Hooks and ropes are indeed present. To Artevious' disappointment, the other ship's sterncastle appears to be noticeably taller than the aft deck of the Wormwood, meaning he can't simply swing over to it without climbing up something first. The ship's wheel is actually on the aft deck, however, below the sterncastle but above the main deck, and he does spot some lines that could be safely unwound to help swing across there.
Waiting anxiously for the inevitable assault, I pace the deck and try to get a sense of the make-up of the other boarding parties, and what their duties may involve.
Chum looks more than a little anxious, watching the other ship draw near.
As the quartet await the moment of contact between the two ships, Eleuterio approaches Evril, and speaks quietly to him. "You're a good man, Master Cooper, and piracy comes to you only slightly easier than I. I trust I can count on you to work with me aboard that ship?"
I trust I can count on you to work with me aboard that ship?"
"I'll watch your back, Master Reis, but I can't offer much help if your goal is to get yourself killed, or worse." I respond hesitantly, and somewhat skeptically. What have you got planned, Paladin?
Most of the rest of the crew has gathered on the main deck of the Wormwood; only Peppery Longfarthing, the Wormwood's sailing master, remains on the poop deck with the four of you, and her attention is focused more on the spells she is casting than on the ship's wheel she grips. As the two ships grow closer still, crossbow bolts begin to fly between the ships as well, although none seem to be having any effect on either side. Through the fog, Chum can dimly make out the shapes of several sailors on the sterncastle and aft deck of the other vessel, waiting for the inevitable boarding with weapons drawn. After several long moments of waiting, there is a shuddering boom as the hulls make contact, and boarding ladders drop into place, grapples begin flying through the air, and the roar of combat surges all around.
To the aft deck, me hearties! I extolled. While the sterncastle wouldn't be reachable by swinging, our target was the wheel anyway. During the last, fleeting moments before the two ships grappled, I unwound a length of rope with which I planned to use to make my assault on the vessel.
As I prepared to swing aboard, I sought out the captain of the other ship and announced my challenge. You face the Son of Poisson! I mean to have your vessel! Huzzah!
I gathered the rope in one hand, drew my trusty rapier with the other, and swung aboard, slashing at the defenders as I went. Aha! I laughed.
Chum hesitates, looking at the two shipmates he believes to be sane to see what their plans are.
Two open palms on the shield, Eleuterio mused in the moments before the two ships collided. That's the colors of Rahadoum. I wonder if it's nice there this time of year.
Then the ships shuddered as they collided together, and the boarding ladders secured them. Eleuterio gave a silent prayer to Iomedae, grabbed a nearby line and swung across.
I figure I'd be close to the front as well. I'm looking to be one of the first over the rail as well, though I suspect I'm going to have a hard time beating Artevious on that! Place me at S10, and I'll head over as well. If I'm reading the map right, that means I need to clear a 5' space to make it on board the Rahadoumi ship. Am I going to have a running start first? Regardless, I'd like to end up about where Artevious does - failing that anywhere but the brine would be good!
Never mind. I'm shark chow.
Careful, Reis, I quietly caution as I prepare to leap across. We are unlikely to find anyone over there who will answer the call of Iomedae.
I'm envisioning a strike at a look unless my swing brings me up to the helmsman/captain.
** Chum spoiler omitted **
Artevious grabs hold of his rope, takes his rapier in hand, and hurls himself out over the deck of the Man's Promise. Landing neatly next to the ship's wheel, he turns and slashes at the man he just swung past, wounding the sailor's arm. Behind him, Evril attempts a similar feat, but lets go of the rope too soon and begins to fall. Luckily, though, he catches the Promise's railing, and manages to haul himself aboard.
Eleuterio also tries to jump aboard the Man's Promise, but he catches his foot on the Wormwood's rail and instead falls headfirst into the ocean between the two vessels. Chum, seeing him fall, hurls down a rope for him to catch as the paladin tries to reach the surface. Even as he reaches for the rope, though, Eleuterio is aware of the bloody water and floating pieces of hog meat all around - and the long, dark-grey shapes circling through the shadowy brine with lethal grace.
