GM Badblood's Deluge of the Drowned God #9-22 (1-5) (Inactive)

Game Master Lance K

Assuming the corpse doesn't rise again and Bedisa can grab the journal and bring it back to the rest of the group.

There was a corpse in there. Obviously dead to a stab wound in his side.. Bedisa will show off the journal she found. Also, this was in his pocket. Maybe it'll give us some insights to what happened.

The book in the corpse's pocket is the journal of the ship captain Jaheem. The book is made of vellum and written in a water resistant ink, so despite the water damage it appears quite legible. The journal describes an account of its last voyage, which was to transport a group of Pathfinders to an island in the Gloomspires. When the Pathfinders failed to return and the weather began to worsen the crew became restless and eventually mutinied. The captain barricaded himself in his room while the crew attempted to sail away but they were caught up in a storm and ended up wreaking on this reef. Jaheem attempted to use his waterbending (ahem, water-related spell-like abilities) to escape from his confinement but his corpse is evidence that his powers were not enough to save him.

The journal is filled with detailed charts and logs of the waters around the Eye of Abendgo.

There is also another notable looking book on his shelf which the librarians at Absalom Lodge would surely appreciate having; Through the Eye: a Theoretical Study of the World's Largest Storm.

There is nothing else of interest in the captain's room.

Can we take 10 in Knowledge, as we aren't under attack or duress? That would be 17 in Know Nature, if not I'll roll Know Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Eredur peruses through the captain's journal

As far as I can tell, Captain Jahremm noticed several changes in the natural local water currents, suspecting someone was using potent magic to produce these changes. I wonder which spells might have been used.

Spellcraft on Water magic?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

He sees another book on the shelf
Could someone grab that one, the one about the Eye of Abandego, Through the Eye so I can put it in my waterproof bag?

Sure, you have time to fully peruse the book. Taking 10 is fine.

It's kind of a irrelevant since you only find his body, but the scenario writer really, really wanted the players to know this guy was a water kineticist. That would be such basic information that I think having Knowledge Planes, Arcana or Spellcraft trained would be enough to figure that out.

The other book is just treasure, but if you're trying to get that faction goal for the Dark Archives that requires you to find a named text, than this book counts towards that.

Now, if he'd been an aerokineticist, he would've been able to use Air Shroud to stay alive underwater...

"Oh, sure! I'd be happy to grab it. ...Fascinating... I'll definitely be perusing this on the journey back..." The Professor begins flipping through the pages. Her old back is painfully protesting at the weight of the load she already carries, but it is quite worth the additional discomfort to grab one more book.

Bennett takes in the information provided, Well then. Sounds like we've determined the cause of the wreck. We should head back to Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry, she'll be in Tempest Cay at the Drowned Dwarf. I won't be surprised if she has us investigate this water disturbance.

I'd like to explore the rest of the ship. If there are any more zombies... Bedisa does the decapitation hand sign.

"I'm with Bedisa. Let's make sure there's nothing else lurking around, or a deeper mystery behind the wreck."

”You know, I understand the mutiny. If you think you’re waiting on corpses, why sit around while the weather gets worse? But killing your captain, a seasoned and respected captain, because when you didn’t listen to him you wrecked? That just doesn’t make sense.” Zalgrim shakes his head at the sheer stupidity of the crew. ”Mission accomplished at least. Let’s see what else this boat has to offer then hit the road. Or should I say waves?”

The stairs lead above deck. The wind tugs at the the adventurers as they step out onto the ship. Gouges in the deck and masts show signs of a struggle, though no corpses linger here and the only scent not carried away by the fierce wind is the briny stench of low tide. From the deck, the currents swirl away from the reef, churning white spray towards the high cliffs that make up the shore of distant Tempest Cay. The door in the aft bulkhead is barred from the outside in a makeshift fashion, with a single board resting in a bracket on each side of the doorway.

The bulkhead contains the spoiled remains of the ships rations, but the barrels that would have been used to hold the ship's supply of water and ale are bone dry.

