Sickened Fort save:
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Vaulting onto the deck of the wrecked vessel, Shisa sees that it appears to be in much the same sorry state as the hull - encrusted in salt and moss, with several gaping holes where either it was smashed as the ship hit the rocks, or has since rotted away. Although the masts appear more or less intact, all that remains of the sails are rotting tattered shreds, fluttering like macabre pennons in the sea breeze. A short distance away from where she boarded, Shisa also notes rag-garbed skeletal remains which must have once been one of Captain Kinkarion's 'mutinous crew' - the legs of the remains appear to be tangled in a coil of rope, one skeletal hand stretched out as if reaching for the side of the ship... As Shisa watches, a small crab scuttles out of the eye-socket of the skull, then back inside through the mouth...
Shisa signals the others, and moments later Tony flings up Aerodus's grapple to lodge on the ship's rail. After a quick check by Shisa to make sure the grapple's secure (and the section of rail not too rotten), Tony, then Aerodus clamber up the knotted rope. Marik attempts to climb the treacherously slick ropes dangling from the wrecked ship, but soon finds he has to give up and use the fresh knotted rope as well, which proves a lot easier.
As the others help Marik up over the rail and onto the deck, Yipper flaps up past him, takes a lazy gliding circuit around the masts, then suddenly dives - swooping down low he skims the deck nearby, grasping the small scuttling crab as it tries to leave its skull-home, then arcing back high into the air. Perching high on the Brine Demon's yardarm the winged reptile bashes the crab against the mast a few times, before letting it fall to smash on the deck. Finally swooping down to land near the remains of the crab, Yipper crawls over to enjoy his breakfast...
Based on what could be seen of the hull as you approached, and what can be seen through the holes in the deck, it looks as if the hold and most of the lower decks have been gutted by the ship's impact on the rocks. The upper portion of the ship's stern, however, looks to still be relatively intact - which is where you'd expect to find the Captain's cabin. Apart from the occassional dead crewmember and the denizens of the sea (like the crab) which have slowly been encroaching the vessel the wreck seems to be unoccupied.
Looking at the condition of the ship, she looks at the deck, picking what looks to be the best way to the stern and the hatch leading down. "I'll led," she says quietly to the others, remembering her last outburst on a similar ship.
Stepping off quietly, Shisa treads carefully across the deck to the hatch, peering into any holes in the decking she passes, trying to keep from being surprised when they go below. The sunlight above and darkness below makes seeing difficult as it doesn't allow her eyes to properly adjust to the gloom.
She slips through the hatch and begins to descend deeper into the ship, looking to find the Captain's Quarters.
Perception:
Stealth:
Giving the songstress a good head start, Aerodus will move across the upper deck, towards the stern. With sword and shield in hand, he will move at a much slower pace.
Tony draws his blade and follows Aerodus; really hoping they don't run into something more serious than a goblin...
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Considering the massive damage suffered by most of the vessel, it doesn't take Shisa long to locate the Captain's cabin, which appears to be the only fully intact room (there are several surrounding rooms which are partially intact, but each is open to the outside, and time and tide both have done their worst, clearing them of any booty or supplies they may once have held). The door to the cabin is shut, and two skeletonised crew members are slumped in the corridor outside, their rusted cutlasses and the multiple cut marks on the solid wooden door suggesting that they were trying to force their way inside when the ship crashed on the rocks of the Shiv. The door sports a large keyhole, and a quick examination tells Shisa that it's this lock, rather than a door-bar, which prevented the crew from getting in... However, sturdy as the door and lock once were, even they haven't completely escaped the weathering the rest of the ship has suffered - the lock now appears rusted, and the door is damp and slowly rotting...
The care of the men-folk in following Shisa pays off, as a couple of times rotting timbers start to flake and give-way beneath their steps - but their caution prevents them from plunging head-long onto the rotted sections of deck . Soon enough they join their half-elf 'security expert' examining the locked door of the Captain's cabin.
