Perils of Crescent Harbor (Inactive)

Game Master Profession Smith 6 ranks

"This way!" Culder hollers turning towards a western road. When the halfling asks everyone to slow down he scowls and, dropping the anchor into just his left hand, grabs the small sailor by the back of his shirt. "Keep up!" he shouts at everyone else as he heads down the street towards the carnival, carrying Jarvis like a small suitcase.

After working as a laborer at the carnival for several days I figured I probably know the shortest way there... I'll lead everyone that way.

Regardless of whether we do theater-of-the-mind or wait for a map, I can at least set the scene now.

Approaching the Circus

The winds grow even stronger, occasionally even checking the momentum of the mighty Captain. For almost three and a half minutes your group tries to make headway along Dock Street, marching almost directly into the 50+ mph gale, stopping and starting while making slow progress. Then the winds shift to a more northerly flow and lessen enough that the humans are able to again make decent time. Eventually, the group nears the northeastern edge of the island. Beyond the last houses, several tents have been pitched on the solid ground south of a small expanse of beach onto which angry waves are crashing violently. Although it's tough to be certain, it appears that some of the tents have collapsed.

Again the winds shift, now barreling in from the northeast at a velocity greater than any you've felt thus far. You can all hear a few unintelligible cries on the wind but the lashing rain and wailing wind make it difficult to discern any details.

Perception checks (at -8), all.

Current Wind & Rain Effects:
Wind Velocity: Windstorm (Medium creatures need a DC Strength check to move at 2/3rds normal speed; Jarvis needs to grab onto someone/something or start making DC 15 Strength checks to avoid being blown away). Ranged combat is currently impossible unless you shoot with the wind (i.e.--shoot to the southwest--house rule).
Visibility is 3/4ths normal range; Perception checks are at -8 (-4 to vision if facing away from the prevailing wind--house rule).

P.S. - The DM dice seem to really hate you guys at the moment....

Culder leans against one of the nearby houses where there's some shelter from the wind. He holds Jarvis up near his head and calls out, "Ye any use in a fight? How?"

perception: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 8 = 1

In a stand-up fight, I'm usually the arse that moves around behind 'em while a bigger lug, like your, pummels 'em. Though I've had some mates say that my songs make 'em fight just a bit harder, iffin you can hear me. Jarvis says, hollering against the wind.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 - 8 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 8 = 3

The wind whipped the hood around Jordan's face, letting rain in. Cursing to himself, he put his bow over his shoulder and joined Culder and Jarvis. "Does anyone know if this hag likes to make personal appearances, or does she just try and dump the ocean over the island?!"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 8 = 1

perception: 1d20 + 9 - 8 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 8 = 3 if i can take ten i get an 11

Most of her curses are lost on the wind as they struggle along. Soon she is entirely soaked through, long blonde hair sticking to her neck and clothes. This was the kind of weather she had left home from and hoped to avoid for longer. Thankfully because of this she barely felt the pelting rain on her face. For a few seconds she closed her eyes and almost felt like she was back home again.

The Captain's upper lip twists into kind of a snarl for a moment before he opens up his waterproof backpack and lowers Jarvis into it so only his head and shoulders are exposed. "A'right, when th'fightin' starts shout them songs inna my ear!" he bellows over the storm, then a little less loudly he mutters, "Cou'dna been a magic user, eh?"

With his anchor back in two hands, and ready to go, he presses forward toward the tents...

Perception: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (16) - 4 = 12

Aghon pulls up just behind Beliza's half-orc companion, and takes a moment to steady his breath. Damned wind'll suck the breath right out of your nostrils! He all but screams to be heard over the whipping gale. Then he turns to Culder and yells. No one can be left in that tent town! They'd have to be mad to sit there with this storm coming down. My guess is they've all already moved inland to shelter.

The Collapsing Carnival

"I've heard she's taken a few children," Beliza screams in Jordan's direction. "An' people claim it's a hag, so she must've been seen."

Unfortunately, the driving wind and rain make it impossible to make out any real details at the carnival grounds.

