There be lootin' to do - Skulls & Shackles

Game Master Spazmodeus

There doesn't seem to be any distress flag or other sign of allegiance flying from this fishing trawler, and as you approach you see that it's in truly bad shape, heeling several degrees to port. It is obviously taking on water. The sails flap loosely from the yards and a fishing net drags in the water over the starboard side. As the crew brings the sails in and you slow slightly, you see a hole on the port side of the hull just above the waterline: the waves are slowly swamping this ship.

As you close, Arhiel and Isaac both notice the shape of what looks like a dinghy, sinking far underwater. The davits on the side of the fishing boat are empty, which would normally indicate that the crew had abandoned ship...or at least attempted to, in the dinghy.

How will you proceed?

Bucky's?

Arhiel returns Isaac's look with a satisfied smile... She is fairly glowing, and looks quite content and unashamed of anything she's done. She gives Isaac a little wink before heading up to the wheel to stand near him. "Problem, Cap'n?"

Sorry. The guy in the back seat. It's a gif from Captain America Civil War. Should have clarified. Sorry for assuming that you knew.

Isaac chuckles. "Not at all. I jus' be glad ye managed to hav' fun."

The ship...

Isaac looks at the ship. He notices something. "Look. Th' dinghy be sinkin' und'r th' wat'r. Looks lik' th' ship has been hit... an' th' crew tried to escap'. I'm curious to see iffen ther' be anythin' left on th' ship or th' sinkin' dinghy."

Alabaster runs a finger lightly over Brineblood, sheathed at his hip as he ponders the sinking ship.
Aye, or it be a trap fer us. Ain't matterin', iffen someone was fer settin' a trap then they prob'ly be havin' somethin' worth takin'. I say we go lookin'. I be wantin' ta test out Brineblood anyway, since I be gettin' tha mage back in port ta enchant it!

The youth draws the blade, and it gives off it's signature crimson glow, but this time it's not from the priest's magic, but from the sword itself.

Going to investigate, then? Or holding back?

My vote is to investigate.

As is mine. I am also good with you making such calls as captain. :) GM Norv you said that the dinghy is "sinking" and not "sunk". To me this implies that its demise was quite recent since it has not yet settled on the bottom. Am I interpreting that right?

You are correct in that--it is actively sinking away from the surface (though there's no sign of crew). Two votes is normally enough that I'd just go ahead with the investigation, but I don't want to assume how you're going about it: taking a boat over to the slowly sinking ship? Diving down to the rowboat? Something else?

I can walk on the waves Captain, but i've no gift for swimming or holding my breath . That dinghy is still sinking. Perhaps someone who can swim might catch it.

Arhiel sends Jacko over to the other ship to fly around and see if there's any danger there.

Meanwhile, she strips off her heavy outerwear and readies to dive into the water. If Jacko doesn't spot any immediate danger, she'll dive in and start swimming easily out to the dinghy. When she gets near where it is sinking, she'll take a deep breath and dive down to it.

Meanwhile Diana will water walk out with Arhiel and stand ready with her underwater crossbow over her as she dives. We need some ways to breath water and some swim enhancements.

Alabaster looks to Isaac.
Shoul' we be takin' one o' tha longboats out ta back 'em up? I can get tha crew ta get one ready an' in tha drink iffen ye wish.

I can walk on the waves Captain, but i've no gift for swimming or holding my breath. That dinghy is still sinking. Perhaps someone who can swim might catch it.

Isaac nods at Diana. "Aye. Tha' be soundin' good. Go righ' ahead."

Arhiel sends Jacko over to the other ship to fly around and see if there's any danger there.

Meanwhile, she strips off her heavy outerwear and readies to dive into the water. If Jacko doesn't spot any immediate danger, she'll dive in and start swimming easily out to the dinghy. When she gets near where it is sinking, she'll take a deep breath and dive down to it.

Meanwhile Diana will water walk out with Arhiel and stand ready with her underwater crossbow over her as she dives.

