Serpents Skull Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master mathpro18

Seeing the ship like this gives Rateliff a grim feeling that half surprises him. 'It's a waste of a good ship.' is all he can muster for emotion though.

"We need to be quick. I know the ship well from working it for months so I'll volunteer to go inside, but this structure might not last for long with these waves. Here," Rateliff motions to Apollyon, I'll tie into the rope so you can retrieve me if everything becomes dislodged."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 Rateliff scans the rocks and beach one last time.

50ft doesn't get you anywhere. Wes takes out his rope and again knots it on Apollyon's to extend the total reach. He shuffles through to get to the other end and then looks for a fixed rock to solidly anchor the rope.

"I don't know the ship well enough to be useful. I'll stay behind and watch your backs. If you hear a loud whistle, evacuate the wreck immediately."

"We not leave island on this ship!" Kazok notes matter-of-factly. The previously sea-worthy vessel is now barely more than a pile of wood, dangerously close to losing its balance.

Seeing Rateliff prepare to board the ship, the half-orc decides to join him. He pulls out his own rope from his backpack and hands it to Wes. "You can use my rope too. Longer is better." Then, he removes his shirt and his boots, baring his muscled and scarred torso, and places them on the ground next to his backpack and his armour. He keeps his sword, though, safely held in a leather scabbard across his back. "I follow Rateliff. More hands to carry more stuff we find is good."

Like the monk, he surveys the ship for dangers or interesting items before moving towards it and boarding.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Barelly being done with attaching one end to a proper anchor close enough to the surf, Wes receives another rope to tangle. This time the knotting goes more smoothly, as both ropes are of the same material and diameter. He then inspects all four(two) knots one last time and stands up.
"The rocks are jagged, but this will hold well enough. Make haste while the tide is still low."

The druid spins around, slowly checking everyone and his surroundings.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Just a heads up, Apollyon's rope is still knotted on the top-side of the cliff we just descended, so we would only have 2 (not 3) ropes to use for the ship.

"I will wait on shore with Wes. If you get into trouble, yell."

Apollyon notches an arrow on his bowstring and is prepared to send it at the first sign of trouble.

Rateliff looks over the knots quickly.
survival(knots): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Things look good to him, the ropes stay tight when he pulls on them. He then studies the wave patterns until the timing is ideal.

Did I just see that? Am I hallucinating?

"Wes, did you see that? I think we've got company. I will keep an eye on the island if you keep one on the Jenivere."

Heart racing in his chest, Apollyon turns to face the island, his bow and arrow at the ready but not drawn. He scans the jungle, shoreline, and cliffs for visitors.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Once safely on the Jenivere's wrecked hull, Kazok waves at those that stayed on the shore. Although he does not believe that anyone could still be aboard the broken ship, he bellows. "IS THERE ANYONE STILL ON SHIP?"

Without waiting for an answer, he turns to Rateliff. "You look at cabin of captain. I go find some food!"

Then, the half-orc moves towards the larder and starts a brief search of the room. He is looking mainly for food items which can be conveniently brought back with them, such as a barrel of salted meat, but keeps an eye out for anything else that could be of interest to the survivors.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Rateliff lets out a grunt and moves below the deck quickly, going straight towards the captain's cabin.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

is this the cliff we just descended from?
"Oh, you too? Thought it was flake in my eye, as I didn't see anything a blink later." he scratches his chin mindfully and adds "I do hope it's not the locals!"

Wes then turns back towards the slack rope and the two sailors trying to board the ship.

Yep

Those keeping watch see no one on board the ship except your two party members. And You can no longer see the man on the cliff either.

Rateliff loads up the keys, maps, and captains log into his still half empty backpack. When he gets to the locked drawer he doesn't hesitate for a second, once it doesn't open after two tugs he delivers a swift blow and then tries it again.

Unarmed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Do you need damage?

Rateliff quickly piles everything into his backpack. When he's done he heads to the door, looking back and scanning the room one last time.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

If nothing else captures his eye he flees the room to the deck. As the ship is barely a structure anymore, I'm assuming there isn't anywhere else to search?

"Heading ashore!" Rateliff calls out to Kazok, waiting to make sure his partner is okay before he starts to disembark.

There is the supply room, brig, and galley still remaining on the mid deck.

Kazok moves the food supplies outside on the deck. Then, he goes back inside, kneels by the dead cook and tries to identify the cause of his death. Was he poisoned like everyone else and left to die, or was it an accident?
Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

He exits the room briefly to acknowledge Rateliff, who obviously had more luck than him, before heading back towards the nearest of the remaining rooms to search it.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Small change in action then, instead of heading to the deck... Maxwell heads to the Supply Room next.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 And wasted the good perception on the empty room.

Rateliff calls to Kazok, "Might have some company in here."

He then pulls the first mate aside and opens the door.

Hum. Snake bites. Deadly poison? Pondering this issue, Kazok moves on to the galley but doesn't find anything there. Since Rateliff went to the supply room, there is only the brig left to explore.

Shouldn't Jack have been kept in the brig? I wonder what I'm going to find in there!

