This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cooking check: 18
Vaken awakens breathing hard and sweating. He rises for his shift a touch early and heads into the galley where find Nibs again at work with his tattoo needles. Looking around he sees some dishes still need washing.
"Evening Nibs, everything go well for ye on your shift? Make sure to finish up with the dishes before you head to your bunk. I 'ave no problem with you practicing your art, but let's make sure the job is done first please."
While Nibs finishes up on the dishes, Vaken gets a pot of stew ready for those who awoke hungry or those coming off duty likewise.
As soon as the shift change rush is passed and Nibs had headed to his bunk Vaken makes his way to the deck and looks out at the sea and the stars searching for the peacefulness he sees out there. Trying to internalize it. He thinks about how the stars here look so different from what he could see in town but so similar to those he saw back in the mountains. He feels the urge to... to... do something. But what?
Stepping away from the side he looks around to see who's nearby. To see if any of his new friends are close.
Vaken awakens breathing hard and sweating. He rises for his shift a touch early and heads into the galley where find Nibs again at work with his tattoo needles. Looking around he sees some dishes still need washing.
"Evening Nibs, everything go well for ye on your shift? Make sure to finish up with the dishes before you head to your bunk. I 'ave no problem with you practicing your art, but let's make sure the job is done first please."
While Nibs finishes up on the dishes, Vaken gets a pot of stew ready for those who awoke hungry or those coming off duty likewise.
As soon as the shift change rush is passed and Nibs had headed to his bunk Vaken makes his way to the deck and looks out at the sea and the stars searching for the peacefulness he sees out there. Trying to internalize it. He thinks about how the stars here look so different from what he could see in town but so similar to those he saw back in the mountains. He feels the urge to... to... do something. But what?
Stepping away from the side he looks around to see who's nearby. To see if any of his new friends are close.
Nibs looks a little guilty at being caught cleaning his needles, especially when you point out that there was still work to be done, but he puts his tattooing gear away with only minimal grumbling while he gets to scrubbing the rest of the brass pots and pans, as well as the iron plates, mugs and sporks. In a fairly obvious attempt at diverting attention from his lax work efforts, the robust half-orc says, "All da crew was happy with the eats last night, Mr. Vaken. REAL happy like, most of'em at least. One lady kissed me cheek, she was so happy. Lots of'em told me ta tell ya that was da best eats theyz had in ages."
As you skillfully prepare a stew, grabbing ingredients from the adjacent store room or from the hold below, you're reminded how good it is to have a full suply of relatively fresh supplies to work with, though you know such likely won't always be the case. As the enticing aromas of your new concoction start to fill the Galley and the spaces beyond, you hear yourself the happy comments of passing sailors remarking on their good fortune to have a real cook aboard. When it's ready, you and Nibs make sure the food is circulated and readily available to all crew, before you release your off-sider to his rest and head up on deck.
The open air and light rain is refreshing despite the increasingly blustery conditions after the heat and closed confines of the Galley. While tonight's view of the stars is not quite as sweeping as last nights due to the rain clouds, it's still certainly more majestic than anything you saw in Rumbottom. The all-but full moon seems to duck and weave amdist the fast moving clouds overhead, with the gleming sparkles of Selune's Tears trailing out behind it. You see Kay up the mainmast, with Dekket climbing up to meet her. The Master of Sail stands nearby giving instructions to his team, while the Navigator is up on the Foredeck using some of his instruments by the look of things. You can see no sign of either Ferris or Virt, though the less than optimal conditions and the usual bustle of activity aboard make it hard to confirm whether or not they are on deck or not.
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...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ferris had not been dallying lightly, he had been taking a quick walk about the ship to properly stretch his legs. Being sure to exercise was important for someone who will generally be trapped in a barrel up high for most of his waking hours. He nods at a few sailors ands gives pats when he can in greeting. His long coat is closed for the first time to keep out the worst of the weather.
He grabs ahold of the ropes and starts his steady climb up, up and im to his nest, also donning his floppy fishing hat with a scowl at the cap.
Kestrell takes the fencing lessons he has been reading about to heart, and removes his T.S.E rapier from the sheath. He oils it and sharpens it before sheathing it and fastening it to his belt. Resolving to finish the book on the next night.
