INITIATIVE (Surprise Round)
Drukpa
Boaters
Anibal
Bold should go!
INITIATIVE (Surprise Round)
Drukpa
Boaters
Anibal
Bold should go!
Drukpa sounds the alarm and dives for cover, drawing a hail of crossbow bolts as he does so! He makes it to safety just as a THUNK THUNK THUNK reveals the bolts have only stuck into the barge's cabin.
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Anibal is just watching the shore when Drukpa shouts his warning. When the three bolts lodge themselves into the ship, he runs to the portside while pulling out his bow. Once he reaches the railing, he does a quick assessment, nocks an arrow and lets it fly.
"Turn around while you can!", he shouts at the small boat.
Anibal rushes to the opposite side of the barge, readying his bow for action!
INITIATIVE (Round 1)
Drukpa
Boaters
Anibal
Relgar
Alecto
Mallycorn
Bold should go!
"Molthuni pirates!" shouts Captain Whalen, as the approaching boat glides next to the barge.
"Argh, that's privateers to the likes of you!" shouts one of the attackers, as all three leap aboard the barge, swords at the ready. "Surrender or die!"
INITIATIVE (Round 1)
Privateers
Drukpa
Anibal
Relgar
Alecto
Mallycorn
Bold should go!
Drukpa's bardiche inflicts massive wounds on the nearest privateers who didn't realise that nothing can stand up to a nagaji bloodrager! Relgar's powerful burst of flame easily finishes them off.
Anibal sinks two arrows deep into the last attacker's torso, staggering the man. And before he escapes, Alecto freezes his movements with a powerful psychic assault!
The privateer stands dumbly as Mallycorn's words wash over him.
INITIATIVE (Round 2)
Privateers
Drukpa
Anibal
Relgar
Alecto
Mallycorn
Bold should go!
Relgar's flames incinerate the dazed pirate!
Captain Walren looks astonished at how quickly the attack was repulsed--with no one aboard the barge taking a single scratch! "Cygar was right--you Pathfinders are worth your weight in gold! I'd suggest quickly scouring their boat for valuables and then scuttling her so no other 'privateers' get any bright ideas."
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Relgar nods to the captain while watching the last embers of flame slowly diminish around the three men.
"An excellent plan."
The gnome begins to check out the gear of the three newly expired pirates. He leaves the off barge exploration of the sailboat to the larger members of the party who might in fact know how to swim.
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Wouldn't it draw unwanted attention? Or could pirates band together to blindly hunt, then hurt, innocent victims? Death is a common Fate among pirates. Their loss probably won't be mourned too long, as it means less competition. Nevertheless, those you just killed deserve a quick prayer to guide them to Pharasma Eternal Gardens, if you don't mind.
If no one disagree, Mallycorn prays over the pirates corpses, tracing the spiral over their heart.
The priest doesn't seem distraught over the grim sight of the bloodied and/or charred bodies.
While the others discuss what to do with the dead or dying pirates, Relgar performs a quick search of the attackers' possessions.
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Relgar looks at the stash of alchemist fire with a covetous eye.
"This is certainly a good omen to find so much bottled fire at the beginning of our adventure."
The gnome tries to determine if any of the gear is magical and begins to attempt to identify the potions first.
"This red key is interesting. I wonder what it might open?"
Relgar is clearly not concerned over the spiritual well-being of a group of men that just a few moments ago attempted to rob or kill them. However he feels it is impolite not to respond to the team's conversation.
"Right, right the men. Say your prayers of course but then I think we should do as the captain suggests and sink their bodies with the ship. One downed pirate party will not dissuade further attacks but might alert them to our presence. We should be practical and listen to the only person with experience in these parts."
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Anibal nods. "Your call. But sinking a perfectly functional vessel seems like overkill. You could sell that to make some money on the side. But as I sad. Your call, captain."
He refills his quiver and joins Mallycorn. He doesn't really say anything, just stands there quietly, pondering something.
"Maybe search the boat before we sink it. There is a key to something. There might be prisoners aboard."
He ties a rope to the railing and climbs over to the other vessel.
"No way I'm towing a Molthuni ship to Tamran--I've got a reputation to consider!" says Captain Walren. "Well, leave it or sink it. We're not far from the city now." He nods to the deckhand to adjust the barge's rigging in preparation for getting underway.
Meanwhile, Anibal boards the other vessel. It's mostly loaded with worthless remnants from past raids, but the Iobarian turns up a small lockbox hidden in the cabin! Back on the barge, the red key turns the lock easily.
I'll assume you also cast the spell on the lockbox contents, and discern the small carved feather is magical (I'd need another Spellcraft check to identify what it does).
