GM Turmoil's Slave Ships of Absalom (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master ckelley83

"Sounds like a plan. We row out to them, lure them to the dock, and then 'arrest' them or something like that." Hudor bows to the Lady and then prepares to leave.

The Inspection and Pilots’ Office of the Harbormaster’s Grange is cramped and perfumed by a particularly smelly bowl of salted fish stew that’s cooling on one of its several desks. Ledgers and loose papers occupy most of the horizontal surfaces in the office, and a bookshelf on the southern wall sags under the weight of heavy files.

At present only one inspector is on duty. The sleepy-looking halfling woman sits up, covers a yawn, and says, “Welcome to the Harbormaster’s Grange. I’m Inspector Second Class Lilia Ginsi. How may I be of service?”

Kranzer produces the note from Lady Darchana and says, trying his best to sound dignified, "Aye, we be 'ere by leave of tha Lady Darchana. We need the best rowboat and pilot ya can muster, eh. Lookin' fer a boat by the name of the Kat Season. Can ya help us?"

Hudor glances around, "Are you the only inspector on duty or are the others already out inspecting?"

If there is any need for persuasion, Kavor Doan is happy to try Diplomacy -- or in fact this seems like an appropriate use of Profession (Merchant). But for now he is happy to let Kranzer and Hudor take the lead.

She reads Lady Darchana's note over and smiles, "Sure, I can help you with this. Let me just find it in the ledger..." It takes her only a few minutes to confirm the pending docking request for the Kat Season in her ledger, locate and sign out a rowboat, and finally locate the pilot roster. "Wait right here and I'll be back in a jiffy!" She excuses herself to notify a pilot to prepare for departure.

When Inspector Ginsi returns, she informs you that their dwarven pilot, Zigil, is ready to depart when they arrive at Docking Slip 49. As you walk up the docks towards Zigil, a stocky female dwarf greets you unenthusiastically. "I navigate, you row. No arguing or you will find yourself swimming. Any questions? No? Good."

Hudor eyes the feisty dwarven pilot and smiles, "Yes your highness." Hudor gets into the boat and waits for the journey to begin.

"Not to worry. They may not look it, but these old arms have some strength still." Goldur chuckles. "Rowing it is."

Kranzer spits into the murky water below and says, "Aye, ya got all strong backs 'ere. Eh boys?!"

"Agreed, and the faster we row the sooner we get there"

-Posted with Wayfinder

The wizard sets to work on the oars with no complaint. He appears to be trying hard to keep up with the paladin, and almost succeeding. Though visibly straining, he refuses to admit defeat.

Sorry about the long delay. Time to get this rolling again.

As Zigil shout directions at you, she explains a bit about her job. She is obviously quite proud of what she does and it's almost as if she seems a tad less grumpy when on the water. "Any ship that carries more than six people or 500 pounds of cargo cannot, by law, sail through the Ship Graveyard except under the guidance of a registered member of the Pilot’s Guild, that's me. Regardless of its own captain or pilot’s skill, one of us travels out from the Harbormaster’s Grange to a waiting ship once it has signaled. We then direct the ship through the ever-changing maze of wrecks that constitutes the Ship Graveyard. This place is a mess, even though it may not look it. All kinds o' stuff lurking below the surface here."

Absalom’s harbor is an inky, shifting landscape of shadows at night, illuminated only by the city’s lights, the waxing moon, and the distant blaze of the Absalom Lighthouse on Pilot’s Island. Eventually, a three-masted ship with white sails comes into view. It’s just over one hundred feet in length, and its bowsprit is a weatherworn representation of a canine-headed mermaid. The crew is busy as they await an escort through the Ship’s Graveyard as part of the regular docking process. A rope ladder hangs from the rail of its starboard to a foot above the waterline.

Low-light conditions apply. The DC on the following Perception checks decrease by 5 if you have low-light or darkvision.

