Connor, who was about to go shopping himself for some winter attire, got a closed-look on his face.
After several minutes in the chart room with the strongboxes, Connor handed Volita the strong-box with the money she indicated. "I'll be going with you - I need to pick up some cold weather outfits on the way back." he grumbled. "We need to leave before we're charged for another day."
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Deep in the night, 2 days later, as the ship chugs along slowly over the tree tops, with Adraniel and Elrohir trading off 12 hour shifts to keep the river in view through the trees and swamp, stretches and looks around to refresh his eyes from staring into darkness looking for glints of light reflected from water through the trees.
Looking up and around, he see's a ghost of something move through a cloud, high and to the starboard. Glinting in the distance, the wane moonlight is shrouded by the clouds to starboard. Then like a whale breaking the cloud, a dark shape punches through the clouds, a huge dark ship dropping through the cloud, heading straight for the ship, no lights at all...
Adran calls out about the ship and begins calling for the others to be awakened. He has his bow out and ready as this ship doesn't seem to be coming to welcome or talk to them.
Not on shift, Connor awoke at the cry from the crow's nest. He lurched to the door to his cabin and echoed the alarm. "All hands! General alert! Who's out there?" he bellowed.
Connor got his psionic focus. Behind him, Hero the psicrystal crawled in the other direction down the hallway, telepathically adding to the wake-up call. Everybody up! Thrice up! Something going on!
Connor made an astral construct at his maximum range out to the main deck.
This Humavian statue is made from an otherworldly, translucent silvery material. It stands ready to obey its' master's silent command.
Craft (Sculpting) check:
A result of 10 to 19 creates a creature that is recognizably similar to the desired creature shape; a result of 20 to 29 creates a construct that looks like an accurate portrayal of that creature type; a result of 30 or higher creates a construct that looks like a specific individual.
N Medium construct
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, Perception -
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+2 Dex, +6 natural)
HP 36 (3d10+20)
Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +1; Immune construct traits
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., fly 20 ft. (Average)
Melee slam +7 melee (2d6+9) with Power Attack (Ex) and Improved Slam Attack (Ex)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 15, Con —, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 10
BAB +3, CMB +8; CMD 20
Feats -
Skills -
SPECIAL ABILITIES (Three menu options from Menu A; Advanced Constructs Menu A is also available)
Fly (Ex)
Improved Slam Attack (Ex)
Power Attack (Ex)
Sting joins the others on deck, glancing warily the incoming ship. "Uh, guys. That's the Blood Drake, the ship Grimjowl helms. It's crew can see in the dark, and it's much more heavily armed and armored than we are. About the only advantages we have is that we're slightly faster, and most of their crew can't fly."
The ship continues to close, and as the deck of the Elephant fills up with people, four sniper rounds come in...
At this distance, only one even comes close to hitting anyone, the other 3 rip into the deck far from anyone.
The one that does come close to someone hits near Seaman Parver, who yelps as splinters open bloody (but superficial) wounds on her cheek and forehead as the bullet slams into the central mast!
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Volita's eyes go wide as the heavy rounds impact the stout wood of the ship, leaving massive gaps in their wake.
"Mah goodneth!" she responds sardonically. "It would appear that we have some callers at this unseemly hour! Well, since they have been so kind as to get all dressed an' gussied up, we must needs respond in kind.
The hall is rented, the band is struck...
now let's see if they can dance."
She forms another construct, this one a dedicated combat model, not nearly as pretty as the first one with a great sloping hump along one edge of its back. The two hulking golems take flight, heading as one toward one of the sniper-shooters.
Phoenix Hawk:
Construct stats: lvl 4 A:Utility, Flight(20)| B: Extra Attack, Muscle(+4)
AC: 22/12/20
HP: 47
F: +1 R: +3 W: +1
Speed: 40
Size: M
Hunchback:
Construct stats: lvl 4 A: Trip, Flight(20') | B: Extra Attack, Muscle(+4)
AC: 22/12/20
HP: 47
F: +1 R: +3 W: +1
Speed: 40
Size: M
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Phoenix Hawk:
Construct stats: lvl 4 A:Utility, Flight(20)| B: Extra Attack, Muscle(+4)
AC: 22/12/20
HP: 47
F: +1 R: +3 W: +1
Speed: 40
Size: M
Hunchback:
Construct stats: lvl 4 A: Utility, Flight(20') | B: Extra Attack, Muscle(+4)
AC: 22/12/20
HP: 47
F: +1 R: +3 W: +1
Speed: 40
Size: M
The Aerial Fighter took off, Connor's eyes telling the ectoplasm to fly as an obstruction to any further shots.
"Marksmen, take out those snipers! Get to the railings! I'm about to put fiery walls behind the crow's nest to the center!" Connor said from the door to the interior of the ship.
Connor manifested energy wall, fire just above and behind the crow's nest of the Elephant. Twenty feet high and a hundred feet long, the ectoplasm burst into flame towards the sky, heating the air behind the sails, and providing light across the night air.
"Healer to the deck - Seaman Parver!" Connor shouted. Looking up and behind him, he bellowed "Helm! Full speed ahead! Get us out of here! And if anybody has control air or localized windstorm, now would be a good time to manifest it behind the sails!"
"No good captain! The ballista don't have the range yet! They've got height on us, cuts our range and helps theirs!" The ballista gunner calls even as he winds up the ballista.
"Same here Captain! The cannons dinnae have the range, less than the ballista truth be told!" But be begins loading the cannons anyway.
"Dinnae know how their hittin' us with the bloody sniper rifles at this range, they must be usin' distance enchantments." The cannoneer grouses. "Wish we had that... frak, wish we had magic cannons!"
"Aye aye Captain, full speed Aye! Engines full!" The helmsman yells, jerking on the cords to indicate to the engine man to open the throttle. "Uh, Captain, you ain't gonna unfurl the sails are ya? That'll be like running into a wall while we're on the elemental engines..." The helmsman reminds Connor, then looks up at the falling ship. "They got height on us Cap, and they can trade height for speed, so it's gonna be hard to lose 'em! How the hell did they know where we were?"
"No, don't unfurl the sails - unless we get a tailwind!" Connor shouted back to the helmsman. "Go evasive! Hard tack to starboard! South by southwest, forty-five degrees! And get us some maneuvering altitude! Everybody else - max defense!"
Connor watched as his first energy wall slid to the North, to the aft of the ship, as he manifested inertial armor on himself. Looking around for Hero, he saw him on the deck inside, and told him Get over here!
The ship continues to close. Connor yells for the ship to begin evasive maneuvers, and then another round of sniper fire comes in...
At this distance, only one even comes close to hitting anyone, the other 3 rip into the deck far from anyone.
The one that does come close to someone hits near Seaman Jerrick, who curses as the round splinters deck wood next to the cannon he's loading.
The fire wall begins to slip away as the ship maneuvers away from it...
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Volita makes a third construct, similar to the first two, designates it 'Wasp' and sends it onward as reinforcement, but she thinks that three will have to do. Any others should probs stay close.
All the constructs fly at maximum speed in a straight line, closure of the enemy craft the prime objective.
The ship continues to close. Another round of sniper fire.
The ship lumbers closer and closer. Another round of sniper fire.
And then it flicks sideways, and there's a sequences of light blooms from the side of the ship. The crew knows what those mean, and the 3 seconds it takes for the results to arrive feel like years...
One of the blooms is much larger than it should be, and there's a ragged, but gallows tinged cheer as one of the cannons barking at the Elephant backfires.
However, the other two do bark loud and clear, and while the Elephant avoids one of the balls as it smashes through a couple of spars in the sail rigging without any real damage, the other cannon ball slams into the deck with frightening force!
The round hit's on the side, and nobody is hit with shrapnel... this time...
Connor calculated the distance, knowing his short-lived construct wouldn't live long enough to reach the attacking ship. "Shapers - make longer-lasting constructs - go small, prepare to swarm when that ship gets closer! And start repairs!" he yelled out.
Upwards, the Aerial Fighter stopped dodging and went straight upwards . The energy walls of fire were left behind, their light fading as well.
"Helm! Keep evading - you're are only plan for now! Hard to port when you see those flashes!" Connor warned as he started concentrating.
This silvery-transparent mannequin of a winged Humavian stands shorter than a Halvavian. It is ready to move by silent command from its master.
Craft (Sculpting) check:
A result of 10 to 19 creates a creature that is recognizably similar to the desired creature shape; a result of 20 to 29 creates a construct that looks like an accurate portrayal of that creature type; a result of 30 or higher creates a construct that looks like a specific individual.
N Small construct
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, Perception -
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+2 Dex, +5 natural, +1 size)
HP 15 (1d10+10)
Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0; Immune construct traits
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., fly 20 ft. (Average)
(only if changed to attack) Melee slam +2 melee, 1d4+3 damage
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 15, Dex 15, Con —, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 10
BAB +1, CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats -
Skills: Can perform any simple task of DC 12 or less for its' duration.
SPECIAL ABILITIES (One option from Menu A; one option from Advanced Constructs Menu A, taken twice)
Fly (Ex)
Utility (Ex) (2x)
Connor gave the construct the command to perch on the railing until the other ship got to within 180 feet.
Adran fly's down to Connor.
"Um boss not sure of the plan here. Don't think we can run. I say we blow them up. Run up a white flag to surrender. We can gather all the powder and any unstable magic items we still have and put them around the engines. We abandon the ship but fly bellow it. We can tie a lantern above and extend a rope with a release knot. When they board we pull the rope igniting the powder setting off a chain reaction of powder keg explosions and hopefully rupturing and exploding the engines. This should send the elephant and all on it crashing down and if lucky put a bit dent in the warship. We can then fly up and assault the ship why they are unaware what hit them. What do you say boss you want a warship?"
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Volita cocks an eyebrow at Adraniel. "Your plan is to blow up the ship we have, and all the cargo on board, to try and damage a ship that you hope to capture?
If we can capture it why not just capture it? If you're not going to honor a white flag, then just run it up and we'll pounce when they get close.
Pfff. It's not like they honored any rules ambushing us, so I have few qualms about turning the tables on them."
Volita makes another lvl 4 utility construct, but keeps it next to her.
"Because they have a warship and superior numbers. If they send half to board and we blow them up then maybe we have a chance. C'mon boss whats the call there closing quick."
Closer and closer. Sniper fire.
Two of the rounds hit people this time!
Seaman Haddock screams as a sniper round slams into his thigh, sending blood splattering. He dives under cover as best he can, trying to cut off the flow of blood with a rag.
Seaman Melia cries out as a bullet creases her wing, sending a plume of green and blue feathers flying as she's nicked by the bullet!
The other two rounds slam into the deck, ripping up bits of wood.
The Aerial Fighter continued to rise.
"Warship yes; superior numbers yes; guile? No." Connor told Adran as his second astral construct perched on the starboard railing. He was cut off by the cannonfire hitting the wood decking. And crewmembers. "We're not blowing up the Elephant!" Connor told them strongly. "Helm, I thought I told you to evade!" he shouted back at the wheelman.
"Adran," Connor said, "Get back to the crow's nest and call out when those cannons are about to fire, so you can tell the helmsman how to dodge. We need your eyes on those cannons. We're going to tack against the wind with the engines as we go up." He looked up at Volita, saying "I've got a power stone of inevitable strike, augmented . I'm going to give it to our best gunner. Keep making your constructs, but heal crewmembers when you can. I'm going to make energy walls of fire, just as soon as that ship gets within range. And I might stop us in mid-air, if it gets bad. Like with the sails. Let them fall in front of us." Connor looked at Adran again. "Hold on tight if that happens." he warned.
"Now let's save this ship, and get out of this ambush!" Connor said. He bent down, getting Hero in his hands, and took off across the deck, zig-zagging around the bullet holes in the wood, towards the port cannon.
"THEY ONLY HIT WITH ONE! CAPTAIN!" The helmsman yells back.
"pfft. Now you're just going to get us all killed. The have superior position, and superior fire power. Coming from above they can use increased falling speed to close. Don't be dumb here. We have two plays. One is blowing this ship up and hoping we can take a lot of them. Or ramming and engaging them. You run you condemn everyone here to death or capture and torture like Elrohir. Maybe if we had a superior helmsman, but our hired crew has proven to be nothing special. Well guess I'll go wait to die, Hopefully I can negotiate and just go to work for the guy once they catch us."
Adran returns to the crows nest where he lays prone and goes full defensive while watching the hail of fire slowly destroy their ship.
"If a cannon ball hits you in the bird's nest, I hope you survive it long enough to get eaten by a croc below, jerk!" The helmsman screams at Adraniel. "You think it's so easy to dodge four cannonballs, you get your feathery ass down here and do it!"
There's a round of muttered threats from the rest of the crew as Adraniel insults them as they are working hard to save the ship.
"I'm the one that had a plan ballzy enough that we may all survive. The blood of all that die here won't be on me, but the boss there." Nodding toward Connor as he heads back to do what he was told.
"I know where some blood is that can stain the decks..." The helmsan mutters darkly.