Ironperenti's Dread Forces

Game Master Ironperenti

As Pytheas looks around the enormous structure, he focuses for a moment on the enormous iron tower. "Does anyone remember the great philosopher Pythagoras? He lived about two hundred years ago. Our people tell tales of him hearing blacksmiths at work and determining the mathematical formulae of music. Do you think," he turns to Gheorix and points at the tower, "That one could use that tower like a hammer to focus this place's energies somehow?"

Pytheas is glad that he doesn't have to be a mathematical expert to do what he does.

"Let's get to the boats first, we can work it out once we get them flying." Alejandro runs over towards the back of the barracks.

The group heads over to the boats. With three talented sailors they quickly get the sail covers off and the sails themselves raised. There still yet seems to be some question as to who rides with who with the original conversation discussing two boats but now then they started prepping all three.

Possible?
Boat 1 to the rookery: Alejandro - Leir
Boat 2 to the ballista tower: Gheorix - Sigrid - Agripos
Boat 3? Pytheas - Perblentious

Alejandro takes a moment to look in the cabinet and examine the tube on his boat.

"I don't think this is standard on these boats, I don't want to get surprised by any weird creatures." he mutters.

"Weird creatures?" Pytheas asks with an eyebrow raised. He also checks his boat, wondering what exactly Alejandro means. Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

He then turns to Perblentious and with a light grin addresses him in perfect Gnomish.

He chuckles, continuing on in Atlantean: "I'm trying to remember your name from the Casting, but I'm not placing it. I'm Pytheas of Massalia. You are?"

Okay, these things are just like regular boats, but with one major difference... they fly. So if you've ever been on a coracle, or Trieme, here's where you'll help. Gheorix moves quickly getting the small boat ready for their hijinks. I'm pretty sure I can bring the whole thing down as well, I'm not sure now's the time or not. But some specific notes might shut this whole operation down too. he turns looking at Sigrid, You from the Alemanni tribes? Sounded that way? he looks over the Greek Agripos, Where you from? putting a hand to his chest, I'm Gheorix, from the isles

So from the spoiler and with the help it looks like Gheorix could tune a frequency to shut the whole thing down? Or just the weapon? How long does he think that'd take?

Alamanni? Those effing Blowhards? Look, they literally call themself "All the men" because no girl will touch them, like, how borderline idiotic due you have to be to put greasy butter in you hair?
Sigrid speaks shaking her blonde mane, which has never been touched by greasy butter.

Look, I put butter in my hair because I am rich!
She snorts.

Seriously, when they lived closer to us, and we had a clash, our headpriest and 6 chosen younglings of Ran infiltrated their camp, and uhhhm, sliced their eels into the Alamanni greasy-butter-for-hair storage facilities.

In the clash, we used a pictographic depiction of this cunning exploit as a warbanner. They promptly charged in like complete morons into a prepared , camoflagued and well entrenched position.
She smiles quite radiantly, as if forgetting the situation she is in for a precious moment.

Thanks to putting my mind back to proper sabotage, I couldnt, for uhmm, lack of eel between my legs, participate in that one, but this sabotage mission is clearly far more important.

Fun fact: the real world Pytheas was the first documented Mediterranean mariner to reach the British Isles.

At the mention of the coracle, Pytheas gasps. "Yes, of course! Your accent, your dress--of course you're from the Isles! Well met, Gheorix!"

He wants to discuss so much more from his circumnavigation, maybe even brag a bit about his journeys all around the Isles, but now is not the time. As such, he chuckles at Sigrid's bloviating while watching the other two mariners at work and copying some of their movements.

"I am Perblentious the Seer from Atlantis. I'm well out of my depth here. All this violence which I'm not at all suited to is not something I expected. I was led to believe I'd be a salesman, which I am accomplished at. I just want to get clear of all this. "

"A seer?" Pytheas says with a raised brow. "Like the Oracle of Delphi?" Pythia, ironically. "I don't think Atlantis expected all this violence either. I intended to be opening trade relations and mapping new regions. Hopefully writing another book or two. But we'll see. And as you say, we'll get clear."

Pytheas reaches out a hand to help Perblentious into their flying boat. "All the same, get ready to shoot your crossbow if an enemy gets too close."

Okay, these things are just like regular boats, but with one major difference... they fly. So if you've ever been on a coracle, or Trieme, here's where you'll help. Gheorix moves quickly getting the small boat ready for their hijinks. I'm pretty sure I can bring the whole thing down as well, I'm not sure now's the time or not. But some specific notes might shut this whole operation down too. he turns looking at Sigrid, You from the Alemanni tribes? Sounded that way? he looks over the Greek Agripos, Where you from? putting a hand to his chest, I'm Gheorix, from the isles

So from the spoiler and with the help it looks like Gheorix could tune a frequency to shut the whole thing down? Or just the weapon? How long does he think that'd take?

