Talon shrugs "I imagine we can convince the crew to serve us after killing Kargeld. It's either that or they follow him"
Oret shakes his head. "Our orders were to leave no loose ends. I intend to fulfill those orders, though I admit, I may have been a bit hasty in the timing."
Rolling her eyes and shaking her head, Caladwhen retorts sarcastically "Orders. Fine, whatever. Kill the crew too, though that may be easier said then done."
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"ahem...Although, annoyingly, nobody ever asks me anything, I seem on occasion" - looking at Talon sideways -"to be able to provide some relevant insight. With regards to the current situation, for example; I understand that your orders require you to end the lives of the sailors? Disappointing as that may be, is it safe to assume your orders did not say anything about k e e p i n g them dead?"
Lars turns into the definition of the word Smug, and looks at Caladwhen as if he just did her a huge favor and expects to be twice repaid.
Talon raises a hand and counters Oret "We could have them serve us, then kill them anyways. Might as well get them to work for us until we kill them"
Sindran takes note of Sakkarot's followers and concubines when he enters and listens intently when he speaks. He is interested and grows moreso when the bugbear shows his intelligence.
"You are traitors to your own kind; you must know that. When the fortress Balentyne falls, and my horde pours through its shattered gates, we will slaughter the Andorans by the thousands." ... "Yet, I see no regret in your eyes. Tell me, how can this be?"
"A traitor? That implies I had any allegiance to them in the first place. Which I do not," Sindran adds, in case there was any doubt.
Sakkarot pulls aside his great breast-plate and reveals the holy symbol of Asmodeus burned into his chest. "We all have our scars. But dear gods I'm starved for decent conversation. So tell me - which are you? the fourth? seventh? or ninth?"
"Indeed," Sindran agrees, tracing the brand of the unholy symbol of Moloch on his neck. He becomes more conscious of the scars that cover every exposed part of his body. The hunger for conversation resonates with him.
He grunts, content with your answer. "Hm. Very well. Our Cardinal has faith in you; if you weren’t his best, he wouldn’t have sent you. You must be the ninth." He stands up. "Do this, and your names will be legend. Hail Asmodeus!"
Sindran watches the bugbear leave, feeling a strange kinship with him. He sees parts of himself reflected in Sakkarot. He wants to question him, wants to know if he his path is also of fire. The half-orc had not spoken much, the overbearing urge to converse worrying him. It was not like him to be so free.
Sindran breathes deep but is more sure of his choice. Perhaps it was mere chance that they met here. Perhaps it was intentional. Nevertheless, it was an opportunity. He makes a note to wake early tomorrow, to see if he can speak with Sakkarot in the morning.
"There is the matter of convincing them of that, Talon, when we just killed their Captain." Sindran taps his his fingers in a steady rhythm. "I favor setting them against each other, rouse a mutiny among the crew. Appeal to their greed. We would have three days from when we start off until we reach the shore no matter what we decide. I believe I've observed them enough to manipulate them successfully, but it may turn out messy considering the little time we have. I suggest a mixture of all of the above, then--prepare a mutiny and set them off against each other while attempting to covertly get rid of Kargeld if possible. Whatever survivors remain, we can convince to join us or die."
The half-orc turns his head to grin at Lars. "We would kill any survivors off later, of course, at Caladwhen's leisure. As for the ship, we can dock it somewhere and hopefully have someone retrieve it at a later time, or burn and let it sink to the depths to erase any trace of its existence. There are other options, but these seem easiest to me."
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Since the moment the last crate was unloaded, it's obvious that Captain Odenkirk is more than anxious to leave the bugbear camp. Already bugbear warriors have been eyeing his ship and although they haven't yet built up enough courage to attack, the Captain constantly mutters how it can only be a matter of time.
He does not trust Sakkarot in particular, and is not shying about saying so. "Look in that one’s eyes. He’s smart -- always plotting. Bugbears should not be smart. Or plotting. Just unnatural. I don't get paid enough for this Tidsödvat!*"
Even before you left for Sakkarot's feast, he warned you:"if you linger any longer than I think is necessary, you can walk the rest of the way." However, Odenkirk’s superstitious nature, Caladwhen's Draugr blocking access to the ship's wheel, and the fear of Cardinal Thorn’s magic that keeps him from departing without you.
As soon as the first of you returns to the ship to rest, Captain Odenkirk comes to you and explains his plans: He intends to cross the mist-shrouded Lake Tarik under cover of pre-dawn darkness the very next morning. He then intends to sail all day and then all night, and hopefully deposit your team on the western shore just after the dawn the day after. You should be at most a couple of hours walking distanct from the small town of Aldencross.
