The ship departs port on it's routine destination run across the ocean. It is a typical sunny day and starry night sky journey.
The captain has avoided most of the problems that come with long ship travel, however a storm with a mind of it's own has been slowly gaining on him.
He informs you and the crew that it looks inevitable that this storm and the ship will cross paths and gets the crew ready to baton the hatches and secure the supplies and valuables. Looks like there is a storm brewing with your name on it.
Kit peers over towards the oncoming storm clouds. Her nose twitching in anticipation. The smell of the air made her whole body tingle. Rain was fine. But a swim that she didn't ask for. not so much
Kit, as some called her, has grey fur, light stripes could be seen on her coat. Her jacket that she wore was stylish but functional. Her eyes golden-brown. Most of her body was covered up by the garb she wore. Her tail was twitching at the moment
"Captain, with your expertise, what can we expect from the storm?"
GM:
Captain Louis speaks. "Expect to get really wet lass. Though nothing I can't handle to be sure. She looks a bit angry, she'll spit water on us is about it. Though maybe a few shots 'O thunder by my take."
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Anslen comes out of his room, leaving some of his supplies in the room. Walking along the deck he looks at the clouds covering the horizon; he pulls up his hood over his head and grumbles to himself, "Dwarves were meant to stay under the ground or at least on top of it; not on some floating wood in a tossing sea. Uh, what have I got myself into here? There had better be a great feast waiting for me in the mountains when I get there."
Yulok stands close to Captain Louis, watching the waves becoming increasingly out of control.
"This looks like a bad omen," the human comments. "Beyond getting wet, I can't see much," he says with a sigh, hearkening back to when he was better able to understand such things.
"Are we safer on the deck or below?" he asks. "I would prefer to stay dry, but not to take a risk of sinking with the ship."
The turquoise-skinned navigator spends several long moments sighting at the horizon in all directions before pursing her lips and carefully replacing the sextant in its protective case. She makes several notations in her log and stows that in its waterproof leather casing. Exchanging a glance with the captain, she offers her opinion.
"This doesn't look too bad for now, but it may blow us off course by a few degrees. We know this route well though, so there is nothing to worry about for now. If you intend to stay on deck, please secure yourselves."
She strides to the closest mast, picking up a length of rope and demonstrating how to tie and secure a safety line. It wasn't technically her job to run safety procedures for the passengers, but drowned passengers were bad for business. So she'd better make sure they didn't drown.
"It would take quite a strong storm to sink this ship, sir, so you should be perfectly safe in either location. If you are prone to seasickness, it may help to stay above deck and fix your gaze on the line of the horizon. Just make sure to secure yourself first."
Althru appears on deck, raising his chin up a little bit. "Ah.. can feel the moister in the air. If any of you start feeling sick during the storm, come to me and I'll see if I can give you something to help the sickness."
The tall, turquoise-skinned healer looks off into the horizon at the approaching storm. "I imagine I'll be busy treating people during and after the storm."
"As long as most if the water stays on the outside of the ship I think I will be fine" she says with a way too optimistic smile
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GM: The captain seems pleased with the new direction heading plotted by Zenabiq.
GM: The majority of passengers that aren't crew take to their quarters below deck.
After a few hours the storm does catch up with the ship, it rocks the boat back and forth, soaking the deck crew and any that remain on deck.
After the storm batters the ship about for a few minutes there is an eerie calm. The sun, hidden behind cloud cover, struggles in the sky to provide light- though it is ineffective. The darkness cast over the sea is almost palpable. Like a living thing.
A crack of thunder electrifies the water close to the ship as it spears down from the heavens and strikes close to you.
Some of the crew holding the railing lined with metals cry out in alarm as their hair stands on end for a brief moment as shockwaves pulse through the metal railings.
Off in the distance a strange green glow suddenly appears beneath the waves. A blast off a bass heavy drone fills the air "GaahhHHhhAAaAAAArrRRrrOOooOoOnnNNnn!"
The crew is visibly shaken as they scramble about looking for safe places to hold on to that aren't electrified, as well as scanning the waves and sea for the source of the unknown noises.
Yulok, no less shaken than the rest of the crew, looks around him for the source of the noise. "Is everything still alright, captain?"
Understanding why some might be shaken with the lightning striking so close and especially of the strange phenomenon off in the distance.
"Everyone stay calm. Panicking won't solve anything and will just get yourself hurt." He directs his plea towards the crew that are panicking.
Favouring the ship's healer with a brief, tight smile, Zenabiq glances at the captain as well, awaiting his instructions. This storm was unusual, at least in her experience, but she would not give in to panic. She gives the crew a reassuring little wave as her gaze searches the sky and water close to the ship and farther away. The tantrums of the ocean did not scare her, but she had to admit that the situation was... strange.
ZAAP!
Lightning strikes the captain, for a brief second the light it so bright around him he looks like a roman candle, as if he was lit up from the insides with thousands of firefly's.
GM: All, please roll a REF saving throw. Which I will do for you to save time.
Kit'Arr
Yulok
Althru
Zenabiq
the blast that engulfed the captain also arcs over to Yulok, his skeleton is briefly visible through his now lit up and glowing red skin.
Bzzzzt!
GM: The same blast reaches out for Zenabiq but she manages to quickly side step it in a blur. Something she was not sure she would be able to do, it was almost as if she were faster than lightning for a moment, the feeling of speed and power is palpable for a second.
Kit'Arr is grazed by the tendrils of light, and takes a pulse of shocking damage.
Everyone else escapes notice of the burning light.
The captain's body cools from red to black, he is frozen in place, as his now wet ashy form slowly crumbles into black soot. Where once stood a man, now sits a ashy, wet, pile of black nothingness. A literal disintegration of the man that once assured you everything would be fine.
Yulok fairs slightly better than dying, but not by much. He takes:
points of damage.
His skin is smoking all over despite the constant rain pounding down on his now inert form. Some of his clothing and gear is now fused to his still burnt flesh. Ragged, shallow, breathing is his only indication of still having some 'spark' of life left in him, but for how long? he is clearly in very, very, bad shape.
HP: -5 (I believe)
You are officially 'dying.' Lets hope your friends have a plan.
778, a name left over from his time in Geb as a food source and the only one he knew, would start to stir from his spot in a rather large planter. While he felt no need to help in the midst of the storm, something he felt more prone to basking in for it's ability to stem his thirst, was now apt to do so at the sight of his captain being electrocuted.
An inhuman scream is torn out of the nereid's throat as she throws herself at the remains of the captain, only to be brought up short by the safety rope.
"NonononoNO! This is not happening! Oh gods..."
Everything had been so sudden, she still cannot believe that the captain is gone. She barely takes notice of the other casualty of the lightning strike as she falls to her knees on the deck, staring in shock at the pile of ashes.
Anseln hears the lighting strike and some groans from above deck, he is glad that he went down below deck when the captain had said to.
Althru jumps from the sudden lightning strike, looking around to see if anyone is hurt. Upon spotting the Captain's chard body, he rushes over to check his pulse but lowers his head in sadness. Not letting the lost of their Captain from preventing him from doing his duty, he looks for more injured when he spots Yulok's injured body. He rushes over and checks him, seeing that he is on death's doorstep he begins to chant over him as he sees to his wounds.
Althru heads over to Kit'Arr and looks at their wounds before he begins to bandage them up.
Yulok groans with pain as the lightning strikes his body, leaving him unable to move. Before death overtakes him, he feels himself regaining his vitality, though he doesn't open his eyes to see his surroundings, or who healed him.
Hearing thunder roar again, he realizes that he doesn't have the luxury of lying around. He stands up, only to find the nearby captain reduced to ashes. He holds onto the rail again, this time making sure that he isn't touching a metallic part of the rail.
778, a name left over from his time in Geb as a food source and the only one he knew, would start to stir from his spot in a rather large planter. While he felt no need to help in the midst of the storm, something he felt more prone to basking in for it's ability to stem his thirst, was now apt to do so at the sight of his captain being electrocuted.
[dice=Reflex, bonus from feat included]1d20+2
GM follow up:
Without care, surgery perhaps, Yulok may be scarred from this melting electric strike. Though the healing magic saved his life. He looks a a bit unhinged from the blast.
A vast improvement over being dead/dying however.
That flesh though healed, may SEVERLY scar over if not treated with surgery, or some other form of treatment that the GM is unfamiliar with off the top of her head. :)
GM Voice:
The storm only looks darker, more filled with malice than it did before. The water seems to rise, more than a trick on the eye. But can an ocean flood? It feels like it. Water boils and churns.
Another blast of lightning slams down into the angry sea sending small shivers through all on deck. (no damage)
788 falls prone and looks as if he is sliding off the deck as the boat pitches heavy on it's port side, water rushes up and he has seconds to 'roll' out of the way or be engulfed in a torrent.
Feeling his world slipping out from below him, 788 starts to grasp for a handhold. He appreciated water, but being completely submerged in it did not suit his fancy.
Yulok rubs his scar with a grimace. Gathering himself quickly, he turns to Zenabiq and asks, "Is someone manning the ship? Now that the captain is no longer with us, this is an even more dangerous situation."
"This is only going to get worse, I suggest only vital members of the crew stay topside. The rest go below deck for shelter."
Obviously Althru will stay above deck, but doesn't know if the crew can take much more than this before panicking from this unnatural storm.
GM:
You don't need to tell the crew twice, they hurry down from rigging, deck side areas, and other areas to start filtering down below deck.
The boat is already heaving from side to side making it difficult for them, but it looks as though they will handle the evacuation.
Feeling his world slipping out from below him, 788 starts to grasp for a handhold. He appreciated water, but being completely submerged in it did not suit his fancy.
[dice=Reflex]1d20
GM: You get drenched by the deluge of water, but it does little to dislodge you from the deck. You mange to get a good hold and stay 'rooted' in place.
GM:
Captain-less, the boat dips and bobs a bit more, but being of such a large size, fancies well enough for now. But the storm grows closer, and something in the waves is casting an eerie green light, and it seems to be getting closer and closer to the ship.
The closer it seems to get the more the lightning seems to get closer to re-striking the ship.
The sting and spray of salt water fills your nostrils, and pelts your face like tiny needles reminding you of just how bad this situation is becoming. And how quickly it made a change for the worst.
Thunder BOOMS out in the heavens sending ripples of sonic pressure reverberating throughout the scene.
The feeling of panic is on the tips of everyone's tongue. A bitter taste in the crews mouth.
"What?"
Zenabiq's head snaps up as the man addresses her. With an effort of will, she rises to her feet, wiping tears with the back of her hands. He was right, now was not the time to grieve. They were still in danger and someone had to take charge of the ship. Heading to the ship's wheel, she grasps the handles and attempts to wrestle the vessel into some semblance of control.
Her hands slip on the smooth, wet wood, and the wheel spins wildly as the ship is pummelled by the waves.
"Someone help me hold this!" she shouts at the people still on deck. It hadn't been her job to actually steer the ship, and her thin arms are not suited to the task of wrestling for the control of a large vessel in a storm.
788, hearing an order, starts for the ship's helm. It's slow going, but he takes his time to try and make sure he does not get knocked into the water with the tossing of the ship.
As he starts to move, he shouts, "Aye, sir.". This was something he had learned while on the ship so that the captain knew his order had been heard and was being carried out.
Looking a the dangerous looking glow coming from the sea, "I think it would be wise to steer the ship away from that glow. But I have a horrible feeling in my gut that it might start chasing us."
Gm (mood: Glee)
GM Narration:
A wave of enormous size rocks the ship, sending it careening of course as you try to right it's heading.
The impact hits the rudder so hard it spins the wheel of the vessel with too much force, pinning, and then slamming into Zenabiq's wrist. Her wrist bone breaks with a sickening pop.
1-50 = dominate hand (if this hand -4 to all physical skill rolls, until healed)
51-100 = off hand (if this hand -2 to all physical skill rolls, until healed.)
The wheel spins uncontrollably as the water darkens and swirls. The green light inches closer.
Whoosh.
The waves churn and froth as white spray splatters all about.
Whoosh.
A bass note pierces the sky again.
Whoosh.
The boat heaves upward and down with force.
788, hearing an order, starts for the ship's helm. It's slow going, but he takes his time to try and make sure he does not get knocked into the water with the tossing of the ship.
As he starts to move, he shouts, "Aye, sir.". This was something he had learned while on the ship so that the captain knew his order had been heard and was being carried out.
GM: After a new balance/reflex save, yes, you can attempt to command the helm! Go for it!
With the waves hitting the ship repeatedly with such force, Althru stumbles as he tries to keep his balance.
788...
Zenabiq screams as her wrist bones snap and she bends over, cradling her injured arm. Things were going from bad to worse, but she was not going to die like this. Gritting her teeth, she grasps at the helm with her uninjured hand, hoping to at least keep it from spinning too badly until help arrives.
Yulok feels the ship lurch. Luckily, he had been holding onto a rail before the wave hit, and he doesn't falter.
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GM: The skeleton crew and passengers on deck all manage to keep their footing as the boat rocks uncontrollably. Darker clouds still advance on the bobbing boats position, as the lights in the water grow closer. I feeling of spinning slowly begins to build, and it feels like your boat is being pulled through the water.
Althru wraps and ties a rope around his waist, making sure the other side is secure to a stable source before moving to the side of the ship and looking for the source of the strange current that seems to be pulling the ship.
GM:
The current, if you will, seems to be generated from beneath the boat. Your vantage point allows you to assume it was the undead whale. It is swimming in a large circle pattern under the boat.
Althru face turns a light blue (white) as he turns to shout toward the others, "We are in trouble. There is an undead whale beneath the ship. I don't suppose any of you have an idea on how to fight it?"
"I do know some things about undead, but I've never heard of an undead whale," Yulok says.
"I brought rope and fishing equipment, mostly for fishing, but maybe it would be possible to use them to dislodge the whale from the ship. The only other possibility I can think of is to shoot at it until it dies."
Althru shakes his head, but realizes no one could probably focus enough on him to see that in this storm. "Unless you have a specially designed weapon, the projectiles of normal weapon would be slowed to much to do any damage once it hits the water."
"An undead WHAT?" shouts Zenabiq over the noise of the storm. "I've never fought a normal whale, nevermind an... Wait, special weapon? I have one!" She rushes to the base of the closest mast, where a tarp covers and secures several bundles. She pulls out an intricate-looking crossbow and starts loading it. "This can shoot underwater. I'm not sure that trying to fight it is such a good idea, what if we just make it angry? And we only have one weapon for it, so far."
She leans over the railing to take a look at the thing herself.
GM:
The undead whale is swimming in lazy circles beneath the boat, it's general position is given away by brief moments of an eerie green light seen beneath the waves.
The boat continues to bob and dip and the storm continues to deliver a deluge of rain and salt sea spray making the deck of the ship increasingly more difficult to navigate safely.
The air smells like copper pieces have been rubbed under your nose. And the small hairs on the backs of your neck start to prickle and twitch.
[dice=Reflex save]1d20 + 1
Zenabiq screams as her wrist bones snap and she bends over, cradling her injured arm. Things were going from bad to worse, but she was not going to die like this. Gritting her teeth, she grasps at the helm with her uninjured hand, hoping to at least keep it from spinning too badly until help arrives.
GM: yes, those helped you out ;) The DC was low for the first (DC Ref 5) They will be increasing shortly until something changes.
And idea pops into Althru's head. "If we can locate a harpoon and tie a metal rod to it, maybe we can land a hit and draw the lightning to the undead whale."
Althru tries to think where they might keep harpoons on the ship.
"Maybe we could harness it if we make a makeshift harpoon by tying some kind of weapon to one of my ropes. Maybe Zenabiq could even shoot her crossbow with the rope attached to the bolt," Yulok suggests.