Rising Shadows: Moonshae Isles (5e) (Inactive)

Game Master Donnell "The Fox"

Gideon is not surprised that the journey might be extended a bit. He stands on the prow of the shield deep in thought.

This adventuring is nothing like I thought it would be. We seem to be finding out things... but what have we really accomplished short of reuniting a family. Is this what I'm supposed to be doing.

He then looks back at his companions sparring and jesting on the deck, realizing that his pampered life hadn't really prepared him for this life.

and the family name. I was ready to run away when the odds turned against us. Am I a coward?

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Braith notices Gideon staring at the sea and thinks he must enjoy watching out for sea life. She certainly did not notice he is deep in thought to offer a friendly ear lol. She asks him about what he was looking at when they next dine together though.

“Sail ho!” comes a cry from one of the crew at the top of the mast. Poppie snaps to and nervously scans the horizon.

“Thar she is. It’s the Devil’s Regret!” she says, pointing to a galleon that has crept dangerously close to your position undetected. Its flag is a thick-bladed silver scimitar on a black field. “That’s Cap’n Bluto’s ship! Act smartly lads.”

She turns to you, “It’s pirates! If we’re going to outrun that ship, we’ll need all hands. Now shake a leg, or we’re doomed to be slaves to the giants.”

Toki (and any others with sailing experience) picks out that Devil’s Regret, while larger than the Shantu is moving at about the same speed.

You can assist in the following jobs -- each job should have at least one person. Feel free to be creative, use spells, etc:

Those with the Sailor or Northland Seafarer backgrounds can make these checks with advantage. Those with proficiency in water vehicles may add their proficiency bonus to the checks.

• Command: A little inspiration never hurts. This job calls for a successful DC 14 Charisma (Persuasion or Intimidation) check. Only one person may choose this job. Note: If an adventurer has the Sailor or Northland Seafarer background and is successful, they can grant advantage to one other adventurer.

• Navigation: Judging the winds and currents to get an edge over the galleon requires a keen insight. A successful DC 14 Intelligence (Survival) check is required.

• Rigging: Climbing the riggings of the sails and setting them in place for optimal speed is delicate work. It requires balance and a successful DC 14 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check.

• Sails: Raising additional sails and positioning them is tough work and requires a successful DC 14 Strength (Athletics) check.

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10Damn.

Toki springs to action, heading to the lines to raise sail, but a wave hits the side just as he sets to pull, knocking the Northman off his feet!

During the tri[, Jack will try to help, even if he has no idea what he is doing.

Jack a lope will do his best to issue inspiring commands to the crew trying to use the lingo he may have picked up on their voyage
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Persusasion

Str: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Braith ducks that wave, and manages to help raise at least one sail.

Survival is normally WIS based. Are you saying that in this instance it's INT based?

Gideon takes to the Rigging to try and help squeeze more control of the ship.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Acrobatics

Survival is normally WIS based. Are you saying that in this instance it's INT based?

Gideon takes to the Rigging to try and help squeeze more control of the ship.

1d20+5 Acrobatics

Oh! Good point -- that's just a typo. Sorry!

Looks like two failures and two successes -- Jaylen will have to break the tie!

Jaylen Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Unfortunately, despite Jacka-Lope's inspiring words and Braith's help with the sails, the Shantu is just not able to keep ahead of the pirate ship.

The large galleon and her experienced crew are too much to overcome. Running alongside, your ship is ensnared by ballista fire and quickly overwhelmed by rapscallions, both mortal and fey, swarming your ship from the deck and masts.

Feel free to RP your actions, but capture is inevitable at this point.

You find yourselves in shackles, kneeling on the deck of your ship. A circus of antagonizing hoots and howls by the pirate crew suddenly go silent as heavy footfalls approach. The scoundrel crew moves aside to allow their imposing captain aboard. A seven-foot tall beast of a figure resembling a humanoid hippopotamus surveys your group.

“Trespassers, Cap’n,” proclaims a tiefling woman.

“Is that so?” the hippo-man bellows. “Now where might you lot be heading in such a hurry?”

Where were we headed? Bluto's Base or the inland Bulak's Manor?

Where were we headed? Bluto's Base or the inland Bulak's Manor?

You were sailing back to Caer Callidyrr. From there the plan was to head toward Lehigh to find out about the "eye of the goblin"

(You don't know anything about Bulak's Manor or Bluto's Base, lol -- I just inadvertently gave you a map that had clues on it :P )

I thought it was on the map already. ;p Just noticed that we are in shackles, I do hope that Toki took down one or two first! XD

Is it bad that Toki's first thought is to jump the hippo man and try to strangle him with his chains? XD I hope someone pipes up before he does something stupid...

The bunny will he helpful as the pirates try to tie him up, doing his best to be helpful by giving them the wrong ropes and other things like that and asking them where they learned to tie such neat an tidy knots.

Toki is held in place by a couple of tough-looking pirates with blades drawn -- they aren't taking any chances with the aggressive Northman.

In addition to some evil-looking humans, Bluto's crew comprises a mix of fey creatures (quicklings, darklings, satyrs, redcaps, boggles) who are wise to Jacka-Lope's tricks and, perhaps more importantly, are not amused.

Bluto approaches, wearing an old military-style uniform and holding a strange metal pipe over his shoulder. He growls: "Nothin' to say fer yerselves, ay?"

The tiefling first mate takes this as license to kick Jacka-Lope in the stomach and smash Braith in the nose with the back of her hand. Bluto laughs cruelly before directing his crew to drag you belowdecks to the brig, with promises to sell you into slavery at the first opportunity.

On the first level below, you are relieved of all your gear, which is stored in a forward hold. You are then taken to the bottom-most level and shoved roughly into a brig at the stern of the ship.

You are taken to the brig, which is the lowest of three levels. You share the cell with three halflings. It is well guarded for the remainder of the day until you hear the anchor being dropped. The clamor of the crew fades, and the guards in the brig have dwindled to two scalawags complaining about their guard assignment as they play cards and drink rum in the next room. One of them holds a set of keys.

Should we do 'Get Help'? XD

Hey! What's your name? Toki, face pressed against the bars, calls out to the guards.

Oop, sorry I missed a crucial piece -- you are shackled to the wall.

The guards are rapidly getting drunk. At Toki's (innocent) question, one of them half-rises and shouts angrily: "Shaddahp! How many times I gotta tell prisoners to keep der gobs shut!?"

Pleased ta meetcha, Shaddahp! Did I say that right?

Fine, make them come in to us... ^_^ Quick question, would proficiency with water vehicles give me any insight to sinking a ship?

LOL

Also, yes, probably. Although you're currently shackled to a wall at the bottom of the ship, so I wouldn't recommend it at the moment!

Just thinking about after we get free... ;p

The bunny begins to sing a song about someone he knows. His name is John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, which also happens to be his name. Whenever he goes out, the people stop and shout there goes John Jacon Jingleheimer Schmidtl. LALALALALALALA LA LA. Singing it over and over and at the top of his bunny lungs at the LA LA LA part.

The other guard, the one who's still sitting, puts his head in his hands and begins moaning: "Oh no... we're gonna be in so much trouble if you die"

The much angrier guard has been screaming somewhat incoherently at you both to shut your holes. He's red in the face, spittle flying; but calms quickly when his companion puts a hand on his arm.

Shaking that hand off roughly, he grabs the keys and growls: "Oh, it won't die -- Cap'n can still make some cash if a bone or two are broken."

Both guards unlock the door to the brig...

Oh, goodie, you are coming to say hi! So, Shaddahp, where are you from? Accent puts you South Caer, eh?

Toki is going to pull them both in until either Toki can grab them both OR someone can snag the keys... Whichever opportunity presents itself first.

EDIT: Toki is trained in Sleight of Hand... ;D

Not really sure what we can do here, so Gideon will attempt a name drop. Also, trained in Thieves tools if an improvised one can be made somehow... work loose a nail etc.

"I know that we've obviously done something to perturb you gentlemen... but I am a Dawnbringer... and my family would be VERY eager to ensure my save return".

He then gives them his million GP smile.

"I'm sure you might have slightly more comfortable quarters for me to continue the rest of this trip on. I'm sure we can work out an arrangement for compensation for that kindness".

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Diplomacy

But for sopme reason he doesn't think they're going to fall for it. :-)

When they get closer to the party the bunny will stop his singing and look adorable

and manifest his fey presence

Once per short rest, as an action, you can cause each creature in a 10-ft. cube from you to make a WIS saving throw (DC 13) or become charmed or frightened by you (your choice) until the end of your next turn.

It might get some of the party too but right now that can't be helped

Jaylen, frustrated with himself for some bad directions during the heat of the case remains silent for most of the incarceration. Once in the hold, he informs the party… ”I can slip out of these shackles easily.” the Druid says quietly. ” Tiki remember when we were sparring and I turned into an animal, I’ve gotten much better at it. I can change into many things now. We just need a plan on how to get off this ship and find the rest of our crew.”

So Jaylen has become quite the master of shapechanging. I think that he has multiple ways of freeing himself from the bonds. Getting the others out is the trick. If the play is to lure the guard in and then take him out to get the keys, I’m down with that. Just don’t want to get everyone else involved in a fight that they are shackled up for.

I was imagining "shackled" to mean that your wrists are in cuffs that are then chained to the walls. That won't slow Jayden down, if he wants to change shape. Toki, since your arms are chained, a Sleight of Hand won't work, but I suppose you could kick them as an unarmed attack.

Toki also figures he can pull the chains out of the wall, since they are only held by nails (Athletics STR DC 15). Similarly, Gideon can pick the locks, but he'll need an improvised tool (Thieves Tools DEX DC 13, but this will be at disadvantage if using an improvised tool, like a nail or something).

There are several plans on the go here, so I'll wait a bit. You don't necessarily need to come to a consensus, but someone could take point and put forward a plan. Or, if you don't think you would have discussed it ahead of time, I can just roll with everyone trying their own thing in which case, I'll roll initiative).

Okay, I imagined that the chains were to the side, rather than over our head, but based on your comments, it seems it is more like over our head, with us hanging under.

When they get close enough...

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Am I cutting it close enough? XD

When we were on deck the smack to the noggin cut short Braith's attempts at asking for mercy, so she stays quiet for a bit, occasionally praying quietly. Right up until all this commotion starts up from the group, and then she casts Bless on Toki, Gideon and Jaylen sorry, Jack! only got 3. Deception to cast it without the guards seeing?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Bless: You bless up to three creatures of your choice within range. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.

His cuteness supercedes your bleasings. Xsn you cast it tied up?

That would be DM's call, but normally, Somatic components would at least require a Concentration check at least. Looking at the spell, it also requires a drop of holy water, so we likely are out of luck. :(

Ummm... maybe it's my old-school D&D showing, but I'm not generally too concerned with material spell components -- especially in the case of a cleric calling on the blessings of their deity (I mean, it's not like you're a wizard trying to tap into the power of the universe!). I wouldn't want that to get out of hand, though...

In this case, the pirates probably wouldn't have taken Braith's holy symbol, since her deity is the Earthmother. But, since you are both tied up and you've been stripped of your possessions, I think Braith will have to give a pretty good reason why this should work.

Our wrists are in cuffs that are then chained to the wall, so I can still move my arms and hands around, right? I did think of that (but didn't read the spell and missed the holy water part, d'oh), I kind of picture the 'somatic' part a bit like how Dr. Strange does it in the movies, nothing too showy but something focused and practiced. But sounds like I read precisely how we're chained up incorrectly. In which case, I defer to the one who's got the notes in front of them :-)

If we're chained up in such a way that we can touch our hands together, I'd reason someone could make specific gestures to cast a spell. If we're chained to a wall with like 1 foot of chain and can barely move our arms at all, well yeah then totally no casting.

Does anyone remember Thundarr the Barbarian? I always laughed at Seelah because when she casts, she holds her hands above her head, but if her wrists were bound together she was powerless! That's what this reminds me of... XD

I love the beginning of that cartoon. Lords of Light!

In one of the way too many Drizzt / Forgotten Realms books I read, there was a drow caster that was shackled up and managed to do the somatic bit with his toes. It stuck in my brain because cool idea and also bare feet weird me out lol. I just spent five minutes trying to google that guy's name, I swear it began with an 'A'.....oh well.

Sorry, that's my bad for not describing the situation in enough detail. So, each wrist is manacled and chained to the wall behind you. There's about a metre of slack in the chain. The chains are attached to the wall with nails, about a meter from the floor -- so, about waist height for Toki, but about head-height for the halflings on the other side of the brig.

So, you could put your hands together if you against the wall, but it's not enough slack that Toki could steal the keys unless (until) the guard is directly in front of him (and in that case, he'll be punching you).

In terms of the mechanics, I'm basically going to give you a surprise round (the guards are drunk, they have to unlock and open the door, and they aren't expecting retaliation from chained prisoners). So that could encompass Braith's spell, Jacka-Lope's ability, Gideon's Diplomacy, Jaylen's shapeshift (into what?), and Toki's breaking the chains. Let me know if anyone wants to change their minds, otherwise I'll push ahead tomorrow.

If'n that spell can be cast, she's a-castin'

The angry, drunken pirates slam open the door to the brig, causing the halflings to cringe, one of them whimpers softly.

As the guards step inside with swords drawn, they are shocked to see Jaylen change shape into an animal of some kind?, though this wears off quickly as they are drawn into Jacka-Lope's beguiling eyes. The edge has come off their anger -- they don't exactly think of you as their best friend, but they are a bit confused.

They failed their saves, but I'm tempering this reaction a bit -- you antagonized them into opening the door and several of you look like you're ready for a fight. The charm means they no longer want to torture you, but they aren't in love either.

This confusion is not improved as Toki strains his considerable muscles, popping nails out of the wall. Into the silence that follows this tearing of wood, one of those nails spins madly across the floor, drawing everyone's attention until it rolls to a stop next to Gideon's boot.

The pirates look at Jacka-Lope, look at Toki, and take a step back toward the door. Gideon's half-hearted plea for better accommodations falls flat, as Braith's quiet prayers rise to a crescendo.

I rolled up some initiative, as I'm not sure what your next moves will be. The more insightful among you realize the guards are not planning to take any chances and will likely lock you back in.

Round 1
Jaylen [blessed]
Jacka-Lope

Pirates [charmed]

Toki [blessed]
Gideon [blessed]
Braith

The bunny looks up with the cutest little eyes Please let me go these are hurting my hands

They are only charmed until someone attacks them

Toki pauses and looks from the pirates to his bunny friend, Jack, can I please beat on one of them, at least?

Braith whispers to Toki I think Jack has them spell-bound, might be best to just talk our way out of this if possible. But if not, go for the one with the keys?

Do both of them have a set of keys, or is there only one between the two of them?

There's just the one set of keys, and it's currently hanging from the door's lock :)

as the WHAT, that depended on the plan.
1. If Jack can charm them into setting us free, sounds good. If not, I’d say he would shapeshift into something with smaller arms. Or no arms, how about a giant poisonous snake.

That is the plan

Retrieving the keys, the pirates shuffle around Toki, keeping their eyes and swords trained on him. One reaches over and uncuffs Jacka-Lope: "Okay, let's get you out of here -- you're in with some bad folks..." With a hand on the harengon's shoulder, they start moving back to the door, still keeping their eyes on Toki.

Jaylen, let me know if you are / have shifted, because they will definitely change their behaviour at that point.

Toki whips one of his chains around the closest pirate's sword hand and attempts to rip the blade from his hand!

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 If you want me to roll something else, let me know...

Well,. there goes my charm

If you want me to roll something else, let me know...[/ooc]

No, I think a contested Athletics / Acrobatics works for a disarming attack. Probably Bless would count toward it too, but it won't matter:

DEX: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

The pirate's scimitar clatters to the ground as they push Jacka-Lope behind them and back toward the door.

I'm going to keep to the initiative rolls that I made before, but I'll rearrange so that Toki has acted first. Everyone (other than Toki) can post their actions:

Round 1
Toki [blessed]
Gideon [blessed]
Braith
Jaylen [blessed]
Jacka-Lope

Pirates [charmed]