support at this time. I am indebted for your hospitality and your confidence but I must honour a pressing matter."

You can see this verbal exchange not please Tarik who it seems it used to being obeyed. Men shuffle feet disquietly and a few finger hilts of sword and musket. You sense a tension rise between the two men...

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#169 Post by Hotgoblin »

Iggway

Is this the same mage that identified my potions for me? How much time has elapsed since we we started off to Monte Verde?

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#170 Post by onlyme »

Geoffrey attempts to make sense of the offer and rejection. He knows he is bound by the oath to obey his captain. Unless of course, something better comes along. But, for now, he doesnt see that option. He stands away, thinking through his paces if this tension were to erupt into a skirmish.
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Re: Djebel Tarik

#171 Post by Spearmint »

The mage who identified the potions was a different mage who lives in the encampment of tents and shacks built up around Tariks temporary base. The mage on the boat whipping the stone slaves is the scholar type who escorted you with the wagon. He seems to act as one of Tariks' closest aides.

Time wise, the sloop left St Eustatius and after one night you picked up the castaway Elijah, then the following evening the sloop got caught in the whale migration. The sloop took two days to limp into harbour and it has taken two days to repair the vessel, time enough for the three groups to adventure. So you are barely a week into life on the ship.

You can 'google map' the Caribbean for some sense of location. The Turks and Caicos islands are approx 2/3 between your starting point and the island of Monte Verde, with a good wind and good fortune you could make it within a few days. In the prevailing wind, which blows westwards from off the Atlantic, you are sailing NW at about 12-15 miles per hour, possibly more if the wind and conditions allow.

I will wait for Rexlin to post then narrate the action forwards.

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#172 Post by Bluehorse »

Rexlin "Devil's Scowl" Dupre

ooc: sorry for the delay. Grading unit finals for poetry and gearing up for Romeo & Juliet. Fun times!

Rexlin, staying at his place near the captain, reaches out subtly as he can to grasp Mr. Blood on the shoulder and pull him close. He leans over and speaks quietly through clenched teeth. "Keep your hand ready for your sword, but don't look like your keeping your hand ready for your sword." That done he will stand in attention, his hand straying to hook a thumb in his sash near Sonia.

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#173 Post by onlyme »

Geoffrey quietly whispers acknowledgement,
Aye..
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Re: Djebel Tarik

#174 Post by Spearmint »

For a time that feels like several tense minutes, the pirates stand off, Captain Lazarus committed to honouring his debt to Padre Claude and Djebel Tarik, having requesting the aid of the privateer. Nervously looks and fingering of hilts abound in both groups until the silence is broken by Djebel himself.

"Very well, though I must say I am disappointed in your judgement on this matter," he speaks, a smile on his face masking an angry vehemence and the affront he feels to his authority and standing on the island. "You may honour your debt freely of course as any man among us would. However having shared my heart and vision with you I can only implore your silence should the matter be broached by other 'authorities'." The pirate turns and walks away back to his camp, "I understand Mr Velg Simonsen here has no such debt to repay. Perhaps it is time for him to assume command of his own ship, one of these canoes perhaps. Leaders we need and leaders we shall have. By the time you return with your 'mission rescued settlers', your officer will have won his reward in San Juan harbour, he might choose to return to your service then. Your injured marines in the camp may serve as his crew."

Djebel Tarik looks at Mr Simonsen smugly and then back to the party. "You may serve as his body guard, no doubt Lazarus will want him back in one piece.", Djebel says pointing at a random party member...

Simonsen bodyguard roll Geoff, Rex Cobb [1d3] = 3


"That is all, you may return to your sloop. I believe most of the breach will have been fixed by now. You are dismissed."

There seems little you can do, out muscled and outgunned to stop the press ganging of the pair into service with Tariks stone raiders. Lazarus and Mr Simonsen exchange a formal salute and so does Cobb, he grins optimistically but seems anxious about the circumstances.

Several of Tariks' guard draw weapons and surround both Mr Simonsen and Cobb to stop them from following your group. You are escorted to the wagon and with the barrow of loam, sent back across the island and the now repaired ferry crossing to the McGregors' Revenge sloop.

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#175 Post by Spearmint »

unless there are any last requests or actions I will conclude this expedition here.

I will read through the forum and award the relevant XP to the characters plus the bonus XP earned prior to the trip. You can discuss the division and stuff here and any questions you may have or remarks, final words to Cobb or volunteer if you wish to join the forthcoming raid, final trip to spend any bounty in the encampment or get another gaudy souvenir.

The party survived a particularly bloody encounter with Iberian marines which pulled no punches or dice and could have resulted in early character death. But you survived, some severely wounded. The enchanted mud pool was a difficult encounter without magical aid and perhaps finding the knotted rope earlier or using a different strategy may have afforded the team to enter the hieroglyph caves above and discover the secrets therein. Maybe next time. You have discovered important information about a notorious pirate and return to the ship, though not overloaded with treasure, compensated with a few plundered items and coins and enough XP each to move each character to second level. Congratulations all round.

Private messages forums conclude the awards.
Thank you for participating.

I will update the treasure chest forum with some results.

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#176 Post by Bluehorse »

Rexlin "Devi's Scowl" Dupre

Offers a salute to their departing crewmates. "Mr. Simonsen, Cobb. I'll be looking forward to seein' you two again soon. Good luck and all that. I'll buy the first round when we meet again and you can tell me all about it. Meantime, I'll have the madcat cleric say a couple prayers to Poseidon for you."

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Re: Djebel Tarik

#177 Post by onlyme »

Geoffrey also whispers a quiet farewell.
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Re: Djebel Tarik

#178 Post by Bluehorse »

Rexlin "Devil's Scowl" Dupre

After the formalities are over, and he is dismissed by the captain, he will head into town for some last minute business of his own before heading back to the ship. He can't help but speculate what the future holds on the ship. With Mr. Simonson gone, positions will shift, dynamics will change. What will his place be?

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