Since dawn is only a couple of hours away, he asks of whomever is the first "You'd better tell those who wish to be on the ship when it departs they need to be here two hours before dawn."
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The next dawn, Sakkarot comes to say his farewells. He shows particular chivalry towards Arryn and Caladwhen and in parting, blows a cynical kiss to Odenkirk, who stalks off towards the bow and resorts to muttering once more about his idea of the natural order of things.
Soon, the Frosthamar departs, for what may well be her last voyage. The currents are helpful this time around, and as evening falls, Kargeld comes over to you, and tells you "Ladies, gentlemen, I'm pleased to tell you that by next morning, you'll be off my ship." Visibly pleased with himself, he nods, and moves back to the helmsman to discuss the travel plans after they get rid of you.
Oret does not volunteer to take a shift at the wheel. If the crew is tired, that much easier to rid ourselves of them.
Arryn stalks onto the ship, happy to say her goodbyes. Although she didn't love the life of the water, she preferred it to the stench of bugbears, even if one of them could have a conversation over fine wine. They were just chess pieces in the eyes of Asmodeus. Who better to move them about their board then she and her companions?
Once aboard she started her work at once. Sindran had told her she needed to create a mutiny. Okay, maybe not her specifically but by Sarenrae's Damned Wings she was going to! She quickly stalked off to the opposite side of the ship to Kargeld to begin her Web of Lies.
Arryn will begin my moving left over crates and such in the back side of the strange ship to create a room. After that is done she will get a few more of the crates to suffice as tables. Once done she will begin her real work.
Arryn will look through anything that Kargeld might keep secret. She will especially be looking for some kind of journal of his. A captain's log is her goal right now (The above rolls are if she needs to pickpocket it right off of him to get anything, or sneak around in unwanted sectors :P).
Once and if she is able to get anything she will go to Caladwhen, and pull her out of earshot of Kargeld and any crew mates. "Caladwhen, my Lady, I need you to help me out in my Web of Lies. This," She says as she pulls out the Journal, "Is our key. I need you to add one page to it. I need you to Forge one page, telling how Kargeld plans to not pay the crew, or something of that effect. With that I will deliver it to a crew mate, and with my skills of the tongue, persuade them to take action. What do you think?" She says with an evil smile, as she expectantly gives her a quill and ink she had stowed in her bag.
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Who better to move them about their board then she and her companions?
Lift a small object from a person-DC20
Arryn, while in conversation with Caladwhen, makes sure she 'accidentally' bumps into Kargeld. She quickly fumbles for the journal, but quickly realizes it's inside his inside pocket and that he'd immediately notice. She does manage to palm a small key - which is rather interesting, since you've been on the ship for weeks now but the type of chest this key would fit on has never been in your sight.
Kargeld, annoyed with you, points at the deck and yells "By the devils! You've been on my ship for weeks now! How can you still not know that board is slightly bent?" He walks off, muttering, "I am so glad I only have to put up with you lot for just a few more hours..."That evening, as Kargeld turns in early, Arryn stands mesmerizing nonchalantly over the bow near Odenkirk's bedroll. She patiently waits for her chance and simply steps over to Kargeld, and takes his journal.
Now then, you're planning to forge a document, on a constantly moving ship, while being sneaky, in dim torchlight, on a ship with little or no hiding places. And then there's the crew who knows their captain better than you do. *whistles* You are certainly ambitious - but it'd be so cool if it works.
I'm trying to get a timeframe together of the last evening on the Frosthamar, and it seems either Sindran or Caladwhen will spend the better part of the evening quietly forging?
If Cala or Sindran agrees to this, they should forge the document well before midnight, or they won't be able to get enough rest to recover spells. That could suck, right before a boss-battle. So, I'll offer you a deal:
A) if you're willing to work on it until it's perfect i.e. take 20, there will be little time remaining for you to rest, and you'll only get 1d6 spells the next day. Or,
B) alternatively, you do your best to write up a forgery within reasonable time, but quick enough to get sufficient rest. I will roll the forgery check, and we'll simply deal with the result.
I think spending a villain point could've been so helpful here. but alas, that will/may come later...
Aerent remained silent throughout the discussions regarding the disposal of the sailors and the ship.
[spoiler=DM Screen=]Would it have been possible for Aerent to get some ale, mead, or anything else from Sakkarot before leaving? Doesn't have to be great, just something the sailors would appreciate. Understand if you don't want to retcon to include this since the game has moved on, just didn't have time to ask before now.[/ooc]
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You've seen most of them with short bows and curved short swords, nothing particularly impressive. They wear studded leather and there's a barrel tied to the mast, which contains their small bucklers.
all in all, there were 6 sailors, only one of whom was killed - by Kiliketz and his ice elementals, I believe.*** spoiler ***
sure! In fact, Sakkarot welcomes you to one or two bottles each - he needs a clear head in the next month, and the stuff is just too good to give to his army.
so - a short recap of the plans for the trip from Sakkarot's camp to Aldencross beach:
- dawn - everyone boards.
