There be lootin' to do - Skulls & Shackles

Game Master Spazmodeus

oh...forgot... can you roll 3rd eagle for me... I'm on phone right now...too hard to format rolls. Or I can do it when I get home. I'll save the 2 roll for second summoning

ok, I'm back.. will post for my eagle myself

third eagle attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 19
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Bombs Birds away!

Isaac realizes that he ran past the ladder to the first floor. Grumbling at the fact he missed it, he turns around and runs to the ladder and climbs down it, drawing his cutlass while moving. He steps to Jania and Rosie. "Sorry fer bein' lat'. Wha' did I miss?" He sees the man peeking his face through the door. He sees his men being uneasy. He decides to try something. He points his cutlass at the grinning man's face. "Ye see tha', lads an' lasses! Tha' be th' enemy! See how ugly he is! See how stupid he looks! Tha' be all o' thos' dogs on th' oth'r sid' o' th' door! We be havin' great'r strength! We be havin' mor' brains! Steel yerselv's! They be comin' to us! They be comin'... to their deaths!"

I'm trying to inspire courage to my crew. I don't have any abilities that would allow me to do that. But, would it be possible with a diplomacy roll or an intimidate roll against the enemy pirates?

More likely a Charisma roll. But hey, it's got nothing on my own inspire courage bonuses. :P

Well, I'm not expecting bonuses to come out of this. It's more along the lines of putting courage into them and make them fight harder. I'm not at a good angle. When they start coming through the wooden barrier, I may use my cutlass's hydraulic push ability to send the conga line of pirates out of the keep.

That'd look pretty neat, especially from up top.

Take a shower, you smelly sea-rats!

*Hydraulic push*

Yeah, it would be awesome. I would just need to be in Rosie's spot, ready to do it. I just need to know if the hydraulic push would use one of my mental scores.

Oh her turn Diana tries to get out of the sphere of water but is only battered more. It seems she cannot escape on her own.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 152d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Sorry for the slow update, all. Diana, a round hasn't actually passed, so you didn't need to take more damage!

ROUND SIX (cont'd)

Arhiel's three eagles appear in a burst of light, and dive toward the man in the doorway. He gives a strangled cry and flails at them before falling off the stairs into the water below! Arhiel begins another summoning spell as Diana struggles, but can't escape from the orb. Edward prepares himself for the flying sorceress's next move...

Down below, Isaac rouses his crew with a few choice words about the enemy's appearance. Thin though they may be, they perk up the crew's fighting spirit, and there's a chorus of ragged cheers from your crew.

Edward is so focused on the hovering spellcaster that he doesn't notice the churning orb of water rolling toward him until it's too late! The orb tumbles him around and he's engulfed in its roiling waters. It keeps moving down the parapet, and Arhiel just barely manages to dodge out of the way, hearing Edward yelp as he's picked up by the sphere. The now-grinning sorceress, meanwhile, begins casting a spell. Ed tries to unleash his planned attack on her, but when he opens his mouth he chokes on some of the briny water of the orb and the spell fizzles!

Jaina's up, and Ed takes 7 points of nonlethal damage. :(

Combat Map

Huh...should've scolded her a new one, if that's the way this is going to be played. :P

I dare ask, in case it is related, was this planned to disrupt spellcasting?
She didn't roll a spellcraft to try identifying Edward's intentions.

Sadly 'twas not, especially since you hadn't actually begun spellcasting yet. But she knew you were a caster (having seen you do other magic) and she decided to systematically make it hard for y'all to cast at her... :S

The wench must die! :D

Round 6: Actions
Move Action: Start getting in front of the crew

Jaina huffs and sighs. "...dammit, I can't wait any longer."

She starts shoving her way to the front of the line.

ROUND SEVEN!

As Jaina pushes her way toward the front, several of the crew--including Rosie--bellow, roiled up by Isaac's speech, and clamber toward the top of the barricade with her. And not a moment too soon--the damaged door topples inward as several more ax blows rain into it. The door falls, revealing a snarling group of pirates!

Up above, your crew continue their work with the siege weaponry--though at this point they have little hope of hitting the enemy ship, which has retreated toward the very outskirts of the bay. Several of the crew, including Cog, also train their fire on the flying spellcaster, but the arrows just bounce off her flesh!

