Ironperenti's Skull and Shackles

Game Master Ironperenti

Orslaw sinks below the waters, unmoving...

Orslaw is going to develop a paranoia of undead before this adventure is over.

rounds paralyzed: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Bessie will cut the feet of the two captives and then dive to rescue Orslaw - believing he is tough enough to survive that long, and praying to Besmara she is right.

As she is able - I am guessing Standard, Standard, Move...let eme know if I need swim checks or other checks for those actions.

Rattsberger is still unconscious and will need to be carried. I had Bessie cut Sandarra free already and she is conscious. Without the extra weight dragging at Rattsberger he can be kept up with a DC 15 swim check. Orslaw is a big fellow with armor, he is a full DC 20 to get to the surface and keep there.

Nasifi asks Sandara "Can you get yourself and Rattsberger to land?"

If Sandara can, Nasifi will hand him off and dive to help Bessie with Orslow.

"I can support him for a bit," Sandarra says, "But where is there any land?"

I thought there were ledges or rocks along the walls, or am I readings the map wrong? If I am never mind about that part.

Those are the walls. However, you do not that it is shallow enough to stand on the shaded portion between D5 and where you are. It just so happens the hooks are there also, but you can stand there.

When she is able, Bessie dives for Orslaw.
Swim: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Nasifi points back toward the open tunnel which looks horribly dark in the dim light (Vlad's dancing lights went below with him). Sandarra nods and begins a slow swim with Rattsberger in that direction. Bessie grabs Orslaw and begins dragging him up when Nasifi reaches her side and together they easily get the big man to the surface. Then they too start heading for the shallows of the entrance tunnel.

Below the surface Vlad realizes the undead thing is chained. With the other crew members out of harm's way he withdraws and surfaces. Guillaume is still wrestling with a badly injured octopus. Vlad swims in to give assistance and the beast is quickly dispatched between them.

With her holy symbol restored, Sandarra provides a pair of healing bursts restoring everyone before they continue. They make their way back out hoping the grindylow retreated for good and did not go in search of reinforcements. The going is slow but by the second chamber Orslaw recovers from his paralysis and is able to swim for himself.

After what seems like an eternity as the tide comes in and the tunnels fill, the Peril Crew finally makes it back out to the churning bowl of a cove. The rising tide has made the water more tumultuous and the little shelves of rock are now covered. Luckily, the crew's ropes still hang from the sides of the cliffs.

How are you getting out? Method, order, that sort of thing.

we need to climb the ropes, yes? If there's anyone that needs help, perhaps Vlad and Orslaw can pull some people up on ropes... assuming they can get up the cliff themselves. If that's needed, he'll go first. If someone just needs a little help, he can bring up the rear to aid folks

Orslaw likes Vlads suggestion and offers to climb up first and pull others up if they need the help. How many rolls will it take to make it up to the cliff?
climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Orslaw's falchion is still on the bottom of the cavern next to the remaining ghoul, so we may want to avoid too many additional fights if possible. Still got a cutlass and dagger in case of an emergency, but just something to consider.

Just one climb check as I assume you can take your time. To that end, anyone who climbs poorly could take twenty but, the climb actually takes 5 climb checks. That would be 100 rounds to climb out. I think the assist method would be faster.

I climb, and I quote - "like a mule" - and Nasifi is only slightly better. A hoist would be lovely. Sorry about the falchion Orslaw - never thought to say I grabbed it... murky waters so I guess I didn't notice you dropped it.

Yeah, Nasifi will wait because she'll need all the climbing help she can get.

The crew reaches the top; Nasifi, Bessie, and Sandarra aided by the boys. Rattsberger has recovered enough to move himself about and easily climbs himself out of the hole. The tide is in and that is when the crew was supposed to return. Did Mr. Plugg wait? How best to get back to the boat?

You can travel about 7 squares an hour on most of the terrain, slower going up the cliff. 10 on the trail.

Guillaume would bring up the rear. He isn't worried about the water in the bowl, needs help climbing, and then can stay at the back and provide supporting fire(err...water? lol) if need be.

"Get a move on, lads. A've no desire to live the rest of me life on this rock." Vlad says it with a smile, but he's truly worried that Plugg will be more than happy to leave them all behind.

Plugg doesn't have the crew to leave us all behind, while I don't want to press that too far and have him try out of spite... Lets get back to the ship Peril Crew - and remember, we need to make some water as we go - that was why we were sent here.