If you make the DC 25 check you may attempt this Knowledge check...

It is a DC 10 Climb check to ascend the rope ladder, and if you fail by 5 or more, you fall into the water. Then it will take a DC 15 Swim check to get back to the ladder. You may not take 10.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"Guys this is the ship we are looking for. Let's go check it out"

climb: 1d20 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 3 = 18

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 15

"It seems they tried to 'hide' the ships name."
Knowledge: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Hudor grabs onto the rope to climb, but his grip slips however he barely avoids falling into the water. He tries to climb again.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

The second attempt thankfully proves more successful and he makes it all the way up.

Perception with Darkvision: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Kavor Doan sees the same things that Hudor does.
If we can't Take 10, we are being actively threatened or distracted. Should we roll initiative?

No need to roll initiative. You are being distracted by the rocking of the ship due to the waves.

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
The wizard easily ascends the rope ladder.

The main deck of the At Sea has two 10-foot-square wood grates that access the hold below. Two doors access the forecastle’s cabin, and a ladder leads up to the forecastle’s deck. The helm is positioned on the raised quarterdeck at the stern, accessible by short staircases on both sides. A surly half-orc with a strong Katapashi accent approaches Kevtlin, Hudor and Kavor as the climb onto the deck, while a pair of gnolls are busy about the deck. "'Bout damned time. Was s'possed to be here 2 hours ago! I'm the First Mate, Curtzog, and Cap'n will have my arse if we don't git our cargo a'shore on the double."

Map is up

Perception (darkvision): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Goldur snorts. "Yes, this is the ship. They disguised the name hastily, but it's the one. And she really does have those yellow Okeno pirate sails, look." Following the others, Goldur attempts the climb. This would have been easier twenty years ago.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

-Posted with Wayfinder

Hudor mutters to himself but loud enough to be overheard by the First Mate. "Bloody hell. Why we have to be here? Zigil could've handled the reef threat on her own without extra help."

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Making it sound like most of them don't want to be there and that an unknown threat to the ship is the cause.

Perception (darkvision): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Kranzer says back in the boat, "Ha, HA. Ya see tha name there. Sloppy liars they are, eh?"

He ascends behind the others, always bumping into them from below, and climbs up onto the deck of the ship.

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"Is it just as good of quality as last time?"

Diplomacy : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

-Posted with Wayfinder

Jarlaxle, knowing that he is not going to be good at climbing, patiently waits for the situation on deck to be resolved.

While Curtzog doesn't pay much mind to Hudor's comment, something Kevtiln says seems to have aroused suspicion. "Whatcha' mean by that? Our cargo is secret and none o' ya business! And why the hell are there so many o' ya?" he turns to the other two deckhands and shouts, just as Goldur makes his way to the deck, "Grab yer weapons boys, I think we're gettin' raided!"

Round 1

Kevtiln
Kranzer
Kavor
Hudor
Goldur
======================
Blue
Green
======================
Jarlaxle
======================
Curtzog

Kranzer and Jarlaxle are not yet on deck and will have to finish their climbs as part of their turn.

Why didn't we have a plan? Guess we're doing this the hard way.
"Have at you!"
Kavor Doan charges the half-orc, drawing his axe (can draw as part of a charge if you do single move or less).
Waraxe, Charge, Hatred: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
The wizard's swing is nearly perfect, his mighty axe just missing the neck and biting deep into the half-orc's collarbone.

Kranzer will finish climbing and then, once on the ship's deck, he will draw his short sword.

"A scrape eh?!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

I forgot to bold it, so in case it's not clear, Kevtiln, Hudor, and Goldur can post as well.

Hudor takes a step closer to the half-orc and points his finger at him. A ray of ice shoots out from his finger toward the half-orc.

5' step
Ray of Frost (Ranged Touch) vs Curtzog: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Frost Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Goldur draws one of his hammers. "I feel like Dimlin Sealegs, the famous dwarf pirate. First dwarf to ever really take to the sea, if I remember correctly. Many thought he was a few coals short of a furnace back then, but those were dwarves for you..."

