Razor Coast Texas Style!

Game Master brvheart

"Whoever brings these drugs to my people will meet the same fate as the dog man."

interesting, apparently a drug aimed at the natives

Ivar turns to Oro-Tu

I'm just a raider, but it seems to me people will find a way to buy what they want. Is it better someone who cares about them control it, or a monster; gnoll or human? Or do you plan on stopping all drug production and trade in the islands?

Since I am not there currently, I am not able to help you two with your delima, but please leave the PVP lamp not lit, the last thing we need and a character on character fight. I will state that this is a age old battle in history, the purpose of drugs and distribution vs. the peoples need for them. Historically, Opiates have been used to control and subdue the lower class while the upper class uses more refined drugs in lower doses for recreation along with alcohol. at times governments have outlawed the use of drugs finding that criminals just make more money when it happens, regulation is expensive and so most governments turn a blind eye unless a particular criminal enterprise becomes too effective at distribution as to cause a threat to the public welfare. Some say just keep the product being sold pure so as not to cause death and limit the supply so as to not allow too much access and resultant death. Getting rid of drug trade completely is impossible, the best you can hope for is to regulate it into scarcity under a mountain of red tape so that they will take it elsewhere.

no fight intended,I'm just trying to consider how a opportunistic morally culpable Viking would think, he's just trying to get to know the crew he has become a part of :)

(after they come back and i hear the argument) Boys, you two need to cool your jets before i do it for you. We are a team and we will take out the trash in this city and make sure it stays gone to a island of nowhere

As the four of you are making your way back to the chapter house you are almost there when four blue coats come out and block your path. One has a large warhammer in his hand, two have long barreled muskets trained on you and a sorcerer stands behind. To your rear an additional two dragoons step out and train their muskets. The largest of them points at Garreg, "You! I told you what would happen if we found you selling dragonsmoke here again."
Garreg's eyes dart back and forth looking for a path of escape....
Silas recognizes the big man as Sgt. Darenar and he knows Darenar is still holding a grudge.

Silas smiles at the Sergeant. "Sergeant, could we talk in private. We are about to take action to deal with a mutual problem and it would be in your interests to assist us."

Bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Ivar watching Silas try and have a private conversation with the Sergeant quickly chimes in,

yes sergeant, certainly in your best interest

aid another, bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

well it was worth a try, I assume these "blue coats" are the local law and it would not be smart to bust their heads

lol aurora Oro-Tu wouldn't start the fight just finish it :P

Oro-Tu shrugs at the viking. "Will drive it all from this place." He looks about to say more when the dragoons approach.

His dislike for them and their uselessness is apparent, but he merely puts a hand on Garreg's shoulder with a vice-like grip, both to show ownership of him and to keep him from bolting like a rabbit from a snare.

Just as it looks like this is going to be a nasty fight, out of nowhere behind the two dragoons appears a beautiful elvn woman in a black bodice, red and black pants, a blue tricorne sporting a rapier in one hand and a pistol in another. Behind her is a huge hulking minotaur. "Now Sergeant, I believe the gentleman said he had the situation well in hand. I am sure you don't want Commandant Bonadeuce to hear you were harassing our good citizenry when we have dinner tonight do you?"
diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

With that the big sergeant sizes up the situation and decides that the odds are no longer in his favor. "Garreg, I will deal with you another time." He and the patrol withdraw bidding the lady a good day.

The woman sheaths her rapier and puts away her pistol. "Names Bethany, and you Silas have been building quite a reputation for yourself"

None of the Avatars really fit Bethany.
Bethany Razor

"You also Oro-Tu, have shown the qualities of a leader and future great hero of his people."

She takes one look at Garreg,"This one deserves to spend the rest of his days in a gibbet so I hope what you have planned for him is worth it."

Then she looks over Ivar, You, I don't know. A warrior from the Northlands I see. Well, you could do a lot worse than signing on with this crew!"

