Kayalmost falls backwards as Lorana leans into her for a kiss, Lorana's embrace keeping her from tipping off the pier. She watches Lorana run off and out of sight and remains frozen in place until Drannick's command startles her from her reverie. A broad smile affixed to her face, she practically skips up the gangplank yelling, "Vaken! Vaken?!! 've got a gift for ye, courtesy of the ladies from th'Pirate!" She takes her sandwich and tucks it into one of her many belt pouches, as she searches for her goliath friend.
Just about to head back to the galley, Vaken hears Kay calling for him and meets her topside. "What's this? From Beril and Lorana you say?" Vaken accepts the bag and opens it and grins upon seeing the contents. "Thank you for bringing me this." Hearing the call to raise anchor, Vaken's stomach is filled with butterflies. It's finally happening! He walks over to the edge of the ship and stares out at the water, excited for what life may bring.
Kay does a full spin and a half after handing the package to Vaken, "Yer welcome, a'course!"she replies. She then scales the rigging hastily, readying herself for the next orders, squinting against the sun overhead and smiling out at the water.
"Just signal me when ready First Mate." A'ro says just smiling as he just jumps over the railing running towards his team - as his voice began to shout commands it would be the first time anyone actually heard his voice carry any authority "Make full sails team, you're doing a great job all of you - anyone who happens to be able to do a little magic and can make some wind begin to carefully craft it into the pockets. Our goal is to be faster than the wind itself!" as he says that he waits for the sails to be at a safe location and the plank to be brought up. He looks back to Estrue waiting for the command to cast the spell and when received he will begin to form the motions with his hands as elemental words escape from his mouth push gusts of air into the sails.
OOC:
persuasion to motivate the sail crew and trying to motivate any other magic users with gust: 22
Just about to head back to the galley, Vaken hears Kay calling for him and meets her topside. "What's this? From Beril and Lorana you say?" Vaken accepts the bag and opens it and grins upon seeing the contents. "Thank you for bringing me this." Hearing the call to raise anchor, Vaken's stomach is filled with butterflies. It's finally happening! He walks over to the edge of the ship and stares out at the water, excited for what life may bring.
A demanding call from the aftcastle catches Vaken's attention as the towering Cook turns to leave the deck. Looking up, the goliath sees the upright figure of the First Mate who shouts down, "ALL hands on deck, Vaken. That includes ye. Yer station's the galley below, true, but in moments like these, I want all senior sailors on hand. The stew pots and bread boards can wait."
The First Mate's attention is captured by the sight of Captain Aundrey who emerges from the door below her. The Captain is carrying the small, barking, almost woolen black form of Token in one arm and the ship's brass-bound charter in the other. With a high-spirited wink at Vaken as he passes, Aundrey climbs the nearby stair to stand at the aftcastle rail to the left side of his ready First Officer and the broad-shouldered Unne, the latter of whom seems almost merged with the ship's wheel in preperation for the pending departure.
As the clearly excited Kay runs up and gives him the bag and message, the mountain born wanderer senses a pivotal moment approaching, as he was want to do sometimes in the distant brooks and gullies of his far off home before a new creature or aspect of the weather would make itself known to him. The ever perceptive and insightful goliath notices two things in that elongated moment - firstly, a small, finely cut piece of lapis lazuli sits in the bag next to his sandwhich, the tiny gemstone all but opaque despite the bright morning light, its hard to discern dark blue colouring flecked with almost invisible speckles of yellow, and secondly, a never seen before apparition far out in the wind tossed harbour - an elegant blue grey form, powerful, yet sinuous and elegant, leaping from the waters of the bay towards the harbour mouth.
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D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
and secondly, a never seen before apparition far out in the wind tossed harbour - an elegant blue grey form, powerful, yet sinuous and elegant, leaping from the waters of the bay towards the harbour mouth.
Jaw hung open, Vaken sidles up near the first mate and asks, barely above a whisper, "First Mate, what. What is that beautiful creature?"
