You can absolutely use the ballistas. However, they take 1 action to load, 1 action to aim, 1 action to fire. They're all loaded at this point, but you would have to aim it before firing. The mechanism for firing is simple enough that Cadmael could probably do it as his action.
Brask, she will use her movement to head up to the cargo deck on her turn. I assume you'll do the same?
The spiritual weapon misses - Burik almost feels some kind of intervening force. He glances over at the orc captain, and Umog smiles at him as she moves forward. Burik charges, swinging his weapon and taking the captain by surprise. As she pulls up her arm in defense, he connects with her side. The distinct sound of a snapping rib can be heard as Umog winces in pain. She stands up tall, though, refocusing and glaring daggers at the dwarf.
Effort, from up on the stern you notice that the black smoke from the fire has stopped. The last puff fades away as he retreats to the back of the boat, and the air is clear once again.
The water genasi and Brask climb up from steerage onto the cargo deck. To their left, the friendly goblin is barely holding up the final pieces of a broken down door, with two goblins behind it swinging their scimitars, chipping away and breaking up the wood planks. To their right, the goblin boss emerges from the formerly burning quarters. His eyes go wide when he sees the minotaur and the genasi. Gnashing his teeth, he slowly draws his scimitar and points it at them.
Without hesitation, the genasi throws up both of her hands. Palms extending toward the goblin boss, his approach jerks to a sudden halt. She casts Hold Person.
Goblin boss Wisdom save (DC13): 12
His eyes shoot back and forth, but no other parts of him move. Brask, you can sense the tension as he struggles against her power. As you look over, she returns the glance. Looking down at your maul, she asks with a raspy voice, "Are you going to use that thing, or what?"
Back up on the main deck, the final goblin on the stern launches the ballista arrow at Effort. Attack: 19 Damage: 16
The huge arrow plunges into Effort's side. She grabs for the wound, trying to apply pressure as blood bubbles up and starts to soak her legs. She teeters, nearing unconsciousness, but somehow remains standing.
The two goblins step up to support Umog, both swinging their scimitars down at Burik.
Attack: 19 Damage: 8
Attack: 6 Damage: 7
Crooked Jaw uses his turn to continue holding back the trapped goblins. Effort, you're up (along with Cadmael's reaction - when he fires the ballista it will be +6 to hit and 3d10 damage).
(Actually, Effort gained 6 temp HP from killing the last goblin, so she's not doing well, but not nearing the edge of death yet ;-) She does however have to make a concentration save to keep her hex spell: 17 )
Effort growls, but pushing through the pain, turns the ballista onto Umog. (if she still has it, she'll transfer her hex to Umog as well)
(a pause while we check the con save... yep, so BA: Hex transfer to Umog)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Umog instinctively steps to the side as the arrow *thunks* into the deck of the ship. She quickly glances up at you, Effort, with a grin on her face. Cadmael flies off, circling the deck again and waiting for another opportunity to help.I'm sorry, he thinks.
Brask:
Down on the cargo deck, Brask can hear the goblins breaking down the door behind him. The first swings its scimitar against the wood...
Attack: 8 Damage: 6
The final piece splinters apart, and the second goblin leaps forward, attacking Crooked Jaw, who falls backward.
Attack: 24 Damage: 10
Steel slices through his flesh, as blood sprays from a large wound on his chest. He cries out in pain and horror, but looks to still be alive...
Back up on the main deck, the goblin archer from across the way fires a bolt toward Burik.
Attack: 20 Damage: 8
Umog surveys the battle on her ship, and calmly reaches to her side. Her body jerks with energy as the wound on her side caused by Burik slowly shrinks in size. She casts Cure Wounds and regains 9 HP.
Damn, these goblins are rolling ridiculously well! Brask is up! If you attack the goblin boss, remember that you have advantage and if you hit, you crit.
As the water genasi holds the goblin boss in place, both palms extending outward, she closes one into a fist. When she reopens it, a blue flame bursts forth and flies at the suspended goblin. Produce Flame
Attack: 6 Damage: 2 if it hits, it crits: 7
The goblins behind her are able to distract her just enough that the flame sails over his shoulder. But Crooked Jaw, as close to death as one could get, somehow musters enough energy to swing his scimitar down on one of the goblins.
Attack: 5 Damage: 4 ...he misses, terribly.
Back up on the main deck, the ballista goblin abandons his station, pulling out his scimitar as he charges toward Effort.
The blast connects with the archer, exploding when it reaches his chest. He's lifted off the deck and flies over the railing of the ship, crashing into the water below.
Down in the cargo deck, the two goblins that have escaped their room try to finish off the friendly goblin.
Attack: 21 Damage: 6
The scimitar blade slides through his chest like butter, exiting through the back. He tries to look at the genasi and Brask for help, but he can't turn his head that far around. Besides, it's far too late. After a moment, he crumples onto the ground. The second goblin wastes no time leaping over his body and swinging at the genasi.
Attack: 15 Damage: 6
It catches her shoulder, slicing it deeply. She winces, but tries to regain her concentration on the boss...
DC10 CON save: 12
Back up on the main deck, Umog steps forward and thrusts a fist in Burik's direction. As her palm opens, a strange energy bursts forth and rushes toward Burik. She casts Bane
Burik, roll a DC12 Charisma save. You can use Cadmael's advantage on your save or your attack - up to you. Brask is up. Then Burik (who will need to subtract a d4 from any rolls if the save fails).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
CHA Save 10
Burik's shield darkens, blackens almost, as he attempts to bash Umog. Inflict Wounds16 : 19 Necrotic damage (Unable to parse dice roll. on CHA save fail)
While doing so he brings the Spiritual weapon down to support his attack 18 : 5 Radiant damage (Unable to parse dice roll. on failed save)
(So, DM question… can Effort, after having cleared the ballista next to her of its occupant, use it on her next turn? :D)
You can absolutely use the ballistas. However, they take 1 action to load, 1 action to aim, 1 action to fire. They're all loaded at this point, but you would have to aim it before firing. The mechanism for firing is simple enough that Cadmael could probably do it as his action.
Brask, she will use her movement to head up to the cargo deck on her turn. I assume you'll do the same?
Burik is up.
DM - Above & Below
Brask will chase after her, hoping this kid will prove useful, and determined to keep her safe so she gets the chance.
Glancing back towards the trail boats, Burik will send his spiritual weapon towards this new archer. 11 : 8
He'll then turn to face the Orc Captain, taking a swing at them. 18 : 11
The spiritual weapon misses - Burik almost feels some kind of intervening force. He glances over at the orc captain, and Umog smiles at him as she moves forward. Burik charges, swinging his weapon and taking the captain by surprise. As she pulls up her arm in defense, he connects with her side. The distinct sound of a snapping rib can be heard as Umog winces in pain. She stands up tall, though, refocusing and glaring daggers at the dwarf.
Effort, from up on the stern you notice that the black smoke from the fire has stopped. The last puff fades away as he retreats to the back of the boat, and the air is clear once again.
Cadmael is up.
DM - Above & Below
Cadmael will ready an action to fire the ballista as soon as Effort has aimed it, because he‘s a combat owl ;)
The water genasi and Brask climb up from steerage onto the cargo deck. To their left, the friendly goblin is barely holding up the final pieces of a broken down door, with two goblins behind it swinging their scimitars, chipping away and breaking up the wood planks. To their right, the goblin boss emerges from the formerly burning quarters. His eyes go wide when he sees the minotaur and the genasi. Gnashing his teeth, he slowly draws his scimitar and points it at them.
Without hesitation, the genasi throws up both of her hands. Palms extending toward the goblin boss, his approach jerks to a sudden halt. She casts Hold Person.
Goblin boss Wisdom save (DC13): 12
His eyes shoot back and forth, but no other parts of him move. Brask, you can sense the tension as he struggles against her power. As you look over, she returns the glance. Looking down at your maul, she asks with a raspy voice, "Are you going to use that thing, or what?"
Back up on the main deck, the final goblin on the stern launches the ballista arrow at Effort. Attack: 19 Damage: 16
The huge arrow plunges into Effort's side. She grabs for the wound, trying to apply pressure as blood bubbles up and starts to soak her legs. She teeters, nearing unconsciousness, but somehow remains standing.
Round 3: Deck goblins (2) > Crooked Jaw > Effort > Trapped goblins > Archer goblin > Umog > Brask > Burik > Goblin Boss > Cadmael > Water Genasi > Ballista goblin
The two goblins step up to support Umog, both swinging their scimitars down at Burik.
Attack: 19 Damage: 8
Attack: 6 Damage: 7
Crooked Jaw uses his turn to continue holding back the trapped goblins. Effort, you're up (along with Cadmael's reaction - when he fires the ballista it will be +6 to hit and 3d10 damage).
DM - Above & Below
(Actually, Effort gained 6 temp HP from killing the last goblin, so she's not doing well, but not nearing the edge of death yet ;-) She does however have to make a concentration save to keep her hex spell: 17 )
Effort growls, but pushing through the pain, turns the ballista onto Umog. (if she still has it, she'll transfer her hex to Umog as well)
(a pause while we check the con save... yep, so BA: Hex transfer to Umog)
Cadmael pulls the trigger, firing the ballista!
Attack: 8
Damage: 18
Necrotic Damage: 3
Umog instinctively steps to the side as the arrow *thunks* into the deck of the ship. She quickly glances up at you, Effort, with a grin on her face. Cadmael flies off, circling the deck again and waiting for another opportunity to help. I'm sorry, he thinks.
