[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PRibzDC.jpg[/img][/center]

[color=1BF285]Time: Afternoon
Location: The Nest
Interactions: Helio [@Princess], Barboda [@Alivefalling], Tigerlily [@Potter], & a New NPC
Equipment: A cutlass, 2 knives, 1 dagger, a spyglass, a wayfinder, a pouch of amas, and various jewelry. [/color]
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[color=C1E9EC]
[color=1BF285]“Got plenty here lookin’ fer adventure, plenty lookin’ fer an easy way out of this city. But that ain’t who we’re lookin’ fer. What we need is folks who ain’t just lookin fer something easy. Folks who can sail, who can endure the seas, and willin’ to kill fer coin. That’s the sort we need.”[/color] Nym replied to Helio. Even a cursory glance around The Nest was enough to know that the vast majority of patrons here would make not just poor sailors, but lousy pirates as well. Too many in Roshmi slunk about in fear, hesitated, and tempered their actions to appease the occupying dark elves, and these were not men who would stand tall and face down a man like Ardyn and his crew. They needed to find those who walked the streets of this city without fear, and the added pressures in Roshmi would only make those of worth stand out more. 

The entrance doors of The Nest opened, and a pair of orcs, [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/1a/75/c7/1a75c72e8f71be89ae4d5c2a8733fdcc.jpg]one male[/url] and [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b9/75/da/b975da320b948b600961164aebe84862.jpg]one female[/url], entered and continued to hold the doors as another, this man a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/44/c3/6c/44c36cbaabf4abe9239c17352d115e8d.jpg]demifrog[/url], strode through. The orcs let go of the doors, allowing them to close behind them, and then the two orcs followed a step behind the frogman, one at each flank. The two orcs remained vigilant, their eyes constantly scanning and studying the faces of those around them, alert for signs of threat. The demi-frog's attention settled on only Nym and those around him, just as focused and alert as the orcs but rather than searching for threats, the frogman searched for signs of worth. 

[color=1BF285]“Now that there's Barnabus Bull, the man who made a pirate outta me. Went ‘n’ got himself a bit of coin and settled all the way up here to run rackets on land. Bleedin’ waste of a good pirate if ya ask me.”[/color] Nym shook his head but he’d been planting his sea tales about hoping to lure the old sailor out. He stood up and closed the distance between him and Barns. 

[color=E29000]“Heard some of yer tales floatin’ round here.”[/color]  The demi-frog eyed Nym with the same look of disappointment Nym had seen the last time they’d parted ways, like a father at his wits end with a child intent on following the wrong path.   

[color=1BF285]“Have ya now?”[/color] Nym flashed his teeth in a grin and shrugged. 

[color=E29000]“Aye, ‘n’ coy don’t suit ya none. Roshmi’s become nothing more than a pit of waste an’ ya’ve gone an’ washed yourself up ‘ere? Willingly? Thought I’d taught ya better.”[/color] The frogman spit upon the floor of the tavern. One of the orcs grunted and nodded. 

[color=1BF285]“An’ what better place to find those who hunger for freedom than in men denied it?"[/color] Nym repeat words Barns had once said before continuing, [color=1BF285]"I got me a boat, a real beauty, and the starts of a fine crew, and-”[/color] Nym found himself interrupted as Barns snorted out a laugh.

[color=E29000]“Am I to be impressed by that sorry lot?”[/color] Barns eyed up the group Nym had come from and laughed again. [color=E29000]“Ain’t that the Scourge of The River Kingdom of himself? Heard yer sailin' with a bounty hunter now too. Not a proper pirate in that lot, always figured ya had more sense than this.”[/color]

[color=1BF285]“A sorry lot that faced down Ardyn’s men once and fixing to do it again. An’ this time, it’ll be rather final. Tell me Barns, ya still wanna kill a king?”[/color] Nym asked as if it were a question but already knew the answer. 

[color=E29000]“Got a worthy fight ‘ere too.”[/color] Barnabus answered but it lacked the same conviction Barns once had when he'd spoken of ending the reign of the pirate king, the fight in Roshmi was now but one of many lesser fights the frogman had settled for. 

[color=1BF285][i]Still the same old Barns, always looking for a worthy fight over a profitable one.[/i][/color] Today, however, the demi-frogs odd moral compass served Nym just fine.

[color=1BF285]“Ya mean a losing cause? Aye, now that sounds like a fine plan for a man with no future. Washed up on shore, fixin’ to die for the land folks? That ain’t us. Float until we sink, free until our last breath. Ain’t that what ya taught me, there’s no freedom ‘ere, mate.”[/color] Nym shook his head, it was his turn to show disappointment. The frogman glanced at the orcs at his flanks and nodded for them to move about freely through The Nest as he further considered Nym's offer.

[color=E29000]“Fixin’ for Ardyn is it then?”[/color] The frogman said slowly, and Nym knew this was an opportunity the old sailor couldn’t turn down. Nym dropped the embellished sea tales, offering the full and honest tale of how [i]The Harem[/i] had gathered a crew of misfits, their encounter with Ardyn’s men, and the death of their first captain the human Lizzie, all whispered in hushed tones. 

[color=1BF285]“... An’ my word and hand to Cari, we ain’t lettin’ up till that bastard’s dead.”[/color] Nym promised. While Barns was tough as nails on the outside, he had more morals than a pirate needed, and Nym knew the frogman well enough to know that this was the fight he desired more than anything.  

[color=E29000]“Cap’n Nym, then, is it?”[/color] The demi-frog with a soft smile that seemed out of place on his tired, worn, face. [color=E29000]“I think I like the sounds o’ that, ‘bout time I tested out the ol’ sea legs again anyhow.”[/color] Barns signaled for the orcs to return and, drinks in hand, they made their way back to the frogman.

[color=1BF285]“Welcome to the sorry lot, ya gonna introduce me to yer friends?”[/color] Nym asked.

[color=E29000]“This here's Rak Vein Marauder and Vala Bone Shatterer, gotta love orc names eh?”[/color] Barns chuckled as he introduced his lackeys. [color=E29000]“They can fight, they can sail, ‘n’ loyal so long as they get their fair share of coin.”[/color] The pair of orcs gave only a nod and grunt in agreement. [color=E29000]“Now who exactly ya got workin' fer ya?”[/color] Barns asked, following Nym back to the group he'd come from. 

[color=1BF285]"Barboda, Helio, and Tigerlily."[/color] Nym said gesturing at each of them before turning to gesture at Barnabus and the orcs. [color=1BF285]"Our newest recruits; Rak Vein Marauder, Vala Bone Shatterer, and ol' Barns, who'll be ensurin' that [i]The Harem[/i] is wholly ready to take on Ardyn, each of ya is to go an' find yerself a recruit who can, at least, be trusted in a fight, and preferably know their way 'round a ship. We'll reconvene at the docks tonight."[/color]

Nym let Barns know where to find [i]The Harem[/i], and the frogman stayed long enough to entertain any question directed his way from the others but after that, he and the two orcs would be headed to the docks. [/color]