GM Shathira's Skull and Shackles

Game Master Kelarith

With a rope secured tightly around him and able to breath in the water, Astein leaps towards Cog to help bring him back aboard. Oddly, as he enters the water his hair sprouts in length and starts churning the water around him, helping him swim.

Swim toward Cog: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Arenya is filled with a helpless feeling, seeing all this around her and not being able to do anything. She sees Astein go overboard and grabs the rope, let it slacken so that he may swim to cog. "Come on Astein, by the gods make it!"Looking around she realises she doesn't have a prayer at pulling him up by herself. "I could use a little help here! Grab the rope! Pull once Astein has him!"

Ri'el watches the scene nervously, wanting to help but fully aware that there wouldn't be much he could do even if he did make his way down, and there was a good chance he'd knock himself out falling in the process.

"But I have good eyes, and even in this storm, I have a better chance of keeping track of where the two of them are than anyone else on board," he thinks to himself.

With that thought in mind, Ri'el watches Astein and Cog intently, waiting for the moment Astein reaches Cog so he can give the signal to pull.

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

"I see them! You guys on deck, grab the rope! Pull on my signal! The gods will curse us all to the depths if we abandon a crew-member to drown in this storm."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Astein ties the rope around his waist and dives into the water, and is immediately tossed about, thankful that he has the air bubble around his head to allow him to breathe. Waves batter Astein feeling like sledgehammer blows, making swimming extremely difficult. Despite this he makes his way closer to Cog, who is floundering, and drifting further away from the ship. Astein knows that if he and Cog can manage to fight against the waves that are battering them, he may be able to reach Cog in a few moments.

Back on the ship, several people, including many that the heroes thought were set against them offer aid on the rope, standing behind Arenya, and Davina, ready to pull. Ri'el, Eli and Garavaen have a sharp eye on Cog and are following the man as best they can, struggling to catch sight of him as the waves crest and Cog slips from view, but managing to pick up sight as the waves fall. Astein is close now, just a few feet separating he and Cog.

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Round 2
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Cog Swim: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Initiative:

Astein:
Arenya:
Davina:
Eli:
Garavaen:
Ri'el:
Cog:

Astein's hair lashes out towards Cog, enveloping the sailor as he shouts for those back on board to pull him in. Astein uses all his effort to keep Cog out of the water, knowing that he, himself, is not endanger of drowning.

Hair has reach so that should do it, right? Now its up to the crew to get us back aboard. Hair has STR 20 so Astein should be able to drag Cog back on board without issue.

@Astein, need a touch attack to grab Cog.

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
-5 as secondary attack, +5str
Woohoo!

The crew watches in amazement as Astein's hair stretches out and grabs Cog, pulling him closer to the tethered Witch. Davina, Arenya and a few others begin to haul on the rope trying to pull Astein and Cog back to the Wormwood.

Both Cog and Astein still need to make swim checks. Both get +4 to the check against a dc 20

cog can swim: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 apparently not well enough though

Fearing for the lives of Astein and her hero Cog, Davina yells out to them, "Swim, swim like you never have before!" She continues doing her best to help pull them in.

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Round 3
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Astein has hold of Cog, but trying to swim proves difficult, and the punishing waves batter both of them. Astein manages to keep them both above water, but the strong current and the wind pushing the Wormwood lengthen the distance between the ship and the overboard crew. Now 20' away from the ship, both men attempt to swim for their lives.

Swim Cog swim: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

20 str? That's some awesome conditioner. ;)

Swim: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25+4 for other adjustment for a 29

Astein swims with the aid of his hair and pushes hard for the ship, bringing Cog along with him. He cries out, Pull us up, pull us up!!!

Two natural twenties in a row... I think we are destined to save this guy with flair and panache...

Arenya, Davina and others pull heavily on the rope, and tendrils of Astein's hair wrap around both the rope and a semi-conscious Cog. Astein leaps over the gunwales of the ship, landing smartly on his feet, his hair lifting Cog easily over and laying him at the feet of Habbly Quarne, the ship's doctor. Soon the doctor has him sputtering and coughing up seawater, but for all intents and purposes, seeming okay.

The crew lets out a cheer. Saving a crewmember from the briny deep is always a good omen.

Davina quickly moves up to Cog and Astein, "Are you both alright?" she sees that Astein is awake and alright, giving hom a quick hug she turns to Cog and sees he is not doing as well. "Is there anything I can do to help doctor, " she asks as she looks at Cog.
Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Garavaen pours away his crossbow, Guess they didn't need another rope after all... , and watches carefully from above, wondering if this truly was the work of the storm rather than the sort of "accident" Plugg warned them about.

Astein shows a rare smile, though he appears weary and cold. "Fortune smiled on him today, and Besmara was merciful... I am just glad I was able to help my crew-mate. The storm still rages, let the doctor take him as we work to keep the Ship safe."

With that he returns to his work on the rigging.

Working together with unity to survive the storm... the cards were right as they always are.

Cog coughs up some more water, and looks up with a sheepish grin, "Well now, this is a fine sight ta be wakin' to." He looks at the group surrounding him, and chuckles seeing Arenya and Davina "Devil and an
Angel standin' over me. If I didn't know ya both, I'd be scared I was seein' me judgement. As is, I couldn't think of better to see roight now. He winks at Davina, and looks around at Garavaen and Astein, with a chuckle that brings up more seawater, "No offense gentlemen." He reaches up to shake Astein's hand, "I'm thinkin' I owe ya...and yer hair a bit o' thanks."

The crew goes back to work until you all see the most beautiful thing you can remember seeing recently. The sunrise showing through the broken clouds, as the storm finally passes. The seas are calm once again, and the Wormwood bobs gently on the waves. Harrigan's voice rings out clear from the helm, "Mr Plugg! Have the decks cleaned, and assess the damages. The crew has earned a day of rest."

Davina almost throws herself on Cog as he becomes aware again, hugging him tightly enough to almost choke him. She leans in and whispers into his ear,

When a day of rest is announced by Harrigan, Davina sighs in relief, "I don't know about the rest of you, my friends, but I am going to get some much deserved sleep."

Cog gives out a small grunt of surprise as the breath is all but squeezed out of him by the hug, and smiles as she kisses his cheek. "Wakin' up to an angel's kiss? Not such a bad thing." His smile grows a bit cock-eyed, "But blimey, if that's what a bloke has ta do for a hug and peck on the cheek. I feel sorry for the chap wots goin' ta get serious about ya."

Blushing furiously, Davina backs away from him, stuttering as she speaks "I-I-I-I've never been serious with anyone."

Garavaen smiles at their survival... and the sunrise. We've survived the storm -- and it looks like it was dangerous enough to keep any nasty ideas at bay... and a day off is almost perfect.

Ri'el heaves a sigh of relief as Cog is hoisted on deck. In light of that, Harrigan's announcement of a day off comes across as almost an afterthought.

As he climbs down at the end of the shift, he pats Cog on the back and nods. "Had a worried there, mate. Good to have you still with us. What happened there? Was there any foul play involved?"

Arenya slumps down onto the deck nearly exhausted letting Cog enjoy his moment with Davina. "I'm glad you're still with us Cog. Looks like you've helped earn us a day of rest. Besmara knows I could use it." she says, a smile appearing on her devilishly pretty face.

Arenya checks her things, looking for the boat Jack gave her, finding it safe an unharmed by the storm. But suddenly she remembers Jack's lasts words and with all the focus being on saving Cog she realises she hasn't seen Jack.

She pushes herself to her feet, straining her tired muscles and calls out, "Jack! Jack, where are you?"

Cog coughs up a bit more water and grins at Davina, "No need ta get befuddled, luv. Just pokin' a bit o' fun at ya. I promise I won't go throwin' meself over the gunwales again in search of a squinch."

He then looks over at Ri'el, "Can't say that there was any foul play. Wave washed over the ship, line caught me behind the knees and I was woosh, airborne."

Arenya searches around a bit and finds Jack belowdecks, half hidden amidst some of the footlockers near his hammock. He looks up at her a bit bleary eyed, "Aye miss, I'm righ 'ere. Sorry I weren't aroun', bu' tha' storm bout knocked me out, all by its onesies. I swears I was only meanin' ta sit 'ere for a minute." He looks at her a bit sheepishly, "I musta felled asleep."

Ri'el nods. "Fair enough. Was just a thought. I'm glad you're ok. Would hate to lose a friend on the ship."

