The savage tide hits Arcadia

Game Master Scarletrose

If you had a channel, I'd say use one. Given it's spells, Erik's only down 4 hp. You might want to keep that in mind though when the next fight starts.

Yeah, no channels for me, unfortunately... unless someone is aware of a way for a battle oracle to get the ability. I'll go ahead and hit you with a cure if nothing comes out of the water and kills me :)

I'm only down two -- not enough to be worth healing.

Kutsya places Master Kratzenklau by the crab she had dispatched, in case he wants to wreak any vengeance for its rudeness. Then she carries him over to the pool and asks him to fetch the shiny object.

Unless any danger rears its head before she gets there, of course.

@Kutsya - sounds good. I'll keep an eye out for you.

@Erick - I originally read your post as that you only had 4 hp, not that you are only down 4. I'll hold off and keep my eye on you going forward too.

Anyone want to pitch in on a CLW wand when we get back to town, if we can locate one?

Anyone want to pitch in on a CLW wand when we get back to town, if we can locate one?

I'd rather you bought it, but used it to heal me whenever I need it.

Oh wait...this isn't PFS. Sure, I'll chip in!

Bedu gathers up some crabmeat, scooping out a few of shells. He keeps one eye on the pool and its glow as he works, "fortuitous luck, meals on claws and a fine one to boot!"

The halfling puts the scimitar away while he works.

Master Kratzenklau timidly approaches one of the dead crabs and poke it with one of his legs, just to make sure that he is really dead, then, as per Kutsya's request, walks towards the water.
He emerges a few seconds later and drops a shiny silver dagger at the feet of Kutsya.

Ha, Kutsya! I've never played PFS, but now I know not to play a healer type!

Heartened by Master Kratzenklau's bravery, Gavin takes a deep breath and steps into the water. Wading towards the corpse, Gavin grabs it with one hand, the other still gripping his flail, and starts dragging the corpse towards the dry ground. You're a madman, d'Bourgemont.

If he isn't attacked, Gavin will search the corpse and check it for wounds, trying to determine the cause of death, though he suspects it is via shellfish. Heal -1 and perception +3 checks please.

Once the body is out of the water, Erik will aid Gavin. "Thanks for getting the corpse, Gavin. Water and powder don't mix so well."

Although, realistically, Gavin should aid Erik. :) Erik's Perception is +6. In my own games, I'm thinking of houseruling that everyone rolls, and add +2 to the highest roll

"What was the name of the person Valanthus said when he threw Shefton down on us? Pekus? I would place a small wager (and a dagger) on the blaggard's heart that this is him."

Gavin drags the corpse out of the water, Erick Helps him once it's out and they both place him where he can be examined.
Looks like the crabs started to eat the poor guy, but the cause of death is likely due to larger wounds on the throat. Possibly a zombie bite.
Nonetheless, there is one detail that might be slightly more interesting. On the shoulder you can see a tattoo of a lotus flower with a dragon head emerging from it.

Gavin stands straight and backs up, a gasp escaping his throat. Running his hands through his hair, the Chel's voice comes out quick and full of wonder. "This, this is Rolf? Rolfar? Rogar! This is Rolgar! Was Rolgar anyways. He used to frequent my parents' tavern, and he used to be kind of a jerk - I'm kind of shocked my parents never banned his arse. If you made a list of the tavern's patrons that was titled, 'Most Likely To End Up Face-Down and Dead, in a Crab-Infested Pool,' Rogar would be the first entry."

"Alas no one took me up on the bet. For indeed I recognise him too. And that is the tattoo of a lotus dragon, a gang I was looking for. Why? I forget now."

"Hmm, interesting." Erik says thoughtfully. "I wonder why he was carrying a silver dagger. They aren't as sharp as normal weapons. I know a few people that carry a few silver bullets in case they meat up with a werewolf, and one hunter that has a slew of silver and cold iron weaponry. It seems like a very odd choice for a paid thug like this. Unless our friend here was obsessed with were wolves, I think he might have had a good reason for carrying a silver weapon. It would be a good idea to keep an eye out for why."

Tessa walks up and inspects the dead man with the others. "Perhaps we should hold on to that silver dagger for now, no? If he saw fit to bring it with him, be it for werewolves or whatever, there could be a threat nearby that requires that blade."

Are there any other creatures vulnerable to silver that Bedu may have heard of?

"Agreed, Tessa, Erick. So, we've got a dead man who was a bad drunk who was also a gang member. Who are the Lotus Dragons, Bedu?"

As Gavin talks, he casts light on the tip of his mailed glove, and runs it up and down the west and north walls, taking special attention to the doors on these walls, while his mind works feverishly, trying to recall any barroom gossip he's heard about the Lotus Dragons.

Perception check to search the doors and Kno: Local check on the Lotus Dragons, please.

"They cause trouble on our docks. The bad sort where the people gets hurt. I never found their home. Yet."

"Welp, if no one else is going to hold on to it . . ."

Tessa picks up the silver dagger and tucks it away. After it's secure she says, "Right then, can't say I've heard of the Lotus Dragons. Let's get back to finding a way out of this death trap, shall we?"

She looks towards the northern doors and starts walking that way, joining Gavin. She begins to look around at their exits, trying to determine the best path.

Perception as appropriate.

Don't forget, we have two light sources, Gavin's, and the Torch Erik passed to Badu. Also, everyone has a torch that needs one in case we get separated. It's been a bit since that happened.

Erik takes some of the man's leather straps off (assuming he had a belt or leather armor or something) and makes a 2 foot leather strap. He then attaches one end to his pistol, and the other end to it's holster. Improvised Weapon Cord, but attaching pistol to holster, so he can drop it against his side after firing

Perception checks as appropriate

Bedu picks up the crossbow and puts it away, then lifts the torch from the floor to help Tessa.

"Gavin, what are those words you use? When we fight I cannot understand what you say."

Gavin looks at the ground and shrugs, then looks back to Bedu, blushing. "Cayden's voice? I'm sorry to say that I'm not really sure why I speak what I speak. Equally worrisome, I'm afraid, is that I can't understand what you say either."

He's speaking Celestial, but since I'm playing up the possessed by god / Jeckyll and Hyde angle, I don't think Gavin would know that until he hears someone else speak the language and connects the dots.

The northern doors are completely silent. While from the western door you hear a sloshing watery sound.

Erick. know that I secretly rolled an untrained craft check for your improvised weapon cord.

As Gavin runs his light along the wall, he softly repeats to himself, "Lotus Dragons, Lotus Dragons... Lotus Dragons! Ah, yes! Old man Brushwick was just telling me last week that he thought the Lotus Dragons were winning the fight to be the smugglers out of Sasserine. But then, Old Brushwick's brain is rotted from years of Pesh addiction. Still, I've never known him to lie. You think the Lotus Dragons have used these chambers for smuggling? Or they planned on using them, and sent poor doomed Rogar down here to check it out?"

The young man stops in front of the western door, leaning into it for a few seconds, before stepping back and pulling out his flail. "Also, there's the sound water sloshing behind this door. Shall we see what's causing it?"

Yep, I figured you would. If it works, great, if not, it's no worse than what I was doing before, dropping it and picking it back up again.

Erick shrugs. "One is as good as another at this point."

Gavin nods at Erick, puts his hand on the door and after waiting a minute for everyone to get in place, swings the door open. If it isn't locked...

Before the door is opened, Tessa puts away the crossbow and goes back and retrieves her rapier. She returns to the northern area and prepares herself for the door to be opened.

I'm going to speed up the description since there is nothing behind the door that will jump on you.

The sloshing sound comes from the churning waters of a sea cave. Fueled by what must be powerful submerged currents, the water leaps and splashes against the walls of the twisting natural cavern that leads to the west. A sandy slope descends from the door down to the edge of the subterranean tide.
Dozens of purple and red urchins glisten in shallow divots along the ground and lower walls here, their spines glittering with water.

Tessa peers over Gavin's shoulder looking around.

"More water up ahead, looks like a cave. Shall we go swimming and try to head back around to the boat that way? We can't be that far out."

just tpo be clear since it's easy to misunderstand. the water you can see is about a foot deep tops. deeper water that requires actual swimming will be darker in color.
Still, this water is still difficult terrain and cost double movement

Bedu puts a hand on Tessa's waist, "a snake can bite you and you will be sick for a while. So can these spiny shellbeasts. Be careful of them or it may be painful. Not a way to die but a way to lose your first or second breakfast. Be praised I wish to keep both!"

"We're underground, which means any sea cave entrances are going to be under water. I think we should save swimming under water for a last ditch effort of getting out of here." Erik offers.

"Thank you, Master," Kutsya tells her crab, with a slight bow, then picks him up, allowing him to regain his usual perch on the back of her neck. She examines the dagger for markings before handing it to Tessa.