DC 10 Strength checks needed to move north toward the tents. Follow those up with another Perception check (still at -8).

Str to move North: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
perception: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 8 = 5

Jarvis grabs tightly to the strap of the backpack, keeping his head popped out of the top of the bag. Not worried about moving, he kept his eyes scanning around, looking for anything that catches his eye through the storm.

Captain! Do you need more light or are you good as you are? Jarvis says over the storm to the Captain.

If we want light, Jarvis will pull a shell on a leather thong out from under his shirt and cast Light on it.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 - 8 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 8 = 13

It'd sure be nice to find the eye of this storm! Aghon says as he scans the beach for anything or anyone of importance.

perception: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (16) - 4 = 12
STR check: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 2 = 23

If we want light, Jarvis will grab a shell on a leather thong and cast Light on it

I briefly considered the issue of light when working on this encounter. That's partly why I decided to time this encounter for the early afternoon...so there'd be enough light to not make yet another obstacle for you guys. The wind, rain, and hag are plenty. :)

Captain! Looks like a handful of people are trapped in that tent. Someone's crawling underneath it twenty some odd feet north of us! Is there any point helping to re-erect the tent now? Jarvis yells, pointing past the Captain's head towards the tent ahead of them.

strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
perception: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 8 = 8
Jordan tried to follow in Culder's wake, but was pushed back by the wind. Straining to hear the group, he took to his knees, willing himself to stay erect in the storm.
well, that's one nat 1 out of the way

Strength: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 9 - 8 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 8 = 19

Moina struggles to move forward all the while keeping a lookout.

Moina struggles to move forward all the while keeping a lookout.

Although she's unable to make any headway against the powerful gale, Moina's able to catch a quick glimpse of some of the features and happenings to the north. Read the 'Jarvis and Aghon Only' spoiler above.

Beliza and her bodyguard power forward, joining Culder, Jarvis, and Aghon at the edge of the carnival grounds. The pirate woman points north and yells to her big friend, much like Jarvis is doing for Culder.

Carnival Grounds

SURPRISE ROUND
Single action only; since the supposed hag is 25 feet away and you can only move 20 ft. into the wind with a single move action, you guys will likely need to do something extraordinary to get in a melee attack in this abbreviated round.

Jordan: Since you're unaware of the hag's presence/position, you can't attack but can try to move forward against the wind or some other action.

Initiatives:
Moina: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Korbrand: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Jarvis: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Culder: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Zephelza: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Jordan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Aghon: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Beliza: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 5 - 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 8 + 1 = 10

Cursing, Jordan struggled against the wind, but gained no purchase. Looking up, the wind and rain flapped his cloak around. One thing he did know, he didn't want to be caught alone in this storm with a hag, if she was even around.

the +1 is for the bounty hunter trait, gives me a +1 on perception rolls to avoid being surprised? Not sure if I add that here or not. If not, that's fine. :)

"Time t'start singin' little man!" Culder calls out as he grits his teeth and presses forward.

Str to move: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

You got it Cap'n! Jarvis yells out before he starts belting out a shanty, hoping its tune will carry to any nearby friends.

Bardic Performance started. 7/8 rounds remaining
Inspire Courage: +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

[larger]Call it a hunch Cap'n, but I think those naked feet crawling under the tent ARE the hags!! I say we head that way, and try and pull her royal hagness out by her toes![/larger

Aghon does his best to head toward the naked feet dangling out from underneath the tent.

STR check: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

And fails miserably, checked by the gale force winds.

Moina keeps trying to move forward.
Strength: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

Carnival Grounds

Culder (with Jarvis in tow), Beliza, and Korbrand all stagger forward against the wind, getting to about 5 feet from the figure peering underneath the fallen tent. Apparently this person's heard all the yelling, for it stands up, allowing the tent's edge to slide off her. The four nearby heroes can now see for certain this is the hag they seek. Zephelza's looking rather piratey herself, wearing a black eyepatch over her left socket, but she's otherwise dressed in a tattered, nondescript gray robe or dress that clings to her bony. 5-foot frame in the rainy onslaught.

Her hair is bone white and is plastered to her slightly wrinkled face. Her skin is pale and peeling in places. Her good eye is blue and crafty, skipping from person to person before locking onto Jarvis. A mouth full of sharp teeth opens as she looses some creaky words: "Yummies, yes? A tasty little child-treat for Zephelza, eh?"

COMBAT ROUND 1; Encounter Round 3

Pretty sure those distances are correct. Culder, Beliza, and Korbrand succeeded on full-round and surprise round Str checks to move 2/3 their speed into the wind (40 ft. and 20 ft. respectively); Aghon made the full-round check but missed the surprise round one; Moina and Jordan have been checked by the wind both times).

Folks who are trying to close on the hag from a distance and can't yet attack can act out of order if they choose, to keep things moving along.

strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Feeling a surge of strength, Jordan steps forward, pushing himself through the wind and rain.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 8 = 16
perception just to make sure i don't miss them :)

Hmm...maybe putting the Initiative Order in a spoiler wasn't such a good idea.

Initiative Order:
Moina (65 ft. from hag): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Korbrand (5 ft. from hag): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Jarvis (5 ft. from hag): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Culder (5 ft. from hag): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Zephelza: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Jordan (now 25 ft. from hag; Actions Taken): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Aghon (25 ft. from hag): 1d20 ⇒ 7
Beliza (5 ft. from hag): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

you brought it out of the spoiler once already... its just taking Moina a little while to post. Any chance you might be interested in a system that's a little less formal with combat (and quicker)? i'll post details in discussion...

eep is it my turn? so sorry
str: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Moina's attempts to move are frustrated and she falls to her knees to avoid being blown away. She can see the others getting to the old hag without her being able to help them. She slams her fist down on the ground and it comes away covered in mud. Still angry she stands up, grabbing a handful of mud and clumping it together in her hand. "Leave the children alone you bloody hag!" she says as she tries to throw the ball of mud at her. In her rational mind she would have never conceived to think such a thing would work. She couldn't even throw that far on a calm day!
ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
casts Mudball - misses
The ball of mud flies straight past the hag to splatter on some other tent. I hate storms!

Those closer to the hag can hear Moina ranting about something behind them, though her exact words are lost in the roar of the tempest. Korbrand draws a wicked-looking falchion, but before the half-orc can bring it to bear, an even more powerful gust of wind stops Beliza's bodyguard in his tracks, preventing him from taking the last few steps needed to reach the storm hag.

Culder smiles.

bein' in town fer so long, I ain't been able t'really hit nothin' ferever... but you, lass, ain't no one gonna care about...

Through his smile, he grits his teeth and lets all his anger and frustration course through his body like wildfire. His muscles seem to bulge even more, if that's possible, as he moves around to the opposite side of the hag from Korbrand and swings his heavy anchor at her...
rage/PA, flank, IC: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 25, for: 1d10 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 1 = 19

sorry, forgot the Str check...
Str check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Jarvis smiles as Culder's anchor speeds through the air, and he continues singing his inspirational song.

Bardic Performance 6/8 remaining
Given that she's basically on a tent, are there any ropes within a foot of the hag?

Given that she's basically on a tent, are there any ropes within a foot of the hag?

Ooh...clever thinking deserves to be rewarded. Yes--there's some rope on the ground in the square on the hag's right.

EDIT: Make that inside the hag's square so you can cast the spell I think you're gonna cast.

In that case, taking my standard action to cast Animate Rope on the one closest to her!

Rise up ropes! Circle the hag and bind her tightly! Coil and knot! Jarvis calls out, as he moves his fingers in intricate circles, willing the nearest rope to the hag to enwrap her and bind itself.

1/2 1st level spells cast. Reflex save of 15 to avoid being entangled I believe.

Aghon struggles to get a bit closer to the hag, so he can get a clearer aim for his magic icicle.
STR Check: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11
Thankfully his sea legs keep him moving forward and he gets as close as possible before firing his icicle.

