Skulls and Shackles Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Is there anything to do at Tidewater Rock?

Not a lot but just leaving options open. This book is a huge sandbox. Basically it is a good centralized point to be able to spot ships instead of wandering about the sea in hopes of some. Stuff like that. But there are events everywhere.

In that case, why don't we stay at Tidewater Rock for a bit, and if we spot any passing ships or something, we can attack them, seems like best of both worlds really.

Sounds like a plan!

Somia wouldn't mind a few days comfort of the rock, rather than on-board ship.

The group spends a few days on the island, some preparing for Jack's impending wedding while others spend it charting ship's travel routes along the Shackles as the massive tower makes a great vantage point allowing you to see miles about all around you.

On the third day, merely days before the wedding Aishe notices a large pillar of smoke into the distance of the Shackles. Seeing as there is no land anywhere near the pillar of smoke it could only be a ship on fire.

Viviana frowns slightly in puzzlement "A ship on fire...perhaps another pirate ship hunting in our waters?"

Charles shrugs.

"It might be worth investigating... either we learn of another foe hunting in our waters, or we pick up more crew/plunder."

Getting ready to set sails again Jack jumps for the opportunity to sail again. "Let us see what Besmara has send us. Tally hoo"
Jack will wear his new ironshirt, as sign of the marriage. I assume it is a chainshirt?

Aishe smiles at the prospect of returning to the waves and joins the others on the Fortune.

"It's certainly worth a look, I suppose we should refrain from letting the sailors get too relaxed anyway."

Will you be back in time for the wedding Jack? The lady rushes to the door as Jack and crew rush to the ship.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

A few hours before sundown the crew of Besmara's Fortune load up and head out in the direction of the black pillar of smoke. Off to the east, a column of black smoke rises into the sky.

As you round the corner you see that two miles away is a single masted Chelish Naval Cutter, the Famished Mane grappled together with a pirate brig, the Vorgsfang.

Ambrose looks around. Should we ass or flee before the Chelaxian's catch sight of us? If you decide to attack we should approach with the setting sun behind us to go about unnoticed. It is a tried and true tactic that I have seen used many times.

Viviana hesitates "Jack, I can take the wheel if you need the time to cast your magic" she offers, before responding to Ambrose "I vote we attack with the sun behind us as you suggest, maximum surprise value...if its one thing I have learnt, its to NEVER fight on your opponents terms"

The Besmara's Promise skims through the waters with the bright setting sun at it's tail. As it gets closer Charles notices that the Chelaxians are in the process of locking the pirates down below decks as a group of sorcerers set fire to the ship with gouts of flame.

The fire begins to spread along the sails and mast as the Chelaxians hop back aboard their vessel. Just as they are about to break their tow to the Vorsfang the Besmara's Promise appears right beside the Famished Mane quickly slamming boarding planks between the two ships, locking them together.

Party gets a surprise round action. Then go on to the Init list below.

Charles
Viviana
Jack
Aishe
Somia
-----------------------------
Chelish Marines
Chelish Sorcerers
-----------------------------

Surprise Round:

With a roar, Charles launches himself across the boarding plank, charging one of the Chelish foes (Sorceror?)!

MW Cold Iron Greatsword, Charge, Rage (versus flat-footed): 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 17, for 2d6 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 12 + 3 = 26 damage.

Since they are using fire, I will elect to take Resist Energy (Fire) as my free spell whilst raging.

I am pretty sure I cannot charge in a surprise round, so I'll spend a move action (in my suprise round), to trigger Martial Flexibility (Dragon Style), and then spend my actual round Charging into the unfortunate fellow in front of me.

CHARGE (add in any bonuses to this roll of someone uses the surprise round to buff): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
DAMAGE (add in any bonuses to this roll of someone uses the surprise round to buff): 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Boom

Jack will first cast divine favor on himself and then will follow with a blistering invecitve. Int: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

@Viviana - in a surprise round you can 'partial charge' - basically a charge, except you can only move up to your base movement speed as part of the charge, instead of twice.

