"I'm Crimson Robert." The other says and grins. They exchange a glance and Crimson Robert shrugs. "I dunno. I'm sure there are plenty of young chaps who want to make a name for themselves around the docks. Not sure who they'd be. We're pretty new to all this sailing and fishing stuff. Honestly, up until today, it's been pretty quiet."
__________
Alwyne and his crew are still working on the ship. He makes it known that he still needs four, maybe five more able bodied sailors while he stands over the parts of a broken weapon on the aft of the Scorpion. Clean, the First Mate, is leading a chant amongst the twelve sailors who were already aboard the Scorpion as they look up at the freshly hoisted black sails and the red scorpion embroidered on them.
Greko quietly speaks to his companions "Perhaps we could make an announcement for brave souls to aid the empress' band against evil by joining our ranks at sea? The Auryn seemed to have some sway over the people earlier....unless someone else would like to find sailors?" Greko meekly finishes up talking to his companions
"Well met, Red Bob and Crimson Robert. I suggest we go straight to the Scorpion then", Rum says jovially, before heading off in the direction of the ship.
As they approach the Scorpion, he spots the others arriving. "If you tell the First Mate that Rum, from the group requesting passage, sent you that would be good", he says to the two sailors and veers off towards the cart, arriving as Greko speaks.
"That could work. I managed to persuade two people to join the endeavour by mentioning the two sailors, Ruben and Mateo, who were lost when the Beagle was attacked. They were keen to ensure no-one else was lost to the creature. We could appeal to people from both points of view.", he tells the group.
He will accompany anyone who heads off to persuade sailors (and who wanthelp).
"Alright, you can come with me. I'll find someone who wants to join. The captain might not want the glory, but someone else surely does." Yam invites Rum to walk with her as she searches for the needed crew. She will suggest to whoever seems capable enough and ask them to join the Scorpion in their attempt to rid the seas of the beast that attacked the Beagle. She will make sure they understand the risks, but also the possible benefits of glory, as well as an unmentioned possibility of getting a spot on the Scorpion if the captain finds them worth keeping - though she makes it obvious those were merely her assumptions and not a promise given by the captain. If they don't seem convinced, she lets Rum speak up to help however he sees fit. Once Yam finds four willing sailors, she'll go back to the Scorpion.
(I'll assume this takes <10 minutes, so Emissary of Peace should still apply. I'll assume Rum helps with all rolls.)
The four sailors joined enthusiastically, making their way up the gangplank and then falling in to receive their instructions from Mr. Clean, who was still supervising the work being performed on the main deck. Most of the ballistas were mounted now, though one sailor was still working to secure Stinger to the deck, or at least the pieces of it.
The trebuchet looked seaworthy too, and the crew had made a monkey pad roughly five yards from the weapon where a few boulders and a couple of barrels were staged.
"You people made tha' look easy." Alwyne said as he watched Clean pass directions on to the newest sailors. "We'll get you all berthed soon, so if ye have anythin' to load you need to get it to port soon and stage it at the bottom o' the gangplank. Clean will work on the sailors that just boarded. I want this ol' girl rollin' by mid morning."
“Are we able to take the cart and horses with us?”, Rum asks, not entirely sure what has been arranged.
If the answer is yes, he will wait with them until it is time to board, watching the sailors prepare for the journey. When ready he will offer his help to get them aboard.
If the answer is no, he will move the barrels of Dragonclaw next to the bottom of the gangplank and then figure out what to do with the cart and horses. He would likely suggest selling them at that point.
Once the crew has had time to mount the weapons, ready the sails, and reconfigure the ship from a fishing vessel to a warship once ago, Alwyne authorizes Mr. Clean and the crew to begin boarding the mounts that belong to the band.
The Scorpion is huge. The many levels of the ship prove to surprise the band as they help get the carts into the lower decks and tied down so that they don't shift. The mounts don't seem thrilled about the stabling situation either, as each of the time stables has barely enough room for the animals to lay down from a standing position.
There are ample food stores in the holding deck, as well as a couple of dozen barrels and more than a few boulders, which were meant for the trebuchet, and vast numbers of ballista bolts that were bundled in sets of twelve and ready to be carried up to the main deck if needed.
It's clear to the band that the Scorpion has more than a few tricks up her sleeve that they weren't counting on. There is something very reassuring to the feel of the boat as it casts off from the port a couple of hours before noon and sails east, down the Fantasia River, toward the sea.
Rum does his best to make sure Herbs and Spice are not too traumatised by their new surroundings as the ship sets sail, before heading up on deck. He wasn’t entirely sure how long he would be aboard, but got the feeling it was going to be a while. He searches out the first mate, Clean.
“Greetings, Mr Clean I believe. I am Rum”, he says placing his hand over his heart and inclining his head. “I was just wondering about the length of our journey, how long before we come upon the place the Beagle was attacked? Oh, and in terms of the ship, are we allowed to wander where we please, below and above?”, he asks curiously looking up at the mast.
Lelith went by unnoticed on the ship, she seemingly disappeared from sight after a few moments once their belongings were secured. She did not interact with anyone nor did anyone notice her for that matter as she wandered the ship and inspected every nook and cranny she could access without too much difficulty. She wasn't really sneaking around, like some ignorant fool might suggest if they were able to somehow spot her. She was merely exploring the ship that would transport them to their location and simply did not wish to make conversation with the humans on board...
Working with Herbs and Spice goes a long way to soothe then and make them take to their new surroundings easier, even though they're not fans of the away of the ship once it gets underway.
"Should reach that spot before morning." Clean answers Rum. "Unless they moved of course. That could complicate things. As for wandering, you can go anywhere you want save for the Captain's Quarters, I'm sure. Just be careful what you mess with."
---
The ship is filled with stuff, as Lelith learns. Seeing as she'd be in service for a long, long time, it is no surprise the number of piles of rope that she finds, vasts folds of fishing nets, barrels of pickled foods and dried meats, stores of hay and stare for animals, and caches of weapons and fire fighting equipment as well as barrels of tar and other sealants to keep her water tight in an emergency, as well as fresh cuts of lumber and carpentry supplies.
As members of the band turn to their own devices, Ro stays atop the Scorpion's deck. He observes the work of the sailors as they make their ship battle ready, paying close attention to the craftsmanship and design of the ballista and trebuchet. He notices the sailor working to install Stinger to the deck and walks over to them, "Hello there, my name is Ro. My band and I will be in your crew's hands for a time. I'm looking forward to working with you all. What is your name?" Ro waits or the sailor to introduce himself before saying, "It is good to meet you ____. I know my way around tools, and if you are ok with it I can help you in your task. Just tell me what needs to be done."
With the majority of the day ahead and nothing really to do, Rum wanders around the ship, ending up climbing the mast to look at the view. If there is a crows nest he will stand in it unless occupied, otherwise he will just use his claws to remain fixed. He will introduce himself if there is an occupant in the crows nest.
After eating some lunch, he decides to make use of the afternoon by training. Finding a quiet area on the deck is not difficult, and he finds a spot towards the bow of the huge ship. He begins by setting out 6 of the iron rings he had had made on the deck around him.
With his quarterstaff he flicks one of the rings up and into the air above him, and as it drops he kicks out, his foot slipping through the hole of the ring and stopping it returning to the deck.
He flicks another ring into the air with his staff, this time sending a fist through the hole as it plummets to the floor. He continues with this exercise for some time, gradually building up the height he flicks the rings up, and the number that are airborne at one time. His body has to move faster and faster in a crazy juggling act.
Numerous times he isn’t quite fast or accurate enough, and a ring clatters to the deck, but he isn’t perturbed, carrying on practising. The sway of the ship makes it slightly more difficult, but that was a good thing.
He occasionally stops for a drink, stands at the very front of the bow and looks out down the river, wondering what they will find.
The sailor, a bawdry Dwarf named Corlin, was glad for the help as he reassembled the Stinger on the aft of the main deck. It was beyond operation, was missing parts, and wouldn't be functional any time soon, but Ro at least received a crash course in how to assemble the weapon and lock it to the deck via pins. The whole thing was highly mobile even once attached, and like the ballistas and trebuchet could rotate three hundred sixty degrees and had an impressive vertical adjustment as well.
"Going to take more than tools to fix this thing." Corlin tells Ro as they work. "She's missing at least one electrum rod and probably a quarter mile of coiled wire, and that's just the start of her troubles. I'd have to go through a complete schematic to try to find exactly what we need. We'll worry about that when we get to Cloveresse. If we get to Cloveresse."
__________
There is an occupant in the crows nest. She is a tall, sea worn Elf named Tialha.
"Whenever there's a watch up here, it's usually me." She says to Rum after their introductions to one another. "Only time it's not me is when I climb down to go...well, do my business. But! It's usually me then too."
She laughs at this like she's told a very funny joke, then slides a rogue hair behind one of her pointed ears.
"Good eyes I've got." She continues, looking around as they make their way along the river. The Fantasia hugs the ship as they go, her waters holding the hull as Captain Saewulf keeps her positioned in the center. Long gone is the abandoned tower that was off the port side of the ship near Old Riverwood, and the Scorpion was rounding the bend in the river as it headed out through the Swamp of Sadness. Already jungle trees and willows were beginning to close in on the shoreline. "Back when we used to do this all the time, I could spot a serpent or a sea hag from miles away. Miles! But nowadays I've gotten lazy. Turning to fishing will do that to you, you know?"
__________
Captain Saewulf has the crew sleeping in shifts on deck as the night takes over. Lanterns swing about here and there, illuminating the deck while sailors sleep with their heads propped on coils of rope or bundles of rags or whatever they can find. Tialha remains awake, sleeping in and out of a semi-meditative state as she keeps her eyes peeled for any signs of trouble.
The crew has been split into three teams.
There is a rowing team below deck, where six sailors maintain a complex rowing apparatus that mechanically enhances their efforts, with each of them being able to man four massive oars through a series of powerful gears and energy assisting crystals.
There is a bosun's team who keeps up with the sails and rigging on the main deck and assists the Captain in navigation and reckoning.
And there is a weapons team that hauled all of the ammunition they thought they could possibly need up to the main deck and positioned it near the appropriate weapon. All of the ballistas are now in the charged position, their bows locked back with safety release pins, while the crank has been attached to the trebuchet; they hadn't charged it yet as to keep unnecessary pressure off the throwing arm.
Mr. Clean and Captain Saewulf took turns snoozing near the helm, an hour or two here, a little while there. The night was aging rapidly. The faint glow of the lanterns shimmered on the surface of the river and crawled toward the shore. Things howled far off in the swamp, and more than one sailor commented that they were glad that whatever had made the ghastly sounds wasn't there with them.
Until Tialha called down from the Crow's Nest.
"Got movement on the shore." She said, ringing a bell she had up top with her. Sailors were immediately astir, jumping to their feet and moving to their appointed place of duty. Mr. Clean came down to the main deck from the helm while the Captain took over all functions of navigation and maneuvering. There was a sound in the dark, like crosscut saws and felling axes. "They're cutting trees. I think they're going to try to block our way."
"Furl the sails!" Clean was shouting as sailors moved to and fro with the rigging. "All oars for now! Don't want them burning the sails!"
"Something ahead in'a river!" Captain Saewulf said, squinting through the dim glow of the lanterns. "No, it's above the wa'er! Tialha, what's that!?"
The Elf pivoted, pulling out a spy glass to enhance her already amazing Elven eyes.
"Barrel! Hanging from a tree limb! Gonna try to burn us! Something glowing up river from that too!"
"Crank up the trebuchet!" Clean shouted as he moved up and down the deck. "Put a flaming barrel up in the tree tops! Light 'em up! I want it bright as day out here!"
The weapon was cranked back, and then there was a great ka-thwak as it flipped forward, hurling a lighted barrel up and off the deck and into the tops of some thick weeping willows. The barrel exploded, and flames licked the sky. The barrel ahead of them was now clearly illuminated; it was dangling from a rope from a tree limb high above the river. It was positioned to be dropped right in the center of the deck.
There was a commotion along both sides of the river, and trees began falling from both banks into the water.
"Something's coming at us!" Tialha shouted, pointing toward the starboard side of the ship. "Bullywugs!"
And as if on cue, a Bullywug landed on the deck of the ship, it's gaping mouth coming down on Clean's shoulder and biting hard. Clean screamed as the two toppled to the deck, and then the Bullywug lashed out with its spear, striking the deck next to him.
**********
Clean takes 3 Damage (this does not effect the Scorpion)
POST ORDER
Bullywug B Yam Tuto Bullywug A The Scorpion Lelith Bullywug C Bullywug G Rum Bullywug D Greko Ro Bullywug E Bullywug F
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Yam runs towards the first Bullywag. Can't have them attacking the ship's crew. "All aggressors shall be punished by the gods!" She shouts. "Whether man, devil or frog, those who start with violence will be scorched by the innocence of the Childlike Empress!" As she shouts that, light descends on the frog from above. It is faint, and yet it hurts, for the Bullywag is a violent being.
Action: Casts Sacred Flame on the Bullywag that attacked Clean. It must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity save or take 7 radiant damage.
"OOOOOOOO!!" Attackers! Miscreants! Fiends! Harming Tuto's new sailor friends will not go unpunished! Tuto tips his flute from his holder and begins to play an upbeat melody, vigorously dancing about the deck. (Tuto gives Yam a bardic inspiration. 1d6 added to one attack roll, saving throw or ability check) Without missing a beat, Tuto spins toward the nearest unoccupied bullywug. The normally black holes with a slight blue tint on his mask grow brighter, and brighter until bluish arcane flame is spilling out of the eye sockets. (Tuto casts Suggestion. DC 13 wis save) Then for a second, he pulls the flute from himself and says, "Help my friends!" Then continues to play.
The heavens opened up, and the Bullywug had enough time to glance up before Sacred Flame cascaded down upon it. It croaked, raising its arms to shield itself, but taking damage all the same. Still, as the music from the Gnome comes to its ears, it feels compelled to help those that it was hurting. Still, it doesn't have time to intervene as a second Bullywug comes up over the rail of the ship, landing next to Tuto. It's mouth opens as it lunges for the little Gnome and tries to eat him, but it's own momentum carries it past Tuto, who sees the green head up close with utmost clarity. The Bullywug, quickly trying to recover its momentum and keep attacking, jabbing with its spear, but the dancing Gnome is just too much for it to be able to hit.
"On the deck!" A sailor shouts nearby, turning a ballista toward the first Bullywug. The ballista jerks as it is discharged and a bolt as big as an arm drives through the Bullywug, which crumples dead to the deck.
"Target, target!" Another sailor shouts who, apparently, is feeling his oats as he aims danger-close to Tuto. The ballista twangs, but the bolt misses.
"On it!" The next sailor says, zeroing in and firing. This bolt, like the last, is carried harmlessly off into the night.
___________
Bullywug B has been killed
Updated Post Order
Yam Tuto Bullywug A Scorpion Lelith Bullywug C Bullywug G Rum Bullywug D Greko Ro Bullywug E Bullywug F
Lelith calmly stepped on the air and rose thirty feet upwards (if possible, near the Crow's Nest where the elf Tialha stood), thus keeping herself safe from retaliation at close ranges. She took an arrow out of her quiver and nocked it at the head of Bullywug threatening Tuto with its spear. She spat, "Disgusting creature."
Action:Ranged attack from a high 'ground' using a Longbow, +8to hit, the damage is (1d8+4)Base Damage + (1d4)Dreadful Strikes (Always applies but only once per turn) + (1d4) Favored Foe (On a successful hit, Bullywugs are now a favoured foe for 1 minute which I can deal 1d4 additional damage to, I must maintain concentration like a spell for this to apply.)
Lelith nodded, without a word this time she took the reins of the cart and slowly drove it over to the ship for them to board.
"I'm Red Bob." One of the sailors says.
"I'm Crimson Robert." The other says and grins. They exchange a glance and Crimson Robert shrugs. "I dunno. I'm sure there are plenty of young chaps who want to make a name for themselves around the docks. Not sure who they'd be. We're pretty new to all this sailing and fishing stuff. Honestly, up until today, it's been pretty quiet."