Bessie then looks to Sandarra and Rattsberger. Plugg thought you were dead. While he didn't tell us to leave you, he didn't really authorize this rescue mission either.... just so you know what to expect. Besmara's blessings on us all!

It takes the crew three hours to get back to the dingy they landed with. In the distance they can see the Man's Promise. It looks like she is afloat and the crew is working to raise sails.

We will be sure we cast enough spells to purify the water we bring back, and then make haste for the ship, clearly they need our rescue's help with those lines and the Peril Crew to make sail.

Bessie offers a prayer to Besmara, thanking her for her sister's safe return and their victory over the goblin-squid. She will also examine the magic ring they found further.

Did ya notice the shipwreck south aof the isle when we were on the clifffs? We could tell Plugg... it might be worth checkin for salvage.

Honestly, Vlad is surprised the Promise is still there to begin with. "Guillaume, ya feel like swimming out to let them know that we WILL be returning? A've half a mind to ask Nasifi to give you one of her bombs to make damn sure we aren't being left behind."

In addition to the wreck off the south-west coast, there is also the items at the stockade. The ring Bessie referred to is a ring of swimming which she can confirm when she has time. The stockade had "Among the furnishings in the lodge are a suit of leather armor, six spears, and eight finely tailored courtier’s outfits (30gp each), a spice cabinet holding 5 pounds of pepper in waxed bags (worth 10 gp total), a silver tankard (30 gp), and a silver locket depicting a beautiful, buxom young blonde woman (45 gp). Oddly there are no books nor writing utensils." Orslaw grabbed the spy glass and Bessie grabbed the ring. Nasifi mentioned checking the clothes to ensure they were not plague infested, which they are not, but no one mentioned taking any of the gear.

The crew sets out for the ship, Bessie casting create water as the others row. Guillaume takes off ahead of them to ensure the ship stays put. In the distance, there is movement on the ship and a few people come to the rail as Guillaume gets closer. Guillaume can make them out as Plugg and Scourge. Plugg points and then three sailors step forward and begin to fire crossbows at Guillaume. He is about 200 feet out from the ship when they fire at him and all three bolts miss by a wide margin. The ship's boat, with the Peril Crew, is about a 1000 feet out at this time.

Guillaume is in no real danger. He can go under if he so desires. When the boat gets closer to the ship there will be issues. The boat moves at a speed of 15' per round giving you about 60 rounds or so to plan, take prep actions, etc. Of course you could paddle back to the island and stay there.

"We're even less welcome than before observes Nasifi ruefully. Looks like we'll have to take Plugg and Scourge out of their command if we're going to catch a ride. Better lay into those oars as hard as can be!"

Nasifi looks the ship over for a means of scaling aboard when they've closed in on it.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The anchor has not been hauled all the way in so that it hangs about six feet above the waterline. Also, a cargo net, allowing those out for a swim to climb back aboard is hanging over the edge. Apparently, some of the sailors had been in the water, perhaps to assist with repairs.

"I'll feed their livers to the sharks, the bastards!" Vlad growls as he rows hard.
Can Guillaume use his blasts to bull rush people? Maybe he can knock some of the "bosses" off the ship

"I'm gonna put my sword through that treacherous little weasel..." Orslaw starts as he rows harder than ever. "We're going to be sitting ducks on our way up to the ship. Does anyone have a way for us to get some cover as we get close? I've got a crossbow to return fire, but I'm not fond our our odds in an exchange of shots."

Orslaw did grab the wedding dress and other items. He put them in a bag and left it at the top of the cliff before the climbed down. But he definitely would have grabbed it once they got back up there.

Bessie mutters a curse that would make even the Peril Crew blush under her breath.

Well,she looks at Sandarra and Rattsberger, Sorry you got tangled in the feud Plugg and Scourge have with us. You can stand with us, if you do, you become part of the Peril Crew. You can also stand against us once we board. We will not be given quarter, so I won't ask. I am almost out o' the spells Besmara gifted unto me, so I am standing with a blade and my faith.

Peril Crew, I will offer nor accept any quarter from Plugg or Scourge, should we be so lucky; all others may be given quarter. Go for the net, even we should be able to climb it. once we get there, I will cast obscuring mist, it will provide us some cover, but won't move with me or the ship, so we will have to move fast!

@orslaw, I was tracking the wedding dress and the corset. Will link up a loot spreadsheet sometime this week.