After helping Kai, Dekket goes to the center of the deck, where there is more open space and unseathes his rapier. He begins to practice some basic movements, more focused on streching his muscles and to tonify his body than actually be useful in a real fight. He repeats it over and over, and soon he breaks to sweat, despite the fresh air. He had to stop here and then, to allow woriking members of the crew to pass and not be a nuisance, but he keeps up, focused on his rutine.
After helping Kai, Dekket goes to the center of the deck, where there is more open space and unseathes his rapier. He begins to practice some basic movements, more focused on streching his muscles and to tonify his body than actually be useful in a real fight. He repeats it over and over, and soon he breaks to sweat, despite the fresh air. He had to stop here and then, to allow woriking members of the crew to pass and not be a nuisance, but he keeps up, focused on his rutine.
Finding a little open space atop the closed hatch in the middle of the maindeck, you find practice on the slippery rain slicked deck a little tricky in the darkness of the late 3rd shift and amidst the working bustle of the other sailors, but your muscles feel better for the exertion all the same.
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...
Kestrell takes the fencing lessons he has been reading about to heart, and removes his T.S.E rapier from the sheath. He oils it and sharpens it before sheathing it and fastening it to his belt. Resolving to finish the book on the next night.
Standing atop the forecastle deck, you oil your blade with a rag in hand and an small flask of oil at his feet, as well as a newfound appreciation for the weapon and the initials stamped upon it. Your slightly worried gaze takes in the rough, growing white-capped waves around the Shore Shark and the deep night ahead of the vessel, as you wonder at the possible consequence of the interference with his ship's course caused by the tricky conditions and confusing currents.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Ferris had not been dallying lightly, he had been taking a quick walk about the ship to properly stretch his legs. Being sure to exercise was important for someone who will generally be trapped in a barrel up high for most of his waking hours. He nods at a few sailors ands gives pats when he can in greeting. His long coat is closed for the first time to keep out the worst of the weather.
He grabs ahold of the ropes and starts his steady climb up, up and im to his nest, also donning his floppy fishing hat with a scowl at the cap.
Shift Perception: 8
Standing tall atop the crows nest despite the buffeting wind and slight sting of the rain, you scan the rising white-capped waves around the vessel as best you can, though you are frequently forced to wipe dripping water from your brow due to the angle and increasing tempo of the rain. Seeing nothing of note around long periods of time despite your watch, fatigue and boredom mean that your gaze soon starts falling to the ship and figures below you. You see the First Mate at the helm conversing with the nearby black dragonborn Druhut atop the poop deck, as the Master of Sail calls questions and directions to sailors topside. You see a tiefling swordsman in the middle of the deck, practising forms and maneuvers despite the conditions, while a number of deckhands work around his slashing and stabbing moves. You see both the well-liked Cook and the engimatic Ships Mage also emerge onto the maindeck, while atop the foredeck you notice the Navigator cleaning his own weapon. You find yourself wondering at your good fortune to have found a berth, and possibly a home, aboard such a fine vessel with such a capable seeming crew...
...And as your gaze lifts after some time in distracted contemplation, you see the barest outline of rising rocky ridges ahead, the hard to discern shadowy outline of what might be a small barren island no more than half-a-mile out before the ship. And there, amidst a tight, not-quite circular bay of equally sharp rocks and ledges, sits what looks to be a two-masted ship at rest. Cursing your own lack of attention for not having spied the island and ship earlier, you futilely squint against the darkness and inclement weather trying to discern more of what lies ahead.
Straining your senses out beyond the Shore Shark even as you voice self-recriminations to yourself in your own mind, your growing sense of dread only heightens as you start to hear shouts of alarm and fright from the deck of your own ship. Looking down, you notice tussling figures on the decks far below you, though again you find yourself unable to make out much in the way of detail.
[OOC] Hey, gang. Welcome to our first shipboard battle encounter of the campaign. I'll need everyone to roll initiative please. :D
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...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As those of you in the rigging and on deck focus on your work or other activities amidst the difficult conditions, the enjoyment of the last couple of days sailing in mostly fine weather already seems like a distant memory. The growing wind picks up the less-than-torrential rain and drives it against exposed skin and into faces, a steady annoyance that interferes with tasks and vision both. The wavering light given off by the brass lanterns aboard ship seem to lurch with each gust of wind and large wave the ship rides.
