In the meantime, Durik will take advantage of the break to train his weapon some more and read his resist spells book while drinking beer from his happy mug ; )
Ah, and he'll sing with BenKii, since apparently he has a good voice for an (half)orc.

Grog'tial will be tossing his rigged dice some more, attempting to get a better feel for how they can help him win which games. As before, if any crew member shows interest, he'll invite them over for a game (just for fun).

He'll also mentally review the shots he missed with his crossbow, and will try to move and reposition himself in similar stances (with the dart board standing in for the vampire), trying to hone his accuracy in situations where he can't carefully line up the shot, but needs to act swiftly. He'll allow the dartboard figure full movement to make the exercise even more useful.

Play for money or for fun?
If Grog'tial isn't trying to trick him, Durik is going to play a bit using his bone dices.

The carver follows Captain Aylar to the Captain's Cabin to talk, helped gently by Admiral Clíodhna. Sensei stands at the door. They are within for about an hour.

When the carver comes out he looks relieved, satisfied and a bit awed. He seeks out Bellandra again. "I hear you are seeking those I carved and freeing them," he says. "Here is a list. Free them when you can, Bellandra." The carver hands her a list of all the ship figureheads he has carved. Before Beckett came it lists: Bellandra, a selkie, Pearl, Finn, and the Swan-Lady (fluyt). After Beckett the list is longer: Zephyr, a unicorn, a merman, an elf maid, a male angel, a centaur, a lady with roses, a human male trumpeter, a winged faerie, an elf warrior, Lion, Knight, Grecian Lady, a sea dragon and the nymph and satyr figures you found in the workshop. Just recently, he says, Beckett also ordered him to start on one for a phoenix.

Sensei escorts the old carver to the empty warrant officer cabin next to his. The satyr is healed enough that he doesn't have to be in the infirmary, so he takes one of the empty hammocks on the gun deck with Durik and Kyp. The four female prisoners remain in the infirmary for one more night, still recovering for now. Tomorrow, between Gilius and Aeshma, they should be able to be cleared of the last aftereffects of the bracelets. Gilius and Aeshma plan to carefully study the bracelets under wards in the following days to see if they can better determine how they work and how to counter them. For now the bracelets, spider's belt and key remain locked in the warded chest with the vampire items and secreted away in a pocket plane vault below.

When Gilius shows the runic carving axe to Clíodhna she informs him it be one of the carver's tools that was missing from the case. As such it be part of the Fey magic the carver surrendered back to the Bean Sidhe in payment. (roll dice) However as Aylar's mother is Bean Sidhe, Captain Aylar has agreed to take on the task for the carver and so the axe's fey magic will agree to serve him in this. Captain Aylar exchanges his belt axe for the Fey Carving Axe, +1 Behead/Chop/Cleave/Deep Wound; +Chill Touch when wielded by Aylar (Offhand only; perfectly balanced, can be thrown, always sharp). She doesn't know what the key is to, but it doesn't seem magical.

The storm passes over them during the night. Mid-morning brings Captain Jac's ship to the grotto, with Devin aboard. The prisoners are blindfolded and quickly moved from the fluyt to Captain Jac's brig, where they are held for questioning. The dark haired captain brings his cabin boy and a scallywag sailor along (Devin). The cabin boy stands off to the side and Clíodhna tells Captain Aylar mentally whenever her truth sensing picks up a lie. When the ships leave, Captain Jac will be able to take those prisoners elsewhere and they won't be able to tell anyone about the Ship or know who took them, who questioned them or where they were.

(roll dice*4) Gilius and Aeshma spend the morning in the infirmary for the last round of purifying the remaining patients. *Success* They are able to finish expelling and purifying the unnaturalness the bracelets imposed upon them and after that just a bit of quick healing and some good food do the rest. Afterwards, Refyx joins Gilius and Aeshma in Aeshma's warded shop to very carefully look over one of the bracelets. Refyx informs them the bracelet is definitely cursed gold melted over a deadly black iron. He has heard of black iron, but never dealt with it. He tells them Devin would possibly know more about that, however he cautions them to not be around the cursed gold or touch it for long as it is known to enslave the will to whatever it has been enspelled or crafted to do.

