Skull & Shackles: Sails under a blood red sky.

Game Master DBH

will save dc 23 fascination: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

He swallowed, despite being unreasonable attracted to the gorgeous creature he had been a part of the sea long enought to by just wary enough to avoid and permanent wiles. He did take a few slow steps forward to be polite of course.

"We are indeed new to this island... and not looking to upset the balance of any fair breasted.... i mean minded folk who reside her. I am a captain of a ship and Human governments have decided perhaps it is my right to rule this island. But i dont intend to be tyranous with beautiful maids who already reside here.Whats your name miss."

He was oogling her, not that he could blamed he supposed but still it wasnt courtly.
" damn will one of you show me your tits so i quit staring at hers."

It was hard to tell if he was joking or not.

diplomacy i guess: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
add a +1 if she might be attracted to me due ot the charming trait

For what is likely the first time for anyone witnessing it, Rhialla is struck completely speechless for the moment, such is the woman's staggering beauty. "Uhhh....hello!"

Will vs Compulsion (DC 23): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

You don't need to save against her aura. She's not trying to fascinate you. She is delighted to have intelligent company after avoiding the Cyclops for years.

"This?" she asks Ashlei, brushing her hair away from her breasts. "It just does that naturally."

Obviously to tantalize and draw suckers closer hoping for a nip-slip. :)

Sefina is friendly, delighted to met new people, with new songs and stories, after avoiding the unfriendly Cyclops. She gives Percy as pleased smile when he tries to charm her. Much like an adult praising a promising child.

Already helpful, and have you seen the stats for a Nereid? Damn!

She can tell you about the Kelp beds at 'O', the Sargassum Fiend that lurks there, and about the shipwreck at 'P'.

Anything else you wish to ask her? It would have worked better if you'd met her before exploring most of the island.

Cass gets suckered in like a prey fish mesmerized by an anglerfish. She moves a bit closer, feeling like she's probably safe, which... she might or might not be.

Will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"How long have you been here? Uh, not that I'm asking your age, you don't look a day over delicious."

"Let me try again. Wet can you tell us about these other nearby areas? What. I mean what."

"Um. Sorry. We've already explored the body of the island, we're just trying to find the breast place to go next."

A bit flustered, she says, "Cap'n, just work your magic. Mine's shot."

HA shows what you know :P having a friendly neried with a hawt first mate means lots of future baths one hopes. *nods nods*

He stood there ooglin only slightly through his hands attempting to shield most her beauty away.... WHen it was clear she wasnt there to drown them, charm them, or what have you he relaxed. Listening to Cass fumble her way through speaking might have been worth the lack of flashings.

"damn none of you were willing to save us with your breasts? making that a mental note. Most jokes aside we are as delighted to see a friendly intelligent and beautiful face amongst the denizens of this island. Cleaning it of the riff raff has been troublesome. I plan on having a settlement at some point on this isle...what do you see as your territory and what are you rules for folk dealing with you?

He asked definitely making sure to hammer out the details of a mutually beneficial partnership with the nereid.

Shipwreck or fiend ladies?

"Cap, my flotation devices can't compare to those."

"It doesn't work as often as you think." Esmarelda said as she pulled out a few nuts from her pack to much on. "She has other worldly magic that goes along with hers."

"Also any suggestions on how to deal with the Sargassum?" Esmarelda asked, "Or do you think just giving it an area would be good? Do they roam?"

Squinting at the water-woman, Ashlei nods.

”My guess is the plant-thing has a territory or hunting ground. Like a wolf. If we avoid that, it should provide some protection to the island from intruders.”

We already explored the shipwreck. Right? That’s the one the crazy guy said was important.

Not as far as I'm aware? Sunken shrine at Q might be what you're thinking of?.

I must be mistaken, and thinking of some other game...

Rhialla visibly relaxes, though she can't resist the occasional admiring glance at Sefina, much like everyone else. "It's a good point that the Sargassum Fiend being where it is, serves as a natural defense against a sea approach to the island, but I do consider how much it's claimed over the years."

