DM Alexander Kilcoynes Serpents Skull PbP- Chapter 1, Souls for the Smugglers Shiv (Inactive)

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Sounds good to me. If we can hit all three, let's do it.

Agreed.

Yeah, I guess I was confused, I thought there were only two nests left uncleared. AK will be on break, we can pick it up after he's back I suppose.

+1

Yeah lets do all 3. Would we attack and subdue one? Perhaps I could calm one enough for us to tie it up or something?

For clarity, when I say all 3I meant the two nests and the shipwreck. All are to the west of you. Update coming on the 26th most likely- feel free to RP amongst yourselves.

James, who after having taken the early watch headed straight out hunting all morning, has been quiet since yesterday, keeping his head down and seemingly muddling things over inside his own skull. He brings up the rear of the group as they trek through the jungle, taking care to remain alert of any creatures that might attack the group from behind. He does however glance up as Gwenyth starts talking, actually volunteering some conversation of his own for the first time all day.

"That's... very interesting Gwen," he rumbles almost shyly in response, "I've never heard of anywhere like Promise or Hermea, and definitely not Mengkare." A dark frown crosses James' heavy brow at this point. "He must be very cruel to just ('Banish' is what you say?) young people like yourself from the home they grew up in - the only home they have ever known. I would even call that evil, he sounds like a bully to me, to play with men and women like that. I would like to think you are better off away from a place like that, although I am sorry you lost your home."

A gentle smile touches James' face for a moment, before his eyes glaze for a second as he recalls his own past.

"I am from a very long way north of here... I think you would call it Varisia, but I only know it as 'The Land'. I was not born of 'The Land' though - I was brought to my people, to my mother, by the sea. My mother of the land found my true mother on the shore, she had protected me from the water with herself and was close to death. My people took me in and raised me, and they are the only family I have ever known, but I have travelled south to trace my roots. I am here to find my father."

James hesitates here for a moment, as though unsure what to say next.

"I want to know how I became one of the people, and why my father sent my true mother north. I need to hear him explain why my life became what it is."

James lapses into silence again now, almost a little sheepish after having said so much at once.

Flute shakes his head.
Never herd o' that place either, Gwen. Interestin' story no less. A land who'd throw out a purty lass like yerself is no place I'd wanna go. And ta think they banished ye too. Strange place this world. Me two stones thinks its purty clear ta me that some pow'r or anuhthar gots a likin' for ye.. the way ye can heal wounds is amazin'

Flute looks to JamesI'm from the lands up north o' 'ere meself. The city o' Janderhoff. City o' Dwarves. Me whole clan(give 'er take) is from up there... generations an' generations an' generations we've been mining an' drinkin and fightin'. Ye nevar seen so many of us bearded folk I bet! Believe it or not but growin' up I was the QUIET 'un. May not anutter hair grow on me chin if I be lyin'!

Well I grew up Rurik Earthstriker of the great an' legendary Earthstriker clan. As ye can tell we're a clan o' miners from the eastern burrows. Damn good 'uns too. We be in charge o' the union thar some. Anyways one day I gots compelled to craft. Its a rare occurance in dwarven culture.. usually an omen or a sign if it happens.. well I ended up craftin' a Flute. Me clan was so proud o' me they called me Flute. But evar since then I've been feelin' diffurnt.. like me souls with the stones now.. I mean e'rrys dwarf has a feelin' for tha stones but ya know.. like tha land an' nature and meself were closer after that time... well anyways i'm 'ere cuz I feel compelled ta go 'ere. Can't really explain it, lads.. anyways I'm sorry I'm prolly borin' yall.

The group walk closer to the shipwreck over the next hour or so, which has beached on shore enough for the group to easily access it if someone were to climb up and lower a rope. For a shipwreck, this ship is remarkably intact at first glance, most of the damage having been done to the masts and upper decks. On closer inspection though, the ship must have been here for dozens of years. The wood is rotten through. The ship's name is still barely visible- "The Tattoed Lady".

4:30PM, Day 2.

Im back now, although posting rate may still be a little slower than you maniacs are used to ;).

Thank you for sharing your stories, my friends. They are not boring by any means, indeed they are fascinating. I have often wondered what living to the North would be like - if the folk there are much like yourselves, it would seem to me to be an endearing life.[b]

[b]Now then, this is neither the Nightvoice nor the Brine Demon. Perhaps we should take a quick look through it anyway, just to be sure there is nothing salvageable. Anyone have a rope?

Gwen will follow behind the group, coming up the rope last, or just before Ambroze, whichever he would prefer.

"I do," James answers, fetching a length of rope from his pack, "and a grappling hook, should make the climb easier. You'd likely be a better shot than me for the throw though Tun'ada," he continues, tying the rope through the end of the hook and offering it to the ranger.

"I'll see what I can do. Hopefully, what's left of that ship is strong enough to take our weight on the rope."

Grappling hook throw:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Tun'ada gives the rope a stout tug- it seems secure...

After you, gentlemen!

Chi's cat easily climbs the wreck, making sure her coat and feet stay very dry. The cat hops up to the top of the deck and looks around for any danger, before laying in the shade of the wooden railing around the ship. If the cat perceives any danger, he will arch his back, hiss and climb/jump quickly down from the ship.

Cat stealth 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Cat perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Cat climb 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Tun'ada gives the rope one more tug, to ensure the hook is secure and then begins climbing.

Assuming I can take "10" on this check, I will (17 total) or if you need a roll, here it is: Climb:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Climbing a rope or something is usually only about DC 10.

If the cat gives the all clear (saying that feels so strange ><), James will also take ten to climb aboard, giving him 12.

Erg, I'm not so sure about this. Well, here goes nothing!

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Your all fine taking 10. The cat gives the 'all clear' and you ascend.

You find yourself on the main deck of the shipwreck. Its eerie quiet up here..

Best way to handle this one is with a blanket perception check from all of you...

Searching through the shipwreck, you find nothing of salvageable value except for three copper coins in what remains of the captains cabin. Half an hour later, you have searched the shipwreck thoroughly but found little of any value.

5PM, Day 2.

Heh, adding three coppers to party loot, unless anyone really wants them...

On to the first nest then?

Yes, by all means, let's see if we can secure a pet dino for Sasha. James, Tun'ada, just try to leave one or two in one piece, and I should be able to heal it's wounds after we tie it up.

She grins at having to encourage the martially-minded members of the party to have a tiny bit of mercy.

Not that it'd have mattered, but my Perception check is actually +1, thanks to the Hermean Blood feat. I'll stat out all my skills as soon as possible, to make sure you don't have to keep remembering that, AK.

Not that it'd have mattered, but my Perception check is actually +1, thanks to the Hermean Blood feat. I'll stat out all my skills as soon as possible, to make sure you don't have to keep remembering that, AK.

Feel free to call me on things like that- I keep it all in a notepad document anyway.

The group head to the western tip of this area once more- and Tun'ada and Flute make out the forms of Dimorphodon's in the distance- it seems they are present in the nest this time. Flute also spots a small outcrop of rocks that could be useful as cover, a short jog away towards the nest. Other than that the terrain is mostly a small barren area of plains between the beach and the jungle.

5:30PM, Day 2.

James grins, almost sheepishly, as he is reminded of their task by this motherly young girl he has chosen to follow, and he blushes slightly as he replies.

"Well, um, you know I can do more than just kill stuff Gwen..."

Gwen chuckles at James' admission.

I have no doubt that's true, James. Unfortunately, our harsh environs are ensuring that I most often see that side of you - which, I must admit, I am wholly grateful exists. Mayhap Ambroze can lull them to sleep again, that way violence might not be necessary. Probably too much to hope for, admittedly.

As the group nears the nest and Flute points out the rocks, Gwen ensures that her shield can be readily drawn, and prepares her crossbow for action.

How should we proceed? Shall we make a run for those rocks? Surely the beasts will notice us before we get there, but we may be able to get in place by the time they attack us. If not..., she shrugs. It's nothing we haven't dealt with before.

I think its Flute and Tun'ada who saw the dinos, Tun'ada perception=21, Chi = 7.

On the way over to the flying beasts, Chi asks to take a good look at the copper coins, "Would you mind if I took a look at those coins, whilst I was a young girl I was privileged enough to have access to a library of book, many history books amongst them. I wonder if I have seen these before? Just a quick look, then maybe I have more time to study them when we get back."

Knowledge(History) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Chi takes a look, scraping the tarnish off a small piece of a coin, before taking in the worn indented face of the coin.

She is quickly warned of the impending danger as the group make their way to the group of rocks. She looks at cat and sees that it too is keeping up with the group.

"Sure Chi," James answers absently, tipping the coins from his large palm in to her much smaller one, his attention more on how to capture a dinosaur. "Shall we just do as we did before and try not to kill them? That seems the simplest, and I can't think of a better plan."

I think its Flute and Tun'ada who saw the dinos, Tun'ada perception=21, Chi = 7.

On the way over to the flying beasts, Chi asks to take a good look at the copper coins, "Would you mind if I took a look at those coins, whilst I was a young girl I was privileged enough to have access to a library of book, many history books amongst them. I wonder if I have seen these before? Just a quick look, then maybe I have more time to study them when we get back."

Knowledge(History) 1d20+8

Chi takes a look, scraping the tarnish off a small piece of a coin, before taking in the worn indented face of the coin.

She is quickly warned of the impending danger as the group make their way to the group of rocks. She looks at cat and sees that it too is keeping up with the group.

Chi, a puzzled look on her face, looks once more at the coins, before giving them back to James, not easy as she must run to catch up with him. "James, I can't remember much about these Taldane coins. Probably not that special."

Chi, heads with group towards the cover, following once more behind James and Flute and others.

James looks at Chi blankly for a moment before catching on.

"Oh, you mean you thought they might be more than just money? Any ideas to deal with the dinosaurs?"

I recommend hitting them with something solid. Preferably with a point on the end.

Gwen giggles profusely.

So, we attack, eh? Flute, you out there?

"We could try to attack from the rocks that Flute pointed out, but that would expend ammunition that I'm not sure we can spare at the moment. Perhaps we should make them come to us again."

Just before the party provokes the nest by entering its radius of flying dino death, Gwen will cast Guidance on Ambroze, Chi, and herself in that order. So, Ambroze will have 4 Rounds left, Chi 5, and myself 6. Don't have my book on me, but it's basically a +1 to one d20 roll within that period. Check your manual for any questions :-)

"Its not just the ammo we'll run short of, we only have so many sleep spells we can use. I can help with one, or we can save it for the next nest. How many others do we have? I will use my bow to help when they fly towards us." As Chi says this she takes her bow and an arrow from her quiver, ready to fire when the plan is ready to start.

The group make a dash for the rocks, arriving ahead of the Dimorphodons and able to get into cover.

Next update will be first round of combat, feel free to give me initiative rolls, I will roll for anyone who hasn't when I update.

feel free to give me initiative rolls

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

EPIC INITIATIVE ROLL

Initiative:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

"I can cast the Sleep spell two times today," Ambroze says in answer to Chi's question.

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 Sorry I have been somewhat inactive.

Flute hasn't really been the same since his dream/nightmare. he keeps thinking about it and really doesn't care about the "natural order o' things" right now

Ye got me for whatevur's yins need.

initiative: 1d20+1 Sorry I have been somewhat inactive.

^^ My words.

Only two Dimorphodons fly towards you from the nest, but these two appear a little larger and far more vicious than the smaller Dimorphodons you faced off the last time- a nastier breed, or perhaps extremely successful Dinosaurs...

Please declare whether you will be using available cover or not in your first post and any other relevant times- the cover will give you +4AC but a -2 attack roll penalty with melee attack rolls.

Round 1 Initiative-

Vicious-Looking Dimorphodons- 22
Ambroze- 22
Chi- 21
Tun'ada- 18
James- 18
Flute- 18
Gwyneth- 2

The Dimorphodons continue to hurtle towards you, at the end of their actions they are roughly 30 feet from you. Over to the group, opted against a map again in the end.

"Oh my. These are larger specimens. I hope my spell works!" Ambroze thinks to himself as he begins casting his Sleep spell from behind the cover provided by the rocky outcrop.

Definitely using the available cover - this should grant Ambroze a total AC of 19. Begin casting Sleep centered on the lead dimorphodon. Casting time 1 round, so will take effect at the beginning of Ambroze's turn next round. Range 110 feet, affects up to 4 HD of living creatures within a 10-ft.-radius burst, duration 1 minute, Will DC 14 negates.

James holds ready with his sword, awaiting the result of the spell casting.

I ready an action to charge anything that doesn't fall asleep.

James holds ready with his sword, awaiting the result of the spell casting.

I ready an action to charge anything that doesn't fall asleep.

Readied action noted- although they will attack before the sleep spell goes off at the range they are at.

Sleep is a full round cast, they'll be upon us by the time it goes off.

Gwen raises her hands, calling out in a clarion voice.

Aie Aerdian!! Vaalen a din Niwaste!!

She then drops her crossbow on the sandy turf and readys her shield against the oncoming assult.

Free Action: Drop Crossbow
Standard Action: Cast Bless. +1 to attack rolls and Saves against Fear.
Move Action: Ready Shield

Edit: Yeah, Cover. For sure.

Longspear readied, utilizing cover.

using cover. will fire an acidic dart at the closest one within 30 feet.

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Chi looks at the beasts above from the cover of the rocks and once more her eyes goes black as she looks at the leading beast.

Evil Eye -2AC for 7 rounds, Will save DC=15 for a single round.