Archimedes proves to be a capable sentry - they decline Qidira's offer of warmth but accept the fish before flying off to continue their patrol.
The morning comes, bringing breakfast (not bad - oatmeal seasoned with cinnamon, salt or sugar to taste) and the start of what will become your daily routine for the next eight days. You settle into fishing, practicing your respective trades, or idling your time away with books, jokes and stories. It is a simple and calming existence, in stark contrast to the dread and danger that preceded your departure from Palebank. And yet you can never forget the vital and time-pressured mission that awaits you at the end of this almost leisurely journey.
On the fourth night out from Palebank, almost halfway into your journey, the routine is broken. Durnham was just about to settle down in his bunk when Archimedes taps at the glass beside his head (each cabin has a single small porthole) and transmits to him telepathically: "Humanoids, climbing the hull. A dozen of them, armed"
Falling into a comfortable daily routine of practicing her existing skills and trying to learn some new, Qidira sits cross-legged and bent over on her bunk, soft light illuminating the mechanical bird in her hands as she adjusts and oils. Archimedes taps urgently on the glass communicating briefly, but seemingly urgently with Durnham. She tucks the Trinket away in her bunk and slips into her gear quickly ready for any news as she climbs down checking weapons and standing near the shared bunk wall to knock to alert the others in case of trouble.
Then grinning to herself, she slips a couple silver coins out of her pockets, wishing she had copper at the moment and murmurs phrases at them. "I'm over here." and "No, I'm over here." and tucks them into a separate pocket. Qidira watches Durnham expecting some news and knocks on the adjoining wall to alert the others depending on what he says. (Danger/yes other/no)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As he prepares to remove his gear and climb into bed, Durnham watches with interest as Qidira adjusts her machines. He’s on the point of saying something when Archimede’s rap and warning interrupt his thoughts. He immediatley grabs his staff and begins dashing towards the door shouting as loud as he can “To Arms! To Arms! Pirates boarding the ship!” He rushes down the hallway pounding on doors as he heads towards the deck “Wake up Wake up! Ready your weapons to repel boarders!”
Once on the deck he telepathically connects with Archimedes Stay back and out of the way. your eyes are better than mine in the dark.He looks through Archimede’s eyes to see what’s happening in a wider Ariel view.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Qidira widens her eyes at the sudden change in Durnham and raps hard on the wall, adding noise to get the rest of the group's attention. Rushing out alert for any that may have gotten closer while Archimedes communicated. She moves quickly remembering crew insignia's to identify friend from foe, climbing higher for better vantage as she can but staying low enough to still use her daggers (not crows nest for instance). She attempts to be stealthy but tempers this with being visible to crew members to avoid being mistaken for a foe.
Initiative when needed 12 ; perception18 ; stealth19(rolled all simultaneously) Edit -is there any doubt?
Brandon was preparing for bed, but was luckily still wearing his chain shirt when the alarm was raised. To Arms! To Arms! He had the briefest flash of a memory when he heard Durnham’s call. A call he had heard often in his military service to the Empire. A memory of the same call at a different time and place. He pushes it out of his mind and grabs his shield, passing the alert on to Ressys and Kotar, who doubtless heard it already as well.
“There is trouble on deck, they will need our help to protect the ship.”
He reaches out with his hand, almost as if grabbing something, and the shadows from the corners of the room seem drawn to him, wrapping themselves around him and bolstering his life force before disappearing within him. ( Using Fiendish Vigor for 7 temp hp)
He heads to the deck, looking for the boarders and steeling himself for the fight ahead.
Kotar had spent his days into mediation, feeling ever so closer to mastery the Echo technique. By the end of the routine his mind was usually tired and wishing for little more than sleep. Simple plans that by the fourth night of travel were soon frustrated when the voice of Durnham echoed in warning that the ship was being boarded, and not a moment too early for the goliath was about to start doffing his armor.
Fully alert, he readied his shield and attach both glaive and silvered maul to his back. Opening the door of his cabin, the fighter unsheathed his sword and started making his way to the deck. I shouldn’t have though about pirates, he said to himself with the voice of his mind, remembering when they boarded the Remorhaz. I shouldn’t have though about pirates.
“Seems we got ourselves some company, lads and lady!” Kotar shouted trying to grab the attention of the corsairs. With armor and shield he should be able to deal with attacks better than most of the crew. “Let’s show our manners and get them a proper welcome!”And more than a few farewells, he thought in anticipation of a battle in darkness. Maybe he should have shouted for Qidira to summon light.
