In which the good heroes of Group B struggle to stay alive against a vast array of evil forces and natural disasters.
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Happy dot!
I grace this thread with my dot.
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"No one would have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in the storm." - Charles Kettering
Most of you have gotten used to the routine of life at sea. The gentle roll of the deck below your feet, the constant sound of the wind snapping in the canvas sails above your head. There is comfort in the routine, but there is also boredom.
Some 71 days out of Magnimar, the Jenivere, with her cargo, crew, and passengers, is finally headed for the end of her run. The Sargavian city of Eleder and all the promise of that distant colony await those on the far end. Even better is the idea of land, and something different...something more than the routine.
While a few of you have been aboard since day 1, as passengers perhaps, or as crewmen, there are others who have only been with the ship for a few days. Ishirou, the mysterious and distant Tian man, boarded in Bloodcove, and while he hasn't been aboard long, he already has learned the routine.
One bell means the crew is changing shifts, and the tired and worn sailors can head below decks away from the oppressive tropical sun, and the constant, soul-sapping, wind. The new shift groans and rises to the deck for their turn braving the elements to guide the craft ever closer to its final destination.
Two bells means meals served in the tiny, cramped galley. Meals on board ship are not pleasant, especially for those with a sensitive palate. Cold, tasteless, gummy meat, stale vegetables, wormy fruit, and hard crusty bread make up the fare -- and that on a good day.
Three bells means the end of the watch, and lights out on the deck. It marks the end of another interminable day tossed upon the waves and beaten by the wind. Another day spent marking time, doing next to nothing as the routine grinds on. Ever on.
This evening is no different. As the sun sets, the heat of the day giving way to humid dampness of the tropical night, the sound of the two bells calling the crew and passengers to dinner, nearly sets your teeth on edge.
Answering the call, you find yourself crowding into uncomfortable benches in the undersized galley below decks. The smell of whatever horrible concoction has been prepared for your consumption almost makes you reel as you enter.
Looking about, you see the faces of those that have become familiar on this journey, as familiar as the routine of the ship. The Captain sits at the head of the room. A Chelish man whose family has made the Magnimar-Eleder for generations, Alizandru Kovack, commands the Jenivere with a stern hand. His strict discipline is often softened by First Mate Alton Devers, a sailor who has been friendly with both the passengers and the crew. Always quick with a joke or story, Devers can be counted on, when not attending to key duties, to relieve some of the monotony fo the sea journey.
Others in the galley include the strange Oriental man, Ishirou, who doesn't smile or speak to anyone, only slurps his soup in silence, staring downwards the entire time His polar opposite, the vivacious and verbose gnome, Gelik Aberwhinghe, can barely eat at meal times, he's so busy chatting, telling jokes, or regaling with stories of his exploits with the shadowy Pathfinder Society. Aboard since Magnimar, the little entertainer was once quite charming, but now, the sound of his voice and the echo of his tinny laughter only serves to irritate.
Sitting next to the gnome, trying to ignore his constant blathering is the mysterious red-head, Sasha Nevah. Slender and athletic, the young girl is lovely to look at at, but in discussions with her you've found she's not quite right. Her strange sense of humor, nervous twitches, and odd behaviour keep you on the lookout.
Alone on a bench at the far end sits Ieana. The plain-looking Varisian woman spends most of her time with her nose buried in a book, and today is no exception. Pushing up her eyeglasses with one hand, and turning the page with another, she studiously reads while awaiting the dinnermeal. Some say the woman is a Chelish spy, others that she is the secret lover of Captain Kovacs, but based on your experience, that is just ship's rumors, trying to liven up what is otherwise unremarkable.
Not in the galley, unsurprisingly are two other passengers. The first, a Mwangi man that boarded in Corentyn, has not been seen on the deck the entire journey. A prisoner of some sort, he was led aboard in leg irons, and has been locked in the brig since the ship left Cheliax. Just who and what he is remains a mystery.
The other reclusive passenger is the half-elven woman Aerys Mavato. Rarely seen out of her cabin, Mavato is trim and athletic with fierce blue eyes and dark hair. She has remained out of sight since a scrap occurred with a crewman who commented on how she could share a berth with him anytime. The crewman left worse for wear, and Aerys has been reclusive since.