That afternoon Admiral Clíodhna calls a meeting in the mess hall. She informs the Crew of what they've learned that morning. The fluyt be used to deliver three vampires in their coffins to the harbor as arranged by Commodore Beckett. The other vampires must have arrived earlier via other ways. The fluyt be also to transfer the three shipkin figures and a chest of cursed gold to the incoming armed galleon the next day. The crossbowman that Dakka swallowed and released revealed the bracelets be not fully activated until snapped shut. Once that happens the victim's life force be slowly drained to keep the bracelets powered and any magic within the victim be inhibited or blocked by the bracelets unless specifically commanded by the one holding the golden key. Thus the being wearing the bracelets be havin' their will eroded and subsumed to the servitude of the key bearer.

Clíodhna looks at Gilius and Aeshma. "These be very dangerous items. As such only one set be allowed out of the warded chest for ye to study. Take great care how ye study and handle them. Always be havin' the key with one of ye. Refyx has consented to be assistin' ye with any alchemical insight and solutions he be havin'.

"Captain Jac be taking the enemy prisoners and dropping them elsewhere so they not be knowin' who we be. She also be bringin' an offer for the shipkin and those we rescued. There be a magically protected and sheltered port with mixed fey and mortals that be happy to welcome the carver, shipkin and rescued prisoners if they so wish. If agreed then Captain Jac be escortin' the fluyt there."

(roll dice*6) The rescued prisoners all agree to go. The carver agrees as long as once his granddaughter is found she will be be brought to him there. (roll dice*6) Pearl and Finn decide to help escort the fluyt. The Grecian Lady also bids them farewell and will go. Zephyr, Knight and Lion will go as protection along with two of the Owls, but tell Bellandra to call on them later should the Crew have need of them to rescue more of their kin. One Owl will stay with the Ship. Captain Jac, the rescued and the shipkin leave to get the fluyt set up and ready to travel.

Clíodhna turns back to the rest of the Crew. "We be confiscating the cursed gold, and it be safely stowed unused until we be findin' a way to destroy it. Kyp also looted some Cursed Coins which be used to turn those beings to enslaved undead. Luckily he be havin' gloves on and didn't keep them for long." She shakes her head slightly at Kyp then turns to look at Grog'tial with a small sigh. "Among the items the rest of ye looted were two cursed items. This seems to be becoming a habit. I understand Devin showed some of ye the first steps to be avoidin' it." She nods to Devin who inclines his head in acknowledgment of what they discussed and her request of him. "He be helping any of ye who be requestin' it of him. Be ye warned, however. We soon be headin' into the Weirding Sea. Magic operates differently there. Spells get perverted or work strangely, if they work at all. Magic that be unattached to a source or item often gets twisted or consumed there. That's why yer special weapons be attached to the Ship to help power them. There be many magical items to be found in the Weirding Sea, but many be cursed, so be careful what ye pick up and be cautioned against wearing or using an item before Captain Aylar, Devin, Gilius, Aeshma, Refyx or meself can check it for ye."

She smiles at all of them. "That being said, we also be havin' a bounty of good news. While we be leaving much of the coin, food and clothing to help settle the rescued and shipkin, we did find fabrics, herbs, ingredients and supplies to restock both Aeshma and Refyx, as well as three barrels of good whiskey, two crates of red wine and six crates of fine rum. We also took for the galley two barrels of flour, two casks of honey and a cask of sugar, a barrel of salt, a cask of pepper, two large sacks of coffee beans, a barrel of apples, a half barrel of oranges, a side of bacon, a side of fresh beef, a barrel of salted beef, three sacks of fresh garlic and four tins of garlic powder." She winks at Argy. "There be no excuses for vampires to be hanging around the galley." *Not that the Wards would allow them anyway,* she sends to Aylar with pleased amusement.

