Session Report 44 - Changing Hands
General Summary
"Sometimes staying still is harder than fighting."
-Gunther
Locke's Delivery Job
Locke has been tasked with 3 deliveries by Peter's Sister, Helena. He proceeds to the first delivery, where he takes a moment to recognize the customer - Marigold Mevillus, Loro's apprentice. Loro is gone though, and Marigold admits he probably died in Operation Heartstopper and she has spent the past two months somehow managing to survive while hopping from island to island on a small raft. Locke, seeing as she has basically nowhere to go, offers her a position on the crew. She readily accepts, though not before tripping and spilling something.Locke's next delivery is in The Drawback, where he brings some pastries to a blacksmith named Samuel. While there, a portly pirate absolutely covered in guns bursts in and begins to hound Samuel for information about a magic treasure. The pirate - Captain Badger, and Locke share a few remarks before Badger stops badgering Samuel, promising to get him to speak tomorrow. Samuel sighs, nothing that he can't tell Badger anything even if they go back, since the information is technically a secret of The Flint Guild. Still, he mentions that if Badger got the information indirectly, the source of the leak might not be as obvious, then casually mentions to Locke after a little prodding that Badger is looking for a magical bottle, which he knows is somewhere on the Trader's Sea, and finding it is somehow related to the moons' cycles.
Locke's last stop is by Kip's Ship Shop, where he finds none other than Jean Piost and the Tresmachinists. Locke sticks around to share a few drinks with them. Jean now goes by Kip, and after a few drinks admits that he supported local business by having Kip assassinated. Locke also notices, from the window, a ship branded with the insignia of Charlie's Whale and Fishing Company. He takes special note of this. After he's sufficiently tipsy he leaves, returning the basket and the money he collected on his way to Helena, then heads for the docks...
Carpentry & Crewmates
Gunther, Grov, Ramone, and Laire all spend the day on The Flying Flagon. Gunther makes a trip with Ouchie to buy some wood and nails and spends his time making chairs, benches, and two tables for the ship, which Laire and Grov both help with - Laire often adding unnecessary swirling patterns.Some way into the day two men approach the ship which the senior crew had previously encountered while trying to recruit new members. These two are now ready to ask to join the crew. The smaller of the two, a sleazy-looking fire gensai with slicked-back hair introduces himself as Sleepless Sloth and speaks on behalf of his friend, a goliath who is only 6 foot 1 despite his race, who he calls Stunted Sturo. Sloth does a good job convincing that he'll be useful as a barrelman to man the crow's nest, and Sturo, being a muscular goliath, can always be of help.
Rogue Merchandise
Returning to the docks, still rather drunk, Locke decides to make an expedition to the Charlie's Whale and Fishing Co. ship. He uses his magics to go invisible and sneaks in, inspecting some of the cargo to be simply fish and whale meat, though he notes that it's quite overpriced. He, having dealt with the company in his past, knows that there is more behind the surface, so he sneaks into the captain's quarters to try to steal some documents. However, an associate of the captain's - a Salimstinian man referred to only as "The Mister" notices him, and starts a scuffle. The captain returns to the cabin to find The Mister bloody but not dead, and shoots Locke with supreme skill, bringing the tiefling to the brink of collapse. Locke uses magic to begin to phase in and out of the material plane, evading the captain, who, seeing his adversary disappear, rushes to help The Mister. Locke reappears behind the captain and finishes off The Mister, shooting him in the head, before phasing out again. He steals the books and makes a clean getaway from the ship, though his face was seen by the captain.Bullet Wounds
Locke reappears belowdecks on The Flying Flagon and passes out almost immediately. Laire and the rest are shocked and treat his wounds. Once he has sufficiently recovered an hour or two later with the help of magic, Locke gathers the senior crew to explain roughly what happened. He vaguely mentions that he's dealt with them in the past, but before anyone has time for questions, Marigold cries down that somebody is being pushy trying to talk to Locke and Gunther. The crew goes to see what's going on.Pixchaxla's Plan
A muscular Sin Oran man with curly hair has pushed his way onto the deck, and, without explaining himself, asks The Drifters to come with him and to pick up the pace. When questioned, he simply states that he's with The Banderos (some kind of mercenary? group), and Pixchaxla wants to talk with them. Pushy though he may be, the man, who the group later learns is called Fernan, doesn't seem to be lying, so they follow.Fernan leads them to Poison Perry's, a modest inn. On command from Fernan, the innkeeper opens a hidden trapdoor to the basement, where Pixchaxla is waiting alongside the other two Banderos - a sharp-eyed dancer whose name is not mentioned, and Oblir, a water gensai shaped like a wall. Pix is brief in his niceties before he cuts to the chase - it's time for the Obsidian Chest to change hands. He has enough allies to get it to Francisco, and the trail has grown hot on The Drifters anyways. Most of the senior crew is hesitant, with Gunther and Grov both being very ready for a fight the second Locke calls for them. However Locke, after the conversation with Laire the previous day, is unsure. He stalls for time, saying he left the chest on the ship and considers what to do while he and Gunther go to "fetch" it while Fernan watches them, just to ensure they aren't trying to take it themselves. Locke ultimately just buys time with this but moves to return the chest all the same.
The others are left with Pix and the other two Banderos. Pix is more than happy to talk about the future, especially since he knows that Francisco will finally have the chest soon. He speaks of the fact that Francisco, if he gets the treasure, will put nearly every last copper towards liberating Sin Oro from Harpsbilge and that the plan will likely succeed. He speaks of the many friends that Francisco has on his side. Grov asks Pix about his time in the jungles, and the halfling obliges, musing on whether the dangers of the wilds are worse than the uncaring discipline he was taught under Harpsbilge.
Finally, Locke and Gunther return. Upon being prompted, and with much hesitation, Locke decides to part with the chest. Gunther stands in shock, clearly not satisfied with the choice, though ultimately trusting his captain. Pix thanks them, pays a great amount of money for the crew's services, then suggests they head in the direction of The Ancient Sea if they'd be so kind as to draw away the attention of The Harps. Locke says he'll strongly consider it, and Pix thanks him sincerely, once again extending his genuine thanks to the crew for their part in all this. They will probably not meet for a while, but Pix wishes them the best.
The Opposite of A Hangover
Hard liquor is in order after parting ways with the chest, especially without a fight. The senior crew isn't too happy, but knows there was no right move - make enemies with Francisco or lose the chest. Locke assures the group that this isn't the end of the path to Pirate King and that the chest can still be reclaimed - just not now. Locke pulls out a bottle of absinthe that he got from Jean Piost in case of an emergency and shares it with the senior crew, but few partake in any manner. Even Gunther, the dwarf among dwarves, does not partake on this night.
Report Date
06 May 2023
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