DM Deevor's River Into Darkness pbp (Inactive)

Game Master Deevor

Lysandra smiles and enjoys the company of the crew and the feast provided by the day's earlier adventure. As the night moves on she sings a few songs and tells a few stories in an attempt to entertain the captain and crew.

George, under the attentions of Jon, looks up through bleary eyes, that gaze without really seeing. He gets up from the table, though his legs seem to be made more of jelly than solid bone and flesh. A beaming smile comes across his face, "Hello, am I alrighght, I sshould shay so. Cap'n don't normally let me take the drink, bu hessh shaid I dun gooood today. Helping him and the crew get off that island quick, then waiting for you. Yessh I'd shay I wassh A OK." He hugs you and the smell of ale and rum assault your nose, before he slinks down again onto his seat.

With all the talk of women, he leans across the table, and winks at Lysandra, "You're bueashtiful you are." smiling his head falls onto his empty plate, he is oblivious to the world, lost in a dream world.

The rest of the crew, cast an eye to him, Joseph gets up, hauling the young boy up. "Best he lie down somewhere safe, and not in his food. I'll be back in a min, just put him down and let him sleep."

As the jolly night progresses, Runther removes his shirt and gets up to his party piece, obviously trying to impress Leylyn. He chest, bronzed and muscular ripples under his control, making the tattoos on his brest come alive. The red ship bounces on the blue waves, a green dragon,twists and turns, its mouth open seems to be spewing fort a live fire of yellow, reds and oranges. The Captain and his crew, with a clink of their mugs of bitter brown ale, shout encouragement and clap as he makes his display.

The Captain approaches Lysandra, leaning down, his large pink hand rest on her left shoulder, his arm circling round her back, as he speaks softly to her as she turns to her right to face him, "Lucky to have you aboard, if there's anything I can do to make your journey more pleasurable, don't hesitate to ask". Before invitingly making her an offer, "Come in for a night cap anytime? I am sure you have more stories that would enchant me, as I have stories of love that would melt your heart."

" Though I think you do a dis-service to your two beautiful companions, without there presence the trip would surely have been even more tedious. Their company on board has brightened all our spirits, he lads?"

"Ahhh Cap'n, its not that I haven't noticed, indeed they shine brighter than the stars in the sky, it just that it would be an unhealthy mix of business and pleasure - and besides, a great lumbering beast like meself would probably scare 'em half to death... besides, I just wouldn't feel right, them being more like kid sisters and all"

As the jolly night progresses, Runther removes his shirt and gets up to his party piece, obviously trying to impress Leylyn. He chest, bronzed and muscular ripples under his control, making the tattoos on his brest come alive. The red ship bounces on the blue waves, a green dragon,twists and turns, its mouth open seems to be spewing fort a live fire of yellow, reds and oranges. The Captain and his crew, with a clink of their mugs of bitter brown ale, shout encouragement and clap as he makes his display.

Oblivious to Runther's advances, Leylyn does seem impressed... But after giving Runther a few minutes she starts to laugh about something. He-hey, I can do that too! wanna see? Giving everyone a moment to express their desire to see such an event, Leylyn says a few mumbled words, and an exact duplicate of Runther appears next to him... except instead of runther's head, it has Leylyn's head! The bizarre being instantly starts to mimic the show with it's tattoos that Runther had previously did.

"Ahhh Cap'n, its not that I haven't noticed, indeed they shine brighter than the stars in the sky, it just that it would be an unhealthy mix of business and pleasure - and besides, a great lumbering beast like meself would probably scare 'em half to death... besides, I just wouldn't feel right, them being more like kid sisters and all"

H-hey! Are you making fun of my height!? Leylyn says between laughs...

H-hey! Are you making fun of my height!? Leylyn says between laughs...

"What? no. Perish the thought my little lotus flower, its more a case of me being a large shambling mountain. I just wouldn't let harm come to a hair on yer head is all"

Arching an eyebrow at the captain's offer...

"While I'm flattered, my captain, I doubt my big "brother" would approve."

The crew stare with a certain amount of disbelief as Leylyn's twin appears flexing her muscles and tattoos. After the initial shoock, the crew burst in to peels of laughter, even the sour faced Draevin smiles to himself, although his eyes look patronizing at the young witch.