"Devin also brought me a certain type of spider silk, as well as some leathers I requested." Clíodhna's smile turns into a grin at Devin as her eyes glow. "Not without a purpose, mind ye, as he well be knowin'. With the leathers I can be tailoring gloves for those of ye who don't already have them. But with the spider silk and fabrics I can be tailoring ye either new armor, or reinforcing yer present coats or jackets. These will be a blended spidersilk armor, as we don't have enough for pure for everyone. Ye can each select either new coats/jackets or reinforcing yer current ones for Captain BenKii, Count Karnstein, Bellandra, Grog'tial and Kyp. A new or reinforced robe or long coat for Gilius. Argy, I be reinforcing yer Chef's Jacket fer ye. As our primary hard hitting 'tank team,' I be doing new jackets fer Captain Baldbeard and Durik of a leather and silk blend similar to Devin's. I already be knowing what Devin and Captain Aylar be wanting. Argy, Captain Baldbeard and Durik ye be set. All others need to tell me if ye'll be giving over yer own coats fer a night or day, or if ye be wanting new tailored to ye and what color ye choose."

(Choose your armor: Tell Clíodhna whether you choose New or Reinforcing Current coats/jackets/waistcoats? If new, what color would you prefer? Argy, Captain Baldbeard and Durik only need color choice. Remember black gets hot aboard Ship in the sun and doesn't really hide you in shadows as well as dark browns/blues/grays [thanks for the reminder Dev]. New or Reinforced Current will both give +2 AC, -2 piercing/slashing dmg, -1 force dmg from magic attacks (of physical/elemental type), is Lightweight and gives +1 Dexterity/Stealth bonus. Note: This will take some time for her to do, so be patient. Reinforcing is faster than new. Argy's will be done first as Clíodhna already made the Chef's Jacket and can do the reinforcing quickly.)

Armor List:
Done - Argy = Current. Reinforced Chef Jacket, Teal.
Done - Durik = New, Leather/Spidersilk Jacket, Dark blue. New dark blue goatskin gloves.
Done - Captain BenKii = New. Spidersilk Long Coat. Navy blue w/red shoulders.
Done - Count Karnstein = New. Spidersilk Waistcoat and Shoulder-cape, over cashmere-like hooded cloak. Deep emerald / dark charcoal.
Done - Grog'tial = Current. Reinforced Coat, Anthracite. New anthracite goatskin gloves.
Done - Captain Baldbeard = New. Leather/Spidersilk Jacket, Deep Garnet (jewel tone). New dark charcoal goatskin gloves.
Done - Kyp = New. Spidersilk Jacket, Teal w/Deep Teal. Dye current pigskin gloves deep teal.
Done - Gilius = Current. Reinforced Robe, Green.
Done - Bellandra = New. Spidersilk Jacket. Forest Green/Sea Blue w/woodtone accent. Woodtone goatskin gloves.
Devin = New. Spidersilk Jacket. Deep Hunter Green.
Captain Aylar = New. Spidersilk Long Coat. Pale Gray w/Deep Crimson Collar and Cuffs.

[The carver meets with Captain Aylar and gives Bellandra a list of shipkin. Aylar gets a new axe. Devin returns with Captain Jac. Enemy prisoners are questioned. Gilius and Aeshma heal the rescued people and study the bracelets with Refyx. Clíodhna calls a meeting to reveal some of what's been learned and the new armor she can do for the Crew.]

Note from GM Re: LOOT/LOOTING
I've been asked again to explain about the loot/looting. Outside of specific items meant to ensure Crew has what it NEEDS to progress into the coming much more dangerous areas - all loot is dice rolled on tables based on the level/type of creature being looted. Everything could be dangerous, much won't be, depending on what/who you are getting it from, what it might look like, etc. In all honesty, it has gotten bad enough now to where Crew is paying more time and attention trying to loot every poor person (sometimes multiple times with three people saying they loot the same guard), grunt and place even after I've said there is nothing there rather than paying attention to the mission and getting to the bigger loot I have planned for every encounter (if you get through it smart enough).