Rest of the party's up for the top of round seven!

Initiative
Edward, Diana, Arhiel, Isaac<------
Foe leader
Jaina
Both crews

Combat Map

Arhiel's original three eagles attempt to hover and attack the next assailant on the stairs. (3/5 rounds remaining after this)

eagle 1:

fly to hover dc 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

to confirm crit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14
extra dmg if crits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

eagle 2:

fly to hover dc 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

eagle 3:

fly to hover dc 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Arhiel completes her second summoning, calling 2 more celestial eagles to her aid.

They dive at the nearest target - the next foe standing on the stairs:

eagle 1:

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 8
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

eagle 2:

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 25
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Reflex to escape orb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Edward can't seem to escape?
He flips her the finger.

Now sharing the sphere with Edward Diana, still holding her breath tries to push through to the surface but is unable to do so. She is looking quite bad in the sphere. Its doubtful she will survive many more rounds.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 152d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Just waiting on Isaac's post. Ed, remember that you take 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 points of nonlethal damage every round you're in the orb.

Isaac sees Jania and Rosie move up the barrier and the enemy pirates breaking through the door. He moves past Jania and stands at the front. He twirls his cutlass and points it at the pirates. "Leav' now." His blade drips saltwater before it bursts forward in a jet of saltwater!

Hydraulic Push (Tidewater Cutlass): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 = 22

ROUND SEVEN (cont'd)

Diana and Edward remain trapped in the swirling orb of water, while Arhiel manages to summon another set of eagles. Nearly half a dozen golden birds now whirl through the sky, and dive toward the men on the stairs. One screams and topples from the stairs and into the water! Isaac, approaching the foes, blasts a jet of saltwater at the pirates, knocking the leading one back into the water!

Up on the battlements, the enemy sorcerer alights next to Arhiel. "Don't mind me," she snarls. From this close, you can see (well, Arhiel can't) that her teeth are sharpened to resemble a shark's. She reaches down and touches two fingers to a tattoo on her wrist, and her hand flares with black fire. She reaches out and grasps Arhiel's throat. The sorceress screams and writhes as her foe laughs, looking rejuvenated.

O.o Arhiel takes 22 points of damage, and Jaina is up!

Initiative
Edward, Diana, Arhiel, Isaac
Foe leader
Jaina
Both crews

Combat Map

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 142d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Diana tumbles around more and takes even more damage.

Could she cast a spell on herself with a concentration check?

Absolutely, yes. As per being entangled.

Well I have been wasting rounds then

Concentration, cure light wounds: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 161d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Round 7: Actions
[ooc]Move Action: Use Martial Flexibility to get Power Attack
No Action: 5' step into melee
Standard Action: Power Attack!

Jaina's eyes light up and she almost squeals with glee. "FINALLY!"

She cracks her knuckles and wades into melee. "BRING IT ON!" She bellows, swinging a wild haymaker at the man in front of her!

Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage?: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Darn, then so have i. But i thought casting vocal spells required breathing.

Edward, they actually don't. I was forgetting that underwater spellcasting requires a concentration check...but I'm willing to reduce it to a single concentration check, since the DC for entanglement and underwater casting is the same. 15+spell level. Cast away!

@Jaina: that's actually a wall in front of you, so you can't 5' step. Sorry. :( Assuming you want to move into the doorway and use a regular punch.

ROUND EIGHT!!

Jaina steps deftly onto the grease-slicked stairs and decks one of the men attempting to clamber out of the boat, sending him staggering back and rocking the vessel! Two of the buccaneers in arm's reach swing their cutlasses at her, one of them gashing her thigh. Another man leaps onto the lower stairs and swings his blade, sparks rising from where it collides with the stone stairs. Arrows clatter against the front of the Rock, and Rosie, leaning forward, lobs her own projectile: a vial of alchemist's fire that explodes in the midst of the longboat, eliciting screams of pain and rage!

Up on the top of the tower, a desperate Cog drops his bow and lunges at the sorceress with his cutlass! She is completely taken aback--and Cog is, too, by the looks of it--and staggers back as his blow catches her in the side, opening a long wound. She snarls at him.

But the rest of the party is up before she is!

