[PFS/Shifty]The Hydras Fang Incident (T4-5) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Torrel, not wanting more blood spilled, steps down, and begins to advance towards the remaining pirate still standing, but then stops, and closes his eyes for a brief moment, whispering the soft words of a prayer.

Eyes still closed, he raises a single finger, pointing at the pirate,

Admonishing Ray Ranged Touch vs Orange (cover): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Nonlethal Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 5) = 16

The ray strikes the last remaining Pirate, and it seems to envelop him neatly... he passes out as a result.

For now, it is quiet on the deck...

Except for what is lurking in the water below

/Endcombat

"SQUAWK!" Malachi lets out a cry of victory! He hops down of the sterncastle and turns his attention to Du Moire.

"Besmara is a fickle mistress, yes, She always gets her due! True pirates do not raid poor fishing villages, yes. Besmara's Justice will be done!"

Malachi gives the downed enemy a solid kick, and loots the body.

"Eh. the Fang is ours now Shipmates! Let's feed Du Moire and his dogs to the shark below, yes! Besmara's Justice for them, yes! We can recover the Besmara's Grace, change our flags and our name, and sail around to Absalom yes! A good day's work!"

Eh, if he had more crew they'd have come up already.

Polly flies overhead, keeping watch for more hidden enemies.

"Caw!"

Polly circles the Fang, watching for enemies.

perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19

After kicking Du Moire, Malachi can see that there is a portal down to the 'below decks'...

"Eh, shipmates, there's a hatch here yes! Might be more surprises down below! Let's feed the shark then go and see, yes."

Malachi finishes looting Du Moire whilst he waits for his crew.

Du Moire was carrying the following items of note - the potion he was about to drink, two other potions, a chain shirt, a longsword, and a well-crafted dagger.

Searlas pops the lid on the potion and takes a sniff. Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

A little confused he looks at the aura surrounding the liquid for clues.

Detect magic + Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

"Wrap Du Moire in a spare sail... We may need proof that the wretch is dead. And keep the other one for questioning... We still have the tablets to find."

-Posted with Wayfinder

" Let's feed Du Moire and his dogs to the shark below, yes! Besmara's Justice for them, yes! We can recover the Besmara's Grace, change our flags and our name, and sail around to Absalom yes! A good day's work!"

"That does not serve my people. This, monster, kidnapped families, sold innocents into slavery, and slaughtered on a whim." the priest says as he begins to try to see if the bastard's life can be saved.

Converting Divine Favor to CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

"We need to bring him in, show the towns he has ravaged just what happens to scum, and let them deal with him as they need, and get a sense of security and justice for all he has done. . ."

I'm not entirely sure he needs his hands, feet, or tongue for that though. . .

"Eh, you want to save him so someone else can kill him? I don't understand. That makes no sense, yes. Keep his head if you like, eh, put it on a pike, if you want evidence yes. Let Besmara take his rotten corpse! That shark needs feeding, or it'll keep following us. Might make recovering Besmara's Grace more tricky than it needs to be, yes."

"I want to save him so that all of those folks he has wronged can see him brought in, to suffer whatever sort of justice they find appropriate. To the fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, and friends of those that had been lost, simply hearing that he is dead, or in prison does not really help them to overcome their fears and anguish. They need to see him brought in, and have a hand in his judgment. If they choose death, that is their choice."

"Either way, though, we still have work to do, and the bastard's fate can wait until we have checked the ship for any other victims, and as Searles mentioned, these tablets."

"Eh, strange idea of justice you have, yes. If I had to see everybody who wronged me brought before me, eh... it'd be a long queue, and I'd rather just know they're dead and gone, yes.

Eh, there's two or three other corpses on deck I can throw overboard. Besmara gets her due, yes!"

I'll never understand mammals, eh.

"Any booty on those sailors you butchered, Korug, eh?"

Malachi moves across the deck, looking for shark-food and booty.

Shield and Produce Flame spells will now expire.

"Erm... With all due respect Du Moire has already been judged and sentenced by Andoran. I'm usually in your camp Torrel but with the political havoc he has already started I think it's best that his sentence is carried out quickly and with little fanfare. No good will come off dragging this out and risking war with Cheliax."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Malachi calls back over his shoulder: "Eh, I think friend Searlas is right. Take his head off Torrel, show it to whoever you wish, yes!"

"From everything I've heard of this Du Moire, he seems the type that will do anything to escape his fate, no matter who else it affects or hurts. Killing him, (if he is not actually already dead), releases him beyond our control. This is not the sort of person whose shade I would want to see returned to this realm once the mortal coil is severed, if you catch my meaning. As for the others, . . . they chose their fates, and those that are dead are beyond our ability to help, or use. It is gruesome, but, I am no expert on the beasts of the sea. Will not more bloodshed simply bring more of their kind?"

Not trying to cause an issue here, I just don't see a need to kill a helpless person, even if they are a bastard, and I honestly think turning him over to what might be mob justice, or his family, (if not both), would be a much worse fate.

"I also feel, if we can not find these tablets, or perhaps are unable to retrieve them, we might need him alive for answers."

It's a perfectly natural in-character debate.

"Eh, the beasts of the sea, that is my area yes! We throw the dead and the nearly dead overboard, and possibly more sharks will come, yes. But when the meal is finished they will disperse, and sharks do not take so very long to devour a man, eh. By the time we're done searching below decks, the sharks will have seen to it that there is nothing of Du Moire and his cronies to restore to life. As for shades, eh, throw him overboard and he belongs to Besmara! The Sea Wraith will come for him! You'll not see him again unless you share his fate, yes!"

Only one pirate is potentially able to be rescued (Orange) the rest are dead . Malachi's boot was lethal damage that took Du Moire over the limit, and the first calls were checking loot.

Searlas notes the potion the man was about to use was invisibility, the other two were cure light wounds There are two Blur potions left on the fallen pirates.

***

Malachi checks what lies below.

Below decks, the dimly-lit hold has taken on a foot of brackish bilge water, and clammy air laps against your skin. The sole light emanates from a small whale-oil lamp mounted on the lower mast. The cavernous hollow contains dozens of water-damaged crates roped in neat stacks secured tightly to the sidewalls. The remaining portion of the hold is set up like a common room with hammocks, an open larder, and a small kitchen where food is prepared. The accommodations appear radically stripped down, presumably to make room for contraband or increased speed. Toward the bow, loud banging echoes from a wooden door, sodden and swelled shut and held fast with thick black chains.

"Eh, there's no life left in this dog, Torrel. Do what you like with the corpse. The other dead are Besmara's, yes."

Malachi picks up a potion of blur, leaving the other potions for his crewmates. He then unceremoniously tosses the two definitely dead sailors into the sea: "For you, Queen of the Deep!" Unless any other PC moves to stop this.

Below decks....

"Eh, might be slaves down here. Searlas? Can you sense anything, yes?"

My apologies for finishing off Du Moire without checking with you guys first.

It's all good. OOC, I really don't care, was just trying to RP a bit. :P

"Of course. A burial at sea seems pertinent."

Afterwards, he begins to head down below as well, but starts running when he hears something about slaves. Perhaps some of his country men still live.

Quickly checking both doors for traps, Torrel makes his way towards the area door with thick black chains. "They where left here to die?"

Perception (chained door): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Perception (other door): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Disable Device with Guidance and Aid (chains, if needed): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 2 = 23
Night's Star Aid Another: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

As the others discuss what to do with the dead and dying, Korug sinply wipes his blade clean and brushes off his armor. "Ehh, doesn't matter to me what you do with them, let's just figure it out and move below though. I could use a stiff drink."

Below deck, he puts his ear to the door to try to determine what's inside. "Could be slaves, or other pirates. Or it could be something worse. Best to be ready just in case." He grips his weapon tightly as Torrel goes to work on the locks.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Searlas raises his hand. "Hold off on the burial... we may need proof."

He turns to glare at Torrel. "But no parading him through the streets of his victims, no handing his compatriots over... We were sent here to prevent a war and let them all life their happy little lives. I'm NOT going to help good people learn how to kill. That's a job I took and I'm not pawning it off on civilians."

He follows the group down below decks and carefully inspects the doorway for traps. Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

He cringes at the sounds from beyond, but bucks up as soon as Hariwini follows him down.

"Well... let's liberate this ship and celebrate one war ending before it even begun."

The bird lands on his shoulder.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"Finish job. Go home."

Before any door is opened, Malachi activates his wand of shield again and consumes the second potion of blur.

You're off the edge of the map now mateys, 'Here there be monsters!'

***

Everyone is confident there are no traps on the locks or chain, and Torrel makes swift work of it - he unhooks the black iron chains and starts pulling away the materials keeping the door wedged shut, and opens the door

There is an off smell - foul, vile, rotting death meeting foul and brackish seawater - The flooded cargo bay beyond the door holds several dozen drowned slaves - some partly devoured, floating in about a foot of water. In the inky blackness, numerous hellish faces leer out at you as their hate filled eyes bore into your own - and from that darkness, they attack!

