i just wanna say sorry for bailing out without saying anything. the intent had been to keep running this, but it became clear after a week or two of this job that there was no way id be able to manage it.
of course, thats no excuse for not coming in to say something to you all. this is a three month job, and i just finished up month 1, so in about two more months, i do plan on picking this back up again if people are still around and interested.
that said, if yo do find a gm to continue this for you all, even better!
Sorry for the continued delay. As I mentioned before I moved over the new year weekend. And now I've started my new job and I'm trying to figure out my schedule and how to fit everything in! With luck, I'll have things shoved into place in the next couple days.
Between the two of them, Artevious and Gall manage to finish off the Pastel Sailors before they can make it over the railing.
The Sailors heading towards the other boat (Navy, Indigo, and Magenta for target labeling purposes) get in a quick argument, one of them pointing towards the boat that had just been launched and another pointing towards the one next to them as the Indigo Sailor tries to loose the boat. But Cueta's arrow landing straight into the arm of the Navy Officer surprises the arguing pair out of it and they move into position to untie the boat.
**Yes, Harmony, your movement is correct. I've moved your token for you.**
Thank you Gall and Esmarelda for waiting for so long before posting x.x Just because of how the rounds are being split to make for more fluid posting, I'm going to stop writing up recaps unless it's obviously needed (ie: I have to alter someone's action to hit the next target or w/e.
Gall may now post Round 9, Everyone else may now post Round 10 (including Esmarelda!)
I will be posting tomorrow, then again the day after, then will probably have a bit of a break over the 24th through to the 27th to account for the bustle of Christmas and Boxing Day (and then an extra day to recover from it all lol).
Esmarelda, Round 8 is currently in progress. It's impossible for it to have been skipped as the recap hasn't happened for it yet.
The Orange Sailor goes down retroactively thanks to Artevious' fancy bladework.
===================
ROUND 8
===================
The Pastel Sailors keep trying to launch the boat, dreaming of drifting away to relative safety.
GM Screen:
LPk Sailor:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
The Light Pink Sailor manages to untie the boat, then both the Light Purple and the Light Blue sailors scamper over the side, provoking attacks of opportunity.
Feel free to make the AoO at the top of your next post.
===================
ROUND 8 RECAP
===================
Esmarelda swings and hits, taking out the Purple Sailor.
Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 14
Cueta prepares to fire at the Purple Sailor, but shifts targets when Esmarelda snuffs it out before she has the chance to shoot. Sadly, the bolt goes missing in the fog.
Artevious again tries to demoralize the Blue Sailor.
Intimidate:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Harmony keeps trying to use her hypnotism to subdue the Sailors, but they keep seeming to roll hacker dice and shaking off the spell.
GM Screen:
LP Will:1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 2 = 21
The Light Pink Sailor manages to get the boat untied, and the Light Blue and Light Purple Sailors try to get over the side of the ship as an escape.
Gall doesn't give the Light Pink Sailor a chance to follow his comrades, downing the Sailor in a single stab.
Initiative Esmarelda (23), Cueta (16), Artevious (14), Harmony (13), NIM Sailors (7), LPLB Sailors (6), Gall (3)
Again the fog parts, seeming to disperse. It seems the battle is wrapping up rather quickly in favor of the Pirates.
Concealment is now gone! Rejoice, Cueta!
GM Screen:
NIM Initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
R -/11, O -/11, Y -/11, G -2/11 (stablized), B -/11, P -/11
LPk -5/11, LP 11/11, LB 11/11
You can all see a group of Sailors rushing to the unlaunched portside boat, one of which seems to be an Officer of the Man's Promise. They seem intent on escape!
Cueta, Artevious, and Harmony may now post Round 9. Esmarelda and Gall must wait until after my next post.
Initiative Esmarelda (23), O Sailor (21), GP Sailors (21), Cueta (16), Artevious (14), Harmony (13), LPkLPLB Sailors (6), Gall (3)
Looking about the battlefield, the party can see signs that their victory is close at hand. Everywhere Sailors are scattering or dropping their weapons. The most gruesome scene of all is Captain Harrigan holding what appears to be a heart in his hands.
Unfortunately, the Sailors on the aft deck and sterncastle are too stubborn to cave just yet.
Please, please, please keep marking your posts with your current Round.
===================
ROUND 6 RECAP
===================
Esmarelda attempts to disable s pair of the Sailors with a spell, but they manage to shake off the effects.
The Sailors make an attempt to stave off the pirates, attacking the party with varying degrees of success.
Cueta provides some cover fire for her allies as they cross and engage the Sailors.
Artevious lands a perfect hit, running his blade through the Blue Pirate threatening Esmarelda.
Harmony continues to put her effort towards peaceful solutions, or at least less violent ones, but it seems the Sailors are pretty resilient to hypnosis! My weighted dice, jeeze.
Initiative Esmarelda (23), O Sailor (21), GP Sailors (21), Cueta (16), Artevious (14), Harmony (13), LPkLPLB Sailors (6), Gall (3)
A new wave of fog envelops the ships.
Concealment is back on. Targets within 5ft have concealment (1-80% hits, 81-100% misses), and anything further away has total concealment (1-50% hits, 51-100% misses).
Three more Sailors from the Man's Promise rush towards the lifeboats in an effort to flee. Krine's words flaot to the front of your mind, reminding you that one of your jobs is to keep anyone from escaping on those boats!
===================
ROUND 5 RECAP
===================
Esmarelda manages to shimmy her way across the rope towards the Man's Promise.
The Sailors on the Man's Promise attempt to shoot Esmarelda down before she can climb onto the aft deck, however their bolts go wide, landing in the ocean below.
Cueta takes advantage in the break in the fog to pin an arrow through the jugular of the Yellow Sailor.
Artevious follows up Cueta's attack with a final bow to the Yellow Sailor who crumples to the ground.
Harmony attempts to convince the Sailors facing off with her allies to drop their weapons with the aid of hypnotism. Though the Blue Sailor appears to have considered it a moment, he manages to shake it off.
Gall stands and prepares to climb the rope. Climbing the rope is a full round action, so you'll have to wait until next turn since standing from prone is a move action. Not only that, you can't make two attempts at climbing in any given round. Please read the climbing instructions to ensure you're clear on what's happening with that.
Target:1d5 ⇒ 2 vs Cue P Atk:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 Dmg:1d10 ⇒ 2
R -/11, O 1/11, Y -/11, G -2/11, B 5/11, P 11/11
The Orange Sailor drops his bow and draws his sword with a deadly swing towards Artevious, but Artevious' quick thinking allows him to parry the attack and land one of his own.
The Green Sailor is bleeding out on the deck where he fell.
The Blue Sailor steps forward and slashes at Esmarelda, but misses his mark.
The Purple Sailor stands back and continues firing his crossbow. THis time, he aims at Cueta and manages to catch her in the side.
Cueta takes 2 piercing damage
Cueta retaliates by taking a moment to study the Purple Sailor before firing another arrow from her longbow.
Cue Atk:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Dmg:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Everyone may post Round 6, Esmarelda may post Round 7. Concealment will kick back in on Round 7.
Apologies for being AWOL. It's been a busy week. Got a new job, found a new place (moving over Jan 2-3) and been Xmas shopping and party planning.
Realistically, I'm not going to post tonight (I'm wiped and a lil tipsy from the party), but I assure you a post is coming up tomorrow assuming my house doesn't opt to burn itself down in the night!
===================
ROUND 4 RECAP
===================
Esmarelda manages to get a rope across to the other ship.
The rather stubborn Orange Sailor manages to land a bolt on Artevious.
Cutea pins another arrow to a crate behind her target.
Artevious, in true Poisson fashion as only he can, swings over the 30ft gap between the ships, landing with a flourish on the aft deck of The Man's Promise. A series of cheer erupt from the pirates of the Wormwood! You are flat-footed as you try to find your footing!
