Capt Willie Longplank, NPC |
Two more hours pass and the sloop closes the distance more. When the Capt, the first mate, and the goon at the end of the gangplank are seen by the pilot talking. They keep looking up at the sails - even with the wind they are losing ground, it's a matter of time.
Suddenly the Capt barks an order, "Three quarter sails"
Sath Saltblood |
Sath stares out towards the sloop, trying to figure out what preparations the naval crewmembers are making as they approach the ship.
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
He then worked his way down through the rigging like the other crewmen.
Astrianna Sparacello |
Astrianna pauses for a moment after Malta finishes speaking, more intrigued than before. "Ah, I see. Thank you Mr. Todd." She says before stepping out of his way when he takes over . Cupping her chin in thought, the half-elf looks across the sea for several moments, emerald eyes turning to the masts in the distance. Either the truth comes out after the battle, or I will go down to the hold and find out myself... this secret shan't hide for long.
Two hours later...
The bard sucks in her breath as the order for three quarter sails is given, indicating the battle will be joined while there is still daylight. Reaching into her haversack, she draws her bowstave and a gut string from the extradimensional space, carefully stringing the bow.
Planting her feet firmly on the deck, she knocks an imaginary arrow the size of a ballista bolt into her bow. Heaving under the perceived weight, she dry-fires it at the approaching masts. "Krrsshk, sploosh. Right in the bow." Satisfied, she takes out two quivers- normal arrows and flight arrows, slinging them across her shoulders before putting her hair up in a tight, low ponytail.
She gathers with the rest of the crew, bow slung over her shoulders and hands placed firmly on her hips. I bet this gnome has balls o' steel, with the way his crew talks. Maybe mithral.
Darius Rotarion |
Darius makes his way to where where everyone is gathering, keeping a solid grip on his glaive in his right hand. He looks back over his shoulder towards the approaching naval ship.
Must be preparing to give a rousing "pre-fight" speech. Should be interesting...
David "Dirk" Hawkins |
As David works he notices another sailor give him directions to where to work.
Aye, I'll be having water run up. Y' the new hatchet man? Last one had the talent of a grave-robber, suppose you can't be worser. "
David cocks an eyebrow at the comment, his lip curling into a dry grin.
”Well, I guess we’ll find out,” he says as he finishes scrubbing his hands and holds them up to let them drip dry.
Suddenly Embrianna rushes down to them.
"Our presence is requested above deck to hear the Captain speak."
He tosses her a glance and sighs.
”Alright – looks like it’s aloft for now,” he says with a resigned sigh.
As he gets on deck he glances around and listens for the captain to address the company. He notices vaguely that Astrianna is miming using siege weapons.
"Krrsshk, sploosh. Right in the bow." Satisfied, she takes out two quivers- normal arrows and flight arrows, slinging them across her shoulders before putting her hair up in a tight, low ponytail.
I wonder if she has experience with them? They can be tricky to use… I’ve handled them before, but still…
Saying nothing more on the subject he waits for the captain’s speech.
GM - my "kit" is the survival pack. I've got my medical tools on me via a satchel - and the rest of the personal effects on my belt. But yeah, the survival kit is the necessities of survival; not necessary on the in the middle of a fight.
Capt Willie Longplank, NPC |
"We ain't gonna out run 'em crew. Maybe if we weren't so heavy, doubt it though they have some caster giving it a speed boost - I suspect." he looks around, Malta unlock the weapons. Crew arm yourself, nothing noticeable keep those weapons out of sight from their crows nest." He exhales and light a cigar, the cherry walnut scent seems to cling to the air. "We got some cargo, that's paying good money for passage, I'm gonna try to talk out way out of a boarding. Play the stupid merchant captain role...maybe it'll work...probably not. If they board...we need to repel."
A light mist starts.
"Weather be with us now, don some rain cloaks you all" he motions to the new members. "Cover some of that fancy gear y'got." He lets out a smoke ring, "Looks like it'll be bloody."
Darius Rotarion |
Darius stashes his weapon in the right pocket of his pack, and chuckles as it seemingly vanishes into a space that appears way too small for it. He then raises his hood and begins his part of the captains ruse.
Headed to a movie.
Sath Saltblood |
"Captain- they're about a mile out, they're carrying marines and are preparing multiple light ballista- oh, it also looks like they're rigging for more speed as well. I can cover us or them in fog once they get close to boarding range or we could try something a little more... unconventional."
Astrianna Sparacello |
Inhaling the cherry walnut scent, the bard sighs deeply. I've got to become friends with the captain- I could use one of those right about now.
She ponders for a moment, and snaps her fingers. Taking her bow off of her shoulder, the half-elf slides it into her haversack to prevent it from becoming wet. She begins to walk towards the captain as she tosses her hood up over her head and draws her embroidered cloak around herself to block out the rain.
