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Perhaps Adular and Jiro have the right of it. We have Jiro lead, proceeding far enough to scout and then return to bring the others forward. This gives you, Jiro, the flexibility to use your abilities without us hindering you initially yet keeps help close by should you run into trouble. It is true that I am not the stealthiest but if you wish me to join you Jiro I will go along. Like Dhaavan I can glamor myself and some others if needed for short periods of time. I only offered to Dhaavan the choice as both carry equal danger and was waiting to here his opinion. If he chooses to pilot the ship, then I will loan him my headband as in it is stored all the knowledge of the seas as Rain has taught me. If I do go, I know the moon light will not affect me as it might others. Still I wait for Dhaavan to speak before the decision is made.
"So Adular, Variel, myself, and who else for the fourth? or will it just be the three of us?" Seijiro looks to Variel for his opinion on who the fourth should be if not Dhaavan.
"I'm all for disabling them. I'm really no louder than the Cap'n but I'd stay back in the shadows, ready to summon support to distract 'em or light em up if we needed to buy time. Then Rain can have the ship ready to go for us, and we sail out o' here soon as the deed is done?"
"So, it sounds like we have our team set. All we need is cover of darkness and some good luck on our side."
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Variel nods his head that it is decided. Rain will have the Dread Lady and Flynn will have the Sanbalot and his parting shot. Variel will explain to the crew of the Sanbalot the reasons for the change in pilots so hopefully they will follow Flynn without causing a fuss. Hopefully dhaavan will accompany him to help explain that it is only tonight and that they agreed to sail the ship to port.
After that is accomplished Variel order the crews to rest now so they are ready to go that night with a full crew complement. Likewise Variel will get his own rest so he is not fatigued physically or mentally. He was still not fully recovered from his mental exertions the night before and would like the opportunity to prepare for the coming engagement. Before he heads down though he approaches Flynn.
I understand if this is a difficult decision to have you pilot the Sanbalot, but I think it will be for the best. Not only will the disabled rudder keep them from following us, but your parting shot will give them more to think about than chasing us. It will keep them preoccupied putting out the fire. As far as fulfilling some deep hatred of revenge or whatever is it you harbor against them, know that some day we will not run but fight such as them that pursue us.
"So Adular, Variel, myself, and who else for the fourth? or will it just be the three of us?" Seijiro looks to Variel for his opinion on who the fourth should be if not Dhaavan.
Horatio looks at Seijiro.
Sighing a little, he nods, than forces himself to show more cheer than he is feeling.
”You have said it best, it seems,” he says politely.
”The gods have deemed this mission to be for four; not five nor six – so, of the officers, two must stay behind.”
”Rain cannot come; she is surely bound to the duties of the ship,” he says in a matter of fact voice.
”I would stay or go, depending on Dhaavan’s choice – and he has shown his usual courage and volunteered to come," he says, lifting his hip flask to salute the sorcerer.
He shrugs, then turns to Seijiro.
”I have said before that – despite my earlier actions – I am now resolved to do my best to heal harms I have done and be a better crewmate with all of you.”
He turns a somewhat sad look to the kitsune.
”Seijiro, if I may suggest for the future - if ever there is another mission that you do not want me to go on; please tell me that directly, and up front."
"Perhaps I am wrong; but it seems to me that in an effort to avoid my company, you would rather take great risks. This is not wise, I think.”
He sighs.
"First you said you would go alone; than you said you would take back-up; yet only Nightstorm. Then you said you would permit Adular to be your back-up as well. Then you said you would be content if Dhaavan also came, but if he did not - then you would prefer only three."
"Yet you knew I would come to help you. And you know I am skilled in disabling devices, stealth, the nuances of a ship and its engineering and the skills with carpentry to better help destroy it and I have the magic to heal the wounded. Yet despite all if this, you seemed opposed to me coming at all; which I think is dangerous for you."
He looks at the kitsune and his face is sad.
”Seijiro, I tell you the truth, and this applies to anyone here,” he says looking up at the others with a soft smile ”If any of you do not want me to come with you on a mission, please do not put yourself at risk by volunteering to go alone."
"Simply tell me you do not wish me to come and I will not come. I do not wish any more confrontation, and if my presence causes it, I will happily stay behind," he says with a polite nod.
He looks at Seijiro.
"If I am in error - if I mispoke - I apologize," he says politely.
Variel nods his head that it is decided. Rain will have the Dread Lady and Flynn will have the Sanbalot and his parting shot. Variel will explain to the crew of the Sanbalot the reasons for the change in pilots so hopefully they will follow Flynn without causing a fuss. Hopefully dhaavan will accompany him to help explain that it is only tonight and that they agreed to sail the ship to port.
After that is accomplished Variel order the crews to rest now so they are ready to go that night with a full crew complement. Likewise Variel will get his own rest so he is not fatigued physically or mentally. He was still not fully recovered from his mental exertions the night before and would like the opportunity to prepare for the coming engagement. Before he heads down though he approaches Flynn.
I understand if this is a difficult decision to have you pilot the Sanbalot, but I think it will be for the best. Not only will the disabled rudder keep them from following us, but your parting shot will give them more to think about than chasing us. It will keep them preoccupied putting out the fire. As far as fulfilling some deep hatred of revenge or whatever is it you harbor against them, know that some day we will not run but fight such as them that pursue us.
Horatio listens politely to Variel speak.
When he is done, Horatio looks at the sky for a little while, and than back to the elf.
”During my time with the plague, I have felt a sickness, the like of which I have not felt before.”
”When dealing with such a disease – one that could kill you – it forces you to reexamine your life, somewhat.”
”I feel many things, Nightstorm; but above them all is an honest belief in that the gods direct us, and to a purpose.”
”I was sincere with my conversation with Adular on the boats; and when we reached the trees and took the cure.”
”I will not bother repeating my sentiment now; for I had assumed that you heard me on the boats; but I will state again that my belief is that the gods have given us challenges in life. We may either lament in bitterness those challenges; or we may praise the gods for those challenges.”
”I have decided to do the latter; for I am only a man, and though a challenge seems unfair, or unjust – how can a man know better than the gods?”
”I believe the gods have a purpose for us, as yet – I do not know it. But there is more than coincidence which brought us together.”
”They wish us to sail together – and that is not easy if we are squabbling with each other; though I do more than others on that front,” he adds with a rueful smile.
”Still – I am no longer interested in such arguments; I wish us to act as one and to sail ahead as a unit or a crew. That is my hope and all that is driving my heart now.”
He shrugs.
”I do feel such hate for these men of Cheliax, but greater than that is a desire to see my crewmates safe; but I know my words may not seem very honest to you, given what you have seen of me recently.”
”But I am telling you the truth. I am more interested in the company than I am in my own personal passions; for the gods have made it clear to me that my passions have caused many difficulties.”
”So, I wish that to end.”
”As I said – I do not want strife.”
”My actions have been instrumental in this for a long time; but – if you will believe me – the gods have shown me the error of my ways.”
”I simply want things to go well with all of us.”
Adular ponder on Flynn's concerns, trying to determine if it is indeed that Seijiro doesn't want him along.
As to the rest, he nods, "Let me make sure I've a few spells ready, and I'll be set to go. One of them, if it helps, will be walking on water. Should be fun, eh?"
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Variel listens intently as Flynn spoke. Some of which he mentioned, like the talk with Adular he did not fully understand as Variel did not listen in on their conversation, but he could figure enough out to know that Flynn had what appeared to have a spiritual epiphany. Dlynn I appreciate your candor and willingness to place your comrades before your personal agenda. I believe what you say and tht you are speaking the truth to the best of your ability. I never wanted you to eliminate your passions just temper them in certain situations. I trust your abilities to sail the Sanbalot and even more your ability to hit them with the ballista to disrupt their repair efforts. In that instant do yourself a favor as well as myself...give them hell and know that it will not be the last time we fire upon them. As Variel finishes his little talk, he claps Flynn on the back as a grim smile escapes. Just don't alienate these rhahadoumi sailors or we may have more trouble the last three days.
Adular ponder on Flynn's concerns, trying to determine if it is indeed that Seijiro doesn't want him along.
1d20+8As to the rest, he nods, "Let me make sure I've a few spells ready, and I'll be set to go. One of them, if it helps, will be walking on water. Should be fun, eh?"
Horatio looks at Adular, and nods with a smile.
”If I may make a suggestion?” he says.
”From what I know, many military vessels have a uniform pattern in their make-up and design.”
”This allows both sailors and marines to move with greater ease and quickly no matter what ship they are appointed to, or transferred to.”
”If the ship is in fog, or darkness, or magical hindrances – if the ship is large, a sailor or marine knows exactly where to go, or how to find their way around without getting lost in the heat of battle.”
”That said – it is possible that, given what I know of ships in general, coupled with what I recall of the Cheliax navy – which Sargava, my homeland, has borrowed heavily from – I may be able to sketch out a crude map or interior of the ship before you are ready to go on this quest.”
”It may help you with your planning,” he adds somewhat simply.
** spoiler omitted **
Horatio grins easily at Variel.
”Thank you,” he says sincerely.
He thinks for a moment.
”When you go, if I may recommend something? Bring with you the wand of “Grease” I found on those ninja – if you are in narrow places or if you are in places that the enemy would need to rush you – it would be very helpful, I think.”
”Toward that end – so would a tanglefoot bag or two.”
He pulls his lip a bit in thought.
”I am trying to put together a rough sketch of the enemy ship – based on what I recall from Cheliax warships from my studies.”
”If I am lucky, hopefully the sketch will help.”
His eyes narrow on the mentioning of the Rahadoum folk.
”I still grieve for what they did to Owlbear, and others,” he says slowly ”but I see that plague as a thing sent by the gods to forge us into something new and better.”
He sighs.
”The Rahadoum folk endured the same foundry – they are equally hammered by the gods, as we were – and now they have come through, even as we have.”
”So, whether I desire it or not – I sense the gods wish our Fates to be interlocked. I will not contest that,” he adds with a slow smile.
He looks at Variel for a moment.
”The girl who travels with me – Amen-set; from what I learn she comes from the land of Thuvia; and was raised in strange company.”
”She has some sort of bond or link to some archaic nature spirits which she recognizes as divine; but her counsel has helped me greatly.”
He rubs his shoulder a bit.
”If you have time, I would recommend talking to her at some point, she is… unusual; but she has given me great insight on the ways of the gods,” he says thoughtfully.
He rouses himself a bit.
"Yet have no care for the enemy ship - if she comes to strike us - I shall I shall rain hell upon them," he says with a wicked grin.
Seijiro sighs and nods to Flynn, bites his lip while he contemplates his reply. "You are right, you did sense that I am reluctant to have you join me on this mission. You tend to use loud weapons and be impulsive, neither of which is a good idea on such a mission. Your hatred for these Chelaxians could bring you to take heated actions without thinking about the mission or the need for stealth. I considered all these things when I thought about who I would want along with me while I attempt to disable their rudder. I'm sorry if this offends you, or if I've hurt your feelings by not thinking you well suited for the mission at hand. Ultimately it was not of course my decision alone, I merely made my preference known."
He sighs and breaks eye contact with Flynn for a moment, glancing at the others to the see what their reaction to his outburst might be, before looking back at Flynn.
"I know you say you want to change and shake off the darkness that seems to have taken hold of you, but these things I've mentioned are not part of that darkness, but rather seem to me to be part of who you are and have been from the outset. I could be wrong, these are only my impressions after all. Please forgive me if I have misread you in some way."
You tend to use loud weapons and be impulsive, neither of which is a good idea on such a mission. Your hatred for these Chelaxians could bring you to take heated actions without thinking about the mission or the need for stealth. "[/b]
"...these things I've mentioned are not part of that darkness, but rather seem to me to be part of who you are and have been from the outset."
Horatio looks back at Seijiro.
”I understand your concerns, but I wish you had been honest with me to begin with, rather than conceal your true motives.”
”Being honest with each other – this is a good thing. It helps eliminate confusion, and it erodes suspicion,” he says tentatively.
He rubs his chin, thinking a bit.
”If you had voiced your sincere objections to begin with, I would have responded by pointing out that I know full well the noise Black Powder weapons can make; which is why I had intended on bringing a bow.”
”I am better than any aboard with ranged weapons; be it bows or pistols,” he says without brag, but speaking frankly.
”I do not even know the position of their ship with regards to its proximity to the beach. But if I was hidden in the trees with a longbow; and men moved to assault you from the aft decks while you rushed from the rudder; I could be taking shots at them from the trees to cover your escape.”
”With the moon nearly full tonight, I would be able to see them silhouetted against the night sky, but the shadows under the trees would provide me ample cover.”
He thinks a moment longer.
”Of course, there are other ways, too…”
”For example, we could have a loan swimmer move slowly the rudder itself, which must rest below the water to steer the ship.”
”If that happened, I could have provided a few surprises to mine the rudder with black powder; these explosives – made of black powder and fragments of metal or stone – would be stuffed inside hollowed out logs; made airtight with tree sap from the surrounding forest. All of this I could have made by now.”
”The person need only light the fuse. I could make it a slow burning fuse - perhaps a minute in length - than the swimmer moves below the waves with the mine, reach the rudder, light it, seal the end and swim to the rudder below the water and attach it with a quick cord and swim away.”
”The explosion would be sufficient not destroy their rudder completely – I can assure you of that,” he says a bit intently.
He shakes his head and sighs deeply.
”Now, those are only some of the ways I could have helped you, had I gone.”
”You also suggest your other concern is that my actions with these folk may be too rash, because you believe I hate the people of Cheliax.”
He takes a deep breath, than exhales it slowly.
”These are marines and sailors – they are members of the Imperial Navy; unlike much of the scum we have seen so far on our travels, they have a code and honor – and though I may despise their morality, I honor their code.”
”I would not be so barbaric with the bodies of men who had honor, even if their morals were so obviously foul.”
He glances around for a moment, than looks to Adular in particular.
”In the past I have attempted to use aggressive or intimidating tactics with a recently defeated enemy.”
”My hope – and intention – was to so frighten or unnerve the enemy, that they would move with quick alacrity to the next person who would promise them friendship. Naturally, that would come from one of our own.”
He leans back in the chair, thinking for a moment.
”Once, we met a Rahadoum ship – the officer our party captured was female; I threatened her with slavery – and you know I have a special loathing in my heart for slavers… Still, I made the threat.”
”My hunch was correct; naturally Nightstorm discounted it – he promised friendship and told the woman the rest of us were not so barbaric. Naturally, she was moved by his words and honor – and quickly sided with him.”
”Who knows if she would have seen in him so fair a light, if I had not first given her so black a horizon.”
”Later, when we attacked this ship – I was very angry at what happened during the fight; when it was over, my actions were prompted at my desire to cow these Rahadoum folk into thinking I was the Nine Hells incarnate. I had hoped that when Dhaavan made his speech, they would be even more moved to join with us – for his words would seem much more bright after the darkness I gave them.”
He frowns a bit.
”For the most part I have concluded my intentions to frighten so that others may seem more noble is a lost cause; the gods do not deal with such nuances, I fear.”
"Still, I do try..."
When Horatio concludes his summary of events, he looks back at Seijiro.
”Despite your words, I think that there are many troubled waters between you and I; I would see those waters calmed, but I think it will take time.”
”I do not ask you to trust me or believe me – that is not fair of me; you need more proof than a few quick declarations.”
”But I do at least ask you to accept what I say as possible. Believe that I might be sincere, and keep your eyes and ears open to observe me. If I behave to the contrary – than you will see it sooner.”
”But if I hold true to my word; well… perhaps, then, you shall see the proof before all the others do,” he adds with a smile.
1d20 + 7
Horatio continues to sketch out what he believes will be the best way to enter the room with quick and brusque strokes of the pen.
”If you enter on the stern side of the ship where the rudder is, you will likely be going in through either the captain or officer’s cabin – for that is where such place are normally kept, even as ours is.”
”The other option – which could happen but seems fairly unlikely – is that you will be forced to move the tiller itself. To do this I would guess you will likely need to climb to the bridge from the rear and disable their wheel somehow; but that seems far too dangerous, as they’ll likely have a deck watch… “ he says with a somewhat distracted voice.
”I have heard that many members of the Imperial fleet often carry black powder weapons; pistols, muskets, cannon – that sort of thing.”
He glances up.
”If you see any such weapons and can bring them back to me, I would appreciate that.”
”But be careful of them if you do – one shot from one of those weapons is the fastest way to sound an alarm.”
He taps the pen on the table absently as he studies the sketch.
”If you are able to get into the ship – please remember to try to search the bodies of any men you kill, if you have time – they may have decent coin on them, not to mention other various odds and ends of possible value – for example, we have seen several valuable rings in our travels.”
”Anything you can find – any loot; maps, charts, logbooks – anything – even if it is something as mundane as a flag,” he says with a sly grin ”consider – what a trophy it would make!”
His eyes get a slightly dreamy look in them for a brief moment.
”Imagine, if you will, sitting in a tavern, hearing others lament of the horrors of this foul “pirate hunter” and one of us – Dhaavan perhaps, says in a very uninterested and somewhat bored voice – “
Horatio breaks off from his usual manner of speech to try to mimic Dhaavan for a bit of brevity.
”What? Oh them? Why they be naught but a bunch of bloody trollops! Me and few lads were bored one night and fancied a moonlight swim, and – as we had little else to do, we shinnied up their ship and helped ourselves to a keg of the piss-poor brew they had the balls to call “rum”; danced with some of their ladies, took a quick cat-nap, and before we left we figured we’d help ourselves to some gold and their flag! O’ course we didn’t pirate them! It was a hell of a lot funnier to see the little lads scratch their heads at where their poxing flag went to in the morning… which reminds me… Ahh-choo! – ah, sorry, now I know what the flag of a Chelaxian Pirate Hunter is worth – nothing but a rag to wipe my nose and ass with!”
He gives Dhaavan a grin, to show he only meant it as a joke – but still he was also somewhat serious.
”I would think that any mark of heraldry that was stolen from such a ship would not only be a sure passport to increasing our reputation with any other sea dogs who hate such ships; but at the least it would likely cover the tithes that Adular must pay to his Dark Lady; for he would be offering The Pirate Queen tokens from the plunder of a Pirate Hunter…” he adds with a somewhat dark smile, simply enjoying the possibilities.
As night falls you make your way to the banks of the river in the longboat and start to progress through the thick jungle to the outer rim of the cove. Once there you begin to assess the ship again. It's massive size is daunting but taking a closer look you see a series of gun ports upon the sides of the ship. There appear to be 10 cannons on each side of this vessel! The gun ports are too small to squeeze through for any but the smallest of creatures. Thankfully though the ship is positioned so that only the stern is facing the river where you would be passing. You think your best bet is to approach from the stern and climb up to the galley windows and break in somehow.
The night is cloudy and dim granting you greater concealment from the prying eyes of the watch stationed above.
If Seijiro gets in he casts prestidigitation immediately just before climbing in, to dry off, and dry off any signs of wetness on the galley windows or sill.
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When the time approaches Variel lines his armor with cloth and checks the straps on his pack to make sure that nothing clinks when he moves. Likewise the cutlasses secured and the daggers sheathed in preparation for any combat. Flipping through his Spellbook one last time to make sure he doesn't forget some little nuance. Before he leaves to join the others, Variel quietly goes to Rain.
I know the past three days have been trying and we have not had a chance to have any time together. I just want you to know that once we are done with this mission and back in port I plan on spending more time with you. Don't worry about me on this mission. In, out, and on our way without much of a fuss. That is the idea. Jiro will be doing most of the work anyways. With that Variel gives Rain a quick kiss goodbye.
Making his way after Jiro Variel tries to be as quiet as he can. He watches Jiro's foot placement and how he moves through the undergrowth barely making a sound. If it wasn't for the fact tht Variel was alertly watching him, Jiro could have disappeared in an instant.
Stealth
Making their way to the ship Variel stays in the growth of the jungle observing the ship for any signs of weakness. Deeming the stern as the best possible angle of approach, Variel slips into the water following Jiro and makes his way to below the galley windows.
Looking up at the windows, Variel nods for Jiro to start climbing. Variel knows that he needs the window open before they get too far and Jiro has the best skill set for it. Once Jiro opens it Variel starts climbing up.
Climb check
Climb check
Climb check
Climb check
Climb check
Climb check
Rain lifts her hand and gently brushes Variel's face.
"Still, be careful. May the gods watch over you and the others. I would see you all safely returned. I will oversee both the Lady and Sanbalot in your absence. And Var, I will hold you to that promise of some time together."
As night falls you make your way to the banks of the river in the longboat and start to progress through the thick jungle to the outer rim of the cove. Once there you begin to assess the ship again. It's massive size is daunting but taking a closer look you see a series of gun ports upon the sides of the ship. There appear to be 10 cannons on each side of this vessel! The gun ports are too small to squeeze through for any but the smallest of creatures. Thankfully though the ship is positioned so that only the stern is facing the river where you would be passing. You think your best bet is to approach from the stern and climb up to the galley windows and break in somehow.
The half elf must restrain a whistle at the size of the ship. [I]Besmara, look at that whale. He whispers low to the others, "Anyway we can plug those cannons as well? I'd feel safer if they couldn't take shots at us while we retreat."
The night is cloudy and dim granting you greater concealment from the prying eyes of the watch stationed above.
As agreed, before they get too much closer, Adular would whisper a prayer over the group with a comment, "Ye can now walk on water. Ten short of an hour. If ye need a spell o silencing all sound or mist about us, leave me know"
Just as Variel follows Seijiro's lead, Adular follows the captain's in turn. He hopes a rope is tied at the top to help those that aren't as nimble as the rigger.
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Once in Variel will knot a rope and hang it out the window for Dhaavan and Adular to use if need be. If that doesn't work then he will lower the rope with a loop in it and haul them up till they are all in the galley. Once inside, Variel doesn't make a move until Jiro gives the all clear and then he follows Jiro's movements again to reduce any sound.
Seijiro uses prestidigitation to dry the others, their footprints, the windowsill and floor again, so there is no sign anyone came in this way. He will also very quietly close the window, making it look latched if possible so there is no sign of entry this way.
I wish they'd just let me come alone... our presence is much more likely to be detected with this many people... I could have been in and out already with the deed done if I were alone and invisible...
He gives the others a little encouraging smile, with no hint as to his actual thoughts as they ready to move out of the galley. He goes to listen at the door then.
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Variel nods at Jiro after the smile. Hoping that everything thus far is going to plan, Variel motions for Jiro to take point and go ahead without them until the coast is clear. Variel does not move until he gets the ok from Jiro to proceed. Even if Jiro is gone for a couple of minutes out of sight he won't worry unless he hears sounds of a scuffle or shouts of alarm.
You all make your way over to the ship without too much incident although there is an extremely tense moment when Variel accidentally kicks the hull. Everyone freezes when the guards come to investigate but thankfully they lose interest after not seeing you. You manage to make your way into the tiller room from one of the windows in the stern that leads to a hallway that goes right to it. There are carvings of devils and infernal patrons all over the ship. Gold leaf decorates the halls in abundance and portraits of various important Chelaxian nobles and historical figures adorn the hallway. Seijiro enters the room first and immediately sees a man in full plate armor across the room with two other men in half-plate behind him, one of whom is carrying a clipboard. You both look at each other in surprise.
Seijiro lofts a brow, says "oops, wrong door," shuts the door immediately and casts 'vanish'. He steps back away from the door, hoping the men leave to investigate, so he can get into the room.
If the others are right behind him, he gives them a warning sign before he goes invisible... if they let him scout ahead, he simply flattens himself against a wall as much as possible, waiting to see what happens.
Adular recalls the deal being to let Seijiro to scout ahead, so he stays near Variel, ready to cast his own invisibility spell.
The men on the other side of the door, apparently not fooled at the masterful story you wove about why you were in that part of the ship move forward to the door. You hear a loud crash as multiple weapons hit the door. The hallway you are in is cramped and you will have a hard time fighting in there. The door explodes inward with the force of the third blow. The man in full plate is holding a wickedly curved battle axe in two hands and a look of vicious glee on his face.
[spoiler=DM EYES ONLY]
nothning
pass
Pass
Fall?
to recover from that 2...
pass
Wasn't the lowest roller, so shouldn't have added any issues... am i good?
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Squeezing: In some cases, you may have to squeeze
into or through an area that isn’t as wide as the space you
take up. You can squeeze through or into a space that is at
least half as wide as your normal space. Each move into or
through a narrow space counts as if it were 2 squares, and
while squeezed in a narrow space, you take a –4 penalty on
attack rolls and a –4 penalty to AC.
A creature can squeeze past a creature while moving but
it can’t end its movement in an occupied square.
The Marines, having broken through the door, attack Seijiro and Variel, one going for each of you. They are each wielding cutlasses.
Damage
Cutlass on Variel
Damage
Crit confirmation on Seijiro
Damage
Horatio watches the angle of the shore from the quarterdeck and his eyes scan the trees carefully.
Glancing about fifty yards forward of the prow he sees The Dark Lady, also ready.
”Amen-set; step up,” he says in a tight but quiet voice.
They young girl obeys and moves to flank him at the helm.
”You know how to sail from your time in the east, yes?” he asks her, his eyes still on the treeline.
”Aye, hatey-a',” she says, equally quiet.
He says nothing for a moment, considering things.
”Rain has the con of our ship ahead. It’ll be her job to lead it - and the real wealth of our work - out of the mouth of the bay fast,” he says softly, laying out the plans, as he knows them.
”She will push forward until she reaches the bay, and our job shall be to remain somewhat astern of her; that way – if the enemy takes a shot at our ships, they’ll only be able to do real damage to The Sandbalot – I’d rather neither ship was hit; but we have the honor of protecting the escape,” he adds.
”Beyond that, we are also responsible for providing cover fire – if any – and assault the enemy, if we can.”
He sighs softly, considering things.
”To do that best we’ve placed a light ballista on the aft deck beyond the helm; as you noticed already. It shall be my job to take the shot at the enemy as we are fleeing. But when that happens I’ll need someone to man the wheel – for now; that shall be you. Do you understand?”
The girl swallows a bit nervously – realizing that the ship will need to move forward with great speed; that may be somewhat challenging, and she prays softly that she is up to the challenge.
”By your command; hatey-a' – it shall be done.”
He nods, saying nothing, still thinking.
”We’ll need to make sure that Rain is in front of us; I don’t want to risk a shot at the enemy when our own ship lays between us; and in any case, the aft of any ship is generally the most fragile – I’d rather have Rain safe ahead rather than having them shooting at her, too,” he adds finally, as if thinking aloud.
He glances at the crew of men that he has – some of them trusties from their own ship; others are Rahadoum folk – men who did not care much for his ways, yet they were now under his command – at least until they were underway.
He scratches his chin again, his eyes still on the trees; damning the fact that he couldn’t determine how long the others would be gone, nor when they may return.
”Stand by at the helm – be ready there; I need to speak to the others and give what orders that may be needed.”
She nods briskly and he strides off, leaving her at the helm.
Moving down onto the main deck, his eyes flit through the men. He weighs them, and gauges them and their worth.
After a moment he points out three men he indicates that they will need to be ready to weigh anchor at a moment’s notice.
He walks the length of the deck slowly, looking at the trees.
Noticing the distance from the shore to the ship, his eyes narrow.
He gathers several coils of rope together and readies them near the port gunwale.
If the lads came running fast to the ship, they may need to be hauled up fast – if an enemy was chasing them quickly.
He then gathers five short bows and several quivers of arrows, and lays them near the coils of rope.
If we need to repel boarders quickly, we’ll be ready.
He turns back to the others and points at five men, calling them too him.
He deliberately makes sure that some of the men are Rahadoum; and although he does not point that out, it is clear by his actions he is not discriminating at this point.
”We’ll be ready to sail fast down the river as soon as the signal’s given so we can get out of here before those scum try to come up hard on us.”
”But in the meantime we have mates out there and they’ve got a job to do.”
”Depending how things go, they may need to be running hard and fast for this ship. If they do, I want to be ready to help them against any eventuality.”
He glances to the trees again, than turns back to them.
”If they come running, they may need to hurry on the ship quickly, maybe too quick to waste time climbing. So they may need to be hauled up even as we're moving...”
”And if they are being hauled up or running hard – they may have lads in the trees shooting at them; if so, we’ll need lads ready to return fire,” he says pointing at the collection of bows and arrows ready for who may need them.
He turns and glances aft.
”While that happens we’ll be moving hard fast down river with the current. If men are following our mates, than it may be the enemy ship wasn't properly disabled and could be even be ready to swing about and fire at us hard as we move into the sea.”
He looks at the men, his eyes glinting hard at that thought.
”Remember; they’re Cheliax Pirate Hunters, so if they aren’t stopped… we’re all going to die tonight,” he says with a neutral voice.
”But that won’t happen if we do what we can to help our mates,” he says with an encouraging voice.
Though he keeps his voice quiet, he speaks with some force to it now.
”We shall not fail; we shall live and protect the lives our mates, just as they’ll stand ready to watch our backs, too.”
Then he dismisses the men to their positions.
Now they will be ready to sail quickly; but if needed – they will also be ready to repel boarders and haul up their friends fast as their primary ship is running hard to the waves ahead.
Forgot you were invis. Sorry. Switch attacks to variel.
man, sorry i took so long to get this out there...
Hearing a comotion around the corner, Dhaavan does what he always does... He clutches his "necklace", a small pouch holding a candle, and begins to incant those all too familiar words, after saying, "Adular, can you trade spaces with me?"
How much vertical space do we have, btw?
Adular nods, "We'll give it a go then..." And he'll try to switch
Activate Lion's Challenge on Variel as Swift Action
Battleaxe attack #1 on Variel w/ power attack
Damage
Battleaxe attack #2 on Variel w/ power attack
Damage
The commander calls out a challenge to Variel saying Pirate scum! Face me and die in the name of Paracountess Axia Lorvica! He then swings his beautifully made black battleaxe in a vicious downward arc, cleaving down through Variel's armor and hitting the flesh underneath.
Seijiro tumbles around/through the space occupied by the commander to end up behind the foes (at N18 I think).
Adular had considered gong invisible himself, but clearly that's not what's needed now. He tries to heal his fallen captain, "Besmara, get him back in the fight."