Garavaen says, "Just glad that they didn't notice. Would hate to see you at post for abandoning you duty because you got knocked silly... And I can't help but think they're looking for something to knock us down a pretty peg... Especially considering the esteem gained from Astein's heroics. "

Astein takes his day of rest to recover, but also checks in with the kitchen as people will still have to eat. To any comments as to his heroics, he simply responds he did what anyone would to save a shipmate. That is nothing more than Besmara demands.

Later when his friends are gathered with some privacy, he shares a vision he had within his cards with them. "The morning of the Storm, my deck was knocked loose but the cards didn't land randomly. They came up with The Marriage, The Survivor, The Cricket, The Rabbit Prince, The Owl, and The Wanderer all face up in order. Lying crosswise atop them were The Fiend, and The Cyclone, and lying crosswise atop those two was The Forge.

If you know how the cards speak, there was a clear message. As Harrower it appears that the face up cards represent the group of us. The Cricket would be Eli, myself the Owl, the Rabbit Prince would be Garavan, The Marriage is Davina, The Survivor is Ri'el, leaving Arenya as the Wanderer. Some fit more closely than others, but it cannot be coincidence, especially with the other cards across them.

The Fiend and the Cyclone represent not only the storm that passed, but the dangers that remain before us on this ship. The cyclone in particular represents intentional, intelligent malevolence. The Forge shows that only through unity can we prevail against these dangers. We are bound by fate and fortune, and it will be up to us to survive together as The Forge shows we might, or fall to the Fiend and the Cyclone divided. The Forge is strength through unity of a diverse group, and we are surely that."

The day of rest goes by rather lazily. Most of the crew takes the time to rest, sleeping in their hammocks, or attending to the various scrapes, cuts, burns and bruises that they received fighting the storm. Nobody seems very keen on talking in great depth about anything to anyone, as fatigue catches up after the adrenaline wears off.

At some point, Jack Scrimshaw approaches Astein for the Harrow reading that he'd wanted a few nights before, asking whether he'll survive this trip aboard the Wormwood.

Towards mid afternoon, Grok shows up with a bundle of things in her hands and stops in front of Astein, "Harrigan says anyone who save crewmember from the Sea Hag's embrace earn right to carry own stuff." She hands Astein the bundle, which consists of all of his gear.

You all can rest, or take two actions to explore, etc.

With all the excitement and the long night, Davina looks to her friends, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I am goigntdown to rest, I am completely exhausted." With that, Davina will head below to rest.

Garavaen chuckles, "If I do that, I'll never get up properly tomorrow."

Are the two actions considered "nighttime" actions or "daytime" ones?

Consider them nighttime actions, since everyone is pretty much resting and/or asleep

As there is some free time in the evening, Astein tracks down Jack to follow-up with the promised Harrowing. "With a questions such as will you survive, I need you to know that he Harrowing will not provide prophesy, only a vision of the potential futures with guidance as to how to proceed. Think about it, if the cards promised you would survive, you may become more reckless in thinking you are invulnerable - and that will alter the future that the cards could predict and may lead you to a death that could be avoided. So we will draw cards to answer what is the best path to survive the journey."

The Sickness ---> The Carnival ---> The Empty Throne
The Fiend ------> The Lost -------> The Idiot
The Forge ------> The Big Sky ----> The Bear

Astein looks to the Tapestry for a long time, a grim expression on its face. "It appears that you are at a place of misalignment, the future is murkey and fates will soon be brought to conflict. We can tell this because few of the cards are even close to their natural positions... When cards near their natural positions, they show their strength and a sureness in the reading, there are none in this Tapestry. In fact, only three cards are even half aligned, the Fiend, the Forge, and the Empty Throne... Astein furrows his brow further, then looks up at Jack with a reassuring smile, "However, this is all falls within the art as well and let me tell you what can be seen..."

"The past for you has been one of corruption, deceit and hardship as described in the Sickness. Specifically, the stronger cards of the Fiend and the Forge have been in conflict. The Fiend is a figure has enforced the sickness, trying to bring about corruption and conflict in an planned, organized manner. The Forge is what has kept you safe thus far, people working together to survive the trial - united strength and helping each other through hardship against the Fiend. To your question, this shows that your survival has been threatened - the sickness, by the actions of the Fiend, and thus far you have survived through the help of others, the Forge."

"In the present, you have been living within a false world - allowing yourself to be controlled by the Carnival, following rules that are untrue towards goals you do not even desire. False dreams and illusions. You do this because the alternative is the Lost - if you fall to the Sickness it will break you mentally and your life will become that of the soulless... empty and without meaning. However, hope also comes today comes in the form of the Big Sky - momentous change through strength of will. The catalyst for this change is happening now or happened recently, perhaps the survival of your friend in the storm. The state of being Lost that the Carnival threatened is being thwarted by the Big Sky. This conflict is happening in the immediate present... The conflict can be seen where the Carnival sits in the position of goodness and light while the Big Sky sits in the position of strongest evil, while the dark chaos of the Lost sits where the truest position of Balance should be. The present is chaos and conflict, fate undecided."

"As to the future, the Empty Throne give hope through the strength of the Bear. The Empty Throne is a card of order and goodness, where a new path is forged through the lessons learned in the past, bringing light and order to the chaos. This card sits in strong opposition to the Fiend and the Forge in the past. You must learn the lessons from those dark times, and change towards a brighter future to survive. The opposition to this goal is the Idiot, greed, folly blackmail, pride... all the tools of the Fiend still stand before you and will try to destroy you. To persevere, it will take the strength of the Bear... You will need to stand strong against he Fiend and his greed, blackmail and bribery. Reach toward the salvation of the Empty Throne so that you can achieve your goal... in this case - survive without becoming Lost."

With that, Astein again gathers the cards, smiling grimly. So... you may survive, but you will need to find the path that brings about the change of the Big Sky towards the Empty Throne, or fall victim to the Fiend and his Idiot ways. There is hope my friend, but you will have to be strong like the Bear.

Stealth(Sneak): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Perception(Take20): 20 + 3 = 23
Diplomacy(Ratline Ratsburger): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Arenya begins to head by up to the Mid-Deck to have a look around. She treads carefully, using her knowledge of the ship and her natural lightfootedness not to be heard and does her best to stick to the shadows to stay unseen.

On her way she lets out a yawn, feeling the aches in her muscles. She passes by snoring sailors on her way to her bunk but notices one wide awake. She addresses him a friendly and playful tone, "Hey Ratline! What's got you up? After everything we've been through I thought you would be fast sleep dreaming of cheese?"

Ratline snorts a laugh, "The name refers to my being able to run the ratlines on the ship, not to any kinship with a rodent"[b] He smiles at the Tiefling Bard, [b]"Storm's got me wound up enough that I'm still trying to fall asleep. Rocking of the waves'll do it soon enough. What about you devil-girl? Why isn't your head resting on a pillow?"

Though tired from the grueling attempts at climbing the mast earlier, Ri'el spares a moment to wander around the ship. He sees Sandara leaning over the balistrade on the top deck and joins her in watching over the now-calm sea.

"It's so peaceful now. Not even a trace of the storm from before. I'm thankful to Besmara for not taking Cog or Astein today. You know, my earliest memory was of a storm. My parents and I were on a ship, but a storm tore that ship apart. Far as I know, everyone else on the ship was taken by the waves, but I was spared, washed up on the island that the humans call Ilizmagorti. Completely changed the course of my life, it did. I hardly remember my birth-parents. I was so young when it happened. It wasn't all bad, mind you. Tarssalox and the tribe took me in and took good care of me, and taught me the ways of the spirits... All things considered, I don't know whether to blame Besmara for taking my parents or thank her for sparing me and bringing me to a new family. Sometimes I feel like I want to do both at once, in equal measure. "

"Perhaps as a priestess of Besmara, and as a friend I trust, you have some insight to share that might help solve my conundrum?" he asks with a smile as he admires the way the moonlight accentuates her slender cheekbones and her slightly-upturned nose.

Garavaen fetches the deck of cards with a smile, saying, "Surely, we're all lucky to have come out of the storm so well. Who wants to take advantage of our lucky day? "

Going for a gamble, +possible attempt to make friends with a below gambler (second action)

Garavaen, anyone in particular you're going to try and get to play cards?

Sorry -- that post got garbled. Was thinking I'd gamble and then try to influence someone -- Habbly, if he's game."

Someday soon, Davina will have toughened up enough to not need so much rest and interact more, getting there.

Exiel gives a bitter, wry laugh. "Help? I was raised to be their next spiritual leader, but the tribe got slaughtered got slaughtered and I could do nothing."

He grips the railing grimly. "But I survived, at least. The tribe yet survives through me. And I will live through this to get my revenge on those red bug-mask-wearing curs who hunted us for sport. Maybe you are right. I know nothing of my birth parents, and it may well be that they or others on the ship had offended the Pirate Queen. But I survived that storm, and I survived the massacre of my tribe. And if I was spared to become a thorn in the side of the Red Mantis, well I draw comfort in knowing that my ultimate goal is sanctioned by Besmara herself."

He pushes himself from the railing and turns to Sandara, leaning close towards her.

"Thank you. For reminding me that there was a point to me being sent to the tribe. And besides, I do not see how I would have met you if all that had not happened."

He laughs again, though this time it is a genuine, playful chuckle. "Or, you know, we may have met by me becoming some sort of merchant and you plundering my vessel." He smiles as he looks deep into Sandara's eyes glistening in the moonlight. "Not sure I would have resisted. Might have even asked to join your crew and become a pirate anyway."

Sandara chuckles and gives Ri'el a wink, "Or I'd have just press ganged you into my crew, and you'd be in the same situation you're in now. She places a hand on Ri'el's cheek and grins, "The storm was fun, but exhausting, and I think we should both get some rest. She pushes herself off the rail towards the stairs leading down to the crew's quarters, casting a smile back. "Pleasant dreams...Merchant Prince."

The next morning, you're wakened by a shrill voice, "Up, up ya blasted lubbers, it's time ya learned how ta be real F**kin' pirates. Suckin' on Besmara's teat all the time won't help ya. She helps those that help themselves. I'm talkin' to you, the new crew, sorrier bunch o' lilly livered pussnuggets I've never seen. Well that ends today. So pull up her britches and get yer sorry arses out in the Jolly boat. Yer goin' ta learn how to board another ship, and if ya fail, I'll ram my leg so far up yer arses, ye'll be spittin' splinters. NOW MOVE!!!"

Looking over you see Riaris Krine, the master gunner. She's a deeply tanned woman, who would be considered attractive, except for the badly broken nose on her face, and the one leg that has been replaced by a wooden peg.

Bowing deeper to Riaris than most people, "Yes ma'am." Davina quickly makes her way to the boat as instructed.

Garavaen smiles, Certainly sounds better than a day in the bilges... And indicates a higher level of trust... And that could lead to the return of more of my gear... Desna knows that with the current slow trickle of silvers from gambling wins, it might almost be faster to just wait for the humans to die of old age and reclaim my gear.

He quickly follows Davina's lead and heads to the Jolly boat.

Astein quickly follows the order. I wonder, have we come upon a foundering ship or is this just training...

Ri'el returns Sandara's smile with one of his own.

"Right now, I'm already having one."

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Ri'el sighs as he is roused the next morning by the shrill screeching of the master gunner.

"Aye, ma'am, I'm coming."

"Jolly boat, huh. I wonder if the name is meant to be ironic..."

Spell prepared for the day: Monkey fish, Fish Monkey, Goodberry.

Arenya wakes with a start. It takes her a moment to realise where she is, recovering from her deep sleep. She yawns once and jumps out of her hammock. "Yes ma'am, right away." a smile spreading across her lips. Finally we get to be real pirates. We get to board another ship and seize some treasure! Besmara watch over me.

Arenya hurriedly dresses putting out her leather armour and checking her dagger. Feeling refreshed and the energy of her magic coursing through her she hurriedly get up onto the main deck.

You all get to the side of the ship and realize that Krine is moving along with you and climbs into a boat that's been lowered from the Wormwood to the seas below. Krine in her endearing manner yells back up, "Rovagug nethers you lot are slow! Get yer snailpaced arses in this boat. If any of ya puke in my boat, ye'll be lickin' it up off the deck!"

You all climb into the boat, which pulls away from the ship about 40 feet, and Krine stands up in the boat, and points to a number of coiled ropes in the belly of the boat, which are attached to grappling hooks. "Time for ya ta learn how to board a ship, usin' a grappling hook. All ya have to do is throw a hook up to the 'Wood, tie it off and climb up to the ship." She gives a knowing grin after that. "Now, heave to, ya rotten, ugly louse ridden lubbers, or I'll shove a grappling hook up yer arses sideways!"

Need a ranged attack roll at -6, if you set the hook, and then make climb checks at DC 15