Kowaru meditates silently as he notices the two mercenaries head over to speak with the group. One was all business, while the other was seeking more than that, it seemed. Inwardly, Kowaru clucked to himself. Both men are filled with turmoil - one from his lust for the women, the other preoccupied with his job. They will not find stillness so long as they cannot look past what is in front of them. The cook rang a bell to indicate that dinner was at last served, and Kowaru got to his feet, collected his shirt - which had thankfully aired out whilest he spoke with the rest of the travelers - and ate his dinner of water, salt pork and hardtack.
Sleep came eventually to the half-orc, and his dreams were for once not filled with the leering faces of the men who had killed his Master - laughing at him, mocking him for being weak. The paradise that he had found himself on had been replaced with the stench of the quarters of the Velvet Rose. Hearing the shouts of the men, the dead and the dying, he quickly leapt to his feet, and bounded up the steps two at a time.
When he arrived on deck, it was a gruesome sight. Vicious shark-men were savaging the crew - the deck of the Rose ran red with the lifeblood of its men. Kowaru's face darkened as he stepped forward to deal with the creatures. "I will ask you to depart, brother. Nothing can be accomplished by this mindless bloodshed." Inwardly, he knew this was a lost cause, but he could not openly attack another living creature without giving them a chance to see the error of their ways. He crouched into a battle stance, watching the shark-man's glistening eyes for a hint of the attack that was sure to come.
When he arrived on deck, it was a gruesome sight. Vicious shark-men were savaging the crew - the deck of the Rose ran red with the lifeblood of its men. Kowaru's face darkened as he stepped forward to deal with the creatures. "I will ask you to depart, brother. Nothing can be accomplished by this mindless bloodshed." Inwardly, he knew this was a lost cause, but he could not openly attack another living creature without giving them a chance to see the error of their ways. He crouched into a battle stance, watching the shark-man's glistening eyes for a hint of the attack that was sure to come.
Captain Barron tries to inspire his men to greater glories, urging the sailor he is with to flank the enemy as he lashes out with his saber, but his blow is clumsy with little force behind it and it fails to penetrate the Sahuagin's thick scales.
Round 1 (2?)
Seeing the ship beset upon by by fifteen of the savage sea creatures, Aeronniell immediately bows her head, offering a quick prayer to her goddess.
"Blessed Starsong, guide us through this challenge as a traveller guides a sailor through a darkened night..."
Chez steps foward and attempts to poke a sea-beast twice.
Unsure if they can even understand him, Chez calls out, "Foul beasts of the sea, return to its safety or suffer your fate!"
With a swift motion of his head, the swashbuckler flicks his hair back with his last swing and smiles to the ladies behind him.
Chez steps in, dodging and weaving, his rapier puncturing the Sahuagin's kidney and the short sword slashing its chest. Yet despite its grievous wounds, the creature refuses to fall down!
Sahuagin counterattack!
The five Sahuagin in the sea to the North shoot their heavy crossbows at the sailor by the eastern ballista. Most of the bolts bounce off the siege weapon, but one bolt does find its way through to wound the sailor in the stomach, but he still lives!
The five Sahuagin to the west shoot the other sailor near the ballista, wounding him twice, leaving him barely conscious, as he screams in pain!
The Sahuagin on the brothers Altamir growls menacingly, as he grabs his trident and thrusts it into Dixon, puncturing his abdomen and body, spraying blood on Devon! Dixon tries to scream but his lungs rapidly fill with blood and he begins to choke. The evil creature then pulls his weapon out of the brother's chest cavity with a smile! "Good riddance!" are the creature's words in Common. Devon screams "Noooooooooo!", as Dixon's lifeless corpse falls to the deck, his eyes glazed over by death.
The Sahuagin near Chez and Kowaru who refused to die, raises his trident at Chez, but in such pain, only manages a clumsy blow that the fighter deflects and falls to the floor dead, its guts spilled over the deck!
The Sahuagin wounded by Ialda, growls, and says "Kill these landwalkers and their whores!" He steps in 5' and tries to impale the barbarian with the trident and bite her! She blocks the bite, but the trident gashes her ribs severely!
The Sahuagin to the south attacks one of the 2 Mwangi sailors, first impaling him with the trident and then literally biting his head off! A crowd of cheers come from the ocean Sahuagins to the SW.
Finally, the Sahuagin on the Captain attacks, but the expert seaman deflects the blow away with his saber and evades the bite!
With tears in his eyes, Devon swears vengeance on the Sahuagin and attacks him with his saber but he is too emotional and his swing misses by a mile!
Xarethi looks around, in shock and dismay at the bloodshed. With Dixon's death, she lets out an audible whimper, but steels herself against the Sharkriders.
She grips her spear and moves in beside Ialda, thrusting at the sahuagin that had already wounded her.
for
She turns to Chez. "Don't talk to the sushi, just filet it."
Xarethi's spear punctures the hulking creature's stomach and rips out its guts, as it falls to the floor, dead!
Sailors' Turn:
The terrified sailor, who just saw his friend's head bitten off, tries to stab the creature with his short sword and he succeeds, cutting the Sahuagin's face! He moves over to L9, calling for help!
The other sailor, helping the Captain, moves to the flank and tries to stab the horrifying beast. The terror of the deep is more focused on the Captain and the sailor is able to get a blow in, slashing the creature along its back!
Captain Barron yells, "C'mon men, grab yer crossbows, and shoot these fu*kers!"
Three sailors come from below deck and shoot the Sahuagin in the ocean to the north with light crossbows, hitting once!
Round 2 is up!
Aeronniell swiftly moves with purpose to Ialda, resting the palm of her hand briefly on the half-elf's shoulder.
"Be well - and cautious, sister."
"Thank you Aeron, I got sloppy for a second and he got me!" The barbarian moves to assist Devon (P9) and takes another thrust with her longspear at the opponent he was squaring off with.
"We can handle these on the deck, but spread out and don't let the rest of those fish-men on the boat!
Attack with Power Attack and Bless
Damage
AC 14
HP 13/14
Kowaru was very surprised when the shark-man he had confronted decided not to attack him. He had warned it, and it still had attacked Chez. Around him, the crew were dying.
He could not wait to act any longer.
He glanced at Chez. "I will deal with the one on the left," was all he said before he rushed over to the sahuagin near the mast. He aimed carefully at the creature, attempting nerve strikes to incapacitate rather than kill.
Ialda's strike is true, as her spear thrust pierces the creature's collarbone, but despite the grievous wound, the shark-man continues to fight. Devon gives the half-elf a nod of thanks for joining the battle.
Captain Barron attacks the flanked Sahuagin, slashing the creature thanks to the sailor's distraction, cutting the beast across its chest!
He glanced at Chez. "I will deal with the one on the left," was all he said before he rushed over to the sahuagin near the mast. He aimed carefully at the creature, attempting nerve strikes to incapacitate rather than kill.
Kowaru's nerve strike penetrates the creature's thick scales and membrane enough to cause pain. It looks at monk and says, "Youuuu arrrr weak, human, trying to ssstun, rrrrather than mmmmaim! I will show you!"
The Mwangi sailor thanks Kowaru with his eyes for coming to his rescue, as he stands there trembling with dagger in hand.
Although Chez notices that the women seem quite capable of looking after themselves, he just can't allow himself to leave a foe near them. Chez moves in to attack the nearest foe.
Xarethi advances to assist Kowaru. (to M9)
Unlike the monk, she does not hold back the force of her hand, then again she does not need to. Her hands tingle with the familiarity of salt and sea as she holds them up to the creature. With a twitch of her thumb, she pulls the water off (and out of) the Sahuagin's skin.
Both of Chez' sword attacks bounce off the hulking Sahuagin's thick scales, doing no harm.
Sahuagin turn:
Three of the creatures to the NE in the ocean reload their heavy crossbows
Three of the creatures to the SW in the ocean reload their heavy crossbows
The Sahuagin to the SE attacks the last person who attacked him: Chez, since Ialda is out of reach, but the warrior's chain shirt and natural agility doge and fend off the blows, with no harm to its wearer!
The Sahuagin, next to Kowaru, tastes its own blood and flies into a frenzy, his muscles bulking up, as it attacks the monk, puncturing his stomach with its trident!
The last Sahuagin attacks the Captain, also flying into a frenzy, but the skilled naval warrior dodge and fends off its attacks! Captain Barron screams, "We've got them men, push on the offensive!"
Devon goes on the offensive, but again, the massive creature deflects the blow and snarls, "You arrrr no threattt, I want the biiitch!", referring to Ialda.
Xarethi steps to assist the wounded monk and touches the shark-man, who towers over her less than 5' frame. Immediately, his skin dries up and chaps and he doubles over in pain, as he looks at her in anger, baring his teeth!
Sailors:
The two sailors by the ballistas load the weapon this round.
The three sailors to the N reload their light crossbows and shoot the wounded Sahuagin crossbowman:
The trembling Mwangi sailor with the short sword hears his Captain's words and moves into a flank with Kowaru at K10, but misses the target.
The sailor flanking with the Captain also attacks, stabbing the beast int the ribcage, but the aquatic terror refuses to fall and still stands!
