Meet the Ship and Crew

You make your way across the river in the company of the pirates who have been surprisingly cordial to you and your company (possibly due to the captain seeing you as guest and Azul an old friend). Speaking of Azul, you notice her keeping a wary eye on the crew, one in particular in fact.

Seeing the man himself you can understand why. If Captain Harper was the most unusual creature you have seen thus far this one makes a close second. At a cursory glance, with his pale green skin and tusks from his mouth that appears to have sharpened methodically to appear intimidating (and you suspect effective) it would easy to assume that he was a half-orc like Azul. However looking at him longer then a minute past those obvious physical details you can see the difference, as know doubt Azul has as well. While indeed he has the skin and all the muscles in all the right places, he seems more lithe and acrobatic then the big burly Orcs you have seen, also when one overlooks his impressively sharp tusks, his face is actually quite handsome, regal even. Of course the greatest and most obvious sign of his uniqueness was of course his ears, sharp and pointy just like an elf, no wonder Azul was intrigued, you surprised your self at the revelation. Granted you were told that it was possible yet highly improbable.

"Its alright, Mr. Sharp don't mind you staring, he's grown used to it", Harper said nodding his head to the orc/elf hybrid man, introducing him with jovial yet proud tone. "Nobody would blame you either, Dire Elves such as he are one of the rarest sights in the world, so rare their considered more legend and myth. There's no shame in being intimidated by him either, he is the most skilled fighter and Duelist in all the crew and has an instinct when magic is afoul. Believe me these attributes are invaluable out here in the open sea, I consider it a blessing from the sea goddes to have in on my side. He's a man of few words, but what he does say is usually worth listening to."

Mr. Sharp in question merely nodded to his captain, then gives you a formal salute that only members of your kingdoms military would know of. Now you are intimidated, Harper may not have said so, but your sure this Mr. Sharp is just as intelligent as he is skilled your gonna have to be careful around this guy. Still he could just as easily make a great ally, for a pirate, your sure there's more to his story but decide not to pry till a better opportunity arise. Besides you know the captain is just getting started introducing his crew to you and your girls.

"Over there is my old friend from the mainland Layzer, he and his twin sister were the first to volunteer to join my crew and we have benefited greatly from his skills and experience in bushcraft and archery" Harper continued, pointing out to another man with tanned skin and pointed ears like Sharp, a wood elf if you ever saw one.

"At your Service Ladies and Gentleman", Layzer greeted you with a laid back yet friendly wave, and a humor laced bow to the ladies. "I also have good navigation skills on land, so if your ever lost on the field, just stay close to me and I'll guide you safely."

With his easy going frendly attitude, it's easy to see him and Captian being friends which means he might just be as much respectful and eager as him as well his captain which works in your favor. You also can't help but think if his sister is as beautiful as he is handsome.

"Just wait till you all meet my sister", Layzer said in an exited tone. "She loves to meet new people"

"Ha, that she does doesn't she boys?", Harper exclaimed with a laugh. "I can speak for everyone when I say that her hospitality is second to none."

You notice how the rest of the crew reacted, giving you a good idea what this hospitality entails.

"But oh dear, forgive the digression, allow me to continue introductions", Harper continued. "Archimedes here is a valuable member not for his skills in battle or sea worth, but his extensive archeaologic and anthropalogic knowledge. Whatever we find, he can tell us just how much it's worth, and how much we can sell it."

From what you can tell from this man he seems more well kept then the rest, and his stance and posture seems more aristocratic if only subltley. Another point of interest is that he dressed less like a typical pirate but more an explorer or an adventurer from some of your favorite books, the hat makes you think of one in particular.

"Fame and fortune, that's what guides me", the aformentioned man said. "These pirates seem to be the best means to getting both so I offered my services in exchanged, and I have yet to be dissapointed. The crew benefits don't hurt either"

"Finally we have the trusty deckhands and musicians, Willy and Wally, known throughout the seas as the Jolly Rodger Brothers", The captain said indicating the last two men on the boat, whose resemblance to each other was rather uncanny.

"Through knotts, phantoms or miles-", said Willy. "Count on Willy and Wally-", said Wally right after. "To fill your travels with smiles!", finished the duo together in a grandstanding pose. All but the Captain groaned in annoyance.

"See, their the life of the party those two", Harper laughed.

"So John", Harper began, looking at you. "What brings you way out here with darling Azul and a Farmers wife? Running from Prince Silva?"

"How did you-", interjected Grace.

"Between your garb, the faint yet sweet smell of apples surrounding you", the captain replied cordially as if he wasn't rudely interrupted. "It was easy to deduce your a farm girl, and since not many farm girls your age are typically single it was an educated guess that you are or were married."

While Grace was left speechless, Azul was looking at you with a sense of caution. No doubt warning you to be careful what you tell him. You quite agree, friendly or not he is still a pirate and your not sure just how much you can trust him. Still lying could just as easily damage whatever relationship your may or may not have. As before your best chance is to be truthful, but don't tell him everything just yet and wait to see if he is worth trusting, it turned out well for Azul.

"As a matter of fact yes", you said, gaining back Harper's attention. "I joined Silva's arena to win the match and gain an audience with him, so I can kill him personally. That's where I met Azul, we made a killing in field until it was the two of us left standing. Yet at the end she was injured and I refused to finished a helpless opponent, it was by the grace of the spectators that the both of us were allowed to live. We were placed in the same holding cell, and that's where we got closer and she decided to help me. Unfortunately Silva figured out my plan and tried to interroragate me. Not only did I refused but Azul and I managed to escape, not without a few scrapes here and there. We've been on the run ever since, we ran into Grace after I tried to get some apples from her farm and she caught me. I made a deal to help with her frustrations in exchange for not telling me on her husband."

"I'm guessing the husband found out about you anyway?", Harper added with and intrigued and impressed look as he made another educated guess.

"Correct, so I kidnapped her and she's been with us ever since. We've been dodging bandits and an Assassin by the time you caught up with us and here we are now", you finished.

"My my my, how romantic, how intriguing, this is going to be fun" Harper said, Jovial excitement evident in his tone and expression. "I just can't wait to introduce you all to the rest of the crew back at the ship. Believe me you'll like them."

"Ship ahoy Captain", Layzer proclaimed. "It won't be long now sir"

"Wonderful", Harper responded as he pulled out a thin whistle. "Now to signal our lookout."

He blew on the whistle but it didn't seem to make a sound. In a few minuets you heard a squack, and then all of a sudden a thud was heard from the front of the boat. There he saw a humanoid woman with birdlike features, clearly a Harpy, but unlike any Harpy you've heard about she had multi-color/rainbow pattern feathers.

"Captain ahoy, Captain ahoy, Rarrk!" she said in a manner much like a talking parrot that you've read about in swashbuckling stories.

"Ahoy Polly", Harper replied. "Everything in tip top shape since we've been gone?

"Sails secure, Sails secure arrk!", she responded

"Good girl, here you go", The captain said as he threw a treat in the air that she caught and quickly consumed.

"Allow me to introduce you all to Poly, ship's aerial scout and mascot", Harper said to you and your women. All while Polly looked at you all with interest.

"Booty in the chest, Booty in the chest? Rarrk!", she asked in a squack.

"That is yet to be decided my dear", Harper replied with a chuckle. "Though I'm sure if you ask nicely, they just might succumb to your natural charm."

"Spank the booty, Spank the booty, aack", Poly squacked exitedly.

You raise your eyebrow at that last remark, and your sure your not the only one.

"Oh, that's just her way of saying she likes you all, and would love to get to know you better", Harper said in a humourous yet restrained tone. Making you believe there's more then he saying, but decided not to pry. Unfortunately Grace could not keep silent.

"You barbaric scum!", she exclaimed in outraged much your surprise and dismay. As you look to Azul, she was just as surprised and worried as you. "What kind of monster are you, to have done whatever you did to turn that poor creature into that?!"

You held in your breath at the crews reaction. Thankfully, none of them took immediate action, but from Mr. Sharps twitching fingers, he was ready to start. The brothers looked more offended, while Archemides displayed a superior smile, like he knew more then she did which you suspect is in fact the case. Layzar looked around worried as you were, until focusing his gaze on the captain, in fact all eyes were soon cast on him, either waiting for an order or for his response to this blatant insolence. His face once plastered expressing cheer and charm degenerated into a mild frown and a pained sigh, before he looked backed at grace with the first look of intense seriousness you have seen.