__________
Alwyne and his crew are still working on the ship. He makes it known that he still needs four, maybe five more able bodied sailors while he stands over the parts of a broken weapon on the aft of the Scorpion. Clean, the First Mate, is leading a chant amongst the twelve sailors who were already aboard the Scorpion as they look up at the freshly hoisted black sails and the red scorpion embroidered on them.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Greko quietly speaks to his companions "Perhaps we could make an announcement for brave souls to aid the empress' band against evil by joining our ranks at sea? The Auryn seemed to have some sway over the people earlier....unless someone else would like to find sailors?" Greko meekly finishes up talking to his companions
"Well met, Red Bob and Crimson Robert. I suggest we go straight to the Scorpion then", Rum says jovially, before heading off in the direction of the ship.
As they approach the Scorpion, he spots the others arriving. "If you tell the First Mate that Rum, from the group requesting passage, sent you that would be good", he says to the two sailors and veers off towards the cart, arriving as Greko speaks.
"That could work. I managed to persuade two people to join the endeavour by mentioning the two sailors, Ruben and Mateo, who were lost when the Beagle was attacked. They were keen to ensure no-one else was lost to the creature. We could appeal to people from both points of view.", he tells the group.
He will accompany anyone who heads off to persuade sailors (and who want help).
"Alright, you can come with me. I'll find someone who wants to join. The captain might not want the glory, but someone else surely does." Yam invites Rum to walk with her as she searches for the needed crew. She will suggest to whoever seems capable enough and ask them to join the Scorpion in their attempt to rid the seas of the beast that attacked the Beagle. She will make sure they understand the risks, but also the possible benefits of glory, as well as an unmentioned possibility of getting a spot on the Scorpion if the captain finds them worth keeping - though she makes it obvious those were merely her assumptions and not a promise given by the captain. If they don't seem convinced, she lets Rum speak up to help however he sees fit. Once Yam finds four willing sailors, she'll go back to the Scorpion.
(I'll assume this takes <10 minutes, so Emissary of Peace should still apply. I'll assume Rum helps with all rolls.)
Persuasion 1: (14; 17 - advantage)+11=28.
Persuastion 2: (15; 20 - advantage)+11=31.
Persuastion 3: (12; 14 - advantage)+11=25.
Persuasion 4: (10; 6 - advantage)+11=21.
Varielky
The four sailors joined enthusiastically, making their way up the gangplank and then falling in to receive their instructions from Mr. Clean, who was still supervising the work being performed on the main deck. Most of the ballistas were mounted now, though one sailor was still working to secure Stinger to the deck, or at least the pieces of it.
The trebuchet looked seaworthy too, and the crew had made a monkey pad roughly five yards from the weapon where a few boulders and a couple of barrels were staged.
"You people made tha' look easy." Alwyne said as he watched Clean pass directions on to the newest sailors. "We'll get you all berthed soon, so if ye have anythin' to load you need to get it to port soon and stage it at the bottom o' the gangplank. Clean will work on the sailors that just boarded. I want this ol' girl rollin' by mid morning."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
“Are we able to take the cart and horses with us?”, Rum asks, not entirely sure what has been arranged.
If the answer is yes, he will wait with them until it is time to board, watching the sailors prepare for the journey. When ready he will offer his help to get them aboard.
If the answer is no, he will move the barrels of Dragonclaw next to the bottom of the gangplank and then figure out what to do with the cart and horses. He would likely suggest selling them at that point.
Ro listens to Alwyne and takes his warhorse, Penelope, to the gangplank so that she would be loaded onto the ship.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Greko "hops" off the cart and begins to make his way up onto the ship
Once the crew has had time to mount the weapons, ready the sails, and reconfigure the ship from a fishing vessel to a warship once ago, Alwyne authorizes Mr. Clean and the crew to begin boarding the mounts that belong to the band.
The Scorpion is huge. The many levels of the ship prove to surprise the band as they help get the carts into the lower decks and tied down so that they don't shift. The mounts don't seem thrilled about the stabling situation either, as each of the time stables has barely enough room for the animals to lay down from a standing position.