Keep in mind, you only have a limited amount of actions/time per turn. Looting is an action that actually takes more time than swinging a weapon and dodging. Example: Captain BenKii bandaged, looted AND put on guard armor so barely had time left to get into place and didn't have time for the other actions he stated in Turn 3, because going through someone's pockets and stripping and putting on their clothing took time. (Not to mention the bandaging.) By taking the time to loot low level guards/grunts/creatures while there are still dangerous enemies around, you give the enemies a greater chance to get into better positions, for enemies to sneak up on you and gain the initiatives and first strikes against you next turn, or to summon reinforcements which could lead to losses among the Crew or even cause Crew to lose the mission and the more important outcome/treasure/loot that the mission would reward you all with. Example: The armor Cliodhna can create using the spider silk to reinforce Crew's clothing is said to be worth ~750 gold, and upgrades Crew with +2 AC, -2 piercing/slashing dmg, -1 force dmg from magic attacks (of physical/elemental type), is Lightweight and gives +1 Dexterity/Stealth bonus. Next time you think about looting every low level grunt that isn't indicated as someone/something special, ask yourselves is taking the time to loot a few basic guards for maybe a few pieces of 8 rather than paying attention to the critical aspects of the mission itself worth possibly losing a Crew mate or losing out on the material to make that armor?

New weapons and items will be coming, and as gogtrial pointed out some will be tailored to certain characters for story purposes. Don't be impatient, each of you already have main weapons with good advantages. (Count's instant frostbite, Kyp's cold that slows enemies, Bellandra's strike twice, BenKii's not needing powder/shot or loading, Durik's single-handed cudgel that knocks backs like a much heavier and slower two-handed weapon ...) The new weapons and items will show up in the Missions or Events best suited storywise to drop that weapon/item and often right before it is needed. Some will be offhand only, others you will have to choose between your current weapon and the new one. Be aware that some new items may have side effects to using them, so be cautious. This last mission was geared to the carver and the shipkin, with fey, curses, and vampires. Thus Bellandra's and Aylar's new weapons were brought in, along with vampire suited items. (Bellandra, since you are the only one using a hand-crossbow you will get first choice to exchange yours for the new one when loot is dispensed.)

This is to hopefully help explain and provide clarity for Crew re: looting and how it is done and the system I use, not a rant. If you want to continue looting low levels that the GM hasn't done some sort of hint on and possibly end up hurt or with a failed mission or not getting the good loot ... I won't stop you. *evil GM grin* I'm just saying you might want to think about the time it takes you, what the enemy might be using that time for, and if it's worth it. :P

Edit (because I know it's coming) ... Yes, Grog'tial, offices of officers are always good things to look into. Clíodhna's already said to look for important papers/maps/logbooks, etc., and now you know why fabrics can also be added to that list. ;)

Oh cool, Durik will choose a dark blue color for his armor.
Btw if possible he will also grab gloves and a sack from the ship, to safely carry loot in the next missions.

Dark blue it is! Most of the gloves from before were taken and would probably be too small for Durik anyway. Clíodhna will make specific Durik-sized gloves for Durik (instead of humie-sized like his clothes were at first) from dark blue dyed goatskin leather to match his jacket. Very durable, flexible and easy to grip things with. :)

Thank you Ciodna :)

Oh also, I didn't realize that Durik's club was one handed. Does it mean he could wield a shield? (Or another weapon, in theory)

Argy's outfit color will be teal.

