"Up here Piendy, in the prick who calls himself a captains quarters."
Unwilling to give ground if it means Iolana would be surrounded, Garborn stays put and swipes out with his staff at the sailor in front of him.
"Hope you like being eaten, because I have a feeling one of my friends is hungry..."
The dagger-wielding sailor flinches just an inch as Garborn's staff cracks against the same support Kangus had just hacked into. "Whoa-ho. You two got somethin' against our ship here?" "Hah ha" .. the other sailors coolly snicker, and First Mate Kangus (apparently not too concerned here either) shows an "Ah.. ya got me." dopey grin.
The sailor nearest top deck takes heed of Garborn's warning craning his neck to see what "friend" might be coming.
The ax-man eyes Iolana's blade as it misses him by a foot. He nods to her... "You show'n me how to swing me new blade there, aye?" he winks... "Nice piece... nice curve to it... and slim." He rubs his slack jaw and slops his tongue across a lonely tooth.
Iolana shakes her head trying to fight the numbness that is taking over her body, her arms trembling.
"this is bad....."
"Sorry handsome, have no time,nor breath, to waste"
She attacks the man in a haste.
Gatherine shuddered at the snippets of dialogue uttered by the opposing crew and hurled herself at the splintered remains of the door,smashing away in an effort to get at the captain cowering beyond.
Attack
Thumderhammer
ammo
The hammer detonated with an earsplitting bang that made the enclosed space of the cabin vibrate.Smoke plumed from the hammer's engraved dwarf's teeth.
Oi! Bandoleer,reload Twinbellows!she barked to the air.
Iolana slices the lightly-armored sailor across his bicep with the tip of her blade. He strafes away - putting the table and benches between Iolana and himself. He hacks and swings at the plates, mugs and settings, and howls madly in an attempt to discomfit Iolana. He kicks at the table - forgetting it's bolted down, which diminishes his display of menace.
The captain's door swings open, and Gatherine sees Captain Craw propped up against the wall between desk and bed with a smoothbore hand bombard - a culverin. He fires... a puff of black smoke. His throws it down to the ground, and the grapeshot rolls out from the barrel. Craw yells out again, as he produces a scimitar jewel-pommeled scimitar from his bedding. "Sito!!"
Sito responds casually "On it..." he appears as a bolt comes whistling from his crossbow toward Gatherine.
It slips through a gap in her armor below her shoulderblade.
First Mate Kangus swings at Garborn's legs with his cutlass - this time hitting the steps.
The dagger-wielder barks at him "'Gads! Just get outta the way, Kangus!", and stabs past Garborn's guard. He motions to the sailor on the steps leading up "Get him... I'll take care of our sleepy lass here." He slides over, and the third sailor takes his place - with a quick slash at Garborn.
Gatherine nearly pitched forward at the stabbing sting of the crossbolt embedding itself in her upper back,beneath a shoulder blade.Then she felt the tingling sensation of a poison spreading through her blood,sapping the strength from her arms slowly but steadily.
Her thunderhammer dropped from her hand,barely missing her toe and cracking the floor.
YEOWCH!!
Fort Save
She saw the gnome wink into sight in her peripheral with the crossbow in question brandished.Seething,teeth bared in a pained grimace,she shot him a menacing glower.
Oh,you'll regret that,gnome...
Attack
Twinbellows' Double-barreled pistol,Point Blank,Deadly Aim,one barrel
Damage
Without turning away from the stooped captain,the dwarfmaid snatched Twin bellows out of her sash and retaliated with a shot of her own to the gnome.
On the main deck, Gorba moves up the boarding plank to where Ekjori had fallen from. The pirate in his path falls after hit hard by claws and bite. Du'bing - at Gorba's side - jabs at the adjacent pirate with his spear, and calls out to his fellow crewman knocked into the water... "Can you swim to rock and wait, Ekjori?.. we won't leave you, my friend." Du'bing gets badly nicked by the pirate's counterattack.
Your cannon is now reloaded, and Havvy fires again. A well aimed shot splinters the Tamarind's rail as well as one of the pirates rallied near the boarding plank. Two others grouped up in the cannonball's path (a pistoleer and a crossbowman) are both seriously injured. Eubel cheers "Yes! Yes, Havvy me boy!"
Piendy finds his way to you, and claws viciously at the knife-wielding pirate still on the steps.
Things are looking up!
Curses, I wasn't made for combat!
Str 12/Dex 13/Con 13/Int 17/Wis 12/Cha 14
HP 34/38
AC (+1 lamellar armor) [Tot 22] [Touch 16] [FF 20] (armor+5 dex+1 dodge+1 natural+1 shield+4)
CMB:+4 (+3BaB +1strength)
CMD:16 (+3BaB +1strength +1dexterity +1Dodge +10)
Fortitude save +5 (+4base +1con)
Reflex save +2 (+1base +1dex)
Will save +5 (+4base +1wis)
BaB+3
Initiative+1
Perception +8
Caster level check +12
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(armor check pen. not included)
Climb +7 //Intimidate +7 //Knowledge Arcana +11 //Profession(Sailor) +6 //Spellcraft +11 //Swim +8 //Sense Motive +4 //Survival +10
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Speed 30ft/9mtr
+3 Scimitar [att+8 dam1d6+4 18-20/x2 type S]
Shortbow [att+4 dam1d6 x3 60ft type P] 15 arrows
Prepared Spells :Level 0(cantrips):Daze(will DC13);Acid Splash(1d3 acid);Light;Detect Magic
Level 1:Shocking Grasp x2(5d6 elect);Magic Missile(3d4+3);Magic Missile(3d4+3)
Level 2:Bull's Strength (+4 Str);Bear's Endurance (+4 Con);Web (reflex DC15)
Arcane Pool(1/2 magus level+int mod)[4]
Carrying 40lbs/light emcumbrance/check penalty -1
With each passing second, Iolana finds it harder and harder to keep her eyes opened and to stand on her legs, and her blade could slip from her grip at any moment.
She still tries to slash her opponent but cannot focus on the pirate and misses him badly.
have...no...more...time....
The musket-wielding pirate guard perched on the steps to the door replies, "You sure bout that, Braeder? All of our guests are awake here."
The hold is a 25'x 15' foot room. You are heavily chained to one end. The short flight of steps and door are on the far side. Two captives are bound at your sides in a lighter chain, and two others are "lightly" chained to benches bolted to the deck ten feet from you. The big guy, Captain Boabdil is in heavy chains seated a few feet beyond the benches - propped up against a support beam.
The voice outside answers "Meh.. hold tight. If I yell for you again, you come."
Aersten tries to surreptitiously test his chains, straining them against their connection to the floor, hopefully without the guard noticing. In a low voice, he asks his fellow captives, "Any ideas on getting out of these chains?"
~The Hidden Hold (Aersten)
The musket wielding pirate does not seem to hear Aersten.
Captain Boabdil clears his throat, and speaks in Polyglot.
~Mess Deck (Gath, Garborn, and Iolana)
Captain Craw yells out "HaHA! Yield to my bitter steel, Lass!" as he advances on Gatherine with a gaudy-pommeled scimitar. "Ye've my word I'll sheathe me keen princess the moment ye call me uncle."
"And on me honor, I swear to ye... no harm'll come your way." He winks at Gatherine. "Hehe not until I get paid for your sale at least." He takes a defensive stance, and winks again.
First Mate Kangus yells over his shoulder "You ready?", swings his cutlass at Garborn then backs off.
Braeder steps up and tosses a lasso at Garborn from a distance, but fails to hoop him.
The injured knife-wielder who'd been clawed by Piendy cries out in pain and shock. He stabs at the mephit, but does not connect with his blade.
The dagger -wielder fighting Iolana swipes at her again. The boarding ax pirate jumps up onto the table and whacks at Iolana's weapon-hand.
Sito, the Gnome cook, reloads his crossbow moves up - lining up a clear shot to Iolana.
With Piendy crating a distraction, Garborn moves one step back to avoid being cut, then focuses on his magic.
Using his hidden pearl of power, he recalls the spell for charming persons, and once more casts it at Kangus.
Grrr...Bandolier,reload,chamber 2!she growled in frustration to the magical bandoleer upon her person.
Gatherine seethed indignantly at the gaudy weapon the captain brandished.She fired Twinbellows into his crotch with a sneer.
Attack
Damage
Feeling her muscles flutter feebly,the dwarfmaid tried to muster up some resistance to the poison.
Fort Save
Aersten straightens up and stares down the musket-wielding pirate. "But you're not going to shoot me, are you? Even if you could drop me with that thing, which, well, I doubt..." Aersten scoffs, "Even if you could, well, what exactly are you going to tell Mother? You think she'll like that? You, hurting her blood...?"
Aersten feels the thrill of the change coming over himself. At first he found it revolting, but now, not so much. Scales cover his arms, and wicked talons grow from the ends of his fingers. He rakes those talons over the chain holding him down, roaring with delight as he does.
Iolana steps back to back with Garborn and concentrates on defending herself
Seeing the momentary blank look on the first mates face, Garborn's heart leaps as he suspect the magic is taking hold.
"Come on Kangus, you don't really want to fight me right? Why don't we all just talk this out?"
I only need to hold on a little longer, help is coming.
Kangus sighs somberly "Aye. It would be good. I hope we can...."
His now hopeful eyes meet Braeder's baffled wide eyes.
Kangus gestures to Braeder's lasso, and tells him. "Just put that down, he's alright."
Braeder responds.. still incredulous "How bout you tell him to put his weapon down, eh? ya whackadoo..."
After a stunned silence staring at his ventilated pantaloons, Captain Craw howls "Unkind aim, ye foul wretch!", then thrusts his scimitar at Gatherine.
Sito smirks "Looks to be about over for the lot of you, eh?" With Iolana disarmed, he adjusts his aim to bring down Piendy. "You've lured a nasty pest aboard."
The pirate with the boarding ax hops down from the table, and picks up Iolana's blade. "Mine now... take her."
The dagger-wielder sheathes his weapon, and moves forward to grab Iolana, but fails to get a hold of her.
~Hidden Hold (Aersten)
The guard shifts his musket to one hand, and pulls a sap from his belt. "Yea? Well I can still knock you out."
Aersten's claws nearly sever the chains... the guard quickens his pace, and cracks his weapon against Aersten's skull.
The sounds of combat continue on the main deck. Gorba and Du'bing each fell another foe, and are able to advance onto the Tamarind.
One of the remaining three pirates on the main deck yells out "Fall back... before we're overrun.", then cries "Lord Sito!"
Piendy latches onto the heavily injured knife-wielding pirate - who then slumps to a squat on the steps.
This might have been where Braeder had gone when he was "missing" at the beginning of the fight.
Maybe cause of the pirates believing she is out already, But Iolana manages to finish summoning her power even in her current state.
Aersten's eyes focus on the pirate, pupils narrowing in a bestial fashion.
"You'll pay for that...!"
Garborn thinks fast, putting two and two together.
I need to go down there, there might be reinforcements there! But how do I get passed this man?
"We don't need to fight Kangus, your crew-mate here is just confused.
I'll just get out of sight for now, maybe you can...hold him or something until her calms down.
Here, I'll help you do it."
After that, he attempts to snag the keys and get to the hatch.
I hope I'm right about this...
The pirate who'd attempted to grab hold of her, jerks into spasms then flops down unmoving from Iolana's electrified touch. The smug look disappears from the ax man.
Kangus is reluctant "Dunno, old fellow.. he looks a bit crazed at the present." He then looks down at his body growing in size. "Oi, y'can make me stop swellin up now, Pops... bout to be wedged to the spot!"
~In the Hidden Hold (Aersten)
The pirate dies gruesomely... the captive sailors recoil a bit.
Captain Boabdil says calmly "Quick death was a kindness. He did not suffer long.", and reaches for the chains of his nearby mates.
Once Braeder realizes Garborn's intentions, he tries to nab him with the lasso. He yells "Move!" to Kangus as he tosses the loop of rope. Kangus does not move... spoiling Braeder's throw.
With Garborn beyond his reach, Braeder yells again "Gaufe! One got by me... be ready!"
