Merrek of Outsea's page

I wouldn't mind glossing over the underwater encounter at some speed.

I have been a bit distracted by a combination of weirdness at work and some bad news in the family (all complicated by, but not caused by Corona)

Merrek just smiles as Malakar explains how he met his shark companion. The story wasn't that strange to him, having grown up in Outsea.

"I should be fine as is. Well, maybe we'd need some tools to remove whatever is blocking the rudder or make repairs. That said, I'm not sure I have the skills to repair a ship's rudder."

Like Malakar, Merrek can just dive in with his own gear. I won't be much good at hitting things until Guided Hand at 3rd level but I can support.

I live on the other side of the pond (aka, the Atlantic Ocean) in the Netherlands and from what I gather we're not hit that badly compared to other countries. It's still bad but many places have it worse.

Personally it's a mixed big. I work in IT so working from home is easy. On the other hand some in my family belong to the groups that are at greater risk (immunocompromised and lung patients) so that's something I do worry about. They're all healthy (barring preexisting conditions) so it's still fine.

Merrek nods, "I'll see what I can do down there, though maybe getting Nymbleth to come along would be a good idea. The extra pair of hands would surely be useful."

Merrek can't help but laugh at Malakar's enthusiasm, "Let's say I agree, how do you expect us to keep up with the ship and get back on board? Swimming is no issue for me but I can't keep up with a moving vessel like this. Nor do I have the upper body strength to climb back on board."

Merrek nods at Malakar's comment, [b]"It has been like that almost since the day I devoted myself to Gozreh. My elders said it was a blessing but my closeness to Gozreh was the same before it appeared. I did and still do sometimes feel like I am an extension of She who guides the Winds and Waves, but that's just sentiment on my part, I'm sure of it."[b]

Merrek is humble in face of the blessing but also very, very proud. He considers himself very lucky but no better than others

Merrek suddenly becomes very grave when Gozreh's silence is mentioned, "Are you sure something is blocking you? Perhaps you have offended She who guides the Wind and Waves? The Skyfather can be fickle. If so I might be able intercede on you behalf."

As he talks Merrek bares his right forearm, showing Gozreh's holy symbol as it shows in the pattern of his scales. It clearly stands out as green and blue among the reds and oranges of the rest of his skin.

Merrek spent most days simply watching the waves, the clouds and communing with his god. It wasn't very exciting but Merrek was content.

When Brennart spoke to him about the captain's request he could barely keep himself from laughing. Of course, the landlocked only came to him if they needed someone to get wet. "Sure Brannart, I'll head there. No idea where Malakar hangs out though, I'll pull him along if I do encounter him."

He then heads towards the captain's quarters, looking out for Malakar as he went.

When Raearg calls out Merrek was already on his way to the two priests, his own holy symbol proudly on display as a delicate and contrasting pattern in the scales of his lower right arm.

He makes a turn and instead heads for where the half orc his seated. "Good day. You wanted to meet? Do you want me to bless the ship? Ask the Skyfather to fill your sails?" He wouldn't be the first one. Back up north he had blessed many ships and even in the last week in Almas, as soon as people found out he was a Gozran priest they wanted their vessels blessed. Some even suggested he must be closer to the god, as he was of the waves. The notion was an odd one to him.

I've been swamped with work for the last two days and will continue to be so at least until the day after tomorrow. I'll try to get a post in before then but I might not have the time/energy/cranial capacity.

I also really like Outsea, and it just happens to be the easiest source for a Locathah ending up in Almas.

Merrek will be in for a shock though should we happen upon hostile Sahuagin and Merfolk as they all live together peacefully in Outsea. Hostile Sahuagin only feature in stories for him.

In the days after the rescue Merrek spends equal time in and out of the water. The time out of it was always eventful, especially when he left the dock district where his father and him were familiar faces to many.

Further into the city however he almost always drew crowds, guards or both. Merek almost preferred drawing guards as they tended to be friendly and polite if not always honest in those sentiments. The people were more honest in their reactions. Some avoided him because of what he was, some avoided him because the smell of his kin apparently was offensive to human noses. Still others came to ogle him, talking about him amongst themselves. How odd he was and how fishy he smelled. The easiest place to be was around fishmongers and fishermen, they at least smelled similar even if for them the smell was borrowed.

When the letter reached him Merrek was confused. He had intended to depart early tomorrow morning, head east to the Selen River and then back to Outsea. This, however, was an opportunity he couldn't not take. Invited by the Eagle Knights to come to their home. That would make a really great story and, just maybe, he could spin the events coming after to further strengthen trade with Andorran. Hells, maybe he could even turn this into establishing a permanent embassy!

If you plan to do an all out anti-slavery game, check out the Okeno pirates. They are probably the nastiest slavers around.

Having let it slip before, Merrek dives after the crate again, pushing it to the surface as quickly as he can.

Once he gets the crate there he also pops his head up above the waves and shouts "A little help here! I can't keep this crate up here on my own."

I have a natural swim speed of 40 ft., which also gives me a racial +8, and am amphibious

The moment Merrek sees a crate drop he heads for it, determined to save those stuck inside.

Move Possibly a double move. Merrek moves to take hold of the closest crate to him and haul it back to the surface.

Are there any rowboats left with dead crews or did they all head for the port?

I'm still here, just a bit swamped that's all.

I'll actually delay a bit further to see the outcome of the Bluffs, but Merrek is more than happy to should more lightning or fish up a crate.

When Merrek resurfaced he faced the rowboats instead of the larger ship. Failing to hit the people on the big ship he had decided he'd focus on something closer at hand.

Seeing the woman had cast a spell on the closest boat he moved along a bit and once more tried to hit one of the scumbags with a bolt of electricty.

Move To the surface and if possible so that the crew of second boat from the bow is within 30 ft.
Standard Lightning Arc at whoever seems to be preparing the transfer of crates to the big ship on the second boat from the bow (assuming one is within reach, otherwise he'd go for the greased crew)
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Merrek turns in the water before taking aim at one of the men on board of the big ship. He extends one hand above the surface of the water and let's fly a bolt of electricity.
Once that is done he drops below the waves to hamper their aim.

Standard Lightning Arc at easiest to reach sailor on big ship
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Move Drop 10 ft below the water's surface.

Wow, that's bound to be a great success..

What is the distance from the water to the crewmembers on deck? I want to see if I can already hit them with some lightning

Merrek is visibly confused at the mention of children in boxes. Who would do that and for what purpose? He had heard stories of surfacers that ate their own kind but those all came from far away places.

Turning back to the issue at hand, Merrek just nodded. "You can hold on to me so you can keep from drowning. Have you seen a place where we could get aboard?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Seeing a human woman swimming and struggling Merrek quickly makes his way over. Once near but still at a respectable distance in an attempt not to spook her her surfaces.

"What are you doing in here? You should get out, these waters aren't suitable for swimming by one of your kind." Then, as if suddenly realises they are a decent bit out from the docks, "Do you perhaps need help to get out?"

Merrek swims as hard as he can hurrying to try and catch up with whom he followed into the water.

Stealth Check Please

Stealth.. this should be fun

Merrek follows the boats under water, trying to get as close as possible without them noticing.

He had no idea what to do when he got closer though. Someone shouted something about slaves but he couldn't spot any. At least not unless they were willing slaves as those men didn't seem to resist.

Stealth: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Did that just really happen? Did some fool just jump into the water to save someone else? And while armed and armored? Surely they'd need help just as much as the person they are trying to save.

With a sigh and a soft "excuse me" Merrek made his way to the edge of the boat and jumped in. The moment he hit the water a sense of relief swept over him as water rushed by his gills. Somehow breathing always was more relaxed under water than it was above.

Remembering why he had jumped in in the first place, Merrek started scanning his environment.

Perception just in case: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Any suggestions for how and when Merrek could jump in?