DM Cuc's Skull and Shackles Campaign. (Inactive)

Game Master moafnsteel

Ilix could never hold his liquour. Old fool Neither could he cook for $&@£. The shoanti regrets having tossed away his run. I will drink to him tomorrow. Havent seen him under the waves yet, maybe he made it to land.

Probably the same as you. Looking for a ship, one seems to have found me. He says in a dark mood.

Dont say those things too loud. Four Skulls cautions the two men.

Ilix could never hold his liquour. Old fool Neither could he cook for $&@£. The shoanti regrets having tossed away his run. I will drink to him tomorrow. Havent seen him under the waves yet, maybe he made it to land.

Probably the same as you. Looking for a ship, one seems to have found me. He says in a dark mood.

Dont say those things too loud. Four Skulls cautions the two men.

Aye, you're right. Never did take to others giving me orders or making decisions I felt were rightly mine, forgive the lapse.

Well, we did find a ship the only question is how rich we can get and how much trouble can we avoid on the way there. Any one of you have to sign on to the articles?

I'd still be there if the damn Chelish hadn't confiscated her in Westcrown. Barely made it away from their "guard", damn slavers.

Hmmm, careful what I say around this one...he wouldn't like my kin's trade.

The elf sits listening.

The elf sits listening.

Mesdoram turns to the elf and smiles.

Well, of course I know my good friend Balthe and I've sailed with Four Skulls before, but I'm afraid I don't know you. He waves his mug towards Holgur. Or our friend here. So can you tell me your name and what led you to the Formidably Maid and our current princely surroundings?

"Jasmine...I was looking to crew my way for passage over to Quent. I spent my recent years at Magaambya Academy in Nantambu." She recognizes the confused look man's face. "It's a school up the Vanji River in the Mwangi Expanse." The further description location up the Vanji River helps. "Spent plenty of time on ships growing up but recently it's been limited to barge work on the Vanji."

"As for our princely surroundings it seems orderly enough...fear does that...tension seems a bit high." Her tone is a matter of fact, measured and calculated. "So, besides us...and Sandra we should figure out where our gear is...perhaps help each other out with eyes and ears." She pats the book and the cyclone cover design appears to move in the fading sun. "I'm looking for small waist pouch that I had, it contains odd items like butter, colored sand, and powdered metal, it'll help with this." She pats the book again. "She grins at Mesdoram, a pinch of butter from the galley would be helpful."

She pauses a bit, "The other item I'm looking for is a dodo bird...goes by the name of Flotsam...I feel him on board...he's panicked right now...Don't cook him!" She get's a deadly look in her eye when she talks about the bird.

I could use a small blader from the kitchen myself, any animal would do. Four Skulls whispers to Mesdoran.

Sandara, could I borrow a page of your holy text?

"Be warned, if we get in a fight it is in everyone's best interest to give me a five foot radius."

Butter and a bladder I can find, I can even get you sand although it won't be colored.

Mesdoram starts drumming his fingers against his thigh reflexively before the vehement prohibition against cooking a dodo. The fierceness of Jasmine's voice interrupts the finger drumming for only a moment.

No cook worth his salt would eat dodo! The taste of the meat's practically punishment.

I'll keep an eye out for the bird, I doubt we have more than one on board. Lousy food and the eggs are terrible too. Fishguts is a pretty good cook actually, so if today's any indication I might get some time to go wandering.

He ponders for a moment and decides that it's better to work with his fellow newcomers than gamble on ingratiating himself with older crew. Much as he hated to admit it his personality grated on people.

Actually I may try to talk to Fishguts and Grok, they're both officers on the ship and may know where our gear is and how to get it back. They're amiable enough from what I saw today.

Shame we can't pin some theft on Plugg, that would be a delight to watch. Balthe says almost too quietly

I will try to get to know some folks tomorrow, today I was recovering from my lashing.

Shame we can't pin some theft on Plugg, that would be a delight to watch. Balthe says almost too quietly

I will try to get to know some folks tomorrow, today I was recovering from my lashing.

Plugg's an officer, they'd never buy it or blame it on someone. Probably us. Now that you say that, best Watch yourselves and your gear. Maybe the purser can give us a good lock for the harder to find items.