Round 3 is up!
As snarling teeth and trident attacks fall short of breaking open his skin, Chez gives the sahuagin in front of him a mocking grin.
Chez the lunges his swords at the beast.
HP: 12
AC: 19
Chez follows up Ialda's wound to the collarbone with 2 punctures of his weapons to the Sahuagin's jugular. The trident falls to the floor, as the creature clutches at its neck in vain, gurgling and spitting up blood, as it dies in a bloody mess, falling backwards into the sea!
Gripping her bow tightly, Aeronniell almost brings it to her shoulder before her keen elvish vision notices the trident plunging into Kowaru's gut.
"Oh my stars..." the elf mutters to herself as she strides across the deck, seemingly oblivious to the danger of the battle around her.
Resting another open palm on Kowaru for the briefest moment, she allows the spirit of her goddess to flow through her into the courageous half-orc defender.
AC 15; HP: 8/8
Spells Cast Today: 3 x 1st
"The Sharkriders to the north are attempting to board, my friends!"
Xarethi's warning comes at a more opportune moment, when most of her allies are not locked in conflict.
Ialda hears the sorcerer and moves north to p6 to help intercept the boarding forces. She thrusts at the closest opponent.
Attack with Bless and Power Attack
Damage
AC 14
HP 13/14
Ialda hears the sorcerer and moves north to p6 to help intercept the boarding forces. She thrusts at the closest opponent.
Attack with Bless and Power Attack 1d20+4
Damage 1d8+7
Captain Barron's flank attack finally kills the Sahuagin!
Kowaru saw the sahuagin's attack coming, and attempted to knock it aside. He was only partially successful, as one of the tines pierced his side. He could see the bloodlust in the creature's eyes, and knew he was in trouble. Still, he had to do what he could - lives depended upon him.
He felt a sudden warmth on the wound, and saw Aeron laying her hands upon him. Flesh knitted back into place, and Kowaru felt the pain leave his body. He spared the elf a quick nod of thanks, and retuned to face the shark-man. "You may kill me, creature, but I will not allow you to visit further harm upon this crew." With the renewed vigor in his limbs, Kowaru smack the sahuagin on the sides of the head, where the ears would be on a man. He closed in, trying to prevent the monster from effectively wielding his weapon, and shot another fist towards the creature's stomach.
Flurry of blows on the sahuagin, +1 due to Bless. As a standing policy, all damage will be non-lethal unless otherwise specified.
Attack 1:
Attack 2:
Damage 1:
Damage 2:
Current HP: 10/10
Current AC: 16
Kowaru's blows leave the Sauhuagin reeling but still standing, as it grabs its head in pain, infuriated by the half-orc's attacks!
Sahuagins' Turn:
Two of the Sahuagin shoot the sailor near the ballista, while the wounded one shoots Ialda. Two bolts hit the sailor, killing him instantly! The third shot hits the railing near the half-elf barbarian.
Of the two Sahuagin trying to climb, one manages to climb 7.5 feet, still out of the range of Ialda's longspear.
The other 3 Sahuagin in the ocean to the SW shoot the other sailor near the ballista, killing him as well!
The other 2 attempt Climb checks but do not manage to find adequate handholds.
The Sahuagin facing Kowaru thrusts his trident into the half-orc's throat, and while it narrowly misses his jugular, it does gash his shoulder and neck! The monk does manage to avoid the shark man's bite.
Devon sees the Sahuagin nearly kill the monk and vowing to not let another innocent die, he races past Aeronniell and Xarethi, saying "Excuse me, ladies!", then ducking the shark man's trident, before driving his saber through the enemy's heart, screaming "For Dixon!"! The Sahuagin screams in pain, gurgles something in Aquan, and dies, slumped against the railing.
Sailors' Turn:
One of the sailors with the crossbow drops it and runs to man the eastern ballista, but his shot goes wide. The sailor flanking withe Captain runs to man the western balista and hits one of the Sahuagin, grazing him in the arm. The trembling sailor runs up and picks up the dropped light crossbow.
The 2 sailors with crossbows reload and again shoot the injured Sahuagin to the N, but he still lives. They then move back 5'.
Witnessing Kowaru's grievous injury, Aeronniell sighs as she watches the shark-man slump to the ground.
Undoing my work, these wretched sea beasts...
Feeling her divine spark dimming today, she realizes she will need to contribute more physically in the ship's defense if they are to win this battle.
Striding across the deck yet again with bow in hand, she stops at the rail and takes aim at the shark-men attempting to board.
for
AC 15; HP: 8/8
Spells Cast Today: 3 x 1st
]Ialda continues to wait for one of the shark men to approach close enough that she is able to strike it. "We've got them now, everyone! Press the attack," she bellows to the crew.
