Devin inclines his head to Captain Aylar at the statement he be free to act as a rogue card. "'Twill depend on the situation as it unfolds and the timing, but I think I be having a way for them to open the C69 entry doors to us freely," he says. "If Captain Jac has the establishments tied up in a ruckus then it be only fair I be helping the most talented ladies find other entertainment. The ladies of the Saucy Siren be having many skills and know what they be about. A little sashay down the waterfront away from the havoc and we end up drunk for a party near their door. Even guards usually don't think danger with enticing music, a drunken bard and a handful of merry ladies o' the evenin', but these girls know their craft and their blades. I should be able to confound them with me music once we're in, leaving it open for whichever team of ye be coming."

He turns to smile at Aeshma, "Divine one, do ye have room on yer list for a Potion of Necrotic Resistance? I be having no intention of getting to close to a vampirate, but those dungeons be a confined space and I'd rather me hands stay intact and limber to stroke me lute, or finger me flute." He winks.

Then Devin eyes Cliodhna with a teasing gleam in his eye. "Fine, M'Lady, for me last I'll take the Planular Ally Bead - just as long as ye can assure me it won't summon a young phoenix who doesn't quite know how to control her powers yet." It is all he can do not to chuckle as he sees the comment ruffle her missing feathers.

Devin accepts Captain Aylar's statement that he is to be a rogue card and proposes a way to get the guard to open the c69 doors. He requests a Potion of Necrotic Resistance from Aeshma and takes the Planular Ally Bead after teasing Cliodhna about it.

Grog'tial nods thoughtfully at Captain Aylar's response, and brightens considerably when Refyx outlines a way to take care of the chain.

"Given that option, and the need to also free the prisoners, sailing the Ship into the harbour once again seems to become not just a possibility, but a likelihood. Can anyone think of a way to signal the Ship when the opportune time is nigh? Or how we can communicate with Zephyr, assuming we don't leave him on the ground after the last group arrives? We unfortunately no longer have Mighty with us to send Cracker up..."

Devin looked to Captain Aylar and his lady. "If none object, I be taking the cutter in round from the east under a notice-me-not. It be too small to be a threat to them, be getting me in separately while opening up a space on Zephyr and giving us another craft fer a few to escape be it needed. If for some reason we may needs leave it, I be making sure nothing aboard traces back to us."

Devin enjoyed the game of chess with Captain BenKii. The human captain was a talented player and good conversationalist. Devin asked more about this '3d's' version BenKii had said he was used to playing and upon learning it had several tiers of platform asked Captain BenKii if the wizards employed in enchanting the boards also made the pieces move and attack each other as well. He had heard rumors of this "Wizard's Chess" but had not played such as yet.

Devin will save his Potion of Necrotic Resistance until just before entering c69, unless he perceives a lifeforce drain, then he takes it immediately.

Devin suggests he take the magical cutter in separately from the opposite direction, giving them another possible escape vessel if needed. He plays chess with Captain BenKii and asks about the 3d's chess and if BenKii knows "Wizard's Chess".

-
A suggestion for M'Lady admiral, Captain Aylar and Crew to consider before deadline.

Bellandra was in deep thought. She had recently welcomed Aylar back too as the final missing member of the crw. And now, this briefing. The mission was particularly important to her, as it would provide an opportunity not only to free more of her kin, but perhaps to shut down that slaving operation once and for all, or at least to learn more about how their foes went about it. So there was a carver - who was this person?

She spoke to the others: "Grog'tial, yer questions be most crucial. I know not who this carver may be. Devin's information suggests someone forced to work for Beckett and his lot, rather than a direct foe. If this be so, certainly then Beckett would have someone there at the carver's shop, to keep the carver in line. Still, best also to suspect treachery, or even mind control, as the aboleth has done that in the past. It seems there is magic involved in at least two stages, creating the wooden forms, and then binding sacrifices to them. Be these both done by the carver, or be there a separate dark magician in the harbor tower for that, mayhap a vampirate mage, or be it done in a third location we do not know?"

"I thank ye Devin," she nodded to the bard, "but rest assured I plan not to be idle meself whilst my kin suffer."

The idea of disguising the ship via glamor appealed to her, as it would allow them to bring prisoners onboard, and perhaps even to load any ones still bound to immobile wooden forms, but she suspected the glamor would not last throughout - best to be prepared for a very quick escape then.

"If any of me kin be there in any of these locations, already bound to wooden forms, I may be able to speak with them in me mind, as I did earlier with me sister ships Pearl, Finn and Zeffyr who now aid us. I will try to call out to them if I be aware of them. And if I be not there, aware or in range, perhaps Pearl, Finn and Zeffyr may attempt the same."

"If there be any of me kin already installed on ships, in the harbor as we arrive, or trying to intercept us as we escape, perhaps we may turn them to our allies, and cause chaos for any foes aboard them. For any ones not yet installed onto ships, be they either in the carver's workshop or in the harbor tower, we may try as well - I know not if they would be yet aware of themselves, but if they be so, they may also be able to help in some manner."

* * *

Bellandra chose from the table a Fate Coin, carefully resisting the urge to flip it as she took it just for the sake of flair.

She then considered the other loot, and knowing that she already carried stakes, a vial of holy water, and a cure disease potion suitable for vampirate encounters, she focused on other needs. She picked up a heal potion and a water of purify. She thought they might be able to use the heal potion and the water of purify not only for themselves, but also in case they met a prisoner in the process of being sacrificed, or in case the carver was a friend but became hurt during the escape.

(She had also considered the Book of Puzzles and Treasures, knowing that the harbor tower and workshop might contain both traps and puzzles, but she hoped the three items she had chosen would be more needed in the rescue effort.)

She heartily agreed with Cliodhna's warning about the vampirates and their ash, and appreciated that Aeshma could brew a potion of necrotic resistance. If no other character had taken one yet, she would ask for one if it did not count among the 3 items she had already taken. If it did count among the 3, she would leave out the purification water and instead take the necrotic resistance potion.

From the special random loot, she picked a trinket - A locket containing a picture of an unrecognizable child. Although she did not know its power, it appealed to her sense that they were trying to reunite families, or at least prevent more from being torn by these slavers.

"My oh my Miss Aeshma. I do believe I may be in need of your services after the mission. Gallivanting around saving the day does drain one's stamina. Perhaps ye can show me how your more "pleasant mix" be made in a more private setting?" said BenKii while raising his right eyebrow.

BenKii's "wooing" of the lady was then interrupted by Devin's question of Wizard's Chess. "Wizard's Chess? Aye! Not too fond o' that one. Just a flashier version of standard ole' chess. Takes the imagination out o' it if yer pieces move an attack all on their own."

BenKii then flips through the pages of his newly acquired book called The Great Extraplanar Hoax. He wondered what sort of hoaxes he'd read about. Most likely they were of the Extraplanar kind.... obviously.

BenKii attempts to woo Aeshma, talks to Devin about Wizard Chess, and reads his book about Extraplanar Hoaxes.

(GM crafted post for Captain Baldbeard for actions requested per PM)

Captain Baldbeard descended the gangplank and waved off the Whyknot the morning after returning to Dragon Turtle Island with Durik and Pugwash's body. The night before they had swapped stories and music and he had not had a chance to find Aeshma and show her what he had found. Now it seemed she was aboard the Council galleon dealing with particularly nasty magic items from what he heard from Count Karnstein. It wasn't until much later that evening that he was able to find and talk with her.

Captain Baldbeard kept the maps and charts to be able to show Captain Aylar once he returned, but from his pocket he pulled some of the tokens, the blackened key and the very small lock of red-gold hair wrapped in a bit of cloth which smells like the feather. Showing Aeshma the tokens she told him that they were from the Weirding Sea trading ports. The key she didn't recognize, but it felt of magic to her and so she took it for further investigation. It was when he unwrapped the lock of red-gold hair that she got excited.

Aeshma looked at the lock of hair and then threw herself at Captain Baldbeard. "You wonderful, wonderful dwarf!" she exclaimed, planting a kiss on his nose. "You found her! Well, you found this! It's from her physical form. With it can craft a charm to help find her!" Aeshma smiled brightly at Captain Baldbeard, then quickly bestowed a kiss on the dwarf captain's lips. "Thank you! Thank you, Captain Baldbeard!" She twirled around with the jingling of her bells and a tinkling laugh as she ran towards her temporary workshop, anxious to get started on what she needed.