Initiative
Edward, Diana, Arhiel, Isaac<-----
Foe leader
Jaina
Both crews

Combat Map

Arhiel's summoned eagles continue to harry the attackers at the gate.

eagle #1:

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

to confirm crit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20
extra dmg if crits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

eagle #2:

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

eagle #3:

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

eagles 1-3 have 2 rounds remaining

eagle #4:

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 22
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

eagle #5:

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23
dmg if hits: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

eagles 4-5 have 3 rounds remaining

*****

Arhiel herself, in a panic, claws at the sorceress' hand on her throat trying to free herself.

escape artist to break grapple: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

somehow I doubt that succeeded

Provided Edward could indeed activate a spell last round, he lets his chorus of shards go off.

Concentration check DC 17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 for 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 sonic dmg.
If she requires concentration to keep the water orb up, have at it with concentration. :)

Current round:
Reflex to escape, DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Awesome.

If she's still within 30ft,

"You bloody child of a seahag, piss off to whatever hole in the ground you came from! Our tower's holding steady, your troops aren't. How about we skin you alive by keelhauling you, and use your skin for a set of leather boots eh?"

All enemies within 30ft of me take 1d10 ⇒ 7 fire dmg, and can make a DC 16 reflex save, or they catch fire.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 112d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

Diana churns in the orb, but now that she has found a way to heal herself maybe she will not drown in the thing. And within the water she cheers Cog. This round she fires a Admonishing Ray at the sorcerer.

Concentration, DC17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Admonishing Ray Touch Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 284d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 5) = 16

Confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 234d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 1) = 12

Isaac swings his cutlass in a fanciful pattern. "Cow'r, ye dogs! I be Cap'n Isaac Silv'rman', child o' th' Silv'rman' family! This be me crew! Ye hav' to kno' when ye be outclassed!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Using Dazzling Display against enemies within 30 feet who can see my display.

Arhiel's eagles continue to harry the men at the gates, sending a few more of them plunging into the waves. Edward manages to tumble out of the watery orb and sends a pile of invective streaming toward the sorceress...that sets her on fire! Before she can even move, Diana manages to blast her with a ray from within the orb that lays her out flat! Arhiel's wrenches herself away from the now-unconscious (and burning) foe.

Isaac, standing atop the steps, bellows his challenge to the pirates below. He sees consternation on many faces. "A Silvernane! Be it true?" "Lookit 'is 'ead! He's a right pirate for sure!" One of the pirates near the back of the boat, clearly the boat's skipper, pops up and screams to the top of the tower, "INKSKIN LOCKE! Be ye still with us?!"

There's a suspended moment in which the battle for a moment, stills. Then the pirates break out in a panic as the skipper decisively shoves the intact longboat away from the steps and out into the bay. The ship on the far side is already getting underway, as panicked buccaneers pile into the longboat or, seeing how nearly overloaded it is, strike out through the water in a desperate bid for their own ship. Your crew lets out a cheer--along with a volley of missiles--as the invading force retreats!

COMBAT OVER!

Please let me know what you're doing in the immediate aftermath of the battle, but the attackwrs no longer pose a serious threat, focused as they are on retreating. The sorceress's aqueous orb dissolves a few rounds later, but I'm assuming Edward and Cog can help Diana out of it.

1 Round after

Reflex to Escape: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Dianna finally escape on her own the next round and immediately casts Create Water to put the sorcerer out while calling encouragements to her siege crew to keep firing. Much of her damage was nonlethal so she should still live. She then uses her Heal skill to stabilize the sorcerer.

2 Rounds after Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

And only then does she heal herself.

3 Rounds after

Empowered Cure Mod: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 2) + 5 = 12 So 18 points

As she casts this healing spell she resumes her roll of lookout, peering through the mist and calling out. Remember that it was the fish men who threatened attack. These pirates could be a diversion so look alive.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Arhiel grasps her throat and breathes raspily.. then when she is sure the sorceress is no longer a threat and she can breathe freely, she crawls until she can feel the sorceress and beats on her senseless form a few times in rage... "You DARE attack me? attack us!? You b$#%#! I want my sight back, you witch! I want to watch you die!"

don't think her fists count as a coup de grace since she's not a monk and can't do lethal damage with them... she's just venting.

She'll keep this up until someone pulls her off the sorceress or for maybe a minute of venting...whichever comes first.