Isaac watches as Arhiel's bird is sent. Seeing her prepare to go and Diana making ready to head out as well, Isaac shrugs off his newly repaired overcoat and removes his tricorne.

Alabaster looks to Isaac.

Shoul' we be takin' one o' tha longboats out ta back 'em up? I can get tha crew ta get one ready an' in tha drink iffen ye wish.

Issac nods at his First Mate. "Aye. Mak' one o' th' longboats ready to head out. Iffen ye don't mind, I will be swimmin' wit' Arhiel."

When Diana and Arhiel go out, Isaac dives in as well, swimming to the sinking dinghy.

Alabaster turns to the crew.
Ou! Be gettin one o tha longboats ready! Isaac an' tha other officers'll be checkin' out this sinker! Samms! Ye'll be in charge o' tha ship till we get back!

As an afterthought, he adds
An' in case somethin' be happenin', be makin' sure tha siege weapons be armed an aimed at it! Iffen we be attacked, fire at will!

With that he leaps into the long boat with any of the other officers that aren't swimming and points forward with Brineblood.
Lets be off!

Alabaster sets to work getting a longboat crew ready as Jacko returns, telling Arhiel that he's seen no living creatures on the ship's decks, though parts of the deck are damaged. As Diana walks out over the waves, the boat descends into the water and Isaac and Arhiel dive in.

With Diana standing guard, armed with her crossbow, Arhiel and Isaac swim up to the sinking dinghy. Although there are no bodies or interesting bits of gear on it, it quickly becomes clear that the dinghy is not an accidental, storm-sunk wreck: both the oars are still in it, tucked under the seats, and there's a large hole hacked in the bottom! The two swimmers surface to report this to the rest of the group.

What next? Investigating the ship, or turning away?

Isaac looks at the sinking dinghy after telling the group what he and Arhiel found. "Int'restin'..." He turns to the ship. "Let's be goin' in. Be on yer guard, jus' in case." He draws his cutlass.

Walking along with Isaac and Arhiel as they swim Diana makes her way over to the floundering ship. As they approach the ship she will cast Guidance on Isaac and Arhiel and herself just before they all climb aboard. A though occurs to her as they approach. If creatures of the sea did this then they might try to take our ship as we investigate this one. she warns.

"Should some of us have to stay behind, given that possibility?"

Isaac thinks for a moment before nodding. "Aye. Tha' seems to be bes'. Let's be makin' a decision on who will be goin' back an' guardin' th' ship."

"If you need me to, I'll stay on the ship and keep it safe."

With Edward and Jaina remaining on the Silver Shrike (but staying close, I assume), the rest of the officers board the derelict fishing boat. Parts of the deck are most definitely damaged, as Jacko reported--in fact, it looks like a battle of some kind took place here! There's blood staining several of the railings and spattered over the deck, and a few simple axes and blades stuck into the mast. The stairs leading up to the sterncastle are shattered, but a doorway looks like it probably still leads down to the lower decks.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Isaac looks around, interested in the blood and the weapons in the mast. He doesn't see anything odd. "Wha' kind o' battl' happened here? Ther' be no crew. No raid'rs. Nothin'." He sees the door. "Shall we be goin' in?"

perception Arhiel: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

perception Jacko: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Jacko, the little thrush, sings out.. "There's lots of bloody stains of dragged bodies leading down below decks..."

Alabaster draws both Brineblood and Kraken, and focuses his sight toward the blood trail.
Cap'n, I ain't likin' tha looks o' this... We best be careful.

He lets the crimson glow of Brineblood wash over the deck, and sighs.
At least we be havin' time ta prepare. We best take advantage o' tha'.

Arhiel casts mage armor on herself in preparation for what might be to come.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Aye, I see the blood trail as well. Dead are below as is whatever killed them. I'll ask for Besmera's blessing as we descend.

Casts Bless when we are ready to do down.

Edward was leaning on the side of the ship, as the others went off-ship.

"Hey Jaina, what do you guess they'll find there?
My guess is either skeletons or sea creatures ready to try and kill them."

