"Umm, Captain, I've got bad news... I grew up in a forest so I didn't learn much fire magic. The elders were very strict about that."

Nicknack hurries towards the ladder to the mid-deck. "Hrain, call out your orders, and I will convey them to the cannon crew." He scampers down the ladder and yells, "Everybody listen up! I'm sorry but you're stuck with me as your crier - when the captain orders us to fire, I'll pass along the order from up here on the ladder! Hrain is going to try diplomacy, but they're slavers and they've already shot at us, so I expect things to get interesting any moment now."

"Roger that! But we'd love some news about whats happening above once we make contact, just in case the situation allows it!", Lyra yells back. She locks eyes with Pat for a second, as if to confirm that shes ready. Lyra than looks back through the porthole, waiting for the ship to change its course enough to justify correcting the angles. She rests one of her hand at the back of the cannon, just waiting for the signal to then produce some sparks using Prestidigitation and send the projectile flying.

(OOC: My apologies I took Lyra's survival roll in Post #2066 as firing the shot which seems to have not happened yet. I then reloaded the cannon in Post #2071. As the shot hasn't been fired at this stage - at least that is my understanding - I have struck out the post but not deleted. I will use it as a pre-post for the second round if needed)  

Niska turns to Hrain.

"We need to bring it sails if this is your choice," Niska says the paladin seeing honest fear on the aasimar's face! "I will tell you now diplomacy is a language these people do not speak. They know no mercy and trade in children," she adds raising her hand to signal her crew to bring in sails down.

In a matter of minutes the sails are in the ship comes to a near stop tossing slightly in the calm seas. Niska has order ALL children on deck below to hide. Only people on deck are the party and Niska with Lyra and Pat readying canon below. A teen passing join the canon bay giving all shots advantage with the added crew.

It takes another few minutes and the ship arrives they fire another close shot across the bow before raising a flag.

ALL crew on deck roll a history check!

History: 8

OOC: would Pat and I also get a glimpse at the flag?

If so - History: 8

History 13

History 24

(OOC:  I assume Pat doesn't get a glimpse of the flag but please advise if different)

OOC: you're below, no.

      Folzi slides the mast as the boat comes to a stop. He walks over to Nick and Hrian. "You two want some backup? I'm sure I could sneak over unseen."

   The gnome swallows hard as the other boat nears and then slides over to the aasimar. "Do we need to say some prayers to the Traveler or something?" He looks around on the deck and finds a little dirt and rubs it on his legs. "A little pep my my step won't hurt I think," he say with a wink.

(longstrider)

"I have been praying small one since you spotted the ship on the horizon," the aasimar replies.

As the enemy ship draws ever closer another 60ft a booming voice says: "Lost your colors Antoine or are you finally going to stab us in the back," the voice sounds pleasant yet with a menacing undertone as the party can hear faint laughter from at least a dozen men and women from the open water distance between the ships. "Picked up a few new crew as well," the voice adds annoyed. There's a long pause then they call out again. "Speak brother or meet your end in that tub you call a ship," they add finally as the gun ports slowly begin to open on the other vessel four...six in total!

Nicknack scratches his chin as a wicked grin spreads across his face. "We could pop over there as High Ambassador Folzi and his Grand Vizier Warnick of the Kingdom of Tarkleby... let them see they haven't set upon the lambs they may think they have. Appear right up next to the enemy captain and tell them what will happen the next time they fire on us? He might sink this tub but not before you hollow out his guts like a canoe... If we do that, Niska will have to set some of her teenagers to run orders down to the cannon deck."

Quote from Saute_Monkey >>

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

 

 Yes.

     Folzi rubs his hands together and begins to search himself for what he would like to arm himself with. While deciding he whispers Nicknack, "Would that wand we got from that girl help making their captain a bit more agreeable?" He decides on his crossbow and rapier. 

OOC: Lyra can't hear you.  "3 feet of wood blocks the spell" the deck is thicker than three feet dude it's the deck of a ship!

Nicknack grins and cries out to the cannon deck, "Watch for a big target mark on the side of the enemy ship! That'll be your signal to fire!!" 

OOC: Can we see where the voice is coming from on the deck of the enemy ship?

Perception: 11

OOC: They can't hear you hence why I said you had to GO and tell them. I don't no how else to explain this people.

Nick can hear nothing but possible low murmurs.

     Folzi holds up a hand to Nicknack. "Don't think they can hear you," and he dashes below to inform Lyra and Pat of the signal.  "When the boat pulls up alongside us, I'll put a target up on the side to give you all the okay to blow them out of the water."

"Nick, I'm hoping you've been saving all the fireballs and lightning bolts for a moment like this. Alright, I know you said no fire but something similar." Hrain says all this while checking his gear including his mysterious new shield is in place.