- day - Arryn 'finds' a key
- evening - Aerent has a plan with presents for the sailors? Arryn 'finds' the journal
- early night - will Sindran / Caladwhen forge a journal entry?
- late night - ???
- dawn - ??? arrival at Aldencross beach
Aerent, what's the plan with the sailors and the booze?
Cala/Sindran, which, if any, of you are proceeding with Arryn's plan? what else are you planning?
Oret, what preparations are you making for the ambush?
Smiling slowly, Caladwhen takes the journal from Arryn and places her hand on the young rogues shoulder "Nicely done my girl." Pulling her writing materials out of her backpack, Cala adjusts her ink to match Kargelds, and reads over his writing so as to best imitate his prose.
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When Aerent offers the bottles to the Helmsman, to share among the crew, he looks at Aerent for a moment. Then, he breaks into a near-toothless smile, shouting out to his crew:
*Jeggarian 4683, known as The blood, is probably the best chelaxian wine in centuries. this is a parting gift indeed!
The exquisite wine is quite strong, but Kargeld allows his men to slobber from the bottle as were it lemonade. Soon, their typical Norspik is reduced to 'Nurzbuk' as they start speaking with thick tongues and, in two cases, snoring loudly.
The ship is now in the hands of two drunk sailors going downstream at full sail.
- early night: Sailors 1+2+3 take the first shift,
- early night: Cala creates a forgery.
- early night: Sailors 4+5 drew lucky and get to sleep all night, so between them, they drink most of the wine. They snore like hogs, all night.
- early night: the Helmsman and Kargeld have turned in early, expecting to take the most difficult night shift together with Aerent.
- late night/pre dawn: ***your story***
Your turn ;)
Talon stays up in the nest, looking with distaste at the drunk humans Look at them, running around, completely disabled. If the bugbeards decided we were a threat we'd be no chance he shakes his head, then keeps his eye out for any signal from the party
About an hour before dawn, Aerent stretches and looks at the helmsman, "Going to stretch my legs, call out if you spot anything."
He begins walking around the deck, nudging Oret, Arryn, Sindran, and Caladwhen (in that order). Making the rounds, he stretches his arms again and looks up into the night sky, trying to meet Talon's gaze.
Once Aerent reaches the wheel, he grins again at the helmsman once again, then moves to the stern of the ship. Clapping his hands a couple of times, he rubs them briskly for warmth as he looks into the darkness. Drawing a dagger, he digs in his nails for a moment before he utters a sharp intake a breath, narrowing his eyes and pointing, saying, "Captain, care to take a look with me? What's that green light?"
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"What's that, blasphemer? You never seen the auroras before?" but, secretly afraid it might be one of those Mephits again, the captain comes over anyway.
Aerent's DC5 heal checks for quietly waking up a friend
Aerent's gentle touch wakes Caladwhen from a dream, and she makes some startled sounds.
DC10 to notice Caladwhen waking up:
[after Caladwhen's forgery]
Arryn will seek out any of the left over Crew mates who might still be awake, and bring them to her set-up room.
"I've brought you here to discuss a possible end. It seems that our captain, Odenkirk," She says with anger rising, " Is not planning on paying ANY of his hard working crew mates. He even went as far to dump you into the ocean before docking, and maybe cover it as a 'accident'" She say with over exaggeration, moving her fingers as she says 'accident'. She then looks them all in the eyes, and tosses the journal on the make-shift table, on the page of forgery.
(Can I get some kind of bonus because they are drunk?)
" 'Today the crew wouldn't do anything! I promise to follow through with my plans. I am going to refuse paying them! I think if I time it right I might even be able to 'get rid off them' and pass it off as an accident. No loose ends, and Thorns money lining my pockets. Then me and Lady Frosthamar can be off to sail the Seas!' " She reads. She then looks at them again.
"This is outrageous! I won't stand for it, will you?! I have a plan. I will wake you, tonight. We will take over the ship. Who's in? I'll be able to get you double what that bloat was paying you, promise! Who's with me!" Arryn says, trying to incite anger. She then puts the Log back onto the crate for the crew to examine as they please, as she leaves to go to bed, "Be ready tonight comrades!"
Sindran wakes quietly, opening his eyes at Aerent's fleeting touch. He stands and waits for a signal before acting.
Waking from his slumber Talon silently yawns My sleep schedule hasn't been this disturbed since I got caught graverobbing. I need to sleep tomorrow during the day
Aerent waits until the Captain is staring out into the darkness, then he sheathes his dagger, pulls his trident, and plunges it into the Captain's back. "The only blasphemer here is you!"