Her ears perk up at the mention of a shipwreck to be explored. "Besides the cyclopes, are there any other creatures in the area that you've had to be wary of?"

While Sefina is happy to flirt and maybe more people she's really more interested in news and stories. She's starved for 'intelligent' conversation and fun gossip. Sex is easy. :)

"Only the big Spyglass Octopus in the bay, but he seems to have wandered off recently?" She responds to Rhialla.

A single nereid named Sefina makes her home in a submerged grotto on the edge of the bay. Sefina lacks any sense of modesty, preferring to swim and tan in the nude unless someone suggests she wrap herself in her shawl. Unlike many of the island's inhabitants, Sefina welcomes visitors, taking feylike amusement in their stories, songs, and customs.

Aside from O & P you've cleared the island and can start building your base.

Does she have anything interesting to say about the shipwreck? I can trade her tales galore from my desert home of Katapesh, or there was this time where I nearly burned down a shop...by accident of course...while we were all in it!

We could have a tea party. Maybe a little light truth or dare.

Essentially we're more than happy to entertain her, share tales of the sea, our crazy race that earned us the island, fun adventures to date,etc. I'm thinking this will be a regular place we enjoy relaxing and sharing...stuff.

The ship wreck is 40' down. Nothing nasty is lairing there, or in the area. She has seen a strong box lying in the wreckage.

Fun and games is up to you. I'm shy so won't be going into any detail. :)

Sargassum fiend if you want to deal with it? Some loot in the wreck. What now?

Party-time with the Water-chick! Probably some sort of elemental cousin of mine anyway... If the island is technically ours, then we need to finish rebuilding and send word that the island is pacified. We had a time limit...right? Maybe find someone who might want to purchase the magical 'Eye' artifact from us for a huge amount of treasure! We can explore the wreck at our leisure. Ashlei's not much for swimming... usually. Potential good loot is enough to draw her, if convinced.

=)

I'll give you the loot from P now to save time. No enemies there anyway.

Strongbox hidden in the wrecks hold.

Loot:
+1 keen cutlass,
a watertight scroll tube containing a scroll of transmute rock to mud and two scrolls of water breathing,
a jeweled scepter worth 300gp,
a coral statuette worth 125gp,
nine diamonds worth 100gp each,
380gp, 769sp, and 43cp.

Nothing world shaking. What now?

There was a big ol naked tea party with Sefina with the captain mostly playing matchmaker.... :P After we loot the wreckage we can gather up and make some planning. where shoudl we chat about this guys discussion?

After the tea-and-truth-or-dare party, Cassiopeia pulls her top back on and joins the crew in diving for treasure off the coast.

"My spells can help speed basic construction of buildings, a pier, maybe even a forge. We'll need a source of metal, though "

You'll need to get the docks ready, repair the fort, get staff and supplies fit for a feast for your guests.

So what spells and magic items are you using for construction and repairs?

Cass's most effective construction spell is fabricate, to quickly turn felled trees into lumber, but she can also get some utility out of animate rope (to improve speed and utility with knotting and getting rope over locations that don't have a pulley), unseen servant (to perform various small tasks, including moving large quantities of small items around, such as nails or wooden pegs), lighten object (halve the weight of something up to 11 cu. ft. for several minutes), expeditious excavation and expeditious construction (for making flat foundations or berms), shrink item (build a roof, shrink it, put it on top of the house, expand it; or make an anvil, shrink it, move it to where you want it, expand it), shadow conjuration (can make semi-real tools), and of course tiny hut (so we have a secure, temperature-controlled sleeping area while working on housing).

Wall of stone is my highest spell that could be useful for construction, with Stone Shape being useful for more specific touches.

I have craft ‘woodworking’ so can help with the rebuilding and dock building. I can also set things on fire… a lot. As far as a Lyre of building, I was thinking of taking a few levels in a different class. Bard can’t hurt and I can start learning skills none of the rest of the group has. Like Nature. That’s bitten out butts a few times.