Harmony has a bit of a mental argument with herself. Feel free to use alternate tactics, but remember Diplomacy to influence takes a minute, but you can always ask some favors...? Intimidate for surrenders? Feel free to get creative.
Gall stands up and smacks the Blue Sailor in the cheek with a bullet from his sling.
Gal Target:1d4 ⇒ 3
Initiative Esmarelda (23), YO Sailors (21), GBP Sailors (21), Cueta (16), Artevious (14), Harmony (13), Gall (3)
The ships are now side by side, only a 10ft gap between them!
Yes, I know they are only 1 square apart on the map, but just work with me here >.>
As soon as the ships get into this range, pirate from the Wormwood start laying planks down across the gap and those who hadn't made it across before with grappling lines (or swinging in the case of Artevious!) are now boarding with enthusiastic growls and battle cries for booty!
GM Screen:
1-40% target party, 41-100% aim elsewhere
O Chance:1d100 ⇒ 10 *party*
Y Chance:1d100 ⇒ 11 *party*
B Chance:1d100 ⇒ 74 P Chance:1d100 ⇒ 12 *party*
O Target:1d2 ⇒ 2 Y Target:1d2 ⇒ 2 P Target:1d2 ⇒ 2
1-50% hit, 51-100% miss
O Atk:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 92 Dmg:1d10 ⇒ 3
Three of the remaining four Sailors on the aft deck and sterncastle turn their focus to Esmarelda as she starts her go across the rope to the Man's Promise, but all three bolts go wide.
Esmarelda is now on the aft deck of the Man's Promise. Esmarelda is flat-footed until her next turn.
Meanwhile, Jape and Jack pass the party up some grappling hooks, should any of you feel so compelled to use your own.
The fog obscuring the field of combat starts to part slightly as Pepper is between spells, and Artevious, Gall, and Harmony catch a glimpse of Captain Harrigan himself with Scourge and Patch hacking and slashing their way to the captain's cabin of The Man's Promise. But a Sailor comes sneaking up behind Harrigan, obviously about to surprise him from behind!
Artevious, Gall, and Harmony are free to either let him be attacked, or shout a warning about the attacker to their Captain as a free action.
Everyone may now post Round 5, Esmarelda may post Round 6
You're level 2. You should have been at the start of the fight, but I had written my notes wrong and had it at the end of this fight. But no, it ought to have been just before! I encourage RPing out your daring new acts and awesome new abilities you're learning/gaining very suddenly mid combat >.>;;
===================
ROUND 3 RECAP
===================
Esmarelda maintains her position.
Remember, you're a round ahead so when you thought you were 90ft out, you were actually 60ft out. That's why I mentioned that the ships are closing at about 30ft per round. In round 4, which it appears I'll be botting for you anyways, you'll be at 30ft apart rather than 60.
A pair of the Sailors fire towards the party, but neither bolt finds a target.
Cueta fires another arrow that gets lost in the fog.
Artevious sees his chance to swing across to board the other ship draw near and gets himself into position for the swing.
Harmony holds her ground, presumably sweating bullets about having to climb across.
Gall reloads his sling, and Jack Scrimshaw, who has standing near by and overheard Gall, calls to Jape to bring up some more hooks.
Botting for Esmarelda again...
Esmarelda hops up from her position and tosses the grapping hook towards the rails of the other ship.
Ranged Attack:1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 4 = 7
The grappling hook just barely makes it, finding its mark and holding fast to the ship.
There is now a rope stringing across the two ships that you can begin crossing. As a Reminder: ~ It's a DC15 Climb to shimmy across the ropes to the other ship, and a Reflex DC10 to not fall if you get shot at. To speed things up, you'll spend one round climbing across, the foes will get a chance to shoot at you on their turn and you to make a Reflex save (I'll make this on your behalf). If you succeed (or aren't shot at all), then you will effectively be on the ship your next round, but flat-footed and only able to make a move action.
GM Screen:
1-40% target party, 41-100% aim elsewhere
O Chance:1d100 ⇒ 26 *party*
Y Chance:1d100 ⇒ 81
B Chance:1d100 ⇒ 82 P Chance:1d100 ⇒ 57
O Target:1d4 ⇒ 3
1-50% hit, 51-100% miss
O Atk:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Comcealment:1d100 ⇒ 5 Dmg:1d10 ⇒ 5
As Artevious moves into position, the Orange Sailor (who seems to have a person vendetta against the party if the dice are any indicator), fires a bolt at Artevious, catching him in the leg.
Aretevious takes 5 points of piercing damage. Feel free to make any immediate actions in your next post. I think Swashbucklers get a parry? Not sure.
You may now all post for Round 4, Esmarelda can post for Round 5.
R -/11, O 11/11, Y 11/11, G -1/11, B 11/11, P 11/11
Once again, the Orange Sailor fires towards the party, but Cueta narrowly dodges the attack.
The Yellow Sailor, after having two arrows aimed at him, also turns to fire at the party, but Gall's quick drop down behind the railing foils his plans of hitting anything.
Everyone can post their Round 3, Esmarelda can post her Round 4.
For Arty (and other Rope Swinger types ;D):
Artevious figures he can make the swing across once the ships are 30ft or less apart. This will be a full round action. (I suggest he gets into position for the swing this round if he plans on doing it on Round 4 when the ships are 30ft apart. It'll take you a full round action to get into place. Sorry I don't have a map for this part of the fight >.<)
With the ships 30ft apart, the Acrobatics DC is 15. You will land on the other side, but the jolt of it will leave you staggered until the end of your next turn (and flat-footed, but everyone is flat-footed when they first get onto the other ship). But, if you manage to hit a DC20, you negate the stagger effect!
Artevious, you totally can if for no other reason than for the cool factor. You'll have to wait until the ships are closer together, as it is now, you'd land in the water! I'll figure out a decent DC by the time the round you can do that in comes around.
===================
ROUND 1 RECAP
===================
Esmarelda crouches low, getting herself down under cover while waiting for the gap between the ships to close. Esmarelda has full cover.
The Sailors on the other ship seem to remain unaware, or at least uncaring about the party gathered on the poop deck, instead firing at various crew members on the main deck.
Cueta Draws her bow and nails the Red Sailor Square in the center of his forehead, dropping him instantly much to the horror of the other Sailor's around him.
Artevious manages to catch the Green Sailor in the shoulder, just missing his heart but very likely doing a good amount of damage to the poor lad.
Harmony joins Esmarelda in crouching low to avoid the exchange of fire. Harmony has full cover and is hidden.
Gall draws and loads his crossbow, preparing to join the volley!
Botting for Esmarelda
Esmarelda continues to keep down while the Wormwood catches up.
Esmarelda has full cover.
GM Screen:
1-40% target party, 41-100% aim elsewhere O Chance:1d100 ⇒ 18 *party*
Y Chance:1d100 ⇒ 60
G Chance:1d100 ⇒ 72 B Chance:1d100 ⇒ 54 *party*
P Chance:1d100 ⇒ 3 *party*
O Target:1d4 ⇒ 4 Gal
B Target:1d4 ⇒ 4 Gal
P Target:1d4 ⇒ 2 Cue
1-50% hit, 51-100% miss O Atk:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 48 Dmg:1d10 ⇒ 1
B Atk:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Miss
Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 78 Dmg:1d10 ⇒ 7
P Atk:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 87 Miss
Dmg:1d10 ⇒ 3
With arrows now flying from your location, three of Sailors, Orange, Blue, and Purple, now turn their weapons towards the party! Two bolts come towards Gall, one whizzing past his head, and the other just nicking his arm. A third falls short, landing in the planks in front of Cueta.
Gall takes 1 piercing damage.
Everyone may now post their Round 2, Esmarelda may post her Round 3.
You can see the outlines of sailors on the Man's Promise continue to try assaulting the Wormwood in an attempt to deter the Piracy, but they haven't seemed to take notice of your group. They fire off onto the more aggressive of the crew members, such as Rosie who is clinging to the rigging screaming profanities at them while haphazardly firing a crossbow towards them.