Coming to the locked door, Shisa spends a brief moment glancing over the two skeletons. She shrugs and crouches down beside the lock. Being the inquisitive sort, and not one for wanting to find a trap the hard way, she peers through the keyhole with a practiced eye trying to spot any damage or tampering to the mechanism itself as well as to what's beyond.
Perception:
Sheathing her sword she holds up a hand to the others, motioning them to stay back a bit. "Looks like our ghostly captain's remains are beyond," she says, keeping her voice lowered remembering her last outburst's consequences.
"Tony, can you please do something with these rusted cutlasses? If our good captain is not at rest, I would prefer the crew not to be armed if they are in similar state." She reaches into a pouch on her belt and pulls out her leather wrapped tools and after selecting a couple, begins to work on the lock.
Disable Device:
The ship gives a small lurch in the waves just as she thought she had the tumblers set and with a 'click', they fall back into place. "Ok, let's try this again. Aero, you have no objection I hope. It's quieter than breaking down a door on a rotting ship and Cayden knows what would happen if we tried forcing it."
Disable Device:
With a quiet snick, the tumblers fall where they should. Replacing her tools, she draws her sword again and stands up then turns the latch. "After you," she chimes with a grin and a low bow waving her hand toward the now open door.
Eyeing the rotting wreck as they go, Aerodus visibly relaxes upon reaching the door. "No objection here Songstress, the sooner we are off this crumbling wreck the better."
At the invitation and with a salute of his sword, Aerodus will step forward and upon viewing into the room will cast detect evil before entering.
As Aerodus passes her to head into the room, she starts to scratch once again at the rash covering her arms. "I agree. Let's get off this wreck. Beware the box in the captain's hand. We'll need to check it before we open it. Not that I'm paranoid mind you, but after being chewed on, stung, clawed, and given a non-too-gentle hug by a huge snake, I'm a bit.. wary."
Gingerly, Tony crouches down and starts prying the rusted cutlasses from cold dead hands...
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As one may have suspected (considering the pounding the door had already received) Shisa finds no evidence of traps and, after a few moments, has 'coaxed' the door's rusted lock to open (almost as if she's done that sort of thing before...). Aerodus then bravely steps forwards to swing the door open...
In the shafts of daylight coming through the leaded diamond-lattice patterned windows of the cabin (a good few still with their small, thick, individual panes of glass still intact), through lazily drifting motes of dust, you see a skeletonised corpse slumped on the floor in front of a heavy wooden desk, it's clothes similar to those of the ghost you saw on the beach... including a rust-pitted hook replacing its left hand. It's bony right hand is clutching what appears to be a well-made darkwood coffer partially slid out of what looks to be an opened secret compartment in the base of the desk. An upholstered carved wooden chair behind the desk lies on its side, partially smashed and succumbing to rot. To your right a sleeping cot nestled into a niche in the wooden wall is now only covered in fragments of rotting bedding. A metal lantern, once hung from a hook set into the beams of the ceiling, lies smashed in one corner of the room. In another is the shattered remains of an hourglass, the sands within long since gone. Scattered across the floor are a variety of rotting parchments, probably once charts, but now too fragile to even touch without destroying. Attached to a ring in the wall by a slender length of rusted chain is a tiny collar around the neck of what appears to be the skeletonised form of a monkey - still wearing a decorative red vest and tiny fez. On the floor, amongst the scattered papers, are two navigational instruments - an astrolab and a sextant - both made of brass which, although a little battered, could probably still be put to use (by someone who knew how to use them). Finally, a dented pewter plate and lid-topped tankard on the floor are covered in a fuzzy layer of mold which appears to have grown over them.
Meanwhile, in the corridor outside, Tony starts to pry the rusted cutlass from the skeletal hand of one of the dead crewmembers... only for the bones of the hand, held together with nothing more than parchement-thin skin, to snap off, scattering across the floor like some macabre game of dice...
With a quicker prayer for the dead, Aerodus sheathe his sword/shield and call for the others to enter. "Nothing in here but some tools and what looks to be our spirits' body." He will move to gather the astrolabe and sextant "Perhaps the scholar could make use of this." After placing those in his pack (or giving them to Marik) will gently try and remove whatever is in the coffer without causing more damage to the time ravaged corpse.
Seeing Aerodus about to open the box and remove it's contents, Shisa hurries over and gently places a hand on his shoulder. "Aero, it's small enough. Let's take the box and all. We can open it later after we ensure it's not trapped. With all else we've encountered, why take a chance now?"
She begins to check the desk and Captain's bunk with a quick, practiced eye.
perception:
Aerodus will not resist, and slowly withdraws his hand and instead moves to take the coffer itself. "Very well, if you think it wise we'll open it on solid ground."
Tony grasps the rusting cutlass and tries to shake off the dessicated hand...
"Ew, ew, ew!"
Hearing Tony's despair coming from the hallway, Shisa reaches up to rub at the rash on her face, hiding a wide grin, as she continues to inspect the room.
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Checking the room Shisa finds nothing more of interest (unless she has a fondness for rot and mold she's not yet shared with the group...). The desk was once a pretty solid piece of furniture, but doesn't have anything in its draws except more rotting parchment. It looks like the coffer, being both darkwood and, it appears, watertight is the only thing besides the brass instruments to have survived long enough to be salvaged. Even then a glance at the small keyhole on the box reveals that, although the darkwood has proven resistent to the degradations of the sea air, the lock is speckled with verdigris. The key to the box appears to be missing (as is the one to the cabin itself for that matter) - if it was once in the cabin (or on the Captain's person) it appears to have been lost in the crash (or possible scavanged by some critter long ago).
Aerodus will head back towards the boat, and wait for everyone to lower themselves before removing his grappling hook/rope and climbing down himself.
Str Check:
Despite his best efforts, Aerodus is unable to break free from the tide's control as he valiantly tries to paddle the group safely back to shore.
Edit:Climb Climb roll here to preserve the paddle check.
Paddle check-STR:
Seeing Aerodus' difficulties in rowing the small craft back to the shore, Shisa quickly grabs one of the fishing spears. "Maybe I can help keep us off the rocks by using the spear as a pole," she explains as her eyes start looking intently at the water before them.
"Well, Jask seems to put great store in Nethys, so if she helps us out of this, I'll try to learn at least a little magic when I am able." she thinks to herself. "I'll even get drunk for once for Cayden."
Tony waives his hands around.
"Alright enough! We're just flailing around. Everyone paddle together! One, two..."
I think it was that if I took 10 would only need one success with aid another. I am under the assumption that the take 10 is unavailable at the moment.
With her eyes on the water, Shisa sees the wave growing before the small craft. "Brace yourselves! We're about to.." she begins to yell a warning to the others but falls short as the wave crashes over the four of them, threatening to swamp the boat.
Reflex:
Quickly grabbing a hold of the struts on the inside of the boat, Shisa manages to stay with the craft as the crashing wave soaks her thoroughly. She looks around, shaking the wet hair from in front of her eyes to take stock on the others.
Round: 1
Reflex Save: Failure! Paladin in the water!
Being tossed Around by the waves, it looks like Aerodus manages to keep his footing, until suddenly his momentum carries himself overboard! As he goes over his last words are: "Damnable waves!" And soon his form can be seen dashed against the rocks.
Rock Damage: HP=8
The paladin tries to grab hold of the boat, only to be swept away once more into the corals deadly embrace!
Climb Check: Failure!
Reflex Save: Failure
Rock Damage HP=6
End of Round:1
Edit: Added in Flavor/Fluff (Removed other Rounds)
Seeing Aerodus go over the side, she quickly extends the barbed end of the spear that she somehow managed to hold on to. "C'mon Aero, grab it," she says quietly, worry creeping into her voice at the thought of loosing one of her traveling companions to the embrace of the sea.
"Marik, can you keep this thing steady while I try to fish out the others?" she asks hopefully.
Reflex save: Off I go for a swim!
Rock damage:
I'll aid another to help Aerodus.
Swim check:
Aid another:
In case I fail to post.
As the waves bring the paladin back out towards the craft, he tries once more to grab purchase!
Climb Check: Failure (Unless 4 Success)
Only to be sucked back underwater by the raging waves and mauled by the rocks below.
Reflex Save: Failure
Rock Damage: HP = 4
Round 2 Aid other check / climb:
Holding onto the spear, Shisa pushes it as far as she can toward where Aerodus and Tony are floundering in the water, waiting for one of them to grab on.
Climb Check: Failure (No Success)
Reflex Save: Failure
Damage HP = 3
Climb Check: Failure (Requires 4 Aid Another)
Reflex Save: Failure
Damage HP=2
Climb Check: Failure (Requires 2 Success)
Reflex Save: Failure
Damage HP = 0 Stagger
Climb Check: Failure (And go to -1 due to action)
Reflex Save: Success!
Begin Unconscious Drowning
Edit Cleaned up Round Postings.
Round 3 Aid other check / climb:
Trying again to assist her team mate(s), Shisa extends the spear once more but the waves pushes the wooden spear the wrong direction.
Round 4 Aid other check / climb:
Undaunted, she keeps trying:
Round 5 Aid other check / climb:
Round 6 Aid other check / climb:
Current HP:6(60%)
Status: Sickened Painful rash.
Tony tries to help Aerodus climb back in the boat.
Round 3 aid another Climb:
Round 4 aid another Climb:
Round 5 aid another Climb:
Round 6 aid another Climb:
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With arms outstretched Marik attempts to help Shisa pull the others from the crashing surf. Seeing the Paladin being pulled under the water by the weight of his heavy armor Marik makes rescuing Aerodus his top priority.
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Working together Marik and Shisa finally drag a battered and bruised Aerodus into the boat.
Gasping for air, Aerodus slides into the bottom of the boat. "Let us NEVER do that again.... ever." Taking a look around: "Where... is the... nobleman?" He manages to speak between breaths.
Paddle Check:
Bruised, battered, and bloody, Aerodus grabs his paddle and tries his best to guide the boat and her cargo through the tumultuous waves.
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Although Shisa and Marik manage to remain inside the boat, the giant wave throws both Tony and Aerodus overboard! Despite his disease-enfeebled state, Tony quickly drags himself back on-board, even as the small vessel tosses and turns on the waves crashing against the rocks... but getting the heavily-armoured paladin back in the boat proves to be a much greater challenge! With the coracle spinning even as it rises and falls with the violent flow of the ocean breaking on the Shiv, and Aerodus slipping beneath the waves every few seconds, it's a frantic battle to try to grab hold of the holy warrior, with one or other of the coracle's 'crew' managing to grasp his hand, or a strap on his armour, only for him to slip, time and again, through their fingers and back beneath the waves!
It seems like hours, but in reality it's maybe only half a minute, before a sodden, salty, battered, and bruised Aerodus manages to finally, with the help of his friends, drag his armoured frame over the side and back inside the coracle. Hardly taking a moment to catch his breath (and swear off boating) the paladin grabs an oar and starts to paddle for shore, as if his life depended on it (for surely it does!).
Eventually, back in the shallows, the group manages to drag themselves, as well as their plucky little craft, up onto the beach, where they collapse from the efforts of fighting the sea and take a moment to lie there, the hot sun slowly drying them out...
Still exhausted from his trials, Aerodus manages to say: "Let us see what we risked life and limb for." As he digs the coffeer out of his backpack and presents it to Shisa before collapsing back into the sand.
And as he rests in his sandy bed Aerodus will say silent prayers of thanks over and over to the Inheritor for helping keep him from a watery doom.