Aluara sticks one of the zombies, and drops it before the fight even starts. Their boat rocks violently as it falls - hanging over the side.
Gatherine's swing misses the bound hands of the second zombie, and comes crashing down on a corner of the overturned crate. It flips like a tiddlywink - exposing what had been hidden underneath. The burning fuse reaches two tiny rockets - one still propped up fires whistling straight up into the air, the other - knocked over by Gatherine's strike, fires over your heads and explodes in a blossom of orange and violet scintillating color over the crow's nest of the Moana Tarqona. A half-second later, the rocket high above the two little boats explodes with the same blossom of colors.
The second zombie - neither injured by Iolana's scimitar, nor impressed by the fireworks, clubs at Gatherine with its bound hands. It loses its balance with the motion of its swinging miss and the rocking boat... and falls over the side.
What the...? - Aluara try to push their boat back to move away from the zombies boat.
Gatherine exploded into a blue streak of curses in Dwarven and Common as she covered her head with one arm.She ducked back over into the boat.
It's a damned signal flare!!
Perception
Aluara, Gath, and Iolana make it back to the Moana Tarqona...
Crewman Du'bing nods - not terribly concerned, "Aye, Gun'ress... they know where we are, but fair bet we're on right track... just outside the shipping lane to Greenblood. Was good info...."
Ekoji the Bonuwat makes an exaggerated brow-wiping gesture "Phew... Naw dem. Dida boom.", and again "Phew..."
This actually would be the shipping lane to anywhere in the Sodden Lands. It mostly shows it is unlikely they were sailing to or near Port Peril, but beyond, but whatever. You should be able to cut through the shipping lane directly to Greenblood (once passing Devil's Arches) to save time - should cut hours off the trip.
"This is the shipping lane to anywhere in the Sodden Lands, surely they aren't going to Port Peril,much further that, but we should be able to cut through the lane directly to Greenblood....but this is a dangerous area.We just passed Raffles' territory; a halfling pirate who preys on Chelish ships and ohter pirates,who usually tend to skirt around this area."
Iolana looks at the others' responses.
"What do you want to do ? We can cut hours off the trip this way, but as i said it'll be risky"
Garborn fidgets nervously, trying to hold back his natural instinct to vote for the safe if slow route.
Having lived almost completely alone on a dangerous island for a decade had made him very cautious, perhaps even cowardly, but he was loathe to give that impression.
Ghiv looks around to everyone. "I am okay with taking the faster route. Now that they know where we are it doesn't matter. It seems speed is our course... What say the rest of you?"
Aluara refrains Almost to vote, this matters are not her speciality -I Concur- She say when Ghiv gave his opinion.
Cut on through like a hot lead bullet through pig iron and flesh! These bastards think they can toy wit us like some rubes?! The sooner we get there,the better. Gods pity any moron that bars our way bellowed the gunmistress.
Iolana smiles in approvement.
"Normally i'ld have considered the safety of the ship and her crew above all else, but looks like someone is toying with us and i want to see them hanging from the mast."
Aerys holds her flask out offering a swig to Aluara, Gath, and Iolana "That... was some seriously crazy stuff out there."
"You wanna talk about what's going on here?" Her eyes drift to Gatherine's cleavage. She plunges a couple fingers in far enough to recover the folded parchment that had caught her eye.
She reads, "Oh gods" then surrenders the note "...another poet. Looks like you're right Miss Zerengo. A pirate poet is taunting you....", and clucks her tongue with a smirk.
The note reads....
"To me newfound friends on the open high sea,
Lets take a moment to talk about me."
"Me day-job of piratin could buy boatfuls of rum,
Which may harbor a piddlin bit of appeal t'some,
But me druthers have me plots spun to a game
Cat and clever mouse (intent and purpose all the same).
The winner will sell your loot and fetch a tidy sum.
The losers (likely you folks) get blown to bits of chum!"
"So what say you? If Ayes have it, please stay your course.
But be warned when we hit you next, we'll hit you full force."
"Yr Esteemed Bitter Rival,
Morbel Jumbuck Williker AKA Paisley Pirate of the Green Willikers
AKA Mister Man of the Spidertear Clan"
"Post scripticus...
We'll be watching the skies... still here I hope?"
Ghiv smiles. "This could be fun! Do we have any maages on board?" Ghiv's mind starts kicking into overdrive to find some advantage in this next encounter.
Gatherine scowled at the rude hume,snatching the letter back and stuffing down her clevage with an indignant sniff.Then she snatched the liquor flask,took a swig and spat it out with a retching noise.
Oi,if'n yer gonna be a lush,at least drink the good stuff. Besides,we only drink AFTER a victory.Gatherine tossed the flask over her shoulder where it clattered across the deck and out of sight.
"I never fled from a challenge and i won't run from this either"
Iolana looks toward Ghiv "I studied both arcane magic and swordplay from my parents, the others who adventured with me will confirm, if that is what you asking captain."
"Do you have any magic that could cloak us or perhaps amke us harder to see... I have heard of mages being able to create banks of rolling mist. Or perhaps any magic that may defend us from long range attacks?"
"Uh...um...I...I am a w...wizard...b...but what you w...want is something you n...need a LOT of p...power to achieve.
I..I cou...could create a m...mist large enough to...to cover maybe thr...three people as is now."
"I know a couple of such spells, but i cannot affect the entire ship, only a small group of people or one person."
