At the huscarl's direction the karvi is put out to sea once more, and the ongoing discussions fall against a backdrop of oars and waves.
Gromr chuckles at Torgeir's words as he wrings his hands to rough away the flecks of dried blood still against his skin.
For the rest of the vikingr they listen to what is said, but not many proffer opinions of their own. Gummi makes sure to give Gylfir an elbow and sage nod to signal his approval, while the three brothers fall closer to Kjell's views. Kitta and Ellisif are somewhat morose, and look upon Gromr with wary eyes... obviously troubled by the action he took at the village where there was not need.
O'er it all Samr's voice cries out from the prow, singing a tale of Jarl Strom Sunbilt. The ursurper came to power riding the backs of wizards bought with coin and foul pacts made with beings from the nether planes. His reign was short, brought down when the clans arose as one to cut him down and hunt the mercenary sorcerers down to the last man, only resting when all of their blood was spilt.
The next few weeks pass fruitlessly, you reave North and South along the isles - but never find plundring worthy of note. The villages seen are either too sparse or well defended to warrant being sacked by but a single karvi. Resupply is taken on stretches of empty beach, though stores grow gradually thinner and talk turns to returning Northwards with what has already been won. But the huscarl make choice to linger a while longer before returning.
It is just past midday two days before you would be forced to return North when an opportunity arises. In the distance, Hronarr is the first to notice a three master making sail eastwards and towards distant land. The karvi is coming upon her from athwartships and the prey is struggling. The mainmast has been brought down - though you cannot ken by what from this distance. She is sitting low in the water though...
Perception:
From his berth Torgeir squints at the distant ship, discerning what he can from its lie and cut;
:
:
Then shrugs his burly shoulders and awaits orders...
"A pirate vessel! She's been wounded and is listing. No doubt they've taken fat prey recently, do we relieve them of their burden? I'd hate for her to sink under all that extra weight."
Jorleif smiles, "I believe giving these pirates 'aid' in their time of need is the only option here. We'll carry what is in their hold for them, while they can go on their way."
Let's get after em' then!
Glad for a real threat, "Aye. Let's thank them with iron for gathering the last of our loot."
The dvergr scowls that keener eyes than his ruined orb saw the signs of pirates.
álfr augurd skita
Torgeir spits, then nods towards Gromr as he readies ax and shield;
"Blod-yrkja biðar..."
"Hah, yes, this looks to be a worthy battle. Surtr, trouble ahead!"
A chillingly sadistic laugh begins in the huscarl's throat and echoes the length of the karvi. Without so much as taking a backward look to garner your intent Samr stands tall near the prow, leaning forward towards your prey while at the same time bellowing [b]"Row you bastards row... we'll eat our fill tonight.
Backs are put to oars to augment the drive of your sail as you spear towards the listing pirate vessel. As Samr stands sentinel, Njall moves the length of the karvi with whispered words and directions. His blood is up as well, but he also knows that the crew complement aboard the pirate's vessel likely dwarfs your own... blood will be spilt... and some will likely die before the day is through. But it is days like these that vikingr live for.
The plan for boarding is laid out as follows...
- The karvi will be brought up from just aft of the pirate's broadside, so as to limit ability for any weapons to be brought to bear
- As she's listing, the karvi will come alongships from the aft
- Grapnels will be used to get access to the top deck, as the karvi's deck will lie below the pirate's
- If there's a close enough porthole, then boarding axes could be used to open it up and give a second entry
- Kitta and Ellisif will remain aboard the karvi to keep it at an even keel, and alongside
- Light crossbows are available to any who didn't bring a ranged weapon
Gylir will nod that he will take a crossbow and a few bolts as the weapons are offered, but continues his hard row to build up the needed momentum.
Torgeir disdains the notion of not fighting face-to-face and also rows hard as the karvi nears its wounded prey...
The karvi glides nearer to your prey, and you spy activity on the decks showing that the pirates have seen you coming. A loud creak and thump on the pirate vessel are followed by a oar length iron-tipped bolt arcing out over the water... but it falls well forward of the karvi. It would seem that you're inside their firing arc and closing fast. A distant hubbub of cries and orders are heard, and some archers appear on the pirate vessel's aft to rain arrows in your direction.
Seated as you are at the oars, you're well protected and the missiles are ill-aimed, clattering off the prow, or over-aiming the karvi. But you'd wager that if you stood to return fire on approach, that you'd probably present a tasty profile for aiming.
Roluo continues to bend the oar, lacking the skill to hit a target at this range.
My sister shoots straighter!
Gylfir kisses the coin tied at his throat and continues rowing
Round 1: Casts Shield; Effective AC 17
Round 2: Rows and draws in the chain dangling in the water.
The berserkr rows hard and nods towards his bloodthirsty oar mate as he does, muttering in a voice as flat and hard as his battered features;
"Neinn miskunn sjá ævi bróðir..."
The rest of the vikingr share your disdain for the less noble art of archery and bend their back and row like there was a linnorm bearning down on the karvi. The fast approach seems to put the bowmen off their guard and their aim is ill wrought... only a single lucky shot arcing through to mark Njall's thigh with blood.
Asyou draw near, Samr's voice rises above the creak of timber and crash of waves "Stow the oars... make ready the grapples... let the döda mördare board första... nei mercy, gut de svarta jävlarna" and a flurry of movement breaks out on board your karvi. Your oarsmen grip grappels with short rope tail, readying them to throw. Kitta moves forward ready to balance the karvi against the pirate ship. Weapons checked, helms donned, oaths uttered, curses spat, mouths froth, hackles rise and blood boils... ready for the fray.
As you get ever closer you can make out your prey, unwashed and yellow toothed cut-throats all. There are a number in the sails and on the decks, scurrying to prepare the same as you are. Among the lesser pirates a few figures stand out - a well dressed and iron faced man at the wheel... a red bearded northman with arms the size of tree trunks... a scarred hulk with a leering grin... and then the crunch comes.
A shudder as wood kisses wood, then creaks tortuously as the vessels carve tracks into the other along their flank. The first volley of attacks is made, filth flung from buckets from pirates perched in the rigging and onto each of you. A foul mixture of bilge water and human effluent rain down, bringing bile into your throat.
As the forward momentum halts, your kinsmen hurl grapnels and hold the ropes tight as the opposing ships rails are snagged. Roaring with the fury of the north, Samr leads the assault unto the yellow bellied southerner's ship...
Jorleif sees the filth coming and manages to cover his nose and mouth in time.
Reflex Save:
After seeing and smelling the filth flying at his companions, Kjell spews the contents of his stomach as he quickly clambers onto the boat to F-13, and he attacks the Pirate at E-14.
Climb:
Die scum!
Axe Att:
Axe Dam:
Not caring about the disdain for archery, Jorleif will start picking off the pirates in the rigging, aiming for any of them that could endanger the döda mördare on the other ship.
Attack with shortbow
Damage
Sickened: The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Úlfarr takes a full bucket right on the head and turns his mouth to the side before throwing up his least meal while Surtr dances between the buckets effortlessly.
Stubborn about continuing, he attempts to help launch Surtr up to the deck by cupping his hands to help the wolf leap onto the ship.
Behind him, Surtr springs forward, attempting to use his master's hands to launch onto the ship.
Round 1
HP = 10/10
AC = 16
Weapon Equipped = None
Speed = 30'
Bardic Performance Left = 7/7
Bard Spells Known (CL 1, +2 melee touch, +2 ranged touch):
1 *DC 14 2/2 Grease*, Cure Light Wounds*
0 *DC 13 (at will) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation*, Light, Spark*
Status Effects = None
Getting his shield up in time to avoid the refuse, Roluo climbs behind the others and prepares for combat.
:
Torgeir raises his shield hearing the rain of skit pepper its metal.
Scowling the dvergr feels the fiery rage inside him ignite as whisps of steam trail his rush towards the pirate vessel;
:
The berserkr deftly lands on the deck of their victims and with a roar launches a swing at nearest foe as the embers of his heitr blóð ignite...
:
:
Gylfir cranes his next, his curiosity getting the best of him, "What exactly are they...pfft,pfft,pfft"
"They are going to pay for that."
Gylfir mounts the deck and approaches his first foe, hoping his s*#t-streaked visage is the last thing the pirate sees in this life.
Kjell boards the pirate's ship and buries his axe deep in the chest of a startled buccaneer.
Jorleif stands firm and puts an arrow into one of the lofty bucket hurlers.
Ulfarr manages to just cast off the impact of being covered in effluent to pave the way for Surtr to leap aboard the pirates boat.
Roluo vaults aboard, but his blow is ill-aimed.
Torgeir joins the assault and his axe bites flesh, but the rakish man who is his prey twists away and prevents the blow being mortal.
Gylfir joins the fray like a vengeful spöke and the ancor blasts through the unlucky dwarf's defenses to blast through a collarbone and turn his ribcage concave. He goes down frothing.
At the head of the karvi, both huscarl launch into the boat of the sjörövare with beard and hair streaming behind them.
Njall Greataxe: for
Samr Greataxe: for
Njall ends the pirate nearest the rope, while Samr deals similarly with the next inboard, a burly half-orc near the mast who spins in place before collapsing in a growing puddle of crimson.
Kitta and Ellisif remain upon the karvi, while those at the boarding ropes ready to follow you up... though they will be a few moments behind you.
Kjell is charged by a brawny half-orc who lowers his shoulder and tries to blast him back over the ships railings...
Bullrush:
...though Kjell easily checks him.
Gylfir draws a similar blustery charge...
Bullrush:
...and though he hits the wall of force projected by the fae coin, his momentum is fierce enough to blast Gylfir cartwheeling over the railing.
The scarred hulk at the ship's prow grabs the halfling next to him and throws him bodily into the karvi...
Halfling Toss:
...not pausing to watch his throw he unlimbers a pair of thick belaying pins and moves toward the huscarl.
The airborne halfing tries desperately to control his plummet...
Acrobatics:
...but lands with a sickening thump. Dragging himself back to his feet he draws a shortsword and eyes Kitta with dark intent.
The other two small folk draw crossbows and back away, taking pot shots at Torgeir and Surtr...
Surtr: for
Torgeir: for
..small bolts sinking deep into flesh.
The other three buccaneers draw heavy boarding axes and lash out...
Roluo: for
Torgeir: for
Kjell: for
...though only Kjell's flesh is marked with a rent.
Above you in the rigging, a second wave of sjörövare begin to climb down to join the fray.
The well dressed man draws a fine cutlass, but holds himself from the fray for now - instead holding his cutlass ready to strike. He bellows at the pirates in the Southern tongue "Lucha contra el que las piezas sucias de mierda, maldita sea luchar para que no os cortado a mí mismo."
The red bearded Northman lunges at Njall and attempts to get a hold with his barrel thick arms...
Grapple:
...getting a solid grip on the huscarl and drawing him near to his rotted teeth with a grin. He bellows in Skald "Ha, I have you now is jävel"
Action Tracker (Round 2): Torgeir, Roluo, Jorleif, Ulfarr + Surtr, Kjell, Gylfir
Bellowing his frustrations, the grim faced dvergr hacks viciously at the dancing sjörövare;
"Ek fœra yð dauðadagr!"
:
:
:
:
He briefly pauses to spit on the corpse before bringing his ax to bear on the next opponent;
Not sure if Torgeir gets an Attack of Opp on the bullsrusher? If he does:
:
:
Torgeir's axe flashes out in a cruel arc towards the pirate's neck. It does not sever the head, but opens the throat deep and the man goes down with only a gurgling sound to mark his passage.
Gylfir goes airborne and heads toward the karvi deck. He comes to a stop with a heavy crash on the benches.
Feeling woozy and sore, Gylfir stiffly gets back to his feet. Looks to Kitta and Ellisif and nods up to the deck, "They have some half-breed brutes up there...but it is going well...ish." He hooks the bloody Ancor over his shoulder and deftly climbs back into the deck-spanning scrum.
Gylfir finds his feet after the fall and reclaims a position back on the buccaneer's vessel.
Action Tracker (Round 2): Torgeir, Roluo, Jorleif, Ulfarr + Surtr, Kjell, Gylfir
Round 1
HP = 10/10
AC = 16
Weapon Equipped = None
Speed = 30'
Bardic Performance Left = 7/7
Bard Spells Known (CL 1, +2 melee touch, +2 ranged touch):
1 *DC 14 2/2 Grease*, Cure Light Wounds*
0 *DC 13 (at will) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation*, Light, Spark*
Status Effects = None
Roluo swings back at the pirate in front of him.
Surtr moves a step forward to make room for his master. Continuing to retch, from the nasty bath, Black Úlfarr attempts to make his own way onto the ship succeeding in forcing down the bile, he manages to crawl up onto the ship.
Surtr snaps at the foe at his side, but misses while going for the legs.
Kjell focuses on the enemy in front of him (E-13) while he dry heaves.
Axe Att:
Axe Dam:
Axe ATT:
Axe DAM:
Kjell's axe badly wounds the half-orc and lays him out of the fight, though his follow-through is untidy and misses.
Ulfarr joins Surtr atop the pirate's vessel and watches as his hund lunges ineffectually at a buccaneer.
Roluo faces down his foe and rends a crimson line upon it's chest, but the blow is not fatal.
Action Tracker (Round 2): Torgeir, Roluo, Jorleif, Ulfarr + Surtr, Kjell, Gylfir
Jorleif sees the tossed halfling that just fell and goes to warn Kitta, but everyone's words no longer make any sense to him as well as his words to them. I need to teach the language of water to one of them one day soon.
Instead of warning Kitta, he shoots the halfling.
Attack with Shortbow
Damage
Confirm with Shortbow
Extra Damage
Jorleif twists to face the halfling that joined the vikingr in the karvi and calmly puts an arrow into it's eye socket. Kitta whirls to face you and gives a stout nod of approval.