The rest of the group seems lively enough, and you have gotten to know them all, at least a little bit. Still though, you look forward to the day when land is in sight, and the routine of the journey ends, and your new life in Sargava really begins.
Just now the dinner, or what passes or it, is served. Something that was once meat, now drowned in watery and lumpy gravy, with a mealy cornbread. Sighing mightily, you grab a spoon and tuck in, knowing it won't get better, but it will likely get worse.
Harbek dips his spoon into the thin stew and then tips the spoonful back into the bowl, watching it slop back in.
" Ugh. Remember what real food tastes like? " he comments to whoever is sitting next to him.
He eats a few spoonfuls, swallowing carefully. He'd been having trouble finding his sea legs and still got seasick almost everyday making eating even more unpleasant.
"I knows. And my first wages will not go down whoreing, nay I will get meself a decent piece of roasted cow, you can bets your little bloody beard on it."
Life aboard the Jenivere has been full of surprises for Celine. Growing up in a sheltered environment has prevented her from meeting people of different walks of life other than her father's social class until now; curious as she is, she's tried to learn everything she could about the sailors and the other passengers, putting aside her shy nature and chatting amiably with anyone and everyone.
She's been sleeping in quite often, perhaps because on clear nights she's been seen on the deck, admiring the dark seas and the moon above, lost in contemplation and in her silent prayers to the Veil.
The greatest challenge for her has been the food. Celine has desperately tried to endure the look, feel and taste of the meals on board, but after a while she has decided to bless it every time just to be on the safe side, and to drink the water provided by Sivanah's grace. That doesn't change the taste of the food, but at least it's safe to eat...
"Real food. Oh how I could tell you of the best Taldan wines and meals I've had, but I fear it would be considered torture since it's out of reach and all we have is the swill. I wouldn't feed it to a pig or a Chelixian noble for that matter. I think my first painting ashore will be of real food."
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Marik walks into the galley a little green around the gills. "Who would have thought a boat trip would be so...wavy" he thought to himself. Glancing around the cramped quarters Marik grabs a bowl of whatever the cook was passing off as stew and a slightly less moldy biscuit.
Walking over to his fellow passengers Marik missed the familiar weight of Rinkus on his shoulder. Marik regretfully had to leave the little reptile in his cabin, since sea travel disagreed with him more than with Marik, and an irritable Rhamphorhynchus loose aboard ship would do no one any good. "Given his present disposition he might even try to bite me".
Heading over to the table with his fellow passengers, Marik takes a seat and tries to strike up some conversation "Greetings, everyone. What brings you aboard this fine vessel?" Marik seems distracted as he fishes some of the ‘meat’ out of his stew to take back to his familiar "Might as well get the pleasantries over so I can get back to my cabin and hurl this stew in private"
"I knows. And my first wages will not go down whoreing, nay I will get meself a decent piece of roasted cow, you can bets your little bloody beard on it."
" Mine too. When we dock lets you an I seek out a good tavern and get the best roast they offer. And a strong ale too! "
Marik takes a seat and tries to strike up some conversation "Greetings, everyone. What brings you aboard this fine vessel?"
Harbek looks up at the young human.
" I'm looking at getting into some lucrative mining. I heard some good things about the gems and gold under the Bandu Hills. "
St John remembers that comment about painting food, and the rest remember the crass dinner and the conversation but little else of what happened from then...until now.
Now, St John senses everything is dark and silent. Slowly, sensation begins to creep back in -- the feel of sand below and of something wet lapping at his feet. The sound of ocean waves washing against a beach, and a heavy pressure on his legs. This idyllic sensory experience is abruptly changed by a searing pain in his left foot.
The man's eyes fly open to reveal himself prone on the beach, in the early dawn hours. A ochre-colored amphibious arthropod sits near, him a pincer squeezing his foot experimentally. The creature, in addition to the large claw-like pincers, has a long, thin stinger curled behind its back. Two more of its kind are slowly creeping out of the water toward the man.
St John can see, it appears to be just after dawn, the lumps of other shipwreck survivors nearby. He has the items he was wearing in the galley (likely no weapons, but perhaps armor?). There is a haphazard pile of gear about 10-15 feet away (marked by the smiley face).
