GMDQ's Skull and Shackles (Inactive)

Game Master tumbler

I will be shifting as a Rusalka, as usual. I don't get most of the cool toys yet (and without agile maneuvers, my grab would suck anyway) but it's still a better combat form than my skinny Mwangi fists.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 To search the ship for intruders.

I also moved myself on the map to stay more towards the center of the ship to better use my reach.

Chad is moved to about where I would have him, assuming I am reading the heights right (I am assuming that is one of the taller positions, giving Chad a clearish shot outward toward... whatever is coming toward us and below onto the lower decks.

Okay, as it's been about 36 hours I think it's time to move forward. If you've not stated buffing action or moved your token, you are where you are. I have presumed Kahuranga did cast cat's grace on Chad. Chakam, thanks for the spoilered stats!

Chad, can't really ready an action before a fight (because it's an initiative based maneuver, and readying an action is moving your initiative to a specific point based on a condition) but you will have your bow nocked and ready. Yes, you are on the aft deck which is about 10 feet higher than the central portion of the deck.

Chakam is very certain the ship is empty save for the party.

Tsadok signals, and you see the water churn as some kind of device--hard to tell if magical or mechanical or both--activates beneath the water. A creature swiftly rises up, huge, bloated, and blue, standing on a platform. About 11 feet tall with greenish skin, and a huge rock in each hand, the creature is undoubtedly some kind of aquatic giant. It laughs as it rises into place. "FISHPORK WILL FIGHT!" You are ready to attack as it rises.

As a refresher on how we do combat: so no one has to waste time guessing if they hit or not, most common stats for all participants in a fight, monsters included, are listed in the order of combat below. If you perform an attack/effect that requires a saving throw from a foe, use the stats provided to roll the save yourself so you don't have to wait for me to resolve the turn. I do NOT pre-post a creature's immunities/resistances or other non-obvious stats unless they are known or figured out during the fight, so those may still be a surprise. I try to update the blocks each round reflecting buffs, debuffs, and damage taken but sometimes I miss things, so please alert me if you see a mistake. ALSO: whenever anybody in the party is grouped together in terms of order of combat (like conveniently here everyone goes before the foe), post whenever you are able--things will still HAPPEN in initiative order but you can post when you can and I will put things in the right sequence. A lot of times players wait to post in initiative order and that's fine, but especially if you know you can't post later, do it now and we'll adjust. You can always post conditional actions if need be (e.g., "if Lark is in melee I cast a buff spell on him, but if he isn't I shoot the monster.")

Order of Combat Turns: Round 1
Chakam | HP 53/53 | AC (+1) 20 TO 15 FF 16 | CMD 20 |F +10 R +9(+1) W +9 | wild shape: rusalka; haste 7 rounds
Lark | HP 68/68 | AC (+1) 21 T 15 FF 15 | CMD 20 | F +4 R+10 (+1) W+6 | haste 7 rounds
Threnody | HP 63/63 | AC 21 (+1) T 13 FF 18 | CMD 19| F+5 R+9 (+1) +6 | Fire 5 Cold 5 | haste 7 rounds
Sandara | HP 33/33 | AC 16 (+1) T 11 FF 15 | CMD 15 | F +4 R +2 (+1) W +7 | haste 7 rounds, copycat
Kahuranga |HP 49/49| AC/T/FF (+1) 18/14/16| CMD 17 | F +2 R +4(+1) W +5 | Electricity 5 | haste 7 round
Taniwha | HP 24/24| AC/T/FF (+1) 19/13/18| CMD 13| F +5 R +7 (+1) W +7 | Immune Paralysis, Sleep | haste 7 rounds
Chad | HP 70/70 | AC (+1) 19 / 21 vs ranged T 14 / 16 vs ranged FF 15 /17 vs ranged | CMD 21 | F +5 R +8 (+1) W +4 | Electricity 5 | haste 7 rounds, cat's grace awhile
Fishpork | HP 126/126 | AC 25 T 14 FF 20 | CMD 35 | F +14 R +9 W +10 |
Inspire Courage +2 - round 1

"Fishpork? I thought I'd seen some weird things..." Lark's muttering trails off as he takes a potshot at the towering creature.

