"Correct on all parts Olem," Mal responds to Khessa and Olem, "The hull right at the water line, put a decent hole there and then the ship will become sluggish and fill with water, hard to repair because of the pressure of the water flowing in the hole. The mast and sails are also perfect targets as it affects the ability of the ship to move, not to mention if you set them on fire, it will start raining fire onto the decks causing even more issues. Then you can take out a ships rudder so a boat cant steer and you can literally "sail" circles around them and stay out of the angle of attack of their guns. The worst fights are when magic gets involved, hard to man the guns and any type of defense if you send a rogue wave across the deck or an errant gust of wind blowing the crew overboard. Another great tactic if you have greater magic on your side is summon a creature on their deck," Mal chuckles as a memory comes to her, "nothing like seeing the crew jump overboard themselves to get away from an owl bear that pops up behind them on deck."
"That would certainly seem the case... but it would be rather difficult for pirates to plunder us if they send our ship to the bottom of the ocean," Akkron says with a good-natured chuckle.
He then addresses the captain in a more serious tone.
"Captain... have you and your men been fully briefed on who we all are? I ask because I wouldn't want anyone to he caught off-guard if they see my true appearance."
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"I was about to make the same observation as Master Akkron..." smiles Khessa, continuing the disquisition about ships "Since the captain feared a pirate attack, sinking us probably wouldn't be in their best interest - they would lose the loot. But I will try to remember the part about mast and sails... Both to defend those on our ship and to know what to attack in an eventual pirate ship".
"The possibility of them attacking us with magic worries me less..." the blonde arcane warrior muses aloud "They shouldn't have powerful spellcasters - I should probably be able to counterspell their attacks, protecting our ship from damage - and our most powerful spellcasters, at that point, would be free to reduce the enemy pirate ship to smoking wrecks".
"Correct, most pirates are in it for the loot, unless of course they were paid handsomely to just sink and or kill us." Mal states, "I would assume whatever evil we are sailing to a new land to stop, would not care about capturing us, just having us stopped from arriving by whatever means necessary. At least that is how I would send my minions out to accomplish."
"Ah, that is a valid point,"Akkron concedes."I would likely survive a sinking, but the rest of you need air. I suppose I could conjure a pocket dimension with a wish to shelter you all and the crew, but that would just be embarrassing if we were bested by common pirates."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
As the ship sailed through the vast expanse of the Trackless Sea, Amanises found herself drawn to the railing, gazing out at the endless horizon where the sea met the sky. Her dark hair billowed in the sea breeze, it felt refreshing. The gentle rhythm of the waves, the taste of salt in the air, and the distant cries of seagulls all stirred a feeling of wanderlust within her.
Amanises abruptly and directly stated, "I can walk on water." She allowed the statement to linger in the air for a moment before laughing softly. "So, should we ever find ourselves on a sinking ship or in need of crossing water, you can simply sit on my shoulders, or even my head, and I'll transport you wherever you need to go."
“You can walk on water… whenever you want?” Khessa gasps in surprise "How beautiful it must be... And it's a gift that you can even suppress," she can't help but point out "because when we took a bath you immersed yourself in the hot water, you didn't walk on it..."
"Since I can't do that, I'm trying to learn a spell to be able to breathe underwater" reveals the blonde arcane warrior. "I'm not sure I understand all the steps, but sooner or later I'll be able to master it... and as soon as I do, I'm really curious to find out how life is organized at the bottom of this ocean... As big as it is. .. there could be entire cities and cultures of intelligent underwater species down there! Who knows how many things they could know, reveal to us..."
Amanises chuckled a bit more before responding to her friend, "Khessa, my lovely dear, it's magic. Just like clothing, I don't wear them to a hot bath with friends. That would rather defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?"
"Of course, silly me!" Khessa laughs heartily, together with her radiant friend "Is it a magical ability you have had since you were born? Or is it something that can be learned?"
Perhaps without even realizing it, the knowledge-hungry blonde arcane warrior has already pulled out her own ponderous tome with the spider-web-like decorated cover and is taking notes with a quill: "For you, water becomes solid like ground, when you use this ability? I mean... Is it so solid that you can even jump, while you are on it? And if you happen to fall while the ability is active... do you get hurt, like if you fall to the ground?"
(OOC: @TerranImperium: I'm just role-playing Khessa's perennial curiosity... You can even make up the answers, if you don't know them - you don't need to do research to get them right - most likely they're answers that won't matter for the rest of the campaign)
Amanises smiled at Khessa's curiosity. "Hm? It's not an innate ability," she clarified after a moment of confusion. "I can do so with a magic ring. It's called a Ring of Water Walking. When I wear it, I can walk on water as easily as if it were solid ground. And yes, the water becomes as solid as the ground beneath our feet. I can even jump while on it, just like I would on land."