-----

Captain Baldbeard had greeted the return of the Ship. He had paid his respects to Pugwash in dwarven tradition, full of drink and music the night before, and in solemn ceremony when the admiral committed Pugwash's body to the Ship the next morn. The admiral was an Elf lady now, but with the same deep blue eyes and red-gold hair the same color as the lock of hair he had found in the First Mate's cabin. Baldbeard was tempted to tell the admiral of his findings, but she seemed distracted with that new fellow, Captain BenKii, when she and Devin weren't talking seriously alone. Captain Baldbeard decided to wait for Captain Aylar's return and stowed the maps and charts in his sea chest for later.

Now Captain Baldbeard sat at the briefing and listened to the discussion. There had been no time to approach Captain Aylar about the maps as Aylar had been too busy preparing for this briefing and now the mission. Captain Baldbeard understood. Depriving the enemy of rebuilding its fleet sounded good to him. He and his sharks would be ready. From the loot he selected a Fate Coin, a Lemon Ginger tea, and the loan of the The Mighty Monkeys™ Cricket Manual. The Gnomish Lamp was still on the table so Captain Baldbeard thought maybe he could tinker with it. Meanwhile he wondered if Aeshma had done what she had planned with the lock of hair he found.

Captain Baldbeard shows Aeshma the tokens, blackened key and lock of hair he found. Aeshma is overjoyed and will try to use the lock of hair to trace Cliodhna. Captain Baldbeard stows the charts and maps he found until he can show them to Captain Aylar later.

Once briefing talks be done, Aylar will busy himself with remaining enchantment preparations and checks still in need of completing, with some reasonable breaks for reading the books he picked up or light exercise and sword training. He will also pick himself a pair of gloves out of the old vampirate loot check, having been freshly reminded of the ash - he be more than ready to jump away, but common sense never hurts; he hopes these will do enough to keep his hands from the worst of the ash this time if luck plays a bad one.

Ship's Wards get a bit of charging and then a short practice session to see what challenges there be with maintaining and quickly adjusting the visage, as well as how long can it hold if he is not at the Ship to maintain it. Some more carving needs to be done as well: a notice-me-not rune on a piece of wood he fashions into a necklace for Zephyr, and a new feather amulet for Cap'n BenKii (which involves a quick visit to Aeshma as it does require a touch of her blessings partway in its making), as well as enweaving it and Pugwash's old amulet, now to go to Grog'tial, into the connections running twixt the Ship and each of the Crew.

Once all checks be run and the three have received their protective items, he will also pitch a question to Clíodhna - while they be still away from the town, perhaps they ought to test if their mental connection presently works well enough to serve as a way to signal the Ship when the time is right? Either by testing with the griffon's help or by taking a cutter a short range away (and aye, Devin be welcome to take the cutter during the Mission itself for his needs).

[Yet more preparations be done before the Mission. A couple of protective amulets for BenKii and Grog'tial, a necklace for Zephyr, and some glamor and mental link testing.]

GM Note: Posting for End of Briefing, Mission Prep and Mission Start will be coming after I take care of the Best Pirateer announcement and some RL requirements.

Congratulations to our own Cap'n Rummyfangs for winning Best Pirateer 2024!! :D

"Sounds good, I be made for this kind of thing with swimming in the water and all"

Kyp was prepared for this task by getting the crystal flask just in case something goes wrong and the acid potion thing starts corrupting the water.

Kyp grabs "the supple black leather gloves" as he suspects that they will fair the best in the water, since cloth and wool will likely just get soggy.

Till kyp needs to start his scuba mission he reviews more of the book.

The supple black leather gloves were taken by Gilius, Post 149. There are still soft tan leather gloves available.

-----

As the Briefing draws towards a close, Cliodhna takes another look at the map. "Gilius," she calls to her druid friend, the first to join her after the loss of Cap'n B. "Ye do not mind heights and flying, aye? I remember ye had that spell ye used back in the cavern. Would ye stay with Zephyr once the teams land and conceal him with your magic in these trees between the carver's workshop C74 and the dungeon entrance C69? That way ye can keep Zephyr hidden and calm while ye be watching both those places and see the Smuggler's Dock to be able to warn our teams and entangle or blow dart anyone who comes to interfere."

