A'ro just sighs as he makes a decision to place his trust in the crew and try to gain distance on on the other ship launching a gust of wind into the sails to increase their speed. He just looks in the direction of the first mate and captain "I'll try to get us some thinking distance on how to clear our ship and stay away from these marauders."
OOC: A'ro casts gust of wind into the sails, hoping to at least build some distance and buy time.
Bravely inoring the pain of your wounds as best you can, you summon forth your magic to give the Shore Shark yet another burst of wind power, you do indeed notice the sails *snap* taught as a result, speeding the ship noticeably though the dark, moonlit waters. Breaking off most of the arrow that hit the Captain in the chest, and completely ignoring the arrow sticking out of her own shoulder, the First Mate shakes her head in wonder at you before ordering,
"Great work, A'ro, but I want you off the poop deck. NOW! You can run the topside crew from the main deck. I don't want another lucky shot taking out our Master of Sail. And see to those wounds, officer!"
[OOC] RND6: While you didn't specify movement, I'm going to assume that due to your severely injured state, the First Mate's orders and since the back half of the Shark is now clearly in range of bow fire, that A'ro would leave the poop deck. Moved to F10.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Kay hurriedly runs back and forth distributing crossbows and ammunition to the crew, breath heavy in her lungs. Once she has done what she can she grabs a crossbow and bolts for herself and runs to the aft of the ship, starting to climb the net up the mizzenmast to get eyes on the approaching vessel and to find higher ground from which to fire bolts down on the enemy.
Action: Move Bonus Action: Move Movement: Move
Kay uses her actions to grab more crossbows and bolts to give to others, grabs some for herself and moves to D6, starting to climb the net if she has sufficient movement.
You bump into Nibs near the door to the forecastle on your way to the weapons locker. Going by the number of quarrel cases and crossbows at his feet, the half-orc seems to have had similiar ideas. Handling his own weapon somewhat apprehensively, the heavily tattooed Cook's Assistant simply nods as you take and begin distributing the armaments to the other sail monkeys and rigging rats. The deep *growls* of the pacing tiger on the foredeck above seem to follow you as you go about the task.
Going about your work, you notice that Ol' Jart and Freya in the mizzenmast rigging look to have escaped the previous barrage of arrows unscathed. Both Petey and Fillian call out in thanks from the foremast as you toss weapons and ammunition up to them, while Zaretta and Calipso do likewise topside of the mainmast. As you stand at the base of the mainmast, you realise that Ferris is simply to high up to throw a crossbow, light to, but you notice that the lookout already seems to have a weapon in hand, so you simply hold onto the extra crossbow.
[OOC[ RND6: It took Kay a full round to gather and disperse those weapons. She is now standing at the base of the mainmast (E11). With normal movement, she can use bonus action dash to climb 30' and still take an action, or climb 45' with no other action, putting her more than half-way up the 70' tall mast.
Botted Vaken, who will hold position and his tiger form, taking a ready action to attack the first enemy he sees within range.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Seeing that the immediate threat is taken care of, Kestrell will shout "Is anyone badly injured?"
Kestrell uses the Ring of Jumping to cast Jump on himself.
As you call out and look around, you notice the rotund Argrin grmace slightly as he makes an adjustment to 'Hurley', but the extra-stout dwarf waves away your concern, patting the now loaded catapult as he says, "Bahh! I'm fine, dangnabbit. Save yer healin' fer those who're really hurtin'... Like the pirates on that ship are about to be!"
Enacting the magic of your ring, you look down from the Foredeck and notice an injured tiefling woman operating the starboard ballistae, as well as the severely wounded Master of Sail gingerly climbing down the stair from the Poop Deck. You hear your fellow officer call for aid and see him clutching an arrow protruding from his side. Both the First Mate and the Captain seem to also be injured, though not as badly.
[OOC] RND6: Your jump distance is now trippled for 10 rounds. I'll say that with your passive perception of 16, you percieve all of the noticeably wounded within sight. A'ro certainly appears to be the most hurt, almost fatally so you quickly realise.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
The atmosphere across the Shore Shark is tense as your shipmates either put their backs into assigned tasks, or stand-by with loaded and readied weapons in hand. The Quarter Master Daegrin orders the bodies of your two slain comrades taken below, then pats nearby shoulders and backs, offering reassuring words to those sailors who seem a little jittery at the battle taking place.
A brief argument takes place on the Poop Deck as the First Mate tries unsuccessfully to convince the Captain to command from a less exposed position. For his part, Aundrey simply shakes his head in refusal, grimacing slightly as his senior aide removes the arrow that struck him moments ago. Noticing the bodies of two of his crew being taken from the Main Deck, an angry scowl appears on the young ship master's usually fair features. Apparently shaken from his momentary inaction, Aundrey allows the Ships Mage to place a protective enchantment on him, before saying to Unne in a loud voice and the sternest tone that you've ever heard the affluent Luskanite use,
"Bring us about, Unne. We came out here to find and fight this scum, not flee from it. So by Lathander's good graces, that's what we'll do. Make to pass that vessel on her starboard side. Then hand the helm back to the First Mate and ready our crew to hit that ship with every missile we've got once it's in range, starting with the catapult and ballista."
The now grinning Weapons Master nods, throwing his considerable strength and weight into the wheel, beginning to execute the hard starboard turn as ordered. The Shark reacts instantly, her decks angling sharply once again as the caraval begins to swing about, though for a few moments she runs starboard side facing the quickly approaching vessel. Handing the helm back to a frowning First Mate, Unne lifts a nasty looking warhammer and leaps down onto the main deck shouting,
"You 'eard the Captain! Ye short-sighted whelps might not be able to see'em good, but those dogs are out there and ye'll 'ave a shot at'em soon enough.
Crossbows at the ready! Starboard ballista and catapult prepare to fire. FIRE!"
The loud release of both the catapult and the starboard ballista echo across the ship's deck as the large weapons are discharged by the crew manning them. The catapult misses, but the ballista bolt hits with a loud *CRACK*.
[OOC] RND6: Botting Virtoris to cast (bonus action) sanctuary on Captain Aundrey, then he'll cast (action) cure wounds on A'ro. While both of these are 1st level spells meaning that they can't normally be cast in the same turn, Virt hasn't done anything since escaping the net, so I'll just say that these two actions were spread across two rounds.
While your PC's can't be certain of exact distance between the ships without making a check, you're pretty certain that it's still beyond crossbow range. Regardless of where you are on the ship, it is apparent to your PC that the Shore Shark is halfway through a turn and is now coming about to go towards the other ship.
Healing on A'ro: 5
Portside Ballista: Attack: 20 Damage: 19
Catapult: Attack: 6 Damage: 29
A'ro recieves 5 points of healing. Portside Ballista HITS the hull of the other ship for 19 points of piercing damage. The catapult misfires, rolling for critical fail 7
No additional penalty from the critical MISS.
Any PC who has a passive perception or makes a check of DC15 (the closer the two ships get, the lower the DC becomes) or more as their action can see the pursuing ship in vague detail (e.g. it's outline, barely visible moving huminoid forms, etc), otherwise all that is observable by a PC taking a round to do so are the distant, swaying lanterns of the other vessel.
*Scale = 1 square/50 feet. Anyone meeting that DC15 perception check would realise that the pursuing ship is approximately 400-500 feet off the starboard rail of the Shore Shark.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Once back in to the nest he was able to provide a quick point to the last pirate climbing the ship and then he hefted his crossbow and leant out to take aim at the opposing ships crow's nest first and then moving down from there as he needed targets.
Heavy Crossbow Attack: 23 Piercing Damage: 7
While the shot looks good as you squeeze the trigger, you can't be certain as your crossbow bolt dissapears into the rainy darkness whether it hit anything or even made it all the way to the still distant ship. While most of your crew are sporting light crossbows with even shorter range, you realise that at least some of your enemies on the approaching ship must have longbows, with range beyond that of even your heavy crossbow. Until the ships close further, you realise with some trepidation that your foes might have the advantage on you and your crewmates.
A moment later, you almost topple out of the Crows Nest when a large catapult stone comes flying past your head with a *WHOOSH*. The wayward missile *splashes* down into the sea a mere hundread feet from the Shore Shark. Looking down to the Fore Deck, you see the ship's engineer Argrin berating another dwarf, the Senior Sailor Hendle, who you met at last night's dinner. Neither of your dwarven crewmates seems to realise how close they came to inadvertantly destroying part of their own ship... and possibly you along with it. The tiefling deck hand, Dekket, who is standing beside the catapult with his own crossbow in hand, apparently noticed the near fatal accident transpire. The dark haired, red-skinned sailor archs an eyebrow in sympathetic disbelief.
However, looking back up, you do have the satisfaction of seeing the well aimed ballista bolt streak across the black sea to splinter wood as it lodges deeply into the hull of the hostile ship with a resounding *CRACK* that echos across the choppy waves between the two vessels.
[OOC] RND6: MISS - unfortunately the ships are still to far apart for the range of the crossbow, heavy.
I botted Dekket, who is just taking ready actions until the enemy ship comes within crossbow range and/or the order to fire is given.
RND6 is complete. Starting RND7. Players should post their movement/actions/bonus actions for next round.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Round 7:
Kestrell jumps over to A'ro and reaches out a hand to touch his shoulder, casting Cure Wounds for 7 healing. "See me! Touch me! Heal me!" he hums under his breath.
He will use any remaining movement to go back up to the front and starboard side, and kneel behind the wall of the ship, eyes just above the edge so he can see the Rapier.
A'ro just smiles focusing on Virt and Kestrel as they heals him "Thanks mates, needed that."with that he stands up "First mate, what do you want us to do? I can add a little more speed again."
Bravely inoring the pain of your wounds as best you can, you summon forth your magic to give the Shore Shark yet another burst of wind power, you do indeed notice the sails *snap* taught as a result, speeding the ship noticeably though the dark, moonlit waters. Breaking off most of the arrow that hit the Captain in the chest, and completely ignoring the arrow sticking out of her own shoulder, the First Mate shakes her head in wonder at you before ordering,
"Great work, A'ro, but I want you off the poop deck. NOW! You can run the topside crew from the main deck. I don't want another lucky shot taking out our Master of Sail. And see to those wounds, officer!"
[OOC] RND6: While you didn't specify movement, I'm going to assume that due to your severely injured state, the First Mate's orders and since the back half of the Shark is now clearly in range of bow fire, that A'ro would leave the poop deck. Moved to F10.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
You bump into Nibs near the door to the forecastle on your way to the weapons locker. Going by the number of quarrel cases and crossbows at his feet, the half-orc seems to have had similiar ideas. Handling his own weapon somewhat apprehensively, the heavily tattooed Cook's Assistant simply nods as you take and begin distributing the armaments to the other sail monkeys and rigging rats. The deep *growls* of the pacing tiger on the foredeck above seem to follow you as you go about the task.
Going about your work, you notice that Ol' Jart and Freya in the mizzenmast rigging look to have escaped the previous barrage of arrows unscathed. Both Petey and Fillian call out in thanks from the foremast as you toss weapons and ammunition up to them, while Zaretta and Calipso do likewise topside of the mainmast. As you stand at the base of the mainmast, you realise that Ferris is simply to high up to throw a crossbow, light to, but you notice that the lookout already seems to have a weapon in hand, so you simply hold onto the extra crossbow.
[OOC[ RND6: It took Kay a full round to gather and disperse those weapons. She is now standing at the base of the mainmast (E11). With normal movement, she can use bonus action dash to climb 30' and still take an action, or climb 45' with no other action, putting her more than half-way up the 70' tall mast.
Botted Vaken, who will hold position and his tiger form, taking a ready action to attack the first enemy he sees within range.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
As you call out and look around, you notice the rotund Argrin grmace slightly as he makes an adjustment to 'Hurley', but the extra-stout dwarf waves away your concern, patting the now loaded catapult as he says, "Bahh! I'm fine, dangnabbit. Save yer healin' fer those who're really hurtin'... Like the pirates on that ship are about to be!"
Enacting the magic of your ring, you look down from the Foredeck and notice an injured tiefling woman operating the starboard ballistae, as well as the severely wounded Master of Sail gingerly climbing down the stair from the Poop Deck. You hear your fellow officer call for aid and see him clutching an arrow protruding from his side. Both the First Mate and the Captain seem to also be injured, though not as badly.
[OOC] RND6: Your jump distance is now trippled for 10 rounds. I'll say that with your passive perception of 16, you percieve all of the noticeably wounded within sight. A'ro certainly appears to be the most hurt, almost fatally so you quickly realise.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
The atmosphere across the Shore Shark is tense as your shipmates either put their backs into assigned tasks, or stand-by with loaded and readied weapons in hand. The Quarter Master Daegrin orders the bodies of your two slain comrades taken below, then pats nearby shoulders and backs, offering reassuring words to those sailors who seem a little jittery at the battle taking place.
A brief argument takes place on the Poop Deck as the First Mate tries unsuccessfully to convince the Captain to command from a less exposed position. For his part, Aundrey simply shakes his head in refusal, grimacing slightly as his senior aide removes the arrow that struck him moments ago. Noticing the bodies of two of his crew being taken from the Main Deck, an angry scowl appears on the young ship master's usually fair features. Apparently shaken from his momentary inaction, Aundrey allows the Ships Mage to place a protective enchantment on him, before saying to Unne in a loud voice and the sternest tone that you've ever heard the affluent Luskanite use,
"Bring us about, Unne. We came out here to find and fight this scum, not flee from it. So by Lathander's good graces, that's what we'll do. Make to pass that vessel on her starboard side. Then hand the helm back to the First Mate and ready our crew to hit that ship with every missile we've got once it's in range, starting with the catapult and ballista."
The now grinning Weapons Master nods, throwing his considerable strength and weight into the wheel, beginning to execute the hard starboard turn as ordered. The Shark reacts instantly, her decks angling sharply once again as the caraval begins to swing about, though for a few moments she runs starboard side facing the quickly approaching vessel. Handing the helm back to a frowning First Mate, Unne lifts a nasty looking warhammer and leaps down onto the main deck shouting,
"You 'eard the Captain! Ye short-sighted whelps might not be able to see'em good, but those dogs are out there and ye'll 'ave a shot at'em soon enough.
Crossbows at the ready! Starboard ballista and catapult prepare to fire. FIRE!"
The loud release of both the catapult and the starboard ballista echo across the ship's deck as the large weapons are discharged by the crew manning them. The catapult misses, but the ballista bolt hits with a loud *CRACK*.
[OOC] RND6: Botting Virtoris to cast (bonus action) sanctuary on Captain Aundrey, then he'll cast (action) cure wounds on A'ro. While both of these are 1st level spells meaning that they can't normally be cast in the same turn, Virt hasn't done anything since escaping the net, so I'll just say that these two actions were spread across two rounds.
While your PC's can't be certain of exact distance between the ships without making a check, you're pretty certain that it's still beyond crossbow range. Regardless of where you are on the ship, it is apparent to your PC that the Shore Shark is halfway through a turn and is now coming about to go towards the other ship.
Healing on A'ro: 5
Portside Ballista: Attack: 20 Damage: 19
Catapult: Attack: 6 Damage: 29
A'ro recieves 5 points of healing. Portside Ballista HITS the hull of the other ship for 19 points of piercing damage. The catapult misfires, rolling for critical fail 7
No additional penalty from the critical MISS.
Any PC who has a passive perception or makes a check of DC15 (the closer the two ships get, the lower the DC becomes) or more as their action can see the pursuing ship in vague detail (e.g. it's outline, barely visible moving huminoid forms, etc), otherwise all that is observable by a PC taking a round to do so are the distant, swaying lanterns of the other vessel.
*Scale = 1 square/50 feet. Anyone meeting that DC15 perception check would realise that the pursuing ship is approximately 400-500 feet off the starboard rail of the Shore Shark.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
While the shot looks good as you squeeze the trigger, you can't be certain as your crossbow bolt dissapears into the rainy darkness whether it hit anything or even made it all the way to the still distant ship. While most of your crew are sporting light crossbows with even shorter range, you realise that at least some of your enemies on the approaching ship must have longbows, with range beyond that of even your heavy crossbow. Until the ships close further, you realise with some trepidation that your foes might have the advantage on you and your crewmates.
A moment later, you almost topple out of the Crows Nest when a large catapult stone comes flying past your head with a *WHOOSH*. The wayward missile *splashes* down into the sea a mere hundread feet from the Shore Shark. Looking down to the Fore Deck, you see the ship's engineer Argrin berating another dwarf, the Senior Sailor Hendle, who you met at last night's dinner. Neither of your dwarven crewmates seems to realise how close they came to inadvertantly destroying part of their own ship... and possibly you along with it. The tiefling deck hand, Dekket, who is standing beside the catapult with his own crossbow in hand, apparently noticed the near fatal accident transpire. The dark haired, red-skinned sailor archs an eyebrow in sympathetic disbelief.
However, looking back up, you do have the satisfaction of seeing the well aimed ballista bolt streak across the black sea to splinter wood as it lodges deeply into the hull of the hostile ship with a resounding *CRACK* that echos across the choppy waves between the two vessels.
[OOC] RND6: MISS - unfortunately the ships are still to far apart for the range of the crossbow, heavy.
I botted Dekket, who is just taking ready actions until the enemy ship comes within crossbow range and/or the order to fire is given.
RND6 is complete. Starting RND7. Players should post their movement/actions/bonus actions for next round.
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...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Round 7:
Kestrell jumps over to A'ro and reaches out a hand to touch his shoulder, casting Cure Wounds for 7 healing. "See me! Touch me! Heal me!" he hums under his breath.
He will use any remaining movement to go back up to the front and starboard side, and kneel behind the wall of the ship, eyes just above the edge so he can see the Rapier.
Ferris will shift his attention to spotting the incoming siege projectiles and calling out possible impacts and their possible locations on the ship.
Perception: 23
A'ro just smiles focusing on Virt and Kestrel as they heals him "Thanks mates, needed that." with that he stands up "First mate, what do you want us to do? I can add a little more speed again."
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
Not knowing what else to do, Tiger Vaken walks up to the captain sits near him intending on keeping him safe.
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Dekket sticks around the captain too. Ready to follow orders and to protect him in case if needed in the unevitable fight that is approaching.
PbP Character: A few ;)