The door opens, and as you open it, you hear the footsteps sounding clearly from a few floors up.
"Are you sure?" Varus wonders where they can go.
Perception:
"What exactly is going on Bernd?"
"Jackboots, lots of jackboots, coming down the stairs this way, get off yer arses and move." Bernd says unsheating his blade.
Rumha can't hear it, but he doesn't doubt the news. "Maybe they are a sign of betrayal, maybe not. Since we aren't prisoners here, let's go find the good Father. Put your weapons away, but be ready."
Victor hefts his weapon, a terrifying rictus grin spreading across his face, though obscured beneath his helmet. "Τώρα αυτό είναι που περιμένατε!" the Gravebound man speaks, his skeletal hands squeezing the haft of his weapon so tightly that the knuckles are pure white.
Are we heading off to try and find the Father or waiting?
Varus is unsure what to do.
Kobayashi remains silent, a hand on each of his blades, ready to draw them at a moment's notice.
Rumha quickly casts a spell and takes on the appearance of a guard. Before stepping out into the hallway, he says, "Be ready. If they are coming this way, I'll likely join at their back so be careful with your blades."
He steps out into the hallway, looks about, and then heads out as if on duty.
In any case the footsteps get louder and louder as they approach your room before a large group of robed men, accompanied by a platoon of guards appear.
Many of them are whispering between each other.
"Is that them?", "The poor fellows.", "One must wonder at their tenacity no?"
Father Lyctun pushes his way forward from the crowd, an apologetic look on his face before he notices a guard right outside the door. He gives him (Rumha) a strange glance.
"I tried to keep them at bay, but the Councilmen of the Wall absolutely had to meet the unfortunate souls who are about to set out on this journey."
He turns to face the group.
"Now, I believe I said only a look. Off with codgers, you'll see them well enough when they depart."
The army of councilmen disappears downstairs and Lyctun turns back towards you.
"I figured you might react badly to a crowd but honestly my friends, disguises? It may have fooled them," he taps his eye, "but not me. Now, I was going to inform you that the ship is prepared and we are ready to make..."
A man runs up the stairs and Father Lyctun stops.
"Father! Father! Some of the men have begun trying to burn the ship, yelling things about Death to the Dead! We are trying to subdue them but many of the men are on the fence on this matter already..."
Father Lyctus turns to you with a dour look.
"Come with me, let us first try diplomacy... and then see what needs to be done."
You hurry downstairs and into the Harbor where a gathering of men with yellow paint marking their faces and armor stand.
"Death to the Dead! Only living souls may cross THIS wall. We are heaven, and they are hell!"
Father Lyctus turns to you again.
"Shall I, or do you wish your own defense?"
"We aint dead assh*les!" Bernd calls to the Yellowfaces.
"Hey! That's our boat! Do you not respect your own leaders?"
Varus puts his hand on his sword but does not draw it yet.
Well, it was only a matter of time...
"Please, allow me, Father."
Koba stands atop a nearby crate (or other elevated object) and begins addressing the motley crowd in the most booming voice he can muster.
"Hear me, citizens! We are but poor souls in search of a method to return to our mortality and to punish those who have blighted our once beautiful land. We wish nothing more than for you to go back to your former lives before the wall was erected, and live not in fear of Daemon attacks like the one that robbed us of our lives. Please, allow us safe passage out of your country, and we may yet return Belisaire to its state of former beauty and benignity."
Whew... that was a mouthful... Thank the gods for Chuko's public speaking courses.
"I figured you might react badly to a crowd but honestly my friends, disguises? It may have fooled them," he taps his eye, "but not me."
While diplomacy is tried, Rumha turns to Lyctun, "I was trying to find you not fool you, Father." The unintended alliteration makes him smirk, "Fortunately, you found us first. But I hope you can appreciate why I chose to appear as something other than myself while looking for you. I expect more than a ship would be burning had I not."
His normal form returned, Rumha addresses the crowd as well, repeating Varus' point. "Which of you has the unmitigated arrogance to presume to know more than Father Lyctun? You stand against his judgment now."
With a rousing speech, many of the soldiers seem to take heart at Kobayashi's speech. They turn on their comrades and belittle them for their actions.
After a few minutes, the seven rebels are led away from the ships in chains, and the fires put out.
Father Lyctun looks at Kobayashi with wonder.
"I think this may work after all..."
Now gentlemen, the ship is laden and ready, and I suggest you take a brief visit down to the stores and warehouses. I've sent authorization to the storemaster to allow you to choose some items and equipment.
"You have our thanks, Father. This would not have been possible without your patience and understanding. We hope that while we are gone that no action will be taken against any nonviolent beings like us on the other side of the wall?"
Once in the warehouse, Kobayashi finds some new equipment to substitute for his own in addition to a mask with strange powers. Once put on, Kobayashi's dead-looking face turns to stone, and makes his voice a simple monotone. Interested in this item, he decides to take it with him.
