Skull & shackles (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

All they give you is the name, race, alignment and job for most of the NPC's. I have to come up with personalities and hooks. Ratline is secretly an Enforcer for the Halfling Mafia, and likes Polka music, kumara & Lutefisk .

Well, he's sure to find a friend in Marnir then, too!

GM_DBH wrote:

All they give you is the name, race, alignment and job for most of the NPC's. I have to come up with personalities and hooks. Ratline is secretly an Enforcer for the Halfling Mafia, and likes Polka music, kumara & Lutefisk .

Well, he's sure to find a friend in Marnir then, too!

Ha! That lutefisk had to have been worth +3 on Diplomacy for Marnir with Ratline. Nothing like lye-dipped fish...yechhhhh

Marnir goes with Kung and Barnabus to meet the halfling, and is about to weigh into the discussion when Ratline flat out agrees to join their side. "OK, good. I'm Marnir," he says, extending his hand downward to the tiny man.

I'm British, but I kind of get the lutefisk thing. I don't understand eating it though. I don't think Marnir has ever been the desperate to eat!

That wraps up the night actions.

Just a note, if you're caught with anything recognized as stolen you get keelhauled.

Day five:

Morning dawns and you awake.

Barnabas II

Duties: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Upper Rigging Work: Work in the upper rigging, 50 feet up, requiring DC 10 Climb checks, followed by a DC 10 Profession (sailor) or Dexterity check.

Ghilda

Duties: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Fishing: Catching tonight’s supper using the ship’s nets. A DC 10 Profession (fisherman) or Survival check provides enough fish. A failed check results in a day in the bilges as punishment the following day.

Jane

Duties: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges (area A11), requiring a DC 12 Strength check. The PC must also make a DC 10 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.

Kung

Duties: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges (area A11), requiring a DC 12 Strength check. The PC must also make a DC 10 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued at the end of the shift.

Marnir

Duties: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Swab the Decks: Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones, requiring a DC 10 Strength or
Constitution check. Failing either check results in the PC being fatigued at the end of the shift.

As always you need to give me your day actions.

Only two crew left undecided Conchobar Shortstone in the rigging and Badger Medlar in the swabs.

Better leave my battleaxe and shield below decks then!

Marnir begins another hot and sweaty day on his knees scrubbing the decks. The humidity is oppressive and although the work isn't that tough it begins to take it's toll in the stifling heat.

Strength check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

By midday Marnir is rapidly tiring, but still finds time to approach the half-elven woman with the striped hair known as Badger. She seems to be undecided on which side she might take once the approaching confrontation between the two parties od deckhands finally takes place, and Marnir is keen to have as many crew on his side as possible.

Day action to Influence Badger Medlar.

"Does this pirate ship actually do any piracy?" Marnir asks. "All we seem to have done is sail around in this gods-forsaken heat. I'm not sure the officers really know what they're doing."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Marnir

No change in her attitude, Badger just gives you an unfriendly look and doesn't respond.

No better, no worse

Once again Barnabus faces the climb, his limbs have gained no strength, but the magic within him is bending to his will and shaping to his needs...

Climb 1d20 ⇒ 2
Barnabus falls, the magic catches him and he tries again...
1d20 ⇒ 16

Rigging work 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

@Conchobar Shortstone
"Hard climb, I brought some water, would you like some?"

Diplomacy 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

Barnabas II

Same as Marnir, no change in Conchobar's attitude.

Kung heads below decks with Jane, and surveys the bilges carefully to be sure it's safe. Last time down here, such big rats!

He works diligently at his task for the day.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Constitution: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 4 = 21 (+4 Work Diligently)

He also takes some time while working to talk to Jane. "Jane, you good at getting into locks. Can you also make better locks? I worry about all my gear in the cheap locker."

Barnabus takes a chance while in the rigging to determine where we are and where we seem to be going...

Profession explorer 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

He also tries to see his friends as they work at the daily tasks...

Ghilda and Chorley awake refreshed, free of the cloying anchor of the vile rum ration. "Fishing, eh, Chorley? Let's hope we're as good as we've been with the turtles and in the galley."

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Ghilda brings in several nets full of fish, and despite Chorley trying to throw some back in the sea, she feels she has been successful.

Ghilda sees the half-elf Badger scrubbing the deck, and in between hauls of the net, introduces herself. "I am Ghilda, cleric of Besmara...I am a healer and a carpenter. Let me know if you need help, child."

Diplomacy + CHA bonus from Chorley's performance: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Ghilda realizes she may need to be a bit smoother to win over these seasoned pirates. She smells the sea and thinks maybe she can determine new information about their heading or the sea-state.

Daily Sailor Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Ghilda

The grey haired Half-elf woman reacts as well as you would expect to being called 'Child'. She suggests you enjoy intimate relations with diseased Goblins.

Kung got the achievement for this first. Congratulations Badger's attitude has shifted from unfriendly to hostile!

At the moment the Wormwood is steering southwest, passing
to the east of Dahak’s Teeth. You think Harrigan is heading out of the Shackles for the Fever sea.

Jane watches as Ghilda call the half-elf a "Child" Jane gets a little upset as she has been called a child once or twice herself. She comes up to the Ghilda and smacks her on the but, (possibly the only place she can reach.) "Don't go around insulting people by calling them a child Ghilda, it's not right and can get you into trouble" she says before turning to the half-elf, "Please forgive my friend, she is somewhat insensitive when it comes to age or high for that matter.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Jane

Sorry you're in the bilges remember?

Jane goes down the work on the bilges.

strength: 1d20 ⇒ 6
con: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Could i do that after i work in the Bilges?

Jane

Yes you can do it as a Night action. Can't keep that roll though.:)

Being one of Besmara's servants, Ghilda realizes that the term "child" may not pertain to everyone else. Ghilda continues her work, and Chorley keeps his watch on her shoulder.

Marnir doesn't overhear Ghilda's discussion with Badger, but does hear some very creative profanity from the half-elf who then storms off in the direction of Slippery Syl. The two women mutter under their breath and cast evil looks at Marnir and Ghilda.

"That didn't go to plan then, eh?" Marnir asks Ghilda as he approaches her across the deck.

Ghilda looks up from seeing the bounty of fish she caught in her net. Chorley rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "The half-elf is pretty salty. Maybe you can talk to her."

"I tried, she didn't want to talk. Looks like she might have found some new friends though," Marnir replies, angling his head at Badger and her new favourite shipmates.

You can try to use diplomacy on someone who is hostile to you, but the DC goes up. And trying the same day they got angry is not the best idea.

The day ends and we're onto the nightly entertainment.

Plugg is displeased that he couldn't find anyone to lash and decides to make his own entertainment.

Mr. Plugg’s “pet,” a simpleminded, hulking brute called Owlbear Hartshorn, is usually kept belowdecks in the middle hold (area A6), but Plugg brings him out on special occasions, such as when he wants someone killed or taught a lesson.

Plugg and his cronies lead Owlbear onto deck just after the evening meal “for a bit of sport” and dare one of the PCs to take him on—bare-knuckle fists or wrestling only, no magic tricks, and the last one conscious wins.

To make it interesting, Plugg tosses down a purse of 100 gp as a wager on Owlbear. The PCs can choose which of their own will fight Owlbear, and can bet on their chosen champion—the winner takes the entire pot.

Owlbear Hartshorn is a large man with meaty fists. He’s a bit simple, and the rest of the crew enjoys having a laugh at the poor fellow’s expense. To try to make friends, Hartshorn has taken to clowning, laughing, and crying out random phrases at the top of his voice, as this seems to make people laugh.

Owlbear likes to eat live crabs, breaking the shells with his teeth and fingers, and his shaved skin still shows signs of the tarring and feathering the crew gave him as a cruel joke not so long ago.

His image is up in pictures.

Anyone interested in a fight?

You can also give me your nightly actions, taking place after the fight, as all the crew gathers around to watch with excitement and wagering.

Ghilda, clearly not interested whatsoever in getting her bottom whooped by Owlbear, hangs by Marnir and Jane. "Methinks that Kung would be our best bet against this guy."

Ghilda looks ruefully at her rum ration and belts it down.
Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Ghilda retches, but polishes off the ration. "Yechhh..."

Ghilda will talk to Conchobar after the fight.
Diplomacy + CHA bonus from Chorley's performance last night: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
A little tipsy from the rum, Ghilda awkwardly says to Conchobar, "Evenin', mate...long day in the rigging?"

Kung looks at Owlbear and smiles. He turns to Plugg, his smile dropping to the lightest smirk. "I like to fight."

I'd said that Kung would be trying to keep his brass knuckles at hand. If he were to bring them out in this fight, I imagine he'd get in trouble, or would that fly (it's a pirate ship....)? Also, I presume he's currently unarmored, or is his hide shirt common enough that he'd have been able to get around without it being considered stolen?

Kung

You can't use the brass knuckles, and you'd need to remove your hide armor. It's a bare knuckle boxing or wrestling match.

I forgot to do my daily Perception check in the galley when I brought today's catch down - disregard if inappropriate.

Ghilda looks around the galley after she brings down her haul of fish. "Fishguts! Good day! What can you whip up with all these bonito?"

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Ghilda has Kung get on his knees so she can rub his shoulders. "You're the champ! Show him!"

Ghilda

And there goes Conchobar from unfriendly to hostile. You really are the anti-diplomat.:)

Ghilda

And there goes Conchobar from unfriendly to hostile. You really are the anti-diplomat.:)

Waiting for one of the NPC's to slap the $hit out of me

And that answers my next question: Owlbear also doesn't have any armor.

Kung doffs his hide shirt and returns to his place standing opposite Owlbear in the ring that's formed around the pair. His peg leg starts to tap a soft rhythm on the ship's decking as he tests his balance and position, never looking away from the hulking man opposite him. "Do you like to fight?"