Aghon would move as close as possible, and I believe that puts him within five feet of the hag? He would also move into a position where he has a clear line of sight to her.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Unfortunately the wind throws off his balance and his icicle sails wide of the target. Damn it! He says, gritting his teeth, and grips his trident tightly, hoping he can close and help Culder and Korbrand bring the hag down quickly.

The hag shrieks as Jarvis brings the fallen tent's ropes to life and tries to entangle her, but she skips free in a dance that's almost comical...until Culder brings his anchor around in a tight arc, smashing the hag in the side, almost certainly shattering ribs. The crone looses another shriek--this one of pain--but doesn't turn her wrath upon the sea reaver.

Pointing a gnarled claw at Jarvis, she snarls, "NOT the children!" Turning to Beliza, she adds, "No meals...skin peels. Rain, rain--glow and bray!"

Beliza grits her teeth and draws her rapier. "Justice for the children!" she screams, but then the gust of wind nearly blows her backward and she's unable to use her weapon.

Aghon powers forward against the gale and fires a magic icicle at the hag, but it flies wide of the mark.

********************************

COMBAT ROUND 2 (Encounter Round 4)

Moina (65 ft. from hag), Korbrand (5 ft.), Jarvis, and Culder may act.

Did I miss Korbrand's action last round? Or did he not take a visible action?

Culder chuckles softly when the hag all but ignores his blow.

time to put a hurtin' on this beastie... make her feel like I felt bein' crashed 'gainst th'stones at Anferita...

Relishing the opportunity release his bitter frustrations, the Captain brings his heavy anchor around at the hag once again.
rage/PA, flank, IC: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 29,
for: 1d10 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 1 = 18

rage 2/6

Strength: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

Moina is again beaten back by the wind, bending her knees to brace against this unnatural storm. A feeling of familiarity had been triggered when she accidentally imparted her magic into the glob of mud. She had never used her magic offensively before and such was unfamiliar to her. Perhaps she could do more. Reaching out with her mind to feel the wind and the rain. The thunder and lighting crackled and she heard each one. She could use the hag's own magical storm against her. So she pulled on the elements she could feel all around her and sent every last bit towards the horrible child stealing witch. She would regret coming here.

...

summon nature's ally has a 1 round casting time so the terrible might of the storm (lol) won't destroy the hag till next round.

@ Culder: Korbrand (and Beliza, for that matter) got checked by the wind last round; the half-orc drew a falchion but was unable to close to actually attack with it.

Korbrand steps up through the gale, flanking the hag opposite Culder, bringing his falchion down in an overhand chop, its blade tearing into the hag's shoulder. Moments later, Culder's anchor crashes into her face and chest. Blood spatters on the two melee combatants, yet somehow the hag survives the hellacious battering. Even more amazingly, she does nothing to either defend herself or avenge her wounds against her attackers. Instead she whines, "Always cruel to poor Zephelza! Afraid I'll become the Storm Goddess??!! Aye! So hungry."

Again Beliza's kept at bay by the mighty wind, but she stills bellows, "Poor thing's nuttier than a coconut tree! Finish her anyways!"

EDIT: Oops! I missed that Jarvis hadn't yet acted before taking the hag's (non)action.

Jarvis, Jordan (25 ft. from hag), and Aghon (5 ft. from hag) may act now...then we're back to the top of the Initiative order.

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Seeing Culder's anchor smash into the hag, Jordan grins. He's not planning on getting into the melee, not when he can get the wind to work in his favor. Turning, he focuses his effort into moving around the fight, getting the wind at his back.
Planting his feet in the mud, Jordan unslings his bow and searches for an arrow.
Storm Goddess, she says, pouring rain an whatnot over all of us, well, must've been struck by one too many bolts of lightning! he thinks.

Jarvis grimaces as the ropes fail to entangle the hag. I don't want to waste more magic on her. I'll hold off on more casting. Jarvis thinks as he continues his song.

bardic performance 5/8 remaining.

Your fit for the sea and nothing else, hag! Aghon says as he takes a five foot step toward her and stabs with his trident.

