Ascension - Merchant's Guild

Game Master bbangerter

Garion will again cast Hold Person, this time on the undine caster.

It should last for five rounds, but she gets a save every round as a full-round action. Save is DC 18.

It occurs to me that a few posts back, you didn't note if my firrst arrow hit or not. I know it did since 26 > 18, but not sure if you counted that.

Thanks for catching that, I missed applying that 8 damage. Half-orc is still up for now.

Vados second punch lacks sufficient strength to injure the half-orc.

@Garion I'm showing only one hold person prepared on your spell list which you used on the shield beaer, or am I looking in the wrong place or missing something?

And we have one person at 1 hit point and another at 20. Maybe you should consider a selective channel or more healing?

The elementals focus on their target, trying to bring him down.

Air Elemental Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 221d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Air Elemental Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 101d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
Air Elemental Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 201d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Cindy calls out to the cleric. You need to heal our team. as she casts Glitterdust (Will save DC18 or be blind for up to 5 rounds) centered on the 4 squares N,O/13,14. This 10' burst should target the caster, the half orc, 3 more undines and the human. - I was sooo gonna move the spiders onto the boarding plank this turn too. >:)

She will then 5' step back to J14.

Round 4
(Mage Armor, Shield, Bless, Inspired Courage)

Aria levitates another 10 feet into the air, until she is finally able to see the half orc over Vados. With her sword still in her hand she braces her footing on the nearby rope rigging and incants a few magic words while gathering arcane power in her blade.

She releases the power as missiles of pure force, all of them aimed at the half orc.

magic missile on half orc for
3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 3) + 3 = 10 damage

With a screech, Skyfire launches from Aria's shoulder, flying into the air above N19, where he hovers by flapping his wings and gliding in small circles.

And we have one person at 1 hit point and another at 20. Maybe you should consider a selective channel or more healing?

Just throwing out some other options here as well:

Mikal grunts as he takes another blow from the half-orcs axe. He switches his judgment to Fast Healing Abadar fill me wth your healing power so I may send this beast to the shadows! withdrawal is probably the best option, but justice cannot show weakness. (heals 2 hp per round)

He then takes another mighty swing with his longsword

attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 (power attack -2, bless +1, favored enemy +2)
Damage 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 (pwr atk +4, favored enemy +2)

I had missed the favored enemy the first couple rounds, still shaking off the rust, half-orcs count as human for this purpose.

"We could use some healing over here." he shouts through the pain of his wounds and the effort of his strike.

The air elementals continue harassing the man, trying to find an opening but unable to do so.

Streaks of light fly from Aria's fingers slamming into the half-orc, breaking the skin in several places. The beast winces from the wounds.

Mikal counter attacks, slicing a grievous wound across his chest. The brutes eyes glaze over as he falls to the deck. And the cheering is heard across the internet

Other Options: Vados could/could have fought defensively. Good use of a Ki point. Mikal could/could have earlier moved so that he would cease being cleave bate. Cleave is really not all that good as both opponents need to be adjacent to each other. That half orc "could" have failed its save against sleep. :) I was thinking that Garion has selective channeling as a feat, but I see I am wrong. Channeling is so big that it would likely cover both boats, so not an option maybe, except life or death, which we are at... Channeling becomes an out of combat function if you do not have Selective Channeling. One other thought - Enlarged, Vados is close, but out party lacks a big damage dealer like this half orc.

He got his save just barely on the sleep :)

So, maybe he can be blind for a round or 4... :) I know I an not hexing much, but that area effect hitting 6 of our remaining 9 opponents was just too compelling. I really don't want them among us, and with the cloud gone this might accomplish that.

As Mikal cuts into the half orc Cindy calls out in concern Step away from Vados so he cannot cleave into you. L13 if you still want to threaten the half orc, or K13 if you need to not be on the front line until you get healing.

After his attack, Mikal takes a 5 foot step to K13, trying to put some space between him and the half-orc.

Thanks for the advice, as I stated before I am a little rusty, I may need to rethink Mikal's damage output...Hope the half-orc doesn't drop the greataxe overboard.

Garion is up for declaring an alternate action in place of hold person, then the pirates
The half-orc is down, leaving the caster, the bowman harassed by the air elementals, and a few mook undines.

@Garion I'm showing only one hold person prepared on your spell list which you used on the shield beaer, or am I looking in the wrong place or missing something?

My bad, I was thinking like a spontaneous caster. Yeah, I don't know why I didn't pick Selective Channeling as a feat instead of Scribe Scroll. If GM Ascension allows a mulligan, I'll change that.

Garion moves to Mikal's side (L13) and casts Heal Moderate burning Owl's Wisdom.

Desna's Blessing: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 4) + 5 = 17

Hopefully our generous DM will consider this first outing a tune up run and let us tweak a little...

GM Ascension wrote:

@Garion I'm showing only one hold person prepared on your spell list which you used on the shield beaer, or am I looking in the wrong place or missing something?

My bad, I was thinking like a spontaneous caster. Yeah, I don't know why I didn't pick Selective Channeling as a feat instead of Scribe Scroll. If GM Ascension allows a mulligan, I'll change that.

Go ahead and change that.

With their captain fallen the remaining pirates drop their weapons, holding up their hands suing for clemency.

Go ahead and change that.

Thanks.

With their captain fallen the remaining pirates drop their weapons, holding up their hands suing for clemency.

Wimps.

You gotta at least tell me how many were blinded. :)

With the battle over, Talathel puts away his bow, ceases his song, and grows quiet. He goes over to the half-orc and slowly pulls the corpse to the other end of the boat away from the commotion, beginning to strip the body not only to loot it, but to try and find something that might give a clue as to whether this is a pirate or something pretending to be one. What he does find that isn't of interest, he puts into a pile to keep for later.

"Captain, I suggest you keep crossbows on the undines, and someone with a sword to the mage's back. She'll be the one to really keep an eye on."

At first sign that the pirates are surrendering Cindy will cast Stabilize on the Half Orc, In case someone wants to question him. she explains, before casting Detect Magic and turning her attention to the mage.

You are my prisoner. You will be treated well if you behave, and ransomed if there is anyone that can pay a ransom for you, and the laws allow it. If you try to cast a spell or escape you will be terminated. My large friend here is faster than you and can swim as well as you, so do not think to flee in the water. As she explains this she is scanning the woman with Detect Magic and removing weapons and spell components from her.

Garion channels, choosing not to include the half-orc.

Desna's Blessing: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 5) = 13

"If anyone needs more blessing, let me know."

Mikal leans on his sword and exhales as the rush of battle leaves him and his heart rate starts to slow down. "Thank you for the blessings of your goddess." He says to Garion as he feels his wounds start to magically knit themselves.

He then makes his way to the Half-orc and grabs the Greataxe, examining it closely. Casting Detect Magic, he also looks at the breast-plate that the half-orc was wearing as he begins to help Talathel strip him of his possessions. Once we have the captain stripped of his gear we should revive and interrogate him, see if this was orchestrated or just a random pirate attack. We need to divest the rest of the pirates of their arms and armor, leave them in only their underclothes. Bind their hands and somebody gag the wizard."

I Agree. Cindy chimes in. And what law holds where we are. These men and women are pirates. Can they be ransomed if someone will pay? Must they be taken to port and tried? Adn we have defeated them in combat. Their spoils fall to us. This should include their ship, but we may need them to crew it.

Cindy has always wanted a pirate ship :)

"I vote we split up. Two of us stay behind on the ship and ensure the cooperation of our new guests, while the others explore the ship. Assess the value of their spoils and see if we can gleam any information from them. Leave the captain stable for now, but we should keep him bound and unconscious until we're finished with the search, or even back on land.. He proved a little much to handle, and I'm not in the mood for taking risks." He slips the extra bag of caltrops he retrieved back into his bag, and hides a frown toward Mikal for coming to help,ensuring he couldn't easily pocket anything of value.

What are the guild rules on spoils like this, actually? Do we need to give it to the merchant we're accompanying/the guild itself and only see a small cut? Especially in regard to the ship.

"Once everyone is bound, I can watch the prisoners with the aid of the crew, while the rest of you check the pirate's ship for whatever might be of value. Once their ship is cleared we should move the prisoners into their hold while we decide what to do with them."

Vados begins to tend to his wounds.

[b]"My wounds are still fresh. I too will stay with Mikal and ensure the safety of the ship."

I'm going to be pretty busy the next few days, so if there's less action on our ship, that might be nice since I may only be posting sporadically this weekend. I will post at least once a day though.

Cindy slaps Vados on the back, delivering a healing spell. Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Well done in the fight my friend. If you are tired of being large I can end the spell.

@Vados, weekends the game doesn't run anyway. If people post and I get in I may make some responses, but I'm not expecting everyone to be posting on the weekends.

"You will find no ransom for me." the woman states calmly, her eyes looking straight ahead. She has a slight accent that you do not recognize.

The remainder of the captives are grim faced, keeping their faces down.

The captain of your own ship congratulates you on your victory. "As for these rats, they've come into our territory and are subject to Coran law. Normally their cargo would become the property of the tower, but normally I'd expect the tower to keep these seas clear of vermin." The captain smiles, "Master di Alkanov will have final say, but for me I want my ship repaired, but you are welcome to the rest."

The sailors quickly gather up the weapons of the assailants.

Soon several members of the group are exploring the holds and cabins of the opposing ship. The hold contains a good supply of food and water for a long journey at sea. Near the back of the hold you find a crate filled with fine silks in a variety of colors.

In the captains cabin you find a cabinet with variety of alcohols. Whiskey, rum, and ale. You also find a small finely made chest, which is locked.

As they go through looting the ship, Talathel's smile grows wider, and he begins humming in high spirits, between the apparently magical items taken from the orc,and pirates' payload. "We're definitely taking the silks; we'd be idiots not to."

The chest catches his eye, and as he draws his Masterwork's Thieves Tools from his bag, he searches the chest for traps.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

My name is Cindy Lu. the witch tells the caster. I would know your name, and where you hail from. Regardless of how she responds Cindy will continue Your captain is dead. You do not have to follow him to that final destination. Where do your loyalties lie now?

"I would say kill them all. But I suppose that isn't the way of the sea. They were, after all, acting under the orders of the massive half orc who almost killed two of us." Aria says as she lets herself drop harmlessly to the deck below them, almost as though falling in slow motion. (feather fall)

"The captain's log might have more information regarding their mission, if they had one."

Seeing that the conflict is over, Skyfire takes to the skies once again, swooping up into the air silently.

Mikal grins with satisfaction at the magical auras detected on his opponents gear, though an abjuration aura on the greataxe leaves him a little confused. "Their are enchantments on the captains breast plate, axe, and cloak. We will have to examine them closer when we have the time."

Checking on the captain again, Mikal notes that he has passed to the shadows. "Our attempts to stabilize their captain have failed, Garion can you help me prepare his body for a proper burial here at sea.

It is then that Mikal begins to take in the damage that has been done to their ship. He also looks for what has happened to the man with the tower shield, letting Aria and Cindy deal with the wizard.

Seeing that Cindy has the wizard under hand, Aria is intrigued by the mention of the enchanted armor, axe, and cloak. "I'll definitely have a look at those when we have the time. I'm a bit of an afficionado when it comes to magic weapons and armor."

Anton di Alkanov emerges from his cabin and watches as the group returns from the ship with their findings. After a moment he waves Vados over to him and asks in a quiet voice. "Can all of you come to my cabin when you are done here?"

Continuing to look straight ahead, a proud stubbornness to her, "I am Iryani Szalanki. So long as I am a prisoner then what do my loyalties matter?"

The woman turns to Aria and looks at her a moment, then turns back to staring out into the sea. "You'll not likely find much of use in the log. Hakag wasn't much for keeping records. He lived for the pleasure of sailing the open sea and made his living there."

Not a f+*&ing surprise, given I rolled a damn 11. Hopefully my caution wasn't necessary.

Detecting no traps, he finishes pulling out his tools, and attempts to open the lock.

If you'd permit me to take 20, I'll go with that option. If not, I'll roll for it.

Mikal notices a stubborn pride to Iryani. He has seen this many times before, so proud and yet terribly frightened, she will soon crack. "No harm will come to you while you are our prisoner, but the price of our continued benevolence is information. Since the captain did not keep a logbook, it will fall to you to satisfactorily inform us of his plans and exploits."

The woman, giving up a bit on her stubborn gaze out to sea, looks at Mikal, "What is there to tell? We set sail from Torun several months ago, the place is boiling for a war and we sought our fortunes elsewhere. After some easy plunder it appears we overestimated our abilities." A grimace crosses her lips. "The fact that you didn't simply throw down your weapons and beg for your life should have told us to be more wary."

So you were acting of your own accord, not in the name of any group or power. You all would have been better served making for Coran and trying to hire out your ship and services. Should the courts be lenient, I would suggest you do just that. A woman of your skills could probably do quite well and build a comfortable life for yourself. Mikal marveled at how so many people easily go down the path to lawlessness at the first sign of adversity.

Once the other s are back from the pirate ship, Mikal will suggest we go to see Master di Alkonav

Vados nods appreciatively to Cindy and smiles slightly.

This new stature is...useful...but perhaps it would be best to end the spell

Vados sees Master di Alkanov's motion and hurries over. After hearing his instruction, Vados bows curtly and moves back to the boarding planks.

When the party returns from the other ship, Vados will inform them, trying to keep his voice low so the other crew won't hear, that:

Master di Alkanov wishes to see us in his cabin. We should attend to him as soon as possible.

Vados turns and begins to walk towards the cabin, but stops short and turns back to the group.

And well done. You all fought bravely and with skill. I am proud to fight with you in the Guild's name.

Talathel's eyes light up wide at the haul contained in the chest. He closes it again, not locking it, and places it into his Bag of Holding, intent on selling the nice-looking chest in addition to its contents. Then, he moves over to the cabinet and begins placing the alcohol bottles in his bag as well. He leaves the silks to be picked up later, as the crate won't fit in his bag. And perhaps, if he 'forgot' to mention the chest to the crew, it wouln't be too horribe a crime.

After another quick survey of the cabin, he returns to the other ship, sword drawn and gleaming as he goes below deck to meet his companions.

Aria frowns at Iryani, but says nothing as she turns back to her other companions. "Let me see these arms and armor."

Casting Detect Magic

Appraise
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Spellcraft
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

BTW, anyone with knowledge (geography) feel free to make a check for knowing a bit more about Torun.

"I had a choice of joining Hakag or being conscripted. I thought joining Hakag was the better choice. He had a ship, and could get me out of Torun." She sighs and half whispers to herself, "Not the first time I've jumped to quickly at an opportunity."

Talthel just got in, but he'll do that now that he's done thiefing around.

Knowlege (Geography): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Talathel listens intenty to what she's saying, scanning her face with his eyes for little signs of a lie, not willing to trust a pirate at their word about anything.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Where did all my good rolls go?

Loot found Summary. Let me know if I've missed anything: +1 breast plate, +1 axe, two +1 cloaks, 2000 gold in Silks, Whiskey, rum, and ale valued at? Lock box is of good quality, 150 PP, and jewelry worth 5000 to 6000gp. Sailing ship valued at up to 10000 gp. Misc weapons and armor worth a couple hundred gold?

Szalanki, if you can show that you are worth trusting I will put in a good word for you with the merchants guild. You might owe some time working off this crime, but it beats swinging from a rope or rotting in a prison cell. Shall I speak for you?

After her discussion with Szalanki, and after making sure that prisoners are secure she will report to Anton di Alkanov with the others.

knowledge (geography) Take 10 + 6 = 16

Mikal racks his brain tyring to remember what he can about Torun from the maps in his fathers shop and the merchants who commisioned them.

"War has forced the hand of many to do things they might not have otherwise done. We shall see what can be done when we get to port,"Mikal says as he leaves Iryani and makes his way to Master di Alkonav's cabin.

Aria frowns at the others. "Correct me if I'm wrong. But does not sea law grant such decisions to the ship's captain? It was his ship, after all, that was attacked and damaged in the assault."

"That... that would be appreciated." Her teeth clench at Aria's words, but she says nothing and does not look at the elementalist.

A few of the sailors approach and wait your leave to take her down to the hold with the other captives.

The remainder of the crew begins to busy itself with removing the grappling spears. Either breaking them out of the wood or pulling them all the way through. Half the crew and the first mate transferring aboard the new ship.

Talathel follows after Mikal, still keeping his sword drawn just in case. The presence of pirates, even bound ones, on the ship makes him uneasy.

Knocking on the cabin door you hear Anton call from the other side, "Come in, come in."

He is sitting at a small table, smoking from his pipe, and reviewing a number of sheets of paper. The cabin might comfortably hold five people, with seven of you in there it is a little cramped.

"Seems you lads took care of that problem quite handily." He smiles, "You'll receive the usual remuneration for dealing with extra problems along the route."

Anton leans back in his chair. "I do have another issue that I hope you might be able to help me with though. Something of a more delicate nature." He takes a puff from his pipe. "The Coran dock master retired two weeks ago. A long time friend and sometimes business partner of mine. He understood though that civilization is built upon the backs of the common people, and principles of fairness and justice. But the mageocracy has recently raised tariffs again" he waves a hand dismissively, "for all the good it does as you've just been personal witness to. If I stick to my usual prices for shipped goods, as best I stand to break even, more likely I'll take a loss though." He gives a sigh and a slight frown, "You've seen the beggars road though. People go hungry in the city. Raise the prices on common goods and more will be sitting out on the street. I've been considering this problem the entire trip, but I'm at an impasse. In three days we arrive in port in Coran. I was hoping you might be able to help me find a resolution to this problem?" He leaves the question hanging.

You are free to ask any questions about Coran, the docks area, the laws or anything else that you feel might help you figure out a way to reduce his shipping costs, or avoid the tariffs, or whatever other ideas you might have.