Laying in his bunk Ressys considered how strange it has been to sleep in a bed for so many days in a row. Never in his life has he slept more then one night in a bed and those times were few and far between.
When the alarm sounded he follows the others out and onto the deck.
As Durnham sounds the alarm you all start to react in your own ways; grabbing weapons, shields and heading for the deck.
Your cabins, side-by-side, open onto the same common area which leads to the galley. Through there you arrive at the loading hatch and its small wooden ladder which provides your way up the deck. Crouched in the darkness, with the clamour below you of the ship’s company scrabbling to action stations in the hold, you strain your ears (and eyes in the case of Archimedes/Durnham) for more information. The bustle of the ship waking up drowns out any chance of hearing the boarders, but the owl familiar has an ideal view of the scene unfolding above...
@Durnham:
Through your familiar’s eyes, from about the height of the crow’s nest, you see a dozen humanoids climbing the hull of the Remorhaz, evenly spaced around its perimeter. They seem piscine in nature, with fins at their necks and forearms, and long fish-like tails.
Qidira's goal will be up through the hatch and out of the way as quickly and quietly as possible. (but rolls above...) and as close to above action as possible ^^
clarification - I see how my prior post can be read. Qidira wants to get above the action (hopefully within dagger range but will settle for crossbow if necessary) not close to the action.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ressys heads to the deck as quick as he can, shield and totem in hand. If Durnham is telling us what Archimedes sees he has a hunch what type of creatures attack.
Seeing through Archimede’s eyes, Durnham notices that the humanoid figures aren’t exactly… human. Some kind of fish piscine mer humanoid creatures. He snaps his awareness back to himself and readies a defensive position shouting “They’re some kind of fishy hybrid person… things! Get up here and defend the ship!!” (Previous initiative roll of 4)
(If I've misinterpreted any prep please let me know)
Ressys, Kotar and Brandon reach the deck and assume fighting stances while Qidira scurries up the rigging of the nearest mast, getting about 20ft up with about 60ft to go until she reaches a platform.
A lone sailor in the crow's nest, about 150ft up the main mast, looks worried by the sudden action and has now seen the attackers too: "Monsters! Fishfolk! All around us!". He prepares a light crossbow to help with the ship's defence.
Durnham, braced against the hull at the bottom of the ladder, is describing the boarders' dispositions as he looks through Archimedes' eyes, his own turning milky during the projection.
(Please ignore the shoreline on the map, best ship layout I could find. Boarders are almost level with the deck, so out of sight to all but Qidira, Archimedes and the sailor right now):
(for Qidira, the idea was to put herself up and out of the way but still able to attack. Does the rigging allow her to still attack or does she need to make it to the platform? And if not able to attack, may she cast a simple spell like light?)
“We should try and meet them with an attack before they get to deck.”He said to Brandon and Ressys. Going by the positions Durnham described, each one of them should be able to reach the boarding point of a creature and strike before it had any chance of defense. “It’ll be hard, but let’s try to not get flanked.”
And saying that Kotar advances in direction to the starboard. Standing before the place where one of the fish folk should appear, he takes instance covering his torse with the shield and holding the sword over the middle chief point, the center of the superior border of the shield, in a high guard. He was prepared to strike at the first creature to appear.
The were good chances the goliath would land his hit. Best case scenario he would kill the piscine before the real battle started, but there was also the chance that he would just miss his attack. Whatever happens, I just hope they focus fire on me. Fortunately, he still had his armor and shield on, his body carried the endurance of stone and his training gave him the ability to speed regeneration once a day. He could take hits better. I just hope I can take enough.
Notes:
Kotar moves towards the point of the ship where the create 3 is likely to board and ready and attack action. The trigger is the creature 3 appearing and the intention is for the attack take place before the creature has even set foot on the deck.
"Friends, I am about to change shape, know that I still fight by your side." Ressys warns just before his body begins to change. His dark gray skin begins to grow hair as he drops to all fours. His hide armor and cloak melding into the form of a large Dire Wolf. Those that know him can tell its still Ressys, the shade of gray is the same as his skin with black over the head and shoulders. The ears, while those of a wolf, still resemble his firbolg ears.
