To Rule the Razor! (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Swanson

Oren doesn't need more encouragement. He turns to the new vessel and launches a Fireball at the creatures.

Damage 7d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 3, 3, 4, 5) + 2 = 30

Ref DC 18 for half damage.

"Yeah those creatures are trouble. They say to not bring the ship around. Get us away from them!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Jacinth's eyes widen in alarm as she hears both Nef and Reknar's jumbled yells come across Oren's Message spell. She attempts to heed Oren's instruction to not bring the ship any closer and instead turns the wheel sharply in order to take the Rita in the opposite direction.

As Reknar and Nefertiti successfully resist the effects of the sea hags horrific appearance, Wedjat swings away from the raft. Those aboard the Rita now forewarned of the failed ambush proceed to take action, starting with Oren who moves to the deck and readies a fireball to launch...

Oren, I will need an SR check please.

Round 1: Aikane, Nefertiti, Reknar, 'Lani, Oren (action declared), Rata Fenn, Wedjat, Sea Hags, Jacinth.

Wedjat is currently flying and will be 60' away from the raft at his turn.

Assuming that Wedjat is currently within 30 feet since we just lifted the shroud and they attacked us with their... ugliness?

Hags. Just like the ones that killed Reknar's friend, the one who gave him the dragon he wears around his neck. Nasty things. I hope Opu smokes them to a crisp.

"Should we be fleeing? Or should we finish the nasty things off so they don't come upon us later? Oren, Captain... should I just keep dazing them so that Oren can fry them?"

Nef doesn't know about the SR...

Nef lays down a dazing channel on the hags, as Wedjat flies and circles.
(DC 18 will save, or dazed)

Channel Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3/2 = 1. No save for this damage, though.

Roll to beat SR with Caster Level, Trait, and Spell Penetration 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 21

Reknar lets himself be carried by Wedjat, not being able to add much more for the time being.

Nefertiti angles Wedjat back over the raft and looses her deities power. As it washes over the raft, she sees two of the hags slump over with an unfocused look on their hideous visages. The third one glares up at the eagle passing overhead...and fails to react as the fireball arcs in exploding in a bright flash of heat and light momentarily blotting out the sun. As the vision returns to your eyes, you see the fireball left all three hags severely burned.

Round 1: Aikane, Nefertiti, Reknar, 'Lani, Oren, Rata Fenn, Wedjat, Sea Hags, Jacinth.

Round 1______
Ke' sneers and clenches his fist impotently.
Too far away dammit. He thought.

Waits.

I take aim at the raft. What's our range?

Aikane: The Rita is currently 200 yards out (600') and increasing.

Aikane, you have 7hp? :P

Aikane, you have 7hp? :P

Up to full, but not updated. As it seems I will not be involved in combat at the moment.

As Aikane watches the action unfold from the top deck, he is joined by Rata Fenn with a dagger drawn and ready to loose. He grimaces at the thought of the action so far away. "Captain!" He calls out to Jacinth who is currently manning the helm. "Don't take 'er too far out! We don't want to leave 'em without any way ta back 'em up here!"

Meanwhile off the port bow of the Rita...

The eagle circles back around for another pass even as the lone hag rises to her feet and glares at the priestess circling overhead. As Nefertiti flies close to the hag she feels a sense of distress and a gnawing sense of impending doom approaching. Nefertiti needs to make a Will save DC 14. (This is a mind-affecting fear effect.)

Round 1: Aikane, Nefertiti, Reknar, 'Lani, Oren, Rata Fenn, Sea Hags, Wedjat, Jacinth.

Images flash before Nefertiti's eyes. Her mother's corpse, dead from poison, and lost to her forever. Her sister, hands on hips, taunting her for being no true daughter. Her father's cold eyes, handing her cash and watching her embark her ship without a word. Zem, refusing her hand after the death of the wereshark...

Will Save, Nefertiti: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 25 (+2 Spell, +1 Flag)

As Nefertiti feels the sense of distress and impending doom wash over her, she narrows her eyes and glares at the hag. Raising her chin, holding her flag aloft, she says, "Oh no you don't! I am here for a purpose, and it's not to be your puppet, hag! Smell the wind... The stink of your burning flesh hangs in the air. Long after you and your kin have crumbled to ash, we'll still be here!"

