Builder has the group pause as they go below decks, then moves to his hidey-hole and brings out the weapons he found that first day. "We may want to have more than just our hands when we go down there." He explains as he hands out three maces and takes a dagger for himself.
DM: I see this hidey-hole as something he actually made with his tools, knowing the ship's construction, so he was able to build a small cubby in an area of the ship, then use mending to fix the area so it could not be detected.
With your skills and magic creating a hidey hole probably wouldn't be a problem. I will point out you each have a locker on the lower deck assigned to you just like the rest of the lower crew. A cursory inspection would show that the lock could be overcome by someone with decent skill, so not the most reliable...but it exists. So the three maces are up for grabs if anyone needs arms heading down.
After James gathers everyone and tells them what is happening he makes his way to the quartermaster, "Um... Excuse me Miss. Did you happen to procure a greatsword by chance, and if so my I borrow it? Plugg kind of voluntold me and a few others to check the bilges and I'd rather not go in unarmed if there is something down there."
Cut-throat looks at you closely. "You 'n' yers have been better for the ship so far than most of the officers...I think I can see clear to let you borrow the greatsword, so long as it doesn't go above deck. And tell you what, bring me some gold so I ken honestly say it was sold and I might let you keep it. Tell me what you ken afford and I'll see what I can do."
She produces your greatsword from a large chest. Inside you catch a glance of several other large pieces of armament, including a pike with some fine detail work on it and a very nice looking long bow that has been unstrung for storage.
Birel follows James to the quartermaster as well, "I had a couple of handaxes. I can pay you for them, I'm not going down there unarmed."
"A pair of handaxes? I think I've got them...let's see."She scrounges through a smaller chest containing several different axes and comes back with two that look the most plain. "These came from that scab Magpie after he tried to rob me store. Seeing how boring they are and how he don't need em no more, I'll give you a good price. Say 5 o' the round ones for the pair?"
Thanks to Cut-throat being helpful she is willing to sell any of your original gear back to you at half-price without any required roll. If you want to barter her down lower or tell her some kind of reason why she needs to be rid of the item that will require a social skill. GM Hint:
Sericea got the tip earlier from Ambrose that Grok is a superstitious sort. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. In fact several of the NPCs have something about them that makes them easier to talk to, make friends with, or manipulate...if you can discover what that thing is for that NPC.
Keep in mind, taking advantage of friends too much is a good way to lose friends...so remember balance...or at least don't get caught.
James balances the sword in his hands getting a feel for the weapon, "I'll make sure to return this and not take it above deck. How dark is it in the bilges?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Varus pulls out his handaxe before asking Grok, "I've got no gold on me, but this was one of a pair, and I'd like to borrow the other when we go belowdecks."
Birel pulls the gold from her pouch and takes the axes. "Is my bow okay?" she asks, inspecting the handaxes.
"Hmm...I have quite a few bows, long, short, cross. Multiple of each. I don't rightly know which one is yers perse, but I take good care of all me items in tha shop."
James balances the sword in his hands getting a feel for the weapon, "I'll make sure to return this and not take it above deck. How dark is it in the bilges?"
"Well, it's not noon-day sun...but it is bright enough to do work. There are lanterns hangin' from the ceiling in a couple of places that whoever was assigned down there probably lit when they got started. If not you will want to light them up."
Varus pulls out his handaxe before asking Grok, "I've got no gold on me, but this was one of a pair, and I'd like to borrow the other when we go belowdecks."
"Lemme see tha. Ah, yeah...that's a niceun. I think I saw one that looked like that..."She again digs into one of her chests and procures the matching handaxe to the one you showed as example. "Same as with the lad there aight? Not above decks until you pay for it...bring it right back. I'll not be goin' in the box for you lot, as nice as you all are."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
"I wasn't doubting your ability to take care of them," Birel says quickly. "I just spent quite a bit of time working on that bow. You take care now!" She says. "sorry if I offended you,"she goes to rejoin the rest getting ready to go look for the creepy crawly's.
James thanks the quartermaster for helping and heads down to were the hatch to the bilges is at, saying as he goes. "I'm ready to go when everyone else is."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Going to assume everyone is ready and introduce the battlefield. If anyone needs to retroactively go talk to Grok for simple equipment (weapons or armor) that is fine.