Hearing this, Kestrell smacks his forehead and thinks "Oh yeah!" Then runs over to check out the baskets.
Reaching the baskets which appear to have been dumped unceremoniously at the portside rail and then all but forgotten amidst the franetic preperations of the Shark's impending departure, Kestrell is struck by the rich, aromatic scents of cinnamon and other sweet smelling spices, which upon opening the lidded containers makes sense. Inside, the Navigator sees almost two score baked goods, muffins, cupcakes, cookies and pastries of all kinds and varieties. Some have been iced, others are embedded with nuggets of cocoa or berries. Sitting on top of the pile is a large, blue-iced cookie in the shape of a sailing ship. However, upon closer examination, the surprised bard also notices that the ship shaped cookie and a number of other goods have been partially or mostly eaten, with large bite marks visible throughout the goods.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Kay does a full spin and a half after handing the package to Vaken, "Yer welcome, a'course!"she replies. She then scales the rigging hastily, readying herself for the next orders, squinting against the sun overhead and smiling out at the water.
Climbing back up the mainmast, Kay spots the figures of the two other sail monkeys above her. The tall tabaxi woman that the younger sailor doesn't really know is busy carrying out orders from below, but the saltry Zaretta pauses in her work long enough to call down with a sly smile, "Well, well, well. Don't you have a little extra bounce in your step, miss Kay. Positively floating, I'd say you are. And rightly so... she's a right peach that one. See that you remember those sorts of moments, my lovely young slayer, when things go bad out there."
The suddenly contemplative older, leather clad sailor looks up and out to sea with a look half full of longing, half full of dread, before climbing up towards the crows nest.
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D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
With a smirk Ferris cups his hands and yels down to the decks, "Best be getting a move on if you want to beat that ship."
No sooner has Ferris shouted out to those below, when a small, lithe form in black leathers climbs up into the crows nest to stand beside him. Leaning back casually against the rail to study the taller, grizzled lookout appraisingly, the sail monkey says in a high-pitched, almost sing-song voice, "You have the right of it, Mr...? I know a couple of the sailors aboard that ship, and they say the Foamrunner's fast, very fast. And that Rufulo's a crafty one by all accounts, with a First Mate who is a little odd, but no man, or woman's, fool. We'll have our work cut out for us beating her out of the bay... if we play fair, that is."
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
and secondly, a never seen before apparition far out in the wind tossed harbour - an elegant blue grey form, powerful, yet sinuous and elegant, leaping from the waters of the bay towards the harbour mouth.
Jaw hung open, Vaken sidles up near the first mate and asks, barely above a whisper, "First Mate, what. What is that beautiful creature?"
Stepping in front of the much taller Cook to intentionally bar passage up onto the aftcastle where the Captain, First Mate and Weapons Master stand, the calm and experienced Senior Sailor Lionel says almost apologetically, "Sorry, Vaken. The aftcastle's for officers only, unless orders say otherwise. Bosun's orders."
Fortunately, due to his own height and the First Mate standing nearby up against the aftcastle rail, First Mate Estrue must still hear his quiet inquiry, as she calls back down, "Ye really are a land lubber, aren't ye, Cook Vaken, not that I'll hold it against ye. That there is a dolphin - a real beauty of the sea and more often than not a welcome sight to any sailor who spies one. Clever beasts, and not likely to harm ye if'n ye fall overboard into their midst. Don't see too many North of Fireshear, but it's not too uncommon for them to run afore or aside ships in the waters around Rumbottom and Southwards."
Despite the distance and his inability to see the creatures in great detail, Vaken notices a few other similar forms now leaping from the waters around the first, all of them apparently heading as a group towards the mouth of the bay.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Stepping in front of the much taller Cook to intentionally bar passage up onto the aftcastle where the Captain, First Mate and Weapons Master stand, the calm and experienced Senior Sailor Lionel says almost apologetically, "Sorry, Vaken. The aftcastle's for officers only, unless orders say otherwise. Bosun's orders."
Fortunately, due to his own height and the First Mate standing nearby up against the aftcastle rail, First Mate Estrue must still hear his quiet inquiry, as she calls back down, "Ye really are a land lubber, aren't ye, Cook Vaken, not that I'll hold it against ye. That there is a dolphin - a real beauty of the sea and more often than not a welcome sight to any sailor who spies one. Clever beasts, and not likely to harm ye if'n ye fall overboard into their midst. Don't see too many North of Fireshear, but it's not too uncommon for them to run afore or aside ships in the waters around Rumbottom and Southwards."
Despite the distance and his inability to see the creatures in great detail, Vaken notices a few other similar forms now leaping from the waters around the first, all of them apparently heading as a group towards the mouth of the bay.
"Dolphin..." Vaken mutters, imagining taking the shape of these fine creatures, of swimming and leaping as they do.
Then remembering himself he looks back to the first mate with a grin, "Yes first mate, I am a land lubber. But I'm looking to remedy that as quickly as I can."
Looking to Senior Sailor Lionel, "Of course sir, my apologies. Just caught up in the moment."
Inside, the Navigator sees almost two score baked goods, muffins, cupcakes, cookies and pastries of all kinds and varieties. Some have been iced, others are embedded with nuggets of cocoa or berries. Sitting on top of the pile is a large, blue-iced cookie in the shape of a sailing ship. However, upon closer examination, the surprised bard also notices that the ship shaped cookie and a number of other goods have been partially or mostly eaten, with large bite marks visible throughout the goods.
"Son of a *****!"
OOC: Survival check, can I tell what kind of bite marks they are? 22
My tears at all these eaten pastries must be blurring my vision.
Wisdom: 9
Kestrell picks up the blue-iced ship cookie and eats it.
Kay's bright orange eyes sparkle up at Zaretta. At the older sailor's advice, she turns her head, still clinging to the ropes, to gaze for a moment toward the Prancing Pirate before she grits her teeth and sets about her work.
Ferris returns the unabashed appraisal and nods along, "I bet you know some of them. The name is Ferris and you?"
He looks over again at the Foamrunner and back to the sail monkey, "It does look like a fast ship, what did you have in mind? In my past I would have just cut one of their sail ropes to get a lead but I feel our current Captain may frown upon it."
Dekket keeps working getting the ship ready when the order to set sail finally came. He feels a little bit anxious to be on the sea again. He had to admit, he has missed it.
"Dolphin..." Vaken mutters, imagining taking the shape of these fine creatures, of swimming and leaping as they do.
Then remembering himself he looks back to the first mate with a grin, "Yes first mate, I am a land lubber. But I'm looking to remedy that as quickly as I can."
Looking to Senior Sailor Lionel, "Of course sir, my apologies. Just caught up in the moment."
The First Mate had already turned to quietly speak with Captain Aundrey, but Lionel shrugs and nods in understanding, the striped cap and shirt wearing sailor continuing to speak to Vaken as he leans out to pull in a detatched mooring line, "No apology needed, Vaken, and no need to call me sir, neither. Orders about the aftcastle just came in this morning and I'm no officer nor any higher in rank here than yourself. The way I see it, us crew all need to help each other out whenever we can and save our 'sirs' for the Captain and officers."
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D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
OOC: Survival check, can I tell what kind of bite marks they are? 3
My tears at all these eaten pastries must be blurring my vision.
Wisdom: 3
Kestrell picks up the blue-iced ship cookie and eats it.
The remainder of the partially eaten cookie tastes nice, with a crumbly biscuit base topped by a sweet vanilla flavoured icing.
[OOC] The bites appear to have been made by a large, feral and, apparently, very hungry creature. That is all that Kestrell can discern as he blinks back the tears.
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D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Ferris returns the unabashed appraisal and nods along, "I bet you know some of them. The name is Ferris and you?"
He looks over again at the Foamrunner and back to the sail monkey, "It does look like a fast ship, what did you have in mind? In my past I would have just cut one of their sail ropes to get a lead but I feel our current Captain may frown upon it."