There are ample food stores in the holding deck, as well as a couple of dozen barrels and more than a few boulders, which were meant for the trebuchet, and vast numbers of ballista bolts that were bundled in sets of twelve and ready to be carried up to the main deck if needed.
It's clear to the band that the Scorpion has more than a few tricks up her sleeve that they weren't counting on. There is something very reassuring to the feel of the boat as it casts off from the port a couple of hours before noon and sails east, down the Fantasia River, toward the sea.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Rum does his best to make sure Herbs and Spice are not too traumatised by their new surroundings as the ship sets sail, before heading up on deck. He wasn’t entirely sure how long he would be aboard, but got the feeling it was going to be a while. He searches out the first mate, Clean.
“Greetings, Mr Clean I believe. I am Rum”, he says placing his hand over his heart and inclining his head. “I was just wondering about the length of our journey, how long before we come upon the place the Beagle was attacked? Oh, and in terms of the ship, are we allowed to wander where we please, below and above?”, he asks curiously looking up at the mast.
Animal Handling: (10+5) = 15
Lelith went by unnoticed on the ship, she seemingly disappeared from sight after a few moments once their belongings were secured. She did not interact with anyone nor did anyone notice her for that matter as she wandered the ship and inspected every nook and cranny she could access without too much difficulty. She wasn't really sneaking around, like some ignorant fool might suggest if they were able to somehow spot her. She was merely exploring the ship that would transport them to their location and simply did not wish to make conversation with the humans on board...
Perception Check: 14
Working with Herbs and Spice goes a long way to soothe then and make them take to their new surroundings easier, even though they're not fans of the away of the ship once it gets underway.
"Should reach that spot before morning." Clean answers Rum. "Unless they moved of course. That could complicate things. As for wandering, you can go anywhere you want save for the Captain's Quarters, I'm sure. Just be careful what you mess with."
---
The ship is filled with stuff, as Lelith learns. Seeing as she'd be in service for a long, long time, it is no surprise the number of piles of rope that she finds, vasts folds of fishing nets, barrels of pickled foods and dried meats, stores of hay and stare for animals, and caches of weapons and fire fighting equipment as well as barrels of tar and other sealants to keep her water tight in an emergency, as well as fresh cuts of lumber and carpentry supplies.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
As members of the band turn to their own devices, Ro stays atop the Scorpion's deck. He observes the work of the sailors as they make their ship battle ready, paying close attention to the craftsmanship and design of the ballista and trebuchet. He notices the sailor working to install Stinger to the deck and walks over to them, "Hello there, my name is Ro. My band and I will be in your crew's hands for a time. I'm looking forward to working with you all. What is your name?" Ro waits or the sailor to introduce himself before saying, "It is good to meet you ____. I know my way around tools, and if you are ok with it I can help you in your task. Just tell me what needs to be done."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
With the majority of the day ahead and nothing really to do, Rum wanders around the ship, ending up climbing the mast to look at the view. If there is a crows nest he will stand in it unless occupied, otherwise he will just use his claws to remain fixed. He will introduce himself if there is an occupant in the crows nest.
After eating some lunch, he decides to make use of the afternoon by training. Finding a quiet area on the deck is not difficult, and he finds a spot towards the bow of the huge ship. He begins by setting out 6 of the iron rings he had had made on the deck around him.
With his quarterstaff he flicks one of the rings up and into the air above him, and as it drops he kicks out, his foot slipping through the hole of the ring and stopping it returning to the deck.
He flicks another ring into the air with his staff, this time sending a fist through the hole as it plummets to the floor. He continues with this exercise for some time, gradually building up the height he flicks the rings up, and the number that are airborne at one time. His body has to move faster and faster in a crazy juggling act.
Numerous times he isn’t quite fast or accurate enough, and a ring clatters to the deck, but he isn’t perturbed, carrying on practising. The sway of the ship makes it slightly more difficult, but that was a good thing.
He occasionally stops for a drink, stands at the very front of the bow and looks out down the river, wondering what they will find.
