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

Game Master WhtKnt

Dantes heaves a heavy sigh as he takes his crab cage and slips down into the water.

Takes 10 to swim out.

Successes on attempts 4, 5, 9 and 12.

"Of course," the elf tells her, grinning as he grabs a pot and dives in after her, ready to do some crab fishing. He's hoping that they might get a crab or two for themselves for this. He does give Sandara a look, waggling his eyebrows. "Maybe I can get a kiss as a prize for being the first to fill his pot."

True to his boasting, Alwen's the first to stuff his pot full of crabs, and leisurely swims around the others while they take their turn. He looks particularly at the cook's assistant as he tries his best, swimming around to him.

"You know, I get that you're probably not used to this sort of work. Probably best you ended up in the kitchen than doing rigging work, am I right?" He laughs treading water. "You're some kind of unlucky to end up on this crew, I suppose."

Huffing and puffing from the effort, Dantes replies to Alwen "Indeed. Although this would be so much easier if I had my spellbook! My true talents are being wasted."

Alwen gives the dwarf a funny look. "...you know that the quartermaster probably has that, right? What, has the cook kept you so busy in the kitchen that you haven't even bothered to look?"

If it's possible to help the others...

Treading water, Dantes replies to the elf "I've poked around a bit, but haven't found much. Do you think Grok would hand it over? Maybe a bribe of sorts, but what? As for what's been keeping me busy, mostly turtle hunting, special meals for the captain and plummeting to the deck from the rigging."

"Yeah, I've noticed that, Freefall," Alwen chuckles. "So long as you pay fair price for it, she'll most likely hand it over. I'll loan you a little coin to smooth things over with her. She likes me - how do you think I got all my stuff back?" He grins, waving at Satinder.

"My advice to you is not to keep to yourself - sure, you got sapped and tossed in the hold like cargo, but if you hate it, you can always slip away the next time we make port. Believe me, working for Mr. Plugg and this captain might not be a picnic, but it's a far cry better than being a Chelish slave for twenty years. Least the company's far prettier - well, most of them," He adds, nodding towards Chumtooth.

Hearing the slopping noise of wet crabs landing in his bucket, Chumtooth looks up to see Satinder skip away, and jumping back into the water.

"Chumtooth owes a boon to Satinder, now," he mutters to himself, then sighs in resignation.

Ayaki, you can take 10 on the swim out, like Dantes did. Everyone's rolls will stand, however...

A moment or so after you begin crabbing, Chumtooth spots a dark shape moving out of the reef. It is quickly followed by a second and third form of similar size and shape.

Seconds later, the three creatures are circling around to the attack! Blood-red spines run the length of these frightening creatures, which resemble a lobster in the front and an eel in the back. You can see a picture at this link.

Are you folks comfortable with rolling initiative, or would you rather I just go ahead and do it?

Fine I guess I do not get my boat

Intitive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Intitiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"There, in the water, something moves!" Chumtooth shouts as he jumps to his feet, belaying pin in hand.

"Well, fiddlesticks - we'll pick up this conversation later," Alwen tells the dwarf, taking out his dagger and looking to see what's coming after them. "Hope you've still retained some spellcraft!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Know Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Since size is not readily apparent in the picture, they are only about three to four feet long.

Generally quicker if you do it, I think, but it's good either way

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Yeah, better if you roll it, goes a lot faster. :)

"Oh man, just our luck! Anyone have an extra decent weapon? I only brought this dagger, wasn't expecting any trouble."

Looking around she notices this was a stupid question, so she takes the knife from her belt and positions herself near Chumtooth and Alwen.

"Everyone stay out of the deeper water. Make them come into shallow water, so we don't lose our edge!"

Okay, sorry about that. Was at Wizard World ComicCon in New Orleans all weekend.

The group converges in the shallows of the reef, forcing the creatures to come to them, but the monsters climb fort from the water, proving that they are equally at home, if not as mobile, on land as in the water. One of the beasts snaps at Ayaki with a claw that proves as sharp as coral. It cuts into the bard, causing her to yelp in pain. A numbing chill spreads from the wound, sapping her strength. As it grabs hold, it twists its body about hers, tightening to the point that she feels her bones straining. Ayaki takes 4 points of damage, is grappled, and suffers another 4 points of constriction damage. Ayaki, you also need to make a Fortitude save, please.

Targeting: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Monster vs. Ayaki: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage (claw): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Grappled?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Constriction damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Alwen and Satinder are up!

I just can not Win, LOL
Current HP: 1
Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
-----

GET THIS THING OFF ME!!!!

"Hold on, dearie!" Alwen tells her, stepping in and striking with his dagger. His strike sinks into the creature's side, hopefully hitting something vital.

Dagger attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Dagger damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Alwen, try to distract it from the side, don't attack it head-on!" Satinder shouts.

She tries her best to circle the creature, looking for a blind spot where to strike. She is mostly ignoring the screams of the grabbed woman.

1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8
Trying to get into flanking with Alwen if possible. Do you have a map up somewhere?

Okay, a map is up at this place. You should all have edit capability.