Untrained Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"Screeee!"

If my claws weren't full, you'd be one ex-hag.

Wedjat desperately wanted to charge the strength-sapping weirdos, but Reknar had trusted him to carry him. So he wheeled back around, circling the hags so that Nef could make another pass.

"Nefertiti, why do you keep bringing us around - lets get away from here - I have told you they have magic at their behest" - Reknar inquires, surprised that they keep circling back to the raft.

Swearing under her breath, Jacinth realizes that Rata is right - despite the warnings from Oren and the others to avoid bringing the Rita close, they are currently too far out to render aid in a timely manner should the fray turn ugly. "I will bring us in closer - hold on!" she calls as she attempts to bring the ship around and maneuver closer to the raft.

Nef nods at Reknar's words. She's not a foolhardy girl or a glory hound. She plans ahead, weighs odds in her team's favor when she can. She'd rather fight smart or better yet, avoid fights completely. But in Reknar's eyes, she must surely appear reckless.

"I know they're dangerous.. but these hags set the raft as a trap. Do we want to leave them to catch the next set of kind souls who come to rescue them?"

Her voice calm and reasonable, she says, "The hag just tried to get in my head, Reknar. What would they do to someone less prepared to fight them? If I can hold them in place, you or Oren can finish them." Then she sighs. "We're committed to this next pass, but after that I'll get Wedjat to speed us out of here, okay? I just want to give Oren's spell the best chance of success I can."

I already posted my action, but I'll double move us out of here after the second channel. Does that work?

Jacinth wheels the helm hard about, trying to bring the Rita closer to the action. She calls out for the Tulitan crew in the topsail to add extra length to the sails for a burst of extra speed, and they quickly comply with her orders. While she is not able to bring the ship as close as she would have liked, the Rita is able to halt her progress. The Rita is now 170 yards (510') away from the raft, and heading perpendicular to the raft.

Round 2: Aikane, Nefertiti, Reknar, 'Lani, Oren, Rata Fenn, [Sea Hags, Wedjat], Jacinth.

Oren waits until Nef has gotten the bystanders out of the way and launches yet another Fireball at the monster.

Fireball 7d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5, 5, 5, 2, 2, 4) + 2 = 26 damage
DC 18 Reflex for half.

Caster level check to overcome SR 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 17 I actually used the wrong numbers last check as my Spell Specialization gives me an additional bonus when using this spell. The numbers in this check are correct.

Nef nods at Reknar's words. She's not a foolhardy girl or a glory hound. She plans ahead, weighs odds in her team's favor when she can. She'd rather fight smart or better yet, avoid fights completely. But in Reknar's eyes, she must surely appear reckless.

"I know they're dangerous.. but these hags set the raft as a trap. Do we want to leave them to catch the next set of kind souls who come to rescue them?"

Her voice calm and reasonable, she says, "The hag just tried to get in my head, Reknar. What would they do to someone less prepared to fight them? If I can hold them in place, you or Oren can finish them." Then she sighs. "We're committed to this next pass, but after that I'll get Wedjat to speed us out of here, okay? I just want to give Oren's spell the best chance of success I can."

"I'm not saying we shouldn't nuke them out of these waters for good. I'm just saying we can easily do it from the ship" - Reknar grumbles - "Pepper them with spells, arrows, alchemist fire - whatever. But we don't need to risk as much" - he adds - "What if next time around it does get in your head, or the eagle's?"

Oren: FYI the Sea Hags act simultaneously with Wedjat (DON'T Ask...) so if Oren waits for Nef to fly away, that action will occur simultaneously with the Sea Hags actions.
.
I will wait for others to post here before adjudicating your action results Oren.

"I'm not saying we shouldn't nuke them out of these waters for good. I'm just saying we can easily do it from the ship" - Reknar grumbles - "Pepper them with spells, arrows, alchemist fire - whatever. But we don't need to risk as much" - he adds - "What if next time around it does get in your head, or the eagle's?"

"Okay, you have a point," Nef admits. "I didn't want to let the hags escape... but I had no right to risk you and Wedjat. Next time you say to flee, I'll do it. I won't say, 'No questions asked,' because I will ask questions of you. But I will acknowledge your greater experience in these matters and retreat. Deal?"

It's safe for you to fireball, Oren. I only need to come within 30 feet to dazing channel. Nef won't come any closer to them.

Dazing Channel, Will Save DC 18
Channel Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6/2 = 3

"You heard Reknar. Let's get out of here!" Nef orders Wedjat into a double move back to the ship.

_____________________________________
P.S. If it is easier for everyone, we can retcon if the Kraken agrees and say that I just took us all out of there asap.

However you want to rule it is fine with me, DM. I'd probably wait for Nef, her chicken, and Reknar to get clear, even if it allowed the baddies an extra action.

"Okay, you have a point," Nef admits. "I didn't want to let the hags escape... but I had no right to risk you and Wedjat. Next time you say to flee, I'll do it. I won't say, 'No questions asked,' because I will ask questions of you. But I will acknowledge your greater experience in these matters and retreat. Deal?"

"No need for such deference girl - we are not in the army" - Reknar answers - "Even if we were, I don't hold rank anymore" - he adds - "And I already told you - feel free to ask all the questions you want. During a fray might not be the best time though" - he chuckles.

Heh, I like the new Kraken avatar ;)

Nefertiti looses another blast of Horus's might down on the raft, engulfing the sea hags. Two of them slump over but the lead one shakes off the effects easily. Shaking a long bony arm at the priestess in rage, she dives off the raft and slips under the surface as the Haast eagle wheels off away from the raft.

Oren's spell impacts the raft and incinerates the two remaining hags, along with the raft itself. The remnants soon sink into the ocean leaving the surface calm and serene once again.

COMBAT OVER!

"No need for such deference girl - we are not in the army" - Reknar answers - "Even if we were, I don't hold rank anymore" - he adds - "And I already told you - feel free to ask all the questions you want. During a fray might not be the best time though" - he chuckles.

"Alright, Reknar," Nef says, pleased that the veteran is not angry. As they fly away, she says, "You and I work fairly well together. Would you want to practice any maneuvers today? I'm also curious to see if Lani would be willing to come up. Bombs from on high might work well on the island against the man beasts. What do you think?"

Nef watches the lead hag flee beneath the waves just before Oren's fireball hits with a Whumph. "Nice shots, Opu!" she says, hugging Oren when they land on the deck. "You got two of them and severely wounded the third."

Then she turns back to Reknar, touching him lightly on the arm. "Here, let me take care of your scratch from Wedjat's claws."

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

She grins. "That was some very impressive acrobatic moves back there, Reknar. Do you do this sort of thing often?"

_______________________________________

Oren smiled despite himself. He hadn't been able to let loose in quite a bit. Showing his value to the crew couldn't hurt his station among them. "Well, that wasn't that bad now, was it? Those things are nice and crispy and no longer a threat to passing vessels. Not a bad afternoon's work."

"Alright, Reknar," Nef says, pleased that the veteran is not angry. As they fly away, she says, "You and I work fairly well together. Would you want to practice any maneuvers today? I'm also curious to see if Lani would be willing to come up. Bombs from on high might work well on the island against the man beasts. What do you think?"

"I'd be up for that yes - I gotta admit there is something to flying with your giant eagle" - he turns to look at Wedjat - "Don't even know if you understand me, but that was a damned nice work - you're strong as an ox. Most likely stronger" - he nods.

"But I am not sure if I bring much advantage to the field from up on high, not much more I can do apart from firing a bow" - he shrugs - "But your friend with the flasks, now that might be an idea" - he scratches his chin, pondering the possibilities.

Then she turns back to Reknar, touching him lightly on the arm. "Here, let me take care of your scratch from Wedjat's claws."

She grins. "That was some very impressive acrobatic moves back there, Reknar. Do you do this sort of thing often?"

