Grog'tial has a hard time picking from among the depleted pile of loot. He doesn't fancy close-up fighting, but his crossbow bolts aren't enchanted, so he visits Refyx to order fire oil, wincing at the realization that he'll only be getting enough for four bolts. He'll also order a potion of necrotic resistance from Aeshma.

He'll take
1 free holy water from aeshma
1 additional holy water from loot
the bless bead (assuming I can take it)
the ghostly musket (assuming that ghosts and haunts don't fall in the "specter class", so he'll have a second long-range weapon for when his weapon oil bolts run out; if they do, skip this)

first fallback in case either assumption above doesn't hold up:
the lockpick
second fallback in case both assumptions above don't hold up:
the mint tea

He'll take the provided silk underwear, woolen shirt and breeches and fur cloak, and put them on in his cabin before the mission starts.

[Grog'tial takes loot, places orders with Aeshma and Refyx, and uses the provided warm clothing]

[OOC: I don't think Captain Baldbeard has said that out loud for us to hear. If he does ...]

Devin nods at Durik but says, "Occasionally illuminated by the Lighthouse. On deck it should be more than just occasionally, it should be a consistent rhythm. It could mean Captain Baldbeard's body be in the Captain's Cabin or the Chart Room. Both be having windows and if curtains or something be blocking them that be blown aside on occasion, that be a clue. At least if the Lighthouse be shining on his body we know it not be in the hold. Unless moved, as Durik said."

Devin looks over the plans again. "The ship be more an enclosed space below deck, unless its hull has been broken by ice. If it be enclosed, then flash powder should be startling ghosts just as any enemy. Smoke marbles should also work if be used carefully so not to blind ourselves. The smoke should reveal where invisible ghosts be by showing empty shapes within the smoke, or disturbances through it that not be us. Kyp, I believe I heard Refyx say ye have some smoke marbles."

He turns and motions to Grog'tial and Bellandra. "We need be careful with the fire oils on a ship, but if Grog'tial and Bellandra soak their regular bolts well in holy water, that could be working for us. Also, any blessed weapon will work. Mayhaps Gilius could bless several regular wooden bolts for them as the wood be natural and he be a druid?"

To Durik's question of approaching the ship unseen, Devin would nod towards Count Karnstein and say, "Fog, Durik, during the daylight. Again, we might not see as well in the fog, but we be able to see the outline or disturbance if something invisible be trying to sneak up on us."

To Captain BenKii he would smile and incline his head. "I be happy to have a rematch with ye," he says.

Devin be happy to submit to his lady's measuring and fittings, in private. If she desires serenading while she crafts, he will gladly do so, or massage her hands and bring her tea to warm them.

Should Devin see or hear Aeshma's upset with Count in the hallway, he will cautiously follow her to keep an eye on her. If she gets drunk and passes out in the galley or someplace public, not Argy's cabin, he will nod politely to Argy and pick Aeshma up and carry her to her cabin, humming a Calming tune, before gently placing her on her bed and covering her with blankets. He lightly kisses her forehead with a softly sung verse before leaving and closing the door.

[Devin makes some suggestions and accepts a chess rematch with Captain BenKii. He keeps an eye on Aeshma and carries her to her cabin if she passes out in public, leaving her calmly sleeping with a pleasant dream.]

The chess board was set. Devin and BenKii played the classic game of strategy for hours on end. One careful move after another, it seemed like the game would never end. Then suddenly BenKii heard yelling in the distance. He excused himself from the game temporarily to investigate. It was coming from The Count's quarters and he believed he heard Aeshma's voice yelling...no... almost screaming. BenKii wasn't one to pry but it was hard not to with how loud their quarrel was. He could overhear something about The Count pledging himself to a vampiress and licking her... boots. Eww. Shortly afterward she burst out from his cabin and went straight to Argy's bar. BenKii thought about asking Aeshma about the entire affair but advised himself against it observing that she clearly wished to be left alone. She mumbled something about "swearing off captains", asked for another drink, then passed out at the bar.

"Geez Argy! How much did she drink?" Being a gentleman, BenKii couldn't leave Aeshma there passed out. He approached the bar to carry her back to her chambers. "I'll be sure to get her back in her own bed and sleep off the rum n' grog."

He found her room and laid her down. "You know, not all of us Captains are ruffians." He didn't know if she could hear him but he spoke anyway, "Some of us are upstanding honorable men." He grabbed her bed sheets and pulled them over her. "Get some rest Aeshma, we be needing your expertise on this mission." He left the room, put his hand on the door and said, "Goodnight." before closing it. He returned to the chess game that Devin and BenKii were in the middle of. He filled him in on the entire ordeal while playing their invigorating chess match.