Round 1:

Charles continues his assault!

Either targeting his existing target (if he wasn't dropped by the first attack), or moving across to the other ship and targeting the guy with the blue ring.

MW Cold Iron Greatsword: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23, for 2d6 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 12 + 3 = 26 damage.

If she can Somia will cast Cloak of Winds just before combat, if not she'll do that in the surprise round

Spying the Sorcerer on the prow of the ship, Somia starts to move towards the stairs, looking casual. Not quite sure on the relative heights on the ship, can I target him with Hydraulic Push? If so will do so

Magical CMB(bull rush): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Surprise Round

Aishe casts a spell, causing multiple copies of her to spring into being.

Standard action: Cast mirror image
Images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Round 1

Aishe rushes onto the ship to assist in the battle, and begins singing an inspiring song.

Move action: As indicated on the map
Standard action: Begin bard song (14 rounds remaining, +2 competence bonus to hit/damage, +2 morale bonus to saves vs. fear)

The group catches the pirates by surprise as Charles rushes forward slicing down the sorcerer in one swing before the man has any time to continue casting. Once he is finished he attemts to cross over to the Vorsfang. I need a climb check or a acrobatics check to get over there as there are no planks and just ropes. You movement will not get you to the man in blue with enough to attack but it will get you close to him.

Viviana focuses on her style as she rushes onto the ship in sync with Charles, easily slamming her knee into the unfortunate man's face, dropping him to the deck in a pile.

Jack asks for a personal favor from Besmara as he begins to spout the most profane tirade at the only sailor left within listening range. The tirade seems to demoralize the sailor as he looks warily at Jack, a bit unsure of what to do. His skin begins to blister all over as he clutches his sides. He does not catch fire

damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7
Reflex save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Aishe quickly weaves a complex spell as images appear all around her, mimicking her every move, while moving right into a song of battle.

Somia casts a spell as winds whip all about her body. She quickly catches up with Viviana and Aishe. The tiers are about 5-7 feet height apart from each other so you would not have Line of Sight to the sorcerer up top.

I will wait on Charles check to advance the enemies as it will determine what they do if he makes it over to the Vorsfang or not

Charles
Viviana
Jack
Aishe
Somia
-----------------------------
Chelish Marines (Famished Mane -7 HP)
Chelish Sorcerers
-----------------------------

Blistering invective is an AOE effect, targeting each enemy in 30 feet radius around me

Yes it is. The squares are 10 feet. Viviana and Charles killed the other two sailors that ere within range of your blistering invective leaving the remaining on in the NW.

Climb: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22.

I stand corrected... at least one feels my the true power of my wrath!

You are also level 5 Charles

Charles easily climbs his way across to the Vorsfang as the flames lick it's sails.

The two Chelish marines charge into Charles with their cutlasses, both cutlasses sink in deep into Charles skin.

Cutlass vs Charles AC 18: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Cutlass vs Charles AC 18: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

The eastern Sorcerer charges a spell in his hand as he sees that Charles is occupied by the marines. He climbs down the stairs, placing his glowing hand on Charles' side. Charles feels as if he is being struck by lightning as his banded mail smokes from the electricity coursing through his body.

Melee Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

The Northern Marine lets loose an orb of force that arcs around the marines as it Slams into Charles with force.

MM damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Meanwhile on the Vorsfang the Chelish Marine stands shaking at Jack as he brings himself into a better position. The Sorcerer on the Vorsfang clamors down the stairs as he weaves a spell into fruition. Waves of flames erupt from his hands as it washes over Aishe and Somia

Burning Hands: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
Reflex DC 14 saving throw for half damage

Charles (3/36 HP)
Viviana
Jack
Aishe (35/38 HP)
Somia (25/28 HP)
-----------------------------
Chelish Marines (Famished Mane -7 HP)
Chelish Sorcerers
-----------------------------

Viviana smiles at the spellcaster, before walking up to him and slugging him in the jaw.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

Thanks for the reminder. FYI, I am raging at present, so my AC is 16, and I have 59 hp total.

Roaring in pain, Charles nonetheless manages to lash out at the sorceror that touched him.

MW Cold Iron Greatsword: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 23, for 2d6 + 14 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 14 + 3 + 2 = 24 damage.

If Viviana's attack misses, Aishe will cast Gallant Inspiration as an immediate action, adding 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 to her attack roll.

Aishe rushes across the deck and leaps the gap between the Famished Mane and the Vorsfang, thrusting her boarding pike at Charles' attackers.

Free action: Maintain bard song (13 rounds remaining, +2 competence bonus to hit/damage, +2 morale bonus to saves vs. fear)
Move action: As indicated on map
Acrobatics (Familiar): 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 3 = 21

Standard action: Attack sorcerer (if alive) or sailor (if not)
Attack (Boarding Pike of Repelling +1, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 20
Damage (Boarding Pike of Repelling +1, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 17

Looking for the captain Jack will start shooting declaring human as his bane ability.
RaSh,DA,Bane: 1d20 + 3 + 3 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 3 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 191d6 + 2d6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + (1, 2) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 14
RaSh,DA,Bane: 1d20 + 3 + 3 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 3 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 251d6 + 2d6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (4, 1) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 15

Leaving Vivianna to deal with the sorcerer, Somia slips behind her to get a view of the other ship. With a muttured word and a whiplike gesture a translucent glowing whip springs into existence near another sorcerer.
Spiritual Whip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 Dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Charles cleaves his large sword at the shocking sorcerer as he cleaves the man's arm and part of his head off.

Viviana swings her fist at the sorcerer near her but glances off of a magical armor, Aishe quickly inspires her an causes her fist to crack right past the man's magical defenses breaking his neck

Jack easily sinks two arrows into the marine aboard the Famished Mane dropping the man onto the deck.

Aishe runs towards the Vorsfang, grasping a rope as she swings over to the ship stabbing her boarding pike into the unfortunate marine.

Somia creates a magical whip that cracks out at the sorcerer, glancing off of it's magical defenses.

The lone marine slices his cutlass at the raging bloodrager once again but Charles easily moves out of the way.
Cutlass vs Charles AC 16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

The two sorcerers move to a better position as two rays of acid flow at Charles.

Acidic Ray 1: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 4 = 4
Acidic Ray 2: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 4 = 7

Both rays flow wide all over the deck of the ship with a sharp hiss.

Charles (11/44 HP)
Viviana
Jack
Aishe (35/38 HP)
Somia (25/28 HP)
-----------------------------
Chelish Marines
Chelish Sorcerers
-----------------------------

Everyone is too far away, so Viviana moves and uses Total Defence action for a standard (since everyone is still out of reach).

EDIT

Charles is an unstoppable force of nature.

Still in a blood-boiling rage, Charles hacks away at the marine in front of him.

MW Cold Iron Greatsword: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 29, for 2d6 + 14 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 14 + 3 + 2 = 24 damage.

If that drops the marine, he will then move in the direction of one of the sorcerers.

Aishe makes her way across the deck of the Vorsfang, thrusting her boarding pike at the nearest sorcerer.

Free action: Maintain bard song (12 rounds remaining, +2 competence bonus to hit/damage, +2 morale bonus to saves vs. fear)
Move action: As indicated on map
Standard action: Attack sorcerer
Attack (Boarding Pike of Repelling +1, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 21
Damage (Boarding Pike of Repelling +1, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 12

Moving closer Jack will shoot an arrow on the left marine.
DA: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 223d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) + 6 = 13

Somia leaves her whip to it's own devices (it should keep attacking the same target) and softly utters magic syllables to lull the other Sorcerer into sleep.

Sleep Hex (Will DC16 or sleep 4 rounds).
Spiritual Whip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Charles shoves his sword into the marine in front of him as Jack sinks an arrow into the man's chest and quickly moves onto the sorcerer on the lower deck.

