This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Snow shouts back at the Amazigh, just as he picks up the crossbow, “You’re no match for the guard, attack us and you’ll be in irons before that bolt flies ridiculously wide of the mark!”.
Reaction: Cutting Words - 2
Also at 3rd level, you learn how to use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others. When a creature that you can see within 60 feet of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a damage roll, you can use your reaction to expend one of your uses of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and subtracting the number rolled from the creature’s roll. You can choose to use this feature after the creature makes its roll, but before the DM determines whether the attack roll or ability check succeeds or fails, or before the creature deals its damage. The creature is immune if it can’t hear you or if it’s immune to being charmed.
Concentration Check (if needed) - 10
(OOC: Will post round 2 after finding out the result of my reaction.)
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Snow curses as the bolt slices through the flesh of his shoulder. Grimacing in pain, he just manages to maintain his focus on the guard.
“Right”, he says under his breath, and concentrates on the Mage Hand. It then invisibly moves up the boat towards the unmanned tiller and pushes it as far to the starboard side as possible, causing the boat to turn sharply to port, towards the centre of the river. At the same time he narrows his eyes, moves 15 feet across the bridge and focusses his will at the Amazigh in the boat, causing a wave of telekinetic energy to strike him, trying to push him off the boat as it turns in the opposite direction.
Telekinetic Shove: DC 16 Strength Save
As a bonus action, you can try to telekinetically shove one creature you can see within 30 feet of you. When you do so, the target must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + the ability modifier of the score increased by this feat) or be moved 5 feet toward or away from you. A creature can willingly fail this save.
He crouches down a little trying to get some cover from the Amazigh’s crossbow, and turns to the guard. “They are attacking us!”, he says in a shocked voice.
Summary:
Action - Move the Mage Hand and use it Move - 15 feet west across the bridge Bonus Action - Telekinetic Shove (along with the sudden movement of the sloop in the opposite direction) Move - Get a little cover; crouch or step back
Reaction:
If Snow is attacked, or if one of the Amazighs has to oppose a grapple.
The guard responds, “Yea, but you’re just makin em mad! I’d take it easy if I was you. They’re Amazighs!” That said, he tucks his stanchion into his belt, then leaps off of the bridge, using his net to ensnare the top of the Amidu Borongo’s mast and stop his fall. He then slides down the mast to the deck as the sloop sails just under the bridge. The boat tips to starboard as a result of this stunt and Snow’s mage hand steering, and that finishes the job Snow’s telekinesis began: the older Amazigh relation, though muscular and sturdy, tips overboard, arms flailing; his crossbow drops to the deck.
The boat, turning hard to port, passes under the bridge as Snow ducks behind the low wall for cover. He sees the other Amazigh thug swim for the far shore and wade through the shallows, then focus on the bard. The thug draws a dagger from his belt.
Snow now hears swimming coming from beneath the bridge, and the guard and man #2 exchange words, —in warning and in anger, respectively—then the boat clears the south side of the bridge, by which time #2 has caught up with the vessel and is on the verge of pulling himself back aboard.
The Amigu Borongo will drift downstream 5’, and move forward 15’ next round.
Please post Round 3 actions.
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Snow sees the guard jump down onto the Animu Borongo, and knows he has to get aboard as well. He also knows whatever method of doing this was going to be risky, but as he turns to the south he sees the sloop with the net the guard used still dangling from the top of the mast. He looks from the thug on the shore back to the sloop, thinking it was now or never.
He moves across the bridge and leaps for the net, hoping to grab it and then drop safely down to the deck.
Acrobatics: 6
(OOC: Need to know the result of this before I can continue the turn please)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Snow leaps for the net, but it, weakened by the guard’s prior maneuver, tears, almost from the moment Snow grabs hold of it. It only barely slows his descent. The guard spots Snow leaping, and, taking his focus off of the Amazigh thug, moves to catch Snow. But, due to the jagged shifting of the boat as a result of both maneuvers, the guard is only partly successful. He softens Snow’s fall to be sure, but himself loses his footing and crumples under your weight. Both of you are now on the boat, but prone, in the same position G is marked on the map. You both also take 3 falling damage.
Snow’s movement is used, but he can still act from his prone position atop the guard. (The guard’s action was to catch you.)
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
“Thanks, that could have been nasty”, Snow says as he looks around to see if the Amazigh was in sight, but doesn’t spot him just yet. “If you want me to stop antagonising them, I can certainly do that if you think you got this”, he adds.
He then moves his Mage Hand over to the tiller and keeps the sloop on course to turn around.