"Captain. I am Astrianna, and know a few illusions. If it would work with your plan, we can make it appear as if there are many more men on this ship than there are, or we have a few extra ballista, or perhaps a sea monster suddenly surfaces next to their ship....?"
Capt Willie Longplank, NPC |
The captain listens intensely, he rubs his chin and exhales another smoke ring. "More armament and men sound nice, but this is the navy that'll only assure an attack. Now the sea monster at the right time can be useful." He scrunches his lips around his cigar, "I'm gonna talk as they come to our starboard side." He points to the right side of the ship for the potential land lovers. "she's gonna get close 10 feet or so...the capt has boarding planks, when he lowers them the sea monster could be handy for some confusion."[b]
He points to center of the ship, [b]"Probably have two maybe three planks drop you all defend...or attack when they start lowering. My crew has the stern and foredeck. They'll out number us but if we can cause damage to the first wave of marines and if a sea monster threatens from another side, we can maybe to cause them to break off the attack."
baldwin the merciful |
Sath do you want to be in the crows nest or on the deck? How is the arrange of your characters.
There are a lot more crew on your ship they are defending the stern and forecastles. You have the mid deck. Likewise there are a lot more peopl on the sloop but I've only show the Marines.
some of the battle will occur off screen with the other crew members.
Sath Saltblood |
"I can try to swim over to them and scuttle them before they get to us Captain- I have a few flasks of acid and alkali and if anyone has any alchemists' fire we can set a hole in her without them knowing..."
David "Dirk" Hawkins |
"Probably have two maybe three planks drop you all defend...or attack when they start lowering. My crew has the stern and foredeck. They'll out number us but if we can cause damage to the first wave of marines and if a sea monster threatens from another side, we can maybe to cause them to break off the attack."
David watches his companions thoughtfully as they cluster about as he stands on the deck. He glances to the captain –
”Begging your pardon, captain – but there’s plenty of passengers below. I doubt highly that they’ll be comfortable lounging below in a battle. Some of them may panic – panicked people can be problem in a fight…”
He glances at the oncoming sloop.
”Those passengers who don’t wish to hide below may wish to aid us… after all, they’ll be fighting for their lives and the lives of their families – desperate men fight harder…” he adds glancing at the gnome.
”Just a suggestion, sir,” he adds, then eases the satchel over his shoulder a bit.
Sath Saltblood |
Once the sloop gets close enough for boarding to be an issue, Sath will come down to the deck, where his scimitar or spear would be of more use.
Astrianna Sparacello |
Astrianna nods, already designing a fearsome beast in her mind. There are some she's seen in books... Turning her head to Sath, a small, wicked grin spreads across her face. A fire-breathing sea dragon...? Ah, but the flames will not produce heat. Also, not much sense, that. Think, think...
"Aye captain! I'll conjure a sea monster so fierce those marines will be trying to climb the mizzen. I'll spread the word, and when they start to board I'll make it appear off the bow."
She removes herself from the quarterdeck, and begins to tell everyone of the illusion she will create to scare the marines- they should ignore it and fight the good fight.
I would like to move my position to C6 to have a view of the opposite bow, and to have a height advantage over the main battlefield. If I can move there- I assume there's enough room to be by the stair/side of the ship
Sath Saltblood |
I'll roll out initiative. It has not started. The campaign info tab has the format. I need to code up everyone's initiative, give me few minutes.
Please remember Sath is +4 Init in Aquatic terrain
baldwin the merciful |
Sath: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 4 = 8
Dirk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Astrianna: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Darius: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Embrianna: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Adriel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
marines, wht: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
marines, yellow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Initiative when it begins:
Darius
Astrianna
Marines, Wht
Adriel
Dirk
Sath
Embrianna
Marrines, yellow
Capt Willie Longplank, NPC |
"Sawbones, most of those below are merchants and such, unskilled with weapons. Besides, if that sloop sees our decks overloaded with people...we'd get boarded for sure." He shrugs and chews on the stub of his cigar. "Diplomacy first....if they drop boarding planks, then we fight." He looks towards the hold.
sense motive check.
David "Dirk" Hawkins |
Dirk you see a few passengers being led up by one of the crew members, they take position on the foredeck.
David glances at the folk who have come up from below, then he glances at the marines across from them.
As a Free Action -
"Across from us are men of Cheliax - they wear the colors; they wear the standard - but they are naught but men!"
"They fight for coin... we fight for a prize far greater! Remember that; for nothing that their gods cursed Emperor can promise them will ever equal the value of what we stand for today; our freedom, our family and our very lives!"
"Now let's show these gods-cursed sons of whores what it means to dare stand against us!" he adds with a low growl as the captain observes the approaching vessel.
Diplomacy Check to Rally the troops?
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
David "Dirk" Hawkins |
"Diplomacy first....if they drop boarding planks, then we fight."
David glances at the simple merchants and sailors without expression on his face; yet his eyes gleam with a strange light.