Brask:
Down on the cargo deck, Brask can hear the goblins breaking down the door behind him. The first swings its scimitar against the wood...
Attack: 8 Damage: 6
The final piece splinters apart, and the second goblin leaps forward, attacking Crooked Jaw, who falls backward.
Attack: 24 Damage: 10
Steel slices through his flesh, as blood sprays from a large wound on his chest. He cries out in pain and horror, but looks to still be alive...
Back up on the main deck, the goblin archer from across the way fires a bolt toward Burik.
Attack: 20 Damage: 8
Umog surveys the battle on her ship, and calmly reaches to her side. Her body jerks with energy as the wound on her side caused by Burik slowly shrinks in size. She casts Cure Wounds and regains 9 HP.
Damn, these goblins are rolling ridiculously well! Brask is up! If you attack the goblin boss, remember that you have advantage and if you hit, you crit.
DM - Above & Below
(for when it's Burik's turn)
Cure wounds lvl 2 12
And spiritual weapon against the archer 6 : 5
Getting to it now, missy, says Brask as he swings his maul towards the helpless goblin boss.
Attack: 16 Damage: 12. If that hits and is a critical, then the damage is that plus 4.
Oooof, his AC is 17.
Brask swings so hard, wanting to knock the goblin's head clean off, that he completely whiffs.
Goblin boss Wisdom save (DC13): 12
The goblin boss looks relieved for a moment, but as he continues to struggle, realizes the genasi is still overpowering him.
Cadmael is up.
DM - Above & Below
As the water genasi holds the goblin boss in place, both palms extending outward, she closes one into a fist. When she reopens it, a blue flame bursts forth and flies at the suspended goblin. Produce Flame
Attack: 6 Damage: 2 if it hits, it crits: 7
The goblins behind her are able to distract her just enough that the flame sails over his shoulder. But Crooked Jaw, as close to death as one could get, somehow musters enough energy to swing his scimitar down on one of the goblins.
Attack: 5 Damage: 4 ...he misses, terribly.
Back up on the main deck, the ballista goblin abandons his station, pulling out his scimitar as he charges toward Effort.
Attack: 14 Damage: 8
Round 4: Deck goblins (2) > Crooked Jaw > Effort > Cargo deck goblins > Archer goblin > Umog > Brask > Burik > Goblin Boss > Cadmael > Water Genasi > Ballista goblin
The two goblins protecting Umog continue to attack Burik, wearing him down.
Attack: 15 Damage: 4
Attack: 22 Damage: 6
Cadmael is still up, and then Effort. I can't believe how lopsided I'm rolling!
DM - Above & Below
Cadmael will give Burik advantage, while Effort will take aim at the archer goblin with an eldritch blast:
Attack: 7
Damage: 7
(Umog has disadvantage on STR checks, btw, from the Hex)
We'll use an inspiration on that to hit: 4
(if that's not enough, I'll also apply my 1d4, which you can roll for me... hit the damn goblin, LOL)
If it's a 4, it hits and kills the goblin... 4
The blast connects with the archer, exploding when it reaches his chest. He's lifted off the deck and flies over the railing of the ship, crashing into the water below.
Down in the cargo deck, the two goblins that have escaped their room try to finish off the friendly goblin.
Attack: 21 Damage: 6
The scimitar blade slides through his chest like butter, exiting through the back. He tries to look at the genasi and Brask for help, but he can't turn his head that far around. Besides, it's far too late. After a moment, he crumples onto the ground. The second goblin wastes no time leaping over his body and swinging at the genasi.
Attack: 15 Damage: 6
It catches her shoulder, slicing it deeply. She winces, but tries to regain her concentration on the boss...
DC10 CON save: 12
Back up on the main deck, Umog steps forward and thrusts a fist in Burik's direction. As her palm opens, a strange energy bursts forth and rushes toward Burik. She casts Bane
Burik, roll a DC12 Charisma save. You can use Cadmael's advantage on your save or your attack - up to you. Brask is up. Then Burik (who will need to subtract a d4 from any rolls if the save fails).
DM - Above & Below
Brask is desperately trying to kill off the goblin boss while he is vulnerable to attack:
Attack: 18 Damage: 12 If still a crit, add 6 damage.
That hits, add another 2d6!
DM - Above & Below
I did, but weirdly it didin't show until I re-edited the post. That happens sometimes.
CHA Save 10
Burik's shield darkens, blackens almost, as he attempts to bash Umog. Inflict Wounds 16 : 19 Necrotic damage (Unable to parse dice roll. on CHA save fail)
While doing so he brings the Spiritual weapon down to support his attack 18 : 5 Radiant damage (Unable to parse dice roll. on failed save)
So it doesn't screw up those GREAT rolls... 1st attack - 2, 2nd attack - 4
(also if Umog is still alive, +11 necrotic damage on the melee attack from channel divinity)