Viviana moves forward staying defensive

Aishe slams her pike into the sorcerer as Somia's whip whip wraps around his neck ending the man's life.

Somia weaves a curse as she puts the remaining Chelish sorcerer to sleep
Will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Combat Over

Charles and Aishe hear the screams from the trapped pirates coming from the hold of the Vorsfang.

Charles rubs his hands together gleefully.

"Right then, not only have we got at least one new vessel to add to our nascent fleet, it sounds like we have acquired a potential crew!"

He then moves to rescue the pirates from, the hold.

Any chance to save one of the ships?
Helping Charles Jack moves over and throws a rope to the trapped crew.

Aishe walks over and binds the sorcerer before he wakes.

That's something I've been curious about, GM - any room in the books for creating a fleet, or are we, as pirates, intended to be pretty much solo?

How damaged is the Vorsfang, it was mentioned it's sails were alight, does it also have hull damage etc? If it's salvagable do we have enough crew between rescuees and our own to skeleton crew the two ships back to the Rock? Or can we tow it, if it's sails are shot?

Charles lifts the grate from the hold. As he does a large billow of black smoke is released from the hold as are 14 of the pirates that were below hacking and coughing. Thank you! We must hurry there is fire below also. The smoke was beginning to fill the hold of the ship.

Hmm. Well right now the Vorsfang is pretty unsalvageable. Though the Famished Mane is in good condition. It is a sailing ship same as Besmara's Fortune. There is a spot far later that deals with fleet combat though I do not see why you would not be able to gather ships as long as you have somewhere to dock all of them and crew them. They are unsailable without a crew. Minimum crew for a sailing ship is 20 people. You are able to sail a ship with up to half of a crew but at a -10 profession check. any less and the boat basically just drifts. Same with failed checks. As of the moment your ship only has 21 personnel. I guess I am fine with it but don't forget that it would be wise to also refit each ship if you do as ship's follow names and appearances. If a stolen one were to port somewhere that it shouldn't that could be very bad.

Guess what I am trying to say is I am fine with gathering ships though it may be quite a bit to actually gather enough crew to effectively man them without the fear of losing a crew member and being cast adrift at sea and the refit costs.

With so little crew I am more in favor to drag this ship either to a safe harboar or sell it.

[b]"Get everyone we can off the Vorsfang and cut it loose, before the fire spreads to the 'Mane."[b]

Somia will watch the flames and use magic to keep them away from the Vorsfang if necessary.

Aishe gathers the party together on the deck of the Fortune. "Okay, so we potentially have another ship, and this one likely needs to be squibbed as well, if we're to keep it. Do we send the Fortune back with a loyal skeleton crew and take this ship to Rickety's? Do we trust that these sailors enough to take our plunder and pay for Rickety's services, and meet us back at Tidewater Rock? Do we split up our happy captainship to split duties between both ships, and take both of them to Rickety's? Do we recruit from these others and leave the new boat to the waves?" She looks to the others for their opinions.

"Let's take stock of what plunder lies aboard this ship first, if it has more than enough to pay for it's own squibbing, then a second ship could be invaluable, perhaps in time we can split duties to a ship each, instead of a shared captaincy?"

Once back on the ship and with the flames under control the Vorsfang begins to sink. Somia quickly takes stock of what is aboard the Famished Mane and the bodies of the marines.

She finds:

Six vials that contain an oil of bless weapon

Six potions that have a light shimmery hue. They look just like the last few CLW potions you found. Figure you know what that looks like by now

And there seems to be about 1 point of plunder in the hold in treasure and baubles.

The pirates move up to Viviana and Charles. Thanks fer that. We were shurly doomed there. They boarded us and killed our Cap'n. Though I believe we also killed theirs in the fray but we were unprepared fer them casters. We owe ye our lives and we are at ye disposal. The man nods

You gain the Vorsfang's remaining crew of 14 pirates

Excellent.

Where to now?