Skull and Shackles: Red Sky at Morning (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

Yes, those are vines.

Would you say the vines are within bowshot? does anyone have a light spell and how long does it last? Im thinking maybe fire a few arrows or bolts with rope attached and cast light on the rope up and over the vine to provide a nice 60' by 30' beacon of light up into possible trouble...or am i overthinking it?

The vines are 100' feet above you, within range of a longbow/composite longbow and -2 for a shortbow/composite ahortbow. A light spell lasts for 10 minutes per level and illuminates out to 40'. You'd still be too far for the light to do any good.

Not if we had 120' of rope and the whole thing glowed :P but okay you are the wolf boss

"Or we can go up there and have a look ourselves" - Herzag snorts.

Perception (Ashlei): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Perception (Herzag): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Perception (Neela): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Perception (Percival): 1d20 ⇒ 10
Perception (Randall): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Perception (Rhialla): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

As the crew wonders what sort of boogeyman could be lurking in the vines above, Rhialla, from her station at the ship's wheel here's some sort of muffled banging coming from the stern moments before Fishguts appears on deck from the galley below "What in the Hells is that infernal racket?" he asks.

GM, I think you need to update our Perception block!

Already on edge and immediately worried for the ship, Ashlei moves to check on what the cook is complaining about.

"Crew to your stations! Make sure you're armed! Now MOVE...or I'll feed you to the fishes myself!"

Perception(To pinpoint the cook's noise): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Profession(Sailor): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Yeah I'm at +6 now

With the anchor dropped, Rhialla draws her blade the tang of salt filling the air as she touches her protective ring, light beginning to radiate off of it in pulses. "Eyes open! Activity on the stern!!"

Cast Light on her ring of protection (RADIATES LIGHT 20 FT). Draw sword.

He moved quickly, clearly unsure what exactly had ol' fishguts alarmed. He shot another gkance upwards as he continued to close.with the cook.

Herzag follows suit, observing the area before approaching, and sticking to the shadows.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

"Could the noise be from the outside of the ship?" Neela heads to the stern to try and investigate.

Ashlei and Herzag peer over the stern rail only to see the shadows of at least four sharks circling and darting beneath the ship's rudder as the incessant banging continues. The noise seems to be coming from below the waterline and is muffled by the water but is clearly audible to those under deck.
Rhialla's spell cuts through the gloom of the overhead vines and bathes the entire aft deck in light.

Seeing Rhialla's spell casting onher ring, it gives Ashlei an idea.

"Can you cast that spell on a copper coin? Then we can toss it down there and maybe we can illuminate whatever is making the noise without having to swim with the sharks to find out!"

"Oh, you don't need a coin for that," suggests the witch.

Neela casts Dancing Lights and sends them into the water.

If we're not in rounds yet, she spends the next moment starting to lift off the ground as she begins flying, even without a broom! Flight hex.

Herzag watches as the light illuminates the dark waters.

As Neela lowers the glowing orbs into the water she illuminates four aquatic creatures, startled by the sudden increase in light, busily hacking away at the steering cables and pulleys attached to the rudder. Meanwhile four hammerhead sharks circle lazily underneath the stern.

Hissing at the sight of the evil shark-like men, Ashlei curses under her breath.

"Captain? They're damaging the rudder! Crewmen! Crossbows, javelins and spears! Fire over the side!"

Turning to Neela and Rhialla, Ashlei speaks quietly.

"Do we have any magic to damage them under the water? I don't relish the idea of jumping in this water to fight, especially with those pet sharks giving them cover!"

Looking down into the water, Rhialla nods and begins to intone a prayer to Besmara ending in a piercing whistle, the water beginning bubbling.

Summon Monster 2: 1d3 ⇒ 3 dolphins appear next round (1 round casting time)

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30. "Psst. These guys are Sahuagin. Bright light can blind them momentarily, and they'll fly into a rage when hit in combat! These are the same guys that took part of our crew last time!"

Neela nods at Ashlei's suggestion. "I can do a little blasting, but I can also help the captain fly over the water so he can do some spear fishing!"

