[CORE] 2-13 Murder on the Throaty Mermaid (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

"No wonder that prick tried to blame you, you might have tipped his "costume play" off to us." Graka says with a smirk.
"And just you know, you are way more trustworty than that mercenary doctor. Would sell his mother for coppers that one."

Graka then turns to the group. "So we have Azuretta's and the bodyguard's story pretty much confirmed. They didn't seem the kind for this anyway. The little assassin was poisoned by our lovely cook and snig was watching things here huh?
She shrugs. "Could have still been the first mate, seemed like a rat." Realizing what she just said, she looks at the furry man in the corner with a sour face. "Eh, no offense meant Snig." She then turns back to the group.
"But I bet it was Kilik, disguised as the captain. Or it actually was the captain himself, but that would surprise me a lot. Still got a navigator and a cargo man left I think though."

We are pretty much through the witnesses - I suppose we should check those two out to be sure. Since we are down here, we might go to the cargo man first.

Agreed

The cargo hold contains many crates and cages, most of which are unmarked. One pair of wooden cages hold particular interest: A pair of Rust Monsters lie inside, staring at each other. Their antennae are intertwined.

The human male known as Velagon sits up from his cot as you approach. He yawns as you approach.

"Howdy folks, I'm Velagon. Velagon Dorhay. I'm charge of maintaining the cargo here. Keep your metal items away from those Rusties- they're pretty greedy!"

"Aww, they're kinda cute." She turns to Florin. "When I was kid I had this cheap, little figurine of one that came all the way from Minkai. It was so hideous I sorta felt sorry for it."

Florin remembers to stay far away from the rust monster on hearing what they are.

"We got some questions." she begins.

Giovanni likewise keeps a respectful distance from the rust monsters, having absolutely no desire to lose his equipment.

"As I am sure you've heard, the Elven diplomat was killed earlier today. Did you happen to see anything unusual this morning?"

"Stuff like killers running around covered in blood. Or well, anything suspcicious." Graka adds, apparently tired of all this investigative work.

Well Graka is, I'm having fun :D

Velagon fights a yawn. "Right, the dead guy. Sorry, Captain always says I'm too sleepy for this job. But no one remembers inventory like me." He chuckles.

"I was catching a nap when I heard people running to and from the forward cargo hold. I didn't see who they were, though." He rubs his chin. "Uh, the only people I remember seeing here were the Captain and the First Mate. They came by, looked at the Rusties and knelt down for a second before leaving."

He shrugs. "Sorry, I was half asleep, so I didn't get a good look at them."

"Guess we know where the murder weapon went."

"I didn't think the Captain and Mate got along so well. They in this together, then?"

"I find that hard to believe... more likely the first mate (since the Captain was the one who asked us to investigate), and someone in disguise...?"

"No worries Velagon, we are much obliged to your help!" Gary heartily calls out to the man. Turning towards the others, the barbarian continues on his thoughts, "As for the two down here, with the first mate and the, ahem, "Captain", maybe we can see if we can catch them in a lie of sorts. What if the captain himself had a deal with someone who wasn't our escort's ally?"

I am tempted to have Gary start talking himself in circles.

I am tempted to have Gary start talking himself in circles.

Jinkies! How will we ever catch the Wax Phantom then?

"So aside from the captain who else would have access to his clothes?"
Dr. Najeeb perhaps? ;)

"Well, with a diplomat aboard, shouldn't someone be in charge of washing the clothes? I heard that most politicians don't like four day old underwear. I don't have that problem though!" Gary poses with a smile.

Be glad he's at least wearing pants, haha.

"Who needs clothes when they have illusion magic? Our friend Kilik might have access to this kind of disguise proably."

Anyone up to rolling Knowledge: Religion? I think Besmara's portfolio should be looked into ^^

I think we have a friendly wizard in the party ;-)

Knowledge (Religion) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5 I rest my case.

Florin attempts to peer into the Rust Monsters Cage to see if she can spot anything but fails to notice anything beyond the bars.......

"Are those bars metal?" As she tries her best to remember her Studies on the gods and their areas of Domains.

"Nope, that's all wood! These Rusties need to be kept away from all metal, especially locks. Some novices will transport these guys in iron cages and are surprised when they break free!"

If this campaign were too short, I'm supposed to let them roam free and force you to kill one of them. But who would ever lock a Rust Monster's cage with a metal lock?

One of my Pcs did. lol

"I see. Hopefully these won't break out then."

But Giovanni, Trickery Domain. Just sayin. Metagaming ftw ;)

I think you guys have enough info to find the murderer at this point, so I'll move things along to the finale.

As you finish talking to Velagon, a loud noise erupts from the cargo hold. You notice some water pour in. "Oh man, that's not good." Velagon mutters. "Tell the Captain we've sprung a leak. I'll do what I can to hold it back for now." Velagon springs into action.

"Well, looks like we should go have a word with the Captain..."

Will heads up on deck, to make sure there are lifeboats.

Florin follows along seeing that Velagon has things in hand.

Cue the chase music.

"Of all the luck...we're 3 days from the Mordant Spire, we have a dead diplomat on our hands and now this!" Captain Veane mutters under his breath. "I'll gather the crew so we can stop this quick. Get to the topside and check the lifeboats. Keep the ship steady, too." He dashes out of the cabin, and shouts "All hands! Cargo Hold! NOW!"

As you get on the deck of the ship, you notice the wind has picked up considerably from what was once a clear night. It's pretty clear a storm is about to hit the ship.

Time for the (nearly) final battle! You have about 4 rounds of preparation before the storm hits hard. Places yourselves on the Deck level (on the bottom of the map.)

During the storm, you'll need to make skill checks and saving throws. If you have the Profession(sailor) skill you can use that instead. You can also use the skill to aid someone else with their skill checks or saving throws.

Once you have prepped and positioned yourselves tell me and we can get this party started.

What a doozy!

"So we are to steer this damn thing now?!" Graka mutters quite loudly after the captain runs off, spicing the air up with some rather distasteful orcish insults.
"Hold it together Florin, and if not, at least any leaking will be washed away!" she shouts. One might think to see some glee in her eyes, while she watches the deadly storm approach.

She picks up a long thick rope, binds it around her waist and one of the masts. If this seems to make any sense at least Oo

"Giovanni quick! The wheel! You'll have to hold us steady--and pray. I'll head to the crow's nest and try to guide you!"

Gwen rushes to the crow's nest.

Climb rigging: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Once there she casts light on the end of her staff before the waves get too rough to do so easily planning to use it's movements to guide the helmsman around any peril.

I'm assuming there is a crow's nest. If not, she lashes herself to the lead edge of the foredeck like the 'King of the World' might have. Okay, bad analogy.

Hera scans the darkening horizon from the relative safety her mistress's cloak for possible dangers.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

"Damn this, I applied to the archive to spare myself this kind of work!" Graka shouts towards the waves who seem to approach fast.
"One of you ever actually did something like this?" She looks around, scanning the faces of her companions for any kind of professionality, only finding it in Gwen's sure footed and swift actions.

"So what do you say from up there, boss?"

I assume Will has actually already checked the lifeboats - he seemed to have some marine sixth sense tingling even before we were promoted to "crew" :D

More of a survival instinct...

Watching Gwendolyn, Will Hawk whistles softly. She wants to climb up in a storm?

"I am no stranger to being on a ship, but I have never steered one before. That's usually what the captain is for! "

I think after I get her to level 2 alive, she gets 1 rank in Profession (sailor) for this. What was the captain thinking lol

"Don't worry Will! I'll try to get this ship steered right! By Cayden's flagon, this is going to be interesting!" Gary shouts as he runs towards the wheel. "I'll let loose the wheel once the captain comes up to to help out! Besides, I always wanted to try steering a ship!"

Giovanni moves top-side, and attaches himself to the main mast with 15' of rope.

So that I don't get washed overboard in armour...

Will notes the lifeboats are still in good condition, should worst come to worst.
Hera unfortunately hears nothing but the roar of the winds as the storm picks up.

The party prepares themselves for the oncoming storm (Giving themselves a +2 bonus to whatever happens). The wind picks up, the seas climb and the rain intensifies. The storm is upon you!

Tiny creatures are checked against the wind. Larger creatures who try to fly take a -2 penalty.

Round 1
1d10 ⇒ 4
The seas push the Throaty Mermaid to and fro, causing some turbulence. Make a Fort Save DC 14 or you are sickened for 2 rounds.

Fortitude save (Gwen): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Fortitude save (Hera): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5.

"Oooo... I *really* don't feel so good..."

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"Giovanni, don't give up just yet! This storm could get worse and we need everyone at their best!"

Florin follows Graka's example and secures herself to the mast with rope though she allows its length to allow her some semblace of movement.
This would allow her to aid where needed.

For Save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 Her stomach turns as the ship rocks but she manages to push the feeling away with pure discipline.

Round 1
Hera, Gwen, Gio (Sickened, 2 rounds)
Florin, Gary
Hawk, Graka

Hawk and Graka: Make a Fort Save DC 14 or be sickened for 2 rounds.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"And I was making fun of Florin, gah" Graka mutters, while trying to keep herself together. The rapid shaking of the boat makes her dizzy, and she watches the other orc-blooded woman with astonishment.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Will climbs into the rigging to stay out of the vomit flowing on the deck.

"Hold a bit longer, crew!"

Will climbs into the rigging to stay out of the vomit flowing on the deck.

Well that's one heck of an image in my head now XD

Round 1
Hera, Gwen, Gio, Graka (Sickened, 2 rounds)
Florin, Gary, Hawk

1d10 ⇒ 3
The storm winds pick up for the next 1d3 ⇒ 2 rounds.
Tiny flying creatures are blown back 2d6 × 10 feet and take 2d6 points of nonlethal damage due to battering and buffeting, unless they succeed on a DC 25 Fly skill check.

Round 2
Storm: Gust of Wind (2 rounds)
Hera, Gwen, Gio, Graka (Sickened, 1 rounds)
Florin, Gary, Hawk

As the winds pick up, First Mate Marzack Millik and Killik the Medic emerge on deck. "Ahoy! Are you all doing okay? Captain sent me and Killik up to check on ya." Marzack walks up to Gio.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
I rolled crap here, but Graka does not trust them. We had Killik pretty much down as the killer, and in her eyes Millik is a possible partner in crime.

"Well look at this, our friends." Graka says with a smirk, trying to hold herself together even though her stomach wants to escape.
"Awfully convenient of you to come help us, now that we are alone."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 - 2 = 17.

Giovanni is too distracted by the ongoing forceful disobedience of his stomach to pay too much attention to what is going on.

Although I agree, we were kind of suspicious of those two...

I can't make that check even with a natural 20. -1 to sense Motive is a bummer
"Well nice to see you all up and here. Care to lend a hand? Come help hold this rope down or help with the steering" Florin asks even as she looks for an Owl feeling the strength of the winds.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Ha! what a roll!

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"Make yourselves useful you two! We need help here to keep the ship from getting capsized!" Gary yells at the men coming to deck.

Why in the hells would one of them draw a scimitar? Eh, probably to cut rigging that may snap and break something.