"Aye, captain; you're right, of course, sir. Force is merely the last resort," he says sincerely with a quick salute, then turns and waits to see what happens next.
baldwin the merciful |
The sloop's captain responds, "Why were you running...contraband is it?"
After a minute of talking the sloops Captain's snarl relaxes a bit. "Perhaps you don't mind a quick look on board, rumor is lots of usurpers to the throne were fleeing from the riots they caused in Westcrown."
What is everyone doing?
Astrianna Sparacello |
Astrianna takes up a spot on the forecastle, holding her cloak close with one hand. The other is poised to cast two spells as soon as the boarding planks move....
I need to head to bed- The second the gang-planks move, if not given any kind of signal to stop by the captain, Astrianna will cast Ghost Sound to create the rising sound of water being split near the bow, similar to the rush of a ship going through the waves. This will increase to maximum intensity (16 humans shouting worth) throughout the duration. She will immediately follow it with Silent Image, and 560 feet out a massive green and gold Sea Serpent (8 10' long cubes, so 160 feet long) will break through the waves which she will cause to charge high speed towards the enemy ship, its mouth agape and a torrent of mist following it. She will make stop in front of the ship and rise up high and mighty, crackling electricity slowly forming in its mouth and aiming at the ship, holding it there until most of them realize it's an illusion.
After that, Inspire Courage, pull out bow, start shooting.
Astrianna Sparacello |
Astrianna stands, poised, every muscle straining for release. She practices the first few gestures of her spell, heart thumping heavily in her ears. This is going to be a good show... come on....
Edit: DC Will save for Ghost Sound is 14, DC Will Save for Silent image if they interact with it is 15.
David "Dirk" Hawkins |
What is everyone doing?
Not sure; holding action, I guess. If the captain allows them to board our ship, I'll have to go with his decision.
However, I'm ready to cast Grease on one of the gangplanks if the marines come charging across them; if needed, that is.
Sath Saltblood |
Sath prepares in case of boarding, making sure that his scimitar is ready and trying to determine the mood of the people on the other ship, but does not show any of his own preparations
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Adriel Mistleaf |
Adriel's familiar flaps down to his masters shoulder and screeches at the man who mentioned the 'elf', picking up on the tension of the moment via his empathic link with his master.
He bites back a smart retort but marks the man. This was the captain's show
Darius Rotarion |
Darius stands casually at the side of the ship. He makes sure that he has clear reach to the pocket of his pack holding his weapon, but makes no other moves just yet.
My plan is to, the moment things turn sour, grab my weapon (readied action?) and then do a Dazzling Display. If successful, from my position I should affect quite a few of them.
Embrianna |
Question before I can decide upon my action: Is there enough rigging, railing or whatever on either side of the plank on the other ship to anchor a Web spell to?
baldwin the merciful |
Darious read #10 under Game comments and expectation spoiler I don't use the ready/delay action rule. With this type of gaming (PbP) the ready action causes havoc with the posting order and actions. Thus creating much more work on my part. Remember for every action the player does the DM has to track, perform extra work such as mixing up and reposting initiative order, run the opposition, updates, create maps and changes and so forth. The workload comparison is magnified.
Adriel Mistleaf |
Astrianna takes up a spot on the forecastle, holding her cloak close with one hand. The other is poised to cast two spells as soon as the boarding planks move....
I need to head to bed- The second the gang-planks move, if not given any kind of signal to stop by the captain, Astrianna will cast Ghost Sound to create the rising sound of water being split near the bow, similar to the rush of a ship going through the waves. This will increase to maximum intensity (16 humans shouting worth) throughout the duration. She will immediately follow it with Silent Image, and 560 feet out a massive green and gold Sea Serpent (8 10' long cubes, so 160 feet long) will break through the waves which she will cause to charge high speed towards the enemy ship, its mouth agape and a torrent of mist following it. She will make stop in front of the ship and rise up high and mighty, crackling electricity slowly forming in its mouth and aiming at the ship, holding it there until most of them realize it's an illusion.
After that, Inspire Courage, pull out bow, start shooting.
Astrianna posted her first action already
Adriel Mistleaf |
Not yet threatend by the soldiers to his front, Adriel falls into his casting.
He uses a move action to draw his weapon with a flourish and casts Flaming Sphere directly at the top most point of the sail (where the top of the cloth currenty is) and lets gravity do the rest.
It's an evocation spell with 140ft range so I can make the ball appear where I want it on the initial casting. The ball should roll/fall down on the dudes in G1 or G2 next round. The skull and Shakles books note this spell can start a fire on a ship. I am hoping to set the sail on fire, up out of reach.
DC15: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5) = 14
He then guestures at the soldiers with his blade.
Come to your death friend, I'll make it quick.
His casting complete, uses a swift action to pop his wand of SHIELD into his other hand, ready for their advance.