Yes, Durik's cudgel is a leather-over-steel headed one-handed weapon (faster, easier to use, lighter than two handed) that does the knock-back damage of a two-handed heavy hammer. Among Crew currently only Grog'tial's crossbow is a two-handed weapon. Durik, Baldbeard and BenKii can easily wield shields and do shieldbash. (Shields are rumored to be coming soon.) :) However offhand weapons take practice to be used without penalty (except daggers). Currently Aylar, BenKii and Devin have either experience, dual-wielding ability or ambidextrous. Bellandra has practiced offhand hand-crossbow, Kyp can do offhand net and Argy offhand cleaver/rolling pin/wooden spoon/pepper grinder. :)

---
Teal for Argy! :) Would Argy like another set of gloves besides her kitchen ones? (And her thief glove)

"Aye, new threads ye say? I be wanting me some new attire. Something befitting o' me Captain's stature!" said BenKii, "Navy Blue like the Ocean's hue is the way to do but I say two colours is due fer this new view. Red be true to who I be on me shoulders. I drew fer you this review o' me threads. The Crew should get a big WHOO when the work is through." BenKii's rhyming could use some work but by golly he certainly poured his heart into it.

Afterwards, Captain BenKii will look around for what to do on the Ship before the next mission. He'd like to practice with his musket but what to practice on he wondered. Perhaps those cursed items that are useless to them now. BenKii will ask Admiral Clíodhna if it is alright to toss the cursed items into the air for some target practice and maybe even destroy those cursed things for good. Especially the bracelets. I'm sure the wooden beings and the carver would very much like to see those things gone forever. That is unless we have another beneficial use for them. Then in that case he'll do some big fish hunting with his musket.

No. Enough gloves for now, thanks! :)

Admiral Clíodhna looks over the drawing of Captain BenKii's and smiles. "I think I can manage that, aye," she says with a light musical laugh and a wink. "Maybe a wee bit better. Strip off yer coat and stand easy, Captain BenKii. I be needing to measure ye."

Once Captain BenKii removes his coat a long string suddenly appears and threads its way around him quickly, knotting itself in certain places. Up, down, around his chest, waist, hips, wrists, elbows, neck, there are over a dozen places the string travels, knots and color codes itself. Clíodhna nods, satisfied, and the string bows, then disappears.

Durik watches from where he is training with his weapon. Earlier one of those strings had come for him and wrapped itself in knots around him too. Sometimes it even tickled! He had also seen the admiral watching Durik very carefully while he trained, but she seemed pleased.

Captain BenKii mentions target practice and Admiral Clíodhna tells him maybe something can be arranged once they are back out at sea and not crowded in with three ships quietly hiding in an enclosed grotto area without much room and where the sound could reverberate and be deafening to Felinoid and Fae ears, including her own. As for the cursed bracelets, no. Even small pieces of those can influence and subjugate free will and eventually separate the soul from the body. They are much too dangerous to risk having any pieces survive to be handled by the ignorant or possibly brought back to the monster that wishes to use such to threaten and enslave worlds to its whims.

"It be like risking the magical equivalent of a plague, Captain BenKii. In its current forged form it is harnessed and formed to a purpose, which is currently controlled by a key. Once broken from that form, even a small amount be uncontrolled and can spread a fever of the mind and soul that leads good people to terrible obsessions and deeds. We lost one Crew matey previously to the fevered lust of it. I be not willing to allow that again." Admiral Clíodhna fixes him with an implacable look in her sapphire eyes, beneath which is a warning glow. "Ye are venturing into deadly waters that ye know not about, Captain. Let those of us who know magic and how to deal with curses deal with these things, as ye would know how to deal with sailing yer stars. I trust ye understand me reasons on this. We'll be finding another way for ye to practice once we be at sea."

[Captain BenKii and Durik get measured for their new armors. Admiral Clíodhna denies Captain BenKii using cursed items for target practice, explaining the deadly risk. Something will be arranged once back out at sea and not in a crowded enclosed area.]

