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Round 02
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The anaconda squeezes Shakaro more tightly and begins to swim away with Shakaro further back into the lower deck.
Shakaro takes 14 damage.
As the snake moves away, Stig pounds again on it with his large fist. Shakaro's initial horror at being dragged away eases, though, as the snake stops moving and releases its grip.
for
constrict
Jaqu will get out of the hold and shake the water out of his fur (standing as close to Waseem as possible).
“Are you kidding me?! What’s your problem?”
“I’m going spend the next four minutes as a half fish. Why should I have a problem.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be fighting a snake?”
“They already took care of it.”
“So you’re upset you didn’t get to kill something.”
“Yes I’m upset I didn’t get to kill something. And that I’m a mer-cat.”
Shakaro takes his wooden stake and jams it from beneath into the snake's skull.
He then grabs the large bone again and swims for the surface, breaking through to the air with a gasp of relief.
He nods at Stig.
"My thanks. You are very good in the water. Usually a fist does very little against a swimmer."
He holds up the large bone.
"I found this down there. What do you think it means?"
Selena follows Shakaro up to the surface, breathing heavily with her hands on her knees, looking up at the bone in Shakaro's grip.
"It means. . . something. . . died," she manages between breaths.
After a moment, she catches her breath and looks back into the water, weighing the benefits of going back in for another look versus the risk of more creatures waiting in the depths.
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Stig (gmpc) nods at SHakaro, "I am just happy no one died; buy yes, getting to finally hit something hard was refreshing."
"Shall we explore the depths more?"
---
Captain Esteban sees the commotion of everyone rushing down and then coming back onto the deck, "Is everything ok, what happened?", he shouts out.
"Make that someone," Selena says after getting her breath back, staring at the bone.
Hearing the captain yell, she steps up to look up at him and shouts back, "We're all good here. We found a big snake. And a human leg bone in the flooded portion of the Lady."
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Estaban answers back, "Flooded eh? Ok, its probably not worth the risk down there. I'll bring the boat back alongside unless you want to explore more."
The River Queen is about 15 ft away and the captain begins heading upriver some and expertly letting the current push the boat back closer towards Lady Luck. After a few minutes, they are close enough for you all to jump back aboard.
Waseem and Jaqu will climb back aboard and show Estaban the arrow, ”Looks like one of the tribes attacked them. I imagine the giant snake showed up later.”
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Captain Esteban takes the arrow and looks it over. He then tosses it to Faruq, who also nods. "Yes, quite a good guess Waseem. This looks similar to the arrows from the elven savages we have been struggling with. I wouldn't have imagined them coming this far upriver. We should go; it won't do any good to end up like the Lady Luck."
Observing the exchange, Selena looks to the banks of the river nervously and decides suddenly that diving back into the flotsam is not for her at this time. "Yes, leaving would be good..." she half mumbles and hurriedly fumbles her way back up the River Queen. When she's aboard and a few steps away from everyone, she shakes her head vigorously back and forth, flinging water from her hair in all directions and immediately sets to drying her dagger.
Waseem will step aside from the spray of water.
“What is it about me that everyone wants to shake off on me?”
“Well, you’re dry and furry. You kinda look like a towel.”
“Seriously?”
“Or a bath mat.”
“I should re-imagine you as a dog. Dogs are loyal.”
“They also shake off all over their owners. And they drool. Knock yourself out.”
“This one can cast message. It probably would not have been effective while underwater, but if we are separate in the future it might be helpful.”
Shalkaro shrugs. He retrieves his things and then returns to the Queen.
"Maybe the boat was hit further upriver, and drifted to run aground here?"
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"Quite possible my friend, but those details aren't as important as getting you all to Nightfall Station at this point. There are no obvious survivors and clearly signs of death and struggle. My finder fee really only kicks in once you get there", he smiles.
The rest of this day is fairly solemn but pretty uneventful. There is plenty of time to pace the ship and chat others up.
The next day is equally uneventful. At one point, Shwarto and anyone else interested is invited to see the lower decks. The entire middle of the deck is covered in machinery, gears, cogs, and a large furnace. Hurg busily tends to the machinery, but one thing is noticeably absent ... any significant amount of fuel.
"Magic," Hurg quips, "Can't say I understand it myself, but it is magic." He looks at Esteban, who nods and continues the conversation, "It is powered by Acrophage, a type of magical fungus that is out in the Mwangi. This fungus is parasitical to all types of plant creatures. Seems like Shambling mounds are affected more than anything. Well, however it happened, the original designer of these mechanical contraptions figured out a way to utilize the Acrophage as a substitute for a wood or coal. While it is pretty cool, its damn hard to find. I was hoping you would find some extra on the Lady Luck, to be honest, but it seems unlikely with a flooded engine room."
