M Human Ftr8 | AC 30, T14, FF27, CMD 27 (35 vs Grapple, 29 vs Disarm, 32 vs Trip) | HP (78/79) | F +10 R +7 W +5 (+4 vs mind-affecting) | Move 30' | Init +2 | Per +8 (low-light) | Hero Points: 3
Brannart is going to use a Hero Point for an extra standard action, attacking Elder Maw again.
Razor is able to hit Elder Maw, though the Feeder in the Depths heals a bit from Razor's bleeding wound.
@Malakar, I think you have Razor's damage too high. Are you applying Greater Magic Fang? It is only a +1 at your level, which would make Razor's PA +9 to hit (+3 BAB, +4 Str, +1 WF, +1 GMF) for 1d6+10 damage (+6 Str, +3 PA, +1 GMF).
Yah I pre-applied the greater magic fang of +2 but didn't adjust it back down in my app since we got jumped before I cast it sorry.
So to hit should be +7 to hit and damage should be +9. I guess Greater magic fang is worded different than some spells. GMF is +1 per for levels which apparently different from 'for every n levels' like something like barkskin that applies fractionally.
I guess the benefit of being able to all attacks at 3rd is what makes GMF better than MF right away but for creatures with only one attack it is strictly equal to normal magic fang until 7th level. So there is no reason for me to prep greater at the moment.
@Malakar - Greater Magic Fang lasts much longer, at hour/level, so it remains a good option.
Vexas shoots a bolt into Elder Maw, mildly annoying it.
The Sahuagin swims up above the great shark and fires again at Brannart.
Heavy Crossbow, 2nd range increment:1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 2 = 20
The water slows the bolt just enough that Brannart is able to dodge.
The beast is about to take his head off, when he manages to jam his buckler into its teeth. The shield is torn to shreds, but Brannart remains alive.
Brannart uses Armored Sacrifice (1/day). "When damage would cause the fighter or an adjacent ally to be knocked unconscious or killed, the fighter can instead direct the damage to a suit of armor that he is wearing or a shield he is using as an immediate action. The original target takes no damage, but the armor or shield is treated as if it had only half its normal hardness." So 10 HP destroys the shield, but unlike Sunder there is no provision for spillover damage affecting the original target, as it specifically says they take no damage.
Elder Maw is not done, and attacks again, with Brannart now bereft of his shield.
Swift Bite:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Brannart is able to dodge, but is quickly running out of options.
I don't think it's feasible for us to win this fight. There's some bad luck from the crits, but really that just speeds things up. The shark has reach apparently, does bleed damage, and heals from blood in the water, has to be unlucky not to hit on every attack, out-damages everyone except maybe Brannart, and has a decent chance of not being hit by us. I'm not even considering the sahuagin. The math is really bad, and we can't flee either. I would ballpark this as a loser for us with 50/50 to be a TPK.
With this in mind, I think our only chance is to swarm the shark, everybody in on it for a maximum number of attacks for a round or two, or three. Sho's gravity bow probably makes it best for her to shoot, but otherwise we need to all the doing some damage and presenting extra targets.
Fenna is outright terrified of the immense shark. If she had been able to imagine what it was really like, she wouldn't have agreed to be where they are at all.
Nevertheless, Brannart is in serious trouble. She swims up closer to threaten the shark with her spear and try to give Brannart some relief. She calls on everyone to buck up and mob the shark
Starting Inspire Courage +2 attack and damage. I can't wait until 7th level when I don't have to spend a standard action for it.
M Human Ftr8 | AC 30, T14, FF27, CMD 27 (35 vs Grapple, 29 vs Disarm, 32 vs Trip) | HP (78/79) | F +10 R +7 W +5 (+4 vs mind-affecting) | Move 30' | Init +2 | Per +8 (low-light) | Hero Points: 3
Brannart stabs the giant shark again.
Ranseur, PA, IC:1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 18
That would be a miss, but he will spend a Hero Point after the fact for a +4, making it a 22 and a hit.
Damage:2d4 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 8 + 6 = 22
Elder Maw -119 and unconscious
The Feeder in the Depths reels from the pain and blood loss, thrashing about in its death throes.
The Sahuagin shrieks and trains her crossbow on Brannart.
Fenna faces a dilemma. Incredibly, the giant shark is out of the fight, but perhaps not dead. She feels the urge to jab the monster several more times with her spear for good measure.
But, on the other hand, the sahuagin is still active and dangerous. It will probably fall to Brannart to deal with her, but he's badly injured and needs protection.
When Fenna sees Vexas honing in on the shark, her makes her decision. She swims as hard as she can to close the distance between herself and the sahuagin, thinking she can at least skirmish with it to keep it busy while the others move in.
I think I can double move while swimming? Actually only going 25' rather than 30'. That puts Fenna within range to threaten an AoO if the sahuagin keeps using the crossbow. She would also get an AoO if it closes to melee range on her.
@Fenna - swimming (without a Swim speed) is half your base speed as a full-round action, or one-quarter your speed as a move action. So 15' is already a double move for Fenna. Any changes to your positioning?
@Malakar - Elder Maw is unconscious, so technically that would be a hit for Razor (AC would be 10 +10 natural -2 Size -5 Dex -4 helpless = 9) if you still want to do that. Meanwhile Malakar could heal Brannart, but Brannart is in a lot less danger now that Elder Maw is down. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the situation.