Know Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Silas bows. "Much obliged, Lady Bethany. Would have been a shame to have had to fight. Though Darenar is cursed by the shark." He looks back at Garreg. "We intend to use him to put an end to Bonegnaw. This place has enough problems without that poison continuing to seep in."

a Gnoll the local drug dealer and a minotaur as muscle, makes sense but not what I'm used too, normally we just kill them outright

Ivar watches the minotaur warily, not removing his hand from the double barreled pistol tucked in his belt, bowing slightly introduces himself

You have a keen sense for the obvious mi-lady, Names Ivar, I joined Silas' crew on the recommendation of Aurora, also a northerner who has signed on with them.

"Aurora, don't know of her either. You two are far from home. Some day I want to see this snow. What is it like? Sounds pretty:) This is my first mate Korg. Now Korg, don't be scaring the nice people, say hello...." With that Korg lowers his large pick and leans over and extends a hand out of Ivar."'ello Ivar. Good sailors you nordlings 'r. Always a pleasure to meet a fellow sailor!"

Loll, Silas, Bethany is far too famous for him to have not heard of her the only privateer on the Razor. Re-roll that 1!

"Good, will save me the trouble of rooting him out. Should you ever need to hire a ship I will be in port about another week at least"

know local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Bethany Razor, former freebooter, widow of Jacob Razor the former captain in the Dragoons and rival to Bonedeuce. After her husband’s demise, Bethany Razor shied from direct involvement in the affairs of Port Shaw. She fills the void in her heart with an extremely successful career as the region’s only privateer. Under legal writ of the Elders, Bethany Razor preys on pirates and other dangerous outlaws of the Razor Coast, captaining her impressive ship Quell’s Whore. She is a powerful woman who always gets what she wants.

One of the most famous stories of Port Shaw is

Jacob Razor, whose kin discovered the Coast in ages past, was a legendary pirate and formerly a member of Bloodbane’s own crew. Jacob gave up the skull-and-cross to serve Port Shaw after a lovely elven freebooter named Bethany Moonsliver stole his heart. Jacob left the service of the Pirate King and married his sylvan love, defecting to Port Shaw’s side in the bloody conflict. Razor’s skill as a seaman was beyond comprehension, his bravery in battle second to none, and his intimate knowledge of the Pirate King’s tactics aided him in his fight against Bloodbane’s armada.
Bethany was a skilled captain in her own right and trained in the druidic traditions of her ancestors. The couple seemed invincible, single handedly turning the tide of war. Jacob Razor’s victories far outshone Gregory Bonedeuce’s, and scuttlebutt among the higher ups of Port Shaw hinted Jacob was first in line for commandant of Port Shaw’s Municipal Dragoons, once he defeated Bloodbane.
By this time, the Pirate King Garr Bloodbane, beleaguered and hard pressed, retained only his command ship, the Dark Lady, and one more seaworthy frigate, Devil’s Grasp. Garr holed up near an atoll not far from Beacon Island to lay low and rebuild his fleet. Razor suggested his fast running man-o-war, Razor’s Edge, team up with Bonedeuce’s current command,
the Pride, and quickly ambush Bloodbane before they missed their chance and he went to ground again. With no time to gather a fleet, the two captains engaged Garr in the bedlam of battle. By the end of it, Pride was crippled and Garr’s Dark Lady rested below the waves.
The Pride ran aground on Beacon Island. A week later, a passing patrol spotted the stranded Pride and rescued Bonedeuce. He told the tale of the battle upon his return, extolling the bravery of Jacob Razor, relating his fellow captain’s heroic fall to Garr’s battleaxe, and claiming to have brought the Pride to shore, single handed. Bonedeuce also took credit for Garr’s death himself, claiming he slew the pirate just before the powder main on the Razor’s Edge exploded and sank the ship with no survivors.

Ivar recognizing Bethany's innate leadership skills he answer her nodding, raising an eyebrow at the idea of being frightened by anyone's first mate.

Snows overrated mam, its just really cold rain. If you want to sail there I'd show ya the way. Of course after Silas, here, is done with me.

He releases the pistol and reaches out to shake Korg's hand.

Always a pleasure Korg, course I thought we bred 'em big, proves ya learn something everyday

Korg is big, even for a minotaur. He stands over a foot taller than Ivar and his shaking lifts him off the ground an inch!