Selena's eyes narrow slightly at Captain Esteban, but she doesn't say anything in response. I still don't know what to make of this guy.
Selena would accompany Shwarto to see the lower decks. "How is this magic?" she asks skeptically. "You're still using fuel, a different type of fuel this fungus, but still fuel." She pauses, and then her face brightens. "Oh, you mean MAGIC mushrooms. Fungus. I see."
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Shwarto is absolutely fascinated by the engine AND the Acrophage.
"Can I get a small sample of the Acrophage? I'd love to look at it and see how it works."
If he can, he'd examine it at length. If allowed, he'd essentially take 20 on alchemy and/or spellcraft and/or knowledge checks to try and figure out what it is and how it works
"Fungus. The ship goes because of fungus?" Shakaro asks, dumbfounded. He shakes his head.
"When I get my own ship, I think I'll stick with wind. You don't have to shovel wind. Heh heh heh..."
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Hurg snickers at Selena's comment about the magic mushrooms. "Aye, I wouldn't put this stuff in yer body though. Dangerous stuff, even to us not-plant types."
He then turns to Shwarto and hesitates at the Wayang's request. How small, eh? This stuff can make ye sick or kill if ye don't treat it right. Well ... at any rate ts' all sittin in the furnace at the moment. Cap'n?
Esteban follows up, "Interesting request. What do you wish to learn about it?
I say that because we are running low. I am hoping our friends at Whitebridge Station have procured some more for us or we may not make the journey to Nightfall. This current is strong and we are burning more than usual." He then looks over at Shakaro, "You see my scaly friend, that is the problem with a river trip usually. If you sail, the wind need to be stronger than the current and it is just annoying to constantly be tacking up the river. Else-wise, everyone gets to row or pull the boats along the bank. We have a truly unique solution here. Probably why we are dominating the river trade from the interior."
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"Ahh, that should be fine and I think we could come to agreement on it when we find some more at Whitebridge. If you could learn more about it, that would certainly be very interesting to the company.", Estedan nods to Shwarto.
---
Later that evening ...
As the sun sets low and the insects sing the praises of the night sky. While the direct heat has subsided, the humidity still causes you to sweat. A fresh catch of fish from the crew is another welcomed end to the day.
Initiatives:
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Your quiet conversation is interrupted as Shakaro notices a thick mass of some kind of flying insects headed towards the port side of the boat.
Initiatives:
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Swarm
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Stíg
Selena
Shwarto
Waseem
Jaqu
Shakaro
Crew
Surprise Round:
Swarm and Shakaro can act:
The swarm continues to move towards the boat, and Shakaro can now see the thousands of tiny flies all muddled into one big mass. The earliest of the little gnats start to bounce off his skin.
"Flies!" Shakaro shouts. "Swarm of them! Shut the windows!"
Shakaro runs back towards the cabin.
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----- Round 1 -----
The mass of gnats continues to move towards Shakaro and completely engulfs the oracle. Gnats are trying to dig into everywhere along his body, crawling into eyeballs and up his nostrils. Shakaro is straining to see through the swarm due to its mass around him and the unpleasant feeling in opening his eyes. The gnats aren't biting the nagaji, but he is mostly unable to see and is feeling sick to his stomach. The remaining parts of the swarm struggle up against the netting over the covered cargo area, but it doesn't take too long for the tiny gnats to make it through the netting.
The rest of the party is up.
"Bload!". You hear a single profanity from Faruq on the top deck.
SHakaro:
- You can make an attack of opportunity
- I need you to make a Fortitude save to avoid being sickened DC13
- I need you to roll a percentile: 25% or lower fails
- You are blinded within the swarm, you feel like moving near the side of the deck will be dangerous (Roll acrobatics to see if you fall)
- DC10 + caster level check to cast a spell
- DC15 WIll save to use any skills that require patience or concentration
With one hand, Selena produces her masterwork pipe (no time to summon!) and with the other fine sand, small grains slipping through her clenched fist and spilling onto the deck. She plays a soothing, gentle lullaby and holds out the sand, opening her fist and letting the sand freely fall. She focuses on the middle most group of gnats and casts sleep.
”This one has no magic to contribute. Usually a Molotov’s cocktail is good against swarms but seem contraindicated on a river boat.” He’ll help close portholes.
Stig (gmpc) rushes out the cabin, sees Shakaro in trouble. "Hang in their my friend, I will help crush the bugs."
Stig double moves towards Shakaro, trying to be careful to maintain his balance while rushing along the narrow gangway. About halfway along, he trips and loses his balance. Stig nearly falls overboard, but just catches onto the rail to stop himself. "That ... was close..."
SHakaro:
- You can make an attack of opportunity
- I need you to make a Fortitude save to avoid being sickened DC13
- I need you to roll a percentile: 25% or lower fails
- You are blinded within the swarm, you feel like moving near the side of the deck will be dangerous (Roll acrobatics to see if you fall)
- DC10 + caster level check to cast a spell
- DC15 WIll save to use any skills that require patience or concentration
Shakaro lashes out at the swarm as it approaches with his greatclub, not expecting much to happen.
"Aagh! Get off a me!"
Not being able to see that Stig has approached, he does the one thing he knows of that might help. Wooden spines grow from his skin and burst in all directions!
Feeling that he is close to the side of the boat, Shakaro then jumps overboard and dives into the water, not opening his eyes until he is fully under water, and he begins treading water, keeping his head just below the surface.
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casts a sleep spell on the swarm of gnats but it doesn't seem to affect the creatures at all. She then recalls that vermin are generally immune to such things.
furious starts closing the windows in the main cabin and is easily able to close the first one. sits tight.
grabs an acid flask and heads outside to see what can be done.
rushes outside and tries to get near Shakaro, who is covered in gnats. As he runs along the gangway, he trips and nearly falls into the river but is able to catch himself at the last second on the railing. He makes it to Shakaro just in time to see the get caught in a burst of thorns and then see the nagaji jump into the river. The big man is not at all sure what just happened, but knows the thorns are quite painful. "Owwww"
, feeling sick from the swarm of gnats and not at all excited about them completely covering him, erupts himself in a burst of thorns, hoping to get the gnats off his body.
Shakaro then jumps into the river, keeping his head underwater and the hull of the boat in sight.
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Round 2
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The swarm breaks up and the gnats fly upward and away from the boat.
Combat over.
Stig ignores the thorny pain and reaches out to Shakaro to grab onto him and help him get back in the boat. He is able to grab the nagaji and hold onto him, even while the boat continues. "Man overboard," he shouts out. I think that's what you are supposed to say, yes?
to grab Shakaro and hold on.
Shakaro climbs clumsily back into the boat. He looks up at Stigandrr, and sees that he has been peppered with thorns, many of which are still sticking out of his body and clothing.
"Uh... sorry about that. Didn't see you there. But here, let me look after that,"
Shakaro pulls out a rattle made from a bird skull and feathers, and shakes it soothingly while murmuring some unrecognizable words. Then he touches Stig's wounds with the rattle, and they begin to close up.
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casts a sleep spell on the swarm of gnats but it doesn't seem to affect the creatures at all. She then recalls that vermin are generally immune to such things.
Selena comically hits a few foul notes from high to low, petering off at the end. Well, shoot... still can't make tiny, stupid pests go to sleep. She puts her pipe back in its place in her belt pouch, avoiding people's gaze and feeling her cheeks warm in embarrassment.
"We, uh, sure showed them, huh," she sheepishly says while fussing over her netted hat to make sure it was properly in place. "They won't be bugging us anymore." She laughs nervously at her own joke, finally daring to examine the others' expressions.
casts a sleep spell on the swarm of gnats but it doesn't seem to affect the creatures at all. She then recalls that vermin are generally immune to such things.
Selena comically hits a few foul notes from high to low, petering off at the end. Well, shoot... still can't make tiny, stupid pests go to sleep. She puts her pipe back in its place in her belt pouch, avoiding people's gaze and feeling her cheeks warm in embarrassment.
"We, uh, sure showed them, huh," she sheepishly says while fussing over her netted hat to make sure it was properly in place. "They won't be bugging us anymore." She laughs nervously at her own joke, finally daring to examine the others' expressions.
”Do not feel bad. This one could think of nothing useful to do. To be helpless in the face of gnats is humbling.”
“I’d say something cutting but the only thing I could think of was to get you to dismiss me.”
“You’d leave me to face the swarm alone?”
“No sense in us both being bit.”
“I guess not. We’re going to have to come up with some way to deal with swarms”
“How about turning me into a giant fly swatted?”
“I can’t do that!”
“Why not? You can turn me into a mer-cat.”
“‘Giant fly swatter’ isn’t on the list for lesser evolution surge.”
“You’re the expert. Just sayin’ it would be useful.”
“...”
"Thank you for your healing touch, friend." Stig says as the thorns fall out of his flesh and his wounds close up. "I was afraid you were lost for sure that time. That was a nice trick though."
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While the swarm of gnats are dispersed, many individuals still fly about the boat, generally annoying everyone all around. The gnats are fine enough to get through much of the mosquito netting with little effort.
After chatting with the crew some, you learn that torches waved around are also effective in breaking up such a swarm as well as any kind of vermin repellent. Danner confirms that the mosquito hats are great for the mosquitoes, but not quite as effective against the minuscule gnats.
In all, it is a pretty annoying night for most of the crew, but sleep cures most bad moods and a new day comes.
Both Shakaro and Stig have been exposed to disease this day. We'll see which one and if the Fort saves are good enough. Shakaro's use of the mosquito hat gives a bonus to his Fort save.
Both, Shakaro and Stig's bodies shake off the exposure to the infections. ---
--- Day 3 ---
It is pouring down rain this morning, but at least that is keeping the insects away from the boats. Shakaro and Stig both wake up not feeling so hot, perhaps with a slight fever, but are still able to manage through the day.
The rain continues throughout this day and except for being on watch, most of you stay dry in the cabin. Maybe Shwarto reads from his personal library and Selena tells some fabulous tales never heard before.
The day ends without much excitement for you and the crew.
DC: 5% chance of disease
--- Day 4 ---
New day and the rain has stopped. Captain Esteban shows your estimated position on the river map. "Not too far from Whitebridge now. I would say we should reach it in about 3 days now. It will be good to walk around on land a bit I think. Not too far from here, the jungle starts tightening in on the river."
"Oh yes, nearly forgot. We are a little short on meat this morning and the crew is busy making repairs. I don't suppose any of you are good at fishing or fixing things,", he says somewhat rhetorically.
There is nothing to eat here.
"Aye aye sir! I used ta be a chippy's mate! I got me own tools too. If they wanna do repairs on the hull, I can lend a hand."
Stig picks up a long cane pole and looks it over as if checking out the balance on an axe, "Yes, this will do. I've haven't fished before, but we did set bait and traps for animals on the plains. How hard could it be?"
Sitg gleefully shouts with joy as each time his baited hook hits the water a large fish, a few catfish and pacu, seemingly finds its way onto the hook. "Yes, this is great, eh Waseem? I am glad I saved some of the larger bugs I've been finding for a snack sometime. Fish seem to like 'em."
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Shwarto and Shakaro help out with repairs to the decking, hull, and maybe most importantly mosquito netting, earning even more favor from the crew. They have seemed to warm up to you more over the last few days now. They seem to appreciate Waseem's effort, even if he did totally strike out at fishing. Stig's success, and the promise of full bellies this morning, likely has a lot to do with that good-will though.
Morning eventually rolls into afternoon and the oppressive heat beats down again, sapping your strength and joy from being on an adventure.
Later in the afternoon, the main channel takes the boat quite close to the southern bank of the Vanji, and here the jungle forest is now right along the bank; its canopy often overhanging the boat. The shade offers a welcome respite from the heat of direct sunlight.
Cabin
Topdeck
Topdeck
Reardeck
Covered cargo
+4 vs traps
+13 vs traps, -1 if not near familiar
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Surprise Round
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Twikli, sitting atop of the topdeck and alerted to some danger, furiously tries to get Shwarto's attention, but the wayang is engaged in philosophical discussion with his friends on the top deck.
Initially, Selena doesn't know where to begin to help. These problems are outside my limited skill set... But seeing Stig's success at fishing, Selena decides to join him.
She ends up mainly keeping him company, telling stories to pass the time. After a while, she gives up and decides to help in the only way she knows how: entertaining. She pulls out her pipe and wanders the ship playing lively melodies.
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As Twikli flaps furiously, Shwarto feels the sudden sense of fear from his owl friend well up inside him. In that instant, the canopy over the boat erupts in screeching and howling primates.
Four pygmy ketches leap down from the trees towards the boat. In mid-air, all three hurl a small snake towards their targets, Speraggo, Waseem, and Jaqu, a sight that is as equally amazing as it is terrifying to behold. The ketches are essentially a type of advanced, intelligent monkey, each about 3ft tall. The snakes they threw down are black mambas, which are quite poisonous.
for plus poison
for plus poison
for plus poison
for plus poison
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The first ketch hurls his pet snake (yellow) down towards Waseem and Jaqu as he falls. The ketch hits the mosquito netting above the topdeck and comically bounces off and into the waters below, screeching in panic . The black mamba, however, lands close enough to Waseem to bite at him but misses .
The snake from the next ketch (green) touches down near Jaqu while the ketch hits the mosquito netting on the topdeck and hangs on . The snake slithers a step and bites Jaqu's leg .
The next ketch lands on the rear deck near Waseem and grabs its ribs, wincing in pain. The snake it threw (orange) towards Waseem lands right nearby and bites the catfolk .
The last ketch drops down to the topdeck with Speraggo with ease. It's pet snake (red) lands directly onto Speraggo but just as it is about to sink its fangs into his face, Speraggo deftly bats the snake's strike away and it falls to the ground at his feet. Speraggo still shrieks in panic at what just happened...
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Round 1
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Whole Party
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Baddies
(Ketch 3 - 6 dmg)
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Crew
The whole party is up.