The Lady Muck steers into the Curzel Bay. Her minotaur figurehead seems to carve with ease through a voyage that has been nothing but sunshine, firm winds, and placid seas.
The city gates of Blytunhelm groan open and The Lady Muck passes into the embrace of the Imperial capital. Blytunhelm is a walled city, supposedly cosmopolitan, but the shanty towns scattered outside the walls tell a different tale. Inside the City there is grandeur and squalor alike.
[YOU are passengers on this vessel, all come to Blytunhelm for you own reasons, and all about to be thrown together into an adventure that will test your limits. So, answer the Captain's call and come up on deck, introduce yourselves and describe your character. Fun!]
Emerging from below a hulking orcish figure makes her way on to the deck. Standing around six feet tall Mati is very muscular. She has long brown wildly unkempt hair, blue skin with a good number of scars all over, large tusks protrude from her lower row of teeth, and her hands end in long claws. She is wearing thick hide with bones sewn onto it and a necklace adorned with some sort of animal claws. She looks extremely uneasy. Her eyes darting around as if waiting for attack or searching for escape.
A half-elf with a small lyre sits on the deck, a notebook open in front of him, and idly strums a half-formed tune. But as the gates swing wide to reveal the splendors of Blytunhelm, his face coalesces into a fascinated expression. "The Capital! How marvelous!"
Momentarily inspired, he scribbles something in his notebook and picks up the lyre with an earnest, clear voice.
Syvar journeyed many moons to reach these hallowed gates, And now that he is finally here, he wonders what awaits. Will tales be told, will lore be found? Will harpers boldly sing? Will all be lost and go to ground? Or will we meet a king?
The lyrics go on like this for some time, recounting the story of a half-elf whose human side got the better of him and how those passions stirred him to chronicle the happenings of the world. There are tales of escaping a collapsing wizard's tower with a fabled orb, poisoning an unjust king's dinner so that he died late that night in his bed, and stealing a noble's prized collection of rubies to distribute to his long-suffering subjects. How much is fiction and how much is truth is hard to say, but such is the nature of all good stories.
When he finishes, he dusts himself off, carefully folds up his notebook, and looks around at his traveling companions. With a broad smile he says, "Well, if I may be so bold, I think it would behoove us few fellow newcomers to band closely. I suspect we will stick out like a sore thumb, so we may as well do that together, yes? Syvar Mistlake, at your humblest service. A simple traveler who likes to collect stories, nothing more. And what can there be but stories in a place like this?"
The orc listens intently to the song even begins nodding her head in rhythm to the music. As the song finishes and the half-elf suggests traveling together she gives a grunt that sounds like it might be agreement. Then once he finishes talking she replies. Placing her heavily clawed hand to her chest "Mati. I like stories."
Syvar nods thoughtfully, beaming with radiant enthusiasm. "How wonderful! You seem like the sort of orc who has many, many stories. Perhaps you would care to share them at some point? Say, over a nice flagon of ale at some fine local establishment once we make it into port?"
Syvar nods, clapping Mati on the back with exuberance. "It's a deal, then! I can't wait to hear more." He watches the ship coast through the gates, taking in the sights.
Another half elf with tan skin and long brown hair tied into a knot at the base of her neck observes the scene around her. She smiles briefly when Syvar begins to play but goes back to observing her surroundings. When the song finishes, "That's a nice song."
Mati walks over to the other half elf and looks her over. Sniffing at her the orc lets out a contented sigh. Then reaches out toward you with one clawed finger extended toward your head. “Pretty hair.“
Something is not right. The waters of the bay rumble, the mighty Water Gates of Blytunhelm rattle, and chunks of masonry are dislodged from the City Walls.
(Dungeon Master ominously rolls a dice behind the screen. Sounds like a d20, unless she has one of those non-Euclidean polyhedrals stuffed in her handbag.)
You all have the impression that something large, sentient, and irritable is below the boat, only a couple of hundred feet.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Syvar steadies himself on the deck, shouting to be heard above the growing din. "Oh dear; what's happening?" He studies the water and the pattern of the waves for a moment to see if he can understand what's going on (OOC: Perception21), and whether he's heard of anything like this happening before (OOC: History12) in the vicinity of Blytunhelm.
He clutches the mast. "Captain, perhaps you'd care to explain why the boat is tumbling about like a rag doll?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Leslynn takes a few steps back, "Um, I'd prefer if you didn't do that."
