Shagraat's page

Shagraat kicks out, landing a blow in the Wand's belly. You want to stun the guy?

No. Just the damage on this one. I was going to stun the first poor bastard to enter the bar, but they're going to have to come through Urthona to do that.

Aubrey, our coordinates are off somehow and I can't figure it out. The map is my best guess. Assuming here that I can attack at a -2 like the wands did, Shagraat will attack E3. d20 + 4 - 2 = 17. d6 + 2 = 3.

If for some reason I cannot attack, I'm just going to continue readying a stunning fist attack in case Urthona retreats and someone comes in the door.

I'll throw together a map ASAP and post it. I'm assuming we were in the far corner, probably clustered around the tables at A10 and B7. Shagraat's starting location is A9.

Shagraat moves across the bar with blurring speed. He crouches behind the doorframe and waits for one of the wands to try to enter the bar.

35' of movement takes me to D4. I'll ready a stunning fist attack against the first creep to come through the door. Hopefully some combat reflexes can come in handy in this position.

Shagraat flies from meditative silence into flippity hobgoblin death mode. His focus is on the nearest foe. d20 + 7 = 18.

The Old Tower doesn't sell magic items - it is a barracks and military headquarters. But there are other places you can go and buy scrolls and potions quite easily.

Sorry, what I meant to write is that I'd like to be as far as possible from the tower when we buy the stuff we're going to use to bust in to the place. I'm trying to make our trail harder to piece back together by the law.

Ok. First of all, I think we should make use of the rooms Ben has provided to make our plan out of sight.

So that's 150 gp each for a spider climb scroll. 150 gp each for an invisibility scroll. We should probably plan for an escape other than the front door - just in case the inevitable ensues...

Rayne doesn't need Spider Climb. I forgot that I bought a potion of spider climb already, before we crossed the sea. Colvare can use the scrolls on those of us who are magically challenged. And assuming we find Alidaber, we should have an extra dose of the escape method for her. I have 77 gp left to contribute to that cause.

I'd like to buy the scrolls as far as possible from the tower, for whatever that's worth. We could even send Rayne disguised as someone else to do the purchase - that is if we think he can be trusted with all our cash. ;)

Someone make this plan better. We have no clue what the function of the various sections of this place might be, right? So are we climbing to the base of the modern construction and seeking an entrance there?

And are we using lethal force from the outset here, or are we trying to disable?

So I assume we're not trying the mundane approach to sneaking in (like through the front door). I guess that leaves spider climb and fly? I'm no slouch at sneaking, and darkvision will help me a little. Do we think we need a dose of whatever magic we use for everyone? I think the more we spend on magic, the less time we'll spend in a ridiculously vulnerable situation (like dangling off the end of a rope).

Certainly we should not linger, gawking at the tower. Shagraat passes no closer to the tower and the guards than any other part of whatever crowd is in this part of the town. Whatever we're doing, we're not doing it in broad daylight.

"Bless you."

"Agreed."

"Nope, I think that's our best plan right now. Let Mirra and Rayne do some discreet investigation while the rest of us watch for the inevitable trouble that will come of it."

“...But we can show you where the places in town are, and you can maybe make your own enquiries...

"So can we get a list of these places? Are there specific establishments that are considered Ninth Wand territory where she might have gone snooping?"

Shagraat savors the beer and stares at the comely wenches.

Missed the knowledge(history) by 1!

"Agreed. As it stands we have no allies here but perhaps the Thranes." Shagraat shakes his furry head, then remembering himself, stops and casts a guilty glance at Andrei.

"We need to find out what kind of place this restaurant is and figure out who among us best matches the clientele." He looks back at Ben. "I'm guessing you and I are the least likely candidates there."

"Maybe this sell-sword you met knows something of the black market trade in this town? Certainly the necromancer is going to know something about that as well. Perhaps we should take an interest in him?"

Well, my vote is to keep pursuing Alidaber in Oldgate first. We can start dabbling with criminals when legitimate sources run dry. Alidaber may have better ideas on how to find Varen than we will come up with ourselves.

"I didn't mean to take the wind out of our sails with the question. We have a lead on Alidaber and I think Urthona's correct that either trail might lead to both. I think we should just bear in mind that we have another person we can look for if Alidaber's trail goes cold."

"Is there a place of higher learning, or a library or something here in Stormreach? The long trip by sea has clouded my memory. Wasn't the implication that Varen was involved in artifact trade from here? Maybe an investigation into the local black market would turn up something on him?"

Thanks Aubrey. I just noticed the same. It looks like my entry is counted on the summary screen but is not in the thread.

Mirra, Colvare spoiler

Shagraat watches Ben for signs that he knows what the squid was 'talking' about. He retreats from the railing to one of the ship's boats and sits on its upturned bow to catch his breath and look over his wounds.

