Skulls and Shackles Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Aishe speaks quietly to the others, "We should head into the ravine first; it's our goal, after all. If it turns out that we don't find much there, then we can investigate this other segment more easily."

Question for the GM: Would we have reclaimed the Helm of Underwater Acton from our brawler? It was, after all, a party item. If so, who wants it?

Charles nods.

"Business first, then we can see what other treasures there are to be found!"

Yes you would have reclaimed the helm as it is quite useful for this campaign :)

Take it charles!

"Let us follow the ring first!"

Following the ring the groups swims past the bow of the ship and deeper into the rift. Heading further down the temperature of the water quickly begins to drop as the light from the surface diminishes to complete darkness. You begin to feel the weight of the water crush against your body.

At the bottom of the chasm, the rift’s walls narrow and slope inwards, forming a ravine of pitch-black freezing water. The floor drops away at the northwest end into a vast sinkhole that continues even deeper underwater.

Each minute that you are down here the pressure deals 1d6 damage and the cold deals 1d6 non-lethal damage

The Brine Banshee’s stern rests upright at the bottom of the rift, wedged against a shelf of dark rock in the short distance.

Initial Pressure Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Cold Non-lethal Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

B1

The ship’s helm still stands atop this deck, a moldering corpse
lashed to the wheel.

B2

The mizzenmast juts up forlornly at
the center of this deck. Its moldering sails hang lifelessly
in the chill, dark water. A set of double doors stand to the east while stairs lead further into the dark rotted ship.

Charles nods to the body lashed to the mast.

"Is that the one we are looking for?"

He then swims over for a closer look.

Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27.

What are you guys using for a light source?

Charles looks over the skeleton. The decomposing corpse almost seems to stand watch over the helm as it is tied to the mast. Though most of it's gear is in tatters there are a few items that still seem to be intact.

• Corroded masterwork cold iron rapier bejeweled with precious stones (450 gp)
  
• Amber ring that radiates magic
  DC 24 Spellcraft:

  Ring of Force Shield
  
  
• Platinum Plated compass (250 gp)
  
• Even the ship's wheel radiates with a moderate transmutation aura
  DC 26 Spellcraft:

  This is Jalhazar's Wheel

Jack uses his detect evil ability. If there is none he will help charles take the valuables and the ships wheel.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Aishe casts light on her boarding pike, and helps as she can to retrieve any items of value.

Retrieving the items Aishe casts light on her boarding pike. The light gleams off of the pale bones creating a haunting impression throughout the eerie waters.

Improved Bull rush vs Charles CMD 23: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

As the light illuminates Charles is suddenly torn away from the group by a massive creature swimming at a great speed slamming into him. The creature is armored in dense, bony plates with four arms. It drools wretched strings of black bile from it's fanged maw

Round 1
Aishe
Charles
Natalie
Jack
--------------------------
Monster
--------------------------

Charles waits until he has a flank, then roars in anger, and starts to rage, his form Blurring as he attacks the monster!

Zul: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 34, for 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 damage.
Zul: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 25, for 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 damage.

KNowledge Nature: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

Natalie attempts to identify what sort of monster this is, but in the meantime is quite happy to blast it with some spells. Spending a point from her arcane reservoir, 5 missiles streak form her hand and slam into the creature.

Damage Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Damage Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Damage Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Damage Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Damage Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Knowledge (Nature, World Traveler): 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 3 = 19

"A Charda!"

Move action: Begin bard song (Inspire Courage)
Standard action: Attack Charda

Attack (+1 Boarding Pike of Repelling, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 27
Damage (+1 Boarding Pike of Repelling, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 6 = 13

Need a swim check from Natalie and Jack each round as they are the only ones able to fail the check. It is only during combats and just because it will affect your AC and weapon damage.

Aishe quickly brings the group to their senses as she jabs the boarding pike into the Giant Charda.

Charles' form blurs as he enters a state of rage unlike anything the Charda. Zul tears into the hard shell as it hisses like steam coming from a kettle.

Five missiles of force spring from Natalie's outstretched hand and slam into the wounded Charda.

Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage

Round 1
Aishe (40/52; 5 NL)
Charles (54/60; 5 NL)
Natalie (45/51; 5 NL)
Jack
--------------------------
Monster (-61)
--------------------------

KnowNature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Swim: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
With a quick action Jack asks for his bane ability.
He then shoots an arrow at the Charda.
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 181d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 7 + (4, 5) = 17

Swim: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6

Jack fires his bow at the large Charda but the arrow seems to be slowed by the water as it harmlessly clatters off of the hard chitin shell.