Focused as you are on your work or merely keeping your feet amidst the worsening conditions, you are completely taken by surprise as hostile green skinned huminoids with scraggly kelp-like hair and spines jutting from their joints slide over the Shark's rails and begin assaulting you with reddish-pink tridents that appear made of coral. Your attackers cold green eyes and viscious stabbing strikes promise little mercy.
[OOC]
Some wayward navigating and an unlikely roll by me has landed you in the your first seaboard battle ahead of time. Additionally, the lookout's poor perception check, combined with a great stealth check for the boarders (assisted by the conditions), means that your attackers gain a round of surprise attacks - so no actions or movement for crew in the 1st round, though feel free to post flavour reaction posts all the same. Though all crew are presently unaware of the extent of the attack, for player clarification purposes two of the aggressive trident wielders each now stand atop the aft and forecastles, while three of the creatures have clambered onto the main deck.
For the purpose of vision in encounters aboard ship, there are lantern, hooded fixed near the bowsprit (fore), middle rear of the poop deck (aft), above both doors leading off the maindeck, and to each mast 10' off the deck, and 30' off the deck, with a final lantern set near the top of the mainmast above the crowsnest. However, due to the conditions, I'm considering the light given off HALF of what it normally would be, so 15' bright light and 15' dim. Despite this though, the amount and coverage of lanterns means that vision aboard ship (even for creatures without low light or dark vision) is not impeded.
Due to the wet and worsening conditions, I'm considering the ship's decks difficult terrain for anyone who doesn't have the sailor (or pirate) background. RND1 (surprise round):
Koalinth1 attack against Druhut: Attack: 6 Damage: 7Miss K2 vs A'ro: Attack: 18 Damage: 4Hit K3 vs Kestrell: Attack: 19 Damage: 3Hit K4 vs Argrin: Attack: 5 Damage: 3Hit K5 vs Aezil: Attack: 8 Damage: 8Hit K6 vs Herzhay: Attack: 4 Damage: 5Hit K7 vs Darrow: Attack: 9 Damage: 5Miss K7 vs Virt: Attack: 11 Damage: 6Hit Virt is now restrained
The topmost ship layout is of the main deck and aft and forecastle cabins. The bottommost layout is of the poop and forecastle decks, as well as the rigging and crows nest.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
A'ro feels the projectile hit him as he looks down "Son of a...PIRATES!" he yells as he finds the nearest thing to provide cover against the attacks as he plans out his next move.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Ouch!"Kestrell looks up from polishing his rapier (not a metaphor) only to discover a trident shoved into him. "That really hurt! Honestly, who uses a trident? I thought tridents were purely ornamental!"
Initiative: 16
Kestrell assumes a fencers stance and raises his rapier in a salute. "My name is Kestrell Season. I have been reading about swords. Prepare to die!"
A'ro feels the projectile hit him as he looks down "Son of a...PIRATES!" he yells as he finds the nearest thing to provide cover against the attacks as he plans out his next move.
OOC: Initiative: 21
Your attacker snarls something in a guttural language that you don't understand, even as it drives the sharp tines of its weapon painfully into your flesh. An answering shout in a voice just as rough, but even deeper and more ferocious, carries up from the main deck where A'ro can hear further sounds of combat breaking out.
Nearby, the stoic dragonborn Druhut manages to pull a shortsword hurriedly from his belt in time to barely parry the trident of another attacker. Overhead you hear the belated and alarmed cry of the halfling sail monkey Freya shout out in consternation. The First Mate still holds the wheel even as her head whips around to glare at the two assailants on the Poop Deck. The senior officer's strong voice sounds out through the night air,
"We've been boarded! To arms... TO ARMS! Throw this scum back into the sea where they came from. A'ro, Druhut - on me. Defend the wheel!"
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...
"Ouch!"Kestrell looks up from polishing his rapier (not a metaphor) only to discover a trident shoved into him. "That really hurt! Honestly, who uses a trident? I thought tridents were purely ornamental!"