He scans the deck for a creature to attack and moves towards the starboard side as well seeing Kotar indicate that direction. He then readies an attack to bite the first creature to come aboard. He lets out a howl as he waits.
Attack: 25 Damage: 15 piercing
If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
BA - Wildshape
Action - Ready Attack
Rolled with advantage in case Pack Tactics. The wolf has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the wolf's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Looks like first roll was a Nat 20! if advantage doesn't apply
Brandon glances around the ship, looking for any sign of the invaders and trying to picture them based on the descriptions from the sailor’s shouts and Durnham’s descriptions. “They say that those that hold the high ground have the advantage, we should make use of the staircases on the ship when possible, and keep our backs to each other to avoid being surrounded.”
He is slightly surprised when Ressys transforms into a wolf, but the Firbolg’s words put him at ease, and he nods in appreciation at the new form of his companion.
Longsword in hand, he moves to the opposite side of the ship from Kotar where he expects a creature to appear, murmurs quietly “Fill my enemies with fear and dread”and a wave of negative energy emanates from his sword as he readies an attack at the first creature to board the ship near him.
Attack: 7 Damage: 9 plus 6 psychic damage
Target must make a WIS 13 save or be frightened.
(Move opposite of Creature 10, BA cast Wrathful Smite, Action, ready attack)
Edit: Using Inspiration to reroll the held attack: 24
If Qidira is able from her position on the mast by securing her legs and arms through the netting, she will aim her Crossbow at Fishy-Pirate 11 Attack: 15 Damage: 8
If not, of course I will alter my action.
(apparently she's never hung from a mast and fired a crossbow before - poo)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kotar and Ressys – in dire wolf form – head to the starboard side and prepare to attack the creatures climbing the hull there. Meanwhile, Brandon runs to the opposite side while Qidira prepares to fire her crossbow and Durnham stands on the deck preparing to make his move.
Now that you can see the attackers a bit more closely you can see their distinct piscine form (Nature check required to determine any further details):
Archimedes proves to be a capable sentry - they decline Qidira's offer of warmth but accept the fish before flying off to continue their patrol.
The morning comes, bringing breakfast (not bad - oatmeal seasoned with cinnamon, salt or sugar to taste) and the start of what will become your daily routine for the next eight days. You settle into fishing, practicing your respective trades, or idling your time away with books, jokes and stories. It is a simple and calming existence, in stark contrast to the dread and danger that preceded your departure from Palebank. And yet you can never forget the vital and time-pressured mission that awaits you at the end of this almost leisurely journey.
On the fourth night out from Palebank, almost halfway into your journey, the routine is broken. Durnham was just about to settle down in his bunk when Archimedes taps at the glass beside his head (each cabin has a single small porthole) and transmits to him telepathically: "Humanoids, climbing the hull. A dozen of them, armed"
Falling into a comfortable daily routine of practicing her existing skills and trying to learn some new, Qidira sits cross-legged and bent over on her bunk, soft light illuminating the mechanical bird in her hands as she adjusts and oils. Archimedes taps urgently on the glass communicating briefly, but seemingly urgently with Durnham. She tucks the Trinket away in her bunk and slips into her gear quickly ready for any news as she climbs down checking weapons and standing near the shared bunk wall to knock to alert the others in case of trouble.
Then grinning to herself, she slips a couple silver coins out of her pockets, wishing she had copper at the moment and murmurs phrases at them. "I'm over here." and "No, I'm over here." and tucks them into a separate pocket. Qidira watches Durnham expecting some news and knocks on the adjoining wall to alert the others depending on what he says. (Danger/yes other/no)
As he prepares to remove his gear and climb into bed, Durnham watches with interest as Qidira adjusts her machines. He’s on the point of saying something when Archimede’s rap and warning interrupt his thoughts. He immediatley grabs his staff and begins dashing towards the door shouting as loud as he can “To Arms! To Arms! Pirates boarding the ship!” He rushes down the hallway pounding on doors as he heads towards the deck “Wake up Wake up! Ready your weapons to repel boarders!”
Once on the deck he telepathically connects with Archimedes Stay back and out of the way. your eyes are better than mine in the dark. He looks through Archimede’s eyes to see what’s happening in a wider Ariel view.
