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

Game Master WhtKnt

"I don't know. A few to guard stuff wouldn't be too bad."

I don't know about y'all but I missed the new message notice from last week.

Riori nods at Faengrim. "Yeah, can't hurt to have some 10 foot tall guards. I mean, we're taking this island, right? Capn's right, with the stone we've got leverage, and I think with the right show of strength we'd get some to be happy to work for us, and we could use the fact they know the island well. Even crew if we can find a place to berth'em. Even one'd be a handy repeller. Kill'em if they resist, but why risk our necks when they could be useful?"

"We will call for their surrender, and service. How they respond will determine if they live or die," Chumtooth says, nodding to the Riori and Faengrim.

"That's what you should have wished for."

"Your wish was granted, as was mine," Chumtooth replies. "Now the Spirit is freed, and cannot grant wishes to our enemies. I see that as a boon. We also have a trove of sunken treasure that we would have known about waiting for us to retrieve it."

So, what I'm seeing is that you wish to continue exploring the city, offering any giants encountered a chance to surrender and work for you. Is that right?

From where you are, there is a building to the north, and doors to the west and the northwest.

Change Shape: Land
Con +2 (+10 hp, +1 fort); Ferocity; Swim 30'; Bite +14 1d6+4

Faengrim stands there looking at his captain for a beat longer than is respectful, but does turn and goes to open the closest door. He looks over it to make sure there are no traps before opening it.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34 +2 in urban terrain; +4 in water terrain; +2 v aquatic humanoids; +4 v giants; +4 v humans

"You're outta line, Faengrim. Capn made his call. Why harp on about it?"

Sounds right to me, GM

The door on the building to the northwest appears untrapped. The sharp tang of woodsmoke fills this building, where a giant fire pit set with roasting spits takes up the northern half of the room, positioned just below an open hole in the roof. Four cyclopes sit around the fire, tending to a huge pot of bubbling stew. The giants reach for their weapons as you enter.

Faengrim, Riori, and Dantes are up!

INITIATIVE
Faengrim
Riori
Dantes
Cyclops 1
Cyclops 4
Chumtooth
Cyclops 3
Rogar
Cyclops 2

Chumtooth Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Riori Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Faengrim Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Dantes Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Rogar Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Cyclops 1 Init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Cyclops 2 Init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
Cyclops 3 Init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
Cyclops 4 Init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Readying her starknife, Riori issues a quick prayer to Desna to guide them in battle.

Allies within 40 radius centered on me get +1 to most rolls, foes within the area of effect get -1 to most rolls. Currently that's #3, but others who venture into the area will also be effected. 10 rounds

Change Shape: Land
Con +2 (+10 hp, +1 fort); Ferocity; Swim 30'; Bite +14 1d6+4

All Feangrim sees is the perfect opportunity to use his newly gained ability. He advances and belches forth a cloud of steam

Steam Breath, DC 18: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 3, 4, 3, 6, 2, 5, 1, 1) = 33

Dantes?

Dantes layers his magic over Faengrim's new ability. He points and speaks. A spinning sparking bead darts from his finger to the giants' firepit, then explodes.

Fireball, 10d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 1, 3, 5, 2, 2, 2, 1) = 22, DC17 reflex save for half damage[/dice]

Faengrim takes his action, leaving the giants scalded. This is followed by Riori's prayer, and Dante's fireball. Cyclops 1 moves to confront Faengrim, but its blow misses the first mate. Cyclops 4 moves to the door, but is unable to attack anyone.

Chumtooth is up!

At this point, Cyclopes 1,2, and 4 look to be pretty badly injured, while 3 is still reasonably hale, though bloodied (to borrow a 4e term).