She paused for a moment, considering Khessa's next question. "As for falling, well, the ring keeps me walking on water, but if I were to somehow lose it or take it off while I'm on the water, I would fall right through, just as if I were falling from a height onto solid ground. So, I have to be careful with it."
(OOC: There seems to have been a bit of a misunderstanding both IC and OOC!)
"Ah, a magical object..." Khessa looks closer and takes a few more notes on the appearance and salient capabilities of the item "Ring of Water Walking... Yes, I had heard of such items, but I had actually never seen one... nor looked for one, to be honest, since I have been at sea so rarely! Anyway, good! And good to know, that you have it - though of course we will all do our best to see that our ship is not sunk".
Khessa, meeting Brother Mainhard in the morning, replies to him, with a warm smile: "Yes, thank you! Refreshed and ready for everything! And you Mainhard? Have you managed to rest? I imagine that this bad story worries you a lot... you have a much clearer perception than ours of this threat... and who knows, maybe even friends or relatives who could be put in danger by Eosia's recent problems. It can't be an easy time for you."
The blonde arcane warrior, when she notices the way Sir Sparhawk handles the 'problem' of espionage, rides close to him, pats him on the shoulder and, smiling, tells him: "Well done, Sparhawk!"
Once the tall adventuress reaches the ship, upon departure, she takes advantage of the opportunity to stay on deck, breathing in the open air and the salty scent of the ocean.
Subsequently, Khessa alternates, during this day, necessary rituals and pleasant chats with her adventure companions.
Necessary rituals: 1) She forms the Weapon Bond typical of Eldritch Knights with her staff 2) Since she is traveling on water, she tries to copy the Water Breathing scroll into her spellbook.
As far as chats of pleasure are concerned, the blonde arcane warrior inquires (with any of her adventure companions who are there and in mood to chat): "Have you already sailed the ocean? I didn't... Not even of sea I have vast experience... been at sea only few times, to tell the truth... Ocean is really new for me. It's really big, huh? What a feeling, looking at it... Immensity and freedom..."
Brother Maynard nods, "I rest as best as I can, but I have great concerns on how much has transpired since my journey here. While I look forward to catching up on news, I also dread that more bad news may be waiting us concerning the dark movements a foot. We have had reports of some civil distress, someone or something is stirring up old rivalries or grudges are starting to bubble up. My concern is as investigators or the church knights are dispatched to see to these issues, we are beginning to be spread thin." He sighs but smiles. "Still, thank you for asking."
Sparhawk winks and gives a half grin when you praise him for dealing with the prying eyes.
"I've been to sea a few times..." Akkron says. "I used to love sailing in my younger days. So much to see at sea... um... by the way, do you perhaps need some help copying those scrolls? I noticed that you seem to be struggling a bit..."
(I assume as a master arcanist Akkron is able to take the help action when Khessa is trying to scribe her scrolls into her book)
Well... up to the DM... If Help is allowed, here's a 2nd roll - we keep the highest: 24
Else, well, as before stated, Khessa will be content with the Fly spell she already knows.
"That would certainly seem the case... but it would be rather difficult for pirates to plunder us if they send our ship to the bottom of the ocean," Akkron says with a good-natured chuckle.
He then addresses the captain in a more serious tone.
"Captain... have you and your men been fully briefed on who we all are? I ask because I wouldn't want anyone to he caught off-guard if they see my true appearance."
"I was hired by Brother Maynard and the Pandions who I have done businesswith on several occasions. I was told we were here to gather an elite group of specially selected individuals who are coming to the aide of the Archprelate, and the different rulers of Eosia. That said, I know how to keep my mouth shut and keep secrets. If you are asking if we know anything about your physical appearance, and so far everyone appears to be be normal, or you the archmage who is what they call a Lich? Then we have been told and there will be no issue with me or my crew."
"That would certainly seem the case... but it would be rather difficult for pirates to plunder us if they send our ship to the bottom of the ocean," Akkron says with a good-natured chuckle.
He then addresses the captain in a more serious tone.
"Captain... have you and your men been fully briefed on who we all are? I ask because I wouldn't want anyone to he caught off-guard if they see my true appearance."