Mesdoram looks pointedly at Jasmine's spellbook.

Jasmine I do not know anything about Quent, if you could please fill Mesdoram in on appropriate info. Also Jasmine roll a stealth check for your familiar.

everybody who made stealth checks to throw rum overboard did so successfully.

Mesdoram you were able to successfully pocket the masterwork dagger.

Before Sandra walks away she is able to tell you that all your gear is with the Quartermaster, who she describes as a reasonable person, but who will be too scared to return all their gear right away out of fear for punishment by the Captain. Four Skulls she gives you what you ask for.

Everybody is able to recognize the four pirates with Mr. Plugg and Master Scourge as the same four from earlier in the morning.

This is for the second perception check I had you roll (the first was to identify the four pirates). NVM removed the spoiler as nobody passed the second perception check.

If you havnt chosen a nighttime activity please do so and post the results, as I plan to move the story forward this evening.

Mesdoram you can use Bluff. Your several attempts to talk with Fishguts failed miserably and you received only a few words in response. (No change in attitude).

With an 11 roll he won't know much about Quent.

For night one Jasmine is resting to avoid the being fatigued.

Flotsam's Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Well, of course I know my good friend Balthe and I've sailed with Four Skulls before, but I'm afraid I don't know you. He waves his mug towards Holgur. Or our friend here. So can you tell me your name and what led you to the Formidably Maid and our current princely surroundings?

Perception

"I'm Holgur and I figured that 'Maid would be a fair place for a drink. It also might have some ships hiring crew. Look how that turned out.

"The lady (Sandara) is right about being wary here. This ship is more of a prison than a ship, if you like. You might have seen the work-camps in the jungles" he says to Jasmin. "Only this one floats, and you can't run away from it."

"No matter what the Captain says, the law against murdering crew only applies to the crew, not when the officers do it. That bastard that they keel-hauled would only have gotten stripes aboard a real ship."

Then he turns to Balthe and asks "You threw that piece of shite out the door, hunh?"

Then he drinks his run. No sense is getting stripes over this. Not when I am still wasted from working in the sun."Argh, but this is swill."

Fort Save for rum
1d20 ⇒ 20

To Sandara he says "If'n you can get me a knife or something sharp, that would be most appreciated. Small is better than big, because it's easier to hide."

After the conversation ends, Holgur goes below deck to snatch a hammock. Hopefully, there is one that does not smell like a bunch of rotting crabs.

Sorry for the long posts, I don't have that many opportunities to post during the day.

I have thrown most people out at some time or another.

Balthe smiles

will be resting tonight to recover from the lashing

After their conversation ends Four Skulls approuches Grok trying to befriend her.
Hey gorgeous, can I sit with you? I heard the quartermaster is the toughest women in this boat. Thats somebody worth knowing. Smiling.
Night Time Action: Influence Grok
Diplom: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Does the run give any bonus or penalties for those who drink it?

"I'll work a crew member tomorrow," she nods towards halfling volunteer, "Notice her today swabbing." (Rosie Cusswell)

Influencing Fishguts was my evening activity if you were waiting on me?

Holgur: As you approach Grok, you can tell and smell the effects of her heavy drinking. Grok looks up at you with barely opened eye lids, and laughs at your statement. "Dang..hic...right.. about that...I..hic..like..hic...you...hic" Her head begins to bob and before you can react her head smacks the table.

"What....hic..." Looking at Four Skulls, "I tell you what...hic...beat me in arm wrestling....hic...and I will let you in my store after hours to buy (She is taling the same way but got annoying to write and read lol)."

Full Skulls roll a strength check for me please.

STR: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

For all the PCs know the rum has no effects, outside of getting you drunk if you ask for more.

When wanting to raise a person's attitude toward you, you can use Diplomacy, Bluff, or Intimidation and they all use the Diplomacy Check DCs which are:
Hostile 25+ creature's Cha Modifier
Unfriendly 20+ creature's Cha Modifier
Indifferent 15+ creature's Cha Modifier
Friendly 10+ creature's Cha Modifier

Fishguts & Crimson are +1 (Fishguts is -1 to check if drunk), Conchobhar is +3 (I figured this would speed things along).

