So Sejiro started his performance, Variel accepted Valeros's touch spell, Flynn's reloading, and Dhaavan threw an acid orb. So after Barzazal, that's the round!
** spoiler omitted **
I grin easily around another sip of tea.
”Ah, now you touch it, mister Dhaavan.”
”All of this foolishness on reconstructing the general outline of our ship means little to me, if we ourselves do nothing to change our own appearance. What will mister Harrigan or his lackey’s do when they see us, never mind what our ship looks like?”
”We will have been privy to a betrayal of trust – he ordered us to a point with a specific goal and cargo. Neither the cargo – in this case the pirated ship – nor the goods or crew arrived. When either he, or his mendicants, observe one of us or our crewmates in a town – will they glibly accept our staunch defense of innocence as we gesture at a seemingly new looking ship? Or will they be more inclined to attack us outright no matter what ship we sail on?”
I add some honey to the tea, and continue to sip it.
”Meanwhile, with all the effort to somehow mask the look of a ship, we seem quite uninterested in masking our own features – or that of our crewmates. After all, there are those among us who are likely to draw the attention of mister Harrigan, no matter what the occasion. Mister Owlbear, for example – his features are not easily masked, and his person would certainly be remembered, I should think. Not to mention the features of our goodly cook; or the generous curves of our ship’s cleric miss Sandara.”
”I submit that if mister Harrigan is close enough to identify our ship – then he will be close enough to identify us; and we are the true problem – not the ship.”
I yawn a bit, bored with the dull monotony of the morning; the heat of the day making me feel sluggish and all the more anxious for some sort of action.
Who knows – perhaps this game of ninepins will be an exciting diversion…
”As for the pish-posh nonsense that miss Sandara bandies about regarding us being some sort of “prey” – well then, I say that that title should serve the majority of our company very well,” I add sincerely and with no touch of irony.
”While our companions showed naked disdain for more modest pursuits such as privateering and hungered for the chance of taking up the true gauntlet of “pirate” – it is not an easy task to sail the waters tracking ships.”
”Yet if we are this ‘prey” that you refer to; so much the better! It will draw the interest of ships to us, and we need only wait for them to come and best them as they advance upon us.”
I put up my hand to forestall what I perceive to be an inevitable rebuttal.
”Now, please do not suggest to me that we may not beat off an attack. After all; why should our existence draw the attention of a man-o’war or something more fierce than a cutter or possibly a "Merchantman Class" ship?”
”We have no goods, no gear, and no cargo. Our ship itself does not look like it would tempt the interest or time of a true buccaneer – instead, I fancy that a true and experienced sailor would see our ship and simply laugh at our existence. Attacking us would waste their time when there are bigger and better fish to fry, I should think.”
I glance at the window and attempt the gauge the time by the sun, and take another sip of my tea.
”Only some pale-bellied coddle-fish would pursue us with eagerness, and if they manage to move into range to assail us? Why, I should think that our best bet is to open fire and destroy them.”
I shake my head again, considering Sandara’s advice to take bold actions to improve our reputation.
”Meanwhile, I am confused at miss Sandara's recommendation to imrpove our reputation by spending coin. I simply cannot understand the desire to – as you say – throw around coin… It seems to me that throwing coin around merely makes us a target with more wealth then we have. An attractive target, as well.”
”Meanwhile, bragging about our abilities seems odd to me; I would think our actions would speak louder than our words. And we would wish to keep those actions private, so as not to draw the attention of every would up-and coming rogue who wishes to add our elimination to their list of bragging rights.”
I pause again, and look at Dhaavan and speak now directly, without conjecture.
”If it was me, I would not waste time “squibbing” the ship; I would gamble.”
”I would gamble that with all the leagues between us and our former master that the sea is wide enough that we can avoid him with ease, unless he can guess where we are down to less than two-hundred feet; which I doubt he can do.”
”After all; if our ship was more than a half mile from his vessel we would merely be a blot on the horizon and he could not mark us from any ship, for half a mile is of course over 2,600 feet… Even the chance to perceive us as a ship on the horizon… Well; to put it simply – I would think that the “penalty” for such view would be very high indeed; never mind the subtleties of gauging the lee or our deck or the position of our jib,” I add dryly.
”Meanwhile, if I was Harrigan or any experience captain, I would at least have a large knowledge of the lands around us – after all, if mister Plugg knows of this place, surely Harrigan did as well – and if a ship wished to disguise itself, and mister Plugg showed up late to his rendezvous with mister Harrigan and mister Harrigan suspected treachery – I would think mister Harrigan would already be making all haste for this very port – for that is what I would do, if I were him and I was betrayed and wished revenge.”
"If I was mister Harrigan and mister Plugg never came back, I might say to myself - Where would Plugg go? Surely he knows I shall look for the ship if I cannot find him? Surely he knows I shall follow him quickly. What is his plan, if not to attempt to disguise the ship somehow... yet where could he go to do that, if not old man Rickety Squibbs - which is close to where he is sailing - and if he betrayed me, it is likely Plugg has gone to that port himself - at which point I should think mister Harrigan would be calling for "Action Stations" and making all haste to this very port right now."
"As I said, if I were in command I would repair the ship as best as possible, and than I would tack course to new waters… Perhaps near Sargava, or perhaps around Cheliax – even to stab east as far as Orision or Andoran – there must be fine shipping there for enterprising lads...”
I take another sip of my drink.
”Further, if I held the con I would not waste time broadcasting our skill and talent.”
”Instead, I would do my best to remain innocuous – I would be silent, subtle and operate with some guile.”
”I would welcome the reputation of being a mere nobody on the seas – for only the mighty draw the attention of those who would claim bragging rights – and all the while I would move from target to target; a gentle vessel with no threat or cause for fear – until I slip by blade between the proverbial jugular and tear out the very essence of those who I would call my enemy,” I add with a hungry grin.
”Then I would take my earnings and invest heavily in certain ports, backing certain and specific guild halls so that as they grow with my investment, they would remember who assisted their growth and in time, I could with ease secure excellent prices for importing and exporting rare goods – I would invest and gamble heavily in improving the ports of call I frequent so that when I return I am seen as a powerful patron to be honored and respected, not some miserable scallywag to be hated or feared.”
”I would take rare goods that can be smuggled for high prices – and in so doing, I would do more to keep my ship’s reputation innocent – I would let my agents negotiate the particulars of expensive deals so that when I am approached by those same agents I can take a contract of high price and sail quickly away.”
I wipe my mouth and mop my brow and the damnable heat.
”That is a better way, I think – being a smuggler, rather than a mere pirate.”
”Smaller crews are needed for smuggling. And consider the excitement from the high speed chases, the quick escapes, the fact that a single crate of cargo can earn you a reward more valuable than an entire city – if it is delivered to the right person…”
”We could be smuggling weapons to rebels who are fighting the empire in Cheliax – or we could be smuggling a rare and wonderful artifact from some back alley dig in Orision and rush it back to safety and security where it can be studied by top men at a museum…”
”We could be sailing like a zephyr over the waves, a young princess in the hold of our ship, rushing hard to get her to her home port as an enemy fleet sails hard on our wake – knowing that returning the princess would earn not only the prestige and honor of her people – but more wealth than we can imagine… which is not a small skill – for I can imagine quite a bit!” I add with a wolfish grin.
Than I sigh and the anima seems to drain from my features as I realize i am rambling.
”Of course, I do not have the con; nor am I the captain. I am merely a sailor with some skill as a craftsman – and my ability to craft falls under the purview of both wood in carpentry, and some elixirs to aid the flesh…”
I glance up, somewhat embarrassed.
”When I remember such things as my fine plans I just went over, though I have no regret in speaking my mind to you, I recall a statement my uncle once made to me when I voiced my opinions on the possibility of such adventures on the high seas.”
”He told me that there was the right way to do things; the wrong way to do things – and the way that a buccaneer does things.”
”His implication was that my fine plans and ideas; my thoughts and guesses – my ambitions and dreams were counterproductive to the exactitude of the needs of what must be done.”
”He suggested that I accept my fate for what it was – that being a privateer, or a smuggler, or a gunfighter, or a any of those tasks… while men who stride the decks of ships may aspire to these goals, I should put aside such thoughts, for that is not the path I am meant to tread.”
I look at Dhaavan somewhat helplessly, now feeling completely out of my element.
”For myself, I thought that sailing on the seas as an enterprising sailor with a more colorful title – be that title “Pirate” or “Swashbuckler” or “Smuggler” or “Corsair” or “Buccaneer” or any other such variance – I assumed that they all would have a wide range of flexibility as open as the ship’s tiller let them sail.”
”But your words make me doubt myself. Now I believe that I must rather hearken to my uncles words – there is a right way and a wrong way – but neither of them matter in the inevitable face of the “pirate” way.”
I sigh again, and look at Dhaavan, my eyes bespeaking a yearning for answers that I hope he can offer.
”For all my knowledge of lore and adventure, those details must fall aside for what this reality is.”
”I have told you what I would do if I held the con and was captain – but I know that my thoughts and assumptions are wrong. I know also that we must take specific action that I had not guessed on, or have any idea why were bound to pursue these paths, but I am clear that it is the path we must pursue and I accept it.”
”To wit - we must “squib” the ship; we must boast of our skill rather than use subtlety or guile; we must specifically attack other ships and pirate them – and not smuggle goods or attempt to assist rebels from an evil empire; or assist colonists from being attacked by some alien power, or any other pursuit.”
”Meanwhile, we must continue to fear the late mister Harrigan, but despite this gnawing fear we must not leave these waters and sail for Cheliax, Sargova, Rhadoum or Orision, but we must remain here until our task is done.”
I shrug helplessly.
”But you see? I am not certain what that task is, specifically. And in the meantime, I fear my efforts to improve my skill as a man versed in lore and other academic pursuits was foolish; and that I should resign myself to being merely a man who kills; a task simple and direct and requiring little thought.”
”However, something tells me you have a clearer understanding of what our goals are and what way I should proceed – one reason among many I nominated your candidacy for an officer,” I say lifting my cup to him in salute.
”Therefore – as you are an officer – what is our next task to be formally? Tell me that, and I shall content myself with raising weapons and killing those who must be killed and helping those who must be helped.”
I finish my tea and place the cup down.
”Simply tell me what I must do, and how I must act; I shall do my best to aid you all as soon as I know specifically what needs to be done.”
I stretch a bit.
”Well, you have heard my discourse for some time. Tell me – what are your plans? What is it that we must do next?” I add amicably, eager to hear mister Dhaavan’s suggestions and advice.
Please let me begin by saying
Seijiro notes Dhaavan and Flynn in deep conversation, wonders at the look of such seriousness on Flynn's face as he talks. The gunslinger did have a very somber and serious side he knew, and tended to brood at times, but this time he looks of even darker mien than normal.
Still, he shrugs it off as he continues with his comedic turn at ninepins and hopes Flynn can do the same in time.
It's true that we have a lot to worry about as we enter a new phase in our lives, but isn't that the case anytime one begins a new venture. Fear, excitement, anticipation, worry... all are natural and normal reactions. Hope he snaps out of this mood he's in, that I do.
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Variel is busy witht he turns at nine-pins, but does notice Dhaavan and Flynn talking at great lengths. However VAriel is not going to interject anytime soon as that action has caused problems before with Flynn. If anything needs to be discussed or brought up, Variel just assumes that Dhaavan will inform him of the salient portions. In the meantime, while waiting for others to take their turn at the pins, Variel runs through different tests that he wants to put Barzazal through in his mind. How quick is he, both wits and agility wise? Can he handle a weapon when attacking someone else? Does he show concern for his own defenses or does he rely on the fact he can heal himself to carry the day? does he stand well against mental assaults, verbal and those more insidious? A few of these need to be answered before we offer him a contract I think.
Moving to Dhaavan's side after seeing him blasted by magic, the spritely healer gets to work. Again calling on the innate powers he was born with, Barzazal calls forth the healing waves.
So Sejiro started his performance, Variel accepted Valeros's touch spell and closed on the naga, Flynn's reloading, and Dhaavan threw an acid orb and his birds attacked. So after Barzazal, that's the round!
And Barzazal cured dhaavan for 6.
Ststus: HP 14AC 13
1 Lv2 spell used
The naga is still in a rage and lashes out at Variel with a few bolts of energy.
EDIT: Forgot to cast defensively. SUCCESS
Seijiro continues to sing as he draws his new bow and shoots an arrow at the naga.
AC 17
HP 34/34
2nd of 5 rounds of inspire
Seijiro's arrow goes in and deflects off of an invisible shield surrounding the Naga.
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Also they bolts still need to be randomized I believe because they could still hit the real Variel and thus be negated by the shield spell.
Variel is hit on a one well that would get rid of images pending the shield ruling.
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Variel swims up next to the Naga still hoping to keep the creature busy and focused on him rather than the men on the dock. Hoping to reduce the number of naga images present with a basic attack before targeting the real naga with his spell strike, Variel lashes out first with his cutlass.
Attack
Damage
Crit confirm Attack
Damage
Finding purchase on the naga Variel continues his assault this time with his spell casting mixed in. Finding the moment in the naga's movement when Variel can cost without worry about retribution, Variel intones the words and gestures to imbue the cutlass with crackling electricity. (shocking grasp)
Cast defensively
Attack Attack
Damage
Birds round 2
Dhaavan's eagles each take a hard flap to keep the Naga surrounded and tear into it once more.
Eagle 1 G: 22
for
for
for
Eagle 2 H: 23
for
for
for
Eagle 3 I:22
for
for
for
WIth a quick incantation, Dhaavan es from sight, and stealthily moves to L:19
for
for
Variel
My eyes narrow at the creature, I am going to attack him.
I draw my other pistol and fire both at the creature at once –
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Does Flynn get both shots off since he had to use a move action to draw the second pistol? Curious as spell combat is a full round action and thought two weapon fighting followed the same rules. -2 to hit and full round action. Not trying to limit his actions, just wondering so I know more for Variel. Believe me I want him to hit both times.
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Variel waits to let the eagles get into position and allows a firing lane to the naga. Then, Variel continues to pursue the elusive naga in the hopes that he can get a vital blow landed.
Reaching out to strike the naga with the electricity filled cutlass, Variel swings hard to inflict as much damage as possible.
Shocking grasp cutlass attack
Damage
Missing again, Variel follows up with another spell strike on the naga. Again he watches for the naga to lapse his concentration on Variel to get the time to cast the spell needed to enhance the weapon again with cold.
Concentration frostbite
Shocking grasp, frostbite cutlass attack
Damage
Crit confirm
Shocking grasp, frostbite, cutlass attack
Damage
5 images with AC: 16 ?
Variel AC: 21
HP 29/29 with 11 nonlethal
Shield spell: 3 minutes left 4 rounds used
Arcane pool: 2/5
To hit: +9
Damage: d6+6
Valeros calls upon the creature to "HALT!"
Will Save vs DC 15 SAVE MADE. NO EFFECT.
Barzazal moves over to anyone that is injured and heals them.
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END OF ROUND 3 (I think lol)
The creature hisses and drops beneath the waves at which point another series of images begin swirling around her.
Seijiro continues to sing and moves to the end of the dock and readies an action to shoot anything Naga that comes up above the surface of the water.
34/34 hp
AC 17
3/5 rounds of bard song used