"For the record", he said in calm, clipped tone. "I appreciate your bold honesty and compassion for a complete stranger. It's rare to find people like that. But make no mistake, you should consider yourself very lucky that I am not your typical, average pirate. If I was, I would have either smacked you upside your head, threatened you with a drawn sword, or dunk your head overboard and you drown for a bit for your insolence and disrespect."

Then Harper's Tone and expression became more meloncholly. "As for Polly, I had nothing to do with that. That was the handiwork of her previous master Captain Rubar, the Gold Chain. One of the most wealthiest and disgusting pirates of the seas, who made a good portion of his wealth in **** trade. Poly was one of his many catches that he saw fit to train to be his personal pet, in every sense of the word. I only met her recently, yet felt the compunction to liberate her from him out of pride and compassion. So I won her in a game of cards along with some other exotic slaves which angered him so much that he tried to back out of his bets. Needles to say a fight broke out between me, some of the freed slaves and a my small crew and some traitors in his ranks. After which the crew came under new management I kept my winnings who became members of my crew, Poly included. We've been trying to educate her, but her training and conditioning was pretty thorough, I don't think she even understands what we're trying to do for her. She has more freedom and equality then she has ever had, yet hardly knows what to do with it. So we've learned to accept her as the way she is while treating her as one of us."

An awkward silence soon consumed the boat, that got you feeling like your sitting on pins and needles, and your positive your not the only one feeling this. Except for Poly, who seems more confused then anything. Until the captain took on a more pleading look with a slight sad smile. "Please don't bring this up with the rest of the crew on the ship", he requested, thought to you it sounded like he was begging. "Its a painful subject for them and unlike Poly is not oblivious of the trauma of what they went through before coming aboard my decks. That was my promise to them, whatever happened before they came aboard, stays overboard, and I would be remiss if I went back on that promise."

Grace simply nooded in reply, rendered rather speechless. The boat was ever closer to the ship yet rowed with silence. Until it was interrupted by a splash from the side. As everyone looked, there everyone could see a female shape with blue scales and an aquatic look, that made you think some relation to Harper, confirmed when she addressed him after looking at you, Azul, and Grace.

"Here I thought you were all too busy ogling at Polly to send her back and let us back at the ship know everything is fine. Seems there's more to it than that, so I'll wait for your explanation once you dock. Just remember your own protocol next time. I won't always be there to pick up your slack or hers." She said in a tone that brokered no argument, much like a mother to a child then a crewman to thier captain.

Ironically this seemed to have brought Harper back to his more usual cheery and charming mood again as he responded. "Oh I assure you, the thought of sailing without you sends shivers of fear down our spines."

"May I introduce the heart and soul of the crew that stitches us together, Scylla, our ships doctor", he said towards you and your company. After doing so, she took a critical look at Azul in particular.

"Isn't she,-", she began to ask only for the captain to answer.

"Yes indeed mother, she is indeed", he answered as if knowing the question before it was fully asked. You wondered if his calling her mother is being playful or actual point of fact.

"Oh this I can't wait to hear", she said slightly annoyed yet intrigued. "I'll swim back and give the all clear, I'm sure they'll be quite eager to hear what your getting us into this time."

"You know me so well mother", he said happily and contently.

"Still have yet to decide if it's a blessing or a curse", she replied in seemingly rueful tone as her face expressed pride more than anything, before she submerged herself to the depths and swam away.

"Ah, there she is, have yoursel a look at our pride and joy, the Women's Wrath", Harper said in proudly and joyfully.

As you gazed upon it, you can tell it was quite a sight. It seemed only sligbtly bigger then a galleon, with a few extra sails and cannons. Thier Jolly Roger was in the form of a crossbones snugged in between the bossum of a ghostly women with a crossed look on her face. It certainly looked as intimidating as it sounded.

Before you knew it, the boat was beside the mighty ship and eveyone started climbing aboard, some staying behind to handle your supplies.

