ProfPotts' Serpent's Skull PBP

Game Master Alexander Scott

Looking between the unearthly green glowing ocean and the humid black depths of the jungle, Tony says; "The treeline here is just fine for camping."

"I concur." And with that he starts working on the campsite. He will every once in a while turn his eye back towards the glowing surf.

Aerodus will take 10 on his survival check to start work on the camp.

I am sorely tempted to introduce Blinky to the group

Once camp has been set up, Shisa will take a look at what's ailing Aerodus and Tony. Using her meager healing skills, she takes a peek at the rash.

Healing Tony (trained non-class): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

In case you want a roll for each. If not, please disregard. :)

Healing Aerodus (trained non-class): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"Hrm.. looks like a pretty nasty rash you two have. Perhaps if you washed it in the glowy water.."

His interest piqued, Aerodus will stop his work gathering fire wood, turn and ask Shisa.

"You think it would help Songstress?"

"You think it would help Songstress?"

Bringing a finger to her lips, she thinks for a moment before turning her hand, palm up and shrugging. "I honestly don't know Aero."

Looking at Yipper doing his best Droopy the dog imitation Marik chuckles "Let the poor guy rest. He's been flying ahead for us all the way down the river and is exhausted, just look at him."
Survival check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Oooh, look at me. I'm Bear Grylls.

Between Marik and Aerodus, it doesn't take long to get a campfire started, organise some sleeping areas, and prepare some supper. It's a little after the scouting party has started tucking into their well-deserved snake-and-monkey-meat-kebabs that Aerodus glances towards the glowing surf (yet again...), only to spot something even more unusual than the glow itself...

... Walking across the top of the waves comes a nearly skeletal figure, wearing the tattered remains of a nautical officer's uniform, including a greatcoat and a tricorn hat, the figure's left hand replaced by a gleaming metal hook! The figure seems to be constantly dripping brackish seawater, and appears somehow translucent... insubstantial...

'Alas my Aeshamara!' wails the skeletal figure as it strides over the waves, 'Damn them all as the mutineers and traitors they are!'

... It appears to be walking on the water parallel to the beach, but not heading inland. It also appears to have either not noticed your little camp, or is just ignoring you...

Even if Aerodus fails to point this figure out, everyone else notices it as soon as it starts to wail anyway.

Looking up from her meal, Shisa takes another bite and glances over at Marik. "What do you suppose that thing is," she asks around a mouthful of food.

Reaching up to move the hair from in front of her eyes, she looks intently at the apparition as it walks over the waves. "Hopefully," she begins before taking another bite, "that thing will stay out over the water for now. I'm famished." She reaches over for one of the remaining kabobs. "Not bad if I may say so myself."

She spares a glance over to Aerodus. "Don't paladins have some sort of magic against such things?" She reaches over to check and make sure her weapons are close at hand as she continues to eat and not appear too nervous to the others.

She's a bit worried over the apparition, never having seen such before. Bluff check to see if anyone picks up on her trying to hide it.

Bluff (untrained class; cha bonus only): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Aerodus will try his hand at eating a handful of berries, before starting the meal (no point in being sick all night and risk fatigue/exhaustion)

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 3 - 2 + 4 = 22

You know its a good thing he made that fort save, else he was actually going to try going into the water and scrubbing the rash

Upon seeing the apparition: "Ye gods! Some sort of sea spirit stalks the waves." And will point it out to anyone before it starts said wailing.

"Don't Paladins have some sort of magic against such things?"

"The goddess grants us strength to smite the wicked Songstress. We shall see what this spirit brings."

Knowledge Religion:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Tony spits out a mouthfull of monkey in surprise and grabs for his sword.
"What the hell is THAT!?" He exclaims as he stares wide eyed at the eerie scene over the water.

Marik looks out over the water to where everyone else is staring.
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"It appears to be an apperition of some kind, a ghost perhaps." placing a restraining hand on Aerodus, Marik continues "Easy, my lord. It doesn't seem to have noticed us yet and I suggest we keep it that way. We are ill-equipped to deal with such a threat. your weapon will have little effect on it and I have no spells that can effect it either. It appears intent on going about it's way and unless you want to fight it in the water I suggest we let it. Remember how difficult handling the snake was?"