"Who is it that mocks this man and covers him in feathers? If he is part of the crew he can do more than be mocked, he can seek vermin or scrub the deck, as a man, as we are short on crew."

"I will tend to both men at the end of the fight."

Barnabus drinks down his rum
fortitude save 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

@Kung Whispered
"Do not insult this man, he can be an ally."

Chorley reacts with glee to Barnabus.

Kung

Owlbear blinks at you in confusion, "Fight?" You get the feeling that you are in new territory, you are actually smarter than this man.

Perception, or Sense motive check DC10, by Kung only.

We'll skip Jane as it's the weekend and her posting drops to nil. Waiting on Marnir. Anyone making any wagers?

"My money's on Kung." Ghilda puts down three gold on the deck.

Ghilda

Conchobar glares at you and quickly matches your bet, betting on Owlbear.

Barnabus is waiting for the fight to conclude before he attempts to remove tar, heal, get Jane to remove the man's collar, and then attempt to influence him....

Jane watches the fight. Laughing at the loser. She will attempt to talk to one of the crew that are currently indifferent towards the group.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

yep, this is a ghost.

Kung hears Barnabus' whisper and nods his head. Fight for fun, friends after fight. Keen observers, however, will note that Kung seems a little thrown off when Owlbear answers the question Kung posed. He doesn't even know we fight? The corners of his mouth lose a bit of the smirk they previously wore as some confusion creeps in.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Kung

A character who makes a DC 10 Perception or Sense Motive check notices that Owlbear is blind in his left eye and very slow. If his opponent notices this and attempts to fight Owlbear
from that side, that PC can make a DC 10 Acrobatics or Bluff check each round to easily avoid Owlbear’s clumsy blows.

Jane watches the fight. Laughing at the loser. She will attempt to talk to one of the crew that are currently indifferent towards the group.

[dice=Diplomacy]d20+5

yep, this is a ghost.

Jane, no one is indifferent anymore. Your roll isn't good enough to move a hostile character back to unfriendly.

Marnir shakes his head sadly at the officers' treatment of Owlbear. "So what if he's simple? He's still a man, and he should be treated as one. This isn't right," he mutters. "I can't bet on this, this contest is unfair."

He turns to Barnabus, Jane and Ghilda. "We should see that this man is treated properly, whatever the outcome of this little set-up. He might make a valued ally and a good friend."

The crew forms a rough circle around the two fighters. Plugg and his supporters one side, you and yours the other.

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Kung.

Init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9 Owlbear.

Kung you have the first move. Owlbear has raised his fists and looks ready to fight.

I don't see a battlemap, so theatre of the mind?

Round 1, Init 17

Kung dances back and forth in front of Owlbear, testing and gauging his attention and reflexes, his pegleg sounding a rhythmic clomp on the deck the whole time. Satisfied that he has some of the measure of his opponent, he moves in for the first strike, leaning back then punching forward with all the momentum his body can muster.

Unarmed Strike, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 1 = 25
Unarmed Strike, Damage: 1d3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9 (non-lethal)
Critical Threat: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 1 = 11
Critical Damage: 1d3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Catching his balance after the powerful strike, Kung keeps to Owlbear's left side, staying nimble on his pegleg to avoid the counter strike.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

No map, just the crew making a rough circle on the main deck.

Your blow nearly lifts Owlbear off his feet, his eyes widen with pain and fear, he backs away from you until stopped by the crowd.

No attack from Owlbear on his turn.

Round two: Kung can go.

Can Kung position himself with a move action so that Plugg is roughly behind Owlbear, such that he could address Plugg while looking at him over Owlbear's shoulder?

Assuming yes to keep things moving. :)

Round 2, Init 17

Kung finds Plugg in the crowd and subtly moves his position so that he's looking at the man from over Owlbear's shoulder. Looking him in eye, Kung addresses the overseer. "He's afraid, no more fight. I win."

Holding Kungs remaining action depending on how Plugg responds.

Dude! You just did 16 hp's damage with one punch, that's 2/3 of his hps. He's sane, not scared.

If there's a better campaign for a Brawler than S&S I don't know what it is?

Plugg looks pissed, he hands Owlbear a club and pushes the confused, reluctant man forward. "Finish him you worthless fool!"

There is a rumble of discontent among the crew at Plugg's actions, and you can hear bets being called off.

Round 3: Kung your turn, Owlbear is holding the club but still not moving to attack. He is looking at you hopefully.

I figured as much. Don't worry, there's a plan.

Round 3, Init 17

Kung keeps staring Plugg in the eye as he sets himself for a powerful lunge. He grinds his teeth as his pegleg starts tapping a more frantic rhythm.

Bull Rush, Rage: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26

Kung is Bull Rushing Owlbear into Plugg, with the end goal of knocking Plugg prone or (dare I hope?) overboard. Kung is prepared to send them both over if it works out that way. If so, he'll be dropping rage and diving in after, fatigued, to save Owlbear.

Just realized that my plan was counting on Owlbear being unarmed.... Oops. Well, what's done is done. Kung's not smart enough to adapt to new variables.