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

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Survival with your tracking bonus, which may later be opposed by perception. Roll it in a spoiler please.

Waiting a short time for Tun'ada to conceal your tracks, you work your way around the ridge. It is easily accessible and you gather atop the ridge. From the small vantage point you can make out yet more shipwrecks to the south-east and the east. You can also see a lone figure running towards the bridge, still some distance away now.

10:00AM

That runner heading towards the bridge might be a savage. Might not. But it is better that we stay quiet and stealthy. We wouldn't want to bring down half a village on our heads. I think we should take a peek at the shipwrecks."

Expecting the runner to be heading towards the mountain, following the trail we just came up.
"That lone figure may be Ishorou, we should wait here and see what transpires. If its Ishorou, he may have important news. We cannot explore the shipwrecks with Jask and Sasha captive, especially as they are likely to be coming this way soon, hopefully."

The runner is Ishorou. Moving quickly across the bridge to meet you, he draws his Katana and Starknife, looking around at the ambush site approvingly.

They come this way, moving quickly. A host of about thirty men, with an old woman with them. Sasha is in a cage, and Jask is strung on a wooden pole carried by two savages. What is our plan?

Thirty! Gods dammit, you didn't count on that many at once.

Marcus pauses. Where not going to get a better chance against that many together than with the terrain advantage here. We need to wait and see how they intend to move across the bridge. If we're lucky they move Jask and Sasha across with much of their force on the other side. And if your not and your forced to attack early? .

Tun'ada, Savarend and I can try and keep them bottled up on the bridge while everyone else hits them at range. Once we have them we burn the bridge and retreat.

Marcus turns to Aerys and offers his cannister of alchemist's fire. Aerys will you be our back-up plan? If it looks like we are going to be overwhelmed on this side you can burn the bridge. Just make sure if you can that Jask and Sasha are across.

Please note this is Marcus being a bit bossy given a potentially imminent major battle rather than me. I prefer democracy so please comment/disagree with Marcus's possibly foolhardy plans. I'm also assuming we are fighting rather than running away

Great work Ishorou. Did you get a glance at how they are armed? Also I don't like the sound of the old woman in a tribe full of cannibals, a spellcaster maybe? Lets try and take her down at the start.

Most of them sport the half-ruined scimitars they attacked us with, except for their leader. I would suggest attacking when half of them have crossed- if they can only cross one at a time the second half of their force will be severely limited. Aerys and I have no place at the back with ranged weapons- once the ambush begins we shall move to strike- with your permission strategos.

Ishorou listens to Marcus' plans, agreeing with his assessment.

If we're lucky and Jask and Sasha cross with the first half, we should try and cut the ropes on the bridge- or use the alchemists fire.

My bow and my abilities will function best close to the front lines. I'll hang back a short distance from the melee.

Map/Terrain-

Link

"Did they have the captives toward the back of the group? In that case, we should sabotage the bridge so that it only takes a few knife-strokes to collapse it. We have one party member wait on the far side and hide. The rest of us hide on the side nearest to where they are coming from. When most of their people are on the bridge, the one member cuts the bridge to send them falling, while the rest of us engage the other half left. How does that sound?"

Tun'ada nods in Marcus's direction while drawing his blade and readying his shield.

Oh, Gods, this is apt to be a slaughter, whether us or them, it matters not. Might we not at least try talking with them first? This is their island, after all. Thirty - by the gods.

If combat must be engaged, allow me to call down the god's blessings first.

"I like the idea of splitting their numbers, but I don't think we should split ourselves between both sides of the bridge. I think our best bet is for all of us to attack them on this side of the bridge. Hopefully they'll bring Jask and Sasha across within the front half of their group - I like the idea of dropping the bridge with most of their number stuck on the other side."

"Do you want me to set up on the ridge and cast Sleep spells on the ones that make it to this side after they bring Jask and Sasha across? I can cast it up to three times. After that I can use my crossbow or join you all in melee."

Oh, Gods, this is apt to be a slaughter, whether us or them, it matters not. Might we not at least try talking with them first? This is their island, after all. Thirty - by the gods.

"I don't know, Gwen. They've got us extremely outnumbered, and they don't seem like the type that really care to talk to their food. I think our best bet for getting through this alive is to strike while we have the element of surprise."

"Did they have the captives toward the back of the group? In that case, we should sabotage the bridge so that it only takes a few knife-strokes to collapse it. We have one party member wait on the far side and hide. The rest of us hide on the side nearest to where they are coming from. When most of their people are on the bridge, the one member cuts the bridge to send them falling, while the rest of us engage the other half left. How does that sound?"

Tanner I think above Alex confirmed there isn't any cover on the west side and only one maybe two people can take the bridge at a time.

To Gwen. I think Ambroze is right Gwen. They wiped out the people at that camp whoever they were. They're going to sacrifice Jask on that mountain to whatever devil gods they worship. It seems like us or them and I for one choose us.

To Amroze Yes that sounds like the smart plan to me. Block the bridge, get our friends back and run like hell. Of course that leaves us on this side but I honestly can't think of another option given its like the whole tribe.

"Did they have the captives toward the back of the group?

They had them in the centre. Ishorou replies.

There is almost no cover around the bridge at all, save for the ridge.

Ishorou squints into the distance.

They come... he says quietly...

So i'm going to position those who wanted to melee on the edge of the ridge. Whos going to act as lookout- I will require both stealth and perception checks from that person.

Thinking quickly, Gwen blurts out -

If we sunder the bridge, how will we get back across?

She hefts her crossbow.

I'll take the look out spot, as Tun'ada has the best combination of stealth and perception (at least in terms of modifiers)

Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Stealth:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 (shield readied)

Thinking quickly, Gwen blurts out -

If we sunder the bridge, how will we get back across?

On the map you have seen, there is a route to go through the jungle and around the river- it will take a long time but its possible, involving you having to go around the end of the river at the peak of red mountain.

Thinking quickly, Gwen blurts out -

If we sunder the bridge, how will we get back across?

She hefts her crossbow.

We'll just have to find another way Gwen. If we live.

Marcus crouches sword and shield in hand as close as he can to the road, determined to be the first into danger.

Like some heathen horde marching to war, the cannibal tribe slowly moves into sight, fearing nothing with the strength of numbers bolstering their courage. They are deeply tanned, and decorated with numerous ritualised scars- many in the shape of a pentagram. They repeatedly snarl in anticipation of the sacrifice to come, their razor sharp teeth glinting in the morning sun. Their wild-eyes and somewhat manic expressions do much to evoke their mental instability. The tribe marches close together, with little formation or organisation- jibbering to each other in their pidgin tongue-an incessant noise that grows as they get closer.

Sasha has been stripped of much of her clothing, and wears a loose white bodice that looks like it must have survived the cannibals original shipwreck. Her hands tied to a crude wooden pole in her cage, her cage is being carried by four cannibals.

Jask is simply being carried on a pole, much like a wild boar being taken to be cooked. While Sasha seems to be unharmed, Jask has been beaten and cut brutally and appears barely concious.

Ishorou hisses in vehemence at the leader of the tribe- A massive man with a thick head of red hair. He appears to have smeared blood on his bare chest- likely Jask's. Like his men, the red-headed leader seems to disdain armour, or simply has no access to it.

Picture of the Leader

The old woman Ishorou mentioned leans heavily on a quarterstaff, assisted by two cannibals as she walks. They appear to treat her with extreme reverence.

The cannibals reach the bridge, and begin to start crossing it- one at a time. Once across, the cannibals seem to just mill about the other end. Sasha and Jask are both being cut loose as the cannibals start crossing, and they seem to be having rope tied around their waists. Sasha is resisting but is having no luck.

About eight cannibals are currently across- anyone doing anything i.e. spells, planning? Continuing to wait until Jask and Sasha are across?

Vote wait. Assume we have time to do any buffing. Alex now we can see them do any still seem wounded from the fights yesterday?

C'mon you bastards.

Vote wait. Assume we have time to do any buffing. Alex now we can see them do any still seem wounded from the fights yesterday?

This pause is more for any long duration spells to be cast et cetera, i'm pretty sure your waiting for Jask and Sasha. You can't really tell, they look so filthy and covered with red scars anyway...

Ambroze's plan is to wait until Jask and Sasha are across the bridge, then cast Sleep on a clump of cannibals (trying not to catch Jask or Sasha in the spell's effect). One round casting time, affects up to 4 HD-worth of creatures in 10-ft radius (affects lowest HD creatures in burst first), duration 2 minutes, Will DC 14 negates.

Hiding on ridge (Stealth check): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Ok I know Chi was going to cast Mage Armour etc. so you can retcon that in if you wish. I'm going to move things along.

Eighteen cannibals have crossed by the time Sasha and Jask are sent over- rope tied around their waists and held by cannibals on both ends of the bridge. Sasha continually attempts to leap away into the water, but the rope is pulled viciously to contort her whenever she does so. With great reluctance, she makes it across the bridge to join Jask and the other cannibals.

After Ambroze's first sleep spell, your all going to get a surprise round action on the combat map. Ambroze I guess your just chucking the sleep into the midst of them?

Retconned:

guði á himnum, heyrir bæn mína. við stöndum í dag í vörn af vinum okkar, tekinn af villimenn og í hættu á dauða eða verr. Leitast verður við í dag til að losa þá af skuldabréfum þeirra. Ég bið fyrir blessun þinni, að vér mættum studdi í viðleitni okkar.

Bless: +1 to attack rolls and Will saves vs. Fear effects.

Link

Link so you get a feel for how big this combat map is and the position of your enemies. I won't be using co-ordinates until the melee kicks off, so trust me to interpret your actions in the most favourable light.

Edit: Anyone fancy bribing me with a christmas present for a scroll of fireball? What an appetising target for an evoker... ;).

*Pulls out microscope to find self*

*Pulls out microscope to find self*

Sorry about that- was attempting to give a full overview. Will provide more than one map per round or zoom in on the action later. Your near the meleers but still on the ridge currently.

Chi might want to bung her sleep spell too assuming she ended up taking one.

Chi- are you doing that? If so, targeting where?

This should prove to be interesting. Tun'ada doesn't have a lot of tricks up his sleeves at the moment, so when the spells start flying, he'll move in as quickly as he can, blade and shield ready.

Feel free to give me init rolls- i'll roll for you if I don't see one by the time I write up the surprise round.

Chi as said earlier has cast Mage Armour on Savarend. Damn works been busy and so have the savages...eeeekk!

Chi waits, her bow readily available with an arrow placed in line to fire, her new dagger close by, she is ready for action. Quietly she speaks to Ambroze, "Amboze, you take the left, I'll take the right, that is those right next to the bridge."

Stealth 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 to hide on ridge
Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Sleep when cast DC=15, duration 1 minute.
Trying to sleep those next to the bridge to make it easier for someone to get to the bridge or shoot the bridge.

Init 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Edit: Can't run on a surprise round move action right? Just working out where we end up after mad rush in :)

Initiative 1d20 + 3

Edit: Can't run on a surprise round move action right? Just working out where we end up after mad rush in :)

Move action only for movement. Your miles away from being able to charge.

Initiative:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Ambroze's Targets (DC14)
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Chi's Targets (DC15)
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Wow... my dice karma comes back to hit you guys with a vengeance! Sorry about that! On the bright side, at least that wasn't a volley of javelin attack rolls lol...

Btw Ambroze you'll need to stay within 50 feet or so for your naturalist bonuses to be audible, which is why Gelik is staying close to the meleers(for inspire courage).

The savages targeted by Ambroze completely resist the enchantment, while only two of them succumb to Chi's magic. The savages look around in confusion as Tun'ada signals the attack...

Surprise Round!
Savarend- 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Gwenyth-1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Ambroze-1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Aerys- 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Ishorou- 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Gelik- 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Jask-1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Sasha-1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Dimorphodon-1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Savages-1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Savage Leader-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Savage Spirit Guide-1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Ordered Initiative-
Gwen- 22
Marcus- 20
Savage Leader- 16
Savarend- 14
Chi- 13
Jask- 11
Tun'ada- 10
Ambroze- 10
Aerys- 10
Sasha- 7
Gelik- 7
Dimorphodon- 4
Savages- 4
Savage 'Spirit Guide'- 3

Over to you! Jask, Gelik and Aerys are simply moving towards the foe, and the Dimorphodon is flying towards the savages for a fly-by-attack (shame you couldn't talk to it, what an awesome fly-by-attack taking out the bridge would be :P). In short- I don't mind what order your actions are in.

Active Effects-

Bless- +1 to attack rolls and morale saves vs fear

With the old woman in her sights, Chi picks up her readied bow and fires.

Longbow attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 no bonuses included, so can add +1 bless and any others.
Longbow damage 1d8 ⇒ 2

Marcus Alanto wrote:

Initiative 1d20 + 3

Edit: Can't run on a surprise round move action right? Just working out where we end up after mad rush in :)

Move action only for movement. Your miles away from being able to charge.

I meant run run, doesn't matter its full action by RAW which is what I assumed.

Although I have posted init for the savages, they won't be acting this surprise round.

Chi's arrow soars over the battlefield a full 250 feet, piercing the old woman's ankle with a long shot.

Marcus, Tun'ada & Savarend all moving as far as they can towards the enemy I assume?

Maximum move (20 feet speed)

Edit: Oy bad will rolls..

Gwen will take aim at a bandit (I don't care which one, probably the closest one), and fire off a shot from her crossbow.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 That's with Bless, there.
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Marcus, Tun'ada & Savarend all moving as far as they can towards the enemy I assume?

That's correct as far as I know.

Gwen's crossbow bolt slams into one of the cannibals chests, causing him to howl in pain and confusion.

Ambroze need your surprise round action then we'll be onto round one.

Savarend rises over the crest and barrels toward the savages. "Remember Tunnel 17!"

Move as far as possible.

Savarend rises over the crest and barrels toward the savages. "Remember Tunnel 17!"

Move as far as possible.

Lurker who nearly spat his tea.

Knew there was a reason I was reading this.

Good job all.
~Will

Chi's arrow soars over the battlefield a full 250 feet, piercing the old woman's ankle with a long shot.

Oh right, so the old lady and leader are still across the other side of the bridge....hmmm...

Ambroze squints one eye as he sights down his crossbow. With a brief, heartfelt prayer to Desna, he fires his weapon at the old woman 'spirit guide'.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22
Damag: 1d6 ⇒ 4

For the next round, Ambroze will cast another Sleep spell, trying to catch as many savages in the burst as possible.