Chez will calmly walk over to the other side of the ship, and look down at the sahuagin trying to climb up.
He looks down over the ledge and shakes his head disapprovingly, "Are you sure you really want to do this? It didn't work out so well for your mates. Perhaps its time to cut your losses and depart?"
Captain Barron runs to the SW side of the boat. "We got 5 more on this side, need some crossbows now!"
The Sahuagin with the arrow in his back stubbornly continues to climb, making progress, but unfortunately, putting it within reach of Ialda's longspear, which quickly lashes out, piercing its brain, killing it instantly! The rest of the Sahuagin look in horror at his death, realize they have to reload their crossbows, and that there is now an archer aboard who can pick them off as they climb. One of them pulls out a seashell and blows on it, causing a strange foghorn type sound. Immediately, after, the Sahuagin yell something in Aquan at the party and boat, and then dive into the sea on the back of their sharks.
"They're retreating over here too!", yells Captain Barron and the surviving crew members exult with fists in the air! The Velvet Rose has been saved! But at a high price, as you count the number of dead sailors (6) and the death of Dixon Altamir. Devon rejoices in the victory for a second but then returns to his brother's body, where he grieves.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Devon," the barbarian says as she approaches the scene of one brother grieving for another. After a moment, she goes to look in on all the others, to ensure they were as well as could be.
Devon thanks Ialda and the rest of the party for their actions in combat and for their condolences. However, you sense the guilt he feels, as he mutters to himself, while holding his brother in his arms, "I should have listened to you bro, we should have stayed in the hold. If I had not been so stubborn, you wouldn't have died!"
"And thank you again for the healing, Aeron. Those creatures were vicious with their tridents." The barbarian has a thought and inspects the bodies of the sauhuagain to see if they had any identifying marks, tattoos, or other points of interest on them.
Perception
In Round 3, Xarethi would have run to the southwest side of the boat and ensured that the sahuagin there did not attempt to board, she would have called for assistance.
In Round 4, when the sahuagin are retreating, Xarethi would try to cast a last ray of frost. , for cold damage at the nearest fleeing sahuagin.
"Good, we beat those Sharkriders off! I hope they think twice before assaulting a ship!"
Chez takes out a cloth and begins wiping the blood off his blades before he sheathes them. "Ah, well that was an interesting way to start the day."
The swordsman notices the captain's remorse and approaches him, "Your men fought well captain. I am saddened for your loss and theirs, but they passed on valiantly and should be remembered as such."
Chez turns to address everyone then, "I am proud to have fought beside all of you. Your combined skills and determination has saved this vessel, and perhaps our lives. Congratulations to all of you!" The swashbucker gives a loud solo applause.
He then strides over to Ialda, "You fought with great skill m'lady. I admire your prowess in battle, and I am happy to see that the lucky strike the sea creature scored did not grievously wound you nor disfigure you. Ah, but he did ruin your fine tunic."
Chez holds his hands out towards Ialda's tunic, "if I may m'lady."
Provided that he is not met with any resistance Chez will lay his hands upon her tunic and magically mend it. He will look up at Ialda and give her a wink.
Kowaru stares down at the fallen shark man, its dark eyes now glassy. He holds an arm to his chest, feeling his lifeblood still seeping from him, and he collapses to a knee. "I am sorry, brother," he says to the sahuagin, quietly. "I did what I could. Perhaps you will fare better in your next life." He struggles to his feet, and makes his way to the railing to see the remaining shark-riders swerve away from the Rose. "The ship...out of danger." He leans heavily against the rail, the pain from the trident wound almost crippling.
Chez approaches behind the half-orc monk, and clasps a hand on his shoulder, "You fought well for a man bringing fists to a sword fight."
The swashbuckler chuckles and looks down at Kowaru's wound and sighs. "That was indeed a nasty blow, but you shrugged it off well. You should get that further mended, you wouldn't want you soul to leak out of that gash". Chez grins.
He will look around and see the crew tending to their wounded, removing the dead and cleaning the deck, Chez decides its a good time to return below deck to catch up on some more beauty rest. As he drifts back to sleep a nagging thought keeps ringing through his head. "Why is he so concerned about his damned cargo?"
Aeronniell prepares another arrow as she watches the shark men in their retreat. She draws it back slightly before sighing and returning it to her quiver.
Walking quickly across the deck, she begins to inspect the wounded to see if anyone is incapacitated but will still live.
Brushing her hair back behind her ears as she kneels next to the most recent sailor, Aeron comments to the others, "we did well, I did not realize all of the passengers were so... talented."