GM Knight's: Plunder and Peril! [Chapter 1 Completed!] (Inactive)

Game Master mishima

The note includes a rough sketch of the horn, likely done in ape's blood.

"The three of them: Warvil, Stormeyes, and Harklam, no doubt need no further description. They are indeed the slayers of the great brine dragon Calthyrxxes...I imagine ultimately the horn came from that horde plundered so long ago." she shakes her head. "We sail for Besmara's Throne, and what I believe is the first piece."

"Cap'n" Arven broaches carefully, "the girls tell me when we signed, you said you knew where this hoard was?" his voice full of self doubt. "I know a pretty lady as yourself wouldn't try and pull the wool over our eyes, but ...." his voice tails off into the sound of the sea and the wind.

Elo shrugs. "Not as promised or not; this ship-party is still far more promising than all my previous." She turns her eyes to the bow and the horizon. "...how many skyrises until we pass, ship-chieftain?"

"It's true, I know. And only I." her sternness relaxes a bit "You'll excuse me for this little precaution but I did just put down a horde of mutineers. Let's avoid that this go, hmm?" after an awkward pause she continues "Let's have a look here...get our bearings. Belina has marked our course..."

Belina brings over a framed map with her navigational markings showing fairly plainly the path, if you understand basic trigonometry.

There is a free paizo map here you can look at. Besmara's throne is basically right next door to Lilywhite on Motaku Island. However, the ships course is winding, assumedly because you are freaking pirates on the run from authorities.

Added shackles map to slides, reminder you can zoom in with Ctrl-Alt-+...it is a bit large.

"Just another day I'd say, if the winds stay favorable." Belina adds.

Are we on the run from any authorities in particular?

Elo nods, and busies herself fashioning a rope-sling so her crocodile can swim around while the shio is at its greatest speed.

Most certainly yes. Through the power of idle pirate chatter, you obtain a sense of some of the warrants and charges out, not only on individual crew members, but on all Magpie Princess pirates as a whole, mostly from certain local authorities and bounty hunters:

Rap sheet:
Criminal usury in the first degree
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree
Bigamy
Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree
Criminal possession of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the first degree
Corrupting the government in the fourth degree
Criminal use of a firearm in the first degree
Bribing a labor official
Criminal solicitation in the third degree
Refusing to aid a peace or a police officer
Possession of gambling records in the first degree
Loitering in the first degree
Unlawful disclosure of an indictment
Providing a juror with a gratuity
Unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, marking, altering or modification of equipment and devices associated with gaming
Poaching
Unlawful collection practices
Vehicular assault in the first degree
Health care fraud in the third degree
Bribery in the second degree
Making a punishable false written statement
Unpermitted use of indoor pyrotechnics in the second degree
Criminal impersonation in the second degree
Criminal injection of a narcotic drug
Sexual abuse in the first degree
Tampering with a witness in the fourth degree
Placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the first degree
Bribe receiving for public office
Criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree
Unlawfully posting advertisements

In addition there are a number of personal grudges between the crew and other pirate lords throughout the Shackles.

Any particular governments associated with those crimes, or just basically 'everyone in the Inner Sea'?

Talking a bit more with crew you learn that most recently, and as it is well known by other seafarers in the region, the Magpie Princess has crossed Alem dub-Asar. He is sort of the "gate" to the pipeline of smugglers that traffic stolen goods to the Absalom markets. Some view this as a bold move while others consider it too reckless, even for pirates. Regardless of the social consequences, Alem's inner most circle of thieves is constantly looking for ways to extract retribution from the 'pie.

As you all begin to imagine the treasure and what it could possibly contain, a strangely haunting melodic note echoes through the waist deck. You hear a call from above "All hands on deck!"

Should you respond, you find a large sun scorched spire of sharp rock extruding from the smooth ocean water just off the starboard side. Some of the crew are preparing small climber's kits for ascending...while others look at them strangely scratching their heads.

DC 19 will save please everyone

GM thang: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Will Save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Before Arven answers the call, he seeks out Serrenna to use his magic stick to augment Arven's natural armor. He then proceeds upstairs and stops for a moment looking about before .....

Serrenna's UMD to use stick ... 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
AC 22 with Mage Armor ....

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
"What the baleen whales is that?"
Salty points at the spire.
Any knowledge rolls to figure it out?

Near the top you can see fairly clearly (yet another) scantily clad female figure.

Arcana is the relevant knowledge, but I'll allow prof(sailor), too

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Profession (Sailor): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 +2 if it's an enchantment spell / effect, +1 if it's fear or mind-affecting...

"Ugh... What's that now?"

Lhinneth, it is mind-affecting, so you made the save.

Salty, despite the fact that you are 100% certain the magical beast looming from high up the rock spire is none other than a siren, bane of all lonesome sailors, you still seem to recognize the value in packing a small climber's kit and leaving the sailing life behind forever.

Any who fail the save likewise are "Obsessed" with the siren: An obsessed victim becomes defensive of the siren and does all he can to prevent harm from coming to her, going so far as attacking his allies in her defense. The victim is not controlled by the siren, but views her as a cherished ally.

"Eh, Chuck, the hell...its just some bird song's echo, see the cliff face, that odd shape sculpts the sound so. Why do you want to get up there so bad?"

"Shut yer hole. Don't talk that way about the song..." Chuck responds, driving his first piton into the rock.

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Serenna stares around as half the crew begin making for the rock. Not sure of the profession DC, which will determine what Serenna does.

[]Hey guys, I'm at a conference all week, and haven't got a great deal of time outside of presentations and drinks... Posts, if they happen at all will be short... feel free to DMPC as necessary... Thought I'd probably fail that Will test (which would have been fun to RP), but Serenna's made of sterner stuff than that apparently.

Arven swim to the rock and starts to climb up to the beautiful woman whose voice is like that of an angel, but one with a devilish side. "I'm coming my beloved, I shall be with you, you are safe with me! "

swim taking a 10 = 10 + 11 = 21
climb taking a 10 = 10 + 8 = 18

Salty starts climbing. He knew about sirens, and was convinced she is a good siren, and that she is looking at him with desire.
How is he to deny her of a nice half-orc mate?

3 of the crew join Arven and Salty in the ascent. Its a tough climb, not because of the steepness but because of the razorsharp rock you must grip so tightly. Worth it though.

There seems to be an argument back on deck about setting up a drogue (dropping anchor).

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Shrugging off their seductive song, Elo and her crocodile survey the scene. "Hrm... foul sea-b$$&~. Cease that strange song." She waves her hand and casts a spell.

Fumbletongue on the siren, DC 16 Will to resist.

Elo's croc attempts to grapple whoever it can to prevent their climb.

1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The siren's melodious voice captivates Lhinneth's attention as she feels the lust building up in her loins at the sight of the seductive avian beauty. It's only with the greatest of efforts – perhaps bolstered by the tales of sailors lured to their doom by similar creatures – that she barely manages to shake it off; unsurprisingly, she quickly realizes the boys showed no such restrain.

"Come back, you sex-starved swine! Do you want to be dragged to your death?" Seeing her words having little impact, she merely sighs and shoots at the creature. "Hey! You want it rough? I can give you rough!" she screams at the top of her lungs.

__________________________________________________________________

Move Action: draw shortbow

Standard Action: attack siren
   Shortbow (range increment?): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Elo, you feel your spell wash over the beast like water poured on stone. It would seem to be immune to such mental attacks. The crocodile pulls one of the sailors off the rocks and flops down on the deck with an unconscious generating *slap*.

The smooth sounds of the 4716s are brought to a sharp "Bark!" as a well placed arrow enlodges itself in the beasts facehole.

70 ft from ship deck, 100 from ocean surface. Peggy, prof DC was 15 sorry

Initiative:::::
Siren: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Lhinneth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Salty: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Peggy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Arven: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Elo: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Salty keep climbing, his mind clouded in lust.

Arven and Salty can reach the summit next round, DC 5 climb since someone has made crude handholds for some reason

Climb Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Fuelled by raw lust, Salty advances unimpeded towards the siren.
"Daddy's coming!"

"My sweet..." says Arven as he climbs to the woman.

+8 climb ... so makes it

Elo's croc starts the climb as she watches on helplessly.
Climb 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

And,... I'm back

Serenna feels the pull of the seductive song, which momentarily threatens to cloud her mind and send her climbing towards the siren's captivating arms. Lhinneth's cry, however, stops her and she manages to pull her eyes away from the rock. Glancing around at the sailors she curses and slips her crossbow around from her back, bringing the bewitchingly sensual figure into her sites. Squeezing the crossbow's trigger she sends a bolt flying towards it.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

The siren takes the crossbow bolt hard in the chest and topples backwards over the cliff out of sight. For a moment, all is silent until a strange echo of the same song repeats itself once more, an audio poison.

But no, in short order the beast comes round the stone again, bearing down on the enraptured crewmembers with more magicks...a sickly sweet aroma rides the sea breeze as the siren waxes arcane

spellcraft DC 16 to know she is casting charm person on one of the obsessed crew mates

Crewmate save: 1d20 ⇒ 6

"Please my love..." she implores to the charmed crew member "The archers seek to destroy me...they do not understand us." she sounds as if she were about to cry.

"Hey! Knock it off, I'm warning you! She's alright, just a little misunderstood!" he tries to slap the crossbow out of Peggy's hand feebly.

And provokes an AoO in doing so, which you dont have to make...

Siren is now in flight between ship and spire 30 ft from deck. Those on cliff have reached the top. If you wish to come back down, jumping into the sail and climbing down the mast or the like might be fastest. The siren's song is weakening, and she clearly is not singing anymore (however, magically, you continue to hear it a bit more...)

Round 2::::::
--> PCs, croc
Siren, charmed crewmate

Siren stats: 47/52 hp, 18/14/14 acs.

