GM Tyranius Hydra's Fang Incident (Sub-Tier 4-5) (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Evan tries to scrabble up into the boat.

Zora grimaces at the sting of the trident, her lips pressed into a thin line in her little refuge of air. She ignores the sahuagin-- and her own wound-- and tries to swim again.

Swim: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (2) - 3 = -1
Swim: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (14) - 3 = 11

Flounder, flounder, flounder. A little more air leaks away...

Zora tries her best to get away from the vicious sahuagin but isn't able to make any good progress in the rough waters.

Isabel tries to help Evan into the boat as it rocks violently, though from his point of view it looks like she is smacking his hands off of the edge. Evan is having a rough boat ride.

Evan going to have a phobia of boats and water after this? :)

Though Warpac continues to sink he changes his grip on the axe and brings it straight up with the flow of the water. The blade catches the sahuagin straight in the midsection, splitting it wide open.

Seeing the purple sahuagin torn apart Roscoe darts through the water at the lone remaining one. He leaps in the water and clamps down on the sea goblin and gets a firm grip on it.

Going to call the fight here as Roscoe has the death hold on it and little hp left.

Little by little the group makes it back to the boat. Evan lies in the bottom with bloodshot eyes as he tries to catch his breath. Looking in the short distance Lady Isabel spots a small galliot that matches the Hydra's Fang's description.

Zora breathes out as they eventually all get dragged into the boat. She lies there wearily, eyes closed, robes thoroughly waterlogged, her spear lost somewhere at the bottom of the bay.

She clears her throat. "That was unpleasant."

Forcing herself into a sitting position, Zora channels once more...

Channel: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 = 5

Leaves everyone full except for Evan, who's down 1.

"I was sure I was a goner there. I could't do anything to get to the boat but those stupid fish people kept trying to poke me with those useless fish stickers and gave me something to do besides drown. After I killed a bunch of them they finally left me alone. Roscoe, thanks for the lift. I don't think I could have made it back to the boat without your help. I couldn't see much beyond a few feet from me under the surface. What was going on with you folks?"

Helping the rest of the party back into the boat, "I wasn't sure how we were gonna make it there, glad we all pulled through,"

Pointing off to a boat, moored nearby, "That looks like the Hydra Fang from here,"

"I was learning how hard it is to swim in armor," Zora answers Warpac in an emotionless voice. "It turns out it is very hard.

"Evan, you came near to the doorstep of my lady several times. I believed it was not yet your moment. I beseeched her repeatedly to grant you a longer lease on life. When this matter is concluded, it would be wise of you to take a moment at the temple of Pharasma to offer an acknowledgment of what you have received," Zora adds on, gravely.

Isabel's words cause the ashen-skinned Pharasmin to look ahead. "Indeed. Do we think we can board it without a combat?"

(Once we're within 100 feet from the boat, Zora will cast Deathwatch (30 minutes) for herself and then Weapon of Awe on Warpac's axe, if he is okay with that.)

My, yes, he would be alright with that.

"Evan, you came near to the doorstep of my lady several times. I believed it was not yet your moment. I beseeched her repeatedly to grant you a longer lease on life. When this matter is concluded, it would be wise of you to take a moment at the temple of Pharasma to offer an acknowledgment of what you have received," Zora adds on, gravely.

Evan just nods his head at Zora comments, curls into a fetal position next to his dogs and whispers. "Just tell me when we get to shore."

I assume that Evan dropped his wand?

Hopefully wands float!

"Alright, let's try and get aboard that ship," Trying to wring out her hair and getting frustrated, "Right, let's just do this,"

They're usually wood... they should. I hope.

Zora gives the fetal-position gnome a sympathetic look and a pat on his shoulder. "That may be a while yet."

She positions her shield on her arm, and draws a scroll to keep it ready in her hand as they get closer to the ship. (scroll of spider climb)

Given we're approaching on open water, it doesn't seem like there's much of a chance for a sneaky route. So I assume we can try talking our way aboard, or the combaty route. Happy to give a chance for the talk and to assist if possible, but ready for when/if things turn violent.

Roscoe will ... for the moment at least ... maintain his wild shape.

Roscoe follows along underwater beside the smaller boat as Zora prepares a few more spells.