"Thank you for the healing" - he rubs his shoulders, and again turns to look at Wedjat - "Those talons are sharp, but it was just a scratch, nothing a good night sleep wouldn't heal" - then laughs at Nefertiti's reference to acrobatic moves - "I kinda picked up some moves here and there - when you need to move around the fray, you tend to try your best not to be hit. Now that you speak of it, I think I ended up focusing more on moving about unhindered then I had thought about" - he comments - "Also got to depending on it a lot back in... Well nevermind... A few years ago, I hung around with the wrong crowd for some time. Lets just say 'acrobatics' came with the job" - the man grins.

"I usually end up giving preference to the armor though. There really isn't much that compares to that kind of protection. I heard some stories here and there about magical ones that offer both things - protection and mobility, but never got my hands on one" - he shrugs - "So no, it is not the sort of thing I do often"

Oren smiled despite himself. He hadn't been able to let loose in quite a bit. Showing his value to the crew couldn't hurt his station among them. "Well, that wasn't that bad now, was it? Those things are nice and crispy and no longer a threat to passing vessels. Not a bad afternoon's work."

"You definitely blew them out of the water, that's for sure - I think I saw the eyes on one of them popping out like corn on fire" - he laughs heartily, moving towards the side of the ship, and looking out into the water - "One of them escaped though. And she may want revenge"

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

"Don't even know if you understand me, but that was a damned nice work - you're strong as an ox. Most likely stronger" - he nods.

"Screeeee!!!"

Better looking, too.

Wedjat meets Reknar's gaze, then ostentatiously preens himself.

________________________________
An ox at strength 23 is actually slightly stronger than Wedjat. However, if you tossed one off the ship, it would not fly.

"Don't worry, Lani and Aikane, I'm sure the next horrible thing we find will certainly try to board the ship, and will allow you to show your skills as well! Either of you fancy a game of chance or a celebratory drink? Nothing like the other night, but a drink or two won't hurt anything!"

Ke' turns to Oren and grinned.
"How about both?"

"Captain, you mind if we crack open another barrel to celebrate our victory? You know, keep the morale of the crew up...you want a bunch of sailors in good spirits, don't you," he said with a laug.

Nef takes Oren's arm. "Opu, can we talk a moment?"

She pulls him aside and says quietly, "You asked me to remind you that this rum does weird things to you. Are you sure you want to do this on the day before we land at Dolentla?"

She rubs her nose, feeling an oncoming headache. She doesn't want to be the killjoy who ruins everyone else's fun. "Can we save the next drinking binge until after we face mad whales, bestial men, a dark nature spirit, and the ancient elven lab with goodness knows what horrors inside?"

She looks up at him, meeting his gaze. "Please?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

"Don't worry, Nef. Not a binge at all. Just a tiny celebration. Want to be sure the boys are still on their game. Those two are fighters who didnt get to fight. That could get in their heads if they linger in it. I think it'd be good for them to release that pent up frustration in a good way. "

She thought about what she could remember of the night of drinking they'd had. Oren and Ke'ahillani had all far outpaced her drinking, yet had suffered less effect. And she knew from her travels with Aikane that he could certainly handle his booze.

"Okay," she smiles. "I trust you guys. If Jacinth says yes, have fun."

Reknar smiles at the prospect of a drink, but does not follow the others, instead finding 'higher ground' on board of The Rita to stand watch, grumbling something about vengeful, spiteful hags while he does so - "Not on my watch" - he adds.

"Some of you are currently on duty," Jacinth muses, looking specifically at Aikane and Lani. "But provided the weather holds and no one gets too carried away..." she shrugs. "I do not see any harm in a celebratory drink or two for anyone who wants to partake. Besides, that was very well-handled by the three of you," she smiles and nods at Reknar, Nef, and Oren. "And you too, Wedjat!" she says soothingly and holds her hands up in a mock-defensive posture as the eagle pauses in his preening to look up at her.

As those members of the crew off duty celebrate by cracking open another barrel of rum, those still on duty resume their stations and set the Rita on the correct course once again.

