Skull & shackles (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

"Up there!" Marnir shouts as he spots the crouched form lurking behind the ship's wheel. It looks like some kind of rat-man and he feels the creature's spell try to wheedle into his mind. Shaking it off he rushes forward to bring his axe down on their would-be assailant.

Not sure how far it is but if I can get there in one Move Action I'll use my Standard Action to attack.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

Damn this out of order posting the site's been doing. How far away is he/she?

Marnir has See invisibility going. That's why he can see the caster.

Ah Okay.

Maddie was just about to return to the Drake when the casting started.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Turning, she starts scanning the ship....and then Marnir points out where it's hiding. While she can't see it herself, she can make it visible....with glitter!

DC 19 Will Save for Glitterdust

will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

There is a screech of rage as Maddie's spell outlines the hunched figure of a Ratman.

You can all see him now.

Marnir. Not quite enough movement to reach him this round. And you missed anyway.

There are loud thumbs as several people start working on the sealed door, while Marnir sees a Half-orc scrambling up onto the Aft deck from the captains cabin below.

The Ratman man casts at Marnir.

Will save Marnir: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Who shrugs it off easily.

The party may now act.

Battle map up top now. Jester's Grin.

Callidora's eyes narrow as she recognizes her very own preferred type of magic targeting the captain. Taking a few mesmerizing steps forward, eyes locked on the glittering spell caster, she begins singing, her body making elaborately intricate movements that draw the eye, calling to the focus of her attention, her presence overwhelming, conjuring lurid images in his mind.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

Target shiny ratman: Distraction (Su) 2 rounds
The witch can cause a creature within 30 feet to suffer hallucinatory distractions whenever it tries to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability. Anytime the creature attempts to do so, it must succeed at a concentration check (DC = 15 + twice the spell level) or lose the spell. A successful DC 20 Will saving throw negates this hex.

Niobe lets out a yell and lunges at Callidora with her spear.

Spear attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Spear attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

She narrowly avoids skewering the other merwoman!

WTF???Lol

Feeling the Air against her skin as Niobe's spear barely misses skewering flesh, Callidora turns to look at her dearest companion, seeing none of the usual recognition in her eyes.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Maddie pulls out her brand new wand and uses a charge, sending 5 shimmering missiles into his body.

Magic Missile damage: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 4, 3) + 5 = 22

With the ratman now nicely outlined by Callidora's magic, Marnir grins as he steps towards the hunched creature and attacks, his Ulfen warsong rising from his throat and echoing off the deck.

Free Action to 5ft step, start inspired rage without an action due to Savage Intuition, Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Full Round Action to full attack.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

Axe attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

Flying sinuously around Callidora as she woks her wiles on the clearly soon to be dead rat-man, Cioldryss is puzzled to see Niobe attacking her. He was sure they were friends....if the way Niobe had welcomed her to the ship was any indication...very close ones at that. Something was wrong. Callidora would probably be unhappy if he bit or clawed NBiobe, or boiled her with his breath weapon, but he couldn't let her just attack Callidora either. Growling in draconic, the shimmering aqua dragon casts a spell, sending a powerful stream of water to push the spear-weilding mermaid back and hopefully bring her back to her senses.

Hydraulic push (Bullrush): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Niobe stands her ground against the blast of water - probably no great surprise given her aquatic predilections - and turns to stab at Cildryss with her spear!

Spear attack!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Spear attack!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Probably miss!

Will save Ratman: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Marnir you get an AOO as the Red Half-orc scrambles over the railing.

Kung moves to where the door is being smashed down, his blade ready to inflict pain on the first one through.

The Were-Rat steps back from Marnir and casts again.

Will save Marnir: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Marnir again ignores it with contempt.

The party may now act. Niobe you have performed your action for this round.

Even with the distraction, Callidora's presence continues to pull at the rat man.

Accursed Hex

Benefit: When you target a creature with a hex that cannot target the same creature more than once per day, and that creature succeeds at its saving throw against the hex’s effect, you can target the creature with the same hex a second time before the end of your next turn. If the second attempt fails, you can make no further attempts to target that creature with the same hex for 1 day.

Normal: You can only target a creature with these hexes once per day.

DC 20 Will save again or subject to Distraction (Su) 2 rounds

Will save from poor bullied Ratman: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Happy now? Sadist!

Eyes on me you rat bastard! lol

"Get out of my brain!" Marnir roars as the ratman tries again to get into his mind. He picks up his warchant where he left off just as another enemy leaps over the rail and Marnir takes an opportunistic swing.

AoO: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22

He then returns his focus to the ratman and tries to cut him down before he can use any more of his magic.

Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Free Action to 5ft step, Full Round Action to attack the ratman. Could someone move my marker please? Can't do it on my iPad.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Axe attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Seeing the ratman is well-handled, Maddie will cast Force Sword and the fly across to the other enemy ship.

Maddie, it's the same ship, just done twice to show inside the cabin. You can change your action.

Acrobatic: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

The Were rat tries to slip over the railing to the side of the ship.

Marnir gets an AOO on him.

The Half-Orc reaches the deck and swings at Marnir.
Cutlass: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Missing pathetically!

Another one starts climbing up behind him, while the other two attack the warped door to get though it. The gaps are getting larger and it won't last too much longer.

What is everyone doing> Niobe you may act this round. The Familar is still your enemy.

Marnir is more than happy to capitalise on the opening the ratman gives him and swings his axe towards the vile creature.

AoO: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

Continuing his song he attacks with great gusto, the rush of battle coursing through his veins.

Free Action to continue inspired rage, Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Full Round Action to Full Attack. In the event my AoO or first attack drops the were-rat I'll attack red.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

Axe attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Then I'll just move into melee with the Half-Orc instead.

Still befuddled, Niobe can focus on only one thing, and she cries out in frustration as she stabs at the coiled familiar of Callidora.

Spear attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Spear iterative attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Spear damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"Niobe what are you doing!?" Callidora shouts, trying to snap her out of whatever spell had a hold on her. That attack had hurt
Cioldryss, and she could feel through their bond that he was only moments away from scalding the skin off of the other mermaid.

"Sorry to do this love but it's the least painful way." she says under her breath as she calls up the magic within her, looking Niobe in the eyes as she tries to overwhelm her with her presence, filling her with the desire to be on her side. The irony of the genuine emotion behind a spell she usually used to manipulate people, not at all lost on her.

Charm Monster. DC 22 Will save

"Please stop this, you don't want to hurt either of us"

Marnir finishes off the Were rat, and turns around to brutally end the life of the attacking Half-orc, the one behind him climbing the rope sees the slaughter and croaks out. "I give!" while still hanging onto the railings.

The other Half-Orcs, confronted by a happy Kung and a flying woman readily spot the change in the winds and drop their weapons also.

Leaving the party with one major problem, the crazed Niobe.

What are you doing now?

Marnir glares at the climbing half-orc, his look enough to make it very clear what will happen if he tries to renege on his surrender. He flicks the blood from his axe and looks down at the deck to see Niobe stabbing at Callidora's little dragon while Callidora casts spells at her. "What in the hell's is going on?" Marnir shouts, jumping down to the deck and looking between the two women.

"That rat-faced goat @%^#&er did something to her mind." Callidora says tersely over her shoulder, her attention focused on Niobe. "I'm trying to counter it."

Cioldryss settles on the merwoman's shoulder, giving the ensorcelled druid a disgruntled glare while nursing his wound. "اگر وہ مجھے پھر تکلیف دیتا ہے، میں اس کی کالڈورا کو جلانے والا ہوں ..... بس یہ واضح کروں گا"

"پرسکون، یہ اس کی غلطی نہیں ہے. آپ جانتے ہیں کہ میں بھی ایسا کرتا ہوں جو دماغ جادو کسی شخص کو کرسکتا ہے." Callidora says soothingly, never taking her eyes off of Niobe.

Assuming that Callidora's spell doesn't work:

Watching as Niobe has turned on the group, and knowing that the Ratman cast some sort of spell, Maddie opts to try and disable Niobe without harming her.

Casting Slow on Niobe. DC 20 Will Save

Will save vs. charm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Will save vs. slow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Niobe's mouth opens and closes several times like a fish, as if she's trying to say something but can't find the words, but her behavior remains erratic.

Maestro, the confusion roll for the round please!

"Did what to her mind?" Marnir growls. "If you know what it is, I can try to end it."

Did anyone identify the spell? If so I can cast a targeted dispel magic to end the effect.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

That's enough to identify the spell, so I'll drop a targeted dispel magic on the confusion. It's a caster level check vs the DC of the spell.

Caster level check vs confusion DC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

You must name the specific spell effect to be targeted in this way. If your caster level check is equal to or higher than the DC of that spell, it ends.

Niobe's eyes clear and she looks around in shock, completely unaware of her actions for the last few rounds.

Niobe can role play that. Just pure chance the Calidora was the closest target for Niobe, but it does add some drama to the tale. :)

You have now captured the Jester's grin. Captained by the late Fargo Vatterande

You gained 30 new crew, not counting the 4 surviving Half-orcs who were Vetterande's guard.

Half-orc fighter 4/rogue(thug) 3.

Loot:
Cutlass +1 (5)
Chain shirt +2 (5)

Potion of cure serious wounds,
Wand of lightning bolt (12 charges);
Leather armor +2,
Short sword +2,
MW hand crossbow with 10 b o l ts,
MW dagger,

spell b o o k:
4th. Charm monster, Confusion, Greater invisibility.
3rd. Blink, Dispel magic, Hold person, Major image, Suggestion.
2nd. Cat's grace, False life, Hideous laughter, See invisibility, spider climb.
1st. Charm person, Hold portal, Jump, Ray of enfeeblement, Shield, silent image.
0. Bleed, Daze, Mage hand, Message.

What are you doing now?

"Kung, get these sailors under guard. We've got some rum to find," Marnir says as he heads towards the hatch that leads below decks. "Though it's probably poisoned, so let's hold off the celebratory drinks for now."

Kung's eyes droop as quickly as they lit up when Marnir mentions both the rum and the poison in practically the same breath. "Kung find own rum, still celebrate...." he mutters, then motions for his men to follow the Captain's orders.

Now firmly comfortable with the Drake's customs, the Drake's pirate soldiers make the usual offer: join the crew or enjoy a solitary lifeboat trip home, adrift with naught but water and the clothes on their back.

Seeing the confused look cross Niobe's face, Callidora immediately banishes her own spell, rushing to her side. "Quiet Cioldryss, I told you she didn't mean it!"

"Niobe, are you alright luv?"

You have another ship to keep or sell, the Jester's grin is set up more as a smuggler than a pirate ship. A smallish, fast trader. What are you doing with it?

You have the quality rum, which you believe is poisoned in some way, what are you doing about it?

Lastly, where are you heading now?

Niobe shakes her head, coming out of a haze.

"W... what?"

The mermaid staggers for a moment, then rights herself.

"What's going on? What happened?"

"Kung have strong gut. Maybe Kung drink rum, find out if poisoned?" The half-orc looks around expectantly, excited about his genius idea and curious to see if others share his enthusiasm.

I mean, a detect poison spell is a much better strategy, but Kung really wants to drink some rum!

"One of those bastards, the rat person I think, took control of your mind. Made you attack us." the sea witch says, running her hand down her familar's neck to calm him. "But the Captain killed the worthless pile of filth."

"If you'll give us a minute Kung,I know an incantation that can check for poison." she says over her shoulder before turning back t Niobe.

"I don't think we need another ship right now," Marnir muses, "and a smuggling vessel like this should fetch a tidy sum."

I'd vote for selling the Grin. Where's the nearest place we could do so GM?

Hearing Kung's dubious idea Marnir tries to hold the big man back. "Let's wait until Cally has checked it out. If it's fine, you can have the first shot," he says, hoping that'll placate Kung. "Then we can make our way back to the island and make sure there's been no more mischief."

Callidora - any objection to being called Cally? Seems like something Marnir would shorten your name to now he's gotten to know you.

"The problem is" says Maddie from the doorway, holding a bottle with something strong smelling, even at a distance "is that poison often messes with that kinda magic."

Nope, I think I'd be fine with that.

Marnir. Back to Hell harbor would be the closest port to sell the grin.

Some rum is poured from the huge casks and presented to Callidora for her examination.

What are you doing now?

The mermaid sea witch utters spell in the fluid rolling tongue of those below the sea, her eyes glowing eerily as she leans forward, inhaling the vapors coming off of the liquor.

Cast Detect Poison

Niobe seems quite horrified when she discovers that it was her maddened and addled state that led to injuring Callidora's familiar, and she is beside herself with apologies. It takes several minutes for her to compose herself.

I can't post in the Discussion page, it just does a preview and never successfully posts.

"What do you think Cally?" Marnir asks as she magically inspects their seized cargo. "We'll be heading back to Hell Harbor anyway to sell off the Grin, so don't worry if you need more time to look at it."