Johnathan will head to the tavern and try to gather information on the cursed reef and on any way to secure transport there.
Johnathan will buy drinks and join in any revelry that goes on in the tavern to improve endear himself to the patrons more.
Gather information 1d20+5 = 20+5 =25
Diplomacy 1D20+5 = 10+5 = 15
"Thank you Orion I will gladly accept your help" She is mostly using spells but if there are more cases than 3 or 4 then she will revert to mundane healing.
Constable Brody will introduce Lua, Orion, and Bart to a older half-orc who she introduces as her "little brother". Gled Brody is his name and he is evidently the deputy. He patrols the town at night (when his darkvision is the most useful) and Liz patrols during the day. Gled will gladly allow Lua, Orion, and Bart to patrol the first 3 hours of the evening and allow him some extra rest. Gled also has a large mangy dog named Rascal that he patrols with.
Lua can find a few people with various injuries as well as some with lingering diseases. They are grateful for any help she can give them, even if just making them more comfortable while they rest. She also has several fishermen approach her and ask for her goddess's blessing on their future catches, praying that she makes the fish many and big. They will donate some coppers (11 cp total) in recognition of Lua's prayers on their behalves.
For those that go to the tavern, you find it is little more than a 3 walled shack. One side is open to the sea. The barkeep, a plump human woman named Jasmine, serves only plain ale and cheap watered down wine. Most of the customers are fishermen and merchants, relaxing a bit before heading home.
Johnathan begins asking around about information. Luckily he is careful and after a couple of brief mentions about the "Cursed Reef" followed immediately by patrons spitting on the ground and signing to ward off bad luck, he realizes he'll have to be more round about approaching the subject. After spending a couple of hours (1d4+1=2) speaking to people, he learns all of the following:
"Now, Mr Parn, we will pay you half up front and half after we leave the island. Now, Mr Parn, name your price."
Orion will spend his time taking watch and aiding Lua in tending to the sick. Around dinner time the second day he will ask his companions if there has been any news of late.
Lua will use her healing spells on those that need them most.Anybody left over she'll use the healing skill.Not being high enough in level for remove disease,for these folk she will give them the best directions she knows for care.She prays for anyone that asks,but admonishes them to remember that while Ehlonna is a good goddess, she is also the goddess of nature. And that in nature the hunter sometimes becomes the hunted, so be careful.Lua will burn her alotment of spells for the first day, so for the patrol that night she has no spells.At the change of the gaurd, she will use her speak with animals ability to ask Gaurd Brody's dog if any thing strange was going on, smells, misplaced things, odd events that a dog might notice.The second day, if nothing else is going on, she will buy food (using the money donated) and take it to the most downtrodden of the fishermen on the docks.
Bart will try to become more acquainted with Brody, although he is a little put off by the man's orcish appearance. He will ask him questions about his work and whether things are normally so rough around this area.
"What can you tell me about all this trouble gettin' stirred up? I find it very interesting that no more aide has been sent to you yet."
Mr. Parn responds to Zareth and Johnathan, "Well, I think 30 silver guilders should just about cover my cost. I can probably convince the other fellow I was thinking of to take you on his ship for a price of 50 guilders. Do you have enough money to cover that?"
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Lua and Orion are able to help several people with various run of the mill injuries and such. As for talking to the guard dog, Rascal, he doesn't really have much memory for anything that is out of place. He does remember some scents that were not familiar, but they disappeared at the docks.
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Gled responds to Bart's questions, "As my sister, I mean the Constable, has said most of the problems seem to be the work of thieves out of Chadwick. The other authorities have enough trouble there and are not willing to send any help to a small fishing village for a couple of beatings and some stolen items. The place had been pretty peaceful for most of the time I've been hear, up until the last few weeks."
"I did catch one of the bastards, sick looking fellow he was. All kinds of mixed up features of various humanoids. One of those mutt men or whatever they are called." Gled seems totally oblivious to the potential irony of his description. "Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to question the creature, he put up too much of a fight and me and Rascal had to bring him down."
