Seas of Blood: Skull & Shackles

Game Master Darth Maximus

Baolus tries to defend himself, but the bees dodge his hook! Madiya and Kehlysch try to help, but their attacks also miss.

attack Sven: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
attack Baolus 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
DC 18 fort vs poison or take dex damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1
attack Baolus 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
DC 18 fort vs poison or take dex damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Sven holds off the single bee attacking him, but Baolus is less lucky and manages to get stung twice!

Sven might have just been knocked out. Party up!

"One down, three to go"

There are two bees on Baolus, but despite that he seems to be fairing better than Sven, who was pummeled by the bees earlier. Buhayra decides to focus her attention on Sven's bee to free him up to help Baolus.

Ranged touch v Bee attacking Sven: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Cold damage if hit: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 = 14

Hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2) + (2, 3) + 12 = 23

Still bleeding, Sven went to work swinging his hammer in large arcs. Getting into the mood, he began chanting a song he learned as a wee child.

”Do you like
The Ulfen Thane?
I do not like them
Svain-you-pain!

I do not like
The Ulfen Thane
I would not like him in a boat,
I would not like him in a moat!”

Sven dodged the stinger. He kept chanting, a bloody smile on his face.

“I would not like him on a throne,
I would not like him sacking home!
I do not-“

His hammer lashed out at the oversized bee. The question would soon become, which was more annoying, the buzzing or the chanting? And which was more dangerous, stinger or hammer? Both questions would be answered soon.

The buzzing goes silent. The stinger rendered harmless via lack of a head. Sven is also now covered in gore from two different insects.

"Well, that was exciting," Kehlysch says in a deadpan tone.

"I'm wondering if the bees are related to our run-in with those beasts yesterday. When I tried to sell their corpses, no one would touch the naga. Rickety says they have an uneasy truce with a naga that lives upstream. If it's related to the one we killed, it might have sent these bees to extract vengeance."

He shrugs as if to say he's not certain, just speculating.

Kehlysch looks around and realizes that all the bees aren't gone yet.

He moves to help Baolus, unleashing a blast of acid at one of them.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Acid Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Kehlysch scores a hit!

(About time!)

Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Baolus now was sure that the poison was affecting him. However, he had not choice but to keep fighting the bees.

With supernatural improvisation for +1 as a swift.
Attack (grappling hook), SI, TWF: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 12
Damage (grappling hook, SI: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Attack (unarmed strike), TWF: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 2 = 23
Damage (unarmed strike): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

DMs, would you allow a 5 ft. step into a flanking position for +2 to attack and +2d6 sneak attack damage this round? Combats in theater of the mind stile are really punishing to those who rely on precise position for the use of class abilities...

Tamesis keeps up her pace, drawing and firing arrows as quickly as she can, using her minor spells that she can easily afford to let fizzle.

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Bow Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Concentration DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Spellstrike Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Bow Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Jolt Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Baolus: Ya, that's fine by me.

Madiya, not overly concerned yet, shoots again.

attack (crossbow): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
damage (crossbow): 1d8 ⇒ 7

sneak: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

One bee is severely wounded, but not killed by the party. The pair that are left continue to try to take down their target!
vs baolus 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
vs baolus 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Also save again for your poison at the same DC or take dex damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1. Continue to make saves for up to 6 rounds total or until you make it taking 1d2 for each failure.
Party up!

Cool, check back 1 last time, and now it is ready. Blasty blasty!

"This is getting tedious. Shoo fly! Don't bother me!

Buhayra aims for the obviously injured of the two bees and sends out another cold blast.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Cold Damage on hit: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 = 15

Hit full health bee: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2) + (4, 4) + 12 = 26

With his song finished Sven slammed his hammer into the healthier of the two bees. He trusted that between his strength and the cold, it would be better than trying to finish off the other.

The wounded bee is brought down by the cold. The other is nearly batted out of the air by Sven, the human fly swatter of doom, but not quite.

Kehlysch unleashes a gout of acid at the remaining bee.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Acid Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Keh has to learn magic missile. You and the dice roller don’t get along.

"Piss. Off."

Tamesis draws back twice, letting fly, twice, punctuating each shot with a harsh word. Letting the magic flow through her into her bow into her arrows, she allows for no mistakes.