She looks at the team lists: "That be putting Captain BenKii and Gilius on the carver's retrieval team. One human, one dwarf. Does Durik go with them to help load figureheads, which will be heavy, or with the prisoner retrieval team? That makes a difference as to the weight balance. Bellandra, do you go with the team grabbing the carver and the figureheads and see if you can sense anything from them, or are ye for rescuing the Fey and humans?" The admiral turns once more to Captain BenKii. "Unfortunately, Captain BenKii, this is a stealth mission and yer musket is still loud enough to attract attention. It may work well as a threat, or if ye can stifle the noise, but if you fire it openly before being discovered ye could expose our teams and the mission. I advise caution and to procure yerself a backup blade ye be comfortable with as soon as ye can."

Captain BenKii, that evening you get shown a carved wooden feather charm by Aeshma. She looks you over and sighs. "Your hair isn't long enough, so I'll have to clasp it to your belt. Don't lose this, it allows Captain Aylar and Cliodhna to help protect you against the evil spells or influences and the shadows and some undead." The angelic faced witch nods quite seriously as she tells you this and fiddles with it until she is certain it will not come off easily. Then she smiles at you brightly and pats you on the shoulder. "All set. If it glows slightly when you face something really evil, you know its working." Then she takes off to give one to the half-dwarf fellow, Grog'tial.

Grog'tial, Aeshma approaches you holding a wooden feather charm to replace the one you lost while abducted. Unlike Captain BenKii, you already know that these work. Aeshma nods at you as she hands it to you. "It's been worked back into the wards and the Crew enchantments. Welcome back, Grog'tial."

(roll dice*5) Aylar, you find the Ship takes the glamour easier than you expected and find the Phoenix charm magics seem to help you with this. You can cover the Ship and have it hold for approximately 9 turns (with dice checks and depending on if the Ship's energies are being taxed with battle, etc.). Afterwards you set up a test with Cliodhna where you test Zephyr's concealing necklace and the distance for your mental link. Closer in you can link to each other easily. Further out to 500m/1640ft you are still good. At 1000m/3281ft it does begin to weaken with the communication but not the directional connection. Perhaps if the two of you keep working on it things will improve again, but it is enough for the Mission for now.

Cliodhna asks Gilius if he can go with the Carver's team and hide Zephyr in the trees nearby and act lookout and 'trapper' for both teams. Aeshma delivers protective Resist Evil charms to both Captain BenKii and Grog'tial. Aylar discovers the length of glamour the Ship can hold without him and checks how far he and Cliodhna can still communicate.

I'll take those then

Bellandra pondered Cliodhna's question. "Either team be appealing to me. Mayhap if the carver does recognize me nature, it may give us some advantage, or convince the carver to join us. Or mayhap me ability to communicate with me kin would be of use there, if there be my kin already among the carvings. Thus, I think to go with that group. But if the dark rituals happen in the harbor tower instead, then there may be enslaved kin of mine there instead. These be my thoughts but I would take your recommendation on this too, Cliodhna."

Cliodhna reflects for a moment on Bellandra's answer, then replies. "Ye sensed yer kin a fair distance away before, when they were already awakened. I suggest ye do so again. Attempt to see what ye can feel as we come in to where the teams be taking off from. If ye can sense them they may be able to tell ye where they are, or ye may only sense direction. If ye do not sense or hear them, then indeed the carver may respond with better cooperation if ye be there and may give ye the information ye seek as to where yer kin be taken to be enslaved."

Bellandra nodded. "Aye, a fair suggestion. I shall do so, I shall try to sense me kin as we approach, and then join the team closer to where the kin be, or the team heading for the carver if I sense nothing."

Mission 5 - Turn 0.5, Harbor - Devin

Devin, you take the cutter and enter the harbor from the opposite side early in the evening, several hours before the Ship is due to arrive. You already don't like what you see. There is activity around the Naval Harbor, a Man O' War ship is just leaving out to the west, the direction from which the Ship will be approaching later tonight, and another ship, a fluyt, is docked inside. (roll dice) You are able to reacquaint yourself with the Saucy Siren girls and await the arrival of Captain Jac's crew and their distractions.