Aerodus nods to Marik: "Very well." and slowly removes his hands from his sword, and makes a few hand gestures in the air in the direction of the 'sea spirit', before returning to eat. Muttering in a low tone between bites "Ghosts... why can't they just stay dead.."

Sorry if I jumped a knowledge gun

"It appears to be an apparition of some kind, a ghost perhaps."

As you watch it pass by, the apparition suddenly pauses, its skeletal head slowly turning towards your camp. Its eyes suddenly ablaze with a spectral blue light it steps off the waves and starts on its way up the beach, its gaze firmly fixed on Shisa, and its ragged hand of bones held out to her...

'Aeshamara?' it wails, 'Aeshamara, my love... is that you? Have you come for me?'

... as it slowly stalks towards Shisa it appears to constantly be dripping briney water in its wake...

Aeshamara?' it wails, 'Aeshamara, my love... is that you? Have you come for me?'

... as it slowly stalks towards Shisa it appears to constantly be dripping briney water in its wake...

The color drains from Shisa's face as the apparition begins to move towards her. Thinking quickly back to a lesson Riza had once given her, she whispers to the others, "This is going to be touchy. Play along... please?"

She stands and looks at the thing as it comes closer. "Nay, good Captain. I am not Aeshamara, but she has sent us to deal with the traitorous scum you speak of. She sends her love. The good paladin, mage, and noble with me are here on her behalf as she could not make it herself, though she truely longed to do so."

She steps forward and gives a deep courtsey. "I am Shisa, at your service. These are," she turns to point to the others in turn, "Aerodus, Paladin of Iomedae. With him are the noble Tony and young wizard Marik."

She turns back to the apparition and clasps her now shaking hands behind her back, hoping the others don't notice.

Is it possible to detect evil and focus on its way in?

With a quick prayer to the Inheritor for strength, Aerodus will step forward Putting himself closest to the spirit and clasp one hand to his heart. "Whiteblade, in service to her Divine Majesty. How may we be of assistance sir...?" As he motions for Sea Spirit / Ghost Captain/ Witch Elf Lover to identify himself.

Diplomacy (if needed): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

OUCH on the roll, looks like its going to be a fun one... SAVE ME BLINKY!

Tony eyes possible escape routes as he nods frantically in agreement. His knuckles turn white with the force he grips the hilt of his undrawn sword.

Bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

D'oh!

Oh wise dicebot.. please be good.. we'll sacrifice Aerys.. honest.

bluff (UTC) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Marik walks up behind Aerodus and begins casting Mage Armor on him.
"I'm afraid this is the only defense I have against yonder ghost's touch."

Is it possible to detect evil and focus on its way in?

"Nay, good Captain. I am not Aeshamara, but she has sent us to deal with the traitorous scum you speak of. She sends her love. The good paladin, mage, and noble with me are here on her behalf as she could not make it herself, though she truely longed to do so."

The insubstantial skeletal creature pauses, then slowly lowers its bony hand...

"I am Shisa, at your service. These are... Aerodus, Paladin of Iomedae. With him are the noble Tony and young wizard Marik."

The apparition's blazing ice-blue eyes follow Shisa's gestures to gaze at each of the others in turn... almost giving you the sense that its seeing them for the first time...

"Whiteblade, in service to her Divine Majesty. How may we be of assistance sir...?"

'I...' the thing seems confused for a moment... then finally declares, '... Avret Kinkarian, Free Captain o' the Shackles!'

"I'm afraid this is the only defense I have against yonder ghost's touch."

'Ghost's touch be the thrice-damned truth!' Captain Kinkarian cries, obviously hearing Marik's comment, ''Tis a cruel jest ye make, wizard Marik,' he stabs a gesture at Marik with his hook-hand, 'a cruel jest indeed, for the doomed souls of the briney deep can touch neither dubloon nor rum, nor cutlass nor wench...' at his last comment he trails off... then begins to wail at the top of... well, whatever passes for lungs on a spectral being like him... finally, after a few worrying moments, he seems to calm himself again...