The sailor, a bawdry Dwarf named Corlin, was glad for the help as he reassembled the Stinger on the aft of the main deck. It was beyond operation, was missing parts, and wouldn't be functional any time soon, but Ro at least received a crash course in how to assemble the weapon and lock it to the deck via pins. The whole thing was highly mobile even once attached, and like the ballistas and trebuchet could rotate three hundred sixty degrees and had an impressive vertical adjustment as well.
"Going to take more than tools to fix this thing." Corlin tells Ro as they work. "She's missing at least one electrum rod and probably a quarter mile of coiled wire, and that's just the start of her troubles. I'd have to go through a complete schematic to try to find exactly what we need. We'll worry about that when we get to Cloveresse. If we get to Cloveresse."
__________
There is an occupant in the crows nest. She is a tall, sea worn Elf named Tialha.
"Whenever there's a watch up here, it's usually me." She says to Rum after their introductions to one another. "Only time it's not me is when I climb down to go...well, do my business. But! It's usually me then too."
She laughs at this like she's told a very funny joke, then slides a rogue hair behind one of her pointed ears.
"Good eyes I've got." She continues, looking around as they make their way along the river. The Fantasia hugs the ship as they go, her waters holding the hull as Captain Saewulf keeps her positioned in the center. Long gone is the abandoned tower that was off the port side of the ship near Old Riverwood, and the Scorpion was rounding the bend in the river as it headed out through the Swamp of Sadness. Already jungle trees and willows were beginning to close in on the shoreline. "Back when we used to do this all the time, I could spot a serpent or a sea hag from miles away. Miles! But nowadays I've gotten lazy. Turning to fishing will do that to you, you know?"
__________
Captain Saewulf has the crew sleeping in shifts on deck as the night takes over. Lanterns swing about here and there, illuminating the deck while sailors sleep with their heads propped on coils of rope or bundles of rags or whatever they can find. Tialha remains awake, sleeping in and out of a semi-meditative state as she keeps her eyes peeled for any signs of trouble.
The crew has been split into three teams.
There is a rowing team below deck, where six sailors maintain a complex rowing apparatus that mechanically enhances their efforts, with each of them being able to man four massive oars through a series of powerful gears and energy assisting crystals.
There is a bosun's team who keeps up with the sails and rigging on the main deck and assists the Captain in navigation and reckoning.
And there is a weapons team that hauled all of the ammunition they thought they could possibly need up to the main deck and positioned it near the appropriate weapon. All of the ballistas are now in the charged position, their bows locked back with safety release pins, while the crank has been attached to the trebuchet; they hadn't charged it yet as to keep unnecessary pressure off the throwing arm.
Mr. Clean and Captain Saewulf took turns snoozing near the helm, an hour or two here, a little while there. The night was aging rapidly. The faint glow of the lanterns shimmered on the surface of the river and crawled toward the shore. Things howled far off in the swamp, and more than one sailor commented that they were glad that whatever had made the ghastly sounds wasn't there with them.
Until Tialha called down from the Crow's Nest.
"Got movement on the shore." She said, ringing a bell she had up top with her. Sailors were immediately astir, jumping to their feet and moving to their appointed place of duty. Mr. Clean came down to the main deck from the helm while the Captain took over all functions of navigation and maneuvering. There was a sound in the dark, like crosscut saws and felling axes. "They're cutting trees. I think they're going to try to block our way."
"Furl the sails!" Clean was shouting as sailors moved to and fro with the rigging. "All oars for now! Don't want them burning the sails!"
"Something ahead in'a river!" Captain Saewulf said, squinting through the dim glow of the lanterns. "No, it's above the wa'er! Tialha, what's that!?"
The Elf pivoted, pulling out a spy glass to enhance her already amazing Elven eyes.
"Barrel! Hanging from a tree limb! Gonna try to burn us! Something glowing up river from that too!"
"Crank up the trebuchet!" Clean shouted as he moved up and down the deck. "Put a flaming barrel up in the tree tops! Light 'em up! I want it bright as day out here!"
The weapon was cranked back, and then there was a great ka-thwak as it flipped forward, hurling a lighted barrel up and off the deck and into the tops of some thick weeping willows. The barrel exploded, and flames licked the sky. The barrel ahead of them was now clearly illuminated; it was dangling from a rope from a tree limb high above the river. It was positioned to be dropped right in the center of the deck.