Initiative: 16
Kestrell assumes a fencers stance and raises his rapier in a salute. "My name is Kestrell Season. I have been reading about swords. Prepare to die!"
Tearing the heads of his trident from your side, the still dripping creature snarls something incomprehensible into your face, its breath reeking strangely of fish and rum, before it rears back for another strike. His broad back pushed up against Hurley, the dwarven engineer Argrin grunts in pain nearby as he struggles to free a light hammer from his belt, another of the attackers jabbing its own weapon into the portly sailor's shoulder. Overhead you hear the uncertain and clearly alarmed voice of the halfling Fillian call out,
"Ahh, attackers, Mr. Navigator! All across the ship, Sir! What should I do?"
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Initiative: 22
Ferris does his own double take and exudes even more curses at himself for his lapse in duty. Truly the weather was mostly to blame but a lookout was always going to get on themselves about these things. The man's first thought was to go for his crossbow but with the weather and rocking it may be more harmful than helpful.
When he finally shakes himself out of his self recriminations he would cast Jump on himself.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
From the mainmast, Kay pauses in her work to look around as she hears shouts and commotion from below. Cursing, she grabs the hilt of one of her shortswords before deciding it'd be best to climb down before drawing. She starts to climb down the rigging slowly and carefully. Hoping that she'll be able to drop down behind one of the ship's attackers to take them by surprise.
From the mainmast, Kay pauses in her work to look around as she hears shouts and commotion from below. Cursing, she grabs the hilt of one of her shortswords before deciding it'd be best to climb down before drawing. She starts to climb down the rigging slowly and carefully. Hoping that she'll be able to drop down behind one of the ship's attackers to take them by surprise.
The shouts of surprise and pain from the deck grow in urgency as you see a silver haired elven deckhand below badly skewered by one of the attackers, the kelp-bearded creature's trident taking the unprepared sailor in the stomach as she belatedly yanks a light mace from her sash. The look on the face of the neaby Enzio goes from surprise to cold anger as the dreadlocked sailor pulls his cutlass from its sheath. Climbing and angling downwards as you go, you hope to be able to drop behind the creature who is in the process of freeing his trident from the bleeding stomach of your crewmate.
[OOC] The stealth check will be your bonus action on your RND2 turn (we're not quite there yet due to the surprise round), but movement wise, climbing at 15' per round will normally take you 2 rounds to get into position behind K5 (at H10 on the maindeck map). Kay could use her action to dash allowing her to be in position to attack on her turn in RND3.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Ferris does his own double take and exudes even more curses at himself for his lapse in duty. Truly the weather was mostly to blame but a lookout was always going to get on themselves about these things. The man's first thought was to go for his crossbow but with the weather and rocking it may be more harmful than helpful.
When he finally shakes himself out of his self recriminations he would cast Jump on himself.
You see a couple of the viscious creatures emerge from the sea over the starboard rail, the smaller of the two stabbing his trident into the a red-skinned tiefling sailor who almost trips over her own longcloak as she fails to dodge the blow, screaming in pain while simulatneously pulling a dagger in defence. The larger of the two attackers, this one with a long green-black beard, with motled green-skin that is all-but covered in barnacles and crawling sea-lice, roars something in a foreign language as he misses with a lazy stab towards a sailor standing adjacent to the starboard ballista, before the tall, broad shouldered attacker turns to throw a nasty looking hooked web across over the form of the nearby Ships Mage. The Ship's Mage shouts in pain as many of the hooks catch in his flesh and appears temporarily restrained.
[OOC] That concludes the surprise RND1. Players can post RND2 turns, including movement, actions, bonus actions (if any) and free actions (if any). For player reference Ferris was 65' above deck in the Crows Nest, while Kay, Fillian and Freya were all 30' above deck when the attack occured. Remember that perception and other skill checks are actions unless otherwise stated, but that you can always ask for info or about PC options relating to passive skills.
Regarding movement, please try to give a clear indication of where you are going, either through coordinates or clear narrative description, e.g. on the stair leading to the foredeck, adjacent to the portside rail.