'Avast ye, skinny wench!' he gestures towards Shisa with his hook, 'ye claim to come from me beloved... and truth be told ye share her look o' one touched with th' blood o' th' elves...' he pauses again, staring at Shisa... but once more eventually rouses out of whatever forlorn thoughts seem to plague him, '... ye say ye came to keel-haul me mutinous crew? Bah! 'Tis too late for such a thing - them that escaped me own cutlass and hook were taken care o' by th' cruel tides o' th' Shiv... and me own poor bones along with 'em! I tells 'em we needed to skirt th' Shiv, to lose th' dogs o' th' Sargavan navy what hounded our stern... but they turned traitor, th' bilge rat scum! They tried to murder their own Captain they did... fair near done me in too, but th' Shiv stole th' last o' me as th' ol' Brine Demon struck th' rocks... and me, not moments away from seeing me true love one last time before I dropped down amongst th' dead men...' Once more he begins to wail...

... Finally, the ghost of Captain Kinkarian begins to fade from sight, although just before he vanishes completely his wailing ceases long enough for you all to hear...

'I just wants to see her, to see me true love Aeshamara one last time... one last time before th' end... one last time...'

Every now and then it's fun to talk like a pirate! :)

Tony sits back down and exhales a shaking breath.

Then he looks at Shisa and says, mock seriously; "Just HOW many suitors do you have?"

Letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, Shisa looks past the spot where the ghost was last standing. "Whew! Well, that went a little better than I hoped. I'm very glad the good captain didn't take Marik's finger wiggling as hostile intent." She looks over at Marik and grins.

She turns to walk back to the campsite and stops abruptly. "Tony, didn't the captain's log mention the crew acting mutinous?" If so, doesn't it seem odd that two separate ships both experience the same thing when they near the Shiv? And to answer your question," she pauses for a moment. "Guess," she says shooting him a wink.

She walks back to the camp and sits down in the sand. She thinks for a bit before continuing. "Perhaps we do need to check that wreckage in the morning. Maybe we can find some clues as to what's really going on and why we're here."

Aerodus stands where he is after the ghost's departure, and slowly states: "I.....couldn't detect.... any evil from him." Almost as if he doesn't believe it himself.

As he slowly returns to the fire and food, he pulls up a piece of driftwood and proceeds to rest on it. While poking at the amidst the flames will add "At the very least we should see if there is something we can do to save his soul. No one deserves to be stuck haunting this rock."

Leave it to Shisa to come up with a Kraken Cult Mind Control Conspiracy!

Also Aerodus will volunteer for first watch.

"I'll take one of the mid-watches as my eyes are more accustom to the dark without the need for glowy stones giving me away," she says as she eyes one of the remaining kabobs. "Anyone going to eat that?"

Hrm, guess that means we don't have to sacrifice Aerys to the dicebot.. darn.

Hey, sure, blame the half-elf for conspiracies.. I knew I should have studied to be a sorceress.. I hear they can turn Paladins into.. um.. Hi Aero! :)

Tony says; "Let me check."

He rummages in his case and pulls out the Jenivere's captains log.
After reviewing it, Tony frowns.
"If I'm reading this right, the captain grew more and more obsessed with that Varisian scholar, Ieana, altered course to the Smugglers Shiv, the crew then objects and it ends with the Captain contemplating 'Doing Something About It.'"

Closing the log, he gazes at the hulk across the bay, then turns and grins at the others.
"Looks like we have a mystery on our hands! Best investigated in broad daylight of course. Too early to say if it's the same situation though."

Tony pulls out the Jenevere's captains log and reviews it.
"Hm, if I'm reading this right, the captain seems to have been obsessed with that Varisian scholar, what's her name, he diverts to Smuggler's Shiv, the crew objects, and he ends saying something about having to deal with them."
He snaps the log shut and grins at the others.
"Looks like we have a mystery on our hands! For daylight of course."