Attack, mc shortbow, IC, haste: 1d20 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 3 + 1 = 14
Attack, mc shortbow, IC, haste: 1d20 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 3 + 1 = 30

Damage, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 3 = 7

Thren frowns as she realizes the monstrosity isn't close enough for her to get a swing in against but maintains her music to inspire her team. She does interweave a quick spell, however, as she sees the creature is armed with rather large rocks. And she steps up to the rail, waiting for the inevitable boarding attempt.

Standard action: cast displacement, 7 round duration. 50% miss chance.
Move action: moved up to rail.
Free action: maintain inspire courage, round 2.

attack on Fishpork: 1d20 + 5 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 3 + 1 = 13

Sandara moves to get a clear shot at the large monster but its tough hide easily deflects her bolt off into the water.

Chakam moves and attacks with one of his tresses. The hair of the shapeshifted druid extends and does a wet movement, lowering against the enemy with supernatural grace.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 3 + 1 = 20 IC, Haste
Damage: 2d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5) + 5 + 3 = 16 IC

Not sure if this creature would count as one of my favored enemies (humans, animals) but I imagine it's not the case (it looks more like monstrous humanoid or something of the sorts? heh. Any knowledge rolls?). Otherwise, please add +4 or +2 on the rolls above. I guess my attack above just hit because the enemy didn't act yet.

As noted in my post above, you all are certain the creature you are facing is a giant. Giants are common enough, either in encounter or in folklore, that any of you know well enough that very large, humanoid, and throws rocks=giant just as you don't need to roll to recognize a dwarf. Humanoid (giant) is its own favored enemy category, so no, no bonuses, sorry. If you want to know more about the specific kind of giant Fishpork is, you can roll a Knowledge Nature or Local check; as a reminder, if you think a roll might help you learn or know something, please go ahead and roll it without waiting for my prompting. While sometimes, if some information is very pertinent to the scene, I will provide spoilers that you can read if you beat a DC, I expect and hope players will be proactive in being curious about and interacting with the world without waiting for my asking for a roll.

FYI the main part of the topdeck is about 20 feet above the water. The fore and aft sections are another 10 feet higher. Since Fishpork is 10 feet tall and Chakam has to reach downward diagonally to attack, I'll say his 15 foot reach is just enough to strike--but by a hair. (I'll see myself out.)

Lark's first arrow flies so wide it lands it pierces a boomsail. But the second lands true and sinks into the giant's ample belly. Sandara misses and curses colorfully, while Chakam-Rusalka slaps Fishpork across the face hard enough to make his lips and nose bleed.

He has taken 23 damage. Kahuranga, Taniwha, and Chad are up!

Posting now so that we aren't waiting on me once Kah posts... all benefits for everyone else should take effect round two. And that was really what I was meaning, GMDQ, so thank you for being able to read my intent through my misuse of terms.

Chad's mouth drops open as the sea giant raises from bay floor. Don't see something like that everyday... wonder if it is a defender of the harbor or... The sylph shakes his head. Focus. Questions later.

Raising his voice he calls out a rallying cry to his companions.

"Hey, I am sure y'all see that huge giant from the sea standing over there. Let's send it back to the depths!"

Closing an eye, he takes aim and looses an arrow at it.

Knowledge: Nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Prior to combat. Cast Cat's Grace on Chad.Kahuranga grabs a bit of grey fluff from a pouch at his belt. He mumbles some strange words and the fur drifts over Chad and sparkles, suddenly disappearing.

Upon the arrival of Fishpork:

Kahuranga reaches out with thumb and index finger, attempting to twist the fabric of fortune around the giant.

Misfortune Hex on the Fishpork. Unfortunately, he resists.

Fishpork Will save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Whoops. I should also retreat a bit.

Move 15 feet away from port.

So all told, Standard Action to Misfortune. Move Action to Move.

"OOWWW!" Fishpork protests as Chad solidly lands another arrow in the crook of its arm. Dropping one of the rocks onto the platform he stands on, he frowns, focuses, and raises his hand, and a thick fog rises from the ocean around him--thoroughly obscuring him and part of the ship from view.

A fog cloud appears. Creatures adjacent to one another are partially concealed (25% miss chance). Creatures farther away are fully concealed (50% miss chance).

You then hear--and those of you near the rail feel--a massive splash as something enters the waters, and feel the boat rock as something meets the side and prepares to move up it--how, you can't really see.

Round Two
Chakam | HP 53/53 | AC (+1) 20 TO 15 FF 16 | CMD 20 |F +10 R +9(+1) W +9 | wild shape: rusalka; haste 6 rounds
Lark | HP 68/68 | AC (+1) 21 T 15 FF 15 | CMD 20 | F +4 R+10 (+1) W+6 | haste 6 rounds
Threnody | HP 63/63 | AC 21 (+1) T 13 FF 18 | CMD 19| F+5 R+9 (+1) +6 | Fire 5 Cold 5 | haste 6 rounds
Sandara | HP 33/33 | AC 16 (+1) T 11 FF 15 | CMD 15 | F +4 R +2 (+1) W +7 | haste 6 rounds, copycat
Kahuranga |HP 49/49| AC/T/FF (+1) 18/14/16| CMD 17 | F +2 R +4(+1) W +5 | Electricity 5 | haste 6 round
Taniwha | HP 24/24| AC/T/FF (+1) 19/13/18| CMD 13| F +5 R +7 (+1) W +7 | Immune Paralysis, Sleep | haste 6 rounds
Chad | HP 70/70 | AC (+1) 19 / 21 vs ranged T 14 / 16 vs ranged FF 15 /17 vs ranged | CMD 21 | F +5 R +8 (+1) W +4 | Electricity 5 | haste 6 rounds, cat's grace awhile
Fishpork | HP 89/126 | AC 25 T 14 FF 20 | CMD 35 | F +14 R +9 W +10 |
Inspire Courage - round 2
Freebooter's Bane +2

In his current location, does he have 20% concealment and I can see him enough to misfortune hex him again? I have Accursed Hex so I can do it again before the end of my turn.

Again, posting ahead so that things will keep rolling... if combat would have ended prior to my round disregard, otherwise trigger on my turn. Reminder: folks within 30 FT of me last round gain (if they wish) Freebooter's Bane while attacking Fishpork: +2 to attack and damage rolls.

The fog rolls up, causing Chad to break out a smile.

"Nice trick... sadly, not good enough son. I see you..."

Improved Precise Shot... anything short of 100 conceal/cover gets bypassed by my ranged.

Drawing three arrows, he takes aim and lets loose a volley of shots at the giant.

"Damn!" Thren curses as the fog covers the area. She feels the lurch of the ship and decides that if the giant wants onboard, it'll have to work for it. Once more she mixes an incantation in with her inspiring song, this time making one side of the ship near where she stands slick via grease to make it hard for the giant to climb. Or so she hopes.

Reflex save, DC 14: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Standard action: cast grease
Free action: maintain inspire courage round 3

The fog gets a curse from the Besmaran. She then murmurs a quick prayer to the Pirate Queen in an attempt to nullify the fog.

Standard action: casts dispel magic
Move action: reload crossbow

Caster level check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

In his current location, does he have 20% concealment and I can see him enough to misfortune hex him again? I have Accursed Hex so I can do it again before the end of my turn.

You need to be within 5 feet of him (which I interpret as adjacent) for him to be only partially concealed (which yes is 20% miss not 25% as I mistyped above).

Thren, I know it's impossible to indicate on the map -- assuming the 10 ft radius, which is cross shaped, lays across the side of the ship, where does one side of the "cross" begin in relation to where you are standing--i.e., at your feet, at Chakam's feet, etc? He fails his save so he slips, but good to know where this is.

Sandara's magic is insufficient to remove the magical fog.

You hear a splash as the giant falls back into the water.

Thren started it at her own feet, as she can at least see that far. Sorry, I didn't think to post that. Long week.

Chakam moves back, out of the fog, and casts ironskin, feeling his skin immediately toughen.

Tha' fog ain't very nice, heh? Ay' jus' gon' be waitin' for our big guy 'outtafit.

Right now: AC 24 / TO 15 / FF 20

Taniwha, let us get a better view of our situation. Not to mention out of reach of that giant."

Kahuranga draws the winds to him and soars 45 feet into the air.

Standard to activate Fly Hex. Move Action to ascend 45 feet off of the deck.

Updated stats:

Kahuranga |HP 49/49| AC/T/FF (+1) 19/15/16| CMD 18 | F +2 R +4(+1) W +5 | Electricity 5 | haste 6 round
Taniwha | HP 24/24| AC/T/FF (+1) 19/13/18| CMD 13| F +5 R +7 (+1) W +7 | Immune Paralysis, Sleep | haste 6 rounds

Sorry, I forgot to add another 1 on the AC for haste.

"Sandara, Chad, look sharp! He's gonna climb up near one of you to avoid the grease." Hopefully he'll think we're focused on the edges to the fog.

After a quick warning and hopeful misdirection Lark advances quietly into the fog. He draws his blade and prepares a pointy surprise if the giant draws near.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Ready action, attack

Chad's miss chances, rolling low is good
Attack 1: 1d100 ⇒ 13
Attack 2: 1d100 ⇒ 3
Attack 3: 1d100 ⇒ 55

Despite only seeing the vague shape in the fog, Chad still manages to land two arrows in the giant, evidenced by his shouts of pain. Lark waits for the giant to approach, and Threnody casts grease on the side of the ship, forcing the giant to slip and fall into the water. Sandara fails to dispel the magic fog but succeeds in reloading her crossbow, and Chakam decides a thick skin is called for. Kahuranga and Taniwha fly upward to get a better view of things.

After hearing the huge splash when Fishpork slipped on the grease, you wait for him to emerge outside the fog. However, you just hear water continue to churn... and then nothing. The vague dark shadow that indicated his presence within the fog cloud is gone, although the magical effect still remains present. He is nowhere that you can see him.

Kahuranga are your updated stats including the haste additions or are you updating for something else? I didn't actually add the haste boosts to anyone's stats, just noted there is currently a +1 to those rolls.

]Round Three
Chakam | HP 53/53 | AC (+1) 20 TO 15 FF 16 | CMD 20 |F +10 R +9(+1) W +9 | wild shape: rusalka; haste 5 rounds
Lark | HP 68/68 | AC (+1) 21 T 15 FF 15 | CMD 20 | F +4 R+10 (+1) W+6 | haste 5 rounds
Threnody | HP 63/63 | AC 21 (+1) T 13 FF 18 | CMD 19| F+5 R+9 (+1) +6 | Fire 5 Cold 5 | haste 5 rounds
Sandara | HP 33/33 | AC 16 (+1) T 11 FF 15 | CMD 15 | F +4 R +2 (+1) W +7 | haste 5 rounds, copycat
Kahuranga |HP 49/49| AC/T/FF (+1) 18/14/16| CMD 17 | F +2 R +4(+1) W +5 | Electricity 5 | haste 5 rounds
Taniwha | HP 24/24| AC/T/FF (+1) 19/13/18| CMD 13| F +5 R +7 (+1) W +7 | Immune Paralysis, Sleep | haste 5 rounds
Chad | HP 70/70 | AC (+1) 19 / 21 vs ranged T 14 / 16 vs ranged FF 15 /17 vs ranged | CMD 21 | F +5 R +8 (+1) W +4 | Electricity 5 | haste 5 rounds, cat's grace awhile
Fishpork | HP 62/126 | AC 25 T 14 FF 20 | CMD 35 | F +14 R +9 W +10 |
Inspire Courage - round 3
Freebooter's Bane +2 - round 2

Yes, for haste. I missed the +1's somehow.

Sandara moves to a higher position, hoping to spot the giant. She keeps her crossbow ready, hoping to take a shot as soon as he appears in view.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Standard action: Readied an action to shoot at Fishpork when she can see him.

Thren moves away from the rail, wary that the giant might be able to see through the fog better than she can. She keeps her eyes open and continues to sing.

Move action: move straight back
Free action: maintain inspire courage, round 4

Chakam keeps his position, letting his trained eyes circle around.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

He then casts another spell on himself: protection from energy for cold.

No move action, standard for the spell. Cold protection: 84/84 HP. Please notice his AC at the moment is: AC 25 / TO 16 / FF 20

Lark pads to a slightly more central position, still trying to stay hidden.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Chad draws another arrow and gets ready to shoot the minute he has an idea of where the giant might be. As he pulls the arrow partially back, he begins scanning around him, attempting to spot the creatures' looming form in the mists.

Perception (Favored Terrain): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16

"When it surfaces, try to hit it from all sides if we can. Especially if it actually boards!" Mentally he adds, Desna preserve us from that, not sure the ship was meant for that much weight.

Crunch: Standard action: reload bow. Move action: Activate Freebooter's Bond. Anyone within 30 ft of me when I called that out gets an extra +2 to flanking attack rolls with me or anyone else who gets the buff. (On top of the normal +2 for flanking.) Might not apply, but might as well activate it now, just in case.

I think Kahuranga forgot he didn't actually take his turn this round; I want to move things on so I am going to partially bot him--declaring that he delays action until the giant appears.

Threnody, also you took no standard action. I am presuming you are delaying your initiative until after the giant.

Chakam casts a protective spell, while Lark hides, and Chad provides guidance to the party while preparing more arrows.

The port side of the ship shakes and more water flies upward as the giant, having swam under the boat to emerge from the other side, rises up and--as the flying Kahuranga and Taniwha can clearly see--begins walking up the side of the ship as though it were simply flooring. As he emerges and steps over the rail, Sandara shoots her crossbow.

Quinn Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Quinn curses as the bolt bounces off the giant's thick hide.

The giant, meanwhile, roars and swings the large piece of driftwood now in its hand at Threnody.

Fishpork Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32
Damage, Vital Strike: 2d8 + 15 + 2d8 + 15 ⇒ (2, 1) + 15 + (2, 4) + 15 = 39

CRA-AACK! Goes several of Threnody's ribs.

Round 3 continued
Chakam | HP 53/53 | AC (+1) 20 TO 15 FF 16 | CMD 20 |F +10 R +9(+1) W +9 | wild shape: rusalka; haste 4 rounds
Lark | HP 68/68 | AC (+1) 21 T 15 FF 15 | CMD 20 | F +4 R+10 (+1) W+6 | haste 4 rounds
Chad | HP 70/70 | AC (+1) 19 / 21 vs ranged T 14 / 16 vs ranged FF 15 /17 vs ranged | CMD 21 | F +5 R +8 (+1) W +4 | Electricity 5 | haste 4 rounds, cat's grace awhile
Sandara | HP 33/33 | AC 16 (+1) T 11 FF 15 | CMD 15 | F +4 R +2 (+1) W +7 | haste 4 rounds, copycat
Fishpork | HP 62/126 | AC 25 T 14 FF 20 | CMD 35 | F +14 R +9 W +10 |
Threnody | HP 24/63 | AC 21 (+1) T 13 FF 18 | CMD 19| F+5 R+9 (+1) +6 | Fire 5 Cold 5 | haste 4 rounds
Kahuranga |HP 49/49| AC/T/FF (+1) 18/14/16| CMD 17 | F +2 R +4(+1) W +5 | Electricity 5 | haste 4 rounds
Taniwha | HP 24/24| AC/T/FF (+1) 19/13/18| CMD 13| F +5 R +7 (+1) W +7 | Immune Paralysis, Sleep | haste 4 rounds
Inspire Courage +2 - round 3

Thren and Kahuranga are up, then round 4

Back on round one I cast displacement on myself, you didn't roll the miss chance. If it's okay, I'll do it now to see if it worked or not. High roll is good for me.

displacement, 50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 15

Still hit. So be it.

Thren gasps as her ribs start giving from the attack. Somehow she keeps singing though, keeping the music going. She tries to counter with a strike of her own.

attack on Fishpork: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 21

Her blade misses the mark, however.

Whoops, sorry! Thanks for rolling.

Chakam does a sidestep and attacks the giant with all his tresses.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 22 IC, Haste, FBB
Damage 1: 2d6 + 5 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 5 + 3 + 2 = 15 IC, FBB

Attack 3: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 19 IC, Haste, FBB
Damage 3: 2d6 + 5 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 5 + 3 + 2 = 17 IC, FBB

Attack 4: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 27 IC, Haste, FBB
Damage 4: 2d6 + 5 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 5 + 3 + 2 = 13 IC, FBB

Attack Haste: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 23 IC, Haste, FBB
Damage Haste: 2d6 + 5 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 5 + 3 + 2 = 14 IC, FBB

Despite all his efforts, however, only a single attack seems to connect.

Only one roll on the average... All others below it. Ugly rolls! Ew! Anyway - I added the Freebooter's Bane to the attacks and damage. If it's incorrect, my apologies, please remove. Thanks!

Didn't realize I needed to take an action somehow.

Kahuranga rubs his thumb along a bit of driftwood, calling upon elemental lightning. A person sized cloud appears around the giant's head.

Fishpork reflex save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Casting agressive thundercloud, which has no effect on his successful saving throw. I'm hoping that since the cloud that is formed is only 5 feet in diameter that it does not provide concealment for his bulk.

No, I don't think that would provide concealment for the giant unless someone was attacking him directly from above (as in was right over his head and looking down)

We are at new round--ding!--and Chakam's attack drops him to 49 hp. Lark, Chad, and Sandara are up

Sandara sees Thren get hit and winces. She loads her crossbow up as she tries to get positioned for a clear shot.

Lark rushes up the stairs to get behind Fishpork, mentally bracing for a hit from the giant club as he passes by.

Attack, short sword, IC, FB, haste, flank: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 37
Confirm Critical, IC, FB, haste, flank: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 34

Critical! Damage, IC, FB, sneak attack: 2d6 + 10 + 6 + 4 + 4d6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 10 + 6 + 4 + (4, 4, 3, 6) = 46

Fishpork is now Bewildered for one round 1 round, -2 to AC, -4 to AC when Lark attacks

Finish him off Chad!

Chad just glares up at the giant as it makes its way onto the deck... a facial expression that is momentarily replaced by concern as it lands a hit on Threnody before returning to ire.

"Where are your manners, Mister Pork? Don't you know that you're supposed to ask fer permission to come on board?"

Rushing over behind Lark, he takes aim and looses another arrow at the giant.

Chad, ranged attacks do not gain flanking bonuses, they apply to melee attacks only. I don't see anything on your character sheet that allows this; Precise Shot certainly doesn't, it just lets you shoot a creature that is engaged in melee with someone else without penalty.

As Lark moves within Fishpork's reach, the very large creature swipes at him.

Attack of Opportunity vs Lark for moving through threatened area, power attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 18 - 3 = 34
Damage: 2d8 + 15 + 6 ⇒ (5, 4) + 15 + 6 = 30

Lark is at 38 hp

He shatters Lark's shoulder, but Lark manages to retaliate with his other sword.

Then as Chad moves within Fishpork's reach, the giant, who has very good Reflexes in Combat, also swipes at Chad.

Attack of Opportunity vs Chad for moving through threatened area, power attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 18 - 3 = 31
Damage: 2d8 + 15 + 6 ⇒ (7, 5) + 15 + 6 = 33

And as Chad tries to shoot a bow in close quarters, he leaves himself open and again the giant takes this opportunity.
Attack of Opportunity for firing a ranged weapon in a creature's threatened area, power attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 18 - 3 = 33
Damage: 2d8 + 15 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 15 + 6 = 25
Chad is at 12 hp

The giant delivers huge blows to Chad's torso and limbs, but, while battered and bleeding profusely, the hunter manages to release an arrow point blank straight into the monster's eye socket. Fishpork staggers backwards, falling into the ocean from whence it came.

You hear a roar rise up from the docks as your boarder is, indeed, repelled. You see Tsadok waving for you to return to the docks as other crewmates usher people off the landing so you have a place to moor.

... you are right, I am sorry. I was misremembering the diagram from core rules they used to illustrate flanking. (For whatever reason I was remembering the 3rd example using Seoni as her having flanking on the ogre with Merisiel, not the ogre and the goblin having flanking on Seoni.) Apologoies, my attack would have been 4 less (33) vice the 37. And on a separate note... OUCH! At least I still got him for my trouble.

Chad spits blood over the side after the creature.

"May that... be the fate... of ... ALL... uninvited guests... eh, Cap'n?"

The ranger laughs weakly, it devolving into a bloody fit of coughing.

"Damn... cleaning blood.... outt'a my shirt.... not gonna look foward... to that. Mind if I sit down.... fer a bit, Cap'n?"

"You get used to it Chad. I can fix that easily enough with a little magic." Thren tells the archer. "First things first though, and that's fixing all the broken body parts. I used to complain we only got into fights with undead and things with too many legs. I'm starting to miss the too many legs; all these big things hurt a lot." She looks towards Sandara. "You mind helping patch us up? At least we're all upright." The bard asks politely. She then looks overboard. "So who's going to dive in and see if he was carrying anything valuable?"

Sandara moves and gathers up the wounded before channeling energy.

channel energy: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) = 6
channel energy: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 3) = 12
channel energy: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 2) = 8

Kahuranga lowers himself gracefully to the deck, "Excellent fighting everyone. I hope that Thren will not call the song of this battle 'The One Where the Witch and his dragon companion did nothing.' The giant seemed strangely resistant to my ensorcellments, but certainly not to your forceful but finessed attacks."

Chad smiles weakly at Threnody's remarks, which becomes a bit stronger as the healing magics wash over him from Sandara's blessings. +26 HP brings me back to 38/70, not horrible but I really hope that we have more time to heal up before any more fun challenges today, ;)

He takes a deeper breath without coughing, though he still winces.

"Thanks. Looks like we are expected," the freebooter nods over to the dock, "but I can take a quick swim if you would like. Hells, might help keep the blood from setting in my shirt if nothing else."

Assuming no one objects and we have the time...

The ranger strips of his gear beyond his clothes, even taking off his boots. Pulling out an eyepatch, he kisses the symbol of Besmara embroidered upon it and covers his non-dominant eye.

"For luck," he says, as he also pulls out silk rope from a small bag of holding and ties it around his waist. Handing the other end to his companions, he takes a breath and dives into the waves around where the giant formerly known as Fishpork fell.

Swim (Pirate's Eye Patch): 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 2 = 26
Perception (Favored Terrain): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 2 = 22

Chad dives in and manages to follow Fishpork's sinking body. He can't really wrangle with the large, heavy creature in the water to thoroughly loot it, but is able to grab what is likely the most obviously valuable and easily graspable of Fishpork's possessions:

- a "bracelet" (for most of you it would easily fit around a thigh) that appears to be made of bronze but feels as durable as steel, in the shape of eels intertwining about one another. Its size and quality makes you sure it is worth at least a few hundred gp. It is not magical

- A whalebone wand carved with a design to look like spider webs. Magical analysis by Kahuranga and/or Thren later reveals it to be a wand of spider climb. It only has 8 charges left; no doubt Fishpork used it to maneuver his way onto many ships and other points of attack in his life.

You hear another cheer when the onlookers at the dock see you have come up with treasure--likely many of these are your own crew.

As you heal somewhat and maneuver your ship back to the dock, Tsadok approaches, his face serious.

"Normally around this time I'm taunting and sending packing pretenders who would claim their letter of marque--if they had survived the testing at all. We thought for sure you'd crumble against the giant if nothing else, but I'm glad to see you're not afraid of getting a little hurt in pursuit of glory." He gives a half-smile to Chad in particular, apparently impressed with his performance. "Truth be told few have done better, so I'm not going to beat around the bush any further. You passed with flying colors, and Bonefist has issued his invitation to you. Dinner in one hour. The ship that will take you to the keep will be awaiting you at the Gatehouse," pointing toward the building where you first brought Redclaw's arm to make your petition. "Bring this with you and don't be late."

He hands you a card featuring the formal, wax seal that identifies you as invitees to the Hurricane King's home for a celebratory banquet. Faint magic radiates to anyone looking with detect magic, likely to prevent counterfeiting.

A hero point to all of you for passing the three tests with flying colors! You get a hero point! You get a hero point! And you get a hero point! (Unless you're already full up at 3).

Sweet, will add it to my sheet. (Looks at sheet. Sees three there.) Well... darn... still, awesome job all around.

Chad works quickly to remove the "bracelet" - Hah, one giant's bracelet is another gnome's full body suit. and the wand before leaving the rest to the embrace of the depths below. As he swims upward, he gives one last look back to his fallen foe... giving a respectful nod before turning to surface again.

"Well, didn't have time to pull much from him... and truthfully we should probably leave some as tribute for the Mistress of the Waves... but I found this wand and this bracelet. Help me haul up so that we can stow them properly."

Appraise: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 Close, not quite though.

"Looks rather strong for bronze, eh? Still, not much about it... probably worth a few hundred gold though." He hands the wand to either one of their magical casters. "This looks magical... not my area of expertise, beyond knowing that magic usually means worth."

The winds around Chad swirl as he speaks, rapidly drying him out as he works to get reequipped once more.

Once docked:

Chad gives Tsadok an equally respectful nod before bursting into a smile. He is not first to speak though, leaving that honor to the Lark or Threnody.

After they leave:
"Well, I am not sure about you all, but I am ready to finally meet with the Hurricane King... and I can certainly see why so few get to become honest captains if that last test is anything near standard."

"Then let's finish getting patched up and make ourselves presentable in time for dinner. Oh, and Chad? Nice work." Thren suggests, adding a nod and a smile to the huntsman.

Appraise, DC 22: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Nice! Check the spoiler in GMDQ's post. That kind of bronze isn't from around here...

Lark echoes Threnody's sentiment, "Chad, well done, I like your priorities." He looks around to catch all his officer's attention. "Nice job, everyone! Kahuranga, don't sell yourself short. Knowing you all have my back let's me charge in like a reckless fool. Next time, when I fall on my face, you'll be there to pick up the pieces."

"Now it's time to break out our opera clothes and go see a man about a letter." After a quick change of clothes Lark leads the way to the Gatehouse, fancy invitation in hand.

"I left my opera clothes at the opera unfortunately," Thren jokes. "Should I wear a dress or just clean up well? What's the protocol for addressing the Hurricane King?" The bard laughs.