Topside, a striking man in a captain's tricorne and a long red peacoat waits on the bow of the ship with a spyglass. Seeing you approach he lowers the spyglass. Du Moire looks directly at you, but he doesn't seem to be raising anchor or calling his men to their battle stations as you approach from 100 feet out.

The man lowers the spyglass and calls out to the rowboat. Who are you people? Looks like you had a rough time with some Sahuagin. Nasty vile creatures they are....

A few sailors approach the edges of the ship.Their hands on their scimitars.

Hopefully from this distance he doesn't notice my disheveled hair

Speaking up properly, "Good day sir, are you the captain? Do you mind letting us aboard, we have an offer we think you'd like to hear!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Whispering quietly to her companions, "Let's get on board, then we'll see where this goes, might lead to some dagger diplomacy so be ready, let's not trust a pirate,"

"I'll go first. Hopefully that will make them carefully reconsider any violent ideas"

Zora offers a pious smile up at the captain after Isabella's words.

"Yes, we have much to discuss, good sir. In a manner that I hope will profit us both."

Auto-aid the Diplomacy

As he waits for the diplomacy to play out, Roscoe looks for the man with a hook for a hand while thinking about a ticking clock :-)

"I'll go first. Hopefully that will make them carefully reconsider any violent ideas"

That being said quietly to his companions, Warpac adds, "Permission to board!?" and stands waiting for a ladder or rope.

I assume the sides are high enough and that they would not leave any ladders lying about on the side so that he would need to request a ladder

:) Roscoe.

Du Moire seems a bit perplexed by the whole talk of business, though he does seem to relax a bit. Not going to happen my dear....See here, from my view I don't know who you are and I have no business to conduct.

He leans over the railing. I'm the captain of this ship. Name's Darsielle Du Moire of the Chelaxian Du Moires. I'm heaving anchor as soon as my men return. I don't have time to deal with some..... Sahuagin bait. The men on the boat chuckle along with him at your expense.

Your Diplomacy did indeed pass though it only brought him to indifferent.

Ah drats, okay, I imagine we are at the edge of the boat,

"Well I must say, Captain Du Moire, you are quite dashing. You said something about waiting for some of your crew? While we wait, let us aboard, we can share a drink or two, give me a chance to dry some of my clothes,"

"Anyone have that cleaning spell? Forget the name - pressed with gidation or something. That would do the trick."

"I don't believe you understand, Captain," Zora says calmly. "It's not only that we have a business proposition for you, it is that by refusing to entertain the proposition, you may find yourself in a deadly situation."

She holds up her empty hand, forestallingly, lest this be construed as a threat. "May I speak frankly, Captain? You have in your possession certain tablets, which you took by force. Such is the life of a pirate. However, most pirates do not make a habit of taking from an umber sage... an Azlanti umber sage. And most of them do not kill the old man in the process."

Zora pitches her voice to carry to anyone else on the deck. "What I am attempting to communicate, captain, is that the tablets in your possession are cursed. The sage's vengeance is upon them. With his dying breath, he called down the Followers upon you: Pharasma's most dread servitors, the relentless spirits denied entrance into her judgment in order that they might pursue the murderous living. They are slow, captain, but they do not tire and they do not yield. The lives of you and your crew are forfeit as long as these tablets are in your possession.

"As a servant of the Grave Goddess, I can beseech her for mercy in your case, should you be willing to sell these tablets to us and let the curse of blood pass from your hands. I do not like to see souls devoured needlessly, captain-- especially sailors who are merely following orders, and who should not pay for their captain's errors."

yeah, we're going for a Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

All throughout her speech, Zora remains preternaturally calm, the Pharasmin spiral on her shield clearly visible, her milky white eyes gazing up fixedly at the captain and the sailors. Sailors, she has heard, are a superstitious lot.

Warpac almost believes her, even though he knows better, then shakes himself mentally as he figures out she's running a bluff.

Will he actually buy this? Pirates like him have got to run into all kinds of crap like that, but then again they are some of the most superstitious fellows in the world.

Captain Du Moire sees right through Zora's ruse. You are lucky I don't gut you right here and leave you to the sharks. He sneers at her.