Jaina's glee turns to shock as the pirates start turning tail and running.

"But... but--but--"

She grumbles in frustration and punches the splintered door. "--dammit, I wanted to PUNCH something!"

She starts storming back up to the roof of the tower to check on the others.

Isaac smirks as the pirates recognize him. He laughs as they flee. As Jania storms off, Isaac says, "Sorry, Jania. Ther' always be nex' tim'." Isaac follows her to the tower roof.

"There'd better be." The ifrit grumbles.

"And it's Jaina."

Whoops. Spelling error.

Isaac blinks before slapping his forehead. "Jaina. Sorry. Me bad ther'."

Jaina and Isaac arrive on the roof just as Cog manages to pull the furious and still blind Arhiel off of the sorceress. "She's done! She be done, Arhiel." He crouches down and checks the woman's pulse. "Pharasma's not taken her yet--more's the pity, really." He scowls. "Cap'n. One creepy sea witch here, covered in tats an' totally unconscious thanks to th' master-at-arms there."

"Is it over? I hear cheering! Did we win? If she's not dead, make her take it off me... I can't see a blasted thing!"

Isaac looks at the sight of Arhiel struggling to get to the sorceress. At her questions, Isaac says, "Aye, lass. We won. They scurried off lik' rats." When Cog presents the unconscious sorceress, Isaac scowls. "I wan' 'er bound wit' as many ropes as ye can. 'Er hands bound. 'Er arms bound. 'Er legs bound. I also wan' 'er blindfolded an' gagged. We can't be takin' any chances. This will be until we can be interrogatin' 'er."

If I'd wanted the sorcerer dead I would have killed her instead of disabling her. Diana states as she gets to her feet and assesses the situation. We can always kill her later, but its much harder to unkill her if we want to question her.

Isaac nods at Diana. "Aye. It woul' be hard to figur' out who exactly sent 'er iffen she be dead."

Sorry for the delay!

Cog and a few of the other shipmates take the time to bind the sorceress while the remnants of her crew flee toward the open ocean below you. Another pair of crew members hoist Arhiel between them, guiding her steps to ensure that she doesn't injure herself in her blinded state. Once the sorceress is tightly bound and gagged, Cog glances at the officers. "Where d'you want 'er, then? She ain't goin' anywhere, but she don't seem like t'waken anytime soon, neither."

"Is this the scoundrel that attacked my home?!" Agasta has apparently made it up to the top of the stairs. She looks upon the sorceress, cold and furious. "You can stow her in the water storage room, Mr. Cog. That door has a heavy lock, and bound as she is I don't fear to have her in the building with us. Well done, you all. And where is--ARHIEL!" Seeing Arhiel's condition, Agasta rushes toward her wife. "What happened to you?! Are you well?!"

"I'm hurt but I'll live... I'm sure Sandara or Diana will patch me up in no time, but ... dammit, I can't see a damn thing... everything's black... that biatch used a spell on me and took my sight."

I can close your wounds Arhiel, but its not within my power to restore your sight.

Diana begins handing our cures. But before the sorcerer is locked up Diana makes sure she has no material components taking 20 for a 30 to find anything hidden on the subdued enemy.She will also detect magic and see what loot they might have recovered.

Isaac frowns at the sight of Arhiel blind. "I'm sorry. I be considerin' this to be me faul'. Iffen I had be stayin' here, mayhaps I coul' hav' tak'n 'er down fast'r..."

"Sandara might eventually be able to do that, restoring her sight."

Agasta's mouth tightens. "I certainly hope she can...but in the meantime, come on, love. I can guide you wherever you need to go."

Diana's thorough investigation of your opponent reveals that she is carrying quite a bit of magical gear, including a magical rapier (full write-up coming later). The close examination also reveals something unusual: the woman doesn't have any teeth. The sharp, shark-like teeth you saw are actually a set of wooden teeth crafted for her mouth, and one of them, Diana finds, holds a tiny secret compartment. Within that compartment rests a single spine that looks like it might have come from a sea urchin or similar.

What will you do, if anything, with that discovery?

The woman is also covered in tattoos, fantastic designs in blue ink. Some are crude, some elaborate. The most elaborate one stretches between her shoulder blades, and looks almost like a map.