The sailors shout in surprise and alarm as Evril and Artevious board their vessel. The men (and a few women) are dark-skinned and dark-eyed, and they have short swords and crossbows to go with their studded leather armor. The one Artevious cut looks worried about having the pirate at his back, but sees an opening and tries to take it: he tosses aside his crossbow and hurls himself at Evril, trying to push the Andoren off the deck of the ship and into the sea. Unprepared for the assault, Evril cannot brace himself, and he falls into the water next to Eleuterio.
With Evril dealt with, the rest of the sailors turn their attention to Artevious. The nearest drops his crossbow, draws his blade and steps forward to stab at the cavalier, while the others all fire their weapons from the sterncastle.
Despite a storm of flying bolts and sword slashes, none of the attacks manage to find their mark, and Artevious stands unharmed. Two of the sailors on the sterncastle toss aside their crossbows and begin to descend the ladders to help their fellows, while the other two quickly reload the weapons in preparation for another volley.
In the water below, the dark shapes circle closer.
Chum fixes a second rope and hook and tosses it down to the archeologist before looking over at the other ship and Artevious. I had no idea Besmara protects fools and madmen, but if I want to stay in her good graces, I'd better aid him. But how?
Looking at the cloudy decks, gets a crazy idea. Maybe it will give them something to think about! He shouts, "By the Wind and the Waves, grant me the ability to strike my enemies from afar!" With a throwing motion, he points at the sailor at the near railing of the other ship - and is as shocked as anyone to see a bolt of lightning arc from his hand to the opposite deck.
Already bleeding from Artevious' cut, the sailor is shocked indeed when the lightning strikes him, causing him to convulse and his flesh to smoke slightly.
Eleuterio breaks his head above the waves, and spits out another mouthful of seawater. Damnation! he thinks, furious at fortune denying him his chance to free himself of piracy at last. He casts about for a way out when he sees the rope. He is about to climb it when he hears another scream, and sees Evril splash into the water near to him. He sighs, and extends the rope to the Andoran.
"I'll keep the rope steady, Master Cooper. Now get out of these waters!"
Not sure if you'll allow it, but I'll try to assist Cooper on this first Climb roll to get out.
I felt my father's hand guiding me. I was aboard the enemy vessel! I had swung across the briny and reached the helm of our prize! The Man's Promise's defenders surrounded me, quarrels whizzed by me and one foul gent's sword was turned by my sturdy leathers. I confronted the man who had produced a sword and struck at him, all the while reveling in the clash of steel.
There's plenty for all of us, Mister Cooper, Mister Reis! Let's have at the-- I spared a glance behind me. Now where did they get off to?
"I'll keep the rope steady, Master Cooper. Now get out of these waters!"
"Buh!" I gasp upon breaking the surface. Casting around, I grasp the nearest bit of rope, which happens to be connected to the Promise. "Much appreciated, sir, but I'd rather not try my luck at swinging over this shark-trough a second time."
Ascending quickly to the deck, I attempt to treat the man who shoved me over the railing to a similar fate.
#$@#(! miss chance:
Artevious sidesteps, and as he does he spots an opening in one of the sailors' defenses. With a quick lunge, he pierces the man's chest, and he falls back, pale and bleeding. On the other side of the fight, Evril clambers halfway up the hull of the Man's Promise, reaches up and grabs the leg of his attacker. With a sharp yank, the sailor falls over the edge and into the ocean.
The man Artevious stabbed throws down his sword, taking a step back and covering his head with his hands. Another sailor steps up in his place, though, and two bared blades hack at him.
The two crossbowmen on the sterncastle fire down at him again as well.
One of the swords manages to cut him, but the rest of the attacks are an ineffective as they were a moment before. In the waters below, the dark shapes circle closer still.
Suddenly, one of the shapes surfaces and massive jaws try to smash down on Eleuterio's arm.
The paladin jerks back in time, and the shark splashes back into the water, ready for another try.
