"You're welcome," the captain said with a smile. "Think of it as an investment on our part. They're part of your contract. If you survive long enough, they'll come out of your share."

To the elf, he said, "I already told you, you'll be sleeping in the foc's'le. And I said to stow your things with the bo'sun, Terug. You need to pay attention, lad, especially when an officer's talking."

He shrugged at Bedge. "Some of the lubbers who financed this trip have high hopes that the natives are friendly on other continents. Who knows? Maybe they're right. And maybe the seas will run with ale."

He returned Goryn's salute, and then went back to what he was doing.

((The players need to actually do something before Ba can DM any further. The game does not always consist of the players reacting to the game world, but the game world reacting to the players, as well as the players reacting to each other. Don't just wait for things to happen, go and make them happen. Talk to NPCs. Look around. Show initiative.))