"They'll signal," the teen who explained every aspect of loading and firing.

OOC: What's the plan guys? Above deck? Below is set. Above deck figure out a signal. Niska will take the wheel but the party is responsible for firing or diplomacy. Just think of ALL NPCs in the background.

Nicknack calls up to the crow's nest, "Are they coming from the same direction the manticore flew away in? Do we think it brought them down on us?" He whispers in Gnomish, touching a piece of cured leather dangling from his belt, and a shimmering arcane force surrounds the little wizard. He moves next to Hrain and murmurs, "They're faster than us, Captain, and more maneuverable if I make my guess. I can help one of us board them if we choose to fight, and I can make it icy and unpleasant for them on deck if they get just a little closer. Do they think we're servants of the dragons?"

"They're bloody pirates...slavers like the one's I dealt with here," Niska says grimacing. "I am no diplomat. You," she says to Hrain, "and you," she adds looking to Nick, "can speak or fire. I will not be put in chains again," she growls steering the ship on course even if the other pirates are closing and fast.

OOC: we'll say the other ship gained 50ft, so 150ft away! Maybe discuss in PM to reach a consensus?

"Lyra has some spells that may serve us well too, it may not need to come to a fight though. There are many here who I would rather protect than involve in a boarding action of either ship" Hrain looks down to the gnome "your suggestions have merit, if sending me aboard wil stop or disrupt an attack we can try it, I would happily try my hand against any number of them if they were slavers like the previous owners of this ship."

(DM: Is the ship coming from where the manticore flew off to?)

Father Pat sorts out spare powder and shot so he can load his cannon as fast as he can. His shield is strapped to his back. He calls out to the other teens "If you need a hand sing out!" 

Quote from Phadeout101 >>

"Lyra has some spells that may serve us well too, it may not need to come to a fight though. There are many here who I would rather protect than involve in a boarding action of either ship" Hrain looks down to the gnome "your suggestions have merit, if sending me aboard wil stop or disrupt an attack we can try it, I would happily try my hand against any number of them if they were slavers like the previous owners of this ship."

"Logic suggests they are approaching for information - the closer they approach, the less meaningful their advantage in maneuverability if they seek to attack. Perhaps we draw them feigning friendship and then unload the cannons on them. CAN you feign friendship, Captain? Or should one of our less oath-restricted companions do the talking? Lyra, perhaps?"

"Ha, I am not going to jeopardise the ship over a moral quandary but I do not pretend to be the most skilled in deception.  Your idea is good, as is your grasp of tactics, but if they know this ship I do not think we will really fool them. We must be ready to fight regardless."  He turns to the sorceress Lyra, can you spin a story to get them away from us?  We could do without a pitched battle with so many innocents about."

As plans continue to be made below, Folzi takes another look at the ship as they have gotten closer to try to determine if they are preparing for hostile actions - cannons being prepared, etc.

Perception 10

OOC: Lyra is below decks with Pat the the cannon bay.

Folzi notices nothing to suggest open aggression but the ship making a b-line for yours!

OOC Oops didn't remember that!

"I'll speak to them but be ready. Just to be clear, be ready to defend the crew and protect this ship which we need in order to get away from here, in case we weren't all on the same page". 

When the ship is roughly 100ft off they fire a canon across your path! A warning shot! They are obviously unconvinced you're a sister ship!

Below all that Lyra and Pat hear is a canon blast that hits the water nearby.

OOC: Below still needs a signal to fire!

OOC: you told us no more retroactive posts, but we would have to retcon to establish a signal between the upper and lower decks... we're kinda not sure how to establish what you're looking for here

Wiping drips of salt water out of her face, Lyra gives Pat a nod and takes a look through the porthole. She then hurries to adjust angle and position of the cannon, trying to orientate it so that the opposing ship will definitely eat the shot.

Survival: 15

"I wonder what they're thinking above...let's hope they're figuring something out." She then crouches down next to the ammunition and, with an obviously stressed expression, picks up one of the cannon balls. She ponders for a moment, but then decides to be a little more carefull, as she concentrates on both her magic and the piece within her hands (trying to imbue the cannon ball with a Fire Bolt, 8?). Lyra then paces over to Pat. "Here, lets try loading this one next. We may be able to create a little more...impact this way."

OOC: how exactly are we handling the infusing with magic part? Is an attack roll fine, or is something like the change rolls with 2 d100's better, like earlier?

Quote from Aramalian >>

OOC: you told us no more retroactive posts, but we would have to retcon to establish a signal between the upper and lower decks... we're kinda not sure how to establish what you're looking for here

OOC: It's not retro active someone figure out a signal and let them know. The ship is still approaching. Communicate with ppl below! You're NOT tied to the deck?!

Lyra knows how but fails to imbue the ball.

OOC: The DC is high but possible. 

     "What are you two scheming down there?" Folzi messages down to Nicknack. "Whatever the plan is, you better do it quick. They're gaining on us pretty fast."

"Captain's going to try some diplomacy on them - get ready for fireworks!"  Nicknack whispers back to Folzi, using the Message spell's ability to allow short replies.

"Niska, do we have some kind of horn to blow around here or some other kind of signaling device? We need some way to let the gun crews know if and when to fire..."

"Go below and tell them your plan," Niska says from the wheel.

Father Pat swabs out the gun barrel, pours in the measured amount of powder and then places the shot that Lyra has just handed him carefully into the gun (Dex check - 10). He turns to Lyra and says "she's ready to fire!"

"Nick, hurry then get back here if it all goes to hell I want you here to set fire to their sails, they won't be able to chase us without them." Hrain holds position the deck, waiting for the gnome to return, as he scans the other ship as it closes.