As the water begins to roll underneath them, she runs to the side of the boat, looking for anything that could be causing what's happening. (Perception: 10)
Flinging herself to the deck Mati digs her claws into the deck of the ship. She lets out a primal much louder than even her large form should have been able to produce ”Stop”
[My policy is that if one person passes their skill check for spotting things or hearing things, we assume that they tell everyone else, keeps things running at a nice pace.]
Syvarwracks his brains, but his maritime knowledge of Blytunhelm and the CurzelBay is narrow to say the least. Hopefully you will all live to enjoy his knowledge of the City itself. Yet you have all heard tales of underwater earth tremors, but not this close to civilization. What causes them is a mystery, but any sailor worth their salt knows that there are more things in The Deep than are dreamed of in cartographer's scrolls.
Leslynnnotices them first. Out on the waters, black, fleshy members rising up to test the air. They are the massive tips of gargantuan pseudo-pods that must be connected to a creature below. Then Matisees them too, pulsating organs feeling the salty air and drooly salt water. The tentacles are festooned with barnacles and drip with viscous brown fluid.
The Captain, a one-armed, one-eyed, thirteen-fingered dwarf, replies to Syvar'squestion."It's Thee Kraken, mark me words." She seizes the ship wheel and yells orders to the crew, who scurry admirably up into the rigging to adjust the sails. She shouts up to the scrawny hobgoblin in the crow's nest. "Talk to me, Nextur!"
The hobgoblin boatswain yells down. "It's Thee Kraken alright, mateys! We've a chance, but it be slimmer than a tinker's-"Nexturis cut off by roaring water.
The tentacles burst out of the water all around The Lady Muck, all clearly guided by one intelligence. Suction orifices large enough to house ogres pulsate horridly, revealing rings of concentric fangs within.
"We're doomed! Everyone for 'emselves!" The Captainstands at the wheel, defiant to the end, as his shipmatesscurry like rats, diving overboard, anticipating the proverbial 'sinking ship'. A handful of other passengers, halflings mostly, join the fleeing rats!
It is still several hundred feet to the docks, and a swim through choppy waters to be sure. But you know also that this ship could become a deathtrap to any who remain on board. There is not much time to analyze your options...
[Everyone describe what you're doing, and make an Acrobatics and Athletics check, post the result in the thread.]
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Casting a sidelong glance at the captain's bravery, he can't help but feel a surge of emotion. "May the sea favor you to the end, good dwarf! But this is suicide!"
(OOC: Syvar uses his bonus action to give the captain a Bardic Inspiration (d6), but also tries to convince her that it's best to live and fight another day: Persuasion: 20.)
Syvar screams in abject terror above the crunching of the hull as the horrendous, gargantuan tentacles writhe in the air. He nevertheless tries to pulls himself together. "Dive toward the city gates and swim for it! I'll do my best to get us to the docks safely!"
He makes a deft lifting motion with a cupped hand and, as if tossing an imaginary ball, opens his fingers and utters the arcane word of a spell. Then he dives off the boat himself, and at the last moment before his feet leave the deck, completes the magical incantation: "Icaro!".
(OOC: Syvar uses his reaction to cast Feather Fall on himself, Leslynn, Mati, and any two shipmates who listen to him, especially if it's Nextur or the captain. His hope is that by dashing and diving forwards into the water, he and his companions will coast towards the docks some distance away from the horrific beast.)
Leslynn knows when something isn't winnable, and this is defiantly one of those situations. Dashing for the part of the ship closest to the city, she dives off the boat and starts swimming towards the shore.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The Captainnods grimly as the din of churning waters overwhelms the recently placid air. "Heh... appreciate your sentiment, demi-fey... but ol' Davy Bones be calling me, and he d'ain't care for tardy seaman."The dwarf does seem boosted bySyvar's kind and inspiring words, and holds fast to the wheel, truly in his element as doom rises all around.
A gargantuan tentacle slashes out, bringing a curtain of brine and water across the deck. Like a boa constrictor, it strangles the mizzenmast, spirals up to the crows nest. Poor Nextur doesn't stand a chance. In what seems like an instant, he is swallowed by one of Thee Kraken's hideous suction cups. An explosion of blood, flesh, and marrow is his final moment as the seemingly infinite spiral of teeth within the organ tear and devour the hapless hobgoblin.
Time slows for our heroes as every veteran mariner's nightmare is played out in the the theatre of the Curzel Bay, visible from every high point in Blytunhelm.