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Relgar attempts to determine the magical properties of the feather.
"These vials are potions of healing. I will need some more time to think about how to activate this magical feather."
"Anibal. If you don't mind now that we recovered all the treasure would you sink the boat and dump the bodies? We should be getting underway soon."
Relgar returns to the cabin and has a look at the privateer's charter. From time to time he peeks inside Shaggy's saddle bags and marvels at the newly acquired ruby containers of fire.
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When the useful items are back on board of the Black Mist, Anibal takes out his dagger and pierces a few holes in the walls of the cargo hold. Nothing a sharp object and a little brute force can't do.
When he sees the water is filling up the hold, he runs up to the main deck and uses his own rope to climb to the Mist.
"Well. It's done. No turning back now. Anything interesting in the box?"
The Molthuni 'privateering' vessel sinks soundlessly into the darkened waves of Lake Encarthan, carrying with it the bodies of its doomed crew.
After the Black Mist is underway, the glittering lights of Tamran appear about two hours later. Tamran has the look of a new town, built primarily of wood, though some older buildings linger here and there, many showing signs of damage from the war with Molthune to the south. Cracked walls and burnt remnants are obviously fresh scars from the long conflict.
Captain Walren looks pleased as the barge sails slowly into the docks. "My sincere thanks to all of you! Unfortunately, I have nought to reward you with but my goodwill and a suggestion you try the Gar's Last Meal for a good night's sleep. It's a safe, comfortable inn near the waterfront."
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Relgar nods to the captain.
"We were more than happy to help you out with that little incident and were rewarded adequately for our troubles. We will keep your services in mind should any of our fellow travellers need to travel this river again."
"So. Is everyone ready to disembark? I for one would enjoy being on dry land again."
@GM Jhaeman - Relgar looked over the privateer charter during the voyage to Tamran. Was there any information of note or is it merely a document permitting the 'Privateers' to loot unaligned boats?
Although it smells of fish, the Gar's Last Meal looks like a fine inn. Its namesake must be the giant gar mounted on the wall behind the bar in the taproom. As you enter, the innkeeper points with his one intact arm to a sign indicating that meals are three silver and rooms are two gold.
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Anibal scans the document with Relgar. "If it's all the same to you, I would keep this document. Might be useful in the future. Unless there is a name on it? I did not notice."
When they reach shore, Anibal shakes the captain's hand. "Fine ship handling, sir. Perhaps we will see each other again. I wish you favourable winds in your travels, and farewell."
He follows the group into Tamran, looking around town to get the general feel of things. He often looks towards Alecto and trying to see whether she is turning too many heads. When they enter Gar's Last Meal, he looks at the sign, nods at the one-handed innkeeper and turns to the group and speaks in a hushed voice.
"I can cover that if we're staying the night. If we are - do you want separate or joint rooms?"
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Flashback:
Relgar nods to Anibal.
"Sure, it can come in handy. We will definitely hold on to it."
Present Time:
Relgar replies to Anibal in a whispered voice.
"That is generous of you and is well appreciated. We should look for our friend first and we can decide on our sleeping plans latter."
@GM Jhaeman - What time of day is it now?
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"Right, right...", Anibal nods, and walks over to the innkeeper.
"Good evening to you!", he taps his left collarbone with his right hand. "We just arrived and thought we might get something to eat, perhaps even a room or two, depending...", he looks back at the party. "We'll discuss it over dinner, if you don't mind, and we will let you know.", he pulls out three gold from his pouch, and puts two on the counter. "That's for the meals for four of us. And a little extra...", he fidgets the third coin between his fingers, "... If you can tell me two things. First - what free rooms do you have, and how many? And second - we have a letter for a certain individual called Reginar. Any idea where to find him? We were told he frequents this establishment."
The grizzled innkeeper nods as he looks you all over. He's clearly the professionally disinterested sort that knows not to ask questions when a group of heavily-armed strangers (some looking decidedly unusual!) stroll in. "Enough rooms to go around--two can share if they're not shy." He looks at the coin between Anibal's fingers, and gives a little shrug. "Yeah, I know Reginar. A ranger, he is. Comes by every once in a while, but hasn't been here in a month. Heard he's favoring a feast hall called Forest Bounty of late."
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Anibal slides the third coin to the man.
"Appreciate it. We will have that meal now, if you don't mind. We'll find a table and sit down, as for the rooms, I need to talk to my friends first."
He walks back over to the party.
"Our man was not here in a while. Innkeeper said he likes a different place now. Forest Bounty. Let's eat, and we can talk on where we spend the night. Sound good?"