Skull & shackles (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

Yup. I thought that was essentially agreed. I've read a few times on the forums about "Rule of Two" - if two characters post in agreement on an action, and there is no disagreement, it's decided. That seems like a good rule; it really helps make sure that PbP games don't falter. That said....

"Ghilda, Besmara Queen, you get piece of map in case with rapier? Maybe we try to find where piece of map leads?"

Jane nods, "Yeah, finding out where that map leads will be good."

Except I don't know if you're heading to another port for more crew as was first decided. Since you are short on crew at the moment.

Or if you are heading somewhere else? Tidewater rock or pirating.

All this planning makes the half-orc's head hurt. "You can't blame Kung if don't remember early plans. New thing always sound best! Maybe we go first port on way to the Rock. Hire crew. Keep stopping next port until crew full. Always on way to Rock. Rock destination. Ports along the way."

"If we find plump fat ship along the way...." He says with a wink.

Heh - I forgot about the piece of map, I think...so, if I have it, I present it to Jane for analysis...

"O navigatrix - would this scrap help in our decisions?"

I'd forgotten about our crew shortage. We might be able to pick up a few useful souls out in the shipping lanes on our way to Tidewater Rock. However, I haven't really got a handle on where the various ports are in relation to the Rock. GM, could the map have some more annotations on it?

"We are a bit short on the deck, and if we get into a fight we might end up without enough crew to continue. If we come across a target before we make port we might get away with just recruiting some of their crew. If not, we'll need to make landfall to take on more hands," Marnir states. "Jane, where's the nearest port?"

The fragment of the map you found with the Rapier is still too little to get any clues from, you will need more scraps before you can use it.

It's been two days since leaving Rickety's squibs and the ship is going nicely. The crew is working well and becoming a unit.

Jana Fletcher, your Ship's carpenter has been over the Unbound Drake, checking every inch. A cheerful, attractive Half-elf, she grins as she reports, teeth white against skin tanned dark by the sun. "She's in perfect shape Cap'n. Just awaiting your firm hand on her wheel."

Jana wanders the ship wearing cutoff shorts and a heavy leather vest carrying the tools of her trade, not much else covers her shapely figure, but wandering hands always seem to suffer mishaps with her hammers and mallets.

The only change needed is the request by your new gunnery officer Red Mary, a tall laconic women, with clear Ulfen ancestry, though she's Shackles born and bred. Her name coming from her blood red hair.

Mary points out to you that the Drakes armament is set for a merchant, the two ballista are on the stern to fire at a chaser, she suggest mounting them on the bow so the Drake can use them when chasing it's prey.

Kung listens to Red Mary's advice. "She smart. Caps, we should do this."

Beginning with the first day at sea, Kung would like to set a pattern that demonstrates by example the ship's commitment to the Pirate Code principle of "Keep ye blades sharp and boots ready." Every day, after dinner, he will sharpen all of his weapons (or, examine them if they weren't used, to ensure that they remain sharp). (Using a whetstone for 15 minutes provides a +1 bonus to damage the first time a nonmagical weapon deals damage after sharpening.) Kung has a lot of weapons, so this will likely be a long process each night, but he will do it, and make sure that he is seen doing it. He's not expecting to see all sailors sit down after dinner with him specifically, but he does expect to see the crew maintaining their weapons when their own schedule allows.

"Good work Jana. You have enough hands to keep up with maintaining the ship?" Marnir asks, knowing how much work keeping even the smallest ship seaworthy can generate.

"Then let's get it done," Marnir replies, agreeing with Kung and Red Mary. "Move them both to the bow, one port and one starboard so that we can cover both our beams and point both weapons forward if we need to."

Jana nods happily. "At the moment we're good Cap'n, but a few months wear an tear and I'll be running around busy as brothel with six ships in harbour. So a cute little underling for me to cruelly abuse would be nice."

Jana Craft (Carpentry): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Mary Profession (Seige Engineer): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

It takes most of the day but by evening Jana has set the ballista to Mary's satisfaction on the bow.

Mary hasn't much to say, but does express her desire for more armament for the ship. "A Boarding ramp would be good, if you have a Springal to use when it drops it makes taking a ship much easier."

Her eyes glaze over with desire. "Cannon would be best."

Mary also needs a couple of sailors to crew the weapons, once you get more crew she can train them up as Gunners mates.

Ships weapons and other improvements are covers in the S&S players guide.

Markizio relished in his new role. Sure the ship was as new as the captain but he had a good feeling about this. he continued to instruct the crew and made sure that everything was taken care of.

After all, as the bosun, he was in charge of the upper deck and above, meaning all the rigging, sails, anchors, etc.

He was enjoying spending time up above the deck among the crow's nest searching for anything on the horizon.

He ventured down and addressed his fellow officers, "Well, how is the life of an independent pirate treating you all? Captain, do we have enough to pay the crew?"

"We'll see about more weapons, they're on the list of things we need to obtain. I'll be sure to look out for a bargain, or for ones we can have for free off another vessel," Marnir replies before he has to try and dissuade Red Mary from thinking too much about cannons.

"I'd say it's going pretty well so far," he replies to Markizio. "How are the crew shaping up under you and Kung? As for pay, I'm sure the first mate is on top of that."

Ghilda's pride increases as she sees how well the ship and crew perform. After meeting with each officer, Ghilda presents her findings to Marnir.

"Cap'n - I hate to say this in fear of vexing the Pirate Queen, but we have a fine ship and a better crew, even close to being undermanned. I suggest following Red Mary's advice on armaments."

Kung spends some time talking with Mary about siege engines and how they might be arranged on the ship. He has her wait for him and goes hunting around the ship to find some paper and something to write with. Returning to Mary, he has her help him write down a list so that he can present some ideas to the Captain.

He finds Marnir and Ghilda standing together. With Jane and Markizio perhaps nearby, who knows?

"Caps. Mate too, good. You have to find how to pay." Kung grins.

"This list. Armaments for ship. In this order; top to bottom." He motions his finger from the start of the list to the bottom a few times, to be sure you understand what he means, before he hands the list to Marnir.

1) Spring-all - 1000 gp - mount at stern
3 2) 2 3 2 catapults - 550 gp x 2 = scribbled out - mount 4castle
2) Also move bally bull-eye big crossbow to both sides deck
3) More pairs of big crossbow for deck, always pairs - 500 gp x 2 = U figure it

"Oh, and boarding plank, like Red Mary say. Cheap. 100 for spring-loaded corvus. Good."

Mary is delighted by Kung's interest in seige weapons and happily spends time discussing them and how to use them with you.

One correction from Mary for you Kung. She wants the Springal mounted by the boarding ramp to soften up the enemy. It's not much on the stern

Springal: A springal uses a torsion-cranked composite paddle to strike a firing rack containing multiple arrows, which rain down in an arc over a burst area. Springals are indirect-fire siege engines that affect the targeted square and a 15-foot burst around that square. One use of arrow
springal ammunition costs 20 gp and weighs 10 pounds.

Mary wants to drop the boarding ramp then use the Springal like a shotgun on the enemy where they are packed ready for you.

Marnir takes the list from Kung. After a few seconds spent deciphering Kung's scribbling, he nods. "If you and Mary think that's what we need, then that's fine. I don't know how quickly we'll have the gold to pay for all of this, especially once the ship's been maintained and the crew paid. But if we have some left over, weapons seem like a good thing to spend it on."

Marnir turns to Ghilda. "Can you run this over with Mary about where she wants all these weapons? Feels like a lot of deck space."

"And we'll need to start training some of the crew on whatever weapons we can," Marnir adds to Markizio and Kung. "When we make port we'll have to see if there are any siege weapon experts looking for a job."

Crap, thought I'd posted the update but it obviously didn't work, or I hit preview rather than submit? Which is more likely, I've done it before.

It's the afternoon of your fourth day sailing, the sun is behind you to the starboard. Your lookout yells from the crowsnest. "Sails! Off the port bow!"

As you draw closer he calls out again. "Two ships Cap'n! Ones boarded the other and there's smoke starting to rise!"

"What range? Any flags of identity flying?" Marnir calls back to the lookout, almost relieved to finally see some hint of action after half a week of smooth sailing.

"Let's see what we've got, eh?" he says with a smile, to no-one in particular.

"Ooooh, Caps; easy pickings! Two ships of plunder; maybe some new crew besides?"

"Aye, sounds promising. Get the crew armed and back at their stations," Marnir says to a visibly excited Kung. He turns to Jane and her navigation tools. "Can you get us close enough to see what's going on, without getting involved until we know who's who?"

"Aye, sounds promising. Get the crew armed and back at their stations," Marnir says to a visibly excited Kung. He turns to Jane and her navigation tools. "Can you get us close enough to see what's going on, without getting involved until we know who's who?"

Markizio is also excited, "It's obvious one has the upper hand so it's either pirate on pirate, pirate on merchant, or Chelish on pirate."

Markizio agreed, "Let's get closer and find out what's going and how we can make a profit."

Besmara has truly blessed you, the sun is behind you and no one is looking your way as you glide quietly onto the scene.

The singlemasted Chelish naval cutter, Famished Mane, has just defeated the pirate brig Vorsfang. The Chelaxians are now in the process of executing the surviving pirates by locking them belowdecks and burning the Vorsfang to the waterline.

When you are within a mile of the two ships, you can see the last few bound prisoners being escorted belowdecks by Chelish marines as the fires begin to spread across the Vorsfang.

Ship Combat: The Famished Mane and the Vorsfang are currently grappled together. The Famished Mane has its sails furled (current speed of 0) but is about to cut loose and set the burning ship adrift. You can choose to avoid this encounter altogether and slip away before the Chelaxians ever see them, or you can attack while the Chelish ship is unprepared.

I wonder what Kung's vote is?

What can we tell about the armaments and/or fighting capabilities of the Chelish ship? (i.e. can we beat 'em?)

Regardless of the answer.... Kung turns to Marnir. "Caps, you know my vote," the half-orc states simply.

Presumably, if we let the Chelish ship get away, we could save the pirates and gain some (probably quite loyal) crew. Kung cares not for crew while battle is on the wind!

Kung turns to Marnir. "Caps, you know my vote," the half-orc states simply.

Markizio shrugged, "I don't know what your vote is but this is a perfect opportunity to strike back at the devil-lovers. Hopefully, the pirates have made their mark and weakened the Chelish ship."

The magus looked at the crew, "We go in. Defeat the Chelish. Take their loot and hopefully gain some goodwill from another free captain."

it was easy to see that he was excited about the whole prospect of the upcoming confrontation.

Currently the majority of the Chelaxian sailors and Marines are on the Vorsfang. On the Famished Mane there is only the captain and 6 marines.

The Famished Mane has 4 light Balista, if you chose to attack with ships weapons you will have 1 round of shooting before the marines can get to the balista and return fire.

If you chose to grapple and board the Famished Mane you will have a surprise round on the Captain and Marines, as you are coming out of the sun and all their attention is on what is happening on the Vorsfang.

If you chose to grapple and board the Famished Mane you will have a surprise round on the Captain and Marines, as you are coming out of the sun and all their attention is on what is happening on the Vorsfang.

Markizio looked behind him and shielded his eyes from the sun.

"Captain, let's take the Chelish ship by surprise. We can subdue or kill their captain and measly guards while their attention is on the other ship."

His fist tightened, "We can then blackmail their remaining sailors on the pirate ship once we have their captain under our control."

He looked at the others, "What do you say? We can do this, right?"

Ghilda is slightly amused by Markizio's aggressive tendency, but she nods in agreement. "Cap'n, I think it's the right decision to swarm the Chelish ship. We await your order!"

"Let's show these Chelish devils how real reavers fight! Arm yourselves and make ready to board them," Marnir says firmly.

"Kung, Markizio - I want you leading the action. As Markizio says we're going after the captain first. Once he's dead or captured, we shouldn't have too much trouble with his lackeys. Ghilda, if you'd like to ask your Pirate Queen to bless our attack I'm sure we'd all be grateful for Her help. Jane, get your bombs ready to take out as many of their marines as you can before we have to engage them in hand-to-hand. Try not to blow up the ship though!"

Confident that the Unbound Drake and her crew will be ready for their first boarding action, Marnir takes the ship's wheel and begins guiding the ship towards their Chelish prey.

The battle map is up top. Titled Famished mane battle.

Party init. init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Marines init init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Going off your Captains initiative the party just wins. So after the surprise round it will be party actions, then Marine actions.

You'll just have to imagine the Unbound drake beside the Famished mane. The Chelaxian captain is the pale woman, the marines are the clones.

It will probably never be this easy again, you all think as Marnir brings the Unbound drake to a stop alongside the Chelaxian ship. The captain and 6 marines are all engrossed in viewing the sickening scene to their portside. They haven't even registered the arrival of another ship yet!

Your actions for the surprise round, remembering you'll go first again on the new round. Check the map and tell me if you can't move your avatars as well thanks.

Ghilda casts Shield of Faith on Kung as he prepares to cross to the Famished Mane. "Besmara shields you, faithful one!

+2 deflection bonus for four minutes on Kung

"húð hlíf!" Marnir calls out in his native tongue, covering his eyes with one hand. As he does multiple copies of Marnir appear to spring into existence around him, masking his true location.

Standard Action to cast mirror image to create 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 images.

Jane looks at the strange person, Raising her free hand and shoots a Web Bolt at her, wrapping her up in a cocoon of webbing. 14 reflex negates.

Markizio is eager to board the ship. He pulls out his cutlass and swings it to release some tension.

He then works his arcane talent and weaves a new spell he recently learned. Suddenly his body begins to waver and shimmer, making him more difficult to pin down.

---------
cast blur, 20% miss chance

Surprise Round

The half-orc sees his friends all busy calling magic into being, doing a double-take as multiple copies of Marnir appear and Markizio goes blurry. They all fancy, me only have points and blades. OK, it what I do.

Kung hefts an amentum-wrapped javelin in his hand, and flings it forward towards the Chelish captain.

Javelin, amentum: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage, whetstone, sneak attack: 1d6 + 5 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + (3) = 10

Round 1

With the element of surprise slipping away, Marnir hefts his battleaxe and begins to sing.

"In the cold of the north where wind cuts like a sword, a man lives and he bleeds and he dies for his lord. With a cry and a roar mighty warriors clash, and the men with their axes they hack and they slash."

Feel free to mock my songwriting, never been very good at coming up with stuff like that on the fly. Move Action to draw my axe, Standard Action to start my raging song using Inspired Rage.

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The opposing captain squawks is shock as she is sudden wrapped in webbing, completely trapping her before she is even aware of your presence.

The webbing then begins to turn read as blood seeps from her as Kung's javelin slams into her.

Surprise round is complete. Imagine the Unbound drake is now alongside the Famished mane and board her, the captain is webbed at the moment, still 6 marines to deal with.

Your actions please, remembering they will now have an action in return.

A jump or Acrobatic check (DC15) gets you on board and still able to attack, otherwise you can either attack from your ship, or climb over.

GM - do you know what the wind conditions are here, please?

Ghilda will loose an Icicle at the enemy captain.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Markizio waited for the ships to slowly come together and then reached for the Chelish ship.

He caught hold of some rigging on the side of the ship and climbed over yelling, "Your captain's down so lay down your weapons. I don't want to kill you."

--------------
climb over, more than 50% to fall with acrobatics...

Jane watches as the silk spider-web cocoon slowly turns red before she lifts her crossbow and shoots an arrow at the captain.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Round 1

Kung takes a running leap across the gap between the two vessels.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

His pegleg starts circling rapidly in the air even as he flies over the gap, immediately tapping out a persistant rhythm as soon as he lands. (Activating rage) The blood in his eyes and fury on his face, he slashes down on the sailor in front of him with an overhand swing. (2nd from left)

Greatsword, power attack, inspired rage, rage, charge: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 27
Damage, power attack, inspired rage, rage, whetstone: 2d6 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 22

The wind is steady, a strong breeze coming from the north.

The captain screams in desperate fright. Get them you fools! Before they kill me." So far the marines and sailors on the Vorfang are still unaware, the noise of the fire and screams of the pirates trapped below blocking their hearing.

She squeals a lot more when Ghilda's icicle and Janes bolt give her more pain.

The marine is just turning to see what made the noise behind him when Kung's blow cuts him down brutally. His companion goes pale "Oh s!+!!" As he to turns just in time to watch his fellow become a corpse.

Just waiting on Marnir then they respond.

Wasn't this Marnir's first round action?

Right, he cast Mirror image on the surprise round, started singing this one.

Which means we have 5 marines and one Kung. :)

The marines are startled, but their discipline holds.

One moves to cut Markizio off with his boarding pike. Pike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 1 Cursing as the Blur spell does it's work nicely.

Two move to kill Kung in response to his slaughtering their comrade.
Cutlass: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Confirm?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 11 hp total.

Cutlass: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

One strikes well, the other is shaken by having to step over his dead shipmate and misses badly.

One is backing the two fighting Kung with his boarding pike ready, the last moves to the shrieking captain, trying to cut her free.

Party can go again.

Jane loads a red feathered bolt into her crossbow and fires again at the captain.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

His Ulfen battle song carrying loudly in the still air, Marnir hauls himself over the gunwales onto the enemy ship.

Free Action to continue my raging song. I'll use Climb to get over, as my Acrobatics is somewhat unreliable. As using Acrobatics would allow me an attack but using Climb seems not to (as above), then maybe it takes my Standard Action to board? If so, and I have a Move Action left, I'll use Intimidating Glare.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Landing heavily on the deck, Marnir brandishes his axe at one of the marines (the rightmost one of the group of three) and growls "Drop your weapons boy, before we make the deck run red with your blood!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Ghilda again uses Icicle on the Chelish captain.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Ghilda yells with a triumphant tone as another ice bolt hits home - "She's weakening! Keep it up, Drake!"

Your target pales at your threat. He is now shaken, but still nervously keeps his weapon ready.

"Kill one, another pops up! And Kung keeps knocking 'em down!"

Greatsword, power attack, inspired rage, rage, grudge fighter: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 14
Damage, power attack, inspired rage, rage, grudge fighter: 2d6 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 17

Markizio prepares to cast one of the simplest spells given the tight quarters and enemies all around.

He casts while making sure that an opening is not provided for his enemy to attack.

Too nervous balancing on the edge of the ship, his spell fizzles out so Markizio decides to use all his strength with his cutlass.

----------
cast acid splash defensively
spellcombat, spell strike
concentration check DC 15: 1d20 + 4 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 3 + 4 = 12, fail so no spell strike
cutlass to hit, power attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 1 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10