Syvar is distracted by his soft heart. He does not notice at first as the mizzenmast topples down onto the deck, and unfortunately for him, he dodges just after the last moment. The mighty oak mast comes down on his leg.
A moment later, the crow's nest is dashed to pieces on the seemingly granite hard waves, and Mati and Leslynn barely leap out of the way in time. They scurry across the deck, the orc moving more like a wild bull than a humanoid, the druid trying her best to imitate her gait. Now seemingly loyal companions, united in catastrophe, they drag him with them and arm in arm, they leap off The Lady Muckinto the churning waters.
A moment later, there is a vile, visceral cracking cacophony that will haunt each of our heroes for the rest of their lives.
[2d6 damage to Syvar = 3 - I have adjusted his character sheet. Not fatal!]
The ex-passengers swim as swiftly as they can, and this time it is Leslynn's time to shine. The druid feels one with the waters, and when she sees her companions struggle, she aids them with might that is extraordinary, given her modest frame. It is only with her aid that Mati and Sylvar make it to the docks. What happened to the Captain is not known, but it not only is it possible he went down with his ship, it is probable.
Exhausted, they are glad when a gang of burly navvies haul them out of the drink. Every one of the navvies is an orc. Once they have fished out the passengers, they step back, not saying a word as the Blytunhelm City Guard barge past them to "save the day". Now that the Guards are here, the helpful navvies quickly begin to scatter, obviously scared of getting in trouble for their charitable deeds. One of them, glances back regretfully at Mati, then disappears into the crowds. The Guards sneer at any navvie who dares remain on the scene.
[whew! go ahead and post, feel free to improvise a little]
Leslynn takes a deep breath and lets her hair down, shaking it out and trying to get the water out of it. "Well that was... unexpected. And a little interesting. Is everyone okay?" She looks around for anyone who looks injured, standing up and putting her hair back up at the same time.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Noticing the gash in Syvar's leg, Leslynn approaches and places a hand on their leg, other hand pulling her staff closer. A few words in Druidic and the wound begins to close.
The Lady Muck steers into the Curzel Bay. Her minotaur figurehead seems to carve with ease through a voyage that has been nothing but sunshine, firm winds, and placid seas.
The city gates of Blytunhelm groan open and The Lady Muck passes into the embrace of the Imperial capital. Blytunhelm is a walled city, supposedly cosmopolitan, but the shanty towns scattered outside the walls tell a different tale. Inside the City there is grandeur and squalor alike.
[YOU are passengers on this vessel, all come to Blytunhelm for you own reasons, and all about to be thrown together into an adventure that will test your limits. So, answer the Captain's call and come up on deck, introduce yourselves and describe your character. Fun!]
Is me
Mati
Emerging from below a hulking orcish figure makes her way on to the deck. Standing around six feet tall Mati is very muscular. She has long brown wildly unkempt hair, blue skin with a good number of scars all over, large tusks protrude from her lower row of teeth, and her hands end in long claws. She is wearing thick hide with bones sewn onto it and a necklace adorned with some sort of animal claws. She looks extremely uneasy. Her eyes darting around as if waiting for attack or searching for escape.
A half-elf with a small lyre sits on the deck, a notebook open in front of him, and idly strums a half-formed tune. But as the gates swing wide to reveal the splendors of Blytunhelm, his face coalesces into a fascinated expression. "The Capital! How marvelous!"
Momentarily inspired, he scribbles something in his notebook and picks up the lyre with an earnest, clear voice.
Syvar journeyed many moons to reach these hallowed gates,
And now that he is finally here, he wonders what awaits.
Will tales be told, will lore be found? Will harpers boldly sing?
Will all be lost and go to ground? Or will we meet a king?
The lyrics go on like this for some time, recounting the story of a half-elf whose human side got the better of him and how those passions stirred him to chronicle the happenings of the world. There are tales of escaping a collapsing wizard's tower with a fabled orb, poisoning an unjust king's dinner so that he died late that night in his bed, and stealing a noble's prized collection of rubies to distribute to his long-suffering subjects. How much is fiction and how much is truth is hard to say, but such is the nature of all good stories.
When he finishes, he dusts himself off, carefully folds up his notebook, and looks around at his traveling companions. With a broad smile he says, "Well, if I may be so bold, I think it would behoove us few fellow newcomers to band closely. I suspect we will stick out like a sore thumb, so we may as well do that together, yes? Syvar Mistlake, at your humblest service. A simple traveler who likes to collect stories, nothing more. And what can there be but stories in a place like this?"
