I have placed our heroes on the map based on what we knew about the situation...James and Builder are near the hatch since they got the perception checks...Varus is near the hatch because presumably he just moved there to be prepared to shove. Since for the time being you guys are staying on the lower deck your characters are on the tab labeled "The Lower and Middle Decks". Rats are depicted on the bilges map.
Initiative is:
21 Varus 21 Builder 18 James 16 Sericea 14 Rat Swarm 13 Birel 9 Giant Rats 4 Ventus
Builder, James, and Sericea...please go ahead and post what actions you will be taking. If anyone is planning on braving the bilges, sliding down the ladder to get into the bilges takes 5' of movement if you are adjacent to the ladder square. Climbing up the ladder to get back to the lower deck will requires 10' of movement from the space labeled ladder. You can stand in that space if you want, but doing so will prevent anyone else from coming down the ladder...so not the best thing for you probably.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sericea edges around the hatch, next to Varus (move to J4). She sees the gigantic rats, some now outlined in pale light.
She looks back at Varus and sheepishly admits "Despite appearances to the contrary, magic and I have been getting along about as well as a full stomach and a rough sea... but I'll see what I can do."
She looks at a large rat (GR4) near the swarm, and concentrates on the water all around them. She tries to recapture the energy she felt when she summoned the fog, but channel it with a sharper focus. She extends her hand, and to her own surprise an Ice Knife crystalizes in the air and streaks towards the rat.
Attack with Faerie Fire: 14
Damage if it hits: 8
Damage if rates within 5 feet fail a Dex 13 saving throw: 8
The knife hits the surface of the water, just above the giant rat, and with a large crack it explodes into shards of ice that fly in every direction. Sericea is as startled as the rats, although she tries to hide her gasp of surprise.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The targeted rat shudders in surprise, air bubbles rising to the surface belying a squeak of shock as the ice knife grazes its haunch.
Dex Saves!
GR1 - 6
GR4 - 16
RS - 8
Neither of the large rats nor the rat swarm are able to get out of the way of the flying shards of ice that pelt their fur. The two larger rats are unable to take the force of the ice blast and float to the surface dead. The rat swarm seems more able to handle the cold though and lets out a chorus of angry squeaks.
With her ice knife Sericea successfully kills GR1 and GR4. Well done!
James looks down into the bilges and spots the outline of a giant rat near the ladder that is under the water, "Well I can't cast any fancy spells... So I guess I'm the first one down there." James will go down the ladder and shimmy around to be out of the way of the ladder. He will take a swing at the submerged giant rat.
Action: attack GR5, Attack: 6 Damage: 10 Slashing Movement: down the ladder and over to H7
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Apparently aggravated by the bite of cold that cut through their relaxation and cooling off, the rats in the swarm begin crawling up the side of the ship wall.
Acrobatics to scurry up the wall and through the floorboards. 4
Squeaking furiously and scurrying one over the other they find a knothole in the floor of the lower deck, bubbling up and through in a disturbing fashion on the the deck with the rest of you. With the remainder of their movement they manage to make it into Builder's space and begin crawling over and biting the Warforged Artificer.
Attack: 12 Damage: 7
Fortunately, they seem unable to pierce his hardened exterior, for now.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Birel sweeps with her first axe, causing the rat to come up out of the water. Her second axe finds the creature's neck, smoothly lopping off its head.
*bum bum bum...another one bites the dust*
Feeling to movement in the water, the other three giant rats circle around and close in on James and Birel.
GR5 shifts to the starboard gunwhale and snaps at James's leg under the water.
GR5 Attack v James: 17 Damage: 4
The vicious attack cleaves through a major artery near his ankle and the murky water turns a pink color.
GR6 closes in, taking advantage of James's distraction from GR5 to come up out of the water and attempt to bite him in the torso. (Pack Tactics)
GR6 Attack v James: 24 Damage: 6
As the rat bites viciously into him, James goes down, unconscious in the bilges.
Meanwhile GR2 closes with Birel and attempts to bite her.
GR2 Attack v Birel: 10 Damage: 5
The bite hurts, but does not threaten Birel too badly.
With those attacks resolved Ventus is up and it comes around to the top of the initiative order with Varus, Builder, James, and Sericea. A whole lot of rats are going to be dead before they get to act again...lol. Post your actions.
Builder sets about attempting the skewer the smaller rats swarming upon him with his daggers. He finds some success, but not quite as much as he would hope.
The rat swarm has resistance to piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing damage...so reduced by half they take a total of 3 damage from your dagger attacks.
Edit to add: The rat swarm is faerie fire'ed...let me roll your advantage to check for crits.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ventus looks at the swarm filled with creatures born of his worst nightmares, and says “Stay back you mangy fiends!” and hopes his vicious mockery forces them for retreat, then plays a quick tune on flute and shouts at James, sending a small pulse of healing energy to him.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Varus grimaces as James and Birel climb down and growls as James drops, "Idiots, all of you. Always trying your best to die. I don't know why I bother."