With a wicked grin, the diminutive, leather-clad sailor responds in her high-pitched voice, "I know a lot of sailors up and down the coast, but I don't think we've met before. Zaretta's the name. It's a genuine pleasure to meet you, Ferris.
Actually, cutting a rope might help a lot, if you cut the right line, at the right time. Of course, that wouldn't be easy to do from way up here... though you strike me as the resourceful type.
I heard the First Mate and Bosun both say how much the Captain wants to win this race, so he might not be too upset about the details of his victory... especially if he never finds out!
Me, I'm going to call out to some of my former... friends on the Foamrunner and see if I can't cause a little distraction."
Zaretta gives the lookout a mock coy smile and a knowing wink, before swinging back down into the rigging below the nest. Ferris soon hears the mischevious sail monkey making good on her promise, as she begins shouting names, previous escapades and ribald suggestions across at a number of sailors on the Foamrunner.
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D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
"Delicious! Only wish I could have gotten to it first!"
Kestrell takes the baskets down to Vaken in the galley: "Hey Vaken, these came in, but some of them have been eaten. Can you tell what ate them? Besides me, I mean?" Kestrell wipes some blue frosting from his mouth.
"Anyway, after we get underway, if any of these can be salvaged, can you serve them with dinner?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ferris grins as he kneels in the nest and takes up his crossbow. Looking over the lip of the barrel Ferris looks to the Foamrunner and begins to first visually identify what would be a good place to place a bolt to weaken ropes.
"Delicious! Only wish I could have gotten to it first!"
Kestrell takes the baskets down to Vaken in the galley: "Hey Vaken, these came in, but some of them have been eaten. Can you tell what ate them? Besides me, I mean?" Kestrell wipes some blue frosting from his mouth.
"Anyway, after we get underway, if any of these can be salvaged, can you serve them with dinner?"
On his way to the fore-cabin stairway which leads to the galley below, Kestrell notices that Vaken is still up on deck along with almost all the other crew. Looking up from where the towering cook stands, the Shark's Navigator sees the almost-as-large Weapons Master at the wheel, with Captain Aundrey and First Mate Estrue standing either side of the Northman at the forecastle's railing. Along the wharf, a small squad of Wardens, including a familiar mohawk wearing half-orc and the cold-eyed, granite-skinned genasi Cove Warden, emerge from the nearby line of shops to stand watching the Shark's impending departure from afar. A couple of grizzled dockhands stand alongside the ship ready to release mooring lines, even as Lionel and the mute dragonborn Druhut stand at the portside rail awaiting the Captain's command to cast off.
The frantic activity aboard ship slows for a moment following the raising of the anchor and gangplank. Talk across the deck abates leaving only the sounds of the ship, the wind and the waves as a backdrop as Captain Aundrey looks to the First Mate and Bosun for confirmation of readiness, before the Shark's owner and master raises a hand up high and speaks in a loud commanding voice,
"My crew... My friends. The time has finally come! Today we sail the Shark out together for the first time, to help make these surrounding seas safe from the menace of degenerate pirates! We will sail to the Knuckles, find the missing trading vessel The Wildyeast and bring her, or word of her, back to Rumbottom and its Dubol. This I have sworn we will do!
Furthermore, I know that you have all seen the Foamrunner moored just over yonder. It's Captain Rufulo, in his foolish pridefullness, has challenged US and OUR fine new lady here to a race out of the harbour. On behalf of our ship and her crew, I have accepted that challenge! So let today be the day that we begin the tale of the victorious Shore Shark - the fastest and most deadly brigand hunter on the waters of the Bitter Shore!!!"
The clearly impassioned Captain Aundrey waits a moment for the loud chorus of cheers to subside, then brings his arm and raised hand down in a chopping motion, shouting,
"Helmsman - steer us towards the harbour mouth by way of Flathead Rock. CAST OFF! FULL SPEED AHEAD!"
