Quest #15 "Taking Down Captain Bing"

[OGRE MAGE]

Chauncey the Adequate is feverishly trying to recruit others to accompany him back to the river trail with the intentions of putting a stop to Captain Stew Bing and his gang of pirate slavers.

Any preparations related to that mission can be posted here. Once everyone is ready to go, we will get this mission started. Here is a list of potential members so far. Speak up if you want to be placed on or taken off of this list. Thanks!

Chauncey
Monocar
Luther
Alordan
Lightfinger
Talaris

[Bigtaff]

Talaris

Talaris is prepared to help rid the island of the pirate scourge. As the group assembles he addresses them all.
"Do you have any recommendations for supplies to take with us into the jungle?"

[ravenn4544]

Alordan stiff and sore but grateful to alive. "I know a thing or two about ships and maybe we could disable the rudder on the ship to prevent them from escaping. A ship like that could come in handy for the town. Could be converted into a fishing trawler with some investment into nets... We should definitely be prepared as I'm sure they will be expecting us to return - if they haven't left already."

[tkrexx]

Lightfinger mocks.

Oh, yes, He mutters, He knows a thing or two about ships, but NOTHING ABOUT PIRATES!

However, your thought of procuring the pirate ship for ourselves is a flash of brilliance. His large brown eyes seem to glaze over, his smile becomes almost sinister, and a bit of drool can be seen by the observant. Think of the coin we'd haul in, competing with old Mr. Nooroo in there! He catches himself, and his malevolent gluttony vanishes as quickly as it appeared. And, well, we could keep the entire settlement fed. With fish. From the ocean, using the ship. Yes. Good idea! Gentlemen, I believe we have a goal!

[Bluehorse]

Monocar

The big youth thinks a moment. Could we just nail it to one side? You know... keep it from turning or anything long enough to do whatever we need to do. If we are going to get a ship later I think it would be good to sabotage it in a way we can easily fix later... He looks at Chauncy. Sabetage is a fancy word for screw up... he whispers sagely. Turning to the others. If we are heading out, do we want to take rations or travel light? If we can take the ship, we might be able to actually restock there, or if there is nothing there we can just bring it back here and resupply anyway. I actually think that we could head up the other trail after that and cut across. We could flank their position since they wouldn't be expecting anyone to come from that way... We can use the element of surprise like a bunch of gorillas.

[ChubbyPixie]

Monocar
He looks at Chauncy. Sabetage is a fancy word for screw up... he whispers sagely.

"Ah... yes, thank you, Monocar," says Chauncey.

Turning to the group he goes on: "I have the means to destroy the ship, if necessary, but procuring it for our own use is an excellent idea and I feel we must pursue it. The question, however, is can we sail it? Disabling the rudder until we need it is a good plan, but I suspect they must have sailors aboard with the skills necessary to recover from such a setback? How can we ensure the damage will be significant, yet recoverable? Alordan? Have you any specifics?" He ponders for a moment. "All this being said, I feel Captain Bing will not flee, though. Not right away, at any rate. His interests lie here. He must know by now we are on to him, he will stay to defend his investments.

He addresses the ginormous fighter. "Monocar. I do not dislike your gorilla plan. But are there not hoardes of vegetable people that would make its enactment impractical? Didn't they nearly kill you?"

[tkrexx]

Lightfinger continues to ponder the possibilities.

Some lumber for a proper pub, brick for a proper hearth, maybe a few mainland lasses who don't resemble Nalissa to serve as ... Serving ... Wantons. No, that's not it ... Trollops ... Wait ... Slatterns, no ... Wench! Yes, Wenches! And wine, oh yes, wine! It's too bad no one's figured out how to make wine from those coconuts... A constant source of fish, and diversified vegetables, according to the plan Wes laid out ... Fellows, we could make a go of this!

The Hobbit stares longingly down the beach to where he last saw his beloved ship. It's too bad we don't know anything more about the Green Flash, her defenses, her weaknesses ... I wish we knew someone who'd been aboard her!

[ChubbyPixie]

Lightfinger
It's too bad we don't know anything more about the Green Flash, her defenses, her weaknesses... I wish we knew someone who'd been aboard her!

"There, sir, at least, we are in luck," says Chauncey. "My fellow guild member Avaala has been aboard that ship. He and Saracen rather ...daringly conducted a 'night raid,' if you will - he told me all about it." Here he will fill the others in on all he learned, including the kitchenware alarm tied to the netting, the ogreish crew members and the mysterious cackling crossbowman. He will also reiterate what must be common knowledge around the settlement by now - there could be child soldiers or otherwise innocent people on board against their will. A frontal assault will not do - not that anyone's proposed it.

"Now, one option we have available, which I attempted to enact on our last venture, is to garner an ally amongst the crew of the ship, or one who resides at the inland work camp." He turns slowly to Monocar as he says this. "Mistakes were made in the heat of battle. Charmed allies were stabbed. But that is all water under the bridge, as it were. Henceforth, if I refer to someone openly using the word 'friend,' who is not in our immediate party, that will be as a code to you. A code signifying that the 'friend' is most useful to us with all their blood still inside their body."

"That being said," he continues, "you must each of you act as your own conscience dictates in dealing with these ruffians. I, however, will not hesitate to relieve any one of them of their respective lives should they oppose us in our purpose. Some are mere mercenaries, it's true, but they are mercenaries who have chosen to work for an evil slaver who threatens the order and welfare of this community. Except the aforementioned child soldiers, of course - they probably did not choose it, so it's probably best not explode them..."

[Urson]

Luther

I like the idea of coming in through the woods- but there's a lot of unexplored jungle that way, and we don't know how far it is from the logging road to the river. I think we'd be better following the river- but staying well back from it, out of sight of the trail

As for the ship, all I know is to get to the rail before I puke. Maybe a diversion at one end, while the main force boards from the other?

[OGRE MAGE]

At some point in the groups planning stages, Marge stops in to thank Monocar for his help with the water duty lately.

"You remind me alot of one of the oxen we had around here when we first arrived. Dang that thing was dumb as shite." She smiles and slaps the huge man on the shoulder playfully.

"When I see your friend Wes I'm gonna give him a big hug too. His contribution saved us a trip out there this morning. That gives us time to use for even more important things!"

As she turns to leave, she gives you a bit of information that might help in the discussion.

"You know, that ship wasn't out there anymore last I looked. I don't know if that means anything to ya er not."

[Urson]

Luther
If it's gone, maybe there will be fewer of these slavers to deal with. This could be very good news, Marge.

Either way, it's one less obstacle to us. We should take advantage of it.

[tkrexx]

Lightfinger is crestfallen.

Gone? He gasps, What do you mean, gone? No, this can't be! The Halfling darts toward the beach and tries to spot the Green Flash. We ... We have to find it! That ship is the key to our success! And, well, I don't like the idea of that Bling Captain lurking about.

[Bigtaff]

Talaris

"If the ship has left that bodes well for our mission does it not?" The half elf looks enquiringly at his comrades.

[Bluehorse]

He addresses the ginormous fighter. "Monocar. I do not dislike your gorilla plan. But are there not hoardes of vegetable people that would make its enactment impractical? Didn't they nearly kill you?"

Monocar's face sours like someone insulted his mom or took the last biscuit off the table before he got one. "I've got a score to settle with those limey bastards soon...

"Now, one option we have available, which I attempted to enact on our last venture, is to garner an ally amongst the crew of the ship, or one who resides at the inland work camp." He turns slowly to Monocar as he says this. "Mistakes were made in the heat of battle. Charmed allies were stabbed. But that is all water under the bridge, as it were. Henceforth, if I refer to someone openly using the word 'friend,' who is not in our immediate party, that will be as a code to you. A code signifying that the 'friend' is most useful to us with all their blood still inside their body."

Monocar looks up at Chauncy. Uh..... what?

Luther...Maybe a diversion at one end, while the main force boards from the other?

Monocar perks up. "I think I can do that. My dad always said one thing I was good at was stirring up a ruckus."