The Charda turns it's head and spews forth freezing black bile from it's mouth in a large cone. The black bile completely engulfs Aishe and Natalie as it freezes their skin forming small crystals in the dark waters.

Black Bile Cold Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 5, 3, 1, 6, 5) = 33 DC 18 Reflex for Half
Breath Rounds: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage

Round 2
Aishe (7/52; 5 NL)
Charles (54/60; 5 NL)
Natalie (12/51; 5 NL)
Jack (46/52; 5 NL)
--------------------------
Monster (-61)
--------------------------

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Seeing Jack's aim is a little off, Aishe casts a quick spell to correct it.
Gallant Inspiration: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 (immediate action during Jack's turn. It adds to Jack's last attack, bringing the total to hit to 22.)

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 (24/52, 5 NL)

Aishe avoids the brunt of the charda's attack, but she feels the chill sink deep into her bones. We need to bring this thing down quickly... She thrusts once more with her boarding pike.

Standard action: Attack Charda
Attack (+1 Boarding Pike of Repelling, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 21
Damage (+1 Boarding Pike of Repelling, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 6 = 13

In a frothing fury, Charles continues to stab at the creature with Zul!

Zul: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 24, for 1d8 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 27 damage.

Zul: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 20, for 1d8 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 20 damage.

Natalie takes the entire brunt of the cold black mist as she blocks it from reaching Aishe.

Aishe boosts Jacks arrow a bit more but it does not seem to be enough as it still clatters against the hard armor as does her boarding pike as a dull thud is heard in the darkness.

Charles continues to stab at the large Charda with Zul. The trident's first strike is able to crack a large gaping hold in the hard plating.

Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage

Round 2
Aishe (24/52; 5 NL)
Charles (54/60; 5 NL)
Natalie (12/51; 5 NL)
Jack (46/52; 5 NL)
--------------------------
Monster (-88)
--------------------------

Natalie will back off out of range, while blasting with her same spell as last time.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Swim Check: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

Finding the precision lacking Jack invokes his power of judgement.
Swim: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
AttackDA: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 171d8 + 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + (6, 5) + 7 = 23

Natalie's arcane bolts flash through the dark water, leaving a sickly white glow as they slam into the hard shell with dull thuds that seem to reverberate in the calm waters.

Once again Jack's arrow is slowed by the waters as the arrow veers off course.

The Chardaturns back to Charles as it bites at the large man while four claws grasp out at him.

Bite vs Charles AC 24: 1d20 + 15 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 15 - 3 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 6 = 17
Blur Miss Chance Low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 99

Claw 1 vs Charles AC 24: 1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 16 - 3 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 6 = 14
Blur Miss Chance Low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 32

Claw 2 vs Charles AC 24: 1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 16 - 3 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 6 = 13
Blur Miss Chance Low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 13

Claw 3 vs Charles AC 24: 1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 3 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 6 = 12
Blur Miss Chance Low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 53

Claw 4 vs Charles AC 24: 1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 16 - 3 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 6 = 13
Blur Miss Chance Low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 92

Though Charles defenses may be sound, he is quickly overwhelmed by the amount of attacks from the creature as the creature's razor sharp teeth and one of it's claws make it through his thick armor.

Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage

Round 3
Aishe (24/52; 5 NL)
Charles (25/60; 5 NL)
Natalie (12/51; 5 NL)
Jack (46/52; 5 NL)
--------------------------
Monster (-103)
--------------------------

Refusing to be cowed, Charles continues to stab at the creature!

Zul: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 33, for 1d8 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 27 damage.

Zul: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 13, for 1d8 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 26 damage.

I'll hold my turn until after Aishe + Jack + Charles have successfully attacked, I'd prefer seeing if its still up before using one of my limited spells.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 191d8 + 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (7) + (2, 3) + 7 = 19

With a solid strike Charles splits the beast wide open. The dark liquid soon fills the water as it's insides disperse.

Combat Over

Swimming over Jack casts Clw on Natalie then charles.
CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Thanks Jack. We should keep moving, before the depths crush the life out of us..."

Aishe renews her light spell and begins searching.

Perception (Familiar): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 2 = 23
Perception (Familiar): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21
Perception (Familiar): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27

Jack tends to Charles and Natalie's wounds as Aishe searches around a bit.

Aishe does not find much else of use except what was on the skeleton. On the main deck she sees two sets of stairs leading below and a set of double doors leading east.

Pressure Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Cold Non-Lethal Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

The cold and pressure get to the group once again.

Sorry for the delay...work's been absolutely insane lately

Aishe makes her way quickly to the double doors and opens them, ready for anything.

Heh - just realized how much damage Aishe had taken...whoops.

Before opening the door, Aishe quaffs a couple of healing potions.

Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11
Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 8) + 3 = 19

(48/52 HP, 0 NL)

Aishe opens the large set of double doors. The Double doors open into an opulently appointed master cabin. Three curtained windows at the stern hold shattered panes of glass. A large desk remains bolted to the floor; the other expensive fittings have been thrown about. The captain’s charts and papers are illegible, despite being inside waterproofed pouches. In a side cupboard, crystal glassware and fine porcelain plates are completely smashed, but underneath rests a tray of Taldan silverware. Under the shattered bed lies a wand with small etchings depicting the wind carved into the side.

The pressure and coldness of these depths continue to slowly crush your armor and bones.

Pressure Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Non-lethal Cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Hmm, how many healing potions do we have? Both Charles and I are fairly low

Mentioning for the others to get up Jack starts to undo the wheel to carry it up with him.

Spellcraft (Take 10): 10 + 8 = 18

I've forgotten - what are we supposed to get from here?

Quick recap. Sandboxes witha buttload of clues sucha s this one are bound to get a little muddled.

Slip, from the Temple of Hidden Names told you that a famous ship called the Brine
Banshee mysteriously disappeared several months ago. The
Brine Banshee was said to have been one of the fastest ships
in the Shackles, with unparalleled handling for a vessel
its size, which many believed were the result of several
potent spells woven into the ship. If the PCs can find what
happened to the Brine Banshee, and discover the secret of its
unprecedented speed and maneuverability, they can trade
this knowledge for the information they seek. You used the bone and ring from Fitch to track dow the vessel which is where you are at now.

Leads towards Spy:
Tessa Fairwind:
1. House of Stolen Kisses in Quent. Temple of Calistria.
2. Temple of Hidden Names, secret Temple of Norgorber in Beachcomber on Bag Island.
House of Stolen Kisses:
1. Spy Information in exchange for acquiring the Golden Vespal statue. The Temple of Hidden Names possibly has a clue to the whereabouts.
2. One of the Temple’s patrons, a half-elf scrimshander in Drenchport named Jaymiss Keft, claimed to have knowledge of a spy operating in the Shackles.
3. A retired ship’s doctor in the port of Ollo named Haneilius Fitch claims to have a means to locate the Brine Banshee, but is looking for someone to bankroll his expedition.
Temple of Hidden Names:
1. Spy information in exchange for secrets about the Brine Banshee. The House of Stolen Kisses possibly has a clue to it's whereabouts.
2. Information about the wreckers that hold the Golden Vespal statue. Led by half-orc wizard named Vakarla from hidden island base SE of Rampore Isles.

Everyone still there?

So basically, we need to find out why it was so fast.

"We need to keep looking, before the thrice-damned pressure does us in!"

Charles then moves to continue his investigations.

of c

Anything we can do about the pressure GM or do we really just have to muddle through it. This mechanic is really proving difficult without a dedicated divine healing class - it would be nice to circumnavigate this somehow.

Protection from cold? summon aquatic help?

Life Bubble is about the only readily-available thing that I can think of, and we don't have access to that, just yet.

All of the above. Though really just basic healing should get you guys over. One is normal damage while the other is non-lethal. So one healing should get rid of both damage. It is supposed to go off once a minute but that is a little more difficult in PbP so basically I have been having the damage go off upon entering each room and at the end of each fight.

That being said. Jack did take a magical wheel earlier that noone has made the Spellcraft Dc on to identify yet. Not saying that it was the source of the Brine Banshee's speed but *Cough Cough* Overall this depends on how much risk you want to take for additional treasure as there is much more to explore.

Well, I vote for continuing to search, at least for the moment.

I'm fine with continuing to search, but I do object to 3 rounds of combat suddenly becoming 10...