You notice quite a bit of tension between Captain Veane and Marzack. Marzack constantly questions the captain's orders, and seems to be enjoying his frustration with Killik.
Barley:
You notice nothing suspicious around the Envoy's cabin. No one has come or gone from it.
The squall subsides slightly, but Kryssa soon learns why Ulamon was having so much difficulty at the helm when sudden unseen current tears the wheel from her grip and sends the ship into a sharp dip between waves.
DC 15 acrobatics checks for everyone to remain standing, and another Strength check at the wheel to regain control.
Male Human Bard/5 HP 10/38 AC17/T 12/FF 15 Fort +4/Ref +7/ Will +5 Init +2 Perc +8|Sense Motive +13*
Chamius nods to himself in satisfaction. Oh, I've got you now, you little beggar.
If he weren't a PC and this were a crime story/show, Chamius would probably be in the running for the prestigious "most likely to be found dead at the next scene change" award.
On the main deck Johendar and Kryssa get the ship under control once more.
Meanwhile, down below...
Using the last surge of the ship as a distraction, Barley moves to the envoy's cabin and peeks inside to find Thanzeril maintaining his watch over Sephriel's corpse. Nothing seems amiss there.
Chamius, however, tumbles from his hiding place and is noticed by Marzack. The first mate scowls, and seems about to say something, but smirks and stays silent.
ROLLS:
1d20 ⇒ 14 1d20 ⇒ 8
Just need a reaction from Chamius and some intentions from everyone else before moving on.
Male Human Bard/5 HP 10/38 AC17/T 12/FF 15 Fort +4/Ref +7/ Will +5 Init +2 Perc +8|Sense Motive +13*
Without making it too obvious that he's seen the first mate's reaction, Chamius glances over at a point out of Marzack's view and waves, as if to indicate to an unseen compatriot that he's unharmed by the tumble.
Male Human Bard/5 HP 10/38 AC17/T 12/FF 15 Fort +4/Ref +7/ Will +5 Init +2 Perc +8|Sense Motive +13*
Chamius smiles inwardly as his deceit keeps him safe for the moment, then he attempts to unobtrusively get back to his feet and into his place of concealment. Now, where did that ninja go, anyway?
Chamius and Barley both slip back into hiding. After a brief glance around the hold, Marzack returns his attention to the Captain and his duties.
The storm rages on...
Though the worst of the storm has passed, the winds and waves continue for the better part of an hour, keeping all hands busy on deck. Barley and Chamius continue their stakeout, watching as the Captain and Marzack vie for authority over the ship. One moment Veane seems to be in charge, the next Marzack has subtly usurped command with a quick order to a passing sailor. Ulamon has been moved off into the crew's quarters where he is tended to by Kilik. Eventually Kilik returns and gives a report to the captain that Ulamon suffered more than a normal wound and requests the captain's ear to give advice about navigation. When Captain Veane heads to the Crew's quarters Marzack gives Killik a nod and both head to the stairs leading topside.
Chamius:
You notice Killik glance your direction and suspect he knows you are hiding nearby.
Above...
Those on deck notice the first mate and the priest arrive. Marzack calls for a status report from a nearby sailor. After hearing that the storm is starting to subside, he sends two sailors to man the bilges and another to inform Captain Veane, then turns to observe the deck.
"Everyone make it through intact?" He asks. "Any injuries?"
"Hmm.. too bad. Looks like that makes things a little harder." Marzack says. Hule notices a gleam in Marzack's eyes, and sees that Killik is losely holding a crossbow, but is unable to react before Marzack throws a punch to his kidney. By luck it strikes his armor and he avoids injury.
Killik raises his crossbow and fires at a surprised Klaidingo, but the shot is just a little high, slamming into the mainmast near his head.
Barley and Chamius are below and unaware of the happenings above.
Barley:
No activity at the Envoy's cabin.
Chamius:
You arrive at the crew's cabin to find Captain Veane over Ulamon, shaking him, but failing to wake the pilot.
Hule laughs of the attempt to punch him in the breastplate as he shifts closer to Killik, drawing his longsword and taking a swing at the archer who is likely less expecting it.
"Then let me make things easier for you!" Power Attack:1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 1 = 12, Damage:1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8
Barley hears the commotion above. I've added you to the initiative. Unfortunately, you go dead last.
"Draw steel!" Marzack calls to Killik as he does so himself. When Killik obliges, he also takes a step to the right, leaving a double image in his wake.
"Marzack and Killik did it to take the ship from you. Think they might have something more direct in mind, too? They want to be pirates instead of just smugglers, true?"
Kryssa smiles at the attack and mumbles to Johendar, "Watch this."
With a shimmer of light, Kryssa changes into the dead elven ambassador and shouts, "My would-be assassins have revealed themselves!" The fake ambassador draws a heavy flail while running into combat.
Alter self to hopefully confuse the daylights out of them. ;) Oh, and +2 to strength.
I assume you mean northwest
Hule sidesteps out from between the flanking opponents before making another reckless slash.
Power Attack:1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 1 = 14, Damage:1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 Same guy
Hule moves and swipes at one of the two Killiks, but the priest avoids the attack.
Copycat image (true target is highest number):1d2 ⇒ 2 Marzack Will Save:1d20 ⇒ 8 Killik Will Save:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Kryssa transforms and closes distance.
"What in the.. Argh!" Marzack's eyes widen at the sight, but before he can get out a full curse, Johendar conjures glittering dust around the two conspirators, blinding Marzack though failing to affect Killik.
Barley arrives on deck.
Chamius:
Ulamon begins to come around. Obviously Killik didn't use much, if any, healing magic on him.
Captain Veane stares hard at Chamius. "That is a serious accusation. What proof do you offer?"
Male Human Bard/5 HP 10/38 AC17/T 12/FF 15 Fort +4/Ref +7/ Will +5 Init +2 Perc +8|Sense Motive +13*
DM Rah:
Chamius hesitates. "Circumstantial at the moment, Captain. First, the only ones Azuretta thought might have seen her meet the bodyguard last night were Shira, Velagon, and Marzack. Velagon also said he saw Marzack and Killik visiting his corrosive pet last night, apparently feeding it something. Barley checked the galley last night, and though Shira has no shortage of cutlery none of it had fresh blood on it. Ulamon thought he remembered someone leaving the crew's quarters before the sea elves attacked; Velagon stays with his beastie in the hold, though, so it wasn't him leaving. Tenuous, I know, but enough in my mind to justify use of coercive magic to get to the truth.
"Two other things: first, Killik told you Ulamon wanted to talk, hey? He wasn't in any shape to speak when you arrived, was he? But as far as I can tell a simple magic was enough to begin to rouse him--something Killik could easily have done himself. So why didn't he? Second, I'm guessing that you and Marzack have an ongoing disagreement about the proper direction and mission for the ship. You prefer the relatively low risk and more certain reward of smuggling, while he...is more in sympathy with Killik's patron, let's say. Seems a powerful motive there to force the crew's hand--kill the envoy, convince the crew that the only way to escape Mordant Spire justice is to dump everyone who knows and turn pirate, and there you go."
The Killiks both slip and fall in unison from Klaidingo's grease spell. From the ground, the Killiks call upon the dark powers of Besmara and channel negative energy, then pull themselves to their feet.
Negative Energy - Hule, Klaidingo, Johendar, Kryssa, and Barley - make DC 10 Will Save for 1/2 damage:1d6 ⇒ 3
AoO from Hule.
Marzack Will Save vs Glitterdust:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 Marzack blind swing at Hule:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Marzack swings his scimitar blindly, missing Hule.
Chamius:
That's a lot of dialogue. I'll get back to you in a little bit.
