Skull & Shackles: Sails under a blood red sky.

Game Master DBH

Waving a hand empty of rings, Ashlei wanders toward the magical object. She smiles mischievously.

"I can wear it Captain. I've always wanted to wear a magical ring that finds dead things! Not to mention...I'm not sure I trust the 'Good' Doctor yet."

"And why not?" - Herzag nods in agreement with a smile - "I say Ash wears it"

Waiting for Percival & Rhallia to check in.

"Works for me." Rhialla says with a chuckle, tossing the ring to Ashlei after Percy's nod of agreement.

Without hesitation she puts on the ring, then admires it as if it had a giant ruby or diamond on it.

"I think the skull motif suits me."

"Rhialla love,Cass. If any crew are left, see if they want work. Herzag, Ash get to the boat and get things ready for us to depart. Good work folks."

When Sorrinash left he finally took a deep breath and a sigh of relief. He had been worried the volatile leader might demand more or do something... rash. All in all today had been a good day.

Winking at the hlaf-orc pirate, Ahslei saunters past.

"Let's get back to the ship mighty-Herzag! I can't wait to see what my new magical toy does. Heck! I wonder if It could help me find my father's body? I'm pretty sure my mother sacrificed him to Besmara before I was even born..."

Cass nods to the captain's instructions and preps to make a circuit for the remaining crew.

To Ashlei she comments, "... but what would you do with it if you found it?"

Ashlei smiles easily, and answers seriously.

"Ask the corpse a few questions on my ancestry. My mother is a priestess of Besmara. Do you have any idea what it was like for me to grow up like that? A daughter of Fire? Priestess of a Goddess of Water? Talk about incompatible people!"

Last Known Course
Since you have acquired the ring of the iron skull, Haneilius Fitch tells you that the Brine Banshee began her last voyage in Port Peril, then headed to Quent for resupply and shore leave.

From Quent she sailed to Ollo, stopping brief ly to sell cargo before journeying northwest around Shark Island’s coastline.

Once your ship clears the strait between Shark Island and Raptor Island, however, Fitch announces to you that the Brine Banshee’s last course wasn’t northwest as many in Ollo believed, but north northeast—
the captain intended to skim the fringes of the Eye of Abendego to raid merchant ships in the waters near Botosani.

The Brine Banshee’s course followed a line from the two islands north of Shark Island to the Eye’s edge, cutting between the Eye and the eastern coast of Mediogalti Island and into Rahadoumi waters.

The ring of the iron skull has a limited range, but provided you can hold your ship on a true course, it should be possible to find the Brine Banshee. You must succeed at a DC 18 Profession (sailor) or Survival check to follow the Brine Banshee’s course.

Skill checks please

Cass proves to be an able sailor, if not a perfect one. As the ship's journey carries on she contributes her considerable magic both to adjusting wind and keeping the ship in top shape.

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Taking her usual position at the wheel, Rhialla sails the Brine Banshee's course as if following right behind it, the sea telling her what she needed to know.

Can't actually fail that check
Profession Sailor: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36

By now Ashlei has had the time to attune the ring and shortly after the two islands drop over the horizon to the south Rhailla's skilled piloting pays off as Ashlei feels the ring respond to the corpse of Finch's old shipmate.

Wreck of the Brine Banshee
Once you reach the location where the Brine Banshee went down, you can search for the sunken wreck. The ocean is just over 60 feet deep here. Stony outcrops rise out of the sandy sea floor, and small sea plants grow in scattered clusters.

Locating the Brine Banshee is relatively easy. The shipwreck lies on its side on the ocean floor. Only half the ship is visible, however; the Brine Banshee’s bow section rests next to a rift in the ocean floor.

You notice the wreck’s angle, with its prow pointed away from the fissure, suggesting that the ship split in two when she sank, and the vessel’s stern section dropped into the murky depths of the underwater trench. The ring of the iron skull points to the rift as the location of Vargus’s corpse.

What are you doing now?

Presumably this is more than a day of sailing and I can prep new spells?

Uuuggghhh. Underwater exploration. I hate swimming.

Awwww man... Underwater....?

Guess I'd be prepping Waterbreathing a few times for you two

They haven't invented diving bells yet...right? Crap. We need a submarine! An Apparatus of Kwalish?! Wasn't that the barrel-thing you can ride in with crab-claws from 1st edition D&D? A wooden transformer basically... Anyway. Sending a scout might be a good idea first? Can we summon an aquatic creature to check things out first? Give us an idea of how far and how deep things are going to get? I don't like the look of that fissure. Deep water rules are BAD mojo.

I have the spell ride the waves, which gives you water breathing and a swim speed of 30' for <caster level> hours. It's 4th level though so I can only do two of them. I do also happen to have two scrolls of that spell at caster level 7, for just such an occasion.

My cloak gives me a swim speed, water breathing and increased natural armor the moment I hit the water so I'm good.

Cleric's can also cast 'Free Swim.' A great little spell for underwater combat. Basically a limited form of the Freedom of Movement spell that only works underwater and doesn't apply to grapples and similar.

Wow... That is a GREAT spell Ash :D

You've had a few days to rest and regain spells, and the Brine banshee isn't going anywhere while you are anchored above her.

Okay updated my spell list. Between that and whatever Cass retools with we should be able to cover and prep the party pretty well.

Spells (Current prepared list)
Prepared (WIS bonus + Domain), Concentration + (1/2 caster lvl, + WIS)
0 4 [Detect Poison, Purefy Food & Drink, Light, Stabilize]
1 5+1 [Air bubble, Bless, Murderous command, Obscuring mist*, Shield of faith, Marid’s Mastery, Command]
2 4+1 [Mirror Image*, Ironskin, Burst of Radiance, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon]
3 2+1[ Water Breathing*, Hydrophobia, Free Swim, Free swim]
4 1+1 [Confusion*, Summon Monster 4]

During the preperation time Percival spent most of it borrowing, acquiring hell ordering someone with a chain shirt to let him use it. If they were going underwater his Breastplate would only be a hindrance.

"Keep sharp eyes on the ship. If you see us hauling ass to the surface prepare for boarders."

He ordered the rest of the crew with a scowl.

New map up top for this. Banshee bow.

Perception checks for all those in the water.

Complaining and cursing the whole way, Ashlei swims forward, her underwater crossbow loaded and at the ready.

Complaining and cursing the whole way, Ashlei swims forward, her underwater crossbow loaded and at the ready.

Who got the Free Swim spells by the way, if anybody? I recommend Herzag and the Captain at least. They are our best close quarters fighters, especially underwater. Don't forget some of us will need light. Did anybody bring anything like that? Sunrods work great underwater if needs be.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Herzag is clearly distracted by the wonders of the sea.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Stowing her hat and armored coat in the cabin, Rhialla removes the aegis from around her neck, slipping it into her belt pouch, before donning her amulet, a single shark's tooth suspended on kelp twine. Putting her black leather cloak back on, she hope up onto the railing before launching herself into a perfect dice into the ocean.

As she hits the water, her cloak fans out, wrapping around her and melding with her form to become a massive pair of batlike wings that slowly but powerfully beat through the water. Her legs meld into a sleek tail as she effortlessly glides through the murky depths.

Drawing her sword, she takes a deep breath of seawater, before uttering a spell, her finger tracing along the blade of her weapon, bestowing it with a strong luminous glow.

Cast light
Swim speed:60 AC 17
No penalty to attack/damage in melee underwater
Breathe water. Tail spine +7 1d6 piercing.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

is the feeling of being underwater, being able to breathe and swim and move freely, is utterly exhilarating, and Rhialla revels in the experience as she keeps her eyes open for any threats.

You dive into the cool waters and swim down, the light dimming as you go deeper and deeper.

As you draw close to the wreck of the Brine banshee shapes emerge from the gloom and arrow towards you!

A large group of sharks and what looks like a Merman?

What are you doing now?

Grimacing and cursing, Ashlei stops swimming and points her underwater crossbow at the closest enemy and waits for the Captain's signal...

Herzag draws his blades and waits.

Readied attack if any come close.

Cass mumbles, ”Odd, I thought sharks and menfolk didn’t get along...”

She waits for them to get a bit closer to see if she can figure out anything else about them.

He brandished his pike using its innate abilities to lengthen the reach of the weapon. He held up hoping the merfolk might be willing to parley but he didnt know if anything that had pet sharks was even worth talking to.

The Merman gestures and the sharks move to both sides of you on attack runs. He smiles happily, showing you his shark like teeth as he follows them in for blood.

What are you doing now?

The Merman laughs with relish.

”Kill ‘em,” says Cass flatly.

are we in initiative? if we are...

Shifting a bit closer to Cassiopeia He readied the boarding pike like the sharks were charging horseman, though he didnt have the ground to steady it on really.

Readied action attack the first shark in range 15 feet range: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

combat Reflexes 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
combat reflexes 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

If not in initiative

"Well then it seemed a bit strange to see so many sharks here anyways, Cass stay near Rhialla and behind me, this will get messy."

He began, Despite the fight at the dock where she certainly had shown her mettle, she was knew enough on his crew he wasnt really sure what she was going to do, so he didnt want her to get herself overwhelmed... he would give orders to Ashlei and Herzag... they would probably ignore them anyway chaos seemed to run strong in their blood.

Ashlei simply fired. (Purple)

"Bout' damn time!"

Modification from my spoiler earlier...Underwater Crossbow/20ft Underwater Range Inc.: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 = 25
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

She then immediately begins reloading!

Rhialla utters a spell, a shimmering glow spreading across her body as she readies her blade.

Cast Shield of Faith. +3 Deflection to AC
Swim speed:60 AC 20 (16/17)
No penalty to attack/damage in melee underwater
Breathe water. Tail spine +7 1d6 piercing.

As you saw them coming in the party can lead the initiative and take their actions.

Ashlei has just annoyed one shark. Waiting to see what Herzag and Cassiopeia are doing..

Cassiopeia pauses in the water and pulls a pinch of something glowing from one of her many pouches. As she waves her hands while keeping swimming in place, her hands leave strange contrails of colored light.

Casting hypnotic pattern. Mostly hoping to keep the sharks busy.

Hypnotic Pattern: Hit Dice affected: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 = 10

Will save DC 16.

will save red: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
will save green: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
will save yellow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
will save purple: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Crap!

Four sharks rush into the area of Cassiopeia's spell and stop with glazed eyes as their tiny minds are overwhelmed. Percival guts red as it does so.

Herzag?

Apologies, work has been s@&#...

Herzag stabbed ahead as the first shark come at him.

Dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage if it hits: 1d4 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

To no avail...

Are we supposed to post for next round? If yes:

With an inaudible click of his heels, the reckless rogue dashes through the water to try and stand at an advantageous position.

Since we are in water, I guess one can go over, or below them?

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 15 = 27

If successful:

Flanking with the captain, he strikes forward.

Dagger: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23
Damage if it hits: 1d4 + 11 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 11 + (1, 3, 4) = 20

If it hits, will make the shark Disoriented: The target takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls. In addition, the target takes an additional –2 penalty on all attack rolls it makes against the rogue.

As the shark wriggles in response to Herzag's stabs, Cassiopeia says (as best she can underwater), "I've got the sharks, when you finish that one take care of the merman!"

She continues to make hypnotic rave gestures as the sharks simply watch, fascinated.

"Be careful Cass."

He said swimming towards Rhialla then beside Rhialla. He thrust the pike hard torwards the Shark Threatening Ashlei

power attack dark blue: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 - 2 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 4 = 13

power attack, AoO1: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 2 = 17
damage AoO 1: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 4 = 13

power attack, AoO 2: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 2 = 13
damage AoO 2: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 = 11

"Lets clear the path to our dumb friend over there."

He ordered pointing to the supposed Merman With his pike before he focused on keeping the sharks at bay.

Herzag takes out Yellow.

Percy deals with Dark blue.

Cassiopeia is holding the sharks mesmerized.

Ashlei & Rhialla?