Both the First Mate and Bosun issue similar commands as the mooring lines are disengaged and the crew leaps into action or stands ready at their stations. As the growing, gusting wind fills the sails, the no-longer constrained Shore Shark lurches forward, quickly picking up speed as she moves away from the wharf and out into the harbour.
Across the way, a shout from the Foamrunner's captain and a cheer from her crew likewise mark her getting underway... the race is on!
[OOC] The Shore Shark is finally under sail! :D
For this 'Float yer Boat' encounter, I'm breaking it into 3 legs or turns.
All PCs should post for the first leg of the race out beyond the harbour mouth, whether or not they are actively doing something to help. Since this is the first ship's outing, I'll provide some examples of actions below:
Trying to increase sail and speed (Sail Monkey action - sleight of hand DEX), pushing the rigging rats and sail monkeys for more sail/wind (Master of Sail command action - Pesuasion/Intimidation or possibly, on occassion, even a deception check CHA), suggesting a coarse alteration for a better heading (Navigator command action - Nature WIS), trying to inspire the crew generally (any officer - Persuasion/Intimidation/Deception as with most command actions CHA), keeping a lookout for any dangers (any crew member, but advantage to anyone in the crows nest doing so - Perception WIS), looking for potential issues aboard ship (any crew member, Insight WIS check if it's for crew, e.g. is everyone working to the best of their ability, are all stations manned, etc., or Perception WIS check for things relating to the Shark, e.g. are all objects on deck secured, are there no tangled or loose lines, etc.
Any PC crew member with a relevant status or ability/skill proficiency can RP a help action to give advantage to another PC's check, e.g. if Kay climbed into the crows nest with Ferris, or Ferris climbed out to help Kay with the sails, if either Kay or Ferris call down weather or wave warnings to Kestrell, if one officer backs up another's commands to the crew.
Actions can be repeated in subsequent rounds (so a second higher check might help to off-set a previous poor check), but DCs go up for each subsequent check of the same type within an encounter.
I've just provided some examples, but obviously there are almost unlimited actions that PCs can take in these situations, so feel free to be creative. Just remember to post your ability/skill check with the action post per usual and feel free to message me if you're not sure which check to use or how to go about rolling for what you want to do.
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D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
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Just about to head back to the galley, Vaken hears Kay calling for him and meets her topside. "What's this? From Beril and Lorana you say?" Vaken accepts the bag and opens it and grins upon seeing the contents. "Thank you for bringing me this." Hearing the call to raise anchor, Vaken's stomach is filled with butterflies. It's finally happening! He walks over to the edge of the ship and stares out at the water, excited for what life may bring.
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Kay does a full spin and a half after handing the package to Vaken, "Yer welcome, a'course!" she replies. She then scales the rigging hastily, readying herself for the next orders, squinting against the sun overhead and smiling out at the water.
~♡~
"Just signal me when ready First Mate." A'ro says just smiling as he just jumps over the railing running towards his team - as his voice began to shout commands it would be the first time anyone actually heard his voice carry any authority "Make full sails team, you're doing a great job all of you - anyone who happens to be able to do a little magic and can make some wind begin to carefully craft it into the pockets. Our goal is to be faster than the wind itself!" as he says that he waits for the sails to be at a safe location and the plank to be brought up. He looks back to Estrue waiting for the command to cast the spell and when received he will begin to form the motions with his hands as elemental words escape from his mouth push gusts of air into the sails.
OOC:
persuasion to motivate the sail crew and trying to motivate any other magic users with gust: 22
Holding gust until Estrue gives the okay.
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
A demanding call from the aftcastle catches Vaken's attention as the towering Cook turns to leave the deck. Looking up, the goliath sees the upright figure of the First Mate who shouts down, "ALL hands on deck, Vaken. That includes ye. Yer station's the galley below, true, but in moments like these, I want all senior sailors on hand. The stew pots and bread boards can wait."
The First Mate's attention is captured by the sight of Captain Aundrey who emerges from the door below her. The Captain is carrying the small, barking, almost woolen black form of Token in one arm and the ship's brass-bound charter in the other. With a high-spirited wink at Vaken as he passes, Aundrey climbs the nearby stair to stand at the aftcastle rail to the left side of his ready First Officer and the broad-shouldered Unne, the latter of whom seems almost merged with the ship's wheel in preperation for the pending departure.
As the clearly excited Kay runs up and gives him the bag and message, the mountain born wanderer senses a pivotal moment approaching, as he was want to do sometimes in the distant brooks and gullies of his far off home before a new creature or aspect of the weather would make itself known to him. The ever perceptive and insightful goliath notices two things in that elongated moment - firstly, a small, finely cut piece of lapis lazuli sits in the bag next to his sandwhich, the tiny gemstone all but opaque despite the bright morning light, its hard to discern dark blue colouring flecked with almost invisible speckles of yellow, and secondly, a never seen before apparition far out in the wind tossed harbour - an elegant blue grey form, powerful, yet sinuous and elegant, leaping from the waters of the bay towards the harbour mouth.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
Jaw hung open, Vaken sidles up near the first mate and asks, barely above a whisper, "First Mate, what. What is that beautiful creature?"
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Reaching the baskets which appear to have been dumped unceremoniously at the portside rail and then all but forgotten amidst the franetic preperations of the Shark's impending departure, Kestrell is struck by the rich, aromatic scents of cinnamon and other sweet smelling spices, which upon opening the lidded containers makes sense. Inside, the Navigator sees almost two score baked goods, muffins, cupcakes, cookies and pastries of all kinds and varieties. Some have been iced, others are embedded with nuggets of cocoa or berries. Sitting on top of the pile is a large, blue-iced cookie in the shape of a sailing ship. However, upon closer examination, the surprised bard also notices that the ship shaped cookie and a number of other goods have been partially or mostly eaten, with large bite marks visible throughout the goods.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
Climbing back up the mainmast, Kay spots the figures of the two other sail monkeys above her. The tall tabaxi woman that the younger sailor doesn't really know is busy carrying out orders from below, but the saltry Zaretta pauses in her work long enough to call down with a sly smile, "Well, well, well. Don't you have a little extra bounce in your step, miss Kay. Positively floating, I'd say you are. And rightly so... she's a right peach that one. See that you remember those sorts of moments, my lovely young slayer, when things go bad out there."
The suddenly contemplative older, leather clad sailor looks up and out to sea with a look half full of longing, half full of dread, before climbing up towards the crows nest.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
No sooner has Ferris shouted out to those below, when a small, lithe form in black leathers climbs up into the crows nest to stand beside him. Leaning back casually against the rail to study the taller, grizzled lookout appraisingly, the sail monkey says in a high-pitched, almost sing-song voice, "You have the right of it, Mr...? I know a couple of the sailors aboard that ship, and they say the Foamrunner's fast, very fast. And that Rufulo's a crafty one by all accounts, with a First Mate who is a little odd, but no man, or woman's, fool. We'll have our work cut out for us beating her out of the bay... if we play fair, that is."
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
Stepping in front of the much taller Cook to intentionally bar passage up onto the aftcastle where the Captain, First Mate and Weapons Master stand, the calm and experienced Senior Sailor Lionel says almost apologetically, "Sorry, Vaken. The aftcastle's for officers only, unless orders say otherwise. Bosun's orders."
Fortunately, due to his own height and the First Mate standing nearby up against the aftcastle rail, First Mate Estrue must still hear his quiet inquiry, as she calls back down, "Ye really are a land lubber, aren't ye, Cook Vaken, not that I'll hold it against ye. That there is a dolphin - a real beauty of the sea and more often than not a welcome sight to any sailor who spies one. Clever beasts, and not likely to harm ye if'n ye fall overboard into their midst. Don't see too many North of Fireshear, but it's not too uncommon for them to run afore or aside ships in the waters around Rumbottom and Southwards."
Despite the distance and his inability to see the creatures in great detail, Vaken notices a few other similar forms now leaping from the waters around the first, all of them apparently heading as a group towards the mouth of the bay.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
"Dolphin..." Vaken mutters, imagining taking the shape of these fine creatures, of swimming and leaping as they do.
Then remembering himself he looks back to the first mate with a grin, "Yes first mate, I am a land lubber. But I'm looking to remedy that as quickly as I can."
Looking to Senior Sailor Lionel, "Of course sir, my apologies. Just caught up in the moment."
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
"Son of a *****!"
OOC: Survival check, can I tell what kind of bite marks they are? 22
My tears at all these eaten pastries must be blurring my vision.
Wisdom: 9
Kestrell picks up the blue-iced ship cookie and eats it.
Kay's bright orange eyes sparkle up at Zaretta. At the older sailor's advice, she turns her head, still clinging to the ropes, to gaze for a moment toward the Prancing Pirate before she grits her teeth and sets about her work.
~♡~
Ferris returns the unabashed appraisal and nods along, "I bet you know some of them. The name is Ferris and you?"
He looks over again at the Foamrunner and back to the sail monkey, "It does look like a fast ship, what did you have in mind? In my past I would have just cut one of their sail ropes to get a lead but I feel our current Captain may frown upon it."
Dekket keeps working getting the ship ready when the order to set sail finally came. He feels a little bit anxious to be on the sea again. He had to admit, he has missed it.
PbP Character: A few ;)
The First Mate had already turned to quietly speak with Captain Aundrey, but Lionel shrugs and nods in understanding, the striped cap and shirt wearing sailor continuing to speak to Vaken as he leans out to pull in a detatched mooring line, "No apology needed, Vaken, and no need to call me sir, neither. Orders about the aftcastle just came in this morning and I'm no officer nor any higher in rank here than yourself. The way I see it, us crew all need to help each other out whenever we can and save our 'sirs' for the Captain and officers."
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
The remainder of the partially eaten cookie tastes nice, with a crumbly biscuit base topped by a sweet vanilla flavoured icing.
[OOC] The bites appear to have been made by a large, feral and, apparently, very hungry creature. That is all that Kestrell can discern as he blinks back the tears.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
With a wicked grin, the diminutive, leather-clad sailor responds in her high-pitched voice, "I know a lot of sailors up and down the coast, but I don't think we've met before. Zaretta's the name. It's a genuine pleasure to meet you, Ferris.
Actually, cutting a rope might help a lot, if you cut the right line, at the right time. Of course, that wouldn't be easy to do from way up here... though you strike me as the resourceful type.
I heard the First Mate and Bosun both say how much the Captain wants to win this race, so he might not be too upset about the details of his victory... especially if he never finds out!
Me, I'm going to call out to some of my former... friends on the Foamrunner and see if I can't cause a little distraction."
Zaretta gives the lookout a mock coy smile and a knowing wink, before swinging back down into the rigging below the nest. Ferris soon hears the mischevious sail monkey making good on her promise, as she begins shouting names, previous escapades and ribald suggestions across at a number of sailors on the Foamrunner.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
"Delicious! Only wish I could have gotten to it first!"
Kestrell takes the baskets down to Vaken in the galley: "Hey Vaken, these came in, but some of them have been eaten. Can you tell what ate them? Besides me, I mean?" Kestrell wipes some blue frosting from his mouth.
"Anyway, after we get underway, if any of these can be salvaged, can you serve them with dinner?"
Ferris grins as he kneels in the nest and takes up his crossbow. Looking over the lip of the barrel Ferris looks to the Foamrunner and begins to first visually identify what would be a good place to place a bolt to weaken ropes.
Perception: 24 (Plus 2 if Coast terrain counts.)
On his way to the fore-cabin stairway which leads to the galley below, Kestrell notices that Vaken is still up on deck along with almost all the other crew. Looking up from where the towering cook stands, the Shark's Navigator sees the almost-as-large Weapons Master at the wheel, with Captain Aundrey and First Mate Estrue standing either side of the Northman at the forecastle's railing. Along the wharf, a small squad of Wardens, including a familiar mohawk wearing half-orc and the cold-eyed, granite-skinned genasi Cove Warden, emerge from the nearby line of shops to stand watching the Shark's impending departure from afar. A couple of grizzled dockhands stand alongside the ship ready to release mooring lines, even as Lionel and the mute dragonborn Druhut stand at the portside rail awaiting the Captain's command to cast off.
The frantic activity aboard ship slows for a moment following the raising of the anchor and gangplank. Talk across the deck abates leaving only the sounds of the ship, the wind and the waves as a backdrop as Captain Aundrey looks to the First Mate and Bosun for confirmation of readiness, before the Shark's owner and master raises a hand up high and speaks in a loud commanding voice,
"My crew... My friends. The time has finally come! Today we sail the Shark out together for the first time, to help make these surrounding seas safe from the menace of degenerate pirates! We will sail to the Knuckles, find the missing trading vessel The Wildyeast and bring her, or word of her, back to Rumbottom and its Dubol. This I have sworn we will do!
Furthermore, I know that you have all seen the Foamrunner moored just over yonder. It's Captain Rufulo, in his foolish pridefullness, has challenged US and OUR fine new lady here to a race out of the harbour. On behalf of our ship and her crew, I have accepted that challenge! So let today be the day that we begin the tale of the victorious Shore Shark - the fastest and most deadly brigand hunter on the waters of the Bitter Shore!!!"
The clearly impassioned Captain Aundrey waits a moment for the loud chorus of cheers to subside, then brings his arm and raised hand down in a chopping motion, shouting,
"Helmsman - steer us towards the harbour mouth by way of Flathead Rock. CAST OFF! FULL SPEED AHEAD!"
Both the First Mate and Bosun issue similar commands as the mooring lines are disengaged and the crew leaps into action or stands ready at their stations. As the growing, gusting wind fills the sails, the no-longer constrained Shore Shark lurches forward, quickly picking up speed as she moves away from the wharf and out into the harbour.
Across the way, a shout from the Foamrunner's captain and a cheer from her crew likewise mark her getting underway... the race is on!
[OOC] The Shore Shark is finally under sail! :D
For this 'Float yer Boat' encounter, I'm breaking it into 3 legs or turns.
All PCs should post for the first leg of the race out beyond the harbour mouth, whether or not they are actively doing something to help. Since this is the first ship's outing, I'll provide some examples of actions below:
Trying to increase sail and speed (Sail Monkey action - sleight of hand DEX), pushing the rigging rats and sail monkeys for more sail/wind (Master of Sail command action - Pesuasion/Intimidation or possibly, on occassion, even a deception check CHA), suggesting a coarse alteration for a better heading (Navigator command action - Nature WIS), trying to inspire the crew generally (any officer - Persuasion/Intimidation/Deception as with most command actions CHA), keeping a lookout for any dangers (any crew member, but advantage to anyone in the crows nest doing so - Perception WIS), looking for potential issues aboard ship (any crew member, Insight WIS check if it's for crew, e.g. is everyone working to the best of their ability, are all stations manned, etc., or Perception WIS check for things relating to the Shark, e.g. are all objects on deck secured, are there no tangled or loose lines, etc.
Any PC crew member with a relevant status or ability/skill proficiency can RP a help action to give advantage to another PC's check, e.g. if Kay climbed into the crows nest with Ferris, or Ferris climbed out to help Kay with the sails, if either Kay or Ferris call down weather or wave warnings to Kestrell, if one officer backs up another's commands to the crew.
Actions can be repeated in subsequent rounds (so a second higher check might help to off-set a previous poor check), but DCs go up for each subsequent check of the same type within an encounter.
I've just provided some examples, but obviously there are almost unlimited actions that PCs can take in these situations, so feel free to be creative. Just remember to post your ability/skill check with the action post per usual and feel free to message me if you're not sure which check to use or how to go about rolling for what you want to do.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea