Taissa was grateful for the information on the Halfling priest. She enjoyed Captain John's company -- the man was friendly, knowledgeable and accepting. Vale Blackroot's history was not an easy one and she could see why the halfling was prone to darker moods when pushed or pressed.
She heeded Captain John's advice about the steering and adjusted it accordingly. It felt strange sailing a ship across an ocean -- notably different from wandering across plains and through forests. She wondered if she would get used to a life on the water. Or whether she would want to travel thusly for extended periods of time.
Taissa responded to the priest, "It is good to know your name and your story, Priest Vale. I have a question, how will we know which is the main priest who will call upon the Great Old One? Will he or she be different from the other dark priests present at the ritual? And how many priests will be present? I worry there will be much magic."
Actually, you will be doing at least one level of the firearm training because that's what you were assigned to do by the captain.
For your second training you could do another level of firearm training as posted earlier, or any of the options available to you.
However, since rapiers are finesse weapons, the training for Heavy Weapon training won't apply to it.
"It is good to know your name and your story, Priest Vale. I have a question, how will we know which is the main priest who will call upon the Great Old One? Will he or she be different from the other dark priests present at the ritual? And how many priests will be present? I worry there will be much magic."
The priest glances at you, but John is the one who answers.
"Won't matter," he says easily.
"Like I said earlier, you won't be going against the priest - you'll be going against any down on the beach that might come up to enforce him," he adds.
"See, as I said - the priest is going to be somewhere up on the hill; our job is to move up and deal with him and his folk."
"As I mentioned earlier - it's likely that priests aren't generally sailors. So that means that they'll be out doing their thing and there's a good chance that he sailors who got 'em there will be keeping an eye on the ship below."
"Also, as there'll likely be blood offerings - at least, so the padre's thinking - that means they'll likely be folk that need to be sacrificed, and that means that they'll either be up with the priest or down with the sailors."
"They'll probably need help, too - and likely need guarding."
"So we figure that the sailors will be down at the beach, or near the ship in general, or whatever, and when we start fighting the priests up that summit, then next things we know they'll come moving up the hill all secret-like and cut us down from behind."
"Unless, of course, someone is down by them to stop that from happening," he adds.
He watches you work on the wheel for a bit.
"Anyhow, at least - that's the plan," he says.
Okay, so in the meantime if you guys want to pick the second training (you were assigned the first one) that would be cool. You don't have to, though. But it might help.
There's going to be some more time for social RP between now and later, but for now I'm tossing up the battle map that I have, mainly to make sure that it's legible.
If it is, the enemies should be highlighted in green boxes on the map.
There should be a line of coordinates that run on the X/Y axis.
All you guys need to do is put yourself somewhere on the map via coordinates (as in, you say "I'm at A:01 - or something like that, then I can place you on the map and update it appropriately each round).
Again, there will be stuff going on between then and now, but that's pretty much the plan for later. Also, if the map doesn't work for some reason I need to know in advance so I can fix it.
Finally - and I can't stress this enough:
I need your character sheets updated before the combat starts to have all the details on them.
If it ain't on the sheet - you won't have it during combat.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Combat Map Test -
(apologies for the crude design, I did it in Microsoft Paint, so it's not as "pretty" as it might be).
This will show you what John already suggested - the rather secure bay with the spurs of land rising around an old dock.
There are some tents set up on the beach, and you can see a rather large bonfire at Z:41. Normally I'd have variances such as darkness via the lack of moon factored in relative to the campfire, but to make this first combat we try together a bit easier, I'm going to make it relatively cut and dry for now.
I should also point out that on AD:52 heading east is a crude wall about three feet high. It looks like it's remains of old ruins.
You'll notice that the enemy's are clearly pirates, because I put two little pirate flags above their tents :)
That said - you'll theoretically be in the treeline somewhere out of range. When/if you can see the map, tell me where you'd like to be. I'll deal with that soon for the update and between then and now feel free to socially RP the rest of the voyage.
** spoiler omitted **
Well, as you know, since Muskets hit a ranged Touch Attack that means if the pirates have the benefit of armor, their armor bonuses are effectively negated. Of course, the trick is - do the pirates have armor - and if so - is the armor equal to or more than -4?
In other words, let's say the pirates were wearing a Chain Shirt - that is a +4 bonus. But with the musket, you'd break even; as your +4 and -4 nets out.
However, in your case you'd be taking the class on Firearms. That means that you'd gain a bonus to hit/damage to firearms - that means that if they were wearing chain shirts (never mind if they had better armor or shields) then you could take the shot and hit the pirate - do a bit more damage than a bow - and then you'd drop the musket on the ground, tear our your sword and then charge in.
But what if pirates were using cover from things like walls? I believe that you'd still get your ranged touch attack on them (though I can't remember if walls make a difference or not).
Failing that, you can use your musket to "club" people like a melee weapon (the rules for that are on the Campaign Info Page, I can't remember them as I post); but you can't do that with a bow. Also, in theory, you could probably find a bayonet for the musket which makes it an effective spear. Of course, to do that, you'd need to ask around via social RP.
To be fair, the pirates may actually have no armor, or leather armor, in which case your bow would be the better choice; but it is a suggestion for any who want it.
Also, your "+2 Shortbow" only applies to the damage via strength, not to hit. Weapons can't gain a +1 to hit unless they're enchanted or Masterwork. The variance for Composite bows is to show only how much of your Strength modifier could be used for damage.
So your Short Bow should be - +3 for Dexterity, +3 for BAB - and if it's MW it's a +1 for a net of +7 (Unless your target is less than 30 feet, then you can use Point Blank Shot for +8). It is possible that I missed something, though. If I did, I apologize for that.
You do raise a good point about firearms in general. If they're supposed to be more common, and if most pirates don't use armor to begin with, why would anyone want to use firearms instead of a bow, with the exception of possibly a gunslinger, but even then - if the only bonus is to negate armor and most pirate types don't wear much armor...
Well, this is good. This combat will effectively be a "test run" for me in a lot of ways; including how to do firearms.
I think I may have it so that I switch it back to firearms being Marital Weapons but Gunslingers automatically will get Weapon Focus to all firearms instead of being proficient with them as a possibility.
But we'll see how the combat works out, though.
Thanks for the question, though. I'll be keeping an eye out on it during the combat :)
The day progresses fairly uneventfully, yet there is a palatable sense of tension in the air as they move closer to this island. The night is coming on soon, and there are clouds near where the island is.
By now, all of you have seen the position and size of the island on the charts. As you advance toward it, John gives you the basics of the plan again.
The ship will be moored about twenty fathoms out (a fathom being roughly five feet) with guns primed and Ella and Kit on the ship with all the lines and rigging pulled up to prevent an enemy from getting onboard.
You’ll be on the longboat and all disperse on the south side of the island. Then you’ll split up; half of the group hugging the western coast to head up the hill, the other half will stab straight north the small bay that they believe to house the enemy ship.
As the crew continues to work – and spends time throughout the day practicing some basic maneuvers for the combat – the ship moves ever closer even as the day shortens and night comes on.
It seems colder somehow, though it may only be the weather; but on the other hand, there is a sense of edginess in general from everyone as they get closer to the destination.
Eventually it is dark and the ship slowly eases up toward the beach and the anchor is dropped and the longboat ready.
John looks at you all –
”Right – so; so far I’m passing out two muskets and ten rounds – five rounds each.”
”Does anyone need anything else?” he asks.
As John waits for an answer, he glances at the island.
”You all got a plan for what you’re up to; now’s the time to figure it out. If not, let me know and we’ll just do this thing,” he says as Uraga checks the priming on his musket and Khal fingers the blade of his axe.
Ren is also carrying a musket and John takes one for himself. The priest is carrying a small pack filled with various scrolls and they look at you, waiting for answers.
No wall we need is Suny, Hack and Asan. Once we get them, I'll need everyone to make a Stealth Check.
I'll be tossing up an enemy Perception Check to see if they notice you.
If you win; you get a surprise round. If not, we toss up initiative.
Good times.
"Priest Vale, do you have anything in your sack that can aid in healing on the battlefield? If we get hurt, it would be good to get our fighters back up again."
The priest looks at Taissa after her question.
"Yes," he says, then climbs into the longboat.
John looks at the priest, and clears his throat a bit.
"Ah - yes... I have prepared dese," he says, and pulls out various scrolls.
"Dey can be making you heal folk in battle," he says holding up one of the vermilion colored parchments.
John looks at Taisa and shrugs.
"Well... it's something," he says.
"Maybe when ya'll get a bit more experienced such things will be more handy - if not, I'd recommend not getting hit..." he says with a little shrug.
Do you have any healing potions, Captain?
John glances at the priest who shakes his head then looks back at Hack.
"Sorry - we don't have potions to heal folk... unless you got a knowing on how to read these scrolls... " he says glancing at Hack.
Polux's eyes perk up momentarily at the scrolls - "I could give it a try, but I am no expert" - he offers.
Polux's eyes perk up momentarily at the scrolls - "I could give it a try, but I am no expert" -
The priest's eyes glitter strangely and he gives you a very pleased grin.
"If you be living after dis - we must talk, you and I - I will show you powers..." he says with a sincere nod, then hands you over several scrolls.
Asan positions himself defensively close to two of the ranged fighters, hoping to be able to intercept anyone who comes after them.
Asan positions himself defensively close to two of the ranged fighters, hoping to be able to intercept anyone who comes after them.
The priest's eyes glitter strangely and he gives you a very pleased grin.
"If you be living after dis - we must talk, you and I - I will show you powers..." he says with a sincere nod, then hands you over several scrolls.
"I think I will enjoy that" - Polux retorts with a stern look, and perhaps a hint of a glimmer in his eyes.
"I think I will enjoy that" - Polux retorts with a stern look, and perhaps a hint of a glimmer in his eyes.
The priest watches you carefully at your acceptance and nods.
"So you have said - so it shall be..."
"Just remember - you never see da eyes of da demon - until he be come calling for you," he adds somewhat cryptically, then chuckles a bit.
AE34, at the edge of the tree.