They take advantage of your shock at seeing the charnel house, and your momentary distraction as you turn away from the stink, only Searlas was able to avoid getting a lungful of the stink..

R1
Searlas
ENEMY

The door is small on the map and inconveniently located across two squares - looking at that, from where you are, Melee have 'cover' (-4), and ranged attacks are equally problematic (the closest ones almost certainly have total cover)

Before any door is opened, Malachi activates his wand of shield again and consumes the second potion of blur.

You posted whilst I was resolving the action, but I'll allow it :p

blind luck that I checked in this morning! But thank you!

Just before dinner time here!

He turns to glare at Torrel. "But no parading him through the streets of his victims, no handing his compatriots over... We were sent here to prevent a war and let them all life their happy little lives. I'm NOT going to help good people learn how to kill. That's a job I took and I'm not pawning it off on civilians."

Earlier

"I think you misunderstand me. I was simply saying we turn him in, or rather, if he had been alive, turned him in alive to the Andoran authorities, for whatever they felt was a proper punishment for his crimes. They are not Galt."

"I was not advocating parading him through the streets, only allowing the victims to see with their own eyes that the pirate that had brutalized them had been caught."

"It is one thing to hear it, a rumor or hearsay. But it is another, to know that a threat has truely been ended."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Oh sh-" Searlas cuts himself off quickly. "Ghouls. Aquatic ghouls. Get back!"

Searlas pushes Korug aside and slams the door shut. He gives a quick whistle...

Standard action to make a reposition maneuver on Korug, which he'll hopefully be nice enough to willingly accept? Move action to shut the door. Swift action to panic.

Hariwini leaps out of the mug and digs his strange ectoplasmic talons into the locking mechanism.

Disable Device to Jam: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

He holds the door as best as he can and enumerates everything he knows about these creatures (Special attacks and immunities please?) and then raises his hand. "This definitely wont hold but gather yourselves and prepare to hack them down as they come through!"

Know Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

"Hold the door for just a moment longer and I shall call on sacred energies to smite them. On your mark!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Eh, my hammer is unbreakable adamantine! Use it to bar the door until you can lock it up again yes!"

Lacedons - Special attacks: Paralysis and Filth Fever. Special defences: Undead traits, channel resistance +2

***

The ghouls waste no time in ripping open the door, the first thing they find is Hariwini attempting to jam the lock, and they try rending the small creature!

(Dark Red)
Opens door
Cover penalty
Attack (Bite) 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 4 = 5
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

(Red)
Cover penalty
Attack (Bite) 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 4 = 19
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Crit?(Bite) 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 4 = 6
Add Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 4 = 18
Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 4 = 2
Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Hariwini is thrown to the deck, smashed and bleeding.

The other ghouls simply push through Searlas.
Searlas you may attempt an AoO

(Orange)
Overrun 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
(Yellow)
Overrun 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
(Green)
Overrun 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 (Knocks Prone)
(Cyan)
Overrun 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 (Knocks Prone)
(Mid blue)
Overrun 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
(Dark blue)
Overrun 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Searlas is left prone.

In their rush, the small oil lantern is knocked off and shatters - burning oil starts lazily spreading through the hold.
Cinematic - for now

The ghouls eyes all seem set on Torrel...

Note, the squares along the hull are not complete squares - you can occupy them, but are classed as 'squeeing' (As the ghouls along the wall are

R1
Torrel
Malachi
Korug

R2
Serlas (Prone)

"CRAP!" as he takes a step back, calling quickly on his sacred energies to smite the mob of unholy beings.

Geeze I miss 3.5 Turn Undead...

Channel Energy to Harm Undead, Will DC 13 for Half: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Channel Energy, I hate you so much. . .

Freaked the hell out, Night's Star bolts upstairs.

Looks like 9 damage on Hariwini, which 'kills' him.

Hariwini bursts into a splatter of ectoplasm as the second claw tears into him. With a quick flash, the little bird winks out of existence, and Searlas's eye twitches.

"Well... looks like I get about twelve hours of reprieve..."

Searlas doesn't bother standing up, and instead unleashes a tirade of unfiltered curses at the dark magicks that created these foul fiends.

Centering himself mentally to rip their minds to shreds. Spending 2 phrenic points to cast a Color Spray using Will of the Dead to affect the undead.

Concentration: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
GM * Reroll: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 = 14 Rats...

A bright spectral aura surrounds Searlas as his swears away, but that doesn't appear to be the intended effect.