After exploring the Island of Empty Eyes, investigating the ruins of Sumitha, and putting Bikendi Otongu's spirit to rest, the PCs should have some time to settle into their new home.

Still, the PCs must prepare for the upcoming visit by the lords of the Pirate Council. These emissaries will expect a proper welcome, including a feast in their honor, complete with entertainment and a retelling of the PCs' exploits on the Island of Empty Eyes.

To make a good impression, the PCs will likely want (or need) to secure additional resources, both to set up a base of operations on the island and to host a feast worthy of their important guests.

As you prepare for the upcoming visit of the lords of the Pirate Council, an interesting bit of information falls into your hands, courtesy of some judicious eavesdropping by Pierce Jerrell.

He's Eager to see you succeed in your bid to join the Pirate Council, he reports that a shipment of smuggled rum will soon be leaving Hell Harbor for Cheliax, aboard a ship called the Jester's Grin.

If you can "liberate" this cargo, you'll acquire plentiful, quality libations for your dinner party that should impress your visitors.

According to Pierce a smuggler named Fargo Vitterande captains the Jester's Grin. Rumors indicate that Vitterande uses his
cover as a smuggler to occasionally spy for Cheliax, and that he often works as a smuggler for Arronax Endymion, the ex-Chelish admiral who is lord of Hell Harbor and holds a seat on the Pirate Council.

You will also want to look to employ people to serve in your new fort. People to work as cooks, servants and craftman. And also people to work as 'Seamstresses' :).

What are you doing now? Currently reconstruction of the fort is proceeding well. Docks are being put up, but hiring carpenters and craftsmen would make things a lot quicker.

I say we send the Captain and Rhialla out in the ship(s) to gather any supplies we need, and find and hire experts and servants for the island ASAP. Especially cooks, smiths, and other well trained servants. Can we contact the Chelaxian underground? There are a lot of Halfling servants trying to escape slavery in Cheliax (and her colonies) looking for ultimate freedom and maybe a decent wage. Why not work for pirates on a liberated island! We should also try to find a charismatic Druid NPC who can negotiate with the island's various natural denizens (Nereid/Treants) and maybe help us to tame some of the giant dinosaurs/animals around the island.

I concur with Ash's assessment of our next steps. Once we start the ball rolling in hiring staff we can see about acquiring that rum.

Getting a real carpenter would be a big win. That'll let us construct a place to have a real feast as well as a port with a dock and shipyard.

That is a good point. You're opening a new town essentially. Heading for a major port like Quent and looking for craftsmen will get you people eager to sign on. Especially if you offer them land to build a business on.

You'll get the journeymen who are ready to start their own businesses but can't as their current port is fully populated by craftsmen. So not just offering them work, you offer them a place to open their own business.

The isle of empty eyes is in a good location, you can offer a port for people either coming around the eye from the north, or heading north from the shackles.

Looking at the map of the Isle your Fort is at 'B'. you have lots of land to offer, especially once you have the docks set up for ships. A port has a lot of needs to meet. Carpenters, ropemakers, masons and so on. That is before you get to people who will set up Inn's, taverns and brothels. :)

That's long term though. Currently you want the fort repaired, with food and booze of good quality for your prospective guests.

Land rush!

Once the group settles the island down, having "pacified" it, Cassiopeia lounges and says, "We should offer land holding to skilled crafters willing to settle and work here. Those who can show their skill, have a chance to start their own shops. Build a town from their ambitions. We might even want to underwrite some of the costs. I can provide a significant amount of lumber with my fabricate magic, but we need a smith to make nails. A carpenter to turn lumber into houses and buildings. A resin-worker, both for tarring ship hulls and for sealing wood so that it's not destroyed by the torrid weather. We'll need butchers and bakers to feed people, and we need to figure out where we want them to settle, organize the basics of a town, and haul in animals and plants for them to grow, so that they don't deforest the entire island just foraging for food."

"Colonization's a lot of work."

"On the up side, I can also use magic to make a sailing ship and then a skeleton crew to pilot it, and use that to help ferry over supplies."

Is there a formal large temple to Besmara anywhere nearby? If not tere will be now. i would also like to put out word that we are opening the cleared ruins to exploation to any interested as long as they sought out out permission with a permits. maybe some smart pathfinders will show up and we can make friends with them.... Lastly i would also want to contact Rhialla and I's savored sting friend and see if they would like to establish a chapter house here.

Also seeking druids, carpenters settlers (I love the idea of hitting up any Halfling wishing to flee cheliax's slaverty for a chance to be free peoples.)

Is there a formal large temple to Besmara anywhere nearby? If not there will be now.

Knowledge (Religion): Besmaran temples: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Do we have any other great ideas, or should we sleep on it and then set our cunning plans in motion on the morrow?

Give me some sense motive rolls for your employment interviews please. You find plenty of people ready to jump at opening a new port and getting their own shop.

You're going too have spend a lot to get stone, cured wood, glass and building supplies sent to your harbor for the builders to use. So let me know how much you're buying.

@Rhialla. Besmara's throne Aside from that every port in the Shackles has a temple to Besmara. Quent or Port peril being the major ones.

@Percy. Dindreann is happy to get a temple to Calistria set up on your island. So many tasty secrets to share. :)

Cass doesn't have Sense Motive, but she does have detect thoughts.

As the others talk, Esmarelda was silent until letting out a heavy sigh. "You know... I know someone who might be able to get us the items needed..." She admitted, however she did not seem too pleased about it. "Or they very well could just tell be to f**! off."

After taking a moment more she said "My father is a merchant... and while I haven't been home in a while, he might be willing to work for us if you all tell him you saved his daughter's life."

Ashlei laughs.

"I'll marry ya' if your dad will give us a discount!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

You're going too have spend a lot to get stone, cured wood, glass and building supplies sent to your harbor for the builders to use. So let me know how much you're buying.

Whats the cost in terms of how much we can get/how much we need? Between liquidating gems etc and cash on hand we've got 23,412 to spend. If we put the 5k+ for Cass to craft the lyre, I'm sure we have a bard in the crew, or can hire someone to play it.

I was about to ask the same thing Rhialla

"I wouldnt be against offereing a deal to any merchant willing to broker one. im not sure how being married to a pyro would help.

He smirked at Ash couldnt fault her for trying for sure.

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Esmarelda gave a loud chuckle. "Think not that it would be so simple." She said.

"My mother would scoff at the idea, but either way the fact does remain you saved my life. That will hold sway, just how much I cannot say at this current moment."

Sense motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Sense motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Sense motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Sense motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Sense motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

"Well it was entirely worth saving." Rhialla says with a smile, though for a fraction of a second, her eyes betray reliving that horrible moment of watching Es shattered body fall from the cyclopes' tower.

"I wouldnt be against offereing a deal to any merchant willing to broker one. im not sure how being married to a pyro would help.

With all seriousness Ashlei looks at him with an honest, but questioning look.

"EVERYBODY needs an arsonist at some point in their life. That's just...well it just IS. No exceptions."

Shaking her head sadly, she turns away...

Whoops. My mistake, I forgot to post this bit for you and your planning. We can say your decisions come after you've done all this.

Once the PCs have gathered enough resources to establish a base on the Island of Empty Eyes and host their feast, they can begin preparing for their visitors.

The Chelish fort is an obvious site for the PCs to renovate, repair, and make their own. In addition, the PCs might want to build a
dock near the fort to establish a port on the island where ships can dock.

To fully renovate the fort, the PCs must spend at least 10 points of plunder, plus the cost of any siege engines they wish to mount in the fort. Building a suitable harbor requires an additional 5 points of plunder.