At some point in the groups planning stages, Marge stops in to thank Monocar for his help with the water duty lately. "You remind me alot of one of the oxen we had around here when we first arrived. Dang that thing was dumb as shite." She smiles and slaps the huge man on the shoulder playfully.

Monocar beams and wraps a big arm around the big woman in a friendly way. Aw, thanks Margie. You know, some of the people at home used to call me ox. He decided he liked Margie now.

[ChubbyPixie]

Talaris

"If the ship has left that bodes well for our mission does it not?" The half elf looks enquiringly at his comrades.

"Hmmm..." replies Chauncey. "Perhaps. But that entirely depends on where it's gone. At any rate, before setting out, we should notify the newly appointed constable to keep an eye out for a hostile amphibious assault." He looks in the direction of Monocar and Luther. "While I admire the enthusiasm of your plan, Monocar, I am inclined to trust the instincts of our ranger, Luther, and follow the river at a remove, thereby, perhaps, approaching the illicit farming operation undetected and unharassed. It is imperative that we then pause and observe, gathering as much intelligence as we are able before any confrontation takes place. Wesley's recounted experience should be sufficient warning against blundering headlong into their clutches. Now... how much time do each of you need to prepare?"

[ravenn4544]

Alordan ponders the news of the ship being gone. "That can't be good. They could be taking their goods somewhere else or they moved to another location - this island is a big one with other ports very likely. Do we venture there anyway and explore up the river to see what clues may be found? I still like the idea of securing a pirate ship for the benefit of the town.."

[OGRE MAGE]

Emancipation
Earthday, The 4th of Goodmonth
Morning, Hot, Sunny, Buggy

After much debate, Chauncey says the magic words. "How much time do each of you need to prepare?" The wizard would badly like his friend Wes the druid to accompany his group, but he seems intent on starting his own project here in town instead. At least he got some important details about the place that he shared freely with the wizard.

Talaris is already there, as are Monocar and Luther. Alordan isn't going to let a little thing like almost dying 2 days before stop him from going back out in the bush. Lightfinger seems genuinely mad when he hears that the ship might have sailed off again, but he is also willing to accompany the wizard, possibly wondering why he has suddenly become so confident lately.

Chauncey tells the others that he himself has the means to take out an entire ship full of pirates, but either nobody believes him, or they have all tired of the wizards verbose proclamations. The new cleric of Pelor tries to help out by adding to the conversation. He seems ready to get out there to see what all this talk of pirates and slavers is about.

A few other adventurers who also look fresh off the last boat wander around the team as they converse. A couple of them seem like they are looking for a new group to join. Others seem to have their own agendas and want nothing to do with the thought of going against such a dangerous threat. An attractive female half-elf dressed in clean robes gets close enough to hear the preparations. Talaris recognizes his kinswomen from their trip here on the ship.

Actons?

Luther R3 26/26
Lightfinger T4 19/19
Talaris C1 9/9 3/3 first
Monocar F3 31/31
Chauncey MU3 16/16 CL, DM, RM 2/2 first 1/1 second
Alordan R3 18/18

[kruk]

After listening to the conversation going on for a moment Lerrick moves confidently forward and introduces herself. Greetings and salutations (she bows slightly). I gather that you are making preparations to embark on a journey that may be dangerous, . She pauses to look take a look at everyone before continuing. One can't help but notice the deep emerald green eyes as well as a strange crescent moon mark just below the hairline of her scalp. Resting her gaze on Chauncey. Your mission is important and I'd love to help. I'm afraid that I'm not much in terms of melee but I do posses the ability to heal. May I be of service to to?

[

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey turns to the newcomer, noticing her for the first time. "Another healer? I am beginning to believe we cannot fail. You are certainly welcome to join our expedition, though I warn you, it will be dangerous." Pleased, he regards Lerrick's attire for a moment, then adds, doubtfully "I'm not familiar with your sect. Your god doesn't... you know... require offerings of human blood or anything? That's not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it would be good to know ahead of time."

[ravenn4544]

Alordan rubs the scar of his newly healed wound. "Additional healing would be most welcome.."