Unrolling her blanket, Shisa gives Tony a glance. "What if it wasn't the crew that was mutinous, but rather Captain Kinkarian? He seemed obsessed with Aeshamara. did he not?"

Tugging off her boots, she wiggles her toes a bit then sets her blades aside within reach. Stretching out, she pulls the blanket over her. "But as you say, it's a mystery for the morrow."

"Judging by the mood of our crew when our 'good captain' changed his course too close to this god-forsaken rock any right minded crew would mtuiny rather than risk running aground here."

"The scholar has a point, even the swordsman was wary of this place. This island does seem to be living up to its reputation: Ghosts haunting the place, jungle creatures with a taste for flesh."

Rolling to her side and propping her head on her hand, she looks over at Aerodus and asks, "Aero, would it be considered to an evil act to run a ship aground if you were convinced you were doing the right thing? I mean, two captains, obsessed with someone, both with mutinous crews.. and both having ships run aground on this island."

Aerodus will stop his poking of embers, and scratches his growing beard, taint a long pause before :"It is up to who you ask... as for myself it comes down to will and intent. A captain who runs his ship aground, killing his passangers and crew such as this is evil. A general who sends his men into battle knowing that they likely wont return, can still be a good man. They both did actions that will kill those they are responsible for, but it is the will and intent that separates them."

Taking a deep breath he continues:"But to answer your question, I don't believe the act to be evil. It is why they did it which determines that."

The remainder of the night passes without undue incident, and soon enough dawn breaks once more over the small island...

Not wanting you guys to have it too easy, it's time for a DC 15 Fortitude save vs disease from each of you! Failing the save means you take 1d6 Strength damage and have developed patches of red rash across your skin and a painful ache deep in your muscles. You get a -2 on your save if you were hit by flying monkey poop yesterday... yes, there's no such thing as a pure fluff encounter... :)

The carcass of the ship wrecked on the rocks nearby - presumably the Brine Demon the ghostly pirate Captain mentioned - casts forbidding shadows in the fresh sunlight...

OK, here goes nothing! (spins the wheel)

Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Dammit!

Strength damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Of course.
Don't know if I'm combat effective anymore. Total bonus to hit is -1, damage done is -1.

Fort save: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 = 12 Failure!
Str Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Str now 12

Can we use berries on this as well? The group has 5 doses left. And now am definetly in medium encumbrance. Oh how divine health looks so good right now

Yep - in fact, if you happen to have eaten a handful of viper nettle berries in the past 24 hours you're still rocking a +4 bonus to save Vs disease anyway, right? If that didn't put you over the save DC, then eating a handful now will give you a new save with a +4 bonus (and the bonus lingers for 24 hours as normal).

I'm assuming the +2 con heal for rest overnight

Fort 1d20 ⇒ 3

Str Dmg 1d6 ⇒ 6

Ugh, str now 6 of 12. con 10 of 11.. over encumbered.

Awesome then im safe! Tony/Shisa I recommend you try.. How does the cove tides look? Will it still be a tough swim/paddle to make it out to the brine demon?

Awakening from his slumber Aerodus will first give a prayer to the Inheritor for gracing him with another day, before starting to pack his items up and donning his armor for the day's journey.

Shisa weakly rolls out of her bedroll and starts scratching a rash that appeard overnight. "Ugh, this place is really starting to irritate me," she says as she reaches for a handful of berries. "I hope these work, or I'm going back to sleep."

new fort save with berry bonus 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

ugh. wasted berries. dicebot hates me for not sacrificing Aerys

Paddling the coracle over to the Brine Demon will basically be a DC 15 Strength check, but two people can paddle using Aid Another. Failure leads to rock-smashing goodness! Still better than a paladin trying to swim... ;)

Tony will break down and take some of the berries.

New Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 4 = 8

Dammit!

Tony will help paddle using aid another.

Strength check: 1d20 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 1 - 2 = 7

Dammit!

And feebly splash the water around.

Standing slowly and attempting to put on her gear to go explore the wreckage, she drops her pack in exhaustion. "Dammit. Feels like someone filled my pack with rocks," she says dropping her pack and scratching violently at her arm.

She plops down next to her pack and looks at the others. "I don't know what happened to me, but I feel totally achy and even moving is an effort." She lets out a long sigh. "I guess exploring may have to wait."

She begins examining the rash on her arms.

healing 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Letting out another sigh, she starts scratching again.

I believe this is only valid if we had gear to treat diseases

Heal Check to try and Find out what Disease is/Treatment: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7 Guessing That doesnt beat the DC

Failing to recall anything that might be of use, will address the group. "If you must rest, then so be it. But while you do that, I would like to explore the ship while we have a chance, before the spirit may come back. Maybe we can find something to help your conditions."

And will start prepping the boat for another voyage across the water. After giving time/assistance to anyone who wants to join him, will give a prayer to the Inheritor to see them safely across and begin the task of forcing it's way across the waves.

Sorry for the delay in posting, had a full day of work and then a 4 hour drive to my in-laws. We didn't get in till 10 o'clock at night and I was too beat to type anything up.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 2 = 3
Ouch

Marik wakes up feeling achy and feverish, as he washes his face he notices a small rash begining to form on his forearm. "Uh oh, this can't be good"
Wandering over to Aerodus Marik asks "Do we have any of those berries left? They may help alleviate this condition"
Tsking a handful of berries Marik wolfs down the sweet fruit.
Fortitude save #2: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 2 = 22
Ahhh, much better

Feeling better Marik will help paddle out to the wreck
Strength check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Or, maybe he won't

Remember that curing the disease doesn't automatically cure the damage caused by the disease up to that point - so Marik still needs to take some Strength damage, even though he's safe from further saves against that particular bout of illness in the future.

With the others feeling under the weather, Aerodus makes a heroic effort of (basically single-handedly) paddling their little boat over to the salt and moss encrusted skeleton of the ship which once bore the name Brine Demon. Although much of the hull is missing, smashed to splinters on the treacherous rocks of the Shiv years ago, its cargo lost to the sea or rotted away, the upper decks appear to be more or less intact, including the ship's masts. With Aerodus paddling furiously against the dangerous currents the others manage to grab lengths of rope - green with algae, but still relatively sturdy - dangling from the wrecked ship and secure the coracle in place...

Climbing up onto the deck is going to take a Climb check. Normally climbing a rope with a wall (or ship) to brace against is DC 5, or DC 0 if the rope is knotted, but the slipperiness of the moss-covered wreck and the (unknotted) ropes hanging from it increases that to DC 10... and remember that Climb is a Strength-based skill with an Armour Check penalty... Of course, if you happen to have a (knotted) rope with a grapple handy (and someone who can throw straight) it'll be easier! :)

Strength damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Current Strength: 8 (9)

Aerodus will take some time and tie his rope to knot it (or let one of the more dextrous folks) before attaching his grappling hook to it.

obviously an inspiration from blinky
He will then hand the hook/rope to Tony: "Here Nobleman, see if you can get it to catch on a railing".

Tony looks skeptical for a moment, then grins and says; "Oh well, here goes nothing!"
He swings the grappling hook around and slings it up...

Touch attack: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 2 = 9
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 2 = 11
Climb: 1d20 + 6 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 3 - 2 = 14

pardon my question.. but why do you have a -2 on all your d20's Tony? I thought you ate the berries?

Having left her pack on the beach, with all its contents, Shisa looks up at the ship before them. Grabbing one of the ropes, she begins to climb.

Taking 10 on climb: 10 + 5 - 2 = 13

Prof keeps reminding us to take 10..heh. Finally sunk in.

Her weakened state makes the climb more difficult than it should have been and the algae doesn't help matters much. She reaches the railing and pulls herself over, drawing out the short sword. She pauses to look over the deck, her ears perched listening for anything out of the ordinary.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

She waves the others up once she knows the way is clear.

Aerodus will climb up as well.

1d20 + 3 - 6 ⇒ (13) + 3 - 6 = 10 Unless its dc 5, I cant make it with a 10

And upon going over the edge will draw his longsword, and shield.

I'm still Sickened right? Thats -2 to all that you do.