Okay, everyone else can go now. Except Cueta who jumped the gun. I'll recap her post in the next GM post. That includes Esmarelda who will be posting her round 2 while the rest post round 1.
Also, Esmarelda, please read my posts fully. I specifically requested you head your posts with your round and initiative.
We did it! Made it to Part Two! Not Chapter Two mind you, but still! Yay!
Cueta
Crimson Cogward figure's himself quite the drinker, but throws up right alongside Cueta... Looks like you both keep your own money, if not your dignity...
Fort:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
The morning dawns on the seas and the Wormwood has nearly closed the gap to the other ship. The usual tasks aren't being handed out as preparations for boarding begin. The crew runs about hoisting ropes, tying off grappling lines, and preparing the cannons should they become necessary.
"Don't ye be damagin' that ship! Cap'n wants a new one. Fancy we ought to start our own armada!" boomed Pluggs voice over the din. Some of the crew cheered at the idea, while others busied themselves with talking about what they'd do with their share of the haul.
When you come up on deck, Riaris Krine summons you all up onto the poop deck with her.
“The ship’s wheel is on the aft deck, just below the sterncastle. You’re going to grapple over, kill the guards on the sterncastle, take the wheel, and guard the ship’s boats. Kill anyone who tries to get away on one of the boats. Don’t move from the wheel until the fighting’s done, or you’ll have to answer to me. Oh yeah, as we get close, it’s going to get foggy. Just stick to what I told you to do.”
It's well known that Pepper, one of the officers, is a sorcerer of some sort who enjoys experimenting in her own little cupboard she calls a lab. Any of the veteren crew will tell stories about the fogs she lays out during a skirmish. You either learn to work with it, or die.
"Artevious, you'll be in charge of this little boarding party. Cueta, you'll be his second. The rest of you," she cringes a touch, especially when her eyes land on Harmony. "Just try to not f%~*in' die."
It's not long after that that the Wormwood gets into firing range to the merchant ship, now easily identified as the Man's Promise. Judging from the style, it's likely Rahadoumi. The Man's Promise's crew pelts the Wormwood with crossbow bolts while two large ballistas on the sterncastle fire off their own larger projectiles in hopes of slowing the pirates down. The crew of the Wormwood fire back with their own crossbows as a thick bank of fog slowly starts to roll in over the two ships. Before long, everything is clouded over.
Gall notices Fishguts dumping particularly bloody pigs, freshly slaughtered, overboard into the ocean. He makes a few trips for his task, and by the time he's done a sharks fin breaching the surface explains why it's been done. Dangerous waters to fall into now! At least the water is pretty calm.
Targets are coming into range! There are six Rahadoumi sailors on the sterncastle, your target location after boarding. They have cover, and the fog provides concealment, but they are still viable targets. The ship itself is now close enough to attempt to throw a grapple line across and start boarding.
You guess the ships are 120ft apart, closing at approximately 30ft per round.
~ No swim check needed if you fall into the water at any point. Also sharks. It'll be a DC10 Climb check to get back on board. To speed things up, if you fall, you spend one round in the water (assuming sharks don't try to eat you), and one round climbing back up. We'll ignore the usual speeds for such actions.
~ I don't have a map for this fight until the ships are side by side, so we'll be using some imagination for the first 3 rounds. Assume any target you're aiming for is the distance from ship to ship. For example, any target you try to hit in round 1 is 120ft away.
~ Everyone has total concealment, including you, so please roll that with any intended attacks.
~ The ship has an AC5 to catch with your grappling hook. The hook has a range increment of 10ft. Please calculate range penalties into your posts, as well as 50% concealment! it's a move action to reel back in the hook after a failed throw.
~ It's a DC15 Climb to shimmy across the ropes to the other ship, and a Reflex DC10 to not fall if you get shot at. To speed things up, you'll spend one round climbing across, the foes will get a chance to shoot at you on their turn and you to make a Reflex save (I'll make this on your behalf). If you succeed (or aren't shot at all), then you will effectively be on the ship your next round, but flat-footed and only able to make a move action.
~ Be VERY descriptive about your posts. Also, please remember to keep initiative order in mind! Don't act one way because another ally who acts AFTER you posted before you!
~ Ask any questions if you're confused! I'm probably over complicating things with all my words!
~ This is new: please put the round number and your initiative at the top of your post!
Esmarelda can now post for round 1 Everyone else, please wait until after I post for the sailors, then we can get a rather nice flow of combat going from there!
Krine groans as Harmony continues to struggle into the evening with what to her should have been an easy task. She sends the other two off to head to their bunks for the night, but keeps Harmony a moment longer.
"Alright, now, when we board that f!@#in' ship tomorrow, you're gonna have to cross over! Now, if ya end up needin' to climb anything, just--- Well just tie a safety rope around your waist and cry for help. Ain't going to do us no good losing a f@&!in' crew member now. Not when we might be takin' another ship. Already runnin' a bare bones crew now!" she says, giving Harmony a slap on the back at she heads back to the officers' quarters. The slap was friendly, though much harder than Harmony would have found comfortable.
Waiting on Artevious and Cueta's Night Actions before moving to tomorrow!
Captain Harrigan storms out of his cabin at the shout of sails on the horizon, shoving a few unlucky crew members out of his way as he heads onto the poop deck. Teehee, poop deck! He raises a spyglass to his eye, a wicked grim spreading across his face.
"She looks ta be fat with cargo!" she exclaims with a hearty laugh wicked enough to send shivers down your spine. "We can be on her tomorrow!"
He barks a few orders and the ship ever so slightly changes course directly for the other ship.
"Pay day's a comin', lads!" he yelled before disappearing back into his cabin again.
~ ~ ~
Shortly after that, Riaris Krine seeks out Harmony, Esmarelda, and Gall.
"Drop what you're doin', ya stupid c%~&s. I'll not have ya f&&$in' up a perfectly fine boardin' just because you're a punch of useless pussies. You'll be practicin' your climbin' for the rest of today, and into the night if ya don't get it right!"
She drags the three of you up on deck and sends you into the rigging to practice climbing. Of course, just that isn't good enough, so she rounds up a few crew members to throw various things at you, very similar to the experience last time...
Okay! Esmarelda, Harmony, and Gall need to get into the rigging and make five successful DC15 Climb checks without falling. Each of you will have a random chance of being struck with some debris being thrown by the crew and will need to make DC10 Reflex saves to avoid being knocked down.
GM Screen:
Esmarelda:1d3 ⇒ 1 Distance:1d5 ⇒ 1
Harmony:1d3 ⇒ 1 Distance:1d5 ⇒ 3
Gall:1d3 ⇒ 1 Distance:1d5 ⇒ 1
Esmarelda
You'll need to make a DC10 Reflex check after your first successful Climb check.
Harmony
You'll need to make a DC10 Reflex check after your third successful Climb check.
Gall
You'll need to make a DC10 Reflex check after your first successful Climb check.
If you fail the Reflex save or the Climb check by 5 or more, then you fall back onto deck.You can make a total of five attempts before Riaris gives up on you (again). To keep things simple, I won't bother with rerolling how many times or where the Reflex saves need done if you do end up falling, so it'll be identical attempts with the same hazards. THIS WILL TAKE UP YOUR NIGHT ACTION! But it will leave you with enough time to sleep off fatigue! That said, if you are fatigued, don't forget to adjust your rolls accordingly!
Artevious and Cueta You're free to make your Night Actions
No worries. Gall's been busy with his finals. Top that off with the holiday season and I expect things to be slow for the next little while.
Also apparently Gall's not posting today either. I'll be putting up the next post regardless of if he posts or not between now and then.
Speaking of absences, I'll be moving at the end of December/beginning of January so I may have to take a break from the campaign at that time. Still a month off from that, but figured i ought to let you all now while I was thinking of it!
I apologize, I did end up skipping an event. It didn't seem like a good fit for the PBP format as it was going into one on one combat rounds between a single player and the GM. Feel free to read about the missed event in the spoiler below!