That's when Kazok hears the monk's call. Drawing his great sword, he jogs towards the supply room where he believes Rateliff went. "COMING!"

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

After the sting, Rateliff attempts to put the creature out of business as quickly as he can.

Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 2 = 11Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 2 = 6Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Wes looks worryingly at the bobbing wreck, hoping it doesn't slide of the rocks or shatters. It still seems safe enough not to warrant a call for evacuation.

"They've been in there a long time, Wes." Too long. We're sitting ducks out here when our visitor returns with his friends.

Just watching the Jenivere heave with each wave and crash onto the rocks again and again makes Apollyon nauseous. Get out of there before the sea swallows both of you up with her. He forces himself to focus on the shore, the jungle, the cliff.

"Which is good news, as they must've found something worthwhile. Had there been nothing to salvage, they'd be back already." then adds more somberly: "Let's just hope the ship stays where it is."

There is a loud crack and what used to be the captians quarters smashes up against the rocks, opening up a bigger hole in the side of it and it starts to take on water making the ship tilt even more.

Just need combat rolls from Kazok or for those two to run away

Kazok glances towards the loud noise, but isn't distracted from the new enemy he just saw fighting Rateliff. Lifting his large sword over his head, he roars in defiance and moves in to kill this larger "crab-thing".

"Hang on, Rateliff!"

To hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9
I'll have to figure out my rage stats later tonight... I don't have time right now.

How much does Alton Devers weigh roughly?

175

If your interested in seeing a picture of what your fighting you can click here

Round 1 Round Wrap up

Kazok you are able to pluge your sword through its shell, thick green blood oozing out from the wound but the creature lashes back at you with its claws and tail, refusing to give into the large wound you gave it. One claw slambs into your ankle and then the tail plunges into your midsection. I'll need a fortitude save please. Maxwell your attack misses.

"GO BACK TO SEA, STUPID CRAB!" Kazok yells as his sword buries deeply inside the monster's shell. His glee is, however, short-lived as two of its blows connect with him and he is forced one feet back.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 That should do it?

The lobster will need to hit harder than that to take out the barbarian, though, and Kazok prepares to strike again. He aims carefully and attempts to pierce his way through the thick shell.

To hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 6 = 12

Nasty little bugger by the way, wouldn't want to meet one.

Nasty little bugger by the way, wouldn't want to meet one.

...and we just ate its family...

"Let her die with the ship, this thing is falling apart!"

Rateliff 5-foot steps out of threat and then moves to Alton Devers, throwing the corpse over his shoulder.

Not knowing the weight of all the gear I've found, current load is 210.6 lbs holding Devers. So 22.4lbs of room left in my medium load range. Cool to say that the gear is ~20lbs?

"Let's bail!" Rateliff yells to Kazok over the sounds of crashing waves and splintering wood.

yeah thats fine

Kazok you are able to hold off the creatues poison but your sword attack misses.

@DM: I believe its' the Eurypterid's turn to attack, before Rateliff's turn, right ? Anyhow, I'll post my next turn.

The barbarian is trying hard to focus. He knows that letting his wrath take control will not do him any good if he has to escape the sinking ship, but fleeing from opponents has never been his way of handling a fight. "This thing hit me!"

A slowly growing red stain on his abdomen shows that the fight is far less one-sided than those back on the beach. "Screw it, it's too dangerous without my armour." For once, the half-orc withdraws from combat. Running after Rateliff, he grabs the food rations he had placed on the deck and jumps overboard.

The eurypterid follows after both of you until you both jump ship and a moment later the ship sinks taking the eurypterid with it.

Rateliff lets out a large sigh of relief, 'Twice on a sinking ship in one day, at least I can remember it this time.'

Looking to Wes and Apollyon, he drops the backpack full of gear and the corpse both onto the dry sand. "We found much of what we were looking for."

"This is Anton Devers. He was the first mate, and had apparently locked one of those giant lobsters into a closet. I thought his body could tell us something of what happened last night, and that his gear maybe useful to some as well." They notice he is wearing masterwork studded leather armor and a masterwork short sword.

His back turned to the ship until he hears the loud crash as the Jenivere is dashed upon the rocks and sinks into the sea, Apollyon fears for a moment that Maxwell and Kazok have been swallowed up in the belly of the Ship as it sinks.

Maxwell soon emerges from the turbulent water, and Apollyon turns his attention to Kazok. He lays his bow and arrow in the sand and his long sword beside them and prepares to swim out to help Kazok if he requires help.

As he searches the surf for the Half-Orc, Apollyon's eye is caught by the backpack and body Maxwell drops in the sand. He recognizes the quality of several of the items, masterwork blades shining like the day they were made.

Seeing the ship disappear but a moment earlier, Wes is happy to see his comrades made it out. "Uff, that was close! Good refle" he notices the half-orc's wound "What happened, did you manage to impale yourself?"

The druid then kneels down on one foot besides the first mate, trying to see what happened to him.
heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Not discerning anything interesting, he turns back to the others. "You found some very valuable stuff, I guess we made the right choice. Let's see what's in the captain's log." kinda scary getting so many potions so early

Looking to Kazok, Rateliff says "The lobster was a stabby SOB. Got me too. Could have gone much worse. What did you see inside?"

Then to the others, "Take what you want, I can easily carry the bulk though."

Carrying a comparatively much lighter load than Rateliff, Kazok has no troubles bringing his goods ashore despite the waves. He drops the rations (24 days' worth for one human) on the ground next to the monk's much more interesting loot.

Impale himself? Did the human think that half-orcs enjoyed hurting themselves? The barbarian is unsure how to respond. "Big lobster inside ship. Bigger than those on beach! No time to kill it, though." There is an unmistakeable tinge of regret in his voice.

"I found dead body too. Snake bit cook." Curious, the half-orc examines the first-mate's body, looking for the reason of his death. After all, if he had indeed locked up the scorpion, he must have been awake during or after the wreck... Now, though, the first mate is quite dead, of that Kazok is certain.

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Next, he turns towards Wes. "Can you use maps for something?"

The druid looks up from the log he is reading.
"A snake and a huge lobster you say? I didn't know they could climb so well. Maybe the smell of those rations attracted them." how did it manage to get into the wreck? He considers he is talking to Kazok and browses his memory, trying to remember if he knows of any other aquatic creatures that could fit the description and be less absurd than "huge lobster".
k/nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

But what was a snake doing there, it makes no sense!"Are you sure it was a snake that bit him? Did someone secretly have a pet viper? Arg, this is so confusing."

He continues to read the log, to see if the final entries can shed some light on things then takes the maps. "Yes, this could be very handy!" Wes checks what they depict and if it is anything immediately useful.
I'll take one cure light and one restoration potion

Okay guys one of the maps you found is a map of smugglers shiv. Give me like 5 min and I will have it up for you on top of the threads.

Between Wes and Kazok you notice that Alton has the same snake bite holes that the cook had and its what ultimatly did him in but he has several shallow cuts over his body as well that were caused by a rapier so it looks like he got into a fight before he died as well but someone wielding weapons. You think back and remember the captain also had a rapier.

Wes I will get you the log summary but its going to take more time then I have right now so probably won't be until tomorrow. I appologize

Added the map guys

"We saw someone on the cliff, just for a moment while you were on the Jenivere. Eerie island, this is.

Apollyon picks through the equipment laid on the beach, his mind focused on himself now that everyone has returned safely. He picks out a potion of cure light wounds, a potion of lesser restoration and the masterwork dagger. There are many items in the pile and still adorning the corpse of Alton Weathers that Apollyon would like to keep, but he does not want to seem greedy.

"This fine dagger would serve me well, unless anyone is opposed. All this equipment could fetch a good price."

He eyes the masterwork studded leather, but wonders if it would be too heavy, or if he really wants to take the armor off a dead man.

"This armor and holy symbol look to belong to Jask, the shackled man back at the shelter. Do we give armor and weapons to a prisoner, or say it was lost to the sea?"

"There, look. Same snake bite!" Kazok says to Wes, pointing to the first mate's neck. "But rapier wounds, too. So he fought someone on ship... Who? Doesn't make sense."

The half-orc starts stripping the dead sailor of his armour and adds it to the pile. "We need bury him. Someone has shovel or we feed fishes?"

Turning to Apollyon, Kazok answers his question with another of his own. "Maybe captain's log tells more about Jask?"

I'll take a few potions if that's okay: one CLW, the CMW, one Lesser Restoration. Kazok can also help Rateliff carry things back to camp. He has about 100 lb to go before he has heavy encumbrance...

no worries DM

"Confusing, yes. He was fighting and then what, someone threw a snake at him?? Snakes don't stick and you can't shoot a snake... but maybe magic was involved."

"Wes is right, I don't know many snakes that could reach up to bite a man's neck. A vampire, on the other hand..." Apollyon is growing more and more curious about that Captain's log, and his paranoia about the island and the other survivors continues to rise.

Apollyon looks over the dead man for a moment, then responds to Kazok. "He was a sailor. I think we should bury him at sea."

I can help carry things back to camp if needed, but a backpack full of glass potion bottles won't help my sneak skill should the need arise.

I literally have 80 lbs until I'm under medium load so I can pack mule no problem!

"Wes, how well do you know snakes? Can you tell its size by the spacing of the teeth marks? And yes, Devers would have wanted a burial at sea. " and Rateliff bows his head. Then quietly, "the captain had the only rapier I knew about on the ship. He was also acting strange this past week. His cabin had a massive hole in it and no sign of his fate."

Looking up, Rateliff has a curious look on his face, "Of this figure on the cliff, did you catch any details?"

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"No. There one moment, gone the next. If Wes hadn't seen it I would have thought I was hallucinating."

Now that everyone is safe on shore, and Apollyon has rummaged through the items and potions, he picks up his longsword and brushes off the sand before sheathing it, then picks up his longbow and notches an arrow.

I will not be caught off guard. The visitor is still out there somewhere.