There is a battered spyglass made of water ravaged leather and tarnished brass fittings that bolted to the rail of the ship.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"That's odd. They didn't eat any food, but drank all the water? Or lost it somehow... Hmm... Things don't add up here." Pondering this mystery, the Professor meanders to the spyglass and peers through it without adjusting it, on the long shot that it was set in place as a clue.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Bennett shares his curiosity. The liquids are drained. The captain or other water mage may have used them. Or they were otherwise valued by some entity.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Percetion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Before the Professor can touch the spyglass, Bedisa will reach out to her. Don't touch it. Look at the spyglass. It's in a specific orientation. Touching it may break it too.

The spyglass is pointed towards the rocky shore of Tempest Cay. The winds and waves all seem to be pushing the tides towards a particular section of the shore. After carefully looking through the spyglass the Professor spots what looks like a cave in cliff face and realizes that tides are moving towards that cave.

It seems this cave is important. Let's search the ship completely first, lest we miss some clues, then we'll check the cave in Tempest Cay. Whatever or whoever magically influenced the waves might be there.

"I quite agree." My, isn't this exciting! I feel so alive! Solving a mystery! Ahhh... She helps finish searching the ship while pondering the changes in her life that lead her to this invigorating set of experiences.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

"Sounds like a plan then." Zalgrim and Pyrha split up, helping to cover every inch of the ship before posting up to check out this cave.

The party searches the rest of the ship and finds no sign of any survivors or any other clues. They make it back to the swan boat without trouble and set sail for the cave. A current picks up the small boat and swiftly drives it towards the cave. It is not long before the currents and winds are so strong that there is no turning back as the boat is pushed towards the cave.

What appears to be natural, slanted brown rock from a distance resolves into the broken wood of shipwreck upon wreck, surrounding the entrance to a small sea cave cut into the cliff of Tempest Cay by the fierceness of wind, water, and time. The ships that have somehow skirted the coral shallows or were too large to enter the cave have been smashed against the rocky cliffs.

The swan boat is lean and agile and easily makes it past the wreckage and into the cave. The opening of the cave is about thirty feet wide and sixty feet tall. There is glowing algae on the walls of the cave as the boat goes deeper into the cave, casting dim light into the cavern. The currents don't let up as the boat goes farther into the cave.

Can we try to slow down the boat? Throw a lasso over a stalactite or something?

I think we're along for the ride, Bocke. Best we go with the flow, as it were, and see where we end up. Maybe we can try to drop anchor but I'd just as soon fight our way through whatever we encounter. Bennett stands on the bow with bow drawn.

The swan boat is light and agile. Hopefully we can steer it away from any obvious obstacles

I keep imagining this boat as shaped like an actual swan. Perhaps like this .

Bocke doesn't stand on his bow like Bennett does. He holds it in his hands, with a lighted arrow notched.

English, amirite?

The boat is shaped like a swan, but its more the size of a yacht.

As the party steers the boat into the narrow cave, Bocke provides some additional light with his magically lit arrow.

Suddenly there is a load thump as something hard hits the boat.

Everyone needs to give me a Reflex save!

"W-Whoa!"

Pyrha Reflex Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Zalgrim Reflex Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Bennett tries to keep his feet as we likely run aground.

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Bedisa grabs ahold of the railing as something hits the boat behind her.

Bocke Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Eredur Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Professor M Reflex: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Bedisa, Eredur and Bennett manage to keep their footing as the boat almost capsized, but Bocke, Professor Molvil, and Zalgrim and his eidolon are thrown into the water.

Whatever hit the boat is clearly some kind of large aquatic creature. The people still inside the boat occasionally see enough of the creature to identify it, but it is underwater and directly under the boat, so your character will need to get into the water to target it.

Don't worry about the map for this encounter. You're either in the boat or in the water with the beast. The water is rough (Swim DC 15)

Underwater Combat Rules

Round 1
Bocke - Underwater
Professor M - Underwater
Bedisa
Eredur
Zalgrim - Underwater
Pyrha - Underwater
Bennett
Sea Monster

Everyone beat the Sea Monster

Zalgrim shouts in frustration as he goes overboard taking a last second look towards whatever attacked the boat.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Between spitting out water he shouts, ”Oi! There’s a harness on this beastie! Anyone feel like wrangling her?!” He makes an attempt at reboarding the vessel...

Swim: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (9) - 5 = 4

...and promptly begins going under. Already panicking he tries to at least see their assailant while he’s underwater.

Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

More concerned with saving her master than launching an assault against the sea monster, Pyrha attempts to grab the lightweight gnome and swim them both to the boat.

Not entirely sure if that will provoke, or how to roll pulling someone up from the water.

The rough water is too much for the gnome and he is pushed u see by the rough currents. Luckily his stout eidolon is able to swim down and grabbing him by the collar pulls him up to the surface of the water and within arms reach of anyone who cares to pull him up.

While underwater Zalgrim noticed that not only is the creature wearing a bridle and saddle, but there appears to be some kind of humanoid rider still attached to the saddle. He was dangling limply and appears to be unconscious.

The sea creature does not attack Pyrha as she swims past to rescue Zalgrim.

Bedisa will help her gnome friend up back on the boat. Assume that is a standard action?

Are you okay? Did you see what was down there?

Bedisa will make sure her friend is alright and will jump in next round.

Bennett stays as over-watch from the bow of the boat waiting to target anything that presents itself as an enemy.

Bocke and falling into water ... that should be his new phobia.

Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Double swim

Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Yep, new phobia.

Zalgrim unceremoniously empties his mouth of seawater onto the deck of the swan boat. ”Aye, there’s an unconscious rider saddled to whatever’s below us. It let Pyrha and I pass without attacking, but hard to say if it’s friendly.” Zalgrim looks back down at the beast. ”Wonder if that rider is still alive...”

Edit: What a timely triple post!

You do realise, while you're having a charming little chat between fine old chaps by a lovely evening, that some of our group are drowning?

Eredur , still inside the boat, tries to grab his elf colleague (wherever he might put his hands on her) and to bring the professor back to safety, as Lybna the weasel squeeks excitedly

Not sure how you want to roll that, plain STR check or CMB? CMB is+2, so add 1 to the roll

STR?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

As long you're strong enough to drag their weight you should be able to pull them in without a check and Eredur is one of the strongest wizards I've ever seen.

Also, there is a little bit of non-lethal damage that you take if you fail the Swim check because of how rough the water is. Bocke and Zalgrim will both take this damage.

Bocke struggles against the rough waters but finds himself getting pushed underwater. He manages to take a big gulp of air before getting fully submerged.

Eredur pulls the Professor out of the water before she can start drowning.

Water damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Round 1
Bocke - Underwater, -2 non-lethal
Professor M Still has actions
Bedisa
Eredur
Zalgrim -2 non-lethal
Pyrha - On edge of boat
Bennett
Sea Monster

The creature bites at Pyrha's legs. The bite hurts but whatever the creature below is, it didn't seem to bite as hard as it could have.

Bite: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 17
Piercing, Non-lethal: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Round 2
Bocke - Underwater, 24 rounds of breath, -2 non-lethal
Professor M
Bedisa
Eredur
Zalgrim -2 non-lethal
Pyrha - On edge of boat, -5 non-lethal
Bennett
Sea Monster

Everyone can act before the unidentified monster.

Bennett scrambles to the edge of the boat and reaches for the nearest teammate. What's going on down there?

strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Sorry for the absence; it was a full Saturday. Posting Round 1:

As soon as she falls into the water, Professor Masaendri immediately glances around to either see if there is something to grab onto or to see what caused the boat to jerk so violently.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

As the Professor flails in the water, her thoughts race in panic. Oh! If only I had that wand! Wait! I have a potion! As soon as I have a moment...

Swim DC 15: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

Finally, her head breaks the surface, and she takes a deep, relieved breath.

Round 2

"Can anyone calm this aquatic beast? Its rider may need medical attention!" After calling out to her comrades, the Professor grabs Eredur's hand and heaves herself up into the boat. "Eredur, I believe you have the wand of Touch of the Sea. Now would be an excellent time to use it if you can."

Anyone have ranks in Handle Animal?

Pyrha shrieks out in pain and goes limp, falling unconscious in the water.

Zalgrim quickly dismisses Pyrha before she becomes too waterlogged. “Someone want to help ol’ Bocke? My wee arms aren’t gonna do the trick.”

He glares into the water at whatever attacked his eidolon, pondering how to retaliate.

Bedisa will reach down and, with one arm, pull up Bocke to the deck.

Was Pryha injured already? Five damage shouldn't have taken her down and with all the free healing items your party has, there is really no reason to be entering an encounter with hp damage. You can certainly dismiss her if you'd like, though.

At this point Bocke is sinking and is no longer on the surface of the water. I should have made it clearer that you will no longer be able to just reach down and grab him with your arms. Someone will have to actually dive down into the water to rescue him.

Everyone will still have their actions from round two to use still, unless Zalgrim still wants to use his action to dismiss his eidolon.

Round 2
Bocke - Underwater, 24 rounds of breath, -2 non-lethal
Professor M
Bedisa
Eredur
Zalgrim -2 non-lethal
Pyrha - On edge of boat (no longer needs to make Swim checks unless she lets go, -5 non-lethal?
Bennett
Sea Monster that no one in the party with Knowledge Nature has bothered trying to identify for some reason

The Professor manages to keep her head above water and is pulled up into the boat, leaving only Bocke still in the water. Unfortunately, Bocke has sunk about ten feet below the surface and is too far underwater to be pulled up by the people in the boat.

She was already damaged, having taken 7 Damage in the fight with the crab swarm. I don't want to rewind time for free healing, so my actions will stand.

Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Bocke isn't dead yet! He swims to the surface. Now that he's not drowning ...

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Do you want to fight whatever creature lurks under the waves, Bedisa? That wand will help you swimming easily, but it doesnt give you the ability to breath underwater, be forewarned.

Eredur readies the wand of Touch of the Sea to use on the half orc. He hasn't seen enough of the beast to identify it, unfortunately.

Know nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Bennett tries to grab at Bocke, What aquatic beast? I can't see anything.

strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Hit me with it Eredur

Bedisa will willing let the dwarf use the wand Touch of the Sea on her and jump in. She has her longsword in hand.

Her main goal here is to try to get the unconscious rider off of the beast and back up on the ship.

Bocke manages to swim past the beast, which does not take the opportunity to make a free swipe at him with its tail. He immediately recognizes what kind of creature this is. This is a hippocampus, which is a common aquatic mount used by undersea creatures but the party would most likely have seen one of these because Abasalom has a marine cavalry unit called the Waveriders who use hippocampi to defend the city's shores. They don't have any real weaknesses or abilities but are similar in size and strength to a horse. From its actions, Bocke can also deduce that this creature is lashing out because its afraid but that it seems to recognize Bocke as a creature similar to its rider. It is very likely that someone who is good at working with terrestrial horses could also calm this water horse.

Bocke is then pulled into the boat. Eredur taps Bedisa with teh wand of touch of the sea and then the courageous warrior dives into the water. She can see the thrashing hippocampus with the limp rider dangling from the saddle. A little bit of blood appears to be coming from a wound somewhere on his body.

Bedisa could try to cut them loose with her sword. She'd still have a standard action. I think cutting the ropes is something you can do automatically but you will risk an attack of opportunity from the distressed hippocampus. You could also try to calm it down with Handle Animal (which you can do untrained, its just teaching tricks that requires training).

Round 2
Bocke-2 non-lethal
Professor M
Bedisa - standard action remaining
Eredur
Zalgrim -2 non-lethal
Bennett -standard action remaining
Hippocampus

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Hey buddy. Is your rider okay? We have some healers on our boat that can make sure his wounds are treated.

Bedisa will swim close to the hippocampus (and provoke an AOO if it lashes out) and try to calm it down. She'll attempt to cut the ropes and bring the unconscious rider back up to the boat to get healed. [/ooc]