Archimedes Perception check 16
Noob
Qidira widens her eyes at the sudden change in Durnham and raps hard on the wall, adding noise to get the rest of the group's attention. Rushing out alert for any that may have gotten closer while Archimedes communicated. She moves quickly remembering crew insignia's to identify friend from foe, climbing higher for better vantage as she can but staying low enough to still use her daggers (not crows nest for instance). She attempts to be stealthy but tempers this with being visible to crew members to avoid being mistaken for a foe.
Initiative when needed 12 ; perception 18 ; stealth 19 (rolled all simultaneously) Edit -is there any doubt?
Brandon was preparing for bed, but was luckily still wearing his chain shirt when the alarm was raised. To Arms! To Arms! He had the briefest flash of a memory when he heard Durnham’s call. A call he had heard often in his military service to the Empire. A memory of the same call at a different time and place. He pushes it out of his mind and grabs his shield, passing the alert on to Ressys and Kotar, who doubtless heard it already as well.
“There is trouble on deck, they will need our help to protect the ship.”
He reaches out with his hand, almost as if grabbing something, and the shadows from the corners of the room seem drawn to him, wrapping themselves around him and bolstering his life force before disappearing within him. ( Using Fiendish Vigor for 7 temp hp)
He heads to the deck, looking for the boarders and steeling himself for the fight ahead.
Perception 20
Initiative 13
Kotar had spent his days into mediation, feeling ever so closer to mastery the Echo technique. By the end of the routine his mind was usually tired and wishing for little more than sleep. Simple plans that by the fourth night of travel were soon frustrated when the voice of Durnham echoed in warning that the ship was being boarded, and not a moment too early for the goliath was about to start doffing his armor.
Fully alert, he readied his shield and attach both glaive and silvered maul to his back. Opening the door of his cabin, the fighter unsheathed his sword and started making his way to the deck. I shouldn’t have though about pirates, he said to himself with the voice of his mind, remembering when they boarded the Remorhaz. I shouldn’t have though about pirates.
“Seems we got ourselves some company, lads and lady!” Kotar shouted trying to grab the attention of the corsairs. With armor and shield he should be able to deal with attacks better than most of the crew. “Let’s show our manners and get them a proper welcome!” And more than a few farewells, he thought in anticipation of a battle in darkness. Maybe he should have shouted for Qidira to summon light.
Initiative (if necessary): 19
Laying in his bunk Ressys considered how strange it has been to sleep in a bed for so many days in a row. Never in his life has he slept more then one night in a bed and those times were few and far between.
When the alarm sounded he follows the others out and onto the deck.
As Durnham sounds the alarm you all start to react in your own ways; grabbing weapons, shields and heading for the deck.
Your cabins, side-by-side, open onto the same common area which leads to the galley. Through there you arrive at the loading hatch and its small wooden ladder which provides your way up the deck. Crouched in the darkness, with the clamour below you of the ship’s company scrabbling to action stations in the hold, you strain your ears (and eyes in the case of Archimedes/Durnham) for more information. The bustle of the ship waking up drowns out any chance of hearing the boarders, but the owl familiar has an ideal view of the scene unfolding above...
@Durnham:
Through your familiar’s eyes, from about the height of the crow’s nest, you see a dozen humanoids climbing the hull of the Remorhaz, evenly spaced around its perimeter. They seem piscine in nature, with fins at their necks and forearms, and long fish-like tails.
Qidira's goal will be up through the hatch and out of the way as quickly and quietly as possible. (but rolls above...) and as close to above action as possible ^^
4 Durnham’s initiative
Noob
clarification - I see how my prior post can be read. Qidira wants to get above the action (hopefully within dagger range but will settle for crossbow if necessary) not close to the action.
Ressys heads to the deck as quick as he can, shield and totem in hand. If Durnham is telling us what Archimedes sees he has a hunch what type of creatures attack.
Initiative 19
Nature 14
Seeing through Archimede’s eyes, Durnham notices that the humanoid figures aren’t exactly… human. Some kind of fish piscine mer humanoid creatures. He snaps his awareness back to himself and readies a defensive position shouting “They’re some kind of fishy hybrid person… things! Get up here and defend the ship!!” (Previous initiative roll of 4)
Noob
(If I've misinterpreted any prep please let me know)
Ressys, Kotar and Brandon reach the deck and assume fighting stances while Qidira scurries up the rigging of the nearest mast, getting about 20ft up with about 60ft to go until she reaches a platform.