Reaction:
Snow will use cutting words if the Amazigh gets on the boat and attacks him, or needs to make an ability check to climb on board.
Amazigh thug 2 has already succeeded in pulling himself up. He flips over the gunwale and throws off his sopping scarf to reveal a bald, tattooed head, long salt-and-pepper beard and mustache, and a gaping maw with many gold teeth. He draws a scimitar from his belt, and flies into a barbaric rage, bellowing at Snow. The bard's cutting words inflame him, and the thug sees red, and as a result, slashes wildly, cutting only air.
Please post Round 4 actions (and what you said with your cutting words).
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Snow sees the Amazigh fly into a rage, and abandons his plan to stop antagonising them. “Crikey fella, best you take another dip as you smell ripe!”, he shouts at the thug as they lift their scimitar ready to strike. He happily watches the blade slice wide as a result of his taunt.
He focusses his will on the thug, causing a wave of telekinetic energy to strike him, then purses his lips and starts to ever so quietly whistle that same haunting melody, summoning once more the magical energy and strengthening it with the bond of the violin he still clasped. He projects the sound to the Amazigh causing him to hear those same Dissonant Whispers as his compatriot.
He gets up, releasing the guard from beneath him, and if he is able moves to the tiller to take control of the sloop.
"Not sure they are going to listen now, time you do something to put a stop to this", he says to the guard.
Bonus Action: Telekinetic Shove - DC 16 Strength Save or be pushed 5 feet away Action: Dissonant Whispers DC - 18 Wis Save, 9 psychic damage on a failed save and use reaction to run/swim away, half damage on a success and doesn't run/swim away Move: To tiller if path clear
Reaction:
Will use Cutting Words if an Amazigh within 60 feet that he can see attacks him - 8
Snow’s insight tells him that the guard is plainly terrified, though he tries not to show it, not of these men, but of the Amazigh family. He takes Snow’s urgings with a grimace, nodding while evading eye contact.
The Amazigh thug spins in place as a result of Snow’s telekinesis, but is not shoved back. The melody, however, rings true, and blood leaks from the thug’s ears as he screams in agony, drops his scimitar and squeezes his head between his hands. He falls overboard and swims energetically away to the west bank . Snow regains the tiller and steers the Animu Borongo upriver and back under the bridge.
The guard picks up the Amazigh’s dropped crossbow, and yells to both of the thugs, “Keep your distance! If you have a claim on this vessel, you must submit a writ to the Benepota Viceroy!,” and readies a bolt to fire.
The men meet up on the west riverbank, and glare daggers, walking slowly and threateningly a short distance behind.
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Snow watches the Amazigh swim away with relief. Conflict such as that was not his forte. He watches the guard threaten the two Amazighs with a little pride, mixed with a little guilt. Would he have done that without the spell on him? Has Snow just put a mark on that guards head. He is obviously terrified of whatever these Amazighs are.
The pain in his shoulder brings him out of his reverie, but no time to deal with that just now. He takes out his cantrip battery and attaches it to the aft of the boat, speaks a few words and makes a pushing motion with the palm of one hand towards it. A light breeze emanates from his palm and is instantly consumed by the battery like a tiny tornado touching down.
As the sloop faces upriver, a far stronger gust fills the sail, propelling the craft forwards.
Snow turns to the guard, looking exhausted but trying to stay alert. “Keep that crossbow visible, we likely haven’t seen the end of those two. You will need backup at the docks as well I think”, he says. Then he smiles at the guard, “Thank you for your assistance, I could not do this without you, and those two had murderous intent. What is your name sir? And what is an Amazigh anyway!?”
“I am Zigza,” the guard, wearing Benepota house livery, replies, “Fitri Zigza. Two words of advice fer you, traveler. Amazigh and Jlasi. Know those names. If you travel to the Vale, then for love of Ritha Demsha, do not forget them. If you cross either one,” his voice lowers to a whisper, his face close to yours, his eyes wide, “you and your family will be marked for death. They control the poppy fields, which means they control the gold, and the power. Some say even the emperor is their subject.”
As you sail upstream, you pass a few fishermen in dinghies who look up, scratching their heads as your sail fills at entirely the wrong angle to the wind.
Zigza will speak no more of the Amazigh or Jlasi families, but pulls back, and clearly pretending his whispered warning had never been uttered, asks “…why a traveler of means —such as you seem to be —does not simply pay the dock manager?”
When you approach your landing and your slip, the bent-over chimp woman is still there, frowning deeply and glaring, the hand at the end of one hamhock forearm supporting her weight against a wooden pile.
Beside her, arriving at a run as you approach, is a teenaged human, wiry and bright-eyed, wearing a light frock marked with the Salakta guild arms, his dark frizzy hair arcing out to either side. He speaks immediately, his voice breaking high and low unpredictably.
“Message from the guildhall to the owner of the Animu Borongo. Passage booked for three, to depart as soon as possible. They will arrive shortly.” He then bolts off, back toward the city gate, as your friends from the tavern approach to offer help.
The dock manager picks up where she had left off before, growling at Zigza, the guard, to take you in.
Looking downriver, you see the two Amazigh thugs coming around the bend, perhaps a quarter mile away, trying to shake the pain out of their heads, but also keeping eyes on you from a distance.
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Snow frowns as Zigza whispers the warning, perhaps he had been foolhardy, naive at best. But action had been needed, if the sloop had passed the bridge it would have been gone for good. Hopefully those two were just thugs acting alone and not sent by someone important.
“I apologise for getting you involved in this”, he says sincerely to Zigza. “And I fully intend to pay my dock fees, but have had a bit of an issue with coin, in that the men I hired to help me stole it all, and gambled it away at the casino before turning up face down in the river themselves”, he continues with a sigh.
“It seems they also wagered some things that were not theirs to wager”, he adds motioning towards the Animu Borongo. “Hence the predicament we find ourselves in. All that could have been discussed of course, but those thugs chose instead to simply steal her, which could not be allowed“.
His attention draws away from their conversation as they reach the slip, and things get hectic.
He listens to the runner deliver the message before turning to the dock manager. “Hold on”, he says to the old chimp lady with his hands up, “I didn’t sail off without paying, and have retrieved my sloop and come back to settle up”. He motions to the runner as he runs off, “And it seems your coin will be here shortly, please have patience”.
He looks to his friends from the neighbouring barge. “Hello again my friends. Are you still ok to help take down my mast in preparation for the canals?”, he asks them, waving them on board.
“And who do I speak to to arrange towing my boat to the north of the city?”, he asks the crowd in general, “Preferably without leaving her unattended!”, he says as he spots the thugs down river watching them, and points them out to Zigza.
The bargemen are happy to help with your mast — they won’t be leaving until the morning and have finished their duties for today. They enlist the aid of one of their number to run up the canal to engage a towman.
Zigza remains near and keeps watch on the Amazighs, who in a few minutes leave the riverbank and are no longer in view. “I’ll just stay here until yer off,” he says. “I appreciate what yer sayin. There’s no telling what they’ll do, but I’m wearin the Benepota arms. That should protect me. As fer you, I’d keep my eyes peeled.”
The dock manager, too, remains where she is, and soon, two burly chimps, with her same muscular forearms and beige fur, but in the prime of good health, armed with short bows and short swords, arrive and stand akimbo to either side of her, big teeth smiling hugely at you with more than a hint of malice in their eyes.
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
While Snow Das completes his preparations, and 5 bells ring from the city, signaling that less than two hours remain before sunset and the curfew, Auger Fetherlac and Varielky Halladdottir reach the landing pier, and are now perhaps 80’ from Snow, having come from the direction of the city gates.
(OOC: All: please post in any order, describing yourself fully, as I imagine you will be sizing up each other carefully and noting all relevant details.)
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Auger is a thin human of average height in his middle 30s, a widow's peak is probably the most striking feature about him, except perhaps for his skin color, which is among the deepest of the purples that you have seen. Still he blends. That is, until you see him turn to his companion and say something, and even from a distance you get some sense of a winning smile.
"That must be our boat," Auger quietly says to Varielky. "Let's hold back on boarding so that we can perhaps cover Granophyre's boarding the boat. We can explain to the boat's master after we have gotten moving." Auger smiles while speaking to try and cover some of the anxiety he feels.
As Auger comes closer to the dock, more of his features come into focus. He wears some clothing in the local style, but he is clearly not from here. Somewhere southern perhaps. He keeps a traveler's cloak tightly held around what might be a very fine coat, though its hard to get a good look at it. He carries a short staff or rod of some sort with a free hand. He is wearing a traveler's pack. A scarf of sorts hangs at his neck, clearly to keep the sand off his face. And it must have been serving its purpose recently as Auger is covered in dust and sand.
Walking towards the ship Auger appears focused on it, watching the mast coming down and the 3 chimps still standing on the dock. At times Auger raises his head to the side as if some of his attention is elsewhere, but his eyes never leave the boat as they approach.
Raising his head to the side, Auger sends to Py, Bring Granophyre down to us. I will not get on the boat until I feel him tap on my shoulder. Then I will try to be attention seeking as he gets on.
"Ho there,"Auger calls out. "We have booked passage on the---," Auger has to reach into his memory, "--the Animu Borongo." Looking around at the various persons on the dock, Auger asks, "Who among you is the captain?"
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow hears Auger call out and stands up on the deck of the Animu Borongo. He is just under 6 feet tall, his build concealed by a loose fitting long sleeved white shirt and plain trousers. He wears scarves over his head and neck in the Kalahati-ur style, but he clearly isn’t a native. The scarves are a bit disheveled, with his distinctive white hair plainly visible underneath.
“That would be me, Snow Das, Captain of the Animu Borongo at your service”, he calls over in a lilting almost musical voice. As he disembarks the sloop a rapier can be seen hanging at one hip, and a hand crossbow at the other. There is also something strapped to his back, a small lute or violin.
“That’ll be me off soon”, he says quietly to the Benepota guard, Zigza, as he passes by him towards Auger and Varielky. He also throws a smile and a nod in the direction of the three chimps as he walks, although the smile isn’t particularly friendly.
As he gets closer his mauve skin can be seen framing piercing hazel eyes, his features a little bit elven. He reaches out his hand to Auger, wincing as he raises his arm. His other hand instinctively moves to his shoulder where a tear can be seen in his shirt, a little bit of leather plainly visible underneath.
“Good to meet you both, although I was told to expect three passengers”, he says throwing a glance behind them, as much to check for trouble as looking for the third passenger. “Are you expecting your companion soon? I am afraid any delay would jeopardise the trip, what with the curfew after sundown”
Varielky nods. "I'll wait for your mark... or his."
Varielky is a Human woman in her mid-twenties. From a distance, one can't see too many details, but the first thing that one is likely to notice is her height, or perhaps, the lack of it. At merely 158 cm tall (~5' 2" I believe), she would not be much taller than a slightly above-average Dwarf. From a closer point of view, one can notice several more details. Her light-brown hair, long enough that even while braided into one thick braid that goes under the hair it reaches below the centre of her back. Her eyes are blue, and currently, don't appear to be looking at anything in particular. Her skin, in contrast to the man next to her, is a very pale shade of purple, but more notably, featured quite a few scars all over her arms, legs and body, as well as several superficial cuts and bruises that seem rather fresh. Not older than a day, at most. Her face, however, is devoid of any scars. Though she is fit, she does not carry an excess mass of muscles on her body. Despite that, those around her might get the feeling she is physically stronger than she looks. She wears simple clothes, covered by breastplate armour. The armour has some marks on it, and not only those acquired throughout many battles. Those marks may have been something else in the past, but if they were, they no longer resemble what they used to be. A leather sling strapped to a round, wooden shield covered with runes that rests on her back allows for quick and easy access. Strapped to a belt, on Varielky's left side is a sheath, holding a sword - a longsword, one could infer from the sheath's length. On the same belt, on Varielky's right side, are two frogs (the kind made of leather that holds weapons, not the animal). One is holding a handaxe, but the other is empty.
The woman stands upright, but her expression is glum. She seems to be lost in thought and doesn't pay much attention to her surroundings at the moment.
(Ah, didn't mean you all have to wait for me, just that I did not ignore Volcano on purpose.)
As the man approaches, Varielky focuses, sizing him up for a moment, studying everything about him quickly but thoroughly. "He'll ah... be here shortly, I believe." Varielky glances quistioningly at Auger. "But, perhaps we can go on the boat and get prepared? If he takes too long, we'll have no option but to leave him behind." Varielky glances to Auger. Perhaps they could depart even without the ship's captain knowing that Granophyre is on? Explaining will be left for later.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: @Firecat - Waiting is cool, no need to rush things)
"Yes, our companion had better join us soon or we will have to leave him behind. How soon till you will be ready to head out?"Auger examines the boat, trying to see a place where Strewn could hide, perhaps in a cabin or a lower hold.
Py, if you and Granophyre can just get on the boat then go ahead and do that and let me know when you are on.
Auger continues examining the boat as he speaks, "Captain Das. At the Guildhall they cited a price of 100gp for passage to the Vale,"Auger turns to Snow and smiles, "If you have a moment I would love to speak to you about that price, which does seem high to me."Auger attempts to negotiate the price and continues that process until he hears that Granophyre has boarded the boat.
Snow shouts back at the Amazigh, just as he picks up the crossbow, “You’re no match for the guard, attack us and you’ll be in irons before that bolt flies ridiculously wide of the mark!”.
Reaction: Cutting Words - 2
Also at 3rd level, you learn how to use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others. When a creature that you can see within 60 feet of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a damage roll, you can use your reaction to expend one of your uses of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and subtracting the number rolled from the creature’s roll. You can choose to use this feature after the creature makes its roll, but before the DM determines whether the attack roll or ability check succeeds or fails, or before the creature deals its damage. The creature is immune if it can’t hear you or if it’s immune to being charmed.
Concentration Check (if needed) - 10
(OOC: Will post round 2 after finding out the result of my reaction.)
(OOC: The bolt still hits - a very high roll).
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Snow curses as the bolt slices through the flesh of his shoulder. Grimacing in pain, he just manages to maintain his focus on the guard.
“Right”, he says under his breath, and concentrates on the Mage Hand. It then invisibly moves up the boat towards the unmanned tiller and pushes it as far to the starboard side as possible, causing the boat to turn sharply to port, towards the centre of the river. At the same time he narrows his eyes, moves 15 feet across the bridge and focusses his will at the Amazigh in the boat, causing a wave of telekinetic energy to strike him, trying to push him off the boat as it turns in the opposite direction.
Telekinetic Shove: DC 16 Strength Save
As a bonus action, you can try to telekinetically shove one creature you can see within 30 feet of you. When you do so, the target must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + the ability modifier of the score increased by this feat) or be moved 5 feet toward or away from you. A creature can willingly fail this save.
He crouches down a little trying to get some cover from the Amazigh’s crossbow, and turns to the guard. “They are attacking us!”, he says in a shocked voice.
Summary:
Action - Move the Mage Hand and use it
Move - 15 feet west across the bridge
Bonus Action - Telekinetic Shove (along with the sudden movement of the sloop in the opposite direction)
Move - Get a little cover; crouch or step back
Reaction:
If Snow is attacked, or if one of the Amazighs has to oppose a grapple.
Cutting Words - 6
The guard responds, “Yea, but you’re just makin em mad! I’d take it easy if I was you. They’re Amazighs!” That said, he tucks his stanchion into his belt, then leaps off of the bridge, using his net to ensnare the top of the Amidu Borongo’s mast and stop his fall. He then slides down the mast to the deck as the sloop sails just under the bridge. The boat tips to starboard as a result of this stunt and Snow’s mage hand steering, and that finishes the job Snow’s telekinesis began: the older Amazigh relation, though muscular and sturdy, tips overboard, arms flailing; his crossbow drops to the deck.
The boat, turning hard to port, passes under the bridge as Snow ducks behind the low wall for cover. He sees the other Amazigh thug swim for the far shore and wade through the shallows, then focus on the bard. The thug draws a dagger from his belt.
Snow now hears swimming coming from beneath the bridge, and the guard and man #2 exchange words, —in warning and in anger, respectively—then the boat clears the south side of the bridge, by which time #2 has caught up with the vessel and is on the verge of pulling himself back aboard.
You are now situated like so.
The Amigu Borongo will drift downstream 5’, and move forward 15’ next round.
Please post Round 3 actions.
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Snow sees the guard jump down onto the Animu Borongo, and knows he has to get aboard as well. He also knows whatever method of doing this was going to be risky, but as he turns to the south he sees the sloop with the net the guard used still dangling from the top of the mast. He looks from the thug on the shore back to the sloop, thinking it was now or never.
He moves across the bridge and leaps for the net, hoping to grab it and then drop safely down to the deck.
Acrobatics: 6
(OOC: Need to know the result of this before I can continue the turn please)
Snow leaps for the net, but it, weakened by the guard’s prior maneuver, tears, almost from the moment Snow grabs hold of it. It only barely slows his descent. The guard spots Snow leaping, and, taking his focus off of the Amazigh thug, moves to catch Snow. But, due to the jagged shifting of the boat as a result of both maneuvers, the guard is only partly successful. He softens Snow’s fall to be sure, but himself loses his footing and crumples under your weight. Both of you are now on the boat, but prone, in the same position G is marked on the map. You both also take 3 falling damage.
Snow’s movement is used, but he can still act from his prone position atop the guard. (The guard’s action was to catch you.)
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Concentration: 16
“Thanks, that could have been nasty”, Snow says as he looks around to see if the Amazigh was in sight, but doesn’t spot him just yet. “If you want me to stop antagonising them, I can certainly do that if you think you got this”, he adds.
He then moves his Mage Hand over to the tiller and keeps the sloop on course to turn around.
Reaction:
Snow will use cutting words if the Amazigh gets on the boat and attacks him, or needs to make an ability check to climb on board.
Cutting Words: 6
Amazigh thug 2 has already succeeded in pulling himself up. He flips over the gunwale and throws off his sopping scarf to reveal a bald, tattooed head, long salt-and-pepper beard and mustache, and a gaping maw with many gold teeth. He draws a scimitar from his belt, and flies into a barbaric rage, bellowing at Snow. The bard's cutting words inflame him, and the thug sees red, and as a result, slashes wildly, cutting only air.
You are now situated like so.
Please post Round 4 actions (and what you said with your cutting words).
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Snow sees the Amazigh fly into a rage, and abandons his plan to stop antagonising them. “Crikey fella, best you take another dip as you smell ripe!”, he shouts at the thug as they lift their scimitar ready to strike. He happily watches the blade slice wide as a result of his taunt.
He focusses his will on the thug, causing a wave of telekinetic energy to strike him, then purses his lips and starts to ever so quietly whistle that same haunting melody, summoning once more the magical energy and strengthening it with the bond of the violin he still clasped. He projects the sound to the Amazigh causing him to hear those same Dissonant Whispers as his compatriot.
He gets up, releasing the guard from beneath him, and if he is able moves to the tiller to take control of the sloop.
"Not sure they are going to listen now, time you do something to put a stop to this", he says to the guard.
Bonus Action: Telekinetic Shove - DC 16 Strength Save or be pushed 5 feet away
Action: Dissonant Whispers DC - 18 Wis Save, 9 psychic damage on a failed save and use reaction to run/swim away, half damage on a success and doesn't run/swim away
Move: To tiller if path clear
Reaction:
Will use Cutting Words if an Amazigh within 60 feet that he can see attacks him - 8
Snow’s insight tells him that the guard is plainly terrified, though he tries not to show it, not of these men, but of the Amazigh family. He takes Snow’s urgings with a grimace, nodding while evading eye contact.
The Amazigh thug spins in place as a result of Snow’s telekinesis, but is not shoved back. The melody, however, rings true, and blood leaks from the thug’s ears as he screams in agony, drops his scimitar and squeezes his head between his hands. He falls overboard and swims energetically away to the west bank . Snow regains the tiller and steers the Animu Borongo upriver and back under the bridge.
The guard picks up the Amazigh’s dropped crossbow, and yells to both of the thugs, “Keep your distance! If you have a claim on this vessel, you must submit a writ to the Benepota Viceroy!,” and readies a bolt to fire.
The men meet up on the west riverbank, and glare daggers, walking slowly and threateningly a short distance behind.
(We are no longer in initiative.)
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Snow watches the Amazigh swim away with relief. Conflict such as that was not his forte. He watches the guard threaten the two Amazighs with a little pride, mixed with a little guilt. Would he have done that without the spell on him? Has Snow just put a mark on that guards head. He is obviously terrified of whatever these Amazighs are.
The pain in his shoulder brings him out of his reverie, but no time to deal with that just now. He takes out his cantrip battery and attaches it to the aft of the boat, speaks a few words and makes a pushing motion with the palm of one hand towards it. A light breeze emanates from his palm and is instantly consumed by the battery like a tiny tornado touching down.
As the sloop faces upriver, a far stronger gust fills the sail, propelling the craft forwards.
Snow turns to the guard, looking exhausted but trying to stay alert. “Keep that crossbow visible, we likely haven’t seen the end of those two. You will need backup at the docks as well I think”, he says. Then he smiles at the guard, “Thank you for your assistance, I could not do this without you, and those two had murderous intent. What is your name sir? And what is an Amazigh anyway!?”
“I am Zigza,” the guard, wearing Benepota house livery, replies, “Fitri Zigza. Two words of advice fer you, traveler. Amazigh and Jlasi. Know those names. If you travel to the Vale, then for love of Ritha Demsha, do not forget them. If you cross either one,” his voice lowers to a whisper, his face close to yours, his eyes wide, “you and your family will be marked for death. They control the poppy fields, which means they control the gold, and the power. Some say even the emperor is their subject.”
As you sail upstream, you pass a few fishermen in dinghies who look up, scratching their heads as your sail fills at entirely the wrong angle to the wind.
Zigza will speak no more of the Amazigh or Jlasi families, but pulls back, and clearly pretending his whispered warning had never been uttered, asks “…why a traveler of means —such as you seem to be —does not simply pay the dock manager?”
When you approach your landing and your slip, the bent-over chimp woman is still there, frowning deeply and glaring, the hand at the end of one hamhock forearm supporting her weight against a wooden pile.
Beside her, arriving at a run as you approach, is a teenaged human, wiry and bright-eyed, wearing a light frock marked with the Salakta guild arms, his dark frizzy hair arcing out to either side. He speaks immediately, his voice breaking high and low unpredictably.
“Message from the guildhall to the owner of the Animu Borongo. Passage booked for three, to depart as soon as possible. They will arrive shortly.” He then bolts off, back toward the city gate, as your friends from the tavern approach to offer help.
The dock manager picks up where she had left off before, growling at Zigza, the guard, to take you in.
Looking downriver, you see the two Amazigh thugs coming around the bend, perhaps a quarter mile away, trying to shake the pain out of their heads, but also keeping eyes on you from a distance.
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Snow frowns as Zigza whispers the warning, perhaps he had been foolhardy, naive at best. But action had been needed, if the sloop had passed the bridge it would have been gone for good. Hopefully those two were just thugs acting alone and not sent by someone important.
“I apologise for getting you involved in this”, he says sincerely to Zigza. “And I fully intend to pay my dock fees, but have had a bit of an issue with coin, in that the men I hired to help me stole it all, and gambled it away at the casino before turning up face down in the river themselves”, he continues with a sigh.
“It seems they also wagered some things that were not theirs to wager”, he adds motioning towards the Animu Borongo. “Hence the predicament we find ourselves in. All that could have been discussed of course, but those thugs chose instead to simply steal her, which could not be allowed“.
His attention draws away from their conversation as they reach the slip, and things get hectic.
He listens to the runner deliver the message before turning to the dock manager. “Hold on”, he says to the old chimp lady with his hands up, “I didn’t sail off without paying, and have retrieved my sloop and come back to settle up”. He motions to the runner as he runs off, “And it seems your coin will be here shortly, please have patience”.
He looks to his friends from the neighbouring barge. “Hello again my friends. Are you still ok to help take down my mast in preparation for the canals?”, he asks them, waving them on board.
“And who do I speak to to arrange towing my boat to the north of the city?”, he asks the crowd in general, “Preferably without leaving her unattended!”, he says as he spots the thugs down river watching them, and points them out to Zigza.
The bargemen are happy to help with your mast — they won’t be leaving until the morning and have finished their duties for today. They enlist the aid of one of their number to run up the canal to engage a towman.
Zigza remains near and keeps watch on the Amazighs, who in a few minutes leave the riverbank and are no longer in view. “I’ll just stay here until yer off,” he says. “I appreciate what yer sayin. There’s no telling what they’ll do, but I’m wearin the Benepota arms. That should protect me. As fer you, I’d keep my eyes peeled.”
The dock manager, too, remains where she is, and soon, two burly chimps, with her same muscular forearms and beige fur, but in the prime of good health, armed with short bows and short swords, arrive and stand akimbo to either side of her, big teeth smiling hugely at you with more than a hint of malice in their eyes.
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Chapter 2 - Departure
While Snow Das completes his preparations, and 5 bells ring from the city, signaling that less than two hours remain before sunset and the curfew, Auger Fetherlac and Varielky Halladdottir reach the landing pier, and are now perhaps 80’ from Snow, having come from the direction of the city gates.
(OOC: All: please post in any order, describing yourself fully, as I imagine you will be sizing up each other carefully and noting all relevant details.)
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Auger is a thin human of average height in his middle 30s, a widow's peak is probably the most striking feature about him, except perhaps for his skin color, which is among the deepest of the purples that you have seen. Still he blends. That is, until you see him turn to his companion and say something, and even from a distance you get some sense of a winning smile.
"That must be our boat," Auger quietly says to Varielky. "Let's hold back on boarding so that we can perhaps cover Granophyre's boarding the boat. We can explain to the boat's master after we have gotten moving." Auger smiles while speaking to try and cover some of the anxiety he feels.
As Auger comes closer to the dock, more of his features come into focus. He wears some clothing in the local style, but he is clearly not from here. Somewhere southern perhaps. He keeps a traveler's cloak tightly held around what might be a very fine coat, though its hard to get a good look at it. He carries a short staff or rod of some sort with a free hand. He is wearing a traveler's pack. A scarf of sorts hangs at his neck, clearly to keep the sand off his face. And it must have been serving its purpose recently as Auger is covered in dust and sand.
Walking towards the ship Auger appears focused on it, watching the mast coming down and the 3 chimps still standing on the dock. At times Auger raises his head to the side as if some of his attention is elsewhere, but his eyes never leave the boat as they approach.
Raising his head to the side, Auger sends to Py, Bring Granophyre down to us. I will not get on the boat until I feel him tap on my shoulder. Then I will try to be attention seeking as he gets on.
"Ho there," Auger calls out. "We have booked passage on the---," Auger has to reach into his memory, "--the Animu Borongo." Looking around at the various persons on the dock, Auger asks, "Who among you is the captain?"
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow hears Auger call out and stands up on the deck of the Animu Borongo. He is just under 6 feet tall, his build concealed by a loose fitting long sleeved white shirt and plain trousers. He wears scarves over his head and neck in the Kalahati-ur style, but he clearly isn’t a native. The scarves are a bit disheveled, with his distinctive white hair plainly visible underneath.
“That would be me, Snow Das, Captain of the Animu Borongo at your service”, he calls over in a lilting almost musical voice. As he disembarks the sloop a rapier can be seen hanging at one hip, and a hand crossbow at the other. There is also something strapped to his back, a small lute or violin.
“That’ll be me off soon”, he says quietly to the Benepota guard, Zigza, as he passes by him towards Auger and Varielky. He also throws a smile and a nod in the direction of the three chimps as he walks, although the smile isn’t particularly friendly.
As he gets closer his mauve skin can be seen framing piercing hazel eyes, his features a little bit elven. He reaches out his hand to Auger, wincing as he raises his arm. His other hand instinctively moves to his shoulder where a tear can be seen in his shirt, a little bit of leather plainly visible underneath.
“Good to meet you both, although I was told to expect three passengers”, he says throwing a glance behind them, as much to check for trouble as looking for the third passenger. “Are you expecting your companion soon? I am afraid any delay would jeopardise the trip, what with the curfew after sundown”
Varielky nods. "I'll wait for your mark... or his."
Varielky is a Human woman in her mid-twenties. From a distance, one can't see too many details, but the first thing that one is likely to notice is her height, or perhaps, the lack of it. At merely 158 cm tall (~5' 2" I believe), she would not be much taller than a slightly above-average Dwarf. From a closer point of view, one can notice several more details. Her light-brown hair, long enough that even while braided into one thick braid that goes under the hair it reaches below the centre of her back. Her eyes are blue, and currently, don't appear to be looking at anything in particular. Her skin, in contrast to the man next to her, is a very pale shade of purple, but more notably, featured quite a few scars all over her arms, legs and body, as well as several superficial cuts and bruises that seem rather fresh. Not older than a day, at most. Her face, however, is devoid of any scars. Though she is fit, she does not carry an excess mass of muscles on her body. Despite that, those around her might get the feeling she is physically stronger than she looks.
She wears simple clothes, covered by breastplate armour. The armour has some marks on it, and not only those acquired throughout many battles. Those marks may have been something else in the past, but if they were, they no longer resemble what they used to be. A leather sling strapped to a round, wooden shield covered with runes that rests on her back allows for quick and easy access. Strapped to a belt, on Varielky's left side is a sheath, holding a sword - a longsword, one could infer from the sheath's length. On the same belt, on Varielky's right side, are two frogs (the kind made of leather that holds weapons, not the animal). One is holding a handaxe, but the other is empty.
The woman stands upright, but her expression is glum. She seems to be lost in thought and doesn't pay much attention to her surroundings at the moment.
Varielky | Emma
(Ah, didn't mean you all have to wait for me, just that I did not ignore Volcano on purpose.)
As the man approaches, Varielky focuses, sizing him up for a moment, studying everything about him quickly but thoroughly. "He'll ah... be here shortly, I believe." Varielky glances quistioningly at Auger. "But, perhaps we can go on the boat and get prepared? If he takes too long, we'll have no option but to leave him behind." Varielky glances to Auger. Perhaps they could depart even without the ship's captain knowing that Granophyre is on? Explaining will be left for later.
Varielky | Emma
(OOC: @Firecat - Waiting is cool, no need to rush things)
"Yes, our companion had better join us soon or we will have to leave him behind. How soon till you will be ready to head out?" Auger examines the boat, trying to see a place where Strewn could hide, perhaps in a cabin or a lower hold.
Py, if you and Granophyre can just get on the boat then go ahead and do that and let me know when you are on.
Auger continues examining the boat as he speaks, "Captain Das. At the Guildhall they cited a price of 100gp for passage to the Vale," Auger turns to Snow and smiles, "If you have a moment I would love to speak to you about that price, which does seem high to me." Auger attempts to negotiate the price and continues that process until he hears that Granophyre has boarded the boat.
(Persuasion, if needed: 28. Deception, if needed: 6.)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory