Dungeon Master S's "Skull & Shackles" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Art sees that only one stirge remains an imminent threat, and that Kiltem & Ko are right there with their strong arms. He opts to take out the other while it's entangled. His sling comes out, whirls about his head, and...

sling: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 = 22
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

...the stone strikes true!

Indeed it does! With the only remaining blood sucker tied up courtesy of Slappy, it's a simple matter to gang up on the pest.

For catching and killing the nest of bloodsuckers (before swimming) each pirate gains 280 XP.

If Sandara is down there and we fail to save her...I will never forgive myself!!

Art prepares to dive, trying to egg the others on to hurry

If Sandara is down there and we fail to save her...I will never forgive myself!!

Art prepares to dive, trying to egg the others on to hurry

Can we see how deep the water is? Is it clear? Can we tell there are no rocks?

The druid is going for a safer and slower climbing down the cliff side. He understands Delgado's urgency but also knows that if they hit rocks after leaping off a huge cliff than they wont be much help to anyone.

Kiltem slips his club through his belt and straps his shield to his pack. He begins to climb down.

Climb 1d20 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 3 = 19

If possible the druid would like to take a minute to check the stirge nest. (Of course will take all treasure as applicable), Kiltem is interested in any information about the nesting habitat and any zoological information he can glean from the site.

Kiltem finds nothing in the stirge nest. He deftly lowers himself as low as possible, and then prepares to drop....

Kiltem estimates the water here to be about 20' deep. If you climb down then drop, it's a DC 15 Acrobatics OR swim check to do it safely. If you do not climb, it's DC 20 (or if you fall while climbing.)

Swim 1d20 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 3 = 16

While not pretty, the druid is able to jump the rest of the way down into the water. He comes up sputtering a little and gets his bearings before swimming in any particular direction. Fighting the dead weight of his armor he treads water for a moment looking around.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 maybe Delgado can help, we know he jumped off the ledge the second we killed the stirges...

swim: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (4) = 11 <—dammit

Art fails to dive with any grace AT ALL

Kiltem hits the water with natural grace. Art's flop is so bad that it stings, a lot. Nonlethal: 2d3 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4 and Lethal: 1d6 ⇒ 3.

Slappy, Lucky, and Ko to jump.

Lucky grins and executes a beautiful swan dive.

Swim: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The gnome slides down his animated rope to the nest,
then slides down the rope closer to the water where he dismounts giving the last command to the rope to release and coil.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Kiltem looks on at Slappy’s use of rope magic. Its hard to tell if he is puzzled or surprised at magic he has never seen before. But he gives the gnome a nod when he gets to the water, slick!

Having a little trouble floating on his back due to his armor, Kiltem looks up at Ko still on the cliff. Thanks for covering our descent. Now come on!

Ko follows his friends into the water by climbing down and dropping.

climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Now all together in the water the party looks around for a moment.

Group Perception
Perception
Kiltem: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Ko: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Arthur: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Lucky: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Slappy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The gnome’s normally wild hair covers his face, but Kiltem can see the smile beam through at his praise. With a puff of air and a snap of his fingers, Slappy’s hair returns to it’s signature style.

Thank ya Kiltem!! What’s that over there?

Ko still needs to drop: Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19, but he lands no problem.

Looking around the party sees the to their right left on the map the water goes out into the bay. That's where Ko spied the grindeylows. To the left is a network of caves. The water here is about 10 deep. There are no creatures in this area.

Tactical map updated.

At least for the moment, we are swimming the whole time?

Knowing that the party can't keep treading water forever, the druid tries to spur the party into action a little.
I bet we need to search these caves, but shall we check the bay first where the grindylows were last spotted?

"We need to find our friends. Let's go." Ko heads to the right.

The druid grabs Lucky and smoothly pushes him forward in the water to coast behind Ko. Kiltem starts kicking and swimming along leaving Slappy and Delgado to bring up the rear.

The druid (and Slappy?) can conjure light as needed.

I moved people on the map, feel free to retcon

The party swims west towards the spot where Ko saw the grindeylows. The twisting tunnel is about 100' before you break out into the open water.

7d20 ⇒ (13, 19, 20, 13, 13, 16, 7) = 101

Once you can see the light outside, you also see a quartet of grindeylows, one still wearing Sandara's hat. They seem to be keeping their eyes westward, apparently not prepared for an attack from within the caves....

Map updated. Any closer and it'll be a contest of stealth versus perception.

The party swims a little closer and opens all hailing frequencies.

Kiltem addresses the grindylows hey, any of you savvy Common?

Untrained Diplomacy 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

The druid hopes one of the others will take over...

Art has no idea whether these creatures even speak any language, let alone the Common tongue. However, the fact that one of them has on Sandara's hat means there has got to be SOME rudimentary intelligence. And Kitlem made the first move, which was quite smooth, so he decides to give it a go. adding the +2 for Kiltem's Aid

Ahoy there! May the webbing between your toes never dry! We come in peace, and we're looking for the lady who used to own that hat. Where might we find her?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 = 31 <--BOOOMFUTHAMUCKA!!!!

The four creatures scream, and quickly begin to shout and babble:

Despite Art's honey'd words, they don't seem to care (or understand.)

Foes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Kiltem: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Ko: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Arthur: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Lucky: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Slappy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Two of them hurls spears at Art:
ATK 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
ATK 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
but both miss.

One hangs back, and one charges through the water, trying to tangle Art up: Trip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 Prone in the water

Round 1:
Grindeylows: ATK!
Slappy: Go
Ko: Go
Art: Go
Kiltem: Go
Lucky: Go

Round the First
• Current HPs: 22/22

Luck treads water and shoots at the closest creature with his crossbow.

1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 2 = 21 for 1d8 ⇒ 6 damage.
Confirm: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 = 12 for 1d8 ⇒ 7 damage.

Don't forget the -4 for shooting into melee. Not that it matters on a 20.

Lucky's opening bolt straight up kills the grindeylow holding onto Art! The corpse still floats though, making the others infuriated.

Round 1:
Grindeylows: ATK!
Slappy: Go
Ko: Go
Art: Go
Kiltem: Go
Lucky: Kill

no shield in the water, AC 15

Round 1

The druid curses a little for trying to play fair. Next time perhaps he should ambush like a jungle velociraptor.
A little awkward swimming the in the water, but luckily one of the grindylows charges forward and bangs into Delgado. Ha! don't even have to swim out to them The druid takes advantage of the foolish grindylow to come with in striking distance.

While not his club, Kiltem does his best and stabs through the water

melee (power) attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
spear 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Ko gave a powerful kicked, bobbed above the water and loosed a bolt.

lt crossbow,att: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
lt crossbow,dam: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Crit confirmation
lt crossbow,att: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Crit additional damage
lt crossbow,dam: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Art gives Lucky a jaunty salute for saving him a potential heap of trouble. He rights himself, whips out his rapier, and prepares to stab the first for to close—he doesn’t relish swimming out into the narrow passage to face all 3 by himself!

readied attack: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 = 9
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Oh I love having wasted that 20...

Ko's bolt hits only the surf, but Kiltem continues his killing spree, gutting a grindeylow in a single powerful thrust!

Unfortunately Art's blade work isn't as sharp as his tongue...

Round 1:
Grindeylows: ATK!
Slappy: Go
Ko: Miss
Art: Miss
Kiltem: Kill
Lucky: Kill

Round 1

The slight gnome moves towards them to get a better view. Then his voice takes an interesting resonance inside this cave. Kiltem make one go splat, now give us back Sandara’s HAT!!!.

The word hat boom’s out of the cave. It’s force creates a small wave centered between the 2 remaining grindylow’s.

Thundercall: 1d8 ⇒ 1 Fort save (DC 15) to avoid being stunned 1 rd

black: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
blue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Both the creatures keep their wits about them as they close to attack!

The one without a spear dives below and tries to tangle Kiltem's legs CMB: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 MISS

The other lunges forward to stab him in the lungs: Spear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 THREAT
Spear confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 for DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

He hits the druid and that's when everyone catches sight.... Sandara's hat! He's had it tucked in his tentacles!

Round 2:
Grindeylows: ATK!
Slappy: Go
Ko: Go
Art: Go
Kiltem: Go
Lucky: Go

Ko, Slappy, and Delgado are ahead of me...

Round 2

During all this chaos and mayhem, one part of Kilt's unconscious mind is pondering this watery environment. He notes his enemies tentacles and how they are used to move them through the water, grabbing rock and pulling, used all together to propel, and also used as rudders to orient its axis in the water. The druid does his best to use his legs and one arm to do a similar job, but his mind is already reprogramming itself for tentacle combat soon enough...

The other part of Kiltem's mind is furious. Angry that his life's blood is mixing with the saltwater. His simple mind seeks revenge and blood. He wants to spit them on his spear. Treading water he set up the best line of attack and thrusts!

swim 1d20 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 3 = 21

melee attack 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 1 + 1 = 24
sh spear 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Round 2

Still trying to perfect his newly learned skill the young gnome furrows his brows, and calls another bit of thunder down on the vile human squid like things. Forgoing his normal banter his shout of No reverberates in the water just behind them so Kiltem isn’t affected.

Thundercall: 1d8 ⇒ 6 Fort Save (dc15) or be stunned 1 round

Art quickly sheathes his rapier, and tries to swim under the creatures so he can flank with Kiltem

swim, use panache: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 5 + (3) = 28

He then draws again (quick draw yo!!) and gets ready to actually help!

The water froths around Ko as he churns forward, drawing his cutlass as comes up beside Kiltem and slashes at one of the beast.

ride: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
cutlass,att: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 2 = 23
cutlass,dThe water froths around Ko as he churns forward, drawing his cutlass as comes up beside Kiltem and slashes at one of the beast.

[dice=ride: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
cutlass,att: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 2 = 19
cutlass,dam: 1d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 2 = 4
Crit confirmation
cutlass,att: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 2 = 8
Crit additional damage
cutlass,dam: 1d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 2 = 2am]1d6 + 3 -2[/dice]
Crit confirmation
cutlass,att: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 2 = 20
Crit additional damage
cutlass,dam: 1d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 2 = 5

Round the Second
• Current HPs: 22/22

Swim 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

5 foot west, 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 - 4 - 2 + 2 = 17 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 damage and 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 1 = 11 precision damage.

FORT: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
FORT: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Slappy's call this time catches the grindeylows unaware. The shockwave rips through them, stopping their hearts.

Two kill shots to Slappy! For quickly dispatching the four grindeylows, each pirate earns 160 XP.

Kiltem quickly dives to get Sandara's hat, but finds nothing else of note on the bodies.

Good job, lads!! Now, let's see if we can't find Sandara herself in yon caves. He swims into the caves, searching...

Marching swimming order? either post it or update the map.

Again the druid gives Slappy a strange look. A strange look but Kiltem is none the less impressed. He gives the gnome a nod of approval.

I took a hit but I think I'm okay. Does anybody need healing? I have a few spells. Those close by think they hear him mutter something about procuring a Wand of Healing first chance they get.

After possible healing the party sets out in a slow but energy saving stroke.
The druid leading with sh spear and a Light spell.
Lucky close behind ready to spot traps and hopefully help keep the party out of trouble.
Slappy and Delgado making up the center of the party.
Ko posting as the very important rear guard.

Kiltem leads the party east to find that this is no simple cave. the water opens up into a few directions.

The briny water washed over Ko's lips as he paddled along. Seeing the split ahead he said, "Kilt. What say we head north first?"

The briny water washed over Ko's lips as he paddled along. Seeing the split ahead he said, "Kilt. What say we head north first?"

As the druid leads the party forward he occasionally pokes his spear downwards and to the sides looking for ground that he can touch and take at least a brief rest from swimming/treading water.

Kiltem pauses at the split, he listens which doesn't work as well as he'd like with the party splashing a little. He takes a moment to sniff the air.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

If he senses nothing, he heads north like Ko suggests.

Kiltems glides through the water up the north path. This cavern has been carved to resemble the interior of some great sea creature, its ribs towering over and around the chamber. In the opening beyond he hears grindeylows, a LOT of them.

The druid pushes back. Map is updated, but without the enemies on it.

On hearing Kitlem's scouting report, Ko said, "We kill them here, at the 'Y' in the cavern. Two in one branch, three in the other. We let them come to us and stain the water with their blood."

On hearing Kitlem's scouting report, Ko said, "We kill them here, at the 'Y' in the cavern. Two in one branch, three in the other. We let them come to us and stain the water with their blood."

Rich Im not 100% sure where you want to do this. Why dont you place us on map as you want. Then one of us, Lucky maybe, can shoot one with a crossbow to lure them in. Post and make it happen!

If we can canalize them I hope to get multiples of 3 or more in my thundercall

Execute when ready, though if you plan too much.... something my foil you. They don't just tread water waiting.

Ko showed them what he meant, and once they were in position, he loosed a bolt.

lt crossbow,att: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
lt crossbow,dam: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Crit confirmation
lt crossbow,att: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Crit additional damage
lt crossbow,dam: 1d8 ⇒ 1

The druid lies in wait, like a predator planning a watery ambush. He thinks for a moment how a crocodile would handle this exact situation...

Momentarily upset with himself that he cant be a crocodile, he grips his short spear and readies for a killing thrust.