A successful DC30 Craft (carpentry), Craft (stonemasonry), or similar skill check can reduce each of these costs by 1 point of plunder.

If the PCs success fully cured Ederleigh Baines's insanity, his extensive knowledge of the fort reduces the cost by
another 1 point of plunder.

If the PCs befriended the nereid Sefina, her aid reduces the cost
of building a dock by 1 point of plunder as well.

Hosting the feast itself requires a minimum of 5 points of plunder to purchase food, drink, and entertainment.

==============================================================

You manage to hire a competent collection of tradesfolk for your new port. Helped of by the fact that pirates express their dissatisfaction with poor work somewhat more nastily than the standard consumers.

One golden opportunity comes your way when you return to your port from collecting craftsmen and materials.

When you return to port, a beautiful, confident woman named Audessa Reyquio waits for you on the docks.

Audessa is the defacto leader of seven former prostitutes from a brothel in Quent.

They abandoned their previous employment after suffering one too many abuses under their harsh overseer. They bartered passage on a ship bound for Mediogalti Island, hoping to start over, but when they refused the crude advances of the ship's crew, the captain marooned them on the Island of Empty Eyes.

Now destitute and stranded, Audessa seeks an audience with you to request safe harbor for her people in exchange for honest work. Each of Audessa's courtesans also worked in their brothel's attached tavern, and is skilled in hosting parties and feasts-they can all cook, clean, sing, and dance.

It quickly becomes apparent to you that professional entertainers and
serving staff at your feast would further impress the pirate lords.

You are free to negotiate the terms of any arrangement with Audessa as they see fit, though she proves a shrewd business woman, and she expects her people to be paid fairly for their service.

So paying for all the construction. If short of plunder let me know and we will have a few encounters at sea as you go find some. :)

You have got craftspeople hired. Construction is underway. Al lthat's left is dealing with Audessa and hunting down the Rum ship

What are you doing now?

Cassiopeia does her best not to gawk, but her awe at the parade of sex workers can't be concealed. First a nereid, now an entire brothel's worth of entertainers? This must be the captain's luck, having an entire harem fall into his lap (metaphorically and literally).

When she's not gawking at the group of Workers Negotiating The Price of Virtue, Cass kicks herself for not studying mundane professional skills, since her magic relies on having some fundamental knowledge in order to automate it with spells. (Fabricate just speeds the process of doing labor on raw materials, it doesn't magically create the skill to turn trees into chairs and boats and buildings.)

"Cap'n, we should establish some ground rules with our guests. No cutting or beating on the entertainment. Breaking that rule is grounds for immediate ejection from the festivities. If we don't promise at least that, I suspect that Audessa and her professionals will walk."

"We might consider setting up a fighting ring for muscle-bound guys who like to blow off steam by punching each other, and maybe an axe-throwing competition. I'll see about making some fireworks as a display for folks like Ash to enjoy."

I need at least an 18 to hit a DC of 30. If anyone can throw an Aid check on this it can't hurt for an additional bonus.

Craft: Carpentry: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Nope. Unless I get multiple checks on the roll somehow? I think we should build a large panic room/shelter deep in the fort for the civilians in case the island ever gets invaded/attacked or hit by a hurricane. Stock it with emergency supplies too. The old hidden treasure room we found would work nicely as a start. Just expand on that maybe?

There are some spells that give you big skill bonuses, but I don't have any of them. Maybe Rhialla has access to them as a cleric?

OK. The current costs: Fort 10PP - Ederleigh Baines assistance. 9pp.

Docks 5PP - Sefina's assistance 4PP.

You can take 10 on crafts checks. So Ashlei would currently be sitting on 22

PP = Plunder points.

Give me a day and I can prepare and cast:
Bestow Insight +4 to skill I have 1 rank in, or roll twice
Visualization of The Mind +5 to Int based skills.
Fox's Cunning +4 to Int (+2 to Int based skills)

That would get Ashlei to +29 and getting to roll twice taking the better of the two rolls.