Hmm... maybe I didn't need to. Oh well. Better safe. And I guess if DuMoire is no longer visible, I can't challenge him and I'm just attacking some pirate.
Male Human (Keleshite) Druid (Saurian Shaman) 4 [ HP 31/31 | AC 21/T12/FF19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +6 | Init +4 | Perception +9 ]
GM, please correct me if I'm wrong, but you'd say we were 100' away before round 1
Round 1 - Darvan accelerated to 10'/round, 10' traveled Round 2 - Darvan accelerated to 20'/round, 30' traveled Round 3 - Darvan accelerated to 30'/round, 60' traveled
If I don't start decelerating, we're at 90' next round, and we crash into the boat the following round, even if I slow the boat down to 20'.
If I decelerate to 20' now, then we're at 80', decelerate again to 10, at 90', then again, and drift. Keep in mind, if I miss the Strength check, we don't decelerate, and we crash.
Archibald estimates his boat is still about 40' away, only readies his attack, which will be available on the next turn.
End of Round 3
Sheesh, I thought this would be easy without a map, but guess it's not. Yes, Darvan, your math is right, it's time to start slowing down or risk a splintering crash at full speed.
Throwing another ball of flame aboard, Milo hits the other crossbowman, incinerating him in a blaze of fire as well.
Even from a distance, the halfling cavalier chunks a stone at the pirate captain. The hurled missile strikes DuMoire in the head, and a tirade of Chelish curses erupts from the deck.
Without any more bowmen, the crew tosses more items at the moving rowboats, but none make contact or damage anyone.
DuMoire steps away from the fighting and disappears from the party's sea level view.
Maintaining his invisibility, Elael burns a use of his healing wand to restore the masterful boat-driver Darvan, who starts back pulling on the oars, trying to perfectly time their arrival at ship side.
Boat 1 decelerates to 20'/round, leaving it 20' from the ship.
Archibald releases his telekinetic fist now that his craft is closer, striking another crewman, bloodying the pirate crewman.
On Boat 2, Jalias gets his boat underway at top speed again.
At the end of this round, you will be traveling 30'/round with 30' to go to the ship. Might need to consider the physics of inertia here.
25 Milo
21 Tobold
18 Brigands (two down in flames, 1 wounded)
13 DuMoire (retired from fight)
12 Elael
11 Archibald
10 Darvan (driving)
5 Jalias (driving)
As the boats approach the Hydra Fang, a new problem emerges. The deck of the ship is at least 10' or more above your heads. Looking about you see the ship has slightly curved outward sides which will make hand-climbing difficult (DC 25). There is also the anchor line, which may be scalable (DC 13) and the transom sits lower in the water without the curved overhang at the stern of the vessel (DC 15).
Just thought you might want to consider. Milo and Tobold up first, but post away if you read this.
Milo stands with flame in one hand and the boat tightly gripped in the other, still tossing out strings of orcish profanity at the oncoming vessel. He once again lobs the fire at any crewman that he spots attacking them at range, or failing that, any that are trying to get the ship underway to hinder their efforts.
Milo tosses his 3rd flame ball at the deck, but his shot just misses any of the crewmen, who have to cease throwing things down for a moment to duck out of the way.
Grappling hook with rope is one way, but subject to dislodgement by enemy sailors. The cannonball-type holes in the hull of the Hydra Fang are only big enough for a small-size creature to enter. Since it's about 8 ft to the deck of the transom from sea-level, and your about 6 ft tall, that's a two foot jump, which is a DC 8, but from an unsteady platform like a rowboat add 5 more, so DC 13. That's just to get a handhold on the deck. If you want leap from the boat and land on the deck, that's more of a DC 35-40 range and probably not even physically possible.
Nice work steering the boat Darvan. Tobold and the rest are up now.
male elf rogue (knife master) 2 {} AC 17, FF 13, Touch 14 {} hp 6/13, nonlethal 0/13 {} Fort +0, Ref +7, Will -1 {} Init +4 {} Perception +6 {} CMD 16
Readied Action, Acrobatics to leap:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18So that's a 3 1/2 foot jump (calculating in the difficulty of the unsteady platform), which'll put me up pretty high.
Climb check to get aboard:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16And here's the check to pull myself the rest of the way up.
With that information you gave me, Elael will just ready an action to leap aboard and pull himself up with the remainder of the turns on the rowboat.
Male Init +5 Per +9 | AC 15/11/14 | HP 65/65 | F +8/R + 4/ W +7| CMB +6 CMD 17 | Fist (8/8 | Shape (8/8) | Selective Spell (3/3) | Spells: 1st | magic missile (2), mage armour, enlarge (2), prot. evil, feather fall | 2nd glitterdust (DC 18) , bull's strength (2), create pit (DC 18), stinking cloud (DC 18) | 3rd | heroism (2), haste, lightning bolt (DC 19) (2) | 4th | SM IV (2), Beast Shape II (2)
Climb:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Archibald will snatch at the knotted-rope. He rocks the boat violently as he sweeps to his feet, crooks his staff awkwardly under his arm and begins to shuffle up the rope. "Make way! Wizard coming through."
I'm not entirely sure how far away we are from the boat now: 30ft? If so, I want to make sure we don't ram into it, but glide along the side as we slow down .. if that is possible? ^_^
Jalias, you are going to want to start slowing the boat this round. You are 30' away traveling at 30' round, but if you succeed in a check to slow the boat, you'll be 10' away. Another slow the boat success and you drift right in.
Darvan slows his craft which to 10'/round and is now 10' away from the boat. Next row check brings it to drift and then the climbers can try their luck. Give me another row check.
On the second boat, Tobold is still 30' away and can get another ranged attack in this round, if Jalias makes his checks, you are two round from drifing in as well.
Male Init +5 Per +9 | AC 15/11/14 | HP 65/65 | F +8/R + 4/ W +7| CMB +6 CMD 17 | Fist (8/8 | Shape (8/8) | Selective Spell (3/3) | Spells: 1st | magic missile (2), mage armour, enlarge (2), prot. evil, feather fall | 2nd glitterdust (DC 18) , bull's strength (2), create pit (DC 18), stinking cloud (DC 18) | 3rd | heroism (2), haste, lightning bolt (DC 19) (2) | 4th | SM IV (2), Beast Shape II (2)
Oop! For some reason I thought Milo had thrown his grappling hook with his action. Erp. Archy will use the hook if possible, otherwise using his telekenetic fist (both take a ranged touch attack)
Boat 1: drifting at the hull of the pirate ship.
Boat 2: 10' away @ 10/ft per round.
Darvan brings the boat up alongside the pirate ship at a drift. This slow approach allows Elael to make a scrabbling leap and climb aboard the stern of the vessel. Archibald covers the invisible elf by smashing a pirate with his telekinetic fist.
Elael DC 15 Perception check (vs traps):
You see a nearly invisible trip wire along the gunwale at the transom railing. The wire seems to lead to some buckets set above you. Cutting the wire without spilling the buckets is a DC 15 Disable check
In the other boat, Jalias slows the craft, keeping it 10' away from ramming the ship. Tobold slings another rock, pinging off the skull of crewman who curses loudly standing back from the railing. Milo grins mightly remembering those burning sailors.
Those in boat one can try to climb the side or other means to get aboard. Those in boat two can try next round as Jalias gets the rowboar right along side.
male elf rogue (knife master) 2 {} AC 17, FF 13, Touch 14 {} hp 6/13, nonlethal 0/13 {} Fort +0, Ref +7, Will -1 {} Init +4 {} Perception +6 {} CMD 16
Elael's Perception vs. DC 15:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Elael looks around the ship for the captain. If he sees the captain, he'll creep a little closer to the man, hoping to stab him in the back when he's not looking. If he doesn't, he'll creep towards whatever door looks like it leads belowdecks.
Either way, he draws his favorite dagger along the way.
Stealth:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
So my hands are full, both with daggers, but I won't be TWF...one is for throwing :D
Ha, looks like we're going to collide! At least its at the lowest speed setting.
Jeeze, the only ones with rope are Milo and Darvan, and the later has his tied around his pet... and only Milo has a grapple! You guys need to revisit your equipment lists after this! *grin*
As their boat glides in towards the Hydra Fang, Milo stops cussing for a moment to reach down and pick up the grappling hook readied at his feet. Although flame still forms around his hand, it does not seem to harm the rope at all.
He prepares to toss it up over the rail as they come up, to allow Tobold and Jalias to climb up ahead of him.
Ready an action to toss up the grappling hook, then cover for Tobold and Jalias with his final produce flame missile as they climb aboard.
When he notices the boat coming in a little faster then Jalias probably intended, he starts cursing again, and grips the gunwale with his free hand even tighter.
Well, unless something unfortunate happens when we collide with the Fang to make that action moot
Oh my, whatever happened to dungeon crawls, the action here is fast and furious
In his haste to clamber aboard, and find a target, Elael fails to notice a tripwire set along the stern transom. He trips the wire, causing buckets of chum (cut up fish parts and blood) to fall down on his head, and into the water at the stern of the ship. The chum is slippery and Elael struggles to keep his balance or fall of the edge and into the water.
Need a DC 15 Reflex or fall into the water below, which will fill wiht sharks attrached by the chum in 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds. Your teammates thank you for so cleverly finding this trap
After parking the boat, Darvan spends the round scrambling up the anchor rope. He slips once, and has a near fall, but manages to get to the deck, leaving his dino behind.
Aboard boat #2, Jalias tries in vain to stop the forward momentum of the boat, but fails. The little craft bumping with a crack into the larger ship. The second boat is now stopped and characters can try to board or similar action next round.
All aboard need a DC 15 Reflex save (rules call for DC 20, but this is slow speeds so I'm fudging) or fall prone. Anyone in the prow (front) of the boat, will fall out with a failed save, but I'm not sure we considered placement I'll determine that randomly (including the animal companion, but not the driver). If you make the save, you may have normal action.
Prow seating - 1) Milo 2)Tobold 3) Tug 1d3 ⇒ 1. Ok, little fella, let's see how you float...
Can still get actions from Archibald and Tobold this turn.
male elf rogue (knife master) 2 {} AC 17, FF 13, Touch 14 {} hp 6/13, nonlethal 0/13 {} Fort +0, Ref +7, Will -1 {} Init +4 {} Perception +6 {} CMD 16
Elael Refled (DC 15):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Despite his mistake with not noticing the tripwire, Elael acrobatically leaps out of the way of the falling chum with all of the grace of a cat and all of the speed of a charging cheetah.
Male Init +5 Per +9 | AC 15/11/14 | HP 65/65 | F +8/R + 4/ W +7| CMB +6 CMD 17 | Fist (8/8 | Shape (8/8) | Selective Spell (3/3) | Spells: 1st | magic missile (2), mage armour, enlarge (2), prot. evil, feather fall | 2nd glitterdust (DC 18) , bull's strength (2), create pit (DC 18), stinking cloud (DC 18) | 3rd | heroism (2), haste, lightning bolt (DC 19) (2) | 4th | SM IV (2), Beast Shape II (2)
Archibald, looking up, is hit by a splattering of fish-guts, plastering the wide brim of his hat to the sides of his face. He spits out a mouthful of chum and beard. Seething with silent rage, he suddenly plants his boot onto Sabha's back, leaping onto the anchor chain and attempting to wiggle his way up, staff, hat and all, his second attempt sending him tumbling back into the boat with a crash. "ooooooooooh..." he groans, lifting the brim of his hat to find himself face to face with a very disgruntled dinosaur. Finally, he snaps. "Bah! don't look at me like that, you crusty crocodilian! Keep your scaly skull out of my way next time or I'll transmogrify you into a travel-bag!"
By RAW Archibald can't cast without his quarterstaff and he'll be damned if he's leaving his hat behind. In the big panning shots in LotR it always struck me how awkward and impractical Gandalf's attire must have been... and I'm delighted by the idea of Archibald, too stubborn for things such as practicality and good sense, trying to shuffle up an anchor chain clutching on to all of his possessions.
AS the second boat bumps in to the fang, Jalias and Tobold are able to retain their seats, but Milo, who was holding on for dear life, is knocked from his seat, prone in the fore-prow of the little rowboat.
Darvan and Elael actually make it aboard (see map). Archibald tries the rope, but manages only to slip and fall back into the boat with the meat-eating dinosaur.
A couple of sailor approach those who have successful boarded, trying to repel you off the pirate ship. There is still no sign of the captain.
Well, since Milo's first in the round, assuming we're at the end of it once you finish the update, I'll add his actions in here for the start of the next round, to help move things along, since it will affect the others possibly
"I hate cark'd boats!" He yells angrily to no one in particular, as he hauls himself back to his feet, then with a heave, tosses the grappling hook up towards the Hydra Fang's gunwale above.
He then tries to get out of the way for Tobold and Jalias to climb said rope, intending to cover them with his last remaining fiery missile if possible.
Move action: stand up. Standard action: throw the grapple he had in his free hand before he fell down
GM, to confirm: a knotted rope is just a DC 5 climb check? (the sad thing being Milo still fails that 25% of the time)
Tobold up as the brigands with a will to still fight move in, most of the rest of the crew stands and watches, leaderless. Elael can make his sneak attack on the brigands but will become visible. The rest ca try to get on board.
Male Human (Keleshite) Druid (Saurian Shaman) 4 [ HP 31/31 | AC 21/T12/FF19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +6 | Init +4 | Perception +9 ]
GM - would it be possible for Sahba to climb up on her own? I had assumed that Darvan would have to pull her up, but if she can make her own climb check, would that suffice?
Darvan, realizing that another blow like that could finish him, moves to the side and heals himself with a quick incantation.
Does she have a trick that would cause her to want to climb up? I would think it'd take a higher DC Handle check to coax her up, and then she'd have to make climb likely at a penalty. I am assuming a dinosaur's manual dexterity is somewhat lacking...For this fight, probably best to beat these two crewmen and then haul the pets aboard.
Archibald, fuming at the sheet indignation of it all, climbs up the knotted rope and bats ineffectually at the thugs with his staff, stamping up and down in rage.
male elf rogue (knife master) 2 {} AC 17, FF 13, Touch 14 {} hp 6/13, nonlethal 0/13 {} Fort +0, Ref +7, Will -1 {} Init +4 {} Perception +6 {} CMD 16
Elael runs up behind the thugs that are menacing Darvan, making sure to position one of the thugs between himself and Darvan... and then he tosses a dagger at the thug that he's not flanking with.
Tobold tries to climb the rope, but the sea spray has made it too slippery for his grip, and he struggles in vain.
Throwing the dagger makes his magical invisibility end, but Elael has positioned himself well for future fights. Unfortunately, his thrown dagger misses the sailor.
Archibald shimmies up the rope, but his attack on the sailors fails to make contact.
Darvan heals himself, stepping to the side, and allowing his teammates access to teh war-like bandits.
Jalias also ascends the rope, ready for combat in the next round.
End of Round 1
Let's get this over with quickly and see what happened to the dread pirate Darcy.
While Tobold makes his way up the rope, Milo will tie one end of the rope now hanging down from above, to the rowboat so that it (and Tug) don't drift off while they're onboard. He then waits for the halfling to finish his ascent.
Not sure what sort of action it is to secure a rope to the boat... I'm going to assume a move action for now, if not, lemme know
Can he see any of the pirate thugs up above from down in the rowboat?
If so: he will throw his final produce flame missile at one of them (as its duration expires after this round anyways, if he doesn't use it). Apply any cover penalties as appropriate Ranged Touch into combat:1d20 + 3 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 1 - 4 = 16 for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 fire damage
If not:
He scowls for a moment at Tug, then adds, "Any a those prigs try to nick our boat, be sure ta eat their faces." Then, realizing he's all alone on the boat with the wolf, and not wanting his own face eaten, he makes his way up the rope as best he can, cursing to himself as he does so.
Climb check:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
If he has someone to throw the flame at, the climb action happens at the beginning of next round, else he gets half-way up this round, and finishes at the beginning of next round.
Milo ties up the rowboat, and then scampers up the rope to the deck of the ship, glad to leave the carnivores behind for a while.
Tobold also tries to climb up to the deck, successfully gaining his feet in time to see the brigands lay into his allies once again.
The first brigand slashes at Darvan once more, but the attack misses wildly. The second swings at the now visible Elael, but cannot hit him either. A little afraid, both the brigands step back towards the other side of the ship, leaving a little space.
male elf rogue (knife master) 2 {} AC 17, FF 13, Touch 14 {} hp 6/13, nonlethal 0/13 {} Fort +0, Ref +7, Will -1 {} Init +4 {} Perception +6 {} CMD 16
Not seeing anywhere for an opening, Elael just flashes forward with his dagger, trying to cut into the thug's throat. He'll have to learn some way to get folks off-balance without getting behind them...
Male Init +5 Per +9 | AC 15/11/14 | HP 65/65 | F +8/R + 4/ W +7| CMB +6 CMD 17 | Fist (8/8 | Shape (8/8) | Selective Spell (3/3) | Spells: 1st | magic missile (2), mage armour, enlarge (2), prot. evil, feather fall | 2nd glitterdust (DC 18) , bull's strength (2), create pit (DC 18), stinking cloud (DC 18) | 3rd | heroism (2), haste, lightning bolt (DC 19) (2) | 4th | SM IV (2), Beast Shape II (2)
Burning Hands (DC 16):4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 5) = 23
Archibald spits, a slimy gob of fish guts landing on the deck at the feet of the fleeing scoundrels as they back up. "Ha! That's it, back away you slimy swabs!" he shouts, triumphantly as his staff ignites with an eerie blue flame. "I'm going to teach you a lesson in why it isn't wise to go about angering wizards!"
He lets out a few words in faltering Kelish, before spinning his staff in an arc and sending a snaking blast of flame roaring across the deck.