"Don't know anything about dragons -- lotus or otherwise," she mutters. Then she stares at Gavin."Knew an old navigator once who had fits where he'd talk like that. Course, he'd fall to the ground and thrash around, too. Got to where he'd lash himself to the mast at all times, just in case. Don't think you're that bad, but you might want to see a healer when we get back topside. You know, after I rip that man's kidneys out his nose."

Then Kutsya takes her place up with the others as they look at the sea cave.

"Or a sage of words and languages so he can help you speak fluently again as your mother intended."

Tessa looks to Bedu and shrugs, "I'm not worried about snakes, but those spikes do look like they would be painful."

Turning back to Erick she nods, "Of course, it just seems like the quickest escape. Who knows if there is even another exit from this place other than the one we were locked in from."

Can we see the end of the water? Is it just four feet of water at the end of the cavern? Perception check into the water?

"A sage and a healer, yes. Excellent ideas! I think I'll visit both when we get topside. As for pulling Vanderboren's kidneys from his nose, well...I," the young man trails off, unsure how to proceed. "Well, I'm just glad we're friends, Kutsya!"

Moving to the water, Gavin peers into it, looking for anything besides urchins.

Perception check, please.

I moved tyhe whole party a little bit forward as well as the light sources to give you a better view of the cave you are exploring

As you enter the waters, the powerful current combined with the slipperiness of the rocks conspire to bring you off balance.
You realize it's easier than it seems to fall into a bed of sea urchins just by being tripped by the current and the uneven rocks.

Acrobatics and Strenght Check please, either success is fine to stay standing. Same for whoever enters the water.
Feel free to come up with ways to gain bonuses (except for Gavin, he is already in the water)

The sand shifts a little under Gavin's weight as he steps into the water, and then his other boot slips a little on a slick stone. "Everyone, be careful, it's really-"

acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8
strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Tessa hops from foot to foot as she bounces around the cave energetically, enjoying the bout of acrobatics. As Gavin slips on the stone she quickly moves toward him to help him if she can.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Bedu shakes his head when he sees what is happening to Gavin. He grips his large stomach and smiles at Tessa.

Kutsya looks at the water, and then at her companions.
"On my shoulders," she says to the halfling. "Take care not to crush Master Kratzenklau."
Once he is settled, Kutsya enters the water, her braids splayed around her like crab legs.

Strength check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Hair uses INT for STR

Bedu wraps himself around the neck and faces the strange strangling hair stoically.

Perception to notice Gavin in trouble: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

If that's good enough...
Erick reaches out and grabs Gavin and jerks him back before he can fall on the spikes.

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Regardless of whether Gavin is rescued or not, Erick holds up a hand. "Hold on. Tessa, Kutsya, you two are the best at balance and water. One of you take the rope across, see if you can tie it off. The other wait here and hold the other end. We'll use the rope to cross, it'll be easier with something to hold onto."

If you want me to make another roll to come back and get the rope and go back out or whatever, let me know. Otherwise assuming Erick made this comment before I got too far.

Tessa says, "Sure thing. I'd hate for ya to slip on the moss and get all wet..."

Tessa looks at Gavin, smirking. "Oops. Too late."

Tessa enters the waters and almost dances at the rhythm of the waves.
While Kutsya and her hair stay strong against the current, carrying herself and the halfling with her.
Gavin does not display the same capabilities.
When he falls Erick realizes he is in trouble when it's already too late to help.

Gavin Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Spike damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Gavin Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Gavin falls on the water, and trying not to fall face first into the rocks he puts his hands before him, but his hand falls right over a sea urchin.
He immediately raises back to his feet, drenched in sea water from head to toe, luckily he doesn't feel ill, he either did not had any contact with the poison or his body is reacting particularly well against the weak toxin.
Aside from the sheer puncture, all that was seriously hurt was his ego.

Except for erick that still has to enter the water and make his check, you are all free to move with relative freedom now. I might ask for other rolls if you try to fight in these waters or run or other difficult maneuvers, but with a little bit of care, once you entered the waters I consider you are adapting to the currents as long as you carefully move inside of it

Gavin pulls himself up to his knees and begins pulling spines from his wrist where the urchin slipped between his glove and greave. Red-faced, he doesn't say much for a minute, silently picking at his arm, resembling a wet, embarrassed dog. Eventually, sighing, he gets to his feet. "I think I'll stay around here a bit. Yell if you need me."

Hopefully you all don't :)

"If you do not come now, when I have put my life in the hands no hair of a dwarf, then we will surely face terrible danger and pain while you cannot hear or reach our last screams so far from us brave souls." Bedu clings on tighter.