The Missed Event:
Risky Games in the Bilges
The PC whom Scourge hates the most (or a random PC, if no one particularly stands out) is assigned to the bilges to help pump them out. The other PCs are assigned tasks as normal, though no others are assigned to the bilges. On the way to the bilges, the PC bumps into Mr. Plugg and Master Scourge, who search the PC for hidden weapons and forcibly remove any the PC might have.
Creatures: Three characters man the pumps—the PC and two hostile Wormwood pirates. Each pirate carries a hidden dagger. The PC can make a DC 12 Perception check to spot the hidden weapons. After a few minutes, one of the pirates accuses the PC of slacking. The other pirate quickly joins in and attacks the PC, intending to kill the PC away from prying eyes and make it look like an accident.
Development: Keelhauling is the normal penalty for killing a member of the crew, but if they kill the PC, the pirates topple several barrels over the PC’s body, claiming the death was a terrible accident. If the PC kills the pirates and the deaths are discovered, the PC is locked in the sweatbox to await keelhauling on the following day. Fortunately for that PC, A THING HAPPENS THE NEXT DAY.
Esmarelda
Despite her protests, Maheen keeps a firm grip on her until the Bloody Hour is over, when he releases her after planting a slopy kiss on her neck. "Anytime you want to make another penny, you ugly wench," he hisses with a cruel and mocking tone.
Artevious
Owlbear is very appreciative, and quite a learner! He silently mouthes the words and follows along with Artevious' reading with his exceptionally large finger. Artevious has to pause on occasion and wait for him to move it before reading the next line. What Owlbear lacks in finesse though, he makes up with in enthusiasm. A few crew members linger about to listen to a few lines of the story before going back about their own business.
Gall
Rosie is certainly around, easily found tuning her fiddle on a crate in the lower decks. She gladly accepts the company and plays Gall a tune, bellowing out profane and raunchy lyrics for his entertainment.
Harmony
A few well wishers, including Mila, check up on Harmony through the evening, but she otherwise gets a good sleep.
Cueta easily slips around the ship, avoiding the creakiest boards and timing steps with the steady roll of the ocean waves. The officer's door opens as easily as it had the last time with a near-silent 'click'. A small everburning torch flickers at the top of the stairs, lighting her way well enough to navigate upwards into the officer's rooms. Seeing that all are asleep (or at least seem to be), Cueta sets to work.
There are several heart-stopping moments when the officers tossed and turned, and Pepper even grumbled in her sleep about washing out bloodstains again, but it seems Cueta was able to complete her painting without disturbing the sleepers. The locket she easily gets half around Plugg's head without having to physically move him. Good enough, likely.
When content with her work, she's ghosts back down the stairs and to her bunk without a sound.
All
The next morning you awake to the usual fuss, however this time about Plugg isn't with Scourge handing out the usual tasks. Instead Kipper seems to be the one helping set people about their business. Kipper is a well known suck-up to Plugg and Scourge despite being the underling of the Master Gunner Riaris Krine. His obnoxious behavior is only made worse by his equally obnoxious face.
Once again, you're all assigned the tasks you seem least capable at. Scourge glares at the rather battered (though feeling much better thanks to a few heals) Harmony, as if daring her to say another word on the matter when he sets her back to swabbing the decks.
Part way through the morning, Plugg emerges from the Captain's cabin, red faced and clearly angry. Anyone working near the back half of the ship could tell you they heard raised voice, but couldn't make out the words. It's clear something is amiss.
By lunchtime, rumors are circulating fast. Everything from Plugg having been caught with the Captain's love interest (though who that might possibly be no one seems to know) to Plugg getting demoted because he killed a crew member in the night (of course a head count discredits that one).
Much like yesterday, Scourge tries to keep an eye on all of you with the help of Kipper. Fortunately, Kipper is much less competent leaving Scourge stretched thin over his self appointed task of making you all miserable.
Mechanically speaking, you don't take the same penalties as you did yesterday.
GM Screen:
Perception:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Shortly after lunch, Artevious spots a pot on the horizon. It's nothing to make a fuss over right away, but as time passes, the dot becomes more easily identifiable. A ship! It's a ship! A ship on the horizon!
Artevious Lookout: A climb to the crow’s nest to keep a keen eye out. Four DC10 climb checks to reach the crow's nest 60ft up, and a DC10 Perception check
Gall
Once again, thanks to gifts of nice booze from Scourge, Fishguts is intoxicated all day.
Cooking: Assisting Ambrose Kroop in preparing the day’s meal. DC10 Profession(cook) or Intelligence check Turtle Hunting: Hunting leatherback sea turtles with harpoons, treble hooks, and nets. DC10 Profession(fisherman) or Survival
Esmarelda Swab the Decks: Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones. DC10 Strength or Constitution check, failure of either results in fatigue
Cueta Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges. DC12 Strength, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue
Harmony Swab the Decks: Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones. DC10 Strength or Constitution check, failure of either results in fatigue
Feel free to do some daytime RP. Going to wait for Artevious to respond to the ship before I say what happens the rest of today.
Gall
Gall's search was cut short by Scourge stomping into the kitchens to glare about awhile. "What do ya think ya're doin'? Snoopin' around? Those not be crates for the kitchens! Lashes for you at the Bloody Hour!" he barked happily. It's clear Gall won't be able to get any snooping around done today.
Cueta
Work isn't easy with your enemies peeking over your shoulder all hours of the day. Fortunately, Geach had the brains, or at least maybe instinct or nocturnal tendencies, to stay out of site for majority of the day. At the end of the day when Plugg came down to inspect her work, he cackled wildly and snaped his whip over her head. "Guess I'll be seein' you at the Bloody Hour, won't I lass?"
Esmarelda
Despite being quite fatigued, Esmarelda's hard work paid off. Plugg and Scourge couldn't find a fault with her results, though they booth sneered and scowled at her anyways. At least they held their tongues.
Artevious I rolled them for you, just to see if they could catch you for 'being slow about it' or 'wasting time'
Artevious was like a monkey in the rigging they way he scaled the ropes to the top. He was probably the only one of your party that avoided the ever watching eyes of Scourge and Plugg simply by virture of being so high up. Out of sight, out of mind, as the saying goes!
Harmony It took me a little over an hour to figure out what to do with you x.x
A stunned silence comes down on the deck as folks finish up their tasks. Of course that all comes to a halt when Harmony's display of defiance starts. Plugg raises his cat-o-nine-tails. Seems Bloody Hour is going to start with Harmony.
All
Bloody Hour started as the work day finished, even before everyone had been gathered on deck. Anyone already not on deck, in particular Cueta and Gall, were called up by Ratline who seemed to always know when things were happening on the ship. Particularly things out of the ordinary.
From his vantage point, Artevious can clearly see the ongoings below him and Esmarelda who had still been on deck at the time had a front row seat.
Rather than go through the usual routine of tying an unsatisfactory crew member to the main mast before the lashes to the back, Plugg simply starts cracking his multi-tailed whip over Harmony, letting the lashes fall where they may. It's a brutal thing to watch as Plugg removes chunks of skin from Harmony. By the time he's done, Harmony isn't moving and is bleeding all over the portion of the deck she had been scrubbing.
Any attempts to intervene are thwarted. Should Esmarelda make any move to help her companion, she's easily grappled by Maheem who had been lurking nearby, Artevious is unable to scale back down the rigging quick enough, and Gall and Cueta aren't even able to make it back up on deck before the matter is done.
"Get her off the decks and take her to the Stitchman!" he orders. Crimsom Cogward and Aretta Bansion quickly scoop her up and take her below decks. Very quietly, Mila Quinn follows after them.
"Bring me the others!" Plugg sneers.
Kipper and Jape grab hold of Cueta once she makes it on deck and haul her forward to the mast, followed by Gall at dagger point by Syl. After them comes Badger Medlar, Jack Scrimshaw, and Rosie Cusswell. Of course, none of them get as rough treatment as Harmony had, but rather than the usual whip, they all get the cat-o-nine-tails as well.