A lone sailor in the crow's nest, about 150ft up the main mast, looks worried by the sudden action and has now seen the attackers too: "Monsters! Fishfolk! All around us!". He prepares a light crossbow to help with the ship's defence.
Durnham, braced against the hull at the bottom of the ladder, is describing the boarders' dispositions as he looks through Archimedes' eyes, his own turning milky during the projection.
(Please ignore the shoreline on the map, best ship layout I could find. Boarders are almost level with the deck, so out of sight to all but Qidira, Archimedes and the sailor right now):
(for Qidira, the idea was to put herself up and out of the way but still able to attack. Does the rigging allow her to still attack or does she need to make it to the platform? And if not able to attack, may she cast a simple spell like light?)
“We should try and meet them with an attack before they get to deck.” He said to Brandon and Ressys. Going by the positions Durnham described, each one of them should be able to reach the boarding point of a creature and strike before it had any chance of defense. “It’ll be hard, but let’s try to not get flanked.”
And saying that Kotar advances in direction to the starboard. Standing before the place where one of the fish folk should appear, he takes instance covering his torse with the shield and holding the sword over the middle chief point, the center of the superior border of the shield, in a high guard. He was prepared to strike at the first creature to appear.
The were good chances the goliath would land his hit. Best case scenario he would kill the piscine before the real battle started, but there was also the chance that he would just miss his attack. Whatever happens, I just hope they focus fire on me. Fortunately, he still had his armor and shield on, his body carried the endurance of stone and his training gave him the ability to speed regeneration once a day. He could take hits better. I just hope I can take enough.
Notes:
Kotar moves towards the point of the ship where the create 3 is likely to board and ready and attack action. The trigger is the creature 3 appearing and the intention is for the attack take place before the creature has even set foot on the deck.
Attack roll: 13
Damage: 4
"Friends, I am about to change shape, know that I still fight by your side." Ressys warns just before his body begins to change. His dark gray skin begins to grow hair as he drops to all fours. His hide armor and cloak melding into the form of a large Dire Wolf. Those that know him can tell its still Ressys, the shade of gray is the same as his skin with black over the head and shoulders. The ears, while those of a wolf, still resemble his firbolg ears.
He scans the deck for a creature to attack and moves towards the starboard side as well seeing Kotar indicate that direction. He then readies an attack to bite the first creature to come aboard. He lets out a howl as he waits.
Attack: 25 Damage: 15 piercing
If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
BA - Wildshape
Action - Ready Attack
Rolled with advantage in case Pack Tactics. The wolf has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the wolf's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Looks like first roll was a Nat 20! if advantage doesn't apply
Brandon glances around the ship, looking for any sign of the invaders and trying to picture them based on the descriptions from the sailor’s shouts and Durnham’s descriptions. “They say that those that hold the high ground have the advantage, we should make use of the staircases on the ship when possible, and keep our backs to each other to avoid being surrounded.”
He is slightly surprised when Ressys transforms into a wolf, but the Firbolg’s words put him at ease, and he nods in appreciation at the new form of his companion.
Longsword in hand, he moves to the opposite side of the ship from Kotar where he expects a creature to appear, murmurs quietly “Fill my enemies with fear and dread” and a wave of negative energy emanates from his sword as he readies an attack at the first creature to board the ship near him.
Attack: 7 Damage: 9 plus 6 psychic damage
Target must make a WIS 13 save or be frightened.
(Move opposite of Creature 10, BA cast Wrathful Smite, Action, ready attack)
Edit: Using Inspiration to reroll the held attack: 24
If Qidira is able from her position on the mast by securing her legs and arms through the netting, she will aim her Crossbow at Fishy-Pirate 11 Attack: 15 Damage: 8
If not, of course I will alter my action.
(apparently she's never hung from a mast and fired a crossbow before - poo)
Kotar and Ressys – in dire wolf form – head to the starboard side and prepare to attack the creatures climbing the hull there. Meanwhile, Brandon runs to the opposite side while Qidira prepares to fire her crossbow and Durnham stands on the deck preparing to make his move.
Now that you can see the attackers a bit more closely you can see their distinct piscine form (Nature check required to determine any further details):
Initiative order: Kotar 19, Brandon 13, Qidira 9, Durnham 4
(I think I’m waiting for an initiative from Ressys? Will process first round once I have it)
Attacker initiative: 10