Eventually you and the crew drift off, with a feeling that there is now only one crew on the ship, not two. Friends made, memories shared, a unity created, although the first mate remains apart from the rest, that's the way it is for the disciplinarian of the crew. You don't cross him, and you don't become his friend either, just a healthy respect for his rank and authority. Unlike the Cap'n, who, well the crew might follow to the end of the earth with his natural charisma and leadership. Well, it was his idea for this evenings celebration and opening the best rum for the occasion. But now with the end of the party, sleep take over the crew, you all enter the realm of dreams, sleep and booze overwhelm you, the sounds of snores mingles with the gentle lapping of the waves.

The next day, is slow to start, even the Cap'n doesn't feel exactly on top of the world. Groans accompany the work today, but the ship sets off continuing its journey....

....the next weeks pass uneventfully and you approach your destination...

OK, I'm back will retcon anything else you want from the journey. Otherwise..I'll be concluding soon when you dock.

OK, I'm back will retcon anything else you want from the journey. Otherwise..I'll be concluding soon when you dock.

Nah all good, just the marginal infatuation/appreciation Harry is trying to flush from his mind of the two ladies and grumbling about 'finding port sometime real soon'

That sounds fine to me.

The only thing that I would add is that Charles would have spent some time carving the 'boar ivory' tusks - For the first, on one side, a montage of the party hunting boars, and on the other, an image of the ship, sails unfurled.

Craft(Ivory): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19.

For the second, he covers both sides in images of birds of prey.

Craft(Ivory): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13.

Seeing Charles carving the tusks gives Jon an idea...

He takes one of the tusks and tries carving a small flute. I can't keep borrowing Lysandra's flute every time we leave the ship, he thinks.

Craft: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Hmmm...Not sure what the DC for carving a flute is. :)

Seeing Charles carving the tusks gives Jon an idea...

He takes one of the tusks and tries carving a small flute. I can't keep borrowing Lysandra's flute every time we leave the ship, he thinks.

Craft: 1d20
Hmmm...Not sure what the DC for carving a flute is. :)

I think a flute would be a minimum of 15, quite a hard object to create, and a real good quality flute would be 20. However, you have made a simple instrument, that when blown will most of the time sound musical, so using the flute you just created gives you 80% chance that a musical tune comes out(1-80). Are you OK with that as an idea to continue? Not perfect but you can play it most of the time, its just very difficult to get a tune out sometimes. Or we can discuss, but I like a little randomness and danger brought about by things like this.

After several weeks at sea, Captain Trueheart is nervous and you are all required to work dressed and ready for action. Each day armor is polished and weapons cleaned, as instructed by the cap'n. You spend your waking hours on watch, patrolling the perimeter of the decks, looking out to sea for threats. "Now this is the most dangerous part of the journey, pirates and other privateers will pick any weak or poorly defended ship. The treasures of the seas are not just the wonders that swim and fly over it, but the booty taken from another's hold.", the captain reminds you daily. Despite this, any ships you pass as you get closer to Bloodcove leave you alone. It seems he captain's strategy has paid off and you sail into the docks, without any mishap.

Your boat docks at a wooden quay that looks a part of the interwoven roots of a colossal mangrove tree, the tree appears to be the foundation for this port. As you came into port, you see ramshackle buildings, resting on the massive brown and black roots of the tree. You stand guard, as the ship docks and is secured. The Captain asks you to continue your guard whilst he goes to the port's harbor master. "Once we are under the protection of the authorities of the port, the ship and cargo should be safe and you may step ashore and enjoy yourself again. Just don't get into any trouble or say anything to get me and the ship in trouble, eh! careful what you say." He gives you each 30 gold pieces, "A small advance on the monies due to you, but it will let you have some pleasure in port tonight, you deserve it after your assistance on the journey. I expect we'll be here for 3 days to conclude all the business I came to do, and then return, where treasures will await you." And off the Captain goes.