Everyone is dead silent after the Bloody Hour.
Below decks, the unconscious Harmony is tended to by the Stitchman who cleans and patches the worst of the wounds, stabilizing her if nothing else. He's joined by Mila Quinn, who he seems friendly with, and offers up some aid in the task, though the Stitchman hardly seems to need it. Seeing that Harmony is still out cold, probably from pain and blood loss, Mila Quinn calls out to Besmara for some divine healing for the woman. Sadly, healing does absolutely nothing for her very torn clothes. At least they are tastefully torn.
Harmony takes 12 points of lethal damage, but is healed by Mila Quinn for 4 hp. I believe that's enough to get you conscious again!
Plugg and Scourge seemed to take a certain amount of pleasure from handing out the tasks today, putting each of you in a role that was likely not the most ideal by any stretch. Not to mention they were jobs that others likely could have done better.
Even Gall in the kitchen with Fishguts wasn't free from their orders. Typically, Plugg and Scourge avoid the galley, but today they've poked their heads in to make a few demands of the kitchen. Fishguts didn't seem to mind of course, not after he was handed a lovely bottle of whiskey from Plugg. Needless to say, he was quite drunk within the first thirty minutes of the work day, leaving Gall to all the day's work.
To make matters worse, the pair somehow manage to shadow all of you, breathing down your necks and just waiting for an excuse to dole out some lashings come Bloody Hour. The crew members more sympathetic to your causes offer supportive words and as much help as they can without abandoning their own posts. A few will be getting their own lashings for their efforts.
Artevious Lookout: A climb to the crow’s nest to keep a keen eye out. Four DC10 climb checks to reach the crow's nest 60ft up, and a DC10 Perception check
Gall Cooking: Assisting Ambrose Kroop in preparing the day’s meal. DC10 Profession(cook) or Intelligence check
Esmarelda Swab the Decks: Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones. DC10 Strength or Constitution check, failure of either results in fatigue
Cueta Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges. DC12 Strength, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue
Harmony Swab the Decks: Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones. DC10 Strength or Constitution check, failure of either results in fatigue
With the sharp eyes of the meanest officers constantly on you, it's difficult but not impossible! to slack off or sneak away. Even chatting with the person next to you is likely to earn some backlash if they catch it. It's clear they are now quite literally out to get you.
Mechanically, anyone not working diligently will take a -2 to their checks on top of the usual penalties for Day Actions.
Alright, so we got an action packed next little bit and I have to do some book keeping now that all the actions are in.
I need each of you to let me know what is your character's least favorite Daily Task as well as the one they are worst at mechanically. Preferably the three Swabs will have different tasks than each other!
As a reminder (and quick reference) here are the tasks and their associated skills...
Rigger:
Artevious
Rigging Repair: The ship’s rigging frequently gets damaged and must be repaired. Two DC10 Climb checks to reach the rigger 30ft up, and a DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check
Line Work: Hard work hoisting and lowering sails. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check, and a DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue
Upper Rigging Work: Work in the upper rigging. Three DC10 Climb checks to reach the rigging 50ft up, and a DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check
Rope Work: Handling the ship’s ropes, including coiling them, stowing them, and securing them to cleats and single and double bollards. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check
Lookout: A climb to the crow’s nest to keep a keen eye out. Four DC10 climb checks to reach the crow's nest 60ft up, and a DC10 Perception check
Mainsail Duties: Tough work raising and lowering the mainsail. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Strength check, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue
Cook's Mate:
Gall
Cooking: Assisting Ambrose Kroop in preparing the day’s meal. DC10 Profession(cook) or Intelligence check
Fishing: Catching tonight’s supper using the ship’s nets. DC10 Profession(fisherman) or Survival check
Turtle Hunting: Hunting leatherback sea turtles with harpoons, treble hooks, and nets. DC10 Profession(fisherman) or Survival
Bull Session: Drinking with Ambrose Kroop and listening to his stories Special Occasion: Captain Harrigan is celebrating something today, and wants one of the ship’s pigs butchered and cooked for dinner. DC10 Profession(cook) or Survival to slaughter the animal and prepare the carcass
The last two are not options for you :P
Swab:
Esmarelda, Cueta, and Harmony
Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges. DC12 Strength, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue
Rat Catcher: Catching rats and other vermin below decks. DC10 Stealth, Survival, or Dexterity check
Swab the Decks: Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones. DC10 Strength or Constitution check, failure of either results in fatigue
Hauling Rope and Knot Work: Tying and untying knots in the ship’s ropes and moving heavy coils of rope from one part of the ship to another. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Strength, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue
Runner: Passing messages to the crew and officers of the Wormwood in all parts of the ship except officers’ cabins. DC10 Acrobatics, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue
Repairs: Things constantly tear or break aboard the ship and need repairs, whether sewing sails or splicing rope all day. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check
~ ~ ~
As the day Day 3, to be exact starts to come to a close, it's quite apparent that the crew members almost appear to be functioning themselves apart. There are those who you've befriended, and those who seem more eager to please Plugg and Scourge. It's definitely a touch odd...
Now's a good time to wrap up any lose ends. Tomorrow's post will be a goody. Cueta, you're free to make a Day 3 (night) overnight action if you wish. I don't know if Gall's idea would have put something in her mind!
Also! The Crew Reactions chart has been updated to properly reflect your most recent Diplomacy checks!
Bad DM. Bad. Shame on me. You can all throw rotten fruit for my lack of post. RP MORE IN MY ABSENCES DAMMIT!
Cueta Day 2 (evening)
Cueta's performance falls flat, though Ratline for some reason seems to really enjoy it. Odd fellow.
Day 3 (evening) "I'll take ya on, lass--- ?! Is she under the table already?" Fort:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Cog quietly pockets Cueta's 5 gold she placed on the table.
Gall
GM Screen:
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Day 1 (day)
Gall manages to spot the trap on the door that leads up into the Captain's cabin. It looks intricate and very well hidden!
Day 1 (night) No check or time spent needed as it's an entirely flavorful part of the campaign :P Feel free to do a proper Night Action if you wish! Day 2 (day) "Ya'd be drunk, too, if ya lost yar own freedom in a bet! Captain might as well own me, eh? Unpayable debt, as it were." Day 2 (night) "I been on ship my whole life!" Rosie boasts. "And I ain't got no scares 'cause nothin'll touch me as to leave one! Toughest broad on the seas!" It's clearly a lie, you can see a scar on her right arm, but hell, she likes to spin tall tales!
Day 3 (day) "I'll give ya 151gp for it. Fairest price, scouts honor!" Gall would indeed recognize this as the common going rate for a used masterwork dagger.
The efforts on Geach have been successful, and very little if any puss really remains. He still looks a bit off, but much better.
Esmarelda Day 1 (day) "O'Course. Let me just count it out here..." Grok easily makes the change for Esmarelda. For simplicity's sake, I don't mind if you freely convert whatever money you have from platinum to gold, to silver. The only time I'll monitor that is when and if you have to haul large quantities of it out of a treasure stash or something! Day 2 (night) "Aye, 5sp. I can get to work on your piece right away, lass! Pen right? It'll take me a couple days, but I promise quality!" Day 3 (night) "Press ganged?! Maybe. I can't well remember. Sometimes I dream I was taken by force, but I can't rightfully recall if that's the truth or not!" explains Giffer with enthusiasm.
Harmony Day 1 (evening)
The conversation with Shivkah is pleasant idle chatter. She certainly doesn't find moral dilemma in slavery, that's for sure.
Day 2 (evening)
Harmony has Aretta laughing herself into stitches as they recall old memories of clients. She loves reminiscing with someone familiar with her old line of work it would seem!
Day 3 (night) "Short? Dunno what you're talkin' about. I got two inches on Shortstone! Never had a trouble with it in me life!" An odd claim, as you've seen him use a stool to get up into the higher storage areas a human wouldn't even have to tip-toe to reach!
Artevious Day 1 (day)
Shivkah admits she'd consider going back into the slave trade, but probably in Cheliax working with slips. You notice she's careful to whisper about the idea when she spots Rosie working nearby.
Day 1 (night)
The performance is as well received as always, with folks cheering and jeering at all the right spots!
Day 2 (night) Assuming you'd approach Owlbear from your last post ASAP in your routine.
Owlbear thinks long and hard about it, clutching the book like a prize. "...You read to Owlbear? I give book, you read. Show Owlbear words. Owlbear learn to read. See?" He cracks open the book and very slowly sounds out the first few words of a random chapter. He gets some of it wrong, but it's clear he's making effort to learn his letters! "You read some evening. Owlbear give book back." It's easy to figure out he just wants you to read with him a couple nights a week. It shouldn't take any time (no action required from an mechanics POV) and he seems excited about the idea of being reading buddies.
Harmony "Compensate?" Shortstone repeated inquisitively. "For what?" He seems to legitimately not understand the reference, or is far too confident to think such comments would ever apply to him, suggesting such a need. "Do you ever feel such a need? I might boast myself to be quite the therapist should you find yourself needing to open up about such things. I've got quite a way with words you see. I assure you I'd never tell a soul what you said either!"
Artevious
Aretta gives a snort. "Here on my own will," she explains. Got me outta the whore house. Good pay, when you find a ship. And now I share my bed with the fellows of my own choice--- Say, you got any plans later this week? I have an opening on my pillow coming up this weekend,"[/b] she adds with a hearty laugh. Hard to tell if she's sincere or kidding.
I'll respond to the other two when we get to tomorrow. Just to keep myself as chronologically organized as I can be. If I miss it, remind me in Discussion and I'll amend it.
Esmarelda Still waiting
All Getting close to a turning point in the AP!
The next day is about as expected, and once again routine settles in on the Wormwood. The officers are crabby and the ocean if blue. The sky looks a little gloomy and rain patters of and on throughout the next few days with occasional breaks of blue sky.
Another three days of no events. I'M SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT DAYS AFTER THESE +_+
Everyone's Daily Tasks:
Artevious Rigger Task:1d6 ⇒ 2 Line Work: Hard work hoisting and lowering sails. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check, and a DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue Rigger Task:1d6 ⇒ 1 Rigging Repair: The ship’s rigging frequently gets damaged and must be repaired. Two DC10 Climb checks to reach the rigger 30ft up, and a DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check Rigger Task:1d6 ⇒ 1 Rigging Repair: The ship’s rigging frequently gets damaged and must be repaired. Two DC10 Climb checks to reach the rigger 30ft up, and a DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check
Gall Cook's Mate Task:1d6 ⇒ 6 Fishguts’ Sobriety:1d2 ⇒ 2 low = inebriated
Special Occasion: Captain Harrigan is celebrating something today, and wants one of the ship’s pigs butchered and cooked for dinner. DC10 Profession(cook) or Survival to slaughter the animal and prepare the carcass Cook's Mate Task:1d6 ⇒ 2 Fishguts’ Sobriety:1d2 ⇒ 2 low = inebriated
Cooking: Assisting Ambrose Kroop in preparing the day’s meal. DC10 Profession(cook) or Intelligence check Cook's Mate Task:1d6 ⇒ 6 Fishguts’ Sobriety:1d2 ⇒ 2 low = inebriated
Special Occasion: Captain Harrigan is celebrating something today, and wants one of the ship’s pigs butchered and cooked for dinner. DC10 Profession(cook) or Survival to slaughter the animal and prepare the carcass
Esmarelda Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 5 Runner: Passing messages to the crew and officers of the Wormwood in all parts of the ship except officers’ cabins. DC10 Acrobatics, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 6 Repairs: Things constantly tear or break aboard the ship and need repairs, whether sewing sails or splicing rope all day. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 6 Repairs: Things constantly tear or break aboard the ship and need repairs, whether sewing sails or splicing rope all day. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check Rat Catcher: Catching rats and other vermin below decks. DC10 Stealth, Survival, or Dexterity check
Cueta Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 5 Runner: Passing messages to the crew and officers of the Wormwood in all parts of the ship except officers’ cabins. DC10 Acrobatics, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 2 Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 5 Runner: Passing messages to the crew and officers of the Wormwood in all parts of the ship except officers’ cabins. DC10 Acrobatics, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue
Harmony Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 1 Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges. DC12 Strength, and DC10 Constitution to avoid fatigue Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 3 Swab the Decks: Backbreaking work mopping the decks and scrubbing them with sandstone blocks called holystones. DC10 Strength or Constitution check, failure of either results in fatigue Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 2 Rat Catcher: Catching rats and other vermin below decks. DC10 Stealth, Survival, or Dexterity check
It'd be awesome if you could divide things up by marking which day and time things are happening in bold OOC tags. This includes conversations, actions, etc. Just to help organize the timeline for my sake. Label them as Day 1 (evening), Day 2 (night), Day 3 (day) or w/e as appropriate!
Example:
Day 1 (evening)
Besmara threw back her head and laughed. "Didn't you hear? I sent a Kraken after Cayden!"
Day 3 (day)
Besmara sets to work ruining sailors' days by sending sea monster after them as punishment for not giving up the booty.
Day 3 (night)
Besmara sneaks up on deck to disable the trap on the Captian's door.
There is a Crew Relationship document in the Google Drive folder now. Going to address Gall and Cueta's Night Action, then give Harmony, Esmarelda, and Artevious a moment to get their Night Actions in with the new list in mind.
Gall
Mila looks gravely concerned at the concept. "I haven't seen anyone who looked out of sorts. Well, any more out of sorts than usual I mean," she adds as Jape saunters by with his usual scowl. But she doesn't ask any more questions, assuming that he's got a secret of sorts if Gall's using a quiet voice, and gladly follows him.
"...You adopted a pet rat?" she says with a raised brow. She clearly has some concerns about the thing, but takes a look anyways.
"Looks like its an old wound that got infected and has swollen with puss. Infection did some serious damage in there." She takes a rag that had been hooked over her belt, douses it with water, and starts to wipe away at it. With a just a touch of pressure a little spot starts oozing. "Oh that's nasty. It'll need cleaned before I can tell you anything else. It'll take you more than a couple days to get it cleaned out proper," she says patting Gall on the back and handing him the rag. Clearly, she doesn't intend to be the one to do just that.
Cueta
Cueta's clandestine romp about the ship certainly could have been quieter. More than a few creaks, groans, and thunks came at the result of her movements, though oddly enough no one seemed to have spotted her. Or, at least no one stopped her.
Aside from the heart-stopping noises she made that likely echoed through her own skull, the trip to the infamous door proved to be uneventful. The door looked like any other on the Wormwood and the knob and lock looked like it matched one of the three keys on the ring. Even after Cueta's scrutinizing search, nothing seems out of the ordinary. The key slips easily into the lock and when turned makes an almost inaudible click, suggesting it has unlocked the door.
I'll let you decide if you relock it or leave it unlocked.
By the blessings of Besmara, Cueta manages to find her way back to her hammock unscathed. Of course, she's given up a large chunk of sleep for her efforts.
Make a DC14 Constitution check to avoid being fatigued tomorrow!
Apologies. I've been a bit busy? No, that's not the right word. Overwhelmed. yes. Overwhelmed lately so I let this sit back burner. Lets move on, shall we?
Riaris can't help but shake her head at the failures and shortcomings of the newest members of the crew. It was shameful, really, but she had other things to do that didn't involve watching these swabs drench themselves over and over. At least two made it up.
"Alright, you f@*~ing useless pieces of s!~&. Row us in. Suppose you'll just find yourselves in the bellies of the sharks come boarding time," she says with a sneer. Despite the harsh words, it wasn't stained with the same hatred that Plugg and Scourge tended to hold towards the party. More like a permanent anger that was directed no where and everywhere.
Once the little boat was bumping back against the Wormwood, the remainder of the party are lowered down a rope ladder to climb up, while Riaris simply sits in the jolly boat while it's hauled up, still muttering angrily about the failures.
You all spend the rest of the day pumping out the bilges as punishment, even Cueta and Artevious who had actually been successful. The rat seems more than happy to see you, and appears to be fattening up. Apparently somewhere between the spoiled grain and the snacks you've occasionally brought it, it's gotten a little healthier than it had been.
Later that evening during the bloody hour, Harmony, Gall, and Esmarelda are subjected to six rope bashes each, much to the pleasure of Plugg who was to administer them.
Harmony, you fell into the water on that 8, so you'll have to start again. When I say five checks to the ship, I mean five checks without falling to cover the distance. Your distance resets when you fall in.
The sun rises over the ocean, waking the crew of the Wormwood for yet another day of toil under a pirate's flag. But today is a little different; it's time to train up the new recruits as more than just free labour.
Today the newest members will be practicing boarding techniques under the watchful eyes of Riaris Krine, the ship's master gunner. Typically she'd be assisted by Kipper, but for some reason he's been put in the proverbial doghouse by the other officers and is busy at work in the bilges.
Riaris Krine herself looks like a well salted seadog. She's got dark, leather skin from years of work under the sun, a nose that's got the look of being broken about ten times too many, and a peg leg to replace one that had been shot off by a wayward catapult shot. To top it off, she's the only person who could give Rosie a run for her money when it comes to foul language.
"Alright, you s#*~ heads, listen up! Today you'll be learning the basics of boarding, though I doubt you f+%%ers will actually manage to grasp the concept. Any lip will get a tooth knocked out, so keep your f$#&ing traps shut and focus on your work," she barked as a few crew members lowered the jolly boat down to the water. "We'll start with grappling, then move you c#!+s onto climbing. I s!!% you not, if you start drowning I'll personally see to it that your b+##+-ass stays drowned."
With that all said, she gestures for you all to follow her down the rope ladder to the little boat now floating next to the Wormwood. Once everyone is settled in the boat, she hands you each a grappling hook and shows you how to loop the rope properly through it. It's a simple enough task that no one seems to struggle with it.
"Alright, dick-s%*$s. Now get those hooks latched onto the Wormwood's rail, then shimmy up to it. Oh, and to give you a challenge, I've got a handful of the crew to chuck some s~&& at you. You know, to really simulate a boarding," she says with a mocking laugh.
By now, you've drifted a good 40ft from the Wormwood, making the task a bit of a challenge!
So you'll be throwing this grappling hook at a -6 penalty to account for distance. The railing is at an AC5. You then tie off the rope (no check, just a thing you do) and start to shimmy up the rope with a Climb check at a DC15. You'll need to make a total of five successful Climb checks to make it back to the Wormwood. Each of you will have a random chance of being struck with some debris being thrown by the crew still aboard the ship and will need to make DC10 Reflex saves to avoid being knocked into the water.
Artevious
You'll need to make a DC10 Reflex check after your second successful Climb check.
Cueta
You'll need to make a DC10 Reflex check after your second successful Climb check.
Esmarelda
You'll need to make a DC10 Reflex check after your first and third successful Climb checks.
Gall
You'll need to make a DC10 Reflex check after your second and fourth successful Climb check.
Harmony
You'll need to make a DC10 Reflex check after your fourth successful Climb check.
If you fail the Reflex save or the Climb check by 5 or more, then you fall into the water. The water is still enough that no check is needed to get back to the jolly boat. You can make a total of three attempts before Riaris gives up on you. To keep things simple, I won't bother with rerolling how many times or where the Reflex saves need done if you do end up falling, so it'll be identical attempts with the same hazards.
Sorry for the delay. Thursdays are rough as I have a night class, then I'm out the door at 6am the next morning. I'll get a post for moving on tonight if it kills me.
Esmarelda "Don't know where ya'd find all the bits for a pen 'round here. Not that I even know what that'd all be, but I could probably make a casing for one. Never actually tried, to be quite honest," Jack said, scratching at his scruffy chin.
Harmony "Singin' fellow prolly ain't too f~*!in' bad, but it don't mater much. I'll out do 'em to s&%% with my fiddle anyways. I like my men rough, tough, and maybe with a bit of some sick ass ink, ya know? But smart. Don't wanna be talkin' to no f~~@in' bricks. And loyal. No screwin' around with other b%!$&es, yeah?" Rosie explains.
Artevious I don't have a recent list, but I'll compile one for you when I get home this afternoon. I'd do it now, but I need my book. Feel free to leave it generic and pick the NPC when I get that list up.
Harmony
Rosie is always a foul mouth, but somehow manages to still come off as a friendly person to her friends. "Hey, ya storytellin' c##+!" she exclaims when Harmony finds her. They get talking and Rosie is not shy about her relationships or sexual exploits. She even seems boastful, bragging of over twenty men in the last three years! And of course she takes some time to complain about the unwanted attentions of "That f*+%in' gnomish bastard," Conchobhar Shortstone. When asked about Gall, she merely shrugs. "Don't know the f@##er well. Big strong, b$#&#es gotta like that I suppose. But did ya see the way I took that a#$++!! down in arm wrestling last night? Ha! Why ya ask? S*@&, ya got a wee bit of a crush on 'em there, Harmy?"
As far as Harmony can tell, Rosie likes him just fine though doesn't know him well to have much of a well formed opinion yet. Most of what she knows is pretty generic and superficial.
Gall
GM Screen:
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Crew Member 1:1d22 ⇒ 12 Crew Member 2:1d22 ⇒ 2 Gall's Bet:1d2 ⇒ 1 Event:1d3 ⇒ 2
While preparing the meal, Gall notices the knife he's been using is a bit oddly shaped, and very well made. Closer inspection of the utensil reveals that it's actually a very well made dagger that Fishguts has been using as a butcher's knife!
Gall found a masterwork dagger
The first night, who but Rosie would challenge Gall to an arm wrestle? Apparently she's determined to best the giant despite her impaired stature.
Strength:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 "Thanks for the f!!*in' gold, mate!" she says, holding up her rum in triumph before guzzling it down. How she stomachs that so well is beyond anyone's understanding.
Gall looses his 10gp
The night he opts to bet on someone else to feed what is apparently becoming an addiction, he finds himself putting his money on Fipps Chumlett, a fat and balding man who is more than a bit pushy. He goes up against Cog in a game of Hog Lob. Apparently when gall isn't competing, other people are more likely to try their luck!
Fipps CMB:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Cog CMB:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Seems Gall is on a losing streak as Cog tosses his hog like a champ and Fipps' throw falls short.
Gall looses another 5gp
Artevious Any day or night actions to go along with those?
Cueta Eh, I got a cutlass if ya know how to use 'em. Other than that, I mostly got saps and daggers," Grok says, unlocking the crate with the weapon stores in it. She pulls out each of the three weapon varieties and sets them out for Cueta's inspection.
Items are sold for standard cost here, so whichever you pick, deduct the price from your gold
On the second day, Cog seems quite impressed with Cueta's scars, and lifts his own shirt to show off his own. The pair spend some time exchanging scar stories, with Cog trying to one up her each time to maintain his man-card.
As Cueta keep an eye on the officers, she notices that Kipper, the Gunner's mate and a known bootlicker of Plugg and Scourge, seems particularly careless with his set of keys. There aren't as many on his as some of the other officers, but it's better than none. When he puts them down on a crate while tying his shoe, Cueta is able to casually walk by and pinch them before he has a chance to see.
There are three keys on the ring, one you can recognize as the same type used to open up a personal locker, and the other two are likely for doors on the ship, though what doors they are for would require some risky trail and error, or someone who specializes in locks and such.
Gall
Cog takes Gall up on his game, though by now everyone is wary on betting against the giant man. Even Cog isn't willing to put down much.
CMB:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
As usual, Gall easily beats his opponent. Unfortunately, Gall only wins an additional 2gp 5sp. Seems everyone's on to his tricks...
Harmony and Cueta
Between the pair of you, you have the crew in stitches by the end of the performance. It's unlikely Plugg will get away without a few fart jokes thrown his way over the next few days. Not to mention take away some of the psychological power of his threats over shoddy work. There's power in words, after all.
All
The next morning you awake to the usual sounds of orders being barked and sun hitting you in the face from one of the portholes. It's clear sailing with no planned stops for the next couple days, giving you all plenty of time to relax back into the usual routine.
Two days of mundane routines that lack events unless you all do something incredibly daring!
Artevious Rigger Task:1d6 ⇒ 6 Mainsail Duties: Tough work raising and lowering the mainsail. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Strength check, and a DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue Rigger Task:1d6 ⇒ 3 Upper Rigging Work: Work in the upper rigging. Three DC10 Climb checks to reach the rigging 50ft up, and a DC10 Profession(sailor) or Dexterity check
Gall Cook's Mate Task:1d6 ⇒ 6 Fishguts' Sobriety:1d2 ⇒ 1
high = sober, low = inebriated
Cooking: Assisting in preparing the day’s meal. DC15 Profession(cook) or Intelligence check Special Occasion: Captain Harrigan is celebrating something today, and wants one of the ship’s pigs butchered and cooked for dinner. DC10 Profession(cook) or Survival check Cook's Mate Task:1d6 ⇒ 1 Fishguts' Sobriety:1d2 ⇒ 1
high = sober, low = inebriated
Cooking: Assisting in preparing the day’s meal. DC10 Profession(cook) or Intelligence check
Esmarelda Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 5 Runner: Passing messages to the crew and officers of the Wormwood in all parts of the ship except officers’ cabins. DC10 Acrobatics check, and DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 1 Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges. DC12 Strength check, and a DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue
Cueta Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 4 Hauling Rope and Knot Work: Tying and untying knots in the ship’s ropes and moving heavy coils of rope from one part of the ship to another. DC10 Profession(sailor) or Strength check, and a DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 5 Runner: Passing messages to the crew and officers of the Wormwood in all parts of the ship except officers’ cabins. DC10 Acrobatics check, and DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue
Harmony Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 5 Runner: Passing messages to the crew and officers of the Wormwood in all parts of the ship except officers’ cabins. DC10 Acrobatics check, and DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue Swab Task:1d6 ⇒ 1 Man the Bilges: Vile and sweaty work cleaning out the bilges. DC12 Strength check, and a DC10 Constitution check to avoid fatigue
As expected, Plugg has more than a couple jokes made behind his back. Even the other officers are blowing raspberries at him. The crack of his whip even gets less of a jump out of the crew.
When Harmony and Esmarelda head down to the bilges on the second day, Ratline scurries up to them and warns them to be careful, because the bilges are still haunted by ol' Jakes. Apparently, their's been some thudding and scratching heard at all times of the day.
While Cueta and Gall make quick work of finishing off filling their pots, it takes Harmony and Artevious slightly more effort. However no one, it would seem, struggled as much as Esmarelda. Even with the help of both Cueta and Gall, she only manages to catch one more crab, leaving her one short of a full pot.
With luck, bringing back the reefclaws will make up for it. Of course, Plugg and Scourge are always looking for a reason to whip anyone...
As much as anyone would wish to stay longer, a flare signalling you back goes up from the ship.
You can all take 10 on the swim, so I'm going to go ahead and skip over the swim back.
~ ~ ~
Once back aboard, everyone comes to see the haul you brought in. Even Captain Harrigan.
"This pot has only got two crabs!" roars Plugg when he inspects the catches. "Ya didn't finish the job!"
"Ah, shut up, ya bilge rat," Harrigan shoots at Plugg. "Reefclaws'll make up for it. Well done. Here." Harrigan plucks a potion from his belt and tosses it to Artevious who has no problem catching it.
"A reward for your efforts," the Captain explains. "Now get those down to Fishguts!" he orders before heading back to his cabin.
Plugg eyes you all with a look that should have dropped you all dead, a promise that you'll pay written in the sneer on his lips. "You heard him! Get those down to Fishguts! Make it fast or it'll be whippin'!"
Night actions can start now. So little is left in the work day that you really have nothing to do, nothing that requires a check anyways. Some last moment rope tying and water boiling, but that's about it so no point in drawing it out with checks.
For dinner tonight? Crab. Seems the officers and captain got the reefclaw... too bad.
So we are at a week of no Esmarelda after she estimated about 24 hours of absence. I'm not sure how long to wait for her return. I'm not big on botting characters, and especially not long term because that is more work than I want to deal with to be quite honest.
Anyways, I understand moving and the hiccups that go with it, but I also don't want to wait three weeks only to have her never return. Any suggestions on how to handle this in the meantime, or how long 'meantime' should be?
Moved Harmony and Cueta I adjusted your movement to fit the allowed 15ft according to the slightly wonky Pathfinder measurements. Also updated Artevious' token which I thought I had already done. Zzz
~ ~ ~
The blue reefclaw fixes his attention back on the woman who had managed to break through his hard shell exterior and once again lashes out at her with his claws.
Although her rapier hits its mark, she isn't able to land the touch attack. Esmarelda is still holding the undelivered shocking grasp spell.
~ ~ ~
Round Summary
Acrobatics:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Artevious moves into position, deftly dodging the counter attacks made by the reefclaw as he passes. Despite his tactical positioning, his blade is unable to penetrate the reefclaw's shell.
Artevious, you can't 5ft step as this is considered difficult terrain, and the movement would provoke an AoO. That said, I see your investment in Acrobatics and I'm going to assume your character would put them to use to avoid the AoO and make the move that way. Feel free to correct me if I'm off base.
The reefclaw manages to get another hit in on Esmarelda.
Harmony moves in to assist with the last of the creatures.
Esmarelda retaliates against the reefclaw with her rapier, but misses with her spell. She is still holding the spell.
Gall then finishes off the creature with a well aimed bullet from his sling that cracks it over the skull.
And combat is done.
~ ~ ~
Gall thinks he recalls an excellent recipe from that cookbook he found that used reefclaws, which are a known delicacy. It'd take some amount of cooperation, but it seems doable to bring them back to the boat.
With that all wrapped up, you can all get back to hunting crabs for dinner.
Esmarelda's Crab Catching Rolls (from before I remembered she was AWOL and was waiting for her):
Everyone can make a total of five more attempts to catch crabs. Once your own pot is full, the extra tries can be Aid checks. I'll distribute the Aid checks to maximum effect, as I'm sure your character will have no problem seeing who is having the hardest time. So no need to label who you're helping; I'll do that. If after these five checks all the pots are not full, then you've not managed to complete the task!
Gall recognizes the creatures as reefclaws, aquatic aberration type creatures.
Though Artevious' attack misses the reefclaw attacking Esmarelda, it's enough to draw the creature's attention and it lashes out at him instead, seeing him as the bigger threat.
She manages to pierce it's hard outer shell and damage the creature!
~ ~ ~
Round Summary
Artevious moves back to aid Esmarelda, trying to stab the reefclaw but his blade doesn't connect.
Blue reefclaw changes targets and tries to attack Artevious, but isn't able to land either claw on him.
Harmony jabs at the red reefclaw and finishes what she starts, dropping it to unconsciousness.
Esmarelda strikes the blue reefclaw, managing to get some damage done.
Red reefclaw is unconscious (dying) and as such, let's go of Cueta.
Gall retrieves the potion and passes it off to Cueta before moving out towards the blue reefclaw. Making some assumptions about what you'd do since the red reefclaw is now dying
Cueta drinks the potion from Gall.
Cure Light Wounds:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Making an assumption since you're free of the reefclaw and a potion has been given to you. She seems to be wary of her own divine magic so I thought she'd be more likely to rely on something tangible like a potion. Feel free to make a move action if your character wishes. You can make a note of the action in your next post
