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When Stefnir gives Taggrik the right direction, he tries to fix the tiller and his stance and then gives the command for rowing.
"Go!"
The Albatross lurches forwards and is soon arrowing through the storm. The iceberg gone. Seconds become minutes and then time blurs as the rowing continues without let up. But the storm seems to be all around.
The pace is not that fast but it is unrelenting. Also with Drago down and one sailor dead, the burden of this exertion falls that much more on everyone's shoulders.
One or two of the sailors start to get sloppy. They are chilled to the bone and weak from effort but nevertheless they try to keep going. Maybe an hour or more has past since the iceberg but now is the time for heroes.
Constitution + Endurance +Strength (assuming they all stack, otherwise subtract 3 for Str bonus) =
Combined Check:
Taking a moment to orient himself Stefnir points to the north, and takes his seat at the oars.
Combined Check
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Its hard to keep rowing, the icy winds catch in the back of the throat and make breathing difficult. The rhythm falters as Stefnir drops out. He cannot keep pace with his partner on that oar and its just making things more difficult when his oar bangs into the one behind.
Like a sign, Ulf drops out too with a mumbled sorry to his partner too. That leaves fourteen rowers and Taggrik quickly shouts down for several people to change things around.
Ari and Ragnar get an oar to themselves, so that the full complement can still be rowed but they are going to have to work that much harder to keep up with the others.
Surprisingly the three young lads, Kanud, Olaf and Thorsten, are matching the work of their elders, and even throw the odd smile around to show how proud each one is. They are also benefiting from not feeling the effects of the cold thanks to the endure elements spells they received.
So after a short break, Taggrik orders people to try again. He also gets Stefnir to test the direction and frowns when he realises that the Albatross had strayed a little off course.
"Ulf, Stefnir, someone go lookout for trouble."
"I'll lookout - I've not the manly muscles for rowing, but I do have the alf-sight," Helga volunteers quickly.
Helga goes to the bows and peers ahead into the heaving, murky night.
Perception:
Combined check 2:
"I am sorry". Stefnir intones as he realizes he's hurting more than helping the rowing. "Perhaps if I take a brief rest, I can help more".
He then steps to the starboard side of the boat and peers out onto the ocean.
Perception
Combined Check: 1d20-1
Helga returns to her oar after a brief rest and gives it her best.
Combined Check:
Ari see some of the rowers tiring so tries his hardest to take up the slack
Combined Check
Kurn stops rowing and looks up at Taggrik "May I suggest that we row in shifts, so that we have some rowing and others resting? We will lose speed, but we will keep going longer. We'll all be exhausted after a few hours of constant rowing".
Feeling the burning shame of her first poor effort, Anya digs in and puts her all into rowing for the next hour.
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Taggrik shakes his head to Kurn and orders everyone to keep rowing.
Within the hour the prophetic words of Kurn prove correct. He almost collapses himself when Befroi falls. Taggrik spends a moment at the tiller with Kurn in earnest conversation before handing it over to Befroi.
Again he orders the ship onwards and the rowing to continue.
Kurn
While Stefnir again checks the direction and Taggrik smiles that the ship is dead on course, the shipmaster re-organises things so that only three oars are used on each side. Each oar can be manned by two again.
But the waters are beginning to get very choppy and rough, the storm seems to be changing in some way, not so much snow, more sleet and rain. Like a thrown curse, the first lightning bolt crackles across the sky.
Next Hour:
Helga does her best, but cannot maintain the pace. She will take a spell as lookout.
Rowing check:
Kurn nods at Taggrik and then moves over to Stefnir. He leans over and asks "are you sure we're on course?". He then quickly whispers in his ear
Stefnir
"Taggrik has checked the ship over when it was on the iceberg and saw a black split in one of the seams. Not too bad yet but the Albatross may not have a whole lot of time, especially when it is in a storm with no sail and a heavy curse. He doesn't want the crew to know. I'm trusting you with this, so keep it to yourself for now"
Kurn then returns to his oar
Helga will surrender her oar which she is having difficulty with and move to assist Freki.
"I can't manage on my own," she tells him. "I could really use your help."
Male pride - if you let them keep it, they'll let you get away with anything.
Ari continues to row, putting all his strength into it.
Rowing check
Although her heart is in the task, a long splinter that has jabbed up into her palm prevents the warrior from making her normal effort
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Kurn is no longer able to find a seat. Also he has rowed himself to a virtual stand still and can not help at the oars any more. It's the same for Stefnir and Befroi. They are exhausted.
Helga has conserved her energy better but can only do this in little spurts to help another oarsman get his breath back.
Anya lasts the hour but that's it for her, the splinter has dug deep and her efforts to avoid using that hand so much have stretched her back muscles so that they quiver like jelly by the time Taggrik calls a brief rest again.
By the end of the hour, another sailor, Glammad, shows he can no longer carry on, he cannot sit or stand properly, something has been sprained in his legs or they are cramping up badly.
Ari, Ragnar and Jorgen are flagging a little but they are put to shame by the sheer staying power of the two older brothers Kanud and Olaf.
Taggrik gathers everyone around, shaking and sweating like the rest..