Guillaume pulls up about 100 feet from the ship and gathers power, heaping the local water in front of him, before blasting it out at one of the crossbowmen. Using my Extended Range infusion, for a 120 foot range on my blast.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 1) + 9 = 16

One of the crossbowmen gets hammered, you believe it to be Tate. He staggers but does not go down and then returns fire along with his fellows. One shot gets close but none hit. Up on the mast, Guillaume can see sailors unfurling the sails. With the Peril Crew so far back he may need to take action to slow the departure of the ship.

1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9
1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 2 = 19
1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 2 = 5

"Make for the cargo net! It'll get us on deck faster!"

Nasifi continues to row.

They fire off a few more bolts but to no avail. Guillaume takes a couple more shots but then Mr Scourge takes a crossbow and he turns out to be a rather good shot. At that point, Guillaume backs out of range and waits for the boat. Things get interesting at about 150 feet from the ship. Rowing full steam (same as running) the boat picks up to about 60 feet per round so that they are just a few seconds out (2.5 rounds). Crossbow fire becomes a threat at that point.

The pirates have manned the rail and are prepared to fire a volley. Actions? It takes two to row at the posted speed. Anyone else can attack, prep, call out plans, etc.

We have hit a bit of a lull and I apologize for not communicating what I may be waiting for.

1) who is rowing?

2) you have three rounds of actions, half of the third round you can take boarding actions, what are you doing?

3) Players go first. General initiative is

Guillaume
Nasifi
Orslaw
Bessie/Vlad
Plugg and crew

4) If no one has any prep actions we can jump straight to round 3, let me know.

Not sure the exact makeup of the boat, but I'm guessing the rowing is a 2-man job. Orslaw would definitely continue to take one of the rower's seats and push hard for the boat. He does have a crossbow if someone would like to use it to take a couple of shots at the boat.

Orslaw has no other prep actions he can do, but recommends saving the fog until we nearly get to the boat, unless their is a way to keep it with us for longer.

Bessie will:
Unless otherwise directed, Bessie conveys her plan as they approach...
She will have her shield readied and use Aid Another to protect the rowwers. Nasifi if Bessie must choose.
Verifing we are healed by Sandarra and Orslaw is not hurt?

Rd1 Cast Fog Cloud on the deck of Man's Promise to hinder the crossbowmen. And pray to Besmara.
Rd2-2.5 Cast Obscuring Mist when the rowboat is within 15' of the ship - so the mist will cover everyone as they climb up. And pray to Besmara. Then we fight, in honor of the Pirate Queen.

Remember, Plugg and Scourge get no quarter. Accept any others.

Yes, everyone was healed. I made the change on the map but forgot to mention it.

Guillaume follows the boat in. Once they get to about 100 feet, he slows and beings loosing blasts of high-pressure water again, concentrating on Scourge, then Plugg.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 2) + 9 = 12

Vlad's one of the rowers. I don't think it's worth it trying to get a bow-shot off of a moving rowboat

Nasifi leaves the rowing to Orslaw and Vlad. She quaffs her mutatgen and then begins returning shots with her crossbow.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

This actually covers 2 rounds of actions. 1st round is for drinking the mutagen, 2nd round to shoot. The mutagen is for dexterity so her AC goes up to 21 with +2 from Dex and +2 natural armor.

Guillaume and Scourge trade shots. Guillaume hits solidly and Scourge's bolt flies wide. After this the pirates pull back from the edge of the ship. With Vlad and Orslaw "heaving to" they quickly cover the distance to the ship unmolested further. They reach the boarding net and ponder their boarding plan.

I will adjust the map with the PCs in the water next to the net. So close to the ship you cannot see where the pirates onboard are stationing themselves.

Guillaume continues to slowly approach* while firing blasts of water at any pirate who sticks their head up, or just over the railing to keep them away from it, while his comrades climb the net.

*5 foot steps

Basically, I'm just laying down suppressing fire to keep the others from getting attacked. Once they get onto the ship I'll follow.

Assuming I was able to cast the spells I planned - enemy position on ship should be irrelevant - the whole deck and our approach should be in fog cloud/obscuring mist.

Vlad will gladly take advantage of the mists to climb aboard.
climb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

DC 5 to climb aboard, 1 round to reach the deck. Perception check (DC15) to hear the pirates

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

It's a net and I still can't get my footing... I hate climbing. Besmara, aid us in this effort, that we might serve your will upon the seas!

Nasifi takes to the net and climbs quickly.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

7 beats 5, you made it!