"I was hired by Brother Maynard and the Pandions who I have done businesswith on several occasions. I was told we were here to gather an elite group of specially selected individuals who are coming to the aide of the Archprelate, and the different rulers of Eosia. That said, I know how to keep my mouth shut and keep secrets. If you are asking if we know anything about your physical appearance, and so far everyone appears to be be normal, or you the archmage who is what they call a Lich? Then we have been told and there will be no issue with me or my crew."
Akkron nods.
"Yes... that is correct. I felt it would be prudent to disguise myself from prying eyes while we made our way to the dock, and if it will make everyone more comfortable then I can retain the illusion of a living man for the duration of the journey... but I wanted to make sure that it wouldn't incite panic if the illusion were to be dispelled, or if I simply forgot to cast it when emerging from my quarters."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
... um... by the way, do you perhaps need some help copying those scrolls? I noticed that you seem to be struggling a bit..."
Well... up to the DM... If Help is allowed, here's a 2nd roll - we keep the highest: 24
Else, well, as before stated, Khessa will be content with the Fly spell she already knows.
That will work
"Oh, you're right Master Akkron! How careless..." Khessa realizes the validity of various corrections that her mentor suggests to her, in the course of copying the spell "Of course it's as you say! The Mokonlam Power Word must precedes the Juyban Gesture..." she hastens to correct the order of some runes she was writing "You know? I often panic a bit, when I have to copy from scrolls... I like to read and reread the spell that I have to learn before copying it... I need to get a very clear idea before starting the work... No probem, when I am copying from another's Spellbook, but with Spell Scrolls this is not possible - while you read the glyphs, they disappear! You either get things right the first time, or... bye-bye fascinating new spell..."
When, thanks to the more expert arcanist, the process is successfully completed, the blonde arcane warrior embraces him warmly, also giving him an affectionate kiss on the part of the bone where a cheek must have once been: "Thank you, Master Akkron! This time , I couldn't have done it, without you... Now... a new world opens up before us, do you understand? With this spell at our disposal, not only will we not risk drowning... but we could all explore the world below the waves! Later, of course - stopping an apocalypse takes precedence. But still... can you imagine? There may be... a mix of cultures and civilizations not unlike that of the surface world, down there!" her blue eyes light up with excitement at the thought "Have you ever explored the ocean floor, Master Akkron?"
The lich chuckles as Khessa gushes about the possibilities in the undersea world.
"As a matter of fact, I have been down there a few times... there are some advantages to my condition. I will say right now though that you will probably want a ring of warmth for the cold if you plan to spend any substantial time deep in the sea... it gets quite chilly. Also... there are some strange things down there to be wary of. A few hundred years ago I managed to get into a fight with what I think was some kind of lich pirate when he sunk a ship that I happened to be onboard... I think it goes without saying that he got a lot more than he bargained for when he boarded the ship expecting nothing but dead crewmen and treasure for the taking but instead found me waiting for him in a very bad mood."
(OOC: Please excuse the shameless self-promotion of my homebrew monster lol)
Arcana check to copy the Water Breathing scroll into her spellbook: 6
It did not copy successfully
Is that a houserule i missed?
I think we will be best prepared should we get attacked. But i wonder who could be this foolish. Unless they dont know who travells. But then again if they do not know we could show them and change their mind. And should we get sinked i have a few options as well, including a pocket in space. You should not strain yourself in this way Akkron. A wish is a powerfull tool that should be preserved for as long as possible.
Arcana check to copy the Water Breathing scroll into her spellbook: 6
It did not copy successfully
Is that a houserule i missed?
I think we will be best prepared should we get attacked. But i wonder who could be this foolish. Unless they dont know who travells. But then again if they do not know we could show them and change their mind. And should we get sinked i have a few options as well, including a pocket in space. You should not strain yourself in this way Akkron. A wish is a powerfull tool that should be preserved for as long as possible.
(OOC: from the spell scroll description: "A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell's level. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.")
"As you and I both know, a wish only causes serious strain when used in an unorthodox manner," Akkron says. "When used to replicate lesser spells it shouldn't do any more harm than casting any other epic spell... granted, if we face off against pirates I would prefer to use my most powerful spells to do something besides beat a hasty retreat if you have other ways to do so in an emergency."
"Correct on all parts Olem," Mal responds to Khessa and Olem, "The hull right at the water line, put a decent hole there and then the ship will become sluggish and fill with water, hard to repair because of the pressure of the water flowing in the hole. The mast and sails are also perfect targets as it affects the ability of the ship to move, not to mention if you set them on fire, it will start raining fire onto the decks causing even more issues. Then you can take out a ships rudder so a boat cant steer and you can literally "sail" circles around them and stay out of the angle of attack of their guns. The worst fights are when magic gets involved, hard to man the guns and any type of defense if you send a rogue wave across the deck or an errant gust of wind blowing the crew overboard. Another great tactic if you have greater magic on your side is summon a creature on their deck," Mal chuckles as a memory comes to her, "nothing like seeing the crew jump overboard themselves to get away from an owl bear that pops up behind them on deck."
"That would certainly seem the case... but it would be rather difficult for pirates to plunder us if they send our ship to the bottom of the ocean," Akkron says with a good-natured chuckle.
He then addresses the captain in a more serious tone.
"Captain... have you and your men been fully briefed on who we all are? I ask because I wouldn't want anyone to he caught off-guard if they see my true appearance."
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"I was about to make the same observation as Master Akkron..." smiles Khessa, continuing the disquisition about ships "Since the captain feared a pirate attack, sinking us probably wouldn't be in their best interest - they would lose the loot. But I will try to remember the part about mast and sails... Both to defend those on our ship and to know what to attack in an eventual pirate ship".
"The possibility of them attacking us with magic worries me less..." the blonde arcane warrior muses aloud "They shouldn't have powerful spellcasters - I should probably be able to counterspell their attacks, protecting our ship from damage - and our most powerful spellcasters, at that point, would be free to reduce the enemy pirate ship to smoking wrecks".
"Correct, most pirates are in it for the loot, unless of course they were paid handsomely to just sink and or kill us." Mal states, "I would assume whatever evil we are sailing to a new land to stop, would not care about capturing us, just having us stopped from arriving by whatever means necessary. At least that is how I would send my minions out to accomplish."
"Ah, that is a valid point," Akkron concedes. "I would likely survive a sinking, but the rest of you need air. I suppose I could conjure a pocket dimension with a wish to shelter you all and the crew, but that would just be embarrassing if we were bested by common pirates."
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As the ship sailed through the vast expanse of the Trackless Sea, Amanises found herself drawn to the railing, gazing out at the endless horizon where the sea met the sky. Her dark hair billowed in the sea breeze, it felt refreshing. The gentle rhythm of the waves, the taste of salt in the air, and the distant cries of seagulls all stirred a feeling of wanderlust within her.
Amanises abruptly and directly stated, "I can walk on water." She allowed the statement to linger in the air for a moment before laughing softly. "So, should we ever find ourselves on a sinking ship or in need of crossing water, you can simply sit on my shoulders, or even my head, and I'll transport you wherever you need to go."
“You can walk on water… whenever you want?” Khessa gasps in surprise "How beautiful it must be... And it's a gift that you can even suppress," she can't help but point out "because when we took a bath you immersed yourself in the hot water, you didn't walk on it..."
"Since I can't do that, I'm trying to learn a spell to be able to breathe underwater" reveals the blonde arcane warrior. "I'm not sure I understand all the steps, but sooner or later I'll be able to master it... and as soon as I do, I'm really curious to find out how life is organized at the bottom of this ocean... As big as it is. .. there could be entire cities and cultures of intelligent underwater species down there! Who knows how many things they could know, reveal to us..."
Amanises chuckled a bit more before responding to her friend, "Khessa, my lovely dear, it's magic. Just like clothing, I don't wear them to a hot bath with friends. That would rather defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?"
"Of course, silly me!" Khessa laughs heartily, together with her radiant friend "Is it a magical ability you have had since you were born? Or is it something that can be learned?"
Perhaps without even realizing it, the knowledge-hungry blonde arcane warrior has already pulled out her own ponderous tome with the spider-web-like decorated cover and is taking notes with a quill: "For you, water becomes solid like ground, when you use this ability? I mean... Is it so solid that you can even jump, while you are on it? And if you happen to fall while the ability is active... do you get hurt, like if you fall to the ground?"
(OOC: @TerranImperium: I'm just role-playing Khessa's perennial curiosity... You can even make up the answers, if you don't know them - you don't need to do research to get them right - most likely they're answers that won't matter for the rest of the campaign)
Amanises smiled at Khessa's curiosity. "Hm? It's not an innate ability," she clarified after a moment of confusion. "I can do so with a magic ring. It's called a Ring of Water Walking. When I wear it, I can walk on water as easily as if it were solid ground. And yes, the water becomes as solid as the ground beneath our feet. I can even jump while on it, just like I would on land."
She paused for a moment, considering Khessa's next question. "As for falling, well, the ring keeps me walking on water, but if I were to somehow lose it or take it off while I'm on the water, I would fall right through, just as if I were falling from a height onto solid ground. So, I have to be careful with it."
(OOC: There seems to have been a bit of a misunderstanding both IC and OOC!)
"Ah, a magical object..." Khessa looks closer and takes a few more notes on the appearance and salient capabilities of the item "Ring of Water Walking... Yes, I had heard of such items, but I had actually never seen one... nor looked for one, to be honest, since I have been at sea so rarely! Anyway, good! And good to know, that you have it - though of course we will all do our best to see that our ship is not sunk".
Brother Maynard nods, "I rest as best as I can, but I have great concerns on how much has transpired since my journey here. While I look forward to catching up on news, I also dread that more bad news may be waiting us concerning the dark movements a foot. We have had reports of some civil distress, someone or something is stirring up old rivalries or grudges are starting to bubble up. My concern is as investigators or the church knights are dispatched to see to these issues, we are beginning to be spread thin." He sighs but smiles. "Still, thank you for asking."
Sparhawk winks and gives a half grin when you praise him for dealing with the prying eyes.
It did not copy successfully
That will work
"I was hired by Brother Maynard and the Pandions who I have done business with on several occasions. I was told we were here to gather an elite group of specially selected individuals who are coming to the aide of the Archprelate, and the different rulers of Eosia. That said, I know how to keep my mouth shut and keep secrets. If you are asking if we know anything about your physical appearance, and so far everyone appears to be be normal, or you the archmage who is what they call a Lich? Then we have been told and there will be no issue with me or my crew."
Akkron nods.
"Yes... that is correct. I felt it would be prudent to disguise myself from prying eyes while we made our way to the dock, and if it will make everyone more comfortable then I can retain the illusion of a living man for the duration of the journey... but I wanted to make sure that it wouldn't incite panic if the illusion were to be dispelled, or if I simply forgot to cast it when emerging from my quarters."
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"Oh, you're right Master Akkron! How careless..." Khessa realizes the validity of various corrections that her mentor suggests to her, in the course of copying the spell "Of course it's as you say! The Mokonlam Power Word must precedes the Juyban Gesture..." she hastens to correct the order of some runes she was writing "You know? I often panic a bit, when I have to copy from scrolls... I like to read and reread the spell that I have to learn before copying it... I need to get a very clear idea before starting the work... No probem, when I am copying from another's Spellbook, but with Spell Scrolls this is not possible - while you read the glyphs, they disappear! You either get things right the first time, or... bye-bye fascinating new spell..."
When, thanks to the more expert arcanist, the process is successfully completed, the blonde arcane warrior embraces him warmly, also giving him an affectionate kiss on the part of the bone where a cheek must have once been: "Thank you, Master Akkron! This time , I couldn't have done it, without you... Now... a new world opens up before us, do you understand? With this spell at our disposal, not only will we not risk drowning... but we could all explore the world below the waves! Later, of course - stopping an apocalypse takes precedence. But still... can you imagine? There may be... a mix of cultures and civilizations not unlike that of the surface world, down there!" her blue eyes light up with excitement at the thought "Have you ever explored the ocean floor, Master Akkron?"
The lich chuckles as Khessa gushes about the possibilities in the undersea world.
"As a matter of fact, I have been down there a few times... there are some advantages to my condition. I will say right now though that you will probably want a ring of warmth for the cold if you plan to spend any substantial time deep in the sea... it gets quite chilly. Also... there are some strange things down there to be wary of. A few hundred years ago I managed to get into a fight with what I think was some kind of lich pirate when he sunk a ship that I happened to be onboard... I think it goes without saying that he got a lot more than he bargained for when he boarded the ship expecting nothing but dead crewmen and treasure for the taking but instead found me waiting for him in a very bad mood."
(OOC: Please excuse the shameless self-promotion of my homebrew monster lol)
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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Is that a houserule i missed?
I think we will be best prepared should we get attacked. But i wonder who could be this foolish. Unless they dont know who travells. But then again if they do not know we could show them and change their mind. And should we get sinked i have a few options as well, including a pocket in space. You should not strain yourself in this way Akkron. A wish is a powerfull tool that should be preserved for as long as possible.
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
(OOC: from the spell scroll description: "A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell's level. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.")
"As you and I both know, a wish only causes serious strain when used in an unorthodox manner," Akkron says. "When used to replicate lesser spells it shouldn't do any more harm than casting any other epic spell... granted, if we face off against pirates I would prefer to use my most powerful spells to do something besides beat a hasty retreat if you have other ways to do so in an emergency."
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