Erick looks around for something to tie this end of the rope to, while Tessa dances off with the other end of the rope (he'll toss her the end if she's farther away than handing range).

"C'mon kid. Wait for Tessa to tie off the other end, and we'll both use the rope. I'm not too proud to say I need help getting over, don't let pride keep you from following."

You really think Scarletrose is going to let us have "the best"?!

If there is one good thing about running an AP is that I am not responsible for all the horrible things that comes your way. :)

Whoa whoa whoa. If YOU aren't being responsible, we're in for a steaming pile of crap! It's your job to protect your little angels! :D

btw... feel free to set the scene wherever you want to start your day when you plan to go towards the Blue Nixie. Lavinia provided you with all the documentation you required.

Well, is everyone ready to move to tomorrow?

GM? Should I wait on the response to the spoilered text I posted before I post being at the meeting spot?

Went ahead and posted being at the meeting spot. Long day and ready to hit imaginary things with other pointy, imaginary things.

Well, is everyone ready to move to tomorrow?

GM? Should I wait on the response to the spoilered text I posted before I post being at the meeting spot?

you will receive a response at the meeting spot since you need to give the kids some time to collect the informations you want.

@ Erick - Gavin doesn't know what or where the eel is. I couldn't find the text about the Empty Grave and so decided it was a good chance to show his inebriation (but really my seach and scan-fu was just failing).

Hence Bedu trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. Perhaps the Copper Cup should be renamed the Eel or the Drunken Eel so that Gavin will know where that pub is.

Cheers

OK, finally got my gear purchased. Anything that doesn't have a price next to it was part of the "Witch's Kit" for 21gp.

I'm also moving a skill point from Diplomacy to Intimidate -- now that I've played her a bit I think that will be *way* more appropriate.

I'm looking to seeing all you guys in action. Just to warn you, in Bedu's last iteration he had the worst luck at the wrong times. Here's hoping that slate is clean now.

Do you all ever have "lucky" characters? DMing I never seem to roll that bad. Maybe you care more about the dice when you play..

cheers

Hence Bedu trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. Perhaps the Copper Cup should be renamed the Eel or the Drunken Eel so that Gavin will know where that pub is.

Cheers

Gavin appreciates the assistance!

When Erick says cut the ropes, I'm assuming it's an old style ship, with ropes on gears attached to the rudder. If it's a more modern style, then he instead said jam the rudder, which is fairly easy to do, just shove something metal between the rudder and the mounting brace. Doesn't take much to keep a rudder from moving.

Unfortunately, I can't find a good picture of the more primitive style, all I can find are 16th century sailing vessel pictures. For some reason, people aren't really interested in primitive sailing vessel designs, LOL. No cannons. :)

I have to admit... I really have no clue.
But let's see...
The Blue Nixie is described as a caravel.
Let's say it is a 16th century style vessel.
I really appreciate anyone who has any Idea about how ships works.
Anyway I assume that if you want to sabotage the ship you can do it (possibly with a profession: sailor check)

LOL, A Caravel is basically what Chris Columbus had. It's got a pretty primitive rudder. A big bar running into the ship through a hole.

The Nina

Basically just jamming something in the rudder between it and the brace it's mounted to should disable it for a bit. Profession (Sailor) sounds reasonable. It'll have to be our witch, as Erick sinks in water right now (-4 swim check due to equipment and weight).

On the bright side, the ship is not that big, she should be able to use her reach on her hair to do it as we come up along side from behind.

Scarletrose - How are you doing initiative? There are so many different ways out there for PbP. Forgive me if this was covered somewhere and I've forgotten. I have a feeling we may be needing this info soon!

LOL, A Caravel is basically what Chris Columbus had.

yeah I know.I'm Italian remember? :)

But still I have no working knowledge on how the nina,pinta and santa maria rudder works.

Initiative willbe rolled by me as soon asan encounter start.Youacton your turn, but you can declare your actions early to "save time". You still have the chance to retify your decision if something that happens before your turn disrupt your original plan.

Whew, just realized, my backpack is at home, so I'm not medium encumbered! I have a decent chance of climbing the ropes up onto the ship. I can take 10 if someone gives me a push from behind (aid other). :)

I really need to put a rank into climb and swim next level. Sheesh, so many skills I need, so few skill ranks. :( And this is with the 'smart' fighter class. :)

If Erick can climb the ropes I think he should. Bedu and Gavin can just be defensive until you cavalry reach us.

I agree Erick. So many skills I want, so few points to use :(

I Want to know what the other characters wanted to do while Erick climbed to the deck. Let me know so I know how to proceed.

Scarletrose, I'm a little confused as to where the map is?

Bedu and Gavin are near the grating beside Erick. Kutsya and Tessa probably at the rear, behind the "wheel" deck.

Scarletrose, I'm a little confused as to where the map is?

above the menu where there is campaign info, gameplay discussion etc there is a "current map" link

Gavin - I was too, I just found it. Scroll all the way to the top of the screen. It's just above the Campaign Info/Discussion/Gameplay area listed as "Current Map".

Currently Erick is the only one on the map.

Tessa is with Kutsya, I'll make a post.

Aha - thanks Scarletrose and Tessa! Gavin is with Bedu, as the good barber describes.

EDIT: Very cool map, Scarletrose!

Just updated the map.
Map is not mine, is from Paizo... everything ugly with the map is my doing (so the way I obscured what you cannot see and the numbers I just added to give you coordinates)

OK, I've updated and finalized Gavin - he's traded out the extra revelation (battlecry) feat for extra revelation (weapon mastery [flail]). I also added Protection from Evil to his spell list as his last spell known.

Erick told him it was a fatal mistake. :)

Kutsya, Do not be sorry for "delaying" the game.
We are well beyond the minimal post frequency asked... whenever we feel like going fast we can do it, but anything less is not anyone's fault :P

Out of character, Erick's thought is it might be good to have some unconscious prisoners to interrogate later, which is why he called out to Bedu. But it's hard to say all that during combat in a few words. Just didn't want Bedu's player to think I'm trying to order him around. :)

Mmmhmm. Not playing into the whole perception Tessa has for Erick not wanting to be the boss:). I had actually written that I to my post but cut it out. This makes me want to go back and edit it and put it in!

I'm trying to limit myself on tactical combat speak. 'Smack talk' I'm less concerned about. :) Next action he'll say something like 'We need prisoners' to explain his thoughts.

No posts in twelve hours?! I keep thinking my phone is broken! :)

I guess we have settled down enough finally, commence regular posting rates!

Sorry, I'm probably the hold up, but I'm still waiting on the results of the shot at Vark so I can plan my next action.

Well.. I don't now you but I still needed to sleep and take a shower :P

Me too. And food just like Bedu.

Shower's are over-rated. :)

Shower's are over-rated. :)

Not according to my girlfriend

Girlfriends are overrated.

They become wives.

Then you have kids.

Then you never sleep.

Then you have no time for showers.

Just splash some water on your face, you'll be fine. And get some deodorant.

Girlfriends are overrated.

They become wives.

Not if I have a say in it.

I mean .. is not like a Ring is going to make any difference.

Well, it will financially. And from a health insurance standpoint. My wife and I got married more for financial reasons than anything else, we'd been living together for about 5 years.

Remember he is Italian. Those Italians are crazy. Tell 'em, Scarletrose,

Well, it will financially. And from a health insurance standpoint.

oh yeah... those... strange things you have in the US.

Tessa knows, he is my GM on another PbP hosted on his own forums and there I have a Topic called Crazy Italian Commentary where I talk about Italy and Debunk myths like Meatball Spaghetti and Caesar Salad (we heard about Caesar Salad for the first time when Mc Donald brought it to Italy)

And horse. They eat horse.

And horse. They eat horse.

Well, that's not really "Italian". It's more like PArma and a few other cities around Italy.

I'd probably be burned like a witch too if I went to Italy. :)

I make my lasagna with beef and/or lamb, and goat cheese & mozzarella instead of beef & pork & ricotta & mozzarella.

Scarletrose - I tend to use the free speech action liberally. If you feel I'm abusing it or want me to cut back on it, please let me know. I plan for Tessa to be quite talkative.

And for the record, what time do you sleep SR? So that I know when to take my breaks from F5'ing.

I'd probably be burned like a witch too if I went to Italy. :)

I make my lasagna with beef and/or lamb, and goat cheese & mozzarella instead of beef & pork & ricotta & mozzarella.

don't you worry, you are not alone.

p.s. No problem with being talkative as a free action.
If you are in a situation where you have to convey a specific message while in combat or another situation were time is against you I would give you a limit, otherwise feel free to talk as much as you want.

You should try it with the goat cheese. I put the goat cheese in the middle, and mozzarella on the top. The goat cheese has a very robust flavor. Plus, it doesn't melt, it just get's soft, so it has a very nice texture and it doesn't solidify as fast as the regular cheese does (and doesn't produce as much oil). Very good.