"I am a man of my word, Captain Roberts," Belwick says. "Though it took a degree of coercion, they have answered my questions. We should drop it in the water and continue on our way. We are not like them."
He looks at the creature again. "I would have your name, sea devil."
Caelius nods as he grabs the sea devil to head towards the edge of the ship. "Keep in mind Belwick, that it will not show us the same kindness. It will return."
Baghotir supports the Baron's suggestion. "If it comes back, we'll kill it. After we question it again."
"I am a man of my word, Captain Roberts," Belwick says. "Though it took a degree of coercion, they have answered my questions. We should drop it in the water and continue on our way. We are not like them."
He looks at the creature again. "I would have your name, sea devil."
The thing laughs at Belwick.
"Your Suggestion is noted, Human Meat. You said your questions were done and so, I am not bound to answer. But to satisfy you... I am B'Ruz. I am also wounded. Send me back to the sea and I will survive until I am healed, Or I will not. My people will tear me to pieces if I return as I am."
"You need better people then." Baghotir mumbles as the fish pleads.
You toss B'Ruz over the side. He vanishes from sight.
The weather clears and improves immensely. The air cools, and light breezes gently move The Soul of Winter on her way. Captain Windrune slows down the journey to allow for repairs and cleanup. Soon the bodies of the dead are wrapped and anointed, and travel resumes. The party now has to help the ship along, each of you being taught basic seamanship as you go. It's clear the Dwarves are compartmentalizing the trauma and you expect a few days of shore leave are sorely needed, to let them mourn the dead, drink and sing sad songs if nothing else.
A day later, a younger Dwarf in The Crow's nest spots your prize--what appears to be what's left of The Emperor of The Waves.
Captain Windrune brings you to a range of 500 Feet, and you get a good look. It IS The Emperor.
The masts have been shorn off, but the deck is clear of debris. The figurehead, once a brilliant Celestial Angel in flight, is hacked and disfigured.
Captain Windrune clears his throat.
"There she is. Er... He? The Emperor. I'm surprised we found her, but there she is." He says, stumbling again over maritime pronouns. "I'll have two of mine bring you over in a rowboat, we'll hold position here. The rowboat will stay close. When you've found what you need for Aubreck, signal them and they'll bring you back, and then we're bound for home. I'd tow her instead, but I'd say there's no way she makes it back to Saltmarsh without sinking. A boarding party is the best option, and that's you. As you will."
As its day, Baghotir will have his plate armor back on - thanks to his magic helmet.
When they're close enough he takes out his grapple and rope and hauls himself up on the deck. Once there, he'll help the others up before drawing his warhammer. He'll also cast light on his helm, figuring it may be dark belowdecks.
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Venn puts his hand on Bagothir's shoulder and holds him with a shibboleth. "Ware and were, friend."
Venn kneels on the deck and close shis eyes. In his heart he speaks to the Oerth using the olde magick granted by the Druids of Obad'hai.
The two stout Dwarven sailors row the party over to The Emperor. With ropes and grappling hooks, the party ascends to the main deck, your footing occasionally slipping on the sides of the ship, slick with algae.
The Emperor’s upper decks slope gently down toward the ship’s port side. The forecastle and quarterdeck are empty, and short wooden stumps are all that remain of the ship’s masts. The double doors leading to cabins fore and aft appear intact, as does the metal grate in the deck that offers access to the lower decks. Aside from the rhythmic creak of the ship’s badly weathered timbers, all seems quiet.
Baghotir's helm glows with light and Venn focuses his awareness.
Venn, you note without a doubt, the presence of un-death AND the stench of brimstone from somewhere nearby.
"Blood has been spilled. Look there and there."
Venn approaches a clear stain and looks at its story....
or
Indeterminate. BUT... You can tell the stains are fresh. 3 days old at most.
"This blood looks like it's from ere-yesterday, three days at most. Get your weapons out and dip your hands into your spellpouch. This is not going to be peaceful."
Venn will take some time confirming that the fo'c'sle and quarterdeck are devoid of clues or treasure before heading to a hatch.
"Does it look like Sea-Devils spilled it?" Caelius wonders how much they have been involved in the area or for even how long now. "We should head below." He begins stripping his armor off to remain as light as possible and avoid drowning this time.
Baghotir moves down to the door. "Let's head within first shall we? I don't like leaving doors at my back."
When everyone is ready, he'll open it, warhammer in hand.
The door to the forecastle's interior is unlocked but... Stuck?!?
Baghotir pushes on the door and it has just the smallest amount of give to it. Something is holding the door in place.
Belwick also spots the blood. "Given the state of the ship and the obvious violence that took place, I think it best we stick togeth-"
He stops as it becomes obvious that the group has already started moving.
With the news of the door being stuck, an idea crosses his mind. "Might be we have a survivor. Ho, the ship! We come as friends to Aubreck! Anyone there!"
...Silence.
Belwick shrugs. "I guess not."
"Can we open it with skullduggery, or must we break it down Baghotir?"
Belwick tries to not look pointedly at Roberts or Alisanne. He fails.
The door is UNLOCKED, but STUCK. There is a slight give to it.
Alisanne inspects the door, to try and determine what will allow them egress.
Alisanne steps aside to allow Caelius or Baghotir at the door.
Alisanne's perception check determines that the door is being blocked by something on the other side, but there is give. Your options for going this way seem to be: 1) Destroy the door or 2) Force the door open. You have tools to do either.
Baghotir forces the door, or destroys it in the process.
It takes a few tries, but Baghotir forces the door open, which finally gives, and reveals the walls of spiderwebbing that had secured the door. They stretch, and pull, but the door opens into the forecastle, which is filled with web.
In the light, you can make out the vague shapes of a table and chairs and some other furniture.
Baghotir casts a light on a copper piece and tosses it into the room. "Spiders. Nasty brutes."
He then follows the light with his warhammer ready, looking for danger!
The copper piece sticks to a clump of webbing and casts shadows about the forecastle.
Baghotir carefully moves through sheets of webbing. The table gets a little more in focus.
AT DISADVANTAGE:
or
Baghotir continues to poke around.
Baghotir continues to look through the web-filled room.
What are the rest of you doing?
"If the space is filled with webbing, perhaps we should burn it away first? I have a bit of magic that might help with that task."
If there are no objections, Belwick will ask Baghotir to come back out before he casts Firebolt to burn away the webs.
Baghotir will remove himself only as long as he's sure it won't just set fire to the whole ship.
If it won't, he'll back out of the chamber carefully.
The Party is surprised by two hidden assailants that ambush them!
ROUND 1
1. Alisanne No Longer Surprised
2. Embers No Longer Surprised
3. Baghotir No Longer Surprised
4. Giant Spider Attempts to Web Baghotir
,
Baghotir starts to exit the room when from shadows and webbing on the ceiling, a spinning of spiderweb blasts down and restrains him!
5. Belwick No Longer Surprised
6. Caelius No Longer Surprised
7. Ettercap attempts to web Caelius
or
Another blast of webbing attempts to get at Caelius
8. Venn No Longer Surprised
ROUND 2
1. Alisanne
2. Embers
3. Baghotir
4. Giant Spider
5. Belwick
6. Caelius
7. Ettercap
8. Venn
Condition: Restrained
- - -
Baghotir tries to free himself from the webbing by casting Word of Radiance.
to all webs in a 5' r.
If he gets free, he'll move to the spider to his NE.
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Alisanne moves to get a better view of the cabin.
She plays a upbeat vivace piece to help set the tempo of the battle.
Don't worry, Baghotir! We're with you!
If a creature has a Bardic Inspiration die from you and casts a spell that restores hit points or deals damage, the creature can roll that die and choose a target affected by the spell. Add the number rolled as a bonus to the hit points regained or the damage dealt. The Bardic Inspiration die is then lost.
When granting a creature a Bardic Inspiration die, you summon a Mote of Potential that orbits within 5 ft. of the creature.
Ability Check. The Bardic Inspiration die can be rolled again - choose which roll to use.
Attack Roll. The target and each creature of your choice that you can see within 5 ft. of it must succeed on a CON saving throw (DC: 14) or take thunder damage equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die.
Saving Throw. The creature using the Bardic Inspiration die gains temporary hit points equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die +4
Alisanne blesses her comrades, Roberts' spell nails both the spider and the ettercap... Hard. They are both illuminated in Faerie Fire!
Baghotir's spell NEARLY destroys the webs but he is still restrained.
This prevents them from hiding. But not from biting. The spider, glowing from the spell, lands a bite (24 is the attack roll, with Advantage because Baghotir is restrained).
Baghotir takes 9 Points of Piercing Damage and 8 Poison Damage. DC 11 Constitution Save for Half Poison Damage.
Tiny spiders start appearing everywhere.
Belwick and Caelius are up. Caelius is Restrained by webs.
With the faerie fire making tracking their foes easier, Belwick weaves a familiar bit of fire magic. With a gesture he releases the bolt of flame from the tip of his index finger. It streaks towards the big spider.
or
Belwick's fire finds the target. The Spider shrieks, which isn't a sound you thought a spider could make.
Caelius strains as he tries to get free from the webs. The more he struggles the more it seems to stick to him as the strands fall apart.
It does and you do! Caelius moves to defend Baghotir as the Ettercap, algow from the Faerie Fire, attacks.
The form of the ettercap is now visible, thanks to the spell. The creature is a bloated, mutated humanoid with claws and a spider's fangs. It hisses and blasts Caelius with another web.
Caelius is again, restrained by spidersilk.
ROUND 2
1. Alisanne Bless and Inspire
2. Embers Faerie Fire
3. Baghotir Word of Radiance
4. Giant Spider Bite
5. Belwick Cast a Spell
6. Caelius Breaks free and attacks
7. Ettercap webs Caelius. Caelius is Restrained
8. Venn TBD to Close Round 2
Then
ROUND 3
1. Alisanne TBD
2. Embers TBD
3. Baghotir TBD
4. Giant Spider
5. Belwick
6. Caelius
7. Ettercap
8. Venn
Condition: Restrained, Bless d4, Bardic d6 (1/10m)
- - -
"Thanks Alisanne!" Baghotir feels emboldened by the bardic boost! Unfortunately he's still entrapped, and that's no good for anyone.
He casts another Word of Radiance!
(the creature gets a Con DC 14 save)
He shouts and rails against the webbing, "Damn stuff! I can't get my hammer arm swinging right!!"
"Trithereon! Such a monster!" Venn rushes in and around Bagothir.
"Taste this!" He swings his magical greatsword at the things bloated thorax:
for
It's a wicked hit that nearly slays the spider!
Alisanne steps forward and takes a shot at the Ettercap.