The topmost ship layout is of the main deck and aft and forecastle cabins. The bottommost layout is of the poop and forecastle decks, as well as the rigging and crows nest.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Overhead you hear the uncertain and clearly alarmed voice of the halfling Fillian call out,
"Ahh, attackers, Mr. Navigator! All across the ship, Sir! What should I do?"
"Not to worry Fillian! You keep an eye on them from above and shout if they get behind anybody!"
Kestrell uses a bonus action to inspire Kay: "Hey Kay! Let them have it and make them run away!"
Then Kestrell will cast Phantasmal Force on the creature in front of him, and make make the illusion of an identical to Kestrell fencer 1 space below the creature, so it thinks we have it pinned against the side of the ship. The illusion will continue taunting the creature and feinting with his rapier.
OOC: This round the illusion deals 6 psychic damage to the creature. The creature can use it's action to examine the phantasm with a DC14 Investigation check to realize it is an illusion. If not, the creature treats the phantasm as if it were real.
OOC: 1d6 Bardic Inspiration to Kay to use by adding to an attack role, saving throw or skill check after the roll is made but before the outcome is known.
Kayhurriedly clambers down the rigging as fast as she can while trying not to draw any unnecessary attention. Near the deck, she swings around the rigging dropping down quietly behind the creature assailing the deckhand as she draws one of her shortswords.
bonus action : stealth action : dash movement : Kay to H10
Cooking check: 18
Vaken awakens breathing hard and sweating. He rises for his shift a touch early and heads into the galley where find Nibs again at work with his tattoo needles. Looking around he sees some dishes still need washing.
"Evening Nibs, everything go well for ye on your shift? Make sure to finish up with the dishes before you head to your bunk. I 'ave no problem with you practicing your art, but let's make sure the job is done first please."
While Nibs finishes up on the dishes, Vaken gets a pot of stew ready for those who awoke hungry or those coming off duty likewise.
As soon as the shift change rush is passed and Nibs had headed to his bunk Vaken makes his way to the deck and looks out at the sea and the stars searching for the peacefulness he sees out there. Trying to internalize it. He thinks about how the stars here look so different from what he could see in town but so similar to those he saw back in the mountains. He feels the urge to... to... do something. But what?
Stepping away from the side he looks around to see who's nearby. To see if any of his new friends are close.
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Nibs looks a little guilty at being caught cleaning his needles, especially when you point out that there was still work to be done, but he puts his tattooing gear away with only minimal grumbling while he gets to scrubbing the rest of the brass pots and pans, as well as the iron plates, mugs and sporks. In a fairly obvious attempt at diverting attention from his lax work efforts, the robust half-orc says, "All da crew was happy with the eats last night, Mr. Vaken. REAL happy like, most of'em at least. One lady kissed me cheek, she was so happy. Lots of'em told me ta tell ya that was da best eats theyz had in ages."
As you skillfully prepare a stew, grabbing ingredients from the adjacent store room or from the hold below, you're reminded how good it is to have a full suply of relatively fresh supplies to work with, though you know such likely won't always be the case. As the enticing aromas of your new concoction start to fill the Galley and the spaces beyond, you hear yourself the happy comments of passing sailors remarking on their good fortune to have a real cook aboard. When it's ready, you and Nibs make sure the food is circulated and readily available to all crew, before you release your off-sider to his rest and head up on deck.
The open air and light rain is refreshing despite the increasingly blustery conditions after the heat and closed confines of the Galley. While tonight's view of the stars is not quite as sweeping as last nights due to the rain clouds, it's still certainly more majestic than anything you saw in Rumbottom. The all-but full moon seems to duck and weave amdist the fast moving clouds overhead, with the gleming sparkles of Selune's Tears trailing out behind it. You see Kay up the mainmast, with Dekket climbing up to meet her. The Master of Sail stands nearby giving instructions to his team, while the Navigator is up on the Foredeck using some of his instruments by the look of things. You can see no sign of either Ferris or Virt, though the less than optimal conditions and the usual bustle of activity aboard make it hard to confirm whether or not they are on deck or not.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
Ferris had not been dallying lightly, he had been taking a quick walk about the ship to properly stretch his legs. Being sure to exercise was important for someone who will generally be trapped in a barrel up high for most of his waking hours. He nods at a few sailors ands gives pats when he can in greeting. His long coat is closed for the first time to keep out the worst of the weather.
He grabs ahold of the ropes and starts his steady climb up, up and im to his nest, also donning his floppy fishing hat with a scowl at the cap.
Shift Perception: 19
Kestrell takes the fencing lessons he has been reading about to heart, and removes his T.S.E rapier from the sheath. He oils it and sharpens it before sheathing it and fastening it to his belt. Resolving to finish the book on the next night.
After helping Kai, Dekket goes to the center of the deck, where there is more open space and unseathes his rapier. He begins to practice some basic movements, more focused on streching his muscles and to tonify his body than actually be useful in a real fight. He repeats it over and over, and soon he breaks to sweat, despite the fresh air. He had to stop here and then, to allow woriking members of the crew to pass and not be a nuisance, but he keeps up, focused on his rutine.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Finding a little open space atop the closed hatch in the middle of the maindeck, you find practice on the slippery rain slicked deck a little tricky in the darkness of the late 3rd shift and amidst the working bustle of the other sailors, but your muscles feel better for the exertion all the same.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
Standing atop the forecastle deck, you oil your blade with a rag in hand and an small flask of oil at his feet, as well as a newfound appreciation for the weapon and the initials stamped upon it. Your slightly worried gaze takes in the rough, growing white-capped waves around the Shore Shark and the deep night ahead of the vessel, as you wonder at the possible consequence of the interference with his ship's course caused by the tricky conditions and confusing currents.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
Standing tall atop the crows nest despite the buffeting wind and slight sting of the rain, you scan the rising white-capped waves around the vessel as best you can, though you are frequently forced to wipe dripping water from your brow due to the angle and increasing tempo of the rain. Seeing nothing of note around long periods of time despite your watch, fatigue and boredom mean that your gaze soon starts falling to the ship and figures below you. You see the First Mate at the helm conversing with the nearby black dragonborn Druhut atop the poop deck, as the Master of Sail calls questions and directions to sailors topside. You see a tiefling swordsman in the middle of the deck, practising forms and maneuvers despite the conditions, while a number of deckhands work around his slashing and stabbing moves. You see both the well-liked Cook and the engimatic Ships Mage also emerge onto the maindeck, while atop the foredeck you notice the Navigator cleaning his own weapon. You find yourself wondering at your good fortune to have found a berth, and possibly a home, aboard such a fine vessel with such a capable seeming crew...
...And as your gaze lifts after some time in distracted contemplation, you see the barest outline of rising rocky ridges ahead, the hard to discern shadowy outline of what might be a small barren island no more than half-a-mile out before the ship. And there, amidst a tight, not-quite circular bay of equally sharp rocks and ledges, sits what looks to be a two-masted ship at rest. Cursing your own lack of attention for not having spied the island and ship earlier, you futilely squint against the darkness and inclement weather trying to discern more of what lies ahead.
Straining your senses out beyond the Shore Shark even as you voice self-recriminations to yourself in your own mind, your growing sense of dread only heightens as you start to hear shouts of alarm and fright from the deck of your own ship. Looking down, you notice tussling figures on the decks far below you, though again you find yourself unable to make out much in the way of detail.
[OOC] Hey, gang. Welcome to our first shipboard battle encounter of the campaign. I'll need everyone to roll initiative please. :D
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
As those of you in the rigging and on deck focus on your work or other activities amidst the difficult conditions, the enjoyment of the last couple of days sailing in mostly fine weather already seems like a distant memory. The growing wind picks up the less-than-torrential rain and drives it against exposed skin and into faces, a steady annoyance that interferes with tasks and vision both. The wavering light given off by the brass lanterns aboard ship seem to lurch with each gust of wind and large wave the ship rides.
Focused as you are on your work or merely keeping your feet amidst the worsening conditions, you are completely taken by surprise as hostile green skinned huminoids with scraggly kelp-like hair and spines jutting from their joints slide over the Shark's rails and begin assaulting you with reddish-pink tridents that appear made of coral. Your attackers cold green eyes and viscious stabbing strikes promise little mercy.