George, comes over as he fondles in his hand some gold coins, given to him by the Captain. "I'm off to 'The Bloodroot Tavern', thence onto eat at the 'Salt Reaver', it does the best food in town and a good night's rest. Obviously you might one or two of the others at Shaduk's Ninepins, loosing their money at cards or other games. I never do that, its hard earned, don't want to give it away. There are other taverns and Inns, some better than others, but I'll tr those I mentioned. The tavern is on the way towards the trunk and the Inn is built into the trunk itself, amazing this port, built on and in that tree. " as he points forward and upwards to the branches that seem to capture the sky in their embrace. Suddenly he stops, remembering something, his face takes a more serious tone, "Oh, if you're new here, you might like to stay together, there's people who might want cheap labor, if you know what I mean.".

The crew continue to work around the boat, as you continue your guard. It takes about half-an-hour, as the sun begins to set, when you hear a pretty girls laughter and the ship's master returns smiling, with his new found trophy on his arm. He smiles as he gets to you, "OK, off you go. I'll see you in the morning, You don't need to come back tonight, I'll be busy!" he winks and squeezes the girl's waist closer and her giggles increase.

Walking down the gangplank onto the quay, everything is wooden, structures built on the rots, in the roots, and between roots man-made single file walk-ways and small bridges carry you above the murky waters, in which there is dangerous life, ready to accept anything dropped into its watery domain. Not even the sailors amongst you, have encountered such a strange looking port. However the port is no not inactive, around the quays, sea men, dockers and other mill about doing their work. Yet even now the sun is beginning to drop, dusk is falling on this busy port and the hustle and bustle diminishes.

That's it your in port....off you go...

Knowledge (Geography):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Profession (Sailor):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Lysandra speaks with the other "hired hands" prior to departing the ship...

"Ok folks, we're in Bloodcove. It's known as part pirate haven and part merchant bazaar. The twisting vines and roots you see are of the mangrove. We should really be careful while here this city is known for its webs of intrigue, promises, deceit, treachery and broken alliances. We should be able to find most anything from the depths of the Mwangi Expanse here, but do take care, there are likely many waiting to take what ever you find."

After the captain returns, Lysandra approaches Harry...

"Shall we see what sights Bloodcove has to offer? Or are you more interested in finding another sort of port now that we reached land?"

"Shall we see what sights Bloodcove has to offer? Or are you more interested in finding another sort of port now that we reached land?"

"I'd happily be your escort Miss Lysandra, while there's a waif of light we may as well see what the place has to offer and what sights we may behold, plenty of time for drinking indoors in the evening."

"Besides, the Captain has painted a very colourful picture of the local inhabitants, so might be best to walk in company and avoid trouble.

Harry dons his mail shirt and collects up his weapons, he has taken the time to groom himself to be quite respectable in appearance; clearly the promise of an evening of entertainment has lightened his mood, as he is showing off his good looks and charming grin for all to see, his huge muscular and bronzed form ripples as he moves.

He whistles a loud tune, which is answered by a deep bark; within moments, Thumper stands by his side ready for a walk

"Secure your purse well too milady, the loose hands of wayward wharf rats often try take more than just their fill of sly gropes"

Harry will try to get a feel for how heavily armed/armoured people are in day to day 'walking about' clothes. Given its a rough port, he might be able to walk about fully tooled up as a 'typical bodyguard', but if not he'd probably leave some gear in the Inn

"An Inn built into a tree's trunk? My elven blood is curdling! I have to see that!" Leylyn laughs.

Leylyn wears the same simple clothing and witch hat she started out with, although she includes her new eye-patch. Gotta look mean and exotic in a place like this right?

As everyone is getting off the boat she turns to the others "Are we splitting up at all, or are we all going together? Regardless, I'd like to see the elf's nightmare Inn while we are about if that's ok... Otherwise I'm happy to tag along for anything else." Leylyn says, showing off her mean look to any tough looking onlookers as they walk. Which is NOT as intimidating as she boasts.

Harry shoots a look of deference to Lysandra

"Not sure what Miss Eventide was set on seeing, but the inside of an Inn is certainly on the cards in the next couple of hours once the light fades"

"I didn't have anything in particular in mind, you are certainly welcome to come along."

Charles smirks faintly as he listens to the banter between his companions. At length, he intrudes upon the conversation:

"If you are all wanting to indulge a little, I am more than happy to act as the sober-man-out on this particular sortie. I would prefer not to let my guard down whilst in port..."

Jon Former wrote:

Seeing Charles carving the tusks gives Jon an idea...

He takes one of the tusks and tries carving a small flute. I can't keep borrowing Lysandra's flute every time we leave the ship, he thinks.

Craft: 1d20
Hmmm...Not sure what the DC for carving a flute is. :)

I think a flute would be a minimum of 15, quite a hard object to create, and a real good quality flute would be 20. However, you have made a simple instrument, that when blown will most of the time sound musical, so using the flute you just created gives you 80% chance that a musical tune comes out(1-80). Are you OK with that as an idea to continue? Not perfect but you can play it most of the time, its just very difficult to get a tune out sometimes. Or we can discuss, but I like a little randomness and danger brought about by things like this.

Sure. That's fine. I might go shopping for a better instrument if we go into town sometime.

Well Jon, we *are* all heading into town - we were told we had a few days of shore-leave ;-)

Jon dons his armor and straps his sword to his side. "Well, I'm hoping I won't need you tonight.", he says to the crude flute that he carved. He stuffs it in his belt and walks out on deck.

Approaching the others, he is amazed at the enormous tree in front of them. "I have got to see the inside of that! I've never seen anything like that in my life! Everyone else game?", he asks the others.

Well Jon, we *are* all heading into town - we were told we had a few days of shore-leave ;-)

Yeah...saw that after I hit submit. :)

"Always the gentleman is our Master Beecroft, I'll be taking you up on that offer this evening! For now, a wander around the port to see the sights is first on the manifest"

As you make you way along as the evening light begins to fade, the walkways are less populated. The heat and humidity of the day still make you sweat, as the breeze you had whilst at sea is now but a breath, but the atmosphere is suddenly broken by a piercing shriek. There is a pause in the sounds of activity that surround you, as people stop what they are doing and point upwards into the sky, as they see a massive beast soaring below the lower limbs of the giant mangrove upon which Bloodcove is constructed. The huge reptilian creature looks like a vestige from some long forgotten era as it swoops down towards the wooden shanties and catwalks of the town. Its wickedly hooked beak snatches a passerby off one catwalk and flings him onto into the scaffolds and rooftops far below before it alights on the very end of the boardwalk upon which you stand. It again utters its piercing shriek and this time the sound of scream is echoed by those several frightened people trapped and cut off at the far end of the boardwalk.

You are 70ft from the reptile, which takes up the whole of the 15ft width of the boardwalk. There are several other people looking concerned and pointing at the beast, but they don't carry weapons that you can see. The is no map, the boardwalk is 15ft wide, on the left hand-side, there is a rail and then a fall into the murky waters. On the right, a shack is built, the beast is positioned at the end of the shacks rickety wall, made of various planks, lashed and nailed together. The beast is occupied with screaming populace, is it with hunger or malice that its eyes stare and its jaws snap.

Player Order
Jon 24
Lysandra 23
Charles 20
Harry 14
Leylyn 7

Round 1
Leylyn watches the carnage for a few seconds"...Well I'll be... The captain was right, this place is pretty dangerous..." and with that, Leylyn cast's mage armor on herself and moves 30 feet closer, trying to stay behind Charles or Harry.

"Well Miss Lysandra, I do say you took me to 'see the sights', but I was hoping for a more romantic and picturesque stroll"

Harry readies his axe and follows Charles down the boardwalk.

Is there any way I can see that would allow me to come in on a flank? or is this about to be a frontal assault?

"Well Miss Lysandra, I do say you took me to 'see the sights', but I was hoping for a more romantic and picturesque stroll"

Harry readies his axe and follows Charles down the boardwalk.

Is there any way I can see that would allow me to come in on a flank? or is this about to be a frontal assault?

Opportunities exist to flank the creature, but not by just walking around it on the boardwalk..that's too easy.

No worries, I was just having a hard time working out how I might get a flanker in, without looking at a map I was just trying to picture how to get around a 15' wide creature on a 15' wide path :p

Round 1:

Charles eyes the creature warily.