Mati
The orc listens intently to the song even begins nodding her head in rhythm to the music. As the song finishes and the half-elf suggests traveling together she gives a grunt that sounds like it might be agreement. Then once he finishes talking she replies. Placing her heavily clawed hand to her chest "Mati. I like stories."
Syvar nods thoughtfully, beaming with radiant enthusiasm. "How wonderful! You seem like the sort of orc who has many, many stories. Perhaps you would care to share them at some point? Say, over a nice flagon of ale at some fine local establishment once we make it into port?"
Mati
Another grunt.
Syvar nods, clapping Mati on the back with exuberance. "It's a deal, then! I can't wait to hear more." He watches the ship coast through the gates, taking in the sights.
Another half elf with tan skin and long brown hair tied into a knot at the base of her neck observes the scene around her. She smiles briefly when Syvar begins to play but goes back to observing her surroundings. When the song finishes, "That's a nice song."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Mati
Mati walks over to the other half elf and looks her over. Sniffing at her the orc lets out a contented sigh. Then reaches out toward you with one clawed finger extended toward your head. “Pretty hair.“
Something is not right. The waters of the bay rumble, the mighty Water Gates of Blytunhelm rattle, and chunks of masonry are dislodged from the City Walls.
(Dungeon Master ominously rolls a dice behind the screen. Sounds like a d20, unless she has one of those non-Euclidean polyhedrals stuffed in her handbag.)
You all have the impression that something large, sentient, and irritable is below the boat, only a couple of hundred feet.
Is me
Syvar steadies himself on the deck, shouting to be heard above the growing din. "Oh dear; what's happening?" He studies the water and the pattern of the waves for a moment to see if he can understand what's going on (OOC: Perception 21), and whether he's heard of anything like this happening before (OOC: History 12) in the vicinity of Blytunhelm.
He clutches the mast. "Captain, perhaps you'd care to explain why the boat is tumbling about like a rag doll?"
Leslynn takes a few steps back, "Um, I'd prefer if you didn't do that."
As the water begins to roll underneath them, she runs to the side of the boat, looking for anything that could be causing what's happening. (Perception: 10)
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Mati
Flinging herself to the deck Mati digs her claws into the deck of the ship. She lets out a primal much louder than even her large form should have been able to produce ”Stop”
[My policy is that if one person passes their skill check for spotting things or hearing things, we assume that they tell everyone else, keeps things running at a nice pace.]
Syvar wracks his brains, but his maritime knowledge of Blytunhelm and the Curzel Bay is narrow to say the least. Hopefully you will all live to enjoy his knowledge of the City itself. Yet you have all heard tales of underwater earth tremors, but not this close to civilization. What causes them is a mystery, but any sailor worth their salt knows that there are more things in The Deep than are dreamed of in cartographer's scrolls.
Leslynn notices them first. Out on the waters, black, fleshy members rising up to test the air. They are the massive tips of gargantuan pseudo-pods that must be connected to a creature below. Then Mati sees them too, pulsating organs feeling the salty air and drooly salt water. The tentacles are festooned with barnacles and drip with viscous brown fluid.
The Captain, a one-armed, one-eyed, thirteen-fingered dwarf, replies to Syvar's question. "It's Thee Kraken, mark me words." She seizes the ship wheel and yells orders to the crew, who scurry admirably up into the rigging to adjust the sails. She shouts up to the scrawny hobgoblin in the crow's nest. "Talk to me, Nextur!"
The hobgoblin boatswain yells down. "It's Thee Kraken alright, mateys! We've a chance, but it be slimmer than a tinker's-" Nextur is cut off by roaring water.
The tentacles burst out of the water all around The Lady Muck, all clearly guided by one intelligence. Suction orifices large enough to house ogres pulsate horridly, revealing rings of concentric fangs within.
"We're doomed! Everyone for 'emselves!" The Captain stands at the wheel, defiant to the end, as his shipmates scurry like rats, diving overboard, anticipating the proverbial 'sinking ship'. A handful of other passengers, halflings mostly, join the fleeing rats!
It is still several hundred feet to the docks, and a swim through choppy waters to be sure. But you know also that this ship could become a deathtrap to any who remain on board. There is not much time to analyze your options...
[Everyone describe what you're doing, and make an Acrobatics and Athletics check, post the result in the thread.]
Is me
Casting a sidelong glance at the captain's bravery, he can't help but feel a surge of emotion. "May the sea favor you to the end, good dwarf! But this is suicide!"