@Fenna - swimming (without a Swim speed) is half your base speed as a full-round action, or one-quarter your speed as a move action. So 15' is already a double move for Fenna. Any changes to your positioning?
Sho puts one arrow into the Sahaugin, but the other misses.
Fenna advances on the enemy.
Razor finishes off the dying Feeder in the Depths, though he takes another 1d4 ⇒ 1 bleed damage.
Malakar heals Brannart.
Brannart uses Total Defense.
As a full-round action, you can use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace (pronounced “coo day grahs”) to a helpless opponent. You can also use a bow or crossbow, provided you are adjacent to the target.
You automatically hit and score a critical hit. If the defender survives the damage, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die. A rogue also gets her extra sneak attack damage against a helpless opponent when delivering a coup de grace.
We can go with either one, Vexas. Although you might normally need a Heal check to verify that Elder Maw is dead, I see you have already moved on the map so we'll roll with that.
Vexas stabs the Sahuagin. I added +2 more damage from Inspire Courage - don't forget that, it will come up a lot!
She rages, drops her crossbow, draws her spear, and stabs at him.
Sho sends two other arrows toward the Sahuagin, knowing she won't be hindered by the fight between the beast from the deeps and her halfling companion Precise shot
She's still not totally used yet to fire arrows in such quick succession, but one of those is destined to hit its target
With Elder Maw and its keeper dead, and the Sahaugin chief fled, the party can explore the reef at their leisure.
The Sahuagin had another Necklace of Air Adaptation in addition to the following:
Potion of cure light wounds
Mwk longspear
Mwk underwater heavy crossbow with 20 bolts
Hand of the mage
Agate earring worth 25 gp
7 pearls worth 100 gp each
18 gp
Elder Maw's usual den is found where Koloshkora had said she saw it.
An opening in the seabed below the coral reef leads to a massive underwater cave. The cave is undecorated save for a single patch of interwoven kelp strands attached to the wall. Small bones are scattered around the bed along with a few rusted curiosities from the sunken ship.
Most of the trinkets from the sunken ship are worthless in their rusted condition, but there is one locked steel box that has somehow resisted the elements.
Vexas is eventually able to get the box open, finding a folded magical cloak that, given time, the party is able to identify as a Cloak of the Manta Ray.
M Human Ftr8 | AC 30, T14, FF27, CMD 27 (35 vs Grapple, 29 vs Disarm, 32 vs Trip) | HP (78/79) | F +10 R +7 W +5 (+4 vs mind-affecting) | Move 30' | Init +2 | Per +8 (low-light) | Hero Points: 3
"Thank you, Fenna."
Brannart nods in appreciation as some of his wounds close.
"Still, we should get out of here before the blood in the water draws more sharks."
M Human Ftr8 | AC 30, T14, FF27, CMD 27 (35 vs Grapple, 29 vs Disarm, 32 vs Trip) | HP (78/79) | F +10 R +7 W +5 (+4 vs mind-affecting) | Move 30' | Init +2 | Per +8 (low-light) | Hero Points: 3
Brannart nods awkwardly.
"Thank you, great and glorious Vriskirsa. May I request this pearl?"
He takes a medium-sized pearl (worth 50 GP).
So this is the other mechanism. Some items will be dropped that I think you might want, but if nothing suits your fancy, or you don't want to accept major gifts from the Naga, then just take some minor item of your designation (up to 100 GP) and the suitable magic item (up to 4,500 GP) will come your way (this is reflecting what you would have been able to get by selling the Necklaces and buying custom gear). In Brannart's case, his old sash from the Mendevian Crusades is going to take on the power of a Sash of the War Champion as he regains his heroic spirit.
Fenna is less effusive with her words to the naga, saying only "thank you for your generous gift." She skips any extra flattery.
Later on Fenna weighs in with an opinion about what should come next:
"It seems to me we should hole up somewhere safe around here for the night, then tomorrow follow the route shown on that map at the shipwreck up into the mountains. We don't know how often the sahuagin and the hag communicate. If a meeting gets missed, the hag might be alerted that something might be up. Going back to Talmandor's Bounty might cost us too much time."
"I agree we should rest, maybe in the Locathah village nearby. We can give them the necklaces we found. They would make trading with the settlement much easier for them. After that I agree we should seek to take care of the witch."Malakar blurts out without waiting for reply.
Edit:
If the group doesn't want to visit the Locathah village yet and find a place elsewhere Malakar will join Sho in finding a suitable location in which case he will say the following.
"Wait for me Sho! It is safer to find a campsite together."
Aid Another: Survival DC: 10 for +2 to aided skill check:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
The Locathah village is on the other side of the island.
Map here.
You can certainly travel to the Locathah village if you like, but it is about 35-40 miles along the coastline, so perhaps three days' journey. It would be shorter to cut across the island in places, but that means leaving Razor behind (unless Malakar prepares Carry Companion).
Sho finds a campsite for the night, on a ridge overlooking a cove in which Razor can rest.
Brannart takes advantage of the opportunity to sleep heavily, not taking any watch for a change.
He was at -27 after Fenna's CLW, then down to -22 after a night's rest.
The party is undisturbed through the night.
30% chance of a random encounter every hour?? That seems like a lot. We're going to skip it for now - I don't think PbP needs a ton of random encounters, especially as we are not tracking XP.
It is fairly easy to align the Sahuagin's map with Carver Hasting's map (updated the Sahuagin path as a red line on the island map).
