City of Thieves: 171, 399, 87, 120, 84, 50, 271, 162, 7, 232, 12, 176: Pirate Round

I see my moronic shingle joke has been beaten by McCaig just including one.

     That guy in the lower right is illustration-bombing. Somehow. I bet he Ian McCaig didn't even realize he was drawing him till he stepped back to look at the iamge, and there he was!

     Ah... piracy! Messy celebration, big ole ship with the skull and crossbones flying proud, despite being in harbor, and sailors soliciting ladies in front of the evil twin of Red Lobster. What more could you want?

      I have to say, City of Thieves is proving better than I feared.

'Probably a pirate ship'? What else could it be? A bone merchant? A poisonmonger? Toxic waste disposal?

     A wae of nostalgia washes over me, thinking back to adventures of old. Of fights on along decks and up on the rigging, of krakens roaring out of the ocean, of... ah, but another time.

     Half for old times sake, and half for curiosity of what the pirates might have on them, I approach the ship.

Choice: Approach the Ship: 399

Dancing houses are back! And so is the blur scan! Woo...

     Hmm.... as memory serves, the quarterdeck is normally at the stern, and the captain's cabin should be under the quarterdeck. I'll take the ladder.

Choice: Ladder: 87

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     I take a deep breath of wretched harbor air. I have to confess, just standing on a ship makes the sea smell saltier and more free, and less full of feces.

      It's good to be on a ship.

      Curious as to the cargo, I shuffle up to the pirate, sword at the ready.

Choice: Go for the Pirate: 120

You know what knocks out better than a hunk of wood? A sharp piece of metal.

      Can't I just fight him? Luck is not my forte here.

Test of Luck: 3
Luck: 8-1=7

     Ah, the good old knockout wood ploy. I've honestly never been great at this, but maybe I won't have to kill this particular guard.

Choice: Lucky: 84

Charming.

     "Slavers..." I mutter to myself, "Well, that's going to make me feel great about scuppering this whole thing when it comes to it."

     I head for the stairs, ready to ruin some bastards' day.

Choice: Going Down: 50

I am not sure Mr. Livingstone has ever seen how complex a ship's interior is.

     The snores are either slaves to free, or pirates to ruin. Let's start there.

Choice: Left: 271

Ah... aren't they just the cutest slavers?

      Again, McCaig comes in with the subtle touches. The pirate squished at the bottom, the little adorable stuffed bunny. The eyepatch hanging from a nail next to the bed like a pair of spectacles on a nightstand! I do wonder why only the top pirate appears to have pajamas, but the effect of their cramped room is just so perfect.

Are these three the whole crew, or did they just choose to sleep crammed together like that?

     I'm hardly going to balk at robbing slavers. Time to grab that pouch...

Choice: Burglary: 162

Just my luck, more Luck...

ToL: 6

Luck: 7-1=6

     With a deft motion and a quick cut, I loose the pouch from its place. This would have been easier with a knife, but the broadsword works.

Choice: Lucky: 7

Ah, yes, the dancing street inside the pirate ship.

     Black Pearls... nice. Now I just need Hag's hair and lotus flowers. Time to pop into the other room.

Luck:6+2=8

Choice: Right: 232

And now to recreate a scene from Ranma 1/2.

      A nicer person would just leave well enough alone. But, Hilda...

Choice: Watch: 12

You bet she watches.

       I mean... who could possibly turn down the opportunity? Not Hilda!

Choice: "Ahem!": 176

    Neat little scene, if a bit... creepy.

    "Ben Borryman...." I repeat, "Clog Street..." I nod, "I'm sure you'll hear from me if there's any trouble there." I lean down, and grab up his big, fancy hat. I try to put it on my helmet... it doesn't fit, so I chuck my helmet into the bath and keep the hat. "Have a nice bath."

     I lock him away and then head ashore.

Choice: North: 78

Skill: 11

Stamina: 14/15

Luck: 8/8

Gold Pieces: 34

Provisions: 10/10

Phial of Green Liquid

Throwing Knife

Climbing Rope

Butcher's Meat Hook

Iron Spike

Lantern

6 Black Pearls

Pirate Hat