SET SAIL WE ARE OUT OF HERE. NOW! The crew begins to run all about the deck and begin the process of hoisting the main sail. Three of the crew grab shortbows and bring them to aim on the party.

Kill them all. Du Moire commands as he waves his hand at them as if they are no matter to him. He walks off towards the wheel as he prepares to set sail.

A DC 13 Climb check proves sufficient to scale the anchor line (provided the individual can reach it) while it takes a DC 25 to scale the ship’s curved sides (using a rope and grappling hook reduces the Climb check to DC 5). It is easier to climb the transom (the flat rear end of the ship) than the side (DC 15 Climb check) to reach the deck

Your boat is near theirs

Round 1
Zora
Isabel
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Du Moire
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Evan
Vash
Roscoe
Warpac
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Thugs
--------------------------------

.......aaaand I forgot spider climb is not, in fact, a cleric spell. *facepalm*

Zora seems unperturbed that her lie failed. She starts to read the scroll in her hand, then pauses, frowning, in the fashion of someone who is wondering if they left the gas on. With a shrug, she casts a different spell. Shield of Faith on herself, will keep the scroll out though

"Hm, none among us can use this scroll of climbing, can they?" she says emotionlessly. "Perhaps Master Roscoe, but he is otherwise occupied at the moment."

"Perhaps Vash could arrange a rope or something? He has that bird of his. I have a rope but no grappling hook. At the very least he could distract them while we tried for a better climbing spot. Everyone else stay behind me. Its going to take more arrows than they own to bring me down!"

Isabel can try a UMD to cast it, she has a +9 and can add a 1d6 to the roll, could work, its DC25 isn't it? So she'd need a 15 or better at minimum. We'd use it on Warpac I take it?

That sounds like a great idea. If you ask or let Warpac know IC, he can bless you and give you two rolls on your try. If someone has guidance that could help too. Once up, Warpac can attach a rope and guard it. Maybe even shove someone off the boat for Roscoe to deal with :)

Isabel will delay until after Warpac has gone and given her his Blessing of Luck, hopefully it works out!

Remember to ask in character. All of these memos were ooc and Warpac does not know what you plan.

Good call, my bad!

Looking to Zora and then to Warpac, "Warpac, I can try and cast that scroll on you! Think you can fend them off up top while we climb up after you?"

"Its what I do best. Let me give you a little aid first." With that he gives Isabel a Lucky Presence blessing.

"A pity I do not have guidance memorized or I would cast that as well."

Zora shields herself on faith alone as she holds a scroll out for someone to use, unsure of her God's powers she bought it anyhow.

Lady Isabel grabs ahold of the scroll and prepares to cast it on Warpac.

Looks like you meet all of the prerequisites for the scroll. I believe the Dc is only 4 though as DC for scrolls are Caster lvl +1

Du Moire continues with commanding his crew, paying little mind to what is happening below.

Round 1
Zora
Isabel
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Du Moire
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Evan
Vash
Roscoe
Warpac
--------------------------------
Thugs
--------------------------------

According to this the DC is atually 20 + caster level. Has Warpac already given the blessing, or is that what he's doing this round?

Ah thanks! I thought the Dc sounded extremely low considering. That sounds more correct. Re-reading the area under scrolls was referring to a Caster lvl check which was the lower DC. Haven't had to mess with scrolls a whole lot yet.

There is a different method you use, I think, when the spell is on your spell list. This one is for UMD when it is not on your list.

Round 1 Wild Shape
Climb DC15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Roscoe attempts to scale the transom, almost making it on deck before falling back with a tremendous splash ...
That should get somebodies attention; maybe distract them from the rest of the party for awhile
... With no clear direction, George stays on the party boat unless he is attacked.

Have the blessing and climb spell been cast already, or is that what I and Isabel are doing this round?

Isabel with scroll in hand will attempt to cast it on Warpac,

UMD DC23: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

UMD DC23: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

"Go Warpac, we'll be up after you, try and throw a rope down!"

After the fight with the sea devils and after gathering his wits. Evan fishes his wand out of the bay and stows it in his backpack. He then checks his dogs and skunk to make sure they are OK.

While the group is taking to the Du Moire Evan tries to dry himself off the best he can and makes sure his pan pipes are free of water.