As the afternoon moves onward into evening, you see few signs of passage having moved well off the main shipping lines. The islands off in the distant are also devoid of any sign of civilization. As the sun sinks into the horizon it seems a strange sense of calm has descended over the ship. Your passage over the ocean water is strangely quiet now, and as the moon shines down on you from the night sky the feeling only intensifies.

As the morning dawns on this, the seventh day of your voyage, Captain Jacinth takes another navigation reading and confirms you will arrive at Dolentla Island later this morning. When news of this reaches the Tulitan crew, a sense of quiet resolve (or is it a grim resignation) passes over them. Whereas before they were talking and jovial with you and with one another, now they are silent and grim-faced as they man their stations.

As for the rest of you, your destination awaits...

Time Check: 0800 Day 7...Dolentla Island ETA 1000 hours.

Day 6, 1330 hours

Besides, that was very well-handled by the three of you," she smiles and nods at Reknar, Nef, and Oren. "And you too, Wedjat!" she says soothingly and holds her hands up in a mock-defensive posture as the eagle pauses in his preening to look up at her.

Wedjat pauses in his preening to hop over to the elf woman. He looks her in the eye. "Screee!"

Almost forgot me, did you? I'll forgive you for a snack...

Day 6, 1330 hours

Nef smiles at the deft way that Jacinth handled the drinking request from Oren. She's really growing up...

She spends the time before their arrival at Dolentla island double-checking supplies, making food items that can be carried with them as rations, and checking in with all the crew.

She does not join in with the drinking or the card game, but she does do some aerial maneuvers on Wedjat, and invites Lani to join her. "Want to see if you can throw your flasks from an airborne position, Lani?"

Day 6, 1730 hours

Nef climbs the bowsprit, and tells her final story to Whale.

Perform Oratory: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Day 7, 0800 hours

Nef serves up a large hot breakfast of eggs, bacon, oatmeal and fruit.

Untrained Profession Cook: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

It's not the most exciting meal, but it's hearty and there's lots of it. After breakfast, she casts Read Weather, to give the full team a forecast of the weather for the next couple days.

"The Captain says we'll be at Dolentla in a few hours. Is everyone packed and ready to go?" She looks around and says, "We need to keep our eyes open as we approach the island for the whale and those bestial men that the Captain spoke of..."

Heeding her own advice, she mounts Wedjat and takes to the air, seeing what she can see from above the ship.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

___________________________
I'll try to backfill the Whale storytime in later!

Nefertiti casts her spell and discovers the weather for today and tomorrow should be pleasant, with sunny skies for the rest of the day and clouds building for the following day. No storms are predicted which should make your exploration of the island easier, so you think.

After casting her spell and preparing a filling meal for the crew, the petite priestess climbs aboard her eagle companion and launches into the air, climbing quickly skywards. After circling around the ship for a few times, she spots the island a couple of miles off. Not seeing anything else of note she motions for Wedjat to head towards the island.

As she draws closer in the distance, the small, lush tropical island, only about a mile across, comes into view. Even from afar, it is clear that the shoreline is well guarded by natural obstacles. Razor sharp rocks and coral reefs protrude above the water line or lurk just beneath the water’s surface. These dangers are most heavily concentrated around the eastern and southern beaches, making it impossible to navigate a ship close to shore from either direction. Although still treacherous, the western and northern approaches appear more feasible. Rock formations and small coral reefs are still in the way, but they are not as dense as the other approaches. An uneasy feeling like a dense fog hangs over the deck as the island looms ever closer.

As Nefertiti flies closer she sees no overt signs of danger, but she does note the ocean bears the evidence of past tragedies. Her sharp eyes pick up several items of note. Here a plank of wood, there a brightly colored scarf, a leather slipper, and other various clothing items floating on the surface. These items are predominantly found in the waters west of the island, with a lesser concentration on the north and south sides of Dolentla Island. Strangely, there is no evidence of human remains anywhere in the vicinity.

After Nefertiti returns to the Rita and gives her report to the others, Jacinth recalls her previous visit here...

"Well, seems we have two choices," Oren said when apprised of the situation. "If we can't enter from the east or the south, then it has to be north or west. Lots of trouble seems to be on that western shore, so my vote is we make an attempt from the north, Captain. Seems to be the most logical course of action for us all."

