Cockburn Harbour

[Stirling]

Szmodics , pays the 5gp entrance fee. He is not sure if that is excessive and what is remaining gp can get him beyond. I guess those costs are arranged in person? Never having been in such a joint before St Eustatius probably had a fair share of places but he was too busy fishing or with family logging).

He will keep his dagger and crossbow which served him so well as under pillow arms before, taking a key and locking away his cloak and sword.

"Our Captain frequented this place many times I believe. He recommended we find it. Is he still inside?" Szmodics prods for hints though without this Captains name or the boat name he feels like fishing blind.

[Spearmint]

Vixen replies to Szmodics remark about the captain. "There is a Captains Lounge on the top floor. Perhaps he is overindulging himself upstairs."

The boys each pay the fee and enter through the sealed glass wall into the foyer and 'promised land' beyond. As soon as you enter you are hit by the sweet perfumed smell, blossoming snap violets and indoor lilies give off a heady scent. The foyer is a hive of people entertaining, flirting, provoking. The place is lit by a large chandelier, several manhood shaped candles burn brightly and torch sconces light the room corners. A flight of stairs leads up to a balcony and landing. below that a small bar is manned by several spirit drinking patrons who wait for the astute bartender to slide glasses of cocktails down the marble top with commensurate ease. Nearby a couple of half dressed halflings pole dance around on a small stage with punters chipping in silver and gold coins, their lingerie soon heavy with coinage and cleavage. A wavy haired and permed dwarf maiden (slightly ursute but curvaceous) in gilded chains and mock ripped stockings runs her fingers through the beards of a couple of goggle eyed dwarven lechers, (and her fingers through their pockets though they care not) as she flirts with them on the staircase. You are soon approached by a couple of glossy lipped ladies who inform you, "the sauna room is further down the corridor, just the place to wipe the grime and sweat of the brow of sea sick sailors."

Rico nibbles at one girls ears, soon receiving a slap for his attentions but then another girl takes his fancy. "Blend in lads, but not too much. Lost captains don't go far, especially if they have a haul or booty to unload. Check out who is spending big and rich." With that he nods that he'll keep an eye out and takes his babe to the bar.

give me your actions and discussions / questions please. How do you go about tracking a wanton captain in a brothel and what will you do if you find him?

[Stirling]

Szmodics has a think about where to go. Looking about at the punters and clientele can he see if any of the folk present are more finely dressed or stand out as officers on ships? He will chat with a likely girl and pay her a few coins to inform him of the name of the ships of every man present if she can. Most of the ships in the bay seemed to be smaller trading barques, so he specifically asks about merchant vessels and the captains or officers of sloops or brigs and any war or well armoured vessels that have come by recently.

He will try to blend in taking a drink and wandering upstairs.

[thesniperknight1]

Holden will slowly take the stairs to the top floor unless someone instructs him not to, he throws compliments if anyone tries to intercept him but smoothly moves to the top. Once he gets there, he will search for any lady that isn't occupied, "Miss, would you care for a few words? Perhaps more than that if it takes your fancy, all its dues of course", he flashes a gold piece, "Could you tell me who has been here for a few days? A frequent customer, a captain, probably spending like there is no tomorrow, anyone comes to mind?"

[Zhym]

Zoggrot considers visiting the sauna, then considers the lack of places to hide weapons when one is "dressed" for a sauna. Instead, he takes a seat at the bar and plops a gold piece on the counter. "Whatever you've got. Keep the change," he says.

"Busy day?" he asks conversationally.

-6 gp, includes the entrance fee.

[Spearmint]

"Busy day? depends how you mean, trade is good, usual mix of wanton sailors and regulars come in I suppose." the bartender slides a glass of rum spirit down the bar to Zoggrot, and places a three quarter empty bottle on the table in front of him. "Keelly is good with her hands if you need massaging," he nods and winks to a tarted up Milf, who you would think should probably be paying you for the service. "Some Haldanish bit of stuff is in the room out the back, she uses these prickly sea urchins to scrub your back and work up a passion. I think the poison gets you high too but I can't afford to let the wife see the scratch marks if you know what I mean. Catriona is a Breton lass I believe, some Port Royal lords' mistress cast off, not been here long but a favourite of some of doubloon payers. Nice legs, see them from down here walking the promenade and balcony, ah I might risk it with that one. Silvers' at the bar, gold on the floor, doubloons higher floors. " the bartender gives you the lowdown of some of the working girls.

Holden tries to be a smooth operator and picks on a young lady. She is well versed in classical languages and quotes to you several verses of erotic scriptures. "Most folk stay just for a few hours, they wine, they dine, they feast and then go home or back on ship. Some private rooms on the next floor for longer stayers and 'groups'. My room is down the hallway..." she waves a finger at you under your chin like someone stroking a cat and gets you to purr with pleasure. She certainly moves with a feline grace too.

Szmodics, chats and spends a few coins, tipping waitresses and escorts. catering for all persuasions seems to include a small dungeon themed room for folk to be tied down and fulfill their fantasies. "There was one guy, captain of the Laurel, he came in recently and used to enjoy being whipped and thronged(?), said he often had demons to exorcise from his travels. Rowena handles those guys, quite firmly I believe. Take you fancy does it?"



gather information in succubus, R Z S H [5d6] = 20 [5d6] = 11 [5d6] = 18 [5d6] = 23 vs player character intelligence


The party spend some time socializing, in gathering information and 'titbits' from the bits of tit you can see around the place. Something in the way the bartender describes this Breton lass Catriona strikes the dual classed half-orc as the avenue to follow in tracing this missing captain.

actions please, any pick ups you want to act on, further 'gather information' checks or direct actions please.

[Stirling]

Szmodics, actually cleaning up seems a good idea. He doesn't want to be seen trawling around the saloons with the blood of the recently deceased upon him. "Do the 'Crays' or Djebel Tarik come here much? It would seem they like to get in on a piece of the Harbour action?" Szmodics asks his escort, taking her to a side room upstairs. He will buy a bottle of bubbly and take two crystal glasses to wine and seduce her with wine, gold.

Szmodics will try to gather more information relating to ships and captains, etc. information on the harbour, activities on Grand Turk, which pirates may come and go. Okay asking a lot of a Succubus strumpet but men like to unburden themselves with such damsels.

[Zhym]

Zoggrot thanks the bartender and heads upstairs to find Catriona.

[thesniperknight1]

Holden's passion is enflamed by the woman's quotes and style, "Oh miss it takes all the willpower within me to say this because every fiber of my being is urging me to to fall in your paws", he takes a deep breath to compose himself, "I will be back in a bit", he reluctantly leaves to go upstairs.

He will look around in the private lounge, not search rooms, just get a layout for the floor.

[Spearmint]

Rico , nods to the trio as they ascend the stairs. He has a couple of girls around him but looks focused on his enquiries. They whisper to him as he fills their ample bosums with loose coins. They chatter to him and he leads them off in the direction of the sauna and back courtyard.

The landing above the stairs has a chandelier overhead, coloured pastel light emits from several candles. The area is carpeted with thick woven pile and the walls are covered with tapestries and old frames. Several chipped busts stand on corner plinths and scented flowers ring the balcony. A few girls loiter and men are either chatting with them or leaving the side rooms.

Szmodics , takes his escort having whispered sweet nothings in her ears. She knows nothing of the Cray Bros' rogue guild but says that just as 'the Madam' takes her cut so Tarik takes some 'protection' money out of the profits. The 'floating eyes' are controlled by Tariks' mages, so they can keep some semblance of order. "The glass door is wizard locked by them, keeps the riff-raff out like those banging on the doors earlier."just as in the entrance foyer so another arcane eye hovers unobtrusively near the chandelier at the top of the stairs.. She thinks there is a ledger of some kind that is kept, recording which ships sailors say they came into harbour with. Helps if a girl 'gers into trouble' and she needs to trace a likely father; but the girls work a floor hierarchy, so the third floor where the Captain's lounge is has the most expensive girls. "Still we all f@#k the same," she says with a sarcastic lick of her lips. She has a key to a room down the corridor near to a flight of ascending stairs. Whispering again in your ear she takes you there.

Holden, dismisses the flirtive escort, promising to hook up with her later and wanders up the stairs, trying to blend in, a young blonde haired wide eyed Breton amid a deck of comfort starved grizzled buccaneers. He decides to go to the front lounge which overlooks the street. It is decored in a gaudy style. A couple of swings hang from the ceiling, an elfin dame does slow acrobatic moves from one while feathered dressed girls lounge on long soft cushions. One old pirate, half dressed, bare chested and with a hook hand feeds juicy grapes dipped in fizzy wine to a girl in a very tight scale catsuit. She purrs too and scratches his chest with fake claws. Another girl sits on the lap of a man, she is rubbing her fingers up and down his pistol to tease and arouse him. Not wanting to stare at them both and with ladies occupied with enticed passers-by from the street balcony, Holden wanders around the room edge. Over a mantelpiece you notice various coral and porcelain figures and a small horned frame harp. "Has young honey come to make sweet chords of passion with us?" says one girl as she sees you looking around, taking your hand and strumming the harp strings softly. They vibrate in tune and she asks," looking for something particular? Athletic girls, Iberian temptress, perhaps a wild gyspy ride, blue eyes, long legs? Short legs and beard?"

Zoggrot taking the tip from the barman, Zoggrot asks about for this Catriona. A skinny girl with long tresses and high heels looks you up and down as if assessing wether you are her type before pointing to a room, "Second to last room on the left. She was with a client earlier. Five gold will get you all you need, she'll cost way more honey." The door she points to is down a corridor opposite the landing. No curtains or toothless dwarven guards bar your way but you do notice a large plated suit of armour standing in an end alcove, whose halberd has some kinky lingerie dangling from it. Behind that an arched stained glazed window overlooks the back courtyard. There are four doors on the left, sounds of humping, grunting and partying can be heard from the near ones. On the right a couple of rooms and a stairs up which has a turnstile type gate on the first step. You watch Szmodics go down the corridor with a mini skirted lady into a room opposite, the veneered door closing and clicking a lock into place behind him. The door to Catrionas' room is also closed but no sound is heard from behind it

actions please or message on your forums for any private actions

[thesniperknight1]

Holden gives the girl a wry smile and looks to the harp, "This place, it seems as if it's a whole new world of its own, you somehow managed to create a whole different plain of existence within four walls.....quite magnificent", he looks back to her, "Sorry, my mind wandered a bit, unfortunately I don't need an escort right now, I have already been infatuated with one of your flames on the floor below this", he reaches for the harp, "May I?", if she doesn't object he will start playing a slow and haunting melody.

He stares at her as he plays, "I bet it's very easy for you to take hold of any man that goes through these doors, someone as beautiful as you, oh I would think men would risk their lives for a night in your presence. And those who are fortunate enough to be able to spend days here must have the luck of gods, I assume there aren't many that can afford it, are there even any that stay here for days without leaving?"

[Spearmint]

Several girls take to the blonde haired blue eyed musical lothario, draping arms around him and lavishing flirtive and openly suggestive looks in his direction. "Oh a few get carried away, but most ships don't stay in port for too long. I guess folks just like to 'shed their cargo' and then go back to home ports. "Holden gets from the innuendo that the 'escorts' don't ask too many questions about the sailors they sleep with. "Do you have a home port or do you sail away from home?""The Lemon and Lime has been in the harbour for a few days, you can see it from the balcony. Some half wrecked bermuda sloop with a whale carcass dripping on deck on the far side, the San Carlo del Vecchio, is weighed down still (though their men shed cargo lots last night, Raven is still there." the girls chatter and wave from the balcony as passing punters. One holds a telescope in hand and peers out to see, the lounge atmosphere lights up as you strum a solo and the medallion man captain preens his pornstar moustache with his hook."I think I am going to make sweeter music with this little bird" he boasts.

Holden give me a 4d6 charisma roll please for your lounge performance.


Further down the hallway there is a sound of a hump and then a bump then sudden stillness from Szmodics room. The door opens and he steps out quietly nodding to Zoggrot who has remained in the corridor observing. The Haldane rogue points to the 'floating eyes' which hover above the chandeliers and then goes to the door opposite. Catriona's room.

actions please.

Szmodics go ahead and post what you know.

apologizes if this expedition is slower than the other two, actually the forum admin or at the library here I think bared access to posting for a few days, perhaps because the descriptions in house where a little too risque for a family friendly forum. Thank you for your patience.

[thesniperknight1]

Charisma(15): [4d6] = 14

Holden plays the tune while trying to evaluate the harp and wether it's a mere decoration or a well made instrument. He listens to the ladies listing the ships and sighs muttering to himself, "You have so much wasted potential to be a hub of information"

He smiles at the man with the hook, does he recognize the medallion?

[Zhym]

Waiting to hear what Szmodic knows before posting Zoggrot's action.

[Stirling]

Szmodics

Can hear the faint strumming of Holden's harp and hopes that draws the folk to the lounge not down the corridor. He looks wary at the armoured statue and checks the corridor for any buzzing wizard eyes. "They are orchestrated from a room in the attic you know. Secret door behind the mirror at the top of the stairs." Szmodics points to the metal gate.

"Seems like the private lounge is above, through the turnstile gate but it is one way and wizard locked in some way to stop deckhands masquerading as Captains getting through".Szmodics nods in the direction of the door he came through. "Hopefully she'll sleep for a little bit, enough time to explore without eyes prying. The captain we seek could be the one using the rooms there, but he is a bit temperamental, especially if disturbed. He runs a small sloop bringing spice from Eluethera and trading with a sect of mages apparently. Slowly going mad because he is addicted to the stuff and his men want out before he wrecks the boat. His boat has a sign of a black bird flying under a storm clutching three crossed arrows. She says Catriona is a bit 'disturbed too' sounds like a wild cat as well, who has been put here by Djebel Tarik himself. Guess she 'pumps' the captains' for a bit more than just money."

Szmodics will attempt to pick the lock and open the door.

[Spearmint]

Holden plucks at the horned frame harp, despite it being a little dusty, the chords pick a perfect pitch and he can strum a simple melody out of them.

Holden walks around the room and practises a few chords and choruses from well known ballads, ribald phrases well known in the more 'common' of taverns. Approaching the medallion man, Holden looks inquisitively at the medal, a cannon and mast engraved on a squid shaped background. The Captain sees you staring at it. "It was struck for us when we took the Gloria de La Habana. A 70 plus gun frigate of the Iberian line. We bathed in gold and pearls and plenty of blood too. Foul deeds were done that day, men became beasts and murdered brother on brother in the dark. 200 men went aboard, less than a score survived and none unwounded. Last I heard she was harried by privateers out of the Iberian main' perhaps holed up along Campeche way. Sailed under the Barons' flag though that was a few years back."

The captain stops suddenly and takes a gulp of wine, looking at you in a funny way as if he spoke out of turn. He kisses the girl as if to make sure his lips do something else than blubber on with stories to you.

Further along the corridor, Szmodics and Zoggrot wait patiently for something to happen, perhaps unsure of the next move. Szmodics thinks about picking the lock but the attempt is unsuccessful, the door is still locked. Standing out like a sore thumb in the corridor, the peace is broken when the door abruptly opens.

A tall shapely figure, half dressed in gown and smoking on along cigarette peers through the half opened portal. In the room beyond you catch the heavy scent of perfume, perhaps a little too heavy as if to mask something else. Catriona eyes you both warily before opening the door and ushering you in. "I sent for you Tarik' boys an hour ago. He is done, get rid of his body but be careful you are not seen." She nods to a small walk in bathroom off to one side. A candle light reflects in a mirror and you can see a naked body half draped in a porcelain bathtub. The body makes no sound or movement, a thin tourniquet of silver braid wrapped around his throat. Several small puncture wounds litter his abdomen and chest.He looks as though he has been dead several hours, already the body looks stuff and very pale cold blue. Numerous fading tattoos cover his body.

Zoggrot and Szmodics enter the room and Catriona shuts the door quietly behind them, turning the lock back in place while she goes behind a small lattice work screen to dress. You can see the from a wardrobe mirror she eyes the pair of you, but speaks in a commanding voice as if expecting your attention, "Roll him up in the carpet if you like."


Actions please then gentlemen. and my apologises, haven't been able to post on this forum for several weeks, which I know must frustrate the flow of play.

[Zhym]

Zoggrot rolls his eyes. The things he's had to do since signing up with this crew...

"Sorry about this," he tells Catriona, unzipping his pants. "If we're stopped, we'll need a reason to be dragging the rug out of here. We'll just have to say one of your clients had exotic tastes." He empties his bladder on the rug. "Too bad, though. That rug really pulls the room together."

"All right," he barks to Szmodics. "Help me roll the body in this thing and let's get the hell out of here."

I've lost track of what we were supposed to do. Do we just dump the body somewhere and get back to the ship, or are we supposed to take the body back to the ship?

[Stirling]

Szmodics

His eyes roll when the big halforc takes out his manhood, expecting him to ask for 'services rendered'. Instead he winces at the 'outpouring' of Zoggrots' idea to mask the body. Szmodics will take the arms of the body and lift him out of the bath, watching if he can in the mirrors what this Catriona looks like and what she wears (thinking a hidden dagger here not some kinky lingerie).

"Is this Captain Whats's Face? from the ship his men still search for him. Tarik must be happy now, the 'job' is done?"

Szmodics does not know what to really say but tries to act the part as if he is expected to know where to take the body. Looking around the bathroom, can he see the mans clothes, guess we take them too. Szmodics will search through the pockets for any items of interest. The silver braid, he pockets also.

[Spearmint]

The room you enter has solid oak panelling and fine brocade wallpapers decorating the walls. The room is dark with a single glazed window over looking a back courtyard and stables. A solid silk draped four poster leans against one wall, you can see one of the legs propped up by a small pile of books to keep it steady. Around the room, sparse but luxurious carved wooden furniture stand. The carpet is threadbare, stained now in yellow ichor, sports several spots of red wine and traces of candle wax walked over it. The dresser has a cheval mirror standing over a few drawers which lie open showing various ladies ware, perfumes, oils, gloss. The thin reed screen barely keeps Catriona's modesty separate from your peeking eyes.

Zoggrot and Szmodics enter the small bathroom to move the body of the deceased. He lies a drained bath tub, multiple stab wounds around his chest from a thin stiletto or rapier like blade. The flowing blood wiped clean off the body. Several bloody rags lie on the floor along with the mans clothes. Searching for coins as one wraps the body in a towel, you find, a nice pocketful of coins. He wears a ring and another in his earlobes. The body has many marine inspired tattoo designs covering his entire body, even his shaved head. Jolly roger flags, skulls, swords, maidens and mermaids and a large Caribbean map faint but still visible on the mans' back.

"Captain Whatsisface, Captain de Courcey," says a deep sexy sultry Breton voice, as Catriona strips behind the lattice screen. You can see she is tall and has beautiful tanned marble like skin, her toned and shaped legs would grace any stage, hourglass figure. Now disrobed completely, you gulp, figuring 'de Courcey' at least pulled a great one if he died afterwards

"Captain de Courcey, of Hextors' Raven." says a deeper, gravely voice, manly and Gauloise in accent, it causes you both to look around but the voice came also from beyond the lattice screen. Catching a glance in the mirror as Catriona sways her hips to look at her back in the mirror over her shoulder. A thin matrix work of tattoo's begin to cover her beautiful soft skin which seems to wrinkle slightly and age. Her face too, causes you both to gasp and dump the body back in the bathtub. In the dim light, her facial features alter to take on a whole new hue, texture and shade. her thick hair bleaching and her tan skin going pale and then reflecting slightly from shimmering scales, eventually the form changes to something more resembling, something more manly and something, someone, covered in tattoos


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A pouch of 70 Bretonian gold sovereigns, the silver braid necklace with interwoven web designed filigree, a simple silver ring with a large square green jade stone set in a miniature paw, the ear ring is a heavy gold knotted rope design. A pouch of what look like small poppy seeds. The clothes are fine fabrics, no footwear, perhaps under the bed?

[Zhym]

Could we get a Reader's Digest summary of what's going on? I'm having the darndest time trying to understand these posts.