GM Kate's Beneath Unbroken Waves, Table 2 [closed] (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

Prof Sailor 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

The excitable privateers have a typical day but the effects of last nights joviality, whilst good for morale, take a bit of their shine off.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Nixie concentrates on the sphere, coaxing it into action. “C’mon, tell us where we’re supposed to go. We’re in this together, remember? The Monastery of Unbreaking Waves — our heritage — is counting on us. I know that you did not wind up in that fisherman’s net by accident.”

Nixie gets the sphere to sing, and the two ships easily sail out of the hazardous region.

But before you get too comfortable, you notice something large 5 feet under the water heading straight for the front ship! (It is 90 feet away, so it is just off the map.) It is huge size, with a giant turtle shell, and some kind of draconic face. A...turtle dragon? Knowledge (arcana) to know more!

(Since I believe natural reach is always visible, you know that although it takes up a 15 ft. space, it has only 10 ft. reach.)

Initiative
Blackjack
Sarq
Nixie
Maarin
Big Turtle
Daffy

Sarq gets out a wand and hits himself with it. As he does this, he shifts over to the Starboard railing.

Touch of the Sea, duration 1 minute, swim speed of 30 feet along with the standard +8 bonus on Swim checks and the ability to take 10 even if distracted or endangered. Does not give any ability to breath underwater.

Since he now has a spell active, magic is life trait is also active.

"All crew away from ships rails! Let the heroes do the hero work!" Maarin barks to the crew, pulling a snub nosed pistol from an oversized pouch at her side. Whorls of wind and waves decorate the barrel as she sights the beast below. "If one of you can talk it down, I'll appreciate saving the bullets!"

Casting Detect Evil to see if she can get a read on its disposition once in range.

Looking over the railings at the incoming turtle, Sarq casts a questioning glance at Maarin then looks back to the creature. “Do these things talk?”

"Hell if I know!" Maarin laughs back. "Should have brought a druid!"

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

“Urk. I’ve spent too much time on land...” Nixie exclaims. “I’ve never seen a turtle that size!” But Maarin asked for talking, so Nixie tries.

She calls out in Aquan:

Once there was a mighty turtle
T’was the wonder of the sea
The waters heaved and hurtled
Awash in its hard-shelled majesty

I would sing your songs
I would tell your tale
Let us right old wrongs
Upon thee we do prevail.

Perform Oratory (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

She makes one attempt to talk it down, all the while raising her teammates spirits with an Inspire Courage.

+2 to attacks and damage

Know Arcana 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Blackjack eyes the unfolding scene warily for a moment and mutters to himself before ordering the beat to quarters. The sounds of drums, whistles, men yelling, and wood creaking reverberate across the water as the score of ballistae are run out and the ship readies for battle...

Giving a moment to see what the outcome of the parley/knowledge/etc to resolve, then will pull around to release a broadside if this gets funk :p

This is a dragon turtle, a dragon with the aquatic subtype. What would you most like to know about it?

It seems to ignore Nixie's plea and is focused on the ship.

Immunities/defences - we usually find out the special attacks REALLY QUICKLY without needing a roll :p

It is immune to fire, paralysis, and sleep. It does not have any DR or SR.

Blackjack dashes forward, drawing his trident as he goes, then launches into the water.

The ship will launch a broadside at the turtle if it rises above 5' below the surface

Initiative
Blackjack
Sarq
Nixie
Maarin
Big Turtle
Daffy

It continues to charge toward the ship! (It is now properly on the map. It had to double-move to get there.)

It sounds like the creature is charging the ship.

Taking his trident in hand, Sarq moves to where he estimates the creature will impact the ship and braces the weapon for the charge.

Once in place, his eyes alight and there is a crackle in the air around him.

Move, Rage, Ready with Brace Weapon

raging trident, song: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15
Piercing damage, song: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10
If it is really charging into braced weapon: 1d8 + 52 ⇒ (3) + 52 = 55

Daffy takes a moment to catch the tune of Nixie's song, then joins in, singing a harmonic counterpoint to her melody. His voice doesn't seem to have the same effect on his teammates that Nixie's does, but that doesn't mean it's without effect. Instead, a patch of water between the turtle and the ship seems to freeze in place, forming a sort of barrier.

One round of bardic performance, using watersong to control two squares of water.

Sarq, just so you know, the deck is five feet above the water, so you won't be able to reach it if it charges the ship itself. You will be able to if it rises up out of the water to charge you.

