Over the next few days:
- Spinnaker Jon takes great pride in introducing Bryson as “The Ships Cat”.
- You notice that Tavey Nask, the Ships Boy, tends to turn red in the face and run off to the foretop when Annie comes around.
- Sense Motive DC12:
Yes, he’s crushing hard on Annie.
- Avner’s two servants sleep just outside his door, which is a little irritating for those who have to hit the head at night as they completely block the narrow passageway.
- Spinnaker Jon announcing to the crew that he hadn’t laid in any grog for the voyage.
- The crew’s incipent violence.
- Jon hiding behind Annie and suggesting they be nice to a Priestess of Cayden Cailean, you know, the ones who can turn water to beer?
- The sailors carrying Annie around on their shoulders cheering.
- Sense Motive DC20:
You note a number of the women aboard, especially the married ones, seem to be casting interested glances at Avner.
- Brysons mushroom experiment being raided by rats.
- Perception DC25:
You notice that box of rat poison No-Eyes Bellamy keeps in the spice rack is missing.
- The unarmed combat tournament being dominated by Black Breath Bob, who’s favorite maneuver is to grapple with an opponent and breath on him; they either weaken, eyes blinded as they water, or fall unconscious altogether. (It feels like you got punched in the nose; from the inside.)
- Avner’s odd cheeriness; he even greets people politely.
- As you pass by Blood Bay you hear mysterious sounds from the deep. It is not unmusical, but weird and terrifying at night.
But around about the morning of the twelfth day, you find the winds calm and the waters flat as the sun rises red. Spinnaker Jon looks around grimly.
“Alright, all hands rig the ship tight! There’s a blow comin!”
Sense Motive
Bryson does not like Tavey very much.
Sense Motive
Bryson does not like Avner, but will follow him around some.
Perception
It takes a few days for the significance of this to really sink in. Once it does, though, Bryson tells Annie and the other Krakens. (read the spoiler)
How goes my attempt to get everyone's scent?
Annie notices Bryson occasionally giving poor Tavey the stink eye as he's standing next to her during crossbow practice and chuckles once the boy's out of earshot. "Don't worry about the boy, Bryson. It's just a harmless crush. I'll let him down gently if he works up the courage to approach."
Annie's also pleased that Avner is being more pleasant lately.
At Bryson's news of the rat poison, Annie is very concerned. "Do you know when the poison disappeared? This could be terrible! Could you fly over to Lavinia's ship and warn her of the issue as well? I will ask Cayden Cailean for the ability to detect poisons and purify bad food and water at noon, but the poison might not be here!" Annie prays for new spells that include the purification of food and the ability to detect poisons that day, and immediately goes to the kitchen and begins examining the food, then goes down to the water stores in the hold to make sure they're safe. (Detect Poison)
Ghirrak joins in the unarmed combat training, providing instruction in grappling techniques.
Ghirrak frowns at the mention of the missing rat poison. "There's definitely something weird going on here,everybody keep their eyes open."
"There's a what comin'?"
Bryson is reasonably sure he has the scent of everyone aboard. Probably. Even aboard a ship this size, below decks it's a maze and you could easily miss someone; especially if they were actually trying.
Annie Detects Poison; not on the water barrel currently being tapped, but on the next one in line. It would probably be tapped for the next morning mealtime.
Ghirrak takes to teaching unarmed combat naturally, and the whole ships company benefits. In the inpromptu tournament there are several standouts.
Barrett Bonden, of course. Mean as hell in a fight, and you can see how he'd resort to dirty tricks in a real fight.
“Monkey” Jimbo, the Hadozee foretopman, proves an impossible challenge in pure grappling (four hands!).
Ma-Koh-Toa Bearclaw, the Shoanti, has a lot of explosive power and unconventional holds.
Barak Hammerfist, the carpenter, is steady and proves impossible to knock out.
Black Breath Bob, proves very useful in teaching people how to stay out of a clinch.
Etchwor Athkim, a big rawboned lumberjack, has reach as well as power.
Spinnaker Jon gives a few terse orders to Amella, then goes to talk to the passengers.
"Alright, listen up! There is a storm coming down fast, and we have to secure everything so it doesn't get loose and batter the ship and crew."
Meanwhile, the crew takes almost all the sails down, leaving only a few scraps on the strangly bare poles. They batten, strap and otherwise fix everything in place as the seas rise to a chop, then an endless series of huge rollers as the gale descends on the ship.
Annie casts purify food and drink on the barrel, then runs up to inform the other Krakens that the next day's water was poisoned. "I think I'll be staying in the kitchen more...I can guard against this...but we need to make sure Lavinia's protected as well! Can we get word to her? Maybe with message spells if nothing else?"
At Jon's warning of the storm, she does what she can to help, but once the seas turn choppy she retreats below decks, frightened of falling overboard.
Spinnaker Jon sends up a few signal flags warning the Blue Nixie, but that's all he can do in the gale and he's not sure they got the message.
Spinnaker Jon and Amella take turns strapped to the wheel, waring the ship constantly trying to keep from being driven ashore. The ship rolls alarmingly, and green water washes over the maindeck on a regular basis. Despite the mountanous waves, the ship takes them smoothly; through the spray you can see the larger Blue Nixie being pounded, shouldering through the waves by brute force.
The whole experience is terrifying for the passengers, and little sleep is had though the crew seems relatively unconcerned.
Bryson would rather stay above decks and revel in the storm, but follows Annie below decks and stays close to her.
As the ship began to roll in the storm, Annie flung herself at Bryson and closed her eyes. "Jon's a good sailor, we'll be fine," she muttered to herself as she clung to him, but even to her own ears it didn't sound like she believed it.
Bryson held Annie and was not bothered by the rolling of the ship. He did not trust himself to speak. He might say something that would upset her more, or worse, cause her to let go.
Sailor:
Dgrim gives out useless advice to the crew while not being so helpful to the captain keeping the ship afloat.
The storm continues to batter the ship, and the passengers discover the unpleasant reality of the term "seasickness".
The crew seems busy, but their actions seem practiced. Even the loss of the mizzenmast seems ordinary; even expected. What they didn't expect was for the gale to last five of the longest days of their lives.
But eventually, the storm died out and the crew fell into exhausted sleep. The morning finds the strange aftermath of a storm; the winds perfectly flat, the seas covered with white foam, strange things adrift on the surface like chairs and small shacks. There is no sign of the Blue Nixie.
From the shoreline, you can tell you are barely a mile from where you started the gale.
As the voyage drags on, you stay vigilant, but nothing more untoward happens. You also don't find the box of rat poison.
The calm, hot and sunny weather lasts another three days before the winds pick up again, and the pattern of calm then breezy remains the same for the next two weeks until you finally limp through the immense sea gate of Fort Blackwell.
There to your great relief is the Blue Nixie, safely docked and the crew rejoices at the reunion.
Fort Blackwell is a small settlement of about 2000, located near the northernmost tip of the peninsula known to sailors as "The Hook". One of the few costal forts not controlled by the Scarlet Brotherhood. It is a cozy town with a tiny harbor protected by an immense sea gate hung between two squat towers. Steeply hilly, the town features numerous small and cozy inns and taverns, all of which serve a delicious local malt blend of whiskey called The Green Man (10 crowns per bottle) narrow cobblestone walkways, and interesting small gardens, all with a fine view overlooking the sea.
Originally, Lavinia intended to only stay a night, but the ships are so battered that she decides to stay a whole week to properly repair and resupply. Lavinia suggests that you do what shopping you need here while she and Spinnaker Jon dine at the Governors mansion. It will be at least seven weeks to the next resupply at Fort Greenrock. If everything goes right.
The moment the storm died down, Annie threw herself onto the deck. "I hope I don't have to go through that again soon," she groaned as she took deep breaths of the clean air. After a minute she reluctantly turned around. "Guess I should see to the crew and make sure we get back to normal." Annie walked up to an exhausted Jon. "Let me know if you need me to use magic to help mend the ship. I have some spells I can ask Cayden Cailean to bless me with that could help. I'll make sure the worst of the ill are taken care of, otherwise." Annie patted him on the shoulder. "You should get some rest, if you can."
Ever since 'The Embrace', Bryson has been following right behind Annie (in case she wants to do it again). "And ah got this prayer that lets me know what the weather's gonna be like. Next time you should ask me about it." Bryson pats Jon on the shoulder.
Geography:
When he finally sets his feet on firm ground, Dgrim's top priority is to find an inn with decent bedding. He promptly hits the sack and spends the next day and a half sleeping off the weariness brought by the storm.
The first day, the passengers and crew slept their exhaustion away. But the day after, work began on refitting the ships. The crews of the Savage Kraken and the Blue Nixie developed a competitive rivalry which only occasionally dipped into a brawl. After a day of work, most evenings they visited a tavern and sang drunkenly into the night.
The Officers were often invited to society functions around the upper part of the great hill where the town was situated. Avner seemed to spend a lot of time squiring several ladies around and the crew scarsely saw him (though rumours flew).
Lavinia was kept very busy, and Ghirrak's and hers time together were brief and fleeting.
One evening after a fine dinner at the Governor's, the officers were making their way down to the waterfront when they heard the meaty thunks and cries of pain that signalled a viscious assault down an allyway in the warehouse district.
Bryson has made quite the effort to fit in with the high society types and to impress Annie. He went to Avner and asked for advice on style and grooming.
Bryson goes to see what the ruckus is all about.
Avner is startled, but he looks you over critcally and nods.
"Well, it is a bit of a challenge, but let's see."
He takes you to your cabin and roots through your clothing. One by one he throws it overboard with a disapproving cluck. Then he takes you to a little shop up in the highest ring where he imperiously orders a couple of clothiers about while your hair and face are sharply trimmed and oiled. In a half hour he has you outfitted in a courtiers outfit with appropriate jewelry. You don't even recognize yourself in the mirror; a vaguely disreputable noble's younger son stares back at you, artfully just slightly dishevelled.
As much as you might have reason to dislike Avner, in this, he's a genius.
Of course, he makes you pay for it; 200 crowns all told.
I can't speak for Annie, but the rest of the diners look on you with approval and treat you as one of their own.
Down the alleyway between two warehouses you proceed [I assume] with caution. As you turn to the left at the end you stumble over the first body.
DM Camris
What do I see?
Take a moment to look around more closely.
Perception
To the armor question Avner replies; "No sir you may not."
To the dance question Avner replies indulgently.
"My dear Bryson, when you look as good as I have made you, most any woman would pay you for the privilege of teaching you."
You see a wiry human in dark clothing and hooded mask and gloves. Kind of hot in this climate. He has a short arrow through his left eye. Looks like he was carrying a number of knives balanced for throwing as well as a serrated blade shortsword [like the Khyber Knife]. That blade looks vaguely familiar somehow...
From down the alleyway through an open door you hear a whirling thump, a whizz thump and then a blinding white flash which briefly lights up the alleyway along with a dying scream.
[spoiler]AC 15, FF 13, T 13
Hit Points 51/51
Wildshape: medium animal (cheetah) bite +8, d6+5, 2 claws +8 d3+5[spoiler]
Form of Bryson-cat. "Mreow!" I am just so tickled by that penalty to intimidate.
Bryson-cat takes his cue from Ghirrak. If Ghirrak goes, so does Bryson-cat.
Ghirrak explodes down the alleyway, heading directly for the flash of light.
"Armed an dangerous! BE READY!" He calls out in warning to his friends.
Camris
The masked man is the dead guy on the ground. Sorry if I wasn't clear.
Dgrim hurries down the alleyway to meet the conflict.
At the open door to the warehouse, you can see (from your position in total darkness) that the interior has some kind of light making it shadowy to everyone who doesn't have low light vision or better.
Huge stacks of boxes and barrels are everywhere. Down a short corridor ahead of you, the pathway splits right and left.
Annie was still grinning as they made their way back to waterfront. She'd been so surprised by Bryson's new look - though the shy blush on his cheeks was still completely the old Bryson. "Goodness, you make me feel like a drab peahen trying to outshine a peacock in all his glory!" she'd exclaimed, grabbing his hand and pulling him around a little to get the full effect. She was barely able to resist the urge to run her hands through his hair. Her own courtier's outfit was dressed - not down so much as dangerous - with a rakish air lent by the presence of her businesslike boots and the rapier belted to her side. "I hope you're still willing to escort me to dinner, sir, despite the fact that your appearance far outshines my own this evening!" Her grin widened as she remembered his reaction, and she was trotting to catch up to him and attempt to grab his hand just as they all heard the sounds of assault in the alley.
She drew her weapon and followed the others into the dark alley, soon unable to see. Bryson was already disappearing into the darkness in animal form, and Annie decided to risk casting light upon the tip of her rapier. She follows Ghirrak and Bryson a little more slowly, stopping to examine the body on the alley floor.
Dgrim stomps quietly down the short corridor and looks down either branch.
Stealth:
You realize suddenly where you saw that serrated blade design.
During your training, the monks taught you about the Red Mantis assassins, one of their arch foes, and this is one of the weapons they used. Properly wielded, a sawtooth sabre can saw through bone.
From what you've heard, they use a lot of ninja style equipment, methodology and martial arts.
They are also for hire, and very expensive.
Dgrim spots another body on the floor of the warehouse, just as a whuph sounds over in one of the corners and flames burst from a small cannister of some kind to ignite a couple of boxes there. The smell reminds you of some of Bindlplotz' alchemical contraptions.
A man leaps up, screaming horribly as he burns, running towards the only exit. Where you are.
What can Bryson-cat see?
Perception
CLICK for the tactical display.
You don't see anything more than this, but you feel vibrations through your whiskers; very quiet rapid steps overhead. Up on a second floor probably.
Bryson-cat moves to the stairs (move action) and continues to scan for the unseen person.
Perception has scent
"Hold there! Stop!" Dgrim yells preparing to tackle the burning man.
Looking up in horror from the dead man in the alley to see a man burning alive before her, Annie cries out to Cayden Cailean to stop the fire by calling down a cooling rain of water.
Two large bucketfuls of water crash down on top of the man, snuffing the fire and knocking him prone. He doesn't get up though.
From out of the darkness comes a Churrrr sound as several fast moving objects crash into crates and walls around you. One deflects away off of Dgrim's heavy armor, and one that would have taken Ghirrak in the eye he reaches up and catches.
You recognize the design as Red Mantis shuriken. The black stuff around the edges is probably poison; black tar or some such Dex degrader.
You perceive a human figure dissappearing over the top of the stairs.
Bryson-cat bounds after the man. He'll continue to give chase as long as there's another party member no more than 6o feet away from Bryson.
Annie follows Bryson, stopping to cast Bull's Strength and hold the charge until she can touch him.
Ghirrak stared into the darkness seeking the source of the shuriken.
"Watch your backs these are professionals we're dealing with.
Dgrim screams a loud growl, drawing axe and shield and taking a defensive stance. "I'll gut each and every one of you when I find you!"
You spot a concealed figure at (I,8) and (O,10).
The upper deck is a big platform ringing the outer wall to about fifteen feet, the center being open to accomodate piles of barrels and crates on the main floor. The upper deck seems to be used to store empty crates, barrels and sacks, as well as other miscellaneous tackle used in warehousing.
You can track and catch the figure you saw (attack roll), who is in the act of tipping a pile of crates down on the party below.
While tracking your quarry, you scent other things as well; the acrid smell of human and dwarven sweat, the nasty sting of some poison, and...
Among the human scents, you realize you have smelled this one before. One of the crew of the Savage Kraken has been here!
Ghirrak, Annie, Dgrim must make a DC16 Reflex save or take 16 points of damage as a pile of crates crashes down on top of you.
Your turn.
Ghirrak's eyes narrow as he hurls the shuriken back into the darkness.
Return throw of shuriken
As the crates begin to topple he leaps aside, avoiding the deluge of crates
Reflex save
Hit Points 51/51
Wildshape: medium animal (cheetah) bite +8, d6+5, 2 claws +8 d3+5
If he can, Bryson-cat will Bull Rush him off the platform. Otherwise, he'll just attack. In either case, he'll charge if able.
Bull Rush/Bite add 2 if charge possible
Damage
Annie tried to get to Bryson to give him Bull's Strength.
Perception:
Reflex:
Dgrim looks up just in time to get smashed in the face by a pile of crates.
Bryson-cat’s charge knocks woman who toppled the crates off the platform, who then falls with a scream. Dgrim takes more damage as the woman lands on the debris on top of him.
Her sword tip aglow, Annie catches up to Bryson and bestows her Bull’s Strength spell on him. Oddly, Bryson is sniffing the air puzzledly.
Try as you might, you just can’t bring the memory of who’s scent it was to the fore. All you can tell is that it’s one of the passengers or crew of your ship.
Ghirrak’s throw is ducked by the figure, who backflips forward to attack him with a saw-toothed saber.
Crit threat!
Confirm? Denied! Ghirrak manages to twist aside to avoid the critical hit and only takes cutting damage.
You are in a position to see the attack on Ghirrak, and a stealty figure (at [J,7]) sneaking up on a prone Dgrim still digging himself out from under some fallen crates. The woman you pushed off the balcony doesn't appear to be moving where she fell.
It's your turn.
Hit Points 51/51
Wildshape: medium animal (cheetah) bite +8, d6+5, 2 claws +8 d3+5
Faerie Fire on the sneaky sneaky one.
Bryson-cat purrs as he jumps down from the balcony and (crash)lands next to the sneaky assailant.
Acrobatics
Annie moves down the stairs to help Ghirrak and get to Dgrim as quickly as possible. She looks over the assailant as she draws close, lighting them clearly for the first time.
Ghirrak hammers into his opponent bringing an elbow up to smash the assasin in the face, following the strike up with a swift kick.
Bryson’s spell creates an unearthly green radiance that envelopes the hidden enemy (Red-5), revealing her for all to see. Bryson then leaps down to attack, but slips and sprawls prone at the feet of the enemy.
Red-5 AoO to Bryson:
Startled by the panther crashing at her feet, she misses the AoO.
Annie quickly moves downstairs to attack Ghirrak’s opponent; She thrusts at her, her skill at attacking from a stairstep and around a shelving column a sight to behold, but is parried away.
Ghirrak finds himself engaged in a fast moving martial arts fight…
You can see her eyes widen, as if recognizing you.
… before parrying a cut, stunning her with an elbow, and laying her flat with a bone crunching kick to the midriff.
[npc] Dgrim finally throws the boxes and bodies off of him and stands up.
Red-5 attacks Bryson again,
Saber attack:
This time she has better results, dealing cutting to Bryson.