Aubrey, should I level, or should we take this opportunity to square with my LA mistake from earlier?

Flurry of Blows, Action point used on first attack roll. Target is D6.

Shagraat grimaces in pain as he launches into a powerful but poorly timed sequence of blows.

1st attack: d20 -2(flurry) +2(flank) +3 +1(AP) = 8! *grumble, grumble*

The end of the sequence, however, finishes with a flourish and a satisfying thunk.

2nd attack: d20 -2(flurry) +2(flank) +3 = 22. Damage is d6 +2 = 8.

If by chance that fishboy falls, I'll 5' step to C6.

Apathy!? No way man. Chris rolls the dice and I make the pretty pictures. It's a social contract.

Just want to make sure you didn't forget about the Mage Armor when you skewered me on your pickle fork. My AC is currently 19. Not b*#~#in or anything, though. I'm getting used to this bleeding thing. :)

Shagraat blows by the captain, launching into a flying roundhouse halfway down the steps to the main deck aimed at the remaining sahuagin on the starboard side.

Move ends at D7, attack is d20 + 3 = 5!

Behold, the pint of blood technique!

Just to check - has anyone given him Mage Armour?

Yes. Colvare gave me (and I think himself as well) a dose. We need to look back at when we purchased the item to see how many charges it had. I'm pretty sure those are the first two charges we've used.

Shagraat follows up with a clawed blow at the monster the crewman at the wheel missed.

d20 + 3 = 20. Damage is d6 + 2 = 7.

Shagraat seizes the moment as the first scaly adversary's head crests the gunwale. He aims a round-house kick at the nasty creature. AoO vs. the Sahuagin in C11. d20 + 3 = 18. d6 + 2 = 5 pts of damage.

I'm thinking someone not in the immediate fray should get to run crewman 1, who should get an AoO as well. As should Mirra, Colvare, Garton & Andrei. The map is updated.

My initiative is 27, not 13. I have a +7 and I rolled a nat 20. I think I'm probably entitled to an AoO, but I can't take it until I get home tonight.

Okay, the map's up to date. It's available here. Garton is at D9 and Jum is at C6.

Shagraat's init is d20 + 7 for 27! Hmm, I think the last time that happened I pretty much died...

So their object is probably going to be to snatch some loot from the hold and potentially crew members for consumption/sacrifice. So there's probably a grate amidships somewhere that leads to lower decks. Are there hatches in the fo'cs'l and/or stern cabins leading down as well? Assuming the hull remains unbreached, how many doors or grates from the main deck need to be protected to keep them out of the hold?

Also, do the crew need to remain at station to sail the ship? The rigging is probably a relatively safe place for crew members that are less useful. If we crowd them into pockets they'll likely be easier to protect.

Colvare, does your empathic link give you more information about our enemy? A flier, or even someone high in the rigging should be able to give us warning if they start coming up somewhere other than the stern.

Lastly, that calming affect didn't seem natural. Anybody have a decent spellcraft score to recognize what kind of magical affect we're talking about here? Might give us a clue if we're dealing with an enemy shaman or an enemy sorcerer.

"Keep clear of the rails, boys! Anyone forced overboard is shark shit."

Shagraat remains near the caster and hefts his javelin.

EDIT: failed Search and passed Listen checks.

"Something's coming up the stern."

I'll spoil this in case initiative rolls are imminent and my surprise status hinges on that failed spot...

Shagraat's natural sense of balance prevents him from feeling much in the way of motion sickness. In fact, the hobgoblin revels somewhat in the corkscrew motion of the hull and spends at least part of the storm on deck, reveling in nature's fury. Fort save d20 + 4 = 17. He is not, however, being very attentive. Spot: d20 + 4 = 10.

If the Sahuagin have a tendency to attack in the middle of the night, should we shift the sleep cycle of the party so we're intentionally up with the night watch once we're among the Teeth?

Shagraat moves over to hear Urthona's response to Andrei.

Shagraat comes onto the deck just in time to hear this superstitious trash. He swells with poorly contained anger as he steps into the conversation.

"You can stow that!" he growls. "This man is like as not to save your bony rump."

He forces himself to speak quietly and directly at the sot. "Sail your ship to Stormreach, and try not to let your mouth get your ass kicked."

Shagraat crosses his arms and returns Jum's glare.

"Our deal was to help guard your ship if attacked, but you are intentionally seeking a fight with these Sea Devils by breaking with your custom. That violates the spirit of our agreement - so now we are back to negotiations. Secondly, I find your plan, such as I overheard it, to be unwise. Do you not see that your ship will likely be marked once you've taken this step? Or did you think that you'd hired our services permanently?"

I turn back to Jum. "You follow this guy?"

Mirra decides to remain on the main desk...

Alright boys, who talked Mirra up onto the desk??

Shagraat moves in close behind Rayne as well, confident that the changeling is about to get us into trouble.