Jasmine will go below deck and find a open hammock, looking for a few that are relatively close together.

Mesdoram will turn in as well; unless he's sleeping in the galley he'll try to find a hammock close the hull, in a corner so there's only one way to approach him in the night.

He'll prioritize staying away from Scourge's cronies over innate defensive positioning however.

I am hoping she was not hostile, thats a hard dc to beat.

STR: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Four Skulls tries but he cant best the half orc girl.
Curses, you are strong as a bear!

Jasmine you are pretty sure the ship is fully crewed, or you think you would be working twice as hard.

Four Skulls: Grok laughs as she bests you in arm wrestling. "Ha, I still got it!" She takes another large swig of rum, "I like you, you and your friends can come by anytime." It takes Grok several tries to stand up, but finally manages to get herself up and walking, however she continues to run into tables and sailors as she makes her way to her cabin.

Grok went from indifferent to friendly.

The night passes by uneventful. The next morning the bells begin to ring and as all of you guys get up and make your way to the deck, 4 pirates stand in you way (Aretta, Fipps, Jaundice, and Slippery). None appear to be armed but they are all blocking your way to the stairs. You can see a handful of other pirates watching on the stairs waiting to see what is going to happen next.

As I am writing this I realize that I cannot edit the map, as I am at work and do not have my laptop. So we are going to try to resolve this without a map. If it doesn't work I will upload it later today/this evening

Balthe, Holgur, Four Skulls, and Mesdoram standing in front and Jasmine is behind them. Aretta stands in front of Mesdoram, Fipps infront of Four Skulls, Jaundice in front of Balthe, and Slippery Syl in front of Holgur.

Jaundice sizes up Balthe (He is about 6'1, and a solid build Half-Orc). "You no look so tough," laughs Jaundice.

"Yeah, You think you guys are going somewhere," chimnes in Fipps as he pushes Four Skulls.

I did not include the pirates INIT modifiers. Also Jasmine I just read your spoiler, I was seeing if you familiar was able to sneak on board, but sadly the dodo, was caught while attempting to sneak on board almost immediately.

Heroes you guys go first (whoever posts first goes first, as I am using a block initiative to speed things up on the board). Obviously, the push was outside of INIT and that led to the INIT. I should also point out that you guys get the feelings immediately that they are not here to talk.

I also want to point out, that you already know that these guys are extremely buddy buddy with Master Scourge and Mr. Plugg (therefore they are not likely to kill you).

I gotta beat up the girl? Last game I got to knock Jape all over the place. Ah well, "a pirate's life for me."

When it is Holgur's turn:

Holgur has not even wiped the sleep out of his eyes when the "welcome wagon" confronts them. Truly, the fatigue from toiling in the sun yesterday has not completely left his limbs and his punch is clumsy and off-balance.

Attack
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 +2 another 2 if she is human

Did you ever get the feeling that the dice-roller hates certain characters?

Haha yes I have had that problem, mostly IRL games.

Just for reference, their AC is 12. forgot to post that, but it wouldn't have helped Holgur lol. Everybody is human except Jaundice.

how close are we to the edge of the boat. Though I assume it's prob a bad idea to throw them overboard

1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 1 - 1 = 16 [ooc] Power attack and Combat Expertise makes my AC 13

Balthe levels a double fisted back hand to Jaundice dealing 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6 non lethal blunt damage.

I may not look so tough Jaundy but you aren't tough

Quick rule clarification - if the opponents are facing off against us in a line am I flanking one or more or am I distant enough that I don't threaten anyone else?

once we get to know each other more Meso, Balthe can start to use bullrush, and eventually reposition to move them into flanks for you

Jasmine simply stands back letting her new companions engage in fist to cuffs, She assesses the situation to see if there is anyway she could slip in to get behind the enemy but without taking an AOO. If she can she will do so to get flanking bonus to one of her companions.

Mesdoram sighs, already tired of Scourge and his cronies. Desna must be angry I started praying to Besmara instead of her.

He stares down Aretta before looking behind him and widens his eyes.

Cap'n Harrigan, what are you doing here?

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17. Feint attempt.

