Skull & shackles (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

Markizio, already thinking of the silks and furs, starts to take his role of first mate seriously. He starts to make sure the Drake will be ready to go as soon as the captain wills it.

He nears Kung and quips, "Big guy. Don't think that me being first mate is going to save you from our sparring. I'll find time to both help out the captain and kick your ass."

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ready to go

Apologies for my lack of posting, was at the world's 3rd biggest tabletop convention all weekend. Got to play Starfinder with Jason Bulmahnn though, which was pretty cool.

Marnir laughs heartily at Norva's crude joke and Kyra's prudish reaction. "Then let's set our courses. Good to see you again Norva," he says shaking her hand, "and don't forget that you're welcome at the Rock any time."

Kung laughs at Markizio's jest. "Save Kung? Kung thinks other way. Markizio need saved. Kung still Master at Arms; First Mate still need drill. No special treatment!"

We should have an offline PvP for one of these drills. :)

As the boys bicker, Jane moves down to her workshop and tries to experiment with Liquid Ice to make fog... or a fog wall around their ship.

Jane will take 10 for 27

While she's not working the decks, Niobe spends some of her time sitting on the edge of the deck fishing with a line. She seems to be rather skilled at it, and when she catches a fish she quickly draws it in, knocks it silly, and puts it into a bucket of water for later. When it comes time to fly the fish open and separate out the meat, she proves quite skilled at that too, using a small belt-dagger.

Off the capture The Southern Gem then.

I'll have a Profession (Sailor) roll from Captain Saltvig, and a Knowledge (Geography) roll from Jane please.

K.G: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Jane is busy and she tells you to go away when you try and disturb her. She does, however, come up on the deck and pours a concoction into the water to see what it does. Looking around she notices where we are.

Taking his place at the ship's wheel, Marnir casts a long look over the deck. Seeing everyone working together, and working hard, causes the corners of his mouth to rise in a small smile.

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

Two days out from the rock, on an easterly course. It's been quiet, only the Drake and No Gods, No masters sailing steadily.

The lookout in the nest calls out "Two sails Captain. Coming at us fast!"

Looking to the north you can just see two Shackles Drekar coming hard at you. Knowledge(Local) checks from the party please.

"HANDS TO ACTION STATIONS!" Marnir roars in response to the lookout's cry. He turns to the senior officers on the quarterdeck. "Anyone recognise those ships?" he asks as he turns the wheel to engage them.

k. local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Markizio squints to try and get a better look, "No, captain. Haven't seen them but it doesn't look like the Southern Gem."

The magus checked his spell component pouch and patted his blade, "Get ready for battle!"

Jane comes out of her cave... "What.. I'm working on a fog bank to surround the ship. If it works, no one will be able to see us.." looking up, she notices the ship in the distance. "Oh... Data, go back down to the lab." with that, her flying squirrel returns to the lab.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Hearing the call of both lookout and Captain, Kung stops drilling some of the idle sailors, sending them to their stations. He comes around to his Captain's side and peers across the water, seeming to recognize ond of the ships' flags.

"No, that not Southern Gem," he agrees with Markizio. "That Bloody Ruin. Hask Svard captain. He hobgoblin. Nasty. Way they bearing, don't think he like us." Kung rushes to the ship's bell, and starts ringing it. "Battle!" he cries, a grin rising at the corners of his mouth. He grabs a passing sailor by the shoulder. "You, keep ringing bell." He draws his greatsword and returns to his Captain's side.

"Captain, do you want their decks or rigging set afire?" asks Niobe with a surprisingly innocent tone, given the context.

"Captain, do you want their decks or rigging set afire?" asks Niobe with a surprisingly innocent tone, given the context.

Markizio jumped in and answered for the captain, "No!"

He then calmed down, "I mean let's not destroy our potential bounty. We try to capture ships and either sell them or convert them over to our nascent fleet."

"Right, captain?"

He then started to gauge the ship's speed ans think about his potential spells to help him in the upcoming fight.

You can hear bells ringing on the No Gods, No masters as she rapidly gets battle ready, holding her position for now, awaiting your orders.

The Bloody ruin slows her speed and turns slightly to one side, clearing the way for the other Drekar which maintains it's heading, straight for the Unbound Drake.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Kung turns to Niobe. "We sink some too, but Markizio right. Capture best." His eyes glint with his glee. "Still fun to watch sink."

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Markizio squints again, "Er... captain. The unknown Drekar has her sails furled and is under way with oars, which seem to be driving non-stop. I can't see anyone on deck aside from one figure at the wheel."

He turned to Kung, "Is she trying to ram us?"

Not waiting for an answer, the magus cast his defensive spell conjuring up a shield to protect his spell casting flank.