There was a commotion along both sides of the river, and trees began falling from both banks into the water.
"Something's coming at us!" Tialha shouted, pointing toward the starboard side of the ship. "Bullywugs!"
And as if on cue, a Bullywug landed on the deck of the ship, it's gaping mouth coming down on Clean's shoulder and biting hard. Clean screamed as the two toppled to the deck, and then the Bullywug lashed out with its spear, striking the deck next to him.
**********
Clean takes 3 Damage (this does not effect the Scorpion)
POST ORDER
Bullywug B
Yam
Tuto
Bullywug A
The Scorpion
Lelith
Bullywug C
Bullywug G
Rum
Bullywug D
Greko
Ro
Bullywug E
Bullywug F
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Yam runs towards the first Bullywag. Can't have them attacking the ship's crew. "All aggressors shall be punished by the gods!" She shouts. "Whether man, devil or frog, those who start with violence will be scorched by the innocence of the Childlike Empress!" As she shouts that, light descends on the frog from above. It is faint, and yet it hurts, for the Bullywag is a violent being.
Action: Casts Sacred Flame on the Bullywag that attacked Clean. It must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity save or take 7 radiant damage.
Varielky
"OOOOOOOO!!" Attackers! Miscreants! Fiends! Harming Tuto's new sailor friends will not go unpunished! Tuto tips his flute from his holder and begins to play an upbeat melody, vigorously dancing about the deck. (Tuto gives Yam a bardic inspiration. 1d6 added to one attack roll, saving throw or ability check) Without missing a beat, Tuto spins toward the nearest unoccupied bullywug. The normally black holes with a slight blue tint on his mask grow brighter, and brighter until bluish arcane flame is spilling out of the eye sockets. (Tuto casts Suggestion. DC 13 wis save) Then for a second, he pulls the flute from himself and says, "Help my friends!" Then continues to play.
The heavens opened up, and the Bullywug had enough time to glance up before Sacred Flame cascaded down upon it. It croaked, raising its arms to shield itself, but taking damage all the same. Still, as the music from the Gnome comes to its ears, it feels compelled to help those that it was hurting. Still, it doesn't have time to intervene as a second Bullywug comes up over the rail of the ship, landing next to Tuto. It's mouth opens as it lunges for the little Gnome and tries to eat him, but it's own momentum carries it past Tuto, who sees the green head up close with utmost clarity. The Bullywug, quickly trying to recover its momentum and keep attacking, jabbing with its spear, but the dancing Gnome is just too much for it to be able to hit.
"On the deck!" A sailor shouts nearby, turning a ballista toward the first Bullywug. The ballista jerks as it is discharged and a bolt as big as an arm drives through the Bullywug, which crumples dead to the deck.
"Target, target!" Another sailor shouts who, apparently, is feeling his oats as he aims danger-close to Tuto. The ballista twangs, but the bolt misses.
"On it!" The next sailor says, zeroing in and firing. This bolt, like the last, is carried harmlessly off into the night.
___________
Bullywug B has been killed
Updated Post Order
Yam
Tuto
Bullywug A
Scorpion
Lelith
Bullywug C
Bullywug G
Rum
Bullywug D
Greko
Ro
Bullywug E
Bullywug F
Lelith is up
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Lelith calmly stepped on the air and rose thirty feet upwards (if possible, near the Crow's Nest where the elf Tialha stood), thus keeping herself safe from retaliation at close ranges. She took an arrow out of her quiver and nocked it at the head of Bullywug threatening Tuto with its spear. She spat, "Disgusting creature."
Action: Ranged attack from a high 'ground' using a Longbow, +8 to hit, the damage is (1d8+4)Base Damage + (1d4)Dreadful Strikes (Always applies but only once per turn) + (1d4) Favored Foe (On a successful hit, Bullywugs are now a favoured foe for 1 minute which I can deal 1d4 additional damage to, I must maintain concentration like a spell for this to apply.)
To Hit: 1d20 (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d8 (8) + 4 [piercing] + 1d4 [Dreadful Strikes] + 1d4 [Favored Foe] = 18