[OOC]
Some wayward navigating and an unlikely roll by me has landed you in the your first seaboard battle ahead of time. Additionally, the lookout's poor perception check, combined with a great stealth check for the boarders (assisted by the conditions), means that your attackers gain a round of surprise attacks - so no actions or movement for crew in the 1st round, though feel free to post flavour reaction posts all the same. Though all crew are presently unaware of the extent of the attack, for player clarification purposes two of the aggressive trident wielders each now stand atop the aft and forecastles, while three of the creatures have clambered onto the main deck.
For the purpose of vision in encounters aboard ship, there are lantern, hooded fixed near the bowsprit (fore), middle rear of the poop deck (aft), above both doors leading off the maindeck, and to each mast 10' off the deck, and 30' off the deck, with a final lantern set near the top of the mainmast above the crowsnest. However, due to the conditions, I'm considering the light given off HALF of what it normally would be, so 15' bright light and 15' dim. Despite this though, the amount and coverage of lanterns means that vision aboard ship (even for creatures without low light or dark vision) is not impeded.
Due to the wet and worsening conditions, I'm considering the ship's decks difficult terrain for anyone who doesn't have the sailor (or pirate) background. RND1 (surprise round):
Koalinth1 attack against Druhut: Attack: 6 Damage: 7 Miss
K2 vs A'ro: Attack: 18 Damage: 4 Hit
K3 vs Kestrell: Attack: 19 Damage: 3 Hit
K4 vs Argrin: Attack: 5 Damage: 3 Hit
K5 vs Aezil: Attack: 8 Damage: 8 Hit
K6 vs Herzhay: Attack: 4 Damage: 5 Hit
K7 vs Darrow: Attack: 9 Damage: 5 Miss
K7 vs Virt: Attack: 11 Damage: 6 Hit
Virt is now restrained
Initiative Order:
Koalinth: 5
A'ro: 21
Kay: 18
Kestrell: 16
Ferris: 14
The topmost ship layout is of the main deck and aft and forecastle cabins. The bottommost layout is of the poop and forecastle decks, as well as the rigging and crows nest.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
A'ro feels the projectile hit him as he looks down "Son of a...PIRATES!" he yells as he finds the nearest thing to provide cover against the attacks as he plans out his next move.
OOC:
Initiative: 14
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
"Ouch!" Kestrell looks up from polishing his rapier (not a metaphor) only to discover a trident shoved into him. "That really hurt! Honestly, who uses a trident? I thought tridents were purely ornamental!"
Initiative: 16
Kestrell assumes a fencers stance and raises his rapier in a salute. "My name is Kestrell Season. I have been reading about swords. Prepare to die!"
Your attacker snarls something in a guttural language that you don't understand, even as it drives the sharp tines of its weapon painfully into your flesh. An answering shout in a voice just as rough, but even deeper and more ferocious, carries up from the main deck where A'ro can hear further sounds of combat breaking out.
Nearby, the stoic dragonborn Druhut manages to pull a shortsword hurriedly from his belt in time to barely parry the trident of another attacker. Overhead you hear the belated and alarmed cry of the halfling sail monkey Freya shout out in consternation. The First Mate still holds the wheel even as her head whips around to glare at the two assailants on the Poop Deck. The senior officer's strong voice sounds out through the night air,
"We've been boarded! To arms... TO ARMS! Throw this scum back into the sea where they came from. A'ro, Druhut - on me. Defend the wheel!"
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
Tearing the heads of his trident from your side, the still dripping creature snarls something incomprehensible into your face, its breath reeking strangely of fish and rum, before it rears back for another strike. His broad back pushed up against Hurley, the dwarven engineer Argrin grunts in pain nearby as he struggles to free a light hammer from his belt, another of the attackers jabbing its own weapon into the portly sailor's shoulder. Overhead you hear the uncertain and clearly alarmed voice of the halfling Fillian call out,
"Ahh, attackers, Mr. Navigator! All across the ship, Sir! What should I do?"
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
Initiative: 22
Ferris does his own double take and exudes even more curses at himself for his lapse in duty. Truly the weather was mostly to blame but a lookout was always going to get on themselves about these things. The man's first thought was to go for his crossbow but with the weather and rocking it may be more harmful than helpful.
When he finally shakes himself out of his self recriminations he would cast Jump on himself.