Arryn gets up and looks around... She quietly greets the party, and will move to wake up the crew mates persuaded the night before.
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The two sailors who are influenced by Arryn's inciting words, wake up and sit up, looking somewhat skittish. They look at eachother and nod; They have made their choice, and committed to Arryn's plan; so, they take out their short swords and move over to the three drunken (sleeping) sailors, ready to knock them out if they cause any trouble.
The helmsman, startled by the noise of the attack on Kargeld, turns around and looks at Aerent in shock.
Sindran sees his chance as the helmsman is off-guard. He starts chanting and points a finger at the man, focusing on changing the man's shocked state into rage at Kargeld.
Oret stands quietly when he's prodded, and makes his way closer to the Captain.
When Aerent makes his move, Oret joins him in it.
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Gasping for breath, after being backstabbed with a trident (ouch) and then kicked straight into and onto said trident, Kargeld spits blood at Oret: "You lot want my ship, DO ye?! You should know I killed my own brother to TAKE her, and I'll KILL ALL OF YOU TO KEEP HER!!"
Raging, he swings his greataxe at Aerent, (using powerful blow ability for +2 damage)
"take that, you treacherous, ungrateful...infidels! You'll be in your hell soon enough!"
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The commotion wakes the sleeping sailors. One by one, they blink, rub their eyes, and look around; they are clearly hung over. However, they don't get a chance to wake up gently, because Arryn's friendly sailors quickly smack the other sailors in the face, putting them down on the deck again.
As you might expect, semi-sober sailors waking from a stupor do not at all respond well to getting slapped hard in the face. So, in no time at all, all five sailors end up in a squirming mass of fists and knives, blood and alcohol fumes.
Taking a step away from the drunks, Talon takes out his sword, again noticing it's ebb as it's near combat I swear there's magic in this im missing... he thinks for the hundredth time. He runs to the side of the boat and jumps off, opening his wings and making his way over to Kargeld.
Aerent grins maniacally despite the massive wound he has just received. "Aye Captain, I'll end up in hell, but you first!"
He thrusts forward with his trident again, putting all of his strength behind the attack!
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That last thrust of Aerent's trident forces the prongs deep into the captain's heart, and as the Captain's eyes go numb, suddenly his heart bursts into flame, quickly shrouding Kargeld in a wreath of deep red hellfire.
The Helmsman thrusts his sword sideways, decapitating the Captain in one great strike.
Oret, seeing that their concentrated attacks finished the captain off, turns on the helmsman.
Aware that she is cut-off from her allies, Cala orders her Draugr to guard against potential sailors attacking her. Pulling some sand from her component pouch, Cala begins whispering a sweet sounding language that is seductive and soothing to the sailors.
(Arryn, being on the opposite side of the helmsman is going to try to stop the brawl between sailors.)
Arryn motions for the party on her side of the boat, as she begins.
She grabs her Large Bell out of her pack and starts to ring it repeatedly, and will accept help from the party to stop the fighting and get attention of the Sailors.
"Hey you lot! Quit your sh!t and stop fighting. Mutinies won, and in case you wish to end up like ol' Odenkirk, I suggest you all straighten up. It's not to late to put you back on Bugbear Island," She barks with a malevolent smile on her face, as she motions to land.
If the Sailors are won over in Fear or Bluff, She starts again. "Now move out of the way, let us through!" She yells as she motions for all of them to move apart.
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The Helmsman blinks his eyes as he realises just what he did - but much time for introspection he does not get, as Oret's quarterstaff hits the man hard on the jaw. If the resulting sound is any clue, the Helmsman's cheekbone is now shattered.
Two of the drunkards topple over forwards, smiling.
The last drunkard standing, sailor#5, looks at his sleeping mates, and turns to Arryn, wrinkling his face as she rings the awfully loud bell, ruining his perfectly good hangover. He's had enough.
Sindran moves to aid Arryn, taking out his Branding Iron and swinging it at the hungover sailor.
However, his prowess with weapons shows itself in missing his target by a good distance.
Tracing his finger over the wound left by the greataxe, Aerent smiles as he enjoys the sharp pain that the gesture causes. He kneels down and grabs the burned head of the captain, holding it up to stare into the body's eyes. Aerent grins widely, "You first!"
Seeing the rest of the group handling the crew, Aerent begins searching the captain.
Talon glides down to cover Aerent in his weakened state "Well done, that was quite a short and violent fight. I don't think I've ever seen such a lack of grace in swordsmanship" he grins
increddibelly
IBGuard3
IBSakkarot FireAxe
Rygat Sulta
IBKargeld Odenkirk