Trident To Hit: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Unfortunately the mixture of his fellows slashing and striking, and the force of the wind, throw off his balance yet again, and his stab hits nothing but air.

Damned Hag! Stand still, so I can stick you.

Jordan moves himself into a spot where he might be able to fit an arrow into the midst of the growing scrum; Aghon joins the melee but misses the crazy hag with a jab of his triton.

Moina (65 ft. from hag), Korbrand, Jarvis, and Culder may act.

For the first time Culder begins to look legitimately angry...

That's two real solid hits, plus a fair one from the bodyguard, 'n' she ain't so much as reacted... either her mind is well 'n' truly gone 'r we're way outta 'r depth here... either way best t'finish as quick as we can...

He hoists the anchor up over his head and swings it down hard at the hag again...
rage/PA, flank, IC: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 15,
for: 1d10 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 1 = 18

rage 3/6

This child-stealing monstrosity just won't go down! Jarvis thinks to himself as he continues yelling his song over the whipping gale winds.

BP 4/8 remaining

Korbrand takes another mean swipe at the hag just as Culder raises his anchor overhead for another monstrous smash. The half-orc connects solidly again, this time hacking a deep wound across the hag’s shriveled chest. The force of the blow’s just strong enough to make the hag stagger a bit, which causes Culder’s deadly smash to miss the mark. The relentless wind and rain causes Moina to take a bit longer in completing her casting, but doesn’t cause the young druid to wholly lose her concentration on the spell.

Spitting blood…barely able to stand…and still the storm hag doesn’t retaliate! ”Sis…Gug!...sters…,” she gurgles, trying to scream into the storm. ”Forsaken! Drowning…Gug!...on Death’s rain….”

Finally the mad hag raises her claws to fight back…but instead tears them into her own throat! She spits out one final word: ”Choking” and then collapses in a pool of her own blood, quivering a bit as she starts to bleed out.

Jordan, Aghon, and Beliza are up...though it appears that the hag is down and the fight is over.

Jordan notches an arrow to his bow before realizing that the hag has collapsed. Still, he waits to see if the storm will stop, to ensure the hag is down before placing the arrow back in its quiver.

That can't be good! Aghon screams into the wind. I know this might seem really dumb, but I'm going to try something. He says, and pulls his trident holy symbol out and whispers a prayer to Hanspur to surround them all with his healing touch.

I know healing the hag at this point seems counter-intuitive, but in my experience when things take their own lives, it's because they have information they don't want you to get. Hopefully we can knock the hag out with nonlethal damage, if Aghon can bring her back.

Channel Energy: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Well 2 healing might be perfect actually, as it will hopefully stabilize her. We can tie her up, and then Aghon can channel again, to bring her back to consciousness. Maybe somebody that has profession sailor can use that skill to tie her up good and tight?

The storm rages on unabated in the few moments before Aghon steps up, stabilizing the fallen hag and causing the warm sensation of healing to wash over the other combatants close by. It keeps raging afterwards, as well.

"Are you mad as well?" Beliza demands of Aghon, actually bumping him a bit with her buckler. "What in Hell do you think you're...." The rain-drenched woman stops short, realizing something disturbing. "You healed the hag...but you healed me, too," she yells, confusion but no more anger in her voice. "But I wasn't injured!"

Indeed, Culder, Jarvis, Korbrand, Jordan, and Aghon himself felt themselves heal just a bit when he channeled the positive energy.

Tying up the hag would be a combat maneuver (escape DC = 20 + binder's CMB (plus I might be talked into giving a +2 bonus to anyone with Profession [sailor]).

Culder watches with a mixture of anger and pity as the confused hag mutilates itself. When she collapses he drops his anchor and starts breathing heavily. end rage; fatigued for 6 rounds.

"Well, who ain't had a wantin' t'take th'easy way out b'fore," he says shaking his head.

I'll leave it to Jordan to tie her up, he's the bounty hunter after all.

Do i need to make a strength check if the wind is at my back?