Anga notices Ragnir's conversation with the prisoner, when she takes her some food.
Ragnir, shame on ye. Don't give the prisoner silly ideas. Besides I'm certain tha scum is already intimidated by ye. Ye don't need to improve on it. Could ye keep an eye on her as Ah give her tha food.
She gives the prisoner the food, being cautious about it.
We have stew and fresh bread. An it tastes pretty good. Come and get some when ye finished scaring her she finishes before leaving.
In the morning, he prepares his normal spells, and then takes up the job of guarding.
The party gets back into a routine of chores. Anga cooks up a tasty stew, taking a bowl down to the prisoner. Ragnir and Haskyll are guarding the prisoner. Anga overhears the conversation Ragnir has with Melira about notchi'n skulls and such. She teases the Warpriest a bit.
Ulfgard is doing a very fine job of steering the boat clear of any hazards.
Kaos is rowing hard this day. The Coxswain does not give him any grief.
Mordea is up in the crow's nest.
Around noon, the keelboat reaches the confluence of the Kestrel and Esk Rivers. Captain Bloodtusk steers the boat to the right bank of the River Esk and weighs anchor. The crew leads a couple of the horses to the shore and attach ropes to the starboard side to begin the arduous task of pulling the big keelboat against the strong currents of Esk.
Everyone returns to their chores.
In the late afternoon and several miles up the River Esk as the keelboat’s draft horses slowly pull the boat upstream, Mordea calls out, "The river is blocked up ahead." Bloodtusk stops the keelboat near a crude dam constructed of large boulders, animal carcasses, and mud blocks.
A large strange looking aquatic humanoid rises from behind the dam with a javelin in its hand. Three more spring out of the river and onto the port side deck of the keelboat.
Round One
Mordea calls out, "We are under attack!"
Mordea clumsily fires a bolt down at the large creatures. The bolt sticks into the deck.
The first Large Aquatic Humanoid throws a Javelin at Ulfgard. It sticks into the front keel of the keelboat.
The second one lobs a Javelin up toward the crow's nest. It sails harmlessly beyond the boat lodging into the bank of the river.
The third one chunks its Javelin at Bloodtusk. It strikes the Captain.
The fourth one's Javelin also hits the same mark.
Moving at full speed towerds the nearest enemy Ulfgard draws hammer and shield.
Anga casts mage armour
Haskyll opens the door to where the prison is.
Ragnir, I think we have a problem up top.
Round Two
Captain Bloodtusk withdraws to the front of the ballistae yelling, "All hands on deck." He then drinks a potion.
Mordea loads another bolt and sends it down upon the fourth aquatic intruders attacking Captain Bloodtusk. It sticks in the creature. It howls, turns and looks up at Mordea.
The first aquatic creature takes another Javelin but just holds it as it has nothing to chunk it at.
The second one takes another Javelin and sends it up toward the Rogue in the crow's nest. It misses.
The third one sees the second one aim up and does the same. His aim was better as his javelin strikes Mordea squarely in the shoulder.
The fourth one scowls up at the crow's nest. It takes its last Javelin and sends it toward the Rogue. The pointy stick sails wide.
Bloodtusk cranks the ballistae around.
The Coxswain gathers the rowers to move top side.
Ghorza grabs a javelin and heads out of the kitchen.
Anga move towards the deck, casting shield
Stay here, we will be right back
Haskyll grabs his spear and heads towards the stairs as fast as he can move.
Charging the lower enemy Ulfgard suddenly starts to emit a foam around his mouth.
The Esk river has been dammed up by large and strange aquatic creatures. One stands upon the dam. Three more that were lurking underwater leap onto the deck of the ship.
Round One recap
Mordea calls out that the boat is under attack. She fires her crossbow at one of the intruders but misses.
The aquatic Creatures launch Javelins. One sticks to the front of the keelboat. Another misses Mordea in the Crow's Nest. However, two other Javelins aimed at the Captain strike true.
Anga cast Mage Armor on herself.
Captain Bloodtusk steps back from the aquatic creature and calls out for all hands to be on deck.
Ulfgard moves toward the intruders drawing out his hammer and shield.
Kaos, Haskyll, Ragnir and the crew below begin to react to the calls.
Round Two recap
Kaos moves toward the upper deck,
Mordea loads and fires another bolt. It strikes the fourth aquatic creature that had been going after the Captain.
The three aquatic creatures turn their attention to the human up in the Crow's Nest. They throw their last Javelins up at Mordea. One of them strikes the Rogue.
Bloodtusk moves to behind the ballistae and drinks a potion.
The Coxswain assembles the rowers to move top side.
Anga cast Shield on herself.
Haskyll starts his way topside. Ragnir stays on guard.
Ulfgard goes into a rage. He engages the second aquatic creature, and delivers a blow with Agrimmosh.