Victor keeps his mouth shut, looking rather displeased at the events that unfold at the docks. He mumbles petulantly about not having anyone to fight, but his melancholy turns to unrestrained joy when he is allowed to purchase a suit of coal-black armor from the town's armorer. The suit is simple but exceedingly well made, the helm and visor blocking most of his undead visage from view. "Now 'is is somethin' I can enjoy," he says to the others after donning his new equipment. "Le's 'ope I can put it t' good use!"
After what seems like an extraordinarily long pause, Father Lyctun clears his throat.
"Well that was weird... in any case, the ship will be ready to sail in the morning so I recommend we all get our cabins shipshape and in order. And yes, I shall be accompanying you. I too have some business to conduct abroad."
==
There are enough cabins so that everyone can have one alone. Otherwise, each cabin has enough for two people to stay comfortably in. Of course as undead, sleep is not needed, but a place to rest or keep to oneself should be welcomed.
You are of course free to wander the ship which consists of: Your Cabins, the hold, the crew's quarters, captain's quarters and upper deck.
As the ship begins to leave port, I'd like you to simply describe where you want to be and what your plans for the first couple of hours are.
In lieu of sleep, when there is little else to do, Kobayashi has been taking to meditation upon the nature of his new powers of concealment and darkness. The fact that the shadows cling to him and seem to act as an extension of himself to some extent doesn't puzzle him as much as it fascinates him. In fact, it seems to make sense.
We ninja are meant to be one with darkness. Perhaps... perhaps I have become closer to the source of ninjutsu. Perhaps this... condition is not detriment, but progress. Now, if I only had my soul once more...
Varus finds a cabin and stows his things then goes back up on deck. Watching the sailors work he offers the captain to help them, being unable to get tired he figures it's better than waiting and doing nothing.
As each of you goes along his business, the ship sails on. Father Lyctun makes sure to let everyone know that with the current winds, the journey will actually take around 2 weeks.
As time goes by, everyone slowly comes to get used to your... undead-ness.
However, in the last few days the ship seems to be nearing darkening storm clouds.
As sailors prepare the ship for the worst, what do you do?
Varus walks over and offers his strength to helping the sailors get through the storm. Over the last few weeks he has learnt quite a bit from the others when they are willing to show him a few things and though he is unafraid of the storm and confident in his own swimming abilities and having no need to breath, he would prefer to stay above water. It doesn't really cross his mind that the storm is actually dangerous for the living, so used to his new form he has become in such a short time.
"Men, how may I be of assistance?" Koba asks the men on deck.
Ewen carefully puts all his papers into his scroll box or the waterproof bag and then neatly packs all his possessions.
When this is done he goes to the upper deck to see what events might be unfolding. He tries to stay out of everyones way.
Through the lashing gale, a faint flicker in the distance catches Ewen's eye. A light... but briefer. A loud whistling boom echoes in the distance, and a fiery explosion burst forth roughly 30 ft. off the port side.
The Captain of the ship rings a loud bell, with the quartermaster bellowing out a beat to quarters.
Ballista are ready on deck and barrels of tar and oil are run up to light the ballista bolts.
As this happens, the enemy comes into view... it is a large galleon, well armed.
The ships begin closing in, and soon they are within 100 ft.
You have a few rounds to prepare before the ships come into boarding distance.
Varus is helping with the sails when he hears the explosion and watches the flames.
He climbs down instantly and runs for his bow and quiver before returning to deck.
Ewen stares at the other ship for a moment, his thoughts racing through multiple possible actions before coming to a conclusion. With something that resembles a low growl he produces his Mutagen from his belt pouch and pours it over his body.
The dead flesh sizzles and bulges and Ewen seems to grow more "muscular".
He then pre-loads his crossbow and keeps it in his left hand. His right hand swiftly opens the pouch containing the catalysts for his bombs and then pulls out an extract from his Bandolier.
Rumha smiles. "This could be the single largest mistake they ever make."
The cleric moves to the center of the ship to capture the largest possible number of allies and crew in his initial spell.
Round 1: Cast Bless
Round 2: Cast Shield of Faith
Rumha approaches the ship's gunn'ls and whispers his final spell, creating a ghostly Starknife that seeks the blood of the pirate captain. It dances and swoops around the other ship... sadly missing its target.
Round 3: Cast Spiritual Weapon
===
===
As the ships reach proximity with each other, you see a lot of cloaked men on the ship. Wearing what looks like tattered blood-red cloaks and bandages hiding their faces, the men look prepared to jump onto the ship.
On the first round the ship is 60' away, second round 30' feet away, third round 5'away, and on the fourth round, the enemies swarm the deck.
We are on Round 1. For the purpose of area of effect damage, simply stating you are aiming at groups of men will work and I will relate the damages caused. Let's hope you can tear them a new hole before they embark.
1st Round: Ewen uses his extract: Bomber's Eye
Varus runs to the highground at the back of the ship near the wheel. Taking aim at a random cloak 70' away, he fires.
Koba sheathes his wakizashi in favor of his shortbow.
Ewen activates Bomber's Eye.
Varus lands a deadly hit and takes out one of the men on the ship.
Kobayashi, you can say that your bow was already drawn and make attacks.
Kobayashi fires an arrow into the mass of cloaks from the ship's gunwale.