Look we need another effort, there are enough men here for six oars but that means someone will have to go it alone. Helga could spell you perhaps. But everyone is going to struggle this time, I know. Look Krakis has it in for us, I'd be surprised if that thunder and lightning isn't him trying to scare us so that we don't escape. Keep at it. Spit in his eye and show him what a true Krieglander is worth.
Again the lightning flashes lighting up people's faces. There is a certain grim resolve from most of the crew, even the youths.
Those too weak to row be useful, get some food and drink sorted. Kurn take a look and see what you can find down below. Get some food up from the hold. And we still need lookouts. Stefnir, you got another north for me.
Helga will bind Anya's hand while we break, and cast a mending cantrip on any damaged oars.
Heal check:
"If anything else is broken, I may be able to fix it," she adds. "If anyone has bad strains my cure spell might help."
If anyone has sustained serious physical injuries (ie hit point damage, temporary or permanent) she can try a cure spell, it may give someone enough respite that they can manage to assist in bursts of a few minutes.
Rowing check:
As exhaustion mounts, Ragnar's previous fortitude starts to desert him.
Ari will row alone, shouting aloud, "Krakis you shant beat us"
Rowing check
Jorgen will go it alone.
"My body may be used up, but my mind and senses are still sharp", Stefnir says. "That way is north", he says pointing.
Kurn nods at Taggrik and goes to find food and drink etc in the hold. While he is there he will assess the state of the hull the best he can.
Knowledge Sailor
Helga will help whoever needs it:
... but now her energy is giving out.
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Ari takes a single oar and just about manages to keep pace, but its a close run thing.
The youngest lad, Thorsten, has soon had enough, and he staggers away from the oar leaving Jorgen to battle on.
Meanwhile Taggrik and Kanud lead the way, they seem to have some kind of second or third wind and both push the pace or so the rest may feel. The young man, Kanud is a revelation, a natural rower that barely sweats and never falters. He has grown in stature and confidence with each of the four hours.
Then Jorgen begins to slow and flag a touch, and when Helga tries to help it only makes matters worse. But Taggrik is ready and he orders the young Olaf to leave his brothr and help the man. That is all it takes and soon the pair are flying again, Jorgen able to keep up and enjoy the challenge.
Then despite the darkness, Krakis let's go of the Albatross, the choppy seas and furious clouds are left behind. The crew break out into laughter as the ship speeds away towards morning. A final rumble of thunder shows the Stormlord's displeasure. Ari, Jorgen and the others have done it, just.
Taggrik calls a halt and asks someone to fetch a jug from below decks. The ship is free.
Kurn
Kurn finds the food and drink, brings it up on deck and distributes it among the crew. He then goes up to Taggrik and speaks quietly
Taggrik
"you are right about the hull, it looks like the iceberg did its bit! We need to beach as soon as possible. I'm not sure we would survive another storm, but I guess you knew that?" Kurn smiles to hide his growing concern.
Ari takes a well earned rest and quickly gobbles down the food and gulps down the drink. He will stay at his oar in-case he is needed or until he is requested to help with something else on the ship.
Ragnar catches his breath, painfully swallowing his meal. He watches Kurn and Taggrik confer, frowning.
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Kurn is below for a minute or so, then comes back with provisions and the jug. Ingjald takes the mead jug and passes it around.
Taggrik listens and nods shakily to Kurn then he waves a hand at the lean to and Drago lying within. Everyone can hear his next words.
"Get us to shore quick, I need a rest. Look after the ship all of you and let me sleep. I am too old for that kind of effort. Feel as weak as a kitten. Watch out for breakers and rocks, find a cove with good cover and you sailors take us in. Befroi, you fish round here? No. Oh cough cough"
Saorise
With that Taggrik staggers away from the tiller and lies down next to Drago. He is hunched over and keeps massaging his chest as he goes. Soon he seems to be snoring.
Kurn takes the tiller. "I will do my best Taggrik". He then addresses the whole crew, "everybody ship oars and listen to me!" Once he has the crews attention, "the ship took a battering in the storm and we need to head for land. Stefnir, please keep us on course if the sun/stars become obscured. Ragnar, please see if we can set sail in some way. We need to regain our strength and use the wind while we can. In the meantime we row in shifts at any easy stroke until the sail is set". Kurn looks at Helga and beckons her toward him "A word please Helga". Kurn turns the tiller so that the ship heads east towards the coast.
Ragnar nods, getting some ideas of what all the whispering was about. He looks at the wrecked mast and tries to assess what he can do.
"Uhz uhnny-uhn hee-uh uh kuhpuntuh?", he asks the rest of the crew as he tries to figure a method for making a make-shift sail.
Prof (sailor):
Helga hastens over to the helmsman, moving aside with him.
"Aye, friend Kurn, how can I help?"
Kurn smiles at Helga then whispers to her
Helga
"I sense that I can trust you. The damage to the ship is worse than I let on. We are taking on water due iceberg damage under the waterline, so we need to reach the shore as soon as possible. Taggrik and I have let Stefnir know, but I need you to take your big sister down into the hold and see what you can do to plug the leak please. Do it quietly, so as not to scare the crew, they are at the end of their nerves and I need them focused."
Helga nods, and goes over to Anya.
"Anya, Kurn needs some sail-cloth from the hold, can you help me to get it?" She raises her hands which are trembling from her earlier exertion at the oars.