"Well, I must admit, I was rather expecting that any trouble we encountered would tend to be more humanoid in shape, but I will see what I can do..."

Charles then moves 40' towards the creature, drawing his sword as he does so.

"I agree Master Beecroft, not quite what we were described"

Round 1

Jon grasps his holy symbol of Cayden Cailean as he casts a spell. His comrades feel a momentary rush of power flow through them.

Bless: +1 morale bonus to hit and saves against fear.

He draws his rapier and starts moving towards the fearsome creature.

"Here, here!", he yells as he waves his rapier over his head, trying to distract the monster from the civilians surrounding it.

Move up 30' towards the creature.

Question for you, Deevor. Are we using the new firearms rules from the UC playtest, or are we sticking with the old rules from the campaign setting?

Round 1:

Lysandra begins singing a song of bravery and encouragement for her companions, while drawing her pistol from inside her coat.

Inspire Courage +1 to hit and damage, +1 to saves vs. fear

Oh cool! I didn't realize you had a pistol!

Knowledge Rolls

will answer tomorrow

Question for you, Deevor. Are we using the new firearms rules from the UC playtest, or are we sticking with the old rules from the campaign setting?

Just realised I don't have either...if you can point me to the play test, that's what we'll do. I was going to treat it as a one shot wonder. Bad DM, forgot all about the pistol. Help me out here.

No worries, I was just having a hard time working out how I might get a flanker in, without looking at a map I was just trying to picture how to get around a 15' wide creature on a 15' wide path :p

To clarify the description above, you are on a boardwalk which is 10ft above the murky waters of Bloodcove. There is a railing running along the length on the boardwalk on the left. As you look across at the boardwalk opposite, you see a plank running about 3ft above the waterline, which looks covered in seaweed. To the right of you are buildings made of wood, most are not in the best condition, but a shack is a shack. Some are inhabited, some not and some could be used as storage houses. It's difficult to say from the outside. The beast stands at what looks like a corner to either another boardwalk or a simple walkway. The persons around and threatened by the beast, have all now drawn weapons from inside their cloaks, coats or boots. It seems everyone around has arms, however most do not look interested in saving their fellow townsfolk, more interested in self preservation.

As you get closer and take in the huge dragon looking creature, you see a creature that looks like a great dragon, at least 20 feet long with a serpentine body, long slender wings and a pointed snout or beak that resembles that of a pteranodon. Its body is colored reddish-violet with lighter shades on its underbelly. A ridge of maroon-colored spines runs the length of its body down the center of its back. A mane of frills, white in color, rings its head. From the sharp teeth that fill it's beak, a red cloth or weed-like vegetation hangs down.

You watch is disbelief as it lunges forward with its mouth or beak as it roars and thrusts its beak towards the towns-folk, one man unable to dodge the crushing jaws, staggers backwards, blood pouring from his face and torso.

Well if theres attackers all round the place I might be able to move into a flank, I'm wanting to maximise my Sneak attack obviously :)

Harry signals Thumper to 'Guard' Master Beecroft, and then starts running for the suspended plank, looking for a way to skirt round the creature to put it between him and his friends.

Sighting the plank, Harry takes his chance and dashes to start circling...

Here's a LINK to the Ultimate Combat Playtest. You'll find the firearms rules on pg 6.

Here's a LINK to the Ultimate Combat Playtest. You'll find the firearms rules on pg 6.

Hmmm...thanks, but I must admit I don't like reloading being a standard action, my mind says it's a full round action. The thought of trying to reload whilst on the move doesn't sit well with me. Guns and pistols being fiddly things. Even though the pistol is a single handed weapon, you need two hands to reload and a certain amount of precision to get it loaded. I will not allow the quick reload feat, unless we play a pistol reload is a full round action and the feat takes it down to a standard action. Don't know how you were planning on going on with the pistol, but we can discuss on the discussion thread to keep it out of the game thread. I have no objection to reloading and continuing a bardic performance, but not liking reloading and movement.

The rest of you are up.

Undeterred by what the beast is doing to the other passersby, Charles charges it, sword first...

+1 Ancestral Greatsword: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 27, for 2d6 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 17 + 1 = 25 Magical Slashing damage.