Cyclops 1 save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Cyclops 2 save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Cyclops 3 save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Cyclops 4 save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Cyclops 1 save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Cyclops 2 save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Cyclops 3 save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Cyclops 4 save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Cyclops 1 vs. Faengrim: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 1 = 13 Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) + 7 = 17

STATUS
Prayer (Riori) - 10 rounds remaining

Cyclops 1 - AC 19, -55 hp
Cyclops 2 - AC 19, -44 hp
Cyclops 3 - AC 19, -38 hp
Cyclops 4 - AC 19, -44 hp

Chumtooth - AC 19, 116/116 hp
Faengrim - AC 23, 124/124 hp
Riori - AC 25, 87/87 hp
Dantes - AC 15, 65/65 hp
Rogar - AC 25, 93/93 hp

Chumtooth hurls his harpoon at the nearest cyclops.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

If it is still standing, he recalls his harpoon and hurls it again. If it falls, he targets the next nearest.

Second Throw: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Damge: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Chumtooth hurls his harpoon at the nearest cyclops. It slams home, leaving the being reeling. Chumtooth quickly recalls the spear and throws again. This time, he strikes the giant squarely in the chest. It drops to the floor, gasping for breath. Cyclops #3 swings its axe twice at Faengrim. The first mate is hit once for 22 points of damage!

Rogar is up!

Cyclops vs. Faengrim: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 4, 1) + 7 = 13
Cyclops vs. Faengrim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 5, 6) + 7 = 22

STATUS
Prayer (Riori) - 10 rounds remaining

Cyclops 1 - AC 19, -55 hp
Cyclops 2 - AC 19, -44 hp
Cyclops 3 - AC 19, -38 hp
Cyclops 4 - AC 19, -70 hp dead

Chumtooth - AC 19, 116/116 hp
Faengrim - AC 23, 102/124 hp
Riori - AC 25, 87/87 hp
Dantes - AC 15, 65/65 hp
Rogar - AC 25, 93/93 hp

"More one-eyes, eh...?"
Rogar moves a bit closer, and tosses bomb at the closest cyclops(1).

Sand bomb, heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27
fire damage: 5d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 4, 4) + 6 = 27 plus blinded for one round
Cyclops 3 takes 11 points and is blinded. Ref save DC21 to half damage and no blind

The cyclops is hit by the bomb full-force and falls face-first onto the ground, unmoving. Cyclops 2 steps forward to confront Faengrim. The first mate is hit for 18 points of damage!

Everyone except Rogar is up!

Cyclops 2 vs. Faengrim: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) + 7 = 18

Cyclops 3 Ref save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

INITIATIVE
Faengrim
Riori
Dantes
Chumtooth
Cyclops 3
Rogar
Cyclops 2

STATUS
Prayer (Riori) - 10 rounds remaining

Cyclops 1 - AC 19, -83 hp dead
Cyclops 2 - AC 19, -44 hp
Cyclops 3 - AC 19, -49 hp (blinded 1 round)
Cyclops 4 - AC 19, -70 hp dead

Chumtooth - AC 19, 116/116 hp
Faengrim - AC 23, 84/124 hp
Riori - AC 25, 87/87 hp
Dantes - AC 15, 65/65 hp
Rogar - AC 25, 93/93 hp

Chumtooth hurls harpoon at the cyclops that can still see.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

He calls it back and hurls it again.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Change Shape: Land
Con +2 (+10 hp, +1 fort); Ferocity; Swim 30'; Bite +14 1d6+4

"Two of you are down. Surrender and you'll be given a place in the crew. Keep fighting and die today."

+2 Greatsword: power attack, fav enemy, vital strike
To Hit: 1d20 + 16 - 3 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 16 - 3 + 4 = 30 To Hurt: 2d6 + 8 + 9 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 8 + 9 + 4 + (5, 5) = 39

Not sure if you are, make sure you are adding the +1 to attack and damage from Prayer. It's not much but sometimes it matters! Likewise cyclopes -1 to rolls.

Riori takes a short step 5' step forward to be sure the remaining cyclopes are in the effect of her prayer, and then she hurls her starknives at whichever one is most wounded.

Attack with +1 returning starknife, prayer: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 1 = 29
Iterative attack with mwk starknife, prayer: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18

The magical starknife strikes hard and begins its arc back toward Riori's hand. The second one bounces off the cyclopes' pauldron and skids off course toward the floor.

Damage, Prayer: 1d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9