Attacking with Spell Combat, Risky Strike, and Arcane Strike

Concentration DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Spellstrike Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Arcane Point Spent for Max Damage On Hit: 8 + 4 = 12
Jolt Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Arcane Point Spent for Max Damage On Hit: 8 + 4 = 12

I'll update my Arcane Pool if either of those actually hit.

Not sure if the bees are still alive after such punishing...

Against all odds, Baolus manages to fight off the poison coursing through his veins and attacks the bees once more. If the bees are already dead, he will still attack, since he is pissed.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

With supernatural improvisation for +1 as a swift.
Attack (grappling hook), SI, TWF, flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 22
Damage (grappling hook), SI, sneak attack: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 + (4, 5) = 16

Attack (unarmed strike), TWF, flanking: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 11
Damage (unarmed strike), sneak attack: 1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (4, 2) = 10

Bolus takes down the last bee! You all scramble into a nearby boat house for cover...
You have about 1 minute until the next thing happens.

Sven was the last one in. Because he was the slowest. Shaking the remnants of the bees off of his hammer he complained bitterly ”Can’t we have a few days of peace in port? How’re we supposed to have rest and relaxation if everything keeps trying to eat us?”

Buhayra nods in agreement with Sven as she sets about treating the wounds incurred in the battle.

"Seriously. Is a little pest control to much to ask?"

"Sven and Balous, you are both really banged up. Let me take a look at you."

Kinetic healing on Sven, Gonna take at least 2 doses: 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 6, 1, 6) + 8 = 23

That will bring you back to one shy of full, but with 8 NL damage.

Kinetic Healing on Balous, 2 might do it?: 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 4) + 8 = 20
Kinetic Healing on Balous, 1 more to grow on: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

Ouch, gross rolls...sorry. So that puts you at 33, but with 12 NL. That last one was hardly worth the paper it was printed on.

"Those stings were poisoned too weren't they? Guess we will be breaking into these supplies."

Looking through the different vials and salves she had purchased, she hands a small stoppered glass ampule to Balous.

"Here, drink this down. It will taste like burnt grass, but it should help you fight off additional effects from the poison."

Buhayra hands you a vial of anti-toxin. If you drink it you will get a +5 alchemical bonus on Fort Saves v Poison for the next hour.

"Gonna have to see if there is any more of that here in town before we set sail."

"Keep missing..." Kehlysch mutters. "Am I getting slower, or just unlucky?"

Perhaps you need the type of power that doesn't require luck or aim. replies Bulge.

Are you going to provide it? Kehlysch asks.

When you have proven worthy of it, perhaps. the Bulge answers.

"At least there's no undead." Tammy states wryly, keeping her eyes pointed skyward for any further incoming attacks.

maybe I should start preparing Delay Poison...

Madiya fiddles with her crossbow, annoyed, as she looks out. "We not need so much excitement."

Baolus thanks Blue for the healing and for the vial, but do not drink it immediately. "Well... as soon as we see another monster I'll drink it, thanks." He then rotate his arms and move his legs, intending to figure out how much slower he is.

"Guys, I'm seriously in favor of sitting here and drink in peace... if the world ends out there, so be it..."

Just a couple seconds after Baolus gives the verbal middle finger to the island you hear a scream of, HELP! A young lad who you've seen assisting one of the senior carpenters is booming it toward you, running down the beach from the ship, with two bees hot on his heels. He's not going to make it...
Party up. The boy is 200' out. The bees are 210'.

Buhayra sighs tiredly. ”Would that I could take your advice Balous, but I can’t. It’s not in me. When you can do the things we can, and you don’t? And then bad stuff happens to people? Then it’s your fault. The rest of you can stay here and drink cups if you want, but I have to go get that boy. I have to at least try. “

Buhayra walks out of the boat house and towards the bees chasing the apprentice carpenter. She is not running, but trudging indomitably forward.

Double move for 60’ puts me 140 away from the lad and 150 from the bees. Hoping they close to 120 next round so I can make them regret their life choices.

Tamesis shrugs as Buhayra hustles off, "Last time we saved a worker, Rickety gave us a discount. Makes it worth it, for me."

She steps out of the door, just a step, and draws her arrows. Breathing out deeply, she takes an arcing aim and fires, two shots, the second accompanied by an attempt at an ice spell.

Attacking with Risky Strike, Spell Combat, and Arcane Accuracy.

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Bow Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Concentration DC 21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Spellstrike Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Bow Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Snowball Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1, 6, 2) = 16

Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Critical Bow Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 8) + 4 = 13
Critical Snowball Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 3, 6) = 24

The two arrows arc up... come down... and absolutely murder one of the bees!

don't forget about range penalties, Tammy. they're out in the second increment right now.

Madiya sighs as more bees show up. Stepping out next to the captain, she takes a moment to charge up her weapon with electricity.

weather blessing, +1d4 electric damage for 1 min

"I don't have any magic that is even close to being able to hit from this distance," Kehlysch says. "I have a spell on one of my scrolls that can almost hit it if I sprint out there in the open (Double Move or Run and No Action), but I'm not noted for my speed out of the water. It's also not a very powerful spell, but it won't miss if I can get close enough. Anyone care to join me?"

He waits a split second before dashing towards the boy and the remaining bee. (Full Run towards boy and bee)

Risking yourself is foolish. the Bulge chides him.

Sven? Baolus?

Sven, being both slow and without any ranged options, merely ran as fast as he could.

Double move

To Baolus, Buhayra's speech made no sense at all. There were those that survive and those that do not... running to help others was not really in par with his goal of surviving. With a single "Crap!" he followed the others, running as fast as he could.

Full-round action to run 120ft.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
The bee swoops down on the young apprentice and stings the young man on the back! He goes limp and falls to the ground in a shower of sand!

Party up! They moved 30 ft. closer to you on this turn, so now 170' from your starting point.

Tamesis frowns, not at the boy's fate, but at the potential loss of a discount. Annoying.

Spell Combat, Arcane Strike, Risky Strike, and Range Penalty.

Concentration DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19<-Fizzle. This attack doesn't go off.
Spellstrike Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Bow Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Jolt Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Bow Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Almost as annoying as the burning sensation in her skull every time she tries to cast even a simple cantrip.

Kehlysch closes the distance between himself and the bee (Move 30'), then unleashes a blast of acid at it.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Acid Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

From where she stands 120' away from the bee, Buhayra flares out her hands at waist level. There is a strange sound in the air as a small cold front is formed around her. The tropical air drops rain in a circle 5' away from her as snowflakes begin to fall from her hands, melting before they reach the soil below. The cold air gathers around her fingers and up her arms. With an outthrust hand she sends her cold blast farther than you have seen before.

Move action to gather power into an extended range cold blast taking my max range to 120'.

120' ranged touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage on hit: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8

With the enemy so far and himself so slow, Sven came to a halt near the archer and casters. He figured he’d defend them if anything else flew out of the sky.

Madiya moves up a bit while aiming her electrified crossbow, then fires, but the bolt flies wide.

about 10 feet or so to get into 2nd range increment
attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 2 = 10

"Arg... I'm gonna regret this..." He mumbled as he continued to run towards the bee, now with this grappling hook ready to attack!

Attack (grappling hook), charge: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 = 21
Damage (grappling hook): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Full-round action to charge. AC at 16 until end of his turn.

Post got eaten. Sorry.

The bee is battered, but not broken. It picks up its prey and tries to fly off with him!
The bee is now at its original distance from your start point. Party up!

"Sh*t! That is not okay! Come back here!"

If I am understanding correctly, it is back at 210' from the shack. Which puts it 140' from me. If this is not accurate please ignore the action and Buhayra will just run to try to be in some kind of range next round. Let me know though so I can walk my burn back down to 1.

Buhayra rushes forward 30' (closing the distance to 110' I think) and unleashes another extended range blast. There is no pomp or circumstance before the blast this time, it appears she has accepted the cost herself rather than drawing it from around her.

Extended Range Touch Attack, Buhayra accepts the burn: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Damage on hit: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

Kehlysch moves to keep in range of the bee (move 30'), and unleashes another blast of acid.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

”Sucks to be him.” Sven wasn’t able to contribute anything but that.

"Well, that's not good."

Tamesis continues to draw and fire arrow after arrow in rapid succession.

Spell Combat, Risky Strike, Arcane Strike, Range Penalty.

Concentration DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Spellstrike Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Bow Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Jolt Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Bow Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Buhayra and Kehlysch both miss, but the Captain steps up, measures her shots and nails the bug right in the back! It falls dead, dropping the boy in the process!

Bugs are still flying about, but none are actively approaching you at the moment...
Not in rounds anymore, but you probably shouldn't stay outside.

”Ha! Good shot c’pn! Hey Baolus, grab the body and let’s go inside.”