Round Three
Mordea is braver than smart. Fighting through the pain, she drops her Crossbow and climbs down from the Crow's Nest drawing her Shortsword, leaping down the last ten feet behind the occupied second aquatic creature.
She drives her shortsword into the back of the unsuspecting second aquatic creature.
The aquatic creature on the dam just stands and watches the action on the boat.
The second aquatic creature is in pain but does not fall from the blows. It lashes out with his claws at the Dwarf with the big hammer. The creatures first claw scratches Ulfgard's Scale mail. But the second strike not only hits but manages to grab Ulfgard.
The second one may have been preoccupied, the third one was not. It takes a slash at Mordea as she falls to the deck. Then begins to go after the Rogue in earnest.
The first couple of swaths misses but the third does not.
The fourth turn his attention again toward the Captain. He leaps up and moves toward Bloodtusk.
The creature misses his first attack but slashes with its claws on the second attack. It fails to grapple the Captain.
Ghorza continues to move to the action. He pauses briefly at the sight of these two giant creatures one with Ulfgard in its grasp the other grasping Mordea. He moves toward the Captain.
Bloodtusk takes a step pulling out his Scimitar. He strikes at the big beast, barely missing his lunge.
Coxswain Halrex and the Rowers reach topside.
Haskyll finally makes the top deck.
Feeling grappled Ulfgard pummels the beasty with his hammer.
Ragnir will stay to make sure nobody tries to free the prisoner.
Anga cast a magic missile at enemy 2
Round Three recap
Kaos makes it topside and engages the third aquatic creature.
Mordea, in a stupid but brave maneuver, drops behind the second aquatic creature and drives her shortsword into the watery beast's back.
The first aquatic creature on the dam just watches the events taking place on the boat. The second one claws Ulfgard, then manages to grab the Dwarf Ranger Barbarian. The third one claws into Mordea grabbing the Rogue in its clutches. The fourth one attacks the Captain, but fails to grab Bloodtusk.
Bloodtusk pulls out his scimitar and just misses striking the fourth creature. The Coxswain and the rest of the crew reaches topside.
Anga cast a Magic Missile at the second aquatic creature. It swoons, lets out a horrible high pitched scream and falls to the deck releasing Ulfgard.
Haskyll makes it topside.
Ragnir makes sure that Melira doesn't try any funny business.
Ulfgard lands on his feet after being released from the big aquatic creature. He takes a step and attacks the third one grappling Mordea. He lands a big blow with Agrimmosh.
Round Four
Grabbing Angosham with booth hands Ulfgard hammers into those thing.
Mordea does not like being held. She starts screaming like a little girl. The Rogue squirms but fails to free herself from the slimy creature's grasp.
Merrows, they're Merrows. Ah have only heard about these beasties before. Ogres that like water, ye ken
As she says this, she advances and cast a scorching ray at merrow 2
fire damage
Haskyll moves swiftly down the deck towards the captain.
Round Four
Kaos misses the fishy Ogre.
Mordea squirms but fails to free herself from the Merrow.
The Merrow on the dam continues to watch the action. The third Merrow drops Mordea and attacks Ulfgard. Its left claw slashes into the Dwarf.
The fourth one continues its assault on Bloodtusk. It too gets a left claw on the Captain.
The Coxswain engages the third Merrow next to Ulfgard. Khorza moves behind the fourth Merrow. Taking advantage of the flank, Bloodtusk pulls out a Kukri and slashes with both the scimitar and the smaller curved blade. Slicing into the aquatic Ogre with both blades.
Anga recognizes the creatures as Merrows, then casts a spell scorching the third Merrow. It screams in a high pitched squeal and falls to the deck, burning and dying.
Haskyll engages the fourth Merrow.
Ragnir stays on guard.
Seeing the third Merrow begin to swoon and fall, Ulfgard moves quickly and just reaches the fourth Merrow. The Dwarf Ranger Barbarian delivers a wicked blow against the fourth Merrow. It falls down dead.
Victory
The Merrow on the dam turns and swims upstream.
But now the real problem starts. The river is blocked. Captain Bloodtusk calls out, "We need to remove this dam."
hmmm
looking for a weakpoint, or way to clear it quickly. But finds nothing.
"Kaos, I doubt anyone had enough blackpowder here. But maybe if Anga can make us bigger we have better leverage. Or she can constrict a pulley?"
ah'm sorry Ulfgard, I have nae the spells to do either
Nor do I at this moment
Haskyll goes over to check on the captain, Ulfard, and then Kaos
The Captain responds to Kaos, "No clue. These creatures are simpletons. I doubt there was any greater scheme than catching prey. We were just food to them." He makes sure that the Merrows are dead. Then looks to his crew, "Get these carcasses off my boat!"