Neela asks Rhialla to wait a few seconds on her summoning spell so Neela can prepare her plan and strike simultaneously. She will then cast Enlarge Person and Fly on Percival. Once they begin the attack, she tries to fry a nice chunk of the enemies with a Lightning Bolt.

Lightning Bolt: 6d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 1, 1, 5) = 15

Okay, Let's get in initiative order.
Initiative:
Ashlei: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Herzag: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Neela: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Percival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Randall: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Rhialla: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Sahaugins: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Sharks: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Surprise round
Neela spends a few seconds casting spells on the Captain before turning her attention to the Sahuagin below, unleashing a bolt of lightning on the unsuspecting creatures. Her bolt catches one of the sahuagin full on while only grazing the one beside it. The blast continues on catching two of the sharks circling beneath the ship.
Reflex save (Sahuagin #1): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Reflex save (Sahuagin #2): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Reflex save (Shark #1): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Reflex save (Shark #2): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Rhialla, taking her cue from Neela, begins casting her spell so that her summoned dolphins appear just seconds after Neela's bolt dissipates. The dolphins dive to attack the sharks, catching them unawares as their snouts slam into the unprotected sides of three of them.
Attack roll (slam) Dolphin #1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Attack roll (slam) Dolphin #2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Attack roll (slam) Dolphin #3: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
After this Rhialla can roll for her dolphins actions on her turn

Everyone, except Neela (who led off the festivities), can take either a single move or standard action during this surprise round. Once everyone has posted their action we'll start off round 1 with Neela.

Since 3-D is hard to simulate let me sum up. The Sahuagin are currently attacking the ship's rudder, about 20' underneath the waterline. The sharks are circling beneath the ship's hull about 30' down. The water in the cove is currently clam (DC:10 Swim check*). It'll take 3 Swim checks to reach the Sahuagin and another 1 check to reach the sharks. You can hold your breath for a number of rounds equal to twice your Constitution score, but only if you do nothing other than take move actions or free actions. If you take a standard action or a full-round action (such as making an attack), the remainder of the duration for which you can hold your breath is reduced by 1 round. (Effectively, a character in combat can hold his breath only half as long as normal.) After that period of time, you must make a DC 10 Constitution check every round to continue holding your breath. Each round, the DC for that check increases by 1. If you fail the Constitution check, you begin to drown.
*you can take 10 on these Swim checks

As her move action, Ashlei steps up to the stern of the ship directly over the enemies while pulling something small from her left boot in the process.

Randall steps up to the stern rail and peers over "Boy, it sure is crowded down there." he says to no one in particular before casting a spell at the nearest visible Sahuagin.
Randall will cast Hold Person on Sahuagin #4.

Enlarged, flying armed with the boarding pike.

It always felt so strange being so large... and in this case as light as a feather. he moved off the ship to inches off the water and then thrust down at the Sahaugin messin with his ship.

Hovering opposite Neela and Randall and stabbing at the one opposite Neela

powerstab: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 = 18
damage: 2d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + 6 = 17

Readying herself for the inevitable battle to come, Rhialla utters another incantation, her skin darkening to a deep metallic blackish grey.

Cast Ironskin

Herzag leans on the rail and watches the battle unfold - a dagger casually twirling in his hand.

Sorry guys. I do have some options to go underwater, but I think I would be shredded by the sheer amount of bad guys, so... Not much else to do but watch :P

Aided by Neela's magic, Percival takes flight out over the stern of the ship.
Percival, You can only take one action in the surprise round, so flying over the stern would be that action. You can use your attack roll for your first round action, though. If you wish to hover in place I'm going to need a DC:15 Fly check.
Rhialla casts a spell upon herself, blackening her skin and making it as tough as iron. Randall also casts a spell, targeting one of the Sahuagin beneath the water. A slight smile creases his face as the creatures muscles contract and go rigid, locking the creature in place.
Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Ashlei and Herzag both watch the action below with an intense eye, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Round one is Neela, followed by the sharks, then Percival, Rhialla, and Randall. The Sahuagin follow and then Ashlei and Herzag.
Neela's up

Neela takes the opportunity to create a cloud of sparkling Glitterdust in the water! Assuming I'm allowed to do that, I think I might be able to hit every enemy. Will DC17 or blinded, new save each round.

fly check: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

im going to wait and see what that means before i take the rest of my action if i may *lawls*

Because, magic.
Will save (shark #1): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Will save (shark #2): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Will save (shark #3): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Will save (shark #4): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Will save (sahuagin #1): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Will save (sahuagin #2): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Will save (sahuagin #3): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Will save (sahuagin #4): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

The sharks begin to circle wildly underneath the ship as they lash out to attack the dolphins that they know are out there, somewhere. Two of the sharks score lucky hits against the dolphins while the remaining two cannot seem to find their foes.

Attack roll (bite) shark #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 87
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Attack roll (bite) shark #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 48

Attack roll (bite) shark #3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 5

Attack roll (bite) shark #4: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 53
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Percival, Randall, and Rhialla are up.

The dolphins converge to attack a single shark shark 2 though the wounded ones move a bit too slowly.

Dolphin 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Dolphin 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Dolphin 3: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Moving to soften up the enemy before diving in, Rhialla focuses on the Sehaugin, conjuring a brilliant burst of light among them.

Burst of Radiance 10-ft.-radius burst in middle of sehaugin, should hit them all.
All evil take 5d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 4, 4) = 13 damage no save.

Reflex save DC 16. Blinded for1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds if fail or dazzled for 1d4 ⇒ 3rounds if succeed.

Reflex save (sahuagin #3): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Reflex save (sahuagin #4): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

A sudden bright light bursts underwater searing the flesh of the Sahuagins attack the ship. The two wounded by Neela's lightning bolt succumb to these new injuries while one begins flailing around unable to see and the remaining one, despite being rigid and unable to move, manages to float around avoiding the worst of the blinding after effect.

I'm assuming the rest of us can go now then correct?

Taking the Magical Feather token in hand, Ashlei tries to line up a point of the railing closest to the immobile Sahuagin. She then slaps the boat with the Feather Token...suddenly producing a 200+lb anchor plunging into into the water in the general direction of the frozen shark-man! A long and heavy chain appears from no-where and attaches itself firmly to the ship in the process, linking to the anchor as it plunges!

WTF Anchor attack?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

OK...my arguments here...I didn't roll a '1'! Also, technically the anchor is a large piece of metal and could be considered a Area of Effect attack...so...all I needed to hit was an AC5?...maybe? =)

I like it even if its a miss, I mean that sort of colorful thought is why you were made an occifer *nods* and yes, use my previous attack roll for the current attack at one of the sahaugin, even though i dont think im able to hover.

I'm not too worried about that, as long as you don't try to do anything fancy. I think the Fly skill adds an unnecessary level of complication to things and am willing to hand wave certain things in the name of simplicity.

Okay, I've been trying to think this through and here's what I've come up with. Using the anchor token (medium object, 3d6 damage, 20' range) v. the target's touch armor class.

Link

Just as characters take damage when they fall more than 10 feet, so too do they take damage when they are hit by falling objects.

Objects that fall upon characters deal damage based on their size and the distance they have fallen. Table: Damage from Falling Objects determines the amount of damage dealt by an object based on its size. Note that this assumes that the object is made of dense, heavy material, such as stone. Objects made of lighter materials might deal as little as half the listed damage, subject to GM discretion. For example, a Huge boulder that hits a character deals 6d6 points of damage, whereas a Huge wooden wagon might deal only 3d6 damage. In addition, if an object falls less than 30 feet, it deals half the listed damage. If an object falls more than 150 feet, it deals double the listed damage. Note that a falling object takes the same amount of damage as it deals.

Dropping an object on a creature requires a ranged touch attack. Such attacks generally have a range increment of 20 feet. If an object falls on a creature (instead of being thrown), that creature can make a DC 15 Reflex save to halve the damage if he is aware of the object. Falling objects that are part of a trap use the trap rules instead of these general guidelines.

Works for me! Sounds very fair. I just hope it hits. =)

Ashlei pulls a feather from her boot and with a command word lets it go. As the feather floats on the wind it transforms into a solid metal anchor and plunges into the ocean, dragging it's chain behind it, straight towards the remaining sahuagin.
The creature, paralyzed by Randall's spell, can only look on in horror as the anchor slams into him and drags him to the cove's bottom where it's weight crushes it's rib cage, killing it.
3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10
As the token settles onto the bottom it's trailing chain magically attaches itself to the Bounty's stern, mooring it in place.

"Hehehe. Anchor's away! I've been 'diving' to do that! HA! He shouldn't let such things...ANCHOR him down! Hehehe..."

Thanks GM! That was pretty cool!

It's a good thing he was held, otherwise it would have missed.

Nice work Ashlei! That was very cinematic!

After that aside, though, I'm a little lost as to turn order. Who's up?

Beginning of round #2, Neela you're up followed by the sharks.

Round 2

Thanks! Oh, I should've mentioned, Ashlei's fortune hex triggers. She can roll twice on a d20 once per round. Same for anyone else who rolls a d20 in combat.

Seeing into the strands of fate, Neela tries to keep one of the sharks from doing too much damage. Misfortune hex on Shark #1. Will DC18, or has to roll twice and take the worse result on d20 rolls.

She maintains her magics on Ashlei and the shark if affected. Cackle.

Will save Shark #1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Shark #1 lunges at where it thinks the dolphin is and, despite Neela's interference, manages to take a bite out of it.
Attack roll (bite) shark #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Attack roll (bite) shark #1 (misfortune): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 94
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Dolphin #1 is staggered at 0 hit points, it can perform a single move or standard action before it blinks out.

Shark #2 scores a hit on the second dolphin, ripping a chunk of flesh from it's flank.
Attack roll (bite) shark #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 77
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Sharks 3&4 double team the remaining dolphin and between the two of them tear the last dolphin to shreds before it disappears to where it was summoned from.
Attack roll (bite) shark #3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 55
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Attack roll (bite) shark #4: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
50% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 59
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Will save Shark #1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 (misfortune)
Will save Shark #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 (blinded)
Will save Shark #3: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 (blinded)
Will save Shark #4: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 (blinded)

As the crew watches in fascination the summoned dolphins struggle valiantly, mortally wounding one of the sharks before being overwhelmed by those remaining.
Without any sahuagin to give them commands the sharks slowly disperse, leaving the waters around the Bounty unmolested.

"Captain? We'll need to send someone over the side to check the damage in about an hour, once the blood settles in the water. I suggest offering double grog rations at the next meal to anyone willing."

I would've thought you would be all about jumping in and swiming with sharks Burnout, but you are correct, find a few sailors to jump in and see what damage they caused... have them tie a rope about them so we can pull them out quick if we see something...

With the fly spell active i would like to go up and cut down as many of the vine's over my ship as possible while they assess the damage

Ashlei grimaces and looks a little sallow.

"Captain. I'll kill monsters for you, keel-haul a princess for you, fight undead for you, cook fish, swab the deck, and cut wood for your fire. But just don't ask me to swim for you for Besmara's sake! I CAN swim of course, you've seen me do it, but I'm not very particular to it. Its...well its just against my nature."

"Don't worry Ash, no one's looking to put out that fire of yours." Rhiallah says with a grin.

Percival uses the remaining minutes of flight to hack at the vines crisscrossing the cove but fails to make much of a dent in the centuries old growth.
Looking for volunteers to go over the side and inspect the damgage goes about as well as expected until Aaron Ivy volunteers to do it. Tying a rope around his waist and taking a deep breath he dives off the ship's rail into the water below. After several dives he yanks on the rope to be pulled up.
Craft (ships): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Once back on board he reports "The damage isn't as bad as it could have been, we caught them before they could do much damage. Probably take about an hour or so to repair"

"Don't worry Ash, no one's looking to put out that fire of yours." Rhiallah says with a grin.

"Huh..." - Herzag seems like he is about to say something, but then just chuckles - "Yeah, just leave the 'swimming with sharks' part to me, because I am so good at it"

-----

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

"And the bastards are still circling us" - he adds, after a while.