DM Carbide's From Shore to Sea (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

This is a placeholder for the gameplay thread, so the table can be registered. Those on the list are free to dot.

Present.

.

Dot. (and thanks! :-)

Dash

Dot!

The four (or perhaps five) of you were assigned to escort a Society envoy to the strix of Devil's Perch. Unfortunately, the envoy said something inadvertently insulting to Paracount Marcellus Thurvian while you were passing through Belde. This led to your being pursued most of the way to Devil's Perch by Thurvian's Hellknights; the envoy, as planned, stayed with the strix, but you figured it would be a fine idea to go back to Absalom via a different route.

Thus it is that you find yourself walking down the coast road along the coast of the Hellmouth Gulf. The people of the last village you passed through were a taciturn lot, without much to say. They were not forthcoming with information about what villages lay south along the shore; one of the beldames murmured an aside to Maddie that you should probably hurry.

The morning is gloomy and overcast. A low fog hangs along the shore, persisting even in the face of an onshore breeze that carries with it the chill of the Gulf fog and a somehow slightly fetid salt tang. The sound of surf echoes in your ears as you walk.

Then it's pierced by a cry for help! Looking out into the water, you can see a human-sized figure in a dilapidated rowboat. He's holding a broken oar, with which he stabs at an enormous crab. Every time he manages to prod the crab into retreating, he takes a few quick stroked with the oar in the direction of a small sheltered inlet nearby.

What do you do?

Quiven grabs some popcorn and sits down to enjoy the show.

Look, out there! We gotta help him, don't we? Quiven will grab his shortbow and gets ready to fire an arrow at the creature, since the halfling would rather not fight in the water.

- Free Action: Bogenschützen sullenly thinks to himself: Just like prison. Somethin's always trying to make somethin' else its b!+ch.

- Free Action: Shaking his head, he yells to the person in the rowboat: Need help? Then, to his traveling companions: Well, crabs are delicious...

- Full round attack with Rapid Shot, Multishot, and Deadly Aim:
Presuming that Mr. Crab is farther than 30 feet but less than or equal to 120 feet away?
Longbow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16, Arrow: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11, Multishot Arrow: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Longbow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23, Arrow: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Longbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19, Arrow: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

- Swift Action: 5-foot-step closer to the inlet towards which the boatman rows.

Should we roll for initiative?
Init: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

How close to shore are the man and the crab? In other words, would Maddie need to sink swim in heavy armor to reach them?

A young woman shrouded in a black cloak over her armor, Maddie looks on with distress at the man's plight, "Oh dear, we really should help the poor man."

Maddie joins the others in attacking from range, pulling out her pre-loaded light crossbow and firing at the crab.

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Potential Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

He's about sixty feet from you. With the tide out the road isn't right up to the water, though--there's about thirty feet of sandy beach next to the road, then another twenty feet of rocks. He's trying to make it to the rocks. (The rocks are Difficult terrain, btw.)

Bogenschützen, do you mean Manyshot?

Rah had been enjoying the stroll up until this moment. Being in a new body was always interesting, and being in a small body always gave one a unique perspective on life. However, it came with drawbacks, such as a feeble strength not much more than that of a child. Rah could fly, but lifting the man from the boat would be unlikely. Her companions, however, were bigger.

"Bogen, save your arrows. I have a spell of flight that should enable you to rescue that man."

Rah centers herself and casts upon the bigger man.

Cast Fly on Bogenschützen.

All three of Bogenschützen's arrows hit, and the crab sinks beneath the pounding surf. Between that and the archer's shout, the man notices you. "Help! There's more of them!" He tosses one end of a line to shore, then staggers as his boat is rocked by something beneath it.

While the group was still together, Maddie judges it a good time to use her Wand of Bless.

+1 to attack rolls and fear saves.
26 charges left on wand

Yes, manyshot, sorry.

If we are able to grab his lines and pull, then I will grab and pull the boat...

Try to bring some of that crab I killed, boatman. I'm hungry.

You keep what you kill. Just like prison. Bogenschützen wistfully shakes his head, again.

"Bogen, I have cast a spell of flight upon you. Just fly out to him, hmm?"

It ain't natural.

Bogenschützen considers the request.

A course, a lot o' things we do ain't natural.

Bogenschützen drops the rope and haphazardly flies out to the boat.

Seriously, man. Get some of that crab when I pull you up.

"Pull me in! This boat's my life, man! And right now the only thing keeping the rest of those beasts in the water is them eating their buddy--and I don't want to disturb their meal."

Quiven will move closer, ready to fire an arrow if another enemy shows itself.

"How about we save you first, then you can help us pull in the boat!?" Rah calls to the boatman. "If you haven't noticed, I am a little short on strength!"

Might need to rethink some of these spells floating around my head.

It it's a new round I will cast haste upon our group.

"All right!" He drops the line and reaches up for the archer.