Abandoning the aura sight magic, Maarin snatches a line strung from the main mast and swings down to the lower deck. Will use Acrobatics if needed, +12. "No mercy to those what mess with my Angel!" she shouts in Aquan, pistol sighted and ready.

Blackjack has moved on the map per earlier post. It was a double move.

I think it's your turn again, at the top of the second round.

Sarq, just so you know, the deck is five feet above the water, so you won't be able to reach it if it charges the ship itself. You will be able to if it rises up out of the water to charge you.

I hadn’t known that but will go forward with the action anyways.

I think it's your turn again, at the top of the second round.

Swam even further then :p

Everyone prepares for combat! Nixie is up.

Nixie continues her song.

The dragon turtle attempts to charge the ship, but Daffy's frozen water blocks its path! It has to swim around, coming next to the side of the ship.

Maarin's readied attack goes off and the water parts around the turtle as the undine shoots!

Initiative
Blackjack
Sarq
Nixie
Maarin
Dragon Turtle -20 hp
Daffy

Blackjack screams a battlecry as he closes with the turtle and lashes at it with his trident.

Battlecry/Power attack/furious focus - wielding twohanded
Attack 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 1 = 32
Damage 1d8 + 6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 9 = 19

Likely provoked an AoO on the way in

Battle Cry (ACG, 3/day) Allies within 30' gain +1 mor bon to atk and +4 mor bon to saves vs. fear for 1 min.

"Hey, turtle!"

♫Listen while I talk to you
I tell you what we're gonna do
There's a new thing that's going around
And I'll tell you what they're puttin' down
Just move your body all around
And just shake
Oh, turtle
Shake
That's the way to do it
Shake
Oh, you're looking good now
Shake♫

Stopping water song, so the solid water will only last for one more round. Using one round of bardic performance to shake the fluid in the dragon-turtle's body, via the Watersinger bard's Lifewater ability. The turtle is sickened (no save), unless it is immune to critical hits.

Sickened duration (rounds): 1d4 ⇒ 3

Sarq dives into the water and moves to flank with Jaques.

swim, Touch of the Sea: 10 + 7 + 8 = 25

raging trident, flank, song: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 22
Piercing damage, song: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9

Snatching a cartridge from a second pouch, Maarin slams it home and blasts another tunneling shot into the beast. "Blow the man down!" she crows, loading a second cartridge and leaning in over the ships rail as she sights in again. Up Close and Deadly on the second shot, if needed.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Iterative Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Up Close and Deadly Damage: 1d8 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (1) + (2, 2) + 14 = 19

The dragon turtle takes its attack of opportunity!

bite!: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
ouch!: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) + 6 = 15

But Blackjack soon gets his revenge with a hit!

Daffy shakes it silly, and Sarq comes in for another attack! Maarin gets two solid shots in.

Nixie continues her performance!

Sarq and Blackjack notice that the dragon turtle is covered in runes that look like the orb.

The dragon turtle attacks!

bite, vs Blackjack!: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 14 - 2 = 15
ouch!: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5) + 6 = 21

claw 1, vs Sarq!: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 2 = 28
ouch!: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 = 17

bite, vs Sarq!: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 14 - 2 = 31
ouch!: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9

Initiative
Blackjack
Sarq
Nixie
Maarin
Dragon Turtle -88 hp
Daffy

Sarq calls out “Are the runes on the shell important?”

He then pokes at it again with his trident.

raging trident: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Piercing damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Blackjack just keeps jabbing...

Battlecry/Power attack/furious focus - wielding twohanded
Attack 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 = 33
Damage 1d8 + 6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 9 = 19

Attack 1d20 + 8 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 3 + 1 = 26
Damage 1d8 + 6 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 9 = 20
Crit? 1d20 + 8 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 3 + 1 = 14
Add Damage 1d8 + 6 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 9 = 23

Both of his blows well aimed!

The solid water seems to melt away as Daffy moves toward the center of the boat. He appears to scream at the turtle, but no sound seems to come out. Ear-piercing scream, obviously.

Sonic damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 Plus Dazed for one round. DC 16 to negate the daze and halve the damage.

Nixie's actions for the last round and for this one

Last round

Nixie continues the song, and uses Ear-piercing scream!

Sonic Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 Plus Dazed for one round. DC 15 to negate the daze.

Nixie also realizes that her player is dumb. In her hurry to level up she forgot to purchase the headband of alluring charisma and the circlet of persuasion -- both of which she has the money for. Head / desk.

This round

Nixie continues the song, and dives in the water, then casts glitterdust on the turtle. (DC 16) or blinded!

You can retcon! You had time to shop.

Between Sarq and Blackjack, the dragon turtle is easily taken down.

From underneath the ship, Blackjack suddenly notices a panel he's never seen before: a compartment used long ago to smuggle goods.

In the commotion of the battle, a panel on the ship popped open, revealing a long-forgotten smuggler's compartment. Inside, you find a large onyx, a very old bottle of wine, and three potion.

"Well I'll be damned, would you look at that!" Daffy says, picking up the bottle of wine. "This looks pretty good." Setting it down, he turns his attention to the potions.

Spellcraft, potion 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Spellcraft, potion 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Spellcraft, potion 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"Hm. Not sure what this is, but this one is lots of fun. Turns you invisible, lets you sneak around and whatnot. And this one, well, anyone need a little help swimmin'?"

Spellcraft, Potion 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"That's a potion of Bear's Endurance! Makes you last longer in a fight!" Nixie swims back to the ship, and looks through her own gear. "Silly me, I forgot to put on the jewelry I just bought on town!" She puts on a nifty headband and a circlet. "I'm not used to the landpeople custom of wearing multiple items on your head!"

She also looks through her stuff and discovers an interesting wand that she forget about. "Ooh, see this? This is a wand of lucky number! It might bring you luck at a critical time. We should use it before we descend to the monastery!"

Sarq relaxes and floats on the waves for a short time, resting. Then he climbs back up on the boat.

Soon after that, his hands and feet return to their normal form. He shakes his hands to get them dry. "Although it is useful, I don't know if I will ever get used to the weird feeling it causes."

Getting out a wand, he brings it over to the two bards and asks "Could you please use this to heal me?"

To speed things up, I'll just roll them

3 charges CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 7) + 3 = 13
2 charges CLW: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 = 12

Good enough!

"That's a potion of Bear's Endurance! Makes you last longer in a fight!" Nixie swims back to the ship, and looks through her own gear. "Silly me, I forgot to put on the jewelry I just bought on town!" She puts on a nifty headband and a circlet. "I'm not used to the landpeople custom of wearing multiple items on your head!"

"You look ridiculous." Maarin laughs, peering down to see if any other help is needed fishing Pathfinders out of the water. "But it's a good ridiculous. Have you ever sailed to Vudra? They have some wild outfits!"

"I'll accept a good ridiculous," Nixie notes, happily.

Sarq and Blackjack notice that the dragon turtle is covered in runes that look like the orb.

Sarq looks down over the railing at the dead dragon turtle. “So, why does the shell have the same sort of markings as that orb? Should we recover the shell to examine it more closely?”

"It does seem odd, and if it has come for the orb then perhaps it is a guardian or something? I'm guessing the ord isn't a turtle dragon egg so that rules out an angry parent"

Jaques calls for his ship to throw out some lines so the corpse can be dragged to the nearest shallows for more easy inspection.

Sarq scratches his head.

Looking over to the two bards, he asks “Can you tell if the Orb is enchanted, or maybe just got that way from being close to something?”

Looking back at the turtle, he adds “It would be easier to explain if proximity caused the symbols to appear. Then the Orb is just a rock, and the turtle went to sleep near whatever is causing this,”

With a chuckle, he admits “This is way out of my league, just trying to come up with ideas why the same symbols would be on a rock and a creature.”

"Maybe it means we're getting close?" Maarin suggests, looking to the horizon.

The group inspects the runes on the turtle shell, but can't come to any firm conclusions.

There is an island about a mile away. The orb pulls you in a path that would go right by it. You see a crowd starting to gather on the shore.

"Reckon those folks might know somethin' about it, given how close they are. Let's go ask them!"

"Do you think they're friendly?" Nixie peers over at the group. "They better not have any pigs. Have you all seen pigs? Absolutely terrifying land creatures."

"Pigs? I think the word you're looking for is 'delicious', Nixie. As in pigs are 'absolutely delicious land creatures'."

Pigs?

Sarq is also puzzled by Nixie’s comment.

Looking towards her, he asks “Do you mean boars? They are like pigs but have tusks and mean dispositions.”

——

After the conversation of pigs with Nixie, he looks towards the island and says “The monastery was supposed to be underwater, right?” Then with a shrug, he says “Let’s try talking with them. They should at least know the area and may be able to help us.”

"And they're much less terrifying after you've cooked a couple up." Maarin chimes in as she pulls the ship hard about to sail for the island.

CLW - 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The Raven also pulls hard about, following Angel Arm towards the island.