Alwen's dagger flashes, drawing blood from the creature and eliciting a high-pitched shriek like fingernails on a chalkboard.

A second creature approaches Alwen from behind, but the attack falls short and only manages to snap at his tunic. The third creature attacks Sandra, but likewise misses.

Creature 2 vs. Alwen: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Creature 3 vs. Sandra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

The PCs are up!

Chumtooth steps forward and unleashes his fury upon the creature in front of him.

He strikes with his belaying pin, and snaps his sharklike teeth at the beast.

Attack with club: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10 flanking

Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Attack with bite: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 = 19 flanking

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I can't seem to edit the map, but...

Dantes paddles a little, putting Alwen between himself and the creature Alwen is engaging. He brushes a hand against the valiant elf, imbuing him with a bit of arcane might.

Move one square to the right, and use Augment arcane school ability. Alwen gains a +2 enhancement to Strength for one round. Six of seven uses remaining for the day.

Seeing the blood pooling around Ayaki, Dantes barks a single arcane syllable at her, hoping the power it carries will help her swim to safety. He calls out to her "Swim away carefully, Ayaki! Don't let it get you again!"

GM (or just anyone who knows), do you need a swim base speed to use a withdraw action in the water, or can you do it just swimming?

Move action: Swim to the right to get away from the creature.
Standard action: Augment on Alwen.
Immediate action: Liberating command spell on Ayaki.
Free action: Call out to Ayaki.

"Take on the one on poor Ayaki! Get it off her quick!" Alwen barks to everyone, authority in his voice as he drives the dagger into the monster once more. The boon from the dwarf gives him a surprising but welcome edge, the dagger digging in a little deeper.

Move Action to use Freebooter's Bane (+1 to attack and damage to marked creature from all allies within 30ft).

Dagger attack (FB +1, flanking +2): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 26
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

Acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Unarmed strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Bangkha kicks off and swims towards Ayaki, diving under the other creature and punching at the one attacking the bard.

MAP!
--

Satinder sees the blade strike true at Alwen side, and tries to copy the result!

1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 12
Sneak attack: 1d4 + 3 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + (6) = 14
--
Assuming the creature didn't die from Alwen's attack.
Otherwise, Satinder will move closer to the one on the right. Who is that marker btw?

Dantes puts some water between himself and his foe and lends Alwen a magical hand before trying to liberate Ayaki from her foe. She slips free and moves out into open water.

I don't see why you can't withdraw without a natural swim speed. The mystery token is Sandra.

Ayaki Escape: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Bangkha's punch catches the creature off-guard and it reels with the blow, but remains conscious.

Sandra's blade flashes in the sun, slashing her foe, but the blades barely removes a few of the creature's scales.

Sandra vs. Reefclaw 3: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage (rapier): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The reefclaw that had been holding Ayaki now turns its attention to Satinder and strikes at the agile woman. It latches hold with both claws (5 points of damage) and wraps itself around her. Satinder can feel venom coursing through her veins. Make a Fortitude save, please, Satinder (DC 13).

Alwen sinks his dagger into it once more and it momentarily loosens its grip on Satinder, but quickly tightens again. Satinder fights to free an arm and stabs at the creature. Her knife finds its mark, stabbing deeply into the creature's thorax. Green ichor spurts from the wound and the creature screams hideously, tightening once more about Satinder (4 points of damage) one final time before it sinks to the reef, dead.

Reefclaw targeting: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Reefclaw vs. Satinder: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Reefclaw vs. Satinder: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Grappled?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Constriction damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Constriction damage (death throes): 1d4 ⇒ 4

The creature facing Chumtooth, Alwen, and Bangkha lashes out at the kuru. It's claws strike deep (7 points of damage) and Chumtooth feels a moment of weakness as the poison spreads through his body (Fortitude save, please (DC 13)), but he manages to wrestle free of its clutches.

Targeting: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Reefclaw vs. Chumtooth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Reefclaw vs. Chumtooth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Grappled?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Sandra's foe lashes out at her, catching hold and inflicting vicious wounds with it's claws. It quickly wraps itself around her and applies pressure, squeezing the breath from her.

Reefclaw vs. Sandra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Reefclaw vs. Sandra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Grappled?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Constriction damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Sandra Fort save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

DAMAGE
Reefclaw 2: 0
Reefclaw 3: 2
Sandra: 9

Spying Sandra in peril, Alwen presses into action to save her, stepping up to the reefclaw to stab it with his dagger. "It'll thrash and slash you when it dies, so get it off fast!" He tells her.

Dagger attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Dantes follows Alwen and continues to try to give him an advantage with a small arcane enhancement.

Move one square (map updated), and use Augment arcane school ability. Alwen gains a +2 enhancement to Strength for one round. Five of seven uses remaining for the day.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Chumtooth lashes out again at the tasty beast.

Club: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23

Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Satinder, being overwhelmed with pain, decides to give it all before going down. She moves through the water until she can see Alwen from the other side, and waits for the right moment to step in.

