The creatures are nowhere near their lair and their “gear” is worthless.
With time, however, the party is able to right the rowboats and head further into the Maze. It is not long before you spot the small galliot that is The Hydra's Fang. From the rowboat, boarding appears difficult.
How do you wish to approach?
To board the ship on your own, the PCs need to locate a suitable boarding spot or have decent Climbing skills. A DC 13 Climb check proves sufficient to scale the anchor line (provided the individual can reach it) while it takes a DC 25 to scale the ship’s curved sides (using a rope and grappling hook reduces the Climb check to DC 5). It is easier to climb the transom (the flat rear end of the ship) than the side (DC 15 Climb check) to reach the deck.
Female NG Half-Orc Bloodrager(Metamagic Rager) 6 |Buffs: Shield, Heightened Awareness
Resources:
Re-roll 1/1,Rage 21/21,Scabbard of Vigor 1/1, Knight Pennon 1/1, Rune stone 1st level 2/2|Spells 1st: 2/2
HP 61/61 |AC 23 T 12 FF 21|Uncanny Dodge|CMB+10 CMD 22|F +10 R +7 W +4|INIT +13|PER +15 Darkvision 60', SM+1|Speed 30'|
Once aboard the rowboat Rogarch attempts to remove the excess water from her equipment. She is sure to adjust her gear and load her wand (Shield) back into its spring loaded wrist sheath.
Helping Hand climbs back into her pocket and is glad to be no longer swimming. As they approach the Hydra Fang Rogarch attempts to activate a wand (Heightened Awareness) and after a few attempts she is successful.
Rogarch keeps her voice low as she speaks to the party.
"I think that we should try to climb the back of the ship. It seems like an easy climb. Once we are on board we can quietly lower a rope if someone needs it."
I think that we should at least make a pretence at stealth. Throwing a grappling hook is not stealthy. :)
M Tengu AC21/FF21/T15 Perception +11/Init+7 F+3/R+10/W+3 HP 37/37 Unchained Rogue 5
"Hold on a moment" Ebonfeather said as he pulled out a bag holding a leather covered grapple and silk rope from of his backpack. He took a moment looking over the rope to make sure that it was safe and the knots to help climb were secure before putting it back in the bag and then into the backpack.
"Let me go and check to make sure that it is safe before you try to climb up. I will lower a rope and cover you as you climb." he said making his way to the anchor chain before climbing up. His claws easily helped him quickly make the assent.
Once there, he scanned the deck before lowering the rope.
Climb:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Stealth:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 Perception:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 Must have some Ninja in his bloodline :)
Male Tengu Cleric 6 hp 29/29 | AC 19/t13/ff17 CMD 18 | Fort 6, Ref 6, Will 11 (+1 vs. fear, +1 vs. charm and compulsion effects)| Init +2 | Spd 30 ft. | Perception +8, Sens.Mot +8 | Active:
To-to climbs the rope and tries follow Ebonfeather's example by approaching the deck like a ninja.
climb vs. DC 5:1d20 - 3 ⇒ (13) - 3 = 10 Stealth:1d20 ⇒ 20
"Let me go and check to make sure that it is safe before you try to climb up. I will lower a rope and cover you as you climb." he said making his way to the anchor chain before climbing up. His claws easily helped him quickly make the assent.
Once there, he scanned the deck before lowering the rope.
Heading up alone first and raching near the rail of the ship undetected, Ebonfeather sees that the railing is trapped with a tripwire, which is set up to douse a target with a bucket of chum. The slippery chum could cause anyone climbing the ship to slip into the water and attract hungry predators.
M Tengu AC21/FF21/T15 Perception +11/Init+7 F+3/R+10/W+3 HP 37/37 Unchained Rogue 5
Disable device:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Ebonfeather, seeing the bucket of chum set up to attract unwanted attention, carefully worked at removing the tripwire so as it would not present a threat.
Ebonfeather makes short work of the chum spillers and the other Pathfinders are able to make it up the transom without any difficulty.
Thick coils of rope, block and tackle, cleats, and other assorted objects, along with hatches and slightly raised cabins, effectively make the deck into an obstacle course.
Three brigands and a man matching Du Moire's description are on deck!
Ebonfeather swiftly drops one of the brigands (blue). Rogarch misses her foe, but Yaiho does not and another brigand (red) goes down.
Ebonfeather technically took a full round of actions, but mechanically, I think the outcome would be the same, so I will let it go--taking the actions out of the first full round.
From his perch above (up the mast about 20 feet above deck), another brigand (yellow) fires at Ebonfeather.
Du Moire flees into the cabin, sealing the hatch behind him!
DOOM OR DU MOIRE? - First Full Round Cont'd/Round Two Begins!
Ebonfeather may take a standard or move action
PCs in bold may act
Brigand (yellow)
Ebonfeather (Technically takes out blue this round)
Du Moire
To-to-obika
Hunter
Mhazruk Brigand (blue) Brigand (red) Round Two Rogarch
Yaiho
Female NG Half-Orc Bloodrager(Metamagic Rager) 6 |Buffs: Shield, Heightened Awareness
Resources:
Re-roll 1/1,Rage 21/21,Scabbard of Vigor 1/1, Knight Pennon 1/1, Rune stone 1st level 2/2|Spells 1st: 2/2
HP 61/61 |AC 23 T 12 FF 21|Uncanny Dodge|CMB+10 CMD 22|F +10 R +7 W +4|INIT +13|PER +15 Darkvision 60', SM+1|Speed 30'|
Rogarch motions towards the sealed hatch and then looks over at her barbarian companion.
"Yalho, it is hammer time!"
I am curious to see if it will take both the Barbarian and Bloodrager to reduce the door to splinters. Yalho is built to break things so he might as well try first. :)
Male Tengu Cleric 6 hp 29/29 | AC 19/t13/ff17 CMD 18 | Fort 6, Ref 6, Will 11 (+1 vs. fear, +1 vs. charm and compulsion effects)| Init +2 | Spd 30 ft. | Perception +8, Sens.Mot +8 | Active:
To-to moves forward and prepares to strike if enemy comes close.
Hunter will actually move forward with longsword in hand and ready an action to strike yellow when he gets into melee hit:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11dmg:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 slashing
"I had a feeling that door wouldn't last long against you, big guy. CLEAR!" Rook says as he tosses a bomb past the group and towards the brigand in the back.
Mhazruk's bomb brings the brigand atop the mast down in flames.
Hearing a thud strike the roof of the cabin overhead, Du Moire assumes the worst.
Seeing the Pathfinders approach, Du Moire begins to shout, "Do you know with whom you are sparring? I am Darsielle Du Moire, son of Count Du Moire of Cheliax!"
He thrusts his blade at Hunter, the nearest Pathfinder, then follows with another swish of his sword. "Have at you!"
Male Tengu Cleric 6 hp 29/29 | AC 19/t13/ff17 CMD 18 | Fort 6, Ref 6, Will 11 (+1 vs. fear, +1 vs. charm and compulsion effects)| Init +2 | Spd 30 ft. | Perception +8, Sens.Mot +8 | Active:
To-to appears in doorway and tries to distract Du Moire by making a false attack.
The onslaught of the Pathfinders brings an end to Du Moire as his body slumps lifelessly to the floor of the cabin.
COMBAT OVER
Other than Du Moire's body the cabin appears to contain a series of boxes and crates and a set of steps that descend below decks.
If you search Du Moire's body:
You find it is adorned in a chain shirt. You find a longsword and a +1 returning dagger on his person.
If you search the boxes and crates:
You find an oil of invisibility, three potions of blur, three potions of darkvision, and three potions of cure moderate wounds, and one potion of cure light wounds.
You also find jewelry, including silver earrings, which you appraise at a value of 21 gold pieces.
You also find a closed chest.
If you open the chest, you may reveal the spoiler below:
Spoiler:
You find only a single copper piece lying at the bottom of the chest.
If you search the brigands' bodies:
You find that each had a buckler, longsword, composite shortbow, quiver with 20 arrows, backpack, 50 ft. silk rope, a grappling hook, and a signal whistle.
Assuming you eventually descend down the steps to below decks...
Below decks, the dimly-lit hold has taken on a foot of brackish bilge water, and clammy air laps against your skin. The sole light emanates from a small whale-oil lamp mounted on the lower mast.
The cavernous hollow contains dozens of water-damaged crates roped in neat stacks secured tightly to the sidewalls. The remaining portion of the hold is set up like a common room with hammocks, an open larder, and a small kitchen where food is prepared. The accommodations appear radically stripped down, presumably to make room for contraband or increased speed.
Toward the bow, loud banging echoes from a wooden door, sodden and swelled shut and held fast with thick black chains.
Female NG Half-Orc Bloodrager(Metamagic Rager) 6 |Buffs: Shield, Heightened Awareness
Resources:
Re-roll 1/1,Rage 21/21,Scabbard of Vigor 1/1, Knight Pennon 1/1, Rune stone 1st level 2/2|Spells 1st: 2/2
HP 61/61 |AC 23 T 12 FF 21|Uncanny Dodge|CMB+10 CMD 22|F +10 R +7 W +4|INIT +13|PER +15 Darkvision 60', SM+1|Speed 30'|
Rogarch takes a breather putting her large hammer into position on her back and her wand of shield back into her spring-loaded wrist sheath. She snags one of the potions of Blur from the crates.
"Perhaps someone should open the locked chest? It might have what we are looking for inside."
M Tengu AC21/FF21/T15 Perception +11/Init+7 F+3/R+10/W+3 HP 37/37 Unchained Rogue 5
Trap finding:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 Disable Device:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Ebonfeather checked the area around the chest before unlocking it. He started to laugh at the lone copper piece in the bottom of the container.
Male CG Half-Orc Unchained Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager) 6.1 | AC 21 (T 13/FF 19) | CMB +11 CMD 24 (FF 22)+2 CMB/CMD Sunder | HP 65/65 | Init +3 | Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +2 | Perception +5 | Darkvision 60' | Speed 30' | Orc Ferocity 1/1 | Rage 12/16 | Draw Weapon as Free Action during Surprise | +2 STR & Ignore 2 Hardness to break object+Smasher: Ignore 6 Hardness | Damage Reduction (3/-), (6/lethal) | Extreme Cold Endurance(Cold Resistance: 1)| Active Conditions:
Letting his Rage subside after the fallen enemy collapses, he takes a deep breath and smiles at his handy work, especially the busted door as he leans on his maul to rest.
He lets the others search the chests, boxes, and bodies as he rest before heading down into the ship. He looks at the two doors, ignoring the sound behind the door from the bow. "Which open first?"
Female NG Half-Orc Bloodrager(Metamagic Rager) 6 |Buffs: Shield, Heightened Awareness
Resources:
Re-roll 1/1,Rage 21/21,Scabbard of Vigor 1/1, Knight Pennon 1/1, Rune stone 1st level 2/2|Spells 1st: 2/2
HP 61/61 |AC 23 T 12 FF 21|Uncanny Dodge|CMB+10 CMD 22|F +10 R +7 W +4|INIT +13|PER +15 Darkvision 60', SM+1|Speed 30'|
Rogarch nods to Yalho and winks at him. She was quite impressed at how quickly he caved in the hatch. As soon as the party is finished looting she turns her attention to the deck below.
"Hold on a minute. We should check out the banging first. We don't need to open it immediately but considering the chains it is likely that there might be prisoners behind the door."
"I also suspect that the treasure that we are looking for is in the stern or back of the ship. It would not make sense to put that with the prisoners."
When the Bloodrager cries out, the loud banging echoing from a wooden door comes to a stop.
In the momentary silence that follows, a deep, low whisper manages to seep through the waterlogged door. Raspy and strained, the voice from beyond the chained door is barely audible, "...open... the... door..."
If more words follow, they are drowned out by a sudden cacophony of noise as the sounds of banging and pounding once again begin emanating from the door and beyond.
Male Tengu Cleric 6 hp 29/29 | AC 19/t13/ff17 CMD 18 | Fort 6, Ref 6, Will 11 (+1 vs. fear, +1 vs. charm and compulsion effects)| Init +2 | Spd 30 ft. | Perception +8, Sens.Mot +8 | Active:
After searching Du Moire's body To-to turns to listen the banging. "Somebody is confined there, most likely the pirates had press-ganged someone to their ranks. Or could this be a trap?" cleric feels suspicious momentarily.