Feast on the Beach - Round 1
21 Marik (wakes in 4 rounds)
20 Scorpion 2
20 Felix (wakes in 2 rounds)
16 Harbek (wakes in 1 round)
14 Scorpion 3
11 Scorpion 1
5 St John
5 Celine (wakes in 3 rounds)
Sea Scorpion 2 slips out of the surf and moves forward attacking Harbek for 1 hp, waking him. The third scorpion also moves forward to attack the slowly wakening dwarf, hitting him with one pincer for 1 Non-Lethal.
The first scorpion likes the taste of St John and hits him twice more, accumulating 1 more hp dmg plus 1 NL.
1 NL
1 NL
1 hp dmg
"OUCH! I'm not dinner you overstuffed lobster!"
St. John stands up and moves to the pile of gear looking for his falcata or any weapon he can use.
I stand up groggily " Get away! " I yell kicking at one of the scorpions.
Feast on the Beach - Round 1 - concluded
Smythe stands deftly avoid a tail shot by the hungry sea scorpion. Scrambling through the sand, he begins searching for his falcata among the gear.
End of Round 1
Feast on the Beach - Round 2
21 Marik (wakes in 3 rounds)
20 Scorpion 2
20 Felix (wakes in 1 rounds)
16 Harbek (awake, prone)
14 Scorpion 3
11 Scorpion 1
5 St John
5 Celine (wakes in 2 rounds)
Sea Scorpion 2 continues to attack the prone dwarf with its claws pinching him again for 1 hp and 1 NL.
Harbek kicks out at the attacking arthropods, but his attempt is rather feeble and hits nothing.
Scorpion 3 also makes claw attacks on the poor, but somehow tasty, dwarf, striking the prone target twice for minimal damage.
With the retreat of St John, Sea Scorpion 1 moves to the next likely target, which is Celine. It bites the sleeping priestess for 1 hp dmg, waking her up also.
1 NL
1 NL
Digging through the pile St. John pulls out his falcata and buckler.
"Your great axe is here! Hold on Celine! I'll be there in a second!"
Oh great! Dinner is trying to make breakfast of us!
Celine awakens suddenly, feeling the sting of the beast.
"Aaah! What is this thing! Get away from me! Where am I? Where's my morningstar?"
She then tries to get up, careful to avoid another attack.
Feast on the Beach - Round 2 - concluded
Working quickly, the Smythe, the duelist, pulls from the gear pile the tools of his trade. So armed, he prepares to take on the predatory arthropods.
Rudely awakened by a pinch from a scorpion, Celine starts at the sight of the ugly creatures. Carefully rising, she is able to avoid the slashing claws of one of the bugs. She finds herself unarmed and unarmored, however and spies the pile of gear behind her as she looks around.
End of Round 2
Feast on the Beach - Round 3
21 Marik (wakes in 2 rounds)
20 Scorpion 2
20 Felix (wakes this round, prone)
16 Harbek
14 Scorpion 3
11 Scorpion 1
5 St John
5 Celine
While Marik still lies unconscious on the beach, the scorpion's assault continues.
Sea Scorpion 2 snaps its pincers at Harbek, trying to get more of the dwarven flesh. Now upright and fully alert, the dwarven fighter is able to avoid one claw, and parry the other with his bare hands.
What the f.."What by besmaras left titt, ooooh s$~# Rolling to his feet and grabbing his dagger Felix prepares for battle.
"Come little ugly, I will gut you and eat you raw!"
Digging through the pile St. John pulls out his falcata and buckler.
"Your great axe is here! Hold on Celine! I'll be there in a second!"
Oh great! Dinner is trying to make breakfast of us!
"Somebody pass it to me I'll keep 'em distracted!"
I bring my fist down at the sea scorpion on the far right of the map.
Then I step to my right to try and keep all three busy
"Come on!"
Celine withdraws, moving toward the pile of gear to retrieve her weapon and buckler.
Feast on the Beach - Round 3 - continued
Felix wakes on the beach only to see his former shipmates under attack by a group of strange sea creatures. He jumps to his feet and draws his dagger getting ready for a fight.
Harbek the dwarf continues to try to attack the crustaceans, but his bare-fisted attack fails to connect and leaves him exposed to a counter-attack. The fearles dwarf then steps to the side, making himself a target for even more of the scorpions.
Sea Scorpion 3 follows behind the dwarf, snapping at him with both claws, hitting the dwarf once again.
Sea Scorpion 1 makes a pair of claw attacks against Celine hitting her twice for small damage.
Scrabbling backwards through the sand, the moon priestess leaves space between herself and the attacking scorpions, looking for her gear in the loot pile.
1 NL
St. John moves up and attacks the sea scorpion.
Harbek continues to flail groggily at the scorpions with fists and kicks.
Celine quickly grabs her morningstar and buckler from the pile of gear.
"Hold on sir, I'm coming to help you!"
Trusting his luck, Felix charges the closer scorpid.
Feast on the Beach - Round 3 - concluded
With his gear now in hand, St John closes in on the nearest scorpion and lashes out with his falcata. The bug gives off a sickening squishy sound as it explodes from the impact of the rondelero's weapon.
Digging through the pile of gear, Celine finds her buckler and morningstar and shouts out that her aid will be forthcoming.
End of Round 3
Feast on the Beach - Round 4
21 Marik (wakes in 1 rounds)
20 Scorpion 2
20 Felix
16 Harbek
14 Scorpion 3
5 St John
5 Celine
Scorpion 2 continues its barrage of claw attacks on Harbek, one misses and one succeeds, wounding the dwarf yet again.
Felix races across the sand, plunging his dagger at the crawling monster, but his blade does not penetrate the chitinous shell, and the attack ends up ineffective.
Harbek again attacks bare-handed, striking the scorpion for minimal damage, but provoking an attack from the little creature. Fortunately, nothing comes of that attack, which misses the groggy and wounded dwarf.
A bit wounded now, Scorpion 3 still clips its claws at the tasty dwarf. Harbek takes one more bruising hit, draining a bit more of his vitality.
1 NL
"Hold on, I'm coming to help!".
St. John moves to engage the next sea scorpion.
Feast on the Beach - Round 4 - continued
Single-handedly cleaning up the beach, St John pokes another of the nasty sea creatures, puncturing it and watching as it shrivels and dies.
Just die hellspawn, just friggin die
" You got this " I nod at St. John and Felix and step back towards the gear.
Celine rushes to join the others in the fight and attacks the remaining scorpion:
"Throw ma me pike!"
Feast on the Beach - Round 4 - concluded
Celine makes her initial attack against the last scorpion, but her morningstar pounds only sand.
End of Round 4
Feast on the Beach - Round 5
21 Marik (wakes this round)
20 Scorpion 2
20 Felix
16 Harbek
14 Scorpion 3
5 St John
5 Celine
Marik, hearing the clash of arms and armor, rouses himself from a lovely dream on the warm sand only to see his former shipmates in combat with some ugly sea monster.
Moving in Felix slashes again with his dagger.
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Marik wakes to the gentle sound of the surf breaking on the beach, it takes a few seconds for the sounds of combat to reach his addled brain. Siting bolt upright, perhaps a little too quickly, brings waves of nausea as he takes in the scene before him.
Seeing his shipmates in combat the the sea scorpions seems impossible as the last thing he remembers was eating dinner aboard ship "What happened? Where are we and how did we get here?" are just a few of the myriad of thoughts running through his mind as he staggers to his feet. Wiping moist sand from his lips he spots the piled gear on the beach "Curiouser and curiouser". He heads for the gear and begins searching for a weapon. Finding his crossbow and bolt case, he pulls them from the pile and spans and loads it.
I step back towards the scorpion " Now you'll feel my bite! "
Feast on the Beach - Round 5 - concluded
Marik rouses himself, and seeing the melee on the beach, he moves toward the gear pile and finds his crossbow, readying it for action should it be needed.
The remaining sea scorpion attacks Celine, the closest target, but both the claws miss wildly.
Leaping at the scorpion, Felix plunges his dagger at the critter, but the blade is turned aside by its thick carapace.
Axe finally in hand, Harbek steps forward confidently, and brings the heavy blade down, rupturing the scorpion and slicing it clean in half.
End of Combat