The pirate with the boarding ax hesitates... Sito advises him as he reloads his crossbow. "She'll be out in a few moments regardless... kill that mephit. I'll secure main deck."
The ax-man moves around Iolana, and swings at Piendy - still clamped down on the fallen pirates neck and shoulder. He misses.
Captain Craw thrusts his blade into Gatherine, then gives her another warning... "Drop your weapons and don't make a move... Shoulda finished your drink."
"Pepper me nethers... This coulda gone smooth, eh? Less fuss woulda been better for all."
Prisoned by pirates and drugged, Marco could not offhand remember a time when he was not chained and gagged.
Then...
Shouts and the clash of arms. There's a battle! All he needed was a chance.
Remembering his old dueling masters' training, he carefully stretched and wriggled his wrists, trying to slip free...
Fail.
Got to get down there, got to get help! Ooooh I hope I'm right about this, I'm staking everything on one card here!
As long as the drop is not too steep, Garborn will just drop down to save time, even if it might hurt a bit.
"Oh please...don't let this be in vain..."
At the bottom of the laddered hatch Garborn finds himself in a cramped ten-foot long hall with a ceiling just under six feet. To the right - towards the aft, is the only door. It is barred, and the bar is secured with an iron lock. The first key does not fit... luckily there are only two more to try.
Your wrists are bound behind you. The manacles are leather bands attached to chain which leads to an iron ring secured to an exposed beam of the ship. The two of you are in one corner, and the bed the other, on the wall opposite the door. You are close enough to each other that your hands could reach.
Aersten has no sympathy to offer for the man he killed. "He made his fate," he mutters with what little reason he can offer. With one more mighty roar, he strains at the chains holding him.
First round:
Maintaining his focus, Marco continues to try to escape his bonds.
Second round:
Now free, Marco looked around the room for anything that could be used as a weapon. Behind his back, he tries to work Tusara free from her bonds as well.
But can't quite do anything but aid her in her attempts.
Marco soon spots a sack of tools under the First Mate's desk, and a shaving kit (rolled up and buckled) on the desk.
The pirate keeps picking at the lock with his dagger and a bill spike. From the tone of his grunts, he's not having much luck.
Aersten's chains drop, the other captives tremble anticipating their own freedom. You then hear a key going in the lock... they all fall quiet and still.
Sito howls as Iolana's bolts strike him.. He stamps his foot... "Go.. to.. "
Gatherine steps back as she commands a round into Twinbellows, and fires it into Cap Craw.
Marco tugs Tusara's gag loose, but not enough to show.
Moving carefully, he gets up, unbuckle and unrolls the shaving kit on the desk and (hopefully) takes the razor in hand.
Seething at the burning bite of steel from the captain's blade that had penetrated her armor,clothing,and a layer of fat to find her flesh beneath.She barked another command and fired yet another round into her sole target--the damned fop of a captain.
She did a backwards leap to put some space between them,mindful of her growing collection of wounds.
RELOAD!!
Attack
Damage
Cursing,she quick-cleared and flung the spent gunpowder at the man in contempt.
Sito yells out "Kill that thing... I need to get through!" The ax-wielder hacks at Piendy, and Sito fires a crossbow bolt at him.
Piendy shrieks, drifts upward a few feet, then spews acid from his mouth... showering the steps up to the main deck.
Captain Craw charges at Gatherine, and thrusts his scimitar near her legs... he misses.
The pirate picking the lock on the chest does a double take when he notices Marco ten feet from him - razor in hand. He mutters a cuss and stands straight, drops the bill spike, and holds out his dagger... just now noticing he'd marred the tip. "Och... lock barked up me blade." He shrugs "S'pose the burr may cause ye more pain. Can't be helped." He beckons with his left hand. "Lets do this quick-like, Fancy Lad, aye?"
Round 8_____
Marco flicks out the razorblade with a flick of the wrist, then fixes the pirate with his eyes.
"Feel free to surrender when the mood takes you. While you still can."
If he decides not to, he lunged forward...
for a possible slashing and precision damage.
Iolana feels she has no more time, but the gnome ignores her believing her to be already out,and she is totally going t make him regret this.
While she is down on one knee Sito passes close and she tries to lay her hands on him, successfully touching his back.