Atk: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12 >>1d4 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (4) = 8

After stabbing the creature but hitting only scales the wound in her side that she'd been holding closed starts gushing blood, and she goes down.

You can hear her say "Ch...um..." while she falls into the water.

--
Guys, we need to work on taking advantage of flanking! :p
Not just the sneak attack, but +2 attack is good for everyone.
Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Satinder, if you're disabled, that means you can only take 1 action, standard or move, per round. So you could swim this round to flank, but you wouldn't be able to attack until next turn.

MAP!
--
Whoopsie!
Edit: In that case I'll 5FS (free action) backwards, and ready an attack in case one of these things moves next to me.

Satinder, being overwhelmed with pain, decides to give it all before going down, but at the right time.

She investigates the wound in her side that she'd been holding closed, and it is really gushing blood. She is having trouble staying upright and looks like she could go down any second.

You can hear her say "Ch...um..." while she almost falls into the water.

being as wounded as I am I am going to start swimming back to the boat slowly. Full Withdraw towards ship

Got no healing spells?

"Ayaki, where you going? Come back!!
We... I could use some help.. Obviously.."

Bard Spells Known (CL 1):
1 (2/day) Chord of Shards (DC 14), Eagle's Splendor (DC 14)
0 (at will) Detect Magic, Read Magic, Light, Summon Instrument

You can bardic performance? Gives the guys +1 attack and damage?

on the next round I will do that, unless the gm will allow me to start it as a free action on this round

Sure, that works. You can start singing.

Bangkha kicks through the water and punches the creature attacking Chumtooth.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Satinder reels under the loss of blood from the wound in her side.

The reefclaw facing Chumtooth and Bangkha lashes out once again at Chumtooth, sinking it's claws into the kuru warrior (3 points of damage). (Fortitude save, please, Chumtooth (DC 13).)

Reefclaw targeting: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Reefclaw vs. Chumtooth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Reefclaw vs. Chumtooth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Grappled?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Constriction damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The creature that has itself wrapped around Sandra tightens further, causing the cleric's breath to come in short gasps. It tears at her flesh with vicious claws, adding further injury. Sandra lapses into unconsciousness with a groan.

Reefclaw vs. Sandra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Reefclaw vs. Sandra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Constriction damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Ayaki starts back for the safety of the ship, but soon turns back, reluctant to leave her friends.

Chumtooth's club finds it's mark, despite his arm being pinned, but his bite finds only a mouthful of scales. From the side, Bangkha's fist smashes into the creature, causing it to shudder.

Alwen and Satinder are up, then everyone else.

REDACTION: Chumtooth is NOT grappled. My mistake. No constriction damage.

DAMAGE
Reefclaw 2: 10
Reefclaw 3: 2
Sandra: 21

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Freebooter's Bane on Sandra's reefclaw!

"Get off her!" Alwen shouts, really angry now as he rams the knife into the monster once more. Like hell it was going to kill her!

1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20
1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Satinder keeps her defensive stance, waiting for the bleeding to stop.
Anyone entering the squares next to her will feel her knife though!

Sensing the creature's weakness, Chumtooth goes for the kill.

Attack with club: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 26

Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Ataack with Teeth: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Confirm critical hit: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15

Crit damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 "killer" trait bonus

Bangkha kicks the shark again.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Or does he?

Chumtooth tears the heart out of his target, devouring it with a single, mighty crunch. The remaining reefclaw is quickly dispatched and you find to your delight that they taste delicious and will fill a bucket. The swim back to the ship is uneventful and the Captain is pleased with your efforts. He turns to Plugg and says, "Give one of 'em back their loot."

Plugg, in turn, looks you over. "One of you mangy sea-dogs gets their loot returned. Who be it?"

When you decide who will have their equipment back, Plugg turns to Grok and says, "You hared 'em, quartermaster."

That night, the crew dines on crab and reefclaw, and there is much merriment. Nighttime actions, please.

glad to be back aboard the ship I try to find Sandra to help heal these wounds

The elf is very glad to be back on the ship, though he's certainly worried about Sandra - and Satinder as well, looking at the rakish woman with concern. At the subject on who would get their things back, Alwen grins and pats the dwarven wizard on his head.

"Oh, you should give him his things back. He's not all too much good without them." He says with a grin.

Yeah, Alwen wants the wizard to have his spellbook back and be useful to him - err, the group.

In the evenings, the elf goes appealing to some of the crew he hasn't already spoken to before - he sidles up to a gnomish woman, grinning at her. "I don't believe we've had a chance to speak yet. Or do any other things," He tells Giffer Tibbs. "Would you care to hear about the perils I and the others faced upon the reef today? It's a magnificent tale."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Chumtooth drinks his rum in huge gulps, letting the foam roll off the corners of his mouth.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Charisma Bonus: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Fatigue: 1d8 ⇒ 1 hours

He pounds his chest and bellows into the night air.

"Chumtooth crushed the beast's shell! Chumtooth ripped the beast's claws! Chumtooth ate the beast's heart! HARRROOOOOO HAWWWW!"

Perform (oratory): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0