(OOC: Syvar uses his bonus action to give the captain a Bardic Inspiration (d6), but also tries to convince her that it's best to live and fight another day: Persuasion: 20.)
Syvar screams in abject terror above the crunching of the hull as the horrendous, gargantuan tentacles writhe in the air. He nevertheless tries to pulls himself together. "Dive toward the city gates and swim for it! I'll do my best to get us to the docks safely!"
(OOC: Athletics: 6, Acrobatics: 3.)
He makes a deft lifting motion with a cupped hand and, as if tossing an imaginary ball, opens his fingers and utters the arcane word of a spell. Then he dives off the boat himself, and at the last moment before his feet leave the deck, completes the magical incantation: "Icaro!".
(OOC: Syvar uses his reaction to cast Feather Fall on himself, Leslynn, Mati, and any two shipmates who listen to him, especially if it's Nextur or the captain. His hope is that by dashing and diving forwards into the water, he and his companions will coast towards the docks some distance away from the horrific beast.)
Mati
Bellowing out once more Mati runs on all fours towards the front of the ship and towards land. Then jumping with all her might to the water below.
Athletics : 12
Acrobatics : 16
Leslynn knows when something isn't winnable, and this is defiantly one of those situations. Dashing for the part of the ship closest to the city, she dives off the boat and starts swimming towards the shore.
(Athletics : 2 Acrobatics : 13)
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
The Captain nods grimly as the din of churning waters overwhelms the recently placid air. "Heh... appreciate your sentiment, demi-fey... but ol' Davy Bones be calling me, and he d'ain't care for tardy seaman." The dwarf does seem boosted by Syvar's kind and inspiring words, and holds fast to the wheel, truly in his element as doom rises all around.
A gargantuan tentacle slashes out, bringing a curtain of brine and water across the deck. Like a boa constrictor, it strangles the mizzenmast, spirals up to the crows nest. Poor Nextur doesn't stand a chance. In what seems like an instant, he is swallowed by one of Thee Kraken's hideous suction cups. An explosion of blood, flesh, and marrow is his final moment as the seemingly infinite spiral of teeth within the organ tear and devour the hapless hobgoblin.
Time slows for our heroes as every veteran mariner's nightmare is played out in the the theatre of the Curzel Bay, visible from every high point in Blytunhelm.
Syvar is distracted by his soft heart. He does not notice at first as the mizzenmast topples down onto the deck, and unfortunately for him, he dodges just after the last moment. The mighty oak mast comes down on his leg.
A moment later, the crow's nest is dashed to pieces on the seemingly granite hard waves, and Mati and Leslynn barely leap out of the way in time. They scurry across the deck, the orc moving more like a wild bull than a humanoid, the druid trying her best to imitate her gait. Now seemingly loyal companions, united in catastrophe, they drag him with them and arm in arm, they leap off The Lady Muck into the churning waters.
A moment later, there is a vile, visceral cracking cacophony that will haunt each of our heroes for the rest of their lives.
[2d6 damage to Syvar = 3 - I have adjusted his character sheet. Not fatal!]
The ex-passengers swim as swiftly as they can, and this time it is Leslynn's time to shine. The druid feels one with the waters, and when she sees her companions struggle, she aids them with might that is extraordinary, given her modest frame. It is only with her aid that Mati and Sylvar make it to the docks. What happened to the Captain is not known, but it not only is it possible he went down with his ship, it is probable.
Exhausted, they are glad when a gang of burly navvies haul them out of the drink. Every one of the navvies is an orc. Once they have fished out the passengers, they step back, not saying a word as the Blytunhelm City Guard barge past them to "save the day". Now that the Guards are here, the helpful navvies quickly begin to scatter, obviously scared of getting in trouble for their charitable deeds. One of them, glances back regretfully at Mati, then disappears into the crowds. The Guards sneer at any navvie who dares remain on the scene.
[whew! go ahead and post, feel free to improvise a little]
Is me
Leslynn takes a deep breath and lets her hair down, shaking it out and trying to get the water out of it. "Well that was... unexpected. And a little interesting. Is everyone okay?" She looks around for anyone who looks injured, standing up and putting her hair back up at the same time.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Noticing the gash in Syvar's leg, Leslynn approaches and places a hand on their leg, other hand pulling her staff closer. A few words in Druidic and the wound begins to close.
Cure Wounds on Syvar : 11
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard