DM Immortal's Blood Red Roses: A Skull & Shackles Campaign

Game Master imimrtl

Sounds good guys. Again just making sure were on the up and up. The ring is a ring of animal friendship.

Rain had swam up in front, beside Variel this time, giving Jiro a reprieve for there was still an ugly gash along his chest. Hearing Variel's words of a social outing once the mission was complete brought a smile to her lips -- this would only be their second official social outing, together, alone. But she knew deep in her heart, that Neko would not permit them to be alone. She did not voice the thought as she felt the tension already between her mate and her cat companion-come-chaperone.

With pike on the ready, Rain noted all the things the others had, except for the wand among the tribe's food reserves. It was good that Jiro's keen sight discovered its presence, along with the crossbow bolts.

Immortal, anything more to find/discover, here? Waking up to so many posts, I'm now at a loss as to what, if anything, Rain can contribute. Thanks.

I am in the same boat. Long day at work and everything seems to be well in hand.

Variel works with the others while they do a cursory look in each room trying not to spend more time than necessary here. He is more concerned about what other creatures are about though and is not the sharpest at searching through debris. Variel therefore keeps to one end or the other to prevent them from being ambushed. He refreshes his light spell just to ensure that it does not go out at the wrong time.

Variel has shield up. 6 min duration. I am assuming it is expired by now with the 4 rooms quickly searched.

I'm not sure how viable an ally these Sahaguin would really be at this point, not sure if my people or wife would take to kindly to the idea, but it's worth considering, if we let them live. Depends on what else we find here. But they're an unruly race and heir behavior is... Distasteful, he says, pointing out the butchered locathah

Slight ret-con

Horatio listens to Dhaavan thoughtfully as the sorcerer makes the case against enlisting the young Sahungin.

"Well, I figure that if they had a good hand with some firm guidance things may be different... Even the most vile races can sometimes be handy, if they're treated right."

As he aches for a smoke, he glances at the northern curtain for a moment, his eyes flicking back to Dhaavan.

"When we're aloft remind me to tell you a tale of a lad I knew back east... Now this lad was some kind of barbarian chief in the northern lands and he used to be mates with a tracker named Snaga... Now this Snaga turned out to be a pretty solid companion, loyal and true, but you might not think so, seeing as Snaga was a goblin."

He grins a little, then continues.

"Once I had a friend - he did summoning I believe - but anyhow; he had summoned some sort of creature who aided him on quests and things. Now this creature was actually a succubus; I think she said her name was "Qwyke", anyhow, she was still a loyal companion..." he says with a wry grin, as if thinking of happy memories.

Then he shakes his head and shrugs.

"My point is: I don't normally judge folk on their race or species, just how they act. But the thing is, if you're sure that they're not worth trying to save, well - that's your call. But if you're right then I think that we ought to just kill them all now. If they're that bad that they're not even worth trying to save, well - when they get bigger, they're just going to get worse. So I guess it's better to finish them now then wait until they're strong enough to be dangerous."

Horatio will see what the others think of this plan. If he needs to go kill the old, sick and young Sahungian in room D:10 then he will do it without any complaint. Normally he'd rather be making allies, but he knows that he's no expert in these matters and will accept the decisions that the others make regarding whether or not they need to be killed instead.

But either way, he doesn't want a group of potential threats left at their backs if they're going on.

hey rain and Variel I left two rooms for you two to explore. Was waiting for you to get online. Will get descriptions up shortly.

As he waits for Dhaavan, and anyone else to consider things, he is currently thinking about the way the cave slopes.

He remembers plenty of old legends of the sea that the deeper you go, the more dangerous things get. The depths of the sea being not unlike the Underdark.

That being the case, he's less interested in traveling down the slopes into darker depths until he can find out what's higher up first.

As Horatio waits for the others to offer their thoughts, his eyes flick to the caves in the northwest passage. Higher up than the others, he wonders if less unsavory things are up there, and if so - what they may be.

That said, while he's eager to explore, he's more eager to first deal with any threats in cave D:10, then take out any issues in the higher caves first. Whatever is below them is likely to tax all of their resources.

It would be ironic if they descended and fought some dark god of the ocean depths - or his minions - and survived; only to try to return to the surface and be finished off by a few elderly Sahuigin that have lurked above; rested and ready for vengeance.