James throws open the hatch to the bilges and peers down inside. Grok was right that lanterns would likely already be lit in the lowest deck, providing a fair light throughout the cramped space. A dark water murky water pools on the deck, reflecting the two lanterns from above. Refuse and discards from the crew float on the water, and small ripples bely something sinister below.
As he watches, James sees movement in the corner against the wall...a swarm of rats lies against the port rear side of the ship, cooling themselves in the fetid water. At that moment, a much larger rat breaches the surface of the water and takes a lung full of air before submerging again, attempting to escape the sticky heat of mid-day.
It seems Plugg was right, rodents...rodents of unusual size even! From the ripples in the water you would guess that there are multiple of the larger rats to deal with, in addition to the rat swarm. Right now James is still on the lower deck, having not yet entered the bilges below. The larger rats are of small size, so about the size of a small to mediumish dog. The rat swarm is medium made up of tiny creatures.
Assuming you are going to follow orders and head down to kill the creatures go ahead and roll initiative for me.
Sericea follows along, grateful for the distraction from her poor job at fishing. She wonders if she could even claim that a rat stole her catch...
At the quartermaster's, she gives Ventus his money pouch back (30g).
She is intrigued that Builder has hidden away some weapons, light-heartedly quipping, "Well, there's more than meets the eye to you! Nice to see we have a few hidden assets on this ship. I'll pass though, I've gotten by with this dagger for quite a while, I fear I'd do more harm than good with a mace!" Inwardly though, she wonders if she can again harness the magic that has been surrounding her of late.
Initiative: 16
OOC: It looks like the hatch to the bilges leads into roughly the middle of them. Do we get a sense of where the various rats are around the bilges?
It is hard to tell which ripples and waves are from the motion of the boat and which are more localized and are coming from a large rat under the water. You might have some success if you make a good perception roll, but with how the hatch is situated I am going to say only 2 people can make that roll before combat rounds begin...James (who is at the hatch already) and one other of your guys' choosing.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
With his mechanical eyes Builder is able to expertly discern the difference between the movement of the ship and isolated water ripples likely caused by creatures under the water.
With a natural 20 you know where all of the giant rats currently are. Map has been updated to indicate such. There are 6 giant rats in addition to the rat swarm.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Varus looks at Sericea, "I've seen you use magic before. Why don't you just shoot those rats with something good while we wait up here? If they come up, I'll knock them right back down."
Varus readies himself if any rats climb up.
(Ready action to shove if any rats get within his melee reach)
Twirling his flute, Ventus says “So long as I have this and air in my lungs, I’m always armed.”
With your skills and magic creating a hidey hole probably wouldn't be a problem. I will point out you each have a locker on the lower deck assigned to you just like the rest of the lower crew. A cursory inspection would show that the lock could be overcome by someone with decent skill, so not the most reliable...but it exists. So the three maces are up for grabs if anyone needs arms heading down.
Cut-throat looks at you closely. "You 'n' yers have been better for the ship so far than most of the officers...I think I can see clear to let you borrow the greatsword, so long as it doesn't go above deck. And tell you what, bring me some gold so I ken honestly say it was sold and I might let you keep it. Tell me what you ken afford and I'll see what I can do."
She produces your greatsword from a large chest. Inside you catch a glance of several other large pieces of armament, including a pike with some fine detail work on it and a very nice looking long bow that has been unstrung for storage.
"A pair of handaxes? I think I've got them...let's see." She scrounges through a smaller chest containing several different axes and comes back with two that look the most plain. "These came from that scab Magpie after he tried to rob me store. Seeing how boring they are and how he don't need em no more, I'll give you a good price. Say 5 o' the round ones for the pair?"
Thanks to Cut-throat being helpful she is willing to sell any of your original gear back to you at half-price without any required roll. If you want to barter her down lower or tell her some kind of reason why she needs to be rid of the item that will require a social skill. GM Hint:
Sericea got the tip earlier from Ambrose that Grok is a superstitious sort. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. In fact several of the NPCs have something about them that makes them easier to talk to, make friends with, or manipulate...if you can discover what that thing is for that NPC.
Keep in mind, taking advantage of friends too much is a good way to lose friends...so remember balance...or at least don't get caught.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Birel pulls the gold from her pouch and takes the axes. "Is my bow okay?" she asks, inspecting the handaxes.
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
James balances the sword in his hands getting a feel for the weapon, "I'll make sure to return this and not take it above deck. How dark is it in the bilges?"
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Varus pulls out his handaxe before asking Grok, "I've got no gold on me, but this was one of a pair, and I'd like to borrow the other when we go belowdecks."
"Hmm...I have quite a few bows, long, short, cross. Multiple of each. I don't rightly know which one is yers perse, but I take good care of all me items in tha shop."
"Well, it's not noon-day sun...but it is bright enough to do work. There are lanterns hangin' from the ceiling in a couple of places that whoever was assigned down there probably lit when they got started. If not you will want to light them up."
"Lemme see tha. Ah, yeah...that's a niceun. I think I saw one that looked like that..." She again digs into one of her chests and procures the matching handaxe to the one you showed as example. "Same as with the lad there aight? Not above decks until you pay for it...bring it right back. I'll not be goin' in the box for you lot, as nice as you all are."
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
"I wasn't doubting your ability to take care of them," Birel says quickly. "I just spent quite a bit of time working on that bow. You take care now!" She says. "sorry if I offended you," she goes to rejoin the rest getting ready to go look for the creepy crawly's.
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
James thanks the quartermaster for helping and heads down to were the hatch to the bilges is at, saying as he goes. "I'm ready to go when everyone else is."
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Going to assume everyone is ready and introduce the battlefield. If anyone needs to retroactively go talk to Grok for simple equipment (weapons or armor) that is fine.
James throws open the hatch to the bilges and peers down inside. Grok was right that lanterns would likely already be lit in the lowest deck, providing a fair light throughout the cramped space. A dark water murky water pools on the deck, reflecting the two lanterns from above. Refuse and discards from the crew float on the water, and small ripples bely something sinister below.
As he watches, James sees movement in the corner against the wall...a swarm of rats lies against the port rear side of the ship, cooling themselves in the fetid water. At that moment, a much larger rat breaches the surface of the water and takes a lung full of air before submerging again, attempting to escape the sticky heat of mid-day.
It seems Plugg was right, rodents...rodents of unusual size even! From the ripples in the water you would guess that there are multiple of the larger rats to deal with, in addition to the rat swarm. Right now James is still on the lower deck, having not yet entered the bilges below. The larger rats are of small size, so about the size of a small to mediumish dog. The rat swarm is medium made up of tiny creatures.
Assuming you are going to follow orders and head down to kill the creatures go ahead and roll initiative for me.
Giant Rat(s) Initiative: 9
Rat Swarm Initiative: 14
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Varus holds both his handaxes out warily, "Let's clean this mess up quick, I need to clean myself off."
Initiative: 21
Sericea follows along, grateful for the distraction from her poor job at fishing. She wonders if she could even claim that a rat stole her catch...
At the quartermaster's, she gives Ventus his money pouch back (30g).
She is intrigued that Builder has hidden away some weapons, light-heartedly quipping, "Well, there's more than meets the eye to you! Nice to see we have a few hidden assets on this ship. I'll pass though, I've gotten by with this dagger for quite a while, I fear I'd do more harm than good with a mace!" Inwardly though, she wonders if she can again harness the magic that has been surrounding her of late.
Initiative: 16
OOC: It looks like the hatch to the bilges leads into roughly the middle of them. Do we get a sense of where the various rats are around the bilges?
It is hard to tell which ripples and waves are from the motion of the boat and which are more localized and are coming from a large rat under the water. You might have some success if you make a good perception roll, but with how the hatch is situated I am going to say only 2 people can make that roll before combat rounds begin...James (who is at the hatch already) and one other of your guys' choosing.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Builder initiative: 21
Ventus initiative: 4
Builder moves up next to james and looks into the area below...
Perception: 24
With his mechanical eyes Builder is able to expertly discern the difference between the movement of the ship and isolated water ripples likely caused by creatures under the water.
With a natural 20 you know where all of the giant rats currently are. Map has been updated to indicate such. There are 6 giant rats in addition to the rat swarm.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
"Six of the big ones..." Builder calls back to the others. "Then a mass of the little ones."
James nods to the warforged as he gets ready to jump down into the murky water below., "Nice eyes."
Initiative: 18
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Varus looks at Sericea, "I've seen you use magic before. Why don't you just shoot those rats with something good while we wait up here? If they come up, I'll knock them right back down."
Varus readies himself if any rats climb up.
(Ready action to shove if any rats get within his melee reach)
Birel draws her axes and readies for a fight. (Init: 5)
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