Blast it... The half-elf notices something on the deck, but when he looks again, the swirling cloud has obscured the view again. He turns back to the fight involving his friends.
A blade slipped past my defenses. It was a decent cut, but I could continue the fight, so I lashed out at the one with my blood on his blade.
Chum tries his newfound lightning again, trying for the nearest crossbowman this time.
Perception, DC 10, everyone except Eleuterio:
Hmmm... interesting. Before continuing my climb, I formulate a plan. Omnes Procidamus I chant in a voice barely above a whisper.
Then, without waiting to see the outcome of my scheming, I clamber over the rail and onto the deck of the Man's Promise.
"By the Inheritor!", the paladin cried as a shark broke the water's line and tried to tear off a hunk of him. He instinctively struck at the creature, hard enough to make it back off for a moment. Cooper was out of the drink, and out of immediate danger - now it was time to save himself.
No pressure, Reis. It's just like climbing the ship a few days ago. Except there's sharks. And you're wearing armor. And you didn't do well at all in the first place. Inheritor, please, guide me out of this!
With the Inheritor's blessings, Eleuterio is able to haul himself back aboard the Wormwood, albeit with some difficulty, while next to him, Chum manages to catch a second sailor with his electricity, although the man does not seem as affected as was his previous target. Aboard the Man's Promise, Artevious and his attacker exchange a series of blows, but the daring pirate cannot find a chink in his foe's defenses through which he might exact some revenge for his wound. A few feet away, Evril finishes climbing aboard the Man's Promise as well - but not before interfering in the battle taking place on the main deck. With a murmured arcane phrase and the use of a small slice of butter from a pouch, Evril causes a greasy stain to spread across the deck of the Promise beneath the feet of two foes - only one of whom is a sailor aboard the other vessel.
Both men manage to keep their feet, but the moment's hesitation is enough to warn Captain Harrigan, about to suffer a dastardly blow - he half-turns, catching the sneaking sailor's knife on his own blade, then brutally eviscerates the fellow with a single cut. As the sailor falls, Harrigan looks around and spots Evril as he climbs onto the deck. Pausing for a nod of recognition, Harrigan then turns back to his bloody work.
As more of you enter the fray, the focus of the Man's Promise's defenders begins to divide itself among the additional targets. One swordsman turns to stab at Evril, while Chum's target returns fire on him rather than shooting again at Artevious. Artevious' target and the remaining crossbowman continue to assault the cavalier, however.
None of the attacks find their marks, although the two crossbowmen come shockingly close to finding their targets even through the fog.
In the waters below, the shark turns its attentions to the remaining sailor, who still struggles to reach the hull of his vessel. Somehow, however, the sailor manages the same feat that Eleu did, beating back the attack, and he starts climbing up the hull away from the savagery in the sea.
I'm not about to give up just yet, Eleuterio thought, wiping the seawater away from his face as he grabbed another rope to swing across to the Man's Promise. Not when freedom is just a few yards away! He took another running leap, and prayed that the Inheritor would deliver him to the ship's deck this time.
Eleuterio jumps, but his armor drags him back, and although he grabs for the railing of the Man's Promise, his fingers cannot catch the wood, and he plummets into the water once more.
I saw that one of my mates had made it across to the Man's Promise. As I turned aside a blow and a bolt whizzed past my ear, I called out to him. Well met, Evril! I got one already, but as you can see we have quite the number of ruffians left! Have you seen Eleuterio? He wouldn't want to miss this!
I parried, and again thrust the tip of my rapier at one of the swarthy fellows. I then stepped, to use the terrain in my favor.
Glancing around for some cover, Chum shrugs and lets fly again.
Three used.
Have you seen Eleuterio? He wouldn't want to miss this!
He's teaching the sharks how awful Iomadae's Chosen taste. I'm sure he'll be along shortly.
Drawing my rapier, I focus my attention on my closest opponent.
Chum's lightning sears his target again, but neither Evril nor Artevious can manage to do anything against their respective targets. Below, Eleuterio still struggles to even join in the combat.
Another crossbow bolt flies toward Artevious from the upper deck once more, while he simultaneously tries to evade another sword cut from his foe.
Ducking behind the ship's wheel, though, he easily avoids both attacks while readying himself for a counterstroke.
On the sterncastle, the other crossbowman tries again to deal with Chum, sending another bolt flying between the ships.
The shot is clumsy and wildly off-target, though; the druid doesn't even need to move to avoid it.
At the same time, Evril is also attacked by one of the Rahadoumi sailors.
The Andoren parries the blow easily, however.
In the churning ocean, the sailor from the Man's Promise clambers slowly back up the hull of his ship, bleeding from his wounds and the cuts on his hands as he pulls himself over the barnacles. Reaching the sterncastle, he rolls painfully onto the deck and lies there for a moment, gasping.
Meanwhile, as Eleuterio readies himself to grab the rope and begin his ascent again, the circling shark makes another attempt to remove part of his flesh.
The paladin fights back, though, and manages to keep the teeth away from himself... for the moment, anyway.
A moment of worry crept in, as it wasn't part of the plan for Eleuterio to fall overboard. That's most unfortunate! Let's deal with these miscreants, and then we'll make sure he's back on board before we deal with those on the sterncastle! I suggested.
Then I stepped to the side to take a jab at the exposed flank of the foe currently facing Evril.
Chum releases another stroke of lightning at his target.
Four used.
You have a very unusual way of watching out for your servants, Inheritor, Eleuterio thought as he spat out more bloody seawater and fended off another shark attack. He grabbed for the rope leading up to the Man's Promise and began to climb.
That's most unfortunate! Let's deal with these miscreants, and then we'll make sure he's back on board before we deal with those on the sterncastle!
"Seems to me he's having more fun down there..."
I make note of the soaked and bloody man that I had previously tossed to the sharks lying prone on the deck above me before returning my attention to my current opponent.
With hopes that my opponent is too badly wounded to take advantage of the opening I give him, I begin to ascend the stairs to the sterncastle in order to take advantage of the opening presented when the bloodied and sea-soaked man stands back up.
Together, Evril and Artevious manage to finish off their foe, while Chum's lightning scorches his target badly enough that the man finally throws down his weapon and cowers, removing himself from the fight. Eleuterio still struggles to find a way back aboard ship, with the sharks circling ever closer.
Evril moves up the stairs, hoping to catch the sailor he first attacked before he can rejoin the fight. Although badly hurt, the man is nonetheless able to roll past Evril's attempt to stab him as he rises, and he scoops up one of the abandoned crossbows as he rolls to his feet.
Meanwhile, seeing the Andoren man moving up to the sterncastle, the other crossbowman still in the fight turns his weapon toward Evril, loosing a bolt before retreating a step to reload.
The startled defender cannot aim his shot properly, though, and the bolt flies past, passing a few feet over Chum's head as it goes.
Below, on the aft deck, Artevious only has a single foe to deal with now, but the man continues to be relentless. He stabs out once more, hoping to catch the cavalier unawares while he deals with the threat against Evril.
Artevious twists away from the strike; the blade skids across Artevious' armor, sending a spark flying from one of the iron studs, but Artevious remains unharmed.
Below, the shark attacks the flailing Eleuterio once more...
...and this time, it finds his flesh, biting and tearing. The wound is grievous, and the blood now spilling into the water can only draw more of the same to feed.
At that moment, from somewhere inside the Man's Promise's hull, a massive explosive booms, sending a burst of smoke out through the cargo grate in the middle of the main deck. The whole deck pitches, and the shouting from elsewhere in the battle increases in both volume and fury.
A few seconds later, three sailors appear on the Man's Promise's main deck, heading toward the starboard ship's boat. Each of you recalls Riaris Krine's words to you: "...guard the ship's boats. Kill anyone who tries to get away on one of the boats." The boat is securely fastened, but it will likely take little time for experienced sailors to get the boat free.