Fighting defensive Four Skulls tries to punch Fipps out of the way but misses, his reflexes still asleep

Atk: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 4 = 1
Atk: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

AC13

Apparently my post yesterday evening did not post. I am sorry. I will have to post later today as it is just me and my kids

DM what is weird is I read your post last night and responded so both of them are gone. I'll repost off of memory.

RD 1: Jasmine

She moves behind Areta to provide a flanking advantage to her companions.

Apparently my post yesterday evening did not post. I am sorry. I will have to post later today as it is just me and my kids

I saw your posts myself but my response didn't make it during the outages. Should I wait for rerolls or assume the same actions hold?

Aretta is visibily upset, as her eyes cotinue to try to glance over her shoulder as she swings at Mesdoram, which causes her to trip and fall down.

Jaundice, yells "I'll show you," but Balthe is too quick as he ducks out of the way of Jaundice's heavy swing.

Fipps punches Four Skulls across the jaw (5 points of damage), which causes Four Skulls to wince.

Slippery shows everybody how dangerous she is by connected with a round house kick to Holgur's chin (crit and causes 8 points of DAM, rolled a 1 on the DAM roll).

Heroes' turn

RD 2: Jasmine

"How 'bout some pain...now?" with that simply statement Jasmine unleashes a lightning flash. "We need some boundaries and a clear pecking order amongst us." Her unwavering voice advises the thugs. She catches anyone withing 5 feet burst of her. This is partly why she wanted separation between her an her allies.

lethal damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
DC 14 Fort save or dazzled for
rds: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Outstanding not much damage...just a learning lesson.

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Mesdoram is shocked that Aretta falls down on the floor but lines up a kick and slams it into her kidney.

Moron.

Damage/Sneak Attack: 1d3 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 2

I can't believe you bought that. Honey, I've got a bridge in Magnimar to sell you.

I'm adding the +2 attack bonus from flanking and the -4 AC penalty for Aretta since she's prone. Let me know if that's not correct.

Mesdoram, I believe that is correct, if not oh well I am going with it lol

1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 1 - 1 = 15 for 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 nonlethal

Balthe knees jaundice in the gut

just stay down

AC 13

Enraged Four Skulls abandones any caution and repays Fipps the favor with a direct punch to the face.
Atk: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Dmg: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Syl's kick rattles Holgur's senses but he stays on his feet. Woman or not... he thinks as he feints a right and then throws a left hook at her head.

Attack
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

remember if you don't have improved unarmed you provoke by attacking right? Also since I have that feat I can take aoos

I am not aware of provoking by attacking with unarmed strike if you do not have unarmed strike. I am not sure as far as Attack of Opportunities. I would say anybody could, since most people are causing nonlethal. If somebody has a reference in one of the books I would be happy to be corrected so I know for the future.

Holgur you forgot your damage roll however it looks like your ATK modifier should be 4 instead of 5, +1 BAB + 3 Ability.

Jaundice falls down with a hard thud as Balthe connects with a knee to the gut.

FORT: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Aretta yelps and fails her FORT save and is now dazzled and still prone.

Holgur gets +2 on attacks vs humans because they are his favored enemy. I forgot that his strength modifier is +3 instead of +2. That means his meager 12 on the attack roll is actually an Earth-shaking 13!

Damage if it hits
1d3 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Fipps takes another shot a Four Skulls, he is becoming visibilty angry
Fipps: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
DAM: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Slippery is smiling with delight as Holgur, misses again. This time she throws a right cross towards Holgur.
Slippery: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
DAM: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Slightly paniced at this point Aretta stands up and (if possible) swings at Jasmine
Aretta: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
DAM: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Jasmine and Mesdoram resolve your attacks of opportunity first then your normal attacks.

I also just realized that I made a mistake on damage, Four Skulls you took 3 points of damage and Holgur you only took 4 points of damage, I added a 3 instead of a 1 on the damage rolls and that was my bad, sorry

try link

Who is next? Or would you rather run away to your daddy and cry?!

Holgur you knock the heck out of Slippry which causes her to completely miss you.

Balthe, you can take a free shot at either Fipps or Slippery, since I did not know that rule. I overlooked it both times. Your AOO could potentially take out Fipps prior to his potential crit!

1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 1 - 1 = 7 for 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 AOO one

1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 1 - 1 = 17 for 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6 AOO two