Leylyn moves within 30 ft of the dracobeast thing and lifts her eyepatch up...

Evil Eye (30ft) –2 to AC, ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks for 7 rds. (DC 16) Will reduces to 1 rd.

Round 2

Jon watches Charles' massive sword strike into the great beast. Fearing that the creature's bite will tear Charles in two, he moves up, casts a spell and touches Charles on the shoulder. I shimmering light covers Charles from head to toe.

"Watch out for his bite! It looks nasty!"

Cast Shield of Faith on Charles. +2 Deflection bonus to AC.

puff puff puff!

Boting Lysandra, as not heard since Thursday...

Lysandra moves forward, keeping behind Charles and Jon, as she moves she starts to sing a song of the waves that lap against the shore, inspiring the party to heroic deeds.

Jon touches Charles and his armor glows with a soft holy light of protection.

The creature unaware that the party approaching him are such deadly opponents, only swivels round as the pain from Charles' devastating attack assaults its senses. He uses his strength and that of his ancestors, imbued in his family's greatsword, to plunge pain and injury deep into the beast's rump as it roars in agony. It turns immediately with agility you thought it couldn't posses, to face its foes.

The creature in its pain attempts to bite the swordsman, who deftly sidesteps the deadly jaws as they snap by his head. Before two claws move forward in an effort to strike home, the first finds his breastplate strong and protective, but the second strikes and crushes the man in its grasp and holds the man in place with its forceful talon.

As Leylyn's waves of blackness enter the beast's soul, it repels them but cannot quite remove their immediate effect.

The party get +1 Competence bonus to Attack and Damage, +1 morale bonus to will saves vs. charm and fear effects this round, from Lysandra's bardic performance. Bard Perf today = 1 round. Beast takes 26 dmg from Charles. Charles takes 11 dmg from a claw, and is now grappled.

Round 3 you are up, Lysandra, Jon, Charles, Harry(not active this round as you gain a flanking position), beast, Leylyn.

Since Charles does not actually possess a weapon he can use whilst grappled...

Charles struggles against the creature's vice-like grip, attempting to free himself...

CMB check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27.

Thumper was 'guarding' Charles

Thumper, having being ordered to guard Charles, sees him pinned under a claw and attepmts to barge the creatures claw and assist Charles in his escape

(Aid another if possible)
1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16 Vs DC 10, Gives Charles +2 on his attempt to escape.

Lysandra closes to within 20 feet of the beast and fires her pistol, while maintaining her song.

Shot:1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14 (inspire) vs. touch AC
Damage:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 (inspire)

Charles feels a horrible foreboding sensation in the pit of his stomach and hears a familiar laugh...

Fortune: (30ft)1/rd, roll twice any ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, taking the better result for 1 rd.
Cackle: (30ft radius) Move action. +1 round to Charles' fortune's duration.

Round 3

Seeing Charles struggling with the creature, Jon rushes up and stabs at the monster with his rapier.

Attack (Power Attack, Bless, Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage (Power Attack, Inspire Courage, Ferocious Strike): 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Charles drops his sword in an effort to escape the grasp of the beast, but despite the struggles he remains in the creatures grip, but only whilst the beast decides to hold him. With a swift movement of its muscular leg, Charles is thrown 40ft along the boardwalk, where he crashes into the step of a shack, wood and planks splintering under the force.

Despite Lysandra's wobbly aim, she found it hard to miss such a big dragon, its leathery skin no match for the dangerous projectile. Blood starts to seep from the hole in its side created by the lead ball of death.

Jon, takes out his rapier in readiness to attack the dragon. As he looks down the animal sees an opportunity to take a cheap shot and sinks its teeth the shoulder of the cleric. But Jon, also seizes the chance and plants his rapier into the neck of the bloody creature. However the jaws hold him tighter in response to the pain, lifting his feet from the ground and holding him in his sharp yellowing teeth, the blood mingling with the red seaweed like verdure.

Harry appears from behind the beast, climbing over the rail.

Beast takes 8 + 16 damage.

Round 4 you are up, Lysandra, Jon, Charles, Harry, beast, Leylyn.