Gods... - A duel with a pirate lord is not in the list of Aluara's list of most entertaining activities...but nothing to do about it since the other seems very determined to carry on. -What do we know about htis guy?
Aerys rolls her eyes, and retrieves her tossed flask.
The leaders are minor celebrities among the disgruntled masses in the Shackles and ports nearby.
A "diviner" named Ilvagret - arachnophile and "spirit whisperer", and a pirate named Morbel Jumbuck - a traps and bombs aficionado and master of disguise.
Aluara only now see Aerys's gesture...Gods, I have to impove my social manners
Well, if the choice is set then there is no time to wait
A few hours later, you hear Du'bing hollering for the Captain, and Miss Zerengo. "Small ship ahead... cutting across the shipping lane. Traveling same as our heading... this the one?" ... he knows Iolana got a decent view of the Spidertear's ship.
Gatherine drew a pistol and sighted along its barrel,scrutinizing it intently. Perception
That was fast
To your left is an island which appears to be one massive rock - with no signs of sentient habitation. To your right is a land mass. A cluster of cheliax-styled buildings (slight gothic - particularly the spires and buttresses) on the near side. One of the larger buildings has a "clam shell-like" roof covering the majority of it. As you travel further, you see the port on the land mass.
Du'Bing nods indicating the port... "Hell's Harbor... These are the Devil's Arches." - pointing to the land mass on the right, and the massive rock island to the left.
Can that ship be a threat for us?, at least the crew are not undeads like last time
Ekoji squints and points to the single mast ship on the horizon to the northeast "Dey sawt, but dey no barin' da teeth. All hands go'ta put blue bee-tween ahs.", and nods confidently on his way back to the rigging.
Du'bing nods. "Aye. They may wheel out light arms yet, but they look focused on makin' a run for it now."
Aluara will never feel comfortable with that sailor jargon. With nothign to do the half-elf just wait.
Chase em down like a goblin with a hound on its heels and maul whatever comes into reach and shake the life outta em!! bellowed Gatherine to the wind,leaning eagerly at the ship's bow.
Havvy backs away - a little fearful of Gatherine... while his uncle, Eubel, throws his head back and yells... "Charge!"
The handful of crew burst into action.
Crewman Ekjori prof(sailor)
Crewman "Bill Pug" prof(sailor)
Crewman Eubel Ornrick prof(sailor)
Crewman Havvy Ornrick prof(sailor)
Crew Aerys Mavristo prof(sailor)
Jask passenger prof(sailor)
After twenty minutes it appears you are slightly gaining on them.
A few miles beyond of Hell's Harbor, the other ship changes its heading, and starts sailing around and near the coastline of the island to your right - Devil's Arches.
Anyone else feels it can be an ambush?
"E...everything c...can be an ambush, life is d...dangerous."
The ship continues around the island, and your ship continues to gain on them... currently within 200 feet.
Du'bing steps to the maps set out by the pilot's wheel.
"Looks to be a river coming up around the bend - should be able to see it inna minute or so. They could sail it... not us. Might be their plan. Close enough to fire on em...." he suggests with a shrug.
"E...everything c...can be an ambush, life is d...dangerous."
Aluara stay silent and thoughtful for a moment and then answer
True
It seems more like a... waterfall?
Hearing Aluara, Iolana wonders "Are they willingly going into that ?"
She stops for a moment,thoughtful "I don't like this,they are luring us into a trap. It'ld be wiser to secure the ship and continue on land."
Fire a parting shot,then we take em on by foot.I got bullets with names on em that need to be distributed.Gatherine declared.
"I...if it is a w...w...waterfall, maybe t...there is a c...cave behind it?
L...like in t...the pirate stories.
A s...secret cove f...full of pirate b...booty.
...
Oh...a...and pirates..."
We should corner them but without approach more than is needed
The waterfall near the shore comes within view. There is a flurry of activity on the deck of the other ship. They change course - turning toward the open sea.
Your crew adjusts to intercept when it's noticed that the other ship is still turning.
Havvy blurts out "She's going the ram us!" in an instant panic.
You are now within 120 feet.
There are a couple spots in the water where the waves break (near where the waterfall empties into the ocean) - suggesting there is a reef or submerged sandbar.
Iolana shouts to Du'bing while pointing at a spot in the water below: "I think there is a reef there,the waves break,we should be able to avoid them around that spot ; and everyone brace themselves,they are readying a light cannon."
Oh boy...what are they trying to do? - Aluara is surprised by the other ship tactics and hurries to find a good thing to brace.
These fools don't even know who they're messing with!!Gatherine shrieked,setting to show just what a Master Gunner could do.
Perception check
Spitting with rage at the sight of the cannon being maneuvered into position on the deck of the other ship and Havvy's less than helpful wailing,Gatherine started priming their own ship's cannon.
Alchemy check
Alchemy check
Engineering check
Engineering check
Gatherine and Havvy prep one of the cannons, and are ready to fire when the other ship fires their own.
The main mast is grazed by the enemy cannonball - tossing splinters near the rigging.
Aim!
Fire!
Snarling through the shower of sawdust and splinters clouding the air,the dwarfmaid tilted the canoon so it was leveled towards the opposibg canoon.
Gatherine yanked on the canoon as it fired when a splinter smacked her across the cheek,making her flinch and the recoil of the blast bucking her about like an unruly horse.
Take out the canoon crew,then work on sinking the ship itself,she thought.