Masks of the Living God (sequel to Crypt of the Everflame) (Inactive)

Game Master Darius Silvermere

Kyra will maintain her current listed spells. She only prayed for Lesser Restoration to heal Merkava's ability damage and anyone else who suffered the same.

Griswald looks down, not wanting to make eye contact.

"The beast... inside of me, is a curse I've been battling for some time now. The others: Merk, Nivel and Firyin know. I am in control, I proved that in our last adventure, but ... I didn't know Firyin was like me though..."

A curse.... or a blessing?

Kyra listens to Griswald and offers a little wisdom.
"Hmmm If you say you are in complete control then I would think it a blessing. If you wish to get rid of the beast then I believe that some powerful clerics can remove this curse. Perhaps I may be able to offer this service to you.....perhaps...unless you prefer to remain with the beast."

Dotting. I'll catch up ina bit.

I would like to move forward with the story after weekend. That will be the last night on the boat before reaching Tamran. Please try to finish your conversations and anything else you still want to do before that.

We can move to land now if you want, that's what I'm waiting for.

Captain Walren announces that you are nearing Tamran. He wants to push on after dark, so you will be able to reach the city this night.

About 1 hour after dark, when the lights of Tamran are just visible in the distance, you notice the silhouette of a sailboat approaching from the south (Tamran is south west). The sailboat is more or less the same size as the Black Mist.

Captain Walren is on deck steering his vessel and is assisted by Ewem. Firyin and Nivel help with keeping an eye out for any trouble during this first watch of the night.

Current course and speed maintained, the other boat is now about one minute away from the Black Mist (800 ft).

Captain Walren looks a bit nervous, as he learns about the approaching vessel.

What's with this boat? Nivel will ask the captain bluntly. I don't want to deal with any more boats out here.

Captain Walren just answers: "I don't know.. I hope we don't get into any trouble."

Being that we are close to departure, is it safe to assume that everyone is ready and aware of the boats approach?

It's 2 more hours until arrival in Tamran. I guess it's reasonable to assume that the excitement of getting close to your destination, means nobody manages or even wants to sleep. So yes, you are all aware that there's a boat approaching. Let's just say then, that you took some rest during the day, knowing that you would reach Tamran by night. If you want, you may also assume that you have your weapons and armor ready.

GM - Thank you sir. Exactly what I wanted to know.

Kyra walks over to the captain and says to him, "Captain Walren, does the ship have any identifiable markings? Also, how do you deal with pirates?"

The Captain replies: "The only thing I know is that there's a somewhat quiet war going on between Nirmathas and the country of Molthune. Tamran is the capital city of Nirmathas and Molthune is lying just to the south of Tamran.. I haven't seen any pirates so far during my travels."

As he keeps looking towards the other boat, he says: "It doesn't look like a warship. Could be just another merchant.. Wait.. I think they are raising a flag. But I can't see clearly yet what it is.."

The other boat is moving closer. Now at 600ft.

Bump, learned how to unhide a thread.

Firyin wakes with a start, gasping air back into his ruined frame. "Wha...what happened?"

Nivel looks at the flag, trying to see what it could be or what it might mean. He'll describe the flag once he sees it in case the captain does not see it.

Kyra calls for her new elven companions, "Firyin, Nivel, we need your elven eyes. Can one of you find a high vantage point and keep an eye out on that flag. Also, let us know what kind of movement you see on the deck, either they wish to parlay or they are preparing for a take over."

Not sure if there is a crows nest or if there mast to climb.

There's a small crows nest in one of the masts. But remember that you have less than a minute before the other boat reaches you.

At 400ft Nivel will be able to distinguish enough features of the flag to hopefully let Captain Walren make sense out of it.

Am still giving others a chance to react before the boat closes to 400ft.

I man one of the remaining, working ballistae.. There were four right, but I broke two of them trying to "fix" them?

If those are broke, I simply bring out my crossbow and wait for the fun to begin.

As Merkava moves to one of the ballistae, Captain Walren orders Ewem to assist him.
The two ballistae in the back are not working, but the two in front are still functional (although rarely used).

Nivel describes the flag as red with white diagonal stripes. Captain Walren says: "Molthune has a red flag and Nirmathas green.. I don't remember any white stripes though.. but we are neutral.. I mean.. maybe they just want to ask some questions?"

After closing to about 400ft, the other boat starts to turn slightly which could indicate that it will try to come side by side with the Black Mist.

You notice some movement on its deck from several people.

Kyra stands side by side with the captain.
"Let us not be the aggressors. Let's see what these folks want from us."

Merkava and Ewem are standing at a ballista and aim it at the other boat. The ballista can turn enough to target the ship if it moves side by side with the Black Mist. You will get a -4 penalty for firing at a human target, because obviously this weapon is made to target giant creatures. The help of Ewem means you can ignore the penalty for using a weapon you don't master.

Kyra is standing side by side with the captain and Nivel continues to carefully watch the other boat.

I would prefer to get at least one post from Griswald, Morg and Firyin to know about their attitude: if you want to prepare something, hide, wave :) or anything else.. In any case, I will continue the encounter friday because I have two very busy days coming up. Without posting from someone, I will assume they just stand ready on deck.

Firyin lurks, silently, staring at the other boat. He stands next to a wall so he can take cover quickly.

Griswald has a javelin readied incase things turn deadly. Not a readied action because that might be viewed as threatening, Just the weapon is in hand and he is prepared for combat

"I don't like the look of this..."

Could be nothing, states Nivel. But I've never been to this place before so who knows. Nivel will have his bow in hand, just in case its needed. He'll try to recall what the flag might mean.

Any way to determine what the flag represents? I may not have the proper skill but someone else might.

Other than what Captain Walren said, you have no knowledge about this flag.

OK, we'll keep a wait-and-see approach I guess.

As the other boat turns, you get a better view at who's on deck and you notice about 10 human looking people with a few running around and others pointing crossbows in your direction.

The distance is now 200 ft.

Captain Walren says: "Hmm.. I am afraid they are definitely not merchants.. They are also a bit faster than us!"

It will take 3 more rounds for both boats to come side by side.

Due to the darkness, there's a 20% miss chance from concealment for any ranged attacks (unless within darkvision range).

Firyin takes off his longbow, firing a warning shot off to the side. "Turn away now or things won't go well for you!"

Nivel will give Firyin a look as if to say What that really necessary? but then prepares his bow for action in case his fellow half elf actually had the right idea. Nivel will continue to eye the other boat, trying to determine what they are doing and what their intentions actually will be.

So I guess combat is beginning and we are in rounds.

Krya lifts up her holy symbol of the Dawnflower bless her companions.
casting Bless 1st round

Kyra, in the 2nd round, will cast Aid on herself while she waits.
Temporary Hit Points: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Kyra now has 35 HP (24+11)

Sorry guys, I'm back!

Moody, which is at least consistent... Morg finds a place to hunker down with his crossbow. His darkvision piercing the night.

The distance between the two boats is closing to 120 ft.

Firyin's warning shot doesn't seem to scare them off and now 8 men, holding crossbows, are crouching behind the ship's railing with their weapons pointing at you. (this gives them cover, +4 to AC)

All 8 will be firing their crossbows next round!

Including those steering the vessel, you see exactly 12 men on the ship's deck.

Kyra casts bless. Everybody gets a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects. To have everyone affected, I am going to assume Kyra is standing in the middle of the ship, as Merkava and Ewem are on the front and the captain is in the back.

I assume you all tried to get some cover, so everybody will have +4 to AC.

After next round, there will be one more round in long distance before the two boats will be side by side.

Can't we turn away? We don't need to be caught in a fight! Avoid them, Captain! Nivel will try to find cover from the approaching air assault. How far are we from shore?

Firyin finds the captain. "How easily could you get me over there?"

Firyin, what exactly do you mean by 'over there'? You want to get on the other boat or on the shore?

The Black Mist has remained about a mile from shore all the time, to avoid sandbars and rock outcroppings.

You are 2 hours away from Tamran.

The other boat. I want to jump over, cast darkness, then ensure panic.

The Captain replies to Firyin: "What? You want to jump on the other boat? ..uh.. um.. well.. if that's your plan, I could move towards them and hopefully they will change course so we don't crash into each other!" In this scenario, there will be only one more long distance round, after which you could jump on the other boat.

To Nivel he says: "They are faster than we are and I am afraid I don't have the mobility either to outmanoeuvre them. The cargo is slowing us!"

"Firyin I'm with you that is the best plan I've heard all day."

Griswald ducks behind the rail as the boats are in bow range, while drawing his javelin.

Nivel frowns, realizing that a confrontation is likely. Very well. Do as he asks, Captain. We'll see what happens.

If you cast Darkness that means we can't see either, doesn't it?

No, but hopefully it ensues some panic. Plus I get bonuses for fighting in darkness, and our wizard also has darkvision. I'm going to try and intimidate us out of this one.

OK, its your show!

And, once you close/melee... we get -4 to hit.

Well if you want to fling arrows the entire fight you should have gone ranger instead of wizard ;) or just pick up precise shot anyways.

they out number us, we will lose the archery contest.

Besides, we probably won't be in melee of their entire team. Probably plenty of isolated targets.

From the 3 rounds in previous post where nothing was happening Kyra casted Bless her companions and Aid on herself. On the 3rd round she will cast Shield of Faith, granting her +2 to AC.

Captain Walren shouts: "All right, people, here goes nothing!!".

He turns the boat towards the other one and immediately you hear a lot of yelling coming from the other boat.

It starts an evasive manoevre to not crash into the Black Mist.

Because of the sudden change of the boats' positions, I let only a 20 hit.

Both boats are now getting very close (see map) and you see that your opponents are standing ready with swords drawn. It looks like they are preparing to jump on your boat!

If you want to jump on the other boat, you need an acrobatics check DC20 to see if you retain your balance after landing. If you lose your balance, you can't do anything else that round.

The ships will move side by side quickly and it will not be possible to keep them that way because they are moving in opposite directions! So it will be very important to decide who will jump on the other boat and who stays on the Black Mist, because you will get separated in two groups!

I might be busy later, so here's my next action as well.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Firyin jumps to the far boat, but takes a moment to collect himself. After that he stands with both hands hooked, giving the men a deadly stare. "You were warned." The last thing the men see before the boat is enshrouded in darkness is Firyin's face becoming ursine and the wood creaking under his feet, then their world is dark and they hear a blood curdling roar.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27