Parn will arrange a meeting two days later. Nothing of significance happens during that time in the town. No more attacks happen or thefts.
Parn introduces the party to Frank Halbert and his two sons, Michael and Brian. Frank has agree to take the party to the "Cursed Reef" for 50 sp.
"So do you plan on leaving tonight? You have already lost one night when it will accessible.", Frank asks.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I am eager to be about our business."
Lua will gather her normal gear plus the rope and grappling hook, sunrods and acid flasks from her saddle bags.
At the setting of the sun the party is aboard Halbert's ship heading towards the Cursed Reef.
"Yes, we will take your offer, Mr Halbert."
Captain Halbert says, "It looks like it is going to be a clear night with a full moon. That's good when at sea at night. You two ladies get up in the front and let us know when you see a bit of rock standing out above the water. You're elf eyes should be able to see better than all of us humans."
After about an hour of travel Lua and Bel see a ship a bit ahead and then notice a small rocky shape near the boat. (roll spots to get any more details)
peering into the night Lua will attempt to see more.....
spot check (1d20+5=20)
Lua you see what might be people on the rock outcropping. Also the boat you see seems to be of a design very similar to the one you are on.
"There are people on the rock outcropping, and the boat looks similiar to ours.....the missing fishermans boat do you think? Mayhap the mugging of that scholar wasn't so random..."
Lua will crouch down ready for trouble.
"My boat?", asks Parn. "The theives that stole my boat came out here? Why?"
Halbert quickly orders the sail to be taken in and oars to be gotten out. Each of his sons mans an oar. "Well its your call, you being the Warders and all. How do you want to handle it? I still can't see anything and I'm betting that unless they have elf eyes, they can't see us yet."
Bart would likely be too busy sitting down, trying not to be sea sick.
If inquired further, he explains that he has only ever been on a boat once or twice his entire life, despite his age.
"Never really had...the...need."
The fisherman scratches his beard as he looks at the blank faces of the Warders. "Ok, I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll come in with the other boat between us and the Reef. As long as noone is on the other boat they shouldn't even notice us if we are lucky. Everybody stay down until we get next to the other boat." Looking at his eldest son, "Brian while these folks move to deal with the ruffians, you and Mr. Parn see about getting his boat."
The boat quietly rows towards the other ship and the Cursed Reef. As you get close you can hear the sound of waves hitting the boat and the stone structure as well as what might be talking (Listen checks to see if you can make out anything).
"They appear to be discussing something...."She'll strain to hear what is said, still crouching in the boat, with bow in one hand bolas in the other. listen (1d20+5=15)
Zareth walks over to the rest of you, Ebonfeather on his shoulder and looking vaugely unwell.
"I hate boats. All this rocking, I can't concentrate."
He's so busy complaining to himself about boat travel he doesn't really pay much attention. 1d20+4=7
Lua can only make out one of the speakers, the one facing towards the boats.
Guy2: ...(mumbling)...
Guy3: Stop complaining and pass the rum.
Guy1: ...(mumbling)...
Guy2: ...(mumbling)...
Guy3: Can’t take his medicine, ha, ha.
Guy1: ...(mumbling)...
Guy2: ...(mumbling)...
Guy3: Besides this is easy work, nothing to do but sleep and drink.
The boats come to rest next to each other. You should be able to move across the stolen boat and get to the top of the tower where the three ruffians are at.
"So are we moving in, or are we waiting for some sort of signal?" Bel whispers to the others, being unsure of the next phase.
"From what I can tell, they're bored and it sounds like they have been drinking. A sleep spell perhaps,Zareth?"Lua relates,in a whisper, what she heard to the others...()
"Unfortunately not, my dear. I never had any reason to learn it, actually. Hehe, I suppose I should of, in retrospect."
He then draws his crossbow.
Orion climbs forward onto the other ship and moves to the far edge. He motions for the rest to wait a moment. He then stiffens for about half a minute before turning back, his eyes having turned completely white. He blinks and his eyes turn back to normal. He draws his truncheon and motions for the others to follow as he gets ready to leap out onto the stone platform.
Zareth whispers to the others "Did anyone else see Orion's eyes flash? That does not bode well."
Zareth whispers to the others "Did anyone else see Orion's eyes flash? That does not bode well."
"Hmmm, strange indeed. Is there something you can do to...I don't know....test him, Zareth?"
"Hmmm, strange indeed. Is there something you can do to...I don't know....test him, Zareth?"
"Wait, I just realized that it's just some sort of divination. There's nearly no risk of Orion stabbing us under the influence our enemies."
"Well that was wierd" whispers Lua,as she readies her bolas and prepares to follow Orion.'I will keep an eye on him' she thinks to herself.
"Looks like we're ready to act then." Bel will say to herself, also drawing her bolas from her inventory.
Roll initiative and state your surprise round actions. The foes are currently sitting on the ground about 20 feet away from the party.
Orion: Init 20, jump onto the rocky platform and move to the far side.
Bad Guys: Init 21, surprised!
Johnathan: Init 10 (not sure if he is still with us either, if you are you can roll your own)
Bart will also take his tuncheon in hand and jump down to join Orion.
"Let us hope a show of force is all that is required for a few scallywags."
Bel will hold her action until after the fighter types, so Orion and Bart. I will act then.
initiative (1d20+3=18)
Lua will follow Orion, trying to stay at least 10' from any foes,preparing to loose her bolas
Zareth will stay off to the side, for now.
Initiative:
Surprise round rap-up: Orion and Bart both got onto the stone platform and are adjacent to a ruffian each. Lua moved onto the other boat to get closer to them. Johnathan will get out his hand crossbow but will stay back with Zareth and Bel.
Conditions at the start of the round: Orion and Bart each adjacent (so foes get an effective +4 AC when attacked by a ranged weapon) to a seated foe (prone, -4 AC vs Melee, +4 AC vs Ranged). One other seated foe is off to the side and not adjacent to either Bart or Orion yet. All foes are flat-footed at the start of the round and not yet armed.
NPC actions for this round, keep in mind the initiative order as you can possibly interrupt any of these.
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Round 1 rap-up: Bel takes a full defense. Zareth takes careful aim and patiently waits to get a clear shot. The first ruffian attacks Orion, missing badly, the second likewise misses Bart. The third stands up glaring at Lua, the moonlight reflecting off his eyes like an animal's eyes. Suddenly a twang is heard and a bolt is sticking out of his shoulder, Zareth's shot was good. The fellow though is still up and moves towards Lua menancing. Orion cracks one of the ruffians across the head loudly. The ruffian drops his dagger, falling unconscious. Bart defends himself against the other one. Lua also defends herself from the advancing foe. Johnathan aiming his crossbow shouts out, "Lua! Look out!"
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Initiative:
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Conditions at the start of the 2nd round: Orion and Bart are both (considered flanking, +2 melee attack) adjacent (so foes get an effective +4 AC when attacked by a ranged weapon) to a seated foe (prone, -4 AC vs Melee, +4 AC vs Ranged). Another foe is unconscious on the ground. The third is in melee with Lua, threatening with a dagger.
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NPC actions for this round, keep in mind the initiative order as you can possibly interrupt any of these.
Ruffians 2 will try to attack Bart again (1d2=2). The Ruffian 3 will try to attack Lua.
Orion will attack/smite the ruffian 2.
Johnathan will continue readying a shot if he didn't get one this round.
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Attack on Bart: 1d20-2=14
Damage: 1d6+1=5
Attack on Lua: 1d20+2=21
Possible Crit Confirm roll: 1d20+2=13
Damage: 1d6+1=2 (if critted an additional 1d6+1=2 )
Lua dodges and weaves, but the thug still manages to score a light hit on her arm (). Grimacing in pain she steps back () and lets fly the bolas.to hit with bolas (1d20=9) Cursing imaginatively as they go skipping off into the dark,she will then draw her rapier..