He draws one handaxe before jumping into the bilges, grabbing onto the ladder and sliding down. He lets out a loud shout as he rages, before stepping forward and swinging a handaxe at GR5.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
James sits up out of the water gasping for air and coughing, "Davy Jones!" He curses as he gets back up shaking. He steels his resolve and arcs his great sword around to come down on top of the rat to his right.
There is once again a chorus of screeches as the swarm recoils from Ventus' magic. Several flee the swarm attempting to find other hiding places on the ship. (The swarm is now below half HP...which matters for its rules, so figured you should know.)
Ventus is also able to use his magic to get James back up from the pool of water.
Varus slides down the ladder and with his momentum chops the head off of the final faerie fired giant rat, only two large rats remain on the lowest deck of the ship.
James attempts a stab at the other rat near him, but it again swims rapidly out of his way.
Sericea is surprised how quickly everything is happening, but she pulls her wits together as she sees Builder and Ventus trying to deal with the rats around them. She concentrates on the magic again. This time a blue-white beam erupts from her outstretched palm, aimed at the swarm of rats.
Ray of Frost with FF advantage: 19 - Damage if it hits 5
The beam hits the deck all around the rats, leaving a patch of frost and noticeably chilling the hold momentarily.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The ray of frost is effective at thinning the numbers of the swarm as several of the small rats drop to the deck frozen solid and still more continue to flee for safer climes. The swarm looks close to breaking up, but continues its resolute attack on builder.
Attack: 11 Damage: 6
But distracted as they are by the noise and the cold they seem to fight eachother more on Builder's body than they do actually bite into him.
Birel is up, and then the giant rats will act before you guys put the last nail in the coffin I think.
I have placed our heroes on the map based on what we knew about the situation...James and Builder are near the hatch since they got the perception checks...Varus is near the hatch because presumably he just moved there to be prepared to shove. Since for the time being you guys are staying on the lower deck your characters are on the tab labeled "The Lower and Middle Decks". Rats are depicted on the bilges map.
Initiative is:
21 Varus
21 Builder
18 James
16 Sericea
14 Rat Swarm
13 Birel
9 Giant Rats
4 Ventus
Builder, James, and Sericea...please go ahead and post what actions you will be taking. If anyone is planning on braving the bilges, sliding down the ladder to get into the bilges takes 5' of movement if you are adjacent to the ladder square. Climbing up the ladder to get back to the lower deck will requires 10' of movement from the space labeled ladder. You can stand in that space if you want, but doing so will prevent anyone else from coming down the ladder...so not the best thing for you probably.
I think that is it? FIGHT!
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Not sure how useful this will be, but Builder will cast faerie fire DC is 13 Dex save.
FF Saving Throws
GR1 - 17
GR3 - 9
GR4 - 9
GR5 - 6
RS - 5
3 of the giant rats and the rat swarm all begin glowing with a pale blue light. It outlines them in the water, making them easier to spot and target.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Sericea edges around the hatch, next to Varus (move to J4). She sees the gigantic rats, some now outlined in pale light.
She looks back at Varus and sheepishly admits "Despite appearances to the contrary, magic and I have been getting along about as well as a full stomach and a rough sea... but I'll see what I can do."
She looks at a large rat (GR4) near the swarm, and concentrates on the water all around them. She tries to recapture the energy she felt when she summoned the fog, but channel it with a sharper focus. She extends her hand, and to her own surprise an Ice Knife crystalizes in the air and streaks towards the rat.
Attack with Faerie Fire: 14
Damage if it hits: 8
Damage if rates within 5 feet fail a Dex 13 saving throw: 8
The knife hits the surface of the water, just above the giant rat, and with a large crack it explodes into shards of ice that fly in every direction. Sericea is as startled as the rats, although she tries to hide her gasp of surprise.
The targeted rat shudders in surprise, air bubbles rising to the surface belying a squeak of shock as the ice knife grazes its haunch.
Dex Saves!
GR1 - 6
GR4 - 16
RS - 8
Neither of the large rats nor the rat swarm are able to get out of the way of the flying shards of ice that pelt their fur. The two larger rats are unable to take the force of the ice blast and float to the surface dead. The rat swarm seems more able to handle the cold though and lets out a chorus of angry squeaks.
With her ice knife Sericea successfully kills GR1 and GR4. Well done!
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
James looks down into the bilges and spots the outline of a giant rat near the ladder that is under the water, "Well I can't cast any fancy spells... So I guess I'm the first one down there." James will go down the ladder and shimmy around to be out of the way of the ladder. He will take a swing at the submerged giant rat.
Action: attack GR5, Attack: 6 Damage: 10 Slashing
Movement: down the ladder and over to H7
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Karnic, since GR5 is affected by the faerie fire you get advantage on that attack...let me roll your second die for you.
9
Despite the illumination outlining his target the giant rat is too nimble for James under the water, quickly swimming away from his swing.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Apparently aggravated by the bite of cold that cut through their relaxation and cooling off, the rats in the swarm begin crawling up the side of the ship wall.
Acrobatics to scurry up the wall and through the floorboards. 4
Squeaking furiously and scurrying one over the other they find a knothole in the floor of the lower deck, bubbling up and through in a disturbing fashion on the the deck with the rest of you. With the remainder of their movement they manage to make it into Builder's space and begin crawling over and biting the Warforged Artificer.
Attack: 12 Damage: 7
Fortunately, they seem unable to pierce his hardened exterior, for now.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Birel goes down the ladder and moves to attack GR3 with both of her handaxes.
Action: Handaxe Attack: Attack: 15 Damage: 5
Bonus Action: Offhand Handaxe Attack: 18 Damage: 2
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Birel sweeps with her first axe, causing the rat to come up out of the water. Her second axe finds the creature's neck, smoothly lopping off its head.
*bum bum bum...another one bites the dust*
Feeling to movement in the water, the other three giant rats circle around and close in on James and Birel.
GR5 shifts to the starboard gunwhale and snaps at James's leg under the water.
GR5 Attack v James: 17 Damage: 4
The vicious attack cleaves through a major artery near his ankle and the murky water turns a pink color.
GR6 closes in, taking advantage of James's distraction from GR5 to come up out of the water and attempt to bite him in the torso. (Pack Tactics)
GR6 Attack v James: 24 Damage: 6
As the rat bites viciously into him, James goes down, unconscious in the bilges.
Meanwhile GR2 closes with Birel and attempts to bite her.
GR2 Attack v Birel: 10 Damage: 5
The bite hurts, but does not threaten Birel too badly.
With those attacks resolved Ventus is up and it comes around to the top of the initiative order with Varus, Builder, James, and Sericea. A whole lot of rats are going to be dead before they get to act again...lol. Post your actions.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Builder draws his second dagger and attacks the rat swarm around him.. with both daggers.
To hit: 15
Damage: 4
Bonus Action Off-hand to hit: 11
Damage: 2
Builder sets about attempting the skewer the smaller rats swarming upon him with his daggers. He finds some success, but not quite as much as he would hope.
The rat swarm has resistance to piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing damage...so reduced by half they take a total of 3 damage from your dagger attacks.
Edit to add: The rat swarm is faerie fire'ed...let me roll your advantage to check for crits.
Attack 1 19
Attack 2 6
Bah...so close!
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Ventus looks at the swarm filled with creatures born of his worst nightmares, and says “Stay back you mangy fiends!” and hopes his vicious mockery forces them for retreat, then plays a quick tune on flute and shouts at James, sending a small pulse of healing energy to him.
VM damage: 3
HW healing: 3
Varus grimaces as James and Birel climb down and growls as James drops, "Idiots, all of you. Always trying your best to die. I don't know why I bother."
He draws one handaxe before jumping into the bilges, grabbing onto the ladder and sliding down. He lets out a loud shout as he rages, before stepping forward and swinging a handaxe at GR5.
Attack: 15 Damage: 9
James sits up out of the water gasping for air and coughing, "Davy Jones!" He curses as he gets back up shaking. He steels his resolve and arcs his great sword around to come down on top of the rat to his right.
Movement: None
Bonus Action: Second Wind - 7
Action: Attack GR6 - Attack: 14 Damage: 15 Slashing
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Swarm VM wis save 4
Update coming once I see this result.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
There is once again a chorus of screeches as the swarm recoils from Ventus' magic. Several flee the swarm attempting to find other hiding places on the ship. (The swarm is now below half HP...which matters for its rules, so figured you should know.)
Ventus is also able to use his magic to get James back up from the pool of water.
Varus slides down the ladder and with his momentum chops the head off of the final faerie fired giant rat, only two large rats remain on the lowest deck of the ship.
James attempts a stab at the other rat near him, but it again swims rapidly out of his way.
Sericea and then the rat swarm gets to act.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Sericea is surprised how quickly everything is happening, but she pulls her wits together as she sees Builder and Ventus trying to deal with the rats around them. She concentrates on the magic again. This time a blue-white beam erupts from her outstretched palm, aimed at the swarm of rats.
Ray of Frost with FF advantage: 19 - Damage if it hits 5
The beam hits the deck all around the rats, leaving a patch of frost and noticeably chilling the hold momentarily.
The ray of frost is effective at thinning the numbers of the swarm as several of the small rats drop to the deck frozen solid and still more continue to flee for safer climes. The swarm looks close to breaking up, but continues its resolute attack on builder.
Attack: 11 Damage: 6
But distracted as they are by the noise and the cold they seem to fight eachother more on Builder's body than they do actually bite into him.
Birel is up, and then the giant rats will act before you guys put the last nail in the coffin I think.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Birel looks to the giant rat (GR2) remaining her here and takes two swings at it with her handaxes.
Action: Handaxe Attack: 5 Damage: 5
Bonus Action: Handaxe Attack: 7 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard