James Rackham's page

Sadly, I will have to bow out. Too many commitments, not enough time. :-(

No worries VoV. Sounds like we'll be kicking back in right around Gen Con. Take care till we're back at it!

Speaking of Gencon, are any of you guys going? My friends and I are playing in the four horsemen qualifier (pathfinder tourney) on Thursday at noon. It was the most fun I had at Gencon last year. It's a great mix of RP and combat and the GMs pull no punches. Top three teams qualify for the finals on Friday. My team won last year and had lots of fun and got great swag as prizes. We need one more player (it's five man teams) and some (very reasonably priced $12) tickets are still available. Let me know if you're interested and I can give you more info.

James works to secure the silver and, of course, a share for himself. He leaves the bones to the more superstitious crew members.

Rackham's intercepted by Hinsin before he gets to the Captain, who takes the cutlass from him. As the other man's hands touch the sheath... you see his knuckles tighten and he sucks in a breath...

Assume you say the same to Hinsin?

Yep

Rackham nods knowingly to Hinsin before returning to the coffin.

Rackham retrieves the weapon without ill event occurring, drawing the weapon to show a mirror-sheen on the length of the blade. Turning it over it's exceptionally balanced and sharp despite the time it's spent lying fallow. Hinsin calls after a moment "Don't get too attached... that and the scepter comes to the Captain savvy?"

Aye, I know. This one's pretty, but I have a blade already, James says, sheathing the sword.

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

The sailor approaches the captain and offers the weapon to her before moving in closer and speaking softly: The sword is a beauty, sure, but she sent me some dark visions. I've no skill in magic, but even I can see you should watch your back with this, Captain.

The blade looks exceptional... Rackham says, reaching into the casket to grab the hilt and draw the weapon.

What the hell, let's get this party started!

Stowing his wineskin, he reaches for a small flask of rum, pilfered from one of his crewmates, handing it to Rackham. "Here. I haven't the stomach for it anyway." he says, answering Quillin's comment with a dark look. "Crashing waves, and that bloody chanting. Coming from that box. Didn't you hear it?"

"This had better be good." Iscarel says, as the hammering of iron on iron sends the pain in his skull ringing.

A look of concern crosses Rackham's face at the elf's assertion, but he has the grace to not question him about it. He takes a deep pull of the rum, wincing, then watches the others as they try to pry open the coffin.

I'd just get in the way--too many cooks spoil the broth and all that...

James wakes in a cold sweat, steadying himself before strapping on his weapons and joining the others.

He stands within viewing distance of the coffin, eager to see what lies inside. While waiting, he taps Iscarel on the shoulder.

Friend, got anything strong to drink? Rough night...

Rackham frowns at the sight of the coffin, but keeps his thoughts on the subject to himself. When the others start speculating, he chips in: Someone goes to the trouble of a buriel at sea in that, maybe throw some riches in with the dead?

WS, Charmed Life: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 0 + 2 = 10

+3 additional if it's a charm, +5 additional if it's a compulsion

James finishes boarding the Freeport vessel, standing next to the chain and standing guard in the event that more boarders surface.

Rackham - you're another round's swim to get to the chains - I'll carry that as your action this round unless corrected.

Yep, sounds good.

DM VoV--how close am I to the Freeport vessel? I want to board by the chains and fight the devils there.

James surfaces by the Freeport vessel, scrambling up the chain to slash at one of the monstrous boarders.

Face me, fiend!

James watches the others' gliding through the water with ease and tries to keep up.

Do I roll each round for swimming? I didn't post another action because I don't have a swim speed, so I'm presumably just swimming to get closer this round. First chance I get I'll hop up onto the Lobstermen's ship near the chain to fight the enemies there.

"Captain, I'm a pretty good swimmer. Want me to dive in after Quillin's lobster and see what's going on?"

Ninjaed--c'mon in, the water's fine!

Captain, should we launch the jolly and move in to drive some of those things away? Ah, hells, that'll take too long!

The sailor steps up and dives into the water expertly, swimming toward the rope.

Swim, plus a bonus for burning a point of panace (derring do): 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 6 + (6) = 26

exploding die: 1d6 ⇒ 2

So a 28 swim check. Not bad.

Captain, that suit offer him enough protection? A look of concern shows on James' face as he leans over the rail, poised to jump.

James watches the events, intrigued at the possible findings.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Damned if I know--feeling up for a swim?

James leans against the rail, hailing one of the opposing crew who seems less distant (though perhaps not less bearded) than the rest.

Hey, friend--you heard anything about this wreck we're headed to? What's she carrying?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

+2 if the guy happens to be a slaver

Note--everybody gets +1 morale bonus to Profession (Sailor) from James' "swagger" ability, if that ever comes up.

i'm leveled up. Realized I was shorting myself some spells :/

"So let's see what these lobstermen look like."

A fair sight prettier than that jungle bear, I'd wager,

James muses, squinting into the distance, smiling at the prospect of the rendezvous.

I'm all good to go--got a pretty significant power boost, too, and I even took a few ranks in Perception!

1d5 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Once they get under way James will talk to anyone who will listen about the encounter with the scarred jungle bear and how Tipene withstood the fierce creature's claws and teeth.

Why? James asks bluntly.

Can't fence 'em before somebody discovers them, but if we bring them to the crew we can get on everyone's good side. Much easier to earn a bigger share of prizes later on, that way. Let's work for gold down the road instead of copper now.

Yeah, let's stick around awhile and see if we can find some more of these gems. Nothing like s~!%-covered stones to endear ourselves to the crew, right? Rackham smiles in the dim light of the cave, but his suggestion is sincere.

Rackham wipes the gore off his blade and onto the beast's corpse before sheathing his weapon. He puts an arm around Tipene, concerned look on his face.

You alright, friend? Good thing someone got a few licks in on that behemoth before he found us or it could've been worse.

DM VoV--cool idea to blind/damage it in that way to kind of lower the CR. Cool fight.

Rackham drives the point of his blade at the beast's scarred face, trying to put the pitiable creature down for good.

Attack, flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26

Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

I'm assuming I'm flanking with either the summoned rat or Tipene--let me know if I'm wrong

James presses the attack, frustrated at his inept strikes and the creature's ferocity.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18

Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

James moves up to engage the beast, slashing at it's scarred face.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

If I am attacked, I will attempt to parry.

Parry, size penalty (it is large-sized, right?): 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 2 = 14

Riposte: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Yay, consistency! :-)

Sorry, I was just waiting. If I can, I will take a total defense and if it attacks me I will parry

Towards the mouth but within the radius of the light

James sloshes through the muck to get to the area of the tunnel where it is more shallow, before the beast arrives.

Rackham frowns, dissatisfied, but nods at Quillin's information.

Useful pet you have there. Almost enough to justify tolerating its squawking.

James chuckles, tiptoing through the bat waste to get back to the entrance.

Let's take a closer look--we've come this far, James says, moving alongside Bek.

I've a mind to peer into that cave--bears don't set fires. I think there's more folk alive in there. The crew'll want to to hear a better tale than just one burned corpse, right?

Bloody Bek wrote:

...and stays back waiting to see if Quillin gives a signal to come forward.

just to be clear, I'm not leading. get up there, you worthless meastshields ;)

Now THAT I can do!

Rackham draws steel and shoulders past the gnome, ready for whatever is ahead.

Hey, I've never seen a bear before. You? And we're not putting the whole crew in jeopardy, just those of us who came ashore. I doubt it'll swim well enough to board the Bride.

I got my money on a Chemosit, but of course Rackham doesn't know what that is.

James paces again like he did on deck, struggling to make sense of something that could point them in the right direction.

Best take the stones--this poor bastard doesn't have use for 'em any more, and it might buy us some goodwill with the crew. Let's go check out the source of the smoke and see if any survivors are still around. C'mon, we haven't gotten in any trouble yet today, it just doesn't sit well with me.

The young man smiles and looks at the others for their response.

Rackham draws his sword and keeps pace with the others.

I'm of the opinion we should stay close, until we find out what caused this. But I've learned enough in our time together not to try to talk Iscarel out of anything. Good point, Bek. Let's keep alert for the elf's screams.

James smiles, trying to lighten the mood, but there is an edge of nerves about his movements.

James squints, unable to make out any details. I kind of like the idea that the brave, dashing swashbuckler is terribly near-sighted. ;-)

If there's only one body, we should hurry--might be some people there who need our help!

James places his hand on his sword hilt and paces the deck restlessly.

So VoV, just to clarify--did we only heal from the daily rest during the travels, or are we hand-waving that we had access to some healing?

VoV, how do you feel about the Treat Deadly Wounds use of the Heal skill? I think it's a variant rule--I'll link it later.

Rackham will attempt to shoot the breeze with the cook, if possible.

Also, forgive my asking, but what the hell is a Tulita?

Thanks! I thought I was culled yesterday, but woke up this morning to find that I'm still going. The item round ends tomorrow, so I'm sketching out my first draft of my map now on the off-chance that I make the top 32. I definitely should've worked on this last night when my whole family was asleep by 8:30 (that never happens)!

Yeah, my son's birthday is today and I have some work to do for school. Definitely should not have wasted that time. But, I have 1.5-2 hours of commuting every day to work so I have plenty of design time, just need to put it on paper. Map round, not my strongest. I wish the creature or encounter round was first, but oh well. I'll give it my best shot (and of course, I have to GET to the round of 32 first).

Hi guys, I just wanted to say that my interest in the game hasn't waned. I'm still excited for it, I'm just trying my hand at RPG Superstar this year and I'm still alive so I've been spending a lot of my "Paizo time" with that.

Yo ho, me hearties, yo ho!

"Probably not, but I'd never heard of them before now. If we go below, how are all of you in the water?"

A fair sight better than I was in the Dash, I hope, James chuckles.

I've a fair hand with ropes if there's a need, but no desire to go climbing into the rigging unless things turn dire, James offers.

She's beautiful, James says without pretense. How many souls are aboard?

Sorry, tomorrow is the first day of school for me (I'm a teacher), so posting may be tough for a few days.

That sounds agreeable, James says, raising his own glass. To treasure, and to our lives being long enough to enjoy it.

Hinsin turns at Quillin's tug and sees that Iscarel himself had abandoned the pit... he furrows his brows slightly, but shrugs and waves the lot of you after him. In the wake of Lanteri, the alchemist and Handsome you're led out of the Revel and back towards the Crusty Fiddler. Once you get outside of the inn, the number of people around you drops precipitously and it's just you and the drunks passed out or rendered immobile on the side of the streets.

Upon the walk Lanteri offers "Well... looks like circumstances have intervened to make my choice not much of one. You're the only salts that aren't waist deep in cups or behind locked doors... I assume you're still interested?"

Of course, assuming your terms are acceptable. I just ask for a fair share of spoils and a chance to earn a place of renown among the crew. So, what are your terms?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

The gnome looks sourly at his suddenly sheepish companions. "You were all ready to fight when it was just a jest and nearly got us all in jail. Now you're sitting there like barnacles pissing your pants instead of the pit. You only good at running, Bek? The pointy eared whipping boy can barely stand yet he looks more game than you."

"One of you louts get in there. That captain is looking on now. Here elf, I've got a spell to recharge your batteries, but I'm burning my last scroll and you'll owe me."

Just a jest? Rackham laughs, rolling his eyes at the gnome. Whatever happened wasn't funny to Ginger and his mates. Me'n the elf hadn't stepped in, you'd have been stamped out. I don't expect a 'thank you' since I joined in of my own accord, but hold your tongue if all it's good for is insults. I'm damn sure not gonna be goaded into a fight for your amusement. Fighting in this condition is more like to get me to lose favor in the captain's eyes.