(edit: Oh did Devin just beat me to carrying Aeshma back to her room. I think we need a dice roll to determine initiative.)

Count Karnstein tried on his brand new outfit and was very pleased to notice that end result turned out looking even better than on the illustration from "Man-O'-Wardrobe" periodical he gave Clíodhna for reference before.

Later that day he was completely engrossed in two books lying before him on the desk, drawing comparisons between conventional plotting stratagems and schemes commonly utilized by beholders, when aggressive knocking at the door forced him to take a break and make an irritated sigh.

"Yes, what is it..."

Count Karnstein fully expected that the "prison incident" will have to be addressed sooner or later. Count Karnstein fully expected to face the consequences: whether it'd be paying a fine, losing his cabin for a cell, being expelled from the Ship, or something worse. But he didn't expect jealousy to be the main motivator leading to this confrontation.

"I won't deny any of that, but ye're clearly mistaken 'bout one thing. The bitch is no more. It's finished definitively!"

Count shouts after Aeshma going away: "If it'd be any consolation, 'twas you who saved me, so to speak, and the sole reason why it ended like that! I simply couldn't imagine ye be my thrall - as I was promised. Would you believe that? It just didn't feel right and I wouldn't allow it!"

Count shut the door and tried to think while looking at the large illustration depicting a beholder in the open book. "Women, right? They're all crazy, I tell ya. I'd rather face the music an' get it o'er with already, yet here I am only more confused. What was that? Ye're right, watchful friend, I shall deal with it meself 'fore that hysteric gets me into even more trouble."

Count goes to seek Clíodhna and pleads to be punished for his transgression.

If there's a single thing Argy can understand and enjoy aboard the ship, it's the warm sensation of getting tipsy.

So she's glad to join Aeshma with a few shots. However, the wavering movements of the ship under this weather have weakened Argy's stomach and she is unable to keep the Aasimar's pace, specially considering that she is drinking with the craving of a dozen dwarves.
Although her stomach doesn't let her get very drunk, she gulps a few sips of grog and rants together with her. "Scupper that! Them males be all the same..."

Should Aeshma need to be carried back to her cabin, she won't let anyone but the trusty mateys Durik, Kyp or Bellandra come to carry her (she'd trust Grog'tial as well, but she isn't going to let him know ;))

Anyone else approaching with that intention (like Devin or BenKii) will be scolded and driven away:
"Heave ho, ye scurvy dog! Go aft where ye came from an' leave this here fine lass in peace."
She will menacingly wield her pan and pepper grinder to show them she's not joking.

After that, dizzy and with a little headache, she will climb to the deck and stay there for a second, gazing at the horizon and feeling the coldness of the wind. The ship is sailing towards a place of danger and death, and she feels an ominous sensation in the air. Before going to sleep, she'll check on Mari, to make sure she's recovering well.

Yes, good! Keep the creeps away.

I do have some smoke marbles, do you need any for yourself?

[ah ops, I hope he'll tell us then.
About the light, the frequency would be the same at all levels. But anyway, I said "upper decks" to exclude the lower parts without portholes or windows, so yeah, cabins included]

[also, please check Durik's suggestion to use our own ghosts for the mission]

XD

After Argy called Durik, he replied:
"What? Me have to carry Esma to her bed? And slightly bonk anyone who tries to approach? Ok tiny, me protec."

"Durik didn't know Esma liked grog like us. Oh.. it's not like that? Mm.. me don't understand, sorry"

Grog'tial thanks Devin for the suggestion, and goes find Gilius, asking for all his regular wooden bolts to be blessed (or as many as practical if there's a limit).

When setting out, he'll use the same loadout for this quiver as before (10 regular, 10 AP, 5 explosive), with 2 regular (hopefully blessed) bolts loaded in his crossbow.

He'll also make certain that the added layers of clothing don't hamper the functioning of his dirk, particularly the warning aspect. If necessary, he'll slice open the sleeve of his woolen shirt on that arm.

"You are mighty protective of your friends Argy. I assure you to be an honorable man and have no ill grandiose intentions towards the lady except to make sure she gets the proper rest she needs and sleeps off that "medicine" of yours. To prove my intentions, perhaps you can help me take her back to her chambers and see that is clearly what intend to do."

You set your board with the two of you close, but Devin has half-elf hearing. If BenKii heard it, Devin definitely did and Devin's inclination and goddess based impulse would have him investigate. So the both of you would go. However, Argy has initiative, a pepper grinder and a Stunning Pan. GM awards this one to Argy. :P

Okaaay. Pending. [GM is currently too busy ROFL from the others.]

Devin is correct, Captain Baldbeard has not said anything out loud yet. GM tries not to speak too much for PCs.
About the light, I read this as him agreeing with Durik, but further refining Durik's observation. I think Devin is indicating here that he is thinking curtains or something "be blown aside on occasion" is responsible for an occasional intermittent light. Frequency would not necessarily be the same everywhere if the light is blocked at odd times. All I'll say to that is "Good eyes on a sneaky Rogue." However since Baldbeard has not told Crew this aloud, it is moot point.

Only the admiral and Captain Aylar can order the crew phantoms and both have been waiting for additional Crew planning suggestions before decisions are made. The admiral already responded to it. (post 425)

Gilius also has Bellandra's silver tipped bolts and new crossbow to bless (and possibly some regular bolts for her also), but there are a couple days of sailing so I'll say 10 regular bolts can be blessed for Grog'tial before the mission if Gilius consents, and a flask of holy water can soak 6 regular bolts.

I have a RL appointment so I'll get to posting things as I can.

lol. Devin must have used his innate quickness and rogue talents to ninja in. :P

Ye be right, Fair One. if Captain BenKii heard it then Devin would also hear and check. Devin will bow to the Fair One's ruling, and to sweet Argy's wish and her mighty pan.
**Devin bows to Argy and hides an amused smile. He sends the cat to check on Aeshma and alert him if needed.

"Nay, but it be good that ye have them for this. I have ordered a Flash powder from Refyx instead."

See below.

Aye, he agreed with Durik but this be what Devin meant and be referring to. Light from a lighthouse be usually a steady rhythm not occasional. Devin be used to musical rhythms and would notice if the rhythm of light be off and wonder what it might mean. Me thanks for the compliment Fair One, but ye've ruled it doesn't apply.

Devin would nod at the suggestion if the crew ghosts are able to leave the Ship. Sensei be an excellent choice for this but very much be his own character sworn only to the admiral. Devin would not assume to tell him otherwise nor to subsume his lady's decision in this.

Devin nods and bids him fair in his endeavor. "Ye be welcome, Grog'tial."

Bellandra listened to the mission briefing. Ghosts, then, and cold, would be their foes aboard Baldbeard's former ship. She wondered who would build an inn for ghosts, and why ghosts would flock to it. This did not seem like the plots the aboleth would hatch - that creature did not seem interested in providing any kind of hospitality, for the dead or for the living. She agreed with Cliodhna's suggestion that they should aim to talk to the innkeeper if they could.

She also wondered if the ghosts would feel resentful that the crew, while disconnected from their bodies, could still be reunited with them whereas the ghosts could not - or could they? Could the crew somehow persuade the ghosts to the crew's side, by helping them either resurrect or pass on? From Cliodhna's description at least haunts were still focused on a task, mayhap the crew could promise to aid those tasks without getting possessed.

Bellandra considered the loot next. She traded her existing hand crossbow for the +1 Hand Crossbow of Accuracy (silver fittings) with 4 silver tipped hand-bolts and the Quiver with 4 Regular and 6 Hardened Hand-Bolts. She asked if Aeshma or Gilius could bless the silver-tipped hand-bolts. She also took from the loot one vial of holy water, one mint tea, and the Book of Puzzles and Treasures - the ship-turned-inn sounded like a place that could hide many things and the book could help unravel its mystery.

She was happy to receive her new jacket. She hoped the colors would still blend well enough within the inn even if not in the snowy outside. Besides the jacket she would dress as warmly as she could in preparation, while still allowing enough movement for combat.

She also agreed with Devin's suggestion to soak some of her regular hand-bolts in holy water.

While the ship moved, she would occasionally listen with her senses in case she felt any shipkin - perhaps some of the ones in the carver's list they had not yet encountered - or in case one of their existing allies reported something.

GM Announcement: *Briefing ends and Mission 6 begins: 11:59PM UTC, 15 November 2024.*
Due to RL really interfering with both my own and Aylar's schedules this week, we are both behind in our posts and some things behind the scenes. (Cue suspenseful music.) So I am pushing the start of Turn by 24 hours in hopes we can coordinate and help Crew be better prepared for what's ahead. (And to give Aeshma time to sober up before possibly communing with ghosts.)