Are we still charmed?

Obsessed, yes. The effect will go away at the end of this round (it persists one round after she stops actively singing). The crewman is charmed however.

Salty stands in front of the siren, covering her from arrows.
"Leave her alone!"

Elo's crocodile attempts to climb again, as Elo tries to recall everything she can about the creature.

Climb 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Should've made a knowledge check earlier. Which is it, GM? Could you roll for me? I'll post modifiers.
Planes 9, nature 12, local 9.

Elo, it was arcana (magical beast) but I allowed sailing as well

"Noooo" Arven says as he runs and jumps at the sails to go and protect the wondrous lady, whose body is so delectable and voice like the ocean's sweetest sound. "Stop Lhinneth! Stop Serrenna!, just cos you're jealous of her beauty, there's no need to be so vicious and show aggression to her. Leave her be, just cos she's my favourite." Arven says getting angry at his friends actions.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 to jump on the masts/sails, and climb down the rigging.

"Yeah, you dumb oaf" Lhinneth says rolling her eyes. "I so wish I could grow bird legs, oh how irresistible I would be then."

Besmara's wet buttocks, I really hope it won't come to me and Serenna having to take them down.

She grabs a rope and rapidly climbs the 30 ft. separating her from enthralling avian beauty.

__________________________________________________________________

Free Action: drop shortbow

Move Action: climb 15 ft.
   Climb (accelerated): 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 5 = 12

Free Action: draw fighting fan

Move Action: climb 15 ft.
   Climb (accelerated): 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 5 = 19

Free Action: draw shield

Curses, the one knowledge skill I forgot to sink points into.

Arven descends to the deck like some wild arch-angel torn forth from a planar rift in the Sun's core. The sail's curvature was by chance a perfect slide. DC 15 for others up there to do the same

Lhinneth takes a contrary route, shimmying up the main mast like a coconut tree (greatly aided by the rope left from the previous watchman), deftly balancing out on the rigging to attack the confounding flyer. Do a DC 10 acro for attacks or complex actions up there I suppose

Elo, sorry, will have a chance to use those others, I promise >:D

Quite alright GM, I'll just have to remember to stick a few points in it next level.

Serenna curses at the sailor and takes a step backward, hastily reloading the crossbow.

As Lhinneth nears melee range the sirens neck snaps her eyes around, locking onto this new combatant. The sirens mouth opens wide and a sound like 10,000 falling women screaming past your ear bursts forth with tangible force. For a split second it is terrifying, and with sick horror you see her mouth open even further, the pitch reaching some experimental place that could topple the musical history of mankind.

Shout as a spell-like ability. DC 19 fortitude from all the female PCs (croc excluded in 30 ft cone area)

If failed save: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 1, 3, 3) = 17 sonic dmg
Deaf: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10 rounds

Making the save negates the deaf and halves the damage

A delicate ivory Mwangi carving that had decorated the main mast shatters into dust, the fragments quickly finding their way out on the winds to sea.

eh, green is crewmate and red is siren on map, not very clear indeed

So it is Valaravans turn? Is he back to his senses?

Arven has the same question, is he back to his carefree self...

Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Lhinneth gives a cry of pain she'll never hear as her eardrums pop and blood starts trickling out of her pointed ears.

However, this only manages to fuel up her rage. Grabbing the closest rope, she deftly swings left and right before coming in full body contact with her foe, almost as if embracing her in a convoluted aerial ballet. However, her fan is plunging deeply in the creature's heart, and with a sickening crunch, the half-elf drags it in a rising trajectory which slits the siren's throat wide open, silencing it forever.

"Die, you shrieking b*#&#."

__________________________________________________________________

Move Action: Feint
   Bluff (vs. 10+BAB+WIS or 10+Sense Motive): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Standard Action: attack siren
   Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
   Fighting Fan (Piranha Strike, expert boarder): 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 28 Confirm?: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 28 damage (Piranha Strike): 3d4 + 15 + 12 ⇒ (3, 1, 3) + 15 + 12 = 34 + if Feint successful: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 6) = 15 = 49

Yes, sorry, you guys are up again, and the echoing song is now completely gone. Round 3 has started.

edit: or it would have rather, if Lhinneth didnt just totally slay it, lol

Arven was just about to reprimand Lhinneth for killing the siren with her mighty blow, but instead blinks his eyes, puts his fingers in his ears, twisting and turning as if removing a blockage. He stares at the body of the siren, lying dead on the deck, and rubs his eyes vigorously. "Umm, you know, I don't understand why I thought her so attractive. Actually she's not my type at all..."

Arven looks up at Linneth and smiles, "Nice shot, fancy some rum and relax for a while?" A cheerful glint in his eye and a look of esteem and marvelling at her mastery of the fan. Now that it seems the danger has passed.

We'd best look over the rock for any trinkets and things, Arven will join once he's stopped looking at Lhinneth ... ;-)

Valaravans seems confused, unsure what to say or do...
"Women..."