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cast shield

Jane takes a glance out at the ship. 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

"What he said... This could be bad." Jane moves to the side of the ship. "Captain on the wheel. You'll be able to see." Jane moves to the side where they are likely to hit and lets a charge of Obscuring Mist cloud the air. Making their target just that much harder to see.

"Aye, we'd rather capture vessels for selling than sink all that gold to the bottom of the sea," Marnir says, agreeing with Markizio.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Marnir eyes widen as the second ship appears from behind the Bloody Ruin. "I think she might be, first mate," he says, his flat tone of voice calm and collected. "You may set that one on fire if you wish," he says to Niobe before turning to face the main deck. He catches the eye of Rosie, the new sailing mistress since Kyra's departure, and nods at her before raising his voice. "ALL HANDS TO THE RIGGING! FULL SAIL!" he roars, spinning the wheel rapidly to get out of the way of the oncoming vessel.

Lets have a Profession(sailor) roll from you then Captain.

Taking note of your maneuvers No Gods heels in the opposite heading from you, opening up a gap between your ships, and putting the attacking Drekar between you.

The Bloody ruin has resumed her course, coming hard at you, but with a clear gap between it and it's sister ship. They are keeping well back until they see the results.

Marnir hauls on the wheel as the sailors race aloft to unfurl more sails and move the Drake out of the way as quickly as possible.

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

As the Drake rapidly changes course, Marnir calls out to Kung. "Get the weapons loaded and the crew armed. Looks like the Bloody Ruin is still coming for us."

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Markizio addresses the crew, "You heard the captain. Get ready for battle!"

He then takes a closer look at the incoming ship, "The ship captain. It's trying to ram us and it's burning! There's hardly anyone on board because the ship is burning. Can we evade it?"

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"I bloody well hope so! I don't want to get rammed, let alone by a fire ship," Marnir states as he makes course changes to get out of the way of the oncoming vessel.

"You hear Captain!" Kung bellows to the crew. "Load weapons. Sink black ship!"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"Yes, sink fiery black ship! Must sink before ram!"

I think Red Mary is our seige weapon expert, no? We've never done a proper ship-to-ship combat with siege weapons yet, I don't think. I'm happy to make some rolls, but would need some guidance and Red Mary's stats to do so.

Niobe murmurs several enchanting words and raises her arms up, twisting them together and swaying slightly, reminiscent somehow of swirling stormclouds.

Then she points a finger at the black ship.

Call Lightning damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) = 12

A bolt of lightning lashes down from the clear skies and strikes the fire ship.

Knowing that were about to into combat, Jane doesn't want to get hit. She mixes a potion and quickly drinks it. shock shield +2 ac

I figured she'd be one of Kung's deputies, as he's master-at-arms. It's also easier for a captain to relay orders than try and directly order each individual crew member. I suspect Kung would have no problem delegating to Red Mary in matters of very big weapons.

As the three vessels head towards an inevitable clash, Marnir uses a few seconds to magically prepare himself. By casting heroism and mirror image for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 images.

Niobe's spell lashes the relentless drekar, it seems to have triggered something though, the drekar almost seems to stagger, then swell and suddenly it explodes in a huge ball of flame and smoke.

The Unbound Drake lurches badly as the shockwave hits it and debris patters against her sides.

Reflex save DC12 or be knocked off your feet.

Seeing her trap has failed The Bloody ruin claps on her oars and makes straight for you.

Perils of using an Undead helmsman. No way he was going to match Marnir's rolls to pilot the drekar. The range on Call lightning at Niobe's level put you just out of the serious damage radius. :(

Battle map up tomorrow as the Bloody ruin comes in to try and finish the job hands on. He must really have it in for you?

Reflex DC 12: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Having no difficulty maintaining his position on deck, Kung stands firmly amongst the raining debris as the ship rocks back and forth in the initial shockwave and the ensuing ocean waves that follow. He glances over at Niobe with a look of awe on his face. Big magic!

He quickly surveys the deck, looking to see if any of the crew or officers need assistance before attempting to rally them to readiness again.

"No delay! Battle stations! Bloody Ruin incoming; be ready!" The half-orc leads by example, charging to the gunwale nearest where he expects the Bloody Ruin to ram the Drake, ready to leap across to the incoming ship.

Reflex save, heroism: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10

The concussive blast from the explosion of the fireship tears Marnir from the wheel and slams him into the deck. Cursing loudly in Ulfen, he hauls himself back to his feet in time to see the Bloody Ruin heave towards them at full speed.

"Bloody hells Niobe!" he laughs. "Can you do something about that other bastard's crew? Without blowing the ship up!"

reflex save, DC 12: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Markizio was gloating on the exploding ship when the wave caught up to him and threw him on his ass.

He immediately turned to the one-legged pirate, still on his 'feet', and joked, "Don't you dare laugh, Kung."

He extended his hand for someone to pull him up and turned to Niobe, "Yes, ma'am. That was impressive. I don't care what you look like."

Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Niobe grips the railing and barely manages to remain standing. "Roger that, Captain," she replies to Marnir. She smiles to Markizio and says, "Glad to have your approval! I will keep giving it my best!"

As usual the background battle will be off screen. Your crew and his go at each other with bloody fury.

Your ships hammer each other savagely as you close. Red Mary and Kung's constant drills, along with Captain Marnir's superior piloting paying off. The Bloody ruin takes heavy damage as it closes, but comes on relentlessly.

With an awful grinding crash the ships come together, your crew goes over the rails with Rosie's foul mouth urging them on to slaughter the other sailors. Crimson Cogsward leading the way with a smile of pure joy as the men and women of The Unbound drake make the other crew pay for their attempted destruction of the Drake.

Hask Svard wears an impressive captains coat of deep blue, with gold trim. He points his gleaming battle axe at Marnir and the other officers. "There, there are the kin slayers! Blood for blood! Kill them all!"

An oddly garbed female Hobgoblin dances with joy next to a squad of archers. "Yes, yes!" She cackles insanely. "Pretty pretty blood and bones for Hetty!" She waves a human thigh bone in one hand, magic crackling around her.

Battle map up. You are facing Hask svard, Mad Hetty and Hask's squad of personal killers, axemen and archers. Place yourselves on the map at the bottom please.

Battle Order.

Mad Hetty.

Party.

Hask.

Hobgoblins.

Round One:

Mad Hetty gives what she clearly thinks is a seductive smile. Pointing a finger at Kung She giggles. "Kill for me my love!"

Kung Will save DC15 or attack the nearest person in your party.

Once that is decided the Party can all take their first actions.

Did my obscuring mist hang aroung or get cast?

Will DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Kung feels the sorceress' command wash over him. He turns to his left and sees Niobe, a newcomer to this vessel, and clearly a danger; a threat. He turns to his right, and he sees Jane, the mysterious gnome who's been there all along, quiet, and seemingly pursuing her own agenda. Risky. Dangerous.

But he shakes it off, and instead sees the officers for who they are, his allies and friends. He gives 'Mad Hetty' a deep and powerful glare, barely seeing the sailors that fill the deck between them.

Kung's wooden leg taps once, an echo resounding from ship to ship in an uncharacteristic moment of quiet before the two ships crash together. The tapping resumes after the crash, now with a sort of pattern; the taps beat out a rhythm that's challenging to follow, but somehow there, nonetheless.

Kung leaps across the short gap between the ships, charging into the sailor between him and Mad Hetty with a fury.

Jane, you're on a moving ship. You dropped the liquid ice in the water, the ship moved on. Somewhere behind you is a small patch of mist.

"DRAKES - ATTACK!" roars Marnir over the din of the colliding vessels, exhorting his crew towards a fearless attack. He then starts up his war chant, the rolling syllables of the Ulfen language conveying a bolstering message even to those who do not understand the words.

He then weaves his magic into the words, speeding the rhythm of his chant to accelerate the movements of those listening to him. Raising his axe high above his head, Marnir lets out a bestial howl as the battle-lust overtakes him, and he steps towards the enemy with rage in his eyes.

A buffing round to start with.
Swift Action to use Battle Cry for a +1 morale bonus to hit and a +4 morale bonus vs fear for allies within 30ft for 1 minute.
Move Action to start my inspired rage for +2 morale bonus to Str & Con, +2 morale bonus on Will saves, –1 AC, allies cannot use any Cha-, Dex-, or Int-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
Standard Action to cast haste
Free Action to 5ft step up to the gunwale to move across next turn.

"Well you can't shoot very well if you can't see, right?"

The magus blows on his fingertips and a cloud of fine specks streaked from his fingers and exploded amidst the archers.

That done, he energizes his blade and moves to the pirate ship.

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glitterdust on archers, 10' radius, will save DC 15 or blind

shocking burst on blade, move to plank

Niobe stretches out her hands and lifts her face to the sun, squinting. She shouts a tangled word and a burst of light flares out from the midst of the archers near the witch.

Casting burst of radiance on the intersection designated by the NW corner of Yellow archer near the witch. This is a 10' burst, so it hits Yellow, Purple, Orange, and Red archers. Each one must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be blinded for 1d4 rounds; otherwise dazzled. They all take damage regardless of the results of the save, if they are evil.

Burst damage vs. evil (no save): 5d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 3, 1) = 11
Blindness/Dazzle rounds (Will save DC 15): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Board working? Me sort of working. Lets get moving then.

Hobgoblin archers.
will save vs Glitterdust(Red): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
will save vs Glitterdust(Orange): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
will save vs Glitterdust(Yellow): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
will save vs Glitterdust(Purple): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Three blinded, one safe.

Reflex save vs Burst of radiance(Red): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Time: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Reflex save vs Burst of radiance(Orange): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Time: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Reflex save vs Burst of radiance(Yellow): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Time: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Reflex save vs Burst of radiance(Purple): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

All howl in shock and pain, again (Purple) makes his save and isn't blinded.

Niobe, where is Burst of radiance from? I can't seem to find it.

The Hobgoblin facing Kung staggers from the awful blow he just took.

Hask snarls in fury and advances on him. 5 foot step to close, power attacking two handed with his black Battle axe.
Axe - PA + Two handed swing: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23
Axe - PA + Two handed swing: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23
Slamming his axe into Kung as if brutally chopping wood.

Hobgoblin discipline takes over and the others step up to aid their feared captain in killing the raging Half-Orc.

Boarding Axe (Yellow): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Boarding Axe (Blue) + Flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 = 29 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Boarding Axe (Purple): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Boarding Axe (Green) + Flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Their axes rise and fall with murderous skill.
You still there Kung?

The one archer (Purple) still able snaps a shot at Markizio.
Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Missing.

Three more move to cut him down on the boarding ramp.
Boarding Axe (Orange): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Boarding Axe (Teal): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Boarding Axe (Pink): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

You are struck by how disciplined and organised these Hobgoblins are compared to the standard pirates and sailors you face.

Mad Hetty studies the battle field with pleasure, drawing another thigh bone she tosses it into the air, where it hangs before her protectively. She licks her lips at the amount of blood Kung has lost. "Soon you'll be mine, pretty one!"

The party can now go again.

Seeing as how these guys are alive, Jane moves back a bit and fires a red crossbow bolt at purple.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Burst of radiance (from Champions of Purity)

Burst of radiance (from Champions of Purity)

Cool, I usually look spells up on the SRD and it wasn't showing. I've got that one.

"Kung! Get away!"

Knowing he had to deal with his own pirates before helping out his companion, Markizio redoubled his efforts with spell and blade.

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spellcombat and spellstrike, burning hands, hit one until killed then hit next one. reflex save Dc 14 for half damage on burning hands

blade to hit, spellcombat, haste: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (2) = 11
blade to hit: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (4) = 11
spell damage: 5d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 1, 3) = 9
haste attack
blade to hit, spellcombat, haste: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 2 = 13
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + (1) = 13

My next action will depend on whether Kung is dying!

Also, I made an error: the Will save DC on the burst was 16. I forgot to add the enhancement bonus to Wisdom from my headband. I think that means the last archer is also blinded.

@DBH, how did you get your dice to work? Ouch! Kung is at 14 hp after that. If he hadn't had temporary hp from rage, he'd be at 0.

Kung reels from the onslaught against him, his rage-clouded mind trying to make sense of his predicament. Kung always charge in; always win! Body hurt, why hurt so bad? Through the mess of battle, he hears his friend call for him to flee. It seems like such an unusual request.

He quickly glances from side to side, seeing nothing much through the blood that's beginning to run across his vision; when he realizes that all that he can see are hobgoblins, and none of the crew or officers from the Unbound Drake, he realizes Markizio must be right.

Infuriated at a failure seemingly so sudden and so complete, he withdraws.

Jane sinks a red bolt into the chest of the Purple archer.

Markizio frantic with concern for his friend hacks down one of the blocking Hobgoblins.

Yes Purple archer is blind for Blind: 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds.

Having finally found opponents he can't overwhelm Kung makes a desperate leap back to the deck of the Unbound Drake.

AOO (Blue): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
AOO (Green): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Taking another nasty blow from one of the Hobgoblins as he makes it.

If I could get my dice working some of those 19's would have been 20's. The RNG is toying with me again.

Just awaiting Marnir's Round two action.

"Kung! Over here!" shouts Niobe. She desperately casts another spell, this time her fingers twisting in some strange ball-like shape, after which two eerie, hovering spheres of ball lightning suddenly appear near the mass of hobgoblins that cut the barbarian to pieces.

Casting ball lightning. This generates two spheres, each is 5' in diameter. I'm directing them to hit the green and yellow hobgoblins that were attacking Kung. Each does 3d6 damage, but a Reflex save DC 18 negates this damage; the target takes a -4 penalty if wearing metal armor.

For move action, drawing my healing wand.

Ball lightning damage vs. green: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 6) = 14
Ball lightning damage vs. yellow: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 5) = 11

Kung, I don't have any good crowd control yet that will keep them from following you, and I can't heal as fast as they can damage, so we better find a way to thin that herd quick!

Reflex save(Yellow): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Reflex save(Green): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

The Yellow axeman, already heavily wounded by Kung stiffens in agony as the sparking ball slams into his chest, gasping and collapsing dead on the deck.

Warned and wary the Green axeman jumps to one side with a yelp of alarm, avoiding the ball desperately.