"If that other sailor had anything to do with this... I vote to keelhaul his sorry %^&."

<Pop>

"If that other sailor had anything to do with this... I vote to keelhaul his sorry %^&."

"Hey look, over there. Evil Doers. I should go take a look. I'll be back in 5, guys. . ."

I tried to keep that stupid half-elf in check but noooo... he's your problem now.

Geez, thanks. . . Appreciate that, buddy.

:P

Korug starts to do what he does best, and flies into a rage and begins smashing the undead creatures. As he starts, his body seems to shimmer a bit around the edges. "Don't worry Searles, you just lay there and I'll do all the work."

Raging, free blur

Attack vs dark blue: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 2 = 211d10 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 6 = 24

AoO if needed: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 2 = 181d10 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 6 = 25
I'm sure SOME one is going to provoke...

Torrel channels out some energy, washing the creatures in hly energy... though not terribly well in all the confusion.

Searlas tries casting, but has little luck - clearly still being trodden on is ruining his concentration.

Korug smashes the creature past the prone form of Searlas...

Saves:
DR 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14
R 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23
O 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17
Y 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9
G 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8
C 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26
B 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17

D 1
R 1
O 1
Y 3
G 3
C 1
B 1

Malachi up

"Better make it quick Korug... I have half a mind to torch this ship."

Ship is in the process of catching fire as it is :)

"Let it go down in flames for all I care. As long as my @$$ doesn't get burnt, I don't care what happens to it."

"We still need the tablets, and there might still be some slaves still alive. Of course, we might all die here. . ."

"SQUAWWWK!!!"

Malachi lets out an inchoate cry of rage and attacks the filthy creatures.

hammer vs cyan, rage: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27damage: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
peck (bite) vs yellow, rage, secondary: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 - 5 = 22damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

full attack. Current AC:21; blur

And an AoO if it comes up:

AoO vs lacedon, rage: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 = 14damage: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Malachi smashes one which takes a devastating blow, and pecks another.

The flames spread a bit more...!

The two at the door rip into Searlas - being both prone and moving - a good bit of prey for the depraved undead beasts.

(Dark Red) vs Searlas
Cover penalty
Vs prone
Attack (Bite) 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 4 + 4 = 23 + DC13 Fort or Filth Fever
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Crit? (Bite) 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 4 + 4 = 22
Add Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 4 + 4 = 7
Add Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 4 + 4 = 13
Add Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

(Red)
vs Searlas
Cover penalty
Vs prone
Attack (Bite) 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 4 + 4 = 7
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 3 - 4 + 4 = 19
Add Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 3 - 4 + 4 = 20
Add Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Searlas is bloodied brutally

(Orange)
One of the ones at the rear tries walking over Searlas
Overrun 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Korug whacks it with his armour spikes
Damage 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
It is in an adjacent square (moving out) when it provokes

(Yellow)
vs Torrel

Attack (Bite) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Add Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Add Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 + DC13 Fort or Paralysed.

(Green)
bite vs Torrel, claws vs Searlas
Attack (Bite) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Crit? (Bite) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Add Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 4 = 18
Add Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack (claw) 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 + 4 = 4
Add Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

(Blue)
Walks over Searlas, and gets smashed by Malachi... but it keeps coming!
It bites at Korug
Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
...but misses.

Phew - a lot going on.
Searlas is a mess, Torrel mostly ok!

DR 1
R 1
O 13
Y 6
G 3
B 13

R2
Torrel (Needs fort save)
Malachi
Korug

R3
Serlas (Prone)(Needs fort save)

Korug's power attack would still be in effect for the armor spike AoO which would add 4 more damage.

As Searlas and Torrel get swarmed with undead, Korug lays a shoulder into one and then swings his blade at another. "Hang in there elf, don't go dying on us."

Attack vs yellow: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 2 = 191d10 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 6 = 21
AoO if needed: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 = 241d10 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 6 = 18

Going to assume Orange and Yellow are both destroyed by Korug's prior AoO and attack. If this is not so, I may want to change actions.

"SQUAWK!!!"

Malachi drops his hammer and goes claw-to-claw with the lacedons

peck vs blue, rage: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28damage: 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

ETA:crit confirm?: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11crit damage: 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

If that attack drops blue, turn to green, otherwise keep attacking blue

claw vs lacedon, rage: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15damage: 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
claw vs lacedon, rage: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25damage: 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Is it possible to 5' step to stand over Searlas, so as to guard him? If so then I shall.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

DM Reroll Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

And Torrel freezes in place.