"Most likely." Jaina nods in agreement. "And whatever attacked that ship might still be hanging around, looking for another ship to take."

"Yeah....but that's not going to happen."

Isaac nods at the warning from Arhiel and Diana. "Alrigh'. Let's ge' ready." He swings his cutlass a few times before moving to the door.

Stealth?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Apologies for the delay, all. Been trying to find time to get a map set up but just going to have to do theater of the mind for the moment on this combat.

As Diana, Arhiel, and Alabaster cast their spells--and under Jaina and Edward's watchful eye--Isaac goes and hauls open the hatch to the belowdecks area. A heavy, charnel smell wafts forth, buffeting him and the officers with the stench of blood and rancid meat. As daylight shines into the hold below, it reveals a cluster of four spiny, shark-mouthed fishmen, blood dripping from their lips and crossbows in their hands: sahuagin! The creatures let out a collective hissing roar, and move to attack!

COMBAT! ROUND ONE

Surprised by the sahuagin, Isaac is a sitting duck as they fire their crossbows at him! One bolt catches him in the gut, inflicting a terrible wound. Another grazes his shoulder, but the other two fly wide of their mark...and as you look at them, you can see the sahuagin gasping and clawing at their eyes. The sunlight's blinded them!

They won initiative, but they're blinded for one round! The party is up. To set the scene: the sahuagin are clustered together ten feet from the bottom of a ten-foot-long staircase. The Shrike is close enough that Jaina and Edward can make it onto the other ship with a DC 15 Acrobatics or Athletics check (total distance to top of the stairs: 35'). Let's do it!

Oh, and Isaac takes 13 points of damage.

Diana takes advantage of their close proximity and casts glitterdust (DC 17 Will or be blind) on the group. She then advances, drawing her morning star as she does so.

Alabaster grins, and focuses a bit of his energy into Brineblood.
Swift Action to place the flaming enhancement on my cutlass.

He then takes careful aim, and fires Kraken into the cluster of Sahaguin, aiming for the one that injured Isaac!
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage, Deadly Aim: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

He then steps forward to finish his assault with a vicious swing with Brineblood, its fire bathing the hold in a crimson glow!
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Two attacks? That is pretty nice. Not sure how that works.

My bad. I wasn't paying attention to my character sheet. I forgot i delayed taking TWF until 7th in order to take Opportune Parry and Riposte. Hold off the second attack until next round, or save it for my Riposte if the Sahaguin attacks me. My turn should read: Swift to Make Flaming, Attack with Pistol, move Adjacant to the Sahaguin that Attacked Isaac.

for parry/riposte, you need an attack roll for the parry that beats your opponent's to hit roll, and if THAT is successful, you may then make an attack roll and a damage roll if the attack hits...

Arhiel tries to determine which sahuagin might be the leader... maybe more jewelry, or fancier headdress, or SOMETHING... and targets that one with her magic missile.. if she can't tell, she'll target the one that hit Isaac with his crossbow, just because she can.

magic missile damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4 oh come ON! sigh

Isaac grunts as the bolts hit him. He scowls at them and charges at them, swinging his cutlass.

Attack (charging): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

AC is at 13 for 1 round.

Yeah I know how the party/riposte mechanic works, I was just saying if he attacks me, I'll roll a parry and use the attack and damage roll if the party works. I just try to not clutter up the board with posts of just rolls so if I have one previously that wasn't used, good or bad, I try to use them.

ROUND ONE (cont'd)!

Diana summons a cloud of golden particles that settle over the sahuagin, causing two of them to claw at their eyes, though the others shake it off. Arhiel, noticing that one at the back is wearing a complex, dark silver armband, launches a magic missile at it that clips its shoulder, while Alabaster shoots the one that plugged Isaac. The captain himself hurtles down the stairs and runs it through the chest!

Isaac, you can make a sneak attack against it since it's blinded; I'm assuming you would like to do so!

Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

The first sahuagin falls, thrashing, in a pool of its own blood.