The Greek warrior returns the salute with a hand to his own chest. "Agripos, a soldier of Corinth, and devotee of the goddess Athena," he returns simply.

Alamanni? Those effing Blowhards? Look, they literally call themself "All the men" because no girl will touch them, like, how borderline idiotic due you have to be to put greasy butter in you hair?

Sigrid speaks shaking her blonde mane, which has never been touched by greasy butter.

Look, I put butter in my hair because I am rich!
She snorts.

Seriously, when they lived closer to us, and we had a clash, our headpriest and 6 chosen younglings of Ran infiltrated their camp, and uhhhm, sliced their eels into the Alamanni greasy-butter-for-hair storage facilities.

In the clash, we used a pictographic depiction of this cunning exploit as a warbanner. They promptly charged in like complete morons into a prepared , camoflagued and well entrenched position.
She smiles quite radiantly, as if forgetting the situation she is in for a precious moment.

Thanks to putting my mind back to proper sabotage, I couldnt, for uhmm, lack of eel between my legs, participate in that one, but this sabotage mission is clearly far more important.

Agripos laughs at the imagery. "I can see you're quite the storyteller--let's hope we live for you to tell the tale of our daring sabotage and escape!"

The cabinets hold a red liquid and blue liquid. In training with the local sailors before you were captured you learned the ships can fly because they have Aer in them. It is a gas that is lighter than air or commonly called wind. Aer: is a naturally occurring lighter than air gas used in various flying machines within the empire. Some use a manual means of releasing the gas to allow for a drop in altitude but most use an alchemical system that allows a pilot to control the altitude of a given airship with a few drops of the proper mixture. The standard mixture for raising the energy of aer and increasing altitude is red. The standard mixture for reducing the energy of aer and decreasing altitude is blue.

If my boat layout is good, I just need to know where the third boat is headed.

@Gheorix: Activating the notes will take a half a minute at most maybe quicker (1d6 rounds) you are not sure how long it would take for it to crack the island, maybe immediate, may take a while.

Pytheas is still planning to go to the rookery.

Everyone puts up the jib on their respective boats and then they bring their boats up off the ground before raising the mainsail (how far off the ground?). Without further preamble they take off in their respective directions. You are under sail for a good minute before anyone seems to take note of you. Some of the soldiers to the north of the barracks call out a warning regarding the Pytheas and Alejandro boats, in the tower being assaulted they swivel a strange looking device in your direction. It's nearly the size of a ballista but it has no bow arms.

Any specific actions or press on? These boats can do up to 60' per round which means they take 4 rounds to cross one square on the map. Soldier icons will now be reacting to you. For tracking purposes, Orin've and Kul'Gressor are depicted.

Sigrid casts light, on the bolt she currently has in her Crossbow, making it glow with a dark, vicious looking purple.

Lets have some fun pretending we are firing infernal signal arrows to summon hellfire strikes. Yes, I just made that up, but no, these chucklef++$s dont know that.

@GM I am not fully clear on where the location Gheorix ship is heading to is.

Alejandro carefully applies the Aer drops and brings his boat up to a height of about 20ft.

"They've seen us, no point in holding back now!" Alejandro calls out to the boat alongside as he starts to gain speed. "Reckon we can keep out of range of any ground troops, at least until we reach the rookery! Give a wide berth to that tower though!"

the weapon on the tower is pointing at Gheorix's boat right? If it's pointing at us, I'll be trying to avoid it

Profession (Sailor): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Umm, a crossbow? I don't actually have one. "

I assume Gheorix's craft is headed toward the nearest defense tower. I just dropped a star on top of it.

@Alejandro: yes, the tower Gheorix is headed toward appears to be targeting his boat.

At current speed it will take 7 rounds for the Gheorix craft to get within boarding distance of the tower.

To your rear, the Ageless Seahawk comes into view as it rises above the rim of the island.

Soldiers in the tower are AC 15 with +2 AC from the parapet for a total of AC 17. The defensive towers are 20' high.

Kn Local: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
Fresh from retelling the "Slice the Eeels into the greasy butter" incident, Sigrid innately understands how to utilize Vile Cannons, for reasons best left unexplained.

She will use her standard action to provide a bit of luck to whoever actually shoots the cannons.

I can't think of any specific actions yet other than trying to move as quickly as possible towards the rookery, probably not too far off the ground just yet. Do you need sail checks each round? What kind of action is that?

With an explanation of the magical--alchemical? elemental?--mechanics of the ship, Pytheas whistles and puts the ship into action.

Profession (sailor), to sail: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

He shouts in a gleeful surprise as it rises a few feet off the ground, then matches Alejandro's height, and sets the boat on a forward course.

As Sigrid continues to invoke infernal language, Pytheas shakes his head. The Germanic woman certainly had a colorful way of speaking, though Pytheas wondered if they had inadvertently picked up an actual demoniac on this journey. Pushing the thought aside, he focuses on what was ahead.

Knowledge (local), requested: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Then, looking at the Ballista Tower which he was giving a wide berth to, and looking over the craft, Pytheas looks at Perblentious with a grin. "No crossbow, no problem, Seer. We may have other weapons in tow. Move over there, but hold on tight!"

Note that the vile cannons are on the towers. There is one targeting Sigrid's boat, she recognizes it for what it is. Towers have been numbered.

You do not need a sailing check each round as long as you are going straight. If attempting to avoid being rammed, trying to ram, or changing direction beyond 45 degrees, then you will need to make a check.

The Ageless Seahawk begins to move forward and takes a couple of shots from the nearest tower (1). Gheorix stays on course for the tower to be assaulted (2). The tower (2) fires at the oncoming boat. It hits the hull sending a shower of acid washing over those in the boat (boat 12 dmg; crew 6 dmg REF DC 11 for crew to take half). It looks like a second cannon is being trained on the boat. On Alejandro and Pytheas' boats, it appears the tower to your left and straight ahead are potentially targeting you.

Round 1
Gheorix boat (108) (6 rounds till reaching tower)
Pytheas boat (120)
Alejandro boat (120)
Ageless Seahawk
Towers

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Sigrid expertly dodges out, only taking limited damage.

AC 9 is going to get hit a lot, and the guards AB bonus is going to improve as the distance closes. If the cannons fire each turn, and miss once, we take 8D8 damage on the boat (which will still be relatively comfortably up) and 8d4 damage on us, 20ish, factoring in reflex saves about 16ish, we will be at the end of our tether hitting the first tower. It could be less bad if the cannons need reloading time.

Oi Georix, feeling Lucky? Now you are As she blesses Georix with some bit of luck, to hopefully improve his piloting prowress.

Damn, some obsurcing mist or something would be great, no such luck unfortunately. She thinks.

Is there anything we can do to reduce our chances of being hit other than flying away from the towers? Fancy maneuvers and such? Because otherwise this is basically a suicide run.

Yup, the math on our charge here is bad! And it seems like we can run faster than the boat flies, is that an option?

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Agripos takes the full brunt of the attack as their ship is blasted. "Can't this thing move any faster?"

It has a move of 30', 60' with a double move and it can gain altitude. In medium armor you guys will have a move of 20'.

You may take evasive maneuvers (Prof Sailor DC 15) to modify the ship's AC by your total ranks of Sailor. In this case it was a high roll. You may improve the speed of the boat by 5' for every 5 above 15 up to +10' move. So, Alejandro's ship gets some extra speed and has an AC of 16. Pytheas' ship gains 5' of speed an AC of 19. Need a sailor check by Gheorix.

Also, you are out of range of the western tower.

Gheorix, seeing the thing pointed at him which could be a ballista, yanks hard on the controls for the ship, attempting to dodge as best as he can. He yells out in Atlantean, Hold on! but the boat resists his attempts and he curses at it in Celtic Mannan damn this boat! May these fool shipwrights be consigned to an eternity of warped wood!

Prof Sailor DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

So are we making rolls every round? And can we use aid another?

Alejandro keeps his boat on course to the rookery, watching the weapons on the towers carefully.

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Georix you have bit of luck on you and can reroll

Pytheas has felt the wind whipping through his beard on the water, but this is an entirely new experience. He hollers in excitement and glances back at Perblentious as he starts getting the hang of the controls. "Having fun yet?"

I can't tell if I have yet to act this turn or not, so just let me know if you're still waiting on a roll from me.

"I've not had any fun since this whole trading mission went sideways. I'll endure however. " as he holds onto a railing for dear life.

Your single roll will be sufficient until such time as you get hit. Then you can make a new roll.

Round 1
Gheorix boat (108) (6 rounds till reaching tower)
Pytheas boat (120)
Alejandro boat (120)
Ageless Seahawk <<<
Towers <<<

Gheorix REF save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

I am going to jump several rounds unless the Gheorix boat intends to use any ranged attacks against the tower. Alejandros and Pytheas are well out of range of either tower right now so it is only the Gheorix boat situation that needs to be resolved in the near term.

Great!

Pytheas continues to fly--fly! Like Icarus!--and focuses on making sure that his eyes don't dry out. The gods must be having a field day looking down at them now!

Eh, no reason to not fire at them. Sigrid says as she tries to lay down some surpressive fire at the soldier manning the vile cannon firing at them.

Given all the range increments I figure its high rolls only

ranged attack turn 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4
ranged attack turn 3: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3
ranged attack turn 3 confirm?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

ranged attack turn 3: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 I think that actually hits
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Eh, I hit? Well, why not Sigrid thinks, about as surprised by her ranged prowress as the unlucky enemy soldiers.

You hit you think? the by now familar voice speaks in her mind.

"I'll keep an eye out for acid bombs and tell you which way to dodge them!"

Agripos tries his best to help Gheorix with his sailing
Prof (Sailor) Aid Another: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

I figure I can't use any ranged attacks myself, but he's the bit of luck reroll..

Bit of Luck Prof Sailor: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

I am helpfull am I not? Sigrid asks with a chuckle.

I believe I forgot to mention to all: I use 1/2 your level as a bonus to initiative. It is my thought that having dealt with more situations you are more likely to react quicker to a new but similar situation.

Alejandro and Pytheas fly north unimpeded but they do notice they gain a tail from some of the soldiers from the barracks. Gheorix's boat takes heavy fire as it maneuvers toward the tower. While flying to the tower they manage to dodge three salvos but are hit two more times (dmg 8 and 9, 4 splash dmg each DC 11 REF for half).

Gheorix guides the boat in (on map near the bottom) until you are within boarding distance. (You can step from boat to wall and attack, if you stay on top you get the +1 for attacking from a higher position but if you are hit by an attack you will need to make a REF roll DC 10 to not fall off. You could also come in high over the wall and let everyone drop from the boat but you will need to make a DC 10 Acrobatics check with armor mods to avoid falling down.)

Round 1
Sigrid
Gheorix
Soldiers
Agripos

Oh wow, just saw on the map--is Dimas taking down a tower all by himself?

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Having learned from the first time, Agripos is better able to dodge the further acid blasts that the boat takes on.

If we attack from the middle toward the soldiers along the wall, do we have a chance to knock them off?

reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Total of 11 damage including the 3 damage from the save before.
Down to 9 hp.

@GM did my Crossbow barrage hit anything?

It's a crenelated tower so no chance of knocking them off unless you bull rushed. I'm using Dimas' icon to reflect him being with a boarding party.

@Sigrid: yes, you hit twice. One of the soldiers is down 10.

Combining the round trackers

Round 7
Gheorix boat (92)
Sigrid 9/20 <<<
Gheorix 11/20 <<<
Soldiers
Agripos 15/25
Pytheas boat (120)
Alejandro boat (120)
Ageless Seahawk
Towers

Gheorix REF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Gheorix REF: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

I have marked you for death fool Sigrid steps of the boat, giving no heed to the acid and striking the soldier she had shot twice before.
attack short spear one handed power attack: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 1 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Hopefully putting him down, if she does so:

You do not need to die here, yield.
intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

As the ship gets close, Agripos prepares himself to fight the soldiers once more. Will activate Dedicated Combatant a round before arrival.

Pytheas has had little time to devote to paying attention to the other boats, but it looks like they might be taking heavy fire. But it looks like he might have to focus on his own tail. "It looks like we are about to have company. And not the pleasant kind. If you don't have something to shoot with, take cover."

Gheorix guides the boat within striking distance of the tower, and leans down with his spear onto the soldiers defending it! Cursing them in Greek, [b]This is payback you sons of dogs! We'll drive you to the ground![/dice]

Power attack, higher ground: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

How long does Gheorix think he'd need to sing to disrupt the mechanism, and where does he think he'd need to be for it to be effective?

Gheorix knows he must get to the command room where you saw the controls earlier and play the tune on those. The controls were like a large harpsichord. He is quite certain the large cable coming from the tower leads down to the command deck. It will take you 1d10 rounds to complete a sufficient tune to set it on the path to its own demise.

Sigrid's attack does indeed strike true killing the wounded soldier (since you do not have the feat, you can use the successful assault as a basis for an intimidation roll but it would go in the following round). Gheorix moves up on the edge of the boat, unable to find purchase on the crenellations and attacks the soldier but is repelled by the man's shield. The remaining soldiers at the wall attack Gheorix and two others move across the tower top to engage Sigrid, all are unsuccessful.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

"They've seen us at the rookery!" Alejandro calls out. "I'll go down to try and pick the old guy up, but Kul'Gressor's gaining on him. We need to distract him somehow!"

He angles the boat down closer to the ground 5ft, and heads towards Orin've

Sailor: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Pytheas looks ahead and sees Orin've on his way with Kul'Gressor following him. Damn. Pytheas still needed to get to the rookery that Orin've was now running from. But maybe picking him up could help them all. Still, there was another possibility
"Alejandro!" he shouts over the wind. "Do you think it's reasonable to ram Kul'Gressor with these, or would that likely get us killed?"