Why don't we scale the cliffs as it were?

Nef raises an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting flying past the coral reefs on the East and South, Aikane? Wedjat and I can ferry us over, but I could only do one or two passengers at a time, leaving those on the island vulnerable to attack..." She pauses, considering. "I could take Aikane and Reknar in the first batch, and then bring the others in one at a time. Or perhaps I could bring more, if Aikane could rig a net or a harness for them..."

She turns back to Aikane, her dark eyes intense as she gazes at the menehune. "Is that what you're suggesting, Aikane, or something else?"

Ever aware of the potential proximity of the maddened whale, Nefertiti donates her air crystals to the tulitan crew and casts Water Breathing and then touches herself, Reknar, Dog, Jacinth and Oren.

All those named get 2 hours of the ability to breathe water as well as air. Neither Reknar and Jacinth have air crystals, hence the spell. Oren was added because like Nef he's a rotten swimmer, and so that he can cast spells underwater if needed.

"So, if we let Nef fly us over, we don't need to risk the ship into the unknown perils? That's clever. My worry is, what if we need to get out in a hurry? If there's no boat, then we can only go as fast as Wedjat can lug us..."

Nef nods at Oren. "You have the problem in a nutshell, Opu."

She pacing lightly back and forth, she gestures with her hands Qadiran-fashion, as she talks the problem through. "Actually, no matter what route we take, the exit strategy will be fraught with problems."

"If we park the longboats, we may still have to run the length of the island to return to them -- and that's assuming that the man beasts don't mess with anything we leave behind."

"If we carry the longboats... we're lugging weight that will slow us down and prevent us from fighting at full strength."

Then she glances at Jacinth, then meets the gazes of each of her teammates. "Besides, it's not just us we have to get out of here. We've come to rescue Jacinth's friends: Genevieve Tolcrist, Maximilian Sidrow, Joshua Bonedeuce, Lenora Duhamel, Tordell Rivery, Susanna Bellstead, and Elizabeth Stansport. That's seven of us -- nine including Wedjat and Dog -- and seven of them."

She sighs. "We can't assume that the kids will be in any shape to cooperate with us, either. We may have to resign ourselves to clearing the island of its monsters before we can leave, no matter what transport mode we choose." She glances at the rest of the team. "Knowing this, do we want to vote for going by boat or by air? I vote air."

For the first time since setting out, Jacinth's stomach lurches with a very real sense of dread as she thinks back to the events that saw the loss of the Dulcimer and of her friends. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she turns to address the others.

"Oren is correct," she says quietly. "If we want to risk the beaches, the northern shore seems our safest bet. If we wish to take Aikane and Nef's suggestion to either scale or fly over the cliffs, that would hopefully keep the Rita and the rest of the crew safe...at least from those man-beasts. However," she sighs, "if something were...to happen to you or Wedjat," she swallows and looks at Nef, "then we would be left to find a different route back to the ship. No matter what, it will be very dangerous."

Jacinth closes her eyes for a moment, trying to clear her mind and think through their options in a logical manner. "Okay," she says slowly as she opens her eyes again. "We still have no idea where that whale might be or if it is even still in the area...barring trying to bring the ship close enough to the island that it cannot follow, I am at a loss on how else to protect ourselves beyond what has already been done. And even that would be dangerous, considering the reefs and rocks that surround the island. We may just have to leave things to fate at this point, where the whale is concerned."

Turning to gaze at the island, she continues. "As for getting to shore...unless someone has a better idea, I am inclined to agree that we either should attempt to scale the cliffs or have Nef and Wedjat ferry us over them. But if we do, we need to be mindful about how many will need to be transported back to the Rita later. As Nef said, we may have no choice but to try and eliminate the threat of these man-beasts entirely before we are able to return. No matter the route we take, I think it would behoove us to prepare and plan for the possibility that we may not be able to return to the ship for some time, possibly days," she says grimly.

So you are saying that a long boat wouldn't clear the rocks. Oh well then.

Nef nods to Aikane. "So, what is your vote -- North Beach by boat or the South-East by air?"