Jaina and Edward are up! And I've finally got a map for y'all! I've switched over to Google Slides for the map...hopefully that's helpful for anyone trying to use their mobile device! (The app will let you move your token even on your phone.)

Initiative
Sahuagin
Alabaster, Arhiel, Diana, Isaac
Edward, Jaina<----

Combat Map

"Jaina, they've got company."

Edward heads towards the side of the ship, and flicks his wrist in a gesture.
"May your footing slip."

Casting grease, area is marked with orange border.

G'nah, sorry, I forgot to explain the map! The upper "ship" is in fact the lower deck (accessed via the stair at the bottom left, near Alabaster and Arhiel). Moved you to where you have at least partial view, Edward.

Botting Jaina...

The Shrike's bosun, hearing trouble, athletically leaps over the rail and onto the listing ship. Hustling down the deck, she flings herself onto the stairs (double moving) just in time to see...

ROUND TWO!

The closer sahuagin manages to maintain its footing, despite the grease, but the farther one topples and, scrambling to its feet, falls again, and roars in impotent rage. The one that managed not to fall, blinking rapidly, hisses and, dropping its crossbow, slides carefully away from Diana and draws its trident, ready to stab at her if she advances. It growls to the blinded sahuagin, "Daihab kabkhunpai bon lae aetm avud khongthan!" The blind one, hissing, snaps at Diana but catches only her armor in its jaws. Backing up warily and sniffing the air, it draws its own trident.

The party is up! Remember it takes a DC 10 Acrobatics check to move through the greased area at half speed.

Initiative
Sahuagin
The party!<----

Combat Map

Arhiel starts casting a spell... (summoning)

Sorry to keep you waiting!

Round 2: Actions
Move Action: Move to engage nearest sahuagin
Standard Action: Punch it!

Jaina races over to the nearest shark-man and aims a punch at its slimy jaw!

Punch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage?: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Edward casts daze on the fish still standing in the grease area.

DC 15 will.

Isaac scowls at the creatures. He says in Aquan, "Th' darkness will not be helpin' ye! Ye will fall!" He steps forward, making sure not to slip on the grease. He brings his blade down on the felled sahuagin.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Sneak Attack (AoO due to sahuagin having tripped): 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Alabaster grins as he brings Brineblood around in a sweeping arc, its flame leaving a burning trail of light in the air. He calls out to the Queen of the Seas as the cutlass digs into his enemy.
My Queen, lend us your favor!
Swift Action to use Fervor to cast Divine Favor

He then addresses the Sahaguin, with a wicked grin.
Ye set yer trap fer tha wrong crew, ye sea frogs! Tha crew o' tha Shrike ain't fallin' ta yer like!
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Gonna bot Diana for the nonce, just to keep us moving. Jaina,

As Arhiel begins chanting, Jaina darts down the stairs and, stepping into the grease, punches the downed sahuagin right in the jaw! Edward tries to cast a spell of his own, but it seems to have no effect on the standing sahuagin. (See Knowledge check below.) Isaac steps into the grease and slices open the belly of the downed sahuagin, while Alabaster and Diana circle around to the side and attack the creature outside of the grease, their blows landing true! Changed your target since there was no easy way to attack the one in the grease, Diana.

ROUND THREE!

Hissing, the sahuagin struck by Alabaster and Diana stabs at Alabaster, but, still blinded, it can't find him. It growls and backs up a few steps as its compatriot snarls and sinks its trident into Isaac's thigh before following suit. The two sahuagin are clearly trying to back into the dimly lit back of the hold.

Isaac takes 5 points of damage, and the party is up! ...can you guys edit the slides in the link? I just opened it and didn't have any luck...hopefully it's working now...

Initiative
Sahuagin
The party!<-----

Combat Map

Alabaster steps forward, and presses the attack!
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Well, that takes down blue! One left.

Round 3: Actions
No Action: 5' step to engage Green
Full-Round Action: Beat it to a pulp!

Jaina carefully steps through the grease to pummel the remaining sahuagin!

Flurry 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Crit?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Crit Damage?: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Flurry 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Acrobatics *If Needed*: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10