GM Fanguar's Savage Tide (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

Upon seeing the woman Moira looks around as though she is looking for something. Then she looks at Justified and whispers, "What's a 'lubber'."

"Is this human courting? Is she attracted to one of you? I don't understand half of what she is saying." Savarend furrows his eyebrows in confusion, but calls out to the raven-haired woman. "I am Savarend Whiteroot - son of Kethadrend, son of Indevend, of the Whiteroot clan of the Land of Black Ice. I am a priest of Moradin. We don't want a fight. Who are you?"

Zanril spotting the woman and listening to her brutish barks of spittle seem to fuddle his intellect
"Most interesting! I swear she is speaking in an Orcish tongue but I am not quite sure. Very interesting."
Thinking for a moment and using heavy hand gestures indicating shapes and movements
Whisper to group
"I will attempt to communicate"
To Woman
"Helllooo..my name is Zanril. Zaaan- rilll Lorrreeweaver. We don't not wish to initiate an engagement of violence."
Whisper to Group
"Fascinating! I think this feral human can understand me!"
Zanril eyes widen in elation

As Graythan watches in irritated silence from the rear of the group, his frustration gets the better of him as he softly growls to himself, "They are all of them idiots."
Shaking his head, he keeps his guard up and his crossbow trained on the demonstrably capable woman, though he says no more.

Justified chuckles at the jests his new friends make despite himself. He holds his weapon in a purely defensive stance. My lady. he begins We are happy to have provided such a timely distraction to your attackers, and I for one admire your exquisite bladesmanship. I beg forgiveness of my two friends here. You see they were until recently captives of the squatters in this cave system which has understandably left them in a sour mood. I am called Justified and I am my group here are looking for a man named Vanthus, who I suspect you at least know of. If you do not oppose us finding him then there is no reason we cannot become fast friends and I offer my assistance to you in what manner it can be provided. I do hope you are not allied with the guildmistress of the Lotus Dragons though. That could be uncomfortable. And if you could enlighten us as to what all is going on here I would be in your debt. It is quite chaotic. This is a lot all at once for him to say. He stops talking and waits for her reaction.

Now that you see her up close, you notive a number of angry red bite marks on her and a slightly dazed and flushed look about her.

"I be Captain Harliss Javell and a I have a right to be here, but you I'm thinkin' no so much."

When Justified mentions Vanthus, Harliss flies into a poetic litany of profanity that lasts several seconds and is as magnificent as it is scandalous to hear. When she recovers herself, she sheathes her weapons and rights the toppled table. Sitting down upon it to rest, she grimaces in pain.

"All this ye see here," the flamboyant woman says as she waves her hand at the slaughtered deformities, "and what nightmares ye must have fought through t'get t'me; t'was all Vanthus Vanderboren's doing! That vomitous pig came t'm e with his hussy 'n asked t'see our wares; made like he were a black marketeer Iookln' fer some fur or scale t'move. Told him we had a ship coming in today what were full of exotica for him ta' shop, so he stayed on a few nights. Seemed a fine enough chap, but then not an hour ago, he dumped a hold full of whale oil into the cove and lit it up.

After that... things got a bit weird, mind ye. A green mist filled my vision, and I felt strange. like someone else were in my head. Someone... someone hungry! And the rage! Rage like I never felt 'afore! And then, just like that, it were gone. Vanthus were on deck too by then, but he and I were the only humans left. That pearl, it did something to me crew. Ta' Vanthus' little girly too! Turned them bad, like something ye might find in a net and throw back on account the sun got no purpose lookin' upon it.These things!" She kicks one of the deformed pirates in distaste."Whatever were in that damnable pearl turned over three score men into... into man-eating freaks!"

And one more thing. I think they got the sick in their maws. The places they done bit me still burn, and it's hard to think straight... But hey! You fought yer way in here!That means there ain't much left. of them out there,yeah?"

"There are none left behind us. Are there any further ahead?"

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Graythan claps Savarend in the shoulder with an elbow as he lowers his crossbow, almost as if to physically jostle the dwarf from pressing his line of inquiry, "Perhaps the good captain here might be more apt to answer our questions if we tend to her wounds. She looks to be fevered." He turns back to the way they'd come and offers over his shoulder, "If you can tend to her, I'll make sure none of those twisted monsters come through to interrupt."

Savarend eyes Graythan for a moment, weighing the situation in his mind. "Fair enough." He gingerly approaches the woman, his hands held out in peace. "I'm going to heal some of your wounds, miss. Please don't bit me or anything." He grips the holy symbol hanging from his neck and lightly touches her shoulder. "By the blessing of the Allmaker, bind the flesh, knit the bone, and balm the wound. Be ye healed."

CLW 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

I'm out of CLW. I have two castings of CMW left.

Justified listens to the amazing story with a mix of wonder and horror. That black pearl caused all the transformations? What was it? And you say that because you were bitten you stll might change? How can we help? After getting responses to these questions he also asks We have not searched half of these caves. Where do you think Vanthus is now?

Moira adds, "The more I hear about Vanthus the more I wanna kill him. The guys is a piece of work."

The rogue wanders about poking at random items with her new rapier. She doesn't touch anything as her face show signs of disgust. Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

She thinks out loud for all to hear. "If there are any of those creatures left then we better clear them out. You never know how far the infection will spread."

As Graythan watches in irritated silence from the rear of the group, his frustration gets the better of him as he softly growls to himself, "They are all of them idiots."

Zanril throws Graythan a heavy glare after his remark. But quickly returns to the situation at hand

He examines some of the woman's wounds while the dwarf tends to them, and he seems quite enthralled and watches his movements meticulously, before his attention returning to Moira

"Yes, seeing how much of an effect this disease has on these men and woman it would be best to clear it out as fast as we can lest more become infected"

@Moira: You finds a few coins here and there amongst the remains (40gp)

Harliss grunts a thanks at Savarend, as the healing washes over her.

She snorts in amusement, "Vanthus hightailed it out of here, but I'll learn that cur what it is t'foul my business! I know who he is! Th'Vanderboren name's no secret to me. I know he's got family'n holdings in Sasserine! I sent me right hand Drevoraz t'deal with yer friend, I did. Drevoraz is on his merry way to Sasserine as we speak. He'll do for Vanthus' sister, his mum and pop, and any other family or friends the bastard has in that dunghill city. Cross the Crimson Fleet and we take everything in your life from ye. Best not forget that, boyo."

Graythan stops in his tracks and turns to face the fevered pirate, "They it may be that we are at odds after all, Captain. It seems you've sent an assassin after our employer."

Justified, about to offer the woman an alliance, pales. Then you are a fool. Vanthus has no love for anyone but himself. Killing his family does his dirty work for him and only ensures he gets all the inheritance for himself. He has already managed to steel most of it. Your actions enrich your enemy. Can you call of Drevoraz?

Justified is more than willing to kill anyone who crosses him, but he will not ally with someone who sends someone to commit murder against the innocent.

Zanril's eyes narrow, his glare settling on the woman. The thoughts of murdering those not relevant assaults his morals. He feels blue fire start to circle his hands. He walks away from her.

"I cannot stand to be around such a fool. Drink yourself to death, I will take no more displeasure from your presence"

Zanril walks off, eyeing the pirate and keeping an eye on the rearguard of the party

Moira carefully picks up the coins. "Looks like we are going to have some good dining." The rogue shows Justified and the others her find then she puts it in her coin purse.

Moira's jaw drops as she hears about Drevoraz. "I hope you're jesting. Lavinia hired us to make everything right, to bring back her brother and to protect the family name. She is not the bad guy here."

She continues but feeling a bit more upset. "I hope you can call him back because if you can't then you will be looking for another right hand."

"Ummm... I just joined the group." He points a gauntleted finger toward them. "So what they said."

Not one of you is trained in diplomacy? Someone is going to probably get on that

The Captain listens you what you have to say and frowns. "If what you be saying be true, then might be I made a bit t'ov a hasty error. If ya scurry back tha way ya came, ya might be able to get back to yer friend before Drevoraz gets there. I'd be double quick about it. He got a bit of a lead."

Graythan is our face at 16 charisma. He should drop a point in diplo though. The rest of us have negative modifiers.

If you do not come with us we will likely have to kill Drevoraz. He is not likely to listen to us saying that you were a bit hasty. We've given you healing and helped with your fight here. The least you can do is to come and help call off your killer.

Graythan's eyes narrow dangerously as he cooly remarks, "If Vanthus escapes us because of your 'hasty error', Captain, we'll be expecting recompense. For now, good luck with whatever else might be left in these caves."

He diverts his gaze from Harliss to the others, "Come, let's be quick."

"Right-o." Savarend gives his hammer a few circles to keep his wrist ready.

"Oh no my boyos. I'd best be here when the calvary arrives. Tha' Crimson Fleet aint one t'a be trifled with and I'd hate to see what some o' my more violent fellows might cook up for revenge if they don't get the truth of it. Yer boss lady should have dealt with her brother before he got her in such trouble. You seem like nice lads, but that's just business. If you save the lass, you should put Vanthus in the ground right quick, before there be more misunderstandings. As for Drevoraz, if he's lucky he'll live, if not," She shrugs. "I guess I'll be needing a new second."

Justified bows to the lady captain and says Then we depart with all haste. To his party he says Gather what loot is ours and let us beat a hasty trail back to our employer.

Anyone do a sense motive on this lady? She could have made all this up. :)

One of the benefits of a rogue is skill points. ;-)

Moira tries to read the captain's intentions, knowing full well how these type of people operate.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

good thought, Justified!
Graythan narrows his eyes as he regards Harliss, trying to gauge the woman's truthfulness before he commits to dashing back to town.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"Then perhaps you have a token we might show to Drevoraz as proof you yourself have called him off his task? His life is otherwise, in all likelihood at least, forfeit due to your assumption."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Let me just peer into her soul here...

"A token would make things a lot easier. He wouldn't have to just take us on our word."

WOW! The rolls got better and better.

I suspect she is telling the truth. But imagine if she was the primary villain in this arc, was down to a couple hit points, and got us to run off with this "perfect lie". I would never forgive myself. lol.

There's truth, lies and half-truths in what she says. Which is which, who can say? I will say she isn't the main villain.

"But ye be the most charming of fellows, now ain't ye? She give you all a long look. "Well maybe it be best t'no leave it ta chance."

She pulls off a blue sapphire earring and tosses it to Justified. "Show that to Drevoraz and tell him 'Parrots and Rum' and he'll know that ye speak tha truth." (Truth)

"And ya best be givin' him that earring. I'll be wantin' it back."

Justified catches the gem and flashes her a dashing smile.

Lets roll. Do we know how to get back?

Zanril follows the rest of the party quietly, seemingly locked in his own mind of complex thoughts

"I wonder if we can go back the way we came. Hope the fires didn't spread though to the path here." Moira jumps and heads on out.

Graythan shakes his head at Harliss' attitude and turns away without wasting any more words on the pirate. With little more than a rolling rattle of gravel in his throat to express his frustration with events, he hurries after Moira and toward the path back to their boats.

Savarend shakes his head. Pirates. He follows after the rest of the group.

You can just get back the way you came. The boat captain should still be waiting.

The return trip takes several nerve wracking hours, but is otherwise uneventful. Sassarine remains unchanged on you arrival. You hasten to the Vanderboran manor. On your approach, nothing seems to be amiss.

I've posted the first floor map. The PC's have been to the manor many times, and know the basic layout very well. Let me know if you want to do anything fancy, or if you made any pitstops in town before heading here.

"Some look in on the room to the left. I'll take this one on the right."
Moira moves to the right door (room #2) opens it and she looks inside. She only goes in as far as the door opens.

Savarend hangs by the door, a little wary about entering a stranger's home.

Justified encourages the group to hurry and to make any stops in town. Every minute could be important. he says worriedly. Seeing Savarend's hesitation he reassures I am in the owner's employ good dwarf, and I personally invite you into this home. Our intent is pure and we will be welcomed if not needed, and even more so if we are.

Are servants about? Should they be?

@Justfied: No sign of servants on you approach, but that isn't particularly unusual based on your previous visits.
I gather from Moira's post, that you just bust into the front door. Rm#1

This enormous great hall's marble stonework is smooth and white.Two oak stairwells with burnished brass railings ascend to an open first-floor landing. Tapestries depicting a beautiful and savage frontier of sprawling jungle landscapes and an eerie shoreline hang from the upper landing. A glass chandelier hangs from the atrium's ceiling.

Standing guard in this room are four grotesque frogmen brandishing axes and clubs.

Combat Rn 1
19 Graythan
17 Moira
17 Saverend
12 Zanril
5 Justified
4 Baddies

Everyone is up. Map updated

"Whooaaa. Never seen these guys in our ladies' establishment. I'm assuming that these are unwelcomed vermin belonging to Drevoraz. Where's your boss?"

Moira draws on her bow and points in the direction of the frog-man closest to her.

Will wait until Graythan attacks.

"We don't have time for your thuggery! 'Parrots and Rum', Harliss sent us for Drevoraz, where is he?!" Graythan levels his crossbow at the lead bullywug to punctuate the threat. He holds his shot unless they seem set on ignoring the question.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14for: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Standard Action: Ready action to shoot the first bullywug showing aggression

Readied Attack, Short Bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

I see no enemy on the map. Justified moves to a tactical position so that he is 10' away from one and farther from the others, if possible.

Glaive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d10 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Moves his hands almost in an art and flings a glob of acid at the frogman

Acid Splash

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
DMG if hit: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Savarend places a hand over the head of his warhammer and intones a praye rto Moradin. A flare of light leaves a glowing shimmer of magical energy enveloping the weapon.

Cast extended magic weapon. It is a +1 weapon for two hours.

Justified steps up and neatly eviscerates one of the enemies, but they manage to avoid your other attacks.

Ranged Attack vs Justified: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9
Ranged Attack vs Justified: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Attack vs Graythan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

A pair of throwing axes come whizzing at Justified, one of which slams into his thigh. The frogman engaged with Graythan swings and misses.

Everyone is up.

I still see no enemy on the map. Hard to move strategically without a map.

Justified swings at an enemy, hoping to cause the other enemy to close with him and provoke.

Glaive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 211d10 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Savarend moves forward and slams his hammer against one of their foes.

Warhammer 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Graythan snaps off a shot from his crossbow at one of the piratical thugs.

+1 hvy repeating xbow (point blank shot): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18for: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9