A'ro moves to the wheel as commanded looking around at the situation as he gets to the wheel he throws a Fire Bolt at the nearest enemy.
OOC:
Fire Bolt Attack: 12 Fire Damage: 10
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
From the mainmast, Kay pauses in her work to look around as she hears shouts and commotion from below. Cursing, she grabs the hilt of one of her shortswords before deciding it'd be best to climb down before drawing. She starts to climb down the rigging slowly and carefully. Hoping that she'll be able to drop down behind one of the ship's attackers to take them by surprise.
initiative : 4
stealth : 25
~♡~
The shouts of surprise and pain from the deck grow in urgency as you see a silver haired elven deckhand below badly skewered by one of the attackers, the kelp-bearded creature's trident taking the unprepared sailor in the stomach as she belatedly yanks a light mace from her sash. The look on the face of the neaby Enzio goes from surprise to cold anger as the dreadlocked sailor pulls his cutlass from its sheath. Climbing and angling downwards as you go, you hope to be able to drop behind the creature who is in the process of freeing his trident from the bleeding stomach of your crewmate.
[OOC] The stealth check will be your bonus action on your RND2 turn (we're not quite there yet due to the surprise round), but movement wise, climbing at 15' per round will normally take you 2 rounds to get into position behind K5 (at H10 on the maindeck map). Kay could use her action to dash allowing her to be in position to attack on her turn in RND3.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
You see a couple of the viscious creatures emerge from the sea over the starboard rail, the smaller of the two stabbing his trident into the a red-skinned tiefling sailor who almost trips over her own longcloak as she fails to dodge the blow, screaming in pain while simulatneously pulling a dagger in defence. The larger of the two attackers, this one with a long green-black beard, with motled green-skin that is all-but covered in barnacles and crawling sea-lice, roars something in a foreign language as he misses with a lazy stab towards a sailor standing adjacent to the starboard ballista, before the tall, broad shouldered attacker turns to throw a nasty looking hooked web across over the form of the nearby Ships Mage. The Ship's Mage shouts in pain as many of the hooks catch in his flesh and appears temporarily restrained.
[OOC] That concludes the surprise RND1. Players can post RND2 turns, including movement, actions, bonus actions (if any) and free actions (if any). For player reference Ferris was 65' above deck in the Crows Nest, while Kay, Fillian and Freya were all 30' above deck when the attack occured. Remember that perception and other skill checks are actions unless otherwise stated, but that you can always ask for info or about PC options relating to passive skills.
Regarding movement, please try to give a clear indication of where you are going, either through coordinates or clear narrative description, e.g. on the stair leading to the foredeck, adjacent to the portside rail.
Initiative Order:
Koalinth: 7
Crew 2: 22
A'ro: 21
Kay: 18
Vaken: 19
Kestrell: 16
Crew 1: 15
Virt: 15
Ferris: 14
Dekket: 6
The topmost ship layout is of the main deck and aft and forecastle cabins. The bottommost layout is of the poop and forecastle decks, as well as the rigging and crows nest.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
DM Trevails Upon the Trackless Sea
"Not to worry Fillian! You keep an eye on them from above and shout if they get behind anybody!"
Kestrell uses a bonus action to inspire Kay: "Hey Kay! Let them have it and make them run away!"
Then Kestrell will cast Phantasmal Force on the creature in front of him, and make make the illusion of an identical to Kestrell fencer 1 space below the creature, so it thinks we have it pinned against the side of the ship. The illusion will continue taunting the creature and feinting with his rapier.
OOC: This round the illusion deals 6 psychic damage to the creature. The creature can use it's action to examine the phantasm with a DC14 Investigation check to realize it is an illusion. If not, the creature treats the phantasm as if it were real.
OOC: 1d6 Bardic Inspiration to Kay to use by adding to an attack role, saving throw or skill check after the roll is made but before the outcome is known.
Kay hurriedly clambers down the rigging as fast as she can while trying not to draw any unnecessary attention. Near the deck, she swings around the rigging dropping down quietly behind the creature assailing the deckhand as she draws one of her shortswords.
bonus action : stealth
action : dash
movement : Kay to H10
~♡~