Variel and Rain, you venture a slightly bit farther down into a couple of other rooms. The first room (D15) looks like a holding pen for several hammerhead sharks that are swimming around the enclosure.

D17 - this room looks like some sort of guard room. Aside from several locathah legs and assorted tridents, there is not much of interest.

D18 - The last tunnel slopes down severely it seems at least 100-200 feet. You do not think you should risk it at this time.

Dhaavan's currently wearing the Sahuagin Deep Platinum Amulet (as he requested it) and Rain wears the +2 Amulet of Natural Armour (after the fight with the sorceress) now.

Perception (DC 25): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Free re-roll from GM - Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25 Good gods -- I made it! ha!

Keeping away from the cage/pen holding the hammerhead sharks, Rain does not note anything else of significance in the chamber and turned to Variel, her voice low, //"All I see is sharks."//

I'll leave it there for rp as I want to give Variel a chance to chime in as Rain and he explore D15.

Suddenly she saw something and spoke in low tone,

"//Wait, look there, Variel, can you see it?"// Rain pointed to the place. //"There is a small crevasse and a tiny current swirling near it...Could there be a chamber beyond it?"//

Variel can not make the perception check at all it is possible to aid Rain?

Variel, along with Rain, moves ahead of the group to create a bit of separation should they run into some form of trap. At least that is the excuse that Variel is giving at this time. Instead it is really just a chance for them to have some companionship down in the depths here. Not talking more thana whisper to each to prevent alerting others to their presence Variel simply takes Rain's hand as they swim along together. Variel had stowed the trident and was carrying the magical spear in the hand that was not holding hers.

When Rain informs him of the sharks Variel nods his understanding but asks, Are they contained and not a threat? If so then we can leave them. If not then we need to take them out before they come at us later. Then again it might be prudent to eliminate them now even if they are behind some barricade so as to not be set free later. Let us bring the rest forward so we have support in killing them quickly.

perception aid if possible 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Due to all the massacring you've been doing rain I'll give you a free reroll

Horatio watches the two Elves swim off with surprise and he turns and again stares at the north western passage thoughtfully.

I didn’t expect the party to split up… Oh well, bad luck…

He looks at Dhaavan, Adular and Jiro.

”Let me know what you’d like to do with those behind the curtain. If the other two are going off alone for some reason then maybe things are no longer dangerous... For now I'll explore the north western section,” he says to the members of the group who have remained behind.

At this point he will swim off to the North West corner alone.

Horatio will move to the part on the map that loops around the corner to the north west; he'll use Stealth at the corner, then Perception to peek around it...

Stealth Check -
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Perception Check -
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Variel and Immortal, I added the free re-roll to my prior posting (thanks for the boon, GM!) and just made it! Added some more rp to that posting.

Np Rain. You won't be able to get in there just yet. You will need to spend about an hour widening the crevasse in order to get through. Just an fyi for later.

Horatio, that was just a quick aside for Var and Rain. They should be relatively close to you all so you can take a peek but theyll be on their way back at the time.

As you peek around the corner, you see a chamber that seems to be made for some higher up in the command structure of the Sahuagin. Perhaps an officer or something like that....oh you also see a massive Hammerhead shark swimming for your head.

I'll let you have an action before the shark bites you in half ;-)

Suddenly she saw something and spoke in low tone,

"//Wait, look there, Variel, can you see it?"// Rain pointed to the place. //"There is a small crevasse and a tiny current swirling near it...Could there be a chamber beyond it?"//

Variel whispers back to Rain to keep the sharks from picking up on their presence. He also drags them back a bitso their scent is not as close as previously the shark knew they were there and attacked them before the sahuagin realized it. What are you referring to abou...oh I feel what you are talking about. I never would have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out. The eddies in the water do make it seem like there is a void behind the wall. Should we gather the others to investigate. I would prefer them here especially if it is trapped. Jiro could take a quick look at it.

As you peek around the corner, you see a chamber that seems to be made for some higher up in the command structure of the Sahuagin. Perhaps an officer or something like that....oh you also see a massive Hammerhead shark swimming for your head.

I'll let you have an action before the shark bites you in half ;-)

Before I take that action, can I get the relative size of this shark (as in; when you say "Massive" is that akin to Dire, or is it just a big hammerhead shark?

Also, how far is it from me when it charges me in terms of feet? I don't see it on the battle map.

In equal low volume and at a better distance from the sharks, Rain replied //"Aye. We would need to widen the crevasse and that could take some time."// An hour at least, she mused privately. "//Do we have the time to do this?"//

We discovered this chamber first(D15) and then the other two (D17 & 18) afterward. So, Variel, we would advise our group after searching all 3 caverns? Then come back to D15?

It's a large shark but it looks much more beefy than the last one, more muscular etc. It is about 20 feet away when it charges.

It's a large shark but it looks much more beefy than the last one, more muscular etc. It is about 20 feet away when it charges.

If the shark bites me in half, I'm dead.

For my "Action" I use a Free Action to Draw a second pistol, I use "Swift Action" to activate my Archaeologist's Luck; I fire both pistols, and another "Free Action" to pray.

EDIT: I'd wait until the Shark was 5 Feet away before I fire both shots to negate range penalties.

Pistol 1
1d20 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 13

If it hits –
1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 13

Pistol 2
1d20 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 19

If it hits –
1d8 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 4 = 12

EDIT: Bad luck. I'm guessing that the first shot missed; but even so, I'm pretty sure that even if both shots hit, I didn't kill a dire shark.

Guess it's your move, GM.

Will answer your question this way Rain...

If it takes a while then we need to leave it for now. We can keep scouting a bit to let the others know what is ahead of us here but if we run into anything then we need the group as a whole to counter whatever it is we find. Even if there is nothing ahead of us we should head a different direction to get the full scope of this place. I lost track of how much time we have been down here and am worried that waterbreathing spell will run out too soon if we stop to explore this now.

After seeing the shark pen and a passageway behind them Variel turns to Rain and points back to the others. After you my dear.

As Flynn is off fighting with dual pistol shots Variel looks to Rain quickly, Did you hear something? I thought I heard an explosion. You don't think the sahuagin are trying to trap us down here do you?

Rain nodded at Variel's reasoning for it was sound. As they were about to return to the group, Variel had urgently enquired if she had heard an explosion, and Rain peered into the water and listened,

//"We would have felt a surge if it was some kind of explosion..."// she uttered quietly as she looked and listened keenly.

Perception to have heard the sound and its relative direction: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

First shot definitely missed but the second one hit Flynn.

Your second shot Horatio strikes the shark but does not seem to slow it much. It continues towards you and bites at your outstretched arms.

Attack and damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 181d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

That looks like it does hit. That's 18 damage.

You can go again and then the shark and then the rest of the group will be able to get there.

First shot definitely missed but the second one hit Flynn.

Your second shot Horatio strikes the shark but does not seem to slow it much. It continues towards you and bites at your outstretched arms.

That looks like it does hit. That's 18 damage.

You can go again and then the shark and then the rest of the group will be able to get there.

Via my edit above, I waited until the shark was 5 feet away before I fired to negate the range penalties. But if you're ruling that a 13 Touch Attack misses the shark, then I'm probably in trouble.

Is that a certain miss?

Also, I've looked at the map and I don't think the other can reach me in one round, unfortunately.

Please let me know if that makes a difference before my attack. Thanks.

That is a miss Flynn, barely, but a miss.

That is a miss Flynn, barely, but a miss.

Well, if a 13 misses, then I'm probably not going to succeed against this thing; and based on the map, the only person who might get to me is Adular (possibly) because of the vest, but that's probably unlikely.

Oh well, bad luck.

Horatio holsters his empty pistol as a Free Action and fires into the shark's maw at point blank -

Pistol Attack
1d20 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 24

If it hits –
1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 10

EDIT: If the holstering the pistol causes a problem, he'll simply drop it.

Looks like it's your move, GM.

Imm, can dhaavan summon, and then grab one of his creatures to let it pull him along? what kind of check is needed.

Hearing the gunshots go off, Dhaavan decides that this is a perfect time to over-react, looking around for Flynn and the Elves. This had better be serious, he says as he feels the familiar tug of his summoning magic reaching out.

He will be using SM 2 and 1d3 ⇒ 3 Dolphins will appear around him. One adjacent to him which he will "ride" (be dragged along or pushed by, cause swimming is for squares! [ ]
or you know, people with Str scores.

Dhaavan, that's fine. You just need a strength check to hold on. ;-)

Horatio, that hits as well. The large shark seems extremely angry now, but also somewhat wounded.

Do you have an ability to stop from suffering AoO's using ranged weapons in melee?

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 201d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

That looks like another 16 damage.

Do you have an ability to stop from suffering AoO's using ranged weapons in melee?

No I don't.

Meanwhile, it's really unfortunate that the 13 Touch Attack missed at 5 feet; and bad luck that I forgot that the pistols provoke or I would have moved back 5 feet; and that the rest of the company is 110 feet from me as well.

Do what you got to do.

AoO: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 151d8 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 Miss!

If the others had started swimming when you're gun shot went off, some of them might reach you this round so I will hold off until they post to determine what they do.

[dice=AoO]1d20+11; 1d8+11 Miss!

If the others had started swimming when you're gun shot went off, some of them might reach you this round so I will hold off until they post to determine what they do.

So to clarify, though - taking a 5 foot step back via a Move Action and firing at a creature 5 feet away still provokes an AoO? Like I said above, I would have moved back the 5 feet if I knew that. Also, to be sure (in case I felt like using a reroll) firing at a shark that is 5 feet from me and scoring a Touch Attack vs. a 13 will miss?

Meantime - I don't think the other will reach me in time except for maybe Dhaavan.

You can't take a 5 foot step without a swim speed. You can move 5 feet in the water but that provokes an AoO. Shooting in melee provokes an AoO also.

That is correct, a 13 did not hit.

Left alone with Adular and knowing Adular can swim to the trouble and he can't... Seijiro just shrugs and waits.

Summoning takes a full round spell casting, so when the dolphins appear, maybe Seijiro can grab a fin and get a pull along from one of the ones Dhaavan is not getting pulled by... if he can, he will, drawing Brine's Sting as he gets pulled along.

You can't take a 5 foot step without a swim speed. You can move 5 feet in the water but that provokes an AoO. Shooting in melee provokes an AoO also.

That is correct, a 13 did not hit.

No worries. But I think Dhaavan was the only one to move forward (except for Variel, but he's over 200 feet away. Adular might be able to have gotten here if he moved round with a Double Move, though; but I think that's up to him.

Not sure when Dhaavan can get here as he cast in the same round that he heard the shot, the creature would pop up round 2, unfortunately.

Left alone with Adular and knowing Adular can swim to the trouble and he can't... Seijiro just shrugs and waits.

No worries; have a good night, Seijiro.

Rain, with Variel just ahead of her, continued to swim toward the sound they had heard earlier. Gunshots meant Flynn as he was the only one among them to use firearms. Rain held her pike on the ready.

That's 2 full rounds of swimming for Rain and Variel so far ? - They've moved 30 ft forward now (I moved both avatars on the map).

Dhaavan, maybe have each of the other, remaining two dolphins drag Rain and Variel faster toward Flynn?

Flynn, Rain and Variel were both swimming toward the gunshots.

Flynn, Rain and Variel were both swimming toward the gunshots.

Thanks Rain. I appreciate that :)

Unfortunately, I think that Dhaavan's dolphins vanished a while back and as it stands, it looks like I'm pretty much out of luck, but we shall see.

Snot. I didn't realize we were splitting the party and I show up to find folks are dying on me.

Adular would swim at double speed as soon as he hears the shot...

Double move at 60

Dolphins have a swim speed of 80, So one shows up at Rain and at Variel. Strength check to hitch a ride!

The dolphins appear around the party, Jiro, grab on!
Strength: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9
Re-roll Strength: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10 ew

Once they get their riders, the dolphins will double-move into Melee range with the Shark! Dhaavan will let go when he gets to the turn in the tunnle, by the southern edge so he can still see the shark, but is far away as possible!

Jiro could snag Dhaavan's, cause he and Daavan don't weigh much or have heavy gear, as opposed to our Elven warriors.
...
also, I'm not dying, Adular!

Seijiro grabs onto the dorsal fin of the dolphin Dhaavan latches onto and hangs on for a ride to where the noise came from. He flashes a grin at Dhaavan and whispers through the 'message' link "Thanks for the lift."

str check: 1d20 ⇒ 13

hope that's enough

Not dying here either, Adular! ;) And we weren't splitting up the party -- it just happened to go down this way once Flynn went exploring on his own. Unfortunate that he met up with a big bad shark.

With the appearance of the summoned dolphin by her side, Rain took hold of its dorsal fin with one hand and held on securely (her other hand held onto the magical pike) as the dolphin flicked its tail and followed the others, swimming determinedly toward Flynn.

STR check to hold on: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Dhaav said they'd double move, so 160ft from Rain's current position? Rain will let go of the fin once she is within range with her pike (20ft from shark).

Imm, posted this now as I will be travelling into the city very early tomorrow morning and won't get a chance to post and didn't want to hold up play too much.

All checks good. You will Show up before the next bite to act so go ahead and do so. Heading to bed

When all the companions were within 30 ft of her, Rain issued through the message spell, //"Attack the Shark!"// Activating Freebooter's Bane.

With her extended pike held in both hands, and 20 feet from the very large and dangerous looking shark, Rain thrust it viciously forward in hopes of tearing into the creature.

Power Attack on shark with +1 Boarding Pike of Repelling, using two hands and Freebooter's Bane: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 23
Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 = 18

Move Action: Activated Freebooter's Bane on Shark (+1 to hit and damage)
Standard Action: Power Attack with pike, using two hands.

Night, Immortal!

Seijiro, when he's close enough to the shark to attack, takes a poke with his rapier at the creature... He'd heard they need to keep moving forward to breathe, so he pokes it right in the snout, hoping to stop it at least for a brief moment.

to hit: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 + 1 = 19
dmg if hits: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11

ni ni Imm

Seijiro and Rain arrive in the nick of time, both of them spearing the shark with pike and sword before the shark could attack again.

Just then a voice calls out through the water in Aquan.

/You come in. Supplicants to mighty Krelloort! Beg mercy for Krelloort not destroy you and conquer your cities! Beg! Pathetic Worms! Beg!/

The voice comes from deeper into the room than your light can penetrate. It is high and strange sounding but you aren't sure why.

You guys have a 30 second RP period so no extended conversations. You can have a quick couple of sentences to each other or you can banter with Krelloort. Either way, try to keep how long your statements and actions would take in mind. Time management is kind of hard on pbp so I am looking to you all to self monitor. BTW you are ALMOST finished with this book! Congrats to all and thank you for all coming back after almost 2 years. I hope you are enjoying yourselves as much as I am. About this fight: As it is a boss battle, I'm not going to be pulling punches. You have hero points and rerolls. If you die without any hero points, you die. That said, you will be leveling to 7th after this battle, and as such there will be an opportunity to get NOT dead very soon if it happens. I am not going to try to kill you but I'm not going to try NOT to kill you either. The die roller will algorithm where it may ;-) GOOD LUCK!!!

Also, I need a status check from everyone including HP, AC, current effects or conditions, spells left memorized, or if you cast spontaneously then your spell slots left per level, etc.

HP 45, AC 18 (15t, 13ff), -1 str (currently 10), -1 wis, (currently 9), -1 con (currently 11)
3 1st lvl spells slots left, init +7

Also, I need a status check from everyone including HP, AC, current effects or conditions, spells left memorized, or if you cast spontaneously then your spell slots left per level, etc.

Quick Side Question -

If we have 30 formal seconds, that's roughly 5 rounds. Can we also use that time to do healing, reload, etcetera, or is meant more for social RP? Also - if we're able to cast "buffs" on ourselves, can anyone tap me up with the Wand of Cure Light a few times if possible?

Current Status:

HP: 20/49
Grit: 1/2 - NOTE: had used a total of 2 Grit today, but regained a Grit Point earlier on plant monster with Confirmed Critical
Arch Luck: 5/12 Rounds Left
Rerolls: 1/3
Hero Points: 2/3
Spells Cast: Nothing but Cantrips and one level 2 spell
Emotional State: Time to kick ass and chew tobacco; and I'm all out of tobacco...

EDIT: Thanks again everyone for the help, and especially for Seijiro and Rain for finishing it off :)

Taps from a wand are one thing. But if anyone starts to cast a spell, you will be immediately and violently interrupted.

Taps from a wand are one thing. But if anyone starts to cast a spell, you will be immediately and violently interrupted.

Well, that could give me 5-6 taps, depending on if that's cool with Audlar, as he has the wand (also, he may not need to do that many, hopefully). But if this is a boss battle, I'd rather be at full health than "almost full", just in case.

Also, via the light? My "Signature Item" does grant me the ability to see 60 Feet in even total darkness - as I have a direct line of sight, can I use a Perception Check and then (possibly) relay the information on what I see to the others quietly while we wait? Just curious...