"Although this is perhaps not the best time to say it, it's a pleasure working with you again, Quiven. Hopefully they'll be no goblins this time." Maddie says pleasantly as she awaits an opportunity to be helpful.

Presuming he can maneuver safely around the giant crabs, the archer will haul the boater in. C'mon, man. At least get a claw. I ain't kiddin' 'bout bein' hungry. His voice is low and gravelly.

Am I able to grab hold f one of the ropes to trail it to shore so that the party can haul the boat? I'd prefer not to save the man only to leave him destitute.

Better destitute then digested.

"I suppose." He reaches down to the water and grabs a floating chunk of crab, taking another slash from one of the ones fighting over the carcass, then latches onto Bogenschützen. The rope is still on shore, so anyone who wants can grab it and pull in the boat.

With the morsel of yummy fisherman out of the boat and a much bigger chunk of something to eat nearby, the crabs do not interfere as you get the boat beached. Then, though, three of them come up out of the water.

Have a MAP.

Round 1:

Initiative order
Quiven
Crabs
Bogenschützen
Maddie
Rah
Fisherman

Better destitute then digested.

Thank you for your opinion. :-) I'd prefer not to save the man only to leave him destitute.

Worst comes to worst, you can buy him a new one--a rowboat costs 50 gp. Much cheaper than a raise dead.

Accepted and understood. :-) I'm not being contrary; it's simply that elbow grease is free. A handful of arrows is less expensive than a 50 GP boat. Bogenschützen is also NG; he will help the boatman--even if it means personal risk.

Presuming that we're still able to fly, when his turn rolls around Bogenschützen will make a full withdrawal to deposit the boatman out of harm's way.

I know the crabs go before he does, and the boatman may perish anyway. But, since we have a lull while awaiting Quiven's post, I figured I'd declare my action.

If, instead, the boatman perishes, Bogenschützen will be very cross and:

- 5-foot-step

- Full attack with Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Point Blank, and Deadly Aim

I won't bother to roll until this comes to pass.
__________

To the boatman: Thanks for the crab! That's gonna be way better than prison food.

Sure is, Maddie! Happy to see you again!

Looking at Bogen the halfling remarks, Prison food? We going to prison?

Seeing the crab in his face, Quiven takes a quick step back and fires an arrow at it!

Bow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 for Arrow: 1d4 + 2 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (5, 4, 6, 6) = 27 I assume it is flat-footed now that we are in initiative?

Correct.

Quiven puts an arrow into the nearest crab, which obligingly expires.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Prison food? We going to prison?

Aw heck no! I ain't gong back ta prison. They'll never take me back alive!

Not sure. Did that haste I mention ever happen? If not, I'll just hold on to it for now. Not sure it's needed for crabs anyway.

Rah turns towards the crap next to the Fisherman and opens her mouth in a silent scream.

Ear-piercing scream DC 16 - A successful save negates the daze effect and halves the damage.
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 5) = 7

No, I assumed that you wouldn't cast haste for this fight.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Quiven-acted
Crabs-acted
Bogenschützen
Maddie
Rah-acted
Fisherman

One of the crustaceans manages to tag Bogenschützen with a claw for 6 HP, but doesn't manage to grab onto him with it. The other grabs onto the fisherman, who is still alive but not looking very happy with his lot. Rah's spell takes full effect on the crab holding the fisherman, though, which will likely keep him alive a little longer.

Bogenschützen and Maddie are up!

- 5-foot-step 1 square south.

Full round attack. Starting with the far crab threatening the fisherman. I ignore cover because it's a seeking bow. Will switch to new target if any of the attacks drops a crab before I'm done. Damage is now +11 per arrow because they're within Point blank range.

- Manyshot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29, Arrow: 2d8 + 22 ⇒ (1, 2) + 22 = 25
- Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15, Probably a miss
- Iterative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20, Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Ouch. Let's see how you like it, crabbie.

Bless should be active, feel free to add a +1 to your attack rolls.

As it appears the party has the crabs well in hand, Maddie forgoes divine magic and fires her crossbow at any remaining crabs.

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

If there's cover penalties or melee penalties, please adjust her roll accordingly. I'm not sure what crabs are left (if any).

And even I forgot about the Bless, that should be a 25.

Bless should be active, feel free to add a +1 to your attack rolls.

Whoops! Thanks! :-) My second attack probably hit the crab then.

Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

I'm not sure what crabs are left (if any)

I'm pretty sure I killed two crabs based on the effectiveness of my attacks before. But, that's admittedly a meta-gaming kind of assumption... We really don't know if these critters have templates or whatnot applied to them...

The archer takes down both of the remaining crabs. Strictly speaking, this happens before Rah acts, so she can keep her spell.

Out of combat!

The fisherman pants in exhaustion and relief. "Thank you! I don't think I could've managed to get away from them on my own...never been this bad at sea before. I'm Adler Vanderholt." He pulls at his ruined clothes and wipes seawater from a fair number of lacerations and claw marks. As he wipes the water from his face, he leaves streaks of blood on his hand from his cracked and sunburned lips. "Look, I've no call to ask this of you, but can you help Blackcove? Something's stirred up the creatures of the deep, and I think that's what got the crabs up off the seafloor. There are unnatural, shambling things out there now! They come out of the waves and take people in the night! Just like they--they--" He turns away from you and takes a deep breath. "--like they stole my wife."

The archer nods at the fisherman: Glad to help.

Pointing a thumb at himself and his comrades in turn: Bogenschützen, Rah, Maddie, Quiven.

When the fighter processes Adler's words, he does a double-take: Wait... What happened to yer missus, now?

Oh no! Your wife was taken? We'll be glad to help, though I'm not sure how we're gonna do all that yet. Quiven starts staring out into the water, concerned that he'll have to go out on the sea.

"Oh my, you're injured. Allow me to help you." Maddie offers, administering to the man with her Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

CLW wand (18 charges left): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"I'm certain we can try to look in on this problem. What can you tell us about Blackcove, these monsters, and what happened to your wife?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Adler rubs his forehead. "It's hard to remember...that night. I'd better start at the beginning. See, I'm not a 'Cover--I'm from a little village north of here. Sara and I met by accident, while I was out fishing. She brought me home to meet her family, but they didn't like the look of me, or something. I tried to get them to warm to me, even moved to Blackcove and tried to fit in." He shakes his head. "Didn't help. So eventually, she and I just lit out. We picked a time when Lira wasn't at the Shrine, made our profession to each other there, and left. Sara insisted on one last thing, though--we had to spend our wedding night at the Rock. It's at a cove on Nal-Kashel, a few miles out in the gulf. Said her parents did it, and their grandparents, and so on for time out of mind. To please her, I rowed us out there. And something happened. Creatures...don't know what they were, went on two legs like us...a sea witch on the island must've called them. They took Sara from me, and I fled back to Blackcove. Now I fear they'll come for the other 'Covers! The villagers sent me to find help."

He pulls a small bundle out of the bottom of the boat and removes the sodden cloth wrappings to reveal a golden comb, which he hands to the nearest of you. The shaft is beautifully shaped in the likeness of a manta ray. "The 'Covers gave me this, and if you're able to help there's likely more where that came from." Rah, you figure it'd fetch at least 200 gp for the materials alone. The design is Azlanti in origin, though, which may make it worth more to a collector.

To Adler: They took her on yer weddin' day? That's harsh. Yeah, I'll help. (1) What does Sara look like? (2) Why is it hard for you to remember that night? (3) What makes you think these things are headin' fer Blackcove?

To the party: (4) Anybody recognize his description o' the creatures?

To Maddie: Hey, I got this here wand. Could ya help me use it? Wouldn't want my bow-steadyin' arm ta git sore. The archer holds out his hand to the Pharasmin, offering a wand of Cure Light Wounds.

Happy to roll the CLWs if it's OK to give you my wand during the adventure. :-)

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Looks like I just need the one charge.

"Beautiful! Long dark hair, fine features, about 5'4" and thin. But strong." He sniffles a bit, though it might just be the cold and damp. "I don't know. Just thinking about it is hard...maybe that sea witch did something to me. I'm worried about the other 'Covers because nothing like that's ever happened before, and Blackcove's the closest village to Nal-Kashel. That, and a couple of the people live near Blackcove have also gone missing."

Lucky man. Sounds like she's a looker. If you wanna go to Blackcove first, who am I ta fight the plot argue? :-)

Bogenschützen, not the sharpest tool in the shed, is suddenly confused: What sea witch?

Shaking his head, he continues in his mostly monotone, gravelly voice: Man. Prison was so much simpler than this... He's not nostalgic (not in the least); he's merely stating an observation.

Well, you need a boat to get to Nal-Kashel, and you all won't fit in his. Even if he were willing to go back there.

"Why certainly, I would be happy to use that to heal you." Maddie replies to Bogenschützen's request.

Feel free to make the rolls as long as Maddie is capable of using it.

"I suppose we should make our way to Blackcove, then. If there is something unusual going on, it may be worth reporting back to the Pathfinder Society."

Are there any Knowledge rolls we can make at this point based on the information gained? Nal-Kashel, for instance?

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"Ah yes, I believe that Nal-Kashel is an Azlanti ruin that the Society has not yet explored. I believe that our superiors would appreciate our initiative in this matter."

Rah turns the comb over in her hand as she listens to Adler's story. "Nal=Kashel is an Azlanti ruin?" She asks Maddie. "Interesting. This comb is of Azlanti origin as well."

To Adler, "Can you introduce us to someone with a boat large enough for our party?"