As you and the others made it on the deck, you were greeted to the what you assume to be the rest of the crew manning the ship while the others were away. Harper wasn't kidding when be said exotic as he went out of his way and resumed introductions, pointing at each crewman as he did. He first pointed to a large Bronze-skinned man in baggy pants and a bandanna on his head and nothing more, his perfectly chiseled chest and toned mulsced arms free for everyone to see. Next to him is a woman sharing the same bronze skin and Black eyes as the man, who seems to have recently come of age, displaying an athletic body growing with curves in all the right places.

"Allow me to introduce, the mighty Kayle and his lovely daughter Uhoorah, former slaves I liberated and have served me with gusto ever since", he said in affectionate pride.

"He paid a hefty price to keep me and my daughter together, it is only fair that we repay his kindness in turn", the muscled man said in a deep baritone voice that was joyful as much as it was reverant.

"Besides, the work is fair, the wages are good and the benefits I sincerely doubt you'll find on any other ship and crew", said the growing women in a more lighter melodic voice then that of her father with a naughty gleam in her eye as she looked at you and your companions.

"Oh fer crying out loud, do I have to be the one to spell it out?!", yelled a booming yet femmenine voice with a slight accent. You follow the voice to one of the shortest women you have ever seen, yet ironically grown in all the right places, very stout with boobs big enough to be a second head. Your really surprised by the sight, if she is what you think she is your realizing this has been the most enlightening day ripe with all kind of discoveries that you just might write a book about it when this is all over. "Why do people keep beating around the bush when it's so obvious? We feck, alright? We feck each other, day and night on many occasions and were not exactly keen about protection either, cause every here apparently either gets a kick out of the risk or doesn't care. We'er free out here in the sea, so we do whatever we want and if you have a problem with that, then you can go feck yourselves!"

There was a momentary silence until Azul with a surprised yet impressed expression broke it. "I like you" she said simply.

"Finally, someone who speaks her mind, I can see why you wanted her so bad capt'n", said the short woman, who you suspect to be a legendary dwarf, in her own impressed tone.

Harper merely burst in laughter while most of the others including yourself looked on in a combination of exasperation and confusion.

"Allow me to introduce our incredibly skilled and incredibly blunt shipwright, Olga Brassbones, and yes your eyes don't deceive you, she is a dwarf, rather rare to see one out here instead of the moutains and underground realms. She has the bedside manner of a hammer to the head, but a valued treasure all the same", the Captain went on oozing charm and amusement.

"Ugh, always the flatterer, be careful lassies, this man could charm the Queen to let him in her nickers if given the chance, but at least he'll be polite when you so no, not because he's a gentleman mind you, but because he's knows what's good for em", Olga said crassly, yet not unpleasantly

"Like I said, her words are more blunt than her hammer, but you can count on her in jam", Harper responded. Not given Olga another chance to respond, he motions toward another crewmen even taller then Kayle, a muscular woman with what you can tell to be bovine features.

"And this is Astoria the Minotaur, former Gladiator" he said slyly. "I imagine you'll have a lot to talk with her" the Bull woman merely grunted and nodded, though she seemed to look at you and Azul with interest.

The only crewman left aboard that you can see, is another wood elf who shared a great resemblance with Layzar. The Twin sister no doubt, she was beautiful as her brother was handsome as you suspected. From her eyes you saw a mix of lust and jubilation.

"And last, yet far from least, is Lallah, I'm sure you can see the resemblance, she serves as the ships navigator and with her druid magic which is really handy out hear" Harper said in a mix of awe and adoration. "She also fancies herself as a matchmaker and a party planner, well no one has filed any complaints so far."

The whole crew chuckled as if hearing an inside joke which your sure is the case.

"Don't worry we can make the proper arrangements when your ready, in the meantime why don't we get better aquainted and establish your preferences, oh and of course asses your value", Lallah said with a flare of deceptive innocence and energy.

Well this is certainly an interesting collection of characters. As pirates go, this lot seemed alright, and could potentially be very useful, even more then thier willing to be at this point. On the other hand, how much are you willing to trust these people? Maybe you should just get know them a little better, test the waters so to speak, or take a chance and try to recruit them to your cause.