Freedom of the Open Seas

Game Master Steven_Evil

The spirit answers Harvey solemnly.
Our purpose is no more. The war we were bred for has long been over, it seems. We will not be pawns in someone's schemes. You, Harvey, shall be the one to help us. We are tired... We wish only release, now that we are but a weapon to be used by any who desire power.

The words cease, but you receive a vision. Locations, of the altars dedicated to each spirit, and the knowledge of the ritual, and the spell needed, to destroy each key.
Tomorrow there will be a map showing each one.

There is a sudden increase in the energy flowing around in the room, enough to make everyone's hair stand up on the base of their necks, and then the wind ebbs away.
I have given you the last of my energy and knowledge Harvey. Please, use the knowledge I have given you and end us. We have no purpose left in this world, and we desire rest, release from our burden...

The ritual is simple, really. You must find each key, tune it back to the altar it was created at, and once they are all tuned, cast the spell the Azlanti made to disable the weapons.

Basically, by the time you are able to do this, each one of you will have one of the keys bound to you like Harvey. You'll find hints at each one during your career as pirates, faster if you actively look for them, and at one is even in a side quest. While this is the major plot, this is still a pirate adventure!

Surprise round attack

Sword Swing: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 = 15

Appearing suddenly besides the rear, female figure in read leathers (As if by magic) the tanned Elf explodes in a dervish of fists and feet.

(+2 from flanking and they's hopefully flat footed.)

Att Roll 1:1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28

Dam Roll 1:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sneak Att Dam 1:2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Att Roll 2:1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 = 26

Dam Roll 2:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Sneak Att Dam 2:2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Att Roll 3:1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22

Dam Roll 3:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Sneak Att Dam 3:2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Sub-dual damage where I can be doin' it.

However, I also have 'Boar strike' which means if I land two hits, they begin to take ' 2D6 Bleed' damage. So, they should be incapacitated sooner.

Guys a surprise round is a move or a standard. No full attacking.

I've been figuring it in, don't worry. Makes one wonder why Laurastine went down so quickly, doesn't it? ;)

The two assassins spin, and attack Sunny and Noro, their cruel toothed blades slashing at the ladies with dexterous finesse!
Attack Sunny: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage Sunny: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Attack Noro: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage Noro: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Surprise Round Over
Noro-Knocked Out? Laurastine
Alistair- Divine Favor
Harvey- Discovered Plot Exposition
Sunny- Stuck a Bad Guy

Damage-14 Laurastine- Fell Over
Damage-4 Red Mantis 1- Stuck Sunny
Damage-0 Red Mantis 2- Stuck Noro

Begin Round 1
Harvey
Red Mantis Assassins
Noro, Sunny, Alistair, M'bungie

Map Up!

Also, I put everyone on the map in a pretty generic spot based off of actions stated, but if you wish to be located differently now that there is a (badly drawn) visual, you may.

Sunny's grin turns to a grimace but she utters no more sounds, though the tanned Elf does shift her stance into a more defensive pose.

Nice map! (^_^)

Also, Suny be hurtin'. :(

I moved Alistar into the room, as he was the one that heard them initially and was preparing to attack them with Noro.

I moved Alistar into the room, as he was the one that heard them initially and was preparing to attack them with Noro.

You are right, I missed that post. Sorry!

looks like my post got eaten

The map is just Blank for me (repost)

Attack roll 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Attack roll 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage Roll 1: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Damage Roll 2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
----

Pointing my Gun at Laurastine and firing two shots at her.

Spirits hear me. These foes are the ones that want to use you for no go.

Surprise Round retcon for Alistair
Alistair slashes at one of the assassins, and the assassin attempts to parry his attack!
Parry Attempt!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

The attempt misses though, and Alistair draws considerable blood!

Round 1
Harvey fires his hmgun at Laurastine, not convinced she got taken down so easily, and as the bullets hit, his suspicions are confirmed! She yelps in pain, and then turns into a wave of water, which moves across the floor, and then reforms into herself right in front of Harvey!
Well, there goes that plan!
She draws her cutlass, and then assumes a defensive posture.

Then, the Assassin fighting Sunny slashes at her again, with her twin blades!
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
The attacks both miss as the lithe elf sidesteps them!

The Assassin Alistair hit responds in kind, muttering a curse under her breath!
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Confirm Critical?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

One of her attacks hits the priest, drawing a line of blood across his chest!
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Round 1 Recap
Harvey- Shoots Laurastine
Noro-TBD
Alistair- TBD
Sunny- TBD

Damage-29 Laurastine- Stops Playing Dead, and Engages Harvey
Damage-4 Red Mantis 1- Misses Sunny
Damage-15 Red Mantis 2- Slashes Alistair

I moved Laurastine for you as you said she engaged the captain.

"Don't worry Captain. Besmara seeks the soul of that one.."

Alistar smites and charges Laurastine

Sword Swing: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 -5 if she is not evil
Damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (2, 1) + 14 = 17 -6 if she is not evil

Assassin gets an AoO

Afraid of a real fight, huh? Noro chastises Laurastine as she move away. she turns her attention to the assassin right next to her,

Gussh what, cupcake, yer next

attack 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
attack 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
attack 3: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

damage 1: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
damage 2: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
damage 3: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Suny again whirls on the person before her.

Still getting flanking bonus? Still fightin' all defensive, like. Ooo! Fergots me 'finess' thingy! (^_^)

Att Roll 1:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 23

Dam Roll 1:1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 = 9

Att Roll 2:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 30

Dam Roll 2:1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

Att Roll 3:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 17

Dam Roll 3:1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

Crit Confirm:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 18

Possible extra damage:1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

Plus, this lass should be takin' 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 amounts of bleedin' now. Am still be tryin' ta' knockin' her out, like

"Who's bein' ready ta' parlay?" Suny calls out cheerfully.

Despite their best efforts, both Sunny and Noro are only able to land one shot apiece, as the red clad assassins twist and dodge in an almost mesmerizing dance.

Alistair rushes Laurastine, opening a grievous wound across her back, dropping her to the ground in a bloody heap.

M'Bungie begins casting a spell from the back of the room...

Round 1 Recap
Harvey- Shoots Laurastine
Noro- Lands a Punch
Alistair- KO's Laurastine
Sunny- Lands a Strike

Damage-46 Laurastine- Stops Playing Dead, and Engages Harvey
Damage-10 Red Mantis 1- Misses Sunny
Damage-31 Red Mantis 2- Slashes Alistair

Begin Round 2
Harvey
Red Mantis Assassins
Noro, Sunny, Alistair, M'bungie

Round 3?

Suny's AC is 19

Att Roll 1:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 24

Dam Roll 1:1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

Att Roll 2:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 15

Dam Roll 2:1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

Att Roll 3:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 11

Dam Roll 3:1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

Not sure if the +2 finesse bonus lasts more than one round. Not sure if dancing target is taking bleed dam...

Sunny have you looked at the map? You have never had a flank. GM you didn't take your AoO on Alistar as I moved away.

Dang! People's moved! (>_>)

Um... Tha's a bugger... no wheres I can be scootin' too with out gettin' stuck good. :(

WHelp, least I is distractin' one of 'em. :P

Waiting on Harvey. If he doesn't post by Monday morning I'll bot him to move things along.

I will post shortly

dropping my guns and drawing my cutlass

attack roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage roll: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
You Filth, you won't leave us alone, time for you to die.

Who are you attacking? Laurastine was knocked out by Alistair and the other two are on the other side of the room. Are you still going after Laurastine to double tap?

yes

*Raises hand*

Um.. a lil' helpin' here, plz?

Harvey brings his cutlass down on the slumped body of Laurastine, and her labored breathing stops. The pool of blood under her spreads and thickens, and then stops growing as she bleeds out.

The two assassins see this, and both take steps back. They each throw a small ball onto the floor, and the room fills with thick, choking black smoke. You can almost see them moving in the smoke, but one can't be sure if it's just one of you allies stumbling around like yourself. By the time it clears, they are long gone.

/combat over

The area is quiet now, and the dead corpse of Laurastine is all that remains of the short, but intense, battle.