During Combat

Evan begins a tune on his pan pipes to inspire his allies as he draw his bow.

Inspire Courage: ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Evan, I think you should be at 10 HP, following my channel here.

There is a different method you use, I think, when the spell is on your spell list. This one is for UMD when it is not on your list.

Yup. I was reading the other method.

Evan pulls his bagpipes out and gives a heavy blow into the mouthpiece. Jets of water blast from the pipes followed quickly by a rousing tune, inspiring all on the small boat.

Roscoe leaps from the water. His sharp crocodile claws dig into the hull of the boat as he clamors up the transom. As Rocoe is climbing his claw snags ahold of a trip wire. He loses his grip and falls back into the water. The wire breaks freeing dousing Roscoe with a bucket of chum.

Random Sea Predators: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Rounds: 1d4 ⇒ 3

With the chum hitting the water it seems that it will surely attract some dangerous predators.

With a little bit of effort lady Isabel is able to get the magic within the scroll to release. The scroll turns to dust in her hand as she places a hand on Warpac's shoulder.

Active Party Buff Reminder
Inspire Courage +1

Round 1
Zora
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Du Moire
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Evan (10/11)
Vash
Roscoe
Isabel
Warpac
--------------------------------
Thugs
--------------------------------

Warpac casts bull strength on himself and then climbs, the rope end held in one hand.

It has been a few days someone want to post an action for Vash?

Have Vash fly up and clear the area around where Warpac is coming over doing ride by attacks with his lance.

Vash kicks Milly into gear. The roc lets out a screech as she hurtles into the air onto the boat. Grabbing his lance Vash sets his sights on the yellow archer.

Charge Lance: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 = 11
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 4) + 8 = 18

The archer gets lucky as he ducks behind the railing, avoiding the blow. It seems that Vash wasn't as ready when Milly took off and nearly fell from the saddle.

Warpac's muscles bulge as the gods seem to favor him with additional strength. He leaps onto the side of the boat and scurries to the railing. The red and purple thug move into position and fire arrows at Vash to try and bring the lancer down.

Red Shortbow vs Vash AC 18: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Purple Shortbow vs Vash AC 18: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The arrows splash harmlessly into the water below.

Seeing Warpac climbing the boat like a spider-dwarf the yellow thug draws his longsword and slashes it down at Warpac's hands.

Longsword vs Warpac FF AC 24: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The longsword clatters harmlessly against Warpac's armored hands.

Active Party Buff Reminder
Inspire Courage +1

Round 2
Zora
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Du Moire
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Evan (10/11)
Vash (Fly 20 feet)
Roscoe
Isabel
Warpac
--------------------------------
Thugs
--------------------------------

Zora's head rolls back, her blank eyes staring at the sky overhead. Her hand that had previously held the scroll traces a spiral in the air, which leaves a trail of blue-white flame guttering in the sea wind. The spiral flickers out to appear over the heads each of her companions, faint but visible.

"Goddess of birth, goddess of death, goddess of fate! Appoint us to enact justice! Make us the hands of your impartial judgment!" she cries out.

Casting bless on the party, +1 morale to attacks (stacks with bard song's +1 competence to attacks), +1 morale on saves vs fear. Warpac's weapon is also under Weapon of Awe. Staying where I am for now move-action wise.

Sorry guys. I thought I had posted but I guess the gobo's ate it. I'm glad theres no crit fails in society... That is what I would do though.

Haha yea that critical fail deck is deadly

Zora blesses the party from the confines of the boat.

Seeing Warpac and Vash get onto the boat with ease Du Moire draws his Longsword and quickly dashes off to his cabin, out of sight.

Quit playing with them or I will have you all keelhauled!

Active Party Buff Reminder
Inspire Courage +1
Bless

Round 2
Zora
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Du Moire
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Evan (10/11)
Vash (Fly 20 feet)
Roscoe
Isabel
Warpac
--------------------------------
Thugs
--------------------------------

Round 2 Wild Shape; Inspire Courage
Roscoe tries climbing the transome once again ...
Climb DC15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
... and manages to scramble up on deck and attack the red one of the Thugs.
Bite: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17 for Piercing: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7
Grab: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13 for Death Roll: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8