GM WhtKnt's Open Water - A Skull & Shackles Adventure Path

Game Master WhtKnt

Dantes focuses on trying to get himself free. He starts casting a spell to make him harder to hold on to.

Starts to cast Enlarge Person on himself, one round casting time.
Concentration 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 4 = 21

Okay, I believe that the hit point values are right, now. Satinder, you are at 17, Faegrim is at 69, Dantes is at 36 (and down 2 points of Strength), and Chumtooth is at 70 and down 1 point of Strength. The values at the top of the thread should be right.

Is there a way to "retreat" out of the water? Like, I know the option on land, but not in 3D-depth combat. :-D

So I didn't need to take that healing potion or we'll say that potion topped me off?

So I didn't need to take that healing potion or we'll say that potion topped me off?

No, you still have your potion.

Satinder, you cannot withdraw underwater unless you have a swim speed. Nor can you 5-foot step, unfortunately (same problem). You can fight defensively or go total defense.

Satinder feels the pain, but decides offense is the best way to stay alive.
No retreat! No surrender!

Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 = 7
Dmg (sneak if applicable): 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + (1, 5, 4) = 18
(+3 bleed damage) - (+2ac))

Chumtooth rushes his climb into the rigging, reaching the crow's nest in record time. Satinder stabs at the nearest foe to her, the more dangerous hammerhead, but the attack misses as the fish deftly maneuvers out of the way. Dantes begins another spell even as Faengrim stabs the shark nearest him. There is a loud splash, as Kroop tosses something heavy into the water.

The sahuagin near the rudder begins to reload his crossbow. One of the sharks menacing Satinder suddenly veers off course, its attention diverted. The remaining shark takes a bite out of her leg just as the sahuagin plunges his trident into her side! (Satinder takes 20 points of damage and is at -3!) Meanwhile, the shark fighting Faengrim manages a hit as well. (Faengrim takes 11 points of damage!) Topside, Dantes takes another 5 points of damage and 1 Strength damage.

Chumtooth grabs one of the lines running from the mainmast and wraps it firmly around his left arm. Holding his kukri in his right, he swings out from the crow's nest and attempts to slash at the vine grappling Dantes or whichever of his crew is within reach.

(Class ability: Swinging reposition - Pirate Archetype ability)

Attack, Charging: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 14

Damage: 1d4 + 3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 1 + 1 = 4

Faengrim continues to plunge his weapon into the shark.

Trident:
To Hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Trident:
To Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Chumtooth reaches out, slashing at the vine holding Dantes. The vine is weakened, but still holds until Dantes finishes his spell and suddenly doubles in size! The vine, no longer able to support him, drops him to the deck (from a height of 40 feet). Dantes, you can try something to save yourself if you have any ideas. Faengrim stabs his shark again and again, but the beast will not die! On deck, Satinder is carefully fished out of the water and brought onboard, now stabilized (the salt water must have caused her blood to clot).

The shark that was menacing Satinder finally bleeds out and begins a slow spiral towards the bottom. The second shark continues to attack Faengrim in conjunction with Satinder's sahuagin foe, who has swum over to join the fight against Faengrim. Neither manages to land a blow. The sahuagin at the rudder takes another shot with his crossbow, managing to sink a bolt deep into the shark-man's shoulder! (Faengrim takes 10 points of damage!)

Dantes grows, and then plummets. He flails comically on the way down, grasping for anything that might help arrest his fall. Nothing does, except the stout planks of the deck below.

I got nothin'.

Chumtooth, you are within reach to try to snag him as he falls. Doing so requires a successful melee touch attack against the falling Dantes (though he can voluntarily forego any Dexterity bonus to AC if desired). If you hit, you must immediately attempt a Climb check (DC 15). Success indicates that you catch Dantes, but his total weight, including equipment, cannot exceed your heavy load limit or you automatically fall. If you fail your Climb check by 4 or less, you fail to stop Dante's fall but don't lose your grip on the rope. If you fail by 5 or more, you fail to stop Dante's fall and begin falling as well.

With a hated foe in reach, Faengrim directs all his attacks at the sahaugin.

Trident:fave enemy
To Hit: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 = 11 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

Trident: fav enemy
To Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

(If he weren't enlarged, I'd have a fair shot. Currently, his weight far outstrips my max load. Even if I caught him, both of us hitting the deck would be a foregone conclusion. Is there a chance that he could dismiss the magic in the moments before I tried to grab him?)

It is dismissible, and my general ruling is that such is a free action, so sure. If he wants to dismiss the effect in order to be caught, he can.

I'm certainly willing to dismiss and forgo dex to AC, but I do understand if our valiant captain can't save the gravity challenged dwarf.

Seeing the wizard suddenly shrink to his normal size, Chumtooth makes a grab for Dantes in an attempt to prevent him from plummeting to the deck below.

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Climb Check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Reacting quickly, Chumtooth swings over the grab the falling Dantes, who dismisses his spell to permit himself to be caught. It's very close (made it exactly), but Chumtooth manages to lay a hand on his shirt and swing him across to the rigging. Underwater, Faengrim stabs at his hated foe but misses with both thrusts.

The canopy creeper is making short work of the crew members that it had captured. The shark and the sahuagin retaliate, neither managing to wound Faengrim. On deck, the cleric on board tends to Satinder's wounds (Satinder receives 22 hit points).

Party is up!

"Aue Koe!" Chumtooth curses, unable to save the rest of his crewmen. He holds his kukri at the ready and keeps his grip on the rigging line.

"Throw killing magic at the plant beast!" Chumtooth calls down to Dantes. "If vines come again, I will cut them!"

Ready Action: Attack if the vines come:

Attack with Bite: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 19

Damage: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 4

Attack with Kukri: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 16

Damage: 1d4 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 4

Change Shape: Water
Con +2 (+12 hp, +1 fort); Amphibious; Swim 30'

Keep killing the sahuagin.

Trident: fav enemy
To Hit: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10

Trident: fav enemy
To Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

"Most of my magicks won't harm plants."

And I haven't really had a chance to scribe scrolls, so I am just running on memorized spells now.

Dantes leans closer to Chumtooth and imbues him with power. +2 enhancement to strength, for three rounds.

You can only ready ONE standard action to attack, so no full-round, Chum.

Satinder's eyes clear, as she feels the healing heat her up inside.

"You know, I'm married. Some might find it inappropriate the way you handled me... But, no worries, not me." she smilingly jests, as she looks around at the situation.

"A shortbow, now!" she orders as she scans the canopy.

Divided we fall.

Chumtooth guards Dantes as Dantes searches his mind for anything that will help, but draws a blank. Someone puts a shortbow and quiver of arrows into Satinder's hand. Meanwhile, below the waves, Faengrim manages to skewer his opponent, but the wound is not a fatal one. The shark and sahuagin attack as one, though only the sahuagin manages a hit! (Faengrim takes 11 points of damage.) The fish-man nearest the rudder reloads again.

"Find cover!" Chumtooth calls down to the crew on the deck. "Bows at the ready! Knives and cutting blades at hand!"

He turns to Dantes. "Get down to the deck. Find a bow or find cover!"

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Swim: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Seeing no activity from the canopy Chumtooth moves to aid Faengrim, who is currently in the water alone fighting the shark and suahaugin.

Kukri in hand, he dives from the mast into the middle of the frenzy below!

Charge Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 16 +2 more for flanking.

Damage, Bite: 1d8 + 6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 1 + 1 = 10 if flanking, add Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 6

You going for the shark or the sahuagin? Either will give you flanking.

Shark. It's bigger. Chum probably would have locked in on it from high up.

Dantes sees his leader dive off into the water, and immediately follows. He dives to stay close, but keeping the huge cannibal between himself and the shark.

Dantes has touch of the sea going, so he has a swim speed and a +8 to swim checks, and can take 10 even under duress. I think he can make the dive without injury, but please correct me if I am wrong.

The small wounds are starting to add up. Faengrim decides to keep fighting for now.

Attack the sahaugin first then the most injured shark if the sahaugin dies in the first strike.

Trident: fav enemy
To Hit: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

Trident: fav enemy
To Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

Satinder decides to keep firing at the thing in the trees, as there are now three people in the water. She bought Faengrim time, and the captain will finish this!

Attack roll, readied if necessary
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 241d6 ⇒ 6

Oh mama, I forgot you spent all these years teaching me the bow. I still have no love for it, but thank you for your patience.

Satinder grows more quiet as she sees the arrow fly true.

Chumtooth dives into the water, hitting the shark hard as he comes. He takes a bite out of the predator, hitting a major artery, and the shark begins sinking, bleeding heavily. Satinder puts an arrow into the central mass of vines that is the canopy creeper and is delighted to hear an inhuman shriek. Dantes quickly follows Chumtooth into the water, even as Faengrim finishes off his opponent.