Listen d20 + 4 = 24.

shopping spoiler (anyone interested)

Shagraat is probably going to accompany Urthona to look at weapons, but he is still worried about shopping before we have secured some kind of passage and know how much its going to cost.

"Urthona, shall we accompany Rayne and Colvare and then head for the weapon shop from there?"

"Benedetto, where else would you search for Varen or Alidaber? This dive is our only point of contact for Alidaber, and we've already been by Varen's flat."

"Shall we get the booking of passage to Stormreach out of the way?"

Who's our best smooth talker. We need a decent Gather Info check - and it ain't me.

"Agreed. His word neither assures me, nor particularly worries me for Alidaber. He may be a fish, but I'm afraid he's still too deep in his cups."

Once we're tucked away in a nice private corner, Shagraat asks quietly, "So, we have 1300 gp each, less whatever the personal fare to Stormreach is, correct? And we've lost track of our primary patron, and our best lead. We have no clue how Alidaber has decided to travel, assuming she's doing so voluntarily, but we believe that our best lead is on an ultra-expensive airship, so he will inevitably have a substantial lead on us."

"Oh yes, and it appears we may be hunted by dark elves. Does that about cover it?"

I step closer to the Sahaguin and say in an undertone, "Who talks to you, friend? Are you speaking of a vision, or just intentionally riddling?"

I'm in agreement with the way Colvare is handling the Alidaber question. Shagraat is much more comfortable working for the human lady than the overbearing church. Shagraat will be keeping a subtle and cautious eye on our rediscovered paladin friend.

On the subject of travel, I think we need to investigate the fares and travel times for our other options, and potentially talk to Alidaber and find out what she was thinking. Perhaps this whole time we've been battling across the city, she's been arranging travel for our group? Or maybe the drow have her already.

Can we try to track her down next?

for Aubrey

Shagraat similarly drops his remaining javelin and raises his hands.

"This was a matter of self-defense," he comments to the first of the watch to approach him. "We certainly mean no trouble to the proper authorities of this city. If there is something we can do to help contain the flames, we will attempt it."

Crap folks. We're screwed. Stupid Thranes!

I think my map may be off a bit. Wasn't G17 one of the one's who went down? Also, does Urthona's readied action get triggered when he gets attacked?

Lastly, which square is the guy I'm dancing with in now? Assuming he's threatening me, I'd like to tumble to F14, which I think is non-threatened, and launch one of my javelins at scarface.

Tumble: d20 + 10 = 16.

As Shagraat throws the weapon he calls to his target, "The blood shed here is on your hands, flame-bringer."

Attack roll: d20 + 4 = 14. If needed, damage is d6 + 3 = 6.

Shagraat focuses a disabling attack on whichever of his two opponents looks most damaged (probably the one hit by Colvare's missile).

d20 + 3 + 2(AP) - 4 = 16. Damage is d6 + 3 = 8 (subdual damage, still fighting defensively - AC 17)

He then tumbles to F11.

d20 + 10 = 18.

Pending Hamathin?

EDIT: And Urthona. Sorry.

They look hostile, with weapons in hands - your reaction is not unwarranted. Especially as someone just tried to blow you up - it's not been a good day all round, punching the nearest stranger seems not unreasonable.

I am hobgoblin after all. And some elf b*#@* that damned near killed me earlier today is still running free in desperate need of a beat-down. Maybe I'll consider using nonlethal damage if he acts like a good guy. :)

Oops? I thought Urthona drew his sword on these dudes. If Ben was standing there talking to the guy, I doubt I'd have assaulted him, but oh well. Maybe there was still some fireball in my eye.

But once we roll initiative I generally assume that it's on.

Initial position is S14.

Shagraat vaults to his feet in time to see Urthona draw his sword, his attention rooted to some new threat outside. The hobgoblin speeds to the open doorway and out into the street, fully expecting to find dark elves with spiked chains. As he passes through the doorway he calls to his friends, "Perhaps it's time to reassert who is the hunter, and who is the hunted?"

I have 30' to move, which could take me to G14 and allow me to attack. I don't know what I'm facing though. As long as the enemy isn't holding a reach weapon, I advance to that spot and attack with an Action Point(fighting defensively, so AC 17) the foe in H13. If he's holding a reach weapon, I'll just tumble to G14 with a second move action.

d20 + 3 - 4 + 2(AP) = 13. (He's flat-footed, right?) If necessary, d6 + 2 = 3. Woohoo!

EDIT: As part of my move action I'd like to draw my javelins as well.

I'm headed for the door to street as soon as I'm able. Initiative roll is d20 + 7 = 27!

inside:

Sorry guys. A business trip took me away from all things recreational for 24 hours. I was thinking Mirra might check the door for traps before I went in, but what the hell, I have a pretty good reflex save...

Shagraat opens the door and peers in.