Inspire courage (oratory), +1 to attack and damage for the party.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Kevtiln is going to be unavailable for several days and asked me to bot him.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Kevtiln moves towards one of the deckhands, draws his hammer, and smashes it into the gnolls ribcage. Kranzer makes his way onto the deck just into to watch Kavor bury his axe deep into Curtzog's shoulder. Hudor fires a blast of cold at the First Mate but it goes wide in the darkness as Goldur begins to tell a tale. Both gnolls draw spears and attack the Pathfinders, but neither one is able to connect.

Blue vs Hudor: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Green vs Kevtiln: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Round 1
Active conditions: Inspire Courage +1

Kevtiln
Kranzer
Kavor (charged)
Hudor
Goldur
======================
Blue
Green (-10)
======================
Jarlaxle
======================
Curtzog (-14)

Free action to talk...
"Paladin, are you daft? Focus fire!"

With a sigh, Jarlaxle climbs up the ladder.

Climb: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10.

Jarlaxle finally makes his way up the ladder to join the others. Curtzog, still in agonizing pain from the axe blow, find the strenght to draws a massive sword and cuts a large wound into Kavor's side.

Attack vs Kavor: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 132d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10

Round 2
Active conditions: Inspire Courage +1

Kevtiln
Kranzer
Kavor (-10)
Hudor
Goldur
======================
Blue
Green (-10)
======================
Jarlaxle
======================
Curtzog (-14)

"I will dance on your grave, slaver scum."
Waraxe, Hatred, Inspire: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Kavor does not back down, and another mighty blow finds its mark.

Hudor takes a step back away from the enemy that came up behind him and shoots off another Ray of Frost at Curtzog.

5' step back
Ray of Frost + Inpire (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Ugh.. another bad roll. :(

Kranzer spits at the sight of the half-orc and moves in to attack the slaver. "Ya on the wrong side of the blade on this one! How much money'll ya make when yer dead, eh?"

Short sword (hatred, inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 22 DMG: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

"He's the reason some dwarves call the sea 'Dimlin's Dowager' to this day. Legend says he's the first dwarf to live a life of piracy-- and the first to drown at sea. Unlike these poor fellows," he adds as he draws his other hammer, "who will likely be dead before they hit the water."

Inspire courage round 2, +1 to attack/damage

Warhammer + inspire vs blue: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Kevtiln: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 81d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8

Kevtiln tries again to land a blow with his hammer, but can't connect this time. Kranzer moves up to Curtzog and deftly slides his blade between his ribs, piercing his kidney and causing him to slump to the ground. With the nearest threat taken care of, Kavor moves to the other side of the ship to help Kevtiln, burying his blade into the gnolls stomach, leaving guts spewed across the deck. Hudor wildy fires another ray of cold into the air, obviously not used to the rocking of the ship. As Goldur rushes at the other deckhand to land a devastating hammer blow, the flimsy wooden deck grates give way under the combined weight of the two. The bard anticipates the collapse and jumps to safety, while the gnoll falls 10 feet to the deck below. The woozy gnoll his the butt of his spear to steady himself as he stands back on his feet.

Goldur Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Blue Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 5 Falling Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Looking down below, Goldur sees that the hold of the At Sea has been outfitted to allow for easy access from above and a mixture of live and boxed cargo. Iron rings attached to the inside of the hull on both sides provide anchor points for manacles, and four slaves are chained to the starboard side rings. Three of the slaves are humans, and the other is a gnome with a gag in her mouth. Along the port side, iron cages have been bolted to the floorboards and hull. A scraggly half-elf is bending over one of the cages to open it. A squat, powerful, and vaguely canine beast covered with weeping sores lies within. Barrels of potable water and crates filled with dried carnivore feed are packed into several sections of the hold. There are two doors toward the stern.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Round 2
Active conditions: Inspire Courage +1

Kevtiln
Kranzer
Kavor (-10)
Hudor
Goldur
======================
Blue (-4)
Green
======================
Jarlaxle
======================
Curtzog
Orange
Purple

Jarlaxle hustles over to the edge, jumps down (casting Feather Fall to avoid taking damage), then takes a swing at the guy trying to open the cage, before he can *actually* open it.

MW Cold Iron Longsword: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24, for 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10 damage.

Jarlaxle floats down to the lower deck, and easily avoids the gnolls spear thrust. The bard swings his sword at the other half-elf, catching him right in the neck, and he falls to his knees clutching the wound. But despite his efforts, the kennel master had already unlatched the cage, and the beast lashes out with its teeth. It tears a chunk of flesh from his leg, dragging him to the ground in the process.

AoO vs Jarlaxle: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Bite vs Jarlaxle: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 251d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Need Fortitude save vs diease
Trip: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Round 3
Active conditions: Inspire Courage +1

Kevtiln
Kranzer
Kavor (-10)
Hudor
Goldur
======================
Blue (-4)
Green
======================
Jarlaxle (-6, prone, need Fort save)
======================
Curtzog
Orange
Purple

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Because unlike-- whoa!" Goldur hops backward as the grate caves in, surprised at his own reflexes. Thought those went years ago. "I can see the others down below deck! Some kind of..." He describes the scene beneath.

Inspire courage round 3, +1 to attack/damage

-Posted with Wayfinder

Seeing the battle is only going to get more intense, Hudor begins to cast a spell ending with an ocean blue aura surrounding his body.

Cast Mage Armor: +4 to AC for an hour.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Kranzer says, "Feh, dwarf pirate Goldur? Ya should be writin' about meeeeEEE!"

Kranzer runs to the edge of the hole and half jumps and half falls down to the hold below, shortsword in hand still slick with the slaver's blood. He plunges it down toward the last gnoll.

Acrobatics to reduce 10 ft of fall damage to nonlethal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Short sword: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 DMG: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

fall damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Kavor Doan marvels at Jarlaxle's blending of magic and martial prowess. However, as the battle takes a turn for the worse, he sees the need to step in. The dwarf casts Shield ASF 10%: 1d100 ⇒ 47, then moves to the opening and jumps in, casting Feather Fall as he descends.
Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Can't make a DC 25 Perception

@ Goldur: Are you taking an action?
@ Kavor: From where you are, you can't make it to a spot to jump down to an open square. And can you please move yourself on the map, or tell me where to move you.

My mistake, I was off on the alignment of the maps, and was having trouble with the graphic. He will still cast Shield and move, but will cast Feather Fall and jump down next round. He will ask the paladin for a bit of healing if possible.

I'll drop down with the others.

Acrobatics, lol: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10
Barely able to keep his feet by carefully looking below him, Goldur drops to the lower level.

-Posted with Wayfinder

@ Kavor: It doesn't look like Kevtiln has any means of healing yet.

The paladin rushes towards the stairs to make his way to the lower deck, while Kranzer takes the quick way and jumps down the hole. Kavor protects himself with a divine shield as he makes his way to the edge and prepares to jump down. Like Kavor, Hudor also calls on some protective magics and Goldur jumps down as well, while keeping his story going. The gnoll stabs at Jarlaxle as he lays on the wooden deck, but the metal tip bounces harmlessly off the thick plate.

Blue vs Jarlaxle: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 141d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Round 3
Active conditions: Inspire Courage +1

Kevtiln
Kranzer (-4 NL)
Kavor (-10)
Hudor
Goldur
======================
Blue (-4)
Green
======================
Jarlaxle (-6, prone, need Fort save)
======================
Curtzog
Orange
Purple

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8.

With a shrug, Jarlaxle closes the gate on the beast's cage, locking it back inside, and stands up.