The canopy creeper sends another round of vines to grab crewmen from the deck. Below the water, the remaining sahuagin summons the shark to its side and takes another shot, this time at Chumtooth, but the hastily-fired shot misses. The creature mounts the shark by grabbing a specially-designed harness.

The party is up!

Change Shape: Water
Con +2 (+12 hp, +1 fort); Amphibious; Swim 30'

Faengrim goes after the mounted sahaugin, Charging if he has to.

Trident: fav enemy,
To Hit: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Dantes swims a short distance, then casts a spell to improve his allies' prowess.

Casting Haste. He is going to make sure to include himself, Chumtooth and Faengrim. If he can position himself to get Satinder as well, he will do so. And the remaining capacity will go to random crew members that are close enough.

Invigorated by the taste of fresh blood, Chumtooth moves to strike at the underside of the shark carrying the suahaugin.

Attack, Bite: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 29 (+2 more if flanking)

Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 27

Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 x2 = 16 Plus sneak attack, if flanking: 1d6 ⇒ 5 = 21

Sorry, very little time today. Will be better starting tomorrow.
Atk shortbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 161d6 ⇒ 4
If haste: one more attack and one more +1 modifier to the attack roll(s)
Atk shortbow (if haste): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 141d6 ⇒ 2

Underwater, Chumtooth dashes forward and rips at the belly of the shark with his teeth, tearing away flesh and viscera. Blood muddies the water as the wounded fish desperately clings to life. Satinder follows up with another arrow into the creeper, but this one does not connect with anything solid. Dantes casts an haste spell, catching all of his company in the radius. Faensgrim powers into the sahuagin, knocking it from the harness with a deep thrust. Impelled by the magic of the haste, he makes another strike and the creature releases the harness, barely breathing. The shark snaps at Chumtooth, but is distracted by the pain and misses.

On deck, the canopy creeper continues to pluck men from the deck. One sailor rolls out a barrel of pitch and lights a torch. "Flaming arrows! We'll kill it with fire!"

The party is up! Remember that you are hasted.

Chumtooth lashes out again at the wounded shark, trying to end it for good.

Attack, Bite: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 18

Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

If the bite finishes the shark, Chumtooth kicks for the ship, leaving Faengrim to finish off the suahaugin.

Chumtooth makes the most of his speed to return to the ship, and climb the side back up to the main deck.

Climb Check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

Faengrim kills it until it dies. He'll then go after the shark or follow Chumtooth as actions allow.

Trident: fav enemy, haste
To Hit: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 15 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 = 11

Trident: fav enemy, haste
To Hit: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 31 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12

Trident: fav enemy, haste
To Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 18 To Hurt: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 = 11

Satinder curses as the bow does little to no damage. She starts thinking, even as the crew member comes up with the idea of flaming arrows.

"Good job, man!" she says while helping the man prepare the torches and attempting to fire one into the beast in the canopy.

With a few strokes of his webbed feet and hands, Dantes makes his way over to Faengrim. With a touch, he further toughens Faengrim's skin to protect him against the sahuagin.

Move action to get over to Faengrim, augment his natural armor by +2 for three rounds. This natural armor augment stacks with all other natural armor bonuses.

Chumtooth takes another bite from the shark, causing it to go limp and stop struggling. Satinder launches another arrow, this one flaming, into the canopy, but to no effect. Dantes touches Faengrim, imbuing him with additional protection. Faengrim, for his part, finishes off the sahuagin and stabs the shark, just for good measure. He is certain that his foes are dead.

Topsides, Chumtooth is already climbing the rope ladders over the side to the deck. The sailors fire flaming arrows into the canopy creeper, but none seem to be having any effect.

The party is up!

Chumtooth and Satinder are on deck, Dantes and Faengrim are in the water.

With the aquatic threat neutralized, Faengrim climbs back aboard the ship and prepares to fight the plant creature by changing form.

Dantes swims quickly over to the ship, and begins carefully climbing up to the deck.

Seeing that the fire arrows appear to be having no effect, Chumtooth retrieves his harpoon and makes his way over to the rigging in order to climb the mast again.

Climb Check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Seeing her captain go up, she follows.
No captain should be on his own at a moment like this.

Climb check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Satinder and Chumtooth make the climb to the top of the mast, as Dantes and Faengrim clamber over the side onto the deck. The canopy creeper still holds six sailors in its tendrils.

When Chumtooth reaches the top of the mast, he secures end end of his harpoon line to the rigging with a solid knot. He then takes aim, trusting in the seeking magic of the harpoon to find its mark through the foliage, and hurls it at the canopy creeper.

Profession, sailor - tying knot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 1 = 23

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5