After a few moments, the tattoo on her arm slides off, the image of the wave almost seeming to crash on an invisible beach somewhere on the floor. It becomes a puddle that looks like a small patch of ocean, complete with the rolling motion and seafoam for a few more moments, and then forms into a sea blue orb, much like the one that was recovered in the chest from the white dragon. It then rolls along the floor, the natural slope of the room giving it momentum, and only stops when it bumps into Sunny's bare toes.

Will Save:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"Ooo! Pretty!" Suny exclaims, reaching down to pick up the shiny blue thing .............

Yah, other nature be takin' over an' she be tryin' ta' help peoples.

Nothing to post yet, waiting on more stuff to happen to Suny

The orb exploded into a mass of water when Sunny touches the orb, which then clings to her body like a second skin before coalescing into the same tattoo that Laurastine had, a full arm sleeve of a crashing wave. Her eyes become a seafoam greenish-blue, and she moves with even more grace than before.

There are no words in Sunny's head, unlike when Harvey was bonded, instead there is a presence, a faint lingering of whatever used to be, a form that had expended all of its energy and is now only a shadow.

Sunny, you now have the ability to cast the spell Hydraulic Push four times a day, with a caster level equal to your character level. Your uncanny ability to control water now gives you the ability to draw the water out of the air around you and cause it to form a fog around you. For one round per character level per day, you can cause enemies to have a hard time hitting you, as per the displacement spell.

You also gain a permanent Swim Speed of 60ft. Any effects that affect your speed will affect this speed, such as the spell Expiditous Retreat and Haste.

You gain a permanent +2 to dexterity.

You also now have to ability to grow and repair coral iron weapons (like the ones found in the Azlanti fortress) in 1/3 of the time.

"Woah!..." Suny exclaims in a most 'bodacious' manner even as she looks at her self.

"Hey! I gots a picture! On m'self!" Suny bounces happily over and shows off her new prettys. (^_^)

So.... What now?

At work

Suny continues to wave her arm about, gleefully showing every one her new pretty. (^_^)

not much to say really, this one is Sunny's anyway, maybe a short recap could help so we can re-based in what we are doing...I forgot actually

I dun't think we's founded much. Sorry I be fer gettin' all'a seemin' shine in'a place. Were'd we find that box of stuffs, anywho?

"Captain are we done here? Is there anything else you need to ask of the spirit? Suny you will need a leather sleeve. I know you like your pretty, but it may be best to keep it hidden as it could make you a target. This one's father is sure to get a report that she has been slain. We need to take to the see as soon as we can."

perception check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Search the other room on the other side really quick ( take a 20 ) and then we will head back to isle. We must make haste and get underway, hopefully our ship is ready.

M'bungie, Please tell me everything you know about these ruins/tattoo's now that it isn't only myself that has one.

Sunny, Alistar is right, put some Clothes on that will cover your arms for the time being. I do not mind you bare on our ship when we are at sea, but from now on you are to be covered when we are any place there are other people. That's an ordar ma'am

once we are done searching the other room, we head back to the ship

At Harvey's comment Suny places both fists upon her tanned hips,

"I am be wearin' somat!" She indicates the collection of shells, scales and carapace artfully stitched, strung and wired together which currently covers her slim, tanned self.Helpful concept image Then she nods at Harvey and the others,

"Though, I does be un'erstandin' whut t'is ye be sayin' about me pretty bein' a tad showin' abouts stuffs..." She admires her new accoutrement again for a moment, "I can be wearin' a SHIRT!" She exclaims happily before turning and setting Laurastine straight. Cleaning off the most of the blood with material from the fallen lass before leaving it in a bundle off to one side thence ,lifts the body into a carrying position over her tanned shoulders.

"DIBS!" She calls, even as she begins to make her way back to the cave entrance. Upon others glancing at Suny's behaviors the tanned Elf grins brightly,

"Waste not.. wan't not..." (^_^)

I'll post up a recap of everything that has happened, and everything that you have discovered tomorrow. There isn't anything left in here to find that you haven't found already, and after giving Harvey the knowledge of what needs to be done, and where the other shrines are (also map of that coming tomorrow), it has fallen silent.

Thank'e Master Dm, Sir. (^_^)

Also..um... how much shine does we be havin'?

Well, I wondered why the game had been update-less. It looks like my recap post was eaten by the site maintenance the other day. Another coming shortly.

Loot:
300gp left over after ship upgrades
+1 Elven Chain
+1 Flaming Longspear
+1 Composite Longbow (Str. +2)
+1 Longsword
Boots of Elvenkind
Chest that functions as a Portable Hole

The italicized items were found in the room opposite the altar room Harvey just communed with the spirit of the wind in.

Story Recap:
A group of pirates overtook the Inauspicious Grin, a notable pirate ship with a bastard for a captain. After a few days, they ran into a chelaxian slaver vessel named the Horned Trade, captained by a trio of tieflings, and freed much of what became the new crew. Then, due to the machinations of Laurastine Valerian, the two ships discovered an ancient Azlanti fortress, where she bade them recover a chest for Corlean Hanscombe. It's guardian, an enslaved white dragon, destroyed the Inauspicious Grin, and severely damaged the Horned Trader in the escape.

On the way to Rickety's Squibbs to have the ship repaired and renamed with a new shape to hide her original self, you all found a ship abandoned in the open seas. Rumors at the tavern in rickety's say that's not first time it's happened. Also in the tavern, rumors of a slave ship of which the captives don't seem human reached your ears, and if they are true, the slaves are offering a reward for whoever frees them. The ship set out, but you know where it was headed and may be able to catch up to it when your repairs are done.

On the island, Laurastine again approached you, and wanted the orb. She was intimidated away, with the purpose of trying to negotiate into a false parlay with Hanscombe, in which you would pretend to work for him, and betray him when the time was right. You discovered that the orb you found is actually one of five parts to a ritual to control the massive hurricane at the center of the shackles. No one is quite sure what Hanscombe wants with them, but he's actively searching for them, and is willing to kill for them. Laurastine had another of the keys, but upon her death, it went to Sunny.

After communing with the spirit, Harvey knows the locations of the other shrines, but not the actual keys. In order to destroy the keys, like the spirits wish you to do, you have to find each key and attune them to the proper altar in each shrine. Then, a ritual must be done at the heart of the hurricane.

It is also common knowledge that the hurricane is the only thing that keeps Cheliax from invading the Shackles with their armada, because they can't navigate around it. IF someone were to control all of the keys, they could use them to move it, so they could invade, or send it inland and wipe out the entire country of Cheliax, or destroy all of the shackles, or many other nefarious things.

I don't think I'm forgetting anything, but if you see anything when reading through the posts, if any of you do, just let me know. I don't remember everything you guys have found out.

*Hugz DM* (^_^)

"So the question now is how to find this new alter for the water tattoo that Suny has. M'Bungie do the spirits say anything to you of this new place? I suggest we take to the see and find these slavers and take a new prize. That of course is up to the Captain though."

He looks to Harvey.

Suny struggles along under her burned. Also doing her best to 'wrap' said item so that it will sit better in the boat etc. She sidles along besides M'Bungie,

"Here... ye dun't be hasin' that spell? Tha' one whut keeps things...um.. y'know, fresh...?" She says quietly.

Once our ship is ready we will go and see if we can find those Slavers for sure our ship needs to be updated even more or even a new ship would be nice. Since we slew Laurastine it might be good to be on the look out for us because who knows whom Corlean Hanscombe is going to send next at us

about the loot anyone have a bid on any of the following?

+1 Elven Chain
+1 Flaming Longspear
+1 Composite Longbow (Str. +2)
+1 Longsword
Boots of Elvenkind
Chest that functions as a Portable Hole (Kept in Captains Quarters)

was there anything on Laurastine that was worth the taking?

GM, we're ready to move on to finding slavers side story for the time being........ unless someone disagrees?

Nup, nuffin' be needin' from m'self. Well.. if'n me share of tha' shine be enough fer whut t'is I be thinkin' abouts... Then all I be needin' is a side trip to a Calistran temple or there abouts. Though, long as there be a 'Gentle repose' spell about I can be waitin'. (^_^)

I is gooder at waitin'.

See me waitin'?

Nope nothing needed. I would carry the longspear if we have no place to sell the stuff here. But best to liquidate and have gold.

Aye! Is all ways good ta' be havin' more shine!

I be not fussed if any a Laurastine's stuff be looked at an' passed out amongst thems whut can be usin' it.

See me waitin' still? (^_^)