On the evening of first day of Crew's stay at the grotto, about an hour before food is to be served at the Officer's Mess, Aylar will remove the dartboard from its hanging spot and carry it to his cabin to finish up the last steps of his hexing scheme. Once the dartboard is later emplaced back at mealtime, the Beckett within its frame appears much more animated and periodically alternating between frantic pacing and dramatic resignation. It seems that the carved imitation of the loathsome commander, now connected with its living original through the curse now imbued into the dartboard wood and gifted with more personality traits and a fair share of awareness, hasn't yet fully figured out how to feel about the purpose of its existence quite yet - although the carver's grim tale fills its facsimile heart with a great deal of terror, sending it to cower near the edge of the frame by the end of it all, and eye the carved darts and other sharp objects in its vicinity fearfully. Alas, it be its job to carry our disagreements with Beckett's conduct straight to the source, so it nae can influence anything about that - although any Crew wishing to practice their targeting skills on the board can order the carving to take the initial position at the center or allow it to have a wider range of movement and dodging fer increased difficulty. The wood heals itself nae matter what ye throw or shoot at it, so feel free to have a go at it - practice and have fun! Make the cur feel every bit 'of it!

Aylar also makes no secret out of being greatly delighted by the carving axe, and wastes no time having a few decent dual wielding training sessions with it throughout the Crew's stay, with appropriate breaks for tea and book reading. He be taking his additional task of acting as a vengeance bringer fer the old carver seriously - there be a fair number of heads for both his trusty cutlass and this new axe to take.

[The dartboard be fully completed, mateys, so ye be welcome to throw and shoot things at Woodkett. Note: musket use on the dartboard, while possible, would nae be too sporting, as it would need some time to recover from that. Please no cupcakes, we have a limited amount of those, nae to mention it would probably have great difficulty dealing with -that-, despite me most excellent craftselfship. Hex responsibly and remember, others would likely too appreciate a turn! ]

A black cat watches from a perch. It lazily rises to arch and stretch then leaps down to wander over. As Grog'tial rolls the dice again it reaches out a paw to lightly tap one almost over then looks at the half-dwarf as the pip teeters and returns to the original roll. The cat taps the dice again, this time hitting it back to Grog'tial harder and regards the half-dwarf with that infinitely steady feline gaze at the slightly different but similar results. The cat twitches its tail and waits as if to say "Your turn."

After questioning the prisoners in the brig and attending the meeting, Devin finally has time to slip into the galley and leave sweet Argy another package of cocoa powder. To Refyx he gives a small package that has the gnome's eyes widening as Devin smirks, then he stops by Aeshma's and quietly places a herb satchel with some rarer herbs on her worktable. Lastly he places a bag of cinnamon tea and a bundle of cinnamon sticks on the admiral's desk.

Devin smiles as he sees measurements being taken. He notes the string's mischief. His lady be in a good mood anticipating her Craft. Devin raises an eyebrow slightly at a particularly ticklish maneuver of the measuring string. He'll make sure it be in private when it comes his turn to deal with it. The armor his lady made for him last time still be good, so he'll make sure to tell her to favor others of the Crew that need it first. As long as his be done before needed in the Weirding Sea he be content. [Please prioritize the others, Fair One. Devin be greatly looking forward to it, but be good for now.]

Overhearing Captain BenKii's discussion and noting the warning glow to his lady's eyes, Devin borrows the Rapier of +1 Parry and offers it to Captain BenKii. "Be ye familiar with rapier, Captain BenKii? It be a weapon of both skill and mental tactics. If not, I be willing to teach ye. Or maybe ye be more in the mood for another game of cards?" Devin will also ask Kyp if he wants to join in, either two against Devin himself, or a round robin. If Captain BenKii selects cards, Devin will also invite others and play fair.

That evening Devin will eye the dartboard. He takes the darts, tests the balance and then rolls them through his fingers like a coin while watching the facial reactions of the figure in the board and appreciating the skilled hexing. He smiles, then grants Woodkett full range. [If I be reading this correctly, we can allow dodging.] Devin lazily feints to one side then the other, before tossing the darts aiming for the nose and then to pin the tongue if possible. Afterwards he brings forth his lute and will play lively and rollicking tunes while watching the others take their shots.

[The cat rolls crooked dice with Grog'tial. Devin delivers packages, watches the measurements and offers to either spar with Captain Benkii and Kyp or play cards. That evening he tries out the dartboard and plays music while others take a turn.]