With that she takes her leave and you make it back to the Chapter House.

"Interesting lady there. Wonder what she meant about us getting a reputation."

Silas looks around at the others.

"Ok we know that Bonegnaw is in a cove is well protected with one entrance and Garreg knows the password. It is about 300' across with a beach with some caves. The caves are where the creatures are; a Cockatrice and a Chimera. There's about 8 -10 other guards there as well. So we need to prepare for the worst with those creatures, but also how we deal with stuff at range as well as fighting potentially over water."

brvheart, the cloak of the Manta Ray will let Ivar swim/polymorph, when he comes out of the water will his gear be wet or dry? This will make a difference to how he transports his two firearms.

yes, what did she mean about a “reputation?” Did I hear someone say she was a “privateer,” wonder how she acquired that monopoly

Ivar listening as Silas makes plans, trying to picture the lay of the land in his mind asks

You said only one entrance, does the cove itself only have one entrance that is 300’ across and it is covered at range from the land or is it covered at range by ships? Is the layout such that we would have to dock the boat or could we approach the land from the backside by swimming? Or could we do both: approach the range weapons by swimming and then when the guns are taken care of use the password?

"Garreg will know better than me, but I took it to be the cove itself is 300' across and there is just the one entrance, but that's probably smaller. I think it was difficult to climb down so I figure we would go in under disguise in the boat and use the password to get as close as we can to then strike. Might be worth having an ability to pick off targets either by some moving separately, but I'm always cautious of splitting up at these sort of junctures without properly knowing the lay of the land."

"I never seen no guns, just crossbows on the cliff." He will draw a very crude map

brvheart, the cloak of the Manta Ray will let Ivar swim/polymorph, when he comes out of the water will his gear be wet or dry? This will make a difference to how he transports his two firearms.

yes, what did she mean about a “reputation?” Did I hear someone say she was a “privateer,” wonder how she acquired that monopoly

Ivar listening as Silas makes plans, trying to picture the lay of the land in his mind asks

You said only one entrance, does the cove itself only have one entrance that is 300’ across and it is covered at range from the land or is it covered at range by ships? Is the layout such that we would have to dock the boat or could we approach the land from the backside by swimming? Or could we do both: approach the range weapons by swimming and then when the guns are taken care of use the password?

I would presume you would be wet coming out of the water and need a water proof bag.

I figured wet, but can't hurt to ask

Ivar, cold and calculating, studies the map and begins to fire off questions

Is Bonegnaw usually on the beach, in the caves, on the barge or in the boat? Where does he do business? Where does he eat and sleep? Where are most of his men? Will he release the animals as a last resort or has he trained them to attack? Don't stop talking now little man, if we botch this that knoll will make sure you die last and longest.

"Only wuz there once, so don't know. We wuz on the beach, but he's got men all over. A lot more than 8-10 as I remember. More like a dozen."

Role playing with the lady encounter
Silas, Oro-Tu and Ivar 535
Role playing with the captain
Aurora and Natalie 400
What has Leialoha been doing in the mean time?
Ok, I found it. He was off with Milliaukau, 400 XP

But don't you know Ivar You Never Split the Party!, lol!

lol, very entertaining,

not afraid of a little tussle but I don't want to be sticking my head in a noose

Looking at the individuals, trying to get a feel for who is in charge or if its fairly democratic and what their skills are; Ivar finally asks, making eye contact with Oro-Tu

I'm not opposed to subterfuge or a stand up fight, what are the teams skills and what is the best way to put them to use to end this Knoll? Until Aurora and I become more familiar with the team, the simplest plans may be the best.

Ever try and herd cats Ivar? This has largely been a democratic group. Silas and Oro-Tu are the natural leaders at this point though with Leialoha in that group also when he is here. Natalie is Natalie.

Well, my opinion is we definitely do not want to split the party and I for one am a tin can, a mobile one, but still; so the idea of a water assault does not make sound strategy for me, I think Aurora would do better by flanking up the rear from land. Natalie and Silas can steath and get into position and I come around the guards side

I for one will go with Ivar on land, not really a good swimmer

"I thought we wuz takin' a boat in, not swimmin!"

need to have a simple plan, may want to use a hammer and anvil, may not

Ivar glares at the drug dealer and speaking in a voice that would freeze water

Garreg, when we want your imput we will tell you

Softening his tone a little he address’ the crew

it may be in our best interest to land a couple of people and form a hammer and anvil. It would be complicated timing and if we screwed it up whoever is late will have to burry whoever is early, assuming they get out at all. Subterfuge may be our better option. Is the “Vantage” a known ship? Could we pass it off as a smuggler ship? Are you all known by Bonegnaw? Aurora could take the lead as a new captain who wants to become a smuggler, might even pass it off long enough to get the gnoll on board or a couple of us in his office. Again, not for me to decide but a couple of options.

Then addressing Aurora

Aurora I’m a decent swimmer, but with my cloak I’m death in the water. If we’re not going to use it for subterfuge you could wear it, just in case you go over the rail. Don’t want to lose a crew member over mot being a good swimmer.

"Bonegnaw has never met us and even if he had I can look to do something so he won't know it's me. I'm your problematic one, especially if you want me doing the talking." With that Silas concentrates a little and his clothes change from their usual slightly drab appearance into something a little more water weathered and a very different style.

It's all about being clear who we are going to pretend to be. Leiahola, I assume you can blast away - any chance of a flaming sphere to add to the chaos? What other ranged or ability to get across quickly do we have? We might also purchase some scrolls or potions from Sagascious Samuel to use."

"I'm de one dat knows the password so ya better play nice blondie!"

wonder if he knows what a blood eagle is and who's great uncle invented it

Ivar glares at the dealer, cuffing him in the back of the head, knocking his hood ajar.

I am playing nice. It's cute Garreg, you don't think I could get the words out of you before you begged me to kill you. I'd be doing the world a favor. Your lucky these nice people here don't want blood all over their floor. Now shut your pie hole before I fix it so you need to write the words down for us.

turning to Silas he asks

speaking of ranged, I have a couple of pistols, but their no good at distance, do we have any muskets or crossbows we can load ready to fire, or longbows for those who know how to use them?

"I've got an underwater crossbow and a couple of magic bolts for it. Don't tend to use it much. One thing I might be able to do is Fascinate then put to sleep some of the guards. If we're lucky it would work on some of the others, but I suspect they'd be too stubborn to be overwhelmed by it."

A stormy look comes across Natalies features. "I thought we wer gonna boat in too. Don't tell me I just had to deal wit tha drunk for no reason at a." Mullified by the impression the boat will still be used she continues. "I can play the part of any mate on the ship...I've done everything but be an officer."

"Boys, boys do try and get along my blade hasn't been quenched for a time. Silas do we need Garreg? Blondie has a point if it's a password we need, Garreg can write it down."

"I have a light crossbow and about 30 bolts...minus. I like the sleep idea. If we be usin te password I assume we be pretendin to be with them or joining them as a trick? I'm usually for te trick plans, but the best place to hide is out in the open."

"Garreg gives us some legitimacy which makes getting closer easier. Pretending to join them was my thought."

He turns to Garreg. "Have you introduced others to Bonegnaw?"

"Naw, I wuz there with two other guys for him to check us out before he wud sell to us. Might say you wanted to sell?"

why would someone bring a potential competitor in on a monopoly? This could easily turn into a double cross.

looking at Silas and then Garreg

Silas, I'm so new here I don't even know the drugs were talking about selling, so I'll do whatever you people think is good.

turning to Garreg, trying to not be openly hostile

Is that what you did, one or both of these guys were dealers and they brought you to Bonegnaw so they could share their business profits with you? Or were all of you new, and saw a potential profit; so you bought the password and rented a ship and came begging for scraps?

Silas nods at Ivar's question. "The drugs are dragonsmoke. Very addictive and robbing the user of many faculties. It's been affecting the Tulita more than most, which I think is one reason the Dragoons haven't taken much action."

Leialoha returns and acknowledges Silas's suggestion of preparing a flaming sphere. "I will prepare at least two of the spheres. Fireballs as well. Ranged firepower will not be lacking. When do you want me to eliminate the nest of crossbowmen?"

"I should be able to affect 3 of the guards with my slumber song, but they need to not be threatened. No drawing of weapons until they are out."

Is that what you did, one or both of these guys were dealers and they brought you to Bonegnaw so they could share their business profits with you? Or were all of you new, and saw a potential profit; so you bought the password and rented a ship and came begging for scraps?

Ivar continues questioning Garreg,

did you meet with Bonegnaw on your ship or were you taken to him someplace?

curious about Silas' slumber song, Ivar asks,

How close will you need to be to the guards for that to work? Will you be able to get them from the boat if their on shore shore? Or will you need to be close? Some of us will need to be "potential dealers" some of us will need to be "crew," The range of spells may determine who gets off ship initially and who stays on board to do ranged attacks. So will you need to be really close to put them to sleep?

how many will there be fighting all told?

Trying to get a count on potential combatants Ivar asks the team in general

How many crew does the "Vantage" have and will her captain and crew fight alongside us, or will they be getting the ship ready for a hasty retreat, if needed?

"I ain't got no boat. I came here on the barge with two udder guys to sell dragonsmoke."

The Vintage is captained by Captain Montgomery and he has a first mate Jenkie Barnes as his only crew.

I like the idea of being sneaky but we all have to stick together and have our stories straight to convince them we are really wanting to join, may have to prepare some spells to block detect thoughts and detect alignment as so that the sneaky types can spin the story while the rest of us just keep silent and ready for anything, but if we get questioned separately, we need to know what we are to say about each of us, so we need to have our back-stories prepared and something simple with a bit of truth as to not be outlandish and tip them off. Before we get up there, we should cast all of our prep and buff spells ahead of time, so all we have to cast if it goes wrong it our attacks. Also, if it works, it wont hurt. We should display signs of either no deities or of neutral or evil deities only, so I will wear a Tabard over my armor disguise as a town guard. As for spells, personally, I think fire on a ship is a bad idea, lightning and shocking grasp intensified/empowered works better, acid arrow is also very good ranged.

I can swim, even with my armor, I have a +7 Swim and my armor is buoyant, so i float like a fishing bob on top of the water. I also have the ability to move in water normally using agile feet instead of as difficult terrain.

on the map there is a ship and a barge, I assume the barge or the ship is Bonegnaw's. I was trying to figure out how Garreg got there, I'm probably just overthinking it, I assume we should be able to sail in, get close enough to land and maybe talk to bonegnaw then all hell breaks loose, either before we bushwhack him or after :) If we are purchasing anything I think Ivar might have enough money to buy a couple water proof bags,

Natalie let's the others talk ordering her thoughts before giving voice to the inner workings of her mind. "And what exactly Garreg would we say we're there to sell? What do we have that would interest Bonegnaw? I'm not good at the talking thing, but if ye want me 'story' I'm a buccaneer that was looking for work after her previous crew was slaughtered by the Dragoons. I joined your crew a fortnight ago after getting to town and searching for sailors like meself. Beyond that I care not what you say, I'll agree and voice the same 'story'."

"I knows whut I wud sell 'im. Dis pair of nordlings here. Bonegnaw is a slaver and they would bring a pretty price fer the pair!"

Silas looks a little uncomfortable, but adjusts himself. "We will not have to live with this lie so being slavers as a way of getting close could be a necessary evil. The slaves could be hidden away whilst we get close so we don't have to do anything to anyone we don't have to. That way we don't actually need any slaves or any of us stripped of our equipment."

His mind has been thinking through the approach."We have a choice. We can go and get very close which requires more of selling it. Or we could get the boat close enough, start the tune to put some to sleep and then start the fight then. That means the selling will be limited to how we appear for the most part. But can we deal with the Chimera, the Cockatrice, the crossbows and whatever Bonegnaw can do himself? We have the ability to go get a